Itinerary
Day 1: Perth to Margaret River
Stop At: Busselton, Busselton, Margaret River Region, Western Australia
A couple of hours south of Perth our adventure begins with a meaningful experience when we visit FAWNA to participate in a couple of hours of volunteer work. This wonderful not-for-profit organisation, run solely by volunteers, was established in 1984 to support wildlife rehabilitators to provide the best care for orphaned, injured, or abandoned wildlife. Tasks vary depending on the day but include things like cleaning wildlife enclosures, gardening or planting trees. Meet and learn from the passionate people that protect the region’s wildlife, such as the critically endangered Western Ringtail Possums to kangaroos, birdlife and reptiles.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Busselton Jetty, 3L Queen St Beach Front Busselton, Busselton, Western Australia 6280 Australia
In the popular tourist town of Busselton. It's hard to miss the 19th-century jetty stretching 1.8km into the turquoise Geographe Bay. Grab a coffee and chat about the exciting things to come on your Esperance tour.
Duration: 15 minutes
Stop At: Ngilgi Cave Ancient Lands Experience, 76 Yallingup Caves Rd, Yallingup, Western Australia 6282 Australia
A little way down the road, arrive at the Ngilgi Cave Ancient Lands, an immersive above and below-ground experience. Go beneath the earth's surface for a 45-minute semi-guided tour of the exquisitely decorated Ngilgi Cave. Above ground, discover 600 million years of stories associated with the land and its people. Then above ground, follow a pathway through the native bushland bringing to life the creation of the land, cave formations, cultural connection and native flora and fauna through a series of experiential nodes.
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Stop At: Margaret River Region, Margaret River Region, Western Australia
After a picnic lunch, it's time to taste the world-renowned Margaret River region. Visit a couple of cellar doors for tastings.
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Big Valley Campsite, 46 Boronia Rd, Rosa Glen WA 6285, Australia
Arriving at our campsite to relax over dinner and spend your first night under the stars of the Milky Way.
Today's driving distance is around 320km.
Duration: 12 hours
Meals included:
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Accommodation included: Swag camping at Big Valley Caravan Park, which has toilet and shower facilities.
Day 2: Margaret River to Walpole
Stop At: Cape to Cape Track, Western Australia Australia
This morning, embark on an inspiring 7km hike along one of the most scenic sections of the Cape to Cape Track from Conto's to Redgate Beach.
Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes
Stop At: Redgate Beach, Redgate Road, Margaret River, Western Australia 6285 Australia
Then, cool down with a swim
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Margaret River, Margaret River, Margaret River Region, Western Australia
Enjoy some free time to wander the main street, discover the eclectic mix of shops and galleries, and grab lunch.
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Stop At: Dave Evans Bicentennial Tree, Warren National Park, Pemberton, Western Australia 6260 Australia
Continue south into the pristine forests of the Walpole Wilderness Region. Within the old-growth karri forest of Warren National Park, you will find the Bicentennial Tree. At 65 metres high, this magnificent tree was once used as a fire lookout, but these days visitors brave enough to climb the 165 pegs to the top are rewarded with magical views.
Duration: 45 minutes
Stop At: Peaceful Bay Caravan Park, 10 East Ave, Peaceful Bay WA 6333, Australia
This evening, set up camp at idyllic Peaceful Bay and watch the sunset over the ocean. Settle in for another night of campfire tales under the stars.
Today we drive around 350km.
Duration: 13 hours
Meals included:
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Accommodation included: Swag camping at Peaceful Bay Caravan Park, which has shower and toilet facilities.
Day 3: Walpole & Albany Region
Stop At: William Bay National Park, William Bay National Park, Western Australia
After breakfast, we'll pack up camp and roam on to William Bay National Park. Here, turquoise water and snow-white sand are primed for swimming at Greens Pool.
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Albany, Albany, Western Australia
Cruise along a scenic stretch of coastline to Albany, seeing how years of natural erosion have crafted incredible rock sculptures and granite bluffs.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: The Gap and Natural Bridge, Via Frenchman Bay Road, Torndirrup National Park Great Southern Region, Albany, Western Australia 6330 Australia
Natural Bridge and The Gap are two of our favourites.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Porongurup WA 6324, Australia
Travel to the Porongorups, which rise from the landscape like an island, then set out on a two-hour hike through the forest to Castle Rock. A bit of a climb but worth all the effort as you are rewarded with jaw-dropping views over the region.
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Stirling Range National Park, Stirling Range National Park, Western Australia
Drive through the picturesque Stirling Ranges and come late afternoon, set up camp at a private campsite at Mt Trio, which has shower and toilet facilities.
Drive time today is around 3.5 hours.
Duration: 12 hours
Meals included:
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Accommodation included: Swag camping at a private campsite at Mt Trio, which has shower and toilet facilities.
Day 4: Mt Trio to Cape Le Grand National Park
Stop At: Esperance, Esperance, Western Australia
This morning, we have some distance to cover, but come lunchtime, turquoise water will replace red dirt as we head into Esperance. This part of Western Australia has no less than nine national parks and some of the best beaches in the world.
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Stop At: Dempster Head, West Beach WA 6450, Australia
After lunch, connect to Country during a 90-minute Dabungool Cultural Experience. Join local Wudjari Nyungar mother and daughter as they guide you on a coastal walk to learn about the six seasons, bushfood and medicine plants that have sustained the Wudjari people for many thousands of years.
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Stop At: Twilight Beach Esperance, Twilight Beach Road, Esperance, Western Australia Australia
Next, drive along one of the most enchanting stretches of oceanside road you'll ever see. Take a dip at Twilight Beach, one of many breathtaking beaches along the iconic Great Ocean Drive.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: 92 Dempster St Cape Le Grand National Park, Esperance, Western Australia 6450 Australia
Travel a little further east to Cape Le Grand National Park, where we will set up camp at Lucky Bay. Here, you will find an ocean coloured all imaginable shades of blue and sand so white and fine it squeaks between your toes. The rest of the day is at your command. Bush walk through the untamed landscape or kick back on the beach and soak up the serenity.
Today, the driving distance is around 525km, with plenty of stops along the way.
Duration: 13 hours
Meals included:
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Accommodation included: Swag camping for two nights in the well-equipped camping area at Lucky Bay which has shower and toilet facilities.
Day 5: Cape Le Grand National Park
Stop At: 92 Dempster St Cape Le Grand National Park, Esperance, Western Australia 6450 Australia
Sunrise is a sacred time here, and it's also when the friendly western grey kangaroos are at their most active. Wander onto the beach to say hello before we spend a whole day unearthing this incredible national park in one of Australia's most biodiverse regions. Traverse through lush bushland, swim at fantastic bays and coves and learn about its abundant flora and fauna. There are several hikes to choose from, or you can kick back and relax on the beach.
This afternoon, embark on one of the best hikes of the tour, climbing Frenchman Peak to watch the sunset on our last night together.
There are only 10km of driving today within the national park.
Duration: 1 day
Meals included:
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Accommodation included: Swag camping again at Lucky Bay.
Day 6: Esperance to Perth
Stop At: Ravensthorpe, Ravensthorpe, Western Australia
We have a lot of distance to cover today, so it’s up early and on our way. Have a quick stop for Silo Art.
Duration: 15 minutes
Stop At: Wave Rock, Hyden, Western Australia 6359 Australia
Stopping for lunch at a quintessential outback town, we'll continue until we reach the 2,700-million-year-old Wave Rock. Rising 15 metres above the ground, surfing this natural granite wonder is a must-have photo opportunity.
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: York, York, Avon Valley, Western Australia
After, it's back on the bus to see the historic township of York. Surrounded by pretty countryside, it's easy to see why this location was the first inland settlement for Western Australia's early colonists. Learn about the Rabbit-Proof Fence, built between 1901 and 1907 to keep rabbits and other agricultural pests from the east out of Western Australia.
Duration: 15 minutes
Pass By: Perth, Perth, Greater Perth, Western Australia
Finally, roll into Perth around 6.30 pm after travelling around 780km with stops along the way.
Meals included:
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No accommodation included on this day.