Wine tasting and whale watching, pristine beaches and ancient forests - just some of the highlights of Australia’s South West.

This lesser-visited region of Western Australia is where the Indian Ocean meets the Southern Ocean. From May to December, whales can often be seen offshore and stretches of coastline are so beautifully quiet that even the kangaroos can’t resist chilling out on the beach. Walk amongst the giant karri trees on a forested trail and learn about the fascinating culture of the local Noongar Aboriginal community.

Craft breweries and gin distilleries are popping up throughout the region and the beautiful Margaret River region has quickly gained international fame for its wine production with nearly 100 cellars in the area. Most visitors to Australia’s South West opt for a self-drive holiday from Perth, where you can explore at your own pace - stop at the local farmer’s market to try the seasonal produce, browse the local art galleries before tucking into freshly caught crayfish at a beachside seafood restaurant.

Read more

Margaret River Wine & Dine Full Day Wine Tour

The Margaret River area is Western Australia’s best known wine region and it is famed for its elegant premium white wines and distinctive premium red wines. On this full-day tour you will visit some outstanding wineries and enjoy some quality tastings. Admire the beautiful scenery and indulge in a delicious winery lunch with a range of choices from a contemporary menu featuring local produce and a complimentary glass of wine.

Read more

Get to know Australia's South West and those important practicalities when planning your perfect holiday.

Capital
TIME DIFFERENCE

GMT +8 hours; Western Australia does not observe daylight savings time so is 7 hours ahead of British Summer Time.

CURRENCY

Australian Dollar

FLYING TIME TO DESTINATION

Perth: 17 hours non-stop or 20 hours indirect

RELIGION

Majority Christian

LANGUAGE

Australia has no official language but the majority of people speak English as their first language. Approximately 250 indigenous Australia languages are spoken.

Where is Australia’s South West?
Tucked away on the southern corner of Western Australia, the South West is surrounded by the Indian and Southern Oceans. The international airport is at Perth, 3 hours from Margaret River and four and a half hours from Albany making it a popular area for self-driving.

Read more

Margaret River
The Margaret River region is where you realise how much people miss out on when they fly right past Western Australia. As far as wine regions go, Margaret River (also the name of a town and a river) may have a short history but it hasn’t wasted any time – just 50 years in and it currently produces a fifth of Australia’s premium wine. After you’ve done enough tasting-based research, make your way along the coast for pressed biscuit-hued beaches, surfer-friendly conditions and cliff-edge lookouts without the East Coast-sized crowds. Between May to December, whale-watching tours run all along the coastline from Perth, Dunsborough and Augusta to as far as Albany, the place where 41,000 Anzacs left for WWI.

Read more

Albany
Albany sits at the southern tip of Western Australia and is the region’s oldest European settlement. This port city has a wonderful coastline where you can spot humpback, southern right and blue whales between May and October. Get an introduction to the area's rich heritage with a walk along the Amity Trail and visit the Anzac Centre to learn about the last of the home soil Australian soldiers saw before they went to war.  

Read more

Busselton
On the other end of the South West, Busselton is another great spot for whale watching. Take a cruise to see humpback whales looking after their newly born calves from September to early December and take a stroll along the Australia’s longest wooden pier.

Read more

Pemberton & Valley of the Giants
Be awed by Australia’s nature as you walk among giant huge karri trees that can grow up to 90 metres high. Once used as fire lookouts, you can visit the most famous one, Gloucester Tree, in timber town Pemberton before tucking into home-grown produce and local wines in the town’s cafés and restaurants. To experience the karri trees close to the treetops, the Valley of the Giants sky walkway is just an hour and a half’s drive from Pemberton.

Read more

Esperance
Further east, highlights around Esperance include Cape Le Grand National Park – home to the whitest beach in Australia at Lucky Bay, where you can even spot kangaroos sunbathing on the beach.

Read more

Nov - Apr

January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December