20 Unmissable Things To Do in South West WA, Day 3 Busselton to Margaret River via Cape Naturaliste, Day 5 Margaret River south to Cape Leeuwin, Day 12 Fremantle to The Pinnacles (or choose your own adventure). A beautiful spot to end the day. Pemberton itself is pretty low-key its main road boasts a sprawling historic pub, a couple of restaurants and a cool whisky bar (naturally). Wed 4 May. 200 km (124 miles)Total driving time appx. And a drink. Meaning that you can get home . After a long drive, theres no better way to stretch the legs than with an afternoon climb. Make use of technology. John, for his tree-climbing pains, gets to do a full tasting session, after which we retreat to the outdoor patio to enjoy some snacks and a glass of pinot noir overlooking the beautiful rolling hills of the estate. 125 km (78 miles)Total driving time appx. Or head to the small carpark north of town and wander up the hill to Yallingup Beach Lookout for a great view over the scene and surf. We head to the left first, to catch a last light glimpse of the coves famous herd of huddling granite elephants theyre not so obvious at first, but once you see them, well, they really cant be unseen. Depending on the weather, you can either visit the next couple of sites as they roll out along the coast, or do a bit of backtracking in order to be at Sugarloaf Rock for sunset, which is our plan of attack. Catch the coach from Perth to Albany About Route Timetable GS3 Coach line Perth to Albany via Bunbury and Walpole Our most expansive looptake the option to travel down the coast, through the Avon Valley and the edge of goldfield country or straight down the middlethe choice is yours. Top 7 trips from Albany to Perth. We opt for Hidden River Estate just north of Pemberton and around 15 minutes from the Dave Evans Bicentennial Tree. This is a town built on logging because Pemberton is surrounded by giant Karri trees. While this itinerary doesnt leave much time for Denmark wineries, we really dont want to leave without sampling some of the local vino. Stop in the quaint Mount Barker for a quick stroll down the main street, to stock up on any supplies you need from the IGA, and to admire some of its heritage architecture. The shoulder periods between March May (Aussie Autumn) and September November (Aussie Spring) are said by many to be the nicest times of year, though chilling out by a fire with a Margaret River cab sav in winter has definite appeal for us. Electric cars available in Australia in 2022, Pre-purchase building inspection benefits, WAs best road trips and long distance drives, Endless things to see and do in Perth and WA, WAs top destinations and places worth visiting, An epic road trip through the best of the South West. The ultimate Perth to Albany and beyond road trip itinerary BY Fleur Bainger Last updated . Make sure you check road conditions to double check the weather. Till next time! In fact, the wild bottlenose dolphins of Koombana Bay have become such a drawcard that the dedicated Dolphin Discovery Centre was created to ensure interactions with these magical creatures are safe and eco-friendly. Albany to Perth via Pemberton. Theres a path through the scrubby coastal heath overlooking the farm, and were so close to the nearest turbine that we can practically feel the slow whummp of the enormous rotor blades as they turn. The thing about planning a road trip in Australia is that distances can be as epic as the nature itself, so its vital to take a pragmatic approach to just how much you can see and do with the time you have (fun fact: the state of Western Australia is ten times the size of the UK!). This will help you keep track of who has RSVPed and which tasks need to be done in time for the event. If youd rather self-tour though, your options are many check out this site for some tips and suggested wine trails. This is also the launchpad for the famous Cape to Cape Track, an epic 135 km (84 mile) coastal hike. The first leg our your road trip isn't too long roughly four and half hours depending on how many breaks you take. In the Margaret River region also check out accommodation in Dunsborough. But Perth is a smorgasbord of international dining and drinking options here are some ideas on where to spend your evening. Covering the natural beauty of the Porongurup Ranges, the rich history of Albany, the culinary scene in Denmark, the lush forests of Pemberton, the food and wine in Margaret River, the iconic coast of Busseltonand the charm of quaint Donnybrook think of this as your south west 'greatest hits'. Use the Google map on this page to explore Western Australia's road network, towns, cities, national parks and other areas. Australian Train Travel. Quickest way to get there Cheapest option Distance between. From Nannup, we join the Karri Forest Explorer Drive roughly 52 km (32 miles) south-east on the Vasse Highway. It's roughly 350km which will take a minimum of four hours, without stops. We plot a cycle loop around the island that takes in some of the natural and heritage highlights, including the crystal clear waters of Little Salmon Bay, the dramatic coastline of West End, the frolicking New Zealand fur seals of Cathedral Rocks, Wadjemup Lighthouse, and the pink salt lakes. Here, within view of the sparkling Indian Ocean, thousands of ancient limestone needles sweep across the rise and fall of a sandy desert. Sure, in peak periods crowd numbers swell. The top stops along the way from Perth to Albany (with short detours) are Penguin Island, Dolphin Quay Apartment Hotel, and Cohunu Koala Park. Our fave was Whisper on Essex Street, a cozy little wine bar in an historic mill converted into a charming French townhouse. Our Perth to Albany road trip in Western Australia is one of the entries on our Bucket List of 100 Ultimate Road Trips Around The World check out what else is on the list. If you don't have much time for your Perth to Esperance road trip, then you can simply skip out the Margaret River section of the drive and . starting from Albany 2.5 hours Pemberton 3 hours Rockingham 41 minutes Perth. Perth to Albany via Pemberton. It covers 1,621 km and 17 hours of driving time. The limestone of the Leeuwin-Naturaliste ridge is pockmarked with spectacular, million-year-old caves and visiting at least one is a must. Win! So once youre settled in, head up to the famous Castle Rock Granite Skywalk in Porongurup National Park, where youll enjoy sprawling views over the ranges. Theres no shortage of places to pick up a bite to eat in the villages dotting the peninsula, but were keen to visit the beautifully-sited Eagle Bay Brewing Co for lunch. As the other must-see on our Torndirrup list, we make a beeline for The Blowholes as the sun is dropping. Of course, if youre us, theres always one more thing to squeeze in. Unsurprisingly, there are also lots of cafs here but the name also reflects Freos Italian heritage, which is still very much alive. At The Gap, a new cantilevered platform hovers out over a narrow fissure in the sheer cliffs for a thrilling view of the crashing sea 40 metres (130 feet) below. Table . THE FAST ROAD TO ALBANY The quickest way to drive to Albany from either Margaret River or Augusta is via Manjimup and then the Muir Highway. 3 hours (with lots of stops)Overnight: Denmark. Two hours from Perth, Williams is a great spot for a break on the . 2 hoursOvernight: Perth. 6.5 hours of driving. You'll need a national park pass RAC members save 50%. Given the amount of driving on this south west Australia road trip itinerary, we figured it was only fair that we both get a day off from being designated driver and let someone else show us around! Chauffeured Stretch Limousine Service 0455 330 310 "On Demand Booking Service number 1005087" Read More >> People & Parcel Movers. But a quick online search of things to do throws up plenty of options to fill a day or more here. Or the other way round. We pick up some fresh juices from a local caf and wander for a bit before settling on the beach for some people watching. From Esperance. Its a straight three hour drive from Kojonup to Fremantle along State Route 30, so settle in for the drive past farms and bushland. Weve pre-booked the first ferry out from B Shed in Fremantle and the last one back, to max our time on the island. The track leads to the beautiful Warren Beach (Yeagarup Beach). This trip is suitable for two-wheel drives. Today were closing the loop on our south west road trip and making our way back towards Perth via the Albany Highway/State Route 30. What?! We also stop for a cooling arvo beer at Pinks Beach Club, before rolling back into town in time for our return ferry. Amongst the trees on the road from Perth to Albany Stop 4 - Walpole. Save the maps to your hard drive for easy viewing and to get . So we went ahead and visited as much as we could and have captured it all here, with the caveat that if you do as we do, you can expect to be on the go most of the time. Members save up to 25% on maps and guides, Choose from our range of travel insurance options to find the one that suits you, 832 Wellington Street, You know youve reached the lower lookout when you arrive at the extraordinary Balancing Rock, a huge boulder eroded over millennia to perch precariously on its granite base. ): 7hr 30min Suggested time: 4-6 days Early morning is also perfect for exploring a bit more of the park on foot the Desert View Trail is an easy, 1.5 km (0.9 mile) return walk. SW3 - Perth to Pemberton via Collie and Bridgetown (with train option) GS3 - Perth to Albany via Pemberton. Keep an eye out for wildlife particularly on the road between the Porongurups and Albany. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with this. At just over 415km, from Perth to Albany, it takes just four and a half hours, and . Any difference driving clockwise from Perth to Albany and back via Pemberton-Augusta-MR-Dunsborough-Yallingup-Busselton-Mandurah-Fremantle route. Day 1: Perth to Dunsborough. We also pack a lot into todays itinerary, which means we see plenty but we dont get a lot of time in each place. With more time in this town, you could explore some of the other local sights like the Old Courthouse Art Complex and Busselton Museum. Or the other way round. Also in the early 1970s, the King Karri Scenicruiser buses ran from Bunbury through Manjimup, Pemberton, Northcliffe and Walpole to Albany at the same time the Albany Progress overnight train was still operating, making it possible to do a round trip by rail from Perth to Albany and bus from Albany to Perth via Bunbury. A short drive west of Walpole, and around 4.3 km (2.7 miles) along Hilltop Road (off the South Coast Highway), is the Giant Tingle Tree. Our first stop on this tourist route is Beedelup Falls, in the Greater Beedelup National Park. The artist Gaudi said there are no straight lines in nature, making this strikingly linear sea-sculpted channel a real eye-catcher, surrounded as it is by an otherwise rugged and wild coast. As the gateway to the Margaret River region, you could easily base yourself here for a couple of days and explore the area further. Then continue on to Porongurup, the home of one of the oldest mountain ranges in the world. . Apparently the best time to see them is during summer on clear, calm mornings. There are also a couple of lovely wine bars in the area. Weve opted to stay a short walk from Fremantles historic and port area, so after checking in, we make for the towns most popular gathering joint the vast Little Creatures Brewery for a sunset beer followed by dinner and an early night. Day 2: Dunsborough to Walpole via Margaret River. Torndirrups Blowholes are a bit morewell, subtle. From there it's only 45 minutes to Donnybrook, the apple capital of WA. We will be there for 6 nights and use it as a base, before coming back to Perth for 4 nights. As with just about every stop on our south western Australia itinerary, you could spend days exploring this park alone Torndirrup has a ton of trails, lookouts and some exquisite beaches. Find the best hotels, restaurants, and attractions based on the most talked about places recommended by Trippy members. Theres a caf at the lighthouse precinct, and an excellent interpretive centre that tells the story of the lighthouse and its keepers. We figured the distances on this trip are already long and the days packed, and we didnt want it turning into the Amazing Race by adding a further ten hour round-trip for a couple of hours on the sand. Today we hit the roads south of Margaret River to explore the natural and historic highlights along the coast to Cape Leeuwin, Australias most south-westerly point. At the end of Leeuwin Road out of Augusta is Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse, the tallest lighthouse on mainland Australia. The Karri forests of south west Australia are extraordinary. When putting together this south west Australian road trip planner, we plotted to visit the sites below roughly in the order they appeared on the map heading south from Margaret River. Phone reception is fine in and around the main towns, but everywhere else including while youre driving on the long stretches of road will be patchy at best. After lunch, we follow Caves Road and then the turnoff to Canal Rocks. We will be there for 6 nights and use it as a base, before coming back to Perth for 4 nights. By this stage, you might be inclined to make for Pemberton, check into your accommodation and chill out for the rest of the day. Busselton is a great laid-back stop to kick off your trip, or for a quick visit on your way to spend a couple of days in the Margaret River area. Our first stop is Mammoth Cave, where a self-guided audio tour takes us on a boardwalk journey through the stunning, stalactite-filled chambers of this ancient place. I also like Augusta for its country town vibe, river coast and some nice eating spots. Perth to Albany via Albany Hwy. Should be buzzy and close to dining options and coastal feel. Next is a tight climb up a six metre, enclosed metal ladder to the Skywalk, a narrow suspended platform crowning the peak of Castle Rock. Member rate varies according to season. Break your fast in Busselton, or make the half-hour trip west to the resort town of Dunsborough for brekkie. The Hawaiian Ride for Youth has raised more than $30million for mental health support services in WA. Direct. The observatory itself is a fascinating descent into the shallow bay and showcases the beautiful coral reef habitat that has formed on the timber pilings. View The Gap and Natural Bridge rock . If youre craft beer apprecionados like us, you might go in search of the citys tap rooms try a schooie at Petitions Beer Corner or a sundowner by the Swan River at the Island Brewhouse at Elizabeth Quay. Top 9 trips from Perth to Albany. The story of mutiny, murder and island castaway horror is the stuff of fiction but its all too real*. This is our kind of town a vibrant waterfront precinct, a hub of historic sites to wander around, some excellent eateries and great drinking establishments. From the National Anzac Centre, were heading to the dramatic coastal reserve of Torndirrup National Park. Here's a sample itinerary for a drive from Perth Airport to Albany. It does a loop taking in Freos key spots and is a great way to get around and get a sense of the place. There are lots of other options for dinner around here too. Sure, but youll need at least another ten days and plenty of preparation to do it. This is one of the regions famed fire trees epic old-growth karri trees once used as above-the-forest-canopy fire lookouts. A quintessential stretch of gorgeous white sand and sparkling aquamarine sea, Hamelin Bay Beach has become famous for the stingrays that cruise the shallows here, weaving between excited ankles and feet. The cantilevered walkway here takes you from ground level up to 40 metres and into the canopy of the Walpole-Nornalup National Park tingle forest. Make sure you check road conditions to double check the weather. We spend around two hours making this trek. After breakfasting in Freo, pack the car and make for the tiny town of Cervantes, keeping a look out for shifting white wedding cake dunes and wild emus. Thats a bus and a half wide! There are plaques and points of interest along the way, telling the story of its past and present. For specific information on travelling to the state of Western Australia (WA), where this road trip itinerary takes place, head here. 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