South West WA Building Guide: From Busselton to Margaret River

The South West region of Western Australia is known for its stunning backdrops and idyllic holiday destinations. Made up of coastal cities, country towns and hinterland retreats, this corner of Australia is a truly beautiful space to put down roots. As highly experienced South West builders, we’ve prepared a guide for building in the region, looking at key areas across the South West and where house and land packages are currently available. We’ve also included a brief discussion on local council areas and regulations, and a guide to choosing home designs in this unique pocket of the Western Australian landscape.

With a population of over 180,000 residents and 12 local government areas, the South West region of Western Australia is a sprawling section of the state known for its mix of seaside destinations, wineries, forests, and an abundance of natural beauty. If you’re looking for South West builders, look no further. We offer house and land packages from Bunbury and Busselton to Margaret River and beyond.

As one of WA’s most populated cities, Bunbury is a major economic and business centre. The city is approximately two hours south of Perth and is located on a peninsula. It offers a combination of countryside charm, seaside living, and city life. Bunbury attracts plenty of tourism for its natural attractions, especially its famous Dolphin Discovery Centre.

Within the wider Bunbury Geographe region are a number of picturesque towns and locations, including Dardanup and the Ferguson valley (a hinterland popular for its wineries and restaurants), as well as Harvey, Collie, Balingup, Donnybrook and Capel.

If you’re thinking of building in the Bunbury region, we have house and land available in South Bunbury and Dalyellup Beach. 

Best known for its 160-year-old jetty, Busselton has a rich history as one of the first Western Australian settlements established in the early 19^th century. Today, Busselton is a vibrant seaside community that attracts visitors and families year-round.

Home to the Noongar people, the Busselton area has a number of suburbs retaining their indigenous names, including Yalyalup where house and land is available. Get in touch with WA Country Builders Busselton if you’re ready to build in this region of the South West.

Half an hour from Busselton, the coastal town of Dunsborough is positioned on the shores of Geographe Bay. This is a popular destination for seaside tourism and whale watching. Holidaymakers are drawn to areas like Meelup Beach, the Cape Naturalist Lighthouse and Ngilgi Caves.

If you’re looking to build in the South West, consider our various options for house and land in Cowaramup, only half an hour south of Dunsborough.

Nicknamed “Margs”, Margaret River is a thriving region that draws over 1.5 million visitors each year. With world-class wineries that produce more than 20% of Australia’s premium wine, gourmet food spots, breweries and boutique shopping, this is a stellar location to put down your roots. For surfers, Margaret River and the nearby town of Prevelly are especially noteworthy for the famous Surfers Point.

There are several options for building in Margaret River, as well as nearby Witchcliffe and Karridale.

As dream home builders in South West WA, we can help you find a home design and location that suits you. Click here to view available house and land packages with WA Country Builders.

South-western Australia has what is known as a Mediterranean climate, shared with the Mediterranean basin and parts of California, South Africa and Chile. If you’re building in the South West WA, it is important to note that this local climate is characterised by dry summers and wet winters, very different to that of the northern parts of the state.

You can expect warm, sunny days generally ranging from 25°C to 35°C in the summer, perfect for spending time at the beach and entertaining outdoors. Autumn is quite mild, with cooler nights and mellow winds, while spring brings clear days and warmer weather.

The winter months have a typical temperature of 8°C – 16°C. This time of year is marked by rain and cloudy, stormy weather. The wet season, with its drizzly days and long nights, is an apt time to make the most of the South West’s award-winning wineries and hinterland escapes.

There are 12 local government areas in the South West region. If you know where you’d like to build, it can be helpful to familiarise yourself with local council laws that may be relevant to you, such as bin collections, pet registrations, business permits, and building permissions.

To find the most up-to-date information on local council regulations, you can visit the official shire or city website, linked below.

The South West boasts stunning regions stretching from the countryside to the coast. As South West builders, we can help you to find not only a location that suits you and your family, but a design that truly speaks to you, whether your home is in Busselton, Margaret River or beyond.

If your future home is nestled on the shores of Dalyellup Beach or near the picturesque Busselton Jetty, a beach house seems like a natural choice. Of course, not all beach houses have to look the same. The traditional look is a gabled façade with dormer windows, featuring blue, white and tan colour palettes with weathered wood. Modern coastal retreats tend to be more minimal, with neutral colour palettes and clean lines. Their glass doors and large windows are designed to take advantage of the seaside views.

Whether you’re positioned on the shore or further inland, you might instead opt for a home design that is sleek and contemporary. This style is characterised by simplicity, clean lines and minimalist aesthetics. Our contemporary designs tend to feature large windows, courtyards, balconies and sliding doors, emphasising indoor-outdoor living spaces. These homes are more likely to have bolder facades and skillion roofs.

Building in the South West WA is an opportunity to explore different home designs against a range of backdrops. A traditional home blends in seamlessly, whether it’s situated along the coast or in the hinterlands. The traditional home design champions gabled roofs, dormer windows and covered porches. These timeless features are popular across the South West, but especially in Busselton, where the gabled facades are reminiscent of the iconic jetty buildings located along the shore.