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Towering Karri Forest at Warren National Park
Photo: Towering Karri Forest at Warren National Park
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South West Western Australia Travel

The South West of Western Australia is great to visit any time of year, with delicious cuisine, wonderful beaches, rugged coastline, towering forests and whale watching delights.

Travelling south from Perth to Margaret River, then to Albany offers a much varied landscape in a region known for its Mediterranean climate.

Margaret River

Margaret River, as many Australians already know, is a renowned Australian wine growing region and has the cuisine to match. There are many wineries here of growing fame, including those offering gourmet dining, tours and accommodation. Many of them offer tastings as well and have cellar door sales.

But Margaret River is also close to surfing beaches, some suitable for swimming as well. There are interesting limestone caves to explore, wildlife to spot, grand national parks are nearby:

Margaret River WA

 

Tall Timbers

Growing in this particular corner of the continent are the tall Karri and Red Tingle trees. Growing to heights of 90 metres, Warren, Walpole-Nornalup and Shannon National Parks have exceptional examples of them. At the Valley of the Giants at Walpole-Nornalup, you can take the Tree Top Walk or the Ancient Empire Walk for wonderful views of the bushland, wildlife and of course, the trees.

Pemberton

Pemberton, located 335kms south of Perth, is surrounded by The Gloucester, Warren and Beedelup national parks, with their tall trees of Karri up to a 1000 years old. As well, the many skilled local artisans make Pemberton well worth visiting.

Pemberton started as a timber town and still looks very much like one. You can ride the rail line that took the timber from the where it was harvested to the town’s mills.

 

Albany

Albany, settled in 1826, was the main port for the colony for many years until they dredged the harbour at Fremantle much later. There were whalers here, today, there are whale watching cruises.

There is also Whale World. Regarded as the largest museum dedicated to whales, this attraction at Cheyne Beach has extensive displays, exhibitions and a restored whaling ship from the 1800s.

 

Western Australia Wildlife

Native fauna found in the region include western grey kangaroos, honey possums and fat tailed dunnarts as well as plenty of birdlife, including wedge-tailed eagles and red tailed tropicbirds.

Further afield, explore the coastline of Cape Leeuwin, where the Southern and Indian Oceans converge. Visit the historic Leeuwin Lighthouse, a lighthouse built in 1895 that can be toured with dramatic views at the top.

The Indian ocean, depending on its many moods, offers spectacular romantic sunsets and a temperate climate. Cape Naturaliste and Cape Leeuwin are both great for whale watching, especially during July.

Both Capes have wonderful parks to explore as well. The Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park has natural formations such as the Canal Rocks and Sugarloaf Rocks, surf and swimming beaches, camping spots and great sunsets over the ocean.

 

South West Tours and Activities

You can walk above the trees: Tour the Valley of the Giants with a Tree Top Walk. You can also book surfing lessons, take a Margaret River wine tour or a whale watching cruise.

You can also canoe the river, before heading off to Albany with its spectacular rugged scenery of southern Australian coastline.

Reserves and National Parks in the SW:

National Parks and Reserves Map South West WA

 

Perth

See more about the city of Perth:

Perth Western Australia

Broome Western Australia

See more on Pearling at Broome.

 

Work, Jobs in Australia

Curious about trying about working on holiday in Australia? - Find out more at Work in Australia.

Western Australia Hotels and Accommodation

There are hotels, resorts, motels and other accommodation suitable for most budgets in all the major centres. Motels and quaint bed and breakfasts, campsites as well as hostels are scattered on the main routes and further afield: Accommodation Australia.

 

Main Photo: Towering Karri Forest at Warren National Park

Margaret River for Surf, world renowned fine Wines and Gourmet Experiences
Photo: Margaret River for Surf, world renowned fine Wines and Gourmet Experiences

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