South West Tourist Information
South West Tourist Information
Mandurah to Busselton
Tucked away in the south-west corner of Western Australia is the region known as the Southern Wonders. Locals and visitors agree - it's a little piece of heaven. But what's really wonderful about the Southern Wonders is that it offers so many attractions within easy driving distance of Perth.
Why not hire a car and take a self-drive tour or join a coach tour? In just a few days you can see towering karri forests, stunning limestone caves and spectacular coastal scenery. You can go wildflower and wildlife-spotting in pristine bushland, check out the flourishing arts scene at the galleries and taste gourmet foods and wines that have international critics raving.
Your first stop heading south from Perth is Mandurah, a relaxed seaside resort with calm protected waterways, great beaches and excellent fishing and crabbing. Bunbury, a little further south is the gateway to the Southern Wonders region. It offers the best of both worlds - city convenience and a relaxed holiday atmosphere. It also makes a great base from which to explore the Southern Wonders.
For picture postcard scenes of rolling farmlands, fruit orchards and dairy cattle, wend your way inland to the Blackwood Valley. The Blackwood River is the largest river in the south west and its fertile valley is scattered with craft shops, museums and heritage buildings. For a family holiday, there's a range of farmstay and cottage accommodation.
Back on the coast at Geographe Bay, Busselton and Dunsborough have an easy-going charm. The calm waters of the bay provide safe swimming at broad beaches and sheltered coves. Keep heading southwards and you're in the heart of wine country. You can follow your palate to dozens of boutique wineries producing wines of national and international repute around Busselton, Margaret River, Pemberton, Denmark, Mount Barker and Albany. Most wineries offer tasting and cellar door sales and many feature stylish restaurants and craft shops.
