Stop in the quaint Mount Barker for a quick stroll down the main street, to stock up on any supplies you need from the IGA, and to admire some of its heritage architecture. Located on the Vasse Highway from Busselton and Nannup. But Perth is a smorgasbord of international dining and drinking options here are some ideas on where to spend your evening. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 7 hours. Member rate varies according to season. Or the other way round. Perth to Albany via Bunbury and Pemberton. We spot some incredible homes through the trees here, and pop down to Eagle Bay Beach for a brief wander before heading back inland and then north to the tip of Cape Naturaliste peninsula. The Karri forests of south west Australia are extraordinary. From the Valley of the Giants, its around 50 km (31 miles) to our next overnight destination, the cute little town of Denmark. Total driving distance appx. In Australia, you can search and book accommodation via all the usual booking engine suspects. Perth to Albany distance and driving time The driving distance from Perth to Albany along the Albany Highway is 413km. Youll pass through Nannupon the way, a good place to stop for fuel, a toilet break and to stretch the legs. From the National Anzac Centre, were heading to the dramatic coastal reserve of Torndirrup National Park. Albany (120 kilometres) The drive from Pemberton to Albany is peppered with natural highlights. 6 hours of driving. Total driving distance appx. Our first stop is Mammoth Cave, where a self-guided audio tour takes us on a boardwalk journey through the stunning, stalactite-filled chambers of this ancient place. Technology can be a great tool for organizing your dinner party. Just nearby, the Natural Bridge is exactly that a hulking granite span carved from the living rock over millions of years. Till next time! From previous discussions, I suppose I. It is 420 km and 5 hours from Albany to Perth. We plan overnight. 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. From Castle Rock, we make our way back to the Albany Highway/State Route 30 and plot a route to Kojonup. The only reason to take the 100-minute trip on route 102 is if you plan on . Break your fast in Busselton, or make the half-hour trip west to the resort town of Dunsborough for brekkie. 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. This website is created by The Royal Automobile Club of WA (Inc.). We opt for Hidden River Estate just north of Pemberton and around 15 minutes from the Dave Evans Bicentennial Tree. 165 long metal bars spiral up the 75-metre tall tree (246 feet), via a first viewing platform at 25 metres, to the top viewing platform another 35 metres up. Find the best hotels, restaurants, and attractions based on the most talked about places recommended by Trippy members. See full website for details. We only have a night here, so weve cherry picked some of the regions best highlights as an introduction to the area. I park myself atop a high rock overlooking the dazzling water and boulders of Elephant Cove below, while John climbs down into the inlet to explore further. Or more if, like us, you sign up for a Margaret River wine tour. But they are extra impressive in their girth. Theres a museum and tearooms here, and guided tours including a climb up the 59 steps of the lighthouse to its balcony. It does a loop taking in Freos key spots and is a great way to get around and get a sense of the place. We wanted to maximise our sightseeing in this corner of the country though, so we decided to extend the adventure to include a drive north of Perth to experience the remarkable landscape of the Pinnacles Desert, as well as spending a bit more time in Fremantle and heading offshore for a day trip to gorgeous Rottnest Island. Albany to Perth Route via Denmark, Walpole, Pemberton, Augusta, Margaret River, Busselton, Bunbury Direction Map Travel Time LatLong Flight D Flight T HowFar Route TripCost CO2 Emission There may be some variations of this track, but the most popular is the one that passes by the Yeagarup Sand Dunes and through D'Entrecasteaux National Park. Its farewell to Margaret River today as we turn our attention inland and make for the historic town of Pemberton. The standout of the museum is a huge, resurrected section of the shipwrecked Batavia, a Dutch East Indies ship that hit the reef and sank off the WA coast in 1629. If you fancy a dip, nows the time. Pemberton is an inland town situated in the Southern Forests area of Australia's South West tourist region. But a quick online search of things to do throws up plenty of options to fill a day or more here. And a drink. 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. 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. 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. We figured the distances on this trip are already long and the days packed, and we didnt want it turning into the Amazing Race by adding a further ten hour round-trip for a couple of hours on the sand. To give you a picture; Pemberton is surrounded by national parks and located in the order of 3.75 hours south of Perth, 3 hours from Albany and half way between Margaret River and the Tree top Walk near Walpole. Buffering Albany from the wild Southern Ocean is Torndirrup National Park, and there are a number of sites worth seeing here. The story of mutiny, murder and island castaway horror is the stuff of fiction but its all too real*. Apparently the best time to see them is during summer on clear, calm mornings. 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. The drive from Margaret River to Nannup is around 45-50 minutes. Single room: extra AUD $690. 4-day Margaret River, Albany, and Valley of the Gian What we get instead is an angry sky with roiling dark clouds, but if anything, it adds to the drama of this beautiful coastline. Or do we as do, and chase the sunset again, this time at Denmarks famous Elephant Cove and Greens Pool. Returns: Perth at appx. Its a big drive, so were starting the day with a hike to a unique platform on high. We found this was critical in the smaller towns of Denmark and Albany. There are a handful of companies doing wine tours in Margaret River and they all follow a fairly similar format. Australian Train Travel. Regardless, its a good idea to book your accommodation well ahead of your visit if you can, particularly if youre travelling in peak season and over weekends. We arrive at our accommodation in Fremantle a little before sunset. From Esperance. These are some of the tallest trees in the world and its truly something to be among the giants. 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. 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). Last day! The Margaret River and Leeuwin-Naturaliste coast packs a huge punch in the nature stakes, and there are a ton of places to visit in Margaret River besides its world renowned wineries (though wine tasting is most definitely on our agenda). If you are short on time, take Albany Highway and make stops on the way down. If you don't have much time for your Perth to Esperance road trip, then you can simply skip out the Margaret River section of the drive and . South west Australia is lovely pretty much all the time, with a temperate Mediterranean-like climate. view full itinerary. From Pemberton, it's just over an hour to Walpole, where you'll find even more enormous trees in the . You can get to Albany in about an hour by flying with Regional Express. Upon arriving, squeeze in some exploring before settling in for the night the Gloucester Tree and Diamond Tree are worth a visit, as is a stroll through town and sampling some of the local produce. Naturally, summers and holiday periods draw the crowds, especially in the Margaret River region. I would like to visit the Tree Top Walk, Green Pools etc. 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. 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. We take the opportunity to head to the Kojonup Bakery while were here to sample one of the locally made pies the town has become famous for. 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). 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. Perth to Albany via Albany Hwy. 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, It takes approximately 4 hours 35 minutes to drive from Perth to Albany. . From Porongurup, youve get a very short journey to Albany, so take your time by taking a slight detour east to Two Peoples Bay Nature Reserve, which is home to the beautiful Little Beach and Waterfall Beach. The shorter route takes you from Perth to Albany, then on to Esperance, and returning to Perth via Wave Rock and York. Tip: Dont miss the fantastic pano views from the Convoy Lookout at the top of Forts Road. After a long drive, theres no better way to stretch the legs than with an afternoon climb. PERTH Porongurups Mt Barker Kojonup Pemberton Wilderness Lookout Tree Top Walk The Gap - Natural Bridge Granite Skywalk Walpole Denmark Albany 4 1 3 2 Getting high in nature . Member rate varies according to season. Total driving distance: Driving is optional today but if you do drive, the trips are shortOvernight: Fremantle. This is no small commitment its a 60 km (37 mile) drive each way but the temptation of a sunset over dramatic coastline gets us every time! Stop 3 - Pemberton. 230 km (140 miles)Total driving time appx. Stunning beaches, ancient forests, delicious food and wine explore spectacular south west Australia with our two week Perth to Albany road trip itinerary loop (start and finish in Perth). 2 hours (with lots of stops)Overnight: Margaret River. Once you leave Pemberton, you will head south either via the main highway or the village of Northcliffe. Theres also a music festival here each March. 1,150km return trip weve allowed eight days. Albany to Perth via Pemberton. But what fun is a road trip without exploring your surroundings! Day 1: Perth to Dunsborough. So we manage to squeeze in a late morning wine tasting at Forest Hill Winery on our return from Elephant Cove and Greens Pool. Its an immersive, moving and eye-opening journey through this tragic chapter of history. Since mid-February 2022, travel to and around Australia is possible again woot! A beautiful spot to end the day. Perth is the capital of WA, and its the launchpad for our South Western Australia itinerary. Dont miss the chance to have a feed at the towns famous Lobster Shack. 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 Williams Woolshed. As Australian road trips go, Albany isn't too far from Perth. Sun, 31 Dec ALH - PER with Regional Express. With the exception of a couple of dirt roads, we travelled on paved roads throughout. 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. 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. After brunch, get back on the road and head to Perth. Total driving distance appx. 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. Weve opted to stay a short walk from Fremantles historic and port area, so after checking in, we make for the towns most popular gathering joint the vast Little Creatures Brewery for a sunset beer followed by dinner and an early night. While the cavern itself is tiny compared to Mammoth Cave, Lake Cave requires an epic descent through a vast sinkhole into the bowels of the Earth (which also means a thigh-burning ascent afterwards). This will help you keep track of who has RSVPed and which tasks need to be done in time for the event. Similarly to Albany, youll thank yourself for setting aside a day to explore Denmark and its surrounds. Then make it your civic duty as Western Australian to have lunch at the Truffle and Wine Co with Manjimup being responsible for almost 70 per cent of Australias truffles, its an absolute must-do for any self-respecting WA foodie. Back at the forest floor, a separate boardwalk meanders through a fantastical, Game of Thrones-esque grove of tingle trees called The Ancient Empire. 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. Its also worth heading early or late to avoid the daytime heat and the clouds of flies that descend the moment you exit the car (repellent and a head net are handy!). Getting to Albany from Perth Heading to your destination (Albany) will mean taking on a 415-kilometre road trip. As luck would have it, theres a small pod of five or six dolphins chasing each other back and forth along the shoreline. 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. Answer 1 of 31: We are visiting Perth in May to June for 14 days holiday. I also like Augusta for its country town vibe, river coast and some nice eating spots. Total driving distance appx. This is also the launchpad for the famous Cape to Cape Track, an epic 135 km (84 mile) coastal hike. We would have loved extra hours at just about every place we stopped, but here are some of our suggestions of what you could do instead: Esperance is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in Western Australia, if not all of Australia, and pics of its crystal clear water and shimmery-white shores dotted with kangaroos make it tough to rule out of any south western Australia road trip itinerary. The coastal drive from Perth to Margaret River via the Pemberton tree tops has been voted Western Australia's most popular road trip route. We did, however, enjoy an incredible golden hour over the ambient jetty ruins, and the silhouette of a lone dolphin cruising the shoreline. While this itinerary doesnt leave much time for Denmark wineries, we really dont want to leave without sampling some of the local vino. We also stop for a cooling arvo beer at Pinks Beach Club, before rolling back into town in time for our return ferry. The Coastal Route is longer, coming in at just over 8 hours of driving and covering around 690 km. Weve pre-booked tickets for a tour of the Underwater Observatory at the end of the jetty, and set out for a lovely wander along the wharf and out into Geographe Bay. 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. At The Gap, a new cantilevered platform hovers out over a narrow fissure in the sheer cliffs for a thrilling view of the crashing sea 40 metres (130 feet) below. Highly recommended. This is without doubt one of the most beautiful places on our Perth to Albany road trip (and the competition is fierce). Its renowned as a spectacular spot for sunset and weve worked todays itinerary so that well be here for that. 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! The perilous WA coastline has claimed more than its fair share of vessels over the centuries, and the fascinating relics of some of the oldest wrecks have found their way here, in an epic combo of two of our great loves history and underwater archaeology. view full itinerary. If Esperance is a non-negotiable though, swap out some earlier days/stops or add a couple more days to this itinerary. Another alternative is to fly to Albany, then hire a car once there, but most visitors will drive from Perth. 165 km (100 miles)Total driving time appx. Take the inland route on your Perth to Albany road trip to discover historical sights, a boutique hotel and classic country towns. Bus route 803 804 . While war museums arent everyones cup of tea, we reckon this award-winning centre, high above King George Sound, is a must-visit. There are also public toilets and a play area across the road. Two hours from Perth, Williams is a great spot for a break on the . 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. Sure, but youll need at least another ten days and plenty of preparation to do it. 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. From here, the Coastal Survivors Walk and the Pupalong Loop Walk wind away, serving up some spectacular cliff-edge panoramas and views over the Southern Ocean. Total driving distance appx. In fact, you can make the more direct 540 km journey via the Coalfields Route in just 5 hours and 50 minutes of driving. Use the Google map on this page to explore Western Australia's road network, towns, cities, national parks and other areas. In the Margaret River region also check out accommodation in Dunsborough. However, services depart from Proudlove Parade Transwa Albany and arrive at Charles West Avenue Transwa Margaret River via Brockman Street Transwa Pemberton. A rugged coastline, picturesque beaches and an incredibly diverse national park are just the beginning. Bus, fly. Gorgeous Rottnest Island Wadjemup in the Aboriginal Noongar language rises from a cyan-coloured sea just 25 minutes by ferry from Fremantle. Table . Overlooking an expansive panorama of fields and forest, this huge brewery, restaurant and beer garden is a brilliant spot to break up the touring. I made it to the first platform before jelly legs and a racing heart put paid to climbing any higher. Key spots and is a non-negotiable though, swap out some earlier days/stops or add a couple more days this. Play area across the road and head to Perth the perth to albany via pemberton a quick online search things. 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