Why We Love Spring on The South West Edge

We love road trippin’ along The South West Edge in any season, but as we creep closer to Spring, we’re getting excited for everything this time of year brings with it. Warm, sunny days and cool, clear nights make Spring a fantastic time to explore The Edge.

1. Perfect camping conditions

If you’re going to be camping along The Edge, Spring is a great time to do so. The weather is cool and mainly dry, so you won’t be battling with wet ground or blazing sun that makes a lie-in impossible! Grab your swag and hit the road – you’ll find some of the most beautiful campsites in Australia on this road trip; from glamping at Rottnest, to camping under the forest canopies in Walpole, to beachside campsites in Esperance.

2. The scenery looks even more spectacular

After the Winter rain comes the Spring sunshine, making everything beautifully lush and green. The forests of the south west are thriving, the fields and bushlands in the Wheatbelt are thick and full of vegetation. You’ll also find wildflowers scattered across the region bringing an extra pop of colour to your adventure along The Edge.

3. Wildflowers are abundant

Speaking of wildflowers, did you know there are more wildflowers in Western Australia than anywhere else in the world? WA is home to more than 12,000 species of wildflowers, with more than 60% of these found nowhere else. Check out the West Australian Visitor Centre’s live wildflower tracker during the months of spring for current sightings. From August to November you’ll be able to find incredible displays along The Edge and dedicated wildflower events including the tulips and open gardens at Nannup Flower & Garden Festival, the Ravensthorpe Wildflower Show, the Esperance Wildflower Show and the King’s Park Festival.

Warm, sunny days and cool, clear nights make Spring a fantastic time to explore en route along The Edge.

4. Chasing waterfalls

You can still get the odd shower in Spring, but we think that makes a wander through our beautiful forests even more special. Shelter from the rain under canopies of ancient karri and marri trees, as the rain brings out the beautiful aroma of the leaves and the foliage underfoot. After those seasonal rains, the waterfalls are also full, so make time to discover one of these hidden gems. If you don’t mind a hike, lace up your boots and make the 2-hour return trip to Quinninup Falls near Yallingup. Beedalup Falls in Pemberton is easy to access and also has climbing trees to enjoy and if you just want a quick stop en route along The Edge, Yalgardup Falls in Margaret River is easily viewed from the roadside.

5. Great conditions for hiking

The cooler weather is great if you’re wanting to enjoy some hiking along The Edge. Longer walks can be tricky in the really warm Summer months, but Spring conditions are just perfect for a long walk or hike along some of our amazing trails like the 135km Cape to Cape Track that meanders the coast of the Margaret River region, the 1000km Bibbulmun Track from Perth Hills to Albany, or one of the many trails in the biodiversity-rich Fitzgerald River National Park – so don’t forget your boots!

6. You can do a spot of whale watching

The whale watching season along The South West Edge is one of the longest in the world, spanning from May to early December. As you traverse this amazing coastline, you’ll be following the same route that about 35,000 humpbacks, southern right (and sometimes blue) whales take as they migrate past the south west corner of WA. In Spring, you can spot whales from the shores of Dunsborough and Busselton or jump on board a charter boat tour with a local operator that departs from these ports to experience them up-close. In Albany and Esperance, you can join a tour until early October to spot humpbacks and southern rights.

7. A great time to get active

If you like to get active on your holidays, Spring is the perfect time to try something new or indulge in your passions. From cycling around Rottnest Island, to horse riding in Collie or Margaret River and canoeing and kayaking along the Blackwood River, to mountain biking the Munda Biddi or the many trails in Collie, Nannup and Pemberton, to climbing, abseiling, and even coasteering in Yallingup – the sunny but not too hot days provide the perfect backdrop to your adventure en route along The Edge.

8. You’ll normally avoid the crowds

Spring tends to be a little quieter along The Edge compared to the Summer months, so (with the exception of the WA school holidays) you will find things are less busy, with more accommodation options and plenty of open space for your adventure.