Although beginning and ending among the beaches and big-city allure of sunny Perth, this gorgeous road trip will showcase the gorgeous natural scenery of Australia’s lesser-visited southwest. Not only will you be able to taste your way through Margaret River’s world-class wineries, but ultra-scenic drives will see you between everything from quiet gold-rush towns to dramatic coastlines and rolling farmlands. As well as relaxing on white sands and hiking among national-park forests, keep your eyes out for whales, dolphins and, of course, kangaroos.
Day 1: Depart UK
Enjoy included airport lounge access before boarding your flight to Australia's west coast.Days 2-3: Perth
On arrival in Perth, Australia's sunniest state capital, a private transfer will see you to your boutique, central accommodation. You'll then have two nights here to explore, with the famous Aussie love of all things outdoors reflected in Perth's many beaches and open spaces. Kings Park in the heart of the city and the beautiful Botanical Gardens are special favourites. The nascent street-art scene is also well worth a look. In the evening, we recommend dining at the Greenhouse, a superb restaurant in the city centre, where young local chef Matt Stone offers up an imaginative menu of Australian and Asian-inspired cuisine.
Stay: Doubletree Hilton, Northbridge (Standard) or QT Perth (Superior)
Days 4-6: Margaret River region
Picking up your hire car, a coastal drive will see you towards possible stops at Fremantle's coffee houses, Dunsborough's burgeoning art scene and Rockingham, where you can swim with dolphins. You'll arrive at Margaret River – once a humble surfing town, today it's one of Australia's premier food-and-wine destinations, producing a quarter of the country's premium bottles. There are more than 220 vineyards and 100 cellar doors to choose from, alongside the region's gorgeous beaches. Be sure to keep your eyes out for everything from kangaroos to dolphins and whales. You'll stay in a beautiful country-house-style hotel or Cape Lodge, a grand retreat where you'll be treated to kayaking trips and guided hikes, along with a honey tasting and wine-paired lunch.
Stay: Seashells, Yallingup (Superior) or Cape Lodge (Deluxe)
Day 7: Pemberton and Manjimup
Depart Margaret River and continue down the coast to Pemberton, a charming rural town surrounded by towering karri and jarrah trees. It's an ideal base for bush walking, kayaking, and fishing. For lunch we recommend stopping at Foragers, a wonderful farm-based cooking school and restaurant that showcases the best of local produce across inventive menus. In the afternoon, why not pay a visit to the Wine and Truffle Co. in nearby Manjimup? Help Sunny the truffle dog sniff out some of these incredibly valuable fungi and indulge with some of the products on offer in the farm shop.
Stay: Best Western Pemberton (Standard) or Karri Valley Resort (Superior)
Days 8-9: Denmark
Continuing south, you’ll arrive at Denmark – a quiet gold-frontier town surrounded by gorgeous beaches, forested hinterland and winding rivers. You’ll stay right among it all in a secluded timber chalet, tucked away among the bushland. From here, you’ll have William Bay National Park on doorstep, best explored with its canopy-level walkways, cycling trails and secret swimming pools. Don’t worry, there’s also plenty of viticulture to enjoy, along with Australia's first licensed chocolate lounge – the Denmark Chocolate Company.
Days 10-11: Albany
Your penultimate stop is Albany, the first European settlement in Western Australia – something remembered by gorgeous colonial architecture, today given over to fine museums and art galleries. It's also a great base for whale-watching tours between June and October as some 30,000 humpbacks pass through the region each year. Albany, of course, has some wonderful food and wine, with fresh fish and oysters being particular culinary highlights. For a hands-on experience, a fishing trip presents the chance to catch your own supper, while a pilgrimage to the Albany Farmers' Market will see you learning about – and tasting – the region's diverse produce. Just don't forget to enjoy the beaches.
Stay: Best Western Albany (Standard) or The Beach House at Bayside (Superior)
Day 12: Perth
After breakfast, wind your way back to Perth, plunging through the green, rural hinterlands or taking the longer coastal route. Perhaps celebrate your trip in style with dinner and drinks at one of the city's world-class restaurants.
Stay: Doubletree Hilton, Northbridge (Standard) or QT Perth (Superior)
Days 13-14: Depart for UK
Return your hire car to the airport in time for your overnight flight..
Includes:
This trip has no fixed departures but restrictions may apply - check operator website
** If you see this next to a price, a specific price in your currency has not been provided, this is an estimated-only price based on a currency conversion, the price you pay may be different to that shown
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