Intrepid Best of Perth, Margaret River and Rottnest Island

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Five days from Fremantle to Perth: a full day on Rottnest Island, home of the quokka, then the Margaret River region with its beaches, wineries, limestone caves and First Nations culture.

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Days

5 days, 4 nights

Age

Group size

Small group

Start / finish

Fremantle / Perth
Perth, around 6:30pm

Return

Perth, around 6:30pm

Accommodation

4 nights in hotels, twin share

Transport

Private vehicle with a leader, ferry to Rottnest Island and island shuttle bus

Meals

4 breakfasts, 1 lunch and 1 dinner

Included experiences

Rottnest Island — full day, quokkas and swimming bays
Busselton — the long timber jetty
Meelup Beach — swim
Sugarloaf Rock — lookout walk
Margaret River — wine, gin and nougat tastings
Ngilgi Cave — cave tour and didgeridoo performance
Yallingup — bushwalk with an Aboriginal guide
Kings Park — Perth city views

Intrepid Best of Perth, Margaret River and Rottnest Island

Pictures / Videos

Itinerary

Day 1: Fremantle

Welcome to Fremantle, or Walyalup in the language of the Whadjuk Noongar people, the Traditional Owners of the land on which Fremantle and Perth now stand. The trip starts with a welcome meeting at your hotel at 6pm, followed by an included dinner at a nearby restaurant with your fellow travellers and leader.

Day 2: Rottnest Island

This morning, take the scenic boat ride to Rottnest Island, a white-sand paradise off the coast, and try for a quokka selfie — these little marsupials are usually happy around people.

Your leader guides you across the island on the hop on hop off vehicle that circles the island. Most of the day is free to enjoy the many swimming bays, beaches and snorkelling spots. Take the afternoon ferry back to Fremantle.

Day 3: Busselton, Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park and Margaret River

Drive to Margaret River with stops along the way. Lunch is in Busselton, home to the longest timber-piled jetty in the Southern Hemisphere at 1.841 km, with time to walk the foreshore.

Continue the coastal drive to Meelup Beach — have your swimsuit ready for a quick dip in the clear turquoise water — then Cape Naturaliste and Sugarloaf Rock, a huge granite rock jutting from the Indian Ocean in Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park. Walk to the lookout for photos.

Tonight, stay in Margaret River; maybe take a stroll down the main street before dinner.

Day 4: Margaret River

Breakfast is at a beachside café overlooking the Indian Ocean surf, then walk along the beach to where the Margaret River meets the ocean.

Lunch is included at a local brewery, followed by a tasting at a winery whose wines are fully estate grown, from vine to bottle on site. At another winery you can taste freshly made nougat, then finish with a gin tasting at a nearby distillery. Tonight, there's an optional group dinner at a local pub.

Day 5: Yallingup to Perth

Drive to Yallingup, a hub of beaches and limestone caves, for a 2.5-hour Ngilgi Cave tour. Bushwalk with a local Aboriginal guide to learn about traditional plants, foods and medicines and the six Nyoongar seasons, and the art of making fire with sticks.

Inside the cave, hear a didgeridoo performance amplified by the acoustics, and learn about the tools, artefacts, life and culture of the Wadandi people.

Heading back towards Perth, stop for a chocolate tasting and at Lake Clifton, known for its thrombolites. In Perth, your leader takes you up to Kings Park for city views. The trip ends at a central Perth hotel at around 6:30pm.

Good to know

Meeting point: Welcome meeting at the joining hotel in Fremantle at 6pm on day 1.
Finishes: Central Perth hotel at around 6:30pm on day 5. Accommodation that night is not included but can be booked on request in Fremantle or Perth.
Minimum age: 15 years.
Fitness: Moderate.
Accommodation note: Rooms are shared; a single supplement can be booked, subject to availability.
Please note: Travelling on this trip supports the Intrepid Foundation partner Greening Australia, which restores landscapes at scale.

What to bring

Water bottle
Sunscreen
Hat
Small backpack

What is included

4 nights in hotels
4 breakfasts, 1 lunch and 1 dinner
Private vehicle, ferry and shuttle bus
Full day on Rottnest Island
Meelup Beach and Sugarloaf Rock
Noongar First Nations experience and Ngilgi Cave visit with didgeridoo performance
Wine, gin and chocolate tastings
Lake Clifton thrombolites
River mouth beach walk, Margaret River

Not included

Meals not listed, including the optional group dinner on day 4
Single supplement, if you'd prefer not to share a room

FAQ

Preparing for the trip

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.

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.

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.