Perth to Donnybrook drive: Distance, time & best road trip stops
Perth to Donnybrook drive: Lake Clifton
The Forrest Highway, however, runs east of Collins Pool and Lake Clifton. You can visit the Lake Clifton Winery on the shore of the latter, but the main attraction here is the thrombolites. These rounded, limestone-like bobbles are made of micro-organisms that are similar to the oldest forms of life on earth.
Chilled-out Preston Beach, just to the south of the lake, makes for a good base if planning to explore. You can tackle the 5km Heathlands Walk Trail through Yalgorup National Park on the way in.
Perth to Donnybrook road trip: Binningup and Australind
A little further south is Binningup, where, 40km-long Binningup Beach is calm and swimmer-friendly.
The Mandurah to Bunbury drive then leaves the Forrest Highway and passes the Leschenault Estuary Eco Museum in Australind, which explains how the estuary’s eco-system fits together.
The route then crosses the Collie River, rounds Vittoria Bay and enters Western Australia’s second-largest city – Bunbury.
What to book in Bunbury – 5 fabulous experiences.
- Koombana Bay dolphin-watching cruise – the dolphins live in the bay, so you’ll definitely see them.
- Geographe region wine tours – explore boutique wineries in the up-and-coming region.
- Swimming with dolphins. They’re wild – this is not a dodgy aquarium experience.
- Forest, wine and brewery day tours.
- Dolphin Discovery Centre entrance tickets.
The best things to do in Bunbury include the dolphin-watching cruises from the Dolphin Discovery Centre.
Top Bunbury accommodation choices
The best places to stay in Bunbury are:
- For Koombana Bay location, near the Dolphin Discovery Centre: Discovery Parks Bunbury Foreshore.
- For good quality apartments on the coast: Bunbury Seaview Apartments.
- For affordable rates in a city centre location: Rose Hotel and Motel.
Click through to the next section: Dardanup and Boyanup.