Photographers' eye on WA

Photographers' eye on WA Western Australia's endless coastline and terrestrial landscapes make up almost one-quarter of the country's most picturesque views, according to the most renown Australian landscape photographers. There were acclaimed views across the state from the red north to the stunning greenery of the Boranup Forest near Margaret River. Tourism Council chief executive officer Evan Hall said it was not surprising WA was featured so many times. "You will feel like a real Australian," he said. The Kimberley was one of the photographers' most loved areas, representing six of the best views, including of Mitchell Falls (13), Eagle Falls (37), El Questro Homestead (38), Sir John Range (44), Kimberley Coastal Camp (73) and Wolfe Creek Crater on the edge of the Sandy Desert in the Kimberley's east (92). "Hidden in the region's ancient heart are unspoilt wilderness frontiers, steep-sided mountain ranges, stunning gorges and waterholes, thundering waterfalls, massive abstract rock formations and ancient Aboriginal rock art. "And on its coast lie some of the world's most beautiful beaches - all truly humbling natural elements to behold. "The list illuminates the phenomenal range of world-class sights and sensory experiences this country has to supply," Australian Traveller managing editor Quentin Long said. The Kimberley was particularly a must-see, Mr Long said. "There are thousands of fantastic views in WA so there's always arguments over which are the very best but it's a fantastic state to have that argument in. "This [list] just reinforces the excellent environment we have. "We've got a fantastic coastline and terrestrial landscape [and] it's such an ancient landscape," he said. Hardy Reef on the Great Barrier Reef in Queensland topped the list, followed by an outback homestead in South Australia and the famous Twelve Apostles seen from the Great Ocean Road in Victoria. Rock formations featured heavily in the list, though Uluru was ranked only 24th. The top 100 was determined by a panel of nine Australian photographers who the magazine claimes have viewed extensive mileage of the diverse Australian landscape. Along the coast, the Tantabiddi Sanctuary Zone at Ningaloo Reef was unsurprisingly rated in the top 20 (19) and Esperance's Great Ocean Walk was not far below at number 31. They included Australia's most prolific landscape photographer Ken Duncan and award-winning Australian Geographic photographer Chris Bray. "It outlines the journeys we should all make at least once in a lifetime. Photographers' eye on WA Trade News selected by Local Linkup on 07/04/2012