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Exploring Australia Holidays

The Great South West Edge

Your Itinerary

Dolphins WA

Day 1 - Perth to Bunbury

Pick up your rental car in Perth this morning, and head South towards Bunbury. It’s a two-hour drive from Perth, heading south on the Kwinana Freeway and Forrest Highway. Take a dolphin swim tour, hop on a dolphin eco cruise, or wait for the dolphins to come to you at the interaction zone on the beach. (Bunbury Quality Lighthouse, Standard City Room)

Leeuwin Estate Winery Margaret River

Day 2 - Bunbury to Margaret River

Take a 50-minute drive to Busselton overlooking the longest timber jetty in the southern hemisphere: Busselton Jetty. From here, it’s another 25-minute drive to reach Dunsborough and Yallingup. Discover the natural wonders, history and legends of Ngilgi Cave, or join an Aboriginal culture tour of the cave. Take a drive out to Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse to catch an Indian Ocean sunset. (Rosewood Guest House, Standard Room)

Day 3 - A day in Margaret River

Take a morning walk on the Cape to Cape Track – one of the most diverse coastal trails on Earth. Or grab a coffee and watch the local surfers in action. An afternoon of indulgence awaits. Hop from cellar door to cellar door to sample the region’s premium wines. For dinner, take your pick from Margaret River’s many restaurants and award-winning chefs.

Walk Into Luxury, Cape To Cape Track

Day 4 - Margaret River to Pemberton

Head inland to the old timber town of Nannup – famous for its colour-filled gardens, spring wildflowers and country crafts. Explore the region’s dense forests and waterways on foot or bike. Alternatively, enjoy a bird’s eye view of the landscape by scaling one of Pemberton’s climbing trees, originally used as fire lookouts during the 1940s – the largest, the Gloucester Tree, is 61 metres tall. (Karri Valley Resort, Lake View Room)

Day 5 - Pemberton to Denmark

Continue on the Vasse and South Western Highway to Walpole, where you can walk through the canopy of 400-year-old tingle trees on the Valley of the Giants Tree Top Walk. Head to the sheltered bay of Greens Pool to swim or snorkel, or explore the national park’s rugged coastline on foot with a scenic walk to see the curious bathing giants at Elephant Rocks. (Celestine Retreat, One-Bedroom Chalet)

Day 6 - Denmark to Albany

From Denmark, a 55-minute drive east through Albany will bring you to  the historic Whaling Station, a unique museum showcasing the region’s whaling history. One of Western Australia’s most dramatic coastlines – Torndirrup National Park – is just a 10-minute drive from Discovery Bay. Gaze in awe at The Gap, Natural Bridge and The Blowholes, and on top these tall cliffs between July and October, you may spot migrating whales too. (Hideaway Haven, Standard Room)

Day 7 - Albany to Hopetoun

Fourty minutes north, rising above the Karri Tree forest, you will find the striking granite range of Porongurup National Park – 12 peaks sculpted by Mother Nature over the last 1,100 million years. Continue your journey to Stirling Range National Park and walk the Bluff Knoll Trail ascending Western Australia’s second highest peak. This is a great place to spot birds and spring wildflowers too – more than 100 species of birds and 1,500 varieties of plants thrive here. (Hopetoun Chalet Village, Standard Motel Room)

Day 8 - Hopetoun to Esperance

Hopetoun is the gateway to UNESCO World Heritage listed Fitzgerald River National Park. Hit the park’s walking trails to explore this unique wilderness, home to many plant species found nowhere else on the planet. If you visit in between July and October, you may have the chance to watch large numbers of southern right whales and their calves in the waters at Point Ann. Make your way east to Esperance and explore the striking white-sand beaches. (Island View Apartments, One Bedroom)

Lake Hillier

Day 9 - A day in Esperance

Today, we have planned something very special for you: A scenic flight over Lake Hillier, the bubble-gum pink lake. In the afternoon, you may choose to explore the 100+ islands of the Recherche Archipelago on a half-day wildlife cruise. Venture 30 minutes east of Esperance and you’ll discover Cape Le Grand National Park and one of Australia’s most famous coastal gems – the white sands of Lucky Bay.

Wave Rock Hyden WA

Day 10 - Esperance to Hyden

Drive 380 kilometres from the coast, and through Ravensthorpe, Lake King and Hyden to reach one of Australia’s biggest breaks – Wave Rock, a 15-metre-high cresting wave of solid granite shaped by the forces of nature over two billion years. As you explore Wave Rock’s 160-hectare nature reserve, be sure to visit Mulka’s Cave where a local Aboriginal legend is retold through more than 450 ancient rock paintings. (Hyden Wave Rock Motel, Standard Room)

Perth

Day 11 - Hyden to Perth

Take a detour on your journey east to photograph one of the quirkiest attractions in the Wheatbelt – the Tin Horse Highway of Kulin – before heading north-west to the grand heritage town of York. With much of its Victorian and Federation architecture lovingly restored, York is the ideal place to stop for lunch. From York, it’s a one-hour-20-minute drive on the Great Eastern Highway to reach Perth. Return your rental car and enjoy the rest of the day. (Miss Maud Swedish Hotel, Superior Room)

What's included?

INCLUDED
  • Prices start from £1,250 per person
  • Accommodation as stated
  • Rental car from and to Perth Airport (tolls and petrol are not included)
  • Scenic flight over Lake Hillier from Esperance Airport
  • Local taxes
  • All trips are ATOL protected or ABTA bonded to ensure you are fully covered
Make a booking

This road trip is one of our favourites: an ever-changing coastline through vineyards, forests and deserts, where you will encounter dolphins, whales and wildflowers. Explore ancient caves, unique mountain ranges, pristine beaches, and take a scenic flight over a bubble-gum pink lake. And the best part is: You will often have these amazing sights to yourself.

Along the way, stay in unique boutique hotels, where you can relax with a glass of the region’s amazing wines.

Highlights:

  • Hop from cellar door to cellar door to sample the region’s premium wines in Margaret River
  • Take a morning walk on the Cape to Cape Track – one of the most diverse coastal trails on Earth
  • Walk through the canopy of 400-year-old tingle trees on the Valley of the Giants Tree Top Walk
  • Take a scenic flight over Lake Hillier, a bubble-gum pink lake next to the blue ocean
  • Say hi to the kangaroos lazing on the white sands of Lucky Bay in Esperance
  • Take a photo of you riding the wave at Wave Rock, a 15-metre-high cresting wave of solid granite shaped by the forces of nature over two billion years

Please remember that this is a sample itinerary; we specialise in creating tailor-made holidays that are unique to you and your style.

Perth – Bunbury – Margaret River – Pemberton – Denmark – Albany – Hopetoun – Esperance – Hyden – Perth

Wildflowers generally bloom in this region between September and November. Between June and December, migrating humpback and southern right whales can be spotted in Margaret River.

Sydney
The capital of New South Wales and one of Australia's largest cities, is best known for its harbourfront Sydney Opera House, with a distinctive sail-like design. Explore the famous coastal beaches like Bondi, Bronte, Coogee and Palm Beach. Explore the jungles of Sydney Harbor National Park, dine in world-class restaurants, visit Blue Mountai
Melbourne
Melbourne is the coastal capital of the southeastern Australian state of Victoria. Explore the hidden halls and rooftops of Melbourne, Federation Square cultural hubs, bars, boutiques and restaurants, as well as the iconic MCG. Visit St Kilda, Royal Botanic Garden, Brunswick Street bohemian style, and the Spring Horse Carnival.
Cairns
Located in the tropical Far North Queensland, Cairns is considered the gateway to Australia's Great Barrier Reef. Stunning beaches, spectacular hinterland, local and organic produce, delightful cafes and bars, a hustle and bustle market and its friendly and relaxed community make Cairns a favorite holiday destination.
Perth
The capital of Western Australia, Perth, is known for its exquisite beaches. However it also has bustling city areas filled with amazing shopping, nightlife and dining. Discover stylish bars in Northbridge or visit theater along streets of Subiaco.
Brisbane
Brisbane is Queensland's vibrant and elegant capital and gateway to major tourist destinations. It's a large city on the Brisbane River and is a blend of cultural institutions and South Bank restaurants with riverside parks and lagoons.
Uluru/ The Red Centre
The Red Centre is an extraordinary landscape of desert plains, weathered mountain ranges, rocky gorges and some of Aboriginal Australia's most sacred sites, including Uluru and Kata Tjuṯa. The only town of sizable population is Alice Springs.
Adelaide
Adelaide is South Australia’s cosmopolitan coastal capital. Its ring of parkland on the River Torrens is home to renowned museums and culture. It's known as the city of the Australian festival. Spacious boulevards and lush gardens in Adelaide are becoming an event of endless excitement.
Great Barrier Reef
Explore the World Heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef, stretching over 2,000 kilometers along the Queensland coastline. Snorkel, dive, or cross-reef flight. Sail to Whitsundays, trekking the Daintree Forest or relax on tropical islands like Hayman and Lizard.
Whitsundays
The 74 Whitsunday Islands lie between the northeast coast of Queensland, Australia, and the Great Barrier Reef, a massive stretch of coral teeming with marine life. Most of the islands are uninhabited.
Byron Bay
Byron Bay is a lovely coastal town in the southeastern Australian state of New South Wales. It’s a popular holiday destination, known for its beaches, surfing and scuba diving.
Fraser Island
Fraser Island, off Australia’s eastern Queensland coast, is the world's largest sand island, stretching over 120km. Panoramic viewpoints include Indian Head, a rocky outcrop on the island's easternmost tip, and the Cathedrals, a cliff famous for sculpted ribbons of coloured sand.
Barossa Valley
The Barossa Valley is a renowned wine-producing region northeast of Adelaide, in South Australia. The area encompasses towns such as Tanunda, Angaston and Nuriootpa, and an array of high-profile wineries offering tours and cellar-door tastings.
Kangaroo Island
Kangaroo Island lies off the mainland of South Australia, southwest of Adelaide. Over a third of the island is protected in nature reserves, home to native wildlife like sea lions, koalas and diverse bird species.
Airlie Beach
Airlie Beach, an Australian resort town on Queensland's Whitsunday Coast, is a gateway to the Whitsunday Islands and the Great Barrier Reef.
Port Douglas
Port Douglas is a town on the Coral Sea in the tropical far north of Queensland, Australia. It's known for its beach resorts and as a base for visits to both the Great Barrier Reef, the world's largest reef system, and Daintree National Park, home to biodiverse rainforest.
Darwin
Darwin is the capital of the Northern Territory and the gateway to famous Kakadu National Park. Its popular waterfront area has several beaches and green areas like Bicentennial Park.
Ningaloo Reef
Ningaloo Reef is a World Heritage Site located in the north west coastal region of Western Australia along the East Indian Ocean. It's Australia's largest fringing coral reef and the only large reef positioned very close to a landmass.
Alice Springs
Alice Springs is a remote town in Australia’s Northern Territory, halfway between Darwin and Adelaide. It’s a popular gateway for exploring the Red Centre, the country's interior desert region.

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