Explore EVerywhere: Villages In The Valley

Approx. driving time: 2.5 hours, excluding stops
Overnight: Balingup
Key EV stop: Donnybrook

Begin your South West EV road trip with a full charge and an easy drive south from Perth to Balingup, the gateway to the Blackwood River Valley. It’s a gentle first leg of the journey, with plenty of time to settle into the rhythm of the day before you arrive among rolling hills, lush orchards, and one of the region’s most character-filled small towns.

Stop in Donnybrook on your way there to explore the fresh produce, country bakeries, Apple Fun Park Playground, and unique boutique shops while you charge up. Then its time to head onwards to Balingup and the beauty that awaits there!

Once in Balingup, park up and explore the town on foot. Stop for lunch at a local café, wander the main street, browsing independent stores including Tinderbox for handmade essential oils and aromatherapy products, Balingup Goldsmith for locally crafted jewellery, and Village Pedlars for artisan wares. Or push on just outside of town to the Golden Valley Tree Park for a quiet walk in WA's largest arboretum.

Before checking into your accommodation, pick up something local to enjoy later — perhaps a bottle from Balingup Fruit Winery — then settle into one of the town’s B&Bs or self-contained cottages.

As the afternoon slows, so can you. Watch the light shift across the surrounding hills, light the fire if the weather calls for it, and step outside after dark for a sky largely uninterrupted by city lights.

Approx. driving time: 30 minutes, excluding stops
Overnight: Nannup
Key EV stop: Nannup

Start the morning slowly in Balingup with breakfast at one of the local cafes, then take a wander through town.

If you didn't already visit it yesterday, make sure you stop by one of the area’s standout nature stops, Golden Valley Tree Park. Covering around 60 hectares, the park is especially striking in autumn, when its collection of trees shifts through rich reds, golds, and oranges. Give yourself plenty of time to explore a section of the walking trails before getting back on the road.

From Balingup, follow the Blackwood River Tourist Drive towards Nannup. This is one of those stretches where the drive is a major part of the day: orchards, rolling hills, farmland, jarrah and marri forest, and changing views across the Blackwood River Valley.

Stop at Wright’s Bridge for your first close look at the Blackwood River, then continue towards Nannup, allowing time for a winery stop along the way if it suits your schedule.

Once in Nannup, park the car and explore the town on foot. Wander the main street, browse local stores and follow sections of the Heritage Trail to learn more about the people and stories that have shaped the town.

Settle in for the evening, perhaps with dinner at Nannup Brewing Co, and enjoy the slower pace of one of the South West’s most character-filled inland towns. For accommodation choices - Holberry House has an EV charger on site, perfect for an overnight top-up. Alternatively, there are options in town as part of the WA EV network.

Approx. driving time: 40 minutes, excluding stops
Overnight: Bridgetown
Key EV stop: Bridgetown

Spend the morning discovering a little more of Nannup before getting back on the road. Head into the forest for a walk and, in warmer weather, perhaps a swim at Barrabup Pool. Or stay closer to town to explore local galleries, artisans, and specialty stores.

Food lovers can make a stop at Cambray Cheese to sample locally-made sheep and cow’s milk cheeses, while those with a little more time can detour to Chestnut Brae and discover how chestnuts are grown and transformed into a surprising range of local products.

From Nannup, make your way towards Bridgetown via Donnelly River Village. Once a timber-milling settlement, the heritage village is now known for the mobs of kangaroos and emus that regularly wander between its cottages. Take your time, keep a respectful distance from the wildlife, and enjoy one of the more unusual stops on this inland route.

Continue through forest and farmland to Bridgetown, a historic town perched above the Blackwood River. Park up and explore the main street on foot, where heritage buildings now house cafés, independent stores, galleries, and local makers.

Settle in for lunch and something locally made before spending the afternoon exploring more of the Blackwood Valley at your own pace. If a cellar door is on the agenda, allow time for a tasting before returning to Bridgetown and checking into your accommodation for the night.

Bridgetown boasts it's own Superfast EV charging facility right next door to Puzzletown6255, making it the perfect place for a full recharge before heading back to Perth tomorrow.

Approx. driving time: 3 hours, excluding stops
Key EV stop: Bridgetown

There’s no need to rush the final morning. After breakfast, spend a little more time discovering Bridgetown before pointing the car north. Get out onto the Blackwood River by kayak, follow one of the walking trails around town, or seek out the works dotted along the Bridgetown Art Trail. It’s a chance to fit in one last adventure.

When you’re ready, begin the journey back towards Perth, stopping in Greenbushes along the way. This historic mining town has a story stretching well beyond its modern association with lithium; explore its heritage and surrounding natural landscapes before continuing north through Balingup and towards home.

Or don’t head home just yet!

From Bridgetown, you’re well placed to turn this road trip into something bigger. Continue south towards the Great Southern, or connect with the Margaret River Region and Busselton for a few more days of coast, forest, food, and wine. With an electric vehicle it's easier than ever to Explore EVerywhere.