South West Life

Bridgetown is a small artistic and cultural town on the Blackwood river in the centre of South West WA. The area is surrounded by forests, nature trails, vineyards and other agricultural pursuits. Although Bridgetown is world renowned for the Blues Festival, there is much more for the discerning tourist, especially those with an eye for music, art and crafts.

In March is the "Down Under Country" festival with music, bush poets and yarns around the fire in the evening. April/May see the Blackwood Valley Chamber festival with top class chamber music performers from around the world attending. Late June hosts a series of Jazz concert. The second weekend in November is when the Bridgetown Blues festival takes over the town with 3 days of workshops and performances by international, national and local performers. There's a street festival which blocks off "Highway 1" and the population of the town is increased three or four-fold and everybody who lives there has friends not seen for 10 years turn up and politely ask if the camp on the back lawn.

To sporting people, Bridgetown is best known for The Blackwood Marathon, the only relay marathon in the world includes running, kayaking, swimming, equestrian and cycling stages. Perhaps not quite as arduous is the Easter tennis carnival. The Festival of Country Gardens happens every spring and autumn. The walking and bike trails along the river or through surrounding Jarrah and Marri forests are great all year round, the wild flowers are abundant in the late spring and starry night skies are available all year.

As one would expect, there is a wide range of accommodation available, ranging from being pampered for a luxury weekend to more modest options camping, caravan park, chalets, B&B's, farmstays, hotels and motel.

It's easy to see why Bridgetown is the current winner of the GWN Top Tourist Award for towns under 5,000 residents.

Thanks to local Bob Johnson for the above information.

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Bridgetown Holiday Accommodation

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Local Links

Shire Of Bridgetown-Greenbushes - www.bridgetown.wa.gov.au