A Winery in South West Australia
The south west region of Western Australia is one of the
most beautiful locations in the southern hemisphere, with
surfing beaches, diving reefs, limestone caves and ancient
trees some of the natural attractions you will find here.
It is a fantastic destination for your driving holiday,
with plenty of day trips and things to see and do to keep you coming
back time and again.
The Margaret River Wine Region is one of the most popular
areas to begin your sightseeing. It is central to most of
the towns dotting the coast and known for its superb
wineries and world class surfing. With plenty of
accommodation it is an ideal base to explore the stunning
southern coastline located between Cape Naturaliste
and Cape Leeuwin. You will need time to allow for photo
stops, as it is a magnificent stretch of coast. There are
myriads of bushwalking trails and national parks in the
hinterland that make an ideal day trip.
Busselton is east of Margaret River and features one of the
longest jetty’s in Australia. This is also a stones throw
from one of the most incredible artificial reefs in the
world. The Underwater Observatory is a well known
attraction, perfect for those who would rather keep their
feet on dry land. There are plenty of windows to enjoy the
coral and marine underwater world at least eight metres
below sea level. You won’t want to leave this captivating
seaside town.
Apart from the coastal towns, there is so much natural
beauty heading inland from the coast. A great way to see it
up close is via the famous Bibbulmun Track, winding from
Perth to Albany. The entire walk stretches over 1000
kilometres, which is a lot of walking. You can enjoy
different sections of the track up and down the coastline,
and there are many campsites along the track giving you more
time to enjoy the scenery and walking experience.
If you did attempt the entire walk you would end up in
Albany, famous for its incredible diving expeditions
visiting the HMAS Swan wreck. There is also a whale museum
giving you a closer look at the history of this coastal
town, and of course a number of whale watching trips
available. It is easy to feel like you are the first person
to visit this untamed coastline, with miles and miles of
pristine water stretching out as far as you can see.
A few hundred kilometres south from Perth, and west of
Albany, you will find Walpole, which really does need to be
experienced for its raw beauty. It is the perfect spot for a
weekend away in the wilderness with its forests, rivers and
national parks creating the ultimate haven for nature
lovers. There are also plenty of sporting activities for
the more adventurous, such as sailing, white water rafting,
canoeing and fishing along the rivers.
Walpole is known mostly for its giant tingle trees, home of
the Valley of the Giants Tree Top walk. Some of these
trees are over 400 years old, and are so large you could
almost park a car inside them. You will love the peace and
tranquillity here among the enormous tingle trees, with a
suspended bridge forty metres high taking you to the tree
tops for incredible views.
Once again, travel on to Pemberton and you will be blessed
with more towering trees which captivate every visitor. The
Gloucester Tree is one of the most popular, as it can be
climbed up to sixty metres for those not afraid of heights.
To top it off, this town has amazing wines, food, lakes and
even a steam train to take you back in time. Big Brook Dam
is a popular spot for a picnic with the Beedelup Falls worth
the walk for the stunning views. Pemberton is a central
town to visit the South West region with many well known
attractions within an hours drive.
There is so much to see in this rich and diverse corner of
Western Australia. Margaret River attracts thousands with
its annual surfing competitions and wineries, and the
national parks and forests in this area are so unique and
untouched that they can never be forgotten. Time seems to
stand still when you are faced with century old icons from
the past. Wherever you journey, there will be plenty to
talk about when you finally return home.
Jenny Brewer 2007
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More Information
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Driving around the South West in a Rental Car from Discovery is a great idea!
Information on the South West to help plan your holiday with.
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