Call us biased, but we think it’s pretty clear west is best.

There’s the weather and the beaches, wildlife, countryside and a lifestyle that’s a little different from the rest of the country (in the best way possible).

There’s a lot to see and do in the 2.5 million square kilometres of our home state, but for starters here are 26 unique locations, quirks, attractions and experiences.

As WA locals for over 60 years, we like to think we’ve picked up a few insider tips along the way.

---

The people’s A to Z of WA: your picks of the local places and experiences that are truly WA

Big congratulations to our winner Julian J of Wilson, who picked up a $5,000 WA travel voucher to explore more of our beautiful home state.

We enjoyed an awesome response from plenty of passionate Western Australians, so read up on their local picks in the people’s A to Z of WA.

---

Our A to Z list of the things we think are truly WA

Albany 

From the National ANZAC Centre to the Whale Museum, there’s much to appreciate about Albany’s history, including that it is the oldest permanently settled town in WA.

Local’s tip: For a different vantage point, hike the 5km Point Possession Heritage Trail on to Vancouver Peninsula where you’ll be rewarded with views of Albany Port and the King George Sound.

Burrup Peninsula

Visit the world’s oldest outdoor art gallery and appreciate ancient Indigenous art.

Located just 35km from Karratha, over 10,000 rock engravings can be found on the Peninsula, depicting people, animals and birds. 

Coastline

We can’t talk about WA without mentioning our stunning 12,000 km coastline, the longest of any state or territory in Australia.

The best way to view it all? Hit the road.

The Derby

It’s the question that divides the state: Eagles or Dockers?

This local AFL rivalry has been played out since 1995, when WA’s best and brightest football stars slog it out each year for the ultimate bragging rights.

If you’re yet to witness a Western Derby live at Optus Stadium, you’re missing out.

Eliza sculpture

Eliza may be one of WA’s most fashionable women.

The statue of a 1940s swimmer was unveiled to commemorate the Crawley Baths, once located where Eliza stands today.

Local larrikins regularly dress her up for various occasions, so keep an eye out near the Blue Boat House on Mounts Bay Road.

Fremantle Prison

Now a World Heritage-listed site, Fremantle Prison housed convicts for longer than you’d think – it was in continual use from 1855 to 1991.

The tours offer a fascinating insight into the role of convicts in WA’s development.

Gnomesville  

Why does a Gnomesville even exist?

No one knows for sure, but it has become one of Ferguson Valley’s most famous attractions – a 10,000 strong gnome community constantly growing as visitors bring new additions to the village.

Hi-vis

Our mining industry is big business – supporting over 70,000 jobs – which is part of the reason high visibility (hi-vis) workwear has become the WA workers’ unofficial uniform.

You’ll see a sea of hi-vis-wearing FIFO workers flowing through Perth Airport daily, each supporting a local industry that each year contributes tens of billions of dollars to the national economy.

Inside Australia

A collection of 51 black steel sculptures by world-renowned artist Antony Gormley eerily dot the open, flats of Lake Ballard.

It’s a 40-minute drive from the town of Menzies, in the Goldfields. Check it out. 

John Butler Trio 

American-born Australian singer John Butler started out busking in Fremantle before forming roots and jam band John Butler Trio in 1998.

Five studio albums later (three of which topped Australian charts) they’ve toured Australia and the world, picking up ARIAs along the way.

Other local music groups who’ve made it big include The Waifs, Eskimo Joe and San Cisco.

Kambarang

October welcomes Kambarang, one of the six seasons in the Nyoongar calendar, marked by an abundance of colours and flowers exploding all over WA’s South West.

It’s also known as the season of birth with flowers, birds and animals undergoing a transformation in the warmer weather.

Long Mac topped-up

Place a coffee order like this anywhere else in the world (or even anywhere else in Australia) and chances are the barista will be looking back at you in confusion.

It’s the quintessential West Aussie coffee order that some argue is really just a double-shot latte!

Marron

Native to Western Australia, the freshwater crayfish is prized for its sweet, delicate flavour.

Marron fishing has long been a WA tradition but due to its popularity, recreational fishing is now tightly-controlled with a limited season in which permits are required and minimum sizes enforced.

Ningaloo

Lying off the Exmouth coastline, this World Heritage-listed site is a local bucket-list destination.

Spot dolphins, manta rays, turtles, humpback whales and whale sharks at different times of the year, with snorkelling tours bringing you up close and personal with the local marine life.

Outdoor dining 

Each year, WA averages nine hours of sun each day – which may explain our love for picnics and barbecues.

Fill up the esky and head to one of the many local barbecues or picnic spots in WA.

Looking for barbecue recipe inspo? We’ve got you covered. 

Pink lakes 

We have several ‘pink lakes’ in WA, but Lake Hillier near Esperance and Hutt Lagoon near Gregory (pictured in our blog feature image) are two of our more well-known, naturally occurring pink lakes.

Lake Hillier maintains a bright pink all year round while the pink hues at Hutt Lagoon fluctuate in vibrancy throughout the year.

Quokka

The quokka has achieved worldwide celebrity status, with a quokka selfie now a must-have during any visit to Rottnest Island.

Known as the world’s happiest animal, quokkas are native to WA with the largest population living on Rotto.

Did you know? Rottnest has the quokka to thank for its name. In 1696, a Dutch sea captain mistook them for giant rats and named the island ‘Rotte nest’, after the Dutch word Rattenest, meaning ‘rat nest’.

Red and Green Kangaroo Paw

The striking flower is our State’s floral emblem. It gets its name from the cluster of flowers that resembles the forepaw of a kangaroo.

It’s one of the many stunning wildflowers that can be found on the hiking and wildflower trails throughout WA.

Stromatolites

The oldest living creatures on Earth may not look like what you pictured.

Hamelin Pool in Shark Bay is one of only two places in the world to see living stromatolites – dating back 3.5 billion years.

Tin Horse Highway

It’s a 15km stretch of road paved with equine sculptures made out of, you guessed it, tin.

Swing by for a look on your way to Wave Rock and appreciate the creativity of Kulin locals in promoting the annual Kulin Bush Races. 

Useless Loop, Shark Bay

A French navy officer coined the term Useless Harbour after mistakenly thinking a large sandbar was blocking ship access.

It was actually a white salt mountain offering some of the world’s purest salt, so not so useless after all. While there’s no public access, a 4WD will get you close – or see it from a scenic flight over Shark Bay.

Valley of the Giants

Between Denmark and Walpole, you’ll find the Valley of the Giants, home to the famous Tree Top Walk.

Climb 40m up into the forest canopy for a bird’s eye view of this incredibly unique tingle forest. It’ll give you the tingles.

Wave Rock

With a name like Wave Rock, you might expect this natural wonder to be by the coastline.

But no, this multi-coloured granite rock can be found inland near the Wheatbelt town of Hyden.

This isn’t the only ‘wave rock’ you’ll find in WA either, follow the Granite Loop Trail to find another.

Xantippe Nature Reserve

It’s the only place in Australia with a name starting with ‘X’, and just three hours north of Perth it was once a thriving farming community.

Now, you might pass through this area and stop to spot wildflowers in spring. 

Yum cha

WA’s reason to get up early on a Sunday morning.

Family and friends gather around the table while plate after plate of delicious dumplings gets trotted out.

Try making your own for a homemade Sunday brunch with a recipe from WA’s own dumpling guy.

Zebedee Springs

You’ll find the Zebedee thermal pools at El Questro, a 700,000-acre station in the East Kimberley.

These springs are naturally-occurring and offer weary travellers a soothing, warm soak surrounded and shaded by Livistona and pandanus palms.