Is Western Australia Worth Visiting? My Honest Take

On By saar.decosterIn Australia

If you’re planning a trip to Australia, you’ve probably already asked yourself this question: is Western Australia worth visiting?

Most travellers stick to the East Coast, Sydney, Byron Bay, Cairns, the Great Barrier Reef, that’s usually what ends up on every itinerary.

But after travelling through both, I can honestly say this question deserves a real answer.

Because this West Coast Australia trip showed me something unexpected: Western Australia isn’t just “another part of Australia”. It’s a completely different experience.

And yes, Western Australia is absolutely worth visiting, but not for the reasons most people expect.

Why Western Australia Feels So Different

The biggest difference with the East Coast is the pace.

Where the East Coast is full of hostels, parties, buses, social chaos and constant movement (like Sydney, Fraser Island or Cairns, the West Coast slows everything down completely.

Long roads. Empty landscapes. Tiny towns. Huge distances.

At first, you might wonder if it’s too quiet.

But that’s exactly what makes it special.

It forces you to slow down.

And suddenly, the question changes from “is Western Australia worth visiting?” to “why doesn’t everyone talk about this side of Australia more?”.

Kalbarri National Park in Western Australia during a West Coast Australia travel diary, showing dramatic red cliffs, deep canyons and vast open landscapes.
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The Best Things About Western Australia

1. Unreal beaches & surf spots

If you’re wondering is Western Australia worth visiting for beaches alone, the answer is already yes.

The coastline is wild, open and incredibly beautiful.

Crystal-clear water, empty stretches of sand, and beaches that feel untouched compared to many East Coast hotspots.

It’s not about crowded Instagram spots, it’s about space, silence, and raw nature.

2. Wildlife everywhere

One of the strongest reasons why Western Australia is worth visiting is the wildlife.

During my trip I saw:

  • Quokkas at Rottnest Island
  • Wild dolphins at Monkey Mia
  • Sea turtles along the coast
  • Emus walking through campsites
  • Whale sharks further north (one of the most surreal experiences ever)

It’s the kind of wildlife that makes you realise how untouched this part of Australia still feels.

Wild dolphins swimming close to shore at Monkey Mia in Shark Bay Western Australia during sunrise

3. The sunsets are unreal

Another reason people ask they should visit Western is the hype around sunsets.

And honestly?

They’re not exaggerated.

Every single evening felt like the sky was doing something different just for us.

Kalbarri, Denham, Exmouth, each place had its own version of golden, endless skies.

It became one of the most consistent highlights of my entire West Coast Australia travel diary.

Sunset at Chinamans Beach during a West Coast Australia travel diary, with golden light over the ocean, calm waves and a remote Western Australia coastline.

4. Peace, space & slow travel energy

Western Australia is not about rushing.

It’s about existing in between places.

There’s no pressure to “see everything”, no constant city energy, no packed itineraries.

After the East Coast chaos, this felt like a reset I didn’t know I needed.

Which honestly makes the question is Western Australia worth visiting feel almost too simple, because the value isn’t in doing more, but in doing less.

The Reality: What People Don’t Tell You

1. Distances are massive

You can drive for hours and see almost nothing.

So if you’re asking is Western Australia worth visiting, you also need to know it requires patience.

2. Transport is limited

Unlike the East Coast, there’s no easy backpacker route.

You’ll need:

  • a tour
  • a campervan
  • or a rental car
Group tour bus parked at sunset during a West Coast Australia travel diary, with warm golden light over the Western Australian landscape after a long day of driving.

3. It’s very quiet

There’s less nightlife, fewer parties, and more long evenings in nature.

If you’re going for social travel, the East Coast wins.

If you’re going for space and landscapes, Western Australia is worth visiting without question.

4. Flies & heat

Especially inland, not glamorous, but real.

So… Is Western Australia Worth Visiting?

Yes.

But not instead of the East Coast, alongside it.

They’re completely different experiences:

  • East Coast = social, busy, classic backpacker route
  • West Coast = raw, quiet, nature-heavy, underrated beauty

And together, they make Australia feel complete.

My Final Thoughts

After finishing my own West Coast journey (you can read the full Itinerary and Travel Diary), I left with a completely different perspective.

It wasn’t just about ticking places off a list.

It was about slowing down enough to actually feel them.

So if you’re still wondering if Western Australia is worth visiting?

From my experience:

Yes.
Absolutely yes.

Just don’t expect it to be like anywhere else.

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FAQ – Is Western Australia Worth Visiting?

Is Western Australia better than the East Coast of Australia?

It depends on what kind of trip you’re looking for.

The East Coast is better for first-time backpackers who want social hostels, nightlife, easy transport and iconic stops like Sydney, Byron Bay, K’gari and the Whitsundays.

Western Australia is better if you’re looking for wild landscapes, empty beaches, wildlife and a slower travel experience.

After travelling both coasts, I don’t think one is better than the other. They simply offer completely different sides of Australia.

How much time do you need for Western Australia?

I would recommend at least 2 weeks for a proper West Coast Australia road trip.

This gives you enough time to experience highlights like Perth, Rottnest Island, Kalbarri, Shark Bay, Coral Bay and Exmouth without spending the entire trip driving.

If you have more time, even better. The biggest mistake people make in Western Australia is trying to rush through huge distances.

→ Planning your route? Check out my complete West Coast Australia Itinerary based on my own experience travelling the coast.

Is Western Australia good for backpackers?

Yes, but it’s a very different backpacker experience compared to the East Coast.

You won’t find the same party atmosphere, endless hostel events or easy backpacker trail.

Instead, Western Australia is perfect for backpackers who enjoy road trips, camping, nature and meeting people through shared adventures.

The people you meet often become part of the experience because everyone is exploring the same remote places together.

Should I visit Western Australia if I only have limited time in Australia?

If you only have a few weeks in Australia for your first trip, I would usually recommend prioritising the East Coast because it’s easier to travel and has many of Australia’s famous highlights.

However, if you love nature, beaches, wildlife and road trips, Western Australia can easily become the highlight of your entire trip.

If you have enough time, I would definitely try to include both coasts because they show completely different sides of Australia.

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