With summer almost over, many city dwellers make the escape to the beautiful South West region of WA. Similar to the Hamptons in New York, Dunsborough and the South West provide that beachside holiday many of us love during the warmer months. Whether you’re a West Aussie or visiting from interstate, you won’t be disappointed.
Plico was founded in beautiful Dunsborough, so if you’re looking for some local insights and inspiration, we’ve got you covered with this article. Let’s go.
Where to go
We may be biassed, but we think you’re well and truly spoiled for choice when it comes to heading to the South West for a getaway. Here are some of our favourites.
Bunbury
There’s so much to do in and around Bunbury you’ll be sure to fall in love. From waterways to walking trails, shopping to water parks - Bunbury is where it’s at in summer!
Busselton
If you haven’t visited Busselton before, do yourself a favour and put it on your list. There are plenty of activities to enjoy, not to mention the spectacular jetty view and a long stretch of calm waters in Geographe Bay.
Dunsborough
The original home of Plico, Dunsborough is a great option for relaxing and a spot of shopping at the boutiques. Stunning Meelup Regional Park with its impeccable beaches, wildlife and picnic tables is just a hop, skip and jump away, and wineries and breweries abound. You can’t go wrong!
Cowaramup
If you're looking for a less crowded spot that still has lots to offer, Cowaramup could be the perfect solution. Midway between Busselton and Margaret River, enjoy the nearby surfing beaches, wineries, and 42 fibreglass cows dotted around the town.
Margaret River
Margaret River itself is packed with eateries, wineries and surfing spots nearby. It offers a great vibe and if nightlife and live music are your thing, you’ll be rewarded for spending time here.
Augusta
Less busy than Dunsborough but still popular, Augusta has a wonderful small town feel. Hardy Inlet will spoil you with water sports and you can enjoy checking out this nearest town to Cape Leeuwin on the furthermost south-west corner of Australia.
Road trip ideas
If you haven’t made the road trip from Perth to the South West for a while (or ever), you may be surprised at how many midway stops you’ll find along the way!
The iconic Miami Bakehouse is a must-taste. If you want a relaxing spot to sit, head to Myalup where you’ll find the free KangaArt outdoor garden gallery with 16 life size kangaroos.
Settlers Roadhouse is the best spot to pull in if you want the ultimate burgers, or if you need to stretch the legs.
The Crooked Carrot is another place to find your sanity after a car ride with the kids! Not just a stopover, this place offers an experience for young and old, with a huge playground for the kids and merchandise galore.
What to bring
When you're packing your bags for your South West getaway, we’ve got some tips for a few more additions. To begin with, make sure you bring a sunny outlook, a laid back attitude - and your comfy beachwear! There are plenty of shops to buy whatever you need, and businesses truly appreciate when you shop locally during your stay.
If you’re looking for markets, you’ll find them in Bunbury, Vasse, Dunsborough and Margaret River. You’re sure to find whatever you need - so don’t overpack those bags!
Things to remember
As locals we’ve got a few tips to help you really blend in and enjoy your time responsibly while you visit the South West.
If you’re driving, please stay safe. There can be a lot of roadworks and people on the road, so respect the lower speed limits through busy areas.
Beach-wise, by all means bring that cabana to the beach but don’t forget to be mindful of other beach users! Setting up at the water’s edge in the middle of the beach may just block the view of everyone else ;)
Nothing spoils the serenity more than a jet ski zooming past close to the shoreline - so keeping to the allocated zones and sticking to speed limits is always appreciated by everyone!
Locals love the business and holiday vibes that visitors bring to the region. However, it’s good to remember that not everyone is on holiday. Just as you would at home, be patient with local workers (some businesses are still facing staff shortages after COVID) and respectful of those lucky enough to live and work in beautiful spots like South West WA.
Finally, to keep the area beautiful everyone is responsible for cleaning up after themselves. Holiday makers are encouraged to leave only footprints and take only photos.
We hope this little mini tour of WA’s beautiful South West inspires you to take that road trip this summer/autumn. We’re very proud of our region and love to share it with as many people as we can!
Proudly West Australian, Plico’s mission is to make solar + battery solutions as affordable as possible for everyone. Our unique offering includes solar + battery, with ongoing support and no big upfront cost - all for one low weekly instalment. If you’d like to learn more about finding the system that is right for you, talk to one of our switched-on team by calling 1300 175 426 or fill in the form below.
