South West of Western Australia
The densely populated Perth conurbation is surrounded by the South West region, which extends in the north to Jurien Bay and in the south to the southwest corner of the continent and round it to just east of Albany. Among the tourist attractions in the northern part of the region are the curious Pinnacles in Nambung National Park - limestone columns up to 4m high which rise out of the flat sandy desert near the sea - and New Norcia, a mission station founded by Spanish Benedictines in the mid 19th C, with fine buildings in Spanish colonial style.
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Must-see attractions nearby:
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To the south the coastal region beyond Mandurah (with Bunbury, Busselton, Margaret River and Augusta as the principal towns) and the hinterland, with the huge karri forests round Pemberton, offer great attractions to nature lovers, water sports enthusiasts and walkers.
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Yalgorup National Park
11,800ha.
Yalgorup National Park takes in a string of coastal lagoons and swamps between lines of dunes and limestone ridges which provide nesting places for countless numbers of water birds. It is a region of eucalyptus woodland with dense undergrowth; on some hill slopes there are expanses of coastal heath vegetation. There are short walking trails round some of the lagoons, and it is also possible to walk along the fire-breaks. On the coast are excellent beaches for a variety ofwater sports.
Yalgorup National Park takes in a string of coastal lagoons and swamps between lines of dunes and limestone ridges which provide nesting places for countless numbers of water birds. It is a region of eucalyptus woodland with dense undergrowth; on some hill slopes there are expanses of coastal heath vegetation. There are short walking trails round some of the lagoons, and it is also possible to walk along the fire-breaks. On the coast are excellent beaches for a variety ofwater sports.
Augusta, Australia
The fishing village of Augusta (pop. 460) is the most southwesterly point in Australia. Founded in 1830, it is the third oldest settlement in Western Australia.
There is an interesting Historical Museum (Blackwood Avenue).
In Turner Park are 150-year-old fig trees.
There is an interesting Historical Museum (Blackwood Avenue).
In Turner Park are 150-year-old fig trees.
Australind, Australia
Australind (pop. 3670) is a popular holiday resort (water sports, fishing) on the Leschenault Estuary. It was the scene of a large-scale but eventually unsuccessful settlement scheme in 1841, when land on the south side of the estuary was allotted to 500 British settlers, but the scheme failed because of the poor quality of the soil.
St Nicholas's Church in Paris Road is the smallest church in the country; it was originally built in 1840 as a worker's cottage. Opposite the church is Henton Cottage (c 1841).
St Nicholas's Church in Paris Road is the smallest church in the country; it was originally built in 1840 as a worker's cottage. Opposite the church is Henton Cottage (c 1841).
Margaret River, Australia
Margaret River (pop. 1280) lies a few kilometers from the coast on the river from which it takes its name. It was founded in 1921 by a commune.
Margaret River Visitor Centre
100 Bussell Highway
Margaret River, WA 6285
Australia
100 Bussell Highway
Margaret River, WA 6285
Australia
Mount Frankland National Park
30,800ha.
There is a spectacular view of this national park - the great forests (karri, jarrah and tingle tree, with a profusion of wild flowers in late spring) and the catchment area of the Frankland River - from Mount Frankland (422m).
An easy walking trail through karri forest runs round the foot of this granite hill, with steep paths leading up to the summit.
There is a spectacular view of this national park - the great forests (karri, jarrah and tingle tree, with a profusion of wild flowers in late spring) and the catchment area of the Frankland River - from Mount Frankland (422m).
An easy walking trail through karri forest runs round the foot of this granite hill, with steep paths leading up to the summit.
Department of Conservation and Land Management Warren District Walpole Office
South Western Highway
Walpole, WA 6398
Australia
South Western Highway
Walpole, WA 6398
Australia
Best time to visit: spring and summer.
Access via the Beardmore Road, a scenic (unmade) road, which branches off Highway 1 90km south of Manjimup and runs east by way of Fernhook Falls to Mount Frankland. Mount Frankland can also be reached from Walpole on the North Walpole Road; most of the road is asphalted but the last section is gravel, though in normal weather conditions negotiable by an ordinary car.
Northcliffe, Australia
Visitors can travel to Northcliffe (pop. 210) from Pemberton on the Timber Tramway, originally built to transport timber but now a tourist train running through magnificent scenery, with forests of majestic karri trees up to 1000 years old.
Northcliffe Visitor Information Centre
Wheatley Coast Road
Northcliffe, WA 6262
Australia
Wheatley Coast Road
Northcliffe, WA 6262
Australia
Scott National Park
3200ha.
Scott National Park lies on the east bank of the Blackwood River and on the Scott River, which flows into the Blackwood. Expanses of marsh and wetland; wooded slopes with jarrah, karri and marri trees and dense shrub undergrowth that blossoms in spring. In the wetlands there are many nesting places of water birds.
The park also offers good places for water sports and fishing.
Scott National Park lies on the east bank of the Blackwood River and on the Scott River, which flows into the Blackwood. Expanses of marsh and wetland; wooded slopes with jarrah, karri and marri trees and dense shrub undergrowth that blossoms in spring. In the wetlands there are many nesting places of water birds.
The park also offers good places for water sports and fishing.
