When visiting Perth, exploring the South West region is a must if time permits. The region has a countless number of spectacular and unique natural attractions, dazzling coastal scenery and delicious gourmet experiences. A road trip through the region is a great way to experience the best of Western Australia.
It’s a popular road trip from Perth, for both tourists and locals alike. You’ll hear us locals refer to it as a road trip “down south.” It’s important to plan your route carefully, to make sure you maximise the time spent seeing the main attractions in the region, without finding yourself constantly on the road driving from one spot to the next.
To make life easier, in this guide Iβll step you through my suggested one-week itinerary, perfect to get a taste of and experience the best of a Southern Western Australia road trip.
Best Time for a South West WA Road Trip
This one week south west Australia itinerary can be done at anytime of the year.
Winters (June β August) in the South West can be cold and rainy (more so than Perth). But there are also many sunny but mild days – which come without as many people as summer!
If you’re spending some time in Perth before starting your road trip, make sure to check out my fun 3, 5 and 7-day Perth itineraries to make planning a breeze!
For the best weather for exploring many of the regionβs beaches, late spring to early Autumn (November β April) would be the ideal time of the year to plan your road trip around south western Australia.
Mid-December to late January are the busiest months, thanks to the warm weather and coinciding with the busy Australian school holidays. Make sure to book accommodation well in advance if visiting during this period!
During the cooler months from May to October, another ideal Western Australia 1 week itinerary could be a Perth to Kalbarri or (slightly longer) Perth to Exmouth road trip.
About this South Western Australia 7-Day Itinerary
Departing from Perth, exploring the whole region in one week is very do-able but will require a few longer drives.
We based ourselves in three towns over six nights to ensure we had a full day of exploring in each area.
This 7 day itinerary is ideal for those who want to see the key attractions and sights in the region in just a week. If you do have a few extra days, I would spend them exploring the Margaret River Region further. You can steal my 3-day Margaret River itinerary here.
Distances & Driving Times South West WA
- Perth to Yallingup: 260km, ~3 hours (if driving to Margaret River, allow 3.5 hours)
- Yallingup to Denmark: 345km, ~4 hours
- Denmark to Albany: 55km, ~40 minutes
- Albany to Perth: 420km, ~5 hours
If you only have a few days, I’d recommend doing a Perth to Margaret River road trip instead.
Getting Around
You will need a car for this road trip – public transport is very limited (or non existent!) in many of the towns you’ll be visiting.
You should hire a rental car in Perth, as there will be the largest range of options and availability. I recommend using Discover Cars to browse car rental options – I’ve found they offer the best prices across a large range of suppliers, plus many have the flexibility of free cancellation in case plans change.
Compare car rental prices and get the best deal here.
A 4WD vehicle is not required for this road trip, you will spend most of your time on sealed roads. There may be the occasional gravel road in some of the National Parks, but they are 2WD suitable.
When I did this trip, we drove our SUV and stayed in accommodation each night, however this trip would be fun to do in a campervan! There’s plenty of places to camp along the way, ranging from caravan parks, to national park campsites to free camps.
For campervan hire, here’s my top recommendations:
- Budget: JUCY Campervans or Travellers Autobarn
- Mid-Range: Apollo
- Luxury: StarRV (these luxury campers look incredible! Definitely the way to go for full comfort on the road)
Thereβs also Camplify, which is like AirBnB but for campervans. Make sure to read the reviews β we hired a camper from Camplify on our Perth to Kalbarri road trip and while it looked great, the secondary battery that powered all our electronics kept going flat despite barely using it!
South West Australia Road Trip Map
Click below for an interactive map of this suggested South Western Australia road trip itinerary.
PS: my newΒ Western Australia Road Trip and Travel GuideΒ eBook features three south west WA itineraries that includes day-by-day suggestions and detailed destination guides.Β Click here to learn more about it.
Day 1: Perth to Margaret River
It’s road trip time! Get ready to commence the round trip on this South WA road trip itinerary, departing from Perth.
To make the most of your day, set off from Perth early to start the 3 hour drive south to the Margaret River Region.
It is an easy drive down the highway, mostly going at 110 km/h until you reach Busselton.
It’s worth stopping Busselton to check out the heritage listed Busselton Jetty, the longest timber jetty in the southern hemisphere. Walk or take a train ride out to the end of the jetty, where an underwater observatory awaits.
Grab a bite to eat in town (Shelter Brewery, in front of the jetty is a personal fave!), or continue on the 30-40 minutes to reach your destination, Yallingup or Margaret River.
Upon reaching your destination, after your long drive, you probably donβt want to spend too much more time in your car!
If staying in Yallingup, go for a walk down to Yallingup Beach. This sheltered lagoon that makes for the perfect swimming and snorkelling spot.
If staying in Margaret River, go for a stroll along the charming main street with its collection of book shops, boutiques and bars or drive 10-minutes to the beach at Prevelly and watch the sunset at Surfers Point.
Visit a Cave in Australia’s South West
If you have time and are feeling adventurous, check out one of the acclaimed caves in Margaret River.
Please note some of these are self-guided, semi-guided or fully guided, depending on the cave. Check out my dedicated guide on the Margaret River Caves to learn more about each of the caves.
Itβs hard to pick a favourite, but if I had to choose just one to visit, Lake Cave would be my recommendation.
Where to Stay in the Margaret River Region
In the Margaret River region, the main towns are Dunsborough, Yallingup and Margaret River town. There is a wide range of available accommodation in these towns and the surrounding areas.
Dunsborough is on the west coast, with a shopping complex including a supermarket and lots of residential houses. A 10 minute drive away is Yallingup, a small beachfront town with houses nestled onto a hill with sweeping coastal views.
Margaret River is slightly further south and inland, and has a main strip with cafes, boutiques and a supermarket.
Accommodation options in each town range from hotels/ motels, B&Bs, villas, serviced apartments, AirBnBs and campgrounds.
Margaret River has the largest range of accommodation, but is slightly further (5-10 minutes drive) from the beach.
If you are struggle to find available or cheap accommodation, also consider staying in Busselton and driving a bit further to the main sights in the Margaret River Region each day.
Where to Stay in Dunsborough & Yallingup
- Budget – Lanterns Retreats: Quaint accommodation in the heart of Dunsborough, and a 10-minute walk away from the beach
- Mid-Range – Club Wyndham Resort Dunsborough: With a beach right on your doorstep, you might not even want to use the pool in this resort with immaculate gardens! Also has an on-site restaurant with outdoor patio.
- Luxury – Pullman Bunker Bay Resort: You can’t beat the location of this beachfront resort with pool overlooking the tranquil Bunker Bay. This luxury resort has an award-winning spa and each villa comes with a kitchen.
- Best for Families – Seashells Yallingup: I’ve stayed here multiple times and love the self-contained apartments. You can walk to Yallingup Lagoon and the property is right next door to Caves House hotel which has live music on weekends.
- Boutique – Barn Hives Yallingup: Cute eco pods located in the middle of a vineyard! Only a 5 minute drive from Canal Rocks.
Where to Stay in Margaret River & Surrounds
- Budget – Margaret River Resort: Older style resort, but a great location 10 minutes from the center of Margaret River town.
- Mid-Range – Riverglen Chalets: Chalets nestled in the middle of the forest, but still only a 10 minute walk from Margaret River town.
- Luxury – Burnside Organic Farm: I was lucky to have a tour of this beautiful property, and their luxury chalets look stunning! They even have outdoor bathtubs.
- Best for Families – Margarets In Town Apartments: Located in the centre of town, walking distance to the river, shops, supermarket, cafe and of course, the acclaimed Margaret River Bakery. The apartments come with a fully equipped kitchen and a heated outdoor pool.
- Glamping – Olio Bello Lakeside Glamping: Luxurious, unique lakeside glamping on an olive farm in the heart of the Margaret River Region
Day 2: Exploring the Margaret River Region
Start the day with a coffee (my go-to is the General Store in Yallingup, or Egberts in Margaret River) to fuel you for a busy day of exploring ahead.
Dunsborough Beaches
Head to Meelup Beach near Dunsborough to check out the long stretch of protected, calm beach. This popular spot also has SUP and Kayak hire during the summer months. There are BBQ facilities for those wanting to spend the day here.
For those wanting to avoid the crowds, Castle Rock Beach is only 5-10 minutes drive away and is equally (if not more) stunning as Meelup Beach.
Injidup Natural Spa
It wouldn’t be a visit to Yallingup unless you checked out the popular Injidup Natural Spa! Located at the end of Wydaup Rd, the natural spa is created by waves overflowing rocks into the pool.
Warning: Be very careful of the strong tides and waves that can occur here. Unfortunately, lives have been lost. You can read more about visiting this unique natural attraction in my guide here.
Another spectacular swimming spot nearby is the Natural Aquarium. This requires a short hike, which you can read about in my guide here.
After a morning of sand and sun, spend the afternoon wining and dining at one of the many wineries or breweries in the region.
Looking for more things to do in the Margaret River Region? Check out my detailed guide with 35 ideas for things to do here!
Wineries of Margaret River & Yallingup
Is it a trip to the South West of WA without a visit to at least a winery or two?
Some of my personal favourites are:
- Windance Estate: one of the first wineries youβll come across on Caves Rd as you set off from Yallingup. Windance is a small family own and run vineyard with a stellar line up of wines. When we first came here a few years ago tastings were done in a little tin shed. These days they have a beautiful open farmhouse style cellar door with sweeping views across the vineyard. They have a beautiful range of rich reds, and we always leave with at least a few bottles!
- Stormflower Vineyard: One of the regionβs certified organic wineries! Stormflower has the cutest cellar door set in a thriving garden where you can have your wine tasting outside. The Sauvignon Blanc is our pick.
- Xanadu Wines: driving through the sweeping estate near Margaret River town, this winery impresses on first entrance and then later again when trying their wines. Our favourites are the Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon.
- Voyager Estate: Highly acclaimed as one of the oldest wineries in the region, Voyager Estate certainly lives up to the hype. Come here for a (paid) wine tasting or an impeccable degustation in their restaurant. Make sure to check out the beautiful estate gardens too before leaving.
Tip: Leave the car at home and book onto a local wine tour to make the most of a day exploring and sampling at the amazing wineries in the region.
Recommended Margaret River Wine Tours
- Margies Big Day Out Beer & Wine Tours: go on a gastronomic adventure on this full-day tour with a food-loving guide. Visit three wineries, two breweries and sample chocolates and cheese. Includes pickup and drop-off from accommodations around Margaret River.
- Margaret River Wine Adventure: One for the wine lovers and aficionados. This small-group tour begins with a visit to 3 award-winning boutique wineries, before getting hands-on in an exclusive Wine Blending experience. Create your own wine to enjoy with lunch! The day ends with a visit to a local brewery and the chocolate factory. Pick up available from Margaret River, or from Dunsborough/Busselton
Breweries
There are so many great options for local craft breweries in the Margaret River Region.
Some of our favourites include Wild Hop (Yallingup), Beer Farm (Metricup) and Margaret River Beer Co. (Margaret River)
Go for a Hike
If the weather is suitable, I’d highly recommend hiking a section of the Cape to Cape track. The “access for more” trail starting at Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse to Sugarloaf Rock is a gentle paved trail with stunning ocean views!
Another scenic hike is the trail to reach Quinningup Falls, one of Margaret River’s waterfalls.
Boranup Karri Forest & Viewpoint
While you are on Caves Rd make sure you check out the Boranup Forest Viewpoint.
The Boranup forest of towering karri trees is located about 25 minutes south of Margaret River. There is an area to park and take in the forest in all its peaceful glory.
Alternatively, take the Boranup Drive tourist drive along an unsealed road which is located in a loop off Caves Rd. It’s suitable for 2WDs, unless there’s been heavy rain.
Visit Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse
Cape Leeuwin takes the title of tallest lighthouse of mainland Australia, and watches over the point where the Southern and Indian Oceans meet.
Cape Leeuwin is near the town of Augusta, 30 minutes south from Margaret River.
There’s an option to join a guided tour to the top of the tower for a spectacular 360-degree view of the surrounding coastline.
Go Whale Watching
Between late May and August, it’s not uncommon to see whales splashing in the distance as you explore the coast. For an up close and personal view of these majestic creatures, join a whale watching tour.
Tours run from Busselton, Dunsborough and Augusta. Check prices and availability here.
Don’t forget to check out my 3 day itinerary in Margaret River for an easy-to-follow itinerary that covers the best things to do, see and eat in the region.
Day 3: Margaret River to Denmark
There are quite a few towns you could visit in the Southern Forests region between Yallingup and Denmark. Iβd recommend stopping by at least two of them to break up the 4-hour drive. You could even spend a night or two comfortably in Pemberton, as there’s lots to do and see nearby.
Our first stop was Barrabup Pool, located near the quaint town of Nannup. This natural pool was a great place to stop for a snack and a quick dip, or for a walk along the nearby forest trail.
We then set off for the small town of Pemberton, about an hourβs drive away. Other towns in the region that you could stop at include Bridgetown and Manjimup.
Pemberton
Pemberton is a quaint town with a few different attractions, making it a great place to stop for a few hours or spend a night or two here. It’s also a well-timed lunch spot, with some great little cafes situated on the main street of town.
One of Pembertonβs main attractions is the Gloucester Tree, an old fire lookout tree from the 1940s.
Standing over 53 metres tall, visitors can climb to the top of the tree and experience the views from the lookout on top. Note there are no safety harnesses, so itβs definitely not one for the faint hearted!
As the Gloucester tree is located in a National Park, youβll need to pay a fee to enter or use a National Parks Pass.
If it’s warm, check out the beautiful man made swimming pool nestled next to the forest. It’s one of my favourite Unique Swimmings Spots in Western Australia.
Beedalup Falls
Jumping back into the car, drive 20 minutes to the nearby Beedalup Falls. Again, a national park ticket is required so keep your day ticket from your earlier visit to the Gloucester Tree.
The Falls feature a short walking trail which allows you to do a loop around the falls and across a suspension bridge. You can take a longer hike and visit the unique Walk Through Tree too!
If you have time up your sleeve, you could spend a night in Pemberton or the beautiful Karri Valley Resort just 20 minutes away.
Where to Stay in Denmark
Continue on your south west road trip with a 2.5 hour drive to Denmark.
If you are arriving during the week, I would recommend to plan cooking some dinners as there isnβt as many restaurants open mid-week, compared to the weekends.
Denmark accommodation options are mostly chalet and self-contained holiday units. These are some of my recommended, highly rated options:
- Budget – Koorabup Motel: A short drive from Denmark town centre with comfortable and spacious rooms.
- Mid-Range – Karri Aura: Clean and cosy units with kitchenettes and scenic views
- Luxury – Chimes Spa Retreat: An adults only retreat with stylish suites. Treat yourself to a spa bath after completing the challenging Bluff Knoll hike!
- Best for Families – William Bay Cottages: A range of cottages with full kitchen. Close to Greens Pool and Elephant Rocks too!
Day 4: Exploring Denmark
Start the day with a coffee and checking out the little town of Denmark, located by the river. Our favourite coffee stops are Mrs Jones (currently closed for renovations in 2024) or Ravens Coffee. The bakery here also has excellent pies if you feel like stocking up for lunch later or a cheeky breakfast pie.
The main attraction in Denmark is the stunning Greens Pool and Elephant Rocks. Luckily, both are located in the William Bay National Park (no fee required for entry).
Denmark Wineries
The afternoon in Denmark can be well spent by visiting some of the local wineries. I highly recommend The Lake House, Forest Hill Wines and Singlefile Wines.
Boston Brewing Co is also worth a visit for a beer tasting paddle and tasty meal.
Another great activity near Denmark is the acclaimed Valley of the Giants Tree Top Walk. Time permitting, visit here to walk amongst the tops of the tall tingle trees.
Other Things to Do in Denmark
- Denmark Animal Farm: pet and feed the range of friendly farm animals, including guinea pigs, alpacas, goats, highland cows, chickens and more!
- Enjoy a platter at the Lake House Denmark, a picturesque winery situated by the lake.
- Hike Monkey Rock: for a panoramic view across Denmark from the top
- Sample Cheese and Wines: At Duckett Mill Wine and Cheese restaurant
- Try the Range of Ciders at Monkey Rock Cidery
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Day 5: Denmark to Albany
Today is your shortest day of driving, with Albany only 45 minutes from Denmark. Start the morning with a trip out to scenic Lights Beach off Ocean Beach Rd before hitting the road.
On the way to Albany, I would recommend making the detour through West Cape Howe National Park to visit Shelly Beach and the scenic lookout platform located here.
Just before you reach Albany township you can stop in at Wilson Brewing for a lunch stop. It’s a great, casual lunch stop with classic pub food and awesome brews.
Where to Stay in Albany
Some other options in Albany include:
- Budget – Park Avenue Holiday Unit: Harbour front accommodation walking distance to restaurants in town
- Mid-Range – Hilton Garden Inn: Australiaβs first Hilton Garden Inn hotel, opened in 2021.
- Best for Families – Pelicans Albany Middleton Beach: Close to Middleton Beach, offering self contained apartments
Little Beach & Two People’s Bay
These days, Little Beach is somewhat a south west road trip icon thanks to photos on social media! It’s particularly famous for the unusual shaped boulders in the middle of the beach. The water was also impossibly turquoise in real life.
Best of all, when we visited in late October in the afternoon we had this beautiful beach almost all to ourselves!
We spent an hour or exploring the beach, taking drone photos and enjoying the views.
While walking along Little Beach, at the end there is a short uphill trail to a hidden beach, Waterfall Beach.
Cocktails in Albany
Albany has a lot of food and drink options (definitely more than Denmark) at night.
Iβd recommend checking out Liberte for a cocktail. The bar is very quirky, with Parisian inspired interiors and the restaurant comes highly recommended.
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Day 6: Albany & Torndirrup National Park
Some might be tempted to keep moving through Albany, but I’m glad we decided to spend two nights here!
With another big day ahead, start the morning with coffee and a pastry from popular micro-bakery, Bred Co. It is a 20-minute drive from Albany to Torndirrup National Park. This National Park is incredibly varied with lots to see and do here.
Torndirrup National Park
In summary, make sure you visit the key attractions in the park outlined below (a National Park fee is required to be paid once for the day unless you have that Park Pass);
- Salmon Holes beach
- Frenchman Bay beach
- Jimmy Newell’s harbour
- The Gap & Natural Bridge
- Bald Head Trail hike
Albany Wind Farm
After spending a few hours exploring the National Park, head to the Albany Wind Farm.
We were mesmerised by how close we could get to these giant turbines at this free attraction.
There is a short 20 minute walk trail starting at the carpark. Here you can see the turbines up close and learn more about the science behind them.
Great Southern Distillery Visit
On the way back from the wind farm, stop at the nearby Great Southern Distilling Co.
Enjoy a a whisky tasting (for a small fee) or lunch at the Cellar Door. They also have a gin cellar door back in Margaret River thatβs worth checking out too when in town.
National Anzac Centre
Albany is home to the National Anzac Centre. This award-winning museum overlooks the harbour from which over 41,000 men and women departed Australia for World War 1.
After exploring the interactive displays and media at the museum, explore the fortifications and large coastal guns at the heritage listed Princess Royal Fortress, one of Australia’s oldest coastal military sites.
Other Fun Things to Do in Albany
- Hop Aboard a Scenic Wildlife Cruise: Sail the sheltered waters of Albany’s Kalgan River on this half-day scenic cruise aboard a glass-bottom vessel. You’ll learn about Albany’s history and wildlife, with the chance to spot hawks, eagles, pelicans and kangaroos.
- Boatshed Markets: Held every Sunday morning down at the marina, this small market sells fresh produce and locally made crafts and knick-knacks
- Castle Rock Granite Skywalk: Located in Porongurup National Park, 30 minutes from Albany, you can climb to the top of Castle Rock where a panoramic walkway is suspended across the large boulders.
- Whale Watching: From June to September the magnificent humpback and Southern Right whales can be seen in the water of King George Sound near Albany. Learn more here.
- Oranje Tractor Wines: A boutique award-winning winery and farm with organic wines and local produce – book ahead for a wine flight tasting experience.
- Visit the Historic Whaling Station: An interesting museum on this history of whaling in Albany, including interactive displays and exhibits, a historic whale chaser ship and even a whale skeleton.
Dinner & Drinks at Rats Bar
Our last dinner was over the other side of Albany in Middleton Beach.
Rats Bar caught our attention with its delicious sounding menu and great range of local wines. Notably, the risotto was one of the best I had ever had. Rats Bar is recommended for drinks and dinner while in Albany.
Day 7: Albany to Perth
Head over to Naked Bean, touted as one of the best coffee shops in Albany before hitting the road for the long 5 hour drive back to Perth.
You’ll pass nearby the Porongorup National Park, where you can hike up to the Granite Skywalk. Another option would be to do the Bluff Knoll hike in Stirling Range National Park. You can read all about it in my Bluff Knoll guide.
That wraps up your week long road trip exploring the beautiful South West region of Western Australia. There is so much to see and do, but this one week road trip South West WA itinerary gives you time to explore the main sights without feeling too rushed!
You can head further along the south coast and visit Esperance, home to some of WA’s best beaches. Allow at least an additional four nights to your journey. From Albany, it’s a further 5 hour drive to Esperance.
Final Thoughts
That wraps up this whirlwind 7-Day South West WA itinerary. In just one week, you’ll uncover some of the best natural attractions in the South West in this efficient itinerary. If you’re spending more time in WA, make sure to check out my other road trip guides.
If you found this free guide useful, you’ll love my new Western Australia Road Trip & Travel Guide eBook! It’s jam-packed with over 90 pages of useful destination guides, essential tips and custom day-by-day itineraries to make planning your Western Australia adventures a breeze. Check it out here.
Continue Reading:
- The Ultimate Western Australia Road Trip Guide β with Suggested Itineraries & Maps!
- 35 Best Things to Do in Margaret River
- Western Australia Wildflowers Guide: When + Where to See Them
- Rottnest Island Day Trip: Perfect One Day Itinerary
- 23 Ideas for the Best Day Trips from Perth
- Best Places to Stay in Perth β Picked by a Local
Wait, there is such a thing as underground yoga in a cave?! No way!!! I am adding this to my bucket list right now. That was so cool to learn and realize was a thing out there somewhere. And that name of the bar…Rats Bar. This would catch my eye too. Literally laughing out loud. The food did look delicious and will have to try it one day if I ever make it over. Thanks for sharing this!
I never been to Australia! The wineries and the forest really attracts me!
Love the imagery with the drone and land photos side-by-side. And Gloucester Tree Fire Lookout looks like an adventure worthy of a road trip!
I was booked and about to head to Aus for three months right before borders started shutting down, so reading Aus posts is so hard lol! But this road trip sounds and looks so amazing, I’m saving it for later. I definitely want to visit for more than three months now!
Road trips must be a special thing, the coast of Australia seems magical! I hope to do this someday.
Great Post. There is so much to see and do in WA, Margaret River is a particular favourite.
I’ve only been to WA once, but that was more of a romantic trip with my partner (it was our first international trip together), so we didn’t really go around much. Only chilled out in Perth and Fremantle. The next time I visit, I’d love to go on a road trip like this one!
I’ve never been to Australia but this looks like such a great road trip itinerary! Thanks for sharing π
This looks like the type of road trip I would love to set off on! I’ll definitely save this itinerary for when I head to this part of Australia.
My gosh, these views are stunning and this food looks divine. I’ve just saved for my Australia bucketlist. Dying to visit one day!!
I am so amazed by this beautiful area! The landscapes are beautiful and I really appreciate the beaches! I hope to go to Australia one day!
Your pictures make me want to visit right now! I can’t wait to go back and explore WA!
Thank you so much Tess !!
We are going to use this Itenary as a rough guide for my Fiances first trip to Australia !!!
Theres some locations in here I had never even heard of !! Yoga in Caves sounds really grounding and relaxing and I love Pemberton so much !!
thanks for all you included.
Weve been under the pump lately and were sure what route to take through the south west thanks for including accomodation ideas . this was such a time saver instead of writing our own itinery down so we stay on track and not waste any time in our short holiday period.
Hi Tess,
This is great, but Texas isn’t the largest state in the U.S.! Continental maybe, but Alaska is actually 2.5 times bigger than Texas.
Hehe thanks for the correction!