{"id":25624,"date":"2013-08-02T16:36:58","date_gmt":"2013-08-02T06:36:58","guid":{"rendered":"\/\/www.lastminute.com.au\/vc\/blog\/?p=25624"},"modified":"2015-03-17T09:51:20","modified_gmt":"2015-03-16T23:51:20","slug":"road-trippin-perth-and-margaret-river","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lastminute.com.au\/vc\/blog\/road-trippin-perth-and-margaret-river\/","title":{"rendered":"Road trippin’: Perth and Margaret River"},"content":{"rendered":"
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This road trip will take you on a Western Australian adventure, where good food and wine are key.<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n
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Stats:
\n6 days \/ 5 nights<\/strong><\/strong>Drive distance = 535kms<\/p>\n

Travel time = 5 hours 45 mins<\/p>\n

Key roads = State Route 5, State Route 2, State Route 10<\/p>\n

Day One \u2013 Perth CBD, Cottesloe<\/strong><\/h3>\n

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If you\u2019re not on a first name basis with Perth, spend today checking out the Western Australian city. If you know it like the back of your hand, skip forward to day two.<\/em>
\nYour wheels<\/a> are a\u2019 waiting in Perth (Airport or CBD). Once you\u2019ve successfully navigated your way in and out of the car hire hub, make your way into the heart of Perth and spend some time exploring.<\/p>\n

Pimp your ride with some driving tunes, handpicked for you by the lastminute lovelies. Find your Spotify<\/a> playlist at the bottom of this itinerary.<\/p>\n

Find yourself at King\u2019s Park, one of the largest inner-city parks in the world, and unroll the picnic rug. Delicious fresh produce is plentiful in the region so you won\u2019t be hard pressed to find amazing cheeses and nibblies for your picnic. Breathe in the fresh air and discover the rich diversity of wildflowers and landscaped gardens while you recline in the sun. From here you\u2019ll have spectacular views of the city, Swan River and Darling Ranges.<\/p>\n

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King’s Park<\/p><\/div>\n

Cottesloe Beach is another must-see when in Perth. A 15 minute drive from the city centre along the State Route 5<\/strong>, the iconic beach is one of the most popular spots for swimming, surfing and drinking in picturesque ocean sunsets.<\/p>\n

Enjoy dinner at one of the great restaurants housed underneath the Crown Metropol Perth<\/a>. Celebrity chef Guillaume Brahimi\u2019s eatery, Bistro Guillaume<\/a> lives here and is definitely worth a visit. Stay tonight at the Crown Metropol. Read Pia\u2019s review <\/a>of her stay (warning: you may find it hard to leave).<\/p>\n\"<\/a>\n

Book a Perth hotel<\/a>.
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Day Two – Fremantle<\/h3>\n

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Begin the day with a delicious breakfast at Tuck Shop Cafe, Pie House and Delicatessen<\/a> in the centre of Perth\u2019s CBD. Known for their amazing coffee and tasty treats, Tuck Shop will satisfy your caffeine cravings and provide the perfect kick-start to your Aussie road trip adventure.<\/p>\n

Grab your wheels and hit the State Route 2<\/strong>. A short thirty minute drive South West, Fremantle is a must-visit for tourists and locals alike. Make sure you head to the famous Fremantle Esplanade for some happy snaps, and if you\u2019re up for a history lesson, make a trip to Fremantle Prison<\/a> to learn about your convict ancestry.<\/p>\n

By now it\u2019s got to be close to lunch time. And have we got the perfect place for you! Little Creatures Brewery<\/a> is positioned on Fremantle wharf with a great view of the marina. They brew their own beer and cider there so be sure to have a walk around and check out the network of pipes that characterise the ceiling, before you park your bum on a bench. Grab yourself a tasting board if you just don\u2019t know what to order (or you want to try a little of everything \u2013 we don\u2019t blame you!). You can easily lose a few hours here to the hops & yeast fairies.<\/p>\n\"<\/a>\n

We\u2019re going to assume you\u2019re not up for driving after that pit stop (if you are, you\u2019re doing it wrong). Check yourself into a hotel nearby and then get some fresh Fremantle air. Find your feet and go for a stroll along the marina and back into the centre of Fremantle for a night cap at Bar Orient<\/a> \u2013 this joint is great for those who want to have a quiet drink, and others who want to have a boogie and a sing-a-long.<\/p>\n

Book a Fremantle hotel<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Day Three \u2013 Yalgorup National Park, Bunbury, Busselton, Margaret River<\/strong><\/h3>\n

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Today you\u2019re going to track some serious mileage. Pile in your wheels, pump some tunes and 90 minutes south (State Route 2)<\/strong> to Yalgorup National Park.<\/p>\n

The park is situated on a narrow coastal strip and is home to ten lakes that run in a chain. Home to a mix of native flora and fauna, you\u2019ll spot birds, kangaroos, emus and other Aussie locals. Pull on your boots and go for a hike along the natural bushwalking trails and then cool off afterward with a dip in the water. Yalgorup Park fronts Geographe Bay, one of the top ten places to visit in the world, as voted by Lonely Planet<\/a>. The bay is famed for its breathtaking beauty, and with 30 kilometres of sandy white beaches and crystal clear water, it\u2019s a spectacle that cannot be missed.<\/p>\n\"<\/a>\n

Afterward, continue on the coastal drive to Bunbury, approximately 45 minutes away.
\nHot tip: State Route 2<\/strong> changes into State Route 10<\/strong>, so you\u2019re safe to stay on the same road.<\/em><\/p>\n

Bunbury Regional Art Galleries<\/a> is situated in the city centre of (you guessed it) Bunbury and is definitely worth a visit, boasting a large range of artwork in a variety of different media. Learn about the region through marvelling at the local art and cultural offerings.<\/p>\n

Whilst in Bunbury, pull over by the coast and see if you can spot the local dolphin inhabitants frolicking in the water. During the cooler months, you may even see a whale<\/a> or two.<\/p>\n

Next, collect your party people and get moving to Busselton (45 minutes away). On the coast, Busselton lays claim to amazing beach views and tourist sites such as the Busselton Jetty and Wonky Windmill Farm and Eco Park<\/a>, where you can say hello to lots of little furry friends.<\/p>\n\"<\/a>\n

Find yourself some afternoon tea at Laundry Cafe<\/a> and get ready for the next leg of the journey.<\/p>\n

Pop back into the car and drive to Margaret River to find a cosy bed for the night. Our fave is Smiths Beach Resort<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Book a Margaret River hotel<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Day Four\/Five \u2013 Margaret River<\/strong><\/h3>\n

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Ahh Margaret River, the pinnacle of the trip. We\u2019re sure you\u2019re aware but Margaret River is famous for its wineries, exceptional produce and beautiful scenery. Take a deep breath and drink in your surroundings.<\/p>\n

There are plenty of ways to successfully explore the area, so take your time to decide how to spend the next day or two. Why not ditch the car and sign up for a sip \u2018n\u2019 cycle wine tour<\/a>? You\u2019ll be able to check out the Margaret River, suss out the local wineries and get some exercise at the same time. Tick, tick and tick!<\/p>\n\"<\/a>\n

Make sure you visit Cullen Wines<\/a> for a top drop (or three). An institution in the region, the winery has many delicious offerings that it is well-known for, including the 2011 Kevin John Chardonnay. If you need to break up all the drinking with some solids, Cullen Wines also has a great restaurant where you\u2019ll be able to sample Margaret River\u2019s best paddock-to-plate produce.<\/p>\n

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Take advantage of the incredible local produce<\/p><\/div>\n

Not only is Margaret River known for its great wineries but it also has a thriving arts and culture scene. Spend some time wandering the artisan trail and exploring the local artwork. Grab yourself a bargain or two \u2013 we love a holiday souvenir!<\/p>\n

Treat yourself to lunch at one of the many amazing restaurants<\/a> and then sample each of the vineyards that you missed. Don\u2019t worry, there\u2019s plenty of time to get to all of them. If you\u2019re up for more organised cellar door visits, have a browse at your options here.<\/a><\/p>\n

Leeuwin Estate<\/a> is one that we\u2019re sure you\u2019ve heard of, and surely can\u2019t afford to miss. Put Eagle Bay Olives <\/a>on your hit list too for some top notch olive oil to add to the pantry.<\/p>\n

If relaxation is at the top of your priority list (amen!), make sure you tick that one off by lazing away the day with more wine and food tastings. That\u2019s what the Margaret River is all about.<\/p>\n

Tonight, get a good sleep because you\u2019ve got a long drive ahead of you tomorrow.<\/p>\n

Day Six – Perth<\/strong><\/h3>\n

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Begin the day with a hearty breakfast and a good dose of caffeine and then bundle into the car for a final time.<\/p>\n\"<\/a>\n

Perth is a three hour drive away, but not to worry \u2013 you\u2019ve surely got a killer playlist to dance along to on the way back. Drive along the B10<\/strong> and B2<\/strong>, stop to see the sights that you\u2019ve missed along the way.<\/p>\n

Haven\u2019t seen enough of Perth? Book into a Perth hotel <\/a>and tick off some more sights.
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Make sure you don’t miss out – enter the competition here!<\/a><\/h3>\n