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Home to towering forests, pristine coastlines and plenty of gourmet food and wine experiences, it’s not hard to see why thousands of West Australians head "down south" every year.
With so many towns, regions and attractions to explore, deciding where to visit in the South West can be an overwhelming experience if you haven’t done it before.
So here’s your ultimate road trip itinerary from Perth to Pemberton and Margaret River, with plenty of picturesque stops in between. All that’s left to do is hit the road.
Distance and days | Approx 830 kilometres. Four days, or six or seven if you want to linger. |
Why do it? | Serpentine Falls – Bibbulmun Track – Donnybrook orchards – Blackwood River – truffles in Manjimup - Diamond Tree - Margaret River wineries – Injidup Natural Spa – Busselton Jetty – Ferguson Valley – Yalgorup National Park |
When to go | Summer: Hot, dry weather is ideal for water skiing, SUP-ing, snorkelling or beach-hopping. Autumn: Idyllic temperatures to explore walking, hiking and mountain biking trails. Winter: Great white-water rafting and canoeing conditions on the Murray River, plus truffle season in Manjimup, and the best time to see Beedelup Falls near Pemberton. Spring: Great time to hike the Cape to Cape or Bibbulmun Track, plus it's wildflower season. |
Need to know | Most towns on the route have a visitor centre, general store, and petrol station; bigger towns such as Pemberton, Margaret River, Busselton and Bunbury have large supermarkets and a big variety of shops. Mobile reception and WiFi access are strong in most of these towns, but national parks can have weak phone signal. |
Vehicle access and safety | This road trip can be completed in a two-wheel drive, but there are a few four-wheel drive tracks for those wanting to go off road – namely, the Yeagarup Dunes near Pemberton, and the challenging Bob’s Track that runs from Karridale to Boranup Beach in Margaret River. Before setting off, read our long distance driving safety tips. |
Travelling via the South Western Highway, make your way to the heritage-listed town of Jarrahdale, where you can stretch your legs on one of the town's beautiful bushwalks. From there, head to Serpentine Falls and Serpentine Dam to enjoy a picnic lunch with a spectacular view of the falls and the surrounding forest. If you’re eager to explore further, head further into the Serpentine National Park, or stop in at the award-winning Millbrook Winery for a tasting.
Venture further south to Dwellingup, a charming town with plenty of nature reserves, kayaking spots and hiking tracks to explore. Dwellingup is one of 10 towns that the famous Bibbulmun Track passes through, so if you’re eager for a walk after lunch, complete a section of the trail before driving on to Collie.
Once you arrive in Collie, take your pick from the town’s various swimming holes, mountain biking trails, nature walks or local eateries before spending the night at a local campground, chalet or holiday park.
From Collie, head further south to Donnybrook, or as it’s more affectionately known, the "apple capital of WA". This quaint town is renowned for its fresh produce, so if you’re visiting during harvest season (from March to May), pop into a local orchard for a spot of fruit-picking.
On your way to Bridgetown, you can detour through the small town of Boyup Brook (if you have the time, browse homemade crafts at the visitor centre), before continuing continue on. Bridgetown, a quaint, heritage-listed town is located on the banks of the Blackwood River, and home to a gallery of jigsaw puzzles, plenty of scenic walking trails, quirky shops on the main street and fluffy highland cows. Stop in at the old-school Bridgetown Bakery for a bite to eat, then head back on the South Western Highway.
Your next stop is Manjimup, home to some of the oldest jarrah trees in the State. As part of the Southern Forests region, Manjimup is a beautiful town filled with pristine rivers and towering forests, that is also the largest producer of black Perigord truffles in the Southern Hemisphere. Truffles are the town’s most famous delicacy, so be sure to stop by Truffle Hill for a tasting, light lunch, or, during the season, a truffle hunt.
On your way to Pemberton, stop at the Diamond Tree, a 51-metre-tall karri tree that played an important part in the region’s bushfire safety plan. It’s a short drive from the tree to Pemberton, a town characterised by its statuesque trees, mountain bike trails dotted with wildflowers in springtime, and picturesque rivers, lakes, waterfalls and dams. Climb the freshly reopened Gloucester Tree for stunning views from its new 37-metre-high platform, discover hidden corners of the forest with Pemberton Discovery Tours, and relax afterwards at the new wood-fired floating sauna at Pemberton Pool.
After a night in Pemberton, head a little further south to the town of Northcliffe. Close to three of the Southern Forests’ national parks, this is a great base if you’re eager to experience the scenic views of Point D’Entrecasteaux, salmon fishing at Cathedral Rock or the walk trail that leads to the beautiful Lane Poole Falls.
Turn the car north again and head to the renowned wine region of Margaret River for a day of tastings (ensuring you’ve assigned a designated driver), cave tours, beach walks and scenic drives. The town is also home to plenty of walking trails, including the Ten Mile Brook Trail, the Margaret River Heritage Trail, and a section of the famous Cape to Cape track.
Make your way on to Yallingup - and if you arrive early enough, head for Yallingup Gugelhupf for a fresh loaf of woodfired bread. As the day draws to a close, head for one of Yallingup’s beautiful beaches to watch the sun set and then spend the night at one of the town’s various beachfront accommodation spots.
Start your day early and visit the Injidup Natural Spa, the Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse or Ngilgi Cave before heading north. Your next stop is Busselton, a family-friendly holiday spot with plenty of opportunities for bushwalking, cycling, swimming, birdwatching and snorkelling. Take a stroll down the Busselton Jetty to stretch your legs (or catch the train that runs the landmark's length) before heading back to the car.
Then drive north to Bunbury, stopping in at the Dolphin Discovery Centre, the tranquil Leschenault Inlet and the Bunbury Regional Art Gallery. For a scenic detour, you can head inland to the Ferguson Valley to explore local wineries, the quirky Gnomesville, King Jarrah Tree and the incredible homestyle bakery in Dardanup.
Make your way back to Forrest Highway and head for Perth, stopping at the Yalgorup National Park to view the incredible Lake Clifton thrombolites, and then enjoy an afternoon stroll in the seaside town of Mandurah. Dolphin Quay at the Mandurah Ocean Marina is a great spot for a bite to eat or a splash in the shallow swimming beach.
For the last stretch of your drive, take the coastal route via Fremantle before arriving back in Perth.
