When people head down under they typically hit the Eastern Coast to see Sydney, Melbourne, and the Great Barrier Reef, but often overlook the best coast. Western Australia is Australia’s largest state, and the climate is Perthfect. I visited in May of 2019, and even during their winter, we experienced beautiful sunny days. It was a bit chilly, so don’t expect to hit the beaches in a bikini, but you can spend all day outside without breaking a sweat. From visiting Rottnest Island where the happiest animals reside to skydiving over Jurien Bay’s turquoise blue waters, Western Australia has a lot to offer. I’ve put together some highlights from my trip:
1. Skydiving over Jurien Bay
Does plunging out of a small airplane at 14,000 ft. over the ocean sound fun? I thought it did, so I dragged my terrified parents two hours outside of Perth to Jurien Bay. We went to Skydive Jurien Bay after seeing their 5-star reviews online and booked it the day before. You’ll need to book a time slot before you go, especially in summer when more tourists are around. Generally, the earlier you fly, the better the weather conditions and they take safety very seriously. These seasoned professionals made you feel like one of them with their constant banter. The best part? You skydive down to s white sand beach, and your view is the Indian Ocean. The whole experience was stunning in way words can’t describe, so I’ve added some photos. This is quite pricey if you’re backpacking on a budget, but it’s worth it.
2. Rottnest Island
Just off the coast of Perth and a short boat ride away, you can see the raw beauty that this region is exploding with. Rottnest Island is famously the home to the happiest animal on Earth, the Quokka. In addition to these chubby little critters, their beaches are AMAZING. I say that a lot, but these empty, pristine beaches is neck and neck with the Maldives. I suggest staying a couple of days if you have the time to see some of the 63 beaches the island has.
3. The Pinnacles
There is no better place to prepare for life after the Area 51 raid than the Pinnacles. If you’re checking out Jurien Bay or just looking for something amazing to see, you have to stop at the Nambung National Park. Driving through the park will feel like you’re on Mars and have you questioning if the Mars rover is *actually* just cruising around the Pinnacles. This unusual sight wasn’t anything I expected to see in Western Australia. There are different theories on how these limestone rocks ended up in the desert, the most popular being that it was underwater thousands of years ago. While you can drive through the park, I highly suggest getting out and walking around. Don’t get lost, though; everything looks the same.
Taco's Passport 