Destination Fly4free: Western Australia

Western Australia, occupying a third of the continent’s total area, is a land of extremes. The state’s diversity allows for a wide array of choice. There are countless white-sand beaches, vast deserts, distinctive flora and fauna, rugged gorges, and rock formations to explore.

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Lake Hillier

Australia is home to many unique geological phenomena. One of the world's most iconic natural wonders, this saline lake is located on the edge of Middle Island, in the Recherche Archipelago. Lake Hillier is particularly notable for its vibrant pink colour and high salt content levels (comparable to those of the Dead Sea). High salinity combined with a massive concentration of the Dunaliella salina micro-algae is responsible for its intensive colour. Unlike other pink lakes, however, Lake Hillier maintains its bubble gum pink shade year-round and the colour does not alter when the water is taken in a container. Tourists can admire the lake only from above on helicopter rides.

Besides Lake Hillier, there are four pink lakes in Victoria’s Murray-Sunset National Park: Lake Crosbie, Lake Becking, Lake Kenyon and Lake Hardy, and there is also Hutt Lagoon, a pink inlet located between Geraldton and Kalbarri.

Photo: matteo_it, Shutterstock

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How to get there:
Take a look at the flight deals to Australia:

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• Non-stop from Kota Kinabalu to Perth for only $235! (full-service airline) >>
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Where to stay:
In Perth we encourage you to stay in 4* The Witch’s Hat with excellent good reviews. Set in a restored federation-style house, it offers affordable accommodation just a 5-minute walk from Hyde Park Lake and Gardens. It features free WiFi, and an outdoor courtyard with BBQ facilities. Guests enjoy free breakfast daily. Guest facilities include a fully equipped communal kitchen and a lounge room with a cable TV, DVD library and dart board. Free BBQ dinners, secure lockers and tea/coffee are provided.

In Albany we recommend you staying at 4* Country Comfort Amity Motel with excellent reviews! This smoke-free motel features a restaurant, an outdoor pool and a fitness centre. Free WiFi in public areas and free self parking are also provided. Other amenities include a bar/lounge, a business centre and laundry facilities. All 40 rooms provide conveniences such as fridges and microwaves, plus free WiFi and LCD televisions. Other amenities available to guests include electric kettles, free local calls and showers.

What to do:
Top attractions of Perth include the Concert Hall, Swan River, some excellent city beaches and Hillary’s Boat Harbor, home to the Aquarium of Western Australia. While in Perth, you should visit Kings Park, one of the largest inner city parks in the world. It’s a mixture of grassed parkland, botanical gardens and natural bushland on Mount Eliza. Visitors can admire more than 1,200 species of native plants and a spectacular display of wildflowers in the spring.

From Perth, you can hire a car and head north along the Indian Ocean Drive, which stretches all the way to Exmouth on Ningaloo Reef. You can stop to taste fresh lobster in Cervantes or go fishing from Thirsty Point Lookout. Between November and August, there are daily boat tours to collect the lobster pots.

Cycle around Rottnest Island.

In Lancelin you can try sandboarding on Western Australia’s largest sand dunes.

Take a morning walk on one of nine walk trails in Yanchep National Park to meet friendly kangaroos and koala colony.

Visit one on the beautiful beaches. The crystal clear water provide a pleasant background for aquatic recreational activities, like snorkelling, surfing or recreational boating. Go whale watching. In Ningaloo Reef Marine Park you can swim with whale sharks.

Swim at Elephant Rocks, the giant granite boulders in William Bay National Park.

Those who prefer to keep their feet on dry ground will find plenty of climbing options. Go hiking in Bungle Bungle Range or Bluff Knoll. You can also walk the Bibbulmun Track, winding through the heart of the scenic South West of Western Australia. It’s is one of the world’s great long distance walk trails, stretching 1000km from Kalamunda in the Perth Hills, to Albany on the south coast.

Kayak through one of the spectacular gorges.

Marvel at the Horizontal Falls natural phenomena or admire the sandstone domes of Purnululu National Park.

In Rottnest Island near Perth you can meet a quokka, the cutest animal ever.

Visit National Anzac Centre in Albany.

Explore the wineries of Margaret River, one of the best wine regions in Australia.

If you like bizarre attractions, check out Gnomesville, with thousands of lawn gnomes set up on a roundabout.

In Esperance Municipal Museum you can see parts from NASA’s Skylab space station.

Head to Lake Ballard to see a series of strange metal stick figures spread out on the bed of the huge salt lake, spanning over 12,000 acres. This remarkable art installation was created in honour of the native culture of this area.

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Start planning your next trip with Lonely Planet’s travel guide >>

Western Australia from Morelife Films on Vimeo.