Visit Busselton Jetty, the longest wooden . A day or two on the sand and in the sea in the spectacular surrounds of Elephant Cove and Greens Pool would be reason alone for a trip to Denmark. Both have welcoming cellar doors with tastings just ensure you have a designated driver. And that's ok. Climbing is entirely at your own risk (signage at the base of the tree is explicit about this). Tree giants, boulder herds, and an eco-tour without compare are todays highlights on our south west Australia road trip itinerary, as we journey from Pemberton to the chill little artisan town of Denmark. DAY 4 Set off on a leisurely drive home via Albany Highway. These are some of the tallest trees in the world and its truly something to be among the giants. After a coffee under the vines at the Blackwood Caf, we have time for a short wander of the main street to check out its heritage buildings. A suck-your-gut-in-narrow wooden walkway takes you out into the heart of the rocky scene, to where the sea churns through gaps and you can feel the spray on your face. With just a couple of hours to play with though, were making for the parks most famous spots: The Gap and Natural Bridge and The Blowholes. Total driving distance appx. 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. Find the best hotels, restaurants, and . All photos, videos and articles are Copyright Protected by twofortheworld 2022. Our next destination on the Karri Forest Explorer Drive is Warren National Park and the Dave Evans Bicentennial Tree. Were definitely putting Denmark on our list for a longer future visit. Can you drive to Perth from Sydney? Or the other way round. Dont miss the chance to have a feed at the towns famous Lobster Shack. Perth to Esperance Itinerary at a Glance. As suggested earlier, if youre keen to see the Hamelin Bay stingrays, make this your first or second stop today. Jump back onto South Coast Highway and head west to your next destination - Denmark. Head inland and follow Highway 10 to the town of Pemberton. 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. Day 1 Arrive in PerthDay 2 Perth to BusseltonDay 3 Busselton to Margaret River via Cape NaturalisteDay 4 Margaret River wine tastingDay 5 Margaret River south to Cape LeeuwinDay 6 Margaret River to PembertonDay 7 Pemberton to DenmarkDay 8 Denmark to AlbanyDay 9 Albany to FremantleDay 10 Rottnest Island day tripDay 11 FremantleDay 12 Fremantle to The Pinnacles (or choose your own adventure)Day 13 The Pinnacles to PerthDay 14 Depart Perth. Western Australia (Australia) Distance Chart (Distance Table): For your quick reference, below is a Distance Chart or Distance Table of distances between some of the major cities in Western Australia (Australia). The Coastal Route is longer, coming in at just over 8 hours of driving and covering around 690 km. 145 km (90 miles)Total driving time appx. Or do we as do, and chase the sunset again, this time at Denmarks famous Elephant Cove and Greens Pool. Just nearby, the Natural Bridge is exactly that a hulking granite span carved from the living rock over millions of years. Were Danielle and John: a couple of incurable travellers on a journey together to seek out the very best travel experiences on our beautiful planet. Bus route 803 804 . Many places have cellar doors where you can pop in and sample the wares, or settle in for a gorgeous lunch surrounded by vineyards. For specific information on travelling to the state of Western Australia (WA), where this road trip itinerary takes place, head here. Member rate varies according to season. We arrive at our accommodation in Fremantle a little before sunset. Other popular stops include Rockingham Beach, Denmark Animal Farm & Pentland Alpaca Stud, and Bluff Knoll. Answer 11 of 31: We are visiting Perth in May to June for 14 days holiday. And yes, it can be climbed, though be warned, there are no safety harnesses, clips or nets. 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 . Theres a handful of accommodation in the area, from lodges and bed and breakfasts, to camping and caravan parks. Find the top 10 trips from Perth to Albany and plan a trip that works best for you. Accordingly, prices go up and accommodation availability goes down. 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 . Leave Manjimup for Walpole. 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. 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. 5. Pemberton may not be as established a wine region as its world-famous neighbour, Margaret River, but its working on it. (1.5 hours' drive south-east of Pemberton) and . If time is on your side today, you can also opt to leave Caves Road for a bit and immerse more fully in the forest along the 14 km (9 mile) Boranup Drive. The rest of the precinct is still open. From Castle Rock, we make our way back to the Albany Highway/State Route 30 and plot a route to Kojonup. 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. If risking your life climbing a big tree doesnt take your fancy (sensible), we still recommend visiting Warren National Park for a wander on its trails instead. We also opt to visit the nearby Lake Cave. And as all Aussies know, its not an Aussie road trip until youve had a pie (or a sausage roll) in a country town. 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. Getting to Albany is a breeze via the Williams Supercharger, plus Synergy should have some Kempower DC chargers operating in Albany by June. Its perched right on the cusp of West Cape Howe National Park, which is also worth popping in to if you have time on your side Shelley Beach and its synonymous lookout are stunning places to stop. 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. All Rights Reserved. 200 km (124 miles)Total driving time appx. Till next time! It's another reasonably short drive from Albany to Denmark, mostly along the South Coast Highway, so take your time and enjoy a slight detour. 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. Theres actually a festival going on at Esplanade Park the weekend were there and its a hive of activity in addition to all the usual things to do in Fremantle, be sure to check out whats on while youre in town. Stroll around town for a bit then head on to whatever attractions we decide on. Some trees have been recorded with a circumference of 22+ metres (72+ feet) at the base. Take the inland route on your Perth to Albany road trip to discover historical sights, a boutique hotel and classic country towns. 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. Re: Bridgetown to Pemberton OR Albany to Perth via Bridgetown. There are also public toilets and a play area across the road. Home to a rugged coastline, plenty of picturesque beaches and an incredibly diverse national park, it's a nature-lover's heaven. While the demographic of the tour was decidedly older than us, the 2.5 hour slow boat tour out of Walpole is easily one of the most memorable and educational tours weve been on, all thanks to Garys charisma and encyclopaedic knowledge. With hindsight, and if youre keen to see the stingrays of Hamelin Bay, then we suggest making straight for Hamelin Bay Beach first thing in the morning, then heading to Cape Leeuwin and visiting the other sites as you make your way back north to Margaret River. 2 hours (with lots of stops)Overnight: Pemberton. After overnighting in Cervantes, we recommend heading back to the Pinnacles Desert for sunrise to watch as this magical place erupts from an otherworldly expanse of shadowy sentinels into the light of day. Once youre back down, round out the day with a visit to one of the award-winning wineries in the region. If you don't have much time, you could skip the Margaret River region, and take a more direct route from Perth to Denmark via Bridgetown, Manjimup, Pemberton, and Walpole to Denmark. Highly recommended. Weve got two caves on todays agenda. We pick up some lunch at a local bakery and find a grassy spot by pretty Hardy Inlet. The World Heritage Fremantle Prison dates back to the mid 19th-century and has all the grim feels of a place that soaked up 140-odd years of angst, rage and sadness in its limestone walls. 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! Busselton. We did, however, enjoy an incredible golden hour over the ambient jetty ruins, and the silhouette of a lone dolphin cruising the shoreline. 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. If you have less than two weeks, you can cover the Perth Albany return segment of this itinerary in around ten days. Back on land, were drawn to the bright lights and glinting taps of Shelter Brewing Co, which overlooks the grassy foreshore and beach. We settle in to refuel with a paddle of local brews and a ploughmans platter. Any difference driving clockwise from Perth to Albany and back via Pemberton-Augusta-MR-Dunsborough-Yallingup-Busselton-Mandurah-Fremantle route. Our two week south west Australian road trip planner starts and finishes in the city of Perth, capital of the vast state of Western Australia. 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'. Quickest way to get there Cheapest option Distance between. The route is via Albany Highway (also called State Route 30). Warren Beach Track, Pemberton This four-wheel-drive track is located in Pemberton, about 330 km from Perth. Albany to Perth via Pemberton. Child: AUD $2190. Theres also an Island Explorer hop on hop off bus if youd prefer to explore without taxing your legs (and lets be honest, by mid-afternoon, sweaty and sunburnt, were definitely having second thoughts about the bikes). Perth is the capital of WA, and its the launchpad for our South Western Australia itinerary. There are lots of other options for dinner around here too. Total driving distance appx. 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. . driving / 2 days. 2.5-3 hours (with lots of breaks)Overnight: Margaret River. You'll never be bored again and you'll be the first to know what's on in Perth! view full itinerary. From Albany, we take the Chester Pass Road to Porongurup, around 30-40 minutes drive. Keep an eye on the weather before you go, and take a warm top no matter when you visit the coastal cliffs and lookouts along the south those Antarctic winds can bite. 16 February 2023 Plan your itinerary along The South West Edge in WA Enjoy breathtaking scenery, walks, wildlife and wineries, tucked between the ocean and the trees while road-tripping along The South West Edge. Stop 3 - Pemberton. There are RAC 50kw DC at various locations but reliability is poor. History nerds like us will also appreciate the historic water wheel just off the road on the approach to the lighthouse. 230 km (140 miles)Total driving time appx. Perth to Albany Road Trip: A Two Week Itinerary for Spectacular South West Australia, For a round-up of the absolute must-sees in this corner of the country, check out our post , bucket list of 100 ultimate road trips around the world. You can get to Albany in about an hour by flying with Regional Express. Weve pre-booked the first ferry out from B Shed in Fremantle and the last one back, to max our time on the island. Once youre in Manjimup, make a beeline for the main drag where you can wander through the quaint cafes and quirky stores. The Granite Skywalk is at Castle Rock and the trail leaves from the Castle Rock picnic area (be sure to get a parking ticket from the machine). 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. We were expecting a coastal cave with random whooshes of air followed by drenching explosions of sea water. Pemberton is surrounded by state forest and is also fairly near to the coastline of the Southern Ocean. This sweeping vineyard has a lovely, friendly cellar door and we leave with a couple of bottles for the nights to come. For the many, many Aussies who never made it back, this is where they last stood on home soil. After a quick dip, head to lunch at the nearby Montys Leap, a local vineyard offering stunning views and delicious grazing boards. Western Australias South West is the perfect place for a driving holiday, but with so much to see, it can be overwhelming to decide where to go. With a day or more here, you could explore the town and surrounds in more depth this is said to be a wonderful place for wandering, with lots of trails to explore. All up, we travel around 2,000 kilometres (1,242 miles), give or take. Pls help me decide! Travel time Nannup-Balingup 45mins as its a VERY winding road and Balingup-Bridgetown approx 30mins. 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.