If there was ever any doubt in my mind that ‘West is Best’, it’s well and truly quashed forever!

I’ve just come back to Perth after a wonderful week of sun and relaxation in Broome and while we were there I witnessed a natural phenomenon that Sir David Attenborough himself described as ‘one of the greatest natural wonders of the world’.

I’m of course talking about Horizontal Falls in the Kimberley’s Talbot Bay. The mix of colours is amazing and the sheer size of the area is genuinely breathtaking.

It really is a bucket list item that everybody should see once in their life.

And then there was the Broome Cup on Saturday afternoon, over 7000 people converge trackside at the Broome Turf Club on Gantheume Point to enjoy a day of fillys, fashions and frothies. At the end of the day’s racing punters do one of two things: dance the evening away to a band perched on the back of a truck that’s been backed up to the racetrack finish line, or alternatively, try their luck at the legendary two-up circle at the back of the track.

Both great options, both uniquely Broome!

Add sunset at Cable Beach, a visit to the Croc Park just outside of town, a 4WD trek up to Cape Leveque or a trip to the Cable Beach Polo to the list, along with countless other amazing attractions and activities, and it’s pretty easy to fill in a week.

Not keen on Broome? There’s options for everyone in WA. The Gorges of Karijini, the Reefs of Ningaloo, the pure beauty of Kununurra, or hell, the world class food and wine of the Margaret River Region.

I’m not reeling off all these destinations just to show-off an impressive list of ticks on my travel bucketlist (although I’m very lucky that work has taken me to all these places), my point here is to prove that when it comes to a holiday, west is definitely best.

Last year the government announced cheap, one-way fares to Broome from Perth. Ranging from $179 to $199 depending on the season, these fares have increased accessibility to the Kimberley like never before. If you chat to tourism operators up north, the general consensus tends to be that tourism has increased. A perception proved in the numbers, with over 20,000 people already taking up the offer.

On top of that, Qantas this week announced the introduction of capped fares for residents of towns like Kalgoorlie and Karratha. Slowly but surely opportunities to travel in our great state are opening up and there for the taking.

It’s quintessentially WA to take advantage of cheap airfares and hotels in Bali. Some of my mates who grew up in Perth have visited Bali 30-plus times. That’s a lot of Bali time in anyone’s book! I get it though, it’s a cheap and cheerful holiday (as long as you stay away from scooters). Price has always been a legitimate argument, as most destinations in our home state have been way too expensive compared to the home of Bintang.

Up until very recently, that perception was very much a reality, but things are changing.

When it comes down to it, your holiday is your choice. If you want go to Bali three times this year, then more power to you, but it doesn’t have to be that way. If you feel a little adventurous then why not shake it up a bit. Still have your Bali getaway twice a year if you really must, but use that third holiday to take advantage of affordable airfares to go to Kununurra rather than Kuta or Cape Leveque rather than Canggu - you might just be surprised.

In fact, I think you will end up agreeing with me.