From Perth to The Southwest: An 8-Day Journey Through Western Australia

Western Australia does not announce itself with spectacle. Instead, it reveals its character gradually, through contrast and connection. Over eight days travelling there, I watched a modern, easygoing city give way to farmland, coastline, forest, and ocean, each transition feeling intuitive rather than abrupt.

What stayed with me most was how seamlessly these environments flowed into one another. The journey never felt fragmented. Each place prepared me for the next, shaping a travel experience defined less by ticking off sights and more by a steady shift in pace, space, and perspective.

Here’s how my journey went!

Perth: A city that teaches you how to slow down

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Arriving in Perth, the first thing I noticed was how manageable it felt. Immigration was smooth, the transfer into the city was quick, and within a short time, I was settled into the hotel without feeling exhausted. Perth does not overwhelm you on arrival. Instead, it eases you in.

Walking around Elizabeth Quay and along the Swan River gave me an immediate sense of the city’s character. It is modern but not crowded, lively but not noisy. Families were out cycling, office workers were lingering over coffee, and the river reflected the skyline in a way that made the whole scene feel calm and composed.

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At Kings Park and Botanic Garden, the view over the city really puts things into perspective. Standing on the Tree Top Walkway and looking out over the skyline, I realised how much greenery surrounds Perth. It does not feel like a city fighting for space. It feels like a city that grew alongside nature.

Later, at Cottesloe Beach, watching the sun set over the Indian Ocean felt like the perfect introduction to Western Australia. There was something comforting about seeing locals gather casually on the grass, chatting while the sky turned shades of orange and pink. It felt authentic, not staged for visitors.

In the evening, I made time to explore Perth’s food scene by visiting Fremantle Markets. Inside the historic market building, stalls sold everything from fresh produce and artisan breads to street food and handmade goods. The atmosphere felt energetic but not chaotic, and it was easy to wander from one stall to the next.

I sampled fresh pastries, browsed locally made snacks, and watched vendors prepare hot food on the spot! It was the perfect way to end the day. 

Leaving the city behind: when the landscape starts to open up

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Leaving Perth the next morning, I could feel the transition unfolding. As the city faded behind us, the journey shifted from urban exploration to open-road travel. The suburbs thinned out, traffic eased, and the scenery stretched wider with every kilometre.

The transition felt deliberate. Roads were smooth and well-marked, allowing the landscape to take centre stage. Farmland rolled past, skies expanded, and the sense of space became something to savour rather than simply pass through.

Stopping at Bunbury Farmers Market added a grounding moment along the way. The market was vibrant with fresh produce, shelves of local goods, and the hum of everyday life. Picking up a cold-pressed juice and wandering through the aisles felt like a small but meaningful connection to the region’s agricultural heart.

From there, the road continued south, gradually drawing us closer to the coast and into the Southwest.

Busselton: Where the ocean slows everything down

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Arriving in Busselton, the presence of the ocean immediately shaped the atmosphere. The town felt relaxed, open, and welcoming, as though it existed in harmony with the sea rather than alongside it.

At Busselton Jetty, that connection deepened. Instead of simply walking along the jetty, descending into the Underwater Observatory felt unexpectedly immersive. Eight metres below the surface, marine life moved calmly around the pylons, with fish drifting past in surprising numbers. Knowing that hundreds of species have been recorded here gave the experience an added sense of wonder!

Emerging back above water, the contrast was striking. The ocean felt vast again, the sky wide and open. It was a quiet reminder that much of Western Australia’s beauty lies beneath the surface, revealed only if you take the time to look.

Margaret River: Where the journey turns inward

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As we continued towards Margaret River, the scenery shifted again. Forested areas and rolling land replaced coastal views, and the environment felt quieter and more grounded.

Breakfast at White Elephant Café was a simple pleasure. Good coffee, casual food, and coastal views made it easy to slow down and enjoy the morning.

What stood out about Margaret River was its mix of experiences. At Vasse Virgin, learning about olive oil-based skincare felt surprisingly engaging, especially seeing how products are made on-site. At Margaret River Chocolate Company, sampling handcrafted chocolates added a playful, indulgent element to the day.

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Yet it was the rawness of the landscape that left the strongest impression. At Hamelin Bay, stingrays glided through shallow waters near the shore, their presence calm and unassuming. Watching them move so effortlessly felt humbling, a reminder of how closely nature exists alongside daily life here.

That sense of awe intensified at Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse, standing at the meeting point of the Indian and Southern Oceans. The wind was stronger, the landscape more rugged, and the horizon endless. It felt like standing at the edge of the continent, where the outward journey reached its peak!

Returning north through waterways, wildlife, and heritage

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As the route curved back north, the journey shifted once again, this time towards waterways and heritage towns. In Mandurah, a canal and estuary cruise offered a softer, more leisurely experience. Gliding past waterfront homes, wetlands, and open inlets, the chance of spotting wild dolphins added an element of anticipation and quiet excitement!

Further along, Fremantle introduced a different layer of Western Australia’s story. Passing historic sites like the Round House and Fisherman Harbour, then moving through the lively Cappuccino Strip, revealed a town shaped by maritime history and creative energy. Meanwhile, a stop at Monument Hill provided a reflective pause before re-entering the city.

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The following day brought us to Swan Valley, Western Australia’s oldest wine region, known for its vineyards and local produce. While the valley is famous for wineries and gourmet stops, our highlight was a visit to Caversham Wildlife Park. Hand-feeding kangaroos and seeing koalas up close made Australia’s wildlife feel personal and accessible, while the interactive Farm Show added a fun, family-friendly touch to the experience.

Sampling chocolates at Whistler’s Chocolate Company and ending the day with shopping at Watertown offered a gentle re-entry into city life, bridging the rural and urban once more.

Coming back full circle in Perth

By the time the journey returned fully to Perth, the city felt different. Familiar, but deeper. Free time allowed space to revisit favourite spots, enjoy quiet meals, and reflect on everything that lay beyond the skyline.

Western Australia is defined by contrast, but what makes it memorable is how those contrasts are connected. City life flows naturally into farmland, farmland into coastline, and coastline into forest, all without disruption. It is a destination that rewards patience and presence, revealing its beauty not in a single moment, but through the journey itself.

Eight days passed quietly, yet the sense of space, balance, and calm lingered long after the journey ended.

Brought to you by ASA Holidays