Last Updated on 5 October 2026 by Ariana Svenson
Less than two hours from Perth, the picturesque Ferguson Valley (or ‘Fergie Valley’) is the perfect weekend getaway for both young and old alike… and kids, couples, families… well, everyone.
We have enjoyed many long weekends in the Ferguson Valley, slowing down and enjoying the beautiful farm landscapes, fresh forest air, and relaxed country feel. As you drive into the area, it’s like you step into another reality. The flatter landscape closer to the coast gives way to gorgeous, lush green rolling hills, which aren’t terribly common in Australia.
You’ll see contented cows munching on grass, winding roads where you slow down to cross bridges, and, with the windows open, you can hear birds tweeting in the trees. It’s one of the most beautiful and serene agricultural getaways.
So whether you do it as a day trip from Bunbury or a weekend getaway from Perth, there’s so much to do in the Ferguson Valley region.
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Where is Ferguson Valley?
Ferguson Valley is located 175 km south of Perth (or a 2-hour drive) in Australia’s South West. It’s also just 20 minutes out of the regional port city of Bunbury. When you reach cute little Dardanup, a historic town and home to a well-loved bakery, you’ve reached the start of Ferguson Valley.
Map of the Ferguson Valley and Top Things to Do
Best Things to Do in Ferguson Valley WA
We’ve visited the Ferguson Valley various times, both as a family and on short breaks, and these are our favourite places to visit and experiences to add to your itinerary. I’ve also included a few worthwhile places nearby if you have extra time.
1. Visit Gnomesville
Location: Corner of Ferguson Rd and Wellington Mill Road
The most well-known site in the Ferguson Valley is the ‘gnome home’ at Gnomesville. Yes, that’s right- that’s where it began in 1990 with a single gnome. Now, more than 3,000 garden gnomes have gathered in the countryside, creating an entire gnome community.
Now, a trip to Gnomesville has become a quasi-pilgrimage site, as people from around the world visit and leave their own gnome with a personalised message. Local superstition says taking one home brings bad luck.
If you’re travelling with kids, they will love the fairy-tale feel and the funny gnome faces all around, including sentimental gnomes climbing logs. We bought a $5 garden gnome from a Red Dot Store, and the kids loved making their contribution. You can also get information or buy one via the Ferguson Valley Visitor Centre.
If you want to know ‘everything’ about Gnomesville, take a look at our A Guide To Visiting Gnomesville WA.
Getting There: Located 26 km from Donnybrook. It’s about a 20-minute drive one way, and you’ll need 30 minutes for a fun wander.
2. Explore Wellington National Park
Location: Coalfields Rd, Worsley WA
A massive 25,000 hectares, Wellington National Park is filled with Jarrah, Marri, and blackbutt forests and more than 3,000 species of wildflowers. Highlights include the Collie River Valley and Wellington Dam.
Wellington Forest Cottages
Location: 333 Wellington Forest Rd, Wellington Mill WA
We stopped for a coffee at the Wellington Forest Cottages, enjoyed a walk in the forest, and got to see some tame kangaroos. Chances are you will be able to snap a selfie with one of these fabulous Australian icons!
At Wellington Forest Cottages, you can stay in these rustic old timber cottages for a full forest immersion and unique experience. This is a great Ferguson Valley accommodation option; for more ideas on where to stay, see below.
Wellington Forest Discovery Centre
Location: 332 Wellington Forest Rd, Wellington Forest
Almost across the road from Wellington Forest Cottages is the Wellington Discovery Forest Centre, an education centre surrounded by magnificent jarrah forest. It was closed when we visited, but you can walk around the centre if you want to experience the forest on foot.
See the King Jarrah Tree
Want some forest Zen? Then hug the King Jarrah tree, thought to be between 300 and 500 years old. While not as tall as some of the trees down south, this majestic giant is impressive at 36 m.
It’s located between the Wellington Forest Discovery Centre and the Gnomes at Gnomesville.
See the Wellington Dam Mural and Lookout
Location: Falcon Rd, Worsley WA
Another place we recommend stopping is the Wellington Dam lookout! The kids were pretty tired, so we stopped at the Wellington Dam Kiosk, a small café in the middle of the forest with a surprisingly large range of yummy home-baked cakes and tasty coffee.
From there, it was a short walk down to the Wellington Dam lookout to take in the structure and learn about its environmental impact. Wellington Dam also has the world’s largest dam mural.
Wellington Dam Camping is also a great experience with relatively new facilities found at Potters Gorge. Read our guide for more details.
Swim and Picnic at Honeymoon Pool
Location: River Rd, Wellington Forest WA 6236
Honeymoon Pool is worth visiting in its own right, but you can also turn the trip into a scenic drive along the Collie River, stopping at places such as Long Pool, Little Rock, Big Rock, the Rapids, and Stones Brook.
Some of the best spots for a picnic, gorgeous swims, or a bit of fishing are around Honeymoon Pool, like Little Rock and Long Pool.
We recommend spending a couple of hours to stop at a few places along the scenic drive. The locals recommended a swim at Long Pool, and it was very refreshing, and we were the only people there!
We also enjoyed the short walks at Big Rock, Little Rock, and the Rapids. We suggest packing a picnic lunch for a stop along the way, or we chose the very well-equipped Honeymoon Pool for a BBQ lunch, with picnic tables, too. You can also swim at Honeymoon Pool, but be warned – the water is veryyyyyyy cold!
From Honeymoon Pool, we hiked up to a lookout across the valley and bushland. It was a bit ambitious for the kids and turned out to be about 4km. Still, when I reflect, it was an amazing escape into the forest and a great forest experience.
Did you know? Honeymoon Pool is an extremely popular camping area. In a few days, you will be surprised by how many people are out in the bush! It also has flushing toilets and free gas BBQs, though camping fees apply.*
Mountain Bike the Mount Lennard Trails
Location: Pile Rd, Ferguson WA
Known to riders as the Pile Road trails, the Mount Lennard network takes you through jarrah forest on a mixture of easy and more technical mountain bike trails. If you’re after something gentler, the 6.7km Lennard Circuit is graded green/easy, while experienced riders can tackle more technical trails such as Grizzly.
2. Enjoy Ferguson Valley’s Food and Drink
The Ferguson Valley is part of the Geographe wine region. It has become a great little foodie destination, with over 20 vineyards and boutique wineries producing small-batch wines, plus craft breweries, family-run cellar doors, and restaurants. Local produce shows up everywhere, from casual meals to fine dining, alongside Gold Plate-winning restaurants.
In fact, there is so much to know about eating out in the Ferguson Valley, we’ve covered it all in a comprehensive post: A Guide to the Luscious Ferguson Valley Restaurants, Wineries and Breweries.
Visit a Ferguson Valley Winery
One of the pleasures of exploring the valley is simply stopping somewhere for a wine tasting or a relaxed long lunch:
St Aidan Wines: A family-run winery and cellar door where you can taste locally produced wines, including Tempranillo, Malbec, and Cabernet Sauvignon.
Green Door Winery: Known for its Mediterranean-style wines and beautiful views across the Ferguson Valley. Visit Green Door Wines for wine tasting or settle in with a grazing platter on the deck.
Willow Bridge Estate: One of the Ferguson Valley’s best-known wineries, Willow Bridge Estate produces a range of wines from its vineyards in the Geographe.
Ferguson Falls Winery: A relaxed option where the café specialises in award-winning stone-baked pizzas.
Hackersley Estate: A small boutique winery in the Ferguson Valley that received 5 Star Winery status in 2013.
Ferguson Valley Brewery
It’s not all about wine. The Ferguson Valley also has a good craft brewery scene, with places such as Wild Bull Brewery, Bush Shack Brewery, and Moody Cow Brewery offering an alternative to the cellar doors.
3. Walk Through Crooked Brook Forest
Location: Boyanup-Ferguson Rd, Crooked Brook
The last time I visited the Ferguson Valley, I hiked in Crooked Brook Forest specifically because it’s considered one of the best wildflower trails near Bunbury.
They have four different walking trails there:
- Forest Path – 600m: This easy, paved, flat loop is great for a short walk through the forest.
- Jarrah Walk – 1.5km: A relatively short walk following Crooked Brook through the jarrah forest and past the billabong.
- Wildflower Walk – 3km: Choose this if you’re visiting during wildflower season. The trail passes through jarrah forest before reaching a lookout with views across Crooked Brook Valley towards Bunbury, where you can see some colourful wildflowers.
- Marri Trail – 10km: For a longer hike, the Marri Trail takes you deeper into the forest and takes around half a day to complete.
The forest also has picnic facilities, free gas BBQs, and toilets, so it’s a great place for a scenic lunch.
4. Stop at the Valley Frame on Pile Road
One of the newest Ferguson Valley attractions is the Valley Frame sculpture, named Convergence, which is located on Pile Road in a scenic pull-in bay. To find it, drive up Pile Road toward Henty Road; you’ll spot it as you come around the bend.
The structure frames views of the rolling green hills of the Ferguson Valley and provides a great photo spot.
It was the inaugural installation of the planned Ferguson Valley Public Art Trail and is made from a series of intentionally spaced steel rings. It’s well worth a quick stop!
5. Experience Ferguson Farmstay
Location: 930 Henty Rd, Ferguson WA
One of our favourite things about the Ferguson Valley is the sense of country life you experience as you travel along the winding roads through the countryside.
We highly recommend getting your hands, and the kids’ hands, dirty at the Ferguson Farmstay farm activities each morning, where Ferguson Valley time slows, and the whole experience feels more relaxed. You can feed a range of animals, enjoy a pony ride, and have a fantastic tractor ride. All these options are available for guests and non-guests. So, if you weren’t lucky enough to book the Ferguson Farmstay, you can still get the farm experience.
For inspiration, read our full review of the Ferguson Farmstay.
6. Visit Dardanup Heritage Park
Location: 416 Moore Rd, Dardanup West WA
Originally, we intended to visit Dardanup Heritage Park, about 15 minutes from Bunbury and just outside the village of Dardanup. Dardanup is also home to the first catholic church in Western Australia outside the metropolitan area. With acres of heritage machinery, this is like a huge outdoor museum.
There is plenty to explore, from vintage tractors, farm machinery and steam engines to old vehicles, workshops and other historic equipment. It’s particularly worth considering if you have children who are fascinated by machinery, or you’re travelling with someone who loves old engines and local history.
After arriving and talking to the friendly lady at the ticket counter, we decided we didn’t have the recommended minimum of 2 hours. As we like to balance visits between our children’s interests, we thought our 4-year-old, machine-mad lad would have got into the old machinery. However, on second thought, he was a tad young. Save it for when he is older, or when we have Grandpa in tow!
Discover more travel inspiration in our blog post about the Perth to Busselton road trip!
Places to Visit Near Ferguson Valley
If you have a little more time, several great places near Ferguson Valley are easy to visit while exploring the area.
Bunbury
Long overlooked by visitors heading to the fine wines and pristine beaches of the Margaret River area, Bunbury was not considered a tourist destination. Well, think again! With the riches of the Ferguson Valley just 20 minutes away, Bunbury offers an abundance of fine wine and food nearby. Plus, if you’re travelling with children, there are plenty of fantastic things to do with kids, including:
- The Bunbury Dolphin Discovery Centre: revamped, with an excellent Interpretive Centre. During the summer months, you can see one of the Bottlenose Dolphins that frequent Koombana Bay. If you wish to see more, why not book on a dolphin eco-cruise?
- Nautical Themed Playground: Just up from the Bunbury Dolphin Discovery Centre is a fabulous nautical-themed playground, and the beautiful turquoise waters of Koombana Bay invite you for a swim. Don’t miss the stunning five-and-a-half-metre steel bust, Wardandi Boodja, which pays deep respect to the Noongar people of the region. The title of the artwork, ‘‘arda’di Boodja’, recognises the region’s language group, the Wardandi, and reminds us that we all live on and in Wardandi saltwater country. The Noongar word Boodja means country/place, and refers to the land, environment and human culture interwoven.
Why not head to Victoria Street’s cosmopolitan cappuccino strip or wander amongst the amazing murals that dot the central Bunbury streets?
In fact, we think a weekend getaway in Bunbury should be on every family’s ‘must-do’ list! We are working on a complete summary of things to do in Bunbury – meanwhile,e here is our guide on accommodation in Bunbury, Western Australia.
Donnybrook
Western Australia’s apple capital, Donnybrook, features some large apples in its main street. It is only 20 minutes from the Ferguson Valley, and very close to Gnomesville.
Donnybrook’s Apple Fun Park was, until recently, Australia’s biggest free-entry fun park, but it’s still a seriously massive park. In this latest iteration, there is even more to do for kids of all ages.
There is a full toddler section, while older kids are drawn to the four-level towers with slides, rope bridges, flying foxes, low rock-climbing walls, swings, a space net, and two 9.5 m towers.
Nearby, The Packing Shed has great grassed areas and a lovely ambience. I’m told they serve up delicious wholesome food. Donnybrook’s also has two bakeries for sweet treats and serves some good-value country food.
Collie
Around 30 minutes from the Ferguson Valley, Collie is well worth adding to your itinerary. We had intended to visit a couple of places in Collie, but unfortunately bad weather meant we didn’t see as much as we hoped! There’s a lot to do in the area, so you could spend a night or two.
One of the most popular things to do is a bit of the Collie Mural Trail, where you can follow colourful murals around town and towards Wellington Dam, home to the enormous Reflections mural painted across the dam wall. The total trail is over 35km and has 40 murals.
You can also relax and visit Lake Kepwari, a former open-cut coal mine now a lake where you can swim, kayak, and paddleboard. It also has picnic areas and camping facilities. Another popular outdoor recreation spot near town is Stockton Lake, known for its clear water and camping, or Minninup Pool: A peaceful spot on the Collie River for picnicking, kayaking or relaxing.
Collie is one of WA’s major trail destinations, with many walking and mountain biking trails through the jarrah forest. Top trails include:
- Arklow Trail Network: Also referred to as the Wambenger Trails, this network has been upgraded and offers over 35km of trails. It is located around 5km north of Collie on Harris River Road.
- Adaptive Trail Loop: For families and less experienced riders, the 9.2km Adaptive Trail Loop is a good option. Those looking for more of a challenge can tackle the 4.5km Trail 7, with a rocky climb, log rides and a fast roller-coaster descent.
Black Diamond Lake
You may have seen Black Diamond Lake on Instagram. It is a stunning opaque turquoise and seriously looks amazing on the ‘Gram! However, for the best pics and to see it in all its glory, visit on a sunny day with clear skies. The light reflects best off the water when there is lots of sun.
The Black Diamond Lake Collie is about five minutes from Collie on Ferguson Road. Please be aware that there are no facilities at this spot. There are no picnic benches, toilets, showers, or camping.
Besides the lack of facilities, the other important thing to know is that swimming is not encouraged. This is because of amoebas in the water. This really puts a damper on things. If you’re bringing children, it can be difficult to keep them out of the water. However, you can canoe, take photos, SUP, or have a picnic on the lake’s shores, as long as you bring your own equipment and food.
Planning Your Ferguson Valley Trip
Perth to Ferguson Valley
The Ferguson Valley is around two hours south of Perth, making it an easy weekend getaway or even a long day trip. Head south along Kwinana Freeway and Forrest Highway towards Bunbury. Look out for Fergus the Bull and the Millars Creek Information Bay after the turn-offs for Collie, then continue via the South Western Highway before turning toward Dardanup and the Ferguson Valley.
Bunbury to Ferguson Valley
The Ferguson Valley is only around 20 minutes by car from Bunbury. Head inland towards Dardanup, which marks the beginning of the valley. Once you reach Dardanup, you enter a gorgeous scene of rolling hills where Ferguson Valley time starts to take over, with contented herds of cattle, gentle streams and mist-filled mornings. The roads are steep and winding, and as you meander along, the views keep you driving slowly.
Best Time to Visit Ferguson Valley
January is the driest (and hottest!) month in the Ferguson Valley, while July is the wettest. January is also the warmest month, with an average high of around 30 °C (86 °F) and a low of 13 °C (55 °F).
July is the coldest month, with an average maximum of 15°C and a low of 4°C. The Ferguson Valley is a year-round destination. I especially like it in winter or early spring, when the fields are bright green, and I can snuggle up by a log fire with a glass of local red wine.
How Long Do You Need?
Though you can visit The Ferguson Valley as a day trip or short road trip stop, we highly recommend at least a couple of days to experience all the fantastic things to do. I consider it the perfect weekend getaway from Perth: head down Friday night, enjoy two full nights, then head back to Perth on Sunday. If you opt to make this a long weekend getaway, then kudos to you – three days will be a good amount of time to combine leisurely lunches with some outdoor activities.
Where to Stay
If you are looking for a Perth getaway to recharge and reconnect, a weekend stay in the Ferguson Valley is a great idea, with some stays and campgrounds that suit simple evenings around a fire pit. We know, because we have done it several times. Check out our guide to The Best Ferguson Valley Accommodation for our top recommendations.
If you are late booking and the glorious Ferguson Valley accommodation is booked, you will find plenty of excellent options in nearby Bunbury.
The Verdict – The Best Things to do in The Ferguson Valley WA
Honestly, if you are not tempted to book a weekend escape in the Ferguson Valley after reading all the fantastic things we have mentioned – there is nothing more we can say! From Wellington National Park to Black Diamond Lake Collie, and the amazing Ferguson Valley wineries, there is so much to do and see just a couple of hours from Perth.
FAQs
I guess the question is – why not visit the Ferguson Valley? Of all the areas around Perth, I can’t think of a more gorgeous weekend escape. Escape is the operative word here. Once you are in the rolling green hills, camping in the National Parks, or sipping wine at one of the wineries, you will feel a million miles away from the city! For us, that constitutes a “true escape”!
Ferguson Valley is a fantastic family destination. While most things to do are suitable, highlights include Gnomesville, Ferguson Farmstay, and easy walks at Crooked Brook Forest and Dardanup Heritage Park. There are also plenty of family-friendly wineries and breweries, plus plenty of scenic spots for picnics.
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