Nature’s paintbrush has sculpted a landscape of extraordinary beauty hidden on the south western edge of this vast continent. Spectacular wildflowers create a breathtaking backdrop to some of the world’s whitest beaches, cleanest blue waters and most diverse marine ecosystems.

One of the world’s biodiversity hotspots, Australia’s Great South West Edge stretches 700 kilometres between Busselton and Esperance taking in breathtaking coastal scenery, ancient mountain ranges and vast swaths of natural bush. It is home to some of the rarest plants on earth — around 80 per cent of the plants found in this region can’t be found anywhere else in the world.

DIVERSITY ON A GRAND SCALE

The UNESCO Biosphere Reserve-listed Fitzgerald River National Park covers 329,000 hectares and is one of the most botanically significant parks in Australia containing more than 1,800 known plant species — more than all the plants found in the United Kingdom! The park is also home to 22 mammal, 41 reptile, 12 frog and over 200 bird species includingthe endangered ground parrot.

THERE’S NOTHING LIKE THE RADIANCE OF SOUTH WEST EDGE FLORA

Named after the Greek God Proteas, who was capable ofchanging his form at will, Australian members ofthe Proteaceae family range from small shrubs and striking bushes through to imposing trees, with colours of startling reds, pure apricots and mottled whites.

Afamily thoughtto have originated in South Africa when the earth’s southern lands formed the giant supercontinent of Pangea; the Proteaceae family has been in existence for over 140 million years. Ninety-six per cent of all Proteaceae species in the Great South West Edge are found nowhere else in the world.

FORESTS OFTHE SOUTH WEST EDGE

Some ofthe world’s tallest forests contemplate the sky in the Great South West Edge. Spectaculartuart trees grow up to 33 metres high with their trunks reaching 10 metres in circumference. These trees form part ofthe tuart forest - one ofthe rarest ecosystems on earth.

The beautiful rich red timbers ofthe 40 metre high jarrah trees around Nannup were once extensively harvested. Now protected, jarrah trees live for up to 500 years and the forest is home to more than 150 bird, 29 mammal, 45 reptile and 1,200 plant species.

With multi-coloured trunks of pink, orange, grey and white, majestictall karri forests grow between Manjimup and Denmark, while the unique red tingle tree boasts a trunk reaching up to 26 metres in circumference, hollowing over time to provide important wildlife habitat.

Climb Australia’s tallest trees

Experience life in the canopy — meet the challenge of climbing the spiral staircases of the 61 metre Gloucester Tree, the 75 metre Dave Evans Bicentennial Tree orthe 51 metre Diamond Tree. OrtaketheValley ofthe Giantstree top walkto see the world from 38 metres above the ground.

Walk the Bibbulmun track

The Bibbulmun Track stretches almost 1,000km and provides an opportunity to undertake a series of day walks or experience the full end-to-end adventure. The walk traverses a variety of jarrah, marri, wandoo, karri and tingle forests as well as internationally significant wetlands.

REMOTE ISLAND ARCHIPELAGO

Stretching for more than 230 kilometres, over 100 islands and 1,200 islets and rocky outcrops make up the spectacular Recherche Archipelago. On the larger islands you’ll see an array of wildlife including wallabies, bandicoots, snakes, frogs, sea eagles and Cape Barren geese.

One ofthe best diving spots in Australia, the sea floor is covered with extensive sea-grass meadows, spectacular reefs of soft corals and over 450 species of sponges — 150 of which have only recently been discovered. The Australian fur seal, penguins, dolphins, migratory whales, stingrays and Port Jackson sharks can all be found in these waters.