Set in russet cliffs amid fan-like leaves of the Livistona palms, Zebedee Springs in El Questro are created from 26-to 34-degree water gushing from a fault line.  The springs are only open between 7am and noon so have a dip and finish the day with a gorge walk or river cruise.

The glorious Ningaloo Reef (Nyinggulu) lies 1200 kilometres north of Perth and is a UNESCO World Heritage site for good reason. In its glittering waters you’ll spot the local “gentle giants” – whale sharks that grow to 20 metres long, making them the largest known fish in the ocean – as well as majestic manta rays whose graceful wing span can measure up to four metres.

At the southern-most point of Western Australia’s vast coast is Elephant Rocks, a sheltered, calm rectangular cove with an aqua sea. The white sand is interrupted only by the colossal, smooth stones at the waters’ edge that look like a herd of pachyderms bathing. Make the short walk to nearby Greens Pool for a snorkel.

From hot springs to cool ocean coves, Western Australia has a pool for every swimming preference. Pack your swimsuit and start planning your getaway at qantas.com

Disconnect from the every day and be immersed in Western Australia's natural splendour when you check into one of Heyscape's eco-friendly tiny cabins. While the precise location of each accommodation is a mystery – there are stays in Esperance, Busselton, Yallingup and more – each spot has been chosen to place you in close proximity to local vineyards, providores and private walking trails, so you can go as fast or as slow as you like. Don’t let the size factor deter you – these cosy retreats are replete with queen-sized beds, luxurious linens and outdoor baths (all the better to enjoy an iconic Western Australian sunset with a glass of wine in hand).

Formed through a millennia-long process involving the movement and erosion of sand and calcified limestone, thousands of pinnacles now stand across a 190-hectare expanse of desert. Spend a morning walking the viewing trail and lookout and then visit nearby Cervantes to try some of the town’s famous seafood.

Walpole National Park is sometimes called Valley of the Giants, referring to the towering tingle trees, gums that can grow to 24 metres around and 75 metres high. They form a dense canopy that keeps the forest below cool. Much of the flora found in the Valley of the Giants is unique to this part of the world. Explore the Ancient Empire trail along the forest floor, or take the tree-top walk, a spectacular network of walkways suspended above the canopy.

The striped beehive towers of the Bungle Bungle Range were formed 360 million years ago and have weathered ever-so-slowly into their current conical shape. The formations are located in Kimberley’s Purnululu National Park and the undulating banding is tricky to appreciate fully without a bird’s-eye view, so why not take a helicopter tour?

The angular design of the Alex Hotel stands out amid the character buildings of this part of Perth’s (Boorloo’s) CBD in Northbridge. There’s a lovely breakfast bar for early birds, a wine bar at night and plenty of communal spaces to socialise as well as secluded spots to hide out with a book.

Whether you want to sleep under the stars or settle in somewhere with all the mod-cons, Western Australia has a stay that’s perfect for you. Book your trip at qantas.com

Sandboarding on the white dunes at Lancelin (Wangaree) is the ultimate cheap adventure. Make sure to pre-book a board and then drive 90 minutes from Perth for a day of sailing down the three-storey high dunes. Confident riders with good balance can ride down standing but a seated ride is just as fun.

Whether you soar high over the vast landscape or sail down it on a sand board, the thrills in WA are non-stop. Book your epic adventure at qantas.com

The Margaret River Region is one of Australia’s most famous wine regions, with an abundance of wineries and cellar doors. Aravina Estate is an award-winning vineyard that produces complex, mature versions of the cabernet sauvignons and chardonnays as well as shiraz – a rarity for the area. It's clearly working: its version of this varietal has won awards for its bold flavour.

At Cullen Wines, operation is refreshingly slow. Small batches of wine are made from grapes that are hand-picked according to the astrological calendar. Wines are natural with no yeast or acid added. It also has a six-bedroom farmhouse, built from local timber and granite, with sweeping views of neighbouring vineyards.

The top three grape varieties in WA are sauvignon blanc, cabernet sauvignon and semillon – try them all on an upscale wine weekend in the award-winning Margaret River region. Book flights here.

Perth’s network of arcades and laneways is a modern-day maze of urban beauty. Get acquainted with the city on an easy two-hour walking tour with Two Feet and a Heartbeat that starts with a coffee, takes in street art, heritage architecture and the city’s cultural institutions, and finishes up just in time for lunch.

There’s more than one Australian city with famous, street-art-covered laneways to explore. Hit the Perth pavement to discover the hidden gems of its CBD. Book now.

Sometimes the simplest spots are the most lovely. The sky-blue Crawley Edge Blue Boat House sits at the end of a timber boardwalk on Perth’s Swan River (Derbarl Yerigan). It’s been there since the 1930s and makes a charming, quiet spot to snap a few photos. Bring a picnic and a few bottles of cider from the Ironbark Brewery to enjoy in the nearby Matilda Bay Park.

Matso’s Broome Brewery is a lot like many craft breweries: creative beers like ginger, chilli or mango are on offer, there’s live music on the weekend and there’s a curry hut. It's also the most remote brewery in Australia. Located in a century-old building in Broome (Rubibi), Matso’s is family owned and you’ll often find one of the three generations of brewers at the bar.

Crystal azure waters lap at iron-rich red sand and green puffs of sleepy mangroves soak their black gnarled roots in the salty water. The breathtaking spot of Roebuck Bay isn’t just pretty; it’s sacred. The Yawuru people have used the spot for generations to go hunting, fishing and to gather seafood. To witness the bay’s famous “Staircase to the Moon” phenomenon – where the full moon’s reflection appears as “stairs” across the tidal flats  – time your visit between March and early November.

Twilight is always a magical time of day in WA but witnessing the Staircase to the Moon emerge from the horizon is truly special. Tick this incredible sight off your bucket list and book your flights now.

The tunnels under Fremantle Prison weren’t escape routes—they were built by convicts as part of a hard labour program to access a water supply for the prison. The subterranean tunnels are 20 metres underground and access is through an old well. Some tunnels can be explored on foot, while others you’ll need to hop into a narrow metal boat with a square-cut bow called a punt.

At almost two kilometres, the Busselton Jetty is the longest timber-piled jetty in the Southern Hemisphere. It extends over the still waters of Geographe Bay at the northern gateway to the Margaret River Region. It’s so long, it even has its own train. At the end of the jetty, walk down a spiral staircase that leads eight metres below sea level and view the colourful marine life in the underwater observatory.

The Porongurups are the oldest mountain range in the world. The peaks are surrounded by forests of tall karri trees but you should visit Castle Rock first—it’s a spectacular collection of angular granite stones, the most famous of which is the enormous, precarious-looking Balancing Rock. Farther along is the Granite Skywalk, a suspended walkway that encircles a high rock providing views for kilometres of bushland and farms.

Millions of years ago, this part of the world was an island surrounded by sea. The geographic isolation means that some plants and animals living in the Cape Range National Park can only be found there. The terrain is varied with rugged limestone mountain ranges and deep canyons in the north and kilometres of pristine beaches on the coast.

The Kimberley is one of the largest, most diverse wilderness frontiers in the world. The terrain is varied and includes vast desert, beautiful coastland, monsoon forests and incredible waterways that feed into the Melaleuca Falls, a set of twin falls that pour down either side of a rust red cliff face. The waters feed into an isolated waterhole that’s only accessible by helicopter.

How many hidden waterholes can you swim in on a WA holiday? Start planning today. 

In Geraldton (Jambinu), July to October are the best months to view the dusty lilacs, vibrant pinks and sunny yellows which make up some of the 12,000 species of wildflowers found in the region and it’s the largest and most diverse display of wildflowers in the world. The best views are at Chapman River Regional Park and Mills Point Lookout.

Rise with the sun and fall asleep to the sound of lapping waves at Sal Salis – a luxurious glamping retreat on Ningaloo Reef that's just metres away from the UNESCO World Heritage-listed site's turquoise waters. Begin your days with a leisurely cup of coffee in your tent's hammock before exploring the reef – from kayaking to paddleboarding and snorkeling: the choice is yours. This glorious stretch of coast is home to 500 vibrant species of fish and 250 types of coral. Come dusk, five-star dining under the stars – and an on-sand gin bar – await.

Everything You Need to Know About Visiting Ningaloo Reef