Great Southern

Covering over 39,000 square kilometres, it is the southern most region of Western Australia and is located along the coast, exposed to the Southern ocean.

It offers a unique combination of rugged coastlines, harbours, pristine beaches and ancient forests and covers 11 local government areas.

A major residential and tourist destination, it has a population of more than 60,000 people, including 62 per cent of people within its major regional centre of Albany, where one of our Ports and some of our team calls home.

The region is deeply enriched with both Aboriginal and European history. The Albany township is the oldest European settlement in Western Australia, celebrating 200 years.

Economy

Given the climate and area, the region is known for its primary production, natural and harvested fishing, aquaculture, vineyards, fine food and wine culture and tourism.

It is one of the smallest regions by the hectare and in Gross Regional Product at $4.98 billion but the second largest agricultural producer in the state.

17.5 per cent of the region’s turnover is attributed to primary production. The main agricultural industries include cropping, livestock and wool, with horticulture and viticulture also important contributors to this sector. The area is also an ideal location for fruit and vegetable production.

Diversification from traditional agricultural methods has seen developments of industries within the region including timber, light engineering, energy, horticultural, tourism (adventure and ecotourism), fine food and wine, aquaculture and bush products and exports.

The woodchip industry is one of the primary exporters in the region, while commercial fishing is a contributor to the socioeconomic health of the region.

Other industrial activities include retail, tourism, construction and manufacturing.

The top sectors for employment are:

Agriculture, forestry and fishing
Health care and social assistance
Retail

In the Great Southern there are nearly 7,000 businesses, with only around 150 employing 20 or more people.

Tourism

A hot spot for local and international tourism, the Great Southern offers a variety of attractions from the Stirling and Porongurup Range which are some of the oldest granite ranges in the world and perfect for hiking, to its coastline tourism and unique wildlife including the popular whale watching season.

The region’s role in WA history is also a major drawcard for visitors with the National ANZAC centre a top choice destination according to Lonely Planet.

The Great Southern is also an important part of the 1.5-million-hectare Biosphere Reserve of the Fitzgerald River National Park and is recognised as a place of environmental significant by the United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO). It ranks as one of the most important areas for plant biodiversity in the world, with over 250 geographically restricted plant and animal species.

Great Southern is the fifth most visited region of WA with 740,000 overnight visitors each year and has become a premier cruise destination, with more than 20,000 people arriving through the Port of Albany each year.

Find out more

Cruise ship entering Princess Royal Harbour with tug boat

Infrastructure

Similarly to the South West and Goldfields-Esperance, the Great Southern has strengths in regards to its roads, rail and port access.

In understanding future needs for the region, Infrastructure WA highlighted the direction for future infrastructure:

Strengths	Infrastructure direction
Agriculture and food Liveability Road, rail and port access	Support agriculture and food, value-adding and supply chain efficiency Address gaps in social services and infrastructure, including health, education, training and housing Support increased water and wastewater network capacity to improve water security