HomeJourneysPerth to Albany: the South West8 days

Perth to Albany: the South West: 8-Day Plan You Can Actually Drive

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The 8-day version for November: every day fits real transit, opening hours and daylight. Prefer more or fewer days? 6-day plan · 7-day plan · 8-day plan · best time to go.

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8
days
640 km
distance
21.9 h
driving
43
curated stops

💡 Good to know for this plan

Day 1 Perth

6 curated stops
Transit
3h00
Finish
~17:50
Temperature
16.2°C–22.4°C
Rainy days
~4
Daylight
13.7h
09:00
Explore this historic prison, built by convicts in 1851, now preserved as a museum.
50 min · Perth · $18.50 (basic), $59 (tunnel tour), less for students and children
open: Open every day of the year except Good Friday and Christmas day
10:15
Cottesloe Beach read more map ↗
Relax on a quiet beach with panoramic ocean views and sunsets.
90 min · Perth
12:30
Art Gallery of Western Australia artgallery.wa.gov.au read more map ↗
View rotating exhibitions of contemporary Australian, international, and Indigenous art.
50 min · Perth · Free (except special exhibits)
open: W-M 10AM-5PM, closed Tu
13:30
Explore the nation's oldest operating mint, still producing coins and gold bullion today.
50 min · Perth · $19
15:20
Lesmurdie Falls read more map ↗
Marvel at this stunning waterfall on the Darling Range, best visited in winter for wildflowers.
50 min · Perth
17:00
John Forrest National Park read more map ↗
Hike through beautiful forests in this historic park, named after Western Australia's first Premier.
50 min · Perth
open: Some roads in the Park are closed before sundown
Overnight here
e.g. Fremantle Prison YHA · Pier 21 Apartment Hotel

Day 2 Around Perth

6 curated stops
Transit
2h42
Finish
~17:50
Temperature
16.2°C–22.4°C
Rainy days
~4
Daylight
13.7h
09:00
Encounter diverse wildlife and enjoy free guided tours at this beloved local zoo.
50 min · Perth · Children (4-15 yr) $12.50, adults $24.50
10:05
Heirisson Island read more map ↗
Spot wild kangaroos roaming freely on this serene island in the Swan River.
50 min · Perth · Free.
11:05
Western Australian Museum museum.wa.gov.au read more map ↗
Explore diverse exhibits of social, natural, and marine history from Western Australia.
50 min · Perth · Free
open: Daily 9AM-5PM
12:05
Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts pica.org.au read more map ↗
Experience experimental contemporary art in rotating exhibitions by local and international artists.
50 min · Perth · Free
open: 11AM-6PM (closed Mondays)
13:55
Round House read more map ↗
Visit Western Australia's first permanent building, now a museum of convict life.
50 min · Perth · Entry is free, gold coin donations encouraged.
16:00
Picnic beside this scenic reservoir, surrounded by hills and forests, with nearby hiking trails.
50 min · Perth
16:50
Taste famous Pale Ale in a buzzing restaurant housed in a former crocodile farm by the water.
60 min · Perth
open: open all day, and for breakfast on weekends
Overnight here
e.g. Fremantle Prison YHA · Pier 21 Apartment Hotel

Day 3 Around Perth

6 curated stops
Transit
2h19
Finish
~17:10
Temperature
16.2°C–22.4°C
Rainy days
~4
Daylight
13.7h
09:00
Pet kangaroos and explore wildlife, railways, and craft shops in this expansive conservation park.
50 min · Perth · Free
open: 8:30AM-6PM
10:50
Perth Cultural Centre read more map ↗
Discover art, history, and contemporary culture in a vibrant hub near the train station.
50 min · Perth
11:50
Hear the resonant chime of bells from a historic tower at the foot of Barrack Street.
50 min · Perth · $11, child $7
12:50
Barracks Arch read more map ↗
See the remaining arch of a historic Tudor-style soldiers' accommodation amidst city life.
50 min · Perth · Free
13:50
Wander past vibrant modern architecture with sweeping city and river views.
50 min · Perth
15:40
Fremantle Arts Centre fac.org.au read more map ↗
Engage with contemporary art in a courtyard that hosts free Sunday music sessions in summer.
90 min · Perth · Free entry
Overnight here
e.g. Fremantle Prison YHA · Pier 21 Apartment Hotel

Day 4 Busselton

5 curated stops
Transit
3h45
Finish
~17:10
Temperature
12.2°C–23.9°C
Rainy days
~5
Daylight
13.8h
12:00
Busselton Jetty read more
Stroll along the long, restored jetty extending into the bay.
50 min · Busselton
13:05
Wonnerup House read more
Visit this 1859 heritage house and its surviving outbuildings.
50 min · Busselton · Adult $10, student $7, child $5
open: F Sa 10AM–4PM, by appointment only: Su 10AM–11AM
14:10
Old Butter Factory/Busselton Museum busseltonmuseum.org.au
Explore WA's first butter factory turned museum and ice works.
50 min · Busselton
open: 10am–4pm, Wednesday–Monday (closed Tuesdays)
15:15
St Mary's (Church of England) search
See Western Australia's oldest stone church in Busselton.
50 min · Busselton
16:20
Ithaca search
Admire this 1896 heritage-listed residence with its tower.
50 min · Busselton
Overnight here
e.g. Abbey Beach Resort

Day 5 Pemberton

4 curated stops
Transit
3h33
Finish
~18:00
Temperature
10.5°C–21.5°C
Rainy days
~6
Daylight
13.8h
10:55
Dave Evans Bicentennial Tree read more map ↗
Climb 75m to the highest lookout tree platform for great views.
90 min · Pemberton
12:55
Forrest encounters by tram search map ↗
Ride restored trams past rivers and historic trains with commentary.
90 min · Pemberton · Adult $24, Child $12
open: Departures at 10:45AM and 2PM everyday
14:35
Gloucester Tree read more map ↗
Scale this popular 53m tall lookout tree with close-set rungs.
90 min · Pemberton
17:10
Beedelup Falls search map ↗
Walk through a tree and enjoy falls, lake and park trails.
50 min · Pemberton
Overnight here
e.g. Pump Hill Farm Cottages · Gloucester Motel

Day 6 Denmark

1 curated stops
Transit
2h45
Finish
~12:35
Temperature
12.5°C–20.3°C
Rainy days
~7
Daylight
13.9h
11:45
Greens Pool (William Bay National Park) read more map ↗
You will see a pristine sandy white beach framed by towering granite boulders, offering calm, clear waters for a serene swim.
50 min · Denmark

Time to spare on this day

One stop and a free afternoon. We don't book activities, but these partners do.

Overnight here

Day 7 Albany

6 curated stops
Transit
1h55
Finish
~17:55
Temperature
13.7°C–19.1°C
Rainy days
~7
Daylight
13.9h
09:50
Spot the dog-shaped rock formation with a painted collar.
50 min · Albany
10:50
Patrick Taylor Cottage Museum read more map ↗
Visit the oldest surviving dwelling in Western Australia.
50 min · Albany
11:50
Vancouver Arts Centre read more map ↗
Experience arts in a heritage-listed former hospital building.
50 min · Albany
12:50
Albany Leisure and Aquatic Centre albanyleisurecentre.com.au map ↗
Swim, workout, or play indoor sports in this modern facility.
90 min · Albany
15:00
Feel the breeze and see turbines turning above the scenic views.
50 min · Albany · Free
16:05
Albany's Historic Whaling Station whaleworld.org
Walk through the old whaling station and see preserved equipment.
50 min · Albany
16:55
Bay Merchants Gourmet Deli baymerchants.com.au map ↗
Savor local milk coffee and homemade gourmet treats.
60 min · Albany
open: Daily 6:30AM-6PM

Day 8 Around Albany

6 curated stops
Transit
1h58
Finish
~16:55
Temperature
13.7°C–19.1°C
Rainy days
~7
Daylight
13.9h
09:00
Albany Convict Gaol search
Explore restored convict cells and historic exhibits in this old gaol.
50 min · Albany
10:05
Residency Museum search
Discover shark jaws and a giant lighthouse lens in this historic building.
50 min · Albany
open: M-Sa 10AM-5PM and Su 2-5PM
11:10
Albany Public Library and Information Service search
Browse books and access internet in a welcoming community space.
50 min · Albany
12:15
Brig Amity Replica search
Step aboard this replica ship that brought Albany's first settlers.
50 min · Albany
13:20
The Princess Royal Fortress and National ANZAC Centre nationalanzaccentre.com.au
Learn about troops' experiences and the site's wartime history.
50 min · Albany
14:25
Bibbulmun Track albanyregion.com.au
Hike this long-distance trail through forests and coastline.
90 min · Albany
15:55
Three Plenties Palace Restaurant threeplentiespalace.com.au map ↗
Try quasi-Chinese food in a cozy restaurant setting.
60 min · Albany

🚗 Rental cars for this trip →

🔍 Check before you book

Every stop is a real, sourced place, but opening hours change, roads close and businesses move. Check anything you're paying for before you book.

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