From the spooky to the serene, the 10 perfect spots to take snaps around W.A.

With more than 2.5 million square kilometres for locals and visitors to explore, Western Australia is one of the most photogenic places on the planet. Whether you’re snapping away to fill the Insta feed, or showing off to friends your road-trip shenanigans on Facebook, look no further than on the land and shores of this great state for ideal locations to shoot. In conjunction with World Photography Day on August 19, here are 10 key destinations to slide into your #dreamfeed.

‘Blue Boat House’, Perth

The Crawley Edge Boatshed (@westernaustralia, @courts.jay)

The iconic Crawley Edge Boatshed, or as more than 25,000 Instagrammers know it – the #blueboathouse, is situated on the banks of the Swan River (Debarl Yerrigan) at Matilda Bay and is one of Perth city’s most desirable insta and wedding photo hotspots for tourists and locals alike. The Boatshed is known for being the most photographed attraction in Perth ahead of other iconic vistas such as Elizabeth Quay (Goomup), Cathedral Square and the Bell Tower. Perfectly positioned near Crawley’s brand new Wonil Hotel, take a leisurely stroll along the river before stopping off for a snap of the city skyline at Perth’s most popular tourist destination, Kings Park.

Lucky Bay, Esperance

Kangaroo at Lucky Bay, Cape Le Grand National Park (@westernaustralia, @dylan_alcock)

Esperance’s (Kepa Kurl) stunning coastline has no shortage of picture-perfect beaches, but only one can claim the honour of being the world’s best beach. Surrounded by the turquoise water of the Indian Ocean, Lucky Bay has been made famous for its unique residents – the inquisitive sunbathing kangaroos, attracting more than 57,000 posts on Instagram. Combined with sparkling sands, freshwater pools, and the surrounding granite outcrops of Cape Le Grand National Park (Mandoowernup), it’s clear why Australia’s whitest beach claims its rightful spot in this list. For bonus points, jump on a flight with Fly Esperance over the nearby Rainbow Lakes, a group of more than two dozen pink and multi-coloured lakes best seen by air.

Emma Gorge, El Questro

Swimmer at Emma Gorge, El Questro Wilderness Park (@megankgale)

Emma Gorge is one of the Kimberley’s most spectacular and accessible gorges, set in the one-million-acre wilderness of El Questro. Located in the East Kimberley, Emma Gorge is El Questro’s most Instagrammed location, with almost 8,000 posts of its tranquil waterfalls and ancient mountains. Fed by a droplet waterfall and a thermal spring, enjoy the cool shade and dramatic beauty of its sheer 65-metre cliffs while you stay at the nearby Emma Gorge Resort. WA’s own Megan Gale is living proof it’s impossible to resist a snap and a swim in its crystal-clear waters.

Injidup Natural Spa

Injidup Natural Spa which is located at Injidup Beach (@westernaustralia, @gypsylovinlight)

Tucked away on the edge of the Indian Ocean, Injidup Natural Spa is a natural rock formation that has quickly become a South West visitor staple. As waves crash over the rocks, a small natural waterfall forms that serves as the perfect shelter for a dip in the icy cool, crystal clear water. Visit at sunrise or sunset during golden hour for a true WA icon – as the sun puts on a spectacular light show moving over the water. Perfectly positioned along the Cape to Cape track, join a self-guided Cape to Cape Explorer Tour so you can relax leisurely at your own pace.

Nature’s Window, Kalbarri

Nature’s Window, Kalbarri National Park (@westernaustralia, @brooke.blurton)

Nature’s Window is one of Western Australia’s most iconic natural attractions, formed from layers of tumblagooda sandstone that are more than 400 million years old. Located at the beginning and end of The Loop in Kalbarri (Wurdimarlu), an 8km walking trail with views of the winding gorge below, Nature’s Window is a picturesque lookout point that perfectly frames the rugged upstream view of the Murchison River. A short walk away from the Kalbarri Skywalk (Kaju Yatka), float on air as you take a thrilling walk 100m above the gorge.

Lake Ballard, Menzies

Antony Gormley Sculptures at Lake Ballard, near Menzies (@westernaustralia, @keiranlusk)

The white salt plains of Lake Ballard create a dramatic setting for the largest outdoor art gallery on Earth. This extraordinary natural landscape was selected by world-renowned artist Antony Gormley to display his Inside Australia exhibit – a collection of 51 individually cast black chromium steel sculptures stretching across 10 square kilometres which was gifted to WA for $1 and celebrates its 20th anniversary this year. The best times to visit are early morning or late afternoon, when the sculptures’ shadows stretch across Lake Ballard, with the vast bright salt plains marking the perfect spot to capture your most striking outfit in the gentle caressing wind.

Cable Beach, Broome

Sunset Camel Ride on Cable Beach in Broome (@natalie_barr7)

Discover the beauty of the Kimberley’s golden hour as the world-famous Indian Ocean sunsets of Cable Beach dazzle in shades of pink, orange and purple. A sanctuary of sugar-white sand and gin-clear waters, Cable Beach’s renowned camel trains make for a striking silhouette against the flame-red sky. Get in the saddle with Broome Camel Safaris, Sundowner Camel Tours, or Red Sun Camels, and join this swaying, stately procession as it makes its way along the sparkling shoreline. The Sunrise queen herself Natalie Barr even gave it her tick of approval!

Monkey Mia, Shark Bay

Underwater view of a friendly Monkey Mia bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus)(@westernaustralia, @aussiedestinationsunknown)

Wild dolphins have been visiting the shoreline at Monkey Mia virtually every day for more than 40 years, and 57,000 Instagram posts agree this spot in the Shark Bay World Heritage Area is one of the best and most reliable places for dolphin interaction in the world. Visit between 7:45am-12:00pm daily for a magical encounter with these gentle creatures, and stop off at Shell Beach on your return – one of only two beaches in the world with shores of shells. Change your camera setting to ‘live mode’ and hold the capture button down as someone throws a handful of shells gracefully in the air to capture another magic moment.

Elephant Rocks, Denmark

Aerial View of Elephant Rocks, William Bay National Park (@westernaustralia, @daveyjjwatson)

With more than 12,000 kilometers of coastline ripe for exploration, Western Australia has no shortage of stunning World Heritage scenery, though Elephant Rocks is a crowd favourite amongst Mother Nature’s most inviting swimming pools. A picture postcard of clear emerald waters, pure white sand, and gargantuan sculpted rocks that shelter the bay from the swell beyond – it’s the perfect spot for a snap and snorkel. A short stroll away from the equally iconic Greens Pool, these Denmark icons have backgrounded countless photo shoots that will leave you with plenty of ‘grid-worthy’ options.

#quokkaselfies, Rottnest Island

Fortress Adventure Tour with Segway Tours WA, Rottnest

Rottnest Island (Wadjemup) is a car-free slice of paradise, with bindingly white sand, water so clear you can see your toes, and majestic coves formed by naturally sculpted rocks. But it’s perhaps best known as the home of Australia’s cutest animal, the affable quokka. Featuring in more than 300,000 posts on the ‘gram, these friendly, fuzzy marsupials certainly know how to strike a pose, and the ‘quokka selfie’ made famous by A-listers such as Margot Robbie, Chris Hemsworth, and Rafael Nadal has become a rite of passage for visitors to the island. Read more here for our best tips on how to snap a playful pic in between coastal dips.

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