7 Western Australia Towns With Unforgettable Main Streets

Dreaming of an Aussie adventure? Here is what you need to know before heading Down Under. Western Australia’s main streets are brimming with adventure, and so many incredible places just waiting to be explored! The Golden State, as it is called, is a sun-drenched region where you can enjoy beaches along both the Indian and Southern Oceans, with a climate that swings between wet winters and dry, sunlit summers. Life is old in these lands, with the first human inhabitants arriving from the north over 50,000 years ago. Today, people from all over the world come to the Wildflower State to explore Rottnest Island, discover the Pinnacles Desert, and tour the Margaret River wine region. Unforgettable main streets and the most eye-catching coastal plains await your discovery!

Fremantle

A port town overlooking Rottnest Island, Fremantle is best known for its incredible Victorian architecture. There is also a rich history here. With each step you take, the past comes alive beneath your feet! If you head up from Marine Terrace—one of the busier streets in Fremantle—you will come across the WA Shipwrecks Museum, a restored 1850s commissariat building with a fascinating bit of shipwreck history. This beauty lies south of the Fremantle Municipal Tramways, a historical landmark facing another stop worth exploring: The Round House. This former prison dates back to 1831, and there are countless more places to see along the small town's main streets!

York

There are over 20 places around the globe called York, but only in Western Australia will you find such a gorgeous destination where the Avon River cuts through. The oldest inland town, York is a small place, but it more than makes up for its size with attractions like the Mount Brown Lookout and quaint historical places like Mongers Trading Post.

The best places are just west of the river, along a nice stretch called Avon Terrace, where top-rated restaurants like Bellissimo York flock around the visitor center. It is also where you will find the incredible, larger-than-life animal sculptures in Peace Park—highly recommended to check out and maybe have a picnic!

Albany

A coastal town overlooking Shoal and Frenchman Bays, Albany takes pride in its bustling streets, where rich history awaits around every corner! South on York Street is where all the action happens, and where the visitor center can help you get started. The Earl of Spencer Historic Inn - Bar & Restaurant is usually the first stop for most. This 1880s inn features a beer garden and might tempt you to stay—but adventure lies beyond.

Anzac Peace Park is a great place to stop on your way down to Shoal Bay. It is also where you can see the beached 19th-century merchant vessel Amity, with fascinating guided tours available. The Museum of the Great Southern is also nearby, where you can learn about the region’s culture, history, and heritage.

Broome

Who does not love a beach escape? Broome is best known for its beautiful white sands that blanket Cable Beach, a 22-kilometre stretch that becomes even more magical at sunset. There are a few surprises here and there as well—its busy streets are not too far from anything in this small community. If you head down Frederick Street, you might enjoy a trip to the SSJG Heritage Centre Broome, where you can explore a beautiful collection of archival material and learn more about the area's history.

Farther east, a camera comes in handy. Streeter's Jetty in Broome is a notable tourist attraction, offering views of the beautiful Dampier Creek. It lies just before Chinatown Broome, a historical landmark, where many tourists flock to the unmistakable Johnny Chi Lane.

Margaret River

Minutes from the coast, a trip to Margaret River is rarely complete without a visit to Margaret River Mouth Viewpoint, where the sandy beaches are breathtaking. All the best places here are lined up along Bussell Highway. You can enjoy a coffee at Drift Cafe, Margaret River, before taking a leisurely stroll around Memorial Park, which is often home to night markets featuring a variety of cuisines waiting for you to try!

If you head south along the same road, you might stumble across a truly unforgettable tourist attraction known as A Maze'n Margaret River: a giant hedge maze, like something out of a movie. Giant Hedge Maze is also an 18-hole mini-golf family destination, where simply walking around is an absolute pleasure.

Katanning

Clive Street cuts straight through this small community and makes for some of the best stops. Once a derelict flour mill, the Premier Mill Hotel has been transformed into a stylish, first-class boutique hotel—the perfect starting point for exploring Katanning.

Just northwest lies the Katanning Historical Society Museum—a small cultural institution with a passion for preserving the rich history of the region. To your southwest lies the Katanning Miniature Railway, and it is exactly as the name suggests. The railway means good times for the whole family. You can enjoy a mini train ride with the kids and savor great food, especially if your trip to the nearby O’Callaghan Park ended on a high note.

Esperance

On the southern coast of Western Australia, overlooking Esperance Bay, sits a small town with its beautiful, calm beaches. Most tourists head to Blue Haven or West Beach for good surf, but there are also unforgettable activities to enjoy just before the sandy shores. Dempster Street is where the beautiful Esperance Museum Village awaits, along with the visitor center, eager to provide further assistance. Local exhibits at the Esperance Museum, just south of there, feature wonderful space station and maritime displays, as well as old railway cars for those interested in technology and the region's history.

Western Australia is well known for its beaches and coastal towns; this makes it easy to forget that it is also lined with unforgettable places long before your feet ever touch the sand. The main streets are teeming with life and adventures just waiting to be had. The Wildflower State is rich in more ways than one. So, if you ever find yourself planning a trip Down Under, Western Australia’s striking landscapes, rich culture, and timeless natural beauty are sure to keep you coming back for more!