The Best of The West - An Australian Family Getaway

Fifteen days through Western Australia, which is roughly ten times the size of the United Kingdom and has about a tenth of its population, so the emptiness is the first thing anyone notices.

Perth opens it with three nights, Kings Park above the river, Cottesloe Beach and the Art Gallery’s Aboriginal collection. A guided drive north up the Indian Ocean Drive then takes in Yanchep National Park, with koalas and kangaroos, and the Pinnacles Desert, where thousands of limestone columns up to five metres tall stand in yellow sand with no obvious explanation.

Yallingup gets four nights in the southwest. The Margaret River region makes some of Australia’s best wine and has serious surf on the same coastline, and the itinerary includes a private surf lesson, tastings, Meelup Beach, the eagle rays that come into the shallows at Hamelin Bay, and the limestone chambers of Ngilgi Cave. Whale watching is possible between June and September. The drive back to Perth passes Lake Clifton and its thrombolites, rock-like structures built by microbes and among the oldest forms of life known.

Exmouth follows by air for three nights, the gateway to Ningaloo Reef, which is UNESCO listed and unusual in being reachable by swimming off the beach. Snorkelling and sea kayaking there take in some 250 coral species, with reef sharks, turtles and manta rays about, and whale shark swims available in season. Cape Range National Park alongside has almost no light pollution. Fremantle closes the trip with two nights. Original Travel include the hire car, internal flights, accommodation, the activities, concierge access, a 24-hour helpline and carbon absorption. International flights and most meals are separate. Prices run from 4,500 to 5,200 pounds per person.