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The region south of Perth and west of the Albany Highway, known as The Southwest , is the temperate corner of the continent, where the cool Southern and warm Indian oceans meet. North of Bunbury , 180km from Perth, is a knot of industrial installations and satellite towns such as Rockingham and Mandurah, which offer little of interest to the visitor compared to what's ahead. South of Bunbury things improve greatly. The Margaret River Region offers tasteful tourist facilities in a picturesque landscape of dairy farms and wineries - WA's most popular holiday destination. To the southeast is the so-called Tall Timber Country and Pemberton , a logging town amid the remnants of centuries-old eucalypt forests. Finally, again to the southeast, the Rainbow Coast 's sheltered inlets and rocky headlands lead to the historic and fashionable town of Albany . South West Coach Lines (in Busselton tel 08/9752 1500; in Perth, at Wellington Street Bus Station, tel 08/9322 5173) offers an alternative to Westrail's provincial bus service as well as ten-day unlimited-travel bus passes for around $120, and has introduced a useful circular bus service from Perth via Margaret River and Pemberton. The Easyrider Backpackers' little yellow minibus (tel 08/9226 0307; three-month pass $149) runs from Perth to Pemberton every Tuesday, Friday and Sunday, passing all hostels and major highlights, and the following days continues from Pemberton on to Albany. Failing these choices, the best way to get about is with your own car , although the area is also ideal for cycling , with many logging roads passing through shaded forests. Try to obtain the excellent Cycling Down South biking map from the government agency Bikewest in Perth (tel 08/9389 0611). Otherwise, the five Streetsmart touring maps make informative aids for all travellers in the region.
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