In Busselton's calm turquoise bay you can take a 1.8-kilometre stroll or train ride over the Indian Ocean on the longest timber-piled jetty in the southern hemisphere. And below the waves, Australia's best artificial reef can be viewed by stepping into the Underwater Observatory or getting suited up for a diving tour. Twice voted Western Australia's Top Tourism Town, and just a short hop from the Margaret River wine region, Busselton gives you plenty of reasons to take the 2-hour-and-40-minute drive or 50-minute flight south from Perth. Its iconic, heritage-listed jetty was originally built in 1865, and a ticket to ride with the Busselton Jetty Experience takes you all the way to the end to get a glimpse of the colourful fish and tropical corals that have made it their home, thanks to the warm waters of the Leeuwin current. Along the north-facing shoreline, the tranquil waters, white sands, lush lawns and shady pine trees of the main swimming beach offer the perfect setting for a family day beside the sea. Here, and along a 30-kilometre coastline of immaculate beaches, you can try your hand at fishing, water skiing, snorkelling, scuba diving, windsurfing, kayaking or sailing in the calm waters of Geographe Bay. A short walk from the main beach brings you to Busselton's main street, where you can browse boutique fashion, designer homewares, surf gear and antiques. Take a detour down Fig Tree Lane and you'll find yourself in a quaint little retail enclave of fashion, beauty and refreshments. For a spot of culture, step inside the Busselton Museum, Old Courthouse or the beautiful St Mary's Church and be transported back to the 1800s, when Busselton was established as one of Western Australia's first settlements. Housed in the old prison and courtroom, the modern ArtGeo Gallery and Courthouse Arts Complex now celebrates freedom of expression, displaying the works of South West and Western Australian artists. All tastes and budgets are satisfied with a huge array of tours, restaurants and accommodation. And for the best views in the bay, be sure to check out Busselton's string of beachfront resorts.

Two billion years in the making, Karijini National Park is one of Western Australia's most spectacular natural attractions offering amazing hiking trails through ancient gorges. With massive gorges, crystal clear rock pools and waterfalls, Karijini National Park is a must for anyone with a thirst for adventure. Explore tunnels of marbled rock, clamber over boulders, squeeze through narrow tunnels, paddle through waterways and descend deep into ancient chasms. There's also easy access to stunning lookouts and walking trails of varying levels so everyone can experience this awesome landscape. Permanent water pools mean there's always the chance for a refreshing swim. There are excellent picnic areas as well as allocated camping sites within the park. Karijini National Park is located about two hours drive from the town of Newman. It's best accessed by joining a four-wheel drive tour. There are several tour operators taking visitors from Perth to Karijini and the surrounding region. Camping in Western Australia's natural areas is a special experience. Selected campgrounds from across the state are now bookable online for a trial period. Tourists are advised to check for alerts and road/park closures before commencing their travel on www.emergency.wa.gov.au and https://alerts.dbca.wa.gov.au

Set in the picturesque upper reaches of the Blackwood River Valley, Balingup is an inspiration to many artisans, from artists and crafts people to wine makers and providors of gourmet produce. Follow one of Western Australia's top tourist drives, or take to the walking trails to sample the riches this region has to offer. Take the two hours and 40-minute drive south of Perth to reach the forests, winding rivers, rolling hills, vineyards and lush orchards of Balingup. Or, enjoy the journey at a slower pace, walking the Bibbulmun Track - one of the world's greatest long-distance trails, stretching almost 1,000 kilometres from Kalamunda in Perth to Albany on the south coast. The track meanders through Balingup's Golden Valley Tree Park - a six-hectare collection of trees from around the world that forms the largest arboretum in Western Australia. Here, you can find beauty in every season, from moody winter mists, to spring blossoms and the golden glow of autumn leaves. Venturing further afield, the top rated Blackwood River Tourist Drive takes in some of the region's most scenic landscapes, fascinating historical landmarks, top fishing spots and pretty picnic areas. The best of the Blackwood's art, craft, handcrafted pottery, jewellery, sculpture, alpaca knitwear, herbal products, antiques and collectables can all be discovered in and around the village, not to mention a tempting array of cafes, bakeries, restaurants, fresh produce and local wines. You'll be just as spoilt for choice if you decide to make Balingup your base for a country escape, with a wide range of family-friendly accommodation and romantic retreats to choose from.

Home to more than 700 Indigenous archaeological sites and one million rock engravings dating back some 30,000 years - immerse yourself in the art, history and culture of the Aboriginal people who call the Pilbara home. Picture peaceful plunge pools in the heart of Karijini National Park, sparkling white sand and vibrant coral reefs along the Dampier Archipelago and Mackerel Islands, and regional towns built off the back of a booming mining industry.

For an authentic Australian outback experience, visit Kookynie - a living gold rush ghost town. On the Golden Quest Discovery Trail, with a quintessential goldfields pub and a host of gold rush relics to explore, Kookynie is located 8.5 hours east of Perth by car, the small town of Kookynie is 1 hour northeast of Menzies or a 2.5-hour drive from Coolgardie. In its gold rush heyday, following the discovery of gold in 1895, the booming hub of Kookynie had 1,500 residents, 6 hotels, public baths and brewery. Today, it's practically a ghost town with just 13 permanent residents, but several buildings bear testament to Kookynie's heritage, including the Grand Hotel where you can enjoy a cold beer, a hearty meal and drink in the outback ambience. View the hotel's collection of historic photographs, antique bottles and memorabilia. Stroll to the old shops and the Cosmopolitan Hotel ruins and imagine the life of a pioneering prospector during the gold rush with a visit to the Old Miner's Cottage - the last timber and iron building in Kookynie from the turn of the 20th century. Nearby, Niagara Dam was built in 1898 to provide plentiful freshwater for the railway linking Kalgoorlie with Menzies. This oasis in the wilderness is now a top spot for a picnic, refreshing swim or a night in a swag under the stars. Whether you're following the 965 kilometre Golden Quest Discovery Trail - a self-drive tour that takes in 25 sites of historic and Indigenous significance - or creating your own Goldfields adventure, be sure to include a trip to sculptor Antony Gormley's Inside Australia exhibition. Inside Australia on the flat salt lake of Lake Ballard, is the country's largest world-class open-air sculpture exhibit. Covering an area of 10 square kilometres, the art installation showcases 51 statues representing residents from the nearby town of Menzies. If you'd like to make Kookynie your base, book a stay at the historic hotel or caravan park.