Across the south west regions of Western Australia – Bunbury-Geographe, Margaret River, Southern Forests, and the Great Southern - adventure and discovery awaits.
Feature by Max Brearley
From wild dolphin encounters, to hitting world class trails on two wheels, swimming in sheltered ocean pools, and learning about the history of the regions First Peoples. A rich mix of nature, adventure, and heritage, there’s also some of the state’s best casual dining en route.
Dolphin Discovery Centre, Bunbury (Goomburrup)
Experience Bunbury’s famed wild bottlenose dolphin population at the Dolphin Discovery Centre on Koombana Bay. There’s a host of ways to learn, observe, and interact, from the modern interpretive centre to a shoreside interaction zone, designated as a special dolphin protection area. For the more intrepid (8+ years) there’s an opportunity to take a swim tour between November and April (departing Wednesday to Sunday, weather and skipper dependent).
Dolphin Discovery Centre Experience , Bunbury
Mountain biking, Collie River Valley
The Bunbury-Geographe region is carving out a reputation for its mountain biking, with more than 30 tracks and trails to ride. The Sika trail in Wellington National Park takes in Jarrah and Marri forests, offering both biking and walking trails. It also gives an opportunity to take in the stunning Wellington Dam mural painted by Guido Van Helten; thought to be the largest in the world.
Coasteering, Margaret River
Ocean guide Cam O’Beirne has spent almost three decades in and around the oceans of the Margaret River region; ideally placing him to lead small groups on rugged yet family-friendly coasteering experiences with Margaret River Adventure Co. For the uninitiated, coasteering, which O’Beirne has pioneered in Australia, involves pulling on a wetsuit, helmet, and lifejacket, and clambering up and over rocks, jumping into the ocean below. Thrilling, it’s a unique way to interact with the coastal environment.
Margaret River Adventure Co, Margaret River
Ngilgi Cave, Yallingup
Ancient Lands Experience, offers visitors a path through native bush to interactive installations, uncovering key aspects of the Wadandi custodianship of 60,000 years, and the geological story of the cave’s formation. Koomal Dreaming, led by cultural-custodian Josh Whiteland, run the Ngilgi Cave Cultural Tour, an interactive experience, taking in cultural skills such as the art of using fire sticks, and an awe-inspiring didgeridoo performance deep within the cave.
Ancient Lands Experience, Yallingup
Burger adventure, Busselton (Undalup) to Margaret River
While the Margaret River region has an international reputation for its wine and fine dining, it also has some of Western Australia’s best casual dining, and notably burgers. Busselton’s Burger Bones, and Margaret River’s Normal Van Main Street, were both named in the state’s top 100 places to eat in the 2024 WA Good Food Guide. A rich vein of quality burgers runs through the region’s breweries, such as newly opening Southcamp Brewhouse in Dunsborough (Quedjinup), and Beerfarm at Metricup with the added draw of their legendary Slip and Slide (which opens December – April).
Manjimup Heritage Park, Manjimup
Over 12 hectares the park offers walk trails, natural bushlands and free BBQ areas that are perfect for a day in the outdoors, as well as a wealth of museums that tell a multitude of stories; home to the State Timber Museum, the Manjimup Steam Museum, and Power Up Electricity Museum. An adventure playground complete with climbing nets, flying foxes and a 17-metre viewing platform and giant slide is one of the region’s biggest family draws.
Manjimup Heritage Park, Manjimup by Frances Andrijich
Greens Pool, Denmark (Koorabup)
Sheltered and enclosed by huge granite boulders, Greens Pool is a swimming spot that’s beloved by locals, with swimming groups taking to the water many mornings. Taking a dip at Greens Pool is one of the most memorable experiences on this rugged Southern Ocean coastline, as much for safer swimming as for the turquoise waters and white sands.
Greens Pool, Denmark
National Anzac Centre, Albany (Kinjarling)
A poignant experience which immerses visitors in the legendary Anzac story; Albany being the place where thousands departed Australian shores; the first convoy of Australian and New Zealand service people, horses and supplies leaving on 1st November 1914. Assigned the identity of actual service people visitors follow their wartime journey and learn of their ultimate fate. A walk to the top of Mount Clarence, and the ANZAC Desert Corp Memorial, offers both a moment of reflection and unparalleled views over Princess Royal Harbour and King George Sound.
Published January 2024.