Western Wanderer - from Perth

Vineyards, forests, scorched outback and spectacular scenery in a journey around Australia’s south-west corner.

PERTH TO PERTH - Self Drive

DAY 1
PERTH - MARGARET RIVER (280 kms)

Pick up your Avis rental car at Perth City Depot (or Perth Airport at additional cost) and commence your drive to Margaret River. Depart Perth and travel south to the pretty port city of Fremantle, where the America's Cup Yacht race was held in 1986. Departing Fremantle, and continue south, passing through the towns of Mandurah and Bunbury. Depart Bunbury and travel south through the Tuart Forest National Park, to the town of Busselton, where you may wish to stop and have a closer look at this pleasant seaside town. Continue onto Margaret River. Your overnight accommodation is at the Quality Inn Margaret River

BUNBURY is a major city in the south-west, acting as the region’s administration and business centre. Around the town there are a number of art and craft galleries with a fine range of local craft, including some delightful woodcraft made from local West Australian timber. Wild dolphins visit the beach along Koombana Bay on a regular basis and have become a major attraction in their own right, prompting the building of the Dolphin Discovery Centre nearby.

BUSSELTON sits on the shores of Geographe Bay, a bay of calm waters, long beaches and sheltered coves, which is ideal for water-based activities. The Busselton Jetty, all 2km of it, is the longest wooden jetty in the southern hemisphere. Today it is a major landmark, and daily train rides are conducted along its length. To see marine life up close, visit the Oceanarium, or if you are into diving, this is one of the best dives around. The amount of marine life in, on, and around the pylons has to be seen to be believed!

MARGARET RIVER and its surrounding region offers a wide variety of attractions - from the tranquil waters of Geographe Bay in the north, down the ancient cave-carved Leeuwin-Naturaliste Ridge, through the picturesque vineyards and karri forest of the heartland, to the desolate beauty of Cape Leeuwin in the south. Margaret River is well known for its award winning wines, fine food, pristine beaches and breathtaking scenery. The great ocean swells offer a real challenge to the surfers who come from far and wide, and the town is home to many artists and crafts people.


DAY 2
MARGARET RIVER

Today there are many places of interest you may wish to see. There are several wineries nearby - perhaps a visit to Leeuwin Estate, home to the famous annual Leeuwin concerts, which have seen several well known international performers here, or the smaller Cape Mentelle Estate are both worthwhile. There are several beautiful limestone caves in the area. You may wish to take a scenic drive through the Bonarup Karri Forest, and visit the Bonarup. A visit to the coastal resort of Prevelly Park is also suggested. This is at the mouth of the Margaret River, and is a very popular surfing spot. If you wish to travel further afield, you may wish to drive down to the south coast town of Augusta, and visit Cape Leeuwin on the southernmost point of the peninsula.


DAY 3
MARGARET RIVER - PEMBERTON (180 kms)

Depart Margaret River this morning on your drive to Pemberton. Travel south along the Bussell Highway to the town of Karridale and travel onto Pemberton and your overnight accommodation at the KARRI FOREST MOTEL.

NANNUP is a historic milltown nestled amongst the hills alongside the Blackwood River. Beautiful scenic drives through the lush countryside lead from Nannup, especially impressive during spring when the wildflowers in the surrounding jarrah forest are blooming.

PEMBERTON, steeped in timber lore, is the best place to experience the magic of the magnificent karri forest growing all around. The town stands on what was formerly Nyungar Aboriginal land. Extensive karri and marri forests grow in the district, timber milling being the main local industry. The beauty of the forest is enhanced by clear streams and pretty cascades and by a wealth of wildflowers in the spring. The Karri Visitors Centre is located near the town centre and combines the Tourist Centre, Pioneer Museum and the Karri Forest Discovery Centre, all of which help give visitors a first-rate introduction to the region. A special audio-visual on the forests ought not to be missed.


DAY 4
PEMBERTON – ALBANY (245 kms)

Commence your drive today from Pemberton to Albany. Travel past the towns of Northcliffe, Walpole and Denmark to arrive at Albany where your accommodation is located at the COMFORT INN ALBANY.

WALPOLE is picturesquely situated on the tranquil waters of Walpole Inlet, a small estuary connected through a narrow channel with the bigger and deeper Nornalup Inlet. It is the only place in the south-west where the karri forest comes down to the sea – almost to paddle in the waves. From Walpole visitors can enjoy the Tree Top Walk, the world’s largest (600 metres) and highest (up to 40 metres) treetop walkway which gives visitors a unique perspective on the majesty of a southern forest as it meanders through the upper branches of giant tingle and karri trees. The Ancient Empire is another attraction which is a boardwalk that winds around (and sometimes through) the giant trees that give the area it’s name.

DENMARK is nestled on the banks of the Denmark River with magnificent forests that sweep down to meet the sea. Denmark is a village, amongst forest and rolling hills. The river flows into the protected Wilson Inlet, which in turn flows in to the Southern Ocean. The town is therefore a series of continuous images, all of them stunning.

ALBANY was Western Australia’s first settlement and was once a major whaling centre. It has numerous white sandy beaches and spectacular coastal scenery. In the town itself there are over 50 historic buildings, many of which have been developed as museums, display galleries of restaurants. Patrick Taylor’s Cottage, built just one year after the town was officially surveyed in 1832, is now a museum. The Old Gaol, built in 1851 is also a museum. The whaling museum, named Whaleworld, details the whales and the whaling operation that once flourished here. Surfing and diving are also popular activities in the area and a wreck has been sunk in the Sound as an artificial reef, making it a popular dive site.


DAY 5
ALBANY – PERTH (410 kms)

Commence your return journey to Perth today via the Albany Highway, passing the towns of Mount Barker, Kojonup & Williams to arrive at Perth. This drive is approximately 410 kms. Drop off your rental car at the Perth Airport Depot or the Perth City Depot.

MOUNT BARKER - serves a wide agricultural area that was important initially for apples, sheep and cattle. Little of the apple industry remains but the district now has 30 wineries, big and small, that produce premium wine for every palate. On Mount Barker Hill, the TV Tower is the tallest of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere and from the lookout there are panoramic views from the Stirling Ranges to Albany.

5 day self drive tour - from £319

Also available 6 day self drive tour to Monkey Mia and the Pinnacles - from £524

Accommodation specified is subject to availability and may be substituted to a similar or higher standard if necessary.

For help, advice or to make a booking, call 0844 567 8050
 
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