Best of the South West

Welcome to Perth, the gateway to Western Australia. Whether you are looking to lounge on perfect white beaches, discover beautiful city parks or dive head first into a metropolis of thriving suburbs, you can do it all here.  Explore beautiful Kings Park, a collection of gardens, bush trails, scenic walkways and lookouts. Bar hop in lively Northbridge, or discover Leederville’s vibrant mix of clubs and restaurants. Head to Subiaco for chic boutiques and eclectic galleries, or Mount Lawley for sophisticated nightlife. A day trip to Rottnest Island is a must. After a boat trip along the Swan River will take you to this car free island, home to a population of cute quokkas and some glorious beaches.

Once a bustling port, Bunbury has reinvented itself as a creative hub on the coast of South West Australia. Discover its eclectic collection of street art, explore the Bunbury Museum and Heritage Centre and browse the Bunbury Regional Art Gallery. This iconic pink building features six gallery spaces, which showcase a rolling roster of local artists, as well as touring exhibitions from across Australia. Nature lovers will relish a visit to The Dolphin Discovery Centre at Bunbury – you’ll have the chance to swim with Bunbury’s resident dolphins in the wild or take a year round cruise where you are guaranteed to see them in their natural habitat. The Marine Discovery and Interpretive Centre offers a unique educational experience that allows visitors to learn more about these magical animals.

Long a favourite weekend escape of Perth residents, Margaret River’s reputation is now world famous, thanks to its incredible wineries and renown surf breaks. Whether you spend your days visiting acclaimed cellar doors, tasting your way through wine fines, and exquisite pairings, or relaxing on white sandy beaches by turquoise waters, your Margaret River experience can be as varied as the region itself. Outdoor lovers will embrace its spectacular scenery which includes towering Karri forests and magical underground caves. Hike over hundred kilometres of pristine coastline or admire the views from Augusta lighthouse – the most Westerly point in Australia. Margs herself, is a relaxed town favoured by artists, who showcase their wares in boutique galleries along the main street. Be sure to stick around for the weekly farmers market, which showcases a small selection of the region’s gourmet offerings.

Sat on the banks of the pretty Denmark River, the village of Denmark makes an attractive base to explore some of Western Australia’s incredible natural wonders. The Valley of The Giants will live long in your memory after you have scaled its 40-metre-high treetop walkway– a 600-metre-long catwalk that passes through and over the canopy of this spectacular kari tree forest. Williams Bay National Park will leave you breathless with its beauty. Swim or snorkel Greens Pool, a sheltered beach named after its crystal-clear emerald waters, look out for dolphins and whales, and hike scenic trails amongst fabulous displays of wildflowers. Travel inland slightly and you will be able to take your pick from a number of wineries that can be visited independently or as part of an escorted tour.

Quiet and unassuming, the Southern city of Albany is a lesser visited gem that combines a historical past with breathtaking scenery. Once a whaling port, Albany is an excellent place to witness the whale migration as Southern and Humpback whales, come to calve in its sheltered waters. Albany’s historic whaling station is a fascinating window on the past. Visitors can climb aboard the last whale chaser in Australia and marvel at the skeleton of a Sperm Whale. The National Anzac Centre is a poignant and educational museum that tells the story of the 400,000 men that set sail from Albany to Europe to fight in the first world war. Middleton Beach and its white sands offer a perfect beach escape, or travel to the spectacular Torndirrup National Park. Its dramatic rock formations and exhilarating coastal scenery can be enjoyed from a series of lookouts and boardwalks.

Swelling up from the ground and barrelling over itself like the perfect wave, Wave Rock is a unique geological feature that can be found near the village of Hyden, WA. Estimated to be over 60 million years old, it’s rainbow streaked granite cliff is of huge cultural significance to the aborigine people, who call it Katter Kich. Visit in Spring and the surrounding bush will be filled with colourful wildflowers and orchids. Nearby Hyden makes the perfect base to explore from, with a mix of motels and hotels, along with several pubs and restaurants. Make sure you visit the Toy Solider Museum and the ‘Lace Place’ before you leave – two quirky museums that will entertain and inform.