Western Australia’s Golden Outback covers 54% of Western Australia, stretching from Mount Augustus in the north to Esperance on the south coast. It has so much to offer the adventurous traveller – stunning natural landscapes, history and culture, flora and fauna and great weather. Below are just a few of the ‘must sees’ in this vast area.
- Lake Hillier
Lake Hillier is on Middle Island, off the coast of Western Australia. What makes this small lake so special is its colour – pink. It’s the only pink body of water in the world. It sits right next to the Indian Ocean which makes it colour even more dramatic. It’s thought the colour is due to the presence of a particular microalgae.
- Mount Augustus
Mount Augustus, or to give it its Aboriginal name, Burringurrah, is the largest rock in the world. It’s situated in the traditional lands of the Wajarri tribe and rock engravings can be found at Mundee, Ooramboo and Beedoboondu visitor sites.
- Kalgoorlie Boulder and the Goldfields
This area was founded on the hopes and dreams of gold diggers in the late nineteenth century. There are many historic buildings still in existence in the towns in this area which give you a feeling of what life was like in the Australian gold rush. You can also visit the ghost towns of Leonora and Gwalia.
- Lucky Bay and Esperance
Lucky Bay is in the Cape Le Grand National Park near Esperance. It’s 3.5 miles long with beautiful white sand, turquoise sea and kangaroos. It was named Lucky Bay by Matthew Flinders in 1802, when he found his ship was surrounded by islands and reefs as night fell, and he spotted this safe haven.
Esperance has some of the whitest beaches in Australia. Take the Great Ocean Drive to get a really good look at this spectacular stretch of coast line. You can even visit a life size replica of Stonehenge near Esperance, if you haven’t been lucky enough to see it in the UK. For some local atmosphere, visit the local country pubs.
- Nullarbor Plain
Nullarbor Plain or Desert is 750 miles of treeless, dry desert. The Aussies call it Nullar-boring, however, it’s a journey worth taking, and not just because it boasts many world firsts. It’s the world’s largest piece of limestone and has the world’s longest, straight section of railway. The 91 mile stretch of tarred road also holds a world record, being the longest, straight section of road on the planet.
- Antony Gormley Sculptures – Inside Australia
Renowned artist Antony Gormley has created Australia’s largest outdoor gallery at Lake Ballard, near Menzies. It’s a series of 51 figures, crafted in black steel, which sit on a salt plain, that’s sometimes dry and crusty and sometimes full of water. The work was commissioned as part of Perth’s 50th anniversary celebrations of the Perth International Arts Festival.
