Western Australia is huge. And we mean absolutely huge. It takes up over 1/3 of Australia’s land mass and is larger than the whole of Western Europe, that’s an area of 2.5 million square kilometres. In all this space there are only 2.2 million people, primarily in Perth, making areas of WA some of the most remote places in the world.
Weather & Climate
Western Australia boasts some of the most spectacular weather in the whole of Australia. In fact, the capital city Perth is Australia’s sunniest city with 3,000 hours of sunshine every year. Due to its huge land mass, Western Australia has two distinct variations in seasons. The southern half of the state (including Perth) experiences the four seasons of spring, summer, autumn and winter whereas the northern half of the state has two seasons; “the wet” and “the dry”. The South is more temperate than the north, but on average temperatures reach maximums in the mid 30’°C’s during the day and 20°C’s at night. Some struggle with the heat but most absolutely love it!
History & Culture
Western Australia's history dates back more than 40,000 years with a rich Aboriginal history, making it one of the oldest lands on Earth. The western world arrived when the Dutch explorer Dirk Hartog discovered the land in 1616. The legacy of these early European sailors can be seen today in place names such as Rottnest Island, Cape Leeuwin and Cape D'Entrecasteaux.
Western Australia is the only state to never have been part of New South Wales and is the only Australian state to have tried to leave the federation, voting to secede in 1933. Western Australia is currently enjoying another population boom, as people are attracted to the State for its fantastic climate, healthy economy and famously relaxed lifestyle
Interesting Facts
- The capital city Perth is claimed to be the most isolated capital city in the world. The closest capital city Adelaide is situated around 2,500km away.
- The waters of Western Australia are home to the largest fish in the world. The Whale Shark grows to up to 13 meters long, is a harmless filter feeder so don’t panic if you see one on a dive.
- WA is home to the world's oldest operating open air cinema, Sun Pictures. It opened almost 100 years ago in Broome on December 16th 1916.
Insider Tip
With its amazing climate Western Australia is renowned for it’s food and wine. So why not celebrate this with a visit to Western Australia's most famous wine region, Margaret River. This picturesque area produces 20 percent of Australia's premium wines. Way back in 1967 was when the first vines were planted and the region now consistently produces some of the best chardonnay in the world. With over 200 vineyards in the region, just a three-hour drive south of Perth, this is the perfect escape for your inner foodie.
