Localista Articles

Best Tours in the Kimberley

At almost twice the size of Victoria, the Kimberley is one of the world’s largest and most untouched natural wonders. Characterized by dramatic gorges, ancient Aboriginal rock art, secluded coastlines, and hidden swimming holes, the region offers a wealth of natural beauty—many areas accessible only via air tours, luxury cruises, or off-road 4WD...

Top cruises to catch from Perth

Perth’s cruise options are nothing short of spectacular. Whether you’re after a quick family getaway or a luxurious escape with your partner, Perth has you covered. From short round trips to extended, pampered voyages, there’s a cruise to suit every taste. Cruises offer a stress-free travel experience with plenty of onboard entertainment and din...

Exploring Rottnest Island's Indigenous history sites tours stories

The local Whadjuk Noongar people have a deep connection to Wadjemup (Rottnest Island). Indeed, Wadjemup means ‘Place Across the Water Where the Spirits Are’. Their relationship with the island extends back thousands of years when low sea levels once joined Rottnest to the mainland. As well as its importance as an ancient fishing and hunting plac...

Working lighthouse tours in Margaret River, the tallest in Australia & perfect for whale season

The coast of Western Australia is dotted with lighthouses, but over the years, the vast majority have been shut down and are now closed to the public. Margaret River is lucky enough to have two operating lighthouses you can climb and explore as part of a fully guided tour, including the tallest lighthouse in mainland Australia. The lighthouse...

9pm late-night ferries turn Rottnest into the ultimate day trip

Less than 30 minutes from the mainland, Rottnest has always been the ultimate day trip adventure, until it’s time to cut the fun short and head home on a late afternoon ferry. For summer 2021/2022, this has all changed, with the last ferries now departing as late as 9pm. Here are some tips and updates on how to make the most of your day out at R...

Magical dolphin encounters in the canals of Mandurah

Like the cute quokkas of Rottnest Island, the City of Mandurah has its own adorable, native mascot – the bottlenose dolphin. Mandurah’s pristine, protected estuary is home to one of the healthiest dolphin pods in the world, with a massive population of somewhere between 90 and 100 dolphins. Mandurah’s salt-water rivers and waterways expand over ...

Penguin Island day trip: feeding penguins wild dolphins swims glass bottom boat tours

Within the Shoalwater Islands Marine Park lies the magnificent Penguin Island, home to an abundance of wildlife, crystal clear waters, pristine beaches and, most importantly, the world’s smallest penguins. It takes just 5 minutes to cross over to the island, with ferries departing every hour between 9am and 3pm from the Rockingham Wild Encounter...

Aboriginal bush-tucker spring walking tours: from Broome to Margaret River

Aboriginal people possess a unique understanding of Western Australia’s natural environment and the use of native plants for food, tools and medicine. Fortunately for us, Aboriginal guides are willing to share their generational kaartdijin (knowledge) and the best way to do that is on a walking tour. According to the Noongar seasonal calendar...

Biking tours in Margaret River

Margaret River is filled with bike trails traversing the region’s karri forests, bushland and coastline and is popular with cyclists all year round. While there is an abundance of bike hire available, bike tours provide a more personalised experience, know all the best spots and will save you getting lost, which apparently happens more than you ...

Perth walking tours to uncover best street art

It’s easy to become complacent and miss out on the best sites in your own city. If you are itching to get out, and keen to discover some of Perth's hidden quirks, several of the city's top walking tour operators will be back up and running this week and next. There’s no better time to discover the rich tapestry of street art, local history and c...

Fishing in Margaret River

Enjoy the pristine waterways of one of Margaret River’s most popular pastimes. ​The shores of Margaret River are rife with not only fish, but fantastic sheltered fishing spots for novices and experts alike. More than 400,000 amateur fishers visit Margaret River every year to fish in local waters – a sign of the region’s abundance of aquatic l...

Whale watching in the South West

From whale nurseries to cliff-top lookouts, the South-West provides you with a generous number of viewing points to witness the whales as they migrate up North. There’s a whale nursery 65km east of Bremer Bay, so the coastal town has plenty of land-based viewing options. Head into Fitzgerald National Park where there are purpose-built whale-wa...