Peel Inlet Drive
An enjoyable drive through the coastal region to the south of Fremantle. It includes Rockingham (Point Peron), Safety Bay (Penguin Island) and Manduarah, returning to Perth via the inland route through Pinjarra and Serpentine Falls. Distance: 190 kms
Pinjarra church
Depart Perth City and head along Stirling Highway to Fremantle. Bypass the city centre by taking East Street at East Fremantle, otherwise follow Queen Victoria Street. Cruise along the Cappuccino Strip on South Street; you might like to stop for a freshly brewed coffee to start your day, or soak up the atmosphere of the Sunday markets. From here journey to the Fishing Boat Harbour and take a drive out to the western point to view Garden Island.
- About Fremantle
- About Rockingham
- About Point Peron
- About Penguin Island
- About Mandurah
Leave Fremantle via Hampton Road and head south. Along the way you will pass a number of beaches where you can take a dip in the calm waters of Cockburn Sound. Beyond Woodman Point you will pass the shipyards at Henderson and the heavy industry at Kwinana before reaching Rockingham.
Rockingham foreshore
If it's time for a coffee or tea break, there are plenty of facilities at Rockingham, which was once the place to go for a day out with the family. You can enjoy a scenic walk or drive along the Rockingham foreshore; it has a great beach for the kids, with shallow waters and protection from the sea breeze. Follow the road around the foreshore to Point Peron; climb the lookout for views of the Indian Ocean and the local islands, or walk along the track to the end of the point. Along the way you'll see remnants of wartime fortifications.
Point Peron fortifications
Since the nineteenth century, abundant sightseeing and recreational attributes have been the basis of Rockingham's thriving tourism industry. Visitors can launch small boats or board ferries to view dolphins, seals, pelicans and penguins in the adjacent Marine Park. The coast at nearby Safety Bay is ideal for windsurfing and kitesurfing. Free barbecues and picnic facilities are provided on the seafront, supplementing a choice of hotels and restaurants.
Fur seal on Penguin Island
The winding road along the Shoalwater Islands Marine Park is one of the prettiest parts of the coast. If you've got time walk the sand bar to Penguin Island, see if you can spot one of the elusive residents. Eco-tours to see the wildlife of Penguin Island at close hand leave from the kisok at Mersey Point, Shoalwater, on Arcadia Drive.
Safety Bay
Drive alongside the tranquil waters of Safety Bay and join up with Rockingham Road towards Mandurah. Spend a relaxing afternoon on the Mandurah foreshore or join a cruise through the canals viewing the million dollar homes, you may even spot dolphins! Or just chill out in a coffee shop and watch the world pass by.
Mandurah grew from isolated holiday communities along the shores of the Peel-Harvey Estuary, and with the growth of Perth, it has become a popular lifestyle alternative. Mandurah's connection with the Perth CBD has been strengthened with the building of the Perth-Mandurah railway line. In spite of the development, the city centre foreshore near the mouth of Peel Inlet is still home to a variety of wildlife including dolphins, pelicans, shags, and an abundance of marine life including the manna crab, which has become synonymous with the area.
Peel Inlet, Mandurah
Depart Mandjurah via Pinjarra Road to Pinjarra. It is the smallest town in WA to have a set of traffic lights and a great place for a cuppa before heading back to Perth. Pinjarra is an area rich in history - it is near the site of the infamous Battle of Pinjarra, where between 14 and 40 Aboriginal Noongars were killed by British colonists in 1834. Return to Perth via South Western Highway and the Serpentine Valley. Serpentine Falls are just a few kilometres off the highway from the township of Serpentine. Return to South Western Highway and Armadale, on Perth's south eastern outskirts.
Serpentine Falls
