Self-Drive Through Western Australia for 13Days 12Nights (13D12N) Travel Itinerary. Bunbury & Margaret River (Part 3)

In our latest episode, we’re taking a look back at the classic road trip in WA (Western Australia). For the next episodes, we will bring you off the beaten track to explore our most adventurous road trip in WA covering Perth, Fremantle, Rottnest Island, Lancelin, Bunbury, Margaret River, Augusta, Denmark, Albany and York.

Western Australia is a road trip hot spot. There is something for everybody, especially if you opt to take a self-drive through the regions spanning the biggest state down under. One thing for sure, the roads and highways are really great as we drove by ourselves with a valid driving license. Except for one thing, the “Roo” that jumped in front of our car along the way.

Check out our scenic-drive through WA (from Perth to Albany) 13days 12nights travel itinerary here and of course, you may adjust them accordingly to suit your own schedule.

Day 1: 8 November 2011
Penang International Airport (PEN) → Kuala Lumpur (LCCT)

Day 2: 9 November 2011
WESTERN AUSTRALIA (PERTH)
Morning: Arrived Perth International Airport and make our way to Perth 178 in Northbridge - Swan Bell Tower – Wheel of Perth - Kings Park & Botanic Garden - The Perth Mint – Her Majesty Theater - King Street
Afternoon: - London Court at Hay Street – Trinity United Church at St. George Terrace – Perth Town Hall - Lake Monger
Evening: Stroll around Northbridge & Voodoo Lounge

Day 3: 10 November 2011
WESTERN AUSTRALIA (ROTTNEST ISLAND)
Morning: Walk to Perth Train Station → Fremantle Train Station (Upon arrival at Fremantle Station, walk for 4 minute to Victoria Quay. Once on Victoria Quay, walk in a North-westerly direction to B-Shed office <on the water across from the E-shed Markets>) and depart via ferry ride to Rottnest Island at 9.35am.
Afternoon: Circle the island by bike and stop at these areas: (i) circumnavigates the whole island and stop at the bays: Little Armstrong Bay, Salmon Bay, The Basin, Parakeet Bay, (ii) visit Vlamingh Lighthouse, (iii) explore the pretty beaches (Pink beach & Eagle beach), (iv) Meet Rottnest Island native animal, Quokkas and (v) chill out and enjoy the ocean view at Rottnest Island Visitor Centre - Depart from Rottnest Island at 4.30pm.
Evening: Explore Burswood neighborhood via public bus before heading for dinner

Day 4: 11 November 2011
WESTERN AUSTRALIA (PERTH)
Morning: Perth Wellington Street – Take train from Perth Station to Fremantle Station - Fremantle Market - Cappuccino Strip - Fremantle Prison
Afternoon: Fremantle Maritime Museum - Western Australia Submarine Museum – E Shed Market (for souvenirs) - Fishing Harbour for Cicerello Fish and Chips

Day 5: 12 November 2011
WESTERN AUSTRALIA (PERTH)
Morning: Pick-up rental car at Perth Downtown, Milligan Street - Yanchep National Park
Afternoon: Lancelin – The Pinnacles (Nambung National Park)
Duration from Perth City → The Pinnacles: 55.2km

Day 6: 13 November 2011
WESTERN AUSTRALIA (BUNBURY)
Morning: Caversham Wildlife Park
Afternoon: Swan Valley – Clifton Lake (Yalgroup National Park, Mandurah) - Bunbury Lighthouse – Move to Bunbury
**Duration from Perth City → Bunbury (approx. 2 hours 30 minutes’ drive / 175km)

Day 7: 14 November 2011
WESTERN AUSTRALIA (MARGARET RIVER)
Morning: Wyalup Rocky Point - Busselton Jetty – Margaret River Chocolate Factory
Afternoon: Canals on the Coast (Rocky Coastline) – Move to Margaret River

Day 8: 15 November 2011
WESTERN AUSTRALIA (AUGUSTA)
Morning: Sunflowers Animal Farm
Afternoon: Explore Jewel, Lake and Mammoth Caves – Cape Leeuwin Light Tower - Move to Augusta

Day 9: 16 November 2011
WESTERN AUSTRALIA (DENMARK)
Morning: Warren National Park in Pemberton - Dave Evans Bicentennial Tree National Park Afternoon: Valley of the Giants (Tree Top Walk and Ancient Empire & Discovery Centre) - Move to Denmark

Day 10: 17 November 2011
WESTERN AUSTRALIA (ALBANY)
Morning: Torndirrup National Park – Woolworths Shopping Centre
Afternoon: Albany Wind Farm – The Gap & Natural Bridge - Move to Albany

Day 11: 18 November 2011
WESTERN AUSTRALIA (YORK)
Morning: Wave Rock & Hypo Yawn in Hyden - York
Afternoon: York Town Hall - York Post Office - York Courthouse & Gaol - Central Building – Move to Perth

Day 12: 19 November 2011
WESTERN AUSTRALIA (PERTH)
Morning: King Street– Hay Street - Her Majesty’s Theater - St. Georges Terrace - Barrack Street
Afternoon: Murray Street Mall - Crown Perth Hotel Casino

Day 13: 20 November 2011
WESTERN AUSTRALIA (PERTH)
Morning: Depart for Kuala Lumpur from Perth International Airport

Perth to Bunbury
(approx. 20.0km / 30 minutes’ drive from Perth to Swan Valley)
(approx. 172.0km / 2 hour 15 minutes’ drive from Perth to Bunbury)

Day 6 was reserved for Caversham Wildlife Park where we met koalas, wombats, kangaroos and many other native wildlife there. Later in the afternoon, we moved on to Bunbury, located approx.175 km from Perth city.

Meet the koalas

Bed time

Koala says Good Morning

Hand-feed the kangaroos

One of my favourite animal - The Wombat

Milk a Cow

Sheep shearing

Arrgghh! Let me out!

On our way to Bunbury, we stopped by Swan Valley (located less than 30 minutes from Perth city) for some wine tasting and touring. If you like to indulge in great food from honey, chocolates, ice cream to local vegetables and fruits to local white and red wines, then this is the ideal place for you! Here’s some background info about the facility. Swan Valley is WA’s oldest wine growing region and with that in mind they have earned a well-deserved reputation for its wines. We took the walking tour that grants us great views of picturesque

vineyard with valley. Loved the entire surrounding!

From Swan Valley, we drove more south to Bunbury, a port city and the third largest city in Western Australia and home to many dolphins and great beaches. Upon arrival, we headed straight to our accommodation after lunch. Then later in the afternoon, we drove to the top of Marlston Hill lookout tower to catch sunset and to enjoy spectacular panoramic views over Bunbury Harbour and Koombana Bay. It stands proud on the site of the original Bunbury lighthouse. The lookout tower is a perfect vantage point to see the city of Bunbury, several popular beaches, the breakwater and all of the activity within the harbour.

Bunbury to Margaret River

(approx. 99.0 km / 1 hour 15 minutes’ drive from Bunbury towards South)

Love the scenery and the breeze here

There's also a train to catch at Busselton Jetty

Busselton Jetty is the longest timber piled jetty in WA

Our next stop was to Margaret River from Bunbury. The town has its very own charm as it offers various shops, a book store, several cafés and restaurants and a well-stocked supermarket. Margaret River is also well- known for wineries. Along the way to Margaret River, we stopped by Busselton to visit the 1.8km timber jetty (the longest jetty in the Southern Hemisphere) and had our lunch there.

Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse

Love the view here where 2 oceans meet

We then continued our journey to Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse in the south to enjoy the breathtaking views across the treacherous oceans where the Indian and Southern Oceans meet. Due to the high entrance fee we didn’t go into the lighthouse, but it still made a great stop.

**Final tips: For those traveling by road like us, please drive carefully. Watch out for kangaroo and emu road hazards at dusk and dawn. There are many kangaroos which have jumped in front of our car along the highways. If this happens, control your braking. The open road speed limit is 110 km per hour. Slow down to the usual 50 km per hour limit in most of the country towns you pass through. No matter how big or cute the “Roo”, do not swerve at speed. Drive safe!

Places of Interest / Entrance Ticket(s)

(i) Ticketing Info for Rottnest Island
Getting there: B-Shed, Victoria Quay Fremantle → Rottnest Island (via Rottnest Express)
Departure time: 09:35am / 4.30pm
Fare(s): $54/pax for return ferry tickets
e-mail: reservations@rottnestexpress.com.au
Website: http://www.rottnestexpress.com.au
Website: http://www.rottnestisland.com/
Bike Hire: $45 for one day + $50 security deposit for tandem bike
Phone: (08) 9292 5105

(ii)Sunflowers Animal Farm

Address: 5561 Caves Rd, Margaret River WA 6285, Australia
Contact: (+618) 9757 3343
e-mail: farmerjones@sunflowersfarm.com
Website: http://www.sunflowersfarm.com/index.html

◊Swan Bell Tower: $13/pax

◊Wheel of Perth – FOC

◊Kings Park & Botanic Garden – FOC

◊The Perth Mint – FOC

◊Old Fire Station – FOC

◊London Court (Hay Street) – FOC

◊Trinity United Church – FOC

◊Perth Town Hall – FOC

◊Lake Monger – FOC

◊Ferry tickets to Rottnest Island - $54/pax for return tickets

◊Bike Hire at Rottnest Island - $45 for one day + $50 security deposit for tandem bike

◊Fremantle Prison – $25/pax

◊Fremantle Market - FOC

◊Fremantle Maritime Museum & Submarine Museum - $25/pax

◊Yanchep National Park - $10/vehicle

◊Lancelin – FOC

◊The Pinnacles (Nambung National Park) - $65/pax

Caversham Wildlife Park - $23/pax

◊Swan Valley - FOC

◊Clifton Lake - FOC

◊Bunbury Lighthouse – FOC

Busselton Jetty – $20/pax

◊Margaret River Chocolate Factory – FOC

◊Sunflowers Animal Farm – $10/pax plus $3/ bucket of animal feed

◊Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse - $8/pax

◊Warren National Park – FOC

◊Dave Evans Bicentennial Tree National Park – FOC

◊Valley of the Giants (Tree Top Walk) - $12.50/pax

◊Wave Rock: $7/vehicle

◊Margaret River (Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse, Mammoth Cave, Lake Cave and Jewel Cave) - $48.00/pax

Air Itinerary Details:

AirAsia: Penang – Kuala Lumpur (LCCT) – Perth / Perth – Kuala Lumpur (LCCT) – Penang

From To Flight Date Dep Arr

Penang KUL (LCCT) AK5357 8 Nov 1930 2030

KUL (LCCT) Perth D7236 8 Nov 2350 0520

Perth KUL (LCCT) D7237 20 Nov 0635 1215

KUL (LCCT) Penang AK5364 20 Nov 1535 1630

Accommodation(s):

(i) Perth City
(a)Perth 178

Address: 178 James Street, Northbridge, Perth, Australia 6003
e-mail: perth178@gmail.com (Mr. Kim Meng Hon)
Telephone: +61 411545027 / +61 411610826
Website: www.perth178backpacker.com.au/
Room Type: Double Room ($55/room/night)
Other information: 178 has two separate man and female toilets and bathrooms, share kitchen facilities dining area, coin operated washing machine and dryer. It feels more like family home.

(b)Exclusive Backpackers
Address: 158 Adelaide Tce, Perth, Australia 6000
Contact: +61 (08) 9221 9991
e-mail: exclusivebackpackers@hotmail.com
Website: www.exclusivebackpackers.com
Room Type / Rate: Double Ensuite Room ($98/room/night)

(ii)Bunbury
YHA Bunbury
Address: 14, Wellington Street, Bunbury 6230, WA
Contact: (+618) 97924690
e-mail: bunbury@yha.com.au
Website: https://www.yha.com.au/hostels/wa/south-west/bunbury/
Room Type / Rate: Double Room ($65/room/night)

(iii)Margaret River
YHA Margaret River
Address: 66 Town View Terrace, Margaret River , 6285, WA
Contact: (+618) 9757 9572
e-mail: margaretriver@yha.com.au
Website: https://www.yha.com.au/hostels/wa/south-west/margaret-river/
Room Type / Rate: Double Room ($74/room/night)

(iv)Augusta
YHA Augusta
Address: 9 Heppingstone View (just off Blackwood Ave), Augusta , 629,WA
Contact: (+618) 9758 1290
e-mail: augusta@yha.com.au
Website: https://www.yha.com.au/hostels/wa/south-west/cape-leeuwin-augusta/
Room Type / Rate: Double Room ($74/room/night)

(v) Denmark
Denmark Hotel
Address: 36 Hollings Rd, Denmark WA 6333, Australia
Contact: (+618) 9848 2206
e-mail: denmarkhotel@westnet.com.au
Website: http://denmarkhotel.com.au/
Room Type / Rate: Double Room ($100/room/night)

(vi) Albany
Ace Motor Inn
Address: 314 Albany Hwy, Centennial Park WA 6330, Australia
Contact: (+618) 9841 2911
e-mail: reservations@acemotorinn.com.au
Website: http://www.acemotorinn.com.au/
Room Type / Rate: Double Room ($84/room/night)

Local Transportation:
Hertz Vehicle through Drive Now
Address: 39 Milligan Street, Perth
Contact: 08 9321 7777
E-mail: info@hertz.com.au / savemore@drivenow.com.au
Website: http://www.drivenow.com.au / http://www.hertz.com
Vehicle Type: Toyota Corolla Sedan (Auto) (or similar)
Rental duration: 12 Nov 2011 (10:00am) - 18 Nov 2011 (10:00am)
Total Amount: $336.42 (for 6 days)**Why drive: There is no better other way to explore WA (country towns, ocean drive, natural parklands, and country-side farms etc.) besides self-drive.

Read more about our travel experiences @ Western Australia: Perth & The Pinnacles (Part 1) Fremantle & Rottnest Island (Part 2) Augusta & Denmark (Part 4)
Albany & York (Part 5)

“We live in a wonderful world that is full of beauty, charm and adventure. There is no end to the adventures we can have if only we seek them with our eyes open” – Jawaharial Nehru

Note: All entrance / transportation fees and accommodation rates/charges listed on this post are based on our (chengywong.blogspot.com) travel dates (2011) and therefore subject to change(s). ©chengywong.blogspot.com is not responsible for content on external web sites.

Welcome to Small World! This blog is not a travel agency, but rather a personal site which allows us to share our past travel experiences in a straightforward and far-reaching way. We often made great use of other peoples travel blogs and sites every time we plan for our travel itinerary as they often contained most updated information and invaluable resources from their past travel experiences. We hope that you will find every piece of information & images contained within our blog handy and useful. Thank you very much for reading our post(s). If you find this blog worth a read, please feel free to leave a comment/testimonial or click "Like/Share" if you love reading them all. xoxo Both Chengy & Camel are passionate travelers who enjoys speaking to young keen travelers about the freedom to get cultured and to taste the fullness of life. Feel free to contact them if you need any travel advice, guidance or tips or if you have any burning questions with regards to your upcoming trip(s)/ journey

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