The Gen XY Lifestyle
Singaporeans are choosing Western Australia over other destinations
According to Tourism Western Australia, Singaporeans account for 24 percent of all international arrivals for the September 2022 quarter.
Singapore is the number one international source of visitor and that Singapore arrivals are already back at 80 percent of pre-Covid numbers.
Tourism Western Australia shares 10 reasons for their popularity with Singaporeans.
Proximity and accessibility: Western Australia is a less than five hours’ flight away from Singapore. Even better, Western Australia shares the same time zone as Singapore, so there’s no jetlag and you don’t have to readjust your body clock or watch! Easy air connections are another reason Western Australia is so popular, as there are currently 270 flights from Changi Airport to Perth per week, with that number set to grow in 2023.
Nature lovers’ paradise: Western Australia features bubble gum pink lakes, horizontal waterfalls, towering timber forests, ancient caves, and unique biodiversity hot spots. You can hike endless, dramatic coastline and reconnect with the land and with yourself amongst the outback.
Clean and safe: Western Australia is one of the safest places in the world, offering wide open spaces and first-class hygiene and cleanliness standards. Regularly voted amongst the most live-able places in the world, it is also one of the most multicultural and has Australia’s second-highest number of Singaporean permanent residents.
Cute animals: Animal encounters are a favourite amongst Singaporean travellers and Western Australia offers endless opportunities to get up close and personal with unique fauna. From selfies with the quirky quokkas on Rottnest Island to sunset camel rides on Broome beach, from gliding through the waters with gentle whalesharks at Ningaloo, to boundless birdlife or sharing a beach with kangaroos at appropriately named Lucky Bay, Western Australia is hard to beat for unforgettable wildlife. It is home to 70 percent of Australia’s mammals and 25 species are only found in the west.
World-class wine and dine destination: From famed black truffles to sweet marron, from chocolate, cider and cheese to fresh oysters, Western Australia offers a plethora of food trails and festivals to satiate your every desire. The state produces over 20 percent of Australia’s premium wines and with nine wine regions, you are never far away from a great drop. From the Swan Valley to the Margaret River, Western Australia’s vineyards and cellar doors are perfect for day-tripping and are set amongst stunning natural landscapes, where you will often spot kangaroos (see cute animals above) at play.
Wildflowers that you cannot find anywhere else: Western Australia has the largest wildflower collection on earth, with more than 12,000 species of flora, 60percent of which are found nowhere else in the world. The state’s botanic gardens, national parks, coastal plains and towering forests provide the perfect selfie backdrop, flowers bursting into brilliant bloom through most of the year.
Luxe experiences: Western Australia boasts a wide range of luxe experiences you can’t get anywhere else, from exclusive stays at El Questro or Cape Lodge to living large at COMO The Treasury. You can fly high in a helicopter over pink lakes or soar across dramatic landscapes in a hot air balloon, cruise the Kimberley aboard the North Star or board a scenic plane over the Horizontal Falls.
Ancient stories: Aboriginal culture is the oldest living culture in the world and Western Australia’s vast landscapes allow you to explore sacred sites, gaze at ancient rock art, enjoy authentic dance performences, taste bush tucker, and hear Dreamtime stories and ancient traditions from Aboriginal guides.
Something for those that love their adrenaline: Adrenaline-junkies and adventure lovers are well-catered for in Western Australia with a range of activities from the new Matagarup Bridge Zip & Climb to the Optus Stadium Verigo Rooftop adventure. You can skydive over the beach, try rally driving or V8 laps in Perth, swim with dolphins at Rockingham or kayak along the Swan River and through the Canning River wetlands. Western Australia’s vast outdoors are made for hiking, fishing, cycling and 4WD tours and roadtrips are the perfect way to create your own adventure.
Designers and diamonds: In Western Australia, it’s more about boutique shopping and local discoveries that you can’t get anywhere else. If you are looking for a chance to spoil yourself or a loved one, Western Australia produces some of the world’s best pearls and is one of a few places on earth where you can buy rare pink diamonds, which are found in the Kimberley. The state has also produced some of Australia’s most unique fashion designers including the likes of Poppy Lissiman, Altera, Kirrikin, Teagen Jacobs, Jonte Designs and Autore, so you can pick up designer pieces your friends in Singapore will envy.
Images credit to Tourism Western Australia
