WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Offers you a friendly relaxed lifestyle together with diverse experiences and golden opportunities wherever you may decide to live.

Western Australia is the largest state in Australia covering one third (2.5 million square kilometres) of the continent.  The state offers a widely diverse range of climates and the coast line stretches 12,500 kms.  When it is warm and dry in the north of the State, it is cool and wet in the south.  

Perth is the capital of the state it has a wonderful climate with cool winters (average temps would be around 16- 18 C) and dry hot summers.  It has more hours of sunshine than any other capital city in the country.  Perth offers you a sophisticated lifestyle in a relaxed environment and most of the dining in the city is cafe style.  

The state is renowned for its 350 million year old Bungle Bungle ranges in the North of the state, pristine white sandy beaches along the coast, the only Western fringing coral reef in the world (Ningaloo Reef and National Park), where you don't even have to get in a boat to swim amongst the coral with the manta and eagle beaked rays and myriads of coral fish.  You can also find evidence of ancient life on the planet through fossilised rocks in the Pilbara region of the state and ancient Karri Forests in the South West.  World renowned wineries and surfing beaches can be found in and around Margaret River, also in the South West of the state.  For those of you who love natural beauty the wildflower season in our springtime (September through to November) is famous worldwide and well worth experiencing first hand. 

Each area of the state offers you something different.

Mid Coast includes the Batavia coast and the area is steeped in history.  It is where the first recorded landing of Europeans in Australia occurred in 1616.  Following this landing four of the Duch East India Ships were sunk in the seas of this coast and the survivors from these four ships were the first European settlers in Australia.

The Pilbara is semi arid and an area rich in mineral deposits and fossils.  It is famous for its mining towns (who mainly mine iron, gold).  The area is also rich in marine wildlife and the area is famous for the "Ningaloo Reef" which is part of the Coral Coast and is home to Whale sharks (the largest shark in the world - don't worry though they are filter feeders), Manta Rays, Dolphins and Dugongs.  It is the only Western fringing coral reef in the world.

PERTH being the capital city of WA Perth offers all a city can in a picturesque surrounding on the Swan River.  Within the city it even offers free public transport on buses.

Areas to visit:

• Fremantle markets and cafe's

• Maritime museum

• Rottenest Island

• Subiaco

• Cottesloe

• Underwater world (at Hillary's Boat Harbour)

• Whale watching (in season)

The Kimberley is an area surrounded by the Great Sandy Desert and the pristine Indian Ocean.  This area has a true wet and dry season.  The wet season runs from November to March.  If you are up here during the wet be prepared to remain put for a few days as roads can be impassable at times.

South West WA is a beautiful part of the state with world famous surfing beaches, an affordable cost of living and close to Perth to allow for day trips or weekend trips.  The area inland has many old growth forests of Karri, jarrah and marri trees which can be up to 90m tall.  For wine lovers the Margaret River abounds with boutique wineries and is only 3 hours from Perth - ideal for a getaway.

Outback WA mainly consists of Desert (Great Sandy and the Great Victorian). There are many towns in the region famous for mining - the most famous being Kalgoorlie boulder which is famous for gold mining.  As with desert climates the summers are hot and dry and the winters can get cold.  Down on the south coast though there are some beautiful areas to visit offering pristine environments on the coast.

As you can see WA is a vast state and offers something for everyone including an affordable cost of living in a relaxed, friendly, sunny environment.  We have a number of employers who are able to offer you the opportunity to experience life in this beautiful state so check out the advertisers and contact them for your chance to experience this first hand.  You won't be disappointed.

We hope you enjoy this feature and we look forward to presenting other features throughout the year. We are keen to hear your comments, how you get along and any ideas or stories you would like to share with us. To contact us please email info@nursingjobs.com.au .

The Staff at Nursingjobs.com.au