WA trip in September - south west planning help please

[ellen10]

After having to cancel a few trips over the last 6 months, due to some health issues, we have a 15 day trip to Perth and the south west, flights booked earlier this year. It looks like it will be a goer.
Very late to the planning, as we were not sure we could take this trip, I'm usually a plan well ahead gal!
So I need some help from the locals on AFF and members who may have done similar, please.

I have been doing some research and reading over the last few days and have looked at a possible route.

A few things to note:
We fly into Perth from Sydney arriving 7.10pm
We will hire a car for the drive south.
Due to some health issues for Mr Ellen10, the pace will be a bit slower and no big hikes, but we do like walks.
We have not been to Perth or this region before, so open to lots of suggestions.
And yes we do like to visit a few of the wineries along the way.

So this is a very rough itinerary:
Night 1. Stay overnight In Perth, at airport or in town. We will need to collect a car the next morning.
Night 2. Drive to Bunbury, Busselton, Dunsborough o/n Dunsborough?
Night 3&4. Margaret River area, in town or elsewhere?
Night 5. Pemberton
Night 6. Denmark
Night 7&8 Albany
Night 9 Katanning for a stop on the way back to Perth or somewhere else along the way?

This would leave 6 nights for Perth and surrounds, too much? Add more nights to the south west? Do we need to to have a car in Perth?

I would appreciate your thoughts, ideas, accommodation recommendations (I am an Accor member, but thats no requirement)
Where should we stay in Perth?

Nothing is booked yet, only flights.

Thank you

 

[Human]

Sounds very nice. If you like a slow pace, 6 nights in the SW seems about right to me.

I lived in Perth for 4 years a decade ago, so I know the area a little but I definitely wouldn't qualify as a "local".

Margaret River and the south-west are very nice. Lovely scenery, and very nice places to eat and drink around Margaret River.

For Perth itself I would recommend a car. The public transport is not horrible by any means, but once you leave the CBD/Kings Park area the things to do and see are quite spread out: the Swan Valley, Fremantle, possibly Mandurah (on the way to Bunbury/Bussleton), the beaches ... a car would certainly make things more convenient.

I'd also recommend a day trip (or longer) up to the Pinnacles area. My family and I stayed overnight in Jurien Bay a couple of times and we liked it.

But as I say, my "local knowledge" is quite old and brief, so take all the above with a grain of salt if more knowledgeable locals and/or travellers respond!

 

[ellen10]

Thanks for your reply @Human and information and ideas.

Yes I did look briefly look at visiting The Pinnacles, either by driving or a tour.
We would also like to go to Rottnest Island

 

[ols]

Yallingup, Eagle Bay and Smith's Beach are all very nice.