Iconic WA Road Trips: Indulge on the South West Edge

Indulging along ‘The Edge’ won’t just sate the gourmands’ appetites; it will satisfy adventurers and nature buffs too.

The 2000-kilometre South West Edge loop passes through forests and picturesque agricultural landscapes, with thrilling mountain bike runs through the thick forest out of Bunbury, peaceful hiking trails along the rugged coastline, and roaring natural blowholes to explore. Still, it’s the local produce you’re really going to want to sink your teeth into.

The skyscraping red tingle tree is endemic to the south-west corner of WA. (Image: Tourism WA)

In Fremantle, bounce from cafe to cafe along the ‘Cappuccino Strip’, soaking up the portside city’s rich Italian culture. The rolling hills of Ferguson Valley in the heart of WA’s most diverse wine region, Geographe, bring a welcome change of pace. Take in the undulating farmland while sampling your way from Bastardo to Zinfandel before overnighting at a cosy farm stay nearby.

The 2000-kilometre foodie-themed loop allows you to bounce from cafe to cafe. (Image: Tourism WA)

From there, the world-renowned Margaret River Region is just an hour and 15 minutes away. It’s where the ocean meets the vines and luxury meets laid-back, offering a choose-your-own-adventure of five-star cellar doors and restaurants, beachside cafes, and everything in between.

Each season brings something different on the South West Edge road trip , but the route’s most prized delicacies appear in winter, like Manjimup’s pungent black Perigord truffle and Albany’s rock and Akoya oysters. Try truffle straight from the gate post-hunt; then, when you hit the bottom of the loop, pay the Albany Markets a visit for shucked-to-order oysters.

Each season brings something different on the South West Edge. (Image: Tourism WA, @saltywings)

Don’t Miss

High on Castle Rock, in the heart of the Porongurup National Park, is the Granite Skywalk. Climb to the top for 360-degree views over the park and to the peaks of the Stirling Range beyond; at 670 metres above sea level. It’s one of the best vantage points in the area. it’s a 1500-metre hike to the base, then a rock scramble and six-metre ladder climb to the peak.

Climb to the top for 360-degree views over the park beyond. (Image: Tourism WA)

First Nations

Sit among hundreds of stalactites and stalagmites of Ngilgi Cave as Josh ‘Koomal’ Whiteland, a cultural custodian of the Wadandi people and guide at Koomal Dreaming, fills the cave with the sounds of his didgeridoo. It’s the final stop on two of his popular bush walk and bush tucker tours. Before descending into the cave’s depths, Koomal will guide a bush walk through Wadandi boodja (Margaret River), where he’ll forage for and cook bush foods and share Dreamtime stories.

Josh ‘Koomal’ Whiteland shares local knowledge of the caves and bush tucker secrets from the region on his popular tours. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

The South West Edge Route Details

Distance:

2000 kilometres

Duration:

5-7 days

When to visit:

There’s no inopportune time to drive The South West Edge. The hundreds of bays and beaches are at their finest over summer – but the towering marri and karri forests come into their own over winter and into early spring, when the canopies are full and the undergrowth erupts in a colourful display of wildflowers. Spring is the best time for whale watching, while late summer to early autumn is best for wine connoisseurs.

Getting there:

The loop begins and ends in Perth.

Website:

thesouthwestedge.com.au