hallen

After my 4 days in Perth, I have a rental car and 21 days and must make one choice.
Is there more to see and do going north or south of Perth? I did some homework and came up with the following stops in each direction.
Please let me know your thoughts and the best stayover places going north or south.

NORTH OF PERTH- Lancelin, Namburg National Park, Hutt Lagoon, Kalbarri National Park, Monkey Mia/Shell Beach, Coral Bay, Exmouth, Broome.

SOUTH OF PERTH- Dunsborough, Margaret River, Lake Cave, Esperance, Cape Le Grand National Park.

Am I missing any key 'must see' stops in each direction?
Any particular place I should stayover to break up the trip and relax?

Thanks so much for any assistance. I really appreciate it.

rellie2

When are you travelling as this will impact north or south?

hallen

I will begin travelling about January 4th.

Thanks so much for any input.

eliztravels2

At that time of year, definitely south. North of Perth will be extremely hot. Not only that, much of the driving, at least as far as Exmouth, will be long distances in empty landscape many miles from the coast. There will be flies. The Ningaloo reef is amazing, but flying there makes much more sense.

South of Perth you find cooling forests, vineyards, gorgeous beaches (many of them close to empty) walking tracks, kangaroos, emu’s, art galleries, fine dining, tourist attractions for kids and grownups, indigenous culture, fishing, surfing, bush tracks, a moving desert, more beaches, fabulous scenery, small towns and empty space.

You will be travelling at the peak of the summer holidays so you need to get accommodation lined up ASAP.

Melnq8

Definitely go SOUTH!

As for your specific stops of <Dunsborough, Margaret River, Lake Cave, Esperance, Cape Le Grand National Park...>

I'd try to also include Busselton (at least stop to walk the jetty), Pemberton, Denmark and Albany.

Lots more options too, including a whole slew of national parks and some very nice small towns (Balingup, Bridgetown, Nannup).

I have several trip reports posted here from our exploration of WA during the seven years we lived in Perth. Here are a few you might find helpful:

http://www.fodors.com/community/aust...-slideshow.cfm

http://www.fodors.com/community/aust...-at-a-time.cfm

http://www.fodors.com/community/aust...mberton-wa.cfm

http://www.fodors.com/community/aust...aret-river.cfm

http://www.fodors.com/community/aust...-road-trip.cfm

I have a couple of reports that detail our travels up north too, from Perth-Kalgoorlie-Esperance and then back to Perth along the SW, and a trip from Perth-Exmouth and return, but I wouldn't suggest going north in January.

You can find more WA reports by clicking on my screen name and scrolling down through several pages at the bottom of my profile page.

Happy to help with any specific questions as they arise.

And in January - be sure your accommodation has Air Con!

michelhuebeli

Yes, south, except: Before you do that, make one trip northward, for an overnight stay in Jurien or thereabouts (book early for a January date). Then get up way before sunrise and visit the Pinnacles - be there at least a half hour before and enjoy the changing light BEFORE the sun hits, your camera will love it, there is nothing like it anywhere.
See http://www.visitpinnaclescountry.com.au/

Melnq8

Jurian Bay is definitely pretty, but Cervantes is a closer base for exploring the Pinnacles, which are in Nambung National Park.

Accommodation in Cervantes is limited and can be rather grim, but we really liked the Windbreak B&B.

http://www.australiascoralcoast.com/...gion/cervantes

https://parks.dpaw.wa.gov.au/park/nambung

http://www.windbreakbandb.com/

mike_L

When travel at the end of October, is north or south preferred? I will have around 7 days in Perth region.

Currently, I just start to research. It will be my first time to visit Perth in October. The only things on my list currently are to see the wild flower blooming in Cervantes and visit the Pinnacle. Thanks.

Melnq8

South.

It'll be cyclone season up north and getting pretty darn hot and humid.

Down South will be beautiful.

eliztravels2

I agree with south. There will be wildflowers in that direction as well.