Live Your Best Life And Support WA With These Unmissable Adventures
This year has been wild. But with the bad comes the good and 2020 has opened our eyes to how truly wonderful West Australian’s are and how blessed we are to live in such a magical state. So if you are as equally passionate about this big beautiful place and all the people that call it home, then join us and Tourism Western Australia in getting behind and supporting the West Australian’s who are doing it tough right now.
We’re pledging to support WA the only way we know how: by wandering out yonder and living our best lives. There are plenty of ways you can pledge your support but here are just 20 ways you can get behind WA in 2020 to get you started.
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Order A Juicy Drop From A WA Winery
Is there anything better than skipping between award-winning cellar doors and kicking back with a wine in hand? The short answer: absolutely not! We’re blessed with hundreds of wineries right here on our doorstep. If you’re chasing that token pic for the ‘Gram then you’ll need to book a table at Juniper Estate, stat, and as for the eco-warriors, head to Voyager Estate’s for a tasting tour of their organic drops that boast serious accolades. Make your way through this list of the best Margaret River wineries you should’ve already been to or make a weekend out of it and explore South West gems like Forest Hill Vineyard and West Cape Howe Wines.
Pull Up A Stool At Your Local Bar
After months spent trying to perfect your mixology skills, there’s one big lesson we learnt during iso: it’s always best to leave it to the experts. If you’ve been missing top-notch cocktails as much as we have, then we recommend heading on down to relative new-comer Foxtrot Unicorn or for a debaucherous night out with your mates, The Royal Hotel’s old school vibes and hearty pub fare has got you sorted. As for our Fremantle friends, you already know what’s good and that’s a sundowner at Bathers Beachhouse because we’ve missed those oceans views way too much. Be sure to keep the good times going by bar-hopping your way through this list of Perth’s best bars and Fremantle’s best watering holes.
Crack A Six-Pack Of Craft WA Beers With Your Best Mates
Our love affair with WA craft beer runs deep. We’re known to produce some of the best frothies in the entire country (no biggie) with historical stalwarts like The Old Swan Brewery and Fremantle-born Matilda Bay Brewing, and smaller craft breweries like Little Creatures and Northbridge Brewing Co joining the stable. Nothing beats the sound of a crisp can cracking open, so we recommend getting behind these breweries and grabbing a six-pack to cheers with your best mates.
Hit Up Local Artisans And Markets For Fresh Produce
Droughts, floods, fires—our local farmers, growers and producers have been doing it tough and we reckon it’s time to show them some support while devouring some seriously delicious produce, of course. A trip to your local farmer’s markets is a great way to spend a weekend while soaking up community vibes, tasting next-level eats, and purchasing some local produce or handmade goods. Best of all? You’re directly supporting West Australian’s livelihoods.
Curb Your Cravings By Booking A Table And Dining Out
You don’t need to tell us twice. Possibly our favourite pastime, there’s nothing like unfolding your napkin at a restaurant for the first time since COVID struck. Now that we can get back to doing what we love, don’t waste another second, rally your mates and book a table at one (or two, we’re not here to judge) of Perth’s best restaurants—trust us, you won’t regret it.
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Travel To Remote Corners For Breathtaking Waterfalls
Whether you’re planning a day trip or travelling to the remote corners of WA, we’re seriously lucky to have some of the most ‘Gram-worthy waterfalls here in our backyard. Whoever said ‘don’t go chasing waterfalls’ had never witnessed the magic that is Fern Pool in Karijini National Park, the Horizontal Falls in the Kimberley, and Quinninup Falls (a great stopover on your way home from Quinninup wineries). Start planning your road trip and remember to stop off at local towns and spend your dollars with them along the way.
Hunt Down Some Of The Best Natural Pools
Glorious natural pools can be found dotted all around WA, so if you haven’t seen them yet, here’s your reminder to wander out yonder. You’ve probably seen Diamond Lake grace your ‘Gram discovery page but nothing does it justice like seeing it in person and it’s found just two hours from Perth. Venture a little further afield and head straight to Emma Gorge in El Questro—while it’s not easy to get to (the nearest town is 100 kilometres away) and it might be closed for the remainder of the 2020 season, the trek is totally worth it and there's no reason you can't start planning your 2021 escape right now.
Fill The Tank And Set Off On A Road Trip
Western Australia is road trip country. Grab an empty Esky, pack your bags, and rally your mates because the best way to experience Western Australia is on the road. Whatever direction you set off in, you’ll stumble upon idyllic towns, hidden waterfalls, and picturesque beaches no matter where you look. Now’s the time to wander out yonder, make your way through this road trip bucket list.
Level Up Your Next Outdoor Escape At A Glamping Retreat
There’s plenty of glamping options dotted throughout the state like Olio Bello’s lakeside safari-style bungalows that even have a private ensuite and kitchenette, Mile End Camping where you can trade-in your swag for a transparent dome instead, or venture North to Sal Salis in Ningaloo Reef where you’ll sleep at a remote beachside safari camp in the dunes of Cape Range National Park. Stop roughing it and book a glamping experience for your next getaway.
Discover A New Hood And Book A Staycation
Grab the fluffy robe and plan a staycation at these boutique hotels. Whether you’re in need of a little luxury like champagne upon arrival or a hotel in a prime location so you can get out and explore the town, now’s your chance to live the high life.
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Learn About Aboriginal Culture And History With A Tour
The Aboriginal people of WA have had a connection with the land for over 50,000 years, which makes it the world’s oldest living culture, and one that is essential to understand for those of us that call this land home. From rock art through to bush tucker, there’s a whole slew of awe-inspiring tours you can take all across the state.
Feed Your Wanderlust With One Of These WA Adventures
You’re probably pretty familiar with many of the landmarks dotted across WA but you could be forgiven for not knowing them all. Sure, you’ve likely seen the pink hues of Hutt Lagoon grace the discovery page of your Instagram (or you’ve posted a pic there yourself) but there’s so much more just begging to be explored. From the Mackerel Islands to the Giant Tingle Tree in Walpole, feed your wanderlust with these stunning adventures you had no idea were in WA.
Sink A Line At One WA’s Best Fishing Spots
Imagine a lazy afternoon spent with your best mates by your side, a beer in one hand and a fishing rod in the other. If you’ve been craving the great outdoors as much as we have, why not hit up a tranquil fishing spot you’ve never been to before? From White Hills Beach to Narrows Bridge, there’s every chance you could be tucking into fresh seafood for dinner.
Grab Your Mates And Try A Cooking Class
We’re not sure about you, but we’re pretty done with tuna melts and we’re ready to step up your cooking repertoire. Learn the basics of Indian cookery at The Bombay Cook Club run by Spice Mama or try your hand at Italian with Simona at the Elementi Cooking School. Whatever your taste, there’s a bunch of top-notch cooking schools to try out so you can wave goodbye to that sad frozen dinner.
Feed Your Brain At One Of These Art Galleries
The art scene in Western Australia is bursting with big name and upcoming artists working across a number of genres from thought-provoking contemporary through to awe-inspiring Indigenous works. Step into experimental spaces like PS Art Space and feast your eyes on traditional works of art at Japingka Aboriginal Art Gallery while gallery hopping your way through Perth and Fremantle—there’s no better way to spend a weekend and support the arts.
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Lower Your Carbon Footprint At An Eco Retreats
Whether it’s booking a stay somewhere that uses solar power, harvests rainwater and makes the most of local produce, WA is leading the way when it comes to green getaways. Top of our list includes Red Bluff, found 125 kilometres north of Carnarvon on Ningaloo Marine Park’s southern tip. A secluded escape with views of the Indian Ocean, these safari tent-style glamping sites are powered by solar panels and contain all of the little luxuries you could need. Start planning your next road trip and add these other five eco-retreats to your hit list.
Set Your Compass South And Escape To Albany
Boasting epic scenery, plenty of history, delicious local produce and picturesque wineries, it’s about time you sent Albany straight to the top of your travel hit list. Some highlights include the Great Southern Distilling Company to taste some of their award-winning Single Malt Whiskey, visiting The Stirling Ranges that was heavily damaged in the summer fires but are just beginning to burst into life again (if you luck out you might even catch snow at the second highest peak in WA), and the awe-inspiring natural rock formations in Torndirrup National Park.
Plan A Seaside Escape To Beautiful Denmark
Although Denmark is found a smidge further than Dunsborough and Margaret River, that extra time spent at the wheel is completely worth it. Spend your days napping on secluded beaches, walking through the treetops of the ancient Valley of the Giants, and skipping between cellar doors that rival those of the Margaret River. All in all, Denmark is a pretty special place—so what’re you waiting for? Plan your local escape with this weekender's guide.
Go Off The Grid And Rest Your Head At A Cosy Cabin
Looking to score some serious brownie points with your significant other? We’ve got you covered. Cosy winter getaways are synonymous with romance and lucky for us there’s a whole slew of perfect little cabins that’ll make your bae’s day. So whether you’re chasing breathtaking views, drool-worthy food and vineyards to boot, there’s a WA accommodation option to suit every vibe.
Indulge In A Getaway To The Kimberley
Travellers from all over the world come to the Kimberley to witness its beauty so if you haven’t made the trek north yet, let this be the only reminder you need. There’s so many must-do’s like visiting the Cygnet Bay Pearl Farm and witnessing the bucket list-worthy Horizontal Falls, and you can plan the rest of your getaway right here.
It’s time to dig deep and support this beautiful place we call home. Join our 20 For 20 Challenge and make 20 pledges to live your best life in WA again.
Editor’s note: This article is sponsored by Tourism Western Australia and proudly endorsed by Urban List. Thank you for supporting the sponsors who make Urban List possible. Click here for more information on our editorial policy.
Image credit: Tourism Western Australia