Ultimate Viewers' Western Australia Itinerary
Photo: © Tourism Australia
In November 2010, Michelle Bryan was chosen at random to come along on Oprah's Ultimate Australian Adventure! After arriving in Sydney, Michelle and her husband jetted off to Western Australia for an intimate vacation. Recreate their trip with this complete itinerary.
Where We Stayed:
InterContinental Perth Burswood: The pyramid-shaped InterContinental Burswood Resort is Perth's largest five-star hotel. Commanding panoramic views of the Swan River and Perth city, its reflective glass roof provides a spectacular vista of light and space.
Where We Ate:
Fraser's Restaurant: Fraser's Restaurant places Perth at your feet, with panoramic views and exciting cuisine.
Little Creatures Brewery: Little Creatures Brewery is set inside a massive converted boat shed right on Fishing Boat Harbor in Fremantle. Within the brewery itself is the "cellar door" bar and restaurant, perfect for "hopheads" needing that super fresh pale ale hit!
What We Saw:
Kings Park and Botanic Gardens: Overlooking the city and the Swan River, Kings Park is a more than 988-acre haven of mostly virgin bushland with pockets of manicured gardens. With more than 12,000 species of wildflowers, Western Australia has one of the richest floras in the world. In springtime, the bush literally bursts into color, right on the city's doorstep.
Rottnest Island: Rottnest, or Rotto as it's called locally, is just a short ferry ride from Perth and features some of the world's finest beaches and bays, as well as unique plant and animal life, including the quokka, a small kangaroo-like marsupial. Rotto is a car-free zone, which adds to its relaxed feel. And with 63 sheltered beaches to choose from, the island is refreshingly uncrowded.
What We Did:
Kings Park Indigenous Walking Tour: Smell, touch and taste some of the fascinating plants that were used for food, shelter and medicine. Learn how the Nyoongar people made fire. You'll see Kings Park with a new set of eyes and appreciate it as never before.
Where We Traveled:
Margaret River – view itinerary
Where We Stayed:
InterContinental Perth Burswood: The pyramid-shaped InterContinental Burswood Resort is Perth's largest five-star hotel. Commanding panoramic views of the Swan River and Perth city, its reflective glass roof provides a spectacular vista of light and space.
Where We Ate:
Fraser's Restaurant: Fraser's Restaurant places Perth at your feet, with panoramic views and exciting cuisine.
Little Creatures Brewery: Little Creatures Brewery is set inside a massive converted boat shed right on Fishing Boat Harbor in Fremantle. Within the brewery itself is the "cellar door" bar and restaurant, perfect for "hopheads" needing that super fresh pale ale hit!
What We Saw:
Kings Park and Botanic Gardens: Overlooking the city and the Swan River, Kings Park is a more than 988-acre haven of mostly virgin bushland with pockets of manicured gardens. With more than 12,000 species of wildflowers, Western Australia has one of the richest floras in the world. In springtime, the bush literally bursts into color, right on the city's doorstep.
Rottnest Island: Rottnest, or Rotto as it's called locally, is just a short ferry ride from Perth and features some of the world's finest beaches and bays, as well as unique plant and animal life, including the quokka, a small kangaroo-like marsupial. Rotto is a car-free zone, which adds to its relaxed feel. And with 63 sheltered beaches to choose from, the island is refreshingly uncrowded.
What We Did:
Kings Park Indigenous Walking Tour: Smell, touch and taste some of the fascinating plants that were used for food, shelter and medicine. Learn how the Nyoongar people made fire. You'll see Kings Park with a new set of eyes and appreciate it as never before.
Where We Traveled:
Margaret River – view itinerary
Margaret River
Where We Stayed:
Indjidup Spa Retreat: With 10 luxury villas, all with their own private plunge pool and spectacular ocean views, you will get lost in a landscape providing total privacy unknown to most. Injidup Spa Retreat villas offer unexpected combinations of furniture and comfort, which make them anything but predictable.
Cape Lodge: Located in the principal wine-growing region of Margaret River, this is the only property in Western Australia listed in the prestigious "Small Luxury Hotels of the World" portfolio, providing the most sophisticated accommodation in the south-west of Western Australia.
Cape Lodge Margaret River Hotel: Surrounded by stunning forest, lake and parkland scenery, Cape Lodge is only minutes away from pristine beaches, the coastline and the sparkling waters of the Indian Ocean, and it neighbors the great Margaret River wine estates.
Where We Ate:
Café Pronto: Great Food, Great Service and Good Times—Café Pronto's motto sums up its approach to business, which has led it to become Mandurah's most popular dining venue.
Leeuwin Estate Winery: Leeuwin Estate is a boutique, family-owned and operated winery located in the picturesque Margaret River district, 223 miles south of Perth. One of the iconic wineries of Australia, it has earned an international reputation for making wines that rank alongside the world's finest.
Cape Lodge Margaret River Gourmet Restaurant: Enjoy seasonal fare at this fine-dining restaurant that was named in the Top Ten in the World for Food in Conde Nast Traveler's Gold List.
What We Saw
Ngilgi Cave: Beneath the limestone ridge that forms Cape Naturaliste lies Ngilgi Cave at Yallingup, providing a fascinating interplay of Aboriginal legend and nature.
Boranup Karri Forest: This forest lies between Caves Road and the coast, and creates a powerful contrast with the rest of the coastline. Karri is the third-tallest tree in the world and the tall, pale-barked trees, reaching 196 feet or higher, dominate the hilly slopes and valleys. The Boranup Forest as seen today is a re-growth forest and is more than 100 years old.
What We Did:
Surf Lessons on Prevelly Beach with Josh Palmateer: Surfing is great fun, but to keep it fun, you have to make sure you stay in one piece! Mr. Surf's lessons teach you how to handle yourself and stay safe in the surf.
Lifestyle Margaret River: In classic 1950s-style and timeless luxury vehicles, Lifestyle Margaret River is an exclusive invitation to a side of Margaret River you are unlikely to experience elsewhere.
Margaret River Chocolate Factory: The employees at the Margaret River Chocolate Company are crazy about chocolate! Let them share their passion for the "Food of the Gods" with you.
Vasse Felix Winery: Situated in the sub-region of Willyabrup, visitors to Vasse Felix are welcomed by a unique underground cellar, a spectacular restaurant overlooking the original 1967 plantings and an exquisite art gallery, making Vasse Felix one of the great draw cards of the Margaret River wine region.
Cape Lodge Gourmet Retreat and Cooking School: Learn top-notch culinary skills with executive chef Tony Howell.
More in Western Australia
More Oprah Show Ultimate Viewer itineraries
Explore other parts of Australia
Where We Stayed:
Indjidup Spa Retreat: With 10 luxury villas, all with their own private plunge pool and spectacular ocean views, you will get lost in a landscape providing total privacy unknown to most. Injidup Spa Retreat villas offer unexpected combinations of furniture and comfort, which make them anything but predictable.
Cape Lodge: Located in the principal wine-growing region of Margaret River, this is the only property in Western Australia listed in the prestigious "Small Luxury Hotels of the World" portfolio, providing the most sophisticated accommodation in the south-west of Western Australia.
Cape Lodge Margaret River Hotel: Surrounded by stunning forest, lake and parkland scenery, Cape Lodge is only minutes away from pristine beaches, the coastline and the sparkling waters of the Indian Ocean, and it neighbors the great Margaret River wine estates.
Where We Ate:
Café Pronto: Great Food, Great Service and Good Times—Café Pronto's motto sums up its approach to business, which has led it to become Mandurah's most popular dining venue.
Leeuwin Estate Winery: Leeuwin Estate is a boutique, family-owned and operated winery located in the picturesque Margaret River district, 223 miles south of Perth. One of the iconic wineries of Australia, it has earned an international reputation for making wines that rank alongside the world's finest.
Cape Lodge Margaret River Gourmet Restaurant: Enjoy seasonal fare at this fine-dining restaurant that was named in the Top Ten in the World for Food in Conde Nast Traveler's Gold List.
What We Saw
Ngilgi Cave: Beneath the limestone ridge that forms Cape Naturaliste lies Ngilgi Cave at Yallingup, providing a fascinating interplay of Aboriginal legend and nature.
Boranup Karri Forest: This forest lies between Caves Road and the coast, and creates a powerful contrast with the rest of the coastline. Karri is the third-tallest tree in the world and the tall, pale-barked trees, reaching 196 feet or higher, dominate the hilly slopes and valleys. The Boranup Forest as seen today is a re-growth forest and is more than 100 years old.
What We Did:
Surf Lessons on Prevelly Beach with Josh Palmateer: Surfing is great fun, but to keep it fun, you have to make sure you stay in one piece! Mr. Surf's lessons teach you how to handle yourself and stay safe in the surf.
Lifestyle Margaret River: In classic 1950s-style and timeless luxury vehicles, Lifestyle Margaret River is an exclusive invitation to a side of Margaret River you are unlikely to experience elsewhere.
Margaret River Chocolate Factory: The employees at the Margaret River Chocolate Company are crazy about chocolate! Let them share their passion for the "Food of the Gods" with you.
Vasse Felix Winery: Situated in the sub-region of Willyabrup, visitors to Vasse Felix are welcomed by a unique underground cellar, a spectacular restaurant overlooking the original 1967 plantings and an exquisite art gallery, making Vasse Felix one of the great draw cards of the Margaret River wine region.
Cape Lodge Gourmet Retreat and Cooking School: Learn top-notch culinary skills with executive chef Tony Howell.
More in Western Australia
More Oprah Show Ultimate Viewer itineraries
Explore other parts of Australia
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