7 unique new year experiences in Western Australia for Malaysian travellers

As 2026 dawns, trade the bustle of city countdowns for the wild beauty and wide-open spaces of Western Australia. From barefoot sunrises on golden beaches to vineyard brunches under summer skies, there is no better place to start your year with fresh energy and unforgettable moments.

Just a six-hour flight from Malaysia, Western Australia promises a year-start filled with nature, flavour, and adventure. Here are seven unique ways to make your new year one to remember.

1. Catch first light at Bluff Knoll

There is no better way to welcome a new year than watching the first light spill across the peaks of the Stirling Range. Rising 1,099 metres above sea level, Bluff Knoll is the highest peak in the south of Western Australia and one of the few places in the state where you might even see mist swirling beneath you at dawn. As the sun climbs, it washes the landscape in soft pink and gold, revealing a panorama that feels otherworldly.

Even if you do not take on the full summit trail, the lookouts near the base offer equally breathtaking views, with accessible picnic areas and facilities that make it an easy stop for travellers. The weather here can change quickly, so pack layers and set off early if you plan to hike to the top.

For a truly memorable start to the year, greet the sunrise from Bluff Knoll and let nature’s quiet power set the tone for the adventures ahead.

2. A new year’s oyster feast in Albany

Ring in the new year with the taste of the sea in Albany, where the cold, pristine waters of the Southern Ocean produce some of Western Australia’s finest oysters. Pull up a chair at a waterfront restaurant and savour some Akoya Oysters, cultivated in the region’s sheltered bays, or some fresh Albany Rock Oysters, harvested from its rugged coastline, with a glass of crisp Great Southern wine as the ocean breeze drifts by.

For a refined dining experience, Liberté at the historic London Hotel pairs the sea’s bounty with Parisian flair, blending Vietnamese and French influences into bold, memorable flavours. Just a short drive away, Rock Salt Albany offers a warm, local welcome. It is a cosy spot where you can savour some plump and briny freshly shucked oysters alongside regional wines, and craft brews.

In Albany, the seafood is more than a meal. Framed by rugged cliffs and the scent of the sea, Albany offers a gourmet start to the year where every bite connects you to Western Australia’s southern edge.

3. Swim with dolphins in Rockingham

There is nothing quite like seeing dolphins frolic in their natural environment. Start your year with a splash in Rockingham, swimming with almost 200 wild bottlenose dolphins in sheltered waters just an hour from Perth. Unlike in marine parks or aquariums, these playful creatures live freely, making every encounter wonderfully unpredictable.

Slip into the clear blue waters of the Indian Ocean and watch as dolphins glide, twirl and dart around you, curious and carefree. Guided eco-tours from operators such as Perth Wildlife Encounters run from September to March, offering small-group experiences that allow you to swim, snorkel and connect with these intelligent mammals in an ethical, low-impact way.

When you are back on shore, linger a little longer to explore Rockingham’s coastal charm. Grab a coffee by the foreshore, stroll along the beach, or venture to the nearby Shoalwater Islands Marine Park, where sea lions, penguins and reefs await beneath the surface.

In Rockingham, every splash, shimmer, and shared glance with a dolphin feels like a reminder of how magical the year ahead can be.

4. Brunch among the vines

Sleep in and start the first morning of 2026 at your own pace. There is something indulgent about beginning the year with a leisurely brunch, sipping sparkling wine or fresh coffee as the sun warms the vineyard and a gentle summer breeze drifts through the vines. Surrounded by greenery and the peaceful hum of a vineyard estate, this is a perfect way to pause and savour the new year.

For a taste of the region’s finest, visit Leeuwin Estate where sweeping verandahs overlook karri forests, and savour seasonal dishes paired with museum-release wines. Aravina Estate offers family-friendly dining, artisan pizzas, and estate-grown wines along with their own range of craft beers, all with live music on weekends. At Glenarty Road in Karridale, go beyond the farmhouse with hands-on wine and food experiences. From their Vino in the Vines tour, which includes a tasting of ten wines and a roaming feast of seasonal produce and charcuterie, to their Where Good Things Grow tour through the kitchen garden with wine paired to foraged foods, additional experiences are available for those wishing to explore further. Each estate presents its own flavourful experience, perfect for welcoming the year ahead among the vines.

5. Reset with a wellness or camping escape

Ease into 2026 by slowing down and reconnecting with yourself in Western Australia’s stunning natural landscapes. Whether it is a camping getaway under starlit skies or a wellness-focused retreat surrounded by forests and vineyards, this experience offers a peaceful way to recharge your mind and body.

Pitch a tent at Conto’s Beach in Margaret River or Boranup Karri Forest at the designated campgrounds, enjoy luxury glamping with Olio Bello, or explore the Kimberley and Pilbara with Camping with Custodians at sites such as Imintji, Mimbi, Violet Valley, Doon Doon Roadhouse, Djarindjin, Lombadina, or Peedamulla.

Karijini Eco Retreat in the Pilbara also offers eco-friendly accommodation tucked among rugged gorges and dramatic cliffs, while Discovery Resorts on Rottnest Island combines sustainable camping with ocean views, cycling trails, and encounters with quokkas.

Wherever you choose to stay, these serene escapes provide the perfect backdrop to reflect, reset, and embrace the year ahead.

6. Catch the sunset at cable beach

End your first day of 2026 with a spectacular display of colour at Cable Beach in Broome. Famous for its west-facing shores, the sun sinks into the Indian Ocean, painting the sky in shades of pink, orange, and violet. Whether you choose to stroll along the 22-kilometre stretch of sugar-white sand, take a scenic boat ride, or join a camel train silhouetted against the fiery horizon, the experience is extraordinary.

The iconic camel trains, operated by Broome Camel Safaris and Red Sun Camels, create striking silhouettes as they make their way across the glowing sands. It is one of Western Australia’s most photographed scenes, and witnessing it in person is every bit as mesmerising as it looks.

7. Step outside and meet the stars

Western Australia is a paradise for stargazers. With vast open skies and minimal light pollution, the state offers a front-row seat to the Milky Way, shooting stars, and constellations that are impossible to see in crowded cities.

Kalbarri, with its rugged gorges and coastal cliffs, is one of the prime locations for stargazing. Join a guided night tour to learn about the southern skies, hear Indigenous stories behind the stars, and capture the cosmos through a telescope. The town’s wide-open spaces make it perfect for spotting satellites, planets, and glittering stars stretching across the horizon.

For an unforgettable coastal experience, head north to Exmouth and join Ningaloo Stars for an evening beneath some of the clearest night skies in Australia. This permanent stargazing experience invites guests to explore the universe through state-of-the-art telescopes while knowledgeable guides share the stories behind constellations and celestial events. Set against the turquoise waters of the UNESCO World Heritage–listed Ningaloo Reef, the experience highlights the region’s commitment to preserving its pristine dark skies and celebrating the deep cultural and ecological significance of the night sky. It is a magical way to reconnect with nature and witness the Milky Way in all its brilliance.

Other standout location includes The Pinnacles at Nambung National Park. By day, these limestone pillars are fascinating. By night, they become a gorgeous landscape under the pitch-black skies. Guided tours provide powerful telescopes or binoculars, while self-guided visitors can enjoy a picnic beneath the stars. Remote stretches of the Kimberley and the Nullarbor Plain also offer uninterrupted celestial views, while even Margaret River’s beaches and vineyards provide a scenic foreground for night sky photography.

New year, new experiences

Western Australia offers a fresh start to 2026 with experiences that awaken your senses and connect you with nature, culture, and adventure. From the sun rising over Bluff Knoll to swimming with wild dolphins in Rockingham, savouring fresh oysters on Albany’s rugged coastline, brunching among Margaret River vineyards, catching the sunset at Cable Beach, and gazing at the Milky Way under some of the clearest skies in the world, each moment is a reminder of the extraordinary possibilities the new year holds.

Whether you seek adrenaline, serenity, indulgence, or quiet reflection, Western Australia provides the perfect canvas for remarkable experiences. Take the time to slow down, explore, and embrace all the wonders this vast and varied state has to offer. Start your year with nature, flavour, and discovery, and let 2026 begin with memories that will last a lifetime.

Start your year differently and plan your Western Australian adventure at westernaustralia.com.

-ASEAN FOOD & TRAVEL