Things to see in South West WA?

Hi there :)

If you only have a weekend, I wouldnt head so far south...the drive to Albany will take you most of a day (at least 8 hours on the road one way) and leave very little time for sightseeing.

I'd probably go no further than the Margaret River area...roughly a 3-4 hour drive from Perth.

Within the general region are the towns of Dunsborough, Yallingup, Augusta, and of course Busselton!

You have a multitude of excellent wineries, restaurants, cheese factories, berry farm, breweries, to name a few adult type treats.

On the naturalist side of things...there are Cape Leeuwin and Cape Naturaliste to explore.

There are the caves at Yallingup and Augusta and the wonderful scenic beaches around Yallingup and Dunsborough.

Busselton has a lengthy jetty several km's long which you can walk along PLUS a wonderful underwater marine viewing area located within a building on the jetty!

There are any number of farm stay type accomodation choices where you can freely mingle with animals and other wildlife.

And there's plenty of forrest down that way as well which should satisfy your hunger for all things horticultural.

Hope you enjoy your weekend!

Cheers :)

The direct trip from Perth to Albany is a bit over 400km, so it will take you about 5 hours each way. The bus to Albany only take 6 hours, with a half hour break and several other stops on the way. Depending on your energy levels, you could drive down on the Friday afternoon, and return on the Monday morning in time for your flight, leaving you the whole weekend at your leisure.

From Albany, you should try to get over to the Timbertop Walk, between Denmark and Walpole. Also try to spend some time in the karri forests around there. A visit to the Stirling Ranges might also be interesting, but I haven't spent any real time there myself. There is also a whaling museum near Albany that may be of interest. Talk to the Tourist Bureau in Albany and see what other suggestions they have.

Albany/Denmark is a 5hour drive from Perth but well worth the effort. At the present it is wild flower season which means heaps of birds around. Must see would be Porongorup and Stirlings National Parks and Denmark/Walpole area. Many species of birds, mammals etc.

Albany is a good ten hour drive, I wouldn't recommend it. I would say don't go further than Walpole - where the valley of the giants is really cool.

If you want a bit more relaxing time just go to Margaret River, tour the caves and do some bushwalking, there is plenty to see.

If you're a thrill seeker head a bit further south to Pemberton and climb the Gloucester tree. It's 80 metres high!