Lonely_Planet_India_-_October_2019

MAKE IT HAPPEN: SOUTH WEST AUSTRALIA

Essentials

BEST TIME TO VISIT

Summertime (December to February)

in Australiais a greattimeto visit.

GETTING THERE

Malaysia Airlines, Malindo, Singapore

Airlines, Air Asia X, THAI, Cathay

Pacific, IndiGo and other airlines fly

into Perth from major Indian metros

with one layover (return fares from

` 35,000). From Perth, Margaret River

is an easy three-hour drive down the

BusseltonHighway.

GETTING AROUND

Renting a car is easy in Australia

and you drive on the same side of

the road as in India. Do remember

that a designated driver is essential

if your group is visiting the wineries.

Alternatively, everything on this South

Western Australia itinerary can be

seen and experienced on a customised

tour with McLeod Tours ( 0 0 - 61- 8 -

9757-2747;www.mcleodtours.com.au;

Lot 502, Caves Rd, Margaret River;

full-day tours from ` 6,000 adult,

`3,400child).

VISA

A tourist visa for Australia costs up

to`7,600plus`1,248servicecharge

andtakesabout 19 to 23working

daysto process(www.vsfglobal.com/

australia/india).

CURRENCY

1 Australian$ =` 49

EMBASSYALERT

HighCommissionof India,

Canberra,Australia

http://www.hcicanberra.gov.in

FANCYA CURRY

In Perth,desistreetfoodflavourscan

befoundatSaumain Northbridge,

alongsideIndian-inspiredcocktails

andSwanValleybeers( 0 0 - 61- 8 - 9227-

8682;www.sauma.com.au;200,

WilliamSt;seewebsitefortimings;

jumbothalisfrom`3,200[tobe

sharedbetweentwoor three]).

STAY

An excellent base from which

to explore the area, Seashells

Yallingup is set amid the beautiful

gardens of the heritage-listed Caves

House Hotel. Yallingup Beach is

a 10-minute stroll away. Many

apartments are self catering, and

suitable for friends, family, singles

and couples (00-61-8-9750-1500;

http://www.seashells.com.au; Yallingup

Beach Rd, Yallingup; from ` 9, 70 0 ).

PLAN YOUR TRIP

Here’s an itinerary for three days (or more) to make the most of your time

in the Margaret River region

PHOTOGRAPHS: PRIMROSE MONTEIRO-D’SOUZA (SOAP, CHOCOLATE, GIN, FISH), TOURISM WESTERN AUSTRALIA (LIGHTHOUSES, CAPE TO CAPE WALK)

( 0 0 - 61- 8 - 6149 -1238;

http://www.miamibakehouse.

com.au; Lot 601, Forrest

Hwy, West Pinjarra; vanilla

slice: ` 250). Arrive at Busselton Jetty, and marvel at

the marine life in Geographe Bay from

theunderwater observatory. Leave Busselton at around

12pmfor Yallingup (35km/ 40 minutes) to have lunch

atWills Domain; make a stop at Gabriel Chocolate

justtwo kilometres away, to pick up award-winning fine

chocolate (pictured above right; 00-61-8-9756-6689;

http://www.gabriel chocolate.com.au; 3220, Caves Rd;

from ` 390), and at Vasse Virgin Margaret

River, six minutes away, to pick up some

excellent skin care and gourmet products

(pictured left; see box on facing page).

Check into Seashells Yallingup and enjoy

an afternoon at leisure, or stretch your legs

with a 20-minute walk along the Ghost

Path (the name comes from the ghost gums)

to Yallingup Beach, where you will find

picnic tables and barbecue pits for public use.

Dine at Yarri Restaurant & Bar in Dunsborough,

10 minutes away.

DAY 1

Leave Perth by 7.30am to make a three-hour

drive down the Busselton Highway towards

Busselton. About an hour into the drive,

stop for breakfast at Miami Bake House