You can fully submerge yourself in the beauty of the region, waking up to the sweet melodies of birds, strolling among some of the tallest and most ancient trees in the world, hiking through stunning forests, and if you’re up for a winter swim, there are plenty of secluded bays to explore, and you might even encounter some playful wild dolphins. As you explore the region, you’re likely to come across kangaroos hopping around. To top it all off, the region boasts some of the most magnificent West Coast sunsets, where the sun slowly dips below the horizon, and the dark skies make for an unforgettable stargazing experience.
Nature Lovers Day One – Perth to Dardanup
Depart from Perth in the morning and head to Dardanup, a two-and-a-quarter hour drive away. Stop at the famous Dardanup Bakery for a delicious morning tea treat, choosing from a variety of options such as sandwiches, sausage rolls, flaky croissants, handmade pastries, and pies with interesting flavours. Pick up some fresh sourdough bread and provisions for dinner.
Drive 11 minutes to the Crooked Brook Forest and take an easy 0.6km bush walk on a concrete loop path that encircles Crooked Brook. There are covered shelters with wheelchair accessible picnic tables.
Continue the journey for a short 15-minute drive to Gnomesville, a quirky place filled with thousands of gnomes, one of the world’s biggest communities of gnomes.
Drive for 10 minutes to St Aidan Wines and Bush Shack Brewery, both offering tastings and lunch. St Aidan Wines is a family-owned boutique winery, restaurant, and events centre with a seasonal menu based on local ingredients. The mouth-watering menu includes seared scallops, grilled haloumi, and confit duck. The other option is to use the provided gas barbecue and picnic on the banks of the Ferguson River (weather permitting). Check the website for events such as watercolour painting classes and outdoor movie screenings.
Bush Shack Brewery offers hearty dishes such as Black Angus burgers, fish and chips, and salt and pepper squid, as well as Korean chicken wings, fried chicken salad, and jackfruit and bean tacos. The brewery specialises in all-natural, unfiltered beers, ciders, and flavoured alcoholic drinks.
Drive 13 minutes to King Jarrah, a majestic Jarrah tree standing 36 metres tall, estimated to be between 300 and 500 years old. Take a walk through the nearby Wellington Discovery Forest and you might even find a friendly kangaroo for a selfie.
Check into your accommodation and enjoy your surroundings. Close by are Wellington Forest Cottages, Evedon Lakeside Retreat, and Ferguson Farmstay.
Nature Lovers Day Two – Wellington National Park
A morning in the country starts with the peaceful sounds of nature. After coffee and breakfast, drive to The Wagon in Collie, a cute coffee stop in an old railway wagon, for a really good coffee or some morning tea provisions. Walk five minutes to the Collie Mural Trail and discover colourful public artworks that tell a great story of the local flora and fauna, language, history, and culture.
From town, either cycle or drive to view the world’s largest dam mural at Wellington Dam Wall, which covers 8000m2 and depicts local life from yesteryear. Walk or bike through the meandering jarrah forest on the edge of the Collie River, and spend the afternoon exploring the Wellington National Park through hiking, hill walking, mountain biking, fishing, swimming, or simply relaxing in nature.
From here Perth is an easy 2 hours away.
