The South West’s vast landscape provides the perfect environment for outdoor adventure. It’s easy to go off the beaten track, with beautiful coastal scenery, ancient mountain ranges and towering old growth forests waiting to be discovered. Team that with a soft adventure experience such as caving; or a heart-stopping experience, like throwing yourself out of a plane, and you’ve got a prime destination for all adventure seekers.
Sea and surf
New to the region? With more than 1000km of coastline in Australia’s South West, adventure tends to start in and/or by the sea. South West beaches are among the best in the world, with endless grains of pristine white sand and crystal clear waters luring people to the shore.
If you’re searching for the perfect wave, you won’t be looking for long. There are more than 100 surf breaks located along the coast. Here’s our favourite South West surf spots to get you started.
Prefer an underwater South West adventure? The marine environment around the South West is a unique one. Both warm and cool currents mix together at Cape Leeuwin, where the Indian and Southern Oceans collide. This phenomenon creates an unusual assortment of marine species – an underwater paradise for divers and snorkelers. Diving sites in the South West are aplenty, and you’ll find heaps of snorkelling spots from Bunbury all the way to Bremer Bay.
Fishing
Try your hand at catching dhufish, nannygai, crayfish, abalone, marron (freshwater crayfish) and more, on your next fishing expedition in the South West. The region’s lengthy coastline and waterways offer plenty of spots for angling, including the Blackwood River and Big Brook Dam, which are stocked annually with rainbow trout. Before you cast your line, find out the best spots to catch fish in the South West, and don’t forget to learn about Western Australia’s fishing restrictions at fish.wa.gov.au .
Caravan and Camping
Caravan and camping are two of the best ways to experience the untouched wilderness of Australia’s South West. Adventurers can find secluded campsites in most national parks, and for a very small fee. Most national park campsites have limited facilities, so you’ll need to be well-prepared. Alternatively, most towns within the South West have caravan parks with ample facilities to ensure comfort (hot shower, anyone?). Embarking on a caravan or camping adventure? Here’s some helpful tips for caravan and camping in the South West.
Cycling and mountain biking
Did you know there’s an outstanding network of mountain biking and cycling trails in the South West? There are options for casual riders to serious mountain bikers, with paths that lead into the heart of the region’s wildflower country, native forests and coastline.
Four-wheel driving and off-road adventure
For those who truly love to adventure off the beaten track, the South West is a great destination to go off-road. Whether it be in a good four-wheel drive, trail or quad bike, there are plenty of epic locations to explore such as humongous sand dunes, beautiful beaches and inland forests. Check out some online maps to guide off road vehicles in Western Australia here.
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