Dolphins

<p>A paradise for nature lovers and adventure seekers, this beautiful slice of West Australian wilderness promises one unforgettable experience after another – and almost year-round sunshine. Walk into the warm blue-green waters of Monkey Mia to encounter friendly wild dolphins before uncovering the off-shore and on-land wonders of the Shark Bay World Heritage area (Gathaagudu). test</p>

<p>A lifestyle town with a holiday vibe, Mandurah (Mandjoogoordap) combines dolphin spotting and relaxing canal cruises with adventures to lesser-known wetlands and beaches, all within one hour of Perth.</p>

The cosmopolitan city of Bunbury is renowned for its wild but friendly bottlenose dolphins which you can meet at the shoreline or out in the bay aboard a dolphin watching and swimming tour. It's also the setting of many maritime legends and the northern gateway to Australia's South West - one of the most biodiverse regions on Earth, where world-class wine, pristine beaches and forests of timber giants can all be enjoyed in a single day.<br/><br/>Hitting the Kwinana Freeway and Forrest Highway south of Perth, you'll be beside the blue waters of Koombana Bay in under two hours. Regular charter flights from Perth will get you to Bunbury in the blink of an eye. If the idea of arriving by sea appeals, Bunbury is also included in the summer itineraries of many Australian cruise packages. <br/><br/>To meet Bunbury's friendliest locals, make a beeline for the Dolphin Discovery Centre. Here, on the shores of Koombana Bay, a dedicated interpretive centre and interaction zone allows visitors to encounter some of the 100 plus bottlenose dolphins who frequent its calm waters. Stand knee-deep in the shallows and wait for them to come to you, or join a tour for a viewing or swimming experience. <br/><br/>At nearby Mangrove Cove in the Leschenault Estuary, nature lovers can get a glimpse of what the coast looked like 20,000 years ago with a walk through Western Australia's southern-most mangroves. <br/><br/>Golfers can swing by one of three internationally-renowned courses and young families will find more animal encounters in the region's wildlife parks.<br/><br/>In the nearby Ferguson Valley lies a veritable feast of award-winning wines, fresh produce, local crafts, dazzling spring wildflowers, beautiful tuart forests, meandering waterways and captivating historic country towns.<br/><br/>Those in search of dawn-to-dusk buzz should head for Bunbury's 'cappuccino strip', waterside restaurants and the bright lights of the Entertainment Centre. Earning its reputation as a cultural hub, Bunbury's event-filled calendar features opera, drama, comedy and the work of renowned Australian contemporary artists.<br/><br/>The accommodation options offer just as much choice, from well-appointed beachfront resorts to city motels and budget-friendly chalets, caravan parks and backpackers.

<p>Welcome to Broome (Rubibi), where old and modern worlds collide, and the ocean meets the outback in picture-perfect style. It’s a place that captivates visitors with its spectacular natural landscapes and fascinating pearl-diving history. Explore the western gateway to the Kimberley wilderness as you traverse turquoise waters and red ochre rock, take a camel ride against a tangerine sunset, and uncover ancient dinosaur footprints along the way.</p>

<p>Chart a course along the Murchison River for a captivating view into Kalbarri's (Wurdimarlu's) dramatic landscapes. Towering coastal cliffs and white-sand beaches provide a breathtaking backdrop to a range of watersport adventures, while the region’s sprawling national parks serve up sky-high views of the rugged outback.</p>

Rockingham's catch-cry is 'where the coast comes alive', and it certainly lives up to this claim. The pristine islands and reefs of the Shoalwater Islands Marine Park offer an incredible array of marine encounters, from penguins and dolphins to dive wrecks and snorkel trails. And beyond, the beautiful beaches and clear blue sea are playgrounds for fishing, surfing and sailing.<br/><br/>An easy 40-minute drive or train-and-bus ride south of Perth brings you to the seaside town of Rockingham, where you'll find opportunities for adventure and relaxation in equal measure.<br/><br/>With pods of dolphins regularly visiting these coastal waters, it's a great opportunity to tick your wish-list and swim with wild dolphins. If you'd prefer to stay dry, you can watch these playful creatures from the comfort of the viewing platform as they ride the bow beneath your feet.<br/><br/>Their neighbours on Penguin Island are just as cute, and just a short ferry ride away. Here, you'll get to meet some of the island's 1,200 fairy penguins, who make up the largest colony on Australia's west coast. At the interpretive centre, penguin feeding and expert commentary are conducted daily, at regular intervals, and the Penguin Express will get you there from the mainland between 9.00am and 3.00pm. <br/><br/>The penguins share their home with 50 species of seabirds, including the largest colony of pelicans in Western Australia. It's an important nesting, feeding and roosting site for many of these birds, and you can learn more about their island-hopping life at the interpretive centre. You can also jump aboard the glass-bottom boat for a 45-minute cruise of nearby Seal Island to view the rare Australian sea lions.<br/><br/>Back on the mainland coast, keen divers should make a bee-line for Point Peron, a shallow shore dive with great visibility, while bathers in search of blissful relaxation will find it in the sheltered waters of Cockburn Sound.<br/><br/>To shop, dine and stay ocean-side, head for Rockingham town and choose from a good selection of restaurants, cafes, bars and accommodation options ranging from luxury to budget.

Denham is the ideal base for discovering all that has earned Shark Bay its World Heritage status. The natural beauty and rare native flora and fauna, the oldest living fossil on Earth - the Stromatolites of Hamelin Pool - the world's largest dugong population and Monkey Mia's famous pod of friendly dolphins.<br/><br/>Getting to Denham from Perth is a 10-hour drive by road or a two-hour 15-minute flight from Perth. You'll also find a stay in Shark Bay is scheduled in the itineraries of many extended tours from Perth.<br/><br/>Since Captain Henry Mangles Denham first charted the bay in 1858 aboard the HMS Herald, scientists and biologists have come to recognise the area for its significant evolutionary and biological history and the abundance of rare wildlife species that thrive here. It's one of only a handful of sites worldwide that satisfy all criteria for World Heritage listing.<br/><br/>A leisurely drive to the Hamelin Pool Stromatolites transports you back over 3,500 million years for a glimpse of early life on Earth. It's one of only two places in the world where you can view these ancient living fossils. Just north of here, you'll also stumble upon another natural phenomenon - a beach formed of billions of tiny shells from a single species - one of just two beaches of its kind on the planet.<br/><br/>Head north-east of Denham and in just 30 minutes you can find yourself in the company of Monkey Mia's friendly wild dolphins. For over 40 years, these curious creatures have been delighting visitors and researchers by swimming to the shoreline virtually every day.<br/><br/>A cruise around the bay may also bring you face-to-face with some of the 10,000-plus dugongs that call Shark Bay home, not to mention loggerhead turtles, whales, manta rays and sharks. Or take a four-wheel drive to remote Francois Peron National Park - home to the unique Project Eden and a haven for rare reptiles, marsupials and birds.<br/><br/>Finding your holiday haven is easy, with choices ranging from resorts and hotels to villas, caravan parks and backpacker hostels.