Western Australia is a state occupying the entire western third of the Australian continent. The nation's largest state and the second largest subnational entity in the world, it has 2.1 million inhabitants (10% of the national total), 85% of whom live in the south-west corner of the state. The state's capital city is Perth. The people of Western Australia are often colloquially referred to as sandgropers, the common name of an insect found on sand dunes around Perth.

Perth is the capital and largest city of the Australian state of Western Australia. With a population of 1,554,769 (2007), Perth ranks fourth amongst the nation's cities, with a growth rate consistently above the national average.

Perth was founded on 12 June 1829 by Captain James Stirling as the political centre of the free settler Swan River Colony. It has continued to serve as the seat of Government for Western Australia to the present day.

The metropolitan area is located in the south west of the continent between the Indian Ocean and a low coastal escarpment known as the Darling Range. The central business district and suburbs of Perth are situated on the Swan River. Perth is ranked 4th on The Economist's 2008 list of the World's Most Livable Cities.

Perth became known worldwide as the "City of Light," as city residents lit their houselights and streetlights as American astronaut John Glenn passed overhead while orbiting the earth on Friendship 7 in 1962. The city repeated its feat as Glenn passed overhead on the Space Shuttle in 1998.

Tourism Information

	Albany
			The City of Albany is located 409 kilometres from Perth, on the southern coast of Western Australia. A regional centre, Albany is a thriving multicultural city with many attractions. Albany has a dramatic granite coastline and is surrounded by magnificent scenery and pristine white beaches. With some of the most spectacular coastline and sheltered waterways in the world, the area is ideal for a coastal holiday. Albany is known for its natural attractions including those that are situated along the rugged coastline of the Torndirrup National Park.
	The two major highlights are the Gap with a 24-metre drop to the water and the Natural Bridge, a granite formation in the shape of a bridge. more information
	Broome
			Broome simply oozes with colour. It's Western Australia's secret getaway - right on the Indian Ocean's doorstep and the gateway to Australia's last frontier of pristine wilderness - the Kimberley. From its rough and tumble, romantic pearling history to the cosmopolitan character of Chinatown, to the turquoise waters, red sandstone cliffs and the endless expanse of white sand at Cable Beach....the colours and moods of Broome will capture your soul. You'll never want to leave. Broome owes its existence to the 'Pinctada Maxima' - the world's largest pearl oyster shell - discovered in Roebuck Bay in 1861.
	The giant pinctada shells caused a sensation overseas and soon a melting pot of nationalities flocked to the shores of Broome in the hope of making their fortune. Japanese, Malays and Koepangers joined the Aboriginal pearl divers, whilst the Chinese became the shopkeepers in town. more information
	Esperance
			Esperance is located on the south coast of Western Australia, about a nine hour drive from Perth. With a temperate climate all year round, Esperance is an ideal location for lovers of sun and spectacular beaches. Esperance is a picturesque town nestled on the shores of Esperance Bay. Visitors to Esperance are charmed by its friendly people, delightful lifestyle and ideal climate. A necklace of several hundred islands make up the Recherche Archipelago which adorns the coast of this beautiful region.
	Consequently, Esperance is known as The Bay Of Isles. Woody Island, one of the islands in the Archipelago has been developed for tent and safari hut camping from September to April.  The Esperance region contains national parks, including the very popular and spectacular Cape Le Grand National Park with its unbelievably beautiful beaches, islands, granite headlands, rugged coastal scenery and challenging coastal walks. There are many activities for visitors including four wheel drive safaris, beach safaris, coach tours, aerial sightseeing, island cruises, fishing and diving charters.  more information

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