This post contains all the essential information to help you prepare for your trip to Australia. I’ll be writing more about our trip to Perth, the capital of Western Australia, but many of these tips apply to the whole country.
When and What to visit Western Australia
Western Australia (WA) is the country’s largest region, covering almost a third of Australia’s land area. Because of its size, it’s difficult to recommend a single ideal time to visit the whole area, as different regions have very different climates.
There are some images circulating on social media that suggest the best months to visit different parts of WA. According to these recommendations, although I can’t guarantee they’re correct, the ideal itinerary for exploring WA would start in Broome, in the north, in August. In September, the trip would continue south through the Exmouth region. From there, it would continue through Kalbarri National Park to Geraldton in October, and finish with Perth, Albany, and Esperance in November.
This timeline makes sense for those wanting to watch the whales migrate from Antarctica to warmer Australian waters. However, for those looking for a beach holiday, the best months are between December and February, Australia’s summer (Europe’s winter), when temperatures are at their highest.
If your main goal is to see whales, the best time to visit WA is between August and November. There are boat trips for whale watching off the coast, but you can also see them from excellent vantage points on land. For example, Point Piquet, in Dunsborough, is one of the best places to see whales, especially in September.
Depending on where you are in Australia, you can see whales all year round, find out more here.
We chose the Australian summer to visit Perth, Fremantle, and the Busselton/Dunsborough area, where we spent most of our time. I have to admit I was a little disappointed with the weather, at least what I consider summer weather. Temperatures were lower than I expected, especially in Fremantle and Margaret River. We had some very hot days, but also some cooler, windy days that made it impossible to go to the beach.
During this trip, I discovered that the climate of this region is classified as Mediterranean, very similar to Portugal’s, particularly to my hometown of Figueira da Foz. And that’s not necessarily a good thing! 😊 (Figueira locals will understand).
Maybe we were just unlucky with the cooler days, but the truth is that planning a holiday and expecting perfect weather is always a gamble, so we just have to accept that we might get a few less-than-ideal days. One thing is for sure, the wind is a constant in Western Australia’s summer.
The strong breeze that blows in Perth and Fremantle, especially from late morning until mid-afternoon during the summer months, even has a name: the Fremantle Doctor. It’s called that because without it, the heat would be unbearable.
For more ideas on what to do and where to go in Perth and the Margaret River region, visit the official Tourism Australia website.
Entry visas for Australia
Australia has very strict immigration controls, and it is almost certain that you will need a visa or permit to enter the country. The good news is that for many nationalities, including European Union passport holders, the process is online, free, and very straightforward.
To find out exactly what type of visa you need, simply complete this questionnaire. After submitting your answers, you will receive a list of all the valid visa options for your situation.
We opted for the eVisitor (subclass 651), which is free, allows stays of up to three months, and is usually approved immediately. In some cases, the authorities may ask for additional information, which can delay approval, but if everything is in order, you should receive confirmation within minutes.
To apply for an eVisitor visa, you must first create an account on ImmiAccount and then simply fill in the required information. Once the application has been submitted, you will receive a reference number, that you can use to check the status of your application.
Each family member must apply for a separate visa. I also recommend that you print out your visas as we had to show them at the check-in desk in Singapore.
Although the eVisitor visa is usually approved immediately, I strongly recommend that you apply in advance of your travel date. If there are any additional questions, you will have time to submit the required information and ensure that your visa is approved in time.
Flying to Perth
The flight from Singapore to Perth takes about five hours, and there are two low-cost airlines that fly this route: a Scoot e a Jetstar. When we travelled, I booked the outbound flight with one airline and the return flight with the other to get the best price. If budget is not an issue, you can always fly with Singapore Airlines, which of course offers a better experience.
I recommend using SkyScanner to search for flights. However, I prefer to book directly through the airline websites once I have chosen the most convenient times and prices.
If you’re planning to include the Exmouth area in your Western Australia itinerary, Qantas operates domestic flights from Perth to Learmonth Airport.
In the future there will be another alternative for visitors to Western Australia: Busselton Margaret River Airport. This airport already operates some domestic flights, and international routes (including a possible direct flight to Singapore) are expected to be introduced by 2028.
Arrival at the Airport in Australia
Australia has very strict border controls on what can be brought into the country, whether by post or in travellers’ luggage. Before you travel, check this website for a complete list of what you can and cannot bring into Australia.
Restricted or prohibited items include food products such as fruit, cheese, and other animal or vegetable products. On leaving the arrivals area, passengers may be randomly selected for baggage screening to ensure that no pests, animal diseases, or plant contaminants are being introduced. If you’re carrying an item that should have been declared but wasn’t, you risk being fined or, in extreme cases, denied entry. Yes, they do take this very seriously! You can read more details here.
We almost got caught because I had not declared anything on the immigration card given to us on the plane, and I had a few pieces of apple left in the snack box. While we were waiting at the baggage claim, I noticed posters saying “Bin it or declare it”, with pictures of fruit, and that’s when it hit me! We quickly threw it all away to avoid any problems.
Mobile data on the go
Before travelling, I always purchase a mobile data package. Having internet access on your phone is incredibly useful for contacting hotels or tour operators, checking maps and transport options, or simply finding nearby restaurants.
I’ve been using Airalo, which allows you to buy mobile data packages via an eSIM. The process is simple:
Other travel tips
Finally, a very important piece of advice: don’t forget to buy your health insurance before travelling. Hopefully, you won’t need it, but in the event of an accident or illness, you’ll be protected and won’t be faced with huge hospital bills.
Find out everything you need to know about driving in Australia in the post:
Don’t miss my other posts, including:
And also the Fremantle posts and the ones on the Margaret River region (coming soon!)
*This post contains affiliated links, and if you make a reservation/purchase through them I may earn a small commission at no extra cost you.
