The Upper South West of Western Australia includes the cities of Mandurah and Bunbury. The region is a rapidly developing tourism playground, with many activity and accommodation options.
Search here for more information about the South West region.
MANDURAH
Only one hour's driving time from Perth, Mandurah is the Metropolitan area's favourite holiday resort destination, all year round.
Life in Mandurah is centered on the calm protected waters of the magnificent Peel Inlet and Harvey Estuary - one of the largest inland waterways in Australia. The area also boasts kilometres of sandy Indian Ocean beaches and for these reasons, boating and fishing enthusiasts visit the city in droves to enjoy the enormous expanses of water and try their hand at boating, fishing, crabbing, prawning, wind-surfing, scuba diving, yachting and just about everything else that ends in "ing"!
Around the estuary foreshore, many large lawned picnic areas provide families with shelters, tables, barbecues, toilets and change rooms and there are a number of jettys and bridges to try your luck with a fishing line or crabbing net.
Mandurah's variety of accommodation offers an excellent base from which to explore the surrounding areas. The vast waterway and relaxed holiday lifestyle truly set the mood for a fabulous "get away from it all" holiday.
One of the best ways to explore the inlet and rivers is on one of the local cruise boats, though you can also experience the waerways and local canals in a hire boat (ranging from a fishing dinghy to a fully equipped houseboat.
BUNBURY
Just over two hours drive south of Perth is the State's second city, Bunbury. One hundred and fifty years ago, Lt Henry William St. Pierre Bunbury gave this city its name and since then it has been the centre from which explorers and tourists have travelled and discovered the South of Western Australia.
The port city of Bunbury is located on Australia’s south west coast and is the state's second largest city. 180km and a 2 hour drive via Mandurah, south of Perth, Bunbury is nested between the Collie and Preston Rivers, Koombana Bay, Leschenault Inlet and the Indian Ocean.
The city remains an important port, with exports of mineral sands and alumina being shipped from Bunbury. The WA Government property arm Landcorp is negotiating relocation of much of the existing port facilities that will enable the freeing up of existing port areas for recreation, tourism and housing.
Bunbury is part of the South West region of Western Australia, an area once inhabited by the Aboriginal Noongar people. Today many place names are derived from the Noongar language and the Noongar people have an arts and craft store located near Bunbury in the fruit growing town of Donnybrook.
Bunbury is the gateway to the more famous tourist and wine towns of Busselton, Margaret River, Dunsborough, Augusta and Yallingup that occupy places around the Naturaliste and Leeuwin Capes south of Bunbury. Indeed at Augusta, the Indian and Southern Oceans meet.
The Margaret River region is famous not only for it’s great surf but also for it’s world class wines. The area is widely known as one of the world’s premium, boutique wine growing regions. Almost all vineyards and wineries in the area are open to the public with sample tastings and cellar door purchasing available. One of the bigger Margaret River wineries, Leeuwin Estate, hosts one of Western Australia’s major cultural annual events, the Leeuwin Concert each year.
Bunbury is the regional capital with a large business and government services community both within its CBD area and various commercial centres scattered around the city. The CBD has a swathe of restaurants and cafés, making it a great place for a streetside meal or coffee.
More recently a new urban renewal project at the city’s northern edge has opened up a new and vibrant waterside area for the city which is home to upmarket restaurants and other eateries. Keith Palmer
Bunbury is more than just a jumping off point - it provides a holiday in itself ..... Wide golden beaches, 8 km of beaches along Ocean Drive alone, superb yachting harbour facilities, caves and inlets, great restaurants and accommodation, beach and sea fishing, quiet lagoons, picturesque picnic and barbecue areas close to the city - all make Bunbury a place to linger and enjoy.
Dolphin Fun
And very special - most mornings dolphins, freely and of their own accord visit Koombona Beach near the inlet mouth of the harbour. There is no promise they'll turn up on time - but this is one of the few places in the world where you can get a really close up view of these magnificent mammals behaving naturally. These dolphins turn up because they want to.
A Look Around the City and Beyond
There's lots to see - the harbour is one of the oldest and most picturesque in the State - you can drive along the long breakwater right up to Koombana Bay. Or you can take another form of transport - the miniature railway dodging in and out of the trees in Forrest Park. Or take a really good look out over the harbours and beaches from Marlston Hill Lookout or an inland view from Boulters Heights with its tinkling waterfall.
Then there's the Big Swamp Bird Park with a large walk-in aviary Kings Cottage is another attraction. This is a home built from sun-baked clay bricks made on the site in 1870 which has been furnished with items from the settler period. St. Marks Church Picton is possibly the second oldest church in the State and was first opened for worship in 1842 - its well worth a visit.
Bunbury is a natural centre from whihc to tour the South West - with its awesome karri forests, splendid coastline and rolling grasslands
The Backpackers Guide to WA says:-
All areas of the south-west enjoy a daily train and bus service to and from Perth with connecting bus services south of the “south west capital city”, Bunbury.
In Bunbury there are two specialist backpackers accommodation hostels, along with numerous hotels, motels, guest houses and caravan parks. There are also restaurants, cafes and food halls to cater for any taste or budget. All hotels offer counter meals for either lunch or dinner.
Bunbury is famous for its friendly dolphins which come into Koombana Bay just east of the Sailing Club and within easy walking distance of the City Centre. Unlike Monkey Mia, they do not come in to be fed but to merely frolic in the protected waters of the bay. Visitors are welcome to swim or snorkel among these beautiful creatures.
The city boasts a deep water port catering mainly for the export of mineral sands and woodchips from the nearby tall timber country.
There are many tours available from Bunbury that can be organised through the Tourist Bureau who can also advise on the many attractions to be seen in and around town. These include Marlston Hill Lookout, the Lighthouse built in 1870, the 150 million-year-old Basaltic Rock, the Twin Cathedrals and many others.
The Bunbury Recreation and Aquatic Centre is open seven days a week. It has an indoor heated pool, a sauna, solarium and a spa. Located at Hay Park, the centre also offers a gym, squash courts, massage centre, a kiosk and an outdoor picnic area.
For the surfer, Bunbury has magnificent beaches right at the city’s doorstep off Ocean Drive. For the backpacker with a car there are four excellent tours, each a comfortable full day trip that covers much of the south west.
Tour plans can be obtained from the Bunbury Tourist Bureau.
Capel
Stunning tall timber, rolling green pastures, wineries and the peace and quiet of a country town, Capel has what you are looking for…
Five minutes from Capel, Peppermint Grove Beach is perfect for anyone seeking a secluded getaway on the beach, where the white sand meets the crystal clear water of Geographe Bay. This peaceful seaside community is the perfect base for day trips around the South West or an intimate holiday destination. The town boasts several holiday chalets for rent and a holiday/caravan park.
Boyanup
On the ‘Harvest Highway’, Boyanup is a thriving and picturesque country town, whether you are interested in vintage trains and farm machinery, sampling local fresh produce at the Farmers Market (fourth Sunday of the month) or purchasing local arts and crafts, Boyanup has it all. Local accommodation includes resort style and B&B’s.
Pinjarra
The Hotham Valley Railway runs from Pinjarra and Dwellingup into the Darling Ranges and is very popular. If you are travelling on Public Transport the Transwa "Australind" train serviceoperates to Pinjarra.
The Hotham Valley Tourist Railway (WA) Inc. has its origins in a small group of enthusiasts who met together in 1974 with the object of preserving steam locomotives and the railway line from Pinjarra to Dwellingup.
or fifty years, Dwellingup was a busy centre for the thriving timber industry. However, after a disastrous fire in January 1961 most of the surrounding timber mills ceased operation.
By 1984 the once weekly use of the Dwellingup line became unsustainable and this freight service was finally withdrawn completely.
During the early 1970's some Pinjarra residents realised the line still had much to offer, so in 1974 they formed the Pinjarra Steam and Hills Railway Preservation Society, which later became the Hotham Valley Tourist Railway.
The line remains as an historic remnant of the pioneers early endeavours to open up the western third of the continent and the Railway continues to provide people of all ages with access to some of Western Australia's most picturesque places and a wealth of living history.
It's almost unfathomable in this modern age where 'time is money', and society seems more pre-occupied with the pursuit of the latter, that Hotham Valley Tourist Railway's operation and maintenance is handled almost entirely by a committed group of volunteers. They are always keen to welcome new members to the team.
With the cessation of steam locomotive operations in WA in 1971, many were stowed at Collie awaiting their fate.
The Mountain type 'W' class, which had worked the Dwellingup line, was found to be the most suitable and four were purchased.
After countless hours of restoration work on track, trains and depot buildings in Pinjarra, steam returned to the Hotham Valley Railway on September 12, 1976.
Harvey
Fresh waters and forests, lush pastures, rolling green hills, pristine beaches and abundant produce. These are the perennial features of the Harvey Shire District.
Our land is clean and green, abounding with nature's goodness. Our attitude is dynamic and friendly, a lifestyle we are happy to share. The Harvey District is a place to breathe deeply and relax, surrounded by the best that nature has to offer. Stroll in the shady jarrah forest or enjoy an afternoon scooping crabs.
Explore a timber town or watch a cow being milked. Visit the Harvey District and you will discover that we really are 'A Breath of Fresh Air'. Attractions in the Harvey Shire include more than nine wineries, Harvey River Bridge Estate, by the same company that produces the famous Harvey Fresh Orange Juice, Wordsworth Wines Vineyard & Cellar Sales, set in a magnificent building decorated with huge ornate wrought iron candelabras and antiques. Kotai Estate, Top Paddock, Moojelup Farm, Myalup Vines, Vineyard 28 & Woky Creek are our most recent cellar sales each offering their unique and distinct range of quality wines for your enjoyment.
The excitement is brewing at the ‘Old Coast Road Brewery’ open to the public in March 2008. Our Cheese Factory is becoming a popular tourist attraction. Stirling's Cottage is a delightful tearoom, a replica of 1880's homestead built by the first Governor of WA - Governor Stirling. May Gibbs, (creator of those adorable gumnut babies, Snugglepot and Cuddlepie) lived in the original cottage during her childhood, so we have dedicated the new replica to her memory.
Sit on the balcony overlooking the tranquil Harvey River, then take a stroll around the surrounding extensive Heritage Gardens. Explore the unique mosaics that are displayed throughout the Harvey District and the main street murals designed by a local artist. Visit the Agricultural College or White Rocks Museum and learn how cows are milked today, or for the more active we have two great adventure camps with everything from abseiling to horse and mountain bike riding. They can cater for all ages and levels of experience, no matter what hat you wear in life!
The new Harvey Dam is our major tourist attraction; the facilities available include an amphitheatre for concerts etc, boardwalks, playground, gazebos, picnic tables, free gas barbeques and toilets. There are several bush walks in the area and great bird watching at Benger Swamp, Leschenault Inlet and Lake Preston.
The Harvey Visitors Centre is open 7 days a week and is also home to the famous ‘Moo Shoppe’ which stocks the largest range of cow merchandise in the South West.
Location Address:
Cnr South West Highway & James Stirling Place
Postal Address:
PO Box 501, Harvey, Western Australia, 6220
Phone: +61 8 9729 1122
E-mail: info@harveytourism.com
Website: http://www.harveytourism.com
