Explore Western Australia

This time around, Perth was the selected destination, taking the opportunity as both sons are on holiday, we went for 7 days 6 nights self drive trip. Our flight arrived Perth at 3 pm, no jet lag as Perth and KL have the same time zone. 

We picked up our rented Mitsubishi Outlander from Thrifty as headed to our Canning Riverview. Bed and Breakfast accommodation booked through Air BNB at Mount Pleasant.  Five of us occuppied three rooms with direct access to balcony overlooking the river.  Breakfast was provided with a loaf of bread with butter and jam, yogurt, milk, coffee and tea.

As soon as we settled down with our luggage, my friend and her son came to pick us, took us to Cottlesloe Beach.  There were Sculptures by the Sea festival.  We then had dinner at Litte Caesar's Piazzaria at Leederville, try out their pizzas that also come in dessert form.

Here was my self-drive itinerary:-





PERTH ITINERARY 7 days 6 nights

Sun 15 March 2015 KUL/Perth MH 125 0930/1500 hrs

Sat 21 March 2015 Perth/KUL MH 124 1630/223 hrs

Day 1 Sun 15 Mar KL/Perth
4.30 pm Check into 3 rooms Canning Riverview  accommodation (travel 20-30 mins) at Mount Pleasant.

Stroll at Cottesloe Beach, 20 minutes from Mount Pleasant – Sculptures by the Sea event & beautiful sunset.

Choice of Dinner, at Indiana Tea House, Marine Parade, Cottesloe Beach - a view of Indian Ocean from this restaurant opening hour 11 am till late.  After 5.30 pm smart neat attire.
But we ended with Little Caesar's Pizzaria at Oxford Street, Leederville.

 
If you are not too tired, drive pass the following or you may fit in any other day :

General Post Office, Murray Street.
The GPO is a heritage landmark building, located on western side of Forrest Place, its imposing stone façade is in the Beaux Arts Style. Opened 1923.

St Cathedral Church (view at night)

17 Victoria Square (near Wellington street)

Chinatown  (night full of pubs)

Roe Street, Northbridge

Northbridge Piazza (Open air movie).
CNR James and Lake Street, Perth, WA

San Churro Chocolateria
132 James Street
Northbridge, Western Australia
Australia 6003
Opening Hours

Sun-Thu 12pm-11pm
Fri-Sat 12pm-1am

Overnight in 197 The Esplanade, WA 6153 Perth (Mount Pleasant) c/i2pm c/o10am

Day 2 Mon 16 Mar Perth/Margaret River (3 hours)

Road trip: Perth-Rockingham- Mandurah-Bunbury-Busselton-Dunsborough-Margaret River-Augusta

Start our journey at 9 am

Mount Pleasant to Rockingham takes 30 mins - if you choose to swim with dolphins

Mandurah is 45 minutes from Mount Pleasant
Bunbury 1 hr 40 mins from Mount Pleasant          
                                                                                

Note: Some places if you are student, show your Malaysia Student card entitle you to cheaper entrance fee. As for Senior Citizen, show them your passport.

We opted for Opt 2 but they cancelled 10 am boat, so we went for Opt 1 at 11 am.

Opt 1-10 am/11 am Mandurah Dolphin and Canal Cruise 1 hour @ AUD28 Adult depart 10am, 11 am, 12 pm, hourly till 4 pm. Ticket booking Office & Gift Shop at 73 Mandurah Terrace.

Departure in front of Mandurah Performing Art Centre

Opt 2 -10 am, 12pm Mandurah Dolphin Tour, Dolphin Quay, Mandurah 1.5 hours smaller vessel AUD25 Adult, AUD12(5-14) Adult Wed to Monday, 10am, 12 pm, 2 pm, 4 pm. Ticket /depart Shop 9, 4 Zephyr Mews, Mandurah (depart from under the white footbridge in Mandurah Ocean Marina). Try Sharky’s Fish & Chips. Note: Sometimes they cancel 10am boat.

Opt 3 - 11 am Dolphin Eco Cruise at Bunbury (arrive half hour earlier) from the Dolphin Discovery Centre at Lot 830, Koombana Drive, Bunbury or choose a Swim on the Wild Side tour. There’s also a wild dolphin interaction zone (early morning), aquariums, a 360 degree digital ‘dolphinarium’ and more. A $49, C(4-14) $35, Family 2A 2C $150 
                          

We then had Fish & Chips, Mussell, Seafood Spagetti at Sharky’s Fish and Chips at 1 Dolphin Drive, Mandurah. This place is recommended for your lunch if you are at Mandurah.

Busselton (30 mins from Bunbury)

Busselton Jetty – longest timbered piled jetty. Underwater Observatory – lots of fishes

We only strolled along the jetty.  You are required to pay AUD3 for entrance.  We did not go for Underwater Observatory as the last group had left.

Margaret River (40 minutes from Busselton)

Overnight in Margaret Beach Resort, 1 Resort Place, Gnarabup Beach, Margaret River – c/I 2.30pm c/o 10 am. As we arrived late, we had our dinner at the restaurant in this resort. We booked 2 bedrooms Spa apartment which comes with 2 King size bed and 1 queen sofa bed and free wifi.

Day 3 Tues 17 Mar Margaret River/Augusta

Start the day at 9 am

Bettenay’s - Margaret River Nougat Co

Tom Cllity Driver, Cowaramup -Shop for recommended Shiraz wine and Nougat (daily 10 am – 5pm) 

Margaret River Dairy Company- 20 mins fr Margaret Beach Resort via Wallcliffe road/bussell highway/State Route 10 (6.5km north Cowaramup)

Bussell Highway, Cowaramup, Western Australia 6284, Australia -Premium quality cheese and yogurt (9.30am – 5pm)

Cottage Café, Berry Farm (23 mins from Margaret Beach Resort via WallclifeRoad & Rosabrook  road) - Breakfast/Lunch/Afternoon tea and stock up their wonderful jam.

43 Bessell Road, Rosa Glen Margaret River (Rosa Brook for Gps) (Sun-Sat 10 am - 4pm)

Firetail Wines Cellar
Near to Cottage Café if you wish to buy wines

Brown Hill Estate - Recommended if you wish to go for winery tour which we skipped as we didnt think we have enough time to cover Cape Leeuwin.

RMB 319 Corner Rosa Brook & Barrett Road Rosa Brook

Note: Do pick up a map of Margaret River Region which we got it from Bettenay's.

Lake Cave 19 mins from Margaret Beach Resort via Wallcliffe Road & Cave Road

A stunning crystal wonderland and the only cave in the Leeuwin-Naturaliste Ridge with a permanent lake. It acts as a mirror of infinite reflections that is truly magical. The cave is renowned for the ‘Suspended Table’ – a five tonne column of calcite that hangs from the ceiling just a few centimetres above the lake. The precinct features impressive retail, interpretative and cafe facilities. Located 25 kilometres south of Margaret River.

Directly below CaveWorks lies Lake Cave, a stunning pristine chamber deep beneath the earth. Inside the cave a tranquil lake reflects delicate formations that will take your breath away. Visitors descend a staircase in time, gazing up at towering karri trees from a primeval lost world, before entering one of the most beautiful limestone caves in Western Australia.

Tours Daily: 9.30am, 10.30am, 11.30am, 12.30pm, 1.30pm, 2.30pm, 3.30pm. Additional tour times during holiday periods, please check with CaveWorks on +61 8 9757 7411 or the Margaret River Visitor Centre on +61 8 9780 5911. Visitors can also enjoy a snack or meal at Lake Cave Tearooms

Single Cave Entry - Jewel, Lake or Mammoth Adult: $22.00 Child (4-16yrs): $10.00

This Lake Caves 300 steps. However, is beautiful. We took 1.30 pm. Had lunch at café besides the visitor centre

Cape Leuwin in Augusta (34 mins  Bussel Highway & Caves Road) fr Margaret Beach Resort)

Where Indian and Southern Oceans meet

To book a tour email welcome@margaretriver.com (not necessary to book, you can buy ticket there)

Lighthouse ground or audio tour 9 am -4.30 pm A$8, C$5(up to16), Grp 10 A$7.20

Lighthouse tower& grd audio 9am-4.30 pm every 30 mins A$20, C$13, Grp 10 A$18

Hamelin Bay (36 mins from Margaret River Resort via Bussell Highway) Hamelin Road (Off Caves Road) from Margaret River 36 mins for Eagle, Stingray between Cape Leeuwin and Cape Naturalize. Best time either early morning or late afternoon when the fishermen are back as stingray like to feed off the scrap left by fishermen.

Overnight in Margaret River – Margaret Beach Resort c/o 10 am

Day 4 Wed 19 Mar Margaret River/Perth (3 hours)

9am Check out hotel, travel back to Perth check in Yokine c/I time 11 am, c/o 12 pm

Lunch at Roe Street, Northbridge Chinatown and grabbed famous Apple Strudel at Corica Bakery.

Corica Bakery

Apple Strudel AUD22 for 20” (serve 8 -10 ppl) sold out by 3 pm

106 Aberdeen Street, Northbridge

Opening Mon – Fri 8am  -5.30 pm, Sat 8 am – 12 pm

Others: Coffee Eclair, Canoli, Horns & Puff

We group of 5 could finished the Apple Strudel in the evening and had light meal for late dinner

We went to John Forrest National Park since my elder son wanted to take pictures.  We saw kangaroos in the wild.  Nothing much unless you want to go hiking.

If you wish to go shopping, here are few:-

London Court (shopping) – Tudor England Environment

647-653 Hay St, Perth WA (most of the shops here close at 5pm)

Hay Street Mall

622 Hay St, Perth WA

9 am – 5 pm

Australian souvenirs cheaper at Hay street and shopping at Murray Street

 

Watertown brand outlet (previously harbour town)

840 Wellington Street, Perth

Mon- Thurs 9am – 5.30 pm, Fri 9 am – 9 pm, Sat 9am – 5 pm, Sun 11am-5pm

Overnight in 2 storey home with 3 bedrooms in Yokine C/I 11 am, C/o 12 pm
The owner of this simple yet elegant home is Raquel Alessi, can be contacted at 0435727564 or raquelalessi@icloud.com

Day 5 Thurs 20 Mar Yokine/Lancelind/Pinnacles

Nambung National Park/Pinnacles Desert  (2 hrs 5 mins from Yokine)

Pinnacles
From  Yokine via State Route 60 & Indian Ocean Dr/State Route 60, we travelled North.

Bring bottle water, sunscreen, jacket to protect wind – beware sand blast, umbrella

Best time early morning or late afternoon for sunset at 6.30 pm

Open 9.30 am – 4.30 pm

From the national park, 100m walking trail to Pinnacles from car park.

Lunch at Thai Chilli Jam Restaurant, Walker Avenue, Lacelind.  If you are into fish & cips, try the first petrol station at Lacelind.

Lacelind Sand Dunes (1 hr 29 mins from Yokine via state route 60)

Whiltfield St. 13, Gingin Road, 102 Lancelind (near Pinnacles)

Hire board sit down or stand at Surf Shop $15, Have a Chat General Store $10 for 2 hours with wax & $50 deposit. Suggest you bring goggles and do not wear pants with pocket or you ended up with pocket full of sand after sandboarding. 

Overnight in Yokine C/I 11 am, C/o 12 pm



Day 6 Fri 21 Mar Fremantle (colourful port city)

From Yokine 32 mins via State Route 2

Cavershem Wildlife Park (25 mins from Yokine)

Lord Street Whiteman Park or Beechboro Road, Whiteman Park (9am-5.30pm. last entry 4.300pm)

AUD25(Spent at least 3 hrs) C3-14 $11

Koalas 10am-1pm, 2.30-4.30pm, Kangaroon whole day, Wombat 11am,2,3.45pm Farmshow 10am,1, 3 pm. 

We did not go to this wildlife park since the kids have been to one in Gold Coast.
 

Browse the famous Fremantle Markets, Corner South Terrace & Henderson Street 

The Yard 8am-6 pm, The Hall 9am-6pm

Experience an icon that’s been bustling for over 100 years. From Friday to Sunday the markets are filled with the fresh and exotic aromas of organic produce, the creativity of local artists and the buzz of free live music and family entertainment. Head over to the historic hall and yard for some free fun at the Fremantle Markets 

Fremantle Prison 1850-1991 (10am-5 pm) Entry to Gatehse, Prison Gallery, Café is free

Doing time Tour departs every 30 mins. Tour length 1 hr 15 mins. A $20 C$11, F$57

If add $8 inclusive Tunnel Tour

E Shed Market For cheap souvenirs (extra if made in Australia)

E Shed Victoria Quay, 11 Cliff Street, Fremantle

Watch sunset at the pier near Kailis Fish Market/ Fishing Boat Harbour for fish and chips

Note: if you wish stay at Fremantle, check out Be Serviced Apartment.

Overnight in Yokine C/I 11 am, C/o 12 pm.  We have been cooking breakfast at dinner at our 2 Storey rented house in Yokine.

We had North Indian Cuisine at 2 Fat Indian Restaurant at Highgate.  Highly recommended for their fluffy garlic naan and their curries were good especially the one with soft shell crab.

Day 7 Sat 22 Mar Perth/KL

Croissant Express

111 St Georges Terace

Try Leg Ham & Cheese Croissant. A place for coffee and breakfast on the go. 

Picnic in Kings Park and Botanic Garden – nice view of Swan River

With 400 hectares of beautiful landscaped gardens and natural bushland, Kings Park is one of the largest inner-city parks in the world – bigger than New York’s Central Park. You’ll be spoilt for choice when you come to pick a picnic spot, many offering sweeping panoramas of Perth's city skyline and Swan River, surrounded by some of the 1,700 unique native species and spring wildflowers showcased in the park. 

Swan River

Riverside Drive, Perth City Foreshore

15 mins via Charles Street/Street Route 60 from Yokine

Have a stroll at Swan River

Or you may go for shopping spree or pack home the Corica's Apple Strudel before heading to airport. 

We were at the airport by 2.30 pm, returning our car before we dropped our luggage for check in.
From Yokine 20 mins via Woodrow Avenue & State Route 55. Or 21 mins from Hay Street to Perth Airport. Or 18 mins from Northbridge.

Flight depart 4.30 pm back to KL. Glad that I have met my friend whom I have last seen 9 years ago and her 6 years old son.