Margaret River & Test Match
14 day Self Drive & Cricket Tickets – from £1360
With flights from £2740
Following the 1st NRMA Insurance Ashes Test Match, head out from Perth to get a real taste of Western Australia. This driving route will take you along the beautiful beaches, forests and wineries of this beautiful region.
Highlights:
- Enjoy official tickets for the 1st NRMA Insurance Ashes Test Match
- Tour the wineries and cellar doors of Margaret River
- Climb aboard the scenic Pemberton Forest Tram
- Enjoy a treetop experience in the Valley of the Giants
- Visit the old whaling port of Albany, WA’s first settlement
Your Itinerary
Expand AllYou can personalise your Western Australia self drive adding extra nights or destinations. Just let us know what you would like to do.
Welcome to Perth. Your Ashes Cricket holiday begins in the sunny and welcoming capital of Western Australia. Built on the banks of the Swan River, it is alive with trendy cafés and restaurants, as well as some great shopping.
On arrival make your way to your chosen hotel in the city centre. Once you have settled into your hotel, there will be some time begin exploring the city on foot this evening.
Day 2 to 6 – 1st NRMA Insurance Ashes Test Match
For the first time since 1982, the Ashes Series begins in Perth. Enjoy five days of top class cricket as this much anticipated series begins at the Perth Stadium.
Your Ashes cricket package includes hotel accommodation and tickets to every day of the NRMA Insurance Ashes Test Match (All Day 5 tickets will include General Admission only, with unreserved seating).
Freedom Destinations is a Cricket Australia Travel Office Licensed Travel Operator for the 2025/26 NRMA Insurance Ashes Series. Licence no. CATO2526/005
Day 7 & 8 – Margaret River
Collect your car and head south to Bunbury, home of the Koombana Bay dolphins. If there is time, take the Dolphin Watch Eco Cruise to see a group of up to 100 wild bottle nose dolphins that live in the city’s bay. From here continue on to Busselton, a popular seaside resort fronting sweeping Geographe Bay and boasting the longest wooden jetty in the southern hemisphere. Finally, make the short drive to Margaret River for a two night stay in this world famous wine region.
Many of Margaret River’s vineyards offer tastings, tours and some excellent food, but there is more to this region than just the wine. The town is a lively mix of artists and crafts people, as well as surfers attracted by the ocean swells. The coastal scenery round about is spectacular, with many fine beaches and sheltered coves. Running parallel with the coast, the rugged limestone Leeuwin-Naturale Ridge is renowned for its vast caverns and caves, many of which can be explored.
Standard: Stay Margaret River
Deluxe: Margarets Beach Resort
Day 9 – Pemberton & The Karri Forests
From Margaret River, head south towards Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse, where the Indian and Southern Oceans meet. Then journey west through the towering Karri and Marri forests that surround the old lumber town of Pemberton. Enjoy a forest walk or, if you prefer, ride the Pemberton Tram that meanders through some of the tallest trees in the world.
The beauty of the forest is enhanced by clear streams and a wealth of wildflowers in the spring. The Pemberton Visitors Centre is located near the town centre and combines the tourist office, Pioneer Museum and the Karri Forest Discovery Centre, giving a fascinating insight into the history and development of the area.
Standard & Deluxe: Karri Valley Resort
Day 10 & 11 – Albany & The Coast
Take the scenic road from Pemberton towards the southern coast today. There is an impressive forest sculpture walk at Northcliffe and later a chance to experience the Valley of the Giants treetop walk. Also, be sure to stop at Denmark, one of the most scenic towns along the coast, before heading on the Albany for a two night stay.
Albany was Western Australia’s first settlement and was once a major whaling centre. It has numerous white sandy beaches and spectacular coastal scenery. In the town itself there are over 50 historic buildings, many of which have been developed as museums, display galleries or restaurants. The waterfront whaling museum, named Whaleworld, explains the massive whaling operation that once flourished here.
Away from the town, there are scenic coastal walks, with the chance of spotting humpback and southern right whales that pass close to the shore between June and October.
Standard: The Clarence on Melville, Albany
Deluxe: The Beach House at Bayside
Day 12 – Return to Perth
Start early today for the drive back to Perth. For scenery, visit the Porongurup or Stirling Ranges National Park, before meeting the fertile plains and bright, wide-open skies of Western Australia’s wheatbelt. This area was only settled about 150 years ago and the main industries remain wheat and sheep.
To the east of the Albany Highway is Katanning, an early mill town that boasts the first electric street lights in WA. On the same detour, the delightful country town of Wagin has a fabulous Historic Village to wander round and an enormous statue of a ram, celebrating the reason for town’s development.
Day 13 – Explore Perth
Complete your holiday back in Perth. You could wander along the waterfront with backdrop of the city, or head to Kings Park to explore the remarkable Botanic Gardens.
Alternatively you could take a day trip on the ferry to Rottnest Island to relax on the stunning beach and take a selfie with the cuddly Quokkas that reside there.
Day 14 – Farewell from Western Australia
As this part of your holiday comes to a close, return to Perth Airport in time to check-in for your onwards flight.
Maybe you are returning home, or maybe you are continuing your Ashes holiday by flying to Brisbane for the 2nd NRMA Insurance Ashes Test!
Your Itinerary
You can personalise your Western Australia self drive adding extra nights or destinations. Just let us know what you would like to do.
Day 1
| Welcome to Perth
Welcome to Perth. Your Ashes Cricket holiday begins in the sunny and welcoming capital of Western Australia. Built on the banks of the Swan River, it is alive with trendy cafés and restaurants, as well as some great shopping.
On arrival make your way to your chosen hotel in the city centre. Once you have settled into your hotel, there will be some time begin exploring the city on foot this evening.
Day 2 to 6
| 1st NRMA Insurance Ashes Test Match
For the first time since 1982, the Ashes Series begins in Perth. Enjoy five days of top class cricket as this much anticipated series begins at the Perth Stadium.
Your Ashes cricket package includes hotel accommodation and tickets to every day of the NRMA Insurance Ashes Test Match (All Day 5 tickets will include General Admission only, with unreserved seating).
Freedom Destinations is a Cricket Australia Travel Office Licensed Travel Operator for the 2025/26 NRMA Insurance Ashes Series. Licence no. CATO2526/005
Day 7 & 8
| Margaret River
Collect your car and head south to Bunbury, home of the Koombana Bay dolphins. If there is time, take the Dolphin Watch Eco Cruise to see a group of up to 100 wild bottle nose dolphins that live in the city’s bay. From here continue on to Busselton, a popular seaside resort fronting sweeping Geographe Bay and boasting the longest wooden jetty in the southern hemisphere. Finally, make the short drive to Margaret River for a two night stay in this world famous wine region.
Many of Margaret River’s vineyards offer tastings, tours and some excellent food, but there is more to this region than just the wine. The town is a lively mix of artists and crafts people, as well as surfers attracted by the ocean swells. The coastal scenery round about is spectacular, with many fine beaches and sheltered coves. Running parallel with the coast, the rugged limestone Leeuwin-Naturale Ridge is renowned for its vast caverns and caves, many of which can be explored.
Standard: Stay Margaret River
Deluxe: Margarets Beach Resort
Day 9
| Pemberton & The Karri Forests
From Margaret River, head south towards Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse, where the Indian and Southern Oceans meet. Then journey west through the towering Karri and Marri forests that surround the old lumber town of Pemberton. Enjoy a forest walk or, if you prefer, ride the Pemberton Tram that meanders through some of the tallest trees in the world.
The beauty of the forest is enhanced by clear streams and a wealth of wildflowers in the spring. The Pemberton Visitors Centre is located near the town centre and combines the tourist office, Pioneer Museum and the Karri Forest Discovery Centre, giving a fascinating insight into the history and development of the area.
Standard & Deluxe: Karri Valley Resort
Day 10 & 11
| Albany & The Coast
Take the scenic road from Pemberton towards the southern coast today. There is an impressive forest sculpture walk at Northcliffe and later a chance to experience the Valley of the Giants treetop walk. Also, be sure to stop at Denmark, one of the most scenic towns along the coast, before heading on the Albany for a two night stay.
Albany was Western Australia’s first settlement and was once a major whaling centre. It has numerous white sandy beaches and spectacular coastal scenery. In the town itself there are over 50 historic buildings, many of which have been developed as museums, display galleries or restaurants. The waterfront whaling museum, named Whaleworld, explains the massive whaling operation that once flourished here.
Away from the town, there are scenic coastal walks, with the chance of spotting humpback and southern right whales that pass close to the shore between June and October.
Standard: The Clarence on Melville, Albany
Deluxe: The Beach House at Bayside
Day 12
| Return to Perth
Start early today for the drive back to Perth. For scenery, visit the Porongurup or Stirling Ranges National Park, before meeting the fertile plains and bright, wide-open skies of Western Australia’s wheatbelt. This area was only settled about 150 years ago and the main industries remain wheat and sheep.
To the east of the Albany Highway is Katanning, an early mill town that boasts the first electric street lights in WA. On the same detour, the delightful country town of Wagin has a fabulous Historic Village to wander round and an enormous statue of a ram, celebrating the reason for town’s development.
Day 13
| Explore Perth
Complete your holiday back in Perth. You could wander along the waterfront with backdrop of the city, or head to Kings Park to explore the remarkable Botanic Gardens.
Alternatively you could take a day trip on the ferry to Rottnest Island to relax on the stunning beach and take a selfie with the cuddly Quokkas that reside there.
Day 14
| Farewell from Western Australia
As this part of your holiday comes to a close, return to Perth Airport in time to check-in for your onwards flight.
Maybe you are returning home, or maybe you are continuing your Ashes holiday by flying to Brisbane for the 2nd NRMA Insurance Ashes Test!
This Self Drive Includes
Flights & More
With FREEDOM, you can book your Margaret River & Test Match self drive & cricket tickets and flights together, as an ATOL protected package. Our Travel Experts can find the best priced Economy, Premium or Business Class flights for you.
You can also personalise your holiday. Why not add:
- Extend your stay in Perth prior to the 1st Test Match
- Extra nights in Margaret Rives, Albany or other places on the way
- Combine your stay in Perth with a visit to Brisbane for the 2nd Test
Next Step
Please get in touch with our Australia Experts to start planning your holiday. You’ll have a single point of contact from your first enquiry through booking.
Margaret River & Test Match
14 day Self Drive & Cricket Tickets – from £1360
With flights from £2740
Prices are per person, based on two people sharing a double or twin room. Flights, hotels and tours are subject to availability and seasonal variations may apply. Please call Freedom Destinations for details.
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