One word can be used to describe Western Australia – BIG ! Western Australia has over 2.5 million square kilometres just waiting to be explored. Western Australia has a wealth of natural resources including gold, iron ore, gas and minerals, and a rich agricultural background, but is fast discovering that it’s appeal to visitors from across the globe is it’s greatest asset.

Exploring Western Australia can take years – the state has so much to offer travellers and locals alike (the locals are still finding out about it too!). WA is a land of extreme contrasts, from arid desert landscapes through to lush forests and tropical locales.

WA’s coastline is one of its most spectacular drawcards – over 12,500 km of magnificent shoreline framed by the Indian and Great Southern Oceans and the Timor Sea. Spectacular marine life abounds, from gigantic whale sharks cruising the pristine reefs of Ningaloo in the north to tiny sea dragons which frolic in the marine park off the city of Perth. Diving, snorkelling and swimming all offer visitors the opportunity to explore and wonder at the incredible diversity of WA’s marine life.

Heading to WAÂ’s south-western tip leads visitors through towering, majestic forests and into the world-renowned wine-growing regions surrounding Margaret River. The rugged coastline of the stateÂ’s far south offers spectacular scenery and unlimited vistas. Here you can climb the enormous Gloucester Tree, wonder at the spectacle of the forest while walking far above the ground on specially-laid treetop pathways or explore ancient caves under the forest floor.

Alternatively, you can take the opportunity to visit the true outback – Western Australia’s Great Sandy Desert. Here the horizon seems to stretch on forever, and a visit to this arid landscape offers a small insight into the strength and determination of WA’s early inland explorers.

In the stateÂ’s far north spectacular gorges and stunning coastline entice visitors from around the world, with huge expanses of National Parks established to ensure that these natural beauties can be enjoyed for centuries to come. Towering waterfalls spill over ancient rocks, red earth shimmers and dances in the Summer heat and scenery unlike anything youÂ’ve ever seen before beckons you to explore further.

In the stateÂ’s centre, the goldfields offer tourists the chance to step back into WAÂ’s goldrush history and experience the heady days when the state was experiencing its first flush of success. Kalgoorlie is a perfect base from which you can head out and enjoy a taste of the goldrush experience and perhaps even find a nugget or two of your own.

The state boasts a rich and varied history, going back over 40,000 years beginning with the Aborigines who first inhabited this vast land.

Convicts, gold rushes, bushrangers, ghosts and ancient legends have interwoven to create the texture of WA’s history and culture. You can follow the trail of Moondyne Joe – WA’s best known bushranger and escape artist who roamed the state in the mid-1800’s, chance a meeting with a local ghost at one of the many historic hotels across WA or explore the state’s rich Aboriginal heritage. Every region of Western Australia has a story to share and a slice of history to pass on to an interested visitor.

Western Australia is a state of contrasts, diversity and spectacle. Exploring WA is an exciting and challenging experience which offers attractions to appeal to everyone.