Discover the South West
This is a suggested self-drive itineray to take in the beauty and scenery of the South Coast of Western Australia.
The South West region’s scenery varies from sweeping rural plains with wheat, sheep, cattle, fruit, wine and grapes, to a coastline with rugged cliffs and headlands, gently curving bays and pristine beaches. It also offers a range of activities including underground caves, whale-watching cruises, tree top walks and canoe tours – just to name a few.
Allow yourself a leisurely 4-5 days to enjoy the South West experience.
Starting from Perth, head south through the picturesque estuaries of Mandurah, famous for the delicious blue manna (swimmer) crabs that can be found at Peel Inlet and Harvey Estuary in their hundreds of thousands.
Continue along the scenic coastal route to the port of Bunbury. When visiting be sure not to miss the beauty of the Koombana Bay dolphins. The Dolphin Discovery Centre has an interaction zone down on the beach where wild dolphins drop in quite regularly.
Drive further south until you reach the town of Busselton. A must visit is the Busselton Jetty and Underwater Observatory. Twenty minutes further south of Busselton is the seaside holiday town of Dunsborough, overlooking Geographe Bay. Dunsborough is ideal for all travellers with its sandy beaches, national parks and scenic walking trails. The town is also a paradise for divers with the largest accessible shipwreck in the Southern Hemisphere – the former HMAS Swan. Stay at Dunsborough Central Motel
From here travel through the world renowned Western Australian wine region of Margaret River and be sure to sample the premium wines and culinary delights on offer. At Margaret River you are spoilt for choice. A drive along Caves Rd from Dunsborough is a must!
Continue further south through the Boranup Karri Forest and on to the small peaceful town of Augusta where the beautiful Blackwood River meets the sea. Augusta is a very popular between June and December when southern right, humpback and pygmy blue whales can be spotted along the coast.
From Augusta head inland and discover the unique beauty of Beedelup National Park and Falls, climb the Gloucester Tree or spend the day meandering through the many art and craft shops of Pemberton.
Enjoy the local fare of Pemberton with trout, marron and boutique wines. Then continue on to Walpole, home to the famous Tree Top Walk – a suspended track built 38m above ground that runs for about 600m through the treetops of Nornalup National Park.
After experiencing the natural wonders of this region move on to the bustling seaside town of Albany – Western Australia’s oldest town. Explore the historic buildings and maritime museums or between July to November take in a whale watching tour.
South of Albany is Torndirrup National Park, which has spectacular coastal rock formations. The landscape here is particularly dramatic in spring when beautiful wildflowers cover steep sandy slopes, dunes, massive granite outcrops and sheer cliffs.
On the way back to Perth take in a late lunch or wine tasting in the winegrowing region of Mount Barker.
Have a great trip!