Download the Great Southern Treasures Tour Guide Brochure
Some suggested road trips to help you explore the Great Southern Treasures.
Our full drive trail is just over 800km long and connects most of the towns you find on this site. Enjoy the whole trail, or come back time and again, and linger in the Great Southern. Along the trail you will be entertained and delighted by the changing landscape, friendly faces and unique experiences.
FULL LOOP MULTI DAY DRIVE TRAIL
Perth – Kojonup – Frankland – Cranbrook – Mount Barker – Porongurup National Park – Stirling Range National Park – Ongerup – Pingrup – Nyabing – Gnowangerup – Tambellup – Broomehill – Katanning – Woodanilling
Coming south from Perth along Albany Highway, enter Kojonup, and stop in first at Kodja Place and learn about the history of the region. Get a copy of the historic walk trail map, and enjoy the scenic hills and lovingly maintained historic sites. Hop aboard the Kojonup Tourist Railway and if you love nature, don’t miss the Myrtle Benn Flora and Fauna Sanctuary.
Heading south to Frankland River, you begin to enter wine and orchard country. Lush and welcoming, the winding roads have a surprise at every turn. Several lakes are popular for cooling off in summer and offer beautiful photo opportunities.
Then along to Cranbrook to enjoy the wildflower walk, Sukey Hill Lookout and Bob’s Lake Bird Hide. If your trip is short, don’t miss out on the Stirling Range National Park, one of the world’s top 10 biodiversity hotspots, great for walks, wildflowers and scenic vistas.
Continue on to Mount Barker and enjoy their museums and many sights, with a great selection of cafés to enjoy and plan your trip across to the Porongurup National Park, where you can’t miss the Granite Skywalk and Castle Rock lookout. Take your time and visit some of the many award-winning wineries in Mount Barker and Porongurup.
Head north through the Stirling Range National Park and check out the renowned and challenging climb at Bluff Knoll. The National Park is another of the world’s top 10 biodiversity hotspots and is great for walks, wildflowers and scenic vistas. Rest up and refresh in Borden at Pub Borden and then head north east to Ongerup to discover the amazing Yongergnow Australian Malleefowl Centre, which tells the story of the conservation of the endangered Malleefowl by this passionate farming community.
Pingrup and Nyabing really epitomize small town Western Australia, with their close-knit communities and unique heritage. Learn about the fascinating pink lakes, and unlock the heart of wheat-and-sheep country by looking throughthe historical sheds and working CBH bins. Why not pop into the Nyabing Community Hub to have a meal and a chat with a local or grab a coffee at The Store Café in Pingrup.
Gnowangerup is a community that treasures its past but embraces the opportunity for renewal and growth. You can utilise their Community Resource Centre, modern recreation centre and swimming pool and experience the beautiful Gnowangerup Aboriginal Museum and Keeping Place, which is not to be missed.
Tambellup has a number of delightful walks and the historical Toolbrunup School Site and is a short drive to Broomehill, which is the start of the historic Holland Track, a 600km journey to Coolgardie. See if you can spot Boot Rock on your way into town.
Just a few kilometres north of Broomehill is Katanning, one of the most multi-cultural rural communities in Western Australia, with approximately 40 different cultures represented. Stop in at the famous All Ages Playground and meander under the ‘Fly Your Flag’ display with 20 flag poles. In the heart of town there are a number of unique sightssuch as the Mosque and Kobeelya, the 1902 home of the influential Piesse family.
As you head home, don’t skip past the unique and welcoming Woodanilling. Take the time to explore the restoration of Richardson’s Store, completed by the community Men’s Shed.