WA trip in September - south west planning help please

[Human]

Would you do the inland route up past Katanning and Williams?

I really enjoyed many long drives through the WA countryside in that area.

Kangaroos are an issue if you're driving during dawn/dusk and at night.

 

[JohnM]

Thanks @JackMiles for your excellent ideas and summary. Yes we are not fans of 1 night stays. I had been looking at a suggested route on the WA tourism site, but it looks like the area is not as spread out as I first thought. Its good to get first hand advice from people on AFF.
Its nice to have a base and not to have to pack up and check out.

I will look more at distances between sites and towns. The Katanning stopover was only added to the trip back up to Perth, as I was not sure how long it would take and what the road would be like. Would you do the inland route up past Katanning and Williams?

Albany Highway runs through Williams, which is about half way between Perth and Albany. That is the road to take. Total drive time is about 4.5h.

Katanning is on another road further east and is not the direct route to Albany.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

We are currently in MR and stumped up at Constellation Apartments which are best apartments in town in every respect. Fully self contained with superb furnishing and features - nothing you require is not included.

So far been to Leeuwin, Voyager, Amelia Park, Vasse Felix, Cullen, Woodlands,Xanadu and Mosswood (Didn’t pre book so could not get in). Worst experience by far was Cullen - we were the only ones there when we arrived and nobody else arrived in next 45mins. Welcome as we walked in less than enthusiastic - ordered a glass of DM each and when they were delivered to table asked any chance we could order a cheese platter or such but was told no food offered today.

As for restaurants in town so far eaten at 2 x at Settlers which is simple and enjoyable, La Scarpetta which has cheapest eye fillet I have seen for a long time - the Ette had gnocchi it was good but not great.



We are off to Pizzica tonight but make sue you pre book and don’t book a high table as you might end up seated on a stool facing a brick wall.

We self catered in the apartment 1 night with a bottle of Bolly with fish and chips from local shop right next door - was the best Snapper I have ever eaten - just superb.

Hope that is some help

 

[ellen10]

Albany Highway runs through Williams, which is about half way between Perth and Albany. That is the road to take. Total drive time is about 4.5h.

Katanning is on another road further east and is not the direct route to Albany.

Thanks @JohnM for the road suggestion and the expected time. I guess a stop in Williams for a break would be best.

 

[JohnM]

Thanks @JohnM for the road suggestion and the expected time. I guess a stop in Williams for a break would be best.

It is a logical stop and the rest area there, and the coffee shops, testify to that.

 

[ellen10]

Oohh @Cruiser Elite those apartments look wonderful! If I did my original idea of Margaret River first, they are not available. But if I flipped to the Perth stay first and then Margaret River to the last part of our trip, it might work. Hmm tempted!

Thanks for the restaurant recommendations also.

 

[Black Duck]

Depending on your dates be aware that school holidays are 26/9 to 11/10 this year. It will get busy right around the south West so check accommodation. Motels won't be too bad but lots of other places might be booked out early.


Pemberton to Denmark takes just over 2 hours so time to do the Tree Top.

In Walpole (coastal town between Pemberton and Denmark) There is a great small boat trip around the inlet. - WOW (wild over walpole) run by Gary Muir. It is very well done and usually its Gary doing it. Just a couple of hours but does need booking. You get to see the wildlife and beautiful inlet. Gary is a legend in WA. His family were first settlers and he is a respected historian/wildlife expert. Has a fistful of doctorates in environment etc. He knows all the individual animals/ birds that frequent the area and is a bit of a hoot to top it off.
You would need to allow time to do this.

Tree Top Walk.
There are 2 parts to the walk. The ancient empire is a walk around the base of the trees and just lovely. It's an easy walk designed for everyone. The tree top walk its self is also great but some do not like it as it moves a bit which is what it's designed to do. Helps keep it up there but it also is meant to give you the feel of the trees swaying. Sometimes there are brats on it jumping around to make it sway more. Again busy in the holidays but there are staff up there if the kids get a bit over the top.
It's a sloped walk up and then flat walk a round so agained designed for everyone wheel chairs included. No steps or climbing to worry about.

Denmark is a small but lovely town and great area. Some good wineries and some nice places to stop. Green's Pool beach is beautiful between the Walk and Denmark. Then about 40 minutes on to Abany which is much bigger but still a nice town. The Anzac Centre there is worth a visit.

Going up though Katanning you can take Red Gum Pass and then though part of the wheatbelt.
September will have the wildflowers coming out nicely. Should be plenty of orchids by then as well.
The Premier Mill is the premium option in Katanning but quite pricey. I saw it on Luxury Escapes recently but not sure how it compares direct. There are plenty of pubs as alternatives.