As Australian road trips go, Albany isn't too far from Perth. We pick up some fresh juices from a local caf and wander for a bit before settling on the beach for some people watching. Having said that, well fess up and note that even this looping two week Perth to Albany road trip itinerary is ambitious given the distances and the sheer number of highlights involved. 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. As a major city, you can fly directly to Perth from various cities around the world and from a bunch of places within Australia (ironically, theres not much time difference in a flight from Singapore to Perth and a flight from Sydney to Perth!). The Albany . This is without doubt one of the most beautiful places on our Perth to Albany road trip (and the competition is fierce). 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. Not for this trip. 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. Thats a bus and a half wide! Top 7 trips from Albany to Perth. The Karri forests of south west Australia are extraordinary. We were expecting a coastal cave with random whooshes of air followed by drenching explosions of sea water. We also stop for a cooling arvo beer at Pinks Beach Club, before rolling back into town in time for our return ferry. Were glad we didnt though because this tree is special. This is just as awesome as the canopy walk, with ancient ents like the Grandma Tingle keeping vigil, birds zipping about, and native critters ferreting through the undergrowth. Albany to Emu Point and Lower King. 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. SW3 - Perth to Pemberton via Collie and Bridgetown (with train option) GS3 - Perth to Albany via Pemberton. Your options for Perth, Fremantle and Margaret River accommodation are extensive. We usually stop at Denmark for brekky or morning tea depending what time we leave Albany. Here, within view of the sparkling Indian Ocean, thousands of ancient limestone needles sweep across the rise and fall of a sandy desert. 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). Win! Save. Your included flights advised via email with 24 hours to select alternative flights, routing or airline (alternatives may be at a higher price). From the carpark at the top of the hill, you have the option to head right to Greens Pool, or left to Elephant Cove. Stroll around town for a bit then head on to whatever attractions we decide on. There are a handful of companies doing wine tours in Margaret River and they all follow a fairly similar format. You'll need a national park pass RAC members save 50%. We make our way back in the early morning as were keen to spend a couple of hours here before moving on. DAY 1 - (Perth - Augusta) Depart Perth at 7 am and head south in air-conditioned comfort. 170 km (105 miles)Total driving time appx. 275 km (170 miles)Total driving time appx. - See 604 traveller reviews, 159 candid photos, and great deals for Beach House at Bayside at Tripadvisor. Included flights may not be the . A little further up the road is stunning Meelup Beach. Technology can be a great tool for organizing your dinner party. The top stops along the way from Perth to Albany (with short detours) are Penguin Island, Dolphin Quay Apartment Hotel, and Cohunu Koala Park. South west Australia is lovely pretty much all the time, with a temperate Mediterranean-like climate. Find the best hotels, restaurants, and attractions based on the most talked about places recommended by Trippy members. Walk through town, go for a swim at Gnarabup Beach and get a coffee from the laid-back White Elephant Beach Caf. Perth Mango Farm February 27, 2023; Everything You Need to Know About Misery Beach February 27, 2023; The Maze at Perth's Outback Splash February 27, 2023; The House of Honey & The Sticky Spoon Cafe February 27, 2023 . Gorgeous Rottnest Island Wadjemup in the Aboriginal Noongar language rises from a cyan-coloured sea just 25 minutes by ferry from Fremantle. 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. Torndirrups Blowholes are a bit morewell, subtle. 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. Garys family history in this area goes back generations, and his passion for the nature and wildlife of the delicate Walpole and Nornalup Inlets Marine Park is absolutely contagious. Our next destination on the Karri Forest Explorer Drive is Warren National Park and the Dave Evans Bicentennial Tree. Perth to Esperance Via Albany. view full itinerary. 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. What?! Around 10 minutes north of Canal Rocks is famous Yallingup Beach, a stunning stretch of white sand and a great spot for swimming, snorkelling and surfing. Perth to Albany road trip itinerary via the Albany Highway. While its effectively an outer suburb of Perth, it feels a world away from the big city. There are a couple of spots to stop en route, like the lookout over sweeping Lancelin Sand Dunes, and Two Rocks beach. Pemberton WA. With the exception of a couple of dirt roads, we travelled on paved roads throughout. As the other must-see on our Torndirrup list, we make a beeline for The Blowholes as the sun is dropping. starting from Perth 41 minutes Rockingham 3 hours Pemberton 2.5 hours Albany. The Hawaiian Ride for Youth has raised more than $30million for mental health support services in WA. Located on the Vasse Highway from Busselton and Nannup. 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. 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. . Distance from Perth 222 KM | Distance from Adelaide 2840 KM. 4. The view is every bit the reward. 6348. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best possible experience on our website. Tickets cost $18 - $23 and the journey takes 3h 24m. 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. However, there are still some controls and requirements in place, both for entering the country and for each state and territory, so its critical to get the latest information for your destination before you travel. Theyre so understated, in fact, that we overshot the path and almost missed them. One of the best ways to get to Pemberton is to hire a car from Perth Airport. Any difference driving clockwise from Perth to Albany and back via Pemberton-Augusta-MR-Dunsborough-Yallingup-Busselton-Mandurah-Fremantle route. . Departs: Perth at 7:00 am. Best stops along Perth to Albany drive. 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. . Make your first stop the epic Valley of the Giants Tree Top Walk, located between Denmark and Walpole in the Walpole-Nornalup National Park.The Tree Top Walk is a suspended walkway that weaves its way through the forest of giant tingle trees, 40 metres above the ground. 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 . Many places have cellar doors where you can pop in and sample the wares, or settle in for a gorgeous lunch surrounded by vineyards. Jump back onto South Coast Highway and head west to your next destination - Denmark. 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. Go un If the extra drive north or desert flies dont appeal, then we suggest taking this day and adding it to any other part of our Perth to Albany road trip where youd like to spend more time. Wed 4 May. Travel time Nannup-Balingup 45mins as its a VERY winding road and Balingup-Bridgetown approx 30mins. 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. From Castle Rock, we make our way back to the Albany Highway/State Route 30 and plot a route to Kojonup. Total driving distance appx. You'll never be bored again and you'll be the first to know what's on in Perth! Two hours from Perth, Williams is a great spot for a break on the . If Esperance is a non-negotiable though, swap out some earlier days/stops or add a couple more days to this itinerary. After lunch, we follow Caves Road and then the turnoff to Canal Rocks. Albany to Perth via Pemberton. Our goal today is to be in the pretty bayside town of Busselton by early afternoon, so we can max our time exploring the famous Busselton Jetty and surrounds. Head inland and follow Highway 10 to the town of Pemberton. 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'. This historic little town on the Blackwood River harks back to the early 1900s and was built on industries of timber milling and agriculture. In the Margaret River region also check out accommodation in Dunsborough. We turned up for sunset so we didnt get to mingle with the rays. Warren Beach Track, Pemberton This four-wheel-drive track is located in Pemberton, about 330 km from Perth. Any difference driving clockwise from Perth to Albany and back via Pemberton-Augusta-MR-Dunsborough-Yallingup-Busselton-Mandurah-Fremantle route. The best time to visit the Pinnacles is sunset and sunrise, when the low light casts the pinnacles in beautiful golden hues and long shadows. 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. This | 11 comments on LinkedIn We do not use your personal data, and we will never sell it. 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. 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. 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. Top 9 trips from Perth to Albany. This was our fave attraction in Freo. Theres a handful of accommodation in the area, from lodges and bed and breakfasts, to camping and caravan parks. Just nearby, the Natural Bridge is exactly that a hulking granite span carved from the living rock over millions of years. The first leg our your road trip isn't too long roughly four and half hours depending on how many breaks you take. A rugged coastline, picturesque beaches and an incredibly diverse national park are just the beginning. Amongst the trees on the road from Perth to Albany Stop 4 - Walpole. For the many, many Aussies who never made it back, this is where they last stood on home soil. V Limousines. When you see a white pole with an orange life-ring, turn towards the sea and make your way carefully down the slope until you see the sign for the blowholes. Here's a sample itinerary for a drive from Perth Airport to Albany. Answer 11 of 31: We are visiting Perth in May to June for 14 days holiday. With hindsight though, unless youve got more days in Albany, this is probably a spot worth leaving for another time. For information on coming to Australia, click here. We only have a night here, so weve cherry picked some of the regions best highlights as an introduction to the area. 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. You can pick some of the fresh produce at Spring Valley Orchard, and if travelling with kids visit the Apple Fun Park, Australias largest free entry playground. 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. *As of September 2021, Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse is undergoing a restoration so the tower is closed and tours arent running. Albany, Pemberton, Margaret River wine region, Bunbury seasonal wildflowers. starting from Albany 2.5 hours Pemberton 3 hours Rockingham 41 minutes Perth. Any difference driving clockwise from Perth to Albany and back via Pemberton-Augusta-MR-Dunsborough-Yallingup-Busselton-Mandurah-Fremantle route. Then we turn right and follow it to the end, where theres a small carpark. Perth is the capital of WA, and its the launchpad for our South Western Australia itinerary. 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 . Even if it is some of the nicest looking sand weve seen. Mammoth Cave is renowned for the extraordinary fossils found here, including the 50,000-year-old jawbone of an extinct giant wombat-like species still embedded in the wall! We spend the last night of our trip by the Swan River at Elizabeth Quay (what can we say, were suckers for a trifecta of craft beer and city lights by water). Virgin Australia also flies up to three times a day from Perth to Albany Airport. 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. Once youre in Manjimup, make a beeline for the main drag where you can wander through the quaint cafes and quirky stores. Tomorrow is another big day, but were taking a break from the car and catching an early morning ferry to Rottnest Island. 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. A beautiful spot to end the day. Once youre back down, round out the day with a visit to one of the award-winning wineries in the region. 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. On arrival, youre randomly assigned a real service woman or man from the past and as you move through the museum, you follow their actual experience of WWI. It takes approximately 4 hours 35 minutes to drive from Perth to Albany. 3.5 hoursOvernight: Busselton. While weve seen plenty of wind farms from a distance on our travels, this is the first time weve had the chance to get right up in the shadow of these vast turbines and its pretty cool. 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. Highlights of the town include: The markets are on Friday, Saturday and Sunday and theyre on the CAT loop. Table . Our plan is just to be in Albany. 2 hoursOvernight: Perth. 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. 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. 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. And yes, it can be climbed, though be warned, there are no safety harnesses, clips or nets. 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. As suggested earlier, if youre keen to see the Hamelin Bay stingrays, make this your first or second stop today. 2 hours (with lots of stops)Overnight: Pemberton. Practically next door to Meelup but a world away is Eagle Bay, a spectacular little hideaway for the rich and famous. 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). 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. One of the most unique experiences in the South West, the Granite Skywalk! Pemberton itself is pretty low-key its main road boasts a sprawling historic pub, a couple of restaurants and a cool whisky bar (naturally). Town on the road from Perth Airport to Albany road trip and making our way back towards Perth the... Then head on to whatever attractions we decide on 4 - Walpole White Elephant Beach caf the and... 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