12 Days Perth & Western Australia Itinerary

The adventurous me has always wanted a road trip and in 2017 I got my wish come true as we visited the land Down Under. I didn’t pen down this itinerary sooner as it wasn’t my own, it was a 12-day itinerary to the city of Perth and the Western Australia region planned by my sis-in-law in which I think it’s by far the best itinerary I have come across thus far. My colleague’s recent trip to Perth and the daily reminder on Facebook set the course for me to write about this. It’ll be a waste not to share an itinerary this great. In the summer of November 2017, we pressed on the gas pedal and made our way to Hyden, Esperance, Albany, Augusta, Bunbury, Fremantle, Lancelin, Kalbarri and City of Perth.

This is the break down of the expenses.
Flight: RM1058.80 per person (inclusive of meal and baggage)
Visa: RM25
Car rental: $1045.00 → RM3323.10 (the exchange rate back then was $1 = RM3.18) / 7 adults = RM474.73

Day 1 (29 Nov 2017) : Applecross, Perth.

Touched down at Kewdale Airport from Kuala Lumpur at 3pm. It's summer but it's only 21 Celcius outside. Collected our car from Aries Car Rental at around 5pm. All of us were exhausted and our drivers (our men) were just warming up to the streets of Perth so we didn't stray far but just headed to Supa IGA for some groceries (our dinner and breakfast tomorrow) and made our way to Troy Street, Applecross where we spent our first night.

Pic from AirBnb: Family Paradise for 9 guests.

You'd be in awe with the beautiful purple Jaracandas in the neighbourhood.

The accommodation is near Swan River and the hosts do provide tenants with kayaks. If kayaking isn't your thing, you can try to play basketball or jump on the trampoline in the property. In short, it's an amazing stay.

Expenses:
Accommodation: RM682 per night / 7 = RM97.43
Groceries / Food: $42 → RM133.56 (exchange rate was $1=RM3.18 back then) / 7 = RM19.08

Day 2 (30 Nov 2017) : Hyden & Esperance

From Applecross at 8am, we drove for 4 hours through the wheatbelt and reached Hyden at noon just for the renowned Wave Rock.

Paid $12 for the parking and charted our way to surf on the breaking wave.

After visiting Wave Rock, we drove for 4 hours again to the southern region of Perth, Esperance. 

We made a stop for a lunch takeaway at Pink Lake Road Takeaways and Cafe. 

Photo taken by sis-in-law: Yummy burgers to eat in the car

Pic from my sis-in-law's FB: Thought we could find RON 95 / 98 on most of the petrol station but nah... We almost ran out of gas.

Pic from AirBnB: Esperance Seaside.

Reached Esperance at 8pm. Went to the nearest shop for some burgers and fish & chips and retired for the night.

Expenses:

Fuel: $162.13 → RM515.58 / 7 = RM73.65

Entrance to Wave Rock: $5 per pax → RM15.90

Parking: $12 → RM38.16 / 7 = RM5.45
Lunch: $33.40  → RM106.21 / 5 = RM21.24

Accommodation: RM569 per night / 7 = RM81.29
Groceries / Food: $62 → RM197.16 / 7 = RM28.17

Day 3 (1 Dec 2017) : Esperance & Albany

Didn't get to shop for any groceries last night so out we went to seek for breakfast. Went to Subway and made a blunder of ordering too much for breakfast so we ended up eating Subway as our lunch too.

Pic taken by sis-in-law: Our breakfast and lunch... Ended up ordering too much.

Tanker Jetty was closed. We checked out the next best thing-- the beach nearby Tanker Jetty.

Off we went to Cape Le Grand for another beach trip to Lucky Bay to spot the wild kangaroos.

In awe with the beauty of Lucky Bay

Friendly wild kangaroo for you to pet

Still in Esperance. We drove to Merivale Road to see the Stonehenge. The granite monument is the exact replica of the one in UK.

Set the GPS and we hit the road to Albany.

Pic from AirBnb. Spent the night in Emu Point, Albany. 

We didn't reach our place too late in the evening and hence we hunted for food reminding us of our roots-- Chinese food!

Expenses:

Subway breakfast/lunch: $59 → RM187.62 / 7 = RM 26.80
Fuel: $59 → RM187.62 / 7 = RM26.80

Entrance to Cape Le Grand National Park: $13 → RM41.34 / 7 = RM5.91

Entrance to Stonehenge: $10 per person → RM31.80

Accommodation: RM909 per night / 7 = RM129.86
Dinner: $105 → RM333.90 / 7 = RM47.70

Day 4 (2 Dec 2017) : Albany, Denmark & Augusta

Hubby and I made it a point to go strolling before our son got up.

The beach near Emu Point

Then we set foot on Torndirrup National Park to visit The Gap and Natural Beach.

Not adventurous enough to go on the Natural Bridge.

We ventured on the platform and looked at the surging sea beneath us.

Just a short drive away, we visited the wind farm. Again, it's a sight to behold.

The turbines catch the wind and turn it to electricity to light up Albany.

After an hour drive via National Route 1, we arrived in Denmark and our last stop of the day was Greens Pool.

Another stop at the beach, Greens Pool

While he's in his pajama, the locals sunbathed with just their beach pants and bikinis. 

Bye Denmark, Hello Augusta. Our accommodation for the night in Blackwood Avenue.

And off we went to dine in another Chinese restaurant.

Expenses:

Fuel: $116.02 → RM225.06 / 7 = RM32.15

Entrance to Torndirrup National Park: $13 → RM41.34 / 7 = RM5.91

Accommodation: RM831 per night / 7 = RM118.71
Dinner: $70.50 → RM224.19 / 7 = RM32.03
Groceries: $23 → RM73.14 / 2 (only hubby and I) = RM36.57

Day 5 (3 Dec 2017) : Augusta & Bunbury

Went for a stroll again with Mr Hubby. Weather was getting more bearable but drier.

The river in Blackwood Avenue. 5 minutes away (on foot) from the place we stayed.

A nice neighbourhood indeed.

We went 15kms north of Augusta for a truly rare experience.

At Hamelin Bay at around 9am to spot the friendly stringrays coming to the shoreline to greet their visitors.

Drove for 25 mins and we were at the point where Southern and Indian Oceans meet to view the magnificent Cape Leeuwin lighthouse.

Drove for 2 hours and we reached Bunbury Discovery Park. Cute place to stay.

Expenses:
Lunch: $82 → RM260.76 / 7 = RM37.25

Entrance to Cape Leeuwin Lighhouse: $56 → RM178.08 / 7 = RM25.44

Accommodation: RM638 per night / 5 (that Deluxe Cabin only fits 5 people) = RM127.60
Dinner: $64.50 → RM205.11 / 7 = RM29.30
Groceries: $13 → RM41.34 / 2 = rm20.67

Day 6 (4 Dec 2017) : Bunbury & Perth

It was raining cats and dogs that morning but that didn't stop us from going to Busselton Jetty.

View of Busselton Jetty from the train

Natural aquarium

Never had lunch in Dome while in Malaysia cuz I viewed it like an 'atas' place but it's not an 'atas' place in Perth and after that we're off on the road for 2 hours and 30 mins back to Troy Street, Applecross.

Pic taken from my sis-in-law's FB: So we spent the entire afternoon using the facilities in the property.

Expenses:

Busselton Jetty train ride and natural aquarium: $34 per person → RM108.12 

Lunch: $50.40 → RM160.27 / 2 = RM80.14
Accommodation: RM682 per night / 7  = RM97.43
Dinner: $106.50 → RM338.67 / 7 = RM48.38
Fuel: $50 → RM159 / 7 = RM22.71
Groceries: $10.50 → RM33.39/2 = RM 16.70 

Day 7 (5 Dec 2017) : Lancelin, The Pinnacles, Hutt Lagoon & Kalbarri

We revved up and our first stop on Day 7 was Lancelin for the sand dunes. It's summer, it's warmer and we're definitely darker.

Finding the perfect spot to sand surf

Ken Ji's favourite ride

We travelled for an hour along the Indian Ocean Drive from Lancelin to Nambung National Park to the Pinnacles Desert.

The heat was unbearable. It's a desert afterall.

Pic taken from my sis-in-law's FB: It's lunch time. Wanted to go to Lobster Shack but it's closed so we went to another restaurant for crayfish / lobster.

Driving up North after our lunch. Stumbled upon another gem when we were looking for washroom.

Jurien Bay

Of freedom and adventure, we stopped our car on the shoulder of the road and set our dainty feet on Hutt Lagoon.

Came at the wrong time so the lake wasn't that pink.

Pink salt

Drove for 40 mins and we reached Kalbarri Reef Villas.

off we went to retire for the night... Pic taken from AirBnb

Expenses:

Fuel: $102.60 → RM326.27 / 7 = RM46.61

Sandboards rental: $20 for 2 sandboards  → RM63.60 / 7 = RM9.09
Entrance to Nambung National Park: $13 → RM41.34 / 7 = RM5.91
Crayfish for lunch: $105 → rm333.90 / 5 = RM66.78
Dinner: forgot to take note of d amount
Accommodation: RM298 / 4 = RM74.50

Day 8 (6 Dec 2017) : Kalbarri & Geraldton

We went to the beach again to feed the pelicans. Their biological clocks seem to be working perfectly. 

They were here by 8.45am and gone by 9.15am for their usual breakfast

Nature's Window in Kalbarri

If you like the dramatic rock formation and rugged land then Kalbarri is the place for you

Didn't want to tire the drivers too much so we spent the night in Geraldton before we headed back to Perth.

Pic taken from Agoda. Our accommodation for the night. Wintersun Hotel, Geraldton

Expenses:

Fuel: $77.41 → RM246.16 / 7 = RM35.17

Entrance to Kalbarri National Park: $13 → RM41.34 / 7 = RM5.91
Accommodation: RM422 / 5 = RM84.40

Day 9 (7 Dec 2017) : Geraldton, Cervantes & Perth

It's unusual to check out the lavatory but we did that in Geraldton.

Rubik Cube lavatories by the beach

Point Moore Lighthouse

And then we made a move back to Cervantes.

Windy day to check out Lake Thetis

Stromatolites of Lake Thetis

Drove for 1 hour and 40 minutes to Yanchep National Park for the koalas and kangaroos.

Always asleep

Tranquil place where kangaroos were hopping freely

Pressed on the gas pedal for an hour and we reached our 'temporary home'.

Pic from AirBnb. Fremantle Colonial Lodge 4 was the place we spent 2 nights.

Expenses:

Fuel: $85.42 → RM202.49 / 7 = RM56.12

Entrance to Yanchep National Park: $13 → RM41.34 / 7 = RM5.91
Accommodation: RM397 / 7 = RM56.71

Day 10 (8 Dec 2017) : Perth

After days and days of being at the countryside, we explored the vibrant city of Perth. After having our usual breakfast of bread and ham, cereals and milk and instant noodles over a cuppa Milo or a glass of orange juice (stuffs we bought from IGA, Coles or Woolsworth... all the supermarkets we frequented from our trip), we hopped into our 9-seater and went to Caversham Wildlife Park.

Pic courtesy of my sis-in-law. My son liked the lady he met there more than the wombat in her arms.

It was our first time looking at a few animals native to the land down under such as the cuddly wombats, echidnas, kookaburras, platypi, white kangaroos, wallabies. As the weather was unbearable at noon, we went to the mall to have lunch and did some shopping. Didn't snap any pics of the mall.

After our dinner, we went merry-go-round looking for a car park at the town area. There's so much of happenings in the city.

Town Hall Clock Tower situated at the corner of Hay and Barrack streets

X'mas deco along the shops in Hay Street

Expenses:

Entrance to Caversham Wildlife Park: $29 per adult → RM92.22
Dinner: $78.10 → RM248.36 / 7 = RM35.48
Accommodation: RM397 / 7 = RM56.71

Day 11 (9 Dec 2017) : Perth

It's our 2nd last day in Perth and off we went to Fremantle for some BBQ groceries and souvenirs. Since it's known for its street food and food trucks, we're there for the breakfast and coffee.

Pic taken by my sis-in-law: We ate baos for brekkie at What The Bao! Ordered 6 baos and were given $4 discount. It's good and I had my caffeine fix by ordering a cuppa macchiato.

We didn't visit the Fremantle Prison because Chinese believe that the vibe is bad for a kid. Hence, our next stop was another highlight of the city -- The Blue Boat House.

The Blue Boat House but my colleague told me it's no longer blue but pink now.

We just stopped by the roadside for a few shots of this and off we went to visit the Bell Tower.

The Bell Tower ... our last stop for the day

Pic taken by my sis-in-law: Celebrated the successful itinerary on our last night in Perth. These ere the groceries from Fremantle and the men went to the supermarket for more seafood and meat.

We also stopped by at House of Honey to taste its honey and of course to buy its produce.

Expenses:

Parking at Fremantle: $7.50 → RM23.85 / 7 = RM3.41
Breakfast : $48 → RM152.64 / 5 = RM30.53
Souvenirs from Fremantle: $145 → RM461.10 / 2 = RM230.55
Groceries for BBQ: $96.46 → RM101.91 / 7 = RM14.56
Accommodation: RM397 / 7 = RM56.71
Honey: $26.50 → RM84.27 

Day 12 (10 Dec 2017) : Perth

Pic taken by sis-in-law: Ate our usual breakfast, stuffs we bought at the supermarket.

It's noon when we made our way to the car rental company. It's already 40 Celcius outside and that's the end of our trip in Perth.

Expenses:

Fuel: $46 → RM146.28 / 7 = RM20.90
Surcharge for exceeding 500KM radius: $100  → RM318 / 7 = RM45.43

Total of expenses exclude groceries, meals and souvenirs:
Flight: RM1058.80
Visa: RM 25
Car rental: RM474.73
Car rental surcharge: RM45.43
Fuel: RM314.11
Accommodation: RM981.35
Entrance, car park, etc : RM320.98

GRAND TOTAL: RM 3220.40 for a duration of 12 days.