Western Australia - the South West.

Jump down to find what to do in or where to stay in South West Australia.

To the south of Perth you will find that it is the wine that brings most people to the Margaret River, to sample a Semillon or two, but the Margaret River coastline is also a top surfing destination, with its powerful reef breaks boasting 20 foot waves. Take time out to revel in the surf culture and world class wines the way the Aussies do.

Margaret River is the headline settlement in the area, but the region also includes the small city of Bunbury, the resort towns of Busselton - famed for its jetty, chique Dunsborough, Denmark and Albany as well as many quaint, inland villages such as Pemberton and Bridgetown.

Being largely a 2-5 hour trip from Perth, depending where you are heading, the south-west region is a must for many visitors to the west coast.

Where to Stay in South West Australia

Where to stay South West Farmstay Diamond Forest Cottages Review	- We’ve just spent a very pleasant couple of nights at the Diamond Forest Cottages in Pemberton. We stayed in cottage 4, which is a pet friendly cottage, with a fenced off area outside for the dog...
Where to stay South West Holiday Park Discovery Koombana Bay Review	- We stayed over at the Discovery Holiday Park on our way down from Perth to Dunsborough as we wanted to stop off and see the Bunbury dolphins...
Where to stay South West Rental Dunsborough House Review	- We booked this house as the main base for our stay on our "rekkie" trip to Australia - and as we liked it, we booked it again, now our move to Dunsborough is permanent...62 Geographe Bay Road...It's a four bedroom house, ideally located for both for the beach and central Dunsborough...
Where to stay South West Rental Yallingup House Review	- When our Dunsborough holiday rental came to its end and we still hadn't found a permanent house to rent, Rebecca at South West Holiday Properties sorted us out the only rental unit that she had available, given it was coming up to Easter...
Where to stay South West Farmstay Kerriley Park Farm Review	- Kerriley Park Farm is located between Dunsborough and Margaret River, about 15-20 minutes from each. Whilst it's not far from modern day amenities, there is a real "bush" aura about the place...
Where to stay South West Hotel - 3star+ Karri Valley Resort Listing	Pemberton. Karri Valley Resort is nestled on the edge of trout-filled Lake Beedelup and surrounded by majestic Karri forest and seasonal wildflowers. The natural charm here provides a perfect setting for the romantic Lakeside rooms overlooking Lake Beedelup and a short stroll from the idyllic Beedelup Falls...
Where to stay South West Hotel - 5star Cape Lodge Margaret River Listing	One of Australia’s finest small hotels, Cape Lodge is designed for the discerning traveller. Sitting on the banks of its own private lake, the famed Margaret River vineyards are all around with a ruggedly beautiful coastline, majestic native forests and boutique wineries also nearby...
Where to stay South West Hotel - 3star All Seasons Margaret River Listing	All Seasons Margaret River is located on five acres of picturesque gardens, providing the ideal setting for a tranquil and peaceful holiday. Renowned as one of Western Australia’s most popular destinations, this hotel is close to the Margaret River town site and all major tourist attractions...
Where to stay South West Hotel - B&B Broadwater Bed & Breakfast Listing	We are a small family run Bed and Breakfast business, with just 2 guest bedrooms. Guests have their own lounge/dining room, with kitchenette facilities. A fully cooked breakfast is included in our tariff...

What to do in South West Australia

What to do South West Beach Aquarium near Yallingup Review	- Our neighbours and friends showed us a secret place on Saturday. We have been sworn to secrecy as to it's location, but some-where on the Naturaliste Pennisular, there is a very special place...
What to do South West Beach Bunker Bay Review	- Took the dog to Bunker Bay today for a walk. As it is now out of season, the beach was almost deserted apart from one couple fishing for their tea. Bunker Bay is almost at the top of the Naturiste peninsular - though it still faces north, which is a rare and "good" thing, here in WA...
What to do South West Eats / Drinks Bunker Bay Cafe Review	- Had lunch today at the Bunker Bay Cafe, which is situated in the idyllic location on Bunker Bay. Food was very nice, we had a couple of pizza's, the kids had grilled fish / sausage meat and chips - all of a very high quality and reasonably priced. It has won various awards...
What to do South West Eats / Drinks Bushshack Brewery Review	- I really enjoyed my first ever Chilli Beer. Clearly sounds like a novelty, but this is a seriously brewed, top quality, very quaffable beverage. It is not just beer with chilli powder, the chilli is infused during the brewing process and they (Dan) really know what they are doing...
What to do South West Beach Castle Rock Beach Review	- Castle Bay is situated north of Dunsborough, just before you get to the more famous Meelup beach. It is essentially very similar to Meelup, only a little bit smaller and without all the facilites...
What to do South West Eats / Drinks Caves House Review	- “Caves” is one of the most iconic buildings in the SW corner of Australia - with a history going back around 100 years...The house itself actually reminds me of my old place in rural Sussex - only some-what more grandiose...
What to do South West Attraction Country Life Farm Review	- This was one of our first days out in Dunsborough and we'll be back - we have been about half a dozen times now - The reason for the title is Tom the horse. He is a very greedy horse. Loves his carrots. Now, whenever we drive past, which is often, the kids all shout "hello Tom..."
What to do South West Beach Curtis Bay Review	- Curtis Bay Beach is situated just north of Dunsborough and is accessed via the coastal path that runs from Dunsborough to Meelup and then onto Eagle Bay. Or it is accessed through the bush from my house with Daisy the dog...
What to do South West Attraction Dolphin Centre in Bunbury Review	- We had a fantastic experience at the Dolphin Centre in Bunbury, seeing loads of Dolphins larking about in the open ocean. We got there as advised at just before 8am, and wondered down to the beach to await the arrival (hopefully) of some dolphins...
What to do South West Attraction Drives - Busselton Drive-In Review	- This was fun. My first ever drive-in movie. There is no better way of watching a movie! Was with my chick - but no chance of getting up to anything untoward as was also with three kids...
What to do South West Beach Eagle Bay Review	- Eagle Bay is where the (very) rich folk have paid for their dreams to come true. But their beach is open to all...
What to do South West Attraction Trees - Pemberton Review	- Looking for a tree to climb? Pemberton in SW Australia is the place for you... We came across three massive tree climbs (Gloucester, Diamond and Bicentennial) on our stay here and they were all very, very similar - from the bottom...
What to do South West Eats / Drinks Goanna Gallery Review	- Not our first time here, which says volumes. Had a lovely breakfast at the Goanna Gallery, which is just off Commonage Road near Dunsborough. We got it right with the weather, a sunny Saturday morning and a very nice way to spend time with friends in the middle of winter...
What to do South West Beach Injidup Bay Review	- It's difficult to know what each beach is called around here - we are so spoilt! Today we pulled of Cape Clairault Road by Mitchell Rocks. Stunningly beautiful and almost deserted apart from a group of kids enjoying the surf...
What to do South West Attraction King Trout, Pemberton Review	- Bagged a couple of rainbow trout. The objective was for my son to catch his first fish and to get lunch, King Trout came up trumps! Located in a very picturesque setting King Trout is a trout farm, come well stocked lake...
What to do South West Beach Meelup Beach Review	- Meelup Beach is situated a couple of miles drive (or coastal walk) north of Dunsborough. It's definately a family beach - in a sheltered bay, beautiful sand and (usually) calm water. This is a truely picture postcard "cove"...
What to do South West Attraction Naturaliste Reptile Centre Review	- Our neighbours and friends showed us a secret place on Saturday. We have been sworn to secrecy as to it's location, but some-where on the Naturaliste Pennisular, there is a very special place...
What to do South West Attraction Ngilgi Cave Review	- I can still recall my old geography teacher explaining the difference between stalactites and stalagmites (in between going bright red due to the ineptitude of his pupils...) Stalactites hang down (as they are "holding on tight") and stalagmites, well they are the other ones...
What to do South West Eats / Drinks Other side of the Moon Review	- We were expecting quite a lot from this restaurant as it is situated at the heart of the five star Quay West Bunker Bay resort, which as a local we would highly recommend. However the experience at the restaurant was not great...
What to do South West Attraction Pemberton Tram Review	- A good way to experience the forest in the company of an expert guide is to ride the Pemberton Tram. It departs from Pemberton twice a day, destination Warren River. But it is more about the getting there (and back)...
What to do South West Beach Point Picquet Review	- We like deserted, or very uncrowded beaches. Fortunately, even in the height of summer, it is possible to grab your own spot of Paradise not far out of Dunsborough...
What to do South West Beach Redgate Beach Review	- This is one of the favourites for the kids and I Iove it also. I'm sure that Redgate has its moments for the more committed surfing dudes, but why I like this particular Mags beauty is beacuase it is where the kids first learnt the joy of riding a wave to shore...
What to do South West Eats / Drinks Relish, Italian Restaurant Review	- Made a reservation here for 8.00 Friday night, but with it being slightly out of season there was no need. The restaurant itself is situated a couple of minutes drive outside of Dunsborough, on Caves Road, guess the setting is best described as "bush", but given that we were there after dark the setting wasn't overly relevant...
What to do South West Beach Smiths Beach, Yallingup Review	- Smith's Beach was my screen saver for the year before I left the rat race in the UK and moved the family over to one of the most serenely beautiful places in the world. It provided the motivation... It still does...
What to do South West Eats / Drinks Swings and roundabouts Review	- “Swings” enjoys a very scenic location (most vineyards do!) - this one overlooks a valley and some gentle hills, it reminded me very much of the view from my bedroom window, growing up in Leicestershire, England - but with vines and kangaroos....
What to do South West Eats / Drinks Toby´s Restaurant & Bar Review	- A benefit of living full time in a tourist town is that we get to enjoy some of the benefits of being on holiday without the hassle of getting there. One such benefit is making use of the dining facilities of the Wyndham Vacation Resort & Spa Dunsborough aka Toby's Restaurant & Bar...
What to do South West Attraction Valley of the Giants Review	- I was inspired to visit the Valley of the Giants by Bill Bryson in his book "Down Under." Mr Bryson described the tree top walk at the Valley of Giants as deserving to be world famous. I can't disagree. I wholeheartedly do agree...
What to do South West Eats / Drinks Virgin Block Review	- Enticed in off Caves road on the promise a cheese platter, we were not disappointed. Being the middle of winter the place was not at all crowded - we were the only guests initially, later a couple arrived and then a small group...
What to do South West Eats / Drinks Watershed Cafe and Restaurant Review	- We chose the Watershed Vineyard as we were near Margaret River and wanted somewhere to eat with a children's playground. We found another gem! Situated just a few clicks south of Mags, just off the Bussell Highway, the Watershed Cafe and Restaurant overlooks its own picturesque vineyard and lake. The view is hard to beat...
What to do South West Beach Yallingup Beach Review	- I really like Yallingup beach. A like it more before the surf dumped me repeated yesterday, but on reflection, this was undoubtably my own fault. Being the one person in SW Australia who can't surf - intend to recify this! What is great about Yallingup is that it ticks all the boxes...
What to do South West Attraction Yallingup Maze Review	- One of the areas' newer attractions, Yallingup Maze opened this year. It is located off Caves Road and is set in a large lawned area overlooking a lake. There is a picnic area (nice tables!) and a small climbing frame...
What to do South West Attraction Margies Big Day Out Listing	For the lovers of fine wine, good music and tasty ales. We pride ourselves with providing our guest of all ages with a relaxed, fun and enjoyable day out...