West Coast and Nature

About Perth

Perth is the capital and largest city of the Australian state of Western Australia. The Perth Cultural Center is the location of the city's major arts, cultural and educational institutions, including the Art Gallery of Western Australia, Western Australian Museum, State Library of Western Australia, State Records Office, and Perth Institute of Contemporary Art. The State Theater Center of Western Australia is also located there, and is the home of the Black Swan State Theater Company and the Perth Theater Company. Other performing arts companies based in Perth include the West Australian Ballet, West Australian Opera and West Australian Symphony Orchestra, all of which present regular programs.

Perth is the capital and largest city of the Australian state of Western Australia. The Perth Cultural Center is the location of the city's major arts, cultural and educational institutions, including the Art Gallery of Western Australia, Western Australian Museum, State Library of Western Australia, State Records Office, and Perth Institute of Contemporary Art. The State Theater Center of Western Australia is also located there, and is the home of the Black Swan State Theater Company and the Perth Theater Company. Other performing arts companies based in Perth include the West Australian Ballet, West Australian Opera and West Australian Symphony Orchestra, all of which present regular programs.

About Margaret River

Margaret River is a town in the South West of Western Australia. Several hundred caves are located near Margaret River, all of them within Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park. Six of these are open to the public. The most famous of these is the multi-chambered Mammoth Cave, which lies 21 kilometres (13 mi) south of the town and contains fossils dating back over 35,000 years. The cave was first discovered by European settlers in 1850 and has been open to the public since 1904. The other five caves open to the public in the area are Jewel Cave, Lake Cave, Ngilgi Cave, Calgardup Cave and Giants Cave. Many other caves can be accessed with a permit by experienced cavers.

Margaret River is a town in the South West of Western Australia. Several hundred caves are located near Margaret River, all of them within Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park. Six of these are open to the public. The most famous of these is the multi-chambered Mammoth Cave, which lies 21 kilometres (13 mi) south of the town and contains fossils dating back over 35,000 years. The cave was first discovered by European settlers in 1850 and has been open to the public since 1904. The other five caves open to the public in the area are Jewel Cave, Lake Cave, Ngilgi Cave, Calgardup Cave and Giants Cave. Many other caves can be accessed with a permit by experienced cavers.

About Albany

Albany is a port city in the Great Southern region of Western Australia. Albany is the oldest permanently settled town in Western Australia. The city center is at the northern edge of Princess Royal Harbor, which is a part of King George Sound. The central business district is bounded by Mount Clarence to the east and Mount Melville to the west. Albany was founded on 26 December 1826 as a military outpost of New South Wales as part of a plan to forestall French ambitions in the region. To that end, on 21 January 1827 the commander of the outpost, Major Edmund Lockyer, formally took possession of the western third of the continent for the British Crown.

Albany is a port city in the Great Southern region of Western Australia. Albany is the oldest permanently settled town in Western Australia. The city center is at the northern edge of Princess Royal Harbor, which is a part of King George Sound. The central business district is bounded by Mount Clarence to the east and Mount Melville to the west. Albany was founded on 26 December 1826 as a military outpost of New South Wales as part of a plan to forestall French ambitions in the region. To that end, on 21 January 1827 the commander of the outpost, Major Edmund Lockyer, formally took possession of the western third of the continent for the British Crown.

About Broome

Broome is a coastal, pearling and tourist town in the Kimberley region of Western Australia, 2,240 km (1,390 mi) north of Perth. The permanent population is estimated at 14,436, growing to over 45,000 per month during the tourist season. Broome International Airport provides transport to several domestic destinations.

Broome is a coastal, pearling and tourist town in the Kimberley region of Western Australia, 2,240 km (1,390 mi) north of Perth. The permanent population is estimated at 14,436, growing to over 45,000 per month during the tourist season. Broome International Airport provides transport to several domestic destinations.

About Katherine

Katherine is a town in Northern Territory, Australia situated on the Katherine River. Beginning as an outpost established with the Australian Overland Telegraph Line on the North-South transport route between Darwin and Adelaide, Katherine has grown with the development of transport and local industries including mining – particularly gold mining; a strategic military function with RAAF Base Tindal; also as a tourism gateway to the attractions of nearby Nitmiluk National Park, particularly Katherine Gorge and its many ancient rock paintings. The region is known to experience heavy flooding during "the wet season".

Katherine is a town in Northern Territory, Australia situated on the Katherine River. Beginning as an outpost established with the Australian Overland Telegraph Line on the North-South transport route between Darwin and Adelaide, Katherine has grown with the development of transport and local industries including mining – particularly gold mining; a strategic military function with RAAF Base Tindal; also as a tourism gateway to the attractions of nearby Nitmiluk National Park, particularly Katherine Gorge and its many ancient rock paintings. The region is known to experience heavy flooding during "the wet season".

About Darwin

Darwin, the capital of the Northern Territory, is a vibrant, modern city and home to about 150,000 residents hailing from a wide diversity of nationalities and ethic backgrounds – including a large community of Aborigines. 

Darwin, the capital of the Northern Territory, is a vibrant, modern city and home to about 150,000 residents hailing from a wide diversity of nationalities and ethic backgrounds – including a large community of Aborigines. 

Because of its location at the top end of Australia and its proximity to Southeast Asia, Darwin is the gateway to the continent for many travelers- especially from the Far East. This proximity to Asia’s financial markets makes the city an important international and national business and service center, as well. Darwin has a tropical climate with two distinct seasons – dry and wet- and, in fact, tropical horticulture is one of its primary industries. With incredible landscapes and relaxed outdoor lifestyle, tourism plays an important role in Darwin’s economy, as well. Visitors from around the globe enjoy Darwin’s world-class, waterfront restaurants, ethnic street food, crocodile adventures, hiking trails, and accessibility to some of the country’s outstanding attractions such as Kakadu National Park, Nitmiluk National Park, and the Tiwi Islands. Aborigine art is prominently displayed in the galleries in the busy city center as well as in the night market located on Mindil Beach Sunset Market. The market is a great place to pick up souvenirs, try some local cuisine, and watch the sun set over the beach. Speaking of sunsets, Darwin is famous for its amazing twilights – don’t miss the chance to sit on the beach in the evening, with a bottle of beer in hand, watching the sun descend into the sea. If you’re wondering about the origin of the city’s name, here’s a fun fact. In 1839, European sailors reached Darwin aboard the HMS Beagle. The captain of the ship named the harbor for his previous shipmate, Charles Darwin, who had taken a 5-year voyage around the globe on the ship. During World War II, Darwin was bombed by Japanese planes - the same planes that bombed Pearl Harbor- and the city and the port suffered significant destruction. Following the war, they were both restored. To learn more about the role of Darwin during World War II and the war’s impact on the city, be sure to visit the Darwin Military Museum. The ancient dock area of the city, Stokes Hill Wharf, is a great evening destination where you will find restaurants, pubs, and music – and a breathtaking panoramic view of the harbor. Another special attraction in the city is the Deckchair Cinema, a magnificent open air cinema located on the Darwin Harbor, which screens a wide range of local and international films (during the dry season, of course!) Purchase dinner from one of the local caterers, grab a drink, and sit back to enjoy the film under the open sky. Crocodiles are part of life in Darwin, and both the freshwater and saltwater species can be found in the ocean and rivers around the area. Saltwater crocodiles – known locally as “salties” – are often said to resemble dinosaurs in terms of their size and appearance. These reptiles can be seen at several wildlife parks in the area, including Crocosaurus Cove, Kakadu National Park, and Crocodylus Park, and jumping crocodiles are the main attraction at the Adelaide River. Darwin is the starting point for visits to the nearby national parks, Litchfield and Kakadu. Litchfield, one of the favorites of both locals and tourist, has stunning waterfalls, swimming, overnight accommodations, off-roading tracks, and scenic hikes. Kakadu, a “living cultural landscape,” is an ancient Aboriginal home and a breathtaking natural wonder – a paradise for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts. The huge national park, one of the largest in Australia at over 7200 square miles, features lush rainforests, rugged terrain, and a wealth of wildlife.