Going on a holiday, especially abroad, spells excitement for children and parents alike. If you are looking for a destination with thrilling adventures, breathtaking nature and some good spots to unwind and spend time with the family, there’s no need to look further than Western Australia.
Only five hours away via direct flight from Kuala Lumpur to Perth, the state of Western Australia is a treasure trove of beautiful landscapes and diverse wildlife encased within a unique culture.
The little ones will love the diverse wildlife and can experience what Mother Nature has to offer with a farm stay, and for the adults, take in the picturesque countryside or partake in wine-tasting tours before indulging in Swan Valley’s many culinary offerings.
Not to be missed are the pristine beaches or flora and fauna at Rottnest Island, which is an excellent way to inject some out-of-school learnings for the children while on holiday – and immerse them in the island’s rich cultural history.
Below are the three different must-try experiences when in Western Australia:
Encounters with Western Australian Wildlife
Thanks to TV shows, documentaries and books your children may have watched or read, they might already be familiar with the animals native to Australia, which is why a trip to Western Australia will not be complete without meeting the wildlife in the state.
An excellent start for a wildlife adventure begins at Caversham Wildlife Park. This family-owned park boasts Western Australia’s largest private collection of wildlife. Bring your kids to experience Australia’s most unique and interesting animals and enjoy your own bespoke service with their dedicated wildlife professionals.
One encounter not to be missed is meeting the happiest animal in the world – the quokkas – at Rottnest Island. Undoubtedly Western Australia’s most iconic animal, be sure to take a memorable ‘quokka selfie’ with the perpetually smiling marsupial.
Other than meeting the quokkas, there are many other interesting activities on the car-free island, with 63 beaches and 20 bays to explore. Hire an e-bike and take your time or use the hop-on bus.
Wildlife in Western Australia are found on land and at sea. The state is known to be one of the world’s best whale-watching hotspots, featuring the largest whale migration in the southern hemisphere. Take your family on a whale-watching tour for an up-close moment with Orcas, Humpbacks, and Southern Right or Blue Whales.
For the older children, there are Perth Wildlife Encounters, which can arrange for them to swim with bottlenose dolphins at Rockingham. It’s an easy snorkel, and your kids can enjoy a dolphin show like never before.
If you and your family can’t get enough of the wildlife in Western Australia, another great place to visit is Perth Zoo. Home to more than 1,300 animals and an animal conservation centre. Here, your children will enjoy a range of experiences – from getting up close to the animals, to watching the animal feeding sessions and listening to animal talk shows.
At One with Nature
If you want something more adventurous, take a family-friendly stroll at Law Walk in Kings Park and Botanic Garden. Adjacent to the Swan River, one of the world’s largest inner city parks, this 2.5-kilometre trail follows the Mount Eliza escarpment, where the beautiful bushlands of Kings Park will greet you. With more than 400 hectares of land, a visit in September will warrant the magnificent view of colourful wildflowers throughout the park – all 3,000 species of them.
Let your small wanderers experience the magical sunset of Western Australia with a hike up Lesmurdie Falls. The trained and experienced guides from Off The Beaten Track WA will bring you up top, and your family will be rewarded with views of the Perth city skyline and the valleys of Mundy Regional Park.
Away from Perth’s hustle and bustle, trail through the Swan Coastal Plain at Yanchep National Park and relish in its amazing biodiversity. Take the chance to wind down with your little ones for a picnic and spot the western grey kangaroos – go and meet the Australian icon at the Koala boardwalk while you’re at it.
Inject some fun into your nature endeavours by visiting the Giants at Mandurah, created by world-leading recycle artist Thomas Dambo. With their first appearance in Australia, play the game to find these larger-than-life sculptures and journey into the lands of the Bindjareb Noongar people as you and your kids locate the final super-secret Giant.
If you’d like to truly venture down under, bring your kids to uncover the many caves in Margaret River. Explore the Leeuwin Naturaliste Ridge through a range of easy guided tours and marvel at the highly decorated limestone caves that lay beneath.
Activities Bringing Families Together
Apart from the wonders of wildlife and nature, Western Australia is home to many unique activities that everyone in the family can enjoy.
Swan Valley, just 25 minutes from Perth, plays host to many vineyards, and that means the sight of grape farms all around. One such farm to explore is Grapes on Swan, where you can pick grapes directly from the vineyards. It makes for a great learning experience for your children and one where they can learn and appreciate how grapes grow.
Another fun family activity is to check out 70 well-known historic buildings from around the world and play with scaled model trains at Amaze Miniature Park. The park features an extensive collection of miniature landmarks, including the Eiffel Tower, the Taj Mahal and many more.
The best way to explore more of the state’s beautiful landscape, culture and attractions is through a road trip. Whether you’re taking a short drive from the city or planning a multi-day adventure, a road trip is a chance to create unforgettable memories with your family that will last a lifetime.
To help you plan your road trip, Tourism Western Australia has released a guide for road trips throughout the state, so all you have to do is choose one and start your drive.
One story is not enough to share the many activities one can do in Western Australia, so you just have to go there and experience it for yourself. Who knows, you might even have a must-do and must-visit list of your own once you are there, so here’s to Western Australia and a new destination for you and your family.
For more details and destination inspirations for your next family holidays, head over to Tourism Western Australia’s website at https://www.westernaustralia.com.
The photographs used in this guide are courtesy of Tourism Western Australia.
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