G’day! My Name is Dylan deHaas. I’m 27 and a full time videographer from Perth, Western Australia (the best state in Australia)! I grew up in Western Australia and was lucky enough to have parents that took me travelling up and down the coast from a young age.
Ever since I was a kid, I’ve been fascinated with exploring new places and having new experiences. My love of travel evolved from my backyard in Australia to eventually exploring new countries around the world.
I was originally a site HVAC supervisor here in Western Australia. I did that job for around seven years and was earning good money but I just wasn’t feeling happy. Back then, making videos was a tiny hobby for me. Never in my wildest dreams did I think I’d be able to make it my full time job.
I travelled when I could in Western Australia but it never felt like enough to scratch the itch. So I put in a ton of hours learning everything I could about videography. About two years ago, I decided to take the plunge! From then on I’ve been a full time videographer.
It definitely has not been easy but I’ve seen more places, had more experiences and been happier in the last two years than the previous 20!
What I love Most about Western Australia
What really inspired my travels around Western Australia (and around the world) is my love of the ocean. I first went up north to swim with whale sharks and also got my first ever swim with a tiger shark there.
I travel down south for the incredible beaches and surf. With Western Australia having so much coastline it just keeps me wanting more.
I really do think WA is the best state in Australia. It’s hard not to appreciate how diverse the whole state is. Up north you have whale sharks, amazing coral reefs, red dirt and deserts.
Then heading south you have some of the most amazing coastlines and forests in the world. Being able to experience such different landscapes in one state is what I love most about WA!
I’ve had the good fortune of visiting amazing places like Esperance which (hands-down) has the best beaches in the world. It definitely gives the Maldives a run for its money. Following in at a close second would be Dunsborough. Here you can find epic hikes, surf and landscapes.
Ningaloo Coast in the north west is another of my favourite places to explore. The wildlife is insane with whale sharks, manta rays, tiger sharks, dugongs and hundreds of turtles.
Other places worthy of mentioning are Gnaraloo Coast, Shark Bay and Albany. I’ve seen so much but there is always more to discover!
A Western Australia Classic: Margaret River
I’d have to say Margaret River is my favourite place. My grandparents had a house down there growing up so I used to visit the region a few times throughout the year. I have so many great memories. It’s really where I fell in love with videography and photography.
Margaret River has spectacular beaches and the humpbacks come super close to the shore during their migration to Antarctica. I remember when I purchased my first ever drone and I launched it at Dunsborough. My mind was completely blown when I saw how amazing that place is from the sky!
Swimming with Whale Sharks at Ningaloo Reef
My most cherished memory in Western Australia would have to be from my last trip up to Ningaloo Reef. I’ve been up there plenty of times since I was a kid but the last time I went up was just next level.
I swam with a 12m whale shark, 4m tiger shark, manta rays and best of all a dugong! Dugongs are usually super shy but while I was snorkelling I happened to bump into one. He was super chill and I ended up watching him for over an hour while he just carried on munching on seagrass.
The Story of My Favourite Photo from 2019
The story of my favourite photo went like this. We were drifting about 2kms out to sea fishing for some dinner and were constantly getting sharked. Every fish just seemed to get taxed so we weren’t having much luck! I was getting pretty bummed about it.
We were just about to head in when this big friendly spotty guy swam literally 2m in front of the boat. My first thought was to chuck on my mask and get in the water.
Unfortunately for me Sarah (my girlfriend) beat me to it. She was in the water within 5 seconds of seeing the whale shark! Since it was just the two of us, I had to stay with the boat. So I launched the drone and straight away knew it was lining up to be a pretty good photo as the water was like glass.
After a few photos I eventually got in the water with the whale shark but he dived away shortly after. Anyway, I was pretty stoked with the shot from the drone and the brief swim which turned an average day into a pretty awesome one. It was definitely one of the best experiences of my life!
The Ultimate Experiences of Western Australia
For me, the ultimate experiences of Western Australia are: swimming with whale sharks and humpbacks in Ningaloo Reef, visiting the spectacular beaches of Esperance and hiking the awesome cape track Augusta to Cape Naturaliste.
As mentioned above, swimming with a whale shark that day with my girlfriend was literally a life changing experience.
Then there are the beaches of Esperance which are a must-do for all visitors to WA. Seriously these beaches are unbelievable. Photos don’t do this place justice. The hike to Cape Naturaliste is a great challenge with some amazing views as well.
The Best Secluded Beaches of Dunsborough
The best looking beaches in Western Australia are in Esperance. The best beaches for swimming and surfing are in Dunsborough. They are only just beaten in beauty by the beaches of Esperance.
Back when I was young, Dunsborough was just a sleepy surfer town with one servo and an IGA. It has changed a lot now and has become busier. But that’s expected in a beautiful place like Dunsborough.
The best stretch of coastline in Dunsborough would have to be the magical bays from Castle Rock to Bunker Bay. These are just amazing and are protected when the seabreeze blows up. There’s also a few secluded and secret spots that I know of but it wouldn’t stay that way If I told you.
Alright – I’ll give you one! There’s an awesome shot I get everytime I visit Dunsborough at a rock pool. It’s actually right next to the popular “Aquarium” in Yallingup.
Walk from the canal rocks end when you get to the Aquarium and keep walking around 300m. Right at the bottom of the cliffs you’ll come across a cool little swimming spot. You can thank me later!
Travel Tips for your Visit to Western Australia
I would recommend doing research before you visit Western Australia. I guess it’s important to be aware of the pretty hectic coastline around this region with ocean conditions that can be dangerous. Take that into consideration when you’re travelling and going for swims.
WA is such a vast and open place that it’s impossible to cover it all in a single trip. My advice would be to either have a rough itinerary/route in mind or have no plan at all and take a road trip up the coast. Trust me, either way, you won’t regret it!
