Meet quokkas on Rottnest Island. — Photos: Tourism Western Australia
When you step into Ngilgi Cave in Western Australia, you are not just exploring a geological wonder – you are stepping into a living story.
Unlike most cave tours, where the experience is guided by facts and narration, a tour with Koomal Dreaming is guided by sound.
The music of the didgeridoo, a traditional wind instrument used by Indigenous folks in Australia, echoes through the ancient limestone chambers.
This is not a recording, it is played live by Josh “Koomal” Whiteland, a cultural tour guide, storyteller, musician, Wadandi custodian and owner of Koomal Dreaming.
The music breathes life into the cave, carrying the stories of The Dreaming – ancestral tales from a time when creator spirits shaped the land and taught Indigenous people how to live.
Aboriginal Cultural Tour at Ngilgi Cave Ancient Lands Experience with Josh Whiteland from Koomal Dreaming.
“This is something truly unique, an experience you won’t find anywhere else,” said the managing director of Tourism Western Australia, Anneke Brown, in an exclusive interview recently, back in Kuala Lumpur.
Western Australia has always been a favourite destination among Malaysian travellers, she said. “Today, it’s becoming a more welcoming destination for Muslims, with a growing number of Muslim-friendly F&B options.”
According to Brown, Malaysia remains one of the state’s top markets, attracting many high-yield travellers each year.
The pandemic has changed the way people travel and what they look out for in a holiday. Today’s holidaymakers are willing to “invest in experiences that feel truly different”, Brown said, adding that it is no longer about ticking boxes on an itinerary.
“Travellers want something meaningful and a chance to reconnect with themselves.”
Luxury travel has also gone beyond fine dining experiences and five-star hotels. It is more personal now; it is about tasting local flavours, taking things slow and feeling genuinely connected to a place.
By offering smaller, more intimate group tours, Brown believes that Western Australia is creating space for deeper, more personal travel experiences.
Whether you are foraging for truffles in the forest, cruising along crystal-clear waters in search of the freshest catch, or swimming alongside giant whale sharks, Australia’s largest state has something special to offer every traveller.
Brown suggested that one of the best ways to take in the state’s vast landscapes is to hit the open road. A self-drive holiday gives you the freedom to explore on your own terms: no hectic tour schedules, no rushing from stop to stop.
Brown says luxury travel is about connection and authentic experiences. — Photos: Tourism Western Australia
Farm experiences
Malaysian traveller Samantha Philip, 36, kicked off her tour of the state with truffle hunting at Margaret River Truffle Farm, a three-hour drive from the capital city, Perth.
She experienced first-hand the hands-on sensory adventure, guided by specially-trained dogs with a nose for earthy treasures.
“I was amazed,” she shared. “Abby, the sweetest Labrador, sniffed out black truffles like an expert. Watching her in action was such an eye-opener. It was one of the most unique things I had done on a holiday.”
Besides the excitement of unearthing your own truffles (yes, you can dig for the truffles yourself), you also learn about the mushroom’s life cycle and its role in culinary history.
But that’s just one of the farm-themed experiences Western Australia has to offer.
For something more laid-back, treat yourself to a farm stay. Wake up to fresh air and start your day by feeding farm animals like pigs, ponies, cows and even alpacas.
You will also learn things like how worms can recycle all kinds of food and plant waste, or that chickens and geese help control pests. Some farms even use sheep as natural “lawnmowers” to manage weeds in vineyards.
Take a vineyard tour and learn all about the winery’s rich heritage. — JARRAD SENG
Wine and dine
Margaret River has more than 200 wineries and vineyards dotting the region. Brown said that some wineries are now rethinking the traditional wine tasting experience to meet the changing expectations of tourists.
Cullen Wines, the first winery in the region is one of them. Visitors can not just explore its storied winemaking journey, but also stay overnight on the vineyard.
Besides wine, the state’s craft beer scene is just as fascinating, Samantha said. “I learned how beer is brewed at a local brewery and gained an appreciation for how the beverage is made.”
However, a meaningful way to connect with one of the world’s oldest living cultures – the Aborigines – is through food.
“Food is a big part of Indigenous heritage,” said Brown, adding that native ingredients are at the core of Indigenous cuisine.
Koomal Dreaming has a food tour that is led by an Indigenous guide. The tour includes insights into traditional fire-lighting, tool-making and bush foods.
Additionally, visitors should look out for dishes that feature native Australian ingredients, including wattleseed, kangaroo grass, lemon myrtle and finger lime.
Some restaurants – such as Fervor – whip up dishes that use native ingredients like the root vegetables bloodroot and youlk.
If you are craving something even more exhilarating, head to Rottnest Island for a seafood cruise.
First you would need to get to Fremantle (a three-hour drive from Margaret River), then take a to 30-minute ferry to the island. Hop on another boat from the island for the cruise; a fresh seafood feast will be served onboard.
Watch as the crew hauls up cray pots from beneath the surface, revealing a catch of lobsters.
Travellers get to sample native cuisine in Western Australia, too. — CHRIS GURNEY
Nature and wildlife
While you are on Rottnest Island, it is a must to visit the famed Pinky Beach, one of the island’s longest and most beautiful stretches of sand. Its calm, clear waters are perfect for swimming, snorkelling or simply enjoying the relaxing atmosphere.
At sunset, the sky turns gold and pink.
Standing over the bay is Bathurst Lighthouse, a landmark built after a tragic shipwreck that claimed 11 lives. Though you cannot enter the lighthouse itself, Bathurst Point offers a sweeping vista of the coastline.
Of course, no trip to Rottnest is complete without meeting its most charming resident – the quokka. Famous for their smiles and playful nature, these marsupials are adorable and can largely be found in the wild only on this island.
In fact, Rottnest owes its name to them: Early Dutch explorers thought the quokkas were giant rats and named the island “Rottenest”, meaning rat’s nest in Dutch.
Swimming with a whale shark along Ningaloo Reef.
Ningaloo Reef, a Unesco-listed treasure, teems with vibrant coral reefs and marine life, from manta rays, to sea turtles and humpback whales. Dive into the deep blue sea to swim with the world’s largest fish – the majestic whale shark.
Visit between late March and mid July for the best chance to encounter whale sharks up close at Ningaloo Reef. From June to November, the reef also becomes a highway for migrating humpback whales as they travel along the coast.
Brown said that a single visit to Western Australia is “never enough”. This is perhaps one of the reasons why Malaysians often return.
“Every time you come back, you’ll find something new,” she shared. “That’s the magic of Western Australia.”
And with open landscapes and space to spare, over-crowding isn’t much of a concern here. “We’ve got plenty of land to go around,” Brown concluded.
