From the Kimberley in the north to the Recherche Archipelago in the south, whether you want to snorkel among dolphins and turtles on a pristine reef, check out ancient rock art or learn a few of the secrets of Aboriginal bushcraft, WA’s islands have what you’re looking for. And these are the very best.

Spot the world’s smallest penguins near Perth

Just a short drive south of Perth and a five-minute ferry ride out to sea, Penguin Island is one of WA’s most accessible. It’s also one of the state’s best places to see native wildlife, both in the waters of the Shoalwater Islands Marine Park – where you’ll spot wild dolphins – and onshore, where the island rangers feed the resident penguins. On the beaches, sea lions sun themselves while pelicans preen.

Fly above the Recherche Archipelago

The Recherche Archipelago’s 100-odd near-virgin islets scatter the waters south of Esperance. Many are little more than a granite plug amid the waves, while others are large enough to host pristine forests and wild wallabies. Woody Island is the place to overnight, sleeping under canvas or checking in to a couples retreat complete with a private balcony overlooking Shearwater Bay. Alternatively, take a scenic flight with Fly Esperance to witness the collection of rainbow lakes, with the best viewing season between April and January.

Cruise the Kimberley

There are so many islands in the Kimberley – more than 2,600 – that many remain unnamed and hundreds have never seen human habitation. This is one of the world’s last great wildernesses and an expedition cruise along the Kimberley’s raw and wild coastline is the best way to explore. Sail with APT and you’ll call at Bigge Island, where ancient rock art created by the Wunambal people depicts their first contact with Europeans. There’s also the chance to spot monjons (rock wallabies) and scaly-tailed possums amid the island’s sandstone escarpments, and dolphins and whales in the waters offshore.

Snorkel and dive in the Abrolhos

You’ll need to travel about 60km into the Indian Ocean to reach the Abrolhos, but this chain of 122 islands is well worth the trip. Getting there has just got easier with a new fast boat service as well as light aircraft flights, with fantastic views guaranteed. Surrounded by coral reefs and sitting in the warm Leeuwin Current, their waters teem with sea life both tropical and temperate, including dolphins, turtles and rare Australian sea lions. There are few more beguiling places to don a snorkel, while divers won’t want to miss the barnacle-encrusted Batavia shipwreck, which sank in 1629 on Morning Reef. 

Meet the quokkas on Rottnest Island

Just half an hour by boat from Perth’s port of Fremantle, Rottnest packs a whopping 63 beaches and 20 bays into its diminutive proportions and a day spent hopping from one sandy strand to the next by bike is a dreamy one. Stop off at Parker Point to follow the snorkel trail and dive beneath the waters at Porpoise Bay to explore a shipwreck. Back on land, you’re sure to meet the quokkas, cat-sized marsupials that have been labelled as the ‘world’s happiest animal’. Keen for a #quokkaselfie? Just remember, no touching or feeding and no one likes a camera in their face all day.

Learn bushcraft on Dirk Hartog Island

WA’s largest island is a peaceful retreat in the Shark Bay World Heritage Area and was the site of the first recorded European landing on Australian soil, in 1616. Take a tour with Island Life Adventures and explore the natural beauty of the island by 4WD and look out for sharks, whales, turtles, dugongs and dolphins, before ending the day soaking up the sun on a sea kayak or SUP.

Leave the everyday behind and step into a dream in Western Australia

Explore an ancient land of otherworldly landscapes and extraordinary nature and wildlife experiences that can be found nowhere else.

Audley Travel is a tour operator with more than 25 years’ experience in creating meaningful travel experiences. They understand that what motivates you to explore is deeply personal. A trip to Australia with Audley is created completely around you, from the experiences you have to the places you stay. Audley’s award-winning Australia specialists have a deep connection to Australia that can only have come from living or travelling there extensively, so you can rely on them as the dedicated experts who’ll craft your plans into the Australia trip you’re imagining. They won’t just ask you how you want to explore, they’ll ask you how you want to feel and create experiences that will stay with you long after you return home.

Start planning at audleytravel.com