This trip is good for a relaxing short holiday without rushing to see all. We will head South of the city to Yallingup and spend 2 full days in Margaret River region.
This is base on flying into Perth airport at 3pm and flying out at night on the last day. Getting a night flight and arriving Perth in the morning will get you an extra half day in Margaret River.
Duration
5 days
Singapore to Perth > Wednesday
Perth to Yallingup > Wednesday
Yallingup to Margaret River to Yallingup > Thursday and Friday
Yallingup to Busselton to Fremantle to Perth > Saturday
Perth to Singapore > Sunday
Accomodation
1. Sienna Estate vineyard lodge (Yallingup)
GPS S33-40-10.7 E115-01-49.0
2. Rydges Hotel (Perth)
TIP
- Accommodation rates in the winter period is generally lower. Anyway, the cold during winter in Margaret River region is still bearable, the only setback is no fruits hanging in the trees, but you still get green grasses and cool weather during the day. Bear in mind that the day in winter is short and the sky gets dark as early as 5pm.
- Accommodation is plentiful and varies from chalets with multple rooms, to boutique hotels, farmstay and resorts in forest setting. Visit these websites for more information ;
Margaret River region Farmstay and B&B
Western Australia Tourism
Official Tourism site of Margaret River wine region
- If you are in group of 6-8 person, the Riverglen Chalet in a forest setting is a good place to set up base. It is conveniently located just outside the Margaret River town, so you are always a short drive or walk to the shops and supermarket. The self contained timber chalet comes with kitchen, gas fired bbq pit, a real fire place, 2 rooms and 1 attic room.
- Most attractions (Restaurants, Cafes, Retail Outlets, Wineries) are nestled between Yallingup and Witchcliffe.
Riverglen Chalets
Lot 321 Carters Road
Trip Details
Day 1
Singapore - Perth - Yallingup
Perth - Yallingup > approx. 280 km > 4 hrs
Hertz has a counter at the extreme end of the terminal. Turn left after the customs and you won't miss the yellow signboard of Hertz..
There are 2 big parking lots for rental vehicles, so note which one to go to for picking up the car.
Head straight to Margaret River from the airport and you should reach Yallingup in 4 hours.
TIP
- If you are driving in the evening, watch out for kangaroos crossing road. While driving at night in heavy rain along Bussell Highway, I managed to catch a glimpse of a huge kangaroo jumping off the road into the bush. The 2nd encounter was in Margaret River region along the small 2 lanes road.
- Take note of the turn-off to the left along Cave Road to Sienna Estate as it is not an obvious junction, especially in the dark. You know you have passed the turn-off junction when you see the sea.
Accommodation
Sienna Estate vineyard lodge
TIP
- Having a GPS helps in moving around in the region, especially at night when roads are totally dark and trying to rely on road name can be taxing while navigating. Other than kangaroos, we saw what looks like a fox crossing the road near Sienna Estate. There are GPS co-ordinates given in some of the locations in this webpage.
- While checking-in, grab an A3 size map of Margaret River at the counter. This map is very handy in identifying where to go and what to do.
Day 2
Yallingup - Margaret River region - Yallingup
The day is spent exploring the Margaret River region; visiting the various food companies and beautiful wineries, before settling down for a nice cosy dinner in town to wrap up the day.
Margaret River Chocolate Company
Opens daily 9am-5pm
Harmans Mill Road, Willyabrup.
Going South from Sienna Estate, turn right into Metricup Road from Caves Road, then left into Harmans Mill Road.
It's chocolate everywhere in the retail outlet and if time is right, you get to see them make chocolate.
Margaret River Nuts and Cereal
Opens 7 days 9am-5pm
Lot 304 Harmans Mill Road, Willyabrup.
From Chocolate Company, continue East along Harmans Mill Road.
This is a family owned busines with a retail outlet with racks of products and some samples for tasting. This is just a place to browse around and buy some (sugar coated, honey roasted, plain,.....) nuts and cereal.
Candy Cow
Opens daily 10am-5pm
Cowaramup
What else? The shop is filled with different types of candies, nougat and if the timing is right, you get to see them make candy.
The Berry Farm
GPS S34-00-15.5 E115-12-27.9
Opens daily 10am-4.30pm
Bessell Road
Another must have items are the scones and beef pie in the cottage.
Wine tasting
There are countless wineries along Caves Road from Yallingup to Karridale (more than 150 wineries in Margaret River region). A notable one to visit is Leeuwin Estate (known for their Art series wine) located along Stevens Road.
Voyager Estate, Stevens Road
Laurance Cellar
Margaret River
GPS S33-58-35.3 E114-59-10.4
After some wine tasting at Leeuwin Estate, check out Margaret River mouth in the vincinity. Head to Prevelly Park at the coast and you will see the Margaret River meeting the ocean. The wind in winter can be very cold and strong at the coast and beware of the salt spray on your camera.
Margaret River coast
Day 3
Horse riding
It is highly recommended that a horse riding be included into the itenerary, do a full day riding if you can afford the time.
This particular 1 hour ride took us to a nearby woods where you can see the native trees, animals and birds.
Margaret River Horse Back Tours
GPS S33-58-34.9 E115-05-57.5
4 km South of Margaret River near the junction of Darch Road and Rosa Brook Road.
We had a 1 hour horse ride for AUS$45.
There were cukabara "laughing" among the trees, kangaroos staring at us as we rode past. It was amazing that we can't see the kangaroos that were blended into the background when they stood still, fully exposed to our views just meters away.
Bootleg Brewery
GPS S33-45-24.8 E115-03-17.4
Opens 7 days 10am-4.30pm, lunch from 12pm-3pm
Puzey Road, Wilyabrup.
After enjoying the scenery on horse back, it's time to have a mug of ice cold beer and lunch.
The brewery and restaurant
Al Fresco seating at the brewery, under the blue sky and cool weather.
Rainbow and cows
Day 4
Yallingup - Busselton - Fremantle - Perth
Note that highway 10 is the way back to Perth, a wrong turn in Busselton can mean taking the coastal road that is longer.
While in Yallingup, visit the beach to see the surf. Go along Canal Rock Road towards the coast.
Must try in Fremantle are the Fish and Chips and Chilli Mussels.
Day 5
Perth - Singapore
It's a night flight, so we get to have a full day in Perth for shopping before heading to airport.
TIP
- Plan a Sunday for this last day if you are keeping the rental car for the airport transfer. Parking along the roadside is free from Saturday evening (6pm) to whole of Sunday. However, be aware that some shops are not opened on Sunday, The big shopping malls are still open.
- Beware that all fruit jam bottle must be checked-in and not in hand-carry bags. We had our Berry Farm strawberry jam confiscated during boarding due to security reasons.
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If you have any comments to add in this itinerary, please email me.