Perth to Albany Self Drive Loop Itinerary

Welcome to Perth! Settle into your comfortable accommodation and relax in Australia's sunniest capital city. Perth is the most isolated city in the world: its closest city is Adelaide, over 2,200 km (1367 miles) away!

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

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. It's even bigger than Central Park in New York! This is a great place to get your bearings with sweeping views of the Swan and Canning rivers.

Perth's urban villages and small bistros offer plenty of dining options.

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 | 261 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 family holiday spots.

The Busselton foreshore has an awesome pathway alongside it, perfect for bike rides and scenic walks. Pack a family 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 family 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

Today's Gourmet Food & Wine Day Tour takes you the length and breadth of the region in search of tasty treats.

Kick start the day with artisan coffee and hit the road with your guide, taking in award-winning wineries, olive groves, local cheese & chocolate producers. Lunch is at a local craft brewery where you can see why Margaret River's reputation for beer & cider is growing by the day.

Throughout the day you’ll also appreciate the incredible natural beauty of Margaret River’s lush forests, rolling hills and opulent vineyards. Keep your eyes peeled for kangaroos!

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 for the family and ride the trails to unspoilt beaches and rugged coastline

Bunbury is a seaside city that offers protected beach bays mere minutes from budding local bars, trendy restaurants, boutique shops and alluring coffee houses and cafés dotting street art corners and hidden alleyways. One minute you can be walking down the main street, and in the next hit the water where wild bottlenose dolphins can be spotted close to shore.

Approximate Distance: 340 km | 211 miles   Total Driving Time: 3 hours 45 mins

Accommodation: Bunbury - 1 Night

Welcome to the incredible world of dolphins! This is a wildlife experience not to be missed and will ensure guests have the best opportunity to see wild bottlenose dolphins in their natural environment. Watch them socialise, play, fight, mate, and feed from the comfort of the custom-designed 11m vessel that is low to the water and offers 360-degree views. Best of all, dolphin sightings are guaranteed (or a full refund will be provided) however they are wild animals so their location, behavior and proximity to the vessel will vary from day to day.

This Afternoon Drive to Fremantle

Sitting on the edge of the Indian Ocean, this beautiful coastal town is only 20 minutes from Perth. Fremantle in Western Australia (WA) is a vibrant, eclectic city. Home to some of the most beautiful heritage buildings, great beaches, delicious seafood and talented artists and designers, Fremantle offers seven day shopping and a fantastic array of food, fun and entertainment for all ages.

Approximate Distance: 165 km | 102 miles   Total Driving Time: 2 hours

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

Rottnest Island 

Cycle around Rottnest Island and discover the sandy settlement by pedal power. Benefit from round-trip transfers by ferry from Hillarys Boat Harbour and bike around the car-free island at your own pace. It includes Snorkel hire to explore the incredible 83 beaches and 20 bays and the 400 species of tropical fish that Rottnest is famous for!

Say farewell to Perth today as you board your onward flight, taking with you the magical memories of a truly exceptional Western Australia experience. We know you will enjoy your Perth to Albany Self Drive Loop vacation and we hope you will return soon to discover even more highlights of this incredible continent.