Perth, Margaret River, the Pinnacles & Rottnest Island – 5 Days

A long, full day south of Perth through the South West. The coach drives down through farmland to Busselton, where the timber jetty runs almost two kilometres out over clear blue water, and you stop for morning tea and views along the shore. From there you head into the Margaret River region, known across Australia for its wine, for a tasting at a local winery.

Lunch is at a boutique Margaret River brewery with complimentary beer and cider tastings. In the afternoon you go underground into Mammoth Cave, then drive through the Boranup Karri Forest, where the tall pale trunks close in on both sides of the road. The last big stop is Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse, where the Indian and Southern Oceans meet, followed by a short stop in Margaret River town before the drive back.

At a glance: Time needed: ~6 hrs sightseeing · Travel: ~7 hrs driving in total · Pace: Full

Schedule

• Morning (early pickup): Depart Perth and drive south to Busselton, about 2.5–3 hrs. Busselton Jetty with morning tea and coastal views, about 45 min.

• Late morning: Wine tasting at a Margaret River winery, about 45 min–1 hr.

• Noon: Lunch at a boutique Margaret River brewery with complimentary beer and cider tastings, about 1 hr.

• Afternoon: Mammoth Cave, about 45 min to 1 hr, then a drive through the Boranup Karri Forest.

• Late afternoon: Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse, about 45 min, then a short stop in Margaret River town, about 30 min.

• Evening: Return drive to Perth, arriving at approximately 8:30 PM. Dinner in the city (own cost).

Travel for the day

• Perth → Busselton ~2.5–3 hrs, around the Margaret River region by coach, Margaret River → Perth ~3.5 hrs, on a guided seat-in-coach tour.

Tips & what to carry

• This is a 12-hour-plus day. Carry snacks, water and anything you need for the coach.

• Mammoth Cave has uneven, sometimes damp paths and stays cool inside. Wear closed shoes and carry a light jacket.

• Cape Leeuwin is very windy. Hold on to hats and scarves.

• Non-drinkers can ask for juice or soft drinks at the winery and brewery stops.

• Watch for kangaroos at the roadside around dusk on the way back.

Overnight: Perth

A late start today, as this tour runs from around 12:30 PM to 10:00 PM. You drive north along the Indian Ocean Drive, with white dunes and coastal scrub on one side, and stop at Yanchep National Park, a good place to see koalas in the trees and kangaroos grazing on the lawns.

By late afternoon you reach the Pinnacles Desert in Nambung National Park, thousands of limestone spires standing up out of yellow sand. As the sun drops, the whole desert turns gold and the shadows stretch out across the sand, which is the best time for photos. Dinner and refreshments are served, and once it is dark, a stargazing session begins. Far from city lights, the Milky Way is often clearly visible. You return to Perth around 10:00 PM.

At a glance: Time needed: ~9.5 hrs tour · Travel: ~5 hrs driving in total · Pace: Moderate

Schedule

• Morning: Free morning in Perth. Optional visit to Kings Park for views over the city and river, about 1.5 hrs.

• Noon (~12:30 PM): Hotel pickup and drive north on the Indian Ocean Drive.

• Afternoon: Yanchep National Park, about 1 hr, for koalas and kangaroos.

• Late afternoon / sunset: Pinnacles Desert, about 1.5 hrs, walking among the limestone pillars and watching the sunset.

• Evening: Dinner / refreshments, then the stargazing session, about 1 hr.

• Night (~10:00 PM): Return drive and drop at your hotel.

Travel for the day

• Perth → Yanchep ~1 hr, Yanchep → Pinnacles ~1.5 hrs, Pinnacles → Perth ~2.5 hrs, on a guided tour with hotel pickup and drop.

Tips & what to carry

• The desert gets cold quickly after sunset. Carry a warm jacket even in summer.

• Wear closed shoes; the sand is soft and there can be ants and flies in the warmer months.

• Stargazing depends on the sky. Cloud or a full moon can reduce what you see.

• Keep phone brightness low during stargazing so everyone's eyes can adjust to the dark.

Included today

• Hotel pickup & drop

• Visit to Yanchep National Park

• Pinnacles Desert sunset experience

• Stargazing session

• Dinner / refreshments

Overnight: Perth

Today runs from around 8:00 AM to 5:30 PM. You are taken to the ferry terminal for the roundtrip ferry to Rottnest Island, a short crossing off the coast of Perth. The island is car-free, has 63 beaches and bays, and is home to the quokka, a small, smiling marsupial found in very few places and famous for posing in selfies.

Once you land, the day is yours. Hire a bike and ride the island roads between bays, take the hop-on bus around the island, or stay close to the main settlement and swim. The Basin and Parakeet Bay have calm, clear water for snorkelling over reef and sea grass. Quokkas are often near the settlement and along the paths. You ferry back to Perth in the late afternoon.

At a glance: Time needed: ~6 hrs on the island · Travel: ~30–45 min ferry each way · Pace: Moderate

Schedule

• Morning (~8:00 AM): Transfer to the ferry terminal and board the roundtrip ferry to Rottnest Island.

• Late morning: Land at Thomson Bay. Hire a bike or take the island bus (paid locally) and head to The Basin, about 1.5 hrs for a swim and snorkel.

• Noon: Lunch at the settlement cafés (own cost), about 1 hr.

• Afternoon: Cycle or bus to more bays such as Parakeet Bay or Little Salmon Bay, about 2 hrs. Look out for quokkas on the way.

• Late afternoon (~5:30 PM): Ferry back to Perth and transfer to your hotel.

• Evening: Free. Sunset at Cottesloe Beach is a 20-minute drive if you still have energy (own cost).

Travel for the day

• Ferry terminal ↔ Rottnest Island, roundtrip ferry included (about 30–45 min each way depending on the departure point).

• On the island: bicycle or hop-on bus, paid locally.

Tips & what to carry

• Do not touch or feed the quokkas; there are fines. Get down to their level for photos instead.

• There is little shade on the island. Carry a hat, sunscreen, water and swimwear.

• Book bike hire early in peak season; the island is hilly in places, so e-bikes help.

• The sea can be choppy on the crossing. Take a seasickness tablet if you need one.

Included today

• Roundtrip ferry tickets

• Scenic cruise experience

• Free time to explore island

• Access to beaches & walking trails

Overnight: Perth

After breakfast, check out from your hotel. Depending on your flight time, there may be a little time for last-minute shopping in the city malls or a walk along the river.

Your driver collects you for the private transfer to Perth Airport, about 25 to 30 minutes, for your flight home.

At a glance: Time needed: ~1–2 hrs free time, flight permitting · Travel: ~30 min airport transfer · Pace: Easy

Schedule

• Morning: Breakfast and check out (usually by 10:00–11:00 AM).

• Noon: Free for shopping or a café, flight permitting (own cost).

• Departure: Private transfer to Perth Airport, reaching about 3 hrs before an international flight.

Travel for the day

• Perth hotel → Perth Airport ~25–30 min by private transfer.

Tips & what to carry

• Claim GST back on eligible purchases at the TRS counter after immigration; keep your tax invoices.

• Margaret River wines and local honey make good gifts. Pack bottles in checked luggage.

• Perth to India flights are often overnight. Keep a warm layer for the plane.

Included today

• Airport drop

• Private transfer