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The South West of Western Australia is one of the world’s most extraordinary natural environments — a globally recognised biodiversity hotspot where ancient forests meet pristine coastline, fertile farmland and dramatic cave systems. This page explores the landscapes and ecosystems that define the region, the communities and towns that have grown within them, and the built heritage that tells the story of how this remarkable place was shaped. Whether you are a visitor, investor or resident, understanding the environment of the South West is fundamental to understanding the region itself.
The South West encompasses communities of remarkable diversity — from Bunbury, WA’s third-largest city and the region’s commercial hub to the world-famous Margaret River wine and surf destination, the iconic coastal town of Busselton with its 1.8-kilometre heritage jetty, and the ancient shores of Dunsborough. Inland, Collie is reinventing itself as an adventure tourism destination, Bridgetown draws visitors with its blues music festival and historic streetscapes, and the forest towns of Pemberton, Manjimup and Nannup offer nature, produce and an unhurried way of life.
The region’s population is concentrated along the coastal strip, where the Bunbury-Busselton axis accounts for more than half of all residents. Greater Bunbury alone — encompassing Bunbury and the surrounding townships of Eaton, Australind and Dalyellup — hosts around 80,000 people. The City of Busselton and Shire of Augusta-Margaret River record the fastest growth rates, whereas inland communities — including Collie, Manjimup and Bridgetown — maintain stable, primary-industry-based populations with a higher median age profile.
South West Australia is an internationally recognised biodiversity hotspot, home to over 8,000 plant species, 47% of which are endemic. Towering karri forests — the second tallest hardwood trees in the world, growing to 90 metres and over 400 years of age — give way to jarrah woodland, coastal heath, wetlands and some of Australia’s finest surf beaches. The region’s national parks, including Leeuwin-Naturaliste and Walpole-Nornalup, protect extraordinary habitats. This is a living landscape, shaped by tens of thousands of years of Noongar custodianship and actively stewarded for future generations.
From Wellington Dam to the Busselton Jetty and the timber mill cottages of Pemberton, historically significant sites dot the region’s landscape, contributing to a sense of place in local communities and adding to the region’s overall identity. Bridgetown holds the distinction of being the only National Trust Historical Town in the South West. State Government investment is breathing new life into some of the region’s oldest assets — including the Collie Roundhouse and the old Donnybrook Goods Shed — unlocking new business and tourism opportunities in the process.
The South West region carries more than 45,000 years of Noongar cultural heritage — one of the oldest living cultures on earth. The Wadandi, Gnaala Karla Booja and Wagyl Kaip groups each hold deep connections to country across the region. This First Nations foundation is complemented by a rich settler heritage — predominantly British and Irish, with longstanding Italian and German communities tied to agriculture and timber. Today, growing migration from South Africa, the Philippines and India continues to broaden the region’s cultural identity.
The South West is managing growth thoughtfully, balancing the demands of a rapidly expanding population against its exceptional environmental values. Regional planning frameworks seek to balance economic development with environmental considerations, retaining ecological corridors, managing bushfire risk and responding to changing coastal processes. Major projects such as Transforming Bunbury’s Waterfront are turning underused coastal land into thriving public destinations , while a South West Design Review Panel brings together architects, urban designers, heritage and sustainability experts to guide quality development across the region’s cities and shires.
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