Self-Drive Through Western Australia for 13Days 12Nights (13D12N) Travel Itinerary. Bunbury & Margaret River (Part 3)

In our latest episode, we�re taking a look back at the classic road trip in WA (Western Australia). For the next episodes, we will bring you off the beaten track to explore our most adventurous road trip in WA covering Perth, Fremantle, Rottnest Island, Lancelin, Bunbury, Margaret River, Augusta, Denmark, Albany and York. 

Western Australia is a road trip hot spot. There is something for everybody, especially if you opt to take a self-drive through the regions spanning the biggest state down under. One thing for sure, the roads and highways are really great as we drove by ourselves with a valid driving license. Except for one thing, the �Roo� that jumped in front of our car along the way. 

Check out our scenic-drive through WA (from Perth to Albany) 13days 12nights travel itinerary here and of course, you may adjust them accordingly to suit your own schedule.

Day 1: 8 November 2011
Penang International Airport (PEN) ? Kuala Lumpur (LCCT) 

Day 2: 9 November 2011
WESTERN AUSTRALIA (PERTH) 
Morning: Arrived Perth International Airport and make our way to Perth 178 in Northbridge - Swan Bell Tower � Wheel of Perth - Kings Park & Botanic Garden - The Perth Mint � Her Majesty Theater - King Street
Afternoon: - London Court at Hay Street � Trinity United Church at St. George Terrace � Perth Town Hall - Lake Monger 
Evening: Stroll around Northbridge & Voodoo Lounge    

Day 3: 10 November 2011
WESTERN AUSTRALIA (ROTTNEST ISLAND)
Morning: Walk to Perth Train Station ? Fremantle Train Station (Upon arrival at Fremantle Station, walk for 4 minute to Victoria Quay. Once on Victoria Quay, walk in a North-westerly direction to B-Shed office <on the water across from the E-shed Markets>) and depart via ferry ride to Rottnest Island at 9.35am.  
Afternoon: Circle the island by bike and stop at these areas:  (i) circumnavigates the whole island and stop at the bays: Little Armstrong Bay, Salmon Bay, The Basin, Parakeet Bay, (ii) visit Vlamingh Lighthouse, (iii) explore the pretty beaches  (Pink beach &  Eagle beach), (iv) Meet Rottnest Island native animal, Quokkas and (v) chill out and enjoy the ocean view at Rottnest Island Visitor Centre - Depart from Rottnest Island at 4.30pm. 
Evening: Explore Burswood neighborhood via public bus before heading for dinner 

Day 4: 11 November 2011 
WESTERN AUSTRALIA (PERTH) 
Morning: Perth Wellington Street � Take train from Perth Station to Fremantle Station - Fremantle Market - Cappuccino Strip - Fremantle Prison  
Afternoon: Fremantle Maritime Museum - Western Australia Submarine Museum � E Shed Market (for souvenirs) - Fishing Harbour for Cicerello Fish and Chips 

Day 5: 12 November 2011 
WESTERN AUSTRALIA (PERTH)
Morning: Pick-up rental car at Perth Downtown, Milligan Street - Yanchep National Park 
Afternoon: Lancelin � The Pinnacles (Nambung National Park) 
Duration from Perth City ? The Pinnacles: 55.2km 

Day 6: 13 November 2011 
WESTERN AUSTRALIA (BUNBURY) 
Morning: Caversham Wildlife Park 
Afternoon: Swan Valley � Clifton Lake (Yalgroup National Park, Mandurah) - Bunbury Lighthouse � Move to Bunbury  
**Duration from Perth City ? Bunbury (approx. 2 hours 30 minutes� drive / 175km) 

Day 7: 14 November 2011 
WESTERN AUSTRALIA (MARGARET RIVER) 
Morning: Wyalup Rocky Point - Busselton Jetty � Margaret River Chocolate Factory 
Afternoon: Canals on the Coast (Rocky Coastline) � Move to Margaret River 

Day 8: 15 November 2011 
WESTERN AUSTRALIA (AUGUSTA)
Morning: Sunflowers Animal Farm 
Afternoon: Explore Jewel, Lake and Mammoth Caves � Cape Leeuwin Light Tower - Move to Augusta 

Day 9: 16 November 2011 
WESTERN AUSTRALIA (DENMARK) 
Morning: Warren National Park in Pemberton - Dave Evans Bicentennial Tree National Park Afternoon: Valley of the Giants (Tree Top Walk and Ancient Empire & Discovery Centre) - Move to Denmark 

Day 10: 17 November 2011 
WESTERN AUSTRALIA (ALBANY)
Morning: Torndirrup National Park � Woolworths Shopping Centre 
Afternoon: Albany Wind Farm � The Gap & Natural Bridge - Move to Albany 

Day 11: 18 November 2011 
WESTERN AUSTRALIA (YORK)
Morning: Wave Rock & Hypo Yawn in Hyden - York
Afternoon: York Town Hall - York Post Office - York Courthouse & Gaol - Central Building � Move to Perth 

Day 12: 19 November 2011 
WESTERN AUSTRALIA (PERTH)
Morning: King Street� Hay Street - Her Majesty�s Theater - St. Georges Terrace - Barrack Street
Afternoon: Murray Street Mall - Crown Perth Hotel Casino  

Day 13: 20 November 2011
WESTERN AUSTRALIA (PERTH) 
Morning: Depart for Kuala Lumpur from Perth International Airport 

Perth to Bunbury 
(approx. 20.0km / 30 minutes� drive from Perth to Swan Valley)
(approx. 172.0km / 2 hour 15 minutes� drive from Perth to Bunbury)

Day 6 was reserved for Caversham Wildlife Park where we met koalas, wombats, kangaroos and many other native wildlife there. Later in the afternoon, we moved on to Bunbury, located approx.175 km from Perth city. 

Meet the koalas

Meet the koalas

Meet the koalas

Bed time

Koala says Good Morning

Hand-feed the kangaroos

Hand-feed the kangaroos

One of my favourite animal - The Wombat

Milk a Cow

Sheep shearing

Arrgghh! Let me out!

On our way to Bunbury, we stopped by Swan Valley (located less than 30 minutes from Perth city) for some wine tasting and touring. If you like to indulge in great food from honey, chocolates, ice cream to local vegetables and fruits to local white and red wines, then this is the ideal place for you! Here�s some background info about the facility. Swan Valley is WA�s oldest wine growing region and with that in mind they have earned a well-deserved reputation for its wines. We took the walking tour that grants us great views of picturesque

vineyard with valley.  Loved the entire surrounding!

From Swan Valley, we drove more south to Bunbury, a port city and the third largest city in Western Australia and home to many dolphins and great beaches. Upon arrival, we headed straight to our accommodation after lunch. Then later in the afternoon, we drove to the top of Marlston Hill lookout tower to catch sunset and to enjoy spectacular panoramic views over Bunbury Harbour and Koombana Bay. It stands proud on the site of the original Bunbury lighthouse. The lookout tower is a perfect vantage point to see the city of Bunbury, several popular beaches, the breakwater and all of the activity within the harbour. 

Bunbury to Margaret River 

(approx. 99.0 km / 1 hour 15 minutes� drive from Bunbury towards South) 

Love the scenery and the breeze here

Love the scenery and the breeze here

There's also a train to catch at Busselton Jetty

Busselton Jetty is the longest timber piled jetty in WA

Our next stop was to Margaret River from Bunbury. The town has its very own charm as it offers various shops, a book store, several caf�s and restaurants and a well-stocked supermarket. Margaret River is also well- known for wineries. Along the way to Margaret River, we stopped by Busselton to visit the 1.8km timber jetty (the longest jetty in the Southern Hemisphere) and had our lunch there. 

Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse

Love the view here where 2 oceans meet

We then continued our journey to Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse in the south to enjoy the breathtaking views across the treacherous oceans where the Indian and Southern Oceans meet. Due to the high entrance fee we didn�t go into the lighthouse, but it still made a great stop. 

**Final tips: For those traveling by road like us, please drive carefully. Watch out for kangaroo and emu road hazards at dusk and dawn. There are many kangaroos which have jumped in front of our car along the highways. If this happens, control your braking. The open road speed limit is 110 km per hour. Slow down to the usual 50 km per hour limit in most of the country towns you pass through. No matter how big or cute the �Roo�, do not swerve at speed. Drive safe!