10 Day South West Edge

Arrive in Perth and head to Discovery Parks Perth Airport for a comfortable stay. After checking in, take some time to relax and freshen up. If time permits, explore the immediate surroundings, perhaps with a short walk or a visit to nearby amenities. In the evening, enjoy dinner at a local restaurant or order in to unwind from your journey.

Wake up early and head to the campervan rental location to pick up your campervan for the upcoming adventure. On the road you will head 2 hours south on the Kwinana Freeway and Forrest Highway, and once you’re there you will have time to explore the interactive Bunbury Dolphin Discovery Centre. You mighteven consider opting to join one of dolphin experiences (additional cost)

Take a dolphin swim tour. Hop on a dolphin eco cruise. Or wait for the dolphins come to you at the interaction zone on the beach – if they’re not at the shoreline when you arrive, pop into the centre to learn all about the dolphins and local marine life. Consider Lunch at a Bunbury cafe, restaurant or brewery. Or head out to Bunbury’s very own Garden of Eden – the Ferguson Valley – and enjoy views of the vineyards as you dine. Any adventure seekers will find plenty of great challenges and thrills in an afternoon exploring the forested valleys of Collie and Wellington National Park.

Take the 50-minute drive to Busselton (Undalup) for breakfast overlooking Geographe Bay and the longest timber jetty in the southern hemisphere – Busselton Jetty. Walk the 1.8-kilometre jetty or ride the train, and take a tour of Australia’s greatest artificial reef. The Underwater Observatory is your window to the colourful sponges, corals and marine life, but you can opt to snorkel or dive the jetty for a closer encounter.

From here, it’s another 25-minute drive to reach Dunsborough and Yallingup for lunch. Discover the natural wonders, history and legends of Ngilgi Cave, and experience one of the oldest surviving cultures on Earth by joining an Aboriginal culture tour of the cave.

Take a drive out to Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse to catch an Indian Ocean sunset, stopping to stroll on the pristine beaches of Bunker Bay and Meelup Beach along the way. Between May and November, migrating humpback and southern right whales can be spotted from this vantage point. Whale watching tours operate from Augusta and Dunsborough.

Head inland to the old timber town of Nannup – famous for its colour-filled gardens, spring wildflowers and country crafts – and on to the premium cool-climate wine region of Pemberton, the ideal place to stop for lunch or dinner.

Explore the region’s dense forests and waterways on foot or bike – the epic Bibbulmun Track and Munda Biddi Trail meander through nearby Beedelup and Warren National Parks. Take a trip on the Pemberton Tramway, through deep forests, and learn about the history of the timber railways and their significance to the region.

Continue on the Vasse and South Western Highway to Walpole, where you can walk through the canopy of 400-year-old tingle trees on the Valley of the Giants Tree Top Walk. The 40-metre-high treetop walkway – the first of its kind – takes you on a gentle climb, revealing breathtaking views of the surrounding forest.

In the afternoon, take the 40-minute scenic drive east from Walpole towards Denmark, stopping off at William Bay National Park, where the towering forest meets the Southern Ocean. Head to the sheltered bay of Greens Pool to swim or snorkel, or explore the national park’s rugged coastline on foot with a scenic walk to see the curious bathing giants at Elephant Rocks.

Stop off at cellar doors and gourmet produce stores on the 20-minute drive to Denmark, or take an extended tour of the rolling hills above the town on Mount Shadforth Scenic Drive to discover more artisanal treats, local arts and panoramic views. Work up an appetite before dining at one of Denmark’s restaurants by taking a mini walking adventure on a stretch of the Bibbulmum Track, or cycle part of the Munda Biddi Bike Trail.

From Denmark, a 55-minute drive east through Albany (Kinjarling) will bring you to Discovery Bay and the state-of-the-art National Anzac Centre, where you can step into the boots of one of the 40,000 Anzacs who fought in the First World War.

As you enter the centre, you’ll assume the identity of an Anzac and follow their personal journey from recruitment and training to conflict on the frontline in Gallipoli, the Middle East or the Western Front. Alternatively, visit the historic Whaling Station, a unique museum showcasing the region’s natural diversity and whaling history in a formerly fully-operational whaling station.

One of Western Australia’s most dramatic coastlines – Torndirrup National Park – is just a 10-minute drive from Discovery Bay, on the other side of the peninsular. Gaze in awe at The Gap, Natural Bridge and The Blowholes, and if you stand atop these tall cliffs between July and October, you may spot migrating whales too. Head back to the heritage buildings of Albany and choose from an array of restaurants, taverns and accommodation options.

A weekend visit to Albany (Kinjarling) gives you the option of breakfasting at the iconic Farmers’ Markets for a taste of the region’s fresh local flavours. But you’ll need to rise early to make the most of the day’s activities. Forty minutes north, rising above the karri tree forest, you’ll find the striking granite range of Porongurup National Park – 12 peaks sculpted by Mother Nature over the last 1,100 million years.

Take the two-hour return walk to Castle Rock and the Granite Skywalk to take in the rich birdlife, spring wildflowers (August to December) and panoramic views. Continue your journey along Chester Pass Road to Stirling Range National Park and walk the Bluff Knoll (Koi Kyeunu-ruff) trail ascending Western Australia’s second highest peak.

This is a great place to spot birds and spring wildflowers too – more than 100 species of birds and 1,500 varieties of plants thrive here. Between August and December, flowers bloom from the base to the peak, including the Queen of Sheba orchid, mountain bells, banksias, dryandras and many wildflowers that aren’t found anywhere else on Earth. Plan your day to allow at least three hours for the final leg to Hopetoun for your overnight stay.

Hopetoun is your gateway to Fitzgerald River National Park – recognised by UNESCO as an international biosphere reserve, with more than 1,800 species of flowering plants. Hit the park’s walking and driving trails to explore this unique wilderness, home to almost 20 per cent of Western Australia’s plant species, with many found nowhere else on the planet.

Time your visit for the July-October whale calving season for the chance to watch large numbers of southern right whales and their calves in the waters at Point Ann – one of just three locations in Australia where you can see this annual spectacle.

Make your way east to Esperance (Kepa Kurl) and join the Great Ocean Drive Tourist Loop for an afternoon exploring a string of striking white-sand beaches, from the snorkelling and swimming spots of Blue Haven Beach and Twilight Cove, to the top surf at West Beach, Fourth Beach or Observatory Beach.

Arriving in Esperance, explore the 100-plus islands of the Recherche Archipelago on a half-day wildlife cruise. Venture 30 minutes east to Cape Le Grand National Park (Mandoowernup) and the white sands of Lucky Bay – voted world’s best beach in 2023. Bring your fishing gear and cast a line from the beach, or take a stroll with the resident kangaroos.

Drive through the Wheatbelt towns of Ravensthorpe, Lake King and Hyden to reach one of Australia’s biggest breaks – Wave Rock (Katter Kich), a 15-metre-high cresting wave of solid granite shaped by the forces of nature over two billion years.

As you explore Wave Rock’s 160-hectare nature reserve, be sure to visit Mulka’s Cave where a local Aboriginal legend is retold through more than 450 ancient rock paintings. Visit in spring and you’ll also be treated to a kaleidoscope of natural colour – the landscape is transformed into a sea of wildflowers after good winter rains.

Take a detour on your journey east to photograph one of the quirkiest attractions in the Wheatbelt – the Tin Horse Highway of Kulin – before continuing to Corrigin’s Dog Cemetery, a touching tribute to man’s best friend. Take the Corrigin-Quairading Road north-west from Corrigin to the grand heritage town of York, which was established in 1831.

With much of its Victorian and Federation architecture lovingly restored, York is the ideal place to stop for lunch, afternoon tea or dinner – it’s a treasure trove of cafes, restaurants, galleries, museums and antique shops. From York, it’s a 1.50 hours drive on the Great Eastern Highway to reach Perth Airport where you will return your home on wheels and join your return flight home.