9 Day South West Explorer Itinerary

Welcome to Perth! Settle into your comfortable accommodation and relax in Australia's sunniest capital city.

With soft sandy beaches, epic skyscrapers, huge green parks and a thriving street art scene, Perth is a fascinating town to explore. It's home to one of the biggest city parks in the world – Kings Park & Botanic Garden – right in the heart of town. This is a great place to get your bearings with sweeping views of the Swan and Canning rivers.
Perth's urban villages and small bar-bistros offer plenty of dining options to fuel you up for exciting adventures tomorrow.

Accommodation: Perth - 2 Nights

A 30-minute ferry ride from the city, Rottnest Island has sandy beaches, coral reefs and smiling Quokkas to meet. These cat-sized native creatures are known as the happiest animals in the world!

Jump aboard the Eco Express - a purpose-built, high-powered boat - for the adventure of a lifetime on Rottnest Island’s wild side.

Rottnest Island

Explore Rottnest's rugged coastline and witness its abundant wildlife up close. This is the ultimate thrill ride for nature lovers.

The Eco Express takes you right around the island, giving you an unforgettable up-close encounter with its birdlife and marine life. You can often spot majestic humpback whales (September to November) and the New Zealand fur seals who live in a colony at Cathedral Rocks.

The knowledgeable and friendly crew know the best spots to find the island's finned, furred and feathered residents and will provide expert commentary along the journey.

Jump off the boat and onto your bike and explore the 83 beaches and 20 bays that Rottnest is famous for!

Collect your rental vehicle and hit the road and set a course for the seaside town of Busselton. Along the way, come face to face with Western Australia's playful dolphins at Bunbury's Dolphin Discovery Centre.

Discover Bunbury's Dolphins

Bunbury’s amazing street art and obsession with gourmet food & great coffee have made it one of Western Australia’s most exciting cosmopolitan cities. It's also home to some seriously charming Bottlenose Dolphins.

The Dolphin Discovery Centre is a sensational sealife experience with interactive activities to delight all ages. See dolphin feedings, get hands-on in the touching pool, and try not to get sprayed by the resident octopus.

Onwards to Busselton

Arrive in Busselton and take a stroll along the iconic, heritage-listed jetty. Originally built in 1865, the 1.8km jetty features its own railway! Ride to the end to glimpse colourful fish, tropical corals, and possibly a migrating whale or two between June and November.

Approximate Distance: 225 km | 139 miles   Total Driving Time: 2 hours 30 mins

Accommodation: Busselton - 2 Nights

Spend a full day in Busselton for some seaside fun at one of Western Australia's favourite holiday spots.

The Busselton foreshore pathway is perfect for bike rides and scenic walks. Pack a picnic or bring your own goodies to grill on the free barbecue facilities. The shallow beach has calm, clear waters for a safe and relaxing swim.

On the famous Busselton Jetty, there's heaps of fun to be had. Walk the seafloor with the help of a custom-made dive helmet or stay dry at the Jetty’s underwater observatory. Hire see-through kayaks in the summer months and see what you can spot in the waters below. With over three hundred marine species there's always something marvellous to see.

Head onwards to the beautiful Margaret River Region - one of Australia’s best-kept secrets and home to fine boutique wineries and gourmet food producers.

Welcome to Margaret River

The Margaret River Region stretches from Busselton down to Augusta, the most south-westerly point in Australia. The region produces less than 3 per cent of Australia's wine, but over than a fifth of the country's premium wine originates here.

Brimming with spectacular beaches, coastal trails, world-class surf breaks and gourmet cuisine, Margaret River is guaranteed to win your heart.

Your home away from home will be a family apartment at Margarets Beach Resort, just 500 metres from pristine Gnarabup Beach.

Approximate Distance: 50 km | 31 miles   Total Driving Time: 45 mins

Accommodation: Margaret River - 2 Nights

Embark on the Margaret River Discovery Tour, a luxury 4WD adventure blending wine and nature experiences. Discover the secrets of Terroir, showcasing Margaret River's world-class wines.

Enjoy a serene canoe trip along the Margaret River, followed by beachside coffee overlooking top surf spots. Explore an ancient waterhole, tasting local honey amid Aboriginal history.

Indulge in a lunch at Fraser Gallop Estate, pairing exquisite wines with regional produce. Conclude with a 4WD journey and cliff-top walk along the Wilyabrup Cliffs, offering breathtaking views and insights into the region's unique terroir.

Head for the historic Albany, stopping in Denmark to meet some much-loved giants.

Denmark's Valley of the Giants

The Valley of the Giants is world famous for the Tree Top Walk suspended 40 metres high in the canopy of the ancient tingle forest.

The wonderfully-named tingle tree is one of the biggest timber giants on earth. These giant eucalypts are only found in Western Australia and have been standing here for over 400 years.

The incredible walkway cleverly weaves through the majestic trees without damaging them, giving you close up views of their trunks and canopies, and over the densely forested hills beyond.

Albany

The charming city of Albany marks the first spot where European settlers arrived in Western Australia.
Home to elegant public buildings, historic homes and gracious churches, this heritage town also boasts stunning views from the main street into the Princess Harbour's deep blue waters.

Approximate Distance: 345 km | 214 miles   Total Driving Time: 4 hours

Accommodation: Albany - 2 Nights

Enjoy a free day to explore the history & heritage of Albany and the world-renowned beaches along the coastline. Try some of our favourite family activities in Albany:

•    Tour the Whaling Station Museum and walk the gangplank of a fully restored whaling ship.
•    Stroll the white sands of Waterfall Beach - kids will love climbing on the huge boulders along the shore.
•    Visit the National Anzac Centre to learn about Australia's war history
•    Walk the Amity Trail through town and admire Albany's historical buildings.
•    Rent bikes and ride the trails to unspoilt beaches and rugged coastline

Your journey comes to an end as you journey back to Perth to return your rental car and board your onward flight, taking with you the magical memories of a truly exceptional Australian experience. We know you will enjoy your 9 Day South West Explorer Family Self Drive Tour and we hope you will return soon to discover even more highlights of this incredible continent.

Approximate Distance: 420 km | 261 miles   Total Driving Time: 4 hours 45 mins