South West, Gascoyne & Desert Country, Esperance & Fitzgerald Coast, Kalgoorlie & Goldfields, Wheatbelt & Wave Rock, Bunbury Geographe & Collie, Great Southern, Margaret River Region, Southern Forests & Valleys
Multiple day
3000 km
Experience Western Australia’s extraordinary landscape, in one great road trip along the edge. This 11 day attraction itinerary gives visitors the option of covering the full route in an action packed 11 days with plenty of walk trails.
Drive one of Australia's most fascinating landscapes between Perth and Esperance. The unique region comprises many contrasting landscapes, from ancient mountain ranges and rugged granite headlands along the south coast, to the towering karri trees in the Southern Forests and a network of spectacular caves further to the west.
The regions best attractions are dotted in and around pretty country towns and vast national parks harbouring some of the world's most unique flora and fauna.
With so many walk trails along the route you might want to add on a couple of days to give yourself time to walk one or two of them!
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1 trail goers have rated The South West Edge as 3 out of 5!
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Chris Pye rated The South West Edge a 3 out of 5
Chris Pye
Reviewed 24 Oct 2019, 1:23pm
This is a fantastic trail - perhaps the most enjoyable trail in Australia in terms of the product to see and experience along the way. My favourite WA Trail and one that is not to be missed/
Trails are free and bring so many benefits to our community by providing opportunities to have fun, get fit, socialise, explore and challenge yourself. But they also have to be managed and maintained which only is made possible through terrific sponsors, donations and/or volunteering.
Pelusey Photography
Geographe Bay, Dunsborough
The bay was named in May 1801 by French explorer Nicolas Baudin; Baudin named the bay after his ship, Géographe. The bay is a wide curve of coastline extending from Cape Naturaliste past the towns of Dunsborough and Busselton, ending near the city of Bunbury. The bay is protected from the rough seas of the Indian Ocean by Cape Naturaliste
Injidup Beach, Yallingup
Great for surfing, snorkeling, sliding down massive sand dunes, swimming and diving, Injidup Beach is located a short drive from Yallingup.
Elephant Rocks, William Bay, Denmark
As it name suggests, Elephant Rocks looks exactly like a herd of elephants, paddling in the shallow waters.
These huge cracked oval boulders make a stunning sight as they gaze out upon the Great Southern Ocean.
Bunbury Dolphin Discovery Centre
During the mid 1960’s, Mrs Evelyn Smith, a local resident, began feeding the dolphins from a small jetty near her home on the Leschenault Inlet (directly south of the Discovery Centre). Unfortunately, she passed away in the early 70's ceasing any regular feeding of the dolphins she befriended. Some dolphins continued to be fed by the public from areas nearby. However it wasn't until 1989 that a dolphin specialist was hired by the newly established Bunbury Dolphin Trust to continue this tradition and begin feeding and studying the local dolphins of Koombana Bay.
Bunbury City
Bunbury is a coastal city in Western Australia, situated approximately 175 kilometres (109 mi) south of the state capital, Perth. It is the state's third-largest city, with a population just behind that of Mandurah.
Ngilgi Cave, Yallingup
Ngilgi Cave is located in the Geographe Bay and Margaret River Region just off Caves Road, a short distance north of Yallingup. Discovered in 1899, Ngilgi Cave (formerly known as Yallingup Cave) is home to stunning stalactite, stalagmite, helicitite and shawl formations.Explore at your own pace on the popular Semi-Guided Show Cave Tour or choose your own Ngilgi adventure!Visit an interpretive area detailing Ngilgi Cave's interesting history.
Frances Andrijich
Surfer's Point, Prevelly Park
Surfers Point Prevelly is the reason Margaret River has grown from a tiny outback town to a region filled with the spirit of adventure. If you are an experienced surfer, you will already know why you are stopping here. If you want to see surfing, this is the spot to watch the way Australians handle some of the best Indian Ocean waves.
Margaret River Distillery
Margaret River Distillery
Margaret River surf
Margaret River Surf
Hameln Bay near Augusta
Come and meet the famous sting rays at Hamelin Bay. These beautiful creatures love to come to the shoreline to say hello to visitors. A visit to stunning Hamelin Bay is a MUST DO on many a holiday schedule. A vast bay of bright white sand, turquoise waters filled with marine life and spectacular coastal cliff walks. Swimming, snorkeling, fishing, diving - you can do it all! Hamelin Bay is home to a caravan park, small shop and boat ramp.
Old rail bridge, Nannup
The old rail bridge is now part of a mountain bike trail
Blackwood River
The Blackwood River is a major river and catchment in the South West of Western Australia.
The river begins at the junction of Arthur River and Balgarup River near Quelarup and travels in a south westerly direction through the town of Bridgetown then through Nannup until it discharges into the Southern Ocean at Hardy Inlet near the town of Augusta.
Big Brook Dam, Pemberton
Built in 1986 to supplement the Pemberton town and Trout Hatchery water supplies, Big Brook Dam now provides a fantastic opportunity for recreational activities. The calm waters of the dam make it a great place for kids to swim. Visitors can picnic or have a barbecue near the ‘beach’ or canoe on the
dam while enjoying the scenery. There is a 3.5-kilometre sealed walk trail around the dam which is suitable for wheelchairs and prams. A longer walk trail links the dam with the Big Brook Arboretum. There is also great trout and marron fishing in season. Other popular activities include birdwatching and photography. Sheltered gas and wood barbecues are provided and dogs are permitted on a leash.
Frances Andrijich
Gravel Road Pemberton
Gravel Road Pemberton
Vineyards Pemberton
Vineyards Pemberton
Elements Margaret River
Green Pool, Denmark
Fifteen kilometers to the west of Denmark is the magical Greens Pool. Almost completely sheltered from the waves of the Great Southern Ocean by the rounded rock boulders typical to this area, Greens Pool is paradise. Walking into the water from the beach, you will notice the gradual slope, allowing children of all ages to experience the ocean in an safe and comfortable environment.
The expansively white beach stretches west, endlessly out of sight, far past the rock guardians of the rock pool across William Bay to Mazzoletti Beach. William Bay National Park is close to town and is easily accessible along sealed and unsealed roads perfectly suited to 2wd vehicles.
Frances Andrijich
Ocean Beach, Denmark
Ocean Beach is set between the Wilson Inlet and the Great Southern Ocean. Only a few kilometres outside Denmark along Ocean Beach Road, the look-out is well signposted with beach access shortly thereafter at the Surf Lifesaving Club.
Ocean Beach is a must-visit while in Denmark, take a deep breath of the beautiful fresh air coming off the ocean. From the look-out there are fantastic views of the beach surf as well as the calm darker waters of the Wilson Inlet
Denmark River
The Denmark River is located in the Great Southern region of Western Australia. The river rises near Pardelup and meanders in a southerly direction until it flows through Denmark into Wilson Inlet (along with the Hay River). The traditional owners of the area are the Noongar people, who know the river as Kwoorabup, meaning the place of the Western brush wallaby (place we return to).
Granite Skywalk, Castle Rock, Porongurup National Park
The Granite Skywalk is a suspended walkway that spirals around the huge granite outcrop of Castle Rock to the summit.
The Granite Skywalk has two lookouts, a lower and upper one. The upper lookout perches over the side of Castle Rock and requires scrambling over rocks and climbing a ladder. There are spectacular views of the park and across undulating farmland to Albany on the south coast, with views to Mt Gardner and Mt Manypeaks to the south-east. This remote engineering marvel provides safe access and simulates a rock climbing perspective when suspended on ropes.
The Elements Margaret River
The Gap, Torndirrup National Park, Albany
The surging power of the Southern Ocean is evident at The Gap, a spectacular channel in the 40m high coastal granites of Torndirrup National Park.
Lookouts at both the Gap and natural Bridge provide outstanding views of the Southern Ocean and the coast from Bald Head to West Cape Howe.
Visitors to the Gap can venture onto a new accessible viewing platform 40 metres directly above the surging seas in all but the worst weather conditions. From the gentle and mesmerising heaving of calm seas to the buffeting rush of wind and spray of winter storms the experience changes from day to day.
Hellfire Bay, Cape Le Grand National Park, Esperance
Hellfire Bay is one of the most beautiful bays in the park and a great spot to enjoy a picnic or a refreshing dip in calm conditions. The bay is thought to have been named after St Elmo's fire – a bluish flame-like electrical discharge that sometimes occurs above ship's masts.
Facilities include toilets, barbecues and a large picnic shelter with several tables.
East Mount Barren
East Mount Barren is a rugged quartzite peak perched on the edge of the Southern Ocean that offers magnificent views of Fitzgerald River National Park.
The view from the summit and for much of the trail is spectacular. On a clear day you can see most of the peaks of the Barrens Range stretching west along the coast and the Doubtful Islands some 65 km to the south-west near Bremer Bay.
Jarrad Seng
Fitzgerald National Park
Fitzgerald River National Park is one the largest and most botanically significant national parks in Australia. Within the park are found nearly 20 per cent of Western Australia’s flora species, many of which occur only within its boundaries.
The park features a tantalising variety of landscapes to explore from rolling plains, colourful breakaways, rugged peaks and headlands to stunning bays and inlets. During winter, southern right whales shelter close to shore with their newborn calves.
Jarrad Seng
Fitzgerald National Park
Fitzgerald River National Park is one the largest and most botanically significant national parks in Australia. Within the park are found nearly 20 per cent of Western Australia’s flora species, many of which occur only within its boundaries.
The park features a tantalising variety of landscapes to explore from rolling plains, colourful breakaways, rugged peaks and headlands to stunning bays and inlets. During winter, southern right whales shelter close to shore with their newborn calves.
Jarrad Seng
Night sky Fitzgerald National Park
Night Sky Fitzgerald National Park
Jarrad Seng
Fitzgerald National Park
Fitzgerald River National Park is one the largest and most botanically significant national parks in Australia. Within the park are found nearly 20 per cent of Western Australia’s flora species, many of which occur only within its boundaries.
The park features a tantalising variety of landscapes to explore from rolling plains, colourful breakaways, rugged peaks and headlands to stunning bays and inlets. During winter, southern right whales shelter close to shore with their newborn calves.
Jarrad Seng
Frenchman's Peak, Cape Le Grand National Park
Frenchman Peak was named by surveyor Alexander Forrest during an expedition in search of good country for pasture in 1870. The peak’s shape was thought to resemble the hats worn by French troops in the 1800s.
A large cave near the summit is thought to have formed by wave action and underwater currents during a period some 40 million years ago when sea levels were at least 300 metres above their current level and the peaks of Cape Le Grand were largely submerged.
The Aboriginal name for the peak is Mandooboornup and it is an important place in local Aboriginal culture.
Jarrad Seng
Great Ocean Drive, Esperance
This 40km circular drive along the coast line initially then back around in to the town centre is simply majestic and shows off the highlights of Esperance's coastline to a treat.
The first section is beach after beach and little bays with views of the island archipelago in the bay simply mind blowing. A camera is a must to catch the views on offer.
Jarrad Seng
Hellfire Bay, Cape Le Grand National Park
Hellfire Bay is one of the most beautiful bays in the park and a great spot to enjoy a picnic or a refreshing dip in calm conditions. The bay is thought to have been named after St Elmo's fire – a bluish flame-like electrical discharge that sometimes occurs above ship's masts.
Facilities include toilets, barbecues and a large picnic shelter with several tables.
Jarrad Seng
Lucky Bay, Cape Le Grand National Park
The white beach and turquoise waters of this wide, sheltered bay are a must-see and a great place to enjoy water-based activities.
Whilst exploring the south coast in 1802, Matthew Flinders sailed a dangerous route through the Recherche Archipelago. He named Lucky Bay when his vessel HMS Investigator took shelter here from a summer storm. While here, his botanist Robert Brown explored a diverse and largely unknown flora, discovering and naming many new species.
Jarrad Seng
Lucky Bay, Cape Le Grand National Park
The white beach and turquoise waters of this wide, sheltered bay are a must-see and a great place to enjoy water-based activities.
Whilst exploring the south coast in 1802, Matthew Flinders sailed a dangerous route through the Recherche Archipelago. He named Lucky Bay when his vessel HMS Investigator took shelter here from a summer storm. While here, his botanist Robert Brown explored a diverse and largely unknown flora, discovering and naming many new species.
Jarrod Seng
Lake Hillier, Esperance
Lake Hillier is located on Middle Island which is a protected island off Cape Arid national park, at least 120kms east of Esperance. It is famously coloured pink, which can be seen as a stunning bubblegum pink from the air and transparent pink from land. If you see the lake from above, the contrast between the pink of the lake and the blue of the ocean is very striking.
There is two ways you can visit Lake Hillier, the first is by boat. Esperance Island Cruises can take you there but you must book in advance to secure a date. You can also see the lake by plane - see Goldfields Air Services.
Jarrod Seng
Pink Lake, Esperence
Pink Lake, Esperence
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Full day
12.5km
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