Perth Travel Forum

If I were to make my way back to Perth after visiting the giant trees and the Tree Top walk which I beleive is between Walpole and Denmark,which would be the fastest route back? Would it be quicker if I were to just drive down to Albany and make my way northwards or would it be faster if I were just to track back to Walpole and head towards Bunbury and then from there to Perth?

Quickest way is to go from Walpole to Denmark. Denmark to Mt Barker. Mt Barker to Perth via Albany Highway. (Bypassing Albany)

Zoom in on this

http://maps.google.com.au/maps?ie=UTF8&z=5&;ll=-25.335448,135.745076&spn=31.154942,45.834961&om=1&utm_campaign=en&utm_source=en-ha-apla-au-google-gm&utm_medium=ha&utm_term=google%20maps

Cheers
Col

This site may help you as it gives travel times for your routes. I have used it a lot and find them to be reasonably accurate over long distances but not allowing for heavy traffic.

This site may help you as it gives travel times for your routes. I have used it a lot and find them to be reasonably accurate over long distances but not allowing for heavy traffic.

Sorry, forgot the link.
www.whereis.com

Thank you so much. Would going on the Albany highway be the quickest route if I wanted to stop at Bunbury or Mandurah on my way back to Perth?

I tried the link but it doesn't seem to work.

No, you would need to go back the other way through Bridgetown. Then on to Bunbury and Mandurah. (Highway 1).

Col

I personally like the google maps.

Col

Yes, I had a look at the google map but it doesn't give you a rough estimate of the time involved.that would be extremely helpful in planning the journey.Does anyone know where else can I get that sort of info from?

Hi you will have to get onto the Albany highway, however if you want to see Bunbury & Mandurah you will have to turn off for Bunbury at Bridgetown. Mandurah has a lot to offer, I suggest you take the ferry cruise through the canals and parts of estuary.

Recently styed at Walpole, the tree top walk is a must.

Good Luck,
Mike

I had a look at the google map and there seems to be a Highway 1 from Walpole up to Bunbury then onto Mandurah. Wouldn't that be quicker than the Albany Highway 30?

Highway 1 is the South western Highway and you keep on that when you leave Walpole. It will take you through the towns of Shannon,then along to Manjimup, then Bridgetown,, Balingup, Kirup,, Donnybrook, Boyanup, and then into Bunbury.

From Bunbury to Mandurah takes 1 hour, and you will stay on Highway 1 which virtually follows the coast, but you will not see the water.

Good Luck,
Mike

Kendra, yes we do lack some better info on driving times here in Australia. Found this one that may help a little.

http://www.countrywide.com.au/aboutwa/index.html

Once you have the page open click on "distances & driving times" near top of page. They are from Perth.

ie: Walpole to Perth 423km & 5hr 25mins.

Col

The Albany Highway is the faster route by far. It will take you about 6 -7 hours to drive from Denmark this way, allowing for a couple of short stops along the way. Driving back via Bunbury and Mandurah is more scenic but much slower.

Be sure to take those stops every couple of hours - driver fatigue is a major cause of accidents on our roads.

If you want to travel to Bunbury and Mandurah you need to drive back up South Western Hwy the next town across from Walpole is Manjimup...its makes no difference in time whether you drive via albany or via manjimup..they are the same time wise from Walpole...ive driven both many times!!

Its actually really nice to drive the whole loop, go down via albany hwy and go back via south western!!