Fly, Drive & Stay: 11 day Western Australia's Wine & Nature Trail

Pick up your rental car at Perth Airport

Check into your hotel at Novotel Perth Langley. Spend the next 2 days exploring the city, Perth offers a mix of outdoor beauty, vibrant culture, and relaxed coastal lifestyle. Spend time exploring Kings Park and Botanic Garden for sweeping city and river views, wander through Elizabeth Quay’s waterfront precinct, and enjoy the lively café, bar, and street art scene in Northbridge. Take a ferry to Rottnest Island to meet the famous quokkas and cycle around pristine beaches, or head to Cottesloe Beach for a classic sunset swim. The Perth Mint, WA Museum Boola Bardip, and Perth Zoo add a cultural touch, while day trips to the Swan Valley wine region or Pinnacles Desert showcase Western Australia’s natural treasures.

The drive from Perth to Busselton takes around 2.5 hours and is a scenic journey through charming towns and countryside. Along the way you can stop at Mandurah to stroll the foreshore or take a dolphin cruise, Bunbury to spot wild dolphins at the Dolphin Discovery Centre, or detour through the Ferguson Valley for boutique wineries and rolling green hills. Once in Busselton, spend time walking the famous 1.8km Busselton Jetty, ride the jetty train, or visit the Underwater Observatory. The town also offers beautiful beaches for swimming and snorkelling, a relaxed café scene, and is a great base for exploring the Margaret River region.

The short drive from Busselton to Margaret River takes about 40 minutes, with plenty of highlights along the way. Stop at Dunsborough for its calm beaches, boutiques, and cafés, then head to Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse for sweeping coastal views. Nearby, Meelup Beach and Eagle Bay are perfect for a swim, while Ngilgi Cave in Yallingup offers an underground adventure. Once in Margaret River, discover world-class wineries, craft breweries, and gourmet local produce, or explore the town’s vibrant shops and galleries. Outdoor lovers can surf at famous beaches, hike along the Cape to Cape Track, or visit caves like Lake and Jewel, before winding down with a sunset at Surfers Point.

The drive from Margaret River to Pemberton takes around 3 hours, winding through forests, farms, and charming country towns. On the way, you can stop at Augusta to see Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse where the Indian and Southern Oceans meet, or detour through Boranup Forest to admire its towering karri trees. Once in Pemberton, the region is all about nature and adventure—climb the famous Gloucester Tree for panoramic forest views, ride the Pemberton Tramway through scenic bushland, or explore the many walking trails and waterfalls. The area is also known for boutique wineries, fresh local produce, and tranquil settings perfect for unwinding in the heart of the tall timber country.

The drive from Pemberton to Albany takes about 4.5 hours and showcases some of Western Australia’s most dramatic landscapes. Stop at Walpole to walk the famous Valley of the Giants Tree Top Walk among towering tingle trees, and take in the rugged beauty of Denmark’s coastline at Greens Pool and Elephant Rocks, where turquoise waters meet giant granite boulders. Arriving in Albany, you’ll find a historic port town with a strong ANZAC heritage, best experienced at the National Anzac Centre. Nature lovers can explore Torndirrup National Park with its striking Gap and Natural Bridge formations, or enjoy the region’s stunning beaches, whale watching (in season), and vibrant local food and wine scene.

The drive from Albany to Fremantle takes around 5 hours direct, but it’s worth making stops along the way to break up the journey. Pause in Mount Barker for local wineries, then continue through the charming wheatbelt towns like Kojonup and Williams, where you’ll find country cafés and heritage museums. As you near Perth, you could detour to the Swan Valley for more wine and gourmet delights before reaching Fremantle. Once there, soak up the port city’s lively atmosphere with its historic streets, colourful markets, and vibrant food and craft beer scene. Highlights include Fremantle Prison, the Maritime Museum, Bathers Beach, and the bustling Cappuccino Strip, making it the perfect finale to your Western Australia road trip.

The final leg of your journey is a short 30-minute drive from Fremantle back to Perth, where you’ll return your car before flying home to New Zealand. Depending on your flight time, you might squeeze in a last wander through Fremantle’s markets and cafés or enjoy a relaxed breakfast by the harbour. In Perth, take a stroll along Elizabeth Quay or Kings Park for one more view of the city before heading to the airport, wrapping up your Western Australia adventure.