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Is the west coast the best coast? On this tour, you'll follow the Rainbow Coast on the southwest and return on the Wheat Belt. Discover the contrasting landscapes of these regions, and explore the history of early European settlement, along with awe-inspiring natural wonders, world-renowned wineries, and plenty of great food.

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Tour summary and feature

Self Drive Tour

This suggested tour costs from AUD$2,342 per person (twin share, low season)

Starts in Perth, finishes in Perth

8 days/7 nights

Apartments

 Rental car included

 Viewed 42 times in the last 7 days

Tour full itinerary
ITINERARY
Uncover the South West Tour - Day 1
Private transfer Perth Airport to your accommodation

On arrival, you will be met by a private driver outside customs exit and delivered to your Perth accommodation.

Perth

Perth sits on the west coast and is Australia’s sunniest capital city. Soak up the sunshine at one of the white sand beaches, take a walk in leafy Kings Park - one of the world’s largest inner-city parks, or visit nearby Rottnest Island to meet the resident quokkas. For a more cultural experience head to the museum and gallery precinct, or go a little further afield to Swan Valley to experience its vineyards, art, food and history.

Your accommodation: Nesuto Mounts Bay Perth Apartment Hotel

Nesuto Mounts Bay Perth offers fully self-contained and well-furnished apartments. The apartments are situated in a village-style environment, in the secluded Mounts Bay Village. This sanctuary of landscaped gardens is complemented by swimming pools and tennis courts, with ample undercover parking within the complex.

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Uncover the South West Tour - Day 2
Discover Rottnest Tour with Rottnest Express - Includes Lunch

See the whole of Rottnest in a day with a return ferry trip combined with a full-island bus tour. The 90-minute tour visits the island’s most spectacular locations, with insightful commentary shining a light on "Rotto’s" unique flora, fauna, history, and culture. The bus stops at two key vantage points – Wadjemup Lighthouse and the rugged West End, where passengers can hop off, take a short walk, and soak up the views. You might even meet a quokka or two along the way.

Your accommodation: Nesuto Mounts Bay Perth Apartment Hotel

Nesuto Mounts Bay Perth offers fully self-contained and well-furnished apartments. The apartments are situated in a village-style environment, in the secluded Mounts Bay Village. This sanctuary of landscaped gardens is complemented by swimming pools and tennis courts, with ample undercover parking within the complex.
Meals included: Lunch

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Uncover the South West Tour - Day 3
Choose your style of rental vehicle

Our rental car range includes the latest vehicles from the top suppliers. From economy hatchbacks to SUVs, we can help you decide on a car suitable for this leg of your trip. Insurance can often be included with a small excess or deductible.

Perth to Margaret River via Busselton

The journey from Margaret River takes approximately three hours by car. Take the Kwinana Freeway out of Perth, this later becomes Forrest Highway. Head towards Bunbury, then onto Busselton.
Busselton's calm turquoise bay is the perfect place to stretch your legs. Take a walk or train ride over the Indian Ocean on the 1.8km (1.1 mile) long jetty - the longest timber-piled jetty in the southern hemisphere. Visit the Busselton Museum, Old Courthouse or the beautiful St Mary's Church for a taste of what the area was like in the 1800s, and then treat yourself to lunch at one of the many cafes and restaurants before continuing on your drive. Margaret River is just 50km (31 miles) south of Busselton and when you start to see vineyards – you’re almost there.
Margaret River is one of Western Australia's most famous wine regions. Over the last 50 years, it has reached internationally-acclaimed status specialising in cabernet sauvignon and chardonnay, with nearly 100 cellar doors to experience.

Underwater Observatory Tour at the Busselton Jetty

The Underwater Observatory tour starts with a relaxing train ride on the Stocker Preston Express along the length of the Jetty with 360-degree views across Geographe Bay. Descending 8 metres below the ocean's surface, this tour then explores the natural wonders that lie beneath the Jetty where it’s piles create Australia’s greatest artificial reef host to 300 different marine species with an inspiring forest of vividly-coloured tropical and sub-tropical corals, sponges, fish and invertebrates. 13 underwater Sculptures have been built to form a snorkel trail for everyone to enjoy.

SUGGESTED ACTIVITY - Busselton Whale Watching

Dunsborough is one of Western Australia’s favorite seaside towns, a popular spot to observe the whales and the gateway to the world-famous Margaret River wine region
The whale-watching vessel is a single-hulled 18m Conquest, the ideal choice for an up close and personal interaction with the whales and other wildlife. The airy, spacious rear deck allows uninterrupted views, and perhaps the blessing of a cloud of whale breath if you are really lucky! With around 75% of the deck covered overhead, you can make the most of those days of welcome winter sunshine, and if it rains, you can still enjoy the ocean without a soaking. Relax and enjoy the view at the comfortable outdoor seating for 20 or escape the elements in the cosy cabin. For an incredible “crow’s nest” experience and uninterrupted 360-degree panorama, spot wildlife with the skipper on the flybridge.

Your accommodation: Seashells Yallingup

Overlooking the beautiful Caves House heritage gardens, Seashells Yallingup is equipped to deliver a lush south west escape. Apartments are furnished with art déco touches and all have private balconies with garden views and a weekly housekeeping service.

Driving distance and time (approximate) for this leg: 246 kms / 153 miles : 2.8 hours

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Uncover the South West Tour - Day 4
Explore Margaret River

Margaret River is home to incredible hiking trails, surrounded by national parks with pristine coastlines and rugged granite outcrops. Take a short drive out to Gnarabup beach and enjoy a morning walk along this pristine coast and the views from Gnarabup lookout. Stop for a coffee at the local cafe and if you continue a little further north, you will find the world-renowned Surfer's Point, a great spot to sit and watch the surfers in some impressive waves. You can also drive 30 minutes north to Yallingup to experience the local indigenous culture and the Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse. Take to the cellar doors for an afternoon of tasting premium wines and snacking on platters full of local produce. With over 90 award-winning cellar doors in the area, you will be spoiled for choice. If wine isn't your priority, you can spend an afternoon amidst the magic of the area's ancient caves, or the majestic Cape Leeuwin lighthouse.

Lake Cave Admission & Guided Tour with Capes Foundation

Lake Cave is seriously spectacular. It’s set in lush karri forest, has a dramatic sinkhole entrance and a ‘suspended table’ crystal decoration hanging above a permanent lake. The most actively dripping cave in the region, it’s remarkably peaceful hearing the drips.
It’s the smallest but deepest cave, with 325 stairs in all. The stairways are designed so that visitors only have to tackle a moderate number of stairs between rests – and the scenery from the first to the last step is your stunning reward.

Your accommodation: Seashells Yallingup

Overlooking the beautiful Caves House heritage gardens, Seashells Yallingup is equipped to deliver a lush south west escape. Apartments are furnished with art déco touches and all have private balconies with garden views and a weekly housekeeping service.

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Uncover the South West Tour - Day 5
Margaret River to Albany via Denmark

Today's journey begins by heading inland to the old timber town of Nannup – famous for its gardens, spring wildflowers and craft shops. From here, head south to Pemberton, home to the Gloucester Tree - the world's tallest fire lookout tree. At 61m (200ft) the lookout platform is roughly the same height as the Sydney Opera House.
Continue on the Vasse and South Western Highway to Walpole and continue towards Denmark, stopping off at William Bay National Park, where the towering forest meets the Southern Ocean and you can take a short walk to see Greens Pool and the Elephant Rocks rock formations. Denmark has wineries and gourmet produce stores surrounding the town, so there's not shortage of great options in the cafes and restaurants to take a late lunch or grab a snack.
From Denmark, it is just 40 minutes to Albany, the place that the first European settlers set foot in Western Australia. Home to more than 50 heritage buildings and the Historic Whaling Station Museum at Discovery Bay, there is no shortage of history waiting to be discovered.

Valley of the Giants Treetop Walk - suggestion

The Valley of the Giants is an iconic region on the south coast of Western Australia between Denmark and Walpole. The area is world famous for the Tree Top Walk suspended 40 metres high in the canopy of the ancient tingle forest. Designed to immerse you in the forest and leave the eco system untouched, the walk blends seamlessly into its surrounds, inspired by the sword grass and the tassel flower it serves to protect. Suspended effortlessly in the air, the walk moves gently just like the sway of the trees. In a busy world be inspired to stop, reflect, and connect with nature.

SUGGESTED ACTIVITY - Birds of Prey Encounter & Forest Walk with Eagles Heritage Wildlife Centre

Eagles Heritage was established in 1987 and is one of the largest wildlife centres in Australia dedicated to the rehabilitation of injured and displaced birds of prey. This encounter will provide you with the opportunity to meet and interact with eagles, hawks, falcons and owls and marvel at their unique adaptations and natural behaviours. A gentle hike on one of the native forest trails will allow you to experience the native bushland sanctuary at your own pace and possibly even spot some of its resident birds of prey.

Your accommodation: SureStay The Clarence on Melville

10 minutes from the heart of Albany City Centre, the Clarence on Melville is the perfect base to explore the Rainbow Coast, Albany City, and the iconic surrounding waterways. Relax in comfort in the spacious rooms with modern facilities each kitted out with the amenities needed, .

Driving distance and time (approximate) for this leg: 384 kms / 238 miles : 4.5 hours

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Uncover the South West Tour - Day 6
Mt Barker Grape Escape Wine Tour with Albany Tours

Experience the spectacular views of Castle Rock in this Granite Skywalk Porongurups half day tour. Travel to Porongurups National Park and scramble over boulders and climb in an enclosed ladder to the Granite Skywalk which will lead you to the stunning 360 degree views on Castle Rock. This is a 4.2km return uphill nature walk which requires a moderate level of fitness. Listen to intriguing stories of the traditional owners, the Noongar people, before enjoying a lunch and wine tasting at Porongurups winery.

Your accommodation: SureStay The Clarence on Melville

10 minutes from the heart of Albany City Centre, the Clarence on Melville is the perfect base to explore the Rainbow Coast, Albany City, and the iconic surrounding waterways. Relax in comfort in the spacious rooms with modern facilities each kitted out with the amenities needed, .

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Uncover the South West Tour - Day 7
Albany to Perth

The drive from Albany to Perth is long, at around 420km (261 miles), but straightforward as you will stay on the Albany Highway through the Wheatbelt all the way to Perth.
About 2 hours into your journey is the town of Kojonup, where you can visit The Kodja Place. This Visitor and Interpretive Centre incorporates state of the art design and technologies with the simple directness of the traditional Noongar style of storytelling and also features the Australian Rose Maze. The town is also home to the Kojonup Military Barracks, built in 1845.
Continuing northwest for about an hour, you will come to Williams, one of the oldest settled towns in Western Australia. Stop in at the Williams Wool Shed where there is a cafe as well as a gift shop, art display, and sheep shearing demonstrations.
Continue through the Wheatbelt passing lush bushland as you continue to your destination, Perth.

Your accommodation: Nesuto Mounts Bay Perth Apartment Hotel

Nesuto Mounts Bay Perth offers fully self-contained and well-furnished apartments. The apartments are situated in a village-style environment, in the secluded Mounts Bay Village. This sanctuary of landscaped gardens is complemented by swimming pools and tennis courts, with ample undercover parking within the complex.

Driving distance and time (approximate) for this leg: 401 kms / 249 miles : 4.4 hours

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Uncover the South West Tour - Day 8
Return your vehicle to Perth airport

Explore more of Perth before dropping your rental car at the airport depot and continuing your onward journey.

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