Windows down, feet up, hair blowing in the wind, and your favorite music blasting – this is probably the first picture that comes to mind anytime anyone finds themselves wishing they were somewhere else. Which, around 4 p.m. on any given weekday, surely most people do. It can’t just be us, right?
This picture may sound perfect already, but what you don’t know it’s missing are the jaw-dropping views paired with marvelous, dreamlike adventures scattered all along the western coast of Australia.
The 800-mile Coral Coast between Perth and the North West Cape – along a highway where time ceases to exist called Indian Ocean Drive – is somehow safe from swarming tourism. On top of the beauty of a remote paradise, this makes it extra ideal for stopping and going on a whim, and all the happiness that having absolutely no schedule brings with it.
But we digress: there are some must-sees along this drive through western Australia, from miles of white sand dunes to a remote community living partially off the grid who seems perfectly content to just stay there forever. Once you see it, you probably won’t blame them.
Here are the highlights – but you’ll have to go see them to know what makes them so special:
1. Lancelin’s white sand dunes
2. Nambung National Park Pinnacles
3. Kalbarri’s red coastal cliffs
4. UNESCO world heritage site Shark Bay
5. Southern Beekeepers Nature Reserve
6. Lesueur National Park
7. Jurien Bay
8. Ningaloo Reef
9. And: the Abrolhos Islands (if you have time for a short flight there and back)
“Most foreigners don’t know about this region, most Australians don’t know about this region, and most Western Australians don’t know about this region [of Australia]…it’s unspoiled,” according to one Aussie.
It’s waiting for you!