Western Australia's Incredible South Coast: Wine, Waves and Wildlife

Day 1: Arrive in Perth & Drive to Margaret River

Please make your own way to your car rental counter located in the Airport Terminal to collect your rental vehicle and drive to Margaret River.

Situated at the tip of southern Western Australia, from Busselton down to Augusta, the Margaret River Region is an easy 2.5 hour drive from Perth. The density of this region allows you to hop from award winning wineries and bespoke art galleries, to stunning beaches, tall-timber forests, flowing rivers, world-class surf breaks and ancient caves – all in a single day.

Each of the Margaret River Region’s towns can be found hugging the coast of the Indian Ocean. Known internationally as one of the best big wave surfing locations, there are more than 40 top surfing areas along Margaret River’s coast, with conditions ranging from powerful reef breaks, to fun beach surf.

The Margaret River Wine Region is renowned internationally for producing award winning wines. Visit one of the many cellar doors or one of the many restaurants, cafes, boutique breweries and distilleries, local farmers markets, and artisan providores to sample South West delights.

Day 2: Full Day Wine & Dine Tour

Today you will be collected from your hotel to spend the day exploring the Margaret River wineries.

This 5.5 hour takes you away from the tourist hot spots to reveal the boutique wineries that lie at the heart of the Margaret River wine region. With a glass of Margaret River wine in hand, discover the main varietals of the region, learn the difference between oaked and un-oaked wine, and find out if wine really improves with age. At the completion of your tour you will be transferred to your Margaret River accommodation.

Day 3: Drive to Denmark

Drive from Margaret River to Denmark and enjoy a 2-hour whale watching tour.

Denmark marks the spot where forests of towering trees give way to white sandy beaches. Take a drive or walk among ancient karri tree giants, relax by the emerald waters of William Bay, feast on local wine and gourmet produce, or fish one of the largest inlets on the south coast. Guided wine and forest tours are available, or you can hit the scenic Scotsdale Tourist Drive. Along the way, get close to nature in the Harewood Forest, stop for a tasting at a cellar door, berry and herb farm, cheese or chocolate and toffee factory, and perhaps allow a little time to indulge the senses at the Sandal wood Factory. Look out for migrating whales along the coast from July to October. Or take the short drive to The Valley of the Giants Tree Top Walk, taking you 40 metres above the forest floor for a bird's eye view of Western Australia's 400 year old tingle tree giants.

Day 4: Tree Top Walk & Drive to to Hopetoun

The Valley of the Giants Tree Top Walk is an internationally recognised nature-based tourism attraction, located in Australia’s South West, giving you a bird’s eye view of some of the biggest timber giants on Earth – Western Australia’s majestic tingle trees. Climbing 40 metres into the forest canopy and meandering through the treetops for 600 metres, the walk trail is the first of its kind, designed to maximise views and minimise impact.

This peaceful and exhilarating experience can be encountered 15 minutes east of Walpole, on Western Australia’s South coast. It takes approximately four and half hours to drive there from Perth and also features on many extended coach tour itineraries.

The Tree Top Walk sits within the Walpole-Nornalup National Park and Walpole Wilderness, offering spectacular views over densely forested hills. Descending to the boardwalks below to explore the Ancient Empire Walk, you’ll enter a grove of towering veteran tingle trees. These giant eucalypts are found nowhere else in Australia, or on Earth as a matter of fact, and some have been standing for more than 400 years.

Drive from Denmark to Hopetoun.

Day 5: Drive to Esperance 

Drive Hopetoun to Esperance.

Esperance is blessed with squeaky-clean beaches, turquoise waters, untouched islands and colour-filled wildflower country. Among its most famous beauty spots is Australia's whitest beach, Lucky Bay -set against a stunning seascape of 110 islands of the Recherche Archipelago, even the kangaroos can't resist lounging here. At the Museum you can view what's left of the NASA Skylab after it slammed back down to Earth near Balladonia.

Day 6: Half Day 'Cape LeGrand' Tour

This tour includes up to 50kms of 4WD beach driving along Le Grand Beach, en route to morning tea on the world-class beach of Lucky Bay with a chance to meet the Beach Kangaroos! Discover the National Park’s unique landscape of sweeping heathlands, rugged coastal peaks and sandy beaches, which have been voted the whitest in Australia. This tour can be tailored to be as leisurely or action-packed as you wish and can include swimming and a stunning 46 metre rock climb in the vehicle.

Day 7: Esperance: Lake Hillier-Middle Island Scenic Flight

You will depart Esperance Airport in our comfortable, modern aircraft. The flight will begin with a short transit over some of Australia’s most productive Broadacre Arable land, to the Esperance town and Port.

From here you will travel along Esperance Bay past Frenchman Peak and over Cape Le Grand National Park. Revel in the spectacular white beaches, the whitest in Australia as certified by Geoscience Australia, and the stunning Turquoise waters of Lucky Bay.

You will continue onward through the Recherche Archipelago to the unique Middle Island with its world-renowned Pink Lake Hillier.

The vibrant colour of the lake is permanent, and does not alter even when the water is taken in a container. The pink colour is considered to be due to the presence of the organism Dunaliella salina. From Middle Island and Lake Hillier, you will return to via more spectacular scenery and stunning coastal vistas. The flight lasts approximately 1 hour, 40 minutes.

Day 8: Drive to Wave Rock

Drive Esperance to Wave Rock.

Around Hyden in the spring (September to December), dozens of wildflower varieties produce carpets of colour, and more than 40 different species of birds, from the smallest wren to the large wedge tailed eagle, can be seen. The earliest farming was in 1922 and the descendants of these settlers still live in Hyden today. Wheat production started in 1927 and grain was carted to Kondinin until the railway from Lake Grace reached Hyden in 1932. Hyden also features the largest collection of lace in the southern hemisphere. Wave Rock is just 4 kilometres east of Hyden on a nature reserve of some160 hectares. The Rock is a granite cliff, 15 metres high and 110 long, shaped remarkably like a huge wave.

Day 9: Drive to Fremantle

Travel west on the Kondinin-Hyden Road (State Route 40) to Kondinin. Kondinin was traversed in 1848by Surveyor General JS Roe and settled in 1909. You can retrace his steps along the JS Roe Heritage Trail, which includes a mural depicting his epic journey, a replica well and the picturesque Yeerakine Rock which provides a 360 degree view. If time permits, travel to Kulin, a small farming town, to view The Tin Horse Highway - a 15km kilometre stretch of road which heads east from the town of Kulin out to the Kulin Bush Races Track at Jilakin Rock. The road’s official name is the Gorge Rock-Lake Grace Road. All tin horses in the region contribute to the Tin Horse Highway story and reflect the vibrant, good humoured community who have built them. There are currently over 70 tin horses displayed on the Tin Horse Highway, in the town site of Kulin and along other roads to Kulin. Continue to travel west along the Corrigin-Kondinin Road (State Route 40) through the picturesque farmland to Corrigin– famous for its Dog-in-a-Ute event and Dog Cemetery.

Driving along the Brookton-Corrigin Road, you will see a dog statue that marks the entrance to the cemetery. Stroll around the cemetery and read the 80 or so inscriptions on gravestones from pet owners who have laid their dogs to rest. Whilst in the area, be sure to visit the Pioneer Museum to see how the pioneers lived at the turn of the 20th century. Allow some time to examine the memorial wall at the entrance of the museum which contains the names of all Corrigin's pioneers. If your visit to the Wheatbelt town is during the months of September and October, you will be rewarded with a spectacular display of wildflowers on display. Travel west on the Brookton-Corrigin Road (State Route 40) to Brookton. If time permits, stop at the Old Railway Station and Pioneer Park in the centre of Brookton. Continue to travel west along the Brookton Highway (State Route 40) towards the Perth suburb of Canning Mills. Turn right onto Canning Road (State Route 41), then turn left onto Welshpool Road East (State Route 8) towards Perth. Follow Orrong Road onto the Graham Farmer Freeway (State Route 8), and then turn left onto Stirling Road into the Perth City Centre. Perth is the capital of Western Australia and sits where the Swan River meets the southwest coast and is home to Kings Park, one of the world’s largest inner city parks. Discover laneway bars in multicultural Northbridge, take a swim in the glassy waters of the Indian Ocean at Cottesloe Beach or take a day trip to meet the quokkas on Rottnest Island.

The historic city of Fremantle lies 19 kilometres South West of Perth at the mouth of the Swan River. Now merged with suburban Perth, 'Freo', as the locals call it, is a major fishing and shipping port with a vibrant multi-cultural society. It has lovingly preserved its 19th-century heritage and created a relaxed ambience. In 1986-87, the city hosted the first America's Cup yacht races held outside the USA. This major event triggered the rejuvenation of many of the historic 19th-century buildings; there are more than 3000 buildings of historical significance and the National Trust has classified 150 of these.

Day 10: Drive to Perth Airport

Drive Fremantle to Perth Airport. Travel east along High Street and then take the Leach Highway (State Route 7/National Highway 1) to Perth Airport. Travel along Airport Drive to Perth Airport.

Return your rental vehicle to the airport, allowing plenty of time to connect with your departing flight.

• 10 days car rental with maximum cover, unlimited mileage and GPS rental
• Accommodation as specified
• Activities as specified including the below:
  • Full Day Wine & Dine Tour Margaret River
  • 2 Hour Augusta Whale Watching tour
  • Tree Top Walk admission fee
  • Half Day 'Cape LeGrand' Tour
  • Lake Hillier-Middle Island Scenic Flight
• Meals as follows: 3 x Breakfasts & 1 x Lunch

• Airfares
• Visa fees (if required)
• Travel Insurance
• Optional tours and services
• Meals other than those specified
• Beverages
• Gratuities
• Supplier surcharges when date/time of service required occurs on a public holiday or outside of standard hours
• Items of a personal nature (e.g. telephone calls, mini bar, laundry, etc.)
• Any other items not listed as included

The itinerary is subject to the operation of individual touring components, therefore the itinerary is subject to change and any inclusions are subject to availability at time of booking.