GOING on a holiday — especially abroad — spells excitement for children and parents alike.
If you are looking for a destination that offers thrilling adventures, breathtaking nature and some good spots to unwind and spend time with the family, look no further than Western Australia.
Only five hours away via direct flight from Kuala Lumpur to Perth, the state of Western Australia is a treasure trove of beautiful landscapes and diverse wildlife encased within a unique culture. The little ones can experience all that Mother Nature has to offer with a farm stay while adults take in the picturesque countryside.
Not to be missed are the pristine beaches and the flora and fauna at Rottnest Island. A good way to inject some out-of-school education for the children while on holiday is by immersing them in the island's rich cultural history.
Here are the three different sets of family-friendly experiences highly recommended by Tourism Western Australia.
WILDLIFE ENCOUNTERS
Thanks to television shows, documentaries and books your children may have watched or read, they might already be familiar with animals native to Australia, which is why a trip to Western Australia will not be complete without getting up close and personal with the state's wildlife.
A great start begins at Caversham Wildlife Park, a family-owned park boasting Western Australia's largest private collection of animals.
Let your kids experience Australia's most unique and interesting animals, and enjoy your own bespoke service with their dedicated wildlife professionals.
One encounter not to be missed is meeting the happiest animal in the world — the quokkas — on Rottnest Island. Undoubtedly Western Australia's most iconic animal, be sure to take a memorable "quokka selfie" with the perpetually smiling marsupial.
Other than meeting the quokkas, there are many interesting activities to do on the car-free island, with 63 beaches and 20 bays to explore. Rent an e-bike and take your time exploring or use the hop-on bus.
Wildlife in Western Australia are not just found on land, but also at sea. The state is known to be one of the world's best whale-watching hotspots, featuring the largest whale migration in the southern hemisphere.
Take your family on a whale-watching tour for an up-close moment with orcas, humpbacks, and southern right or blue whales.
Arrange a special activity for your older children with Perth Wildlife Encounters and have them swim with bottlenose dolphins at Rockingham. An easy snorkel, your kids can enjoy a dolphin show like never before.
If you and your family can't get enough of Western Australia's wildlife, another great place to visit is Perth Zoo.
Home to more than 1,300 animals and an animal conservation centre, your children will enjoy a range of experiences here, from getting up close with the animals to watching animal feeding sessions and listening to animal talk shows.
THE OUTDOORS
If you are looking for something more adventurous, go on a family-friendly stroll at Law Walk in Kings Park and Botanic Garden.
Adjacent to the Swan River, one of the world's largest inner city parks, this 2.5km trail follows the Mount Eliza escarpment, where you will be greeted by the beautiful bushlands of Kings Park.
With more than 400 hectares of land, a visit in September will offer a magnificent view of colourful wildflowers throughout the park — all 3,000 species of them.
Let your small wanderers experience the magical sunset of Western Australia with a hike up Lesmurdie Falls. The trained and experienced guides from Off The Beaten Track WA will bring you up to the top, and your family will be rewarded with views of the Perth city skyline and valleys of Mundy Regional Park.
Also, trek through the Swan Coastal Plain at Yanchep National Park and relish in its amazing biodiversity. Take the chance to wind down with your little ones at a picnic and spot the western grey kangaroos, and go and meet the Australian icon at the Koala boardwalk while you're at it.
Inject some fun into your nature endeavours by visiting the Giants at Mandurah, created by world-leading recycle artist Thomas Dambo. With their first appearance in Australia, play the game to find these larger-than-life sculptures and journey into the lands of the Bindjareb Noongar people as you and your kids locate the final super-secret Giant.
If you'd like to truly venture Down Under, bring your kids to uncover the many caves along Margaret River. Explore the Leeuwin Naturaliste Ridge through a range of easy guided tours and marvel at the intricate limestone caves that lay beneath.
FAMILY BOND
Apart from the wonders of wildlife and nature, Western Australia is home to many unique activities that everyone in the family can enjoy.
Swan Valley, just 25 minutes from Perth, plays host to many vineyards, and that means grape farms all around. One such farm to explore is Grapes on Swan, where you can pick grapes directly. It makes a great learning experience for your children and one where they can learn and appreciate how grapes grow.
Another fun family activity is to check out 70 well-known historic buildings from around the world and play with scaled model trains at Amaze Miniature Park. The park features an extensive collection of miniature landmarks from around the world, including the Eiffel Tower and the Taj Mahal.
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