Tingle tree, Walpole

Lake Cave, Yallingup

Pt. D'Entrecasteaux

Climbing the Gloucester tree, Pemberton

Riding the surf at Cow Bombie, Margaret River

Warren River near Coolyarbup

A holiday destination known and loved by West Aussies for decades, the beauty of the south-west corner of Australia only came to the attention of the rest of the country with the development of the Margaret River wine region in the 1980s.

Meelup Beach, Geographe Bay

The drive takes in scenic varied coastal vistas, from surf beaches and rocky headlands to sheltered inlets. The inland sections of the drive pass through orchards, wineries, gourmet producers and karri forests. From September to November when the weather is still cool but fine and the days are lengthening, wildflowers bloom in the region's national parks and walking trails. Migrating humpback and southern right whales make their way along the coast from July through to October. Whale sightings can be made from many beaches and whalewatching lookouts including from Albany to Dunsborough from June to early December.
Around 26% of Australia’s premium wines are crafted in the wineries of Australia’s South West, yet the region produces just 5% of the country's wine. A variety of wine styles and blends are produced here, from complex cool-climate cabernets to elegant dry chardonnays.
The South West corner can be driven through in a single day, but needs the best part of a week to take in all it has to offer.

Location: south of Perth, between Bunbury and Albany, WA, via the Bussell, Brockman, Vasse and South Western Highways.

Length: 573 km

Suggested return journey: a) Albany to Perth via Albany Highway through Mt. Barker and Williams - 433 km/5 hours 30 mins.; or b) Albany to Perth via Albany Highway and Gt Southern Highway through Mt. Barker, Katanning, Wagin, Narrogin, Beverley (historic railway town; aeronautical museum) and York (historic town, vintage car museum) - 612 km/7 hours 30 mins.; or c) Albany to Perth via Muirs Highway and South Western Highway, through Mt. Barker, Manjimup (forest fire lookout tree that can be climbed), Bridgetown, Donnybrook and Bunbury - 521 km/7 hours.

Features/attractions: wild dolphin viewing at Bunbury; tuart forests near Capel; surf beaches of Yallingup, Gracetown, Coweramup, Calgardup and Prevelly Park (Margaret River mouth); show caves at Yallingup (Ngiligi and Yallingup Caves), Margaret River (Mammoth Cave; Lake Cave) and Augusta (Jewel Caves); wine regions of Margaret River, Frankland River (Denmark, Nornalup) and Plantagenet (Mt. Barker, Porongorup Ranges); karri forests around Pemberton, Northcliff, Manjimup and Walpole; varied coastal scenery.

Minimum duration (one way): 1 day

Margaret River wineries

What You Will See: take either Albany Highway or Kwinana Freeway south from Perth to Bunbury via Mandurah or Pinjarra. The South West Highway from Bunbury is an inland option, which passes through karri forests, orchards (Donnybrook and Bridgetown), rolling hills and timber milling towns (Manjimup). Bussell Highway is the more popular route and takes in the coastal holiday towns of Busselton, Eagle Bay, Dunsborough and Meelup on Geographe Bay; the village of Yallingup (surf beaches, show caves, Cape Naturaliste lighthouse, scenic coastal features).

The Margaret River wine region extends south from Augusta to Karridale, with wineries on both the coast road and Bussell Highway open daily for wine and local produce tasting. The coastal road gives access to the area's legendary surf beaches, picturesque coastal scenery and show caves. a drive through the Boranup Forest to Hamelin Bay is recommended. The small township of Augusta, at the end of Bussell Highway, is close to Cape Naturaliste (historic lighthouse and water wheel), which is the south west tip of Australia.

Backtracking to Karridale then travelling inland along Brockman Highway, the drive enters the karri forests surrounding the timber milling town of Pemberton (wineries; bush railway; Gloucester tree, a forest fire lookout tree that can be climbed). At Northcliff is the turn-off to Point D'Entrecasteaux, a remote and extremely rugged, picturesque spot. Between Northcliff and Denmark, the road passes through more karri forests, including the Valley of the Giants (tree top walk), the Tingle trees, and the Shannon, Mt. Frankland and Walpole-Nornalup National Parks (forest walks). The coast from Walpole and Denmark (Frankland River wine region) to Albany, with its extensive beaches, rugged granite outcrops and quiet, protected bays, is popular among fishermen, holidaymakers and retirees.