The South West Edge

Get an early start from Fremantlee and head south, taking a scenic drive through Harvey and Dardanup with its picturesque rolling hills of farmland and orchards. Be sure to stop and see the colourful gnomes at Gnomesville in the Ferguson Valley.

In Bunbury, you can meet the friendly dolphins who frequent the shores in front of the Dolphin Discovery Centre. The wild, bottlenose dolphins come in close to shore daily (seasonal) to interact with humans. Eco-cruises and swim tours are also available. Out of Bunbury you can also visit Collie and Wellington National Park.

Famous for its premium wines and world-class surf, Margaret River is also home to plenty of restaurants, wineries, breweries and distilleries for foodies to enjoy. Visit cellar doors and meet the makers on guided tours with nature-meets gourmet experiences. Adventure-seekers can ride the waves, go rock climbing or abseiling, or take a kayak or canoe along the Margaret River. Savour the natural surroundings with plenty of underground caves and the stunning Boranup Forest and meet stingrays at Hamelin Bay.

There is plenty of overnight accommodation options in the region ranging from quaint B&B’s, private homes, luxury lodges and spa retreats set either in forest, vineyard or beach locations.

Travel to Walpole and be sure to visit the Valley of the Giants Tree Top Walk, a 40m high walkway through the forest’s canopy and home to old majestic tingle forests, found nowhere else in the world. If you prefer to be out on the water, enjoy a cruise through Nornalup National Park.

In Denmark make sure you travel to the southernmost point of Western Australia, Cape West Howe National Park. Take time to drive to other spectacular ocean side locations such as Greens Pool and Elephant Rocks in William Bay National Park with its sandy beaches and giant granite boulders.

Hikers are well catered for on the Bibbulmun Track which commences in Perth and passes through Pemberton via Walpole and Denmark before ending in Albany. At 1,000km it is WA’s longest walking trail but can be experienced in shorter sections as guided or self-guided itineraries. Or cycle a section of the world’s longest off-road cycling trail, the Munda Biddi Trail. In Denmark, enjoy a gourmet trail on the Scotsdale and Mt Shadforth tourist drives, stopping off and enjoying the many wineries and local produce on offer along the route.

Today will be one of the longest drives along this route so please make sure you set off early. Depart Albany via one of the oldest ranges in the Porongurup National Park and climb the Granite Sky Walk. Rising 670m, this suspended walkway gives an incredible view of the landscape allowing you to experience one of the most bio diverse places in the south west.

The Porongurup Range is an incredible area to discover the biodiversity of the region with 750 native plant species within a relatively small area of 2,600 hectares. Continue your journey along Chester Pass Road, and take in the Stirling Range National Park, home to Western Australia’s second highest peak, Bluff Knoll (1,095m) and renowned for its unusual cloud formations.

The Stirling Range is a hot spot for wildflower enthusiasts, bird watchers and hikers. In Ongerup, discover the conservation efforts for the shy native bush turkey at the Yongergnow Malleefowl Centre before heading to Ravensthorpe and the pretty coastal town of Hopetoun, located near one of the most biodiverse places in Western Australia, the Fitzgerald River National Park.

Set aside a full day to explore some of the attractions of Esperance like a cruise into the Recherche Archipelago to view Australian and New Zealand fur seals, sea eagles and other wildlife. Esperance is also famous for Lake Hillier, a pink lake on Middle Island off the coast of Cape Arid. Take a drive to Cape Le Grand National Park only 40 minutes on sealed roads from town. On the way see the unique Esperance Stonehenge, a full size replica of UK’s original or perhaps consider taking an escorted 4WD tour with Eco Discovery Tours along the beaches to Cape Le Grand National Park.

Lucky Bay boasts the whitest beach sand in Australia with kangaroos on the beach. Returning to Esperance call in to the Esperance Museum with its Skylab exhibit, pop in and see some local art and craft outlets and also wander the Museum Park Period Village and beautiful landscaped foreshore with its whale tail sculpture.

Drive from Hyden back to Perth perhaps making a slight detour along the Tin Horse Highway to Kulin before driving through Corrigin and historic York before entering Perth city.