8 Most Welcoming Towns In Western Australia

What comes to mind at the mention of Western Australia? How about beaches, beaches, and more beaches?! The spectacular city of Perth, Australia's sunniest capital city, with over 3,000 hours of sunshine per year, is only rivaled by its stunning natural surroundings. With an Aboriginal history of over 50,000 years, Western Australia is home to one of the world's oldest living cultures.

Broome is renowned for pearling, with a vibrant blend of Indigenous, Asian, and European influences, lending a variety of cuisines and cultural attractions! Believe it or not, but there's always summer somewhere in Western Australia to escape the cold! From world-class surf to premium wines, seafood, and Aussie cuisine, these Western Australia towns welcome you for an adventure of a lifetime of the so-called barefoot luxury to toast the rugged adventures with locals and all your loved ones!

Broome

Broome, one of Western Australia's best beach towns in the Kimberley, is an inviting blend of natural beauty and rich history. Deeply entrenched in pearling, with Indigenous, Asian, and European influences, its variety of cuisines and cultural attractions align with all interests. A fringe of pristine beaches welcomes you along white sugar sands lapped by the clear, turquoise surf, with stark red ochre rocks mimicking the tangerine sunset! Whether lounging or swimming against the stunning views, the adventurous local spirit in the laidback atmosphere will keep you on your toes, from riding camels at the famous Cable Beach to browsing the local markets.

Also known as Rubibi in the local language, this town offers a rich cultural scene, stunning architecture, and a compelling heritage at the Pearl Luggers Museum and a functioning pearl farm. The charming town, featuring unique landscapes, a warm climate, and a laid-back atmosphere, serves as an excellent base for exploring the Kimberley region. The Horizontal Falls (Garaanngaddim) is one of the world's most extraordinary waterways, reachable by boat tour or scenic flight. Additionally, the Staircase to the Moon phenomenon, visible between March and October at twilight with a full moon over Roebuck Bay (Yawuru Nadulagun), is a rare natural spectacle from the mudflats!

Busselton

Busselton, a bustling small town of around 40,000 friendly locals, nestles along the protected north-facing coastline into the infamous Geographe Bay. Welcoming you with a warm Leeuwin ocean current in your face, "Undalup's" big, vibrant heart is inundated with boutiques, bars, eateries, and a calendar full of events. From the award-winning Origins Market at the center to the beautiful beaches for swimming and water sports, you can venture outward into the Margaret River wine region for tastings paired with gourmet food and more stunning scenery. The thriving town, with its inviting stretch of sand, feels made for sharing timeless memories to tell back home about the crystal-clear waters and sights of frolicking dolphins.

There is the iconic 1.8-kilometer Jetty jutting into Geographe Bay as a remnant of the thriving timber industry. One of the longest timber-piled jetties in the Southern Hemisphere, it is excellent for strolls, fishing, a train ride, and an underwater observatory. The trail from the foreshore into the heart exposes a collection of impressive, restored buildings along the Busselton Cultural Precinct. Just around the corner, Queen Street is the central artery with local shopping, dining, and, at the end, the antiquated Busselton Museum. You can explore this unique restored group settlement, part of the Busselton Heritage Trail, with a 1920s school and the Old Butter Factory, a heritage-listed building.

Cervantes

This charming coastal town seems perfect for relaxing in the sun, enjoying stunning views, and savoring local foods that nourish both body and soul. Cervantes offers numerous pet-friendly activities on land and water, including various beaches and attractions. The scenic Turquoise Way Trail extends for 14.2 kilometers, passing the Jurien Bay Jetty and Dobbyn Park Foreshore, with additional beaches, dog-exercise zones, and rest areas to admire the expansive ocean views.

Hansen Bay features a 2.6-kilometer off-leash dog zone along soft sands and clear waters. Known for catching lobster, or crayfish, offshore, the iconic Lobster Shack offers a feast at its dog-friendly picnic area. For varied tastes, Coal Cervantes Bar & Bistro presents authentic local Aussie dishes and an outdoor beer garden, perfect for groups with dogs to socialize and meet locals. Enjoy a relaxing camping trip with your pup under the stars at the beach, with options like Cervantes Holiday Park for coastal camping.

Coral Bay

Far north from Perth along the Coral Coast Highway, this picturesque town with only one main street and a slew of inviting local businesses is a worthy drive for the best seaside escape! Exposing you to beautiful coral gardens just meters off the pristine white sandy beach, Ningaloo Reef welcomes every type of adventurer, accessible from the beach, unforgettable from the air, and via a glass bottom boat tour! The real action comes on a guided snorkeling or diving trip into the depths, with coral gardens of 300 species, like the massive cabbage patch coral, and 500 species of fish among turtles and dolphins.

Coral Bay is all about water, stunning coastal nature, and stingrays, with daily tours from March to June, whale shark interaction from July to October, and humpback whales from November. Land-based activities include 4WD rides along the epic coastline with secluded beaches, while an Aboriginal 4WD tag-along tour is a cool way to discover the area's unique culture and heritage. Some mesmerizing snorkeling spots, like Oyster Bridge and Five Fingers Reef, are only 4WD-accessible, while Ningaloo Coastal Reserves and Station Stays to the north and south offer powered and traditional sites to access Western Australia's off-the-beaten-path, incredible coastal locations.

Denmark

This lively town in WA's far south, home to about 2,700 residents, blends art and nature beautifully. Visitors can explore welcoming galleries and craft shops along the picturesque Denmark River, sparking their creativity. Nestled among national parks and stunning beaches—Denmark's top attractions, the area’s dramatic scenery draws photographers, artists, and families looking to escape the everyday. With easy access to unforgettable sights, visitors can see the famous Elephant Rocks and swim in the tranquil waters of Wilson Inlet.

There is also hiking, fishing, and crabbing, while the Greens Pool waterhole is great for snorkeling. After a morning swim or surf lesson at Ocean Beach, why not tackle the scenic section of the Bibbulmun Track towards Walpole and onward to the Valley of the Giants with 400-year-old trees for a treetop canopy walk? You can relax and unwind over Denmark's beautiful seascapes and a passion for producing top-quality cuisine paired with award-winning wines. Local wineries add to the charm, as do sweet spots like Denmark Bakery, with its mouthwatering scent of homemade pies along the town square!

Exmouth

You can bet this tiny coastal town of under 3,000 loves travelers, welcoming them with its own airport and brimming with all-season adventures for any taste! Allegedly housing some of the most spectacular scenery on the planet, Exmouth is a mecca for divers and snorkelers, with its shimmering deep turquoise bay and shallows for family swims. Boasting the spectacular Navy Pier—among the world's top dive sites—you can jump into the ocean, replete with friendly, beautiful aquatic creatures, for a swim with whale sharks, the gentle giants of the sea. The majestic humpback whales cruise the deep blue waters from August to October, while the nesting turtles take over the beach from November to March.

Exmouth is the official gateway into the World Heritage-listed Ningaloo Marine Park, the largest fringing reef in the world that rivals the Great Barrier Reef in clarity and animal size! Home to comic turtles and graceful manta rays, you can snorkel or take a glass-bottom boat to watch kaleidoscopic fish darting between the coral! Just a short drive south of town, the stark, rust-red terrain of Cape Range National Park offers spectacular hiking around ancient cliffs, canyons, and local wildlife like emus, red kangaroos, and spiny echidnas. Exmouth welcomes tourists to enjoy the so-called barefoot luxury and toast the day's adventures over a local meal with the region's fabulously fresh produce, a chilled glass of white wine, or craft beer.

Kununurra

This charming township on the banks of the Ord River offers abundant opportunities for fishing, paddling, boating, hiking, swimming, and exploring Australia's far north. It's a popular destination during the dry season from May to August, featuring cooler weather, outdoor attractions, and events like the Ord Valley Muster Festival and Kimberley Moon Experiences in May. Visitors can paddle and canoe on calm lakes, enjoy whitewater rafting on the renowned river, and swim in gorges beneath stunning waterfalls. These waterfalls are particularly impressive during the humid season after rainfall and fewer tourists mean lighter crowds.

Home to around 5,300 residents, this area offers a wonderful chance to immerse yourself in the rich indigenous cultures of the Miriwoong, Gajirrawoong, and Gija people through local Aboriginal art galleries. The Kununurra Visitor Centre is your friendly guide for discovering local amenities and charming shops like the Sandalwood Factory, where you can find delightful aromatherapy products, wooden jewelry, and tasty sandalwood-infused nuts and nougats. Whether you're excited to cuddle adorable rescue animals at Kangaroo Haven just south, or eager to explore the great outdoors with camping and hiking in the national parks, there's plenty to enjoy. Relax at scenic lookouts and sample delicious local cuisine, or wind down at the accessible Kimberley Grande Resort by the lake, or the budget-friendly Hidden Valley Caravan Park, which offers both cozy cabins and powered sites.

Monkey Mia

Monkey Mia, home to fewer than 1,000 residents, is a delightful escape from busy city life, where you can unwind with loved ones. The gentle and shallow Little Lagoon is ideal for family swimming adventures, complemented by a pet-friendly beach and plenty of barbecues for everyone to enjoy together. Just a short half-hour drive away, the award-winning Ocean Park Aquarium welcomes visitors with its shark-feeding experiences, captivating rescued sea turtles, and a charming deck perfect for enjoying a meal surrounded by nature. Plus, there are all-inclusive options like the RAC Monkey Mia Dolphin Resort camping site, which even has a dog-friendly restaurant, making it a wonderful place for everyone to relax and have fun.

This idyllic town in the Shark Bay World Heritage Area is renowned for its marine inhabitants and attractions, with plenty of action for two- and four-legged visitors! Netta's Beach offers a designated long white sand stretch to play, roam free, and enjoy kitesurfing action nearby. Operated by Perfect Nature Cruises, the 18-meter sailing catamaran Aristocrat 2 paddles through Shark Bay's Exclusion Zone with tail-wagging-worthy wildlife sightings like dolphins, dugongs, and turtles. You can finish the day together on a sunset cruise with exciting close-ups and watch dolphins jumping against the tangerine horizon.

Covering an area of more than 2.5 million square kilometers, Western Australia is one-third of Australia's total landmass or the whole of Western Europe! The state is home to the whitest beach, the largest expanse of outback, and the UNESCO World Heritage Ningaloo Reef. As one of the world's largest states, there's a diverse climate, history, and drama for every taste of adventure throughout the landscape!