Welcome to my article sharing the best travel planning resources for booking unforgettable holidays to and within Western Australia. As a local who has explored this vast and diverse region, I understand how daunting it can be to plan your trip here.
Through my years of exploration, I have discovered invaluable websites, apps, and insider tips that have made the process of planning and booking holidays a breeze.
Join me as I unveil my personal favourites, covering everything from the best accommodation options to reliable transportation services and captivating tour operators. I’ll guide you through the process of making informed decisions that align with your travel preferences.
Rest assured that everything I recommend is based on my personal experience and usage. I firmly believe in providing authentic and trustworthy suggestions, and would never endorse anything that I haven’t personally tried and tested.
This post may contain affiliate links (of companies I book through). This means I may receive a small commission if you book through them. You can read the disclaimer for more information.
How to Plan Your Trip to Western Australia
When planning your trip to Western Australia, it is important to keep in mind all of the travel resources available. Here are a few tips on how to plan the best trip:
- Decide on the duration of your vacation – see how long you need in Western Australia
- Determine your budget before planning your trip
- Learn about Western Australia’s regions and plan what destinations you want to visit
- Read this guide on the best time to visit Western Australia to determine the right travel dates for you and your WA destinations
- Use this guide to School Holidays if you want to visit or avoid during this time
- Design an itinerary with where to go, where to stay, and things to do – see these WA Road Trips for inspiration
- Plan how to get around Perth & Western Australia – will you hire a car or book a tour?
- See my travel resources & tips below for booking flights, accommodation, car rental, and tours
- Find out about visas, customs, and currency in this Western Australia Travel Guide
- Read safety information to keep you healthy and safe
- Buy Travel Insurance
- Get information on Perth Airport
- See what mobile sims are best for Western Australia
- Join my Facebook Group to ask questions
WA Regions
Let’s explore the diverse and breathtaking regions that Western Australia has to offer.
From the rugged landscapes of the Kimberley and the pristine beaches of the Coral Coast to the city of Perth and the stunning forests of the South West.
This is where you can research what to do in each region, where to stay, the best restaurants & bars, hikes & trails, shopping, and the best tours.
WA Guide
This Western Australia Travel Guide is designed to provide you with essential information on travelling to and within WA.
Travel Planning & Booking Resources
✈️ Flight Search Engines
When it comes to finding the best flight deals for travellers heading to Australia, several flight search engines consistently prove to be reliable and effective. Here are some of the top flight search engines that I use to secure the best airfare options:
Skyscanner
Skyscanner is a popular and widely trusted flight search engine that aggregates data from various airlines, travel agencies, and online booking platforms. It offers flexible search options, including the ability to explore flights from multiple origins to various destinations within Australia, helping you find the most affordable and convenient routes.
Kayak
Kayak is another well-known flight search engine that enables travellers to compare prices from different airlines and travel websites. It provides various filtering options, allowing you to refine your search based on factors like price, flight duration, and layover duration. The “Explore” feature can be particularly useful for discovering flight deals to multiple Australian destinations.
Google Flights
Google Flights harnesses the power of Google’s extensive search capabilities to deliver comprehensive flight options. It provides an intuitive interface and offers features like flexible date searches, price tracking, and recommendations based on your preferences. Additionally, the map view allows you to visualize flight prices for different Australian cities, aiding in your decision-making process.
Momondo
Momondo is a flight search engine known for its ability to uncover great deals, including hidden fares and lesser-known airlines. It scours the web to present a wide range of flight options and often offers competitive prices. The “Flight Insight” feature provides additional information, such as the best time to book and the most economical travel dates.
While these flight search engines are known for their reliability and user-friendly interfaces, it’s important to compare prices across multiple platforms to ensure you’re getting the best deal. Additionally, consider factors such as baggage allowances, airline reputation, and customer reviews when making your final decision.
Remember, booking flights well in advance or being flexible with your travel dates can often lead to better deals.
✈️ Budget Airlines
When it comes to budget airlines serving Western Australia, there are a few options that offer affordable fares and convenient connections. Here are some of the best budget airlines for travelling within Western Australia and to the region:
Jetstar Airways
Jetstar Airways is a popular low-cost carrier operating domestic flights within Australia and to various destinations internationally. With its extensive network and frequent flight options, Jetstar offers competitive prices and often runs special promotions, making it a go-to choice for budget-conscious travellers.
I use Jetstar a lot for travel within Australia and to Bali and Singapore.
Virgin Australia
While not strictly a budget airline, Virgin Australia has both full-service and low-cost options available, providing flexibility for travellers seeking affordable flights. They offer competitive fares on select routes within Australia, making them a viable choice for budget-conscious travellers.
Air Asia
Air Asia doesn’t fly domestically, but I have used it several times to fly to Malaysia and Bali.
✈️ Full-Service Airlines
I usually fly Virgin Australia domestically due to their competitive prices and fantastic customer service and fly with Qatar Airways or Emirates to/from Europe.
🏩 Accommodation
When it comes to finding accommodation in Australia, there are several reliable and popular websites that can help you in securing the best options to suit your preferences and budget. Here are some of the top accommodation sites that I widely use:
Booking.com
Booking.com is a leading online accommodation platform that offers a wide range of options, including hotels, resorts, apartments, and vacation rentals across Australia. It provides user reviews, flexible search filters, and competitive prices, making it a go-to site for many travellers.
Airbnb & Stayz (VRBO)
Airbnb is a well-known platform that connects travellers with unique accommodations, including private homes, apartments, and villas. It offers a local and personalised experience, allowing you to stay in the heart of Australian cities or explore hidden treasures in the countryside. With Airbnb, you can often find more affordable options or book an entire place for larger groups.
Stayz is similar to Airbnb, but part of the VRBO group. I compare the prices of both sites (a lot of properties are listed on both) and nine times out of ten Stayz is the cheaper option.
Read more about the pros and cons of booking with Airbnb.
Hotels.com
Hotels.com specialises in hotel bookings and offers an extensive selection of properties across Australia. It provides user-friendly search filters, competitive rates, and a loyalty program where you can earn rewards and free nights.
Agoda
Agoda is an online travel agency that offers a wide range of accommodations, including hotels, resorts, hostels, and more. It provides a variety of search filters, competitive prices, and special deals. Agoda is particularly popular for finding accommodations in popular tourist destinations within Australia.
When using these accommodation websites, consider factors such as location, price, amenities, and user reviews to make an informed decision. Additionally, it’s always a good idea to compare prices across multiple platforms to ensure you’re getting the best deal.
House & Pet Sitting
For pet sits in Western Australia and worldwide, I am a member of Trusted Housesitters. Their membership is cheap and offers numerous sits in exchnage for free accommodation.
Find out more about Trusted Housesitters here.
🚘 Car Rental
To compare rental car company prices, I use Discover Cars, an award winning car rental comparison website. They offer competitive pricing in over 10,000 locations worldwide and are highly-rated.
🚐 Campervan/RV Rental
Drivenow is a good resource to compare campervan hire in Western Australia as it includes all the large companies like Britz, Maui, Jucy as well as smaller ones.
🎢 Tours & Attractions
I usually book direct but sometimes use third-party sites Viator, Get Your Guide & Klook if I want free cancellation or it’s easier to book via their platform.
Travel Insurance 🌏
Cover-More and Travel Insurance Direct are my preferred travel insurance companies for domestic and international travel.
See this Travel Insurance for Australia guide for more information.