The largest state in Australia, Western Australia takes up almost a third of the continent. Sparsely populated, aside from the coast, only 11% of the nation resides here. Perth, the capital of the region, is the largest city in this huge state. Roads spider out from Perth, but no main arteries make it into the interior outback.
More than 50,000 years ago, indigenous people settled in Western Australia. It wasn’t until the 17th century that Europeans arrived, staking their claim to the land. One of the oldest cities in the state is Albany, which was permanently settled in 1826. Perth was founded soon after, but it was slow going, and officials requested that convict laborers be brought to the region to stimulate the population. It wasn’t until the 1890’s that a mining boom brought people to the region, and the populace has been steadily growing ever since.
Other attractions
Don’t skimp on your time in Perth. There are museums to visit and art galleries to enjoy, as well as a popular nightlife scene.
Many of the most lusted after beaches in the South Pacific are found on the northern side of Western Australia.
With so much interior space, it’s definitely worth renting a four wheel drive vehicle and heading out into the outback for a walkabout.
Getting there
The easiest way to get to the region is to fly in to Perth, though roads connect Western Australia to the rest of the country.
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