Australia's Classic South West Self-Drive

The impressive scenic and natural diversity of the southwestern corner of Australia deserves some dedicated time.

A scenic road trip that spotlights the southwest corner of Australia

From arty Perth, springboard into a scenic wonderland where huge beaches and vast forests await. Call into vineyards producing exceptional wines, spend time scanning the shores for bottlenose dolphins, hike deep into the green woodland, and find the perfect playlist for blissful road trips from town to town.

Tour type Self-drive, Itinerary

Duration 10 nights

Visiting Perth, Albany, Pemberton, Margaret River, Mandurah

Interest Multi Centre, Self-Drive, Selfdrive

Zooming in on a beautiful corner of Australia.

Recommended itinerary

Days 1-3

Perth

The primary metropolis of Western Australia is the perfect intro to your Australian road trip. Sunny Perth combines white-sand beaches, verdant parks, a creative hub, and an excellent restaurant scene, and you can spend your time here as you wish as you gently acclimatise to the Australian lifestyle — and time zone! Don’t miss the chance to hop over to Rottnest Island, where you can meet the intriguing quokka population that have made this island home.

Days 4-5

Albany

Collect a hire car from Perth and set out on a road trip, crossing the Wheatbelt region on a five-and-a-half-hour drive to Albany. There’s a fading colonial quarter and lively commercial centre to stroll around and the well-regarded and poignant National Anzac Centre. Make sure you factor in plenty of time to get to know the coastline of Torndirrup National Park and plan a visit to Misery Beach — considered one of Western Australia’s finest.

Day 6

Pemberton

Head out of Albany along Highway 1, where you’ll pass through dense forests in a striking contrast to the wide beaches. It’s a three-hour drive to Pemberton, but there are plenty of stopping points to make a day of it. Stretch your legs on a gentle and scenic walking trail around the lovely town of Denmark, or try something more exhilarating — tiptoeing over the Valley of the Giants on a treetop walk, where a lofty walkway has been designed to immerse you into the ancient tree canopy of 400-year-old red tingle trees. When you reach Pemberton, stroll around cool-climate wineries, try the local freshwater crayfish, or search out the Beedelup Falls.

Days 7-9

Margaret River

There’s a choice of routes to the Margaret River Region, but taking the westernmost option and detouring to visit the historic Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse is a well-considered choice. Head north onto Caves Road for a scenic introduction to Margaret River. Smiths Beach is just one of the region's spectacular beaches. It’s an ideal spot to catch a blazing sunset, and you can look out for dolphins who frequently visit the turquoise shallows. It’s also on the Cape to Cape Track, a well-marked walking trail that takes you to nearby landmarks such as Canal Rocks and Torpedo Rocks.

Day 10

Mandurah

Head north past the calm waters of Dunsborough to Busselton where there’s another impossibly perfect sandy beach and the pretty Busselton Jetty. Continue to Mandurah for an overnight stop in a coastal town with a vast estuary twice the size of Sydney Harbour.

Day 11

Perth

The final leg of your journey is the drive from Mandurah to Perth, where you’ll return your hire car and head to the airport for your flight home.

Salmon Holes, Albany

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