Australia's South West: Plan Your Next Holiday Down South
Sugar loaf Rock by Jarrad Seng - Australia's South West

The South West of WA is more than just a destination...

It’s a hotspot for once-in-a-lifetime experiences, breathtaking scenery and quirky wildlife encounters.

You can easily enjoy natural beaches, beautiful vineyards, forests, caves and more, all in a single day in Australia’s South West. More than 23,000km make up the south west corner of Western Australia, with 1000 of those kilometres consisting of awe-inspiring coastline just waiting to be explored.

With 24 national parks, there’s plenty of nature and wildlife to see and meet, while rich soils and fertile land provide foodies with the best in fresh produce and gourmet experiences. So whether you’re looking to feast on the spoils of nature’s pantry, taste world-class drops, spot the biggest and smallest animals on earth or surf the perfect wave – discover it all on your next trip to Australia’s South West.

Fly direct from Melbourne to Busselton-Margaret River Airport

From 25 March 2020, you will be able to fly from Melbourne to Busselton with Jetstar Australia! 

This route links the laneways of Melbourne with the mouth-watering gourmet delights of Margaret River, so you can easily explore more of the South West.

Find flights now

Here's some itinerary inspiration from Melbourne to Margaret River

Plan your getaway with direct flights from Melbourne to Busselton via Jetstar.

From Melbourne to Margaret River: 4 Day Getaway

From Melbourne to Margaret River: 4 Day Getaway

A long weekend is the perfect length of time to explore all that the Margaret River region has to offer, while also taking time out to slow life down for a few days. Relax, re-coop and reconnect over

Learn more

7 Day Itinerary from Melbourne to Margaret River

7 Day Itinerary from Melbourne to Margaret River

Take your time to explore the stunning Margaret River region with this 7-day itinerary. This week is all about discovering: getting off the beaten track and finding out for yourself just what makes

Find out more

Get the 2020 Holiday Planner

For must-sees, must-dos, travel tips and local insights, check out our 2020 Holiday Planner.

This brochure features everything from events and foodie faves, to destination bucket lists and some of the region's most insta-worthy locations.

View and download planner

Discover Australia's South West

From exciting activities, to re-living those quintessential, beachside breaks and experiencing the great things our region has to offer.

Get inspired

Get inspired

Are you a social media fiend? Don't forget to tag @australias_southwest and #AustraliasSouthWest in your social media posts, and help us share this wonderful region of WA.

Explore @Australias_SouthWest

Margaret River & Southern WA Top Lonely Planet's Best in Asia Pacific 2019!

Lonely Planet names Margaret River & Southern WA as Best in Asia Pacific:

"Take one look at Meelup Beach and you’ll wonder where it’s been all your life: the West Australian bush parts to reveal ocean the hue of a Bombay Sapphire bottle, which is typical of the coastline stretching from Margaret River to the state’s south. Beyond the sand, some of the country’s slickest wineries, breweries and restaurants lie between tracts of tall-tree forest and kangaroo-dotted farmland."

Find out more here

Great South West Edge

We’ve found the most beautiful corner of Australia – and arguably the world. Don’t believe us? Here are ten reasons why…

Find out more here

Want to know more about the Great South West Edge?

5 Secret Swimming Spots on the Great South West Edge

5 Secret Swimming Spots on the Great South West Edge

Whether you’re after a quick dip or a day-long laze, these locally loved chill-out zones, located at various points along the Great South West Edge, tick all the right boxes: calm, clear waters,

Read more

Have you explored the Great Southern region of Australia's South West yet?

Find out more about this diverse region below:

Explore the north of the Great Southern

Explore the north of the Great Southern

Planning to explore the Great Southern? We're here to make your trip all the more exciting! Make sure you visit the northern parts of the Great Southern region, which features towns such as Cranbrook

Learn more

PUBLIC Silo Trail

PUBLIC Silo Trail

FORM’s PUBLIC Silo Trail is putting regional Western Australia up in lights, bringing world class murals to grain silos, transformer boxes and iconic infrastructure in unexpected towns, including

Learn more

Plan Your Event

Are you searching for the most insta-worthy wedding location, a unique conference space or a quirky events venue? Look no further than the South West to host your next occasion.

Learn more

Insta-worthy weddings

If you're looking for the most unforgettable wedding photo locations, look no further. We've put a selection together, just for you.

Discover picture-perfect

Social media fiend? Check out Australia's South West on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, Pinterest and Spotify today.  Scan the below code with your smartphone by tapping the camera in the Spotify search bar and get ready to listen to some epic road trip playlists as you cruise through the South West.

Are you looking for a magical & unforgettable way to bring in the Lunar New Year? ✨The team at @leeuwinestate have prepared something spectacular for the occasion - a nine course tasting menu! Welcome the year of the Metal Rat this Saturday, January 25 with friends and family by enjoying this special menu prepared by the @leeuwinestate culinary team, lead by Dan Gedge. The menu features sumptuous Western Australian produce - think delicacies such as Broome pearl meat, Blueridge Marron, steamed Western Australian line-caught fish, Shark Bay crab, Wagin duck and Donnybrook peaches - paired with their current and museum release Art Series wines, including the aged 2005 Art Series Chardonnay and 2007 Art Series Cabernet Sauvignon. 🍷 What are you waiting for? Join them for a night of celebration and incredible culinary delight! Book now on their website leeuwinestate.com.au or phone (08) 9759 0000. ​📷 @francesandrijichSurf's up! 🏄🏄‍♀️🏄‍♂️ With more than 100 surf breaks located along the coast of Australia's South West, anyone - from the novice, to the experienced surfer, can ride a wave. Ready to catch a break? There are king waves fit for World Surf League champions in @margaretriver, and gentle swells made for little groms, plus plenty of spots suitable for all surfers along here and @theamazingsouthcoast. Don't know how to surf? No worries. Take surfing and stand up paddle boarding lessons at one of the many surf schools across the region and get ready to ride that waveeee 🌊 ​📷 @_ballj_Ah, @theamazingsouthcoast at it again with an absolutely epic slice of coastline, complete with aquamarine waters, fine white sandy shores and a pretty dazzling view from above. It's amazing what you find when you go exploring off the beaten track in @westernaustralia's South West. We don't know about you, but we could look at this allll day 😍 ​📷 @putherupClimbing a tree is no easy feat, but it sure ticks something off your bucket list! The Dave Evans Bicentennial Tree near @pemberton_australia is the tallest of the Southern Forest's old fire lookout trees. At 75m-high and with the top viewing platform at 65m, it's a loooong way down. The fire lookout trees in the region were constructed during the 1930s and 1940s at the top of some very tall karri trees as a way of spotting fires among the tall karri forest. Today, you can experience the 360-degree views for yourself. All you need is a little bit of courage. What are you waiting for? ​📷 @youthful_advantage'Tis the season to... go killer whale watching! Every year from January until early April, the largest known pod of orcas (killer whales) in the Southern Hemisphere congregate in the Bremer Canyon. It's the only place in @australia where you can reliably see wild orcas on a full day tour - or as we like to call, an incredible charter-boat adventure experience! Is this something you'll be ticking off your bucket list this year? ​📷 @aeroture_ausVanlife travellers @fewdaysbetween explored in @visitbunburygeographe and found all that they were looking for with inland water paradises at Black Diamond Lake and nearby Honeymoon Pool. "We traded the coast for inland WA and we weren't disappointed!" With so much outdoor adventure to be had around Bunbury and @collierivervalley, it's the perfect destination for a getaway. (Ed note: check water quality online at collie.wa.gov.au) ​📷 @fewdaysbetweenIs there anything better than experiencing fresh seafood, mere hours after it was caught from the ocean? When it comes straight from nature's pantry, we swear you can actually taste the freshness! Who else loves a feed of fresh abalone from the waters of the South West? By the sounds of things, if you take a tip from @reefchiefaustralia and cook them in egg and breadcrumbs on the BBQ, you're in for a real treat 🤤 (Ed note: A licence is required to fish for abalone in the South West. Visit fish.wa.gov.au to obtain your licence - rules and open season dates apply). ​📷 @reefchiefaustralia ​It's still #summer out here in the South West! Who else needs another daily dose of the pristine oceans of Eagle Bay near Dunsborough? All those in favour of a dip in this @margaretriver sanctuary, say I! 🙋‍♀️ ​📷 @poppypleasantsWhere does the forest meet the sea? Walpole, of course! This stunning inlet town is perfect for those that love to explore our inland playgrounds, while also getting out on the water. The town of Walpole is surrounded by the Walpole-Nornalup National Park and the Walpole-Nornalup Inlet System, so you can experience the vast spreading views from Mt. Frankland, the mirrored reflections in the quiet rivers, the glory of the wildflowers, the majesty of the trees, as well as the beauty of the inlets and the rugged grandeur of coast and islands. Think boating, sailing, fishing, bush walking, scenic drives and climbing - everything for a perfect #roadtrip getaway! ​📷 @thomasbaertlcapturesIn the South West, we're pretty lucky that the sun sets over the ocean. Is it time you experienced a colourful, pinky sky and listened to the soothing sound of the crashing waves off the coast of @margaretriver? We think so! Watching the beauty of a day come to an end is the perfect way to relax and unwind. After all, isn't that what #summer is all about? ​📷 @craigjodrellIs 2020 the year you try something new? We've got just the thing!  Climb to new heights this NY with @forestadventures_sw. Here, you can try climbing, ziplining and all kinds of adventure, high above the ground in the Ludlow Tuart Forest. We can guarantee it'll be an exhilarating challenge, paired with stunning forest views. Are you game enough to give it a go? ​​📷 @forestadventures_swAre you yet to experience the starry night sky of Australia's South West? With little light pollution across the region, all you need is a cloudless night to see an impressive astronomy display. We can't think of a better way to spend a balmy summer evening than gazing up at millions of stars from somewhere like Hamelin Bay in the @margaretriver region. Who's with us!? ✨🌠 ​📷 @dylanzchenWe think we'll forever be mesmerised by the colour of the ocean on @theamazingsouthcoast. In particular, the peppermint-tinge of the waters near Denmark are certainly something special. Who are you taking for a paddle this summer? ​📷 @scottlawinskiHoneymoon Pool in Wellington National Park near @collierivervalley is a tranquil and picturesque spot for a bit of R&R. But don't just take it from us! Grab the family and head out for a day out in nature, exploring the many walking, hiking and mountain biking trails, or splashing in the cool waters - complete with a picnic on the banks of the Collie river. If you're finding it hard to leave, pitch a tent and stay a little longer to soak up all the beauty that this part of @visitbunburygeographe has to offer. ​📷 @whereweareheadedIs it time you went searching for a secluded rock pool? There's plenty of them dotted along the coast of the South West, offering tranquil waters that are as clear as glass. But shh - it wouldn't be magic without a little bit of mystery, now would it? 💫 ​(Ed note: If you're planning to go exploring for rock pools and along the coast, make sure you check the tide times on a website like willyweather.com.au, as coastal areas can be dangerous in the lead up to and during high tide. Remember, freak waves can come at any time and rocks are often slippery, so watch your step and take extra care when exploring coastal areas). 📷 ​@saltytravellersPlanning a trip to Australia's South West this year? It might be time you got your hands on our 2020 Holiday Planner! This stunning image of @busseltonjettyofficial by @ospreycreative features on the front cover of this years' planner, which is a comprehensive guide featuring the best things to see and do in the South West. It has everything: from insider tips, to itinerary inspiration, #Instaworthy locations, bucket list experiences and much more! View the brochure from the link in our bio, or grab a hard copy from one of the visitor centres or tourism businesses throughout the region and start planning your trip now. ​📷 @ospreycreativeSummer in the South West looks a lil' something like this... ​📷 @sarahbydenWhen there's stunning views like these in @pemberton_australia, it's easy to convince your friends and family to go on a scenic drive to the South West. This is a region that's renowned for #roadtrips, so grab your mates, pack the car, and set out exploring. In places like this, you can stretch your legs on the many bush walks and hiking trails, or hop on a mountain bike for more adventure. ​📷 @casscharlickThis is livin' the South West life - pulling up whenever there's an epic view to enjoy. Trust us, it happens a lot. The beauty of this region will have you wanting to stop at every chance you get. Just ask @willpwr23, who stopped here in Denmark before preparing his dinner. Are you ready for a #roadtrip that won't disappoint? ​​📷 @willpwr23It's January! And do you know what that means? It's time to encounter an astonishing aggregation of marine wildlife on an unforgettable #oceanic expedition. Each year from January to early April, you can join full day expeditions on a charter vessel in the Bremer Canyon to experience one of the least explored places on #earth, and the largest known pod of orcas (killer whales) in the Southern Hemisphere. This is also the only place in @australia you can reliably encounter #killerwhales, so get planning and hop on board! ​📷 @aeroture_aus on board @naturalistecharters