Fly into Perth and enjoy four nights in Australia’s sunniest capital city. Located on the banks of the Swan River, Perth is easy to get around and a joy to explore. There are museums and galleries, a lively entertainment area and magnificent Kings Park, with its superb Botanical Gardens and some great river views.

Just a 30 minute train ride away is the historic port of Fremantle, containing a busy marina, markets, and fine heritage buildings, including the World Heritage listed Fremantle Prison.

Nearby is magical Rottnest Island, home to the curious Quokka, a small marsupial found nowhere else in Australia. You can walk, cycle or catch a shuttle bus around the island, which is reached by a scenic cruise from the centre of Perth.

Pick up your car this morning for the start of your South West self drive adventure. On your way to Bunbury are the pretty seaside resorts of Rockingham and Mandurah, both great places to stop for a coffee or lunch. You can take a river cruise in Mandurah in search of wild dolphins that live in the estuary.

Follow the scenic coast road to Bunbury, which has its own Dolphin Discovery Centre, for your overnight stay.

Perth > Bunbury | 170 kms

First stop today is the seaside resort of Busselton, which boasts the largest timber jetty in the southern hemisphere. Then head on to Margaret River for a relaxing two night stay in the heart of Western Australia’s best known wine region.

The town is renowned for its arts and crafts and there are several boutiques and galleries, as well as wine bars and trendy restaurants, along its high street.

The coastal scenery in the region is also spectacular with hidden coves and beaches nearby, popular with holidaymakers and surfers alike. Inland, there are several impressive limestone caves to visit.

Bunbury > Margaret River | 110 kms

South of Margaret River is Cape Leeuwin, where the Indian and Southern Oceans meet. Stop here for a hike to the tallest lighthouse in Australia, before heading inland to the old timber town of Nannup, famous for its wild flowers in spring.

At nearby Pemberton, you can travel on an old, restored logging railway that cuts deep into the forest, where you can learn about the history and importance of the timber industry to the region.

Margaret River > Pemberton | 150 kms

Stop at Walpole today for a treetop walk in the Valley of the Giants. Then head along the South Coast Highway to Williams Bay National Park for some beautiful coastal scenery and walking trails.

Your stop for the night is at the pretty seaside resort of Denmark. There are some quiet sheltered beaches around here, and plenty of small shops, cafés and restaurants in the town.

Pemberton > Denmark | 210 kms

A short drive today will take you to the historic old port of Albany, where you can enjoy a two night stay. This is where the first Europeans landed in Western Australia and it was the departure point for thousands of Australian soldiers who fought in the First World War. An impressive National War Memorial overlooks the town.

There are beautiful white sandy beaches nearby and, in the town, over 50 well preserved heritage buildings. There is also an excellent whaling museum that tells the story of this once thriving industry. From the cliffs around Albany, you can still spot passing humpback whales, no longer troubled by whalers today.

Denmark > Albany | 60 kms

Leave the Southern Ocean behind as you travel through the majestic Stirling Ranges and into the fertile pasturelands and wide open skies of Western Australia.

Your stop tonight is at mysterious Wave Rock, a 15 metre high cresting wave of solid granite, shaped by the forces of nature over 2 billion years. You can walk over and round this massive rock formation, one of the best selfie spots in Western Australia!

Albany > Hyden | 345 kms

Perhaps visit the ancient rock paintings at Mulka’s Cave this morning, before heading west through the wheat fields and small farming communities of West Australia. The first European settlers only arrived here 150 years ago.

One of those early towns, with a wealth of history to explore, is York, where you will stay for the night. You can learn about the early life of pioneers in several places around this historic town.

Hyden > York | 245 kms

As you continue north to the coast, the scenery becomes greener and more undulating, and the drive to the small fishing town of Cervantes is a stunning one.

The Nambung National Park at Cervantes is home to the famous Pinnacles, great columns of limestone rock that rise up out of golden sand dunes. You can walk or even drive around these unique rock formations.

York > Cervantes | 290 kms

Take a last look at the Pinnacles this morning, including a visit to the Lake Thetis thrombolites and the informative visitor centre.

As you follow the coast south through Yanchep National Park, the city of Perth comes into sight. You can drive straight to the airport for your onward flight or ask your FREEDOM consultant to arrange an extra night in Perth for you.

Cervantes > Perth | 190 kms