5 BEST NATIONAL PARKS IN WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Western Australia – The perfect road trip for nature and wildlife lovers: We’re Doris & Matthias from Bugs & Bears, and we just travelled from Perth to Exmouth, Broome and all the way up to Darwin looking for wildlife and adventure. After a stunning road trip we’ve selected our personal 5 Best National Parks of Western Australia. This short travel guide should help you plan your trip through these beautiful landscapes.
Which National Parks should I visit? What are the highlights of Western Australia? Where can I go diving in WA? Where can I find Koalas on the west coast? Where can I get close encounters with dolphins in Australia? Where is the best spot to find fresh water crocodiles? Is Karijini worth it? Where are the best off road tracks?
The guide in this first episode of Wild Travel Tuesday covers it all. Here are our favourite picks:
5️⃣ Yanchep National Park right up North from Perth
4️⃣ Tunnel Creek & Windjana National Park in the Kimberley Region
3️⃣ Cape Range National Park & Ningaloo Reef on the Ningaloo Coast
2️⃣ Karijini National Park in the Pilbara Region
1️⃣ Francois Peron National Park & Monkey Mia in Shark Bay
*️⃣ Kalbarri National Park on the Coral Coast
*️⃣ Nambung National Park with its Pinnacles
We hope you enjoyed the first episode of Wild Travel Tuesday, our new weekly series on wildlife experiences, adventure gear and travel life. We'd love to hear your feedback in the comments section.
Stay curious!
Doris & Matthias
*** FOLLOW OUR JOURNEY ***
Destination WA - Paraburdoo Town
WA drive experiences have never been more popular, and the Pilbara is such a special place to do so with its rich in minerals from the ancient rocks, its value lies in the spectacular ancient landscape that's taken 2.5 billion years to weather into the place you see today. On your drive you will discover the town of Parabudoo developed for the purpose of servicing nearby Mine sites.
Cue, Western Australia (HD)
Cue, Western Australia (HD) - Cue, WA Tourism and vacation
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The small town of Cue in Western Australia's Murchison Region is to me a particularly interesting outback town. Like so many old WA mining towns, Cue has thrived and floundered over the years with times of boom and bust.
The town was established in 1893 following the discovery of gold in the area the year before, which sparked a gold rush to the remote Murchison Region desert. In its heyday at the beginning of the twentieth century Cue was home to over 10000 people, a thriving and prosperous town known as The Queen of the Murchison.
These days things couldn't be more different. With a population of less than 300, Cue is very close to being a ghost town.
When we visited Cue earlier this year the wide streets were still and silent beneath a big blue desert sky. The whole time we were there we didn't see a single soul walking around town and we noticed a good number of the buildings were abandoned or up for lease.
The empty streets of Cue would have felt really quite spooky if it weren't for the constant parade of roadtrains roaring through on their way between Perth and the Pilbara carrying fuel and massive pieces of mining equipment. This for me is what made Cue such a memorable place -- the decay and ghostliness of the semi-abandoned town, and the way it felt as if time had stood still there ever since the 1930′s.
However I have a feeling that Cue might be quite a different place in a few years time as the shire seems to be going to some effort to restore the town's buildings to their former glory and attract more visitors to the town and surrounding region. And with rumours of a new big mine opening in the area, the population could soon be set to rise again.
Gracious Heritage Architecture in Cue
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Walking around the streets of Cue feel like stepping back in time. Not much appears to have changed on the main street over the years. Almost all of the buildings are the original ones that were built in the 1890′s and 1900′s -- some still serving their original purpose, some beautifully restored and others abandoned and left to ruin.
While a lot of the old heritage Goldrush-era buildings look crumbling and decrepit, I can still understand why Cue's town slogan is Queen of the Murchison. Some of the old sandstone buildings sure are grand for a dusty outpost in the middle of nowhere!
Visiting and Exploring Around Cue, Western Australia
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If you happen to be heading up Great Northern Highway for any reason -- on your way to Karijini and the Pilbara perhaps -- then I highly recommend making a stop in Cue.
It is an interesting and memorable place to spend some time in and is well-situated for a stopover on a long outback drive, being 650km from Perth and approximately half way to Newman and Karijini.
If you've got a bit of time to spare while you're in the area, it's well worth taking a half-day detour westwards out to Walga Rock and the ghost town Big Bell.
Things to See and Do in and Around Cue, Western Australia
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Go for a drive or walk around town and have a look at the interesting and beautiful old heritage buildings.
Government Buildings -- police station, court house and post office
Gentleman's Club (now the shire office)
Masonic Lodge building
Bank of New South Wales building
Rotunda (site of the town's first well)
Pensioner huts and old gaol (part of the caravan park)
Check out the historical photograph collection in the shire office building (formerly the town Gentleman's Club) to gain some more context to the history of Cue.
Drive up to the top of the Radio Tower Hill (Cue Lookout) for views over the town, the nearby mines, and horizon-to-horizon dry red earth.
A good idea is to pick up the brochure and follow the Cue Heritage Trail, which will take around to the main attractions in the surrounding area and provide interesting background info.
Try fossicking for gold -- you never know, you could get lucky!
In late winter and spring the beautiful desert wildflowers bloom to life, carpeting the red dusty ground in fields of colour. This is the best time of year to visit Cue and explore the surrounding country.
Camp out for the night or just enjoy the beautiful scenery and wildlife at Lake Nallan, a nature reserve about 24km north of Cue
Or camp/picnic at Milly Soak, 16km north of Cue. Also has a small pioneer cemetery and well
Head out west along Austin Downs Road to Walga Rock to see the cave paintings, climb the rock and perhaps camp there for the night.
While in the area, check out what remains of Big Bell, a ghost town.
Newman, Western Australia (HD)
Newman, Western Australia, Newman, WA Tours & Vacation
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Newman Information
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Newman is located about 1186 km north of Perth and is a town in the Pilbara region.
and
It is the gateway to the beautiful Karijini National Park, Newman Waterholes the area also features truely authentic Aboriginal rock carvings.
Hosting a distinctly outback Australian flavour, there are many things to do and see for visitors. Although Newman is predominatley an Australian mining town originally built to house mining staff, there are fascinating explorations and tourist adventures to be had.
It is surrounded by the ancient eroded Ophthalmia Ranges and hosts the largest open cut mine in the world. The iron ore operations at Mount Whaleback have tours available, so see the visitor centre for a tour pass.
There is an art gallery and an outdoor mining museum complete with an arts and crafts shop which features an extensive range of Western Australian locally made products. Grab yourself the perfect Aussie gift while here.
At Karijini national park there are wildflowers are spread throughout the countryside with local flora such as the Mulla Mulla and the Stuart desert pea. The stunning Pilbara Gorge will leave you breathless and amaze your senses.
Nearby the Rundel River National park boasts Australia's largest and most remotest park. Get lost and be alone with time to think and clear your mind. Nature lovers are will guaranteed to be thrilled with Newman.
Newman also hosts the first ever golf course in the Pilbara. Originally made for the executives of the mines, now a must play course for any golfing nutter or fanatic. Come check it out
Newman information & tourist attractions are brought to you by World Holiday Destination. Book your Newman Accommodation
Newman is a town in the Pilbara region of Western Australia. It is located about 1,186 kilometres (737 mi) north of Perth, and 9 kilometres (5.6 mi) north of the Tropic of Capricorn. It can be reached by the Great Northern Highway. In the 2006 Australian census, its population was 4,245. Newman is a modern mining town, with suburban-style homes contrasting with the surrounding reddish desert.
The Hickman Crater is 35 kilometres (22 mi) north of Newman.
Commercial area
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Typical of company towns, Newman is laid out with a core, where shopping and hotels are located, surrounded by residential areas, with more industrial activities on the outskirts. There is one shopping mall in the town, two shopping plazas, three hotels, and three bars/restaurants outside of those contained in the hotels. One public outdoor pool serves the town's population.
Transport
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A privately owned railway, the Mount Newman railway, was constructed linking it to Port Hedland which itself was upgraded to handle shipment of the ore to the world market. On 21 June 2001 a train 7.353 km (4.569 mi) long, comprising 682 ore cars and eight locomotives made the Newman—Port Hedland trip and is listed as the world's longest ever train.
The ore trains are typically over 2 km long. Newman is also a service town to the nearby mining settlements like Tom Price and Paraburdoo.
The town is served by Newman Airport.
Architecture
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Being founded in the 1960s, Newman's architecture reflects the modernist styles of that decade and the next, being predominantly functional and devoid of detail or embellishment. As the town was founded and built by a steel company, the majority of buildings use a steel frame construction. This applies to the suburban style homes themselves, most of them being two prefabricated halves inserted together into a steel I-section frame, the columns of which are left exposed on the exterior of the home. This construction method serves not only to showcase the company's product, but also gives strong resistance to cyclone winds which can affect the region from time to time. For this same reason, most houses are elevated from the ground by a few steps. Many houses also have large air-conditioning units situated next to them to provide adequate cooling against the very hot summer temperatures.
Climate
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Newman has an arid climate, with very hot summers and mild winters. The temperature reaches or exceeds over 38°C almost every day in the summer. On 15 January 1998, the temperature reached an all-time recorded high of 47.0°C.
Precipitation is sparse, but the influx of monsoonal moisture in the summer, which generally begins in December and lasts until April, raises humidity levels and can cause occasional heavy storms. Winter months are mild to warm, with daily high temperatures ranging from the 20°C to 26°C (18-22°C), and low (nighttime) temperatures rarely dipping below 6°C.
Camping in Karijini National Park | Most Beautiful Place in Australia
Kairijini National Park has a been a spot we haven't wanted to explore for so long. Every person we come across who has explored this park hands down claims it to be the most beautiful spot in Australia...too bad we had a patch of terrible weather.
After exploring Karijini National Park we make our exit with a quick stop at the Pardoo Roadhouse before arriving in Broome...4700km later.
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Perth to Broome Overland trip with Intrepid Travel:
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Hi, we are Stephen & Jess, Australian vloggers documenting our first year of leaving home and travelling around the globe. We want to inspire others to venture out, explore, take risks and go on our own adventure!!
We also run a travel, tech and lifestyle blog over at flyingthenest.tv if you want to see personal recounts, photography, tips & wanderlust inspiration from Flying the Nest.
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Karijini National Park, The Pilbara, Western Australia
Encompassing 200,000sq.km of some of Earth's most ancient rocks, Western Australia's Pilbara region stretches from a coast harbouring ancient human art to an ochre-red inland cut by gorges and waterfalls. SUBSCRIBE: The official channel of Australian Geographic magazine.
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Destination WA - Dampier Archipelago
Spending time in the North West makes you realize how old WA is… The landscape is ancient and while the traditional owners have been here for thousands of years, European settlement has been relatively recent with some of the earliest contact happening right here off the coast of Dampier.
TOP 15 KALGOORLIE - BOULDER (WA) Attractions (Things to Do & See)
Best places to visit in Kalgoorlie - Boulder, Western Australia, Australia. City of Kalgoorlie - Boulder is one of area in Goldfields-Esperance region, about 550 km from Western Australia's capital, Perth.
Things to do in Kalgoorlie - Boulder is to visit The Super Pit, the second largest open cut gold mine in Australia. The Super Pit located on the south-east edge of Kalgoorlie, off the Goldfields Highway. You may also visit the Museum of the Gold Field.
Other tourist attractions in Kalgoorlie - Boulder is Hannans North Tourist Mine, Questa Casa, Hammond Park, Broad Arrow, Royal Flying Doctor Service Visitor Centre, Kalgoorlie Town Hall, Karlkurla Bushland Park, Mount Charlotte Reservoir and Lookout, Boulder Town Hall, Heartwalk, Goongarrie National Park and Goldfields Art Centre.
Gain more information about what to do or where to go in Kalgoorlie - Boulder city in Kalgoorlie - Boulder Visitor Information Centre. If you want to explore other cities, town or island in Western Australia, just watching our other videos in this channel. Hope this video about things to do in Kalgoorlie - Boulder, Western Australia by Explore Australia will help you traveling in this city.
MUST SEE SPOTS IN WESTERN AUSTRALIA! | Wandergasm
On the drive out of Shark Bay, I made sure to stop at a world heritage site, an unbelievable viewpoint, a dolphin feeding and several other amazing spots!
Next week I'll bring you the Artesian Pool at Francois Perron National Park before heading onto the gorges at Kalbarri!
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FAQ:
When did I start travelling?
I began to travel properly a few months after I graduated university in 2012. I booked a one way ticket to Australia and the fun began from there!
How do I fund my travels?
I normally apply for a work/travel visa in the country I am spending the majority of my time, I will then work for several months in a row, save up money and then disappear for a few months when I have the cash! I am also blessed enough to have made some really good friends on a lot of my previous travels, this normally means I have a place to crash!
What did I do before I began travelling?
Before I started travelling I gained a BSc in Forensics and Crime Scene Investigation, I intended to use my degree to get into Law school and become a Lawyer! That was all until I discovered road trips and wanderlust!
Do I have any previous experience in Film or Photography?
No! Everything I know I learned on the go! It really is the best way! Hands on knowledge in filming and editing really cannot be beaten.
How do I start travelling?
Just pack up and go! It really is the only way! If you keep telling yourself you're waiting for the perfect moment to travel, 10 years will pass and you'll realise you never did, adventure really doesn't wait!
Perth to Exmouth, Coral Coast Western Australia Road Trip
A roadtrip taking in the entire Western Australian Coral Coast including Geraldton, Shark Bay, Denham, Monkey Mia, Carnarvon, Exmouth, Coral Bay, Hamelin Pool, Kalbarri, Jurien Bay and Perth. Wildlife sights include the Ningaloo Reef, the stromatolites at Hamelin Pool, dolphins, dugongs, rays, sharks, turtles, tropical fish and whale sharks.
For more on the trip, see my blog: