WA a hotspot for adventure
Climbing a karri tree or looking for a noisy scrub-bird are now among seven WA attractions named among the world's "most captivating activities and inspirational challenges".
The latest Lonely Planet travel guide lists 1000 "ultimate adventures", including 58 in Australia, including the Dave Evans Bicentennial tree in Warren National Park, said to be one of the world's most "vertiginous ventures".
"WA's native karri trees are one of the world's tallest species, growing to about 90m," the guide says. "From the 1930s, rangers in the Pemberton area took advantage of this, hammering spikes up the trunks of a few fine specimens to provide lookouts for monitoring bushfires.
"Some of these flimsy spiral 'staircases' are still climbable, with 165 pegs nailed into the Dave Evans karri being the highest.
"You get no harness or safety net, but it's all right, mate!
"According to the local tourist board, no one has died climbing Dave. Though, it adds, two people may have had heart attacks."
The Gibb River Road is among the most hair-raising road trips.
"Cattle stations as big as countries, crocs basking by the billabongs, indigenous communities dotted amid the bush, bone- rattling dirt roads that eat tyres for breakfast - the Gibb River Road is Australian outback at its most raw and classic," it says. "There are river crossings to negotiate and road trains to avoid.
"But there are also secluded gorges for cooling dips, 'roos and wallabies for roadside companions and welcoming ranches offering much-needed fuel, beds and ice-cold beers."
Looking for the noisy scrub-bird is one of the world's best "birding" experiences.
"As you might expect from its name, you're likely to hear this bird before you see it," the guide says. "The call is unmistakable. Listen for a beautiful and extraordinarily ear-piercing song emanating from thick heathland scrub and you'll know you're in the right place.
"But this bird is sneaky and camera-shy. You'll have to be quick to spot it dashing, road-runner style, between islands of bush along a tiny stretch of WA's isolated south coast."
Ningaloo Marine Park is among the best marine encounters, camel safaris in Broome are one of the best four-legged adventures and the Munda Biddi Trail is an "epic ride".
Tourism WA chief executive Stephanie Buckland said it was pleasing some of WA's extraordinary experiences and destinations were recognised in the international list.
"WA's incredible natural diversity makes it an ideal destination for visitors seeking adventure," she said.
