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...

Best Cruises from Sydney

Sydney, a bustling hub in the Pacific, is the perfect starting point for unforgettable cruises in 2025, with over 150 itineraries each year. Whether you are after a brief getaway or an extended international adventure, cruises from Sydney cater to diverse travel styles and preferences. From all-inclusive packages that promise relaxation to ex...

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...

TripAdvisor’s top New Zealand experiences for 2024

TripAdvisor has just revealed its top ten New Zealand experiences for 2024, making it easier than ever to navigate the overwhelming number of tours and activities the country has to offer. Whether you’ve been dreaming of ziplining through the lush Rotorua Forest canopy or taking in the breathtaking views on a flight cruise over Milford Sound, th...

Squid fishing at Rottnest the ultimate fishing experience for kids

Kids love fishing, but it requires a lot of gear, expertise and effort, and often for little reward. On the other hand, squid fishing, or squidding, requires very little gear and no bait. Simply head down to the general store, pick up a cheap rod or hand line and squid jig and you are away- and you don’t have to be an expert! Kids love these ugl...

Exploring Rottnest Island's dramatic history as a military base

Remnants of Rottnest’s military past are scattered across the Island. With heavy involvement in both World War I and II, Rottnest Island’s history includes a lengthy chapter on prisoners of war, artillery guns and secret plotting rooms. For a historic moment, Rottnest was not a holiday paradise but a critical base for the Australian army to defe...

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...

WA takes home the gold in the 2022 QANTAS Australian Tourism Awards

Western Australia has been widely recognised as one of the best tourism destinations in the world, offering luxurious resorts, unique cultural experiences and unrivalled scenery. The 2022 QANTAS Australian Tourism Awards represent the diversity and excellence of the state's tourism industry - and WA has recieved a plethora of awards, including f...

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...

Relax by nature with these eco-tours of Mandurah

Mandurah is home to some of the most beautiful and healthy aquatic life in the world, with an estuary more than twice the size of Sydney Harbour. The thriving fauna and flora draw tourists from all over Australia, and the natural, wild landscapes are the perfect way to escape the city and reconnect with this amazing land we live on. Salt and Bu...

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 ...

Meet WA's blind cameleer changing our perspective on camels

Australia has the largest dromedary population in the world, but we rarely see these animals face to face. Camels are now considered a pest in WA, and unfortunately thousands are culled every year. Meet Dr Max Bergmann: the blind cameleer wanting to change our perspective on these often misunderstood animals. Passionate about creating a susta...

Explore the Porongurups and Mount Barker like a local

Many people think of Mt Barker as a pass-through town to get to the tourist hotspot Albany; but the quirky town spirit and it’s many hidden gems make this small town more than just a bathroom stop. A four-hour drive along Albany Highway from Perth will lead you through breath-taking views of the Porongurups, and makes for the perfect city escape...

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...

Hot air balloon tours in the Avon Valley

Floating through the air in a hot air balloon is magical experience like no other, and in Western Australia, unless you own your own, there’s only one place you can do it. Just an hour north of Perth, Northam is the home of ballooning in WA, and was even the departure point for a record-breaking solo balloon trip around the world, made by Russi...

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 ...

Water-biking on the Swan River – a strangely fun and addictive family activity for any season

Looking for a fun, out-of-the-box activity to get the kids outside over the school holidays? Go for a cycle on the Swan River on one of these funky contraptions. A watersport that anyone can enjoy, waterbiking is relatively new to Perth, with only a handful of bikes available for hire in Perth. Fun for everyone from 8 to 80, it’s like floating ...

Mountain biking for beginners - Perth's best off-road trails and bike hire

Whether it’s for a love of the outdoors, a craving for adventure or the adrenaline rush of trying something new, Perth has numerous biking trails perfect for beginners through to the elite. Many of the best trails are located in the Perth Hills so it’s a great opportunity to bring the kids along and make a day of it. Alternatively, find some bou...

Perth Aboriginal cultural tours reveal the history and traditions of the Noongar nation

As the traditional owners of Perth and WA’s southwest, no one knows the land and history of Perth better than Noongar People. The old stories and customs were passed down orally from generation to generation, so much of this history would be lost if it were not for a dedicated group of Aboriginal owned and operated tours and cultural experiences...

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...

Birdwatching in the south

WA's South is a biodiverse hotspot with more than 350 species of birds native to the region and a dozen species endemic to the area. Visitors can enjoy sightings of famous Carnaby's black cockatoos, Western Corellas and friendly pink and grey galahs. WA's South is a biodiverse hotspot with more than 350 species of birds native to the region an...

Boating in WA

There is a massive boating population in WA due to its stunningly vast coastline. Enthusiasts are spoilt with beautiful islands, archipelagos and reefs to explore all the way up and down the state - not to mention some unprecedentedly untouched coastal views that must be seen to be believed. ​ There is a massive boating population in WA due to ...

Boating up north

Home to stunning reefs, brilliant shorelines and inviting tropical climates, WA’s Northern Coastline offers the perfect setting for a fantastic boating experience, from commercial ferries to charter boats. ​ Home to stunning reefs, brilliant shorelines and inviting tropical climates, WA’s Northern Coastline offers the perfect setting for a fant...