Holiday houses in Hopetoun

You may need to veer off the beaten track to reach Hopetoun, but it is well worth the trek. Located 575 kilometres southeast of Perth and nestled among a wide stretch of pristine coastline, the town is just nine kilometers from Fitzgerald River National Park, one of Australia’s largest and most botanically significant nature reserves. Home to 1,800 plant species and hundreds of different species of birds, mammals, and reptiles, the UNESCO-listed park offers a huge expanse of unspoiled hinterland, rivers, coastland, and wildflower fields. Bushwalking, biking, wild swimming, and canoeing are all popular pastimes here. Stick to the main roads, where you’ll find picnic areas, hiking trails, and strategically positioned lookouts that make the most of some spectacular vistas, or bring a four-wheel drive to get lost in the park’s wilderness.

Hopetoun itself serves up a range of water-based activities including boating, surfing, and swimming from its stunning, untouched beaches and rocky shores. Seals and dolphins are often seen playing off the coast, and the area is especially popular with whale watchers as one of three spots in the country where whales come to nurture their newborn calves.

To wander through fields awash with wildflowers, visit between August and October. And if flowers really are your thing, book in September when the Ravensthorpe Wildflower Show, the largest of its kind in the world, is a date on the calendar not to be missed. One of the most popular times to visit is between July and October when whale watchers flock to the region to see these majestic mammals sheltering in the nearby coves with their young. As for the rest of the year, Hopetoun’s weather is fairly stable and warm, making it an attractive destination year-round. The area does receive a little more than its fair share of showers, but they’re fairly easy to manage as they’re scattered evenly through the seasons.

Cave Point

For an easy but unmissable coastal walk, head west toward Barrens Beach or East Mylies. Both of these idyllic coves make for great beach days, with fishing, surfing, swimming, and even whale watching in season. From East Mylies, it’s an easy stroll toward Cave Point, where you can soak up panoramic views from the clifftop above the mouth of the large cave that gave the spot its name.

Bird watching at Culham Inlet

Described as a coastal salt lake or transient estuary, Culham Inlet is a part of the river estuary that’s become landlocked by a large sand bar creating a natural lagoon. The shallow turquoise waters are excellent for bird watching. There’s also a good circular bush walk around the inlet, with plenty of scenic lookout points.

Australia’s Largest Lollipop

Following in the footsteps of the country’s famous oversized roadside lobster, melon, and pineapple, the nearby town of Ravensthorpe is home to Australia’s largest lollipop. Sadly, the seven-metre-tall sucker isn’t edible, but there is a candy store right next door with a wide selection of lollipops.