State of Western Australia Travel Forum

Hi all

I am really new to this forum, chanced upon it as I was planning our drive holiday From 16 to 28 July 08. We are a family of 4 (2 kids aged 18months and 3years) travelling with another couple. We do have a rough itinerary but I am not sure now if we ought to go to Pemberton now, or rather head down to Albany instead after reading the great comments from you all...

Would appreciate any comments (or additions in terms of places to visit) on our rough (and a little incomplete) itinerary below:

Day 1 - Arrival into Perth at 3pm
Day 2 - Perth - Zoo or Aquarium and King's Park
Day 3 - Swan Valley - Caversham Park and Whiteman Park, Nougat Factory, Oggie's Ice-creamery
Day 4 - Fremantle - Markets, Maritime Museum, Eshed Markets
(Stay in Fremantle for all days above - likely Quest Harbour Village... any other recommendations?)

Day 5 - Rottnest (Overnight in Mandurah)

Day 6 - Bunbury (Dolphin Discovery, anything else?) Busselton Jetty & Underwater Observatory and continue drive to MR => Is this too packed? Not sure about the driving time from Mandurah to MR with stops above or should we overnight somewhere?

Day 7 - Margaret River - Choc etc factories, winery, caves? anything else?

Day 8 - Augusta - Whale watching & then proceed to next town

The below's not too sure....
Day 9 & 10 - Pemberton - Farm Stay at Pump Hill & climb the trees
Day 11 - Not sure

Day 12 - Depart for Perth airport, flight at 3pm

Read a review on Pump Hill Farms that its excellent - which was the reason for the drive into Pemberton. If you do have any recommendations on other farms, do let me know, we are open to suggestions :)

I would like to do the Tree Top Walk, which I understand is 1.5hours drive from Pemberton, hence we could still do that while staying at the farm... But not sure now if we should visit Albany - what is there to do other than the whaleworld?

Any recommendations on serviced apartments or cottages will be appreciated too.

Thank you very much in advance.

Regards
Theresa, Singapore

Sounds like a reasonable itinerary, this site may help you with route planning and travel times, but note that the times are minimum times, with not much allowance for traffic.
http://www.whereis.com/index.htm?ref=homeMap#session=MTU=

Welcome to vt - nee how ma. I'm from melbourne, so not a local to west oz. Tree top Walk is worth while and also Albany. We only stayed in Albany for 24 hours and wished we'd stayed there longer. Very spectacular and reminded me of England with the buildings - and yes its cold there too - LOL

Worth stopping off in Denmark and have a coffee on the main street. Its where he hippies live and you'll see some wandering around (about half way between Albany and Walpole).

Albany to Perth is about a 6 hour drive, so you'd need to watch the time to get back for a flight out at 3pm. As you've got to be at the airport 2 hours before flight, you should be staying close or even in Perth on that last night.

Hi Fremantle is a good place to stay for a few days.

As for dolphins I think you should stop at Mandurah on your way to Bunbury and do the cruise, Mandurah is better than Bunbury and has plenty of dolphins, it is only a 40 minute drive from Fremantle, visit my Mandurah page and you will see what is on offer.

From Fremantle drive north along the coast road to Sorrento Quay/ Hillarys Boat harbour. The aquarium there AQUA is world class and best in WA, plus you have Sorrento quay and Hillarys Boat Harbour which is the #1 tourist attraction in Perth.

Albany is an outstanding tourist destination, you will need 2 days here, the whaling station, coast, old town, WW1 history on Mt Clarence etc etc.

Walpole Tree Top walk, need 3 hours as walking the tracks below is really good and they have museum rooms. Pemberton good , but could leave off as you do not want to spread yourself to much.

www.fremantle.wa.com.au
www.visitwa.com.au
www.perth.wa.gov.au
visitalbany.com.au

Check out pages of members who have replied, you will get tremendous info.

Good Luck,
Mike

I agree with Mike's comments on Hillary's Boat Harbour (thumbs up matey :o)
I would do that rather than the Zoo.
If you are doing Caversham Park then you'll be able to get close up & personal with kangaroos and other wildlife.
Dont' forget to visit the Candy Cow when in Margaret River.
Have a great time!
Cheers,
Ann :o)

Hi guys... thank you so much.. really appreciate it... Will fit Albany into the itinerary and leave out Pemberton. Will try to find another farm to stay in along the way from Mandurah to Margaret River or even Albany. If you know of any, would appreciate your recommendation.

Will try to finalise the itinerary in the next few days and share this :)

Btw is the whaling tour at Albany better than Naturaliste in Augusta? And do you think a day trip to a farm is enough, ie instead of staying at one?

Mike - Am looking at yr pages :) Thanks for the tip.

All - Thank you for your replies!