We had the time of our lives Exploring the Outback of Western Australia this summer! Take a look at some of the breathtaking views we experienced!
The Outback of Western Australia
Greetings from Australia!! :) I just returned home from 4 weeks in the Southern Hemisphere. This summer I spent 2 weeks in Australia and 2 weeks in Bali. Kevin spent the first week in Sydney with me, and then I had a couple girlfriends meet me in Bali for a fun girls spa getaway. But first I want to tell you about where I spent that second week — Western Australia!
Western Australia is a massive state that makes up the entire western third of Australia. It boasts expansive outback, pristine beaches, fertile wine regions, incredible food, world-class surfing, snorkeling, exotic wildlife and so much more.
I spent most of my time in Broome, the “pearling” capital of Australia. This area is home to the largest and most coveted commercially harvested cultured pearls in the world. Their discovery in the 1800s ignited a mass migration to Broome almost as legendary as the California gold rush.
Broome is also know for its awe-inspiring beauty and stark contrast in colors — striking red mountains, powdery white beaches, and vibrant turquoise waters.
Flying Over Australia
On my first full day in Western Australia, I took an air safari in a Cessna 210 with Kimberley Aviation to explore this postcard-worthy region.
See those waves in the ocean above? That is the TIDE coming in. The Kimberley Coast is home to the world’s largest tropical tides. The tides rise and fall thirty-three feet every day, twice a day! It comes in, then goes out, then it comes in again, and goes out again. Every day!
These giant tidal movements create natural wonders like the Horizontal Falls, pictured above.
The rushing waves create a waterfall effect as water bursts through the narrow cliffs.
The views from the air were unreal.
Here we are landing on our teeny tiny dirt road runway!
That morning we walked down to the beach on powdery soft red sand. The red sand comes from the red Pindan Cliffs iconic to the Kimberley region of Western Australia.
However once you start to get closer to the ocean, the water bleaches the red out of the sand.
We spent the morning exploring Cape Leveque, and I got my first look at the Indian Ocean.
I was in Western Australia the first week of August, and even though it’s technically winter there, Broome and the Kimberley region was very warm and tropical, cooling off at night.
They typically only have two seasons: the wet season and the dry season. Winter is the dry season, so it’s the perfect time to go to Broome!
That afternoon we hopped on the plane again for a short ride over to Cygnet Bay to see the Giant Tides up close.
We boarded a high-speed boat and zipped through the waves to get to the perfect vantage point. Take a look at the pictures below. I have never seen anything like this in my life!
See the current in the top photo? That is like river rapids flowing right in the middle of an ocean. All around us the water swirled and swelled as the tide rushed in. Mini whirlpools formed everywhere, all around the ship, from the rushing water.
The top half of these rocks are stained with the red Pindan dust, the bottom half is washed away from the tide.
After a full day exploring by air, land, and sea, we boarded the plane once last time to return to Broome.
But we still had one more amazing experience to come.
To end an unforgettable day in the sky, we were whisked away by helicopter for transport to our hotel and a sunset ride over the Indian Ocean.
We dipped low to the sea and saw whales and dolphins jumping, swimming, and playing off the coast.
We landed on a private beach where we were met by a jeep who escorted us to a secluded, eco-friendly beach villa with all the modern comforts, but runs on solar power.
It was here, in the seclusion of the resort, and the vast remoteness of Western Australia that I actually saw the stars for the first time. I’ve never seen stars without massive city light pollution. And I don’t even live in a big city! I just had to stop and stare in wonder. The stars actually do twinkle. And I saw the Milky Way for the first time. With my own eyes! I didn’t know you could see it with your eyes. I couldn’t get over it. I tried to take a picture but my camera couldn’t do it justice. Not to mention — all the constellations I’m used to seeing were upside down!! And you can’t see the North star! I could see Venus, and it was a billion times brighter and bigger than the North star.
Western Australia, please take me back. :)
Until next time!! :) xoxo
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If you’re interested in planning a trip like this, check out the Perth & Broom Package from Down Under Answers:
Highlights:
- Includes Eco Beach, Horizontal Waterfalls as part of the Giant Tides Air Safari, Camel Trek, Rottnest Island, Indigenous tour of Kings Park and more.
- Includes Roundtrip International Air with Virgin Australia from Los Angeles
- Includes the Round-trip domestic air from Perth/Broome
Details:
- Valid until October 31, 2015
- Price From US $5699
I love your travel posts! Your pictures are amazing. Your trip reports make everything seem so exciting without any negative commentary that I see in other travel bloggers. I hope you keep traveling so we can live vicariously through your great trips!
wow, these pictures are gorgeous! they almost look surreal, as if they were meant to be paintings or posters.
I thought you were a food blogger. How do you get to travel so much to such exotic locations?
I agree. How can you afford to travel so much at your young age?
Wow – very interesting and sometimes very unusual and almost wild looking. Thank you.
Spectacular! Just when I think your last trip can’t be topped, this! Amazing, you will really have to book a trip to Mars to top it, glorious! Thanks for sharing and insipiring!