Western Australia
3
Day Itinerary •
Australia
Three days in Western Australia take you from Perth's extraordinary Indian Ocean beaches and the remarkable Fremantle port city to the Margaret River wine region and the world's finest accessible coral reef at Ningaloo. Perth is the most isolated city of its size on earth, yet the extraordinary Kings Park wildflower displays, the fine Cottesloe Beach and the remarkable Fremantle arts scene give the finest small capital city experience in Australia. This route covers the essential Western Australia. Perth's extraordinary Kings Park and the fine Cottesloe Beach, the remarkable Fremantle with its extraordinary maritime history and the fine markets, the Margaret River wine region with its remarkable caves and the finest Cabernet Sauvignon in Australia, and the extraordinary Ningaloo Reef with its remarkable whale shark snorkelling.
Best Time To Visit
Year-round. Whale sharks Mar to Jul. Wildflowers Aug to Oct.
Getting There
Perth Airport. Direct international flights. Internal flight to Exmouth.
Getting Around
Car for Perth and Margaret River. Fly or drive to Ningaloo (12 hours).
Budget Per Day
Approx A$200 to A$450 per person per day
Difficulity
Easy. Ningaloo snorkelling guided.
DAY 1
PERTH AND FREMANTLE
MORNING
KINGS PARK AND THE PERTH SKYLINE
Kings Park above the Swan River is the most extraordinary urban park in Australia, its remarkable 400 hectares of native bushland above Perth city giving the finest free panorama over the CBD, the Swan River and the distant Darling Range. The extraordinary wildflower displays from August to October and the remarkable State War Memorial with its eternal flame give the finest free experience in Western Australia. The fine Federation Walkway through the treetops is outstanding. Travel: 20 min drive
MIDDAY
COTTESLOE BEACH AND THE INDIAN OCEAN
Cottesloe Beach is the most extraordinary urban beach in Western Australia, its remarkable groyne-protected swimming bay with the fine Indiana Tea House on the sand and the extraordinary golden sunset over the Indian Ocean giving the finest beach experience in Perth. The remarkable Norfolk Island pines lining the foreshore and the fine outdoor cafes give the finest beach afternoon in the city. The extraordinary surfing at Scarborough and Trigg nearby are outstanding. Travel: 30 min drive
AFTERNOON
FREMANTLE AND THE MARKETS
Fremantle is the most extraordinary port city in Western Australia, its remarkable collection of Victorian limestone buildings from the 1890s gold rush, the extraordinary Fremantle Markets with their fine arts and crafts, the remarkable Fremantle Prison World Heritage site and the fine fishing boat harbour give the finest heritage port experience in Australia. The extraordinary Little Creatures Brewery on the harbour and the fine Fremantle Arts Centre are outstanding.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Penguin Island ferry from Rockingham 45 minutes south of Perth gives the most extraordinary little penguin encounter in WA, the remarkable colony of the smallest penguins in the world giving the finest wildlife encounter near Perth. Ferry approx A$35 return. The finest hidden wildlife experience near Perth.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cafe in Kings Park Outstanding Perth cafe with extraordinary city views. | Lunch: Little Creatures Brewery, Fremantle Outstanding Fremantle craft beer and seafood on the harbour. | Dinner: Restaurant in Fremantle Outstanding WA seafood. Local Fremantle octopus and WA rock lobster.
DAY 2
MARGARET RIVER
MORNING
MARGARET RIVER CELLAR DOORS
Margaret River produces the most extraordinary Cabernet Sauvignon in Australia from its remarkable iron-rich laterite soils cooled by the Indian Ocean. The extraordinary Vasse Felix, Australia's oldest wine region estate in Margaret River, the remarkable Cullen Biodynamic winery producing the finest Cabernet Merlot in WA and the fine Leeuwin Estate with its remarkable Art Series label give the finest three cellar door experiences in the region. Most tastings free. Travel: 30 min drive
MIDDAY
JEWEL CAVE AND THE MARGARET RIVER CAVES
Jewel Cave near Augusta is the most extraordinary limestone cave in Western Australia, its remarkable 210-metre long main chamber containing the finest cave coral formations in Australia and the extraordinary 4-metre fossilised jawbone of a Tasmanian tiger discovered in the cave in 1976 giving the finest single cave experience in the south-west. The remarkable ancient stalagmite columns and the extraordinary cave coral are outstanding. Tour approx A$28. Travel: 30 min drive
AFTERNOON
CAPE LEEUWIN LIGHTHOUSE
Cape Leeuwin at the south-western tip of Australia is the most extraordinary lighthouse in WA, the remarkable 1895 limestone lighthouse marking the meeting point of the Indian and Southern Oceans and the extraordinary views along the wild coast in both directions from the summit giving the finest lighthouse experience in Australia. The remarkable water wheel calcified by the mineral-rich spring water and the fine heritage precinct are outstanding. Entry approx A$22.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Boranup Karri Forest between Margaret River and Augusta is the most extraordinary free forest in WA, a remarkable tall karri eucalyptus forest of 60-metre trees with extraordinary silver-white trunks creating the finest forest cathedral in Australia. Entirely free. The finest hidden natural experience in the Margaret River region.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cafe in Margaret River town Coffee before the cellar door trail. | Lunch: Leeuwin Estate or winery restaurant Outstanding Margaret River wine country lunch. | Dinner: Restaurant in Margaret River Outstanding WA produce. Local marron, truffles and Margaret River Cab Sauv.
DAY 3
CORAL BAY AND NINGALOO
MORNING
TURQUOISE BAY FREE SNORKEL
Turquoise Bay at Ningaloo Reef Marine Park is the most extraordinary free snorkelling beach in Australia, its remarkable drift snorkel along the fringing reef with the current taking snorkellers past extraordinary coral gardens, sea turtles, reef fish and the occasional manta ray giving the finest free reef experience on earth. The brilliant turquoise water, the extraordinary coral quality and the remarkable wildlife sightings without a tour or guide are outstanding. Entirely free. Travel: 20 min drive
MIDDAY
WHALE SHARK SNORKEL TOUR
The Ningaloo whale shark snorkelling experience is the most extraordinary wildlife encounter in Australia, the remarkable opportunity to swim alongside the world's largest fish at up to 12 metres in the extraordinary clear Indian Ocean water giving the finest single marine wildlife experience on earth. The extraordinary Ningaloo Reef gives the highest density of whale sharks accessible to visitors anywhere in the world. Season March to July. Tour approx A$380. Travel: 30 min drive
AFTERNOON
CORAL BAY AND THE REEF WALK
Coral Bay 155km south of Exmouth gives the most extraordinary accessible reef snorkelling at Ningaloo, the remarkable reef fringing directly to the beach allowing visitors to snorkel with sea turtles, manta rays and extraordinary coral from shore without a boat. The remarkable glass-bottom boat tours and the fine Coral Bay beachfront give the finest relaxed reef afternoon at Ningaloo. Beach entirely free. Glass-bottom tours approx A$35.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
Oyster Stacks beach at Ningaloo is the most extraordinary hidden snorkel spot in the marine park, a remarkable snorkelling site where the coral formations rise close to the surface and the extraordinary turtle and reef fish density exceeds anywhere else at Ningaloo. Entirely free. Almost entirely unknown to visitors who stop only at Turquoise Bay.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Hotel breakfast in Exmouth Before the Turquoise Bay drive. | Lunch: Cafe at Coral Bay or Exmouth Outstanding local WA seafood. Local Exmouth prawns. | Dinner: Mantarays Ningaloo Beach Resort restaurant Outstanding Ningaloo dining. Local WA fish and seafood.
DAY 4
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
DAY 5
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Where To Stay
Perth or Fremantle, Night 1 COMO The Treasury or Hougoumont Hotel. Central. Approx A$180 to A$450. Exmouth or Coral Bay, Night 2 Mantarays Ningaloo Beach Resort or Ningaloo Reef Resort. Approx A$150 to A$320.
Top Tips
1. Book whale shark tours months ahead. The season runs March to July and tours sell out quickly.
2. Fremantle Markets are open Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday. Best on Saturday morning.
3. Margaret River cave tours must be booked in advance. Jewel Cave is the finest in the region.
4. Cottesloe Beach in Perth is best at sunset. The Indiana Tea House on the beach is extraordinary.
5. Snorkel directly from Turquoise Bay beach at Ningaloo without a tour. Drift snorkel with the current.
6. WA wildflower season peaks August to October. The Coalseam Conservation Park is extraordinary.
Total Budget
Approx A$200 to A$450 per person per day