What's The Rush? Trivia Quiz

Answer: Broome

Broome is right up near the top of Western Australia, approximately 2200 kilometres north of Perth. Broome is known for its beaches, pearling industry and beautiful, holiday weather. Cable Beach, probably the best known beach in Broome, stretches for 22.5km, with tides up to nine metres. During certain months of the year, the water isn't very pleasant to swim in due to the number of box jellyfish in it.

There is also the occasional crocodile sighting. In the early 1900s Broome was known as the pearl capital of the world (this was prior to the development of artificial and cultured pearls).

Answer: Kalgoorlie

Kalgoorlie is 'THE' gold mining town in Western Australia. It is home to the largest open pit gold mine in Australia, which was opened in 1989. Kalgoorlie is 595 kilometres east of Perth and was founded in 1893. As Kalgoorlie is nowhere near any naturally flowing water (either salt or fresh), a pipeline was constructed between 1896 and 1903 to deliver potable water to the area from the Perth hills area.

The legend of CY O'Connor (the man who devised the pipeline) is taught to all school children in Western Australia.

His story is particularly sad as he took his own life prior to seeing his dreams of a completed, working pipeline fulfilled.

Answer: Kimberley

The Argyle Diamond Mine is located in the Eastern Kimberley region of Western Australia (the far northern part of the state). Exploration in the region started in 1972 yet the decision to establish the mine wasn't made until 1983, with construction of the mine beginning in 1984. The mine was commissioned in 1985 with an operating schedule of 24 hours per day, 365 days per year.
The Argyle Diamond Mine has produced more than 760 million carats of diamonds since 1985 and is known as one of the world's largest suppliers of diamonds.

Answer: Perth

Perth, the capital city of Western Australia (and my home town), was established in 1829 on the banks of the Swan River. It is the one of the remotest capital cities in the world. Perth has beautiful weather, beautiful beaches and enjoys a very laid back atmosphere, to the point where WA has been (affectionately) thought to mean 'wait awhile'.

Answer: Ningaloo Reef

The towns of Exmouth and Coral Bay (the north and south 'extremities' of Ningaloo Reef) both offer whale shark watching and snorkeling tours during the months of March to July. Whale sharks are the largest known species of fish and regularly move through the Ningaloo Marine Park off the north west coast of Western Australia.

Shark Bay is slightly further south than Ningaloo Reef and the sharks that swim there are probably a bit more dangerous than the whale sharks at Ningaloo! Margaret River and Esperance are too far south (and too cold) for whale sharks to swim, although regular humpback whale watching tours run from both these regions between September and November.

Answer: Steep Point

Steep Point is the westernmost point on mainland Australia and is only accessible by four-wheel-drive vehicle. There are no resorts, hotels, motels or bathroom facilities, so if you want to stay at Steep Point, you must take your own tent, food, water and medical supplies - the nearest nurse's station is three hours away (mostly via an unsealed vehicle track). There are some beautiful cliffs in the area and it's also great for fishing while still having small coves which are safe to swim in - except of course for the usual nasties found in Western Australian waters!

If you are into four-wheel-driving (and driving in general - Steep Point is approximately 700km from Perth), camping, fishing and generally being with nature, then can I suggest you visit Steep Point sometime in the future?

Answer: Fraser Island

Dirk Hartog Island is 'just across' the water from Steep Point and the Abrohlos Islands lie 60 kilometres west of Geraldton, in a south-west direction from Shark Bay. Both islands are part of the Shark Bay World Heritage Area. The Montebello islands are off the coast of the Pilbara region of Western Australia, slightly north of Exmouth and west of Dampier. All three Western Australian islands are well-known for their beautiful weather and deep sea fishing charters in the surrounding areas.

Fraser Island is a World Heritage listed island off the coast of Queensland - the Eastern side of Australia. Fishing charters also run in the general vicinity of Fraser Island (as for the three Western Australian islands given as incorrect answer options).

Answer: Esperance

The Blackwood River begins near Quelarup then runs through Bridgetown and Nannup before discharging into the Southern Ocean near Augusta in the far south-west corner of Western Australia. Esperance is several hours from the closest part of the Blackwood River and nearly half-way between Augusta and the South Australia/West Australia border.

The Blackwood River is known for its black bream fishing with several fishing competitions being held along its length throughout the year.

Answer: Rottnest Island

Rottnest Island is located only eighteen kilometres west from Perth yet can only be accessed by boat or air. Ferries, helicopters and light aircraft fly to the island daily transporting hundreds of people to and from one of Perth's favourite holiday destinations. Quokkas are small macropods (similar to kangaroos and wallabies) that are only found in Western Australia with the largest population found on Rottnest Island. Rottnest Island was actually named for the quokka by Willem de Vlamingh who described the quokka as a large rat.

He named the island 'Rattenest' meaning 'rat's nest'.

Answer: Margaret River

With more than 60 wineries in the region as well as the Margaret River Chocolate Factory, Margaret River Cheese Factory and the Margaret River Fudge Factory, Margaret River is a definite 'foodies' delight. Originally known as a laid-back surfing town, Margaret River has grown to be one of Western Australia's top tourist destinations and, being less than four hours from Perth, it will make a great weekend getaway for my husband and I.