Go exploring: WA via boat

Including its islands, Western Australia alone has a massive 20,000 kilometres of coastline. Add to that the inland river systems and other water bodies, and it fast becomes a mecca for boat owners.

If you live in WA and have had enough of dry land for a while, there’s so much more to experience than places like trusty ol’ Rottnest Island. We’re not saying Rotty isn’t an awesome spot - far from it - we’re merely suggesting a change in destination to provide you with new experiences that may be a bit quieter.

Day trips ahoy

Swan River/Valley

Get yourself as far from Perth as the Swan River permits and launch into a relaxed, calm and quiet river cruise. When you get a bit peckish, you can then make your way to the Swan Valley and stop at one of the wineries for a bit of grub and some seriously good wine. For beer lovers, there’s a brewery (which conducts tours) and chocoholics will love the Margaret River Chocolate Company.

Lancelin

Lancelin is about an hour and a half’s drive north of Perth, and is the perfect spot if you want to avoid crowded beaches like a COVID-covered Karen who refuses to wear a face mask. Its incredible white sandy beach and gorgeous waters make it a great destination for all kinds for water activities. There’s currently no pavd boat ramp in Lancelin, but you can do a beach launch and if your vehicle gets stuck there’s a local towing service available (clearly it’s happened a few times).

Wonderful weekends

Mandurah

Less than a hundred k’s south of Perth is Mandurah, a coastal city with gorgeous beaches aplenty. For those with boats, though, the beaches are just the beginning; go for a cruise offshore for a while and immerse yourself in the abundant marine wildlife or throw a lure in and let it do its thing while you sit back and enjoy the deafening silence. There are heaps of boat ramps available, too.

Dunsborough

A further hundred kilometres south from Mandurah (that’s a total of 200 k’s from Perth for those playing at home), Dunsborough as a town is pretty packed with tourists and WA natives alike - especially during the holidays. But you can escape all that quite easily on the water. The HMAS Swan dive site is close by and an incredible experience, suited to divers of all skill levels.

There are a LOT of launching options, the Quindalup ramp being our choice as it’s really easy to access, has a jetty right next to it and is nice and wide should you not be the most confident while reversing with your trailer.

Week-away holidays

Eighty Mile Beach

It might be quite well-known to locals, but we challenge you to ask 10 of your friends if they’ve ever actually visited there - especially with a boat in tow. Drive four hours from Broome in a south-west direction along the coast and you’re there (it’s pretty much smack bang in the middle of Broome and Port Hedland). Launch your boat from the beach at high tide and get after some Threadfin Salmon or spend some time chugging up and down the coast - there’s 220km of it, so you won’t run out. There’s also heaps of activities for you on land including 4WDing, beachcombing and swimming, with camping at Cape Keraudren.

Cape Le Grand National Park

Offering so much more than the famous Lucky Bay, Cape Le Grand National Park is an 8-hour car ride inland from Perth in a south-easterly direction. There’s beaches ideal for surfing, fishing, and swimming, and boat ramps available so you can get out and give the place a proper explore on the water. Spend your nights sleeping at Lucky Bay or La Grand campgrounds right beside the ocean.

Secure finance today and buy your new boat tomorrow

Got an old sinker that’s more barnacle-covered than Boostrap Bill Turner from Pirates of the Caribbean and think it’s about time to upgrade to something new? Or you might never have owned a boat and are chomping at the bit to buy one now you’ve read these awesome boating destinations!

Either way, we’ve got you. Our 20+ years of experience in the finance industry has allowed us to amass a huge network of lenders, which means we’ll be able to find you the very best boat financing deal possible no matter your circumstances. Get a quote online now or give the friendly Stratton Finance team a call on 1300 787 288 for a chat about finance today. You can alternatively message us online and you’ll hear back from us ASAP.