Marlon Pike

Keep central Perth and Fremantle days car-free if practical, then rent for the regional portion. Check family room layouts and child-seat rules before booking.

Confirm the depot's address, opening time and whether it offers its own airport shuttle. A short map distance may still be awkward with luggage.

Keep Rottnest as its own day and check ferry booking and weather. Combine Fremantle with a harbour meal rather than rushing back for more city sights.

Map fuel, accommodation and return legs before booking. If you still want the southwest, treat it as an alternative route, not an extra side trip.

Check whether your airline would carry your own stroller at no extra cost; that may be easier than arranging pickup and return. A standard stroller can also be easier on ferries and buses than a wagon.

Book flexible outdoor plans and pack layers for coast and inland differences. A vineyard or walking day is easier to move than a fixed transport booking.

Use the airport's signed taxi rank or official rideshare pickup point. Confirm the correct terminal and have the hotel address ready before leaving arrivals.

Give Kalbarri at least one full day rather than arriving late and leaving the next morning. Split the drive north if the coastal stops are part of the holiday.

If the return branch is far from your final activity, compare a round trip or flight plus local rental. The simplest itinerary can be cheaper than paying to move a vehicle across the state.

If you will have your bags with you, factor them into the rest plan. Perth Airport lists lockers at its terminals, but check the current size and location before relying on them; also confirm when your airline accepts bags for the next flight.