Everything you must see when visiting South West WA
If you are travelling to Western Australia, there is a whole world of incredible natural attractions spread through the state's many diverse landscapes, so everyone can find something they will love.
In this article, the team at Cornwall House Accommodation have highlighted twelve popular travel destinations across Western Australia if you are wondering where to go out of all these places. Here are the highlights.
1. Valley of the Giants Treetop Walk
This is one of South West Australia's most popular attractions, and with good reason. The Valley of the Giants Treetop Walk at Walpole offers a unique chance to experience the forest from above head level, giving you an appreciation for the size and grandeur of these ancient giants.
A spiral staircase takes you through the canopy of this magnificent forest, where the once towering giants now lie on the forest floor. Expect to see Giant Tingle trees measuring more than 50m high and up to 1,000 years old.
2. Elephant Rocks, William Bay National Park
Elephant Rocks, near Denmark, is one of the best examples of granite tors in the country. It is a great place to look out over a huge portion of the park, especially the far islands and headlands, and the smooth boulders crowd the little cove like a herd of elephants wading into the water.
3. Lake Hillier
The pink Lake Hillier is a salt lake on Middle Island off the coast of Esperance in Western Australia. It is quite shallow, and little lives there except brine shrimp. The beautiful pink colour comes from large amounts of pigmented bacteria living within the salt crusts below the surface. The water is so salty that if you fell in, you would float.
4. The Gap and Natural Bridge
At the rugged tip of Torndirrup National Park near Albany, The Gap and Natural Bridge look straight out over the Southern Ocean. A cantilevered viewing platform hangs you out above the water as it surges through a granite chasm 24 metres below, a raw, powerful spot on days when the swell is up.
5. Busselton Jetty
The longest timber jetty in the southern hemisphere, roughly 1.8 km long, is a highlight for any visitor to this part of Western Australia, especially if you want to catch a glimpse of the local dolphins.
6. Lucky Bay
Lucky Bay, in Cape Le Grand National Park near Esperance, is a fantastic place for swimming or sunbathing on its famously white quartz sand. It is also a great spot for watching sunsets, and you may well share the beach with a kangaroo or two soaking up the morning sun.
7. Wine Regions
There are many different grape-growing areas in the South West of WA, all with different climates and soil types.
- In the Geographe region, you can enjoy great views from the vines as well as fine dining in some of the best restaurants in Australia.
- The Southern Forests area includes Mount Barker, Bridgetown and Manjimup. Here you will find excellent Chardonnay and Pinot Noir wines.
- Margaret River is a well-known destination for discerning wine lovers. The vineyards sit on the plains along creeks and rivers, with almost all of them offering cellar-door sales.
- The Blackwood Valley has been home to some of Australia's finest cool-climate Chardonnay and Pinot Noir wines.
8. Leeuwin Naturaliste Ridge
The Leeuwin Naturaliste Ridge runs between Cape Naturaliste and Cape Leeuwin and is one of the best parts of Australia for artisan food producers. It is also where you will find some spectacular wineries, including Cape Mentelle at Margaret River.
9. Torndirrup National Park
Torndirrup National Park is home to The Gap, the Blowholes and the Natural Bridge. It was officially declared in 1973 after the area was recognised for its natural beauty.
Its name comes from the Noongar word for the district, and the park is a nature lover's paradise and an ideal place for whale watching. You can also see how earthquakes and ancient geology have shaped the landscape over millions of years, and the trails there are great fun. For more of the region's protected country, see our guide to the national parks of the Great Southern region.
10. Ngilgi Cave
Ngilgi Cave, an amazing limestone cave near Yallingup in the Margaret River region, has been part of Noongar country for thousands of years. You can explore the cave on a guided tour and take in its shawls, stalactites and stalagmites deep underground.
11. Broome
Broome is one of Western Australia's most iconic destinations, boasting fine dining, boutique crafts, pearls and stunning views over Roebuck Bay. It has an incredible mix of cultures and a laid-back lifestyle, and it is also a place to catch a glimpse of fascinating wildlife.
If you time it right, you might spot turtles laying their eggs on Cable Beach or whales swimming in Roebuck Bay between May and September. Broome is also famous for its spectacular annual events, including the Broome Cup in May.
12. South West Wildflowers
Wildflowers can be found in abundance in South West Western Australia. The focus tends to be on Stirling Range National Park, but you will also find incredible displays around Mount Barker and Albany.
Over 8,000 species of wildflowers bloom across the region, and 80% of them cannot be found anywhere else in the world. Add this to your list and witness the dazzling displays during spring, which runs from around August to November. Closer to Kojonup, our guide to the must-see wildflowers of the district covers where and when to find them.
Your dream stay awaits
Top off your South West Western Australia adventure by staying at Cornwall House Accommodation. On Albany Highway in the heart of Kojonup, Cornwall House is a fantastic option for families, groups of friends and sporting teams touring the south west. See our accommodation page for room details and what is included, then book your stay.
Check availability and book Call us (08) 9831 0214
Frequently asked questions
Where is the pink Lake Hillier?
On Middle Island off the coast of Esperance in Western Australia. Its pink colour comes from pigmented bacteria in the salt crusts, and the water is salty enough to float in.
How long is Busselton Jetty?
Roughly 1.8 kilometres, the longest timber jetty in the southern hemisphere, with local dolphins often spotted from the boardwalk.
When is wildflower season in South West WA?
Spring, from around August to November, when over 8,000 species bloom across the region, most of them found nowhere else on earth.
Where can I base a South West WA trip?
Kojonup, on the Albany Highway about three hours south of Perth, is a natural overnight stop for families, groups and touring travellers heading through the south west.
