Western Australia
5
Day Itinerary •
Australia
Five days in Western Australia take you across the most extraordinary variety of landscapes in Australia, from Perth's remarkable Indian Ocean beaches and Fremantle's fine port heritage to the Margaret River wine and cave country, the extraordinary Ningaloo Reef with its remarkable whale sharks and manta rays, and the extraordinary Shark Bay World Heritage Area with its remarkable stromatolites and the fine Monkey Mia dolphin feeding. This route covers the complete WA coastal experience. Perth city and the fine Kings Park wildflowers, Fremantle's extraordinary maritime heritage, the Margaret River wine trail and limestone caves, the Ningaloo Reef whale shark swim and Turquoise Bay free snorkel, and the extraordinary Shark Bay with Monkey Mia dolphins and the remarkable Shell Beach.
Best Time To Visit
Apr to Oct. Whale sharks Mar to Jul. Wildflowers Aug to Oct.
Getting There
Perth Airport. Direct international. Internal flights to Exmouth essential.
Getting Around
Car for Perth, Margaret River and Shark Bay. Fly Perth to Exmouth (2 hours).
Budget Per Day
Approx A$220 to A$500 per person per day including internal flights
Difficulity
Easy. All reef experiences guided.
DAY 1
PERTH CITY
MORNING
KINGS PARK AND THE PERTH WILDFLOWERS
Kings Park is the most extraordinary urban park in Australia, 400 hectares of native bushland overlooking the city and the Swan River with the finest free wildflower displays in Australia from August to October. The remarkable State War Memorial with its eternal flame, the extraordinary Federation Walkway treetop canopy walk and the fine botanic garden give the finest single free morning in Western Australia. The panorama over Perth from the park escarpment is outstanding. Travel: 20 min drive
MIDDAY
COTTESLOE BEACH AND THE INDIAN OCEAN
Cottesloe Beach is the most extraordinary urban beach in WA, its remarkable protected swimming bay with the extraordinary golden Indian Ocean sunset and the fine Indiana Tea House on the sand giving the finest beach experience in Perth. The remarkable art deco beachside suburb and the fine sunset cocktail tradition make Cottesloe the finest evening beach in Australia. The extraordinary Scarborough Beach surf break to the north is outstanding. Travel: 30 min drive
AFTERNOON
THE PINNACLES DESERT
The Pinnacles Desert in Nambung National Park 200km north of Perth is the most extraordinary desert formation in WA, thousands of remarkable limestone pinnacles rising from the extraordinary yellow sand giving the finest surreal landscape in Australia. The remarkable golden hour light turning the pinnacles amber, the extraordinary wildlife including emus and kangaroos wandering between the formations, and the fine loop drive through the park are outstanding. Entry approx A$15.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
Rottnest Island 19km off the Perth coast is the most extraordinary day trip from any Australian city, the remarkable quokka-filled island with extraordinary beaches accessible by 30-minute ferry and the finest cycling around any Australian island. Ferry approx A$60 return. The finest hidden day trip from Perth.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cafe in Kings Park Outstanding Perth cafe with extraordinary city views. | Lunch: Indiana Tea House, Cottesloe Outstanding beachside restaurant. Local WA seafood on the Indian Ocean. | Dinner: Restaurant in Perth Outstanding WA produce. Local barramundi, marron and WA wine.
DAY 2
FREMANTLE
MORNING
FREMANTLE HERITAGE AND THE PRISON
Fremantle is the most extraordinary heritage port city in Australia, its remarkable Victorian limestone streetscape from the 1890s gold rush perfectly preserved and the extraordinary Fremantle Prison, a World Heritage-listed convict establishment operating from 1855 to 1991, giving the finest heritage experience in WA. The remarkable convict-built limestone precinct and the extraordinary tunnels tour give the finest single heritage attraction in Fremantle. Prison tour approx A$25. Travel: 15 min walk
MIDDAY
FREMANTLE MARKETS AND FISHING BOAT HARBOUR
The Fremantle Markets operating since 1897 are the most extraordinary weekend market in WA, their remarkable collection of arts, crafts and produce stalls and the extraordinary food hall giving the finest market morning in Western Australia. The remarkable Fishing Boat Harbour beside the markets with its fine fish and chip restaurants and the extraordinary Little Creatures Brewery give the finest lunch destination in Fremantle. Travel: 10 min walk
AFTERNOON
FREMANTLE ARTS CENTRE AND HERITAGE WALK
The Fremantle Arts Centre in an extraordinary 1860s convict-built building is the most remarkable free arts centre in WA, its fine contemporary exhibitions and the extraordinary courtyard cafe giving the finest free arts experience in Fremantle. The remarkable heritage walk along High Street and the fine Round House, WA's oldest surviving building from 1831, give the finest colonial heritage walk in the state. Arts Centre free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Fremantle Museum in the historic building beside the Arts Centre is the most extraordinary free maritime history museum in WA, its remarkable collection of colonial and Aboriginal history and the fine WA maritime gallery giving the finest single free cultural experience in Fremantle. Entirely free. The finest hidden free museum in Fremantle.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Fremantle cafe Outstanding Fremantle coffee. The flat white culture rivals Melbourne. | Lunch: Fishing Boat Harbour, Fremantle Outstanding WA fish and chips. Local deep-sea fish from the harbour boats. | Dinner: Bread in Common, Fremantle Outstanding Fremantle restaurant. Local WA produce and shared plates.
DAY 3
MARGARET RIVER
MORNING
MARGARET RIVER WINE TRAIL
Margaret River's remarkable Cabernet Sauvignon vineyards on iron-rich laterite soils cooled by the Indian Ocean give the finest cool-climate reds in Australia. The extraordinary Vasse Felix, Margaret River's founding estate, the remarkable Cullen Biodynamic winery with its extraordinary Diana Madeline Cabernet Merlot and the fine Leeuwin Estate Art Series label give the finest three cellar door experiences in Australia. The remarkable Boranup Karri Forest drive between estates is outstanding. Travel: 45 min drive
MIDDAY
LAKE CAVE AND THE MARGARET RIVER CAVES
Lake Cave is the most extraordinary cave in Margaret River, its remarkable underground lake reflecting the extraordinary stalactite formations above in perfect mirror image giving the finest single cave experience in the south-west. The extraordinary Suspended Table, a remarkable formation of ancient cave material floating above the lake, is the finest single stalactite formation in Australia. Cave tour approx A$28. Travel: 45 min drive
AFTERNOON
CAPE LEEUWIN AND THE OCEAN MEETING POINT
Cape Leeuwin lighthouse at the south-western tip of Australia marks the extraordinary meeting point of the Indian and Southern Oceans, the remarkable 1895 limestone lighthouse giving the finest lighthouse panorama in WA. The extraordinary water wheel calcified by mineral springs over 100 years and the fine heritage buildings give the finest historic lighthouse experience in the country. Entry approx A$22.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
Hamelin Bay 30 minutes north of Augusta has the most extraordinary free stingray encounter in WA, large southern stingrays gathering in the shallows giving close encounters from shore. Entirely free. The finest hidden free wildlife encounter in the Margaret River region.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cafe in Margaret River town Coffee before the cellar door trail. | Lunch: Vasse Felix or winery restaurant Outstanding Margaret River wine country lunch. Local truffles and lamb. | Dinner: Stormrider Brewing Co, Margaret River Outstanding local craft beer and WA produce.
DAY 4
NINGALOO REEF
MORNING
TURQUOISE BAY FREE REEF SNORKEL
Turquoise Bay at Ningaloo Reef Marine Park is the most extraordinary free reef snorkelling beach in the world, the remarkable drift snorkel with the current past extraordinary coral gardens, sea turtles and reef fish giving the finest free underwater experience on earth. The brilliant turquoise Indian Ocean water, the remarkable coral quality and the extraordinary wildlife without a tour are outstanding. Enter at the southern end and drift north with the current. Entirely free. Travel: 30 min drive
MIDDAY
WHALE SHARK SNORKEL TOUR
The Ningaloo whale shark snorkel is the most extraordinary marine wildlife encounter in Australia, the remarkable opportunity to swim alongside the world's largest fish at up to 12 metres in extraordinary clear Indian Ocean water. The Ningaloo Reef has the highest accessible whale shark density in the world, the extraordinary spotter plane and the skilled guide positioning swimmers for the finest encounter. Season March to July. Tour approx A$380. Travel: 20 min drive
AFTERNOON
CORAL BAY AND THE MANTA RAY SNORKEL
Coral Bay gives the most extraordinary accessible reef experience at Ningaloo, the remarkable fringing reef directly accessible from the beach allowing snorkelling with sea turtles, reef sharks and the extraordinary resident manta ray population year-round. The fine glass-bottom boat tours and the outstanding Coral Bay beachfront give the finest relaxed reef afternoon at Ningaloo. The extraordinary manta ray encounters from shore are outstanding. Beach free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
Oyster Stacks beach at Ningaloo is the most extraordinary hidden snorkel site in the marine park, a remarkable beach where coral formations rise near the surface with extraordinary turtle and reef fish density exceeding Turquoise Bay. Entirely free. Almost entirely unknown to visitors who stop only at Turquoise Bay.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Hotel breakfast in Exmouth Early departure for Turquoise Bay. | Lunch: Cafe at Coral Bay or Exmouth Outstanding local WA seafood. Local Exmouth prawns and coral trout. | Dinner: Mantarays Ningaloo Resort restaurant Outstanding Ningaloo dining. Local WA fish.
DAY 5
SHARK BAY
MORNING
MONKEY MIA DOLPHIN FEEDING
Monkey Mia in the Shark Bay World Heritage Area is the most extraordinary wild dolphin encounter in Australia, the remarkable resident pod of bottlenose dolphins that has been voluntarily returning to the beach to interact with rangers and visitors every morning since the 1960s giving the finest free wildlife encounter in WA. The extraordinary intimacy of the dolphins approaching in shallow water and the remarkable ranger-led feeding interaction are outstanding. Park entry approx A$15. Travel: 45 min drive
MIDDAY
HAMELIN POOL STROMATOLITES
Hamelin Pool in Shark Bay is the most extraordinary biological site in Australia, the remarkable living stromatolites in the hypersaline bay being the finest accessible examples of the same organisms that created the world's first oxygen-bearing atmosphere 3.5 billion years ago. The extraordinary boardwalk over the ancient stromatolites and the remarkable Marine Nature Reserve give the finest encounter with the origins of life on earth. Entry approx A$12. Travel: 30 min drive
AFTERNOON
SHELL BEACH AND THE RETURN
Shell Beach in Shark Bay is the most extraordinary beach in WA, its remarkable 110km shoreline composed entirely of billions of tiny cockle shells up to 10 metres deep giving the finest all-white shell beach in the world. The extraordinary Hamelin Telegraph Station and the remarkable Denham, the most westerly town in Australia, give the finest farewell to the extraordinary Shark Bay World Heritage Area.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
Francois Peron National Park at the tip of the Shark Bay peninsula is the most extraordinary 4WD wilderness in WA, its remarkable red sand cape surrounded by turquoise water giving the finest coastal 4WD landscape in the state. Entry approx A$15. A 4WD is required. The finest hidden outback coastal experience in Shark Bay.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Monkey Mia Dolphin Resort cafe Before the dolphin feeding. | Lunch: Cafe in Denham, Shark Bay Outstanding local WA seafood. Local shark bay scallops. | Dinner: Restaurant in Denham or Carnarvon Outstanding farewell WA dinner. Local seafood and WA wine.
Where To Stay
Perth or Fremantle, Nights 1 to 2 COMO The Treasury or Hougoumont Hotel. Approx A$180 to A$450. Margaret River, Night 3 Margarets Beach Resort or Cape Lodge. Wine country. Approx A$180 to A$500. Exmouth or Shark Bay, Nights 4 to 5 Mantarays Ningaloo or Monkey Mia Dolphin Resort. Approx A$150 to A$350.
Top Tips
1. Book whale shark tours months ahead. Season March to July and tours sell out extremely quickly.
2. Monkey Mia dolphin feeding happens at approximately 7:45am. Stay overnight at the resort to guarantee access.
3. Turquoise Bay drift snorkel is entirely free. Enter at one end and drift with the current along the reef.
4. Fremantle Prison World Heritage site tours run daily. The torchlight tour is the finest after-dark experience.
5. Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon rivals Bordeaux. Visit Cullen and Vasse Felix for the finest examples.
6. WA wildflowers in August to October are extraordinary. The Pinnacles Desert near Cervantes is nearby.
Total Budget
Approx A$220 to A$500 per person per day including internal flights