Perth, the Coral Coast and Margaret River
Self Drive tour
Australia’s sunniest capital city, Perth effortlessly blends urban cool with raw natural beauty. Its heart is bustling with new bars, restaurants, shopping and cultural spaces, and is also home to Kings Park - one of the world’s largest inner city parks. Just a short drive away are the beautiful wineries of the Swan Valley and a string of stunning beaches. The west coast of Australia is a marine playground, rich in sea life, and home to dolphins, turtles, manta rays and humpback whales. World Heritage listed Shark Bay is stunning and home to a whole host of marine life. Monkey Mia Resort is famous for its dolphins, who swim into shore each day to be fed. Relax on the white-sand beaches and paddle in the turquoise waters of Cervantes. Just three hours’ drive south of Perth, Margaret River is one of Australia’s most compact yet strikingly diverse holiday destinations. It’s an enticing mosaic of pristine natural wonders, premium wineries, relaxed microbreweries, world-class restaurants, spectacular beaches, towering forests, inspirational artisans, warm and friendly locals, and a laid-back persona all of its own.
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Your Itinerary
Day 1-2 : UK - Perth
Make your own way to the airport for you flight to Perth.
On arrival in Perth Airport, you will take a private transfer to your hotel. The remainder of the day is free for you to explore the city. Embrace the best of both worlds in Perth, where soft sand beaches and scenic parks meet a thriving metropolis of small bars, creative restaurants and curated street art.
Hotel for 3 nights: Pan Pacific Perth
Day 3 : City Sightseeing
An included sightseeing tour showcases the highlights of Perth and Fremantle. You’ll see the Kings Park Botanic Gardens, the tree canopies on the Tree Top Walkway and the 750-year-old Boab tree. In downtown Perth you’ll see the WACA cricket ground, the Bell Tower, Perth town hall and St Georges Terrace. Visit the famous coastline of Cottesloe Beach on the way to Fremantle, the historical port on the mouth of the Swan River. After time in Fremantle take a cruise on the Swan River back to Perth. The rest of the afternoon is free to explore on your own.
Day 4 : Perth
Today you have a full day at leisure to explore the city. Why not take a trip to Rottnest Island or maybe an extended Swan River wine cruise? Head to the King Street precinct for designer labels, opals, pearls and gold, or visit Leederville, Ingewood and Guildford for vintage and antique shopping. The city’s 19 beautiful beaches, botanical gardens, bush walking trails, wine region and
marine parks are bathed in sunshine for an average of 3000 hours every year and are just waiting to be explored.
Day 5 : Geraldton (267 miles)
Collect your car from the downtown Avis office and drive the Indian Ocean coast road north to Geraldton, known as, the “Sun City” with an average of 8 hours sunshine per day.
Hotel for 1 night: Nesuto Geraldton Apartment Hotel
Day 6 : Monkey Mia (268 miles)
Continue north to Monkey Mia, famous for its dolphins, beautiful scenery and sparkling blue waters.
Hotel for 2 nights: Monkey Mia Dolphin Resort
Day 7 : Monkey Mia
Spend the day enjoying all that Monkey Mia has to offer and see the Dolphins and their babies swim in to shore to be fed. The friendly pod of wild bottlenose dolphins regularly swim to Monkey Mia’s shore to interact with humans up to three times a day. Visit Shell Beach, a beautiful snow-white beach made up of millions of tiny shells up to 10 metres deep.
Day 8 : Kalbarri (248 miles)
Depart Monkey Mia and travel south to Kalbarri, located on the Midwest coast. With its pristine beaches and towering coastal cliffs, Kalbarri will give you a wonderful holiday experience. Once you arrive in Kalbarri let the experiences unwind.
Hotel for 2 nights: Kalbarri Palm Resort
Day 9 : Kalbarri
Today is a free day to relax or explore in and around Kalbarri. In Kalbarri National Park you’ll find a landscape of stunning gorges, spectacular coastline and over 500 species of wildflowers that bloom between July and November. Or perhaps you’ll hop on a Murchison River cruise, hire a paddleboat or hit the water in a kayak. Take in views from the lookouts, hike the trails, take a camel trek, or join a canyoning and abseiling tour.
Day 10 : Cervantes (234 miles)
Leaving Kalbarri continue south today to Cervantes. This laid back fishing village boasts white sandy beaches and turquoise waters teeming with marine life. It’s also the gateway to the Nambung National Park, home to the limestone pillars of the Pinnacles. These amazing natural limestone structures, some standing as high as five metres, were formed approximately 25,000 to 30,000 years ago, after the sea receded and left deposits of seashells.
Hotel for 1 night: Pinnacles Edge
Day 11 : Mandurah (175 miles)
It’s worth getting up early to visit the Pinnacles at sunrise before heading south down the Indian Ocean drive to Mandurah a bustling year round resort where you’ll find a host of bird and marine life close to the shore; dolphins are a common sight.
Hotel for 1 night: The Sebel Mandurah
Day 12 : Margaret River (125 miles)
Continue South, through the rolling farm lands of the southwest hinterland, that will put you on the edge of the world famous vineyards of Margaret River. The Capel Vale region, on the northern fringe, makes an ideal starting point for your food and wine indulgence and offers some excellent reds and whites. The Margaret River wine region is relatively compact and very easy to navigate. Make your first stop the visitors’ centre in the main street where you will find maps along with some tips on some of the local gourmet dining secrets. Nestled between farmlands and the coast, Margaret River is spoiled with top quality farm produce, fresh seafood, and the local specialty - Marron.
Hotel for 3 nights: Margarets In Town Apartments
Day 13-14 : Margaret River
Two days to make the most of the region. Perhaps head for the coast to Augusta and the famous lighthouse at Cape Leeuwin where the Indian and Southern oceans meet. Wind your way back through tree lined country roads with wineries and farms where you can see the produce and enjoy a superb lunch too.
Day 15-16 : Depart Perth - UK
Head back to Perth today in time to drop off your car at the airport and check-in for you flight home.