Are you heading over to Western Australia (WA as locals name it) and looking for the most effective locations to cease off in your Perth to Albany highway journey? Look no additional, I’ve bought you lined on this journey information…
The West Coast is so insanely stunning, I’m so excited so that you can see it!!! This 8-day Perth to Albany highway journey itinerary is one which I accomplished a few months in the past, and in the present day I’ll be sharing with you the most effective locations to cease, to hike and to eat alongside the way in which.
This Perth highway journey takes you from the town to the turquoise bays of Dunsborough, by the world-class wineries of Margaret River, previous towering Karri forests in Pemberton, throughout the tree-canopy walks in Denmark, and into the dramatic shoreline of Albany earlier than beelining again to Perth in your remaining day.
In the event you wish to take pleasure in your morning espresso overlooking the surf, you like a hike with a bakery pit cease, you’re a fan of a glass of wine within the late afternoon solar, and you discover pleasure in distant campgrounds and swimming in crystal clear coves… this Perth to Albany highway journey is for you!
Let’s tuck in and get you planning the journey of a lifetime!
P.s. In the event you’re contemplating heading to Western Australia and are focused on going north of Perth, try this 9 day Perth to Exmouth highway journey and be sure you don’t miss Karijini Nationwide Park.
Get lifetime entry to my infinite hours of analysis and time spent on the bottom discovering the most effective locations to eat, drink, chill out and discover within the space. You merely open the Google Map in your machine and all my pins are on the contact of your fingertips.
How you can Get There, The place to Keep & When to Go to
Attending to Perth:
Most will fly into Perth Airport (PER), Western Australia’s predominant worldwide and home hub, and so that is the place this itinerary begins. That is additionally the place a lot of the campervan rental firms are positioned and so you may choose up your automobile as quickly as you arrive.
We booked our motorhome by Ratpack Journey and headed to Apollo to choose it up as soon as we’d touched down in Perth. After a brief induction and tour of our house on wheels, we bought straight on the highway! In fact, you possibly can additionally rent a automobile after which e book lodging alongside the way in which, however I like a motorhome because it provides you the liberty to chase sunsets, cook dinner roadside breakfasts, and camp intimately with nature, close to seashores or forests.
The place to Keep in your Perth to Albany highway journey:
From vacation parks with full facilities to nationwide park campsites tucked among the many bushes, a Perth highway journey has loads of scenic sleep spots. What I’d say is that throughout the peak months of November to February, you’ll wish to e book up prematurely. Issues get very busy and also you don’t wish to waste your treasured journey time driving round in circles in search of someplace to park.
Greatest Time to do a Perth to Albany highway journey:
Spring (Sept–Nov) is good for the wildflowers and crispy mountain climbing climate. Summer time (Dec–Feb) brings seashore days and longer mild but in addition peak tourism and busier roads. In the event you’re after quieter trails and moody coastlines, take into account autumn (Mar–Might). This Perth to Albany highway journey itinerary is doable year-round, however winter might be moist and windy within the south which isn’t probably the most supreme situations for tenting!
Day 1: Arrive in Perth and choose up the campervan
After touchdown in WA’s capital, it’s time to choose up your campervan (having booked by Ratpack Journey). It’s a good suggestion to land within the morning so that you could head straight to get your motorhome after which have the remainder of the day to refill on groceries, seize a espresso and hit the highway. That is what we did and we made it all the way down to Dunsborough for sundown which was the proper begin to our Perth to Albany highway journey.
If time permits, try Kings Park or Cottesloe Seaside for a fast style of city-meets-nature earlier than starting your Perth to Albany highway journey itinerary. I can extremely suggest brunch at Magic Apple Wholefoods. See photographs under, it’s a dreamy seashore entrance location with all of the smoothie bowls, avocado-infused breakfasts and elixirs. A healthful haven for many who like to nourish their physique on the highway.
Drive time to Dunsborough: ~3 hours (250km)
Day 2–3: Discover Dunsborough
Dunsborough, Western Australia, is a dreamy coastal city and is the primary cease in your itinerary. When you’ve got one other day to play with in your itinerary, i’d spend it right here!
You’ve bought a lot to discover, together with the crystal-clear waters of Meelup Seaside, mountain climbing the scenic trails of Cape Naturaliste, and the likes of the traditional Ngilgi Cave. Top-of-the-line issues to do in Dunsborough is to go to Sugarloaf Rock at sundown and spot migrating whales (in season) from the lighthouse lookout. Contemplate these hikes while you’re within the space:
- Cape Naturaliste to Sugarloaf Rock (3.5km return): A brief path with huge views.
- Meelup Reserve Path (7.5km a method): A stunning monitor connecting gorgeous seashores.
Dunsborough additionally has numerous unbelievable spots to eat, with some significantly gorgeous boutique wineries, beachside cafes, and regionally sourced menus dotted all through the area.
A number of of my favorite to take a look at are:
- lunch at ilma Seaside Home
- sundown wine at Smart Wine
- brunch at Meelup Farmhouse
- Espresso + pastry at Service provider & Maker
- gelato at Elski Danish Ice Creamery
- Lavendar afternoon tea at Cape Lavender
If you need entry to each pin and advice from my Perth to Albany highway journey, you’ll completely love my Australia Google Map Legend. It can prevent SO a lot money and time while displaying you all the most effective spots on the contact of your fingertips.
You may as well discover my Greatest Issues To Do In Dunsborough, Western Australia right here.
In the event you’re in search of a surf spot, you’re spoilt for selection round right here. Take a look at Yallingup Seaside which presents highly effective reef breaks and is good for knowledgeable surfers, however there’s additionally a protected lagoon for swimming and novices. There’s additionally Smiths Seaside, Injidup Seaside and Boneyards (Yallingup).
Whether or not you’re into browsing, snorkelling, or sipping wine within the solar, Dunsborough is a must-visit on any South West WA itinerary and is likely one of the finest stops in your Perth to Albany highway journey.
In a single day advice: Campground at Tasman Vacation Parks.
Day 4: Margaret River: Wine, Waves & Wilderness
Subsequent cease in your Perth to Albany highway journey itinerary is the enduring Margaret River area. This had been on my bucket listing for some time, and it didn’t disappoint. Most individuals stated to me ‘for those who like Byron Bay, you’ll love Margaret River’, and now, after visiting, I can see why.
There’s a beautiful wellness scene with loads of yoga studios and spas to verify into. In the event you fancy weaving a yoga class into your Perth to Albany highway journey I’d try Swell Yoga or Gnarabup Yoga Studio. Then there’s Empire Retreat & Spa and Bodhi Wellness Spa Retreat, do you have to want to verify into someplace particular.
This space can also be world-famous for the surf and the wine so make sure you try one or two of the wineries on Caves Highway (the highway upon which a lot of the wineries are positioned) while you’re right here. Oh and
My should tries in Margaret River:
- Margaret River Bakery – get your morning espresso and a sourdough loaf or lunch to-go
- Domaine Naturaliste – wine tasting
- Pierro Wines – Small winery, well-known for his or her PIERRO Chardonnay – one of the collected wines in Australia. Can go in and style all of them. $5 surcharge for his or her flagship others are all free.
- Brunch at White Elephant Cafe
Day 5: Pemberton & Peaceable Bay – Climbing Timber & Forest Magic
Okay this stretch of your Perth to Albany highway journey dives inland for a scorching minute into tall tree nation. In Pemberton, you’ve bought the Gloucester Tree (which was really shut after we handed by) which is an exhilarating climb for these with a head for heights. Then, after I like to recommend making your method towards Peaceable Bay through Walpole the place you are able to do the well-known Valley of the Giants tree high stroll!
- Gloucester Tree (53m climb)
- The Cascades Picnic Spot
- Valley of the Giants Tree Prime Stroll: A should for any Perth to Albany highway journey itinerary—you’ll stroll 40m above the traditional tingle bushes!
In a single day advice: Peaceable Bay Caravan Park, proper close to the water (see image under).
Get lifetime entry to my infinite hours of analysis and time spent on the bottom discovering the most effective locations to eat, drink, chill out and discover within the space. You merely open the Google Map in your machine and all my pins are on the contact of your fingertips.
Day 6: Denmark – Greens Pool & Elephant Rocks
Denmark, Western Australia, is a laid-back coastal gem recognized for its wild magnificence. Two of its most iconic pure wonders that most individuals come to the realm to go to are Greens Pool (a sheltered turquoise bay excellent for swimming and snorkelling) and Elephant Rocks, the place large boulders resemble a herd of elephants wading by the ocean.
In the event you’re feeling lively, there are some gorgeous strolling trails by William Bay Nationwide Park (try Mount Hallowell Path (11km loop), and once more some boutique wineries price visiting within the space.
I additionally actually beloved Denmark city and felt like I’d stepped into British Columbia, Canada for a second. It was actually giving recent mountain air and ski city vibes. There have been some beautiful bakeries and acutely aware residing outlets right here so I’d suggest stopping for lunch for those who want it or a stretch of the legs!
I picked up a postcard from the nook store and had a cacao and breakfast within the Inexperienced Pantry Cafe while I used to be there and might suggest each. Subsequent to the Inexperienced Pantry cafe there was a discover board with numerous native wellness choices so ought to you’ve got longer in Denmark – perhaps give one thing new a strive!
Denmark was a spotlight for me and an absolute should in your Perth to Albany highway journey itinerary!
Day 7: Albany – Bald Head Path, Distress Seaside & Whale-Watching Views
Albany is the dramatic grand finale to your Perth to Albany highway journey. Set between cliffs and coves, it’s wealthy in scenic viewpoints, wildlife, and has a number of the most underrated hikes in Australia.
Highlights in Albany embody Torndirrup Nationwide Park, the place you may go to The Hole and Pure Bridge for epic ocean views, and Distress Seaside, as soon as voted Australia’s most gorgeous seashore. I’d counsel combining the Bald Head path (12.5km return) with a dip at Distress Seaside and a sundown dinner / cuppa identical to we did (see under). The surroundings is insane and this was considered one of my favorite moments on the highway journey!
In the event you’re trying to get one thing to eat in Albany or have a couple of hours to discover, I’d suggest:
- Strolling the Ellen Cove Boardwalk
- Grassfed beef burgers and wine @ Hybla Tavern
- Espresso and pasty @ Bred co Sourdough Bakery
In a single day advice: Panorama Caravan Park
As i discussed, in every single place i discovered and loved alongside my highway journey bought pinned onto my Australia Google Map Legend so for those who’re doing this journey that can be your finest good friend!!!
Day 8: Drive Again to Perth
Drive time: ~5 hours (415km)
Ahhhh. It’s time to shut the loop in your Perth to Albany highway journey itinerary and begin the drive again to drop off your camper van. From Albany, there’s a shortcut (route 30 / Albany freeway) again to Perth which implies that you could beeline again to Perth with out having to retrace your steps alongside the coast!
This implies your remaining day is a heavy driving day but it surely’s tremendous simple, simply refill with highway journey snacks! On my Australia Google Map Legend i’ve pinned the spots that we dropped the waste from our motorhome and crammed up earlier than dropping our motorhome again off on the depot.
This Perth to Albany highway journey itinerary is actually probably the greatest highway journeys to go on in Australia so for those who’re on the fence, take into account this your signal to e book it and expertise one of the magical corners of this nation!
Wishing you the journey of a lifetime!!!!
Have you ever been to Western Australia?
What are the most effective issues to do on a Perth to Albany highway journey itinerary? Something you’d add to this Perth to Albany highway journey itinerary bucket listing?
Love as all the time and comfortable adventuring…
Get lifetime entry to my infinite hours of analysis and time spent on the bottom discovering the most effective locations to eat, drink, chill out and discover within the space. You merely open the Google Map in your machine and all my pins are on the contact of your fingertips.