The South West region is one of the nine regions of Western Australia. It has an area of 23,970 km², and a population of about 170,000 people. Bunbury is the main city in the region.

Climate

The South West has a

Mediterranean climate A Mediterranean climate (also called a dry summer temperate climate ''Cs'') is a temperate climate sub-type, generally characterized by warm, dry summers and mild, fairly wet winters; these weather conditions are typically experienced in the ...

, with dry summers and wet winters. There is about 900 mm of precipitation per year, with most between May and September.Bunbury Geography and Weather
Bunburyonline. Mean maximum daily temperatures range from 16 °C in July to 34 °C in February.

Economy

The economy of the South West is very diverse. It is a major world producer of aluminium oxide and

mineral sands Heavy mineral sands are a class of ore deposit which is an important source of zirconium, titanium, thorium, tungsten, rare-earth elements, the industrial minerals diamond, sapphire, garnet, and occasionally precious metals or gemstones. Heavy m ...

, and also has substantial

agriculture Agriculture or farming is the practice of cultivating plants and livestock. Agriculture was the key development in the rise of sedentary human civilization, whereby farming of domesticated species created food surpluses that enabled people ...

, timber, and

viticulture Viticulture (from the Latin word for '' vine'') or winegrowing (wine growing) is the cultivation and harvesting of grapes. It is a branch of the science of horticulture. While the native territory of '' Vitis vinifera'', the common grape vine, r ...

industries. It is Western Australia's second-most popular tourist destination after

Perth Perth is the capital and largest city of the Australian state of Western Australia. It is the fourth most populous city in Australia and Oceania, with a population of 2.1 million (80% of the state) living in Greater Perth in 2020. Perth is ...

Local government divisions

The South West region consists of the following

local government areas A local government area (LGA) is an administrative division of a country that a local government is responsible for. The size of an LGA varies by country but it is generally a subdivision of a state, province, division, or territory. The phra ...

: * Shire of Augusta–Margaret River *

Shire of Boyup Brook The Shire of Boyup Brook is a local government area located in the South West region of Western Australia, about southeast of Perth, the state capital. The Shire covers an area of and its seat of government is the town of Boyup Brook. Hi ...

* Shire of Bridgetown–Greenbushes * City of Bunbury * City of Busselton *

Shire of Capel The Shire of Capel is a local government area in the South West region of Western Australia, taking in the land between the cities of Bunbury and Busselton about south of the state capital, Perth. The Shire covers an area of , and its seat of ...

Shire of Collie The Shire of Collie is a local government area in the South West region of Western Australia, about east of Bunbury and about south of the state capital, Perth. The Shire covers an area of , and its seat of government is the town of Collie. ...

* Shire of Dardanup * Shire of Donnybrook–Balingup *

Shire of Harvey The Shire of Harvey is a local government area of Western Australia. Harvey is located in the state's South West region, approximately 140 km south of Perth, and includes some of Bunbury's northern suburbs. The shire covers an area of 1 ...

* Shire of Manjimup * Shire of Nannup

Attractions

Some well-known attractions include Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse and Discovery Centre, Ngilgi Cave, Augusta Jewel Cave, Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse, Mammoth Cave, Easter Cave, Bunbury Dolphin Discovery Centre, Dave Evans Bicentennial Tree, Diamond Tree, and Gloucester Tree.

References

External links