Great Southern - Margaret River, Western Australia, accommodation, tours and comprehensive tourist information

The waters are rich with marine life, including dolphins and seals. Whales can be seen playing lazily in the waters and many lookout platforms along the coast present outstanding views of these massive creatures.

Moving inland, visitors will fall upon rolling pastoral landscapes, mountain ranges, wineries and extensive array of flora and fauna. Winding rivers and streams cross this picturesque scenery of classic Australian farming country. The region’s rural heritage is characterised by a host of pioneering farming communities. The interior offers a feast of awesome views and delicately flavoured wines.

The countryside around Mount Barker, Frankland River and the Porongurup National Park is rapidly becoming one of Western Australia’s premier wine growing areas. The region also produces a range of sensational fresh food including olive oil, honey and berries as well as great seafood. It’s a nature lover’s paradise, particularly around the national parks and ranges. The countryside is decorated with wildflowers in season and is teeming with wildlife.

Denmark is a charming town, located on the banks of the beautiful Denmark River. With its rugged coastline and towering forests, Denmark offers its visitors unforgettable scenery, quality wineries and plenty of activities. The Valley of the Giants Tree Top Walk in the tingle forest near Denmark is a must, and for the less adventurous, the Ancient Empire provides an excellent constructed boardwalk at ground level.

The picturesque and serene beauty of Denmark is a draw card and inspiration for many artists who reside in the area. Browse through galleries of furniture, pottery, glass, sculptures, paintings and even jigsaws. Don’t miss the Bert Bolle Barometer at the Denmark Visitor Centre – officially recognised by the Guinness Book of Records as the largest in the world. The standard of fresh gourmet food and quality wine offered here is exceptional with the surrounding wineries producing superb semillon sauvignon blanc and bold shiraz.

Denmark’s highly acclaimed wines have distinct characteristics and most can be tasted at the cellar door. The natural sweeping vistas and remote landscapes around Denmark make it a favourite getaway for those seeking a romantic interlude or a chance to appreciate nature. There are many walk trails including the renowned Bibbulmun Track and spectacular Mount Lindesay Trail. William Bay National Park is home to the stunning Greens Pool. The transparent water of the pool is beautiful on a clear day and is the perfect backdrop for a picnic lunch. See the huge rock formations known as ‘Elephant Rocks’ that rest in the water here. Visit Ocean Beach, Wilson Head and Wilson Inlet, or take a leisurely drive on the Scotsdale Tourist Drive or the Mount Shadforth Scenic Drive for spectacular views.

The beautiful Princess Royal Harbour and King George Sound border the City of Albany, renowned for its history, whales and dramatic coastline. With breathtaking island and ocean views from Mount Clarence and Mount Melville, visitors can also spot dolphins and seals frolicking in the waters and whales on their annual migration. Albany’s attractions are diverse enough to cater for everyone. Indulge in local wines and produce in gourmet restaurants or from the farm gate. Explore local galleries, absorb the city’s unique history or take a tranquil bushwalk in one of the national parks. With stretches of beautiful landscape and alluring white sandy beaches it’s easy to find your own piece of paradise. This port city was Western Australia’s first European settlement, the perfect base to explore the Great Southern.

Every Saturday morning, Collie Street in the heart of Albany is transformed into a bustling marketplace. Local producers sell fresh fruit and vegetables together with organic meats, ostrich, venison, yoghurt, cheeses, olive oils and flowers. Musical entertainment adds to the lively atmosphere.

The scenic drive to Middleton Beach, offers panoramic views over King George Sound with vistas of Michaelmas and Breaksea Islands. Middleton Beach and Ellen Cove are popular swimming areas with picnic, barbecue and playground facilities. Relax under the Norfolk pine trees or in one of the cafés, soaking in the village atmosphere.

The Ellen Cove Boardwalk meanders around the coast to the port and is the perfect viewing location for whales between June and October. A short distance away, golfers can enjoy the links course with its superb views of the ocean.

The calm, shallow waters of Emu Point are ideal for children and popular for fishing. River cruises and fishing charters depart the Emu Point Marina. As the name suggests, Oyster Harbour is used for oyster and mussel farming and is home to the Albany Rock Oyster. Both areas are great for boat-owners, sailboarders and swimmers.

Fishing, swimming, water skiing and canoeing are popular activities on the tranquil waters. The Luke Penn Walk, along the banks of the Kalgan River, is a great way to observe the unique flora and fauna of the river system.

Here you will find some of Albany’s most famous attractions. Natural Bridge is a rock formation sculptured into a bridge shape by the treacherous seas of the Southern Ocean. Nearby is The Gap, a 24 metre drop where the ocean rushes into a large cavern in the rocks. Wildflowers form a colourful blanket along the cliffs and seals can often be seen playing in the waters below. Whale watching is popular from the many vantage points or can be enjoyed on a cruise from Albany. Stoney Hill Lookout offers stunning views of the Southern Ocean and the town.

King George Sound is home to the dive wreck, the former HMAS Perth. Scuttled in 2001, it provides a prolific wonderland for divers and snorkellers to explore different species of fish and marine life.

Well-known for its small colony of noisy scrub birds visitors can explore the interpretive centre or take a leisurely stroll along the squeaky white sands of the beautiful Little Beach or Waterfall Beach.

Albany hosts numerous festivals, exhibitions and fairs throughout the year including the Perth International Arts Festival. Fine wine, music, wineries, cafés and art galleries complete the areas cultural offerings. The historic Vancouver Arts Centre, designed in the 1880s by well-known architect George T. Poole as a hospital is today used for artistic workshops and a variety of public exhibitions.

Albany’s past has been carefully restored and preserved and is now on display to educate, amaze and entertain visitors of all ages. The old whaling station, Whale World is now a fascinating museum and is well worth a visit. Climb aboard the Cheynes IV whaling vessel or visit the Giants of the Sea exhibit. It is not uncommon to see whales breaching and playing close to the station, where they once were harvested. The impressive ship on the Albany foreshore is a full-scale replica of the Brig Amity, which brought the first settlers and convicts to Albany in 1826.

Climb aboard and go below the decks to follow the story of the Amity’s journey from Sydney to King George Sound. Albany’s Convict Gaol, built by convicts in 1832 as their own prison, is today an interesting museum. Views from the Desert Mounted Corps War Memorial on Mount Clarence are magnificent and provide a reminder of Albany’s link to the Anzac legend.

Home to Western Australia’s highest peak (Bluff Knoll) standing 1, 095 metres above sea level, the park is one of the top ten biodiversity hot spots in the world. This towering landmark is contrasted by the beauty of 1500 species of wildflowers that flourish during spring. Amazingly the Stirling Range stretches for 65 kilometres from east to west. Experienced rock climbers and abseilers can take advantage of magnificent climbs (permit required) and there are also enjoyable walking trails to suit all abilities. The range is one of few places in Western Australia where snow occasionally falls on its highest peak.

Cranbrook is the ideal location for exploring the National Heritage listed Stirling RangeNational Park. Whilst in town, visit the Cranbrook museum or Sukey Hill lookout for spectacular views of salt lakes, mountains and farmland. The stunning Frankland River Region boasts the production of olive oil, organic produce, raspberries and some of the finest wines in Australia. Sample some of the area’s award winning wines at cellar doors. Lakes in the area offer visitors a chance to swim and water ski or have lunch at the picnic areas.

Just 40 kilometres north of Albany, encompass the beautiful Porongurup National Park. Over 1,100 million years old, the ranges are 12 kilometres long and 670 metres high and formed from granite. Unusual rock formations characterise the area. Numerous bushwalking tracks cater to different skill levels. Bolganup Heritage Trail is an easy 600 metre stroll and Marmabup Rock Trail is a three hour walk. The park also attracts rock climbers and bird watchers and is considered a mecca for botanists, wildflower enthusiasts and photographers. Surrounding the national park are boutique wineries and accommodation offering breathtaking viewsover the ranges.

Visit award winning wineries, enjoy seasonal produce and discover specialist display gardens, craft galleries and scenic drives. Mount Barker Hill provides panoramic views across the ranges and back to Albany. The Old Police Station and Gaol, now a museum makes an interesting visit as does Saint Werburghs Chapel which still conducts services by candlelight.

Spectacular beaches and a variety of activities including swimming, surfing, sandboarding, snorkelling, diving, and four wheel driving will keep visitors occupied in this popular fishing holiday town. Whales rest in the calm waters from July to November with dolphins frequently spotted.

Recognised as an international biosphere reserve, this park has more than 1800 beautiful and bizarre species of flowering plants as well as myriads of lichens, mosses and fungi. Explore the wilderness or journey to Point Ann where southern right whales arrive each year from July to November to calve. This whale nursery is 65 kilometres east of Bremer Bay and it’s not unusual to see up to 40 whales at a time.

The “Farmstay Capital of Western Australia”,this rural town offers visitors the opportunityto spend time partaking in farm activitiessuch as feeding animals, collecting eggsand catching yabbies. Experience Kojonup’shistory by visiting the Kodja Place InterpretiveCentre which showcases local indigenous heritage and culture and tells stories of European settlers. The town is home to one of the oldest surviving military buildings in Western Australia, the Military Barracks, which now houses a museum. Outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy the many walk trails, including the trails at Myrtle Benn Sanctuary.

First settled in the 1850s, the busy regional centre grew with the arrival of the Great Southern Railway in 1889. Many original buildings line the main street reflecting the proud heritage of the town. Katanning boasts the largest country based sheep selling complex in Western Australia. The selling takes place on a Wednesday morning from 8.00am and there is a viewing platform for visitors to watch the sheep being sold. Avid bird watchers should head to the Police Pools in Twonkwillingup Nature Reserve. Seventy six bird species have been recorded in this 46 hectare reserve which forms part of the Dumbleyung Lake Catchment, the source of the Blackwood River. Katanning’s All Ages Playground with a unique variety of giant equipment will put a smile on any child’s face. Next door visitors can find the Miniature Railway Station and the Skate BMX Track, located on Southern Highway and Clive Street.