We’re loath to use the phrase “something for everyone.” But, whether you’re a foodie, thrill-seeker, nature-lover, or diver, Western Australia quite literally has something for everyone. Here are five of our favorite adventure experiences the wild Australian state has to offer.
Get Wet in Ningaloo Reef
Ningaloo Reef is second only to the Great Barrier Reef as home to the continent’s best snorkeling and diving. The UNESCO World Heritage-listed reef is the largest “fringing” coral reef in the world, which means it’s readily accessible directly from the beach. The waters are rich with dolphins, manta rays, and whale sharks (the world’s largest fish) almost any time of year. By boat, visitors can track the seasonal migration of humpback and southern right whales or dive some of the continent’s most interesting wrecks. Nearby Shark Bay is also home to the largest, oldest living fossils on the planet, as well as the world’s biggest dugong population.
Try Truffle Hunting in Manjimup
Foodie travelers know that truffle hunting is a rare and unique experience, and many companies keep their hunting skills and favorite spots secret. However, every year, Western Australia’s aptly named The Truffle & Wine Co. offers a small and exclusive group just such an opportunity. Trained truffle dogs guide visitors around the premier truffière (incidentally, the world’s largest producer of black Perigord truffles) in search of the earthy delicacies.
Ride a Jet Boat at Horizontal Falls
Western Australia’s Talbot Bay is home to incredible Horizontal Falls — the world’s only horizontal waterfall. The falls are a result of rapid tidal currents attempting to squeeze through the area’s extremely narrow gorges. The tides can exceed more than 30 feet with directional changes that force the water to flow in two different directions every day. The best way to experience this extraordinary phenomenon is by seaplane or jet boat through Horizontal Falls Seaplane Adventures.
Track Dinosaurs in the Kimberley Region
Australia is home to some truly unique geological and archaeological points of interest. At Cable Beach in Broome lies Gantheaume Point where, at low tide, visitors can literally follow the trail of 130-million-year-old dinosaur footprints. Thus far, five species of have been identified, including sauropods and stegosaurus.
Trek Gibb River Road and Beyond
Within Karijini National Park and the Nullarbor Plain lies some of Australia’s most sacred lands, massive gorges, and a fascinating Aboriginal history. Adventurous travelers will find the region best explored via a guided four-wheel drive expedition. For something more intense, Gibb River Road is 410 miles of pristine Australian outback often regarded as one of the last true wildernesses on earth. A multi-day expedition here affords travelers the opportunity to spot crocodiles in Windjana Gorge, camp in the million-acre El Questro Wilderness Park, and swim the base of a 328-foot waterfall near Bell Gorge.
Feature image courtesy of Visit Broome/Facebook.
