11 Days in Western Australia

Follow an ever-changing coastline through vineyards, forests and deserts, encountering dolphins, whales and wildflowers.

Spend 11 days taking one unique road trip around the edge of the South West, through wine regions, towering karri forests and along the marine life-rich coast before returning to Perth across the desert. Meet playful dolphins and watch majestic whales. Sample premium wines and the finest fresh produce. Explore ancient caves, unique mountain ranges and pristine beaches. Immerse yourself in the diverse landscapes and pioneering gold rush heritage of the South West.

Wildflowers generally bloom in this region between September and November, and displays are more prolific after good winter rains.

Itinerary via westernaustralia.com

Itinerary

Day 1: Perth to Bunbury - 176kms (2 hours 15mins)

Day 2: Bunbury to Margaret River - 103kms (1 hour 20mins)

Day 3: Margaret River

Day 4: Margaret River to Pemberton - 133kms (1 hour 35mins)

Day 5: Pemberton to Denmark - 185kms (2 hours 10mins)

Day 6: Denmark to Albany - 55kms (40mins)

Day 7: Albany to Hopetoun - 333kms (3 hours 35mins)

Day 8: Hopetoun to Esperance - 182kms (2 hour 05mins)

Day 9: Esperance

Day 10: Esperance to Hyden - 382kms (3 hours 55mins)

Day 11: Hyden to Perth - 319kms (3 hours 35mins)

Highlights

Rottnest Island

Just off the coast of Perth, Rottnest Island's 63 stunning beaches, 20 beautiful bays and many coral reefs and wrecks invite you to enjoy some of Australia's finest swimming spots, snorkel trails and surf breaks.

On dry land, you'll meet the cutest mini marsupial, found only in Western Australia, the world famous quokka.

Lucky Bay

Australia's whitest beach, Lucky Bay, is also one of Western Australia's most idyllic; the biggest jewel in a string of stunning beaches along the coast of Cape Le Grand National Park and Esperance.

Its squeaky-clean sand, turquoise water, perfect swimming conditions and breathtaking views of the Recherche Archipelago regularly put it at the top of Australia's best beach list. Even the kangaroos can't resist lazing on the sand here.

Margaret River

Margaret River and its premium wine region is the place for indulging many passions.

It's the only wine region in Australia where you can hop from award-winning wineries and restaurants to stunning beaches, tall-timber forests, world-class surf breaks and ancient caves.

Wildflowers

The wildflower collection in Western Australia is one of the largest on Earth. With more than 12,000 species, over 60% of which are found nowhere else on Earth, they colour the landscapes from coast to forest and city to outback.

The six-month flowering season begins in the north in June and July on the vast outback plains of the Pilbara, Goldfields and Coral Coast where vibrant blooms contrast with pindan earth, rugged canyons and turquoise sea.