Day Trips Day Trips. Day Trips Day Trips.
Katanning is situated in the centre of Western Australia’s amazing Great Southern region.
The town is an important centre on the Great Southern Railway and is centrally situated on
Route 120 – The Pioneer Way.
From here you can take day trips to explore a number of unique and interesting places. So stay a little longer and enjoy what this region has to offer!
Discover GREAT SOUTHERN TREASURES
Discover ROUTE 120 – THE PIONEER WAY
ALBANY AND THE SOUTH COAST
Albany, Mt Barker & the South Coast
Drive from Katanning to Albany via Cranbrook, on Route 120 and Albany Highway, and visit our stunning south coast. Visit the modern National Museum dedicated to Australian & New Zealand soldiers in WWI, with interactive exhibits. Drive out to Discovery Bay to Albany’s Historic Whaling Station which is the only experience of its kind in the world. Explore an intact whale processing factory and whale chasing ship – fully restored and ready for you to discover. Return along Albany Highway to Kojonup where you will discover “The Kodja Place”, a local Aboriginal interpretive centre and the historic “Pensioner Barracks” and “Elverd’s Cottage”, the two oldest surviving buildings of their kind in Western Australia. From there you can return to Katanning.
STIRLING RANGE NATIONAL PARK
Stirling Range National Park, “The Lily” Amelup, Ongerup & the “Horsepower Highway“
A return day return tour starts with a drive to Cranbrook, the Gateway to the Stirling Range National Park, on Route 120 and turn off into the Park. Continue over the ranges on Red Gum Pass to Bluff Noll and discover flora unique to the park. Then drive on to Amelup where you will find “The Lily”, an authentic working 16th century Dutch windmill, for morning tea. Continue on and visit Ongerup’s “Malley Fowl Interpretive Centre” for lunch, returning to Katanning via Gnowangerup’s “Horsepower Highway” and Broomehill.
FRANKLAND RIVER WINE REGION
Frankland River, Bridgetown, Boyup Brook & Kojonup
This day return tour is a drive from Katanning through Kojonup and on to the Frankland region and Bridgetown.
This world renown region is famous for its locally produced wines. All wineries offer tastings at the cellar door and most have cafes with qualified chefs producing delicious meals. A huge selection of quality wine is available for sale at the cellar doors of these wineries. You can return to Katanning the way you went or come back via Cranbrook and Route 120.
HYDEN and WAVE ROCK
Lake Dumbleyung, Lake Grace, Hyden,
Wave Rock & Pingrup
Depart Katanning along the Katanning-Dumbleyung road (but leave early). Discover beautiful Lake Dumbleyung where Donald Campbell set the world water speed record on the last day of December, 1964, and set both the land and water speed records in the same year. Visit the “Bluebird Interpretive Centre” in the tiny town of Dumbleyung. Drive on to Lake Grace. Here you will discover the “Australian Inland Mission Hospital” museum, which is the only one in Western Australia and one of only three remaining in Australia. Visitors are able to experience this early twentieth century rural hospital that, in its time, serviced approximately 16,000 km2. The Lake Grace AIM Hospital Museum contains the old-style wards, duty room, kitchen and laundry.
From here, continue on to Hyden to visit the world-famous Wave Rock, Hippo’s Yawn and other unique rock formations. Take in the town’s unique museums including the largest collection of lace in the southern hemisphere and a Toy Soldier museum with over 10,000 pieces. You can return to Katanning the same way or turn off at Lake Grace to Pingrup (which is part of the Silo Art Trail) where you will discover massive salt lakes.
KOJONUP & KODJA PLACE
Pensioner Guard Barracks, Kodja Place, & Rose Maze
Kojonup is situated on Albany Highway about 40km’s from Katanning. It is one of the oldest towns in Western Australia with some of the oldest surviving buildings in the state. Visit Kodja Place, which incorporates the town’s Visitors Centre and stunning Rose Maze. The Kodja Place is the story of country Australia as experienced by one farming community in South Western Australia. It incorporates state of the art design and technologies with the simple directness of the traditional Noongar style of storytelling. Built around the “One Story Many Voices”, The Kodja Place includes the farm experience, life on the reserve, the heartfelt stories of early settlers, the aspirations of the young and our hopes for the future. Sit at the Noongar campfire, hear the stories, and meet the people. See the old Military Barracks where the first ‘policemen’, or Pensioner Guard, were stationed and see the spring that provided its water supply. Visit Elverd’s Cottage; possibly the oldest surviving building of its type in the state.
For the full range of things to see in Kojonup visit the Kojonup Visitors Centre website HERE
Route
ROUTE 120
The Pioneer Way
Your alternative route to Albany and our stunning southern coast
WHY ROUTE 120?
As you head south for your holiday, or on your way back home, wouldn’t it be nice to start your holiday as soon as you leave home?
- To arrive at your destination happy and relaxed?
- Experience some of W.A.’s colourful history?
- See many of our historic towns and landmarks?
- Visit a large number of amazing communities?
- Experience real agriculture right where it happens?
- Visit stunning national parks?
- See unique flora, fauna and beautiful natural scenery?
Commonly referred to as Great Southern Highway,
it is also known as
“The Pioneer Way” or the “Heritage Highway.”
All thirteen towns along the way have something
unique for visitors to see and experience…
and there’s plenty of accommodation, food and fuel as you go.
You can stay a day. A night. A week… Or as long as you like!
VISIT THE ‘ROUTE 120 PIONEER WAY’ WEBSITE – CLICK HERE
Treasure
GREAT SOUTHERN TREASURES
Immerse yourself in the Great Southern of Western Australia, a region famed for its biodiversity, wildflowers, rich farming history and warm country charm.
From mountain ranges to wide open spaces, from grand old homesteads to luxurious hotel suites, from mouth-watering fresh produce to award-winning wines, the Great Southern has something for everyone. Take the road less travelled and visit this incredible tourist destination on your next trip south from Perth.
VISIT THE
‘GREAT SOUTHERN TREASURES’ WEBSITE:
CLICK HERE
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