Australia is on most people’s bucket list but not everyone gets to enjoy the country’s unique wildlife, sun-drenched beaches and natural wonders. What most Europeans do not realise is how big Australia really is. Without months of travel time allotted, it is impossible to visit all the major cities and tourist spots.
One of the biggest decisions even before buying your ticket is whether you will spend most of your time travelling the west coast or the east coast. Here, we make you aware of the major differences between the two coastlines and what they have on offer.
What’s on the West Coast?
The west coast of Australia is one of the least densely populated areas of the world. In fact, Perth is the west coast’s major city and is also the most remote city from another major city in the world. It takes just under 30 hours of constant driving to get from Perth to ‘nearby’ Adelaide.
North of Perth is a wealth of beautiful beaches, walking trails and even two pink lakes – all looking out over the glorious Indian Ocean. Many holidaymakers head here with their boats to go out on the water or choose to camp at places such as Monkey Mia (where you can hand feed dolphins) or the infamous Coral Bay with coral reefs just meters from the shorefront.
Heading East…
The east coast is the more likely destination for Australia visitors because it is where most of the cities can be found – and thus relatives and friends. It is a mixture of concrete jungles boasting coffee culture, awesome restaurants and things to do.
There are plenty of must-see nature stops along the east coast as well, such as the figure-8 pools south of Sydney and the nearby Blue mountains. Not to forget the Great Barrier Reef in the north of Queensland.
So, Where Should You Go?
You can always enjoy a slice of both coasts by taking an internal flight, but you will need a lot of time to take everything in properly. If you have to choose between the west and east, you should really ask what type of trip do you want to have?
If you are wanting to truly immerse yourself in nature without any large crowds, then the west coast will be best for you. If you want to experience nature and more than one Australian city – and bigger ones than Perth – then the east will be better for you.
But there is also one more consideration…
Thinking About the Weather!
The size of Australia means the country has some significant weather changes. April through to August are usually the best times to visit the east as it remains warm, but it is not too humid. Don’t automatically opt for the summer season as this is also the wet season!
If you are going to see the surfing competitions at Margaret River and the beautiful nature of the west, book your ticket between March and November to avoid the downpours and excessive heat. Also, remember that bushfires can strike at any time on both coasts.
Wherever you end up, Australia has beauty to uncover on every corner!
