The last place I travelled to was a pre-lockdown destination (outside of Australia), and while WA’s borders are still closed indefinitely, I feel a lot better thinking about places within my state. Places I could realistically consider visiting again in the near future.

So here are three local places that I’ve travelled to in my time. Some recently, some not-so-recently, for anyone who’d like to learn a little more about Australia’s west side.

Photo by Albert F. Vontz on Unsplash

Rottnest

I was thirteen when I first visited Rottnest Island, just a mile offshore from Perth’s port city of Fremantle. Travelling with my entire year group from school, I swam, walked around the beaches, took photos of the native quokka, and lounged around like most young day-trippers did under the WA summer sun.

As an adult, I’ve come to learn that “Rotto”, along with many other places of note around the country, hides a very disturbing history (the contents of that link are not for the faint of heart) not unlike the stories you may have already heard about the injustices committed during European colonisation.

The island served as a quarantine station for cruise ship passengers throughout WA’s lockdown period, and now with low case numbers and transmission rates in our state, it’s now open once again to tourists, visitors and overnight guests.

Photo by Jake Allison on Unsplash

Dunsborough

Of all the holiday destinations in my home state, Dunsborough is easily my favourite. It’s a peaceful coastal town a couple hours’ drive from the city, great for a beachy weekender in summer, with lovely rainy moods in winter.

According to Wiki, the entire region surrounding this town is recognised as “being one of the oldest continually occupied human habitats anywhere on Earth, with archaeology dating back approximately 40,000 years.” The Dunsborough area is traditional Wardandi Noongar country.

I’m very much looking forward to visiting this place again, maybe after the wet season, and go on a Cape Cultural Tour.

Photo by Harry Cunningham on Unsplash

Albany

As much as I like Albany, I’m not the biggest fan of going there. The drive down and back can be an odyssey depending on weather and traffic conditions. Though, it’s beautiful, five hours is a long time to be sitting in a moving vehicle. Still, I’m thankful for there being such a peaceful town that’s, realistically, pretty darn accessible for weekenders like myself.

The town itself is situated between the Wagyl Kaip and Southern Noongar regions of WA. Just an hour or so northeast is the start of the Bluff Knoll hiking trail that goes all the way up to the highest peak in the South West region. I must admit, I found it a psychologically rough hike at first, while you’re surrounded by bushland. But once you clear the treetops, the view is stunning, even when the landscape is yellow and brown over summer.

Once I’ve gotten over the journey, I’ve always had a lovely time in Albany. It’s a great destination for rural, outdoorsy and hiking types.