South Western Escape

Travel to Busselton, home to the longest wooden jetty in the Southern Hemisphere. Tip your cap to those who built this 1.8-kilometre structure out into Geographe Bay. Continue to the Margaret River region of Western Australia deserves its reputation as one of the county’s top grape-growing areas. The Margaret River’s 200 vineyards produce 25 per cent of Australia’s premium wines. There are too many high-quality vineyards to name here. So, we’ll give you just one: Xanadu Wines. For almost 50 years, this estate has been producing wines that celebrate this unique corner of the state, where the Indian and Southern oceans converge. Its cabernet sauvignon reigns supreme, but the range stretches from sauvignon blanc and chardonnay to rosé and shiraz, which you’ll enjoy during a hosted tasting at the cellar door.

Journey to Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse, the tallest of its kind in Australia, set at the tip of a peninsula where the Indian and Southern oceans meet. Standing here, the wind in your hair, you’ll feel like you’re on the edge of the Earth. More lofty attractions await. Suspended 40 metres above the forest floor, the Tree Top Walk gives you a bird’s-eye view of the soaring tingle trees that stand large through the Valley of the Giants.

Nature, history, food and wine… there’s not much that Albany can’t do. The hardest thing you have to do today is decide which direction you want to travel. Optional Experiences* Perhaps? An Albany tour that relives the town’s heritage as the last port of call for ANZAC troopships departing Australia in WWI. Being here is a moving experience that tells the tale of thousands of servicemen. Maybe explore Torndirrup National Park, where steep cliffs give way to dramatic rock formations and whales are a common sight during migration. Or get a taste for the region on a culinary excursion that includes tastings of local cheeses, fudge, chocolate, ice-cream, cider, wines and gins. Better wear your elastic-waisted pants for this one. How you spend your day exploring the region is totally up to you.

Today, travel through some of the most bountiful wilderness areas in the state, including the Stirling Range National Park, filled seasonally with a staggering range of wildflowers, when they are in season – more than 1,500 different species, some of which are found nowhere else on Earth. Get an overview from the Bluff Knoll Lookout, topping one of WA’s highest peaks. More than 31,000 hectares of sweeping heathlands, rugged coastal peaks and white sandy beaches… it’s no wonder Cape Le Grand National Park is voted among the most alluring of its kind in Australia. Arrive at Thistle Cove – listen for the whistle of the Whistling Rock among the sounds of wind and sea – and discover Lucky Bay, a postcard-worthy cove where kangaroos love lounging on the beach. Continue to the scenic Hellfire Bay, where you meet your Aboriginal guide. On this MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience, learn about the cultural history of Wudjari people and the rich nature of this stunning area.

Leave the stunning coastline behind and head inland toward Kalgoorlie. View the wide gold rush era streets and buildings of Kalgoorlie and see the vista over the staggering ‘Super Pit’ open-cut gold mine. Today’s outings continue to gleam as you visit Hannans North Mine – the history here is overwhelming – Kalgoorlie’s ‘Golden Mile’. Nothing quite puts things into perspective like standing next to enormous Haul trucks and loaders.

Wave Rock deserves its name – the cliff resembles an enormous surf wave about to crash into the bush. Stretching 110 metres, the rainbow-hued granite swell was formed more than three million years ago. Wave Rock locals are a friendly bunch, and they’re truly passionate about the place they call home. But don’t take our word for it. Meet Sheenagh, who will proudly show you around her farm and discuss life on the land, which can be harsh, but also extremely healing, in a way unique to the wide-open spaces of the Aussie outback. Glimpse her collection of vintage cars and hear about the stories behind them.

Leave the eastern Wheatbelt behind and make your way to the vibrant city of Fremantle. This elegant, energetic port town is known for its narrow, heritage‑lined streets and lively atmosphere. Rich in history, dining, markets and attractions, Fremantle invites you to explore at your own pace for the rest of the day. Why not explore the Fremantle Markets, which boasts over 150 stalls?

Sometimes, the most memorable travel days are those where you lose yourself wandering the foreshore, lingering over lunch or a cool ale. We highly recommend you spend this day of leisure doing just that with Optional Experiences* (Freo’s Little Creatures Brewery is legendary). Of course, having a local show you around also has its benefits, with a Fremantle tour revealing those hidden haunts most visitors pass right on by. If you’re catching the ferry for a Rottnest Island tour, make sure you have your phone ready to capture selfies with the island’s smiley quokkas, not to mention the blindingly turquoise water.

10 Days. Too many beaches to count. Wildlife galore. A few wine bottles and a few thousand memories… this trip is one for the record books.