11 Day Trip Exploring Natural Attractions in Southern Western Australia 2024
Margaret River | Pemberton | Walpole | Albany
Esperance | Kataning
Experience the extraordinary Southern Western Australia Tour and the very edge of Western Australia along the great southern coastline taking in Busselton, Pemberton, Esperance, Albany, Walpole, Margaret River and Katanning
Luxury Outback Tours are experts in this region and will ensure your trip is a memorable and special time. From the moment you set foot in one of our beautiful Land Rover Discovery 4WD’s, we’ll ensure your safety and comfort are our priority.
We have been touring in this area for over 20 years, and have built up a network of contacts to make your trip feel like you are one of the locals.
Tour Departure Dates 2024
Tour Highlights
- Busselton Jetty
- Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse
- Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse
- Pemberton Discovery Tour
- Yeagarup Dunes & Karri Forest
- Gloucester tree NP
- WOW wilderness cruise
- Tree Top Walk & the Valley of the Giants
- Torndirrup NP – The Gap & Natural Bridge
- Albany’s Historic Whaling Station
- Anzac Centre
- Stirling Range NP
- Esperance Scenic Flight
- Scenic Wildlife cruise
- Cape Le Grand NP
Tour Details & Inclusions
Images courtesy of Tourism Western Australia
Tour Itinerary
Bunbury, Busselton, Cape Naturaliste, Canal Rocks
Depart Perth, travel south to Bunbury for morning tea/coffee. At Busselton, we visit the Busselton Jetty the longest wood piled jetty in the Southern Hemisphere. Enjoy a train ride and visit the Underwater Observatory where you will see colourful soft coral on wood pylons and vibrant coloured fish calling the Observatory home.
As we progress into the Margaret River region, we explore the scenic coastline and pastoral views. Take a walk along Meelup Beach with white sands and clear aquamarine water. In season you can see Whales breaching out in Geographe Bay.
Margaret River region is internationally renowned for its quality wine production and fabulous food. Enjoy lunch at Eagle Bay Brewing Co. with expansive views of farmland to exclusive Bunker Bay.
After lunch visit, Cape Naturalise Lighthouse and enjoy walk on the Cape to Cape Trail to Sugar Loaf Rock. The views along this easy trail are spectacular.
Continue south along picturesque Caves Road renowned in the Margaret River region for premier wines and scenic countryside.
A short distance away is Canal Rocks, where we see the awesome Indian Ocean surging through the weathered canals and spot seals lazing on the rocks in the sunshine.
Accommodation Margaret River Central Avenue Apartments
Day 2 – Exclusive Margaret River Luxury Wine Tour Howard Park, Vasse Felix, Brown Hill Estate
Today sample not only the region’s best cuisine, also talk to the wine maker and qualified wine experts of the winery’s we visit.
First stop at Howard Park private specialised flight tasting of their Icon Wines. Owners the Burch family are member of Australia’s First Families of Wine (AFFW) and is the largest family own wine operation in Western Australia.
Showcase a la carte lunch is at elegant Vasse Felix Restaurant one of Australia’s draw-card establishments and is regularly reviewed alongside the best in the country.
Local and international highly trained and skilled Head Chef Brendan Pratt is energetic, vibrant a creative chef with an interest in uncovering and exhibiting incredible local produce from Western Australia.
“The benchmark winery restaurant in Australia,” John Lethlean, The Weekend Australian
Vasse Felix one of the founding wineries was established in 1967 by Dr Tom Cullity..
After lunch visit Brown Hill Estate a family owned and operated vineyard established in 1995. It is a partnership with Jim, Gwen, son Nathan Bailey who is this winery’s winemaker and his wife Chiara. The Bailey family were recently hosts to Bill Bailey British Comedian who visited to savour the flagship wine Bill Bailey
Accommodation: Margaret River Central Avenue Apartments
Day 3 – Margaret River town, Surfers Point, Boranup Forest, Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse, Pemberton.
After a relaxing breakfast we enjoy a tour of laid-back Margaret River Township. We visit spectacular Surfers Point at the mouth of the Margaret River where international surfing competitions are held.
We drive through the Boranup Karri Forest. Boranup Drive is a fantastic soft adventure drive through towering karri trees, some over 60m in height, with sunlight streaming onto their smooth bright trunks. Maybe spot emus or kangaroos and many colourful birds.
Visit Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse and see the convergence of the Indian Ocean and the Southern Ocean and spectacular coastline.
Lunch is at the Colourpatch Cafe & Bar is in the small coastal town of Augusta. The Restaurant’s northerly aspect captures the stunning views of the Blackwood River and the township of Augusta. The bar features an early 1960’s Albany-built 10-metre yacht, fully restored to its original condition. Specialising in fresh local seafood, including the famous Ocean Grown Abalone. There is something on offer for every palate.
Continue to Pemberton and Karri Valley Resort our Overnight stay.
Located on the edge of Lake Beedelup and surrounded by the magnificent tall Karri Forest, the natural charm of Karri Valley Resort providing the perfect setting for you to enjoy.
Your accommodation offers expansive views of Lake Beedelup and the Karri trees.
In house dinner at The Lakeside Restaurant overlooking Lake Beedelup
Dinner this evening you can immerse yourself in breathtaking forest scenery, with 180-degree lakeside views while enjoying some of the Southern Forest’s finest fresh produce. The chefs take the greatest pride in selecting and preparing a menu that highlights the diverse range of local produce, accompanied by a selection of premium wine from across the region.
Accommodation Karri Valley Resort.
Day 4 – Gloucester Tree, Ancient Karri Forests, Yeagarup Dunes, Walpole
After an early start, we make our way to beautiful Pemberton, an old timber town with beautiful old growth Karri forests.
Visit the Gloucester Tree, The Gloucester Tree is a giant karri tree in the Gloucester National Park of Western Australia. At 58 metres in height, it is the world’s second tallest fire lookout tree, and visitors can climb up to a platform in its upper branches for views of the surrounding karri forest. Take a walk at the base of the tree to see birds and wildflowers in season.
We join a local tour to experience the largest inland dune system in the Southern Hemisphere, the Yeagerup Dunes. Also experience a walk on old logging trails in the towering ancient Karri forests, 4WD drive on the dunes to cross to the coast and drive on an endless beach on the Southern Ocean. Lunch on the trail and drive south to Walpole touring through majestic tall Karri forests on our way.
Accommodation Walpole Tree Top Motel
Day 5 – WOW Wilderness Cruise, Tree Top Walk, Albany
Walpole is surrounded by National Parks that are wilderness. We meet the exciting WOW Wilderness Cruise at the Nornalup Inlet.
WOW Wilderness Eco Cruises are nationally recognised as one of the most entertaining and educational ecotourism experiences.
The two-and-a-half-hour guided wilderness cruise through the Walpole and Nornalup Inlets Marine Park to the heart of the Walpole Wilderness. incorporating a boat cruise and an interpretive walk into the Nuyts Wilderness Area. Entertaining and lots of history!
Lunch at Nornabar a hidden gem, The Bistro serves Food, Wine, and Coffee
Visit the remarkable ancient Tingle Forest remnants of the Gondwana era. And the amazing Tree Top Walk and Valley of the Giants.
The drive into the Tree Top Walk is spectacular. Karri and Red Tingle Trees loom out of the forest an indication of what is to come at the Tree Top Walk and the Ancient Empire.
You must experience the Tree Top Walk. Stroll among the upper branches of giant Tingle and Karri Trees for a “birds eye view” of the southern forests. This is a fun and exhilarating thing to do.
Nearby under the Tree Top Walk is a winding boardwalk that takes you through a grove of veteran Red Tingle trees called the Ancient Empire. You can even walk through the hollowed-out butt of one tree.
Travel on to spectacular Albany for our overnight stay.
Dinner at Majuba Bistro. Elegant and sophisticated bistro in the heart of Albany. Serving delicious European influenced bistro food with ingredients sourced locally in a classy, styled space.
Accommodation Hilton Garden Inn Albany
Day 6 – The Gap & Natural Bridge, ANZAC Centre, Whaling Station
This morning explore Albany.
Albany a port city is the oldest European settlement in Western Australia has a fascinatingly rich history which has been preserved with British and French connections.
Visit Torndirrup National Park to see spectacular The Gap and Natural Bridge, which have stunning views of the southern coast. The Natural Bridge is a granite formation caused by the gradual wearing away of the rock by the Great Southern Ocean.
Visit Albany’s Historic Whaling Station, spend time exploring the world’s only complete whaling station tourism attraction and experience a fascinating insight into Albany’s colourful past.
Follow informative trails to learn the stories of the men and women whose livelihood depended on Australia’s whaling industry of yesteryear.
We visit Mt Clarence to see the Anzac Desert Corp Memorial with views over the Princess Royal Harbour and King George Sound. The impressive Anzac Desert Mounted Corps Memorial is a duplicate of the original statue erected in Suez in the 1930s
Today Albany is known as the birthplace of the Anzac story and the home of the National Anzac Centre. Visit the remarkable display of the Anzac story. In late 1914 over 41,000 Australians and New Zealanders left Albany, bound for the Great War. This is their story.
These simple yet evocative words inform the content of the National Anzac Centre, a state-of-the-art interpretive museum overlooking King George Sound.
Accommodation Hilton Garden Inn Albany
Day 7 – Bluff Knoll Lookout, Jerramungup, Ravensthorpe Esperance.
In the Stirling Ranges visit Bluff Knoll Lookout for spectacular vistas of the ranges west and plains sweeping away to the north.
At Ongerup visit Yongergnow Mallee Fowl breeding Centre which has recently developed a successful breeding programme to build Mallee Fowl populations in WA. (Closed Sunday)
Jerramungup and Soldiers Settlement region. By the closing years of the Second World War, the Rural Reconstruction Commission was considering the possibilities of developing or acquiring properties for returned servicemen. Their considerations resulted in the passage of the War.
Service Land Settlement Agreement Act of 1945.
Visit Ravensthorpe; a picturesque agriculture and mining frontier town boasting spectacular local ranges scenery.
Ravensthorpe PUBLIC Silo Art. The landscape around Ravensthorpe comes alive every spring with thousands of species of wildflower bursting into colour, so Amok Island decided to focus on native Western Australian flora and fauna for his largest mural to date.
‘Each silo side shows a different stage of the flowering cycle of this species of Banksia: from flower buds to full bloom, to seedpods developing, drying out and opening’, explains the artist.
The artwork encircles the three silos infinitely; the final silo marks the beginning once again of the first, making a connection with the cycle of the seasons and grain farming processes this area is known for. This species Banksia speciosa is only found Hopetoun and the Great Australian Bight.
Esperance town is our overnight stay for the next three nights.
Discover and experience everything that makes this region so amazing.
Walk across the road to the foreshore overlooking the Recherche Archipelago, or maybe go for a refreshing swim in the sparkling waters.
Accommodation Esperance Comfort Inn Bay Of Isles
Day 8 – Esperance region
Pink lakes & coloured lakes scenic flight, Lucky Bay, Duke of Orleans Bay and Wharton Bay
9am, we meet the pilot for our scenic flight to Pink and Rainbow lakes. Enjoy 80-minute scenic flight over some of Australia’s most beautiful coastline and unique lake systems the highlight of this scenic flight the Cape the ground National Park will leave you amazed as you fly over the pristine white beaches and beautiful to turquoise water.
Also, home to up to 200 in individual pink lakes the Esperance region is a kaleidoscope of colour. You will see a great collection of pink and rainbow lakes a group of two dozen pink and multi coloured lakes clustered together.
Later we tour to Duke of Orleans Bay and Wharton Bay. Wharton Beach offers magnificent coastal scenery, a superb beach of iridescent white sand and crystal blue waters.
It is a photographer’s delight!
Your guide puts it out there and firmly believes this is Australia’s best beach!!!
Lunch at the Condinup Tavern and this afternoon we visit Cape Le Grand National Park and Lucky Bay. This beach is famous for its kangaroos which are often seen sunning themselves on the white sandy shoreline.
Accommodation Esperance Comfort Inn Bay Of Isles
Day 9 – Scenic Wildlife Cruise, Great Ocean Drive, Cindy Poole Glass Gallery
This morning we join the Scenic Wildlife Cruise from Esperance. With regular sightings of New Zealand Fur Seals, Australian Sea Lions, Cape Barren Geese, Common and Bottlenose Dolphins, White-bellied Sea Eagles (including feeding) – Whales (season dependent). Bring your bathers for a swim in some of the world’s clearest water. This cruise is numbers dependant to operate.
After lunch we tour the Great Ocean Drive to see Rotary Lookout, West Beach, Blue Haven, Twilight Cove and Spencer Lake (Esperance onetime Pink Lake).
Visit Cindy Poole Glass Artist– ‘Gallery Experience’ where sustainability, creative design and authentic craftsmanship converge within layers of kiln-formed glass to embody and celebrate the stunning natural beauty of Western Australia and pay homage to nature.
We also stop at WA’s very own Stonehenge, an exact sized replica of the famous landmark in England. Step back in time 4,000 years and stand in the middle of this massive construction and feel how awesome it must have been when Stonehenge in UK was built.
On our return to Esperance drive along Wiley Beach to see seabirds enjoying the crystal clear waters.
Accommodation Esperance Comfort Inn Bay Of Isles
Day 10 – Ravensthorpe, Jerramungup, Gnowangerup, Katanning
Today we tour through the Eastern and Central Wheatbelt regions which are made up of farming communities with cropping, sheep, and cattle as the main industries.
Also, copper, lithium, nickel, and rare earth elements being mined in the Ravensthorpe, Jerramungup, and Broome Hill region.
This is the wildflower season so we will stop to look at what is blooming. Hidden secrets of colour and biodiversity of species.
Our overnight stay is at the luxurious Premier Mill Hotel at Katanning.
Accommodation Katanning Premier Mill Hotel
Day 11 – Cottesloe Perth
This morning we join the Albany Highway to travel historic route that was used by early settlers and mail couriers Cobb and Co. The bustling rural towns along the way still bear all the trademarks of traditional country settlements. North Bannister, Bannister, Williams, and Arthur River
Enjoy lunch at Il Lido Italian Canteen at Cottesloe, Once a seaside 1930’s art-deco cabaret hall on Cottesloe Beach. Today — an Italian-inspired espresso bar and restaurant.
Il Lido (in Italian meaning literally “the beach”) draws on the site’s heritage as the original ‘Lido Cabaret’, which we now look after as our own little slice of Cottesloe history.
After lunch return you to your Perth accommodation.
Make It This Tour Your Own
Like this tour itinerary but want to make it just for you?
Get in touch with us, and we’ll customise a tour package just for you and your group, no-one else just the people you invite on your custom tour package
Why Choose Luxury Outback Tours
Luxury
Touring at its ultimate in our luxury, modern
4WD Land Rover Discovery fleet
Bespoke
Hand selected experiences using our local contacts & relationships throughout WA
Experience
Over 20 years of local WA knowledge & experience goes into each of our tours
Other Tours & Experiences For You
Margaret River, Pemberton & Albany 4-Day Tour
Esperance Winter Solstice Stonehenge and Coloured Lakes 4-Day Tour
Tour Enquiry
Speak to us further if you have any questions about this tour or would like to enquire about making a customised tour for your group