Explore WA's winter wonders: 5 must-visit destinations for 2025
Festivals, exhibitions, fine wines and the pleasure of milder temperatures make our western state an attraction holiday destination this season.
Festivals, exhibitions, fine wines and the pleasure of milder temperatures make our western state an attraction holiday destination this season.
Perth
WA Museum Boola Bardip is hosting an exclusive exhibition from June 28 until February 22 next year – Terracotta Warriors: Legacy of the First Emperor. The display comprises more than 225 Chinese artefacts, including warrior figures that were buried with emperor Qin Shi Huang for 2000-plus years. After your culture fix, stroll along the new Boorloo Bridge, a car-free link between Point Fraser and Victoria Park via Heirisson Island. Stay at the refurbished Pan Pacific Perth and you’ll be perfectly positioned between these two attractions.
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Kimberley
Winter in Broome, the Kimberley’s main hub, is a joy, when the stormy monsoon gives way to sunny skies. The Shinju Matsuri Festival of the Pearl (August 23-September 7) celebrates the town’s multicultural pearling roots, with First Nations, Chinese, Japanese and Malay heritage woven through colourful events. Highlights include an outdoor ball, a street parade featuring a Chinese dragon, and a long-table dinner on Cable Beach. Stay at recently renovated Moonlight Bay Suites beside Roebuck Bay and Matso’s Brewery.
Ningaloo
It’s the ideal time to visit Ningaloo Reef near Exmouth, with temperatures mild and the region’s notorious winds easing. Grab your mask and snorkel and slide into the turtle-filled lagoon, or join a boat tour for the chance to swim with a lingering whale shark, or even a migrating humpback. Prefer to stay dry? Hike through the extraordinary gorges of Cape Range National Park. Splurge on glamping at Sal Salis, just steps from the reef, or check in to Mantarays Ningaloo Beach Resort in town.
Margaret River
The renowned wine region offers wintry gastronomic delights. Start with Voyager Estate, joining an in-depth tour of the organically grown vineyards, and linger over lunch in WA’s regional restaurant of the year. Vasse Felix is the oldest vineyard here, and it includes a fascinating wine museum. In Margaret River town, book a table at De’sendent for its high-end tasting menu showcasing the finest local produce. Check in to the Oystercatcher, a swanky holiday house sleeping 12 with views of Margaret River’s pounding surf break.
Rottnest Island
Picture Rottnest Island and you’ll probably see photogenic quokkas and salty visitors cycling between beaches. But winter is special here too. Without the compulsion to swim, there’s more time for history. Start with Indigenous Noongar culture at the Wadjemup Museum before boarding the Captain Hussey historic train to Oliver Hill. Join a volunteer guide to tour the wartime 9.2-inch naval gun and underground tunnels. Stay at the new Wadjemup Lodge, featuring restored heritage or new poolhouse rooms with views of salt lakes.
For winter getaways in NSW and South Australia, click here.
For winter getaways in Queensland and the Northern Territory, click here.
For winter getaways in Victoria and the ACT, click here.
For winter getaways in Tasmania, click here.
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