Western Australia Information

Australia’s largest state, Western Australia comprises nearly one-third of the Australian continent. With 2,529,875 square kilometers, it is the size of Western Europe, yet it has a population of only a little over 2 million people. Most of the population lives in or around the capital Perth (pop 1.5 million), so large areas of the state are so sparsely populated that you can drive hundreds of kilometers without seeing a town.In spite of its sparse population, Western Australia features some of the country’s most amazing  natural scenery.The Kimberley region in the far north, the stunning Purnululu (Bungle Bungle) National Park,  Margaret River region and the awesome gorges in the Karajini National Park are just some of the truly amazing scenic attractions the state has to offer.Perth is Western Australia’s capital and this coastal city of 1.5 million is flanked by the Indian Ocean, giving it some of the nation’s finest city beaches.The city enjoys fantastic weather, so it’s a great place to enjoy outdoor activities, including markets, parks  and picnic spots.Western Australia is one of Australia’s fastest growing states with a population increase of about 2% each year. Much of that growth is fueled by the mining boom, with Western Australia exporting huge volumes of iron ore to China and Japan. The state also has huge reserves of oil and gas, and also exports large quantities of alumina, gold, nickel and diamonds. There is considerable growth forecast in the mining sector for Western Australia, especially in the processing of natural gas and oil.Western Australia as Australia’s largest state has a diverse range of geographical regions, but the north features tropical and rocky terrain, the north-east is dry and sandy, while there are vast stretches of spectacular beaches and rugged coastline, while the south features forests with some of the world’s largest trees.There are also a range of climates, ranging from the tropical north with its monsoons and cyclones, desert regions with little, if any, rain and the south-west which enjoys mild, dry summers and winters which can be cool and wet.Temperatures in the north average 40C in summer with highs of 50C recorded in northern regions.