Intrepid Best of Perth, Margaret River and Rottnest Island

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Perth's natural highlights in five days: from Fremantle to Rottnest Island for a full day, then through the Margaret River region and across to Western Australia's capital city.

Days

5 days, 4 nights

Age

15 and over

Group size

Small group, max 12

Start / finish

Fremantle / Perth
Perth, around 6:30pm on day 5

Return

Perth, around 6:30pm on day 5

Accommodation

Hotels, 4 nights, twin share
Single supplement available

Transport

Private vehicle, ferry to Rottnest Island and shuttle bus

Meals

4 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 1 dinner

Route

Map of Intrepid Best of Perth, Margaret River and Rottnest Island

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Included experiences

Rottnest Island — full day, quokkas and beaches
Meelup Beach — swimming
Sugarloaf Rock — Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park
Ngilgi Cave — cave tour and didgeridoo performance
Yallingup — Noongar First Nations experience
Margaret River — wine, gin and chocolate tastings
Lake Clifton — thrombolites
Margaret River — river mouth beach walk

Intrepid Best of Perth, Margaret River and Rottnest Island

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Itinerary

Map

DAY 1: FREMANTLE

Your trip begins in Fremantle, Walyalup to the Whadjuk Noongar people, with a welcome meeting at the hotel at 6pm. Come early and you have the afternoon in a port town that grew up in the 1830s. The Round House, finished in 1831 as a jail, is the oldest public building still standing in Western Australia, and from its terrace you look down the High Street. The Fremantle Markets have traded under the same roof since 1897, and the WA Maritime Museum sits on the harbour. After the meeting, the group walks to a nearby restaurant for a welcome dinner with your leader, a good chance to learn names before the early start.

Overnight: Fremantle

DAY 2: ROTTNEST ISLAND

A morning ferry carries you about 19 km offshore to Rottnest Island, Wadjemup. Dutch captain Willem de Vlamingh landed in 1696, took the quokkas for giant rats and named the place 'rat's nest'. About 10,000 of these small marsupials live here, so used to people that a selfie is easy, though they must never be fed or touched. Your leader takes you around on the hop-on hop-off bus that loops the island, then most of the day is free. There are more than 60 beaches and bays, private cars are banned, and the reefs close to shore make for some of the best snorkelling near Perth. The afternoon ferry brings you back to Fremantle.

Overnight: Fremantle

DAY 3: BUSSELTON, CAPE NATURALISTE AND MARGARET RIVER

Today you head south, about four hours of driving broken by stops. Lunch is in Busselton, where the timber jetty runs 1.841 km into Geographe Bay, the longest timber-piled jetty in the Southern Hemisphere. Work on it began in 1865 so ships could load timber beyond the shallows. Then it's Meelup Beach, which faces north into the bay, so the water is usually calm and clear for a swim. Cape Naturaliste takes its name from a French ship on Nicolas Baudin's 1801 expedition. From the lookout you see Sugarloaf Rock, a granite stack in Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park and the southernmost nesting site of the red-tailed tropicbird. Tonight, stroll Margaret River's main street before dinner.

Overnight: Margaret River

DAY 4: MARGARET RIVER

Breakfast is at a beachside café looking out over the surf, then you walk the sand to the Margaret River mouth, where the river meets the Indian Ocean beside Surfers Point, home of the Margaret River Pro surf contest. After lunch at a local restaurant, the afternoon is for tasting. The region's first vines went in at Vasse Felix in 1967, and its mild, ocean-cooled climate now grows some of the country's best cabernet and chardonnay. You taste at a winery whose wine goes from vine to bottle on the estate, try freshly made nougat, sample local chocolate and finish with gin at a nearby distillery. Tonight there's an optional group dinner at a local pub.

Overnight: Margaret River

DAY 5: YALLINGUP TO PERTH

This morning you drive to Yallingup for Ngilgi Cave. It begins with a bushwalk beside a local Aboriginal guide, who shows you plants used for food and medicine, explains the six Noongar seasons and makes fire by rubbing sticks together. Inside the cave, a didgeridoo performance fills the chamber. Wadandi people tell how the good spirit Ngilgi fought the evil spirit Wolgine here and drove him out to sea. Heading north, you stop at Lake Clifton, where thrombolites, rock-like mounds built by microbes, grow in the shallows, relatives of some of the oldest life on earth. In Perth, your leader takes you up to Kings Park, 400 hectares of bush and gardens above the city, before the trip ends at a central hotel at about 6:30pm.

Map

Good to know

Meeting point: Welcome meeting at 6pm on day 1 at the joining point hotel in Fremantle.
Finishes: Perth on day 5, at the finish point hotel around 6:30pm, with a drop-off at a centrally located hotel.
Minimum age: 15.
Fitness: Moderate.
Accommodation note: A single supplement can be booked if you'd prefer not to share a room, subject to availability. To see more of Perth, extend your stay in Fremantle or Perth.
Please note: By travelling on this trip you directly support the Intrepid Foundation partner Greening Australia.

What to bring

Water bottle
Sunscreen
Hat
Small backpack

What is included

4 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 1 dinner
Hotel accommodation, 4 nights
Private vehicle, ferry and shuttle bus
Full day on Rottnest Island
Meelup Beach, Dunsborough
Sugarloaf Rock, Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park
Noongar First Nations experience, Yallingup
Ngilgi Cave visit and didgeridoo performance, Yallingup
Wine tasting at a local winery, Margaret River
Gin tasting and chocolate tasting, Margaret River
Thrombolites at Lake Clifton
River mouth beach walk, Margaret River

FAQ

Preparing for the trip

Do I need travel insurance?

Insurance is important in protecting visitors from loss or damange of goods, medical problems, cancelation by passengers or other casualties. Its highly recommended. Some tours on this website require you to have travel insurance. If you are Australian then it is not necessary.

Where can I get more information about this trip?

If you find that this tour page doesn't answer all your questions, then please get in contact with us! Our passionate team are always available to answer any queries you may have.

What immunisations do I need?

For the latest information on immunisations, we strongly recommend you or contact the Travellers Medical and Vaccination Centre (www.traveldoctor.com.au) to discuss health requirements for your trip. They will advise you about appropriate inoculations.

Do I need to take any medical supplies?

It is not necessary to bring any medical supplies other than any personal items you may require. Each tour carries a first aid box, and the tour guides are all certified in First Aid.

Will I be able to use my mobile whilst on tour?

You can use your mobile while touring in Australia or New Zealand, but coverage may be limited in remote areas. For best connectivity, consider purchasing a local SIM card or an international roaming plan.

How fit do I need to be?

These tours are designed to be fun, informative and active, and can be enjoyed by anyone with a moderate degree of fitness and agility. Travellers should be comfortable with hiking or walking up to 5km each day.

What should I pack?

Depending on where in Australia or New Zealand you decide to visit, your luggage will vary. For exact information please visit the "What to bring" section of each tour page.

Private tours and families

Is it possible to travel in a private group?

If you are looking for a private tour based on one of these trips, please contact us directly and we may be able to help. Over the years we have worked with families, groups of friends, schools, clubs and charities to put together the perfect trip.

Booking the trip

Do I have to book this tour online?

Definitely not. Our website is designed to make is easy and convenient for you to schedule your tour. However we understand sometimes its nice to talk to someone directly. So by all means give us a call and we can organise your trip over the phone.

If I book more than one tour can I get a discount?

Absolutely! If you are booking multiple tours then we may be able to offer you a discount. Send us an email at info@lostinaustralia.org and let us know what you thinking of doing and we can put together a price for you.Also, be sure to look out for monthly specials on tours. We often have some great bargains.

Does the tour price include flights?

No. Tour prices do not include any travel arrangements other than for the duration of the tour itself. If you need assistance with booking flights or buses our travel team and certainly help - Just ask!

How far in advance do I need to book my tour?

As a rule of thumb, try to book at least 2 weeks prior to departure, this will usually get you a seat on the date you want. That being said, we cannot guarantee that spaces will be available at the time of your booking so, if you can, book as soon as possible. Bookings can still be made right up until the departure date of the tour if seats are available. If you know when you'd like to travel, please contact us and we will let you know if you need to book soon or if you have time.

How do I know when a tour is available?

You can check the departure dates of tours by using our calendar on the top right hand corner of the tour page. This will tell you what days the tour departs. For availability of seats please contact us directly at info@lostinaustralia.org or call us.

If I make a deposit only, when will I need to pay the balance?

Balance on tours need to be paid at least 30 days prior to departure. Failure to do so could result is the cancellation of your seat with a fee charged. If you need more time to clear your balance then let us know ASAP and arrangements can be made.

Who travels with us

Is it ok to travel alone on one of these tours?

Plenty of travellers book these tours on their own. Solo travellers are very much welcomed and encouraged. During your outback adventure you'll meet new and interesting people and forge relationships that last a lifetime.Solo travellers will usually share a room with a travelling companion of the same sex, but even if you do get your own room you won't be charged extra. On camping tours there are generally enough tents available that you can have your own if you choose to.For more information please contact us directly.

Cost and Fees

Do I need to tip the guide?

If you had an amazing time on tour and wish to tip your guide, that is completely up to you. Tipping is not customary in Australia and is not at all expected.

Will I need additional money?

Travellers are advised to bring some cash, as ATMs and banks can be few and far between in the remote parts of the trip. It is handy to have some extra cash, as the tour does stop by local shops and cafes.

Are there any hidden fees I need to know about?

Our tour prices are completely transparent. There are no additional fees involved that are not included in the overall tour price shown. If you wish to do optional activities such as helicopter rides or wildlife safaris, then an extra cost may be needed. However, this will always be made clear at the time of your booking.

What does Paid Locally mean?

Some tours require you to pay national park fees directly, in cash, to the tour guide on the morning of departure. Rest assured this will be subtracted from the tour price when reserving your tour.

Whilst on tour

Can I book extra accommodation for the start and end of the tour?

We know our country inside and out and would be happy to give you good recommodations. Please contact us for recommendations.

Where do I meet the tour?

For pick-up times and locations, please check the "Start/Finish" section directly under the itinerary, which lists every pick-up point and its time.There is a lot of information there to help you plan your flights and arrival.Please review it carefully, as pick-ups can vary from tour to tour.