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. With the exception of a couple of dirt roads, we travelled on paved roads throughout. 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. Its about an hour and a half and well make a stop here to stretch legs and use the amenities. Stop 3 - Pemberton. Find the best hotels, restaurants, and attractions based on the most talked about places recommended by Trippy members. view full itinerary. Sydney to Melbourne Travel options. 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, Once youre done taking in all the beauty and tranquillity from above, jump back in the car for the final stretch to Pemberton. Cervantes, gateway to the Pinnacles, is named for an American whaling ship that wrecked offshore in 1844. We plan overnight. Torndirrups Blowholes are a bit morewell, subtle. Its pretty quiet here on the weekday morning we visit, and the waters of Geographe Bay are mirror flat. You'll never be bored again and you'll be the first to know what's on in Perth! Answer 1 of 22: Friends, Family and I will be in WA in late Nov into Dec this year, 2012. While war museums arent everyones cup of tea, we reckon this award-winning centre, high above King George Sound, is a must-visit. After checking into our hotel in Pemberton, we get back in the car and make for Point DEntrecastenaux for sunset. The exquisite decorations and lake reflections make this cave worth the sore legs. It's roughly 350km which will take a minimum of four hours, without stops. Dramatic nature is a theme of this journey, so in keeping with that, for the second last day of our road trip in Western Australia we head around 2.5 hours north of Perth for a visit to one of the states most famous natural attractions the Pinnacles Desert of Nambung National Park. Total driving distance appx. Then hit the road to Busselton enjoy the waterfront along Geographe Bay Road, walk down the famous jetty and have lunch at The Goose, a chilled-out waterside restaurant dishing up amazing local produce. 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. This historic little town on the Blackwood River harks back to the early 1900s and was built on industries of timber milling and agriculture. Pemberton is surrounded by state forest and is also fairly near to the coastline of the Southern Ocean. ): 7hr 30min Suggested time: 4-6 days See the Margaret River to Denmark . The Perth tramway network served Perth, the capital city of Western Australia, from 1899 until 1958.The network was initially run by a private company but was taken over by the state government in 1913. #instafail). DAY 1 - (Perth - Augusta) Depart Perth at 7 am and head south in air-conditioned comfort. 2.5-3 hours (with lots of breaks)Overnight: Margaret River. 440 km (274 miles)Total driving time appx. The top stops along the way from Perth to Albany (with short detours) are Penguin Island, Dolphin Quay Apartment Hotel, and Cohunu Koala Park. Travel time Nannup-Balingup 45mins as its a VERY winding road and Balingup-Bridgetown approx 30mins. I would like to visit the Tree Top Walk, Green Pools etc. 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. Perth to Esperance Itinerary at a Glance. How you roll is entirely up to you you can go hard like we did, or slow the pace and pick a couple of places from each days highlights that interest you most. Tomorrow is another big day, but were taking a break from the car and catching an early morning ferry to Rottnest Island. Check out our Ultimate Guide to Denmarkfor a full list of highlights. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best possible experience on our website. There are also a network of walking trails around the cape, and you could definitely lose yourself here for a few hours. Theres a museum and tearooms here, and guided tours including a climb up the 59 steps of the lighthouse to its balcony. Its impressive in its own right but the real head spin comes with a read of the signage onsite turns out these rocks are the remnant foundations of a once vast mountain range where Australia joined Antarctica. This unpaved (but 2WD-suitable) route loops off Caves Road around 3 km (1.8 miles) south of Lake Cave and rejoins Caves Road just south of Boranup Forest Maze. In Australia, you can search and book accommodation via all the usual booking engine suspects. The coast here faces south, so the sun sets over the land to our right. One day is definitely not enough to do much more than scratch the islands sandy surface. Albany to Perth road trip planner. Perth to Albany is 421 kilometres. A little further up the road is stunning Meelup Beach. Depending on what time you depart Perth today, you could explore a bit more of the town, or head to Cottesloe Beach or back to Fremantle for a final brekkie or lunch. At just over 415km, from Perth to Albany, it takes just four and a half hours, and . We break up the journey between Margie River and the Karri Forest Explorer Drive with a coffee stop and wander in the charming village of Nannup. 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. Technology can be a great tool for organizing your dinner party. We fly into Perth late afternoon so were only here for an evening on Day 1, but well be back to explore a little more at the end of our road trip. Its an impressive sight in and of itself (and you can join a guided tour if youre keen to climb its narrow interior*). We turned up for sunset so we didnt get to mingle with the rays. Buffering Albany from the wild Southern Ocean is Torndirrup National Park, and there are a number of sites worth seeing here. We opt for Hidden River Estate just north of Pemberton and around 15 minutes from the Dave Evans Bicentennial Tree. A post shared by Donnybrook, Western Australia (@donnybrookwa), RAC members save on accommodation in WA's South West. With more time in this town, you could explore some of the other local sights like the Old Courthouse Art Complex and Busselton Museum. Then we head around the rocky headland to Greens Pool for a quick dip. There are lots of other options for dinner around here too. If youre travelling during a full moon, aim to be here before the moon starts its ascent above the horizon. 275 km (170 miles)Total driving time appx. Practically next door to Meelup but a world away is Eagle Bay, a spectacular little hideaway for the rich and famous. 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. And that's ok. Answer 11 of 31: We are visiting Perth in May to June for 14 days holiday. From Perth; take the Forrest Hwy, travel to Bunbury and then via the South West Hwy to Vasse Hwy ~343km south. Here's a sample itinerary for a drive from Albany to Perth. Check for updates before visiting. 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. We opt for an hour-long wander along the Lighthouse Track, a peaceful loop walk around the headland accompanied by speccy ocean views. 200 km (124 miles)Total driving time appx. Pemberton is especially spectacular in the spring, but the tall Karri trees are gorgeous all year round. Bus route 806 807 808 . 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. 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. Day one: Perth to Collie via Jarrahdale, Serpentine and Dwellingup (198 kilometres) Travelling via the South Western Highway, make your way to the heritage-listed town of Jarrahdale, where you can stretch your legs on one of the towns beautiful bushwalks. Make use of technology. The stretch of the South Coast Highway between Denmark is Pemberton might be the most picturesque drive youll ever do - enveloped by towering karri trees and lush forest ferns, youll feel instantly calm just by driving through it. 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. 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. Albany to Hopetoun (3.5 hours) The longest drive along the route from Perth to Albany and Albany to Esperance follows the outskirts of Fitzgerald River National Park into Ravensthorpe before you arrive at Hopetoun. 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. More than one billion years old, the Porongurup Range is home to towering granite peaks, majestic stands of karri trees and impressive hiking opportunities. However, services depart from Proudlove Parade Transwa Albany and arrive at Charles West Avenue Transwa Margaret River via Brockman Street Transwa Pemberton. Once you leave Pemberton, you will head south either via the main highway or the village of Northcliffe. It is also home to the longest jetty in the Southern Hemisphere, stretching 1,841 metres. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Hello! Bus route 803 804 . The WOW Wilderness EcoCruise takes otherwise unsuspecting passengers like me and John and thrusts them into the compelling orbit of one-of-a-kind guide Gary Muir. If its a warm day, stop at Fontys Pool on the way, where for just a few dollars you can go for a swim and float around in one of their giant inflatable tyres to cool down. Theres quite a lot to explore at the centre and if youre into this kind of heritage, you could definitely dedicate a couple of hours to the visit. Perth to Albany road trip itinerary via the Albany Highway. 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. Pls help me decide! Or the other way round. While our route from Busselton follows a loose trail around the Cape Naturaliste peninsula, theres a bit of criss-crossing and back-tracking as we follow the sun. It is 420 km and 5 hours from Albany to Perth. We trace a coast-and-hinterland path down to the most south-westerly point on the Australian continent, spending a couple of days searching out some of the best places to visit in Margaret River and surrounds, before heading east to Albany and then looping back towards Perth via an inland route. 3.5 hoursOvernight: Busselton. Then were chased off the rocks and all the way back to Denmark by a solid wall of rain. There are more than 60 beautiful beaches (definitely some of the loveliest beaches in Western Australia that weve seen), snorkelling and diving sites, cycling and walking trails, WWII relics, historic lighthouses and heritage sites and, of course, the islands most famous resident the charming quokka (wed post a pic of the quintessential quokka selfie that just about every visitor to Rottnest posts, except that we found it virtually impossible to take a quokka selfie. See full website for details. 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. Total driving distance appx. To ensure that you take the 70-minute route and not the 100-minute route, just stick to route 1 for the entirety of the drive. In Margie River, having a car means you can stay further out of town if you want (theres no uber and taxis are few and far between). An extended 6-day tour of Albany, Esperance, Wave Rock and the best WA's South-West has to offer. The view is every bit the reward. 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. Approx. Its an immersive, moving and eye-opening journey through this tragic chapter of history. The straight-line route to Albany is one that I've taken many times over the years, eager to get to the Southern Ocean coast. From Nannup, we join the Karri Forest Explorer Drive roughly 52 km (32 miles) south-east on the Vasse Highway. Transwa. Coastal trails and mountain tracks make Albany a hiker's dream. Albany to Emu Point and Lower King. From there it's only 45 minutes to Donnybrook, the apple capital of WA. Hopetoun Connection. Any difference driving clockwise from Perth to Albany and back via Pemberton-Augusta-MR-Dunsborough-Yallingup-Busselton-Mandurah-Fremantle route. If youd rather self-tour though, your options are many check out this site for some tips and suggested wine trails. Visit Busselton Jetty, the longest wooden . What?! Answer 1 of 31: We are visiting Perth in May to June for 14 days holiday. Tip: If youre coming from Walpole, keep your eyes peeled for the lookout on the right as you travel along Hilltop Road its a majestic forest-framed view to the Southern Ocean. Albany to Perth via Pemberton. 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. That means a Perth to Albany driving time of four hours and 38 minutes. For us, resistance is futile. Overlooking an expansive panorama of fields and forest, this huge brewery, restaurant and beer garden is a brilliant spot to break up the touring. The story of mutiny, murder and island castaway horror is the stuff of fiction but its all too real*. Theres a caf at the lighthouse precinct, and an excellent interpretive centre that tells the story of the lighthouse and its keepers. From the National Anzac Centre, were heading to the dramatic coastal reserve of Torndirrup National Park. So after showering, were straight back out in search of a meal in the buzzy area around Fremantle Esplanade. And yes, it can be climbed, though be warned, there are no safety harnesses, clips or nets. Member rate varies according to season. Albany (120 kilometres) The drive from Pemberton to Albany is peppered with natural highlights. Convenience Buttons: Time Remaining 14 days Aquaculture Systems Lead Salary: Level 6, $107,096 - $118,028 pa, Public Sector CSA Agreement 2022 Location: Perth Metropolitan Area Pillar/directorate: Primary Industries Development Branch: Aquaculture Research and Development Tenure: Permanent - Full Time . starting from Albany 2.5 hours Pemberton 3 hours Rockingham 41 minutes Perth. 6330.3. One of the most unique experiences in the South West, the Granite Skywalk! It covers 1,621 km and 17 hours of driving time. Sun, 31 Dec ALH - PER with Regional Express. Meelup is gorgeous during the day (moreso with the shifting clouds and light we have on our visit), but this spot is also renowned for its moonrises-over-ocean. We travelled in March and experienced a mix of overcast and beautiful sunny days with temps in the low 20s (low 70s F) punctuated by some brief, torrential storms. 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. There are a handful of companies doing wine tours in Margaret River and they all follow a fairly similar format. 4-day Margaret River, Albany, and Valley of the Gian Sure, its touristy and we were initially tempted to skip it. Included flights may not be the . 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. 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