Q:
A: Find my thoughts on some destinations below - Mandurah - on the fringe of Perth metro, stop here if you enjoy crabbing or have any other reason to go there, but most people bypass it Bunbury - check out the dolphin discovery centre Busselton - definitely stop here for a while. Check out the Busselton jetty, the longest wooden jetty in the southern hemisphere. walk along it, and take a trip to the underwater observatory (if water is clear enuogh). If any of you have your scuba licence there's a dive wreck off Busselton (HMAS Sydney or HMAS Swan) worth checking out and diving on the jetty is good too. There's an archery park for something a little different, but bookings are highly recommended and school holidays best avoided. Dunsborough - a pretty coastal town just next to Busselton. There's a wonderful icecream factory near here called Simmo's which always features on my must-see list for visitors, the icecream is delicious (if you don't make it there though, you can buy simmo's icecream in margaret river on bussel hwy or from the kiosk at busselton jetty. but at the factory they have emus and goats and a nice garden). There is horseriding in this area too. Yallingup - a lovely bar/restaurant called Caves house would be a nice place for a beer and meal outdoors in the sun. The view of the ocean is pretty good from Yallingup. Margaret River and surrounds - definitely worth staying a couple days. There are two main arterial roads- Bussell Hwy and Caves Rd, with heaps of other roads intersecting them. you'll find art galleries, wood crafts, glassblowing, plus plenty of wineries and great restaurants. if your daughter enjoys surfing, its popular there too. Do not miss Boranup Gallery, its exquisite. Leeuwin Estate and Voyager estate are two of the big names down there, worth checking out but only eat lunch there if you're not on a budget. There are some wonderful caves in the area, top three are mammoth cave, jewel cave and lake cave. My top pick would be jewel cave, but if you're on a time limit pick lake cave - very pretty but its a bit smaller so much quicker to go through. its well worth visiting at least one cave, they are well lit and have regular tours through them. they have gorgeous rock features, lakes, and really are quite something. Augusta - go to the lighthouse and see where the Indian ocean meets the southern ocean. take a light jacket, its always really windy!! A lot of people stop there... but if you plan to go further you can check out Pemberton, and continue on towards Walpole and visit the valley of the giants. There is HEAPS of accommodation to choose from, in every budget. have fun!