What's worth visiting in Western Australia?

[Mattg]

Hi folks,

I have an opportunity to visit almost any city in WA (other than Perth, which I'm already going to) later in the year. At this stage I'm looking at either Karratha or Port Hedland, though I would consider other destinations. I did consider Broome however I'm not sure that will work (due to lack of QF award availability on a specific day.)

I'm just wondering which destination others would choose, and why?

What's worth seeing in WA?

Edit: I may be able to get Broome to work after all, so happy to hear opinions on Broome. As far as I can tell it's the most touristy of the cities in north-west Australia

 

[Cool Cat Phil]

Hi folks,

I have an opportunity to visit almost any city in WA (other than Perth, which I'm already going to) later in the year. At this stage I'm looking at either Karratha or Port Hedland, though I would consider other destinations. I did consider Broome however I'm not sure that will work (due to lack of QF award availability on a specific day.)

I'm just wondering which destination others would choose, and why?

What's worth seeing in WA?

Fly to Learmouth, for the spectacular Ningaloo Reef!

Base yourself at Exmouth for a few days & switch off from the rest of society. ( well that's what I did when I visited many years ago).

The Ningaloo reef, IMHO is a real gem on the west Coast!

Spectacular coastal scenery with amazing opportunities to visit pristine, unspoilt reef systems, without the mass Tourism that the East Coast often experiences particularly on some parts of the Great Barrier Reef.

What makes this area so special IMHO is the lack of night clubs & neon lighting..... It's pretty basic & remote , but for a couple of days is so worth discovering.

Broome is legendary & is well worth seeing if the opportunity arises.

I would pass on Karratha & Port Hedland as destinations as the cities are shipping ports & service hubs for mining/oil/gas companies.... Very little in the way of scenic value I'm afraid to say in the cities themselves.

 

[Mattg]

Thanks for that advice Phil. I just had a look at availability out of Learmouth and unfortunately there isn't any on the date I need to travel. But a good suggestion nonetheless.

I'm thinking Broome is the best option now.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

JohnM's cellar?

 

[Daver6]

Its a little unclear. Are you looking for a town to base trips from looking to see what the town itself has to offer? If the latter, give Port Hedland and Karratha a wide berth!

Also, you didn't mention time of year or airline. Also, what is of interest to you? If its in the wet season, maybe consider Esperance?

 

[Mattg]

Its a little unclear. Are you looking for a town to base trips from looking to see what the town itself has to offer? If the latter, give Port Hedland and Karratha a wide berth!

Also, you didn't mention time of year or airline. Also, what is of interest to you? If its in the wet season, maybe consider Esperance?

I'll elaborate a little. I'll be flying QF (using AA miles).Will be in September. I'll only be wherever I go for 2-3 days due to other time constraints, so I'm just looking for somewhere interesting (and preferably not crazily expensive) to spend a few days. If there are any tours/day trips worth doing nearby, then great.

I was originally looking at Karratha and Port Hedland as there was good award availability, but will be avoiding those now!

A bit of background about the trip - I am flying AKL-BNE-PER in QF J for 17.5K AA miles anyway, and thought I might as well go somewhere else beyond Perth since it's the same price!

 

[clazman]

What about Kalgoorlie ?

 

[clazman]

Port Hedland as mentioned is a mining town, saying that there are some great national parks in the area for camping or you can drive to Broome / Karratha

Really depends on what you want to do

 

[Mattg]

What about Kalgoorlie ?

Hadn't thought of that - not a bad idea.

 

[Daver6]

Hmmm...best you don't come to WA if you don't want crazily expensive.

Esperance is out since you are stuck with QF.

I think Broome is still pretty good in September.

For Port Hedland/Karratha, unless you plan to hire a 4WD or go on an organised tour, there is little point. Broome, nice town, lots of touristy things to do and places to eat. Accommodation isn't cheap and to some extent having a car is helpful (but can get by with the limited bus service and taxis).

Kalgoorlie could be interesting too if the mining industry is of interest to you I suppose.

 

[Cool Cat Phil]

What about Kalgoorlie ?

I Once did a mine shaft tour (11 stories underground) in Kalgoorlie.

If those mine shaft tours are still operational I would highly recommend it (unless one suffers from claustrophobia).... Very informative.

In Kalgoorlie watch out for the infamous " Ladies of the night" on Hay street

 

[Warks]

Albany?

My father always waxed lyrical about Albany but I've never visited. Better harbour than Sydney he claimed!

 

[Mattg]

Thanks everyone for the suggestions. I ended up choosing Broome for two reasons. Firstly, it seems like an attractive tourist destination. Secondly, the flight timings worked out for me. (I'll be on a slightly tight schedule so this was a consideration.)

Had the flights to Broome not worked out, my next choice would have been Kalgoorlie. You never know, I might get there one day!

 

[dajop]

Broome's a good choice for the short amount of time you have.

Just for completeness the other QF destination worth a mention is Paraburdoo (believe it or not). Nice entry point (if you rent a car) to explore Karijini national park. (Also accessible from Newman)

 

[Mattg]

Broome's a good choice for the short amount of time you have.

Just for completeness the other QF destination worth a mention is Paraburdoo (believe it or not). Nice entry point (if you rent a car) to explore Karijini national park. (Also accessible from Newman)

I actually did consider going to Paraburdoo - if nothing else, to say that I'd been to a place called Paraburdoo! Good to know there's actually something worth seeing around there for future reference.

 

[Daver6]

I don't think you'll be disappointed with Broome. Lunch and some beers at Matso's Brewery should be on the cards.

 

[clazman]

Broome is expensive.... but that is tourist traps

Try the chilli and mango beer .....

Karijini national park as mentioned is worth the trip

 

[Cool Cat Phil]

+1 you'll love Broome!
From memory you can walk from the airport to the Town centre in a relative short amount of time.

As I'm sure you've already discovered a night time visit to Cable Beach witnessing the " Staircase to the moon" effect is well worth staying up for.

The Sun Picture theatre in Broome is certainly a blast from the past ..... It's a little different to your conventional picture theatre in the local shopping mall lets just say

 

[dajop]

As I'm sure you've already discovered a night time visit to Cable Beach witnessing the " Staircase to the moon" effect is well worth staying up for.

Isn't staircase to the moon best viewed over Roebuck Bay (at full moon times)?

 

[kalboy]

What about Kalgoorlie ?

The Kalgoorlie cup is on the last week of September, highly recommended.
I'd be happy to show you around the traps or give you some direction if you head my way.