In Western Australia, the land moves to an ancient rhythm, a cosmic choreography shaped by the six Noongar seasons in the South West, the dramatic Wet and Dry cycles in the North West, and the pulse of Country itself.
Feature by: Tourism WA
Across our state wildlife and the landforms boast a wondrous line up of spectacular natural events and phenomena, many of which are only found in a handful of locations on Earth. At times or seasons of the year, they offer unique opportunities for travellers to experience nature and wildlife at its best. Follow this celestial map, and you’ll discover that nature isn’t simply something to witness, it’s something that calls you in, invites you closer, and fills your soul with the essence of adventure.
Natural Phenomena Calendar
JANUARY
As the heat of Noongar season of Birak shimmers over the South West forests, further north swim alongside Manta Rays at Coral Bay and Exmouth. Dugongs graze in turquoise lagoons, while Dolphins arc through crystal‑clear water, moments shaped for travellers seeking barefoot luxury in nature’s own infinity pool.
FEBRUARY
February brings peak orca activity to the deep canyons off Bremer Bay. Their presence is profound, a reminder of the raw and powerful life cycles beneath the waves. Up north, Turtle Season continues with hatchlings emerging, creating scenes that awaken childlike wonder and summer storms awaken seasonal waterfalls.
MARCH
As waterfalls thunder across the Kimberley after the big rains, March becomes a month of renewal. Coral Spawning transforms the waters of Ningaloo Reef (Nyinggulu) into drifting clouds of colour, enticing our world-famous Whale Sharks back for their annual visit. Dolphins and Seals play along the coast, offering unforgettable wildlife encounters.
Turtle, Coral Bay
APRIL
With the arrival of the season of Djeran in Noongar Country, Emus wander woodlands and Kangaroos graze in soft golden dawns. In the Kimberley, the Horizontal Falls (Garaan-ngaddim) begin waking up for the season, a natural wonder shaped by powerful tides.
MAY
Humpback whales begin their migration off the South West coast, signalling one of the world’s great marine journeys. Ningaloo’s whale sharks continue to glide through the water like gentle moving constellations, a dreamlike encounter that travellers young and old treasure.
JUNE
During Makuru, the coldest Noongar season, the South West forests breathe mist and magic. Meanwhile at Ningaloo, June offers some of the clearest whale shark experiences of the year, an unforgettable moment where time slows, and your spirit opens.
Wildlife Highlights Calendar
JULY
Mid-year is a symphony of whale song. Humpbacks surge past the coast, breaching in displays of raw joy. Kimberley waterfalls still flow, and the famed Staircase to the Moon appears across Broome (Rubibi)’s tidal flats, a celestial phenomenon described in Aboriginal lore as a path to spirit Country.
AUGUST
The Goldfields and Coral Coast begin transforming into a kaleidoscope of wildflowers, with early blooms heralding the explosion to come. Quokkas raise joeys on Rottnest Island (Wadjemup), and kangaroos bound through open plains.
SEPTEMBER
Welcome to one of Earth’s largest flower shows. From the Coral Coast to the South West, millions of wildflowers create a surreal patchwork of pinks, purples, and golds. Whale watching peaks, Whale Sharks depart, and pink lakes shine like mirrored sunsets.
Wildflowers near Eaglestone Rock
OCTOBER
The oceans bring the playful energy of seal pups, the grace of manta rays, while the lingering colour of wildflower season continues inland. Turtle nesting season begins again in the North West, continuing the eternal cycle of life on Country.
NOVEMBER
With Kambarang in full swing on Noongar Country, reptiles emerge, freshwater crocodiles bask, and turtles return to sandy beaches to nest. This is a time of abundance, the land lush, the wildlife thriving, the skies painted with summer’s promise.
DECEMBER
As the year closes, dolphins and dugongs remain. Pink lakes glow brightest under the high sun, and orcas return to the deep canyons off Bremer Bay. It feels like a new beginning — a reminder that in Western Australia, adventure never rests.
Aerial view of Manta rays and a Turtle, Quobba Station north of Carnarvon
YEAR‑ROUND
No matter when you answer Western Australia’s call, the Dream State offers experiences that awaken your spirit year‑round — quokkas on Wadjemup, breaching whales along the Coral Coast, ancient gorges in the Pilbara, celestial nights under endless stars, and welcoming communities eager to share their stories. This is a land shaped by billions of years, enriched by the world’s oldest continuous culture, perfect for travellers seeking something profound and unforgettable.
Published April 2026.