Southwest Australia : Overview
The Indian Ocean coast of Southwest Australia is experiencing a boom in both tour¬ism and year-round residency. This winery region features a mild climate of wet win¬ters and dry summers, the world's greatest variety of wildflowers, and beautiful dunes. And it's primed for visitors. Many of the hostels, caravan parks, and even vine¬yards in the area are less than five years old. Land prices are rising and large commer¬cial wine makers are moving in. Meanwhile, cattle and sheep stations - the latter long profitable as a source of Merino wool - are being pushed out. The Department of Conservation and Land Management (CALM) is struggling 10 set limits on beachfront development and combat the destructive effects of tourism on the environment.
Mother Nature has been kind to Australia's Southwest; the region's spectacular scenery and mild climate make it a favorite destination for travelers from around the globe. Hikers rave about the Stirling and Porongurup Ranges, and many surfers swear by the Southwest's gorgeous beaches and pounding waves. Bushwalking in the region's karri and jarrah forests is a unique experience, and few visitors leave the Southwest without having gone on a whale- or dolphin-watching cruise. The Mediter¬ranean climate is ideal for vineyards, and the region has witnessed a recent explosion in commercial wine-making. It's worth a trip just to tour these wineries and try your tongue at some tasting. The easiest way to see the region is by car. Many sights are well off the bus routes, and public transportation in many of the region's towns is either nonexistent or inad¬equate. Tours can be arranged to many sights, but costs can be quite high. Neverthe¬less, several options exist for the auto-less. Some travellers use the Easy Rider Backpackers bus.