On the inland highway travelling south from Perth, Harvey is a bustling rural town set amongst the lush rolling hills of the Darling Range. The town supports the thriving agricultural industry in the surrounding hinterland, as well as a steady stream of tourists dreaming of a quiet country retreat and scenic strolls in the verdant hillsides. Harvey is also the closest town to some other greatnature walks located in the Yalgorup National Park. Skirting the coast,most hikers come to the park to visit the unusual thrombalites in theshallow waters of Lake Clifton. The wide, unspoilt beaches of Myalup and Binningup are also nearby.
Less than thirty kilometres south of Binningup Beach on the main South-Western Highway, Australind is a holiday town on theestuary of the Bunbury and Leschenault Rivers. The immense estuary is conducive to some productive fishing and crabbing, and creates theideal environment for an array of watersports.
Via some breathtaking coastal scenery at the southern end of estuary, Bunbury is the larger of the two resorts, operating it's naturalharbour as a major port as well. Apart from the HarbourCity's fine beaches, warm climate, and alluring verdant hinterland, dolphins are main reason that visitors flock into the area each year. Apart from Monkey Mia (see Mid Coast), this is going to be your best opportunity to experience these fascinating mammals first-hand. Three
pods of about 100 bottlenosed dolphins live in the area, arriving at the shores of Koombana Beach nearly every day (morning is usually thebest time). A marked interaction zone run by the Dolphin Discovery Centre allows you to wade in the water and touch the dolphins that swim up for informal introductions. Cruises around the harbour are top way to view the bottlenoses at their athletic best.
When your through ogling over dolphins, there are a several othersites and attractions in and around Bunbury worth a look. Oppositethe Dolphin Centre there's an excellent boardwalk which runs intoWestern Australia's southern most mangrove colony. On the other sideof town, more spectacular wilderness area is contained by theBig Swamp Wildlife Park, home to over 100 species of native birds, reptiles, and furry mammals. In the centre of Bunbury, history buffs will appreciate the town's heritage trail and comprehensive historical museum.
South-east of Bunbury, Donnybrook is the home of the GrannySmith apple, and lies in the heart of the state's original apple producing region. Amidst the pleasant scenery of the numerous orchardsand rolling hills, this peaceful rural getaway is a favoured destination for backpackers looking to top up their travel funds.
Hidden away further in the hinterland, the coal town of Collie is obscured by the dense jarrah forests surrounding the meandering Collie River. The township is the centre of W.A.'s only coal producing operation, and it's main attractions follow in this theme. Most notableand interesting is the replica mine, open for guided tours daily.
120 kilometres directly east of Collie, Wagin and the nearbytowns of Narrogin and Katanning are three of the largeragricultural towns in the middle of the state's wheatbelt. Isolatedfrom the tourist trail, each offers a modest spread of accommodationand essential services.
