Yallingup topped the list in Australian Traveller's 100 Best Towns in Australia in 2019. 
Events for everyone
The region's calendar of events is filled with an array of popular music festivals, food and wine shows and national sporting contests that make the South West an exciting place to be.
And with such a diverse range of events taking place almost every weekend, there is guaranteed to be something for everyone.
Keep an eye out for these popular events:
City of Bunbury Skyfest Australia Day Celebrations − January
The City of Bunbury Skyfest Australia Day Celebrations reflect the very essence of what it means to be an Australian: freedom, lifestyle, community, culture and heritage. With a fundraising breakfast, fun run, awards ceremonies, market stalls, sideshow alley, youth zone, family concert and massive fireworks display, there is something to interest everyone. More info
WA Circus Festival − January
Roll up to Karridale for three days of circus, comedy and cabaret fun. Every year, the circus festival comes to town, complete with theatre shows from around the world, as well as music, food and stalls - not to mention a flying trapeze! More info
SunSmart Busselton Jetty Swim − February
The iconic Busselton Jetty is the centre piece for this popular ocean swim. The annual contest sees more than 1500 people swim around the 3.6 kilometre wooden pier each year. The event is part of a weekend of entertainment, activities and family-friendly fun. More info
Boyup Brook Country Music Festival − February
For more than 20 years, country music fans have been heading to Boyup Brook for some of country music's biggest names, the West Australian Country Music Awards plus the Ute & Truck Muster. More info
Multicultural Night Under the Stars − February
Travel the globe in just three hours when you attend the Multicultural Night Under the Stars in Bunbury. Each year, on the Saturday of the March long weekend, the free family event entertains with international dance, music and food. More info
Emergence Creative Festival − March
Bringing together creativity and technology, the Emergence Creative Festival is heralded as the anti-conference for those who think digitally and differently. Each year, the event attracts a stellar line-up of national and international guest speakers, and features exciting off-shoot events. Read more
Harvey Harvest Festival − March
Experience the atmosphere of Italy at the Harvey Harvest Festival. A celebration of Harvey's cultural history and farming roots, the festival offers a feast for the senses with arts, culture, food, wine and markets. More info
Nannup Music Festival − March
On the Western Australian Labour Day long weekend, the town of Nannup comes alive with performers from around Australia and across the world. Set in the heart of the South West's jarrah forest, beside the Blackwood River, it features folk and world music, poetry, dance and street theatre. More info
South West Autumn Racing Carnival − March
The South West Autumn Racing Carnival is more than just racing, with music concerts and a street fiesta packed into nine fun-filled days. The Bunbury Cup forms the highlight of the Bunbury Carnaval and is hailed as the South West's biggest one-day party. More info
Margaret River Pro − April
Expect big names and world-class surfing action at the Margaret River Pro. The World Championship Tour event has in the past attracted surfing legends like Kelly Slater and Taj Burrow. More info
SunSmart Busselton Festival of Triathlon − May
Hundreds of people from around Australia and overseas compete in the annual SunSmart Ironman 70.3 Busselton. The swim leg of the race is around the iconic Busselton Jetty in the protected waters of Geographe Bay. More info
Groovin the Moo − May
Thousands rock out at Groovin the Moo, a regional music festival which attracts top Australian and international acts to Bunbury. The inaugural event in 2010 was headlined by Silverchair and Vampire Weekend. More info
Margaret River Readers & Writers Festival − May
Each Western Australia Day long weekend, fans of the written word flock to Margaret River to hear from big names at the annual Margaret River Readers & Writers Festival. A Young Readers and Writers Festival is also held, with authors visiting schools in the Margaret River region. More info
Fridgetown Fest − June to August
Fridgetown Fest is a three-month festival with a diverse program of entertainment and events throughout winter. It's all held in Bridgetown, the Winter Capital of Western Australia. Events include the ever-popular Banquet on a Bridge in August.
Truffle Kerfuffle − June
Truffle Kerfuffle celebrates the start of the renowned black truffle season along with the very best wine and produce that the Southern Forests has to offer. On the to-do list of many a traveller and gourmand, this winter festival has a hands-on and adventurous atmosphere, with truffle hunters in search of prized truffles, truffle dog demonstrations, local artisan and produce markets, gala dinners, wine tastings and masterclasses with locally and nationally celebrated chefs. It is held at Fonty's Pool, Manjimup. More info
Balingup Medieval Festival − August
Filled with atmosphere, colour and excitement, the Balingup Medieval Festival is a fine food and wine "affayre" held on the fourth weekend in August every year. Visitors are invited to dress in medieval costume, attend the feast, participate in the parade and browse the stalls. More info
CinéfestOZ − August
A favourite among film fans, CinéfestOZ showcases Australian and French movies over five days in August each year. Through feature film premieres and a highly anticipated film selection, the Busselton-based film festival draws a diverse audience and attracts filmmakers and actors from throughout Australia. More info
The Nannup Flower and Garden Festival − August
Flower power draws people to the South West town of Nannup each year for the annual Nannup Flower and Garden Festival. Marvel at the hundreds of tulips and hyacinths in the Great Hall of Flowers, wander through a country garden, take in a quilt and craft display, and when you've done all that, relax with a Devonshire tea. Read more
Dardanup Bull and Barrel Festival − October
The diversity of the beautiful Dardanup and Ferguson Valley areas goes on show during October's Dardanup Bull & Barrel Festival. Wine tasting, music, an art exhibition and a sprinting competition are among its highlights. More info
Margaret River Gourmet Escape − November
The Margaret River Gourmet Escape is a foodie and wine-lovers dream, with long lunches at private wineries, iconic beach barbecues and feasts in the forest. Celebrity chefs lead the line-up of personalities at the three-day culinary adventure. More info
Donnybrook Food and Wine Fest − November (TBC)
Savour local flavours at the Donnybrook Food and Wine Fest. This free-entry, family-friendly event showcases locally produced food and wine. In previous years, attractions have also included grape stomping, vintage car displays and live music. More info
Act-Belong-Commit Augusta Adventure Fest − November (TBC)
Adventure fans head to Augusta in November each year to put themselves to the test in a highly anticipated leg of the Rapid Ascent Adventure Race National Series, the premier adventure racing series in Australia. About 1600 people run, swim, paddle and mountain bike their way through a challenging course that takes them from ruggedly beautiful coastal areas to breathtaking inland forest. More info
Blues at Bridgetown − November
Western Australia's original blues festival has been held annually on the second weekend in November since 1993. The program showcases an all-embracing and diverse range of blues music acts at various venues around the town. More info
Manjimup Cherry Harmony Festival − December (TBC)
Every year in December Manjimup hosts the Cherry Harmony Festival to celebrate the start of the cherry season. Visitors can expect to be treated to live entertainment, cherry stalls, wood chopping, wine tasting, a bucking bull, dunking tank and a cherry pip spitting competition. More info
Organisers estimate the economic impact of the 2019 Jazz by the Bay Festival to be about $5.8 million.