14 Day South Western Australia Deluxe Road Trip
This tour is categorised as 3 out of 5
Balanced exploration with walking tours: Our most popular style, this tour offers a good mix of planned activities and free time. Expect moderate daily walking tours, so pack comfortable shoes.
As a general requirement across all of our trips, you may be required to walk up and down stairs, get on and off transportation, handle your own luggage, and participate in all scheduled sightseeing that may be conducted on uneven ground and terrain. Any physical ailments you may have must be disclosed at the time of booking to determine your suitability and where required, supporting documentation may be requested to ensure that we are comfortable that you will enjoy your trip.
On these packages you will travel from city to city on your own, exploring at your own pace. We have arranged transportation in most cases and day tours for you to see the destination. Enjoy the time and flexibility to linger longer or pick up the pace and see as much as possible.
Inspiring Vacations has been globally recognised and awarded for its handling of COVID-19 during the pandemic. The safety and wellbeing of our guests is our highest concern during this time of uncertainty, and we are continuously monitoring the evolving COVID-19 situation.
We have adopted the advice of the WHO to ensure all customers can travel with the knowledge of how to travel safely and with confidence.
Australian owned and operated with 100% Australian Customer Service support
We are proudly 100% Australian owned and operated, with our head office located in Melbourne, Victoria. When you make your booking, you will receive dedicated and ongoing support from our team of travel professionals throughout your booking, up until you are due to depart.
Experience a superior level of comfort. Our Small Group tours have been crafted for Inspiring Vacations travellers exclusively, with personal and unique experiences in mind. Travel with no more than 26 people, allowing for a more personalised and immersive experience. Please see the Important Information on your selected tour for the exact group size.
✓ Pay in full and receive a 5% discount, save up to $177 per person
✓ Enjoy the flexibility of independent travel
✓ 13 nights accommodation at comfortable mostly 4* properties.
✓ 10 breakfasts and 2 lunches
✓ Full day cruise tour of Rottnest Island, including a 5-course seafood banquet (from October 2021)
✓ Wildlife cruise of Recherche Archipelago off Esperance
✓ Full day guided small group tour of Margaret River including lunch, cheese, wine, beer and chocolate tasting
✓ 11 days Hertz car hire group G, compact SUV, Nissan Quasquai or similar. Includes unlimited kilometers & Hertz Maximum Coverage ("Bring Your Own Car" discounts available)
✓ 7 Day cooling off period. See under Fine Print for more information
Travel with the experts for a carefully curated, value-packed discovery of the world's most iconic destinations. Our tours are bursting with must-see sights, rich experiences and quality inclusions, all at an unbeatable price. Bucket list dreams are ticked off on these all-encompassing journeys.
Make your way to your accommodation. You can arrive at any time as there are no activities arranged for the day.
Check in & arrival information.
A taxi or Uber from Perth airport to your accommodation costs approximately $55 to $60 per car. Hotel check in is at 2pm. Should you arrive earlier than this, hotel staff will do all possible to check you in as soon as possible. If your room is not available before check-in time, you are welcome to leave your luggage in storage and explore the surrounding area.
From 2nd May 2021 to 03rd October 2021 & From 03rd April to 2nd September 2022
Today you will visit one of Western Australia's true highlights, Rottnest Island. Make your own way to Fremantle ferry terminal in time to catch your ferry across to Rottnest Island. Upon arrival, board a bus – one of the few vehicles permitted on Rottnest – and experience the beauty of this super-scenic isle. The 90-minute tour visits the island’s most spectacular locations, with insightful commentary shining a light on Rotto’s unique flora, fauna, history and culture. You will stop at two key vantage points: Wadjemup lighthouse and the rugged West End – where you can hop off, take a short walk and soak up the views. You might even meet a quokka or two along the way. You then have free time at the island until your designated time to catch the ferry back to Fremantle.
From 10 October 2021 to 27 March 2022 and from 09 October 2022 to December 2022
Today you will visit one of Western Australia's true highlights, Rottnest Island. Make your own way to Fremantle ferry terminal in time to catch your ferry across to Rottnest Island. Upon arrival, board a premium vessel for 3.5hr cruise on the crystal-clear waters that Rottnest Island is famous for. Along the way, indulge in a chef-prepared 5-course banquet lunch, complimentary beverages, boat cruise, commentary and activities. After the seafood experience you can have up to 6 hours of leisure time on the island to find a Quokka!
Itinerary note. Lunch is included on itineraries departing from 10 October 2021 to 27 March 2022 and from 09 October 2022 to December 2022
This morning, please make your way to Hertz city depot to collect your vehicle. Today will see you driving east towards Wave Rock. Your accommodation for tonight is at Hyden, only a short drive from Wave Rock.
Approximate driving distance: 350km - 4hrs
Today you are heading south towards Esperance. You may want to make a rest-stop at Lake King. Take a little detour and drive the extraordinary Lake King Causeway, spanning 10 kilometres of salt lakes studded with natural scrub and wildflowers.
Approximate driving distance: 420 km - 4.5 hrs
Make your way to Taylor St Jetty by 9am to join your Esperance wildlife cruise. You will make your way around Lovers Cove, West Beach & Blue Haven before heading out to various islands in the Recherche Archipelago. Enjoy a full commentary throughout the cruise whilst viewing wildlife in their natural environment. Regular sightings include New Zealand Fur Seals, Australian Sea Lions, Cape Barren Geese, Common and Bottlenose Dolphins, White-bellied Sea Eagles and whales (season dependent). Enjoy morning tea in the protected bay of Thomas or Cull Island . Snorkeling equipment is provided for those wanting to enjoy the water. The vessel will also spend time in the incredible turquoise bay of Blue Haven for those wanting to experience swimming in some of the world's clearest water. You will then cruise through remaining islands to view wildlife before returning to Esperance by 12.30pm.
Itinerary note. As this activity is subject to weather conditions and meeting minimum numbers, you may be re-scheuduled to tomorrow. In the unlikely event that this activity doesn't operate at all, you will be refunded the value of this activity accordingly. Please contact this tour operator (details will be provided with your final documentation) 24 hours prior to comencing this activity.
Today is free for you to explore Esperance. We recommend you pay a visit to Cape Le Grand National Park. Whether you choose to hike the 3km to the top of Frenchman Peak for stunning views over the region or to relax at Lucky Bay - arguably Australia’s whitest beach - Cape Le Grand National Park won’t disappoint you.
Alternatively, you may want to complete another epic drive and head towards The Great Ocean Drive which begins only a few kilometres from the Esperance town centre. The full drive is 38km and showcases some of the region’s stunning coastal scenery.
Gear up for the longest driving day of your trip. Today you will be heading west towards one of the region’s gems: Albany.
Approximate driving distance: 480 km - 5.5 hrs
Today is at leisure for you to explore Torndirrup National Park - some 10km south of Albany. Follow state-of-the-art viewing structures and walkways to discover some of Albany’s most famous attractions. “Natural Bridge” is a rock formation sculptured into a bridge, shaped by the powerful swells of the Southern Ocean. Nearby you’ll find “The Gap”, a 24 metre drop where the ocean rushes into a large cavern in the rocks. Take your time to admire wildflowers form a colourful blanket along the cliffs and keep your eyes in the ocean as seals and whales (in season) can often be seen playing in the waters below.
Continue exploring Albany. From January to April you may want to consider joining a Killer Whale tour. Tours operate from Bremer, some 200km from Albany. The below two options are the same tour, one includes transport from Albany however it requires a minimum of 4 travellers to run, the other requires you to drive to Bremer but it’s guaranteed to run.
The Bremer Canyon plays host to the largest congregation of Killer Whales in the Southern Hemisphere. It is believed that a very deep Antarctic flow, the Flinders Current, enters the canyon gathering bio carbons which create a nutrient rich environment which collides with the Leeuwin Current flow and the topography of the canyon creates an oceanic eddy. This interaction creates nutrient rich upwelling waters where phytoplankton develops and an intense food chain for marine life prospers. Killer Whales are at the top of that food chain. The Bremer Canyon, Hood, Henry & Knob Canyon’s intersect with the Continental Shelf just 20 nautical mile (37 kms) off the coastline and this ‘Patch’ is where Giant & Colossal squid spawn. These cephalopods are a main source of food for the Killers Whales and other toothed Whales including Beaked, Sperm & Pilot Whales, unfortunately the Killer Whales also prey on the Beaked Whale as a food source. Some of the local pod’s are known to be generalist Orca’s (Killer Whales), which means they feed on a varied diet including other cetaceans, however in the summer time they predominantly feed on the giant and colossal squid that come into the ‘Patch’.
Tour includes morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea with all drinks. A complimentary glass of wine, champagne or cold beer is offered on the journey home.
Departing from Bremer:
Departure time: 8am from Bremer Bay Boat Harbour, Swarbrick Road, Bremer Bay. Please arrive 30’ prior to departure. Boarding Gate closes 5 minutes prior to departure
Duration: 7 hour Tour
Operating months: From January to April
As above, but this option includes your hotel pick up and drop off to avoid the 180km drive in each direction
Departure time: 5.30 am from your hotel in Albany
Duration: 12 hours
Operating months: From January to April
Today continue driving west towards Magaret River - one of Australia's largest wine regions. With more than 200 vineyards, Margaret River produces more than 25% of Australia’s premium wine.
Approximate driving distance: 370km - 4.5hrs
Today enjoy a guided Margaret River wine experiencing the region’s amazing food, wine and culture. Yo will be collected from your accommodation at approximately 9.30am and get the day started with a coffee tasting at a local roaster before heading to your first boutique winery experience for the day. Experience first hand the subtle flavours of extra virgin olive oils before enjoying a relaxing lunch and cleansing ale at a local brewery. The afternoon will see you two cellar doors including a cheese & wine pairing. Finish off the day with a visit to a chocolate factory to indulge in all things cocoa.
Today is free for you to continue exploring the area. If wine is the name of the game, take your time to explore some of the 90 cellar doors in the region.
Alternatively, exploring the caving system is also a popular activity in Margaret River. It is difficult to choose the best cave. You can marvel at the reflections on Lake Cave’s permanent lake, be dwarfed in Jewel Cave’s enormous chambers and take it easy on the Mammoth Cave self- guided tour. At Yallingup’s Ngilgi Cave, you will learn the Aboriginal legend as you look up at limestone shawl formations– or delve deeper into the cave on an adventure tour. Cave opening hours and tours start from 9am and finish between 4pm and 5pm. Entry fee is approximately $22.50 per adult.
If travelling between late July and August, you want to consider a cruise to witness the mighty Humpback on their migration path. This tour departs from Augusta, 50km south of Margaret River
Today you will make your way to Augusta, approx 50kms from your accommodtion. Your tour will start on an amazing luxury catamaran to take you out to the magnificent Western Australia Whales. The vessel has 5 viewing decks over three levels from which you can sight the magnificent Humpback, Southern Right and occasionally, the very rare Blue Whale along with Seals, Dolphins and migratory bird life from all over the world.
Season runs from May to August
Duration approx 2 hours
Indulge yourself & loved ones with an exclusive first class VIP Captains Lounge Experience with complimentary Whale Watch nibbles, Margaret River wines, local Beers, tea, coffee & cake. Exclusive Captains Lounge Seating with prime grandstand viewing & first class service.
Season runs from May to August
Duration approx 2 hours
Start the last driving leg of your trip.
On the way north, you may want to stop at Busselton Jetty. This 150+ year old timber jetty stretches 1.84km into the Geographe Bay - making it the longest timber jetty in the Southern Hemisphere. Whether you walk to the end or take the jetty train, make sure to check out the Underwater Observatory for a glimpse of the sea life that inhabits this artificial environment.
Further north, you may want to pay a visit to the Dolphin Discovery Centre, in Bunbury. Walk down to the “interaction zone” for an opportunity to say to the many dolphins that visit this bay all year round. There is no entrance fee but please make sure you follow the instructions of dolphin volunteers
If you’re feeling peckish, you may want to explore Bunbury Farmers market, which opens daily from 7.30am to 5.30pm.
Approximate driving distance: 278 km - 4hrs
Today your Western Australia Deluxe Road Trip comes to an end. Please return your vehicle to Hertz Perth Downtown depot at the same time you picked it up from Fremantle (additional charges may apply otherwise). Farewell Western Australia as you make your own way to the airport for your onward flight or to continue the next part of your journey.
Today you will make your way to Fremantle, approx 20kms from Perth. Your tour will start at 10am on an amazing luxury catamaran to take you out to the magnificent Western Australia Whales. The vessel has 5 viewing decks over three levels from which you can sight the magnificent Humpback, Southern Right and occasionally, the very rare Blue Whale along with Seals, Dolphins and migratory bird life from all over the world. Take in the sights of Rottnest Island and experience the ultimate Whale Watch experience right here in Perth, Western Australia.
Season runs from September to December
Duration approx 2 hours
Indulge yourself & loved ones with an exclusive first class VIP Captains Lounge Experience with complimentary Whale Watch nibbles, Margaret River wines, local Beers, tea, coffee & cake. Exclusive Captains Lounge Seating with prime grandstand viewing & first class service.
Season runs from September to December
All Renters and any additional drivers must present a full, valid national Drivers License that meets the following requirements:
1. The Drivers License for all drivers must be presented at the time of rental
2. Drivers License must be in English
3. If not in English, it must be accompanied by an International Drivers License or Permit by a certified English translation
4. Chinese Driver’s Licenses are acceptable, but they must have a China Notarial Certificate (CNC):
a. Is valid for driving the vehicle;
b. Is not a learner’s permit;
c. The driver has held for at least twelve consecutive months; and
d. Satisfies any other conditions on the Rental Agreement or in any additional terms
Digital Drivers License
A Digital Drivers License is not accepted. Drivers require a hard copy license until further notice
Deposit
All rentals are subject to a deposit to cover additional costs. A min of AU$200 applies for Metro Locations, $200 for Remote Locations, $200 for Licensee locations and $400 for 4WD locations in Sydney and Melbourne if using a credit card in the name of the renter. A cash deposit is not accepted.
Rates Include
Unlimited Kilometres, Maximum Cover (MAX), Admin Fee Recovery (AFR), 24Hr Breakdown Roadside Assistance, Goods & Service Tax (GST)
Rates Exclude
Airport/Ferry Concession Fee Recovery (ACFR), Fuel, One Way Fees, Optional Extras (baby seats, snow chains etc), applicable Locations Fees.
Damage Excess for Cars
NIL
Young Renters Fee
Where a renter is aged between 21-24 a young driver fee of $16.50 inclusive of GST (Capped at $115.50 in each 30 day period) will apply for Standard passenger vehicles.
Avis full Rental Terms & Conditions can be found HERE
Some of our packages will include airport transfers in either one or both directions when arriving or departing from your destination. To know if transfers are included please view the ‘inclusions’ section of your selected package. If airport transfers are stated, transfers will be included as advised.
If transfers are not included, we also offer the option to book your airport transfers using our online portal. Access to this portal is available through your Traveller Hub once your booking is confirmed. Transfers are readily available and do not need to be booked until your final hotel list has been confirmed. Once you have made a transfer booking, please refer to your confirmation email for all transfer details including a local contact number for the transfer company.
If you book pre and/or post-tour accommodation on your own arrangement, and the tour includes transfers, note that these will be forfeited. The transfers are only provided in line with the tour dates and pre and/or post-tour accommodation purchased through Inspiring Vacations when available.
It is the traveller's responsibility to ensure they have a valid passport. The passport must be valid for a minimum of six months from the intended date of return. Visas may be required for your destination. For further visa information, click here.
All participants must be in good physical condition to fully engage in this journey. For the safety and welfare of yourself and fellow travellers, if you are feeling unwell prior to departure, we advise staying home and contacting us to arrange alternate plans.
Prior to selecting your trip, carefully review the itinerary to assess your ability to comfortably manage our travel style. Please be aware that if, based on evaluation by our leader or local representative, a participant is deemed unable to safely complete the itinerary, we retain the right to exclude them from all or part of the trip without reimbursement.
It is advisable to consult your physician for current medical travel advisories and any required vaccinations before embarking. We recommend carrying a first aid kit and any necessary medications in their original packaging, as they may not be readily available during travel. For those carrying medication, it's essential to check your government's foreign travel guidelines for local restrictions or regulations.
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