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| Western
Australia Sports |
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Bush Walking
Walking in Western Australia can be predominantly rewarding
during spring (between September and November), when wild flowers
blossom throughout the state.
The Bibbulmun Track (963 kilometres / 598 miles,
from Kalamunda to Albany) has access to circuit walks through the
southwestern karri forests as well as 48 accommodation shelters
along the route. For further details about the track please check
online.
Other impressive routes can be found in the Stirling Range,
an area containing over 500 species of wild flowers, throughout
the Pilbara region, the major attractions of which are the stunning
red walled chasms, subterranean pools and waterfalls of Karijini
National Park.
In the northern Kimberley region, Western Australia’s
main outback destination, features a cliff lined coast, rugged mountains
and the spectacular Purnululu (Bungle Bungle) National Park, a 350
million year old massif with distinctive bee hive like natural domes.
Water Sports
The long stretches of untouched coastline along the Timor Sea in
the north and the Indian Ocean in the south west offer a wide range
of activities. Major destinations for diving include: |
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Rottnest Island (especially Tortoise
Bay, Jackson Rock and Transit Reef)
Exmouth (a good base for exploring the Ningaloo Reef and the
Muiron Islands)
Abroholos Islands (3 groups of islands rated amongst Australi
Esperance
(the gateway to the Recherche Archipelago, which coa’s
best dive sites)
ntains 100's of islands)
Busselton (a good place for jetty diving)
unsborough in the south west (well known for its famous wreck
dive to the HMS Swan) |
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The best times
for diving in the Southern waters are from December to May
and in the Northern waters from March to August.
Encounters with friendly dolphins are mainly frequent at Monkey
Mia, in the Gascoyne region, whose nearby Shark Bay,
a World Heritage listed area, is a habitat for turtles, manta
rays, whales and sharks.
Further north, at Ningaloo Reef, it is possible
to swim with giant whale sharks, which are the world's largest
fish and make frequent appearances between March and early
June. Access for this is available by boat from Coral Bay
or directly from the beaches.
Whale watching is reputed to be particularly good in the Cape
to Cape region, with an exceptionally long whale
watching season (lasting some 6 months).
Perth ranks as 1 of Australia’s top surfing destinations
and there are several surfing beaches close
to the city, such as City Beach, Cottesloe and Scarborough.
Other challenging surfing destinations include Yallingup and
Margaret River, whose gloomily named beaches, such as Suicide
and Grunters, should attract hardcore surfers only. Canoeing
trips are also hugely available on Margaret River.
Adventure Sports
Concentrated in Kununurra (Kimberley region)
organised tours include scenic flights, boat cruises and camping
safaris. At the Walpole Nornalup National Park
in the south, the imposing giant tingle trees in the ‘Valley
of the Giants’ offer the possibility of a tree top walk,
38 metres above the forest on specially designed floorboards.
Self drive Tours
Popular outback destinations that can be explored in 4 wheel
drive vehicles include The Pinnacles, consisting
of thousands of limestone pillars (260 kilometres / 163 miles
north of Perth), and the Gibb River Road through the rugged
landscape of the Kimberley region.
River Cruises
Cruises on the Swan River from Perth travel
either downstream, to the port of Fremantle, or the more popular
option, upstream to the vineyards of Swan Valley. There are
scenic and nature cruises in the Kimberleys, and on Lake Argyle
(the largest fresh water lake in Australia).
Wine Tasting
The Margaret River Wine Region is Western Australia’s
most famous destination for wine lovers.
Although producing less than 1 % of Australia’s wine,
the region is responsible for producing 15 % of the country’s
premium wine.
The 50 or so wineries in the region are open for cellar door
sales and tasting's. Another up and coming wine region in
Western Australia is in the southern Mount Baker region, some
50 kilometres (31 miles) from Albany. The Swan Valley wine
region, on the outskirts of Perth, also attracts several visitors.
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