Global travel authority Lonely Planet has unveiled its 30 must-visit destinations next year with the release of Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2023.

Western Australia illuminates the coveted journey list, four of five award-winning categories, for its wide-open spaces, city adventures, Aboriginal culture, amazing reefs, beaches, gorges, lakes and monoliths that provide the wondrous backdrop to a plethora of road trips, including a 7-day foodie adventure from Perth to the Margaret River Region, Pemberton, Manjimup and Bunbury in the state’s South West. Western Australia is among six global destinations in the journey category alongside cities in Europe, Canada, Africa and Colombia.

For the first time, this annual must-have guide has been reimagined to focus on local perspectives and recommendations at the heart of each destination, brought to life through itineraries, features, videos, and more, all suggested by in-the-know experts who call these places home. Other categories include Eat, Connect, Learn and Unwind, with Sydney claiming a top spot in Connect.

Whether you have days or weeks to explore the state, WA’s picturesque and rugged beauty was made to be explored by car to journey through the world’s most pristine and clean coastlines into the heart of renowned wine country and through spectacular gorges and outback.

These dreamlike experiences await: 

Journey along the Coral Coast Highway for 10 days from Perth to Exmouth, passing uninterrupted stretches of white sand beaches, turquoise fringed coral reef and breathtaking gorges. Witness the mysterious Pinnacles, glimpse the pink hues of Hutt Lagoon and abseil down dramatic 400-million-year-old rock formations at Murchison Gorge. Wonder and wander among two of three WA UNESCO World Heritage-listed sites – Shark Bay and Ningaloo Reef, one of the most diverse marine environments on earth.

A pilgrimage through the heart of the Kimberley’s otherworldly red-dirt wilderness, the Gibb River Road is a bucket-list Australian outback four-wheel drive adventure. From Broome the 14-day journey heads northwest to Kununurra, starting with a visit to the world-famous Cable Beach. Stop at Bell Gorge for a refreshing dip in an oasis of waterfalls and dreamlike waterholes, and soak up striking sunsets at Cockburn Range on a horse-riding tour or a Barramundi fishing expedition. A stop at El Questro Wilderness Park can not be missed.

Adventurers dreaming of barefoot luxury through unspoilt natural landscapes can journey along the South West Edge in an 11-day return trip from Perth. Journey to Bunbury to swim with dolphins in crystal clear aquamarine waters, before traveling to the renowned Margaret River Region to savour some of Australia’s finest wine and produce. Tip toe through the canopy of 400-year-old tingle trees on the Valley of the Giants Tree Top Walk before reaching Esperance, home to the purest beaches you’ll experience, and surf Wave Rock, a 15-metre-high multicoloured granite cliff, WA’s biggest swell that rises from our vast outback plains – with no ocean in sight.

Claiming a top spot in Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2023 heralds Western Australia’s spirit of adventure through the recent global brand launch of Walking on a Dream, showcasing the magical wonders of WA through awe-inspiring visuals of supernatural contrasts and rare experiences.

Inspired to explore the grandeur of Western Australia? Curate a dreamlike experience to your spirit of adventure. 

About Lonely Planet 

A trusted voice in travel guidance, Lonely Planet is part of the Red Ventures portfolio.  Providing both inspiring and trustworthy information for every kind of traveler since 1973, Lonely Planet reaches hundreds of millions of travelers each year helping them unlock amazing experiences.  Lonely Planet can be found on lonelyplanet.com, Instagram, TikTok, Facebook and Twitter, through video and in 14 languages, armchair and lifestyle books, e-books and more.  Over the past 49 years Lonely Planet has printed over 145 million guidebooks covering 221 countries as well as countless other titles showcasing the wonders of the world for travelers of all types.

Visit Lonely Planet at lonelyplanet.com and join our community of followers on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook and Twitter.

About Tourism Western Australia (Tourism WA)

Tourism Western Australia (Tourism WA) is responsible for promoting Western Australia (WA) as an incredible holiday and events destination. We work with a range of people from the public and private sector to develop and promote WA's iconic tourism experiences, to attract events to the State and help the tourism industry thrive.

Walk on a Dream in Western Australia and explore the awe-inspiring attributes that make the State such a wondrous, dreamlike destination. Tourism WA's new Walking on a Dream campaign is inspired by WA's unique Aboriginal culture and inspires holidaymakers to book their next visit to WA by showcasing the State's dreamlike qualities - jaw-dropping landscapes, supernatural colour contrasts, otherworldly phenomena, immersive connections with authentic characters, and one-of-a-kind experiences that inspire a sense of unparalleled freedom.

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Download high-resolution photos:  

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/k4c25pxyvvxxemc/AABWsqubGC-zITwv1HgIdxWSa?dl=0

For more information, email westernaustralia@pepr.com.au