Perth to Frankland River

Leave the city behind as the landscape opens into rolling farmland and wide skies, the pace softening as you head deeper into the Great Southern Treasures. 

Arrive in Woodanilling, a small town rich in character and history. Take your time exploring the Woodanilling Heritage Walk, opened in 2008. This self-guided walk features 13 interpretive panels positioned throughout the townsite, each sharing old black and white photographs and stories of Woodanilling’s people, places and pioneering past. It’s a quiet but meaningful way to connect with the town and its history. Heritage Walk guides are available from the Shire office. 

Continue on to Lake Ewlyamartup, just 17km east of Katanning along Langaweira Road, where you can settle in for the night beside the water. Holding water for much of the year, the lake is a peaceful haven for kayaking and birdwatching, with over 95 species recorded in the area. Simple facilities including picnic areas, BBQs, toilets and a boat ramp make it an easy and welcoming place to pause, unwind and soak in the quiet beauty of the landscape. 

Stay 

Camp under the stars at Lake Ewlyamartup. Important note: there are no bins here, so please take your rubbish with you. 

Highlights 

• Woodanilling Heritage Walk  
• Country road driving through open farmland 
• Sunset by the lake 

Start the day early, pack up camp and make your way to Twonkwillingup – Police Pools, just 4km out of Katanning along Police Pools Road. 

Set among tranquil bushland, this natural oasis is the perfect place for a gentle morning walk before settling in for breakfast at the picnic tables. A short walking trail weaves through peaceful surrounds, with sections of boardwalk and plenty of opportunities to spot local birdlife and wildlife along the way. 

Twonkwillingup has long been an important meeting place and water source for Noongar people, with a history that stretches back thousands of years. Later, between 1865 and 1870, the site was used as an outpost of the Kojonup Police Station, giving rise to the name “Police Pools”. 

With shaded picnic areas and easy access, it’s a quiet and meaningful place to pause before continuing your journey. 

From here, follow quiet country roads through farmland and historic railway towns towards Broomehill.  

Step into the region’s pioneering past and explore a section of the Holland Track, one of Western Australia’s most iconic inland routes. Beginning just off Latham Street, you can walk a short stretch of the original trail that once led prospectors to the goldfields. For those keen to go further, the full track spans over 600km to Coolgardie. It can be followed by 4WD along the original route, or via the Holland Way, which offers a more accessible journey along gravel roads suitable for 2WD or 4WD. (It’s recommended to check conditions with the Shire before setting off, particularly during wetter months. Brochures are available from the Shire office.) 

For something a little different, take on the West Broomehill Postie Run Geocache Trail. This self-guided experience leads you to 23 locations, tracing the path of a traditional postie run through the surrounding agricultural landscape – a fun and interactive way to explore the area and uncover its hidden corners. 

With history behind you, continue on towards Gnowangerup, where the pace slows and the landscape begins to open up. Settle in for the night at Mount Trio Bush Camp & Caravan Park or Stirling Range Retreat, both offering welcoming, nature-based stays surrounded by the beauty of the Stirling Range. 

Stay 

• Mount Trio Bush Camp & Caravan Park 
• Stirling Range Retreat 

Highlights 

• Twonkwillingup – Police Pools 
• West Broomehill Postie Run Geocache Trail 
• Holland Track 

Rise early and spend the day exploring the foothills of Koi Kyeunu-ruff / Stirling Range, Western Australia’s only mountain range. With a range of walks and hikes to choose from, it’s worth packing plenty of water, snacks and allowing time to take it all in. Options include Bluff Knoll, Mount Trio, Toolbrunup Peak, Talyuberlup, Mount Hassell and Mount Magog, each offering a different perspective of this ancient landscape. In spring and early summer, the ranges come to life with an abundance of wildflowers and bird life which can be seen from the mountain hiking trails, lookouts and picnic areas scattered throughout the park. If the hikes aren’t for you, opt for the 42km scenic drive on mostly unsealed, graded roads weaving through the heart of the park with stops along the way.   

If you’ve brought your bike, the Wild Gravel Trail is another way to experience the region at a slower pace. Winding through Gnowangerup and surrounding towns, the trail follows quiet gravel roads across farmland, past historic railway settlements and through wide-open country, all framed by views of the Stirling Range. Designed for gravel bikes and suitable for mountain bikes, it can be explored over several days or enjoyed in shorter sections, with food and accommodation available along the way. 

Highlights 

• Koi Kyeunu-ruff / Stirling Range 
• Wild Gravel Trail 
• Wildflowers (spring/early summer) 

Take time to pause at a lookout, especially early morning or late afternoon, when the light transforms the landscape. 

After a couple of days exploring Gnowangerup and the Stirling Range, continue on towards Cranbrook, another quiet pocket of the region where nature takes centre stage. 

Set against the striking backdrop of Western Australia’s only mountain range, Cranbrook is known as the gateway to the rugged beauty and biodiversity of Stirling Range National Park. It’s a peaceful and welcoming community, rich in birdlife and home to more than 1,500 plant species, including many rare and delicate orchids. 

Spend the day immersed in nature, starting early at Sukey Hill Lookout, just 5km east of town off Salt River Road. From here, take in sweeping views across salt lakes to the north and east, farmland to the west and the dramatic silhouette of the Stirling Range to the south. In season, the surrounding landscape comes alive with wildflowers. 

From there, make your way to Bob’s Lake Bird Hide, one of the most significant birdwatching sites in the region. With over 160 species recorded, it is considered one of the most avian-rich wetland systems on private land in south-western Australia. Access is via Brickhouse Road, just off the Great Southern Highway. 

If you’re visiting during wildflower season, take time to explore the Salt River Road wildflower walk, located just past the “Gateway to the Stirlings” sign. This 1.7km loop is fully signposted and showcases a diverse range of native flora, including striking orchids and seasonal blooms. 

Stay 

• RV Parking Area – Gathorne Street (opposite the Cranbrook Hotel) 
• Cranbrook Caravan Park  

Highlights 

• Pink Salt Lakes 
• Sukey Hill Lookout 
• Bob’s Lake Bird Hide 
• Wildflower Walk 

Set among ancient granite outcrops, rolling farmland and fertile valleys, Frankland River offers a sense of space and stillness that invites you to slow down even further. 

Settle in at Lake Poorrarecup, the largest lake in the area and a popular spot for swimming, kayaking and camping. Surrounded by native bushland and abundant birdlife, it’s an ideal place to unwind and reconnect with nature. (Camping fees apply during peak periods.) 

If you’re visiting between June and December, take time to explore the Frankland River Wildflower Walk. Beginning at the end of Herbert Street, this gentle trail features interpretive signage and a peaceful picnic spot, with the chance to spot seasonal blooms, including delicate orchids such as the Leopard Sun Orchid. 

While the landscape invites you to slow down, Frankland River is also home to some of Australia’s most awarded cool-climate wines. Despite its remote setting, the region’s winemakers are globally respected for their craftsmanship and innovation. Many cellar doors are family-owned and tucked among rolling vineyards, offering a warm welcome and a taste of world-class wine in a truly tranquil setting. 

If you feel like mixing a little indulgence into your nature escape, take a detour to one of the local cellar doors and enjoy the best of both worlds. 

Stay 

Camp at Lake Poorrarecup. Important note: there are no bins here, so please take your rubbish with you. 

Highlights 

• Kayaking or swimming at Lake Poorrarecup 
• Bushwalking and cycling 
• Birdwatching in native bushland 
• Frankland River Wildflower Walk 
• Wine tasting 

A place to truly switch off… no rush, no noise, just nature (and a little bit of wine).