RoadAtlas
South West Wine, Coast and Seasonal Whales — Australia — Scenic
Australia & Pacific

South West Wine, Coast and Seasonal Whales

Australia

Point-to-point
Perth Augusta and Cape Leeuwin

In short: South West Wine, Coast and Seasonal Whales is a 330 km scenic road trip in Australia, typically driven over 3 days, best in June – August. Highlights: Perth, Mandurah, Bunbury.

Distance
330 km
Duration
3 days
Best Season
June – August
NotableEasyScenicEV-friendly

A three-day Perth-to-Augusta coast and wine route with a leg-by-leg EV charging plan. Augusta whale watching is offered only from June through September; Cape Leeuwin and the coast remain the year-round finish.

~0 refuels
~1 charge
Practical notes
Whale cruises or land-based whale promises at Augusta apply only in the June-September season and remain weather-dependent; outside that window use the Cape Leeuwin coast plan. RAC ended its original Electric Highway program in 2025, so record a dated EV plan for each leg, check the current RAC charger map (https://rac.com.au/travel-touring/maps-and-guides/ev-chargers) and each operator app on departure day, identify a working backup before every leg, and retain at least a 20% range margin.

Make this route yours

Set your dates, pace, and taste, and RoadAtlas AI rebuilds this trip day by day with real, verified places.

Included with Traveler and Explorer plans.

Explore on the interactive map →

Plan this trip

Self-guided audio toursExplore local stories near city stops Hotels for this tripCompare stays before you go Flights for this tripCompare flight options before you go Car rental for this tripCompare rental options before you drive

Third-party planning links may be affiliate links. RoadAtlas stays independent, and you should verify details with the provider.

Day-by-day itinerary

Day 1Perth to Mandurah

Mandurah estuary foreshore · Wildflower

Day 2Mandurah to Busselton via Bunbury

Dolphin Discovery Centre · Busselton Jetty · Market Eating House

Day 3Busselton to Margaret River and Augusta

Augusta whale cruise or land lookout · Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse · Voyager Estate restaurant

Stops along the route

Perth — Departure — South West Wine, Coast and Seasonal Whales — Australia
Departure
Perth
Use at most one optional pre-departure meal.
Mandurah — City — South West Wine, Coast and Seasonal Whales — Australia
City
Mandurah
First waterfront overnight and EV check.
Bunbury — City — South West Wine, Coast and Seasonal Whales — Australia
City
Bunbury
Use the marine centre and confirm the next charger.
Margaret River — City — South West Wine, Coast and Seasonal Whales — Australia
City
Margaret River
Reserve the selected winery lunch and sober transport.
Augusta and Cape Leeuwin — Arrival — South West Wine, Coast and Seasonal Whales — Australia
Arrival
Augusta and Cape Leeuwin
Whales are seasonal June-September; the cape is year-round.

Things to Do

Busselton — Landmark — South West Wine, Coast and Seasonal Whales — Australia
Landmark
Busselton
The heritage jetty is the year-round anchor.
Mandurah estuary foreshore — Waterfront walk — South West Wine, Coast and Seasonal Whales — Australia
Waterfront walk
Mandurah estuary foreshore
Make the estuary and foreshore the arrival activity rather than spending most of the day in Perth.
Dolphin Discovery Centre — Marine centre — South West Wine, Coast and Seasonal Whales — Australia
Marine centre
Dolphin Discovery Centre
Visit during confirmed opening and join wildlife interaction only under staff rules.
Busselton Jetty — Historic jetty — South West Wine, Coast and Seasonal Whales — Australia
Historic jetty
Busselton Jetty
Book the train or underwater observatory if desired and allow check-in.
Augusta whale cruise or land lookout — Seasonal wildlife — South West Wine, Coast and Seasonal Whales — Australia
Seasonal wildlife
Augusta whale cruise or land lookout
From June through September, book a weather-dependent licensed cruise or use an official land lookout; outside the season omit the whale claim.
Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse — Lighthouse and coast — South West Wine, Coast and Seasonal Whales — Australia
Lighthouse and coast
Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse
Use this as the year-round finish and book the tour if required.

Where to Eat

Wildflower — Modern Australian — South West Wine, Coast and Seasonal Whales — Australia
Modern Australian
Wildflower
An optional pre-departure Perth meal only; reserve and do not let it delay the drive.
The Peninsula Bar and Restaurant — Waterfront Australian — South West Wine, Coast and Seasonal Whales — Australia
Waterfront Australian
The Peninsula Bar and Restaurant
A Mandurah waterfront dinner at The Sebel; verify current hours and reserve.
Market Eating House — Modern Australian — South West Wine, Coast and Seasonal Whales — Australia
Modern Australian
Market Eating House
A current Bunbury lunch option; reserve or verify service.
The Goose Beach Bar and Kitchen — Australian seafood — South West Wine, Coast and Seasonal Whales — Australia
Australian seafood
The Goose Beach Bar and Kitchen
A Busselton waterfront dinner; verify current opening.
Voyager Estate restaurant — Winery dining — South West Wine, Coast and Seasonal Whales — Australia
Winery dining
Voyager Estate restaurant
Reserve a set lunch and use a zero-alcohol driver or transfer if tasting.

Nearby and similar drives

Frequently asked questions

How long is the South West Wine, Coast and Seasonal Whales drive?

The South West Wine, Coast and Seasonal Whales covers 330 km from start to finish.

How long does the South West Wine, Coast and Seasonal Whales take to drive?

Most travellers spend 3 days on the South West Wine, Coast and Seasonal Whales, depending on stops and pace.

When is the best time to drive the South West Wine, Coast and Seasonal Whales?

The recommended season for the South West Wine, Coast and Seasonal Whales is June – August.

Where does the South West Wine, Coast and Seasonal Whales start and end?

The South West Wine, Coast and Seasonal Whales runs from Perth to Augusta and Cape Leeuwin.

What are the main stops on the South West Wine, Coast and Seasonal Whales?

The South West Wine, Coast and Seasonal Whales passes through Perth, Mandurah, Bunbury.

How difficult is the South West Wine, Coast and Seasonal Whales to drive?

The South West Wine, Coast and Seasonal Whales is rated easy and is best handled with any vehicle.

Can I drive the South West Wine, Coast and Seasonal Whales in a regular car?

Yes — the South West Wine, Coast and Seasonal Whales is paved end-to-end and a regular car is fine in normal conditions.

How many fuel stops are needed on the South West Wine, Coast and Seasonal Whales?

Plan around 0 refuels (or about 1 EV charges) along the South West Wine, Coast and Seasonal Whales, based on its 330 km length.

Is the South West Wine, Coast and Seasonal Whales EV friendly?

Yes — the South West Wine, Coast and Seasonal Whales has charger coverage along the route and works as an EV road trip.

Is the South West Wine, Coast and Seasonal Whales safe to drive?

Whale cruises or land-based whale promises at Augusta apply only in the June-September season and remain weather-dependent; outside that window use the Cape Leeuwin coast plan. RAC ended its original Electric Highway program in 2025, so record a dated EV plan for each leg, check the current RAC charger map (https://rac.com.au/travel-touring/maps-and-guides/ev-chargers) and each operator app on departure day, identify a working backup before every leg, and retain at least a 20% range margin.

What scenic tier is the South West Wine, Coast and Seasonal Whales?

The South West Wine, Coast and Seasonal Whales is a notable drive — Notable scenic drives — strong character routes that locals know well and that reward travellers willing to step beyond the most-photographed roads.