FACTFact SHEET sheet

Coastal and Esperance 7-10 days Coastal andWongan EsperanceCadoux 7-10 DAYS KALGOORLIE New Hills Mukinbudin Coolgardie Norcia Trayning Lancelin Dowerin Kununoppin Nungarin Southern Cross Wyalkatchem Carrabin Kambalda Guilderton Bindoon Goomalling Merredin Moorine Yellowdine BodallinRock Muchea Toodyay Kellerberrin INDIAN NORTHAM OCEAN Bruce Rock MundaringYork Quairading FREMANTLE Beverley Narembeen Rockingham Armadale 1968 Norseman Corrigin KM Round tRip Brookton Hyden appRox. MANDURAH Karlgarin Pingelly Karlgarin Pinjarra Popanyinning Kulin Crossman Waroona Wickepin Varley Yarloop Narrogin Williams Newdegate Harvey Lake King Arthur Dumbleyung Kukerin Lake BUNBURY River Grace Collie Wagin Nyabing Dunsborough Capel Woodanilling Ravensthorpe Yallingup Donnybrook Pingrup BusseltonKirup Katanning Balingup Kojonup Boyup Broomehill Margaret Brook Gnowangerup River Nannup Bridgetown Tambellup Ongerup Jerramungup Hopetoun Borden ESPERANCE Manjimup Frankland Gairdner River Augusta Pemberton Cranbrook Quinninup Mount Wellstead Bremer Bay Rocky Barker Northcliffe Gully Windy SOUTHERN OCEAN Harbour Walpole

Nornalup Denmark ALBANY © RACWA Copyright 2011

Follow thethe CoastalCoastal and and Esperance Esperance itsand history, seals whalesfrolicking and in dramatic the waters coastline. and whalesWith on selfdrive from from Perth Perth to to Esperance, Esperance, breathtakingtheir annual islandmigration. and ocean Albany’s views attractions from Mount are diverse enough to cater for everyone. Indulge in travelling through quaint Wheatbelt towns Clarence and Mount Melville, visitors can also spot travelling through quaint Wheatbelt dolphinslocal wines and and seals produce frolicking in in gourmet the waters restaurants and whales to the breathtaking southern coastline of towns to the breathtaking southern onor fromtheir annualthe farm migration. gate. Explore Albany’s local attractions galleries, are . Here you’ll discover absorb the city’s unique history or take a tranquil coastline of Western Australia. Here diverse enough to cater for everyone. Indulge in superb fishing, pristine nature and the localbushwalk wines inand one produce of the innational gourmet parks. restaurants With or stretches of beautiful landscape and alluring whitestyou’ll discover beaches superb you’ve fishing,ever seen. pristine from the farm gate. Explore local galleries, absorb the white sandy beaches it’s easy to find your own nature and the whitest beaches you’ve city’s unique history or take a tranquil bushwalk in SUGGESTED ITINERARY piece of paradise. This port city was Western ever seen. oneAustralia’s of the national first European parks. With settlement. stretches of beautiful DAY 1-3  perth – albany 420km landscape and alluring white sandy beaches it’s easy SuggestedEnjoy an idyllic itinery days’ driving through the quaint toDAY find 3 your  a ownlbany piece – Hopetoun of paradise. 340km This port city was towns of the Wheatbelt region, stopping at WesternDepart historicAustralia’s Albany, first European heading settlement. east to the Daymuseums 1-3 » Perth or to sample– Albany the 420km locally-produced delightful township of Hopetoun. Nestled on Enjoywines an of idyllicNarrogin, days’ Williamsdriving through or Mt theBarker quaint before towns Daythe tranquil 3 » Albany shores – Hopetoun of Mary Anne 340km Haven, this ofarriving the Wheatbelt in Albany. region, The stopping beautiful at Princess museums Royal or Departwas once historic a thriving Albany, port heading for the east Phillips to the delightfulRiver toHarbour sample andthe locally-producedKing George Sound wines surroundof Narrogin, the townshipgoldfields. of Hopetoun. See the newNestled Southern on the tranquilDiscovery WilliamsCity of Albany, or Mt Barker renowned before forarriving its history, in Albany. whales The shoresCentre of at Mary Hopetoun Anne Haven, and explore this was theonce magnificent a thriving and dramatic coastline. With breathtaking island Fitzgerald River National Park, one of the beautiful Princess Royal Harbour and King George port for the Phillips River goldfields. See the new and ocean views from Mount Clarence and country’s last great wilderness areas. Hopetoun Sound surround the City of Albany, renowned for Southern Discovery Centre at Hopetoun and explore Mount Melville, visitors can also spot dolphins offers a great variety of activities and attractions

MC2787 Don’t get strandedRAC members save up to Need maps, guides, our entire range. atlases or aon GPS your for next trip.15% off Call RAC Travel on 1300 655 179, go to rac.com.au/holidayguides Join RAC Roadside Assistance todayor pop into your local RAC Travel Centre your journey?call 13 17 03 or visit rac.com.au MRB 723 Fact sheet Coastal and Esperance #01 drive series

Highlights » Wheatbelt town » Great Southern Winery Region » Historic and heritage listed attractions » Museums and art galleries » National Parks » Seasonal whale sightings » Heritage trails, walking trails » Wartime monuments and memorabilia

the magnificent Fitzgerald River National Park, beaches, perfect for a picnic or a photo stop. Off one of the country’s last great wilderness areas. the coast, a necklace of 110 islands known as the Hopetoun offers a great variety of activities and has earned the town its attractions and scenic drives for the active visitor. title as the ‘Bay of Isles’. You can take a cruise Go bushwalking, camping and surfing at the around the archipelago, stopping at Woody Island nearby Fitzgerald River National Park, renowned for bushwalks and snorkelling, or an overnight for its rugged inland and coastal scenery and stay in the island’s tents and safari huts (available 1,800 species of wildflowers. View the local seal September to April). For many visitors, the colonies and other marine life at the Southern untouched beaches and bushland of the outback Ocean Discovery Centre located at The Deck. Try coast’s national parks, such as Cape Le Grand your luck at on-shore or off-shore fishing and check National Park, are a big drawcard. Follow one of the RAC Recommends out the fishing competition held at Easter. Spend many coastal walk trails and take in the stunning Inattention affects all drivers, especially in the evening gazing at the magnificent night sky views of white sandy beaches, rust-stained granite rural WA. Fatalities in the Wheatbelt are 6x where the Southern Cross points its way across the headlands and rugged islands. higher than that of the WA state average. Southern Ocean. Follow the Southern Ocean Road Day 7-10 » Esperance to Albany to Perth RAC recommends rest, before driving, east of Hopetoun to access breathtaking coastal stopping regularly, sharing the drive and lookouts and beaches with quiet pools for fishing or 898km If you have your camping gear or allowing enough travel time. swimming, including Mason Bay and Starvation Bay. caravan in tow, check out the range of caravan parks and camping sites, attractions and tourism Day 3-7 » Hopetoun – Esperance services available in Australia’s Golden Outback, 205km Travel to the historic settlement of via Kalgoorlie or Hyden and back to Perth. Ravensthorpe, where you’ll find historic mining Alternatively return westward via Ravensthorpe. Visitor Centres relics, scenic lookouts, untouched bushland Situated south-east of Perth, between Esperance Albany (08) 9841 9377 and beautiful spring wildflowers. On the way to and Albany, it enjoys a temperate Mediterranean Mount Barker (08) 9851 1163 Esperance, stop by at Munglinup Beach for a climate with beautiful sunny winter days and cool swim and to admire the summer nights. The town of Ravensthorpe is Esperance (08) 9083 1555 inlet scenery or walk the 4.3 kilometre heritage surrounded by ancient rocky ranges, rugged river trail. As you continue on to Esperance take in valleys, vast sand plains, rare animal species and island views of the Recherche Archipelago and historical mining sites. Visit in spring and you’ll watch for humpback and southern right whales also be treated to an awesome display of Western Accomodation migrating along the Southern Ocean coast Australian wildflowers. Stop and enjoy the town’s Visit racparksandresorts.com.au (seasonal). Esperance is a picturesque town facilities, including a rest area, public toilets and or contact your nearest RAC nestled on the south coast of Western Australia, barbeque facilities in Jubilee Park on Morgan’s travel centre to book today. about 9 hours’ drive from Perth. The year-round Street. Take the southern route via Walpole, temperate climate, beautiful beaches and pristine Manjimup, Bridgetown and the South West coastal landscapes, including the famous Cape highway, or through the Margaret River region Le Grand National Park, make it a popular holiday back to Perth. Park Passes destination. Esperance is an ideal base from which RAC members receive 50% off to explore a string of stunning beaches and the National Park Passes. Purchase yours natural wonders on the south coast of Western today at rac.com.au/parkpasses. Australia, including Cape Le Grand National Park, and the paradise islands of the Recherche Archipelago. Follow the coastal roads out of Esperance and within minutes Useful tips you’ll be passing a string of unspoilt white sand Need a car? Hire a car through Thrifty car rental and save.

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Call 9436 4840, go to rac.com.au/greatdrives or pop into your local RAC Travel Centre

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