Selfdrive Routes in Australia

Southwest Corner (17 days from/to Perth)
Australia's South West - an area where there is a lot to see and to do. But not many tourists and tour companies find their way to these hidden treasures! If you like unspoilt countryside, good wines, great views, giant karri trees, astonishing rock formations and the relaxed Aussie lifestyle then you should visit this astonishing area.

This self-drive includes car rental for the entire duration of the self-drive and all hotel accommodation along the route. You will enjoy the day to day driving program, as we have measured the driving distances per day for optimal sightseeing. This way you are sure to see all the highlights along the route and use your time in the most optimal way.

Day 1: PERTH: (30 km) Pick up of your rental car, either at the airport or in the city and drive to your hotel. Discover the beautiful city of Perth on the banks of the Swan River. On the shores of the Indian Ocean lies the neighboring city of Fremantle, with its many restaurants and cafes.

 
Day 2: PERTH - MARGARET RIVER: (200 km) You leave Perth towards the South and travel along the coast. A beautiful spot is Cape Naturaliste, with its sharp cliffs and native flora and fauna. There are many walking trails that invite for longer and shorter hikes. 
Day 3: MARGARET RIVER: The entire day to explore Margaret River and environs. Excellent wine tasting ca be found at the many wineries for which Margaret River is famous for. There are also a number of Limestone Caves that are open for public. Fine beaches can be found at a few minutes driving - all together make Margaret River a popular holiday destination for the Australians.
Day 4: MARGARET RIVER - PEMBERTON: (200 km) Cape Leeuwin and the little town of Augusta make a nice stop over on the way to Pemberton. On the Brockman Highway you travel inland through beautiful landscape and enormous forests. 
Day 5: PEMBERTON - ALBANY: (225 km) You shouldn't miss the "Treetop Walk" in the Valley of the Giants between Pemberton and Albany. On high walking bridges one can walk through the tree tops of these huge karri trees. A unique experience. The road leads you through little towns and if time permits you can take one or the other dead end road to the ocean to experience the beautiful beaches at the "Beautiful Coast". 
Day 6: ALBANY: A day to relax and enjoy the scenery. The coastline around Albany is rugged and spectacular. Walkers will be rewarded with a beautiful view from Mt. Clarence.
Day 7: ALBANY - STIRLING RANGES: (100 km) Take a hike in the oldest mountains on earth - the Stirling Ranges. On a fine day you'll have a rewarding view from Bluff Knoll the highest peak of the range with 1096 meters. Less strenuous walks a can be made and the so inclined can refresh afterwards in the real Dutch Windmill where Dutch food is being served. If you love excellent boutique wines you should consider a stop in Mount Barker. 
Day 8: STIRLING RANGES - HYDEN/WAVE ROCK: (250 km) On the road again! An unspectacular drive brings you to the next big attraction: the Wave Rock and Hippo's Yawn. The 15 meter high rock formation looks just like a frozen wave - fresh from the ocean. At Mulka's Cave you can see Aboriginal rock paintings. You'll visit Wave Rock probably best tomorrow morning (day 9).
Day 9: HYDEN/WAVE ROCK - ESPERANCE: (380 km) After visiting Wave Rock, Hippo's Yawn and Mulka's Cave, drive on along Lake King, Ravensthorpe to the remote town of Esperance. The landscape is dominated by huge farms and empty straight roads. Have a close look on your distance indicator and map, as there are only few signposts in this area. Make a stop at Stokes National Park, with its beautiful coastal scenery. Perhaps have lunch on the beach and use your swimmers.
Day 10: ESPERANCE: Esperance is a small historic town, offering some good beaches. Take a drive along the 36 km Scenic Loop Road and visit Observatory Point, Rotary lookout on Wireless Hill, Twilight Bay and Pink Lake. Another name for Esperance Bay is "Bay of Isles", as you find here many beautiful islands with an abundance of wildlife. The island group is called Recherche Archipelago, and its part of the renown Cape Le Grand National Park. Climb Frenchman's peak and enjoy the views. The hillside lies in the west of the National Park, situated only 20 km east from Esperance town. Another popular daytrip is the daily cruise to Woody Island, a Sea life sanctuary. 
Day 11: ESPERANCE - KALGOORLIE: (410 km) Today we head north, to the Goldfields. Leave early, as temperatures might get pretty high in the dessert during the day. The highway passes through arid land and along salt lakes and lone hills. The first goldtown on your way is Norseman, the turnoff of the cross continent Eyre highway. From Beacon Hill, just south of Norseman, you have good views over the area. Next town on your way is Kambalda, started as a goldtown but today there is some major nickle mining done here. The town is situated on the shores of Lake Lefroy, a large saltpan. You will probably arrive at Kalgoorlie early afternoon. The town has wide streets lined with trees and quite some historic buildings. Take first a rest in your hotel along the pool. Later in the afternoon when it cools down, you might take a look in town. Visit the local museum of the Goldfields, stroll along Hannan Street and check out Hammond Park.
Day 12: KALGOORLIE: Kalgoorlie is foremost the Goldmining centre of Australia. Best way to see this is by visiting Hannan's North Tourist Mine. You'll get a few hundred meters underground and experience miners live. Another tour option is the Golden Mile Loopline, a tourist train with commentary of about one hour along the old mining operations. 
Day 13: KALGOORLIE - YORK: (500 km) Heading west in the morning, your first sight on the way is Coolgardie. This ghosttown is quite scenic, as it was booming goldtown a century ago. Visit the Goldfields Museum, the railway station and the old town cemetery. Follow the Great Eastern Highway till you reach Northam in the Avon Valley. The Avon is a sideriver from the Swan river, that flows through Perth. The Avon valley looks very English with its old stone cottages, antique stores and gentle green hills. York is the prettiest and oldest of towns in the Avon valley. The town is small and most sights are on walking distance from your hotel.
Day 14: YORK - CERVANTES/PINNACLES: (325 km) Continue westward through the Darling Ranges towards Perth, but turn north at Midland when you reach highway 1. From there it is less than 2 hours drive till you reach the Cervantes turnoff. The Pinnacles desert is the highlight of the day. The flat sandy desert in the Nambung National Park (official name) is punctured with peculiar limestone pillars, some towering up to 5 meters high. From August to October the park has many wildflowers. The best is to take a tour in the afternoon or next morning, as the access road to the park is unsealed and pretty rough.
Day 15: CERVANTES - PERTH: (300 km) Spent the morning at the pinnacles, if you haven't seen them the afternoon before. Then drive for an hour back south the highway 1 till you reach the turnoff to Yanchep. The Yanchep National Park has limestone caves and nice flora. Walk for instance the Aboriginal trail and enjoy the rock art. Later in the afternoon continue south along the Coastal highway. First you will see impressive sand dunes, near Perth you will drive along pretty beach resorts like Mullaloo, North Beach, Scarborough Beach, City Beach and Cottesloe. Your destination today is historic Fremantle.
Day 16: PERTH: Entire day to enjoy once more the amenities of this great city. We recommend a day tour to Rottnest Island.  
Day 17: PERTH: (20-30 km) Today you'll drop your car at Perth Airport (located 10km east of downtown Perth) or in the city, depending on your arrangements.
More Information:
wpe4A.jpg (198823 bytes) Regional Map (Southwest Corner)