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SOUTHERN WESTERN AUSTRALIA
SOUTH WEST - BUNBURY, BUSSELTON, MARGARET RIVER, BLACKWOOD VALLEY, PEMBERTON, SOUTHERN FORESTS, ALBANY, DENMARK
SOUTH WEST TAPESTRY
Located just 175km south of Perth, Bunbury is the heart of the South West, WA's premier holiday region. Accommodation in Bunbury includes motels, bed and breakfast accommodation and apartments in Bunbury. An appealing array of holiday options await you in Bunbury: dolphins, golden beaches, cinemas, racing and sports carnivals, world class restaurants and Bunbury's vibrant cappuccino strip and waterfront development.
MARGARET RIVER WINE REGION
Premium wines, character-filled vineyards and a spectacular surfing and swimming coastline draw visitors from around the world to the beautiful Margaret River Wine Region. The unspoilt ocean vistas and contrasting green farmlands and forests draws visitors back time and again to this inspirational blend of good living and true natural beauty. The choice of restaurants is endless, and you can indulge in a taste sensation that includes succulent fresh produce, exquisite cheeses, olive oils, condiments, jams, chocolates, boutique beer and cider and, of course, first class wine. For aquatic adventurers, it's a playground with surfing, fishing, diving, snorkelling and sailing. For nature lovers, marine life is a constant fascination, and the sight of the magnificent Humpback and Southern Right whales remains a special thrill. Drive through the many picturesque inland towns, and stop to taste wines at the cellar door. Accommodation in the Margaret River Wine Region includes hotels, motels, apartment accommodation, self-contained cottages and retreats, caravan and cabin parks and bed and breakfast accommodation in Margaret River.
The Margaret River Wine Region begins in the coastal town of Busselton on the beautiful shores of Geographe Bay, with its pristine sands and aquamarine waters. Busselton accommodation is ideal for enjoying breathtaking beaches, stunning surf breaks, world-renowned wineries and magnificent coastlines, the perfect holiday experience. The Bay continues around to the coastal towns of Yallingup and Dunsborough, favourite family holiday and surfing spots, each with their own special character. The journey south along the western coastline brings you to the international surfing paradise of Margaret River with its legendary breaks. The town of Margaret River is 10km up river, and is home to fine restaurants and cafes, and a diverse community of artists and creative people. The beautiful limestone caves nearby attract many visitors. If you are a wine enthusiast, stay in Margaret River accommodation and experience one of Australia's best known wine regions. At the southern tip of the region is the town of Augusta, just 9km from where the warm Indian and cooler Southern Oceans meet, and renowned for whale sightings close to shore.
Continue south to the Southern Forests or inland to the Blackwood River Valley.
BLACKWOOD RIVER VALLEY
The picturesque countryside of the Blackwood River Valley is charming and naturally beautiful. It is characterised by lush and rolling hills, historic towns and outstanding arts and crafts. The valley comes alive with flowers in spring and the many award-winning gardens with tulips and daffodils are a favourite with visitors. Balingup's friendly scarecrows welcome visitors to the Blackwood River Valley, just 3 hours south from Perth by road. From Balingup a scenic drive follows the mighty Blackwood River through to the picture postcard village of Nannup. From Nannup travellers can then take the Brockman Highway to Bridgetown, the valley's largest town. Accommodation in Bridgetown includes Ford House and other bed and breakfast accommodation. It's a short and very pleasant scenic drive through to Boyup Brook, also situated on the edge of the Blackwood River, which is the longest continually flowing river in Western Australia.
SOUTHERN FORESTS
The clear, crisp air and rich landscape of the Southern Forests region produce and nurture the magnificent forests of karri, marri and tingle trees so closely associated with the picture-postcard area. Its exquisite landscapes are a blend of gently contoured, vine-clad hillsides, fertile orchards, majestic and ancient forests, and a coastline with exhilarating views across the vast Southern Ocean.
The Southern Forests begin around Manjimup where agricultural land is dotted with tall stands of magnificent karri trees. Further south is the timber town of Pemberton. Explore the Karri Forests while staying in accommodation in Pemberton. The forests get thicker here and you will see virgin karri trees of up to 300 years old. Towards the southern coast lies the small town of Northcliffe, surrounded by towering forests, rich coastal plains and wetlands. It's the gateway to the D'Entrecasteaux National Park and the spectacular cliff tops of Point D'Entrecasteaux. Travel further to the town of Walpole, enjoying the dappled light of the forests, and stop to take a nature walk and explore further. The Walpole/Nornalup area is 'Valley of the Giants' country, known worldwide for its Tree Top Walk. Accommodation in the Southern Forests includes a variety of cottage and cabin accommodation close to Walpole.
The Southern Forests have over 1,500 species of flowering natives including stunning orchids and is resplendent with wildflowers during spring with the best viewing between September and November. The Southern Forests 140km of coastal scenery is striking in its contrasts, with beautiful karri forests meeting rocky cliffs, and beautiful white sandy beaches that are pounded by the relentless Southern Ocean. The region boasts a number of tranquil inlets, streams and rivulets, brimming with life. Trout, perch and marron present popular fishing opportunities in the fertile rivers and streams. Marron is a freshwater crayfish. Licenses for trout and marron can be obtained from Post Offices. Steeped in history, from the pioneering timber industry, the rich soils and cooler climate of the region now produce award winning wines. It has grown to take its place as the third largest wine region in Western Australia and many boutique wineries offer cellar door sales and tastings.
From this region, travellers have many further choices, including the Blackwood River Valley, Great Southern or Margaret River Wine Region.
GREAT SOUTHERN
Pounded by the vast Southern Ocean, fringed with dramatic cliffs and unspoilt coves, and steeped in the history of early European settlement, the Great Southern region is a fascinating mix of coastlines that give way to rolling pastoral landscapes, mountain ranges, wine regions and a rich mix of flora and fauna. The coast is a blend of forest-clad cliffs that soften to lazy coves and calm bays, and the waters are rich with marine life, including dolphins, sea lions and penguins. In an area that was, ironically, home to whaling in the past, whales can be seen playing lazily in these waters and many lookout platforms along the coast provide outstanding views of these immense creatures. Moving inland, winding rivers and streams cross this picturesque vista of classic Australian farming country and the region's rural heritage is characterised by a host of pioneering farming communities. The interior offers a feast of awesome views and delicately flavoured wines. The countryside around Mount Barker, Frankland and the Porongurup National Park is rapidly becoming one of Western Australia's premier wine regions and there are also a number of olive groves here. The Great Southern also produces a range of sensational fresh food including olive oil, honey and berries as well as great seafood. The Great Southern region is a nature lover's paradise, particularly around the national parks, the ranges and Kojonup. The countryside is adorned with wildflowers in season, and is teeming with wildlife.
If you are on a diving holiday stay in Albany accommodation for easy access to the HMAS Perth wreck. The area also boasts the famous Valley of the Giants Tree Top Walk, suspended 40m above the forest floor. Denmark accommodation is ideal for exploring the Great Southern Coast Region.
OUTBACK - KALGOORLIE, ESPERANCE
Western Australia's spectacular outback and goldfields are the place for historic townships, brilliant, starry night skies, and wide open spaces with Spinifex and red earth as far as the eye can see. Here too, are the beaches of the Southern Ocean. These seas can be wild one day and brilliant blue calm the next - they're also home to humpback whales and their calves. Australia's Golden Outback offers a world of rich and striking beauty from the sparkling turquoise waters of the Southern Ocean to the red heart of Western Australia's outback. Here you can stroll snow-white beaches along the Esperance coast, relive the wild and golden days of the infamous Goldrush in the Kalgoorlie Goldfields, wander through fields of wildflowers and be treated to some warm country hospitality in the Wheatbelt and experience true 'outback' life on the stations of the Gascoyne-Murchison. In Australia's Golden Outback a world of adventure and discovery awaits you. Why not discover it for yourself?
There's something about Kalgoorlie-Boulder and the Goldfields which conjures a real outback goldrush adventure - the aftermath of a wildly colourful history built on the hopes and dreams of the gold rush. Stay in Kalgoorlie accommodation to experience the golden outback of Western Australia. The area is dotted with historic goldmining settlements and boasts true outback culture and scenery as well as wildlife.
When it comes to indulging your love of nature and nurturing your soul with clean air and scenic splendour, Esperance and the South Coast are your answer. Visit this region of stunning coastal landscapes and you'll find yourself recharged, energised and full of enthusiasm for life. There is something so clean, so fresh and so invigorating about the air here that makes you want to breathe it deeply into your soul. Esperance accommodation are a great base for exploring the rugged coast line, sandy coves, national parks and offshore islands of the area, which is famous for world class windsurfing and diving.
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