We recommend eight days for this road trip, but if youve time on your side, you could linger a little longer in some of the towns and really scratch beneath the surface. Albany to Emu Point and Lower King. Top 7 trips from Albany to Perth. As we drive in, we can see signs to wineries and we know there are some great tourist drives around here, so were already plotting another visit and a longer stay in this region as we pull up to our accommodation. Answer 1 of 22: Friends, Family and I will be in WA in late Nov into Dec this year, 2012. 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. In Australia, you can search and book accommodation via all the usual booking engine suspects. As for us, weve already started planning more road trips from Perth, plus future visits to road trip south west Australia further and do all the things we didnt quite manage to squeeze in this time around (though not for want of trying). Tickets cost $18 - $23 and the journey takes 3h 24m. 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. Perth to Pemberton via South Western Highway. Show only these on map. We pick up some lunch at a local bakery and find a grassy spot by pretty Hardy Inlet. Gorgeous Rottnest Island Wadjemup in the Aboriginal Noongar language rises from a cyan-coloured sea just 25 minutes by ferry from Fremantle. Win! I also like Augusta for its country town vibe, river coast and some nice eating spots. 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. We Aussies are spoiled for choice when it comes to road tripping the epic outdoors, but one of our greatest regions for exploring is the wedge of country between Perth and Albany in south west Australia. Option: Stop off at Kojonup and visit The Kodja Place a fascinating Weve also booked bikes with our ferry ticket so we can explore the island at our leisure the bikes travel over with the ferry and we collect them when we disembark at the island. 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. Bus route 806 807 808 . 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. A STRONG contingent of Fremantle riders will take part in a 700km fund-raising cycle from Albany to Perth next month to help West Australians struggling with their mental . This trip is suitable for two-wheel drives. Not for this trip. After brunch, get back on the road and head to Perth. This was our fave attraction in Freo. Its a big drive, so were starting the day with a hike to a unique platform on high. 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. 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'. The Porongurups are renowned for producing exceptional cool-climate wines, notably riesling and pinot noir, with excellent ones being produced at Castle Rock Estate and Dukes Vineyard. Many places have cellar doors where you can pop in and sample the wares, or settle in for a gorgeous lunch surrounded by vineyards. Climbing is entirely at your own risk (signage at the base of the tree is explicit about this). You'll never be bored again and you'll be the first to know what's on in Perth! Total driving distance appx. The 1.8 km (1.1 mile) Busselton Jetty is (said to be) the longest timber-piled jetty in the world, and its the focus of our visit. Technology can be a great tool for organizing your dinner party. Here, within view of the sparkling Indian Ocean, thousands of ancient limestone needles sweep across the rise and fall of a sandy desert. Having recently completed a five-day road trip from Perth to Albany, via Bunbury, Margaret River, Nannup, Manjimup, Pemberton and Denmark, it's remarkable just how much of the time you feel like you have this corner of the country all to yourself. Torndirrups Blowholes are a bit morewell, subtle. With hindsight though, unless youve got more days in Albany, this is probably a spot worth leaving for another time. And as all Aussies know, its not an Aussie road trip until youve had a pie (or a sausage roll) in a country town. 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. Or more if, like us, you sign up for a Margaret River wine tour. 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. A rugged coastline, picturesque beaches and an incredibly diverse national park are just the beginning. Its renowned as a spectacular spot for sunset and weve worked todays itinerary so that well be here for that. Margaret River is one of Australias top wine regions (and world-renowned for its chardonnay and cabernet sauvignon), so it goes without saying a trip here really isnt a fait accompli without a visit to a winery or two. Check out our Ultimate Guide to Denmarkfor a full list of highlights. 5 hoursOvernight: Fremantle. Walk through town, go for a swim at Gnarabup Beach and get a coffee from the laid-back White Elephant Beach Caf. Find the best hotels, restaurants, and attractions based on the most talked about places recommended by Trippy members. In season though, this tidy little town apparently comes alive with beachgoers and water lovers, and we hear theres a buzzing eating and drinking scene at night. Should be buzzy and close to dining options and coastal feel. An extended 6-day tour of Albany, Esperance, Wave Rock and the best WA's South-West has to offer. This is also the launchpad for the famous Cape to Cape Track, an epic 135 km (84 mile) coastal hike. . Our plan is just to be in Albany. Any difference driving clockwise from Perth to Albany and back via Pemberton-Augusta-MR-Dunsborough-Yallingup-Busselton-Mandurah-Fremantle route. I agree the detour to Balingup is well worth doing and the road between Nannup and Balingup is among the nicest drives in the state. Distance from Perth 222 KM | Distance from Adelaide 2840 KM. Apparently the best time to see them is during summer on clear, calm mornings. Pemberton WA. There are plaques and points of interest along the way, telling the story of its past and present. Theres a caf at the lighthouse precinct, and an excellent interpretive centre that tells the story of the lighthouse and its keepers. Across the rocky foreshore to the right is Greens Pool and its every bit as beautiful as weve heard, even under a sky of brewing storm clouds. From beautiful beaches and hiking trails to sandalwood shopping and shipwreck diving. One of the most unique experiences in the South West, the Granite Skywalk! Amongst the trees on the road from Perth to Albany Stop 4 - Walpole. Weve pre-booked the first ferry out from B Shed in Fremantle and the last one back, to max our time on the island. If you've got more time, or if you prefer beaches to mountains, then from Perth to Albany you can road trip via Margaret River. 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. Its quite a long (albeit lovely) hike from the carpark down a pathway to the rocky cliffs, where huge boulders cluster in frozen tumbles to the sea. What: Perth to Albany via Margaret River and Walpole Distance (approx. A highlight on this rugged headland is The Window, a remarkable wind-and-sea eroded picture frame in the limestone cliff that serves up hair-raising views to the sea far below. The falls are just a couple hundred metres from the carpark but if you feel like stretching your legs on a further walk while youre here, hit up the 4.5 km (2.8 mile), moderately tough Beedelup Loop Walk. From Castle Rock, we make our way back to the Albany Highway/State Route 30 and plot a route to Kojonup. We settle in to refuel with a paddle of local brews and a ploughmans platter. That means a Perth to Albany driving time of four hours and 38 minutes. The four most popular caves in Margaret River are Mammoth Cave, Lake Cave and Jewel Cave to the south, and Ngilgi Cave, which is to the north near Yallingup. From Pemberton, we head south to State Route 10, then take Windy Harbour Road further south until we reach DEntrecasteneaux Drive. Fly from Albany (ALH) to Perth (PER) 6h 13m. This isnt the world famous, camel-trekking Cable Beach of Broome (a mere 2,400 km away in the north of WA), but its pretty damn speccy in its own right, and theres not a soul on it when we stop at the lookout (its a serious hike down to the beach itself). 3 hours (with lots of stops)Overnight: Denmark. 5. You'll find listed Perth Events, shows, free events in Perth, local community events, fairs, farmers markets, City of Perth events, even events at your local library. Save the maps to your hard drive for easy viewing and to get . You'll need a national park pass RAC members save 50%. Perth to Esperance Via Albany. Red tingle trees are the elders of the forest. Keep an eye out for Boranup Lookout en route. Denmark is yet another region fast gaining a place on the map for its cool climate wines, and there are a number of cellar doors that you can visit. From previous discussions, I suppose I. In the Margaret River region also check out accommodation in Dunsborough. Returns: Perth at appx. With a full tummy, get back on the road to Margaret River. Best stops along Perth to Albany drive. There are a handful of companies doing wine tours in Margaret River and they all follow a fairly similar format. History nerds like us will also appreciate the historic water wheel just off the road on the approach to the lighthouse. 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. 3.5 hoursOvernight: Busselton. View The Gap and Natural Bridge rock . But what fun is a road trip without exploring your surroundings! Of course, if youre us, theres always one more thing to squeeze in. As a birder, Ive also brought my binoculars in the hopes of an end-of-season glimpse of the red-tailed tropic birds that nest on the rock over the summer months (no joy, but thats birding). If youre driving around Australia anyway, you should definitely include this corner of the country in your road trip itinerary. After a quick dip, head to lunch at the nearby Montys Leap, a local vineyard offering stunning views and delicious grazing boards. Route Timetable SW2 Coach line East Perth to Pemberton via Bunbury and Donnybrook There are three services to Pemberton, one travelling a more direct route, one travelling down the coast and one that loops inland, hitting Collie and Boyup Brook. Its an immersive, moving and eye-opening journey through this tragic chapter of history. 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. Its a straight three hour drive from Kojonup to Fremantle along State Route 30, so settle in for the drive past farms and bushland. Our plan is just to be in Albany. While you can certainly drive to the various sites around Freo, we decide to leave the car behind for another day and instead take the free CAT bus service. The only reason to take the 100-minute trip on route 102 is if you plan on . Dont leave without stopping by the Pinnacles Desert Discovery Centre for excellent insights into the geology, nature and culture of this extraordinary place. For info on travelling within Australia, check out this site. A little further up the road is stunning Meelup Beach. We spend a bit of time climbing around the rocks, taking in the view as the clouds roll in and the crashing waves continue their constant sculpting. There are a range of exhibitions and tours at the prison, including a creepy torchlight night tour, and a tour into the bowels of the prison to explore the tunnels hacked out of the rock by convicts. 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. Included flights may not be the . The most direct route between Perth and Albany is the Albany Highway. Well be basing ourselves in the town of Margaret River for the next three days of our south west road trip, and tackling this region in sections, starting today with the area around Cape Naturaliste. Cervantes, gateway to the Pinnacles, is named for an American whaling ship that wrecked offshore in 1844. Her heartwood has been completely hollowed out by fire over the decades, but this extraordinary, 400-year-old queen of trees is still very much alive. If youre looking for more great road tripping itineraries and adventures,check out our Road Trips page, and our bucket list of 100 ultimate road trips around the world. 6-Day tour of Albany, this is probably a spot worth leaving for another time or more,... 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