Western Australia has a myriad of untouched natural wonders. From the south-west corner to the north-eastern tip of WA there are numerous natural wonders awaiting the adventurous traveller. Whether you enjoy lazing on the beach in Broome or diving at Australia’s premier diving jetty at Exmouth you will be amazed by the beautiful beaches along our coast.

If you are looking for a great adventure, then come to Western Australia.

Outdoor activities galore are available for the sports and recreation minded. Scuba dive in the crystal clear waters off Rottnest Island, play golf with the kangaroos at Joondalup, swim with the dolphins at Monkey Mia, hike through the ‘Valley of the Giants’ karri forest in the south west, wind-surf or sail-board with the world’s best at Lancelin. Whatever you like to do, it is here for you!

If you are looking for a little relaxation there is plenty to do outdoors. In Perth City you can enjoy a game of ‘Aussie Rules’ Football, visit the Perth Mint - the world’s oldest mint still operating from its original premises - watch a yacht race on the Swan River, have a picnic in King’s Park - the world’s largest inner city park, with the views across the Swan River and the city - or taste some premium Australian wine in the nearby Swan Valley. On a visit to Rottnest Island, about 30km from Perth, you will meet the Quokka, a member of the kangaroo family. Willem de Vlamingh named the island Rottnest - Dutch for ‘rat’s nest’ - in 1696 when he mistook the Quokkas for giant rats.

Or, if you would prefer to travel around, there are many wonders to see. From north to south, east to west, the diverse WA landscape - with its deep gorges, clear pools and tall forests, to mountains of iron ore and diamonds, goldfields, ghost towns, wheatfields and wildflowers - has a lot to offer.

In the north you can see stromatolites, the oldest form of living organisms anywhere on the planet. In Broome - the pearling capital of the world - watch a film at the Sun Outdoor Picture Theatre, the oldest operational outdoor picture house in the world. At Kununurra you will find the world’s largest diamond mine, the Argyle Diamond Mine. Ningaloo Reef Marine Park in Gascoyne region is home to some 220 species of coral and 500 species of fish. It is the closest coral reef to the continental land mass anywhere in the southern hemisphere - only 100 metres offshore!

The Pinnacles - 250km north of Perth - consist of thousands of limestone spires and pillars up to 3 metres in height which stand out of the rust coloured ground like subterranean stalagmites.

In the east, visit the Goldfields, which date back to 1893 when gold was discovered in Kalgoorlie area.

In the south, the Margaret River region is home to a number of world-class wineries and to some of the best and largest surfing waves in the world, second only to Hawaii.

Making it Easier to Get Around:

If English is not your native language, how easy is it to get around?

You will find a number of English language schools in Perth to help you improve your English. Most offer courses from 4 weeks to 40 weeks at a level to suit you, whether you are a beginner, intermediate or advanced.

General English and Survival English courses combine reading, writing, speaking and listening with emphasis on speaking and listening. And, with different nationalities making up the classes, you will hear a wide range of accents, which can be quite an advantage in a multicultural country like Australia. Everywhere you go you will find Australians from many different cultural backgrounds.

Survival English is a unique course which combines listening, speaking, reading and writing in a more practical way. It is a four week course with each week focusing on a different topic. Topics range from how to ask and answer questions, ask directions, book a hotel or air travel, hire a car, open a bank account, and many other useful topics for those travelling in Australia. The uniqueness of the course lies in the method of teaching. Students actually get to book tickets, open bank accounts, hire cars, and ask for directions in the local community. What better way to practise the English you need to get around Western Australia!

The Survival English course is available at the International English Centre at Edith Cowan University. And, being at a university is an advantage. Not only do you get to use all the university facilities, you have the opportunity to mix with Western Australian university students!

If you want to spend some extra time studying, your English can be greatly improved by enrolling in Cambridge or Academic English courses. These courses give you scope to pursue more serious study aims such as attending an Australian university or gaining an internationally recognised qualification such as Cambridge English.

Prior to attending or after completing any of these courses, time is available to see the sights of WA. And, the ELICOS schools can help you arrange your trip. Just ask!

Western Australia, the State of excitement, adventure and fun!

Author: Karen Abbott, Edith Cowan University

This article first appeared in TransWorld Education