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Morning bushwalks, afternoon swims and nightly stargazing in Western Australia

Discover the exquisite natural beauty Western Australia on this round-trip journey that begins and ends in Perth. Explore the hidden coves of Fitzgerald River National Park and bask on Cape Le Grand's white powder sands. Hit the hiking trails of the Stirling Ranges and take in breathtaking views from the summit of Frenchman's Peak and Castle Rock. Explore ancient forests and pristine coastline, and encounter Noongar culture on an illuminating cultural bushwalk. This six-day adventure is just the trip for those wanting to experience a spectacular range of natural attractions found in Western Australia's south-west corner.

Start
Perth, Australia
Finish
Perth, Australia
Destination
Australia
Style
Basix
Theme
Overland
Code
PE6
Physical rating
Ages
Min 8
Group size
Min 6, Max 20

Why you'll love this trip

  • Take a bushwalk with a Wadandi custodian and learn about native bush foods and medicines, discover the art of fire-lighting and be treated to a didgeridoo performance inside Ngilgi Cave.

  • Wonder at towering 400-year-old tingle trees on a guided stroll through the Valley of the Giants, where you can walk through the middle of these massive, ancient trees.

  • Enjoy a tasting tour around the Margaret River region and hop between boutique wineries and breweries, a chocolate factory and cheesery.

  • Embark on a hike like no other in Porongurup National Park. Cross towering eucalyptus forests and the famous Balancing Rock before arriving at Castle Rock.

  • Stay in a private campsite in the Stirling Ranges, a mountainous national park of rugged peaks, stark cliff faces, sheltered gullies and colourful wildflowers.

Is this trip right for you?

  • This trip covers some serious distances in a minivan. Please read the itinerary for details on estimated drive times.

  • You’ll be travelling through regions with very little mobile service or internet connection.

  • This trip involves plenty of hiking and is best suited to travellers with a very good level of mobility and fitness. Details on physical activities can be found in the itinerary.

  • Accommodation on this tour is bush camping with a swag.

  • Temperatures in Australia can be extreme. Have a think about what time of year suits you best to travel.

Woman looking over Albany Beach, Western Australia
Sunset at a beach in Western Australia
Wine tasting in the Margaret River, Western Australia
Wave Rock, Western Australia
Cape le Grand Beach, Western Australia

Itinerary
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Meet your leader and group bright and early in Perth this morning at 7 am, then hit the road east for Fitzgerald River National Park via the Darling Ranges. It’s a beautiful drive through a leafy region of forested hills, charming country villages, scenic swim spots and boutique wineries. It’s also a long drive – 10 hours – so the journey will be broken up with a couple of stops. First stop: a coffee break in the morning in the historic township of York, WA’s first inland town. Next is a stop for lunch by the unusual granite formation, Wave Rock, which is arched like a 15-metre high breaking ocean wave. There will be a few more opportunities to stretch your legs and use the bathroom. Tonight, you’ll camp Aussie-style in a swag beneath the WA sky at Fitzgerald River National Park.
Accommodation
  • Camping (with basic facilities) (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Hippo's Yawn and Wave Rock
Meals Included
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
Special Information
Driving Time: about 10 hours
Walking Time: about 1 hour

Tonight’s campsite at Fitzgerald River National Park has a toilet but no shower facilities.

Welcome the day with a brisk morning hike up East Mt Barren, one of the three peaks that make up the Barren Range, for incredible views across the rugged coastline and waters of The Bight, or don’t – it’s your call. Sleep in if you’d prefer. Afterwards, hit the road, taking the scenic coastal route to Cape Le Grand National Park. It’s a 3-hour journey with stops along the way to properly take in the extraordinary surrounds – we’re talking nine national parks, chalky white beaches (the sand at Lucky Bay was ranked ‘Australia’s whitest’ twice), hidden bays and sunbathing kangaroos. You’ll also stop for a coffee and a stretch in the charming little town of Esperance. After setting up camp at Cape Le Grand, there’ll be a free afternoon for swimming, coastal bushwalks, lazing on the sand or whatever else your heart desires.
Accommodation
  • Camping (with basic facilities) (1 night)
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
Special Information
Driving Time: about 3 hours
Walking Time: about 3 hours

Tonight’s campsite at Fitzgerald River National Park has a toilet but no shower facilities.

Begin the day with a morning bush walk to the top of Frenchman’s Peak. It’s a bit of a trek, but your effort is rewarded with sweeping views over the park’s southern coastline and Recherche Archipelago. Following the walk, make tracks for the Stirling Ranges, a mountainous national park of rugged peaks, stark cliff faces, sheltered gullies and colourful wildflowers. The region is also renowned for its spectacular cloud formations, which are known to blanket the Range. Stop for lunch near Esperance along the way. Tonight, you’ll swag camp at a private campground in the Stirling Ranges.
Accommodation
  • Camping (with basic facilities) (1 night)
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
Special Information
Driving Time: about 6 hours
Walking Time: about 4.5 hours

Tonight’s private campground in the Stirling Ranges has toilet and shower facilities.

Embrace an early start and head to the Porongurup National Park for a hike through its unique landscape. Cross spectacular marri and karri forests and the famous Balancing Rock on a hike to Castle Rock, a huge granite outcrop. It’s a bit of a climb to the summit, but the breathtaking views of the region make it worth the effort. Afterwards, set out on a scenic drive along WA’s answer to Victoria’s Great Ocean Road – Great Ocean Drive. Make sure to have your camera handy as you’re treated to incredible coastal scenes; think postcard-perfect turquoise seas, dramatic red-rock cliffs and pristine beaches replete with perfect sands and sun-bleached boulders. Stop along the way to take a closer look at some of the area’s natural attractions such as the Gap and Natural Bridge, Elephant Rocks and the largest tingle tree in the state.
Accommodation
  • Camping (with basic facilities) (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Ancient Empire Walk - Valley of the Giants
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
Special Information
Driving Time: about 4 hours
Walking Time: about 1.5 hour

Tonight’s accommodation at Quinninup Caravan Park has toilet and shower facilities.

Head to the Margaret River region for a day of tasting local flavours. Head to some of the region’s boutique wineries and breweries, chocolate factory and cheesery. See for yourself why Margaret River’s wineries have built a reputation on their cabernet sauvignon and chardonnay.
Accommodation
  • Camping (with basic facilities) (1 night)
Included Activities
  • The Diamond Tree
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
Special Information
Driving Time: about 5 hours

Tonight’s camp ground has toilet and shower facilities.

Enjoy one last morning waking to the warble of kookaburras and cockatoos. Head to Dunsborough where local Wadandi custodian, Josh ‘Koomal’ Whiteland will shed insight into the world’s oldest living culture. On a bushwalk led by Josh, learn to identify native bush foods and medicines; discover the art of fire-lighting and tool-making, and be treated to a live didgeridoo performance inside Ngilgi Cave. Continue to the tourist town of Busselton, which owes its popularity to beautiful Geographe Bay. Enjoy lunch and a swim in the turquoise waters of one of its excellent beaches before continuing to Perth, where the trip ends on arrival at about 6 pm. There are no planned activities in Perth and you are free to depart at any time, though its usual for the group to get together and reflect on their journey over a few drinks and a meal.
Included Activities
  • Ngilgi Cave Entrance
  • Koomal Dreaming Aboriginal Cultural Experience
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
Special Information
Driving Time: about 4 hours

No accommodation is provided for tonight. If you plan on spending the night in Perth, please make sure to book your own accommodation prior to departure.
Want to tailor this itinerary?

Meals

5 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 5 dinners

Transport

Minibus

Accommodation

Swag Camping (5 nights)

Included activities

  • Hippo's Yawn and Wave Rock
  • Ancient Empire Walk - Valley of the Giants
  • The Diamond Tree
  • Ngilgi Cave Entrance
  • Koomal Dreaming Aboriginal Cultural Experience

Dates & availability

Trip departures are unavailable.

There are currently no scheduled departures on our Esperance & Southwest Adventure trip. If you are interested in other trips in the region visit one of the links below.

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Important notes

All travellers on Intrepid trips (outside Australia, New Zealand and the Cook Islands) are required to produce proof of full vaccination against COVID-19. From 1 December 2021, all travellers on Intrepid trips, including in Australia, New Zealand and the Cook Islands, are required to produce proof of full vaccination against COVID-19. Read details here.

START/FINISH TIMES
This trip starts in Perth at approximately 7 am and finishes on Day 6 approximately 7 pm. Onward travel should be booked for the following day.

SLEEPING BAG
This trip requires a sleeping bag, you will need to provide your own.

SINGLE SUPPLEMENT
Please note there is no single supplement is available for this trip.

PHYSICAL RATING
This trip involves plenty of hiking and is best suited to travellers with a very good level of mobility and fitness. Details on physical activities can be found in the itinerary.

Essential trip information

Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.

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