The best places to stay in Western Australia

Given its vast size, Western Australia is terrific road-tripping territory, with an ever-changing landscape that includes ancient forests, wild beaches, classic bushland and sweeping winelands. Onshore, you can you meet extraordinary animals ranging from smiling quokkas to kangaroos, numbats, and wallabies. Offshore, you’ll find pristine coral reefs teeming with life where you can swim and snorkel with whale sharks, dugongs, manta rays, and even humpback whales.

With so much ground (and ocean) to cover, planning a holiday to Western Australia is no easy feat. The distances are vast, and it can be tempting to over-stuff your itinerary, leaving you exhausted at the end of your trip. However, we’ve been all over this sensational state, so we can help you find the perfect route, featuring truly unforgettable accommodation along the way.

Here are a few of the best places to stay in Western Australia. We hope they’ll inspire you to begin planning your dream trip Down Under.

1. Cygnet Bay Pearl Farm – Dampier Peninsula

Perched on the tip of the remote Dampier Peninsula, Cygnet Bay Pearl Farm is a gateway to one of the last marine wilderness frontiers in the world. Around 200 kilometres north of Broome, this isolated spot is steeped in Australian pearling history and home to some of the most pristine landscapes in the Kimberley. In terms of ‘getting away from it all’, you won’t find much better than this.

Cygnet Bay Pearl Farm is all about rustic comfort in near-total seclusion. You can choose to stay in the original pearling shacks of Diver’s Creek, or the glamping safari tents in Pearler’s Village.

During your visit, you can set off on all kinds of fascinating pearling experiences, as well as thrilling sea safaris and sunset coastal cruises. After a day of exploring the remote reaches of the Kimberley Coast, you can relax at the infinity pool and feast on fresh local ‘pearl meat’ at the Homestead Restaurant. 

2. El Questro Homestead – The Kimberley

Hidden between the burnt-orange cliffs of the Kimberley Outback, El Questro offers an unforgettable retreat in a stunning ancient landscape. From here, you can explore over 700,000 acres of rugged Australian bushland on foot, by plane, and by boat. Fly over the mind-boggling Bungle Bungles, swim in waterfalls flowing into rocky gorges, hike to breath-taking lookout points, and drift down the Chamberlain River.  

If you’re after a touch of luxury, you can splash out on a suite at the El Questro Homestead. Home to just ten exclusive suites cantilevered over the banks of the Chamberlain River, it’s a truly remarkable place to wake up, and the atmospheric restaurant offers delicious fine dining.

Alternatively, you can stay in one of the 60 safari-style tents at Emma Gorge, where you’ll find all the creature comforts you might need, as well as an onsite restaurant and pool shaded by baobab trees.

3. Cable Beach Club – Broome

Spanning 23 kilometres of pure white sand lapped by the waters of the Indian Ocean, Cable Beach is a dreamy destination for a secluded escape. Cable Beach Club Resort is a holiday village with a real difference, offering everything from Pearler’s bungalows to luxury pool villas with private butlers in a truly remote location.

There are two main pools, one for families and one for adults, making the resort excellent for honeymooners and families alike. Home to four excellent restaurants, well-maintained tennis courts, and a gorgeous spa, you really can’t go wrong.

4. Sal Salis - Ningaloo Reef

Nestled between the coastal white dunes of Cape Range National Park, Sal Salis is a simply extraordinary place to stay. This luxury eco-resort takes glamping to a whole new level, with wilderness safari tents set just 50 metres from the Indian Ocean. By day, you can discover one of the most beautiful coral reefs in the world and, by night, you can gaze up at a bright blanket of stars.

Sal Salis is the perfect base for exploring both the wonderful wildlife of Ningaloo Reef and the untouched bush of Cape Range National Park. Between mid-March and August, you can swim with gentle whale sharks, while from July to October, you can swim with migrating humpback whales. These are bucket-list experiences that you won’t find in a handful of places on the planet. If you’re looking for the wow factor, you’ve found it.

5. Dirk Hartog Island Lodge – Coral Coast

One of Western Australia’s best-kept secrets, Dirk Hartog Island is a dream come true for nature lovers. A castaway island set within the Shark Bay World Heritage Area on Australia’s Coral Coast, it’s a beautiful eco-oasis with bags of atmosphere. If you’re itching to get off the grid, this is the place for you.

A stay at the luxurious Island Lodge includes freshly prepared meals daily, paired with Western Australian wines, while the homestead camping offers warm showers and sundowner cocktails at The Inscription, the world’s most remote bar and cafe.

Book a ‘Big Five Marine Safari’ to see dolphins, sharks, whales, and manta rays, take a 4WD Fauna and Flora Safari to explore the majestic blow holes, see turtles nesting on Turtle Bay, or join an immersive didgeridoo dream time story session with the local Malaga people.

Dirk Hartog Island is the westernmost point in Australia, so the sunsets here are simply spectacular. Grab a glass of home-distilled gin and watch the sun dip below the horizon from the 600ft cliffs that tower above the beaches.

6. COMO The Treasury – Perth

While Perth is home to a handful of luxury hotels, none of them possess the poise and atmosphere of COMO The Treasury. If you’re looking class AND character, this is the hotel for you. Set within state buildings dating back to the mid-19th century in the heart of historic Perth, the 48-room COMO The Treasury has been rated as the best hotel in Australia. You’ll understand why from the moment you arrive.

All the spacious rooms are different, with elegant, neutral décor and excellent facilities. The acclaimed rooftop restaurant, Wildflower, offers a menu inspired by the six seasons of the indigenous Noongar calendar, while The Cape Arid Rooms serves up a sumptuous afternoon tea. You’ll also find a spa offering world-renowned COMO Shambhala wellness therapies, with a heated indoor pool and fully equipped gym.

7. The Esplanade – Fremantle

Fremantle, the free-spirited little brother to Perth, is a wonderful spot to spend a few days. Set on a series of limestone hills looking out along the Swan River, it’s a vibrant city packed with art and music. The Esplanade by Rydges sits within a building that was originally used to house convicts from Great Britain in the 1850s, making it a slice of true Australian history.

There are 300 rooms here, so it’s hardly boutique, but the welcome is warm, the rooms are wonderful, and the Marine Parade location is perfect. After a day exploring the city sights, you can take a dip in one of the two resort-style outdoor pools, enjoy a meal at the Atrium Garden Restaurant or Marine Lounge Bar, or grab a beer at the hotel’s own convict pub, The Ball and Chain.

8. Discovery Rottnest Island – Rottnest Island

Most travellers make a flying visit to Rottnest Island to meet the famous quokkas, staying for only a few hours before heading back to Perth. However, once the day-trippers from Perth and Fremantle have left the island, Rottnest comes into its own. If you stay on the island, you’ll have plenty of time to explore the 53 beaches without the crowds and spend real quality time with the charming little quokkas.

Hidden behind the dunes of Pinky Beach, Discovery Rottnest Island offers low-impact eco-glamping with all the creature comforts of a hotel or resort. By day you can cycle between beaches and search out smiling quokkas, and by night you can be mesmerised by the glittering starscape above you. For nature lovely, it’s a great alternative to staying in the city.

9. Cape Lodge – Margaret River

A swanky country estate standing amidst rolling vineyards in the Margaret River area of Western Australia, Cape Lodge specialises in first-class gastro-getaways. Located around 5 hours’ drive from Perth, next to the vast sandy beaches of Yallingup, this is a boutique hotel with a culinary twist. Home to just 22 spacious suites, it’s an intimate foodie experience in luxury surroundings. Ditch the diet, loosen your belt, and dive right in.

Spend your days taking cooking classes, touring vineyards, and tasting top-notch wines. Between July and November, you can take whale-watching trips off the coast, watching humpbacks breach in the foamy waves. When evening falls, settle in for a candlelit meal at Cape Lodge Restaurant, voted amongst the top 10 restaurants on the planet.

Ready to plan your trip to Western Australia?

We’ve been creating unforgettable holidays in Australia for over 20 years, so you can trust us to know our stuff. Our friendly experts will put together a tailor-made Australia trip based on your personal budget and travel preferences. It’s your chance to build a unique once-in-a lifetime itinerary, packed with extraordinary experiences and atmospheric accommodation. Simply get in touch to find out more.

Request a quote