Wild weekend getaways in Western Australia, from Exmouth and Hyden to Rottnest Island.
Swim with whale sharks, marvel at ochre clifftops and explore surreal natural creations from outback to coast. It’s choose your own adventure in Australia’s largest state, with attractions on tap and space for days. These are the best weekend getaways in Western Australia.
Quays and quokkas in Perth and Rottnest Island
The resident quokkas of Rottnest Island/Wadjemup are reason enough to make the ferry trip from Perth/Boorloo or Fremantle. (Credit: Tourism Australia)
What? A play-filled getaway taking in Perth/Boorloo’s pristine beaches and the impossibly cute quokkas of Rottnest Island/Wadjemup.
Tell me more: Thanks to their accessibility, Perth and nearby Rottnest Island make for a rewarding weekend escape in WA. For the capital’s ultimate highlights reel, base yourself in Fremantle. From here peruse the bustling markets, whet your appetite for bayside dining, take a swim at beautiful Bathers Beach and swing by the Little Creatures Brewery for a cheeky ale. Wake up for a day trip to Rottnest Island – just a 30-minute ferry ride from Victoria Quay – where you can hire a bike, hike a section of the 45-kilometre Wadjemup Bidi and take an obligatory selfie with the island’s most famous and adorable residents: quokkas.
An awe-filled escape to Hyden
Discover the vibrant Lake Magic near Wave Rock Resort. (Credit: Tourism Western Australia)
The famous Wave Rock. (Credit: Tourism Australia)
There's plenty to explore from Wave Rock Resort. (Credit: Tourism Australia)
What? Tucked into WA’s Wheatbelt region, Hyden offers a unique opportunity to discover bush living along with some of nature’s most surreal creations.
Tell me more: Located a 3.5-hour drive inland from Perth, the rural farming town of Hyden is proof that good things come in small packages. Here, visitors can marvel at the gravity-defying Wave Rock and nearby Hippo’s Yawn, the extraterrestrial colours of Lake Magic and wildflower blankets in spring – with Wave Rock Resort serving as a convenient base.
Outdoor adventures in Dwellingup
Mountain bike in Dwellingup. (Credit: Josh Cowling)
What? While it may be classified as a tiny town, Dwellingup is a big hitter when it comes to outdoor adventures.
Tell me more: Tucked in towering Jarrah forests, this pretty ‘trail town’, just a 90-minute drive south of Perth, offers world-class mountain biking and peaceful river paddling – perfect for an unplugged weekend. Explore the Murray Valley Mountain trails on two wheels, canoe or kayak the Murray River’s gentle rapids (you can hire gear from Dwellingup Adventures), then reward your efforts with a meal at the community-owned and loved ‘Dwelly Pub’.
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An indulgent trip to the Margaret River
Pair’d festival blends nature, community, good food and wine. (Credit: Tourism Western Australia)
What? Head to Margaret River for Pair’d festival: four days where the region’s wine, food and music collide. Or opt to explore the scenic area on your own terms.
Tell me more: Returning 19–22 November 2026, the Pair’d program unfurls like a picnic blanket across beaches, forests and vineyards, with Pair’d Beach Club back at Meelup and the Grand Tasting at Howard Park Wines. Expect internationally acclaimed chefs cooking alongside local producers and long lunches paired with live music, plus sommelier-led pours best enjoyed under the bountiful peppermint trees.
A deep-sleep reset in a Bridgetown tiny home
Tiny Matilda offers a solar-powered farm stay. (Credit: Chad Gerber)
What? An off-grid antidote to burnout.
Tell me more:Into The Wild Escapes has partnered with Life Unhurried on The Deep Sleep Reset, landing at tiny homes across the country including Tiny Matilda, a solar-powered hideaway on a regenerative farm in Bridgetown. Guests trade iPhone alerts for native wildlife and an outdoor bath, with a restorative sleep pack including a silk eye mask, cacao blend and mindful card prompts.
A short wildlife break in Exmouth
Exmouth’s coast is home to an abundance of whale sharks, along with other marine life. (Credit: Tourism Australia)
The famed Pink Lake in WA. (Credit: Tourism Australia)
What? Whale sharks, humpbacks and turtles, all off one stretch of coast.
Tell me more: It’s whale shark season at Ningaloo Reef from March through winter, with humpbacks arriving from June. From October, turtles haul themselves up moonlit beaches to breed and nest, best watched on a guided walk from the Jurabi Turtle Centre. Then cool off after dark at one of Exmouth’s buzzy breweries or the Friday Night Markets.
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A floating hotel stay in the Kimberley
Sleep on the waters of the Kimberley at Nyawoorn, a unique pontoon hotel. (Credit: Scotty Connell)
What? The only way to sleep on water beside Kununurra.
Tell me more: Looming, rusty-red Kimberley cliffs backdrop the multi-night stays aboard Nyawoorn, a gussied-up houseboat from Kimberley Spirit that guests get the run of – without needing to drive. Anchor points along the Ord River allow you to kayak to Elephant Rock for a dawn hike, swim beside Jump Rock in the lee of ochre walls and fish for barra near a lone beach. Triple bonus: the owners fill the fridge, relocate the vessel and pop by to whisk you on local-secret excursions.
A culturally enriching visit to Albany
Visit Albany for its scenery as well as its culture, history and heritage. (Credit: Tourism Western Australia)
What? This year marks 200 years since Europeans began living alongside Aboriginal people in Albany, and a year-long events program is beckoning visitors.
Tell me more: The harbourside city is reframing bicentenaries with meaningful acts of reconciliation with the local Menang Noongar people, as part of a year-long suite of events. For one exhibition, important Aboriginal artefacts and colonial drawings have been returned home for the first time. Menang people helped researchers in the 1840s to collect and paint studies of fish and reptiles, furthering the understanding of Australia’s natural world. Kalyagul: Connections to Menang Country runs at the Museum of the Great Southern until February. Meanwhile, a free-entry walk with thousands of recycled lanterns representing the wagyl, or rainbow serpent, will illuminate the night on 7 November 2026.
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Fleur Bainger is a freelance travel writer and journalism mentor who has been contributing to Australian Traveller since 2009! The thrill of discovering new, hidden and surprising things is what ignites her. She gets a buzz from sharing these...
Carla Grossetti has written across print and digital for Australian Traveller and International Traveller for more than a decade and has spent more than two decades finding excuses to eat well and travel far. A prestigious News Corp cadetship...
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With its prime position on one of Australia’s most iconic beaches, lush tropical surrounds and exceptional dining, wellness and leisure experiences, Cable Beach Club Resort & Spa is the perfect base for exploring the spectacular Kimberley region.
For many travellers, Broome is the gateway to the wild grandeur of the Kimberley – a launch point for epic 4WD journeys along the legendary Gibb River Road, rugged outback tours and expedition cruises tracing the remote coastline. Whether you’re arriving dust-covered from the red dirt or preparing to venture deep into the region’s untamed landscapes, Cable Beach Club Resort & Spa offers the perfect place to begin or end the adventure. The only fully integrated resort in Broome, the property unfolds along meandering pathways that wind through lush tropical gardens, past tranquil lily ponds and hand-carved timber sculptures that subtly guide guests towards reception.
Location
Let friendly staff help you book a camel ride on Cable Beach. (Credit: Tourism WA/ Matt Deakin)
Cable Beach Club Resort & Spa lies just steps from the famed Cable Beach, where the silhouettes of camels crossing the shoreline at sunset have become one of Australia’s most enduring tourism images. The only beachfront resort in Broome, it’s also just a few minutes’ drive to the centre of town, where guests can wander through Chinatown and peruse its pearl stores and galleries or catch a movie beneath the stars at the heritage-listed Sun Pictures.
The friendly team at the resort’s tour desk can also help tailor your stay, whether that’s an iconic camel ride along the beach, a visit to Willie Creek Pearl Farm to discover how the gems are harvested or a guided tour to see the ancient dinosaur footprints revealed among the rust-red rocks of Gantheaume Point at low tide.
Style and character
Walk into an eclectic blend of influences and eras.
Few resorts capture the essence of their surroundings quite like Cable Beach Club Resort & Spa. First opened in 1988, the resort is a celebration of Broome’s rich multicultural past, from its Japanese pearl divers to Chinese merchants. The result is an eclectic blend of influences and eras. The resort features wide timber verandahs, corrugated iron walls and tin roofs designed to temper the tropical climate. To keep it breezy, Broome’s signature lattice (a distinct painted timber lattice detailing iconic to the tropical architecture of the Kimberley region) has been used across the resort with two functions – allowing a breeze through while maintaining privacy.
Scattered throughout the manicured gardens is an impressive collection of rare Asian and international artefacts. Chinese bluestone lions stand sentinel at the entrance, while terracotta warrior horses, vermillion Japanese torii gates and traditional Shishi (lion-dog) statues lend an air of quiet grandeur. Fragrant with frangipani blossoms and shaded by century-old boab and mango trees, the grounds are also a haven for native wildlife. Birds provide a constant soundtrack, while wallabies and tiny lizards rustle through the foliage.
Rooms
Sleep in comfort and style.
The extensive accommodation options span studios, bungalows, club apartments, villas and suites. Family bungalows draw inspiration from the grand homes of Broome’s pearl masters, translating that heritage into generous layouts, high ceilings and verandahs that open to the gardens. Studios and villas are perfect for couples and solo stays, pairing soft coastal tones with private balconies or courtyards. While club apartments and suites are designed for longer stays, offering multiple bedrooms, kitchen facilities and seamless indoor-outdoor living.
Food and drink
Tuck into an Asian fusion menu at Kichi Kichi.
The dining scene at Cable Beach Club Resort & Spa reflects Broome’s position at the crossroads of the Indian Ocean and Asia, where coastal produce meets a tapestry of multicultural influences.
Contemporary Asian fusion dishes – from crisp fried pork belly and roast Peking duck breast to Burmese lamb curry – deliver bold, vibrant flavours at Kichi Kichi. While the handmade tortellini filled with pearl meat and prawn served at atmospheric Italian restaurant, Cichetti, is the kind of dish that you will remember long after the final bite. Elsewhere on the menu, find effortless flair across dishes like Wedge Island octopus, market fish crudo and silky goat’s milk panna cotta.
As the sun begins to dip below the horizon, Sunset Bar & Grill becomes the place to be. Here, guests gather over freshly shucked oysters, cured meat platters and buckets of sweet Exmouth prawns. Or, for a quieter evening in, guests can retreat to the comfort of their room and order from Cable Eats, the resort’s in-room dining service.
Pools
Relax by the adults-only Ocean Pool.
Two distinct pool settings invite guests to shape their day exactly as they please. Drift into the calm of the adults-only Ocean Pool, where attentive service delivers dishes such as grilled prawn skewers and salt-and-pepper calamari straight to your cabana or sunbed well into the afternoon.
The mood at the family-friendly Kimberley Pool – framed by a cascading waterfall, the heart of the resort’s recreational precinct – is decidedly more playful. Here, younger guests are catered for with a dedicated kids’ menu of familiar favourites including chicken nuggets, fish and chips and ham-and-cheese toasties, while parents can graze on more refined poolside fare, such as fried squid, soba noodle salad and gourmet burgers.
Chahoya Spa & Salon
Book a treatment at Chahoya Spa.
Chahoya Spa brings a refined sense of indulgence inspired by its Japanese name, meaning “pamper”, with signature treatments including the Kimberley Dreamtime ritual and Chahoya Pearl Massage designed to soothe tired bodies and quiet busy minds. There is also an on-site salon providing personalised cuts, colour services and restorative hair care, ensuring guests leave feeling polished and renewed.
Other facilities
Join a yoga class at the Buddha Sanctuary.
Wellness continues at the Buddha Sanctuary, a serene open-air pavilion just beyond the main resort grounds, where yoga classes are held six days a week amid ornamental gardens and a striking 3.5-metre hand-carved crystal Buddha statue. Beyond the sanctuary, the resort caters to every pace of stay, with a children’s playground, mini golf, tennis courts and a fully-equipped gym. Guests can also browse the resort’s boutique gift shop, home to Allure South Sea Pearls – the brand behind Broome’s first dedicated pearl boutique in Chinatown.
