The hidden wonders of WA.

While stories of the Whale Sharks off the coast of Exmouth and the Margaret River wine region in the South West may have made it onto the international tourism trail, so much of what is extraordinary about WA remains a mystery to those other than the locals. Here are some of the lesser known wonders of the great state - and it is only the beginning.

THE GOLDFIELDS

Lake Ballard (pictured above) is home to the largest outdoor gallery in the world; an experience which will not fail to take your breath away. Spread out across this incredible white salt lake near Menzies in WA’s Goldfields, 51 life-sized statues are dotted out across 10sq km of salt lake, seemingly looking out towards the ends of the earth, surrounded by nothing other than compact white salt. The black steel figures form the Inside Australia exhibition by world renowned

British artist Antony Gormley and are modelled on members of Menzies’ very own community, who contributed by having their naked bodies scanned to use as a basis for the statues.

Walk amongst the statues and then climb up one of the nearby mounds and look on from above. Best experienced at sunrise.

THE KIMBERLEY

Talbot Bay in the Buccaneer Archipelago is the one place on Earth where natural horizontal waterfalls occur (pictured above). A result of massive tidal movements – among the biggest in the world – the white water banks up against a narrow cliff passage and creates the waterfall.

Many say this magnificent sight is best seen from the air but for the adventure seekers among us, there is also the option of a sea safari which will take you on a boat ride through the falls.

Purnululu National Park is another incredible natural sight in the Kimberley. Famous for the Bungle Bungle Range, the national park is a breathtaking matrix of gorges, caverns, crevices and pools. These great beehive-like mounds, dramatically striped orange and black, are some 350 million years in the making; a result of constant erosion and river movements.

The range rises up to 578m above sea level and is 200–300m above a woodland and grass-covered plain. There is no better view of the whole range than from a scenic flight but there are also a host of gorge walks for a more up-close and personal experience.

THE GREAT SOUTHERN

The Esperance region on WA’s southern coast is well known for its white sand beaches but few know that it is officially home to Australia’s whitest beach.

Lucky Bay, in Cape Le Grand National Park (about 40 minutes drive from Esperance), has been scientifically proven to be the very whitest beach in Australia, successfully overcoming a challenge from the better-known Whitehaven beach on Whitsunday Island.

The 5km beach is ideal for lazing away the day in perfect seclusion, joined only by the occasional kangaroo, that is more than likely to be lazing along with you.

There are some beautiful coastal bushwalks with views of the nearby islands and the beach is a popular fishing spot too.

ROTTNEST ISLAND

Just half an hour ferry ride from the state’s capital, Rottnest Island is the perfect getaway from the hustle and bustle of city life.

An A-Class nature reserve, ‘Rotto’ is completely car-free (bikes are the number one form of transport) and home to some 63 beaches and 20 bays.

For those looking for action and adventure, kayaking, surfing, boogie boarding and diving are all popular attractions here. If you’re more inclined towards relaxation on the other hand, snooze away an afternoon on a secluded beach, sip a cool beverage at the Rottnest Hotel pub while you gaze out to sea, or go for a wander among the flora and fauna and say hello to the quokkas (mini kangaroo-like marsupials indigenous to the island).