Leaving for two weeks in WA next week. All booked and ready to go, but there's always room for improvement. Any suggestions for not-to-miss restaurants, attractions, wineries, hikes, etc in these areas?

Itinerary as follows:

Arrive Perth from Singapore late afternoon - one night in South Perth apartment

Drive Perth to Albany - five nights in Albany - hoping to do lots of walking in various national parks/reserves. Plan to see Cape Howe National Park this time. Maybe visit a winery or two in Mt Barker, spend a day exploring Denmark, etc.

Albany to Pemberton - three nights here in a lovely looking cottage on the edge of the forest. Plan to visit wineries, hike in Beedelup National Park and maybe scale the Dave Evans Bicentennial Tree & Diamond Tree, which we missed last time. Hope to pick some strawberries (or at least eat some!) if not too late in the season.

Pemberton to Margaret River - four nights here in another nice looking cottage. Plan to visit wineries, do some coastal walks, visit Yallingup, maybe visit the caves this time.

Margaret River to Perth - two nights - hope to meet up with a friend and try out Annalakshmi (Indian restaurant - anyone eaten there?). No other plans at this point.

I'm a little concerned about weather - thinking it might be a bit warm for us - we like cool weather, especially for hiking. Also a bit worried about snakes, given the time of year and last year's snake adventures. Snake repellent maybe?

Any thoughts/comments welcome.

Is anybody out there?

Don't worry about the snakes - except maybe first thing on a cold morning, or cool overcast day around logs, they'll get out of your way. If you haven't seen stromatolites, go to Mandurah - Lake Clifton at Yalgorup NP. Oldest life form on earth. EVeryone makes the long trek to Shark Bay for them, yet there they are in Perth's outer suburbs. Otherwise looks like a great trip.

Thanks - will look those up.

I've just come back from a week in Perth and man it was really, really hot!! However, the prediction for the next coming days apparently is around the 25oC.

I hope stays a bit cooler for you than it was for me.

I'm just trying to recall where the Gloucester Tree is - is that in Pemberton? That is another one that you can scale - I refrained - too high for me.

Hi Stormbird -

Yes, Gloucester Tree is near Pemberton. We climbed it last time we were in the area (July) and lived to tell the story, so thought we'd climb the other two this time around. I'm not afraid of heights, but I must say that tree was a bit intimidating and my legs were visably shaking most of the climb. What a view though.

I've been following the weather in Perth - yikes! I'm hoping it will be much cooler down south, as that's where we'll be spending most of our time.

It will still be hot and sometimes unsettled weather .It is cooler in the Margaret River area . Look at Voyager Estate ( lovely dining room for lunch and rose garden )Leuwin Estate ( excellent art collection as well ) Vasse Felix - ( great art as well )The wines are renown .There are many smaller wineries as well as a cheese factory and chocolate one as well with a huge delicious range .The township of Margaret Rivewr is also lovely and people will be happy to help you .

If you have time in Perth go to Fremantle as it is a lovely well preserved town with amny attractions and a nice weekend market with excellent organic fruit foods etc .

Thanks John. We've done all of what you mentioned, but plan to do some of it again - we can't seem to get enough of the area.

I have my fingers crossed for a cool front.

Leaving tomorrow - whoo-hoo!

I'm sorry I missed your post. I hope you have a great trip. I was going to mention a new brewery in Albany. I hope you find Tanglehead. It is downtown on Stirling Terrace right near the visitor's center. Great beer and Great food.

travel4flowers-

Read your note while in Changi Airport on the way to WA. We made a point of visiting Tanglehead on your recommendation - turns out it was a short walk from our apartment and we could see the sign from our window.

Had a really good meal there, but it was during last week's heatwave, and we just about melted in their restaurant. No AC, no ceiling fans, no ventilation whatsoever, so we didn't linger.

Fortunately the heatwave of '07 seems to be over. We're now in Margaret River,having arrived from Pemberton yesterday.

Off to the wineries...

That is too bad that Tanglehead didn't have any AC. I can imagine how hot the older building would be. I hope MR is much cooler.