Where to Stay in Western Australia
From a Perth city hotel to a vineyard stay, a reef-side village or a remote Kimberley station, WA offers somewhere memorable in every region — and because the state is so large, most trips string together several bases. Where you stay shapes what you can reach each day. Here's how to choose across the wild west.
City base & wine country
Perth is the natural hub — central CBD/Elizabeth Quay for the river and culture, Cottesloe or Scarborough for the beach, or arty Fremantle for character (see our Perth accommodation guide). South, Margaret River and the South West offer luxury lodges, vineyard retreats and cottages amid the cellar doors and forests. These make comfortable, well-serviced bases within easy reach of the region's highlights — ideal for a first WA trip.
Reef villages & Kimberley stations
On the Coral Coast, base at Exmouth (more choice, near Cape Range) or laid-back Coral Bay (reef off the beach) for Ningaloo. Up in the Kimberley, Broome ranges from Cable Beach resorts to town stays, while inland you can bed down at wilderness camps and cattle stations like El Questro. Northern beds are limited and dry-season only, so book early. Rottnest also offers memorable island stays.
When to book
Match your bases to your route, and book the scarce ones first — the Kimberley in its short dry season, Ningaloo during whale-shark season, and Perth in the February–March festival period all fill fast. Remote northern and outback accommodation is finite, so plan those, then build the trip around them. Shoulder seasons bring more choice and better value. We can arrange the lot as part of a tailored trip. See our getting around guide.
Where to stay in WA: your questions
It depends on your route. Perth is the natural base for the city, Rottnest and the Swan Valley (see our Perth accommodation guide). For wine and coast, stay in Margaret River or the South West; for the reef, Exmouth or Coral Bay; and for the far north, Broome or a Kimberley station. Because WA is so big, most itineraries use several bases. See our WA accommodation guide.
The full range — city hotels and apartments in Perth, luxury lodges and vineyard stays in Margaret River, beach resorts and eco-retreats on the Coral Coast, island stays on Rottnest, and, up north, everything from Broome resorts to remote wilderness camps and cattle stations like El Questro. Outback and northern options can be limited and seasonal, so book those early. There's also strong camping and caravan-park culture statewide.
For first-timers, the CBD and Elizabeth Quay are central and walkable, while Northbridge buzzes with nightlife and dining. For the beach, base at Cottesloe or Scarborough; for character, historic Fremantle. All connect easily by train or road. Choose by whether you want the river and culture, the coast, or Freo's arty port vibe. See our Perth accommodation guide.
Two main bases. Exmouth is the larger town, close to Cape Range National Park and the northern reef, with the widest choice of accommodation and tour operators. Coral Bay is a tiny, laid-back village right on a stunning stretch of reef, perfect for swimming and snorkelling off the beach. Both offer whale-shark tours in season; book well ahead, as beds are limited and demand is high. See our Coral Coast guide.
In popular spots and seasons, yes. Book well ahead for the Kimberley dry season (limited beds, short window), Ningaloo during whale-shark season, Margaret River in peak times, and Perth during its February–March festival season. Remote northern and outback accommodation is finite, so plan those first and build your trip around them. Shoulder seasons offer more choice and better value. See our best time to visit guide.