Share Bus South West Loop

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A 10 day camping road trip on the Share Bus from Perth around the South West to Esperance and back — beaches, forests, animals and a wine tasting or two.

Days

10 days

Age

Aimed at 18 to 35

Start / finish

Perth / Perth

Return

See itinerary for details

Tour style

Shared minibus rental, not a guided tour. You and other backpackers share the driving and plan the route, with a recommended itinerary

Accommodation

Camping in shared tents at free or low-cost camps
Campsite fees not included

Transport

Minibus with camping trailer, fuel and insurance included

Meals

Not included — you cook with the equipment provided

Route

View map

Included experiences

Margaret River — beaches, surf and wine tasting
Hamelin Bay — stingrays at the beach
Pemberton and Walpole — giant trees and forest
Albany — hiking nearby
Fitzgerald River National Park — hiking and snorkelling
Esperance — white beaches and kangaroos
Hyden — Wave Rock

Pictures / Videos

Itinerary

Map

HOW THE ROUTE WORKS

This is a shared rental, not a guided tour, so the start and end dates are fixed and the rest is up to your group. You get a recommended plan with free or low-cost camps and things to do at each stop, and you share the driving (drivers must be 21 or over), the cooking and the decisions. The days below follow that recommended plan. Swap, stretch or skip as you like, as long as the bus is back in Perth on day 10.

DAY 1: PERTH TO BUSSELTON, DUNSBOROUGH AND EAGLE BAY

You meet your travel mates in Perth in the morning, load the minibus and trailer, and do the first big food shop together. Then it's three hours south to Busselton, where the timber jetty runs 1.8 km out to sea, the longest wooden-piled jetty in the southern hemisphere. Walk it, or just look down through the clear water at the fish. The afternoon is for the sheltered beaches around Dunsborough and Eagle Bay on Geographe Bay, where the water is calm and turquoise and dolphins often cruise close to shore.

Overnight: a free or low-cost camp near Dunsborough

DAYS 2 AND 3: MARGARET RIVER AND HAMELIN BAY

Two days in Margaret River country, where the first vines went in in 1967 and the region now makes some of Australia's best cabernet and chardonnay. Catch any beaches you missed, watch the surfers at Surfers Point, home of the Margaret River Pro, and line up wine, cheese and chocolate tastings. Down the coast at Hamelin Bay, smooth stingrays and eagle rays glide into the shallows by the old jetty pylons, close enough to watch from ankle-deep water.

Overnight: free or low-cost camps around Margaret River

DAY 4: PEMBERTON AND THE KARRI FORESTS

Inland to Pemberton and the giant karri forest. Karri grow to around 90 metres, among the tallest hardwoods on earth. The Gloucester Tree is a 58 metre karri that was a fire lookout, with a spiral of metal pegs hammered into the trunk. Climb as high as your nerve allows. Choose a forest walk, maybe a section of the Bibbulmun Track, which runs about 1,000 km from the Perth hills to Albany, and cool off at the local dams and cascades.

Overnight: a free or low-cost camp near Pemberton

DAY 5: WALPOLE AND DENMARK

Around Walpole grow red tingle trees, found nowhere else in the world, and the Valley of the Giants Tree Top Walk takes you up to 40 metres above the forest floor on swaying steel spans (entry is extra), with free forest walks nearby. In Denmark, look at the inlet near Ocean Beach, then swim at Greens Pool in William Bay National Park, where a line of granite boulders holds back the Southern Ocean to make a calm, clear lagoon. Next door, Elephant Rocks look like a herd wading into the sea. Finish at the local bakery.

Overnight: a free or low-cost camp near Denmark

DAY 6: ALBANY AND THE STIRLING RANGE

Restock the food box in Albany, settled in 1826 and the oldest European town in Western Australia. In Torndirrup National Park, a viewing platform hangs over The Gap, where Southern Ocean swells smash into a granite channel about 40 metres below your feet. Feeling strong? Head north instead to the Stirling Range and climb Bluff Knoll, at 1,099 metres the highest peak in the south of the state, often wrapped in cloud while the plains below sit in sun.

Overnight: a free or low-cost camp near Albany

DAY 7: FITZGERALD RIVER NATIONAL PARK

East along the south coast to Fitzgerald River National Park, one of the richest places for plants in Australia, with around 1,800 flowering species, many found nowhere else. It's a UNESCO biosphere reserve of sea cliffs, quiet inlets, wild beaches and hiking trails. Bring your snorkel for the sheltered bays, and from about June to October look out to sea for southern right whales, which come into these bays to calve.

Overnight: a free or low-cost camp in or near the national park

DAYS 8 AND 9: ESPERANCE AND CAPE LE GRAND

Two days around Esperance and Cape Le Grand National Park. At Lucky Bay, named by Matthew Flinders after he sheltered there in 1802, the sand is so white it squeaks underfoot, and kangaroos laze on the beach as if they own it. Climb Frenchman Peak, 262 metres of granite with a cave near the top that frames the view. On the afternoon of day 9 you start the drive north towards Wave Rock, breaking the trip with a camp along the way.

Overnight: free or low-cost camps around Esperance, then on the road to Hyden

DAY 10: WAVE ROCK AND BACK TO PERTH

Morning at Wave Rock near Hyden, a 15 metre granite cliff shaped like a breaking wave and streaked by minerals in water running down its face. The rock itself is about 2,700 million years old. Then it's the drive of about four hours back west through the wheatbelt, rolling into Perth after ten days on the road.

Map

Good to know

Suits: The target age group is 18 to 35.
Fitness: Moderate — lots of hiking, snorkelling and exercise.

What to bring

Sleeping bag
Water bottle
Appropriate clothing and shoes

What is included

Rental of minibus and trailer
Camping equipment
Cooking equipment
Fuel
Insurance and RAC roadside assistance
National park entry
Consumables like oil, salt, pepper, sunscreen and alfoil
Guidebook and recommended itinerary
A group of other solo travellers to travel with

Not included

Sleeping bag (for hygiene reasons)
Accommodation — tents and recommended free camps are provided
Food

FAQ

Preparing for the trip

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.