Self-Drive Through Western Australia for 13Days 12Nights (13D12N) Travel Itinerary. Perth & The Pinnacles (Part 1)

It's been years since we came back from our trip in Western Australia. We had wanted to write down our journey and memories we had but was a bit too occupied with work and other daily matters. Anyway, here it is, better late than never.   

In this episode, we’re taking a look back at the classic road trip in WA (Western Australia). For the next episodes, we will bring you off the beaten track to explore our most adventurous road trip in WA covering Perth, Fremantle, Rottnest Island, Lancelin, Bunbury, Margaret River, Augusta, Denmark, Albany and York. 

Western Australia is a road trip hot spot. There is something for everybody, especially if you opt to take a self-drive through the regions spanning the biggest state down under. One thing for sure, the roads and highways are really great as we drove by ourselves with a valid driving license. Except for one thing, the “Roo” that jumped in front of our car along the way. 

Check out our scenic-drive through WA (from Perth to Albany) 13days 12nights travel itinerary here and of course, you may adjust them accordingly to suit your own schedule.

 Day 1: 8 November 2011
Penang International Airport (PEN) → Kuala Lumpur LCCT →
Perth International Airport

Day 2: 9 November 2011
WESTERN AUSTRALIA (PERTH) 
Morning: Arrived Perth International Airport and make our way to Perth 178 in Northbridge - Swan Bell Tower – Wheel of Perth - Kings Park & Botanic Garden - The Perth Mint – His Majesty Theater - London Court @ Hay Street -
Afternoon: King Street – Trinity United Church at St. George Terrace – Perth Town Hall - Lake Monger 
Evening: Stroll around Northbridge & Voodoo Lounge    

Day 3: 10 November 2011
WESTERN AUSTRALIA (ROTTNEST ISLAND)
Morning: Walk to Perth Train Station → Fremantle Train Station (Upon arrival at Fremantle Station, walk for 4 minute to Victoria Quay. Once on Victoria Quay, walk in a North-westerly direction to B-Shed office <on the water across from the E-shed Markets>) and depart via ferry ride to Rottnest Island at 9.35am.  
Afternoon: Circle the island by bike and stop at these areas:  (i) circumnavigates the whole island and stop at the bays: Little Armstrong Bay, Salmon Bay, The Basin, Parakeet Bay, (ii) visit Vlamingh Lighthouse, (iii) explore the pretty beaches  (Pink beach &  Eagle beach), (iv) Meet Rottnest Island native animal, Quokkas and (v) chill out and enjoy the ocean view at Rottnest Island Visitor Centre - Depart from Rottnest Island at 4.30pm. 
Evening: Explore Burswood neighborhood via public bus before heading for dinner 

Day 4: 11 November 2011 
WESTERN AUSTRALIA (PERTH) 
Morning: Perth Wellington Street – Take train from Perth Station to Fremantle Station - Fremantle Market - Cappuccino Strip - Fremantle Prison  
Afternoon: Fremantle Maritime Museum - Western Australia Submarine Museum – E Shed Market (for souvenirs) - Fishing Harbour for Cicerello Fish and Chips 

Day 5: 12 November 2011 
WESTERN AUSTRALIA (PERTH)
Morning: Pick-up rental car at Perth Downtown, Milligan Street - Yanchep National Park 
Afternoon: Lancelin – The Pinnacles (Nambung National Park) 
Duration from Perth City → The Pinnacles: 55.2km 

Day 6: 13 November 2011 
WESTERN AUSTRALIA (BUNBURY) 
Morning: Caversham Wildlife Park 
Afternoon: Swan Valley – Clifton Lake (Yalgroup National Park, Mandurah) - Bunbury Lighthouse – Move to Bunbury  
**Duration from Perth City → Bunbury (approx. 2 hours 30 minutes’ drive / 175km) 

Day 7: 14 November 2011 
WESTERN AUSTRALIA (MARGARET RIVER) 
Morning: Wyalup Rocky Point - Busselton Jetty – Margaret River Chocolate Factory 
Afternoon: Canals on the Coast (Rocky Coastline) – Move to Margaret River 

Day 8: 15 November 2011 
WESTERN AUSTRALIA (AUGUSTA)

Morning: Sunflowers Animal Farm 
Afternoon: Explore Jewel, Lake and Mammoth Caves – Cape Leeuwin Light Tower - Move to Augusta 

Day 9: 16 November 2011 
WESTERN AUSTRALIA (DENMARK) 
Morning: Warren National Park in Pemberton - Dave Evans Bicentennial Tree National Park Afternoon: Valley of the Giants (Tree Top Walk and Ancient Empire & Discovery Centre) - Move to Denmark 

Day 10: 17 November 2011 
WESTERN AUSTRALIA (ALBANY)
Morning: Torndirrup National Park – Woolworths Shopping Centre 
Afternoon: Albany Wind Farm – The Gap & Natural Bridge - Move to Albany 

Day 11: 18 November 2011 
WESTERN AUSTRALIA (YORK)
Morning: Wave Rock in Hyden - York
Afternoon: York Town Hall - Courthouse & Gaol – Move to Perth 

Day 12: 19 November 2011 
WESTERN AUSTRALIA (PERTH)
Morning: King Street – Hay Street - Her Majesty’s Theater - St. Georges Terrace - Barrack Street
Afternoon: Murray Street Mall - Crown Perth Hotel Casino 

Day 13: 20 November 2011

WESTERN AUSTRALIA (PERTH)

Morning: Depart for Kuala Lumpur from Perth International Airport 

The Bell Tower in all its glory

The City of Perth

We arrived in Perth on 9 November 2011 and immediately we made our way to Perth 178 located in Northbridge. After settling down, the first thing we did was visiting one of the largest inner city parks in the world, Kings Park & Botanic Garden and soaked in the picturesque views of Perth city. The entire surrounding was really huge, and we were told that it’s even larger than New York’s Central Park! 

Don't miss out on Kings Park and Botanic Garden when you travel to Perth

Kings Park and Botanic Garden feature picnic areas, walking tracks, cycleways, hectares of natural bushland and magnificent views of Perth and the Swan River

A peaceful green oasis right in the very centre of the city

A peaceful green oasis right in the very centre of the city

Resident of Kings Park

Later in the afternoon, we continued our enjoy exploring one of the world’s largest musical instruments, the Swan Bell at Bell Tower and Perth Mint before heading to King Street and Hay Street for leisure walk. We then continued the journey to St. George Terrace by visiting the Trinity United Church. We spent a quiet evening exploring Perth city’s sights across the Swan River by bus.  

Trinity United Church on St Georges Terrace

His Majesty’s Theatre is a four storey ornately decorated Edwardian hotel and theatre built in 1904

Stroll around King Street

London Court is a two storey shopping arcade and office complex located at Hay Street

Perth to Lancelin & The Pinnacles (Day Trip)

(approx. 193.0 km / 2 hour 20 minutes’ drive from Perth towards north) 

We woke up early on day 5 and walked to Milligan Street (Hertz Office) to pick up our car for our next road trip. The day was reserved for The Pinnacles, one of Western Australia’s iconic tourist attractions and a main stop for travelers on road trips up and down the coast. 

We started our journey from Perth city and departed for Yanchep National Park, located towards north and approx. 55.2km from the city. The park is noted for its caves, native bush and koala colonies.

Yanchep is an "urbanised" national park in Western Australia 

The next stop was definitely none other than The Pinnacles. Along the way, we passed by Lancelin, a small fishing town nestled between the ocean and sand dunes and made a short stop at the town. The town stretches along the edge of a natural bay which is protected from the Indian Ocean by outer reefs and islands. We spent some quiet moment there and the view was just breathless. 

Lancelin Beach

The journey continued in the afternoon towards north, home of the Pinnacles, limestone formations contained within Nambung National Park.  The drive north on the Coast road was lovely and the Pinnacles were amazing. Most people come to the Pinnacles for hiking, rock climbing, watching and studying wildlife, viewing wildflowers, and to experience nature. Of course, like what other tourists did, we took time to wander around the entire natural playground. It was a hot sunny day and we had so much fun exploring those golden rocks. Some were small and easy to climb, while others were taller and more challenging.

A true desert landscape

The Pinnacles Desert is the most famous natural wonder of Western Australia

World Famous Pinnacles Desert

One-way drive

Overall, it was a great, challenging and deserted drive! Thanks to our good navigational abilities. Hehe

On the road to the Pinnacles

Don't drink and drive as you might kill the "Roo"

**Final tips: For those traveling by road like us, please drive carefully. Watch out for kangaroo and emu road hazards at dusk and dawn. There are many kangaroos which have jumped in front of our car along the highways. If this happens, control your braking. The open road speed limit is 110 km per hour. Slow down to the usual 50 km per hour limit in most of the country towns you pass through. No matter how big or cute the “Roo”, do not swerve at speed. Drive safe!  

**Stay tuned for our next travel episode: Self-Drive Through Western Australia for 13Days 12Nights (13D12N) Travel Itinerary. Fremantle & Rottnest Island**  

Places of Interest / Entrance Ticket(s): 

(i) Ticketing Info for Rottnest Island 
Getting there: B-Shed, Victoria Quay Fremantle → Rottnest Island (via Rottnest Express)
Departure time: 09:35am / 4.30pm 
Fare(s): $54/pax for return ferry tickets   
e-mail: reservations@rottnestexpress.com.au 
Website: http://www.rottnestexpress.com.au
Website: http://www.rottnestisland.com/ 
Bike Hire: $45 for one day + $50 security deposit for tandem bike 
Phone: (08) 9292 5105  

(ii)Sunflowers Animal Farm
Address: 5561 Caves Rd, Margaret River WA 6285, Australia
Contact: (+618) 9757 3343
e-mail: farmerjones@sunflowersfarm.com
Website: http://www.sunflowersfarm.com/index.html  

◊Swan Bell Tower: $13/pax

◊Wheel of Perth – FOC

◊Kings Park & Botanic Garden – FOC

◊The Perth Mint – FOC

◊Old Fire Station – FOC

◊London Court (Hay Street) – FOC

◊Trinity United Church – FOC

◊Perth Town Hall – FOC

◊Lake Monger – FOC

◊Ferry tickets to Rottnest Island - $54/pax for return tickets

◊Bike Hire at Rottnest Island - $45 for one day + $50 security deposit for tandem bike

◊Fremantle Prison – $25/pax

◊Fremantle Market - FOC

◊Fremantle Maritime Museum & Submarine Museum - $25/pax

◊Yanchep National Park - $10/vehicle

◊Lancelin – FOC

◊The Pinnacles (Nambung National Park) - $65/pax

◊Caversham Wildlife Park - $23/pax

◊Swan Valley - FOC

◊Clifton Lake - FOC

◊Bunbury Lighthouse – FOC

◊Busselton Jetty – $20/pax

◊Margaret River Chocolate Factory – FOC

◊Sunflowers Animal Farm – $10/pax  plus $3/ bucket of animal feed

◊Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse - $8/pax

◊Warren National Park – FOC

◊Dave Evans Bicentennial Tree National Park – FOC

◊Valley of the Giants (Tree Top Walk) - $12.50/pax

◊Wave Rock: $7/vehicle

◊Margaret River (Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse, Mammoth Cave, Lake Cave and Jewel Cave) - $48.00/pax 

Air Itinerary Details:

AirAsia: Penang – Kuala Lumpur (LCCT) – Perth / Perth – Kuala Lumpur (LCCT) – Penang

From                     To                   Flight         Date            Dep               Arr

Penang                  KUL (LCCT)    AK5357         8 Nov            1930              2030

KUL (LCCT)        Perth                 D7236            8 Nov            2350              0520

Perth                     KUL (LCCT)    D7237            20 Nov          0635              1215

KUL (LCCT)        Penang             AK5364         20 Nov           1535               1630

Accommodation(s):
(i) Perth City   
(a)Perth 178

Address: 178 James Street, Northbridge, Perth, Australia 6003
e-mail: perth178@gmail.com  (Mr. Kim Meng Hon)
Telephone: +61 411545027 / +61 411610826
Website: www.perth178backpacker.com.au/
Room Type: Double Room ($55/room/night)
Other information: 178 has two separate man and female toilets and bathrooms, share kitchen facilities dining area, coin operated washing machine and dryer. It feels more like family home.  

(b)Exclusive Backpackers 
Address: 158 Adelaide Tce, Perth, Australia 6000

Contact: +61 (08) 9221 9991 
e-mail: exclusivebackpackers@hotmail.com 
Website: www.exclusivebackpackers.com

Room Type / Rate: Double Ensuite Room ($98/room/night) 

(ii)Bunbury 
YHA Bunbury
Address: 14, Wellington Street, Bunbury 6230, WA
Contact: (+618) 97924690
e-mail: bunbury@yha.com.au 
Website: https://www.yha.com.au/hostels/wa/south-west/bunbury/ 
Room Type / Rate: Double Room ($65/room/night) 

(iii)Margaret River
 YHA Margaret River 
Address: 66 Town View Terrace, Margaret River , 6285, WA 
Contact: (+618) 9757 9572  
e-mail: margaretriver@yha.com.au
Website: https://www.yha.com.au/hostels/wa/south-west/margaret-river/
Room Type / Rate: Double Room ($74/room/night) 

(iv)Augusta   
YHA Augusta  
Address: 9 Heppingstone View (just off Blackwood Ave), Augusta , 629,WA 
Contact: (+618) 9758 1290
e-mail: augusta@yha.com.au
Website: https://www.yha.com.au/hostels/wa/south-west/cape-leeuwin-augusta/ 
Room Type / Rate: Double Room ($74/room/night)  

(v) Denmark  
Denmark Hotel  
Address: 36 Hollings Rd, Denmark WA 6333, Australia
Contact: (+618) 9848 2206
e-mail: denmarkhotel@westnet.com.au 
Website: http://denmarkhotel.com.au/  
Room Type / Rate: Double Room ($100/room/night) 

(vi) Albany  
Ace Motor Inn
Address: 314 Albany Hwy, Centennial Park WA 6330, Australia  
Contact: (+618) 9841 2911 
e-mail: reservations@acemotorinn.com.au 
Website: http://www.acemotorinn.com.au/ 
Room Type / Rate: Double Room ($84/room/night)  

Local Transportation:  
Hertz Vehicle through Drive Now  
Address: 39 Milligan Street, Perth 
Contact: 08 9321 7777 
E-mail: info@hertz.com.au / savemore@drivenow.com.au 
Website: http://www.drivenow.com.au / http://www.hertz.com 
Vehicle Type: Toyota Corolla Sedan (Auto) (or similar) 
Rental duration: 12 Nov 2011 (10:00am) - 18 Nov 2011 (10:00am)
Total Amount:  $336.42 (for 6 days)**Why drive: There is no better other way to explore WA (country towns, ocean drive, natural parklands, and country-side farms etc.) besides self-drive.  

Read more about our travel experiences @ Western Australia:
Fremantle & Rottnest Island (Part 2) 
Bunbury & Margaret River (Part 3)
Augusta & Denmark (Part 4)
Albany & York (Part 5) 

“Experience, travel – these are as education in themselves” – Euripides 

Note: All entrance / transportation fees and accommodation rates/charges listed on this post are based on our (chengywong.blogspot.com) travel dates (2011) and therefore subject to change(s). ©chengywong.blogspot.com is not responsible for content on external web sites.

Welcome to Small World! This blog is not a travel agency, but rather a personal site which allows us to share our past travel experiences in a straightforward and far-reaching way. We often made great use of other peoples travel blogs and sites every time we plan for our travel itinerary as they often contained most updated information and invaluable resources from their past travel experiences.  We hope that you will find every piece of information & images contained within our blog handy and useful. Thank you very much for reading our post(s). If you find this blog worth a read, please feel free to leave a comment/testimonial or click "Like/Share" if you love reading them all. xoxo Both Chengy & Camel are passionate travelers who enjoys speaking to young keen travelers about the freedom to get cultured and to taste the fullness of life. Feel free to contact them if you need any travel advice, guidance or tips or if you have any burning questions with regards to your upcoming trip(s)/ journey

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