Arts Design

HAPPY BEAUTIFUL WESTERN AUSTRALIA DAY!

by inefekt69. “Milky Way over Harvey Dam, Western Australia.”

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Happy Western Australia Day! It’s an annual reminder to check out and appreciate the beauty of this part of the world.

Traditionally celebrated on the first Monday of June, Western Australia Day commemorates the founding of the Swan River Colony, in 1829 by British colonists. Since 2011, the holiday also recognizes Aboriginal Australians as the original inhabitants of Western Australia -- one of the oldest known living cultures on Earth,

Western Australia spans more than 2.5 million square kilometres – about the size of Western Europe. It represents about 1/3 of Australia’s total landmass. And there’s plenty to see -- from star-studded southern hemisphere skies, to breaktaking landscapes, to glorious seascapes, to all that lives and grows in between.

Western Australia boasts one of the longest and and most scenic coastlines in the world, with lush forests and dramatic mountainous ranges. With plenty of year-round sunshine, pristine sugar sand beaches, expansive outback, UNESCO World Heritage reef and rock formations, world-class surf, gorgeous vineyards, and beautiful indigenous art, Western Australia has much to celebrate.

Image Margaret River vineyard Courtesy of Margaret River Discovery Compan Margaret River region Western Australia

Image: Margaret River vineyard. Courtesy of Margaret River Discovery Company. Margaret River region, Western Australia.

While Western Australia only produce less than 5% of the country’s wine, it is considered by most to produce the best.

Major wine producing regions include: Margaret River, The Great Southern, Swan Valley as well as smaller districts including Blackwood Valley, Manjimup, Pemberton, Peel, Chittering Valley, Perth Hills, and Geographe.

Mt Barrow vineyard in The Great Southern winemaking region of Western Australia.

Image: “Mt Barrow vineyard, Mt Barker, The Great Southern.” The Great Southern, Western Australia. Courtesy of Howard Park Wines.

The Great Southern is Australia's largest wine region -- about 20,000 square kilometers. It has five nominated sub-regions for wine: Porongurups, Mount Barker, Albany, Denmark, and Frankland River, as determined by the Australian Wine and Brandy Corporation.

Cape Mentelle Vineyard. Western Australia.

Image: Cape Mentelle Vineyard. Courtesy of Cape Mentelle Vineyards.

There are significant variations of terroir and climate here, however the region boasts the coolest of Western Australia’s wine-growing areas and enjoys maritime-influenced Mediterranean climate overall. The Great Southern is known for its Riesling, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Shiraz, and Malbec.

Image: by Chris Fithall. “View from Knotting Hill Winery.” Margaret River Region, Western Australia.

The lush Margaret River wine region, at the south of Western Australia, is also maritime Mediterranean influenced cool air currents wafting in from the Indian and Pacific Oceans.

This region is known for its Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Sémillon, Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc and Chardonnay. Margaret River boasts the most award-winning wines.

Swan Valley vineyards. Western Australia.

Image: by Robert Young. “Swan Valley.” Middle Swan. Perth, Western Australia.

The Swan District has the hottest climate of all the winemaking regions in Australia. Grape harvest begins early here -- in January. The Swan Valley is known for its Verdelho, Chenin Blanc, and Chardonnay.

Alkoomi Wines vineyard. Western Australia.

Image: Alkoomi Wines vineyard. Courtesy of Alkoomi Wines.

Alkoomi Wines, Ashbrook Estate, Brookwood Estate, Castle Rock Estate, Cape Mentelle, Vasse Felix, Howard Park, and Lancaster, are just a few of the top vineyards worth visiting here.

Check out the annual Good Food & Wine Show presented in Perth each August.

Pelican spreads its wings at sunset in Mandurah, Western Australia.

Image: by Nicolas Connault. “Sunset pelican.” Mandurah, Western Australia.

Western Australia is one of the most biodiverse areas in the world. Home to around 540 species of birds, 15 of which are endemic. The best areas for birdwatching are the southwestern corner of the state, as well is in and around Broome and Kimberley.

There are over 10,000 published native vascular plant species.

Image: by Deb Etheredge Leeuwin Naturaliste National Park, Margaret River, Western Australia

In addition to the winemaking regions, Western Australia landscapes are full of drama. Check out the sandstone gorges of The Kimberley on the northern coast. Margaret River is also noted for its impressive limestone caves, such as Lake Cave, Jewel Cave, and Mammoth Cave, each full of prehistoric fossils. Take a tour with the Margaret River Discovery Company.

Cathedral Gorge at Bungle Bungle National Park. Western Australia.

Image: by Jon Connell. “Cathedral Gorge.” Bungle Bungle National Park. Western Australia.

Now listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site, the spectacular rock formations of Purnululu (Bungle Bungle) National Park, in the Kimberley, were hidden from the outside world until 1983. The Bungle Bungle hills have been home to Aboriginal tribes for thousands of years.

Osprey in flight over water in Lancelin, Western Australia

Image: by Julien Carnot. “Trouvez l'intrus.” Osprey. Lancelin, Western Australia

Another UNESCO World Heritage site, Ningaloo Reef is the world's largest fringing reef. The Ningaloo Reef Marine Park extends for about 260 km from Amherst Point north to Bundegi and includes stretches of Cape Range National Park. More than 500 species of fish and 300 species of coral live here.

Turquoise waters and red dunes of Shark Bay. Western Australia.

Image: by Robert Young. “Shark Bay.” Shark Bay. Western Australia.

Shark Bay is yet another UNESCO World Heritage Site in Western Australia. Some of the world's largest and richest seagrass beds grow here, offering home to dugongs and stromatolites, which are among the oldest life forms on earth. Shell Beach is an especially beautiful beach upon which to chill. Check out the dolphins at one of their favorite hangouts, Monkey Mia. Plus camel rides on the beach!

Cable Beach camel train in Broome, Western Australia.

Image: by Sonja M. “Cable Beach camel train.” Broome, Western Australia.

Cable Beach stretches for 22 km, edged with striking red rock cliffs, with sweeping white sands and turquoise waters.

Cape le Grand National Park on the Recherche Archipelago, boasts Australia's whitest sand beach, often visited by kangaroos.

In Broome, you’ll find the Staircase to the Moon, a seasonal phenomenon where moonlight creates an optical illusion of steps leading to the moon

Image: by Sascha Grant. “Day 11 - Wave Rock at Hyden Western Australia.”

Wave Rock is a mind-blowing 15-meter high rock formation, made of banded granite, it looks like a wave about to break. Vertical stripes of grey, red, and ochre were created over time, as rainwater with various chemicals in the rock.

Rock formations known as “The Pinnacles,” in Western Australia.

Image: by Derek A Young. “The Pinnacles, Western Australia.”

The Pinnacles, in Nambung National Park, is another spectacular rock formation, made of thousands of limestone pillars rising up from the sand.They range from a few centimeters to 4 meters high.

View of mountains Karijini National Park in Western Australia.”

Image: by aussiejeff. “Late August 1992 - View South across Karijini National Park on the road from Auski to Wittenoom, Western Australia.”

Many consider Karijini National Park to be the most beautiful national park in Western Australia, thank to its deep gorges, mammoth waterfalls, natural swimming pools, lush vegetation, and unparalleled vistas.

Drive the Gibb River Road, aka "The Gibb," for 600 km past rugged red-rock gorges, rugged mountains, dusty outback cattle stations, ancient aboriginal communities, wide open savannahs and crocodile-laden rivers.

Dramatic clouds span sky at sunset in Western Australia.

Image: by Robyn Jay. “Tanami.” Western Australia.

There are so many beautiful sights to behold and so many glorious experiences to be had in Western Australia, we could go on and on. You might just be inspired to celebrate Western Australia Day every year, returning each time to experience even more.

Pink Lake, in Esperance, Western Australia.

Image: by Stefan Fischer. “Pink Lake.” Esperance, Western Australia

Read more about Beautiful June all this week on BeautifulNow. And check out more beautiful things happening now in BN Wellness, Impact, Nature/Science, Food, Arts/Design, and Travel, Daily Fix posts.

Spectacular rock formations at Piccaninny Walk. Purnululu, Western Australia.

Image: by Thomas Jundt. “Australien.” Piccaninny Walk. Purnululu, Western Australia.

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Pair of black swans swim in Western Australia.

Image: by Karl Roby. “Black Swan.” Western, Australia.

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Trees grow at edge of the Margaret River in Western Australia.

Image: by Vicki. “Margaret River.” Western Australia.