Bridgetown sits in a sweet spot for road-tripping the South West. You are tucked into rolling hills, jarrah forests, and country lanes, but still close enough to coastlines, wineries, tall timber towns, and big-view lookouts that you can do a different style of drive every day without feeling like you are living in the car. If you like trips that blend scenery, good food, and a few stops that feel properly local, these routes give you that mix - with Bridgetown as your hub. Many travellers find that choosing a central Bridgetown hotel in WA makes it incredibly easy to experience the charming heritage streets and natural attractions on foot.
Below are the best scenic drives to do from Bridgetown, each with a clear vibe, the kind of stops worth pulling over for, and a few practical notes so you can time it well.
1) Bridgetown to Nannup and the Blackwood River backroads loop
If you want an easy, classic South West day that feels green, calm, and quietly beautiful, this is the one. The backroads between Bridgetown and Nannup are all about farmland views, stands of tall trees, and that slow, rural rhythm where you are happy to let the drive take longer because the landscape keeps changing.
Route idea
Bridgetown - Nannup - (optional) Balingup - Bridgetown
Why it is scenic
- Gentle hills, river country, and forest pockets
- That “pretty countryside” feel the South West does so well
- Lots of short detours that do not require a big hike
Stops that are actually worth it
- Nannup for a walk around town, a coffee, and a browse of local stores. It has that tidy, heritage-country-town atmosphere.
- If you do the optional leg, Balingup is a good add-on for artisan vibes and a slower lunch stop.
Best for
A relaxed half-day or full day where you want scenery without committing to a huge distance.
2) Bridgetown to Pemberton and the tall timber forests
This drive is the South West at its most dramatic in a quiet way. The further you go toward Pemberton, the taller the forests feel, the air cools off, and the world becomes more “deep green” than “open farmland”. It is ideal if you like that sensation of being surrounded by forest, with occasional clearings that open to vineyards and small producers.
Route idea
Bridgetown - Manjimup - Pemberton - Bridgetown (same way back or loop via Northcliffe)
Why it is scenic
- Tall timber country and forest roads
- A strong sense of changing landscape as you move south
- In cooler months, the atmosphere is especially good - misty mornings and crisp air
Stops that are actually worth it
- Manjimup is a practical stop for supplies, plus it is a good place to break the drive.
- Pemberton for forest walks, local produce, and that “tiny town in big trees” feeling.
- If you have time, adding Northcliffe gives you even more of the forest-town character.
Best for
People who want forests, fresh air, and a day that feels like a proper getaway rather than a quick lap.
3) Bridgetown to Walpole via the forest and inlets route
If you want a drive that feels like you are travelling to a different world, head toward Walpole. You shift from inland hills into a region where water and forest meet in a way that feels coastal without being full surf-beach. It is a softer kind of coastline - inlets, calm water, and dense greenery.
Route idea
Bridgetown - Manjimup - Walpole - Bridgetown (long day) or make it an overnight if you want to slow it down.
Why it is scenic
- Forest transitions into inlet country
- Big trees, winding roads, and that sense of remoteness (in a good way)
- Light changes constantly through the canopy and near water
Stops that are actually worth it
- Walpole itself is the star: it is a place for lookout-style views, easy walks, and calm-water scenery.
- Plan a couple of short stops rather than one long “main attraction” and the day flows beautifully.
Best for
A “scenery-first” day where the drive is part of the reward.
4) Bridgetown to Augusta via Margaret River backroads
This is the drive for people who like to build a day around good stops - wineries, food, coastal viewpoints, and a finish line that feels like you have reached the edge of the map. Augusta has that end-of-the-road vibe: fresh air, bigger skies, and a coastline that feels powerful.
Route idea
Bridgetown - inland backroads - Margaret River region - Augusta - return
Why it is scenic
- The landscape shifts from inland hills to wine country to rugged coast
- Easy to customise depending on your mood: fast scenic run or slow tasting trail
- The “coast reveal” near the end is a highlight
Stops that are actually worth it
- Margaret River region: choose just one or two places rather than trying to do everything. You will enjoy it more.
- Augusta: finish with a coastal walk or viewpoint stop. Even a short wander feels refreshing after the inland drive.
Best for
A full day where the stops are part of the fun, not just scenery out the window.
5) Bridgetown to Dunsborough and Cape Naturaliste
This is the drive for people who want a coastal day that still feels scenic rather than suburban. You get beaches, headlands, and that clean coastal light that makes every photo look better. Dunsborough is also an easy place to keep the day comfortable: good cafés, easy parking, plenty of choices without feeling too hectic if you time it right.
Route idea
Bridgetown - Busselton - Dunsborough - Cape Naturaliste - return
Why it is scenic
- Big coastal views and headland scenery
- Bright water, open skies, and that “holiday coastline” energy
- Great for sunset timing if you plan your return well
Stops that are actually worth it
- Busselton as a break point - it is a good halfway “stretch your legs” stop.
- Dunsborough for lunch and a beach walk.
- Cape Naturaliste for the headland feel and classic South West coastal scenery.
Best for
A beach-and-views day where you still want to be back in Bridgetown at a reasonable hour.
6) Bridgetown to Collie and Wellington National Park
Not every scenic drive has to be about the ocean. Collie and the surrounding parks deliver a different kind of South West beauty - inland water, forested roads, and a sense that you have found somewhere locals go when they want nature without the crowds.
Route idea
Bridgetown - Collie - Wellington National Park - return
Why it is scenic
- Forest roads and inland lakes
- Great “pull over and look” moments without big detours
- Feels like a reset day - calm, green, and grounded
Stops that are actually worth it
- Wellington National Park for the views, picnic spots, and easy nature time.
- Collie for supplies and a casual café stop.
Best for
A shorter day that still feels outdoorsy and scenic.
7) Bridgetown to Donnybrook and the orchard belt
If you like the South West when it feels agricultural, seasonal, and productive - orchards, farm gates, local produce - Donnybrook is a satisfying drive. It is not “dramatic” scenery, but it is deeply South West: tidy roads, productive land, and that countryside calm that makes you breathe a bit slower.
Route idea
Bridgetown - Donnybrook - (optional) backroads via Boyanup or Capel - return
Why it is scenic
- Rolling farmland and orchard country
- Seasonal colour shifts across the year
- A very “WA country drive” feel, especially in the morning
Stops that are actually worth it
- Donnybrook for produce-style browsing and a casual lunch.
- Keep it simple and enjoy the drive rather than trying to pack in too much.
Best for
A half-day loop, especially if you want something easy that still feels like a proper outing.
How to choose the right drive for the day
If you only have time for one or two drives, pick based on what you want the day to feel like.
- Forest immersion: Pemberton or Walpole routes
- Wine and coastal mix: Margaret River to Augusta
- Classic beach day: Dunsborough and Cape Naturaliste
- Short and calm: Nannup loop or Donnybrook orchards
- Inland nature reset: Collie and Wellington National Park
Practical tips that make these drives better
A scenic drive is less about distance and more about pace. These small choices turn a “drive” into a really good day.
- Start earlier than you think. Morning light in the South West is gorgeous, and you will beat the mid-day rush in popular stops.
- Choose fewer stops, stay longer. Two great stops beats six rushed ones.
- Keep a picnic option. Even if you plan cafés, having snacks and water means you can stop at the best viewpoint without needing a venue.
- Plan fuel and phone coverage. Some stretches feel remote. Download maps and do a quick fuel check before you head out.
- Build in a short walk. A 20-minute wander changes how the day feels. You step out of “windshield mode” and into the place.
A simple 3-day scenic drives mini-itinerary from Bridgetown
If you are basing yourself in Bridgetown for a long weekend, this lineup gives you variety without repeating the same landscape.
Day 1 - Country towns and river country
Bridgetown - Nannup - Balingup - Bridgetown. Low effort, lots of charm, easy pacing.
Day 2 - Tall timber day
Bridgetown - Manjimup - Pemberton - Bridgetown. Forests, cool air, and that “deep South West” feel.
Day 3 - Coast and big views
Bridgetown - Busselton - Dunsborough - Cape Naturaliste - Bridgetown. Coastal energy and a strong finish.
Why starting from Bridgetown works so well
After a long day on the road exploring the majestic tall timber region, you will want to unwind at a relaxing WA Southern Forests accommodation spot that feels like a home away from home. The best part about using Bridgetown as your base is that you are not locked into one type of South West experience. One day you can be in tall forests, the next day you can be on the coast, and the day after you can do countryside lanes with a long lunch and be back before dark. It is the kind of location that rewards curiosity: pick a direction, drive until the scenery changes, and stop when something catches your eye.