Australia by Car

Kalgoorlie is the fifth largest region in Western Australia and is situated a vast 595 kilometres from the state’s capital, Perth. Sharing a close border with the town of Boulder, Kalgoorlie is the last town encountered before entering the vast stretch of the Nullarbor Plain. This makes it an essential stop to refuel, re-energise and explore this interesting and productive region.

Kalgoorlie is most famous for its gold mining history and the heritage buildings that line the streets depict the formation of this charming Australian town. Hannan and Burt Streets are the hub of activity and are home to modern cafes, restaurants, accommodation, hotels, clubs and watering holes.

Enjoying a dry climate, with hot summers and cool winters, Kalgoorlie is a popular holiday destination all year round. Perhaps its popularity is due to the annual events that are held each year, that offer fun for the whole family. The Australasian Safari is an off-road rally for 4WD’s, quad bikes and motor bikes and is held each year at the end of August. This motoring event attracts adventure enthusiasts from across the nation and offers a home-grown challenge that is guaranteed to be a fun experience.

Discover the Round is also another popular yearly event that attracts people from far and wide. Featuring horse racing, pacing, fashion and gambling, this event has gained recognition as a world class racing event and has truly put Kalgoorlie on the map.

The easiest way to explore Kalgoorlie is by car and a rental car is definitely the option. Let the team at Discovery Car Hire take care of all the hassles, leaving you to relax and soak up the atmosphere of the outback!

A 260 kilometre long kaleidoscope of colour alive with weird and wonderful underwater creatures, Ningaloo Reef is a must-see for any visitors to Western Australia. Often compared to its eastern big brother the Great Barrier Reef in terms of the diversity of life on display, Ningaloo has one distinct advantage: its ease of accessibility. Most of it lies just a short swim from the shore! Check this article for more reef details.

Most visitors to the reef stay in Exmouth, which is a 1270 kilometre flight from Perth. An old navy town, Exmouth is now base to many diving and fishing charters that will help you explore this beautiful stretch of the coast. Being so close to the shore, the reef is perfect for snorkelling which really opens it up to kids and the less mobile. With over 500 species of tropical fish and 220 species of coral, the minute your mask goes under the surface a whole new world is opened up!

The underwater life gets a whole lot bigger than tropical fish too… in fact it gets up to 14 metres in length! Im talking about the whale sharks, the gentle giants that inhabit these waters between March and June. Their presence is celebrated in the Whaleshark Festival held every year in May, and if you get the opportunity to dive with these beautiful beasts you’ll never forget it. Other larger animals you may bump into are groups of loveable dugongs, and the occasional Loggerhead or Hawkesville Turtle.

Another attraction of Exmouth is the Cape Range National Park, which is just a 30 minute drive inland. Expect to be blown away by stunning gorges, and when the season is right, carpets of wildflowers. Bird and wildlife fanatics are in for a treat here, as are bushwalkers and hikers.

You’ll need a reliable vehicle if you are going to be exploring the Exmouth coastline, and you don’t get more reliable than Discovery Car Hire!

Twenty minutes south of the Western Australian capital Perth the port city of Fremantle sits at the mouth of the Swan River. Its a city that operates on two levels- on the first it is the busiest and most important port in the state, on the second it is a cosmopolitan, funky urban centre that seamlessly blends the old and the new to create a timeless and attractive place to visit.

Its long and rich history has been preserved in many vestiges of heritage all over the city. Just on a casual walk through the suburbs you will spot stunning examples of mid Victorian and Edwardian architecture, and there are numerous museums where you can further delve into the history. Highly recommended is the WA maritime museum, whose remarkable collection of artefacts includes a reconstruction of the Dutch ship Batavia, which sank here in 1629.

There is a definite bohemian air to Fremantle, all the shops and cafes have a very creative edge and its no surprise that some of the countries biggest bands have come from here. Very skilled buskers straddle the street corners, and live music is a stalwart form of entertainment in the pubs and clubs. For a more indepth look at Fremantle have a read of this article.

If you’re looking for a souvenir, some filler for your picnic basket or just want an interesting and fun experience then head to the Fremantle Markets on South Terrace. These indoor markets are located on the ‘cappuccino strip’, so theres lots of cafes to rest your shop-weary legs in! They contain over 150 stalls with goods and food from all over the world- an intriguing cultural experience.

To top off your trip to Fremantle have a meal and a drink in the Little Creatures Brewery. This micro brewery lets you choose the beer you want to drink out of the actual vat it was brewed in! Built in an old boat shed, theres lots of table room and it always attracts a crowd. Travelling around Fremantle is as easy as making a free online booking with Discovery Car Hire!