The South West corner of Western Australia boasts 1000km of awe-inspiring coastline and it is one of only 36 Biodiverse Hotspots in the world. A destination to delight travellers of all tastes and backgrounds, with stunning natural beaches, world-renowned vineyards and restaurants, legendary hiking trails and so much more to be discovered and enjoyed throughout the year.
Elephant Rocks
Granite boulders that resemble a herd of elephants walking out of the turquoise ocean.
Location - Great Southern
Getting there - When driving from Walpole to Denmark along the South Coast Highway, turn right down William Bay Road. Easy walking trails will take you to the beaches.
Guided Tour – Western Australian Travel Bug
Busselton Jetty
The longest timber piled jetty in the Southern Hemisphere, home to one of only six underwater observatories in the world.
Location - Geographe/Margaret River Region
Getting there - In Busselton, 2.5hr drive south of Perth. It is the longest timber piled jetty in the southern hemisphere.
Guided Tour – Australian Pinnacle Tours, Forage Safaris, Tiger Moth Adventure Flights, Busselton Jetty & Underwater Observatory
Busselton Jetty - Photo Credit: Tourism WA
Brides Cave
An amazing sinkhole tucked away in the Boranup bush surrounded by Karri Trees.
Location – Margaret River Region
Getting there – Not open to the public as per se, but you can join a tour to abseil in.
Guided Tour – Margaret River Climbing Co
Wellington Dam Wall Mural
A breath-taking 8000 sqm Wellington Dam Mural is believed to be the world's largest. ‘Reflections’ was painted by artist Guido Van Helten and is inspired by local stories and photos.
Location – Geographe Region
Getting there – Follow Wellington Dam Road from Coalfields Highway or Ferguson Road, Pile Road and Falcon Road from Dardanup. Once at the wall, follow the Dam Wall Lookout Trail.
Guided Tour – Casey Australia Tours, Australian Pinnacle Tours
Injidup Natural Spa
A hidden rock pool right on the edge of the Indian Ocean where waves crash over the rocks to form a mini natural waterfall and “spa”.
Location - Margaret River Region
Getting there – Join Caves Road and down the coast, a couple of kilometres from Yallingup is Wyadup Road which leads to Indjidup.
Guided Tour – Margaret River Adventure Company
Yallingup Beach - Photo Credit: Tourism WA
Valley of the Giants
Home to the iconic Tree Top Walk which reaches heights of 40m above the forest floor where you can walk amongst the birds, and then back on land discovers the ancient forest where you can walk amongst the bases of 400-year-old Red Tingle Trees.
Location – Southern Forests
Getting there – Situated within the Walpole Wilderness, an 18km drive on sealed roads from Walpole and 52km from Denmark via South Coast Highway and Valley of the Giants Road.
Guided Tour – Amazing South Coast Pass, Western Australian Travel Bug
Caves
Ancient formations hanging from the ceiling, fossils embedded in rock, cavern pathways that lead you through incredible glittering spaces and crystal wonderlands. There are four main caves that visitors can marvel at and enter in the Margaret River Region Ngilgi, Mammoth Lake and Jewel caves.
Location - Margaret River Region
Getting there:
Ngilgi Cave - A 5-minute drive from Yallingup, or a 10-minute drive from Dunsborough along Caves Road.
Mammoth – A 15-minute drive south of Margaret River along Caves Road.
Jewel – A 10-minute drive north of Augusta, along Caves Road.
Lake - A 20-minute drive south of Margaret River along Caves Road.
Guided Tour – Koomal Dreaming, Mcleod Tours, Margaret River Region Caves & Lighthouses, Margaret River Climbing Co
Wills Domain, Margaret River - Photo Credit: Tourism WA
Gnomesville
A popular and quirky gem in the Ferguson Valley where a village of gnomes are gathered in the bush of rural Western Australia.
Location – Geographe Region
Getting there – 2 hours drive south of Perth, off the roundabout which joins Wellington Mill Road and Ferguson Road, in the Ferguson Valley Western Australia.
Canal Rocks
A narrow channel between the granite rocks, created by the force of the Indian Ocean. A timber bridge provides easy access to the outcrop where you can watch the rushing water beneath from a bridge.
Location – Margaret River Region
Getting there – Accessed off of Caves Road when heading south from Yallingup.
Guided Tour – Margaret River Adventure Company
Light Houses
Cape Naturaliste is a 20-meter, cylindrical tower built of limestone and sitting proudly within Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park. The new observation platform at the base of the lighthouse tower enables universal access to sweeping ocean views.
Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse stands sentinel at the tip of a peninsula on the most south-westerly point of Australia. It is the tallest lighthouse on mainland Australia and it overlooks the point where the Southern and Indian Oceans meet..
Location – Margaret River Region
Getting there:
Cape Naturaliste – A 15-minute drive north of Dunsborough, along Cape Naturaliste Road.
Cape Leeuwin – A 10-minute drive south of Augusta, at the very end of the Leeuwin Road.
Guided Tour – Margaret River Region Caves & Lighthouses, South West Tourist Services
The Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse - Photo Credit: Tourism WA
Castle Rock
A granite monolith sitting on top of the surrounding range offering 360-degree views. A relatively steep and challenging climb takes you to the Granite Skywalk lookout 570 metres above sea level.
Location – Great Southern
Getting there – Part of the Porongurup Range within the Porongurup National Park, 40km north of Albany. The 4.7 km trail starts at the Castle Rock picnic area, goes past the fascinating Balancing Rock and on to the base of Castle Rock and the lower lookout.
Guided Tour – Off the Beaten Track WA, Busy Blue Bus
The Gap
A rugged Granite channel with a lookout platform offering views of waves crashing against the cliffs and the Southern Ocean.
Location – Great Southern
Getting there – South of Albany in the Torndirrup National Park, accessible via Frenchman Bay Road. There are limited facilities at The Gap but plenty of parking and easy sealed walking paths and viewing platforms.
Guided Tour – Busy Blue Bus