The Best of Australia's West Coast: Perth, Exmouth & Margaret River - 8 Days

Highlights

• Swim with whale sharks at Ningaloo Reef
• Ride roller coasters and waterslides at Adventure World
• Join a brewery pub crawl in Perth
• Dive into the historical and cultural heritage of Rottnest

Brief Itinerary

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Perth, Explore

Welcome to Perth! Upon arrival, you'll be picked up from the airport and transferred to your accommodation. Hit the ground running with a cruise down the Swan River to the charming port of Fremantle, its streets filled with stories of convicts, maritime heroes, murderous mutineers, and pioneers. Taste the past on a tour of Fremantle Prison, the state's first jail and largest convict-built structure.

Check out the rollicking Fremantle Markets, where you can shop for First Nations artworks and local produce, then browse the bookshops and boutiques along South Terrace, where local artists and musicians play on weekends. Go on a pub crawl to check out Fremantle's craft brewers, grab fish and chips at Kailis' Fish Market Café, or eat and enjoy the view at the Bathers Beach House. Getting back to Perth is easy: simply catch a train, and you will be there in 25 minutes to enjoy the rest of your evening. 

Day 2: Fly to Exmouth, Explore

This morning you'll be picked up from your hotel in Perth and brought to the airport for your flight to Exmouth. On arrival, a driver will be waiting to drop you at your next hotel.

Day 3: Swim with Whale Sharks at Ningaloo Reef

Today's full-day excursion allows you the chance to get an up-close encounter with majestic whale sharks and swim beside a giant humpback. The Ningaloo Reef is a biodiversity hotspot rich in aquatic life, so you never know what you'll find from one day to the next. Your excursion is an intimate, once-in-a-lifetime experience that allows you to share the Ningaloo life and spend time with lots of different wildlife. After your tour, you'll head back to your hotel to enjoy the rest of your last night in Exmouth.

Day 4: Fly to Perth

Today you'll get a transfer to the airport to catch a flight back to Perth. Once you arrive, another driver will transfer you to your next accommodation. The rest of the day in Perth is at your leisure. Explore the Swan Bells, a set of 18 bells hanging in a 270-foot-high copper and glass campanile, or head over to Caversham Wildlife Park to see over 200 species of animals. Explore the Perth Mint for a tour of the moneymaking facility, or get your adrenaline rush on at Adventure World on a giant roller coaster or waterslide. There's something for everyone in Perth!

Day 5: Day Trip to Rottnest Island

Today's full-day tour allows you to explore the beauty and tranquility of Rottnest Island. Travel to Rottnest by ferry, where a tour around the island provides a fascinating insight into its cultural and historical heritage—as well as a chance to spot its diverse flora and fauna. You'll see some of the island's most spectacular locations, including the Wadjemup Lighthouse and the boardwalk to the lookout point at the rugged West End. Return to Perth via ferry, where a transfer takes you back to your accommodation.

Day 6: Pick Up Rental Car, Drive to Margaret River

Pick up your rental car today and set out on the three-hour drive to Margaret River. Stop on the way in Busselton, where the calm turquoise bay is the perfect place to stretch your legs. Take a walk or train ride over the Indian Ocean on the 1.1-mile (1.8 km) long jetty—the longest timber-piled jetty in the Southern Hemisphere. Visit the Busselton Museum, Old Courthouse, or the beautiful St Mary's Church for a taste of what the area was like in the 1800s, then treat yourself to lunch at one of the many cafés and restaurants before getting back on the road.

Margaret River is one of Western Australia's most famous wine regions. Over the last 50 years, it has reached internationally acclaimed status specializing in cabernet sauvignon and chardonnay, with nearly 100 cellar doors to experience. Spend the evening getting to know the town.

Day 7: Discover Margaret River's Beaches

Today is yours to explore the area and its surroundings. If you're interested in discovering more of the region, follow the road to Eagle Bay and comb the coast, stopping at some of Western Australia's most breathtaking beaches, including local favorites Meelup and Castle Rock. In season, you might spot whales swimming at these sheltered points, but for your best chance of seeing them, head to Bunker Bay at the end of Cape Naturaliste Road and watch the horizon at either Bunkers Beach Café or the Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse.

Although best known for the excellent wines produced here, the region is also home to great craft beer breweries and local food—for a hearty meal, head to the Settler's Tavern in Margaret River township, offering polished, great-value pub meals.

Day 8: Return to Perth, Depart

Enjoy a relaxed morning in Margaret River before driving back up the coast to Perth. Drop off your rental car and make your way to the airport for your flight home or to your next destination. Safe travels!

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