Winter in WA: Seven unforgettable adventures await
Discover a whole new side of WA as the cooler months bring forth a myriad of captivating experiences.
Western Australia is renowned for its stunning coastlines, world-class surf breaks and plenty of sunshine and beautiful blue skies. And while many flock to this warm oasis in summer, WA winters have plenty on offer to entice.
June is the first month of the Noongar season Makuru, as the hot weather subsides, and cool nights disperse along the coast. Light western and southerly winds fill the air, and colours of blue and purple permeate the western countryside while blueberry lily and purple flags come into bloom.
As black truffles sprout gourmet feasts, silky wines are joined by log fires, and a passing parade of sea life converge on the western shores, with an experience for everyone in WA’s winter months.
Whether you’re in the middle of a Big Lap, planning a WA adventure, or a local wanting to hit the road in the cooler months, here are seven popular winter experiences in WA to add to your travel bucket-list.
Glide alongside the largest fish in the planet
The UNESCO World Heritage-listed Ningaloo Reef (Nyinggulu) is one of WA’s glittering gems, and every year from March to August the world’s largest fringing reef becomes a natural habitat for our gentle giants, the whale shark. Come face-to-fin with the largest fish in the ocean, as this reef is one of the few places in the world where you can swim alongside the whale shark. Guests can dive into an underwater wonderland of coral and colour, filled with some 500 species of fish, pods of dolphins and graceful manta rays and turtles.
Wallow in the biggest wildflower collection on earth
More than 12,000 species of flora burst into brilliant bloom across WA each season, delivering a botanical display like no other. It’s a diverse and unique show, with 60 per cent of the flowering species found nowhere else on the planet. Wildflower season typically has a six-month window, starting in the Pilbara in June and moving across the atmospheric towns of the Goldfields and along the Coral Coast. By September, Perth’s (Boorloo) urban parks – including floral haven Kings Park (Kaarta Koomba), home to more than 3000 wildflower species – and the rolling hills of the Swan Valley are bursting with colour. The season comes to a vivid close in October in the biodiversity hotspot of the Margaret River region, where wildflowers mingle with the world-class vines. Join a wildflower tour such as Salt and Bush or Luxury Outback Tours for a guided journey to the best hotspots.
Take advantage of the best time to visit the Kimberley
Renowned for its distinct weather, the Kimberley is characterised by two prominent seasons: the wet and the dry season. The wet season takes place from November to April, while the dry season is from May to October. As the wet season has ended, the Kimberley is now enjoying warmer weather and unlocks a secret oasis of hidden waterfalls.
The ancient Bungle Bungles are a marvel nearly 20 million years in the making and a scenic plane flight, such as those by Aviair, is one of the best ways to experience them. Alternatively, head in via foot or car to experience the magnitude of the gorges – there are even various campgrounds to extend your adventure.
For those who enjoy a guided tour, Broome Dinosaur Adventures will ensure you see the 120-million-year-old dinosaur footprints or connect with the world’s oldest living culture in an Aboriginal Cultural Experience with Mabu Buru Tours.
Escape to a world of indulgence with world-class Margaret River wine
WA is well-known for its glorious wine regions, and winter is the perfect time to appreciate the decadent flavours that the Margaret River winemakers produce. Cosy up by the fireplace as a crisp air settles over the winter wilderness of the Margaret River – one of WA’s nine wine regions. Margaret River is home to more than 150 wine producers, 100 cellar doors and is responsible for more than 20 per cent of Australia’s premium wine. It is the ideal spot for a getaway in the brisker months. Winter also happens to coincide with some of the best festivals and events, such as Cabin Fever which runs from 14-23 July and delights visitors with fiery feasts, wild music and delectable wine. Or experience the CinfestOZ Film Festival – one of Australia’s largest destination film festivals – which is scheduled to run from 29 August-3 September. The immersive film experiences will take place in the Margaret River region’s cinemas, wineries, boutique breweries, small bars and galleries.
Forage for black gold with mushroom puppies
Plan a decadent winter escape to the Manjimup region – the heart of Australia’s truffle country – in south-west WA. Truffles are a prized and delicious ingredient, and this region produces more of them than anywhere else in the Southern Hemisphere.
And beyond simple quantity, Manjimup’s black truffles are so highly coveted by chefs across the globe for their incredible taste, unmistakable earthy aroma and consistent high quality.
Join a truffle hunt at Truffle Hill, one of the few truffières (truffle orchards) in the world that allows guests to participate alongside the goodest boys – dogs whose main job is to sniff out the delicious truffles.
And although you may miss out on the fun this year, Truffle Kerfuffle (23-25 June 2023) is a fantastic weekend festival that celebrates the Australian truffle and is held in Manjimup each June.
Witness the splendour as graceful whales migrate along the coast
Whale-spotting is one of the favourite pastimes for many who head over to the coast, and with the longest coastline in Australia, WA definitely has you covered. Encounter majestic humpback, southern right and blue whales as they perform their annual migration from May to December, travelling from south-west of WA to the Kimberley. With a coastline extending through 13,000km of pristine ocean, WA has a front-row seat on Australia’s longest whale migration and whale watching season – with some 40,000 humpback whales congregating in the largest population on the planet. Catch a glimpse from the coast or get in on the action with a whale-watching tour such as Naturaliste Charters and Live Ningaloo.
Cultural and culinary delights in Perth
Australia’s sunniest capital city has no shortage of indoor experiences to welcome the winter season. Perth’s CBD is bustling with new bars, restaurants and hotels, from the beautifully nuanced Italian flavours of STAMPA!, to the elevated elegance of rooftop bar Folly.
Keep warm as gold melts before your eyes at Perth Mint and if visiting in August, relish a rare chance to meet the cutest baby on earth – the adorable quokka joey on Rottnest Island (Wadjemup), which is only a short ferry-ride from Perth.
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