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Western Australia road trip to Margaret River and Albany areas

Western Australia road trip to Margaret River and Albany areas

To really see Western Australia – road tripping is the only way to go.  The Margaret River and Albany areas are not only close (by Australian standards) to Perth but you can design a roundtrip that is manageable if you only have a week, even though you might prefer to take 10 – 14 days and relax a little along the way.  

Beauty abounds alongside wineries,  pristine beaches,  National Parks, wildlife and wildflowers.  It’s really a terrific touring area.  

Don’t forget to pay your respects to the Noongar people, the traditional owners of the land in South West of W.A.

Bunbury

Just two hours drive south of Perth to arrive in Bunbury.

To look around town,  hire a bike from the Bunbury Visitor Centre

The most essential activity for visitors is to go dolphin spotting. The main bay is home to more than 150 bottlenose dolphins, all of which can be admired from the shallow waters. Or, like many nature lovers, you can take a tour and go swimming with wild dolphins. Head to the Dolphin Discovery Centre.  Still need more wildlife?- Bunbury Wildlife Park.

Stay – Bunbury Foreshore discovery holiday park 

Busselton

One of the most popular holiday spots in WA, so, also busy, it’s not to be avoided because of this, just make sure you book your camping site ahead of time.  Another great town for cycling, beach-going (think crystal sand and sparkling clear water) and wildlife.  Enjoy the longest jetty in the southern hemisphere, 1.8km’s long.

Stay – Busselton Jetty Tourist Park

Margaret River

The place that has it all – beaches and everything that’s perfect about them, for all ages.  Animal farms for the kiddies as well as ‘A’Maze’n’ a half-hectare giant hedge maze – amazing! Cycling the town bike trails or Mounting biking in the Boranup Forest. And last but not least Restaurants, Wineries and Breweries.

Margaret River wine   So many, think Cape Mentelle, Evans and Tate, Leeuwin Estate, Vasse Felix to just scratch the service.  Do your homework before you leave,  there is no way you can go to them all.  Decide what wine you are interested in, do you want to do lunch or dinner with your visit?  And get your purchses shipped home.

Stay – River View Tourist Park

Augusta

Adventure just half an hour south of Margaret River and you’ll come across a coastal town that’s often left out on most traveller’s itineraries. Australia’s most south-western town is close to the stunning Jewel Cave, Boranup Forest and Hamelin Bay. Augusta’s hiking tracks and bayside scenery make it an ideal place for adventurers and keen fishermen.

Pemberton

A great contrast to the coastal towns of the Margaret River is the Karri forests of the Pemberton area.   Surrounded by 3 National Parks you can actually still climb 3 of the bush fire lookout towers in the giant Karri trees.  Head to the Pemberton Visitor Center

Trees here are up to 350 years old, it’s an historic

Stay – Drafty’s Camp in Warren National Park 

 

Walpole

Walpole is about 245km southeast of Augusta. Walpole is famous for its Valley of Giants Tree Top Walk. This nature-based ecotourism attraction boasts a scenic 600m walk which takes you high into the canopy, allowing you to explore the world from the trees above.

Denmark

This is a special place, relax here and enjoy what is really exceptional, beaches with tranquil rock pools and rock formations.  Outstanding walks, in the town, the beach and the forest (or cycle all those areas). You will realise why you came to Western Australia.

Stay  – Denmark Ocean Holiday Park – Big4

 

 

 

Albany

Ship at Albany Western Australia
This will probably be your end destination if you are doing a circuit for a week or 2, and what a place to finish – the stunning Albany. You could spend days relaxing by the turquoise waters of West Cape Howe National Park or Torndirrup National Park. You also have many nature walking tracks to choose from. If you’d like to learn about the region’s whaling past, visit a museum which was a former whale processing plant, the Historic Whaling Station.

Stay – Big 4 Emu Beach Holiday Park

 

 

Shelley Richardson

Shelley Richardson

Shelley has been working in the travel industry for over 30 years, in aviation, for tour operators and since 2016 for DriveNow. Having travelled extensively worldwide, alone, as a couple and with her family, Shelley has experience to share about how to make the most of your holiday, especially road-trips to amazing destinations.

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