Dreaming of your next big adventure? Instead of long flights and big holiday budgets, imagine having Western Australia’s breathtaking landscapes right on your doorstep when you choose Perth as your study destination.
Starting your journey at The University of Western Australia (UWA) means more than world-class education. It’s all about lifestyle. While you can spend most weekends enjoying a thriving and multicultural Perth CBD, you also have the opportunity to get out of town and explore! Picture weekends spent exploring pristine beaches, towering forests, and charming small towns, all just a short road-trip away.
To give you a taste of what’s waiting for you, here are five favourite spots UWA students recommend for unforgettable getaways.
Margaret River
Approx. travel time: 3 hours drive one-way
Best time to visit: September – November for wildflower season and ideal outdoor weather
South of Perth in one of the world’s top biodiversity hotspots is Margaret River, where rolling vineyards meet breathtaking coastal and forest scenery. Make the most of our award-winning wineries, restaurants, stunning beaches, tall-timber forests, world-class surf breaks and ancient caves.
The Pinnacles
Approx. travel time: 2 hours drive one-way
Best time to visit: April – October for cooler weather ideal for walking around
North of Perth, along the scenic Indian Ocean Drive, you’ll find the Pinnacles Desert in Nambung National Park, a landscape like no other. These lunar-like limestone formations began forming around 25,000 to 30,000 years ago, and some pinnacles rise as high as 3.5 metres tall. The park is one of Australia’s most extraordinary natural wonders.
Pink Lake at Hutt Lagoon
Approx. travel time: 5.5 hours drive one-way
Best time to visit: September – November for the most intense pink colour
Further north lies another of Western Australia's most unique and stunning natural wonders, the Pink Lake at Hutt Lagoon. Known for its vibrant colour, this expansive saltwater lagoon is a must-see. Plan your visit for a bright and sunny day, so you’ll have plenty of opportunities to snap some dreamy photos.
Karijini National Park
Approx. travel time: 14 hours drive one-way or a 1 hour and 45-minute flight to Newman then a 3-hour drive to Karijini
Best time to visit: April – September for pleasant daytime temperatures and cooler nights.
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.
Ningaloo Reef
Approx. travel time: 13 hours drive one-way or a 2-hour flight
Best time to visit: March – August for swimming with the Whale Sharks
As a World Heritage listed site, Ningaloo Reef is one of the planet’s last great ocean paradises. You can swim with the world’s biggest fish, the whale shark, or join an eco-adventure tour to view a huge variety of marine wildlife including turtles, whales, orcas, dugong, manta rays, sharks and more!
Want to stay more local and explore Perth? Check out our top seven spots that UWA students recommend visiting.
Want to know more about joining UWA? Visit the international students page on our website, contact our Future Students Centre through askUWA or chat to a current international student.
