The best spots to up your Insta-game Down Under.
Travelling can be an amazing, life-changing experience. When we explore new places away from home, we learn from people and cultures which are very different from what we’re used to — challenging preconceived notions of the world, broadening the mind, and paving the way for personal growth.
More importantly though, sick photos.
Let’s be real here, #travelgram photos have replaced souvenir keychains as social currency. If I’ve saved enough money and time off to enjoy myself on an overseas adventure, I want the photos to prove it!
Our recent trip to Western Australia was a great getaway — besides swimming with whale sharks and going drift-racing (!), we also saw truly beautiful sights that made perfect wanderlust-y photos.
So strike a pose at these 11 Western Australia Instagram hotspots that’ll have everyone going “🔥🔥🔥”!
1) Blue Boat House, Perth
Forget koalas and kangaroos — the true icon of Perth should be this charming blue boat shed. The Crawley Edge Boatshed, or Blue Boat House, was originally built in the 1930s, enduring decades of dilapidation before being restored and painted its iconic blue hue.
With its dramatic silhouette along the Swan River, the Blue Boat House is now Perth’s most popular photography spot. While beautiful at all hours of the day, plan your visit before sunrise or sunset to get pics with that golden hour glow!
Entrance Fee: Free
Opening Hours: 24 hours. Best photographed at sunrise (around 7AM) and sunset (around 5:45PM). Arrive at least half-an-hour earlier as the queues can get long.
How to get there: Park on the gentle slope along King’s Park Avenue, being careful not to block the apartment entrances. The Blue Boat House is across the road, along the river. Bring all valuables with you as there have been reports of theft in the area
*OOTD Pro-Tip: Avoid blue, and instead wear bright, complementary colours like red, orange, or white to get your outfit to pop!
On @sherrified: UNIQLO Flannel Checked Shirt, S$29.90.
2) Fremantle Ferris Wheel, Perth
The old-school Fremantle Ferris Wheel is a great backdrop for moody pics that look straight out of a Stranger Things promo shot. Standing close to the scenic Freo pier, you don’t have to pay to take photos with this bold, red attraction — we’ve heard that the ride itself isn’t fantastic, but the view from below is a solid 💯.
Entrance Fee: Free
Opening Hours: 10AM – 9PM (Sun – Thu), 10AM – 10PM (Fri – Sat)
How to get there: 12-min walk from Fremantle Station to Tourist Wheel Fremantle, at the edge of Freo Park
*OOTD Pro-Tip: Wear outfits with bright colours like white or yellow. Checkered flannels with white accents add a nice retro touch!
On @spurredrenald: UNIQLO Flannel Checked Shirt, S$29.90
On @heyoitsnicole: UNIQLO Flannel Checked Shirt, S$29.90
3) The Palace Arcade, Perth
Speaking of Stranger Things, this charming arcade bar shares not just the name, but also the 80’s aesthetics and buzzing energy of the show’s popular hangout. Housed inside a cosy heritage building along Northbridge, The Palace Arcade is packed with unique photoshoot opportunities, with colourful classic arcade machines and neon signs galore.
Bonus: Grab an ice-cold Western Australia craft brew while you’re at it — posing for photos is hard work!
Cost: House-pour pints at ~AU$12 (~S$11.29)
Opening Hours: 4PM – 12AM (Wed – Thu), 12PM – 2AM (Fri – Sat), 12PM – 10PM (Sun). Closed Mon & Tue.
How to get there: 7-min walk from Perth Station
*OOTD Pro-Tip: Keep your outfit on-theme with the retro-vibes using polka dots or checks.
On @heyoitsnicole: UNIQLO Flannel Checked Shirt, S$29.90
4) Kings Park And Botanic Garden, Perth
Kings Park and Botanic Garden gives you the best of both worlds, combining lush nature with stunning panoramic views of the city skyline. It’s also the perfect place for a picnic with friends before posing for a convincingly candid #squadgoals photo.
Entrance Fee: Free
Opening Hours: 24 hours. Best photographed at sunset (around 5:45PM)
How to get there: By public transport, take the train to Perth Station. Walk 5 min to the bus stop ‘Qeii Medical Ctr’, and take bus 950. Alight 8 stops later at ‘Mounts Bay Rd Before Wingfield Av’. Kings Park and Botanic Garden is a 9-min walk away
*OOTD Pro-Tip: Avoid green unless you’re hoping to camouflage, and wear a bright, contrasting colour like red or white instead!
On @sherrified: UNIQLO Flannel Checked Shirt, S$29.90
On @pohtecktoes: UNIQLO Flannel Checked Shirt, S$29.90
On @isaac_szw: UNIQLO Flannel Checked Shirt, S$29.90
5) Wadjemup Lighthouse, Rottnest Island
Rottnest Island may be famous for its quokka selfies, but it also has more sophisticated photo-taking opportunities, like the impressive, solitary Wadjemup Lighthouse.
The best photos are taken along the staircase leading up to the lighthouse, and are made even more gorgeous with the afternoon sun.
Entrance Fee: AU$69.50 for Rottnest Express ferry to Rottnest Island
Opening Hours: 24 hours. Best photographed in the afternoon.
How to get there: From Fremantle Station, walk 8 min to the B Shed Terminal, and take the Rottnest Express ferry. From the Rottnest Island Ferry Jetty, it’s a 20-min bicycle ride to Wadjemup Lighthouse
*OOTD Pro-Tip: Match the lighthouse with a white sweatshirt, and give it some flavour by throwing on a darker-coloured flannel or jacket.
On @pohtecktoes: UNIQLO Flannel Checked Shirt, S$29.90
6) Pinnacles Desert, Jurien Bay
The Pinnacles are Western Australia’s most popular attraction, bringing in over 250,000 visitors every year. It’s easy to see why — just two hours away from Perth city, the desert seems like it’s on a different planet, with thousands of limestone Pinnacles rising from the ground, as far as the eye can see.
If you’re wondering, these sculptures were formed naturally from seashells that were broken down into limestone and blown inland to form the surreal sight that they are today. #education
This geographical marvel is also a fantastic photoshoot location, and since each Pinnacle is uniquely shaped by the wind, no two photos are exactly alike. What’s more, the desert spans over 190 hectares, so you won’t be competing for space with other visitors!
Entrance Fee: AU$13 per car (up to 12 people) for entrance to Nambung National Park for the entire day
Opening Hours: 24 hours. Best photographed at sunrise (around 7AM) and sunset (around 5:45PM)
How to get there: 2hr 15min-drive from Perth to Pinnacles Desert in Nambung National Park
*OOTD Pro-Tip: Keep your outfit earth-toned so it doesn’t scream for attention against the beautiful limestone sculptures.
On @heyoitsnicole: UNIQLO Flannel Checked Shirt, S$29.90
7) Lake Thetis, Cervantes
Want to look more youthful in photos? Easy — just pose beside subjects that are way older! The thrombolites at Lake Thetis are over 3,000-year-old, and are a close relative to stromatolites, the world’s oldest ‘living’ fossils.
These extraordinary formations form a a spectacular #instaworthy spot — with the endless horizon and crystal clear waters, the setting almost looks unreal.
Entrance Fee: Free
Opening Hours: 24 hours. Best photographed during daylight
How to get there: 2hr 15-min drive from Perth to Lake Thetis
*OOTD Pro-Tip: Keep your outfit simple with a clean base and one statement piece. Include brown and pink accents to match the hues of the thrombolites!
On @spurredrenald: UNIQLO Flannel Checked Shirt, S$29.90
8) Point Moore Lighthouse, Geraldton
This candy-cane lighthouse is a lovely sight on its own, but come during golden hour for a real visual treat — a pink sunset that warms up the entire sky.
Entrance Fee: Free
Opening Hours: 24 hours. Best photographed at sunset (around 5:45PM).
How to get there: 4hr 30-min drive from Perth; 7-min drive from Geraldton
*OOTD Pro-Tip: Candy colours like red and white go perfectly with the lighthouse and the pretty pink sunset.
On @isaac_szw: UNIQLO Flannel Checked Shirt, S$29.90
9) Hutt Lagoon, Kalbarri
Stunning photos are a 100% guarantee at Hutt Lagoon, or as everyone calls it, Pink Lake. This stunning lagoon is uniquely-coloured due to its extremely high salinity level, and you’ll find that its hue changes through the seasons and time of day — sometimes appearing orange, bubblegum pink, and even lilac or red!
Entrance Fee: Free
Opening Hours: 24 hours. Best photographed on a clear day, at mid-morning or during sunset
How to get there: 5hr 40-min drive from Perth; 30-min drive from Kalbarri. The best photo spot is at the parking bay down the road toward Port Gregory, about a 15-min drive after the first parking point along the lake
*OOTD Pro-Tip: Just like for sunsets, candy colours such as red and white pair beautifully with Hutt Lagoon’s pink hues.
On @isaac_szw: UNIQLO Flannel Checked Shirt, S$29.90
10) Nature’s Window, Kalbarri
This rock arch is one of Western Australia’s most iconic sights, as the ‘window’ opens up to a dizzying panoramic view of the lush canyon below.
Formed naturally from Tumblagooda Sandstone, Nature’s Window is a perfect frame for that travel OOTD, with textures and layers that make your photo especially interesting to look at.
Entrance Fee: AU$13 per car (up to 12 people)
Opening Hours: 24 hours. Best photographed in the early morning, or at sunrise (around 7AM) and sunset (around 5:45PM)
How to get there: 6hr 40-min drive from Perth; 37-min drive from Kalbarri
*OOTD Pro-Tip: Avoid red and brown tones so as not to blend in with the rocks. Also, sturdy footwear like boots are a must to keep you both comfortable and fashionable on the hike!
On @heyoitsnicole: UNIQLO Flannel Checked Shirt, S$29.90
11) Shell Beach, Denham
The endless, creamy-white Shell Beach is among the most picturesque beaches in the world, with billions of intricate, tiny shells all along its waters. The unique ‘sand’ of Shell Beach makes for interesting photos — grab a handful and try to throw them into the shape of a heart (it’s not that easy)!
The sunset at Shell Beach is also the prettiest I’ve ever seen — wade in for a dramatic shot with warm yellow and pink skies that reflect perfectly on the crystal-clear waters.
Entrance Fee: Free
Opening Hours: 24 hours. Best photographed just before sunset.
How to get there: 8hr 19-min drive from Perth; 30-min drive from Denham
*OOTD Pro-Tip: Soft, muted tones like hazel and dusty pinks are a good complement to the cream-coloured sands and pink skies at Shell Beach.
On @sherrified: UNIQLO Flannel Checked Shirt, S$29.90
On @spurredrenald: UNIQLO Flannel Checked Shirt, S$29.90
For The Perfect Travel OOTD
I usually find it hard to be fashionable while also packing light when on holiday, but one clothing item has really helped my #OOTD game — flannels!
They’re lightweight and perfect for layering — which means you can wear them as a jacket when it’s chilly, or just wrap them around your waist when it warms up.
We loved our flannels from UNIQLO, which were stylish, affordable at just S$29.90, and super comfortable (comfort is insanely important to me when it comes to travel!). The rich colours and bright accents easily made our outfits pop against dramatic backdrops. We also found that we didn’t have to iron our flannels, which is a real lifesaver when you’re constantly on the road.
Plus, you can pick from close to 100 colours and patterns — great for livening up your wardrobe and refreshing your look at each location!
Check out the full catalogue of UNIQLO flannels here.
Which is your favourite photo spot in Western Australia? Let us know in the comments!
This post was brought to you by UNIQLO.
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