THE WILD FLOWER STATE

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

 

Western Australia is the biggest state in Australia. It cover about a third of Australia and travelling from the south of the state to the north is almost the same distance as travelling from London to Moscow. Yet the state only has a population of about 1.6 million, and 1.2 million of them live in Perth.

Approximately one third of Western Australia lies in the Tropics but it is only at the northern end of the state that is fringed with Tropical Rainforest. Below the coast one will find vast areas of grasslands which are populated by huge ant hills. So many in fact, you could count hundreds in any given location. Further south again lie the deserts that Australia is famous for.

Western Australia also has more coastline than any other state and much of this coastline is pure white sand with sparkling clear and warm inviting water. Because the population outside Perth is so small, it means that it is more than possible to find a beach all to yourself. The only problem is that much of the coastline in the northern area of this state is infested with sharks. But there are still many safe beaches where you can swim and bathe.

Western Australia has some of the weirdest looking landscape on earth. 

The Cervantes National Park or the Pinnacles north of Perth is one of natures strange works. In prehistoric times this area was once covered in forest but as Australia moved north due to continental drift this forest moved into the arid zone and the forest died. The dead trees were replaced by sand as they wasted away and today you can see the hundreds of stone pinnacles that replaced the trees to become a petrified forest.

The Pinnacles in Cervantes National Park, a couple of hours drive north of Perth - a strange work of nature.

Everything about Western Australia is big. If you travel along the main highway for example it is common to see Road Trains transporting goods up and down the state. These Road Trains are trucks with 2 or 3 sometimes 4 full trailers on the back. They travel on the main highways and they don't move for anyone. It is quite normal to pull over to the side of the road and let them pass as they can't stop quickly and it takes alot of effort for them to reach open speed so you are made to feel real guilty if they have to slow down for you.
If you visit one of the open cast mines in the north you will see the world biggest earth moving machines, trucks with houses in them and trains that are kilometres in length.

PERTH

Perth is located in the fertile south west corner and enjoys a Mediterranean climate. Perth is the sunniest of Australia's capitals. The climate however can get unbearable (for some) in the peak of summer with temperatures reaching into the forties (Celsius).

Around Perth you find, besides the Pinnacles in Cervantes National Park also the popular and beautiful Rottnest Island, the historical town of Fremantle, wineries, national parks and golden beaches.  Perth and Western Australia has many jewels still to be discovered by the great masses.

If you head south of Perth, you will come across many pleasant towns such as Albany and Esperance . This region also contains many superb surfing beaches such as the famous break at Margaret River. 

Didn't find what you are looking for?

State Capital: Perth
Population: 1,700.000

Average Temperatures:
Perth:
January maximum, 29,7 C
 July maximum, 17,7  C.

Average Annual Rainfall - Perth: 868 mm