western australia road trip blog

The Ultimate Western Australia Road Trip Itinerary

• Last Updated: February 5, 2024

From Esperance in the south all the way up to Broome in the north, this ultimate Western Australia road trip itinerary takes you along all the highlights of Australia’s largest state.

As soon as you hit the road and start exploring Western Australia, you’ll immediately realise why this destination is a truly unique corner of the world.

In terms of land mass, it is the biggest state in Australia. It is absolutely massive, taking up almost the entire western half of the country.

Despite its size, Western Australia is sparsely populated. Much of the land is desert, so it is extremely remote and there are few tourists here compared to places like New South Wales or Queensland.

Even when heading to the desert regions of the Outback, most travellers head to Alice Springs in the Northern Territory before considering a trip to Western Australia.

Because Western Australia is mostly rural, and there are few tourists, it’s actually one of the best spots for road trips in Australia!

Full of wildlife, national parks, coral reefs, wineries, charming towns, white sandy beaches, and rugged natural landscapes that sometimes look like another planet, Western Australia has so much to offer.

The best way to see it all is definitely a road trip. Public transport doesn’t reach all the best parts of the state, so a driving adventure allows you to get to all the most beautiful and remote places on your own schedule.

Let’s get into this epic Western Australia road trip itinerary!

Table of Contents

Where to Start?

How long is the drive, car or campervan, driving in western australia – road trip tips, day 1 – perth to dunsborough, day 2 – dunsborough to margaret river, day 3 – margaret river to albany, day 4 – albany to bremer bay, day 5 – bremer bay to esperance and cape le grand national park, day 6 – esperance to hyden, day 7 – hyden to perth, day 8 – perth to jurien bay, day 9 – jurien bay to geraldton, day 10 – geraldton to kalbarri, day 11 – kalbarri to shark bay, day 12 – shark bay to coral bay, day 13 – coral bay to exmouth, day 14 – exmouth, day 15 – exmouth to karijini national park, day 16 – karijini, day 17 – karijini to eighty mile beach, day 18 – eighty mile beach to broome, where next, wa road trip guide.

Before we get into the actual itinerary for a Western Australia road trip, we’re going to cover some of the basics.

To plan a road trip of this diverse and stunning state, you need to have a few things sorted including your transport, your time frame, your supplies, and any other logistics.

The road trip will consist of two sections: A southern loop from Perth to Esperance and back, and a northern route from Perth up to Broome and back. This is a lot of ground to cover, but it is so worth it.

To help you plan your road trip, here are some important things to consider.

Although it makes sense to start at one end of the west coast and finish at the other, this isn’t realistic for most people.

This Western Australia road trip will reach from Esperance in the south, all the way up to Broome in the north. However, flights into Esperance or Broome aren’t cheap from most destinations around Australia. Car rentals are even more scarce, and more costly in these places.

Your best option is to start your Western Australia road trip in Perth.

Perth is the capital city of Western Australia, and it has the most amenities available. Flights into Perth are plentiful, and they are more affordable than other places in the state.

Fly into Perth, spend a few days enjoying the capital city, then rent a car and head out on your road trip. Return to Perth at the end to return your car and fly home.

If you already have your own car or camper van and you don’t need to rent one in Perth, you can always begin this road trip anywhere that suits you. Just keep in mind that you’ll have to drive all the way back home after the trip.

READ MORE: Check out our list of the best things to do in Perth!

The biggest obstacle when planning a Western Australia road trip is time!

Because the state is so huge and all the attractions are spread out, you’ll need a good chunk of time to see everything.

Give yourself 3 weeks at the very least to complete the entire Western Australia road trip and then loop back to Perth. This is the very minimum amount of time, with just one night in most places.

The first part of the road trip starts in Perth, follows along the south west edge of the state until Esperance, then loops back to Perth inland via Hyden. The driving distance is roughly 21 hours (with no stops), covering about 1,900 km.

The second part starts in Perth and heads north along the coast, with a detour to Karijini National Park, before ending in Broome. The driving distance is roughly 31 hours (with no stops) and covers about 2,800 km.

After Broome you’ll return to Perth unless you’re continuing into the Northern Territory. So the total driving time for the north and the south, plus the return drive to Perth, is roughly 75 hours. The total distance is roughly 6,700km.

Three weeks is very doable for this drive! If you have time to spare, stretch the road trip out into a month or more.

Whether you want to take your time and leisurely explore the state, or you want to see it all in 3 weeks, a Western Australia road trip is one of the best things to do Down Under .

You can do a Western Australia road trip in either one! But spoiler alert, we recommend a campervan!

A rental car is cheaper than renting a campervan. You’ll probably spend less money on petrol, and there is less maintenance required with a small car.

But you’ll have to book all your accommodations in advance. You can also pack a tent and camping gear , you’ll just have to set up camp every night.

A campervan is the most convenient option because you can just drive up to most campsites and you’re good to go.

There is a lot of hopping around on this road trip, so it is handy to just have your sleeping arrangements all set up in your van. If you don’t have your own van, you can rent one in Perth.

We recommend Travellers Autobarn , who have the biggest range of budget-friendly vans available.

Whether you rent a car or a camper van, definitely take advantage of the amazing campgrounds in the state.

Camping in the remote outback areas of Western Australia and watching the stars is an epic adventure!

Another thing to note: you don’t necessarily need a 4WD. Some more rugged areas of the road trip will definitely be easier with a 4WD, but you can still complete the road trip without one.

Here are some other road trip tips for Western Australia.

As mentioned, Western Australia is very remote. Petrol stations are usually available, but it is wise to be prepared just in case. Try to have spare fuel, spare tires, and extra necessities like food, water, and a first aid kit.

Also, be careful when driving on the outback roads. Wildlife is everywhere, and even when the road looks deserted, you never know what may jump out in front of you. Particularly at dawn and dusk, drive with caution.

In terms of weather, I would recommend avoiding a Western Australia road trip in the middle of summer.

December through February can get extremely hot, especially the further north you go.

The north of Western Australia has a tropical climate as well, meaning summer is also rainy season.

To avoid rain, floods, and potential road closures, and super hot temperatures, plan your road trip outside the summer months.

With those tips in mind, all road trips around Western Australia should run smoothly. Let’s get into the itinerary and our suggestions for the best places to go on your road trip.

Western Australia Road Trip Itineraries

As discussed earlier, we have separated this Western Australia road trip itinerary into two sections.

The Southern Route begins in Perth, follows the south west edge of the state to Margaret River and Albany, then continues to Esperance. From there, you can loop back to Perth inland.

The Northern Route starts in Perth and follows the west coast up to Exmouth. Then you can take a detour to Karijini, then continue up to Broome before heading back to Perth or continuing your road trip north.

These itineraries can be modified according to your plans. You can just do one route if you don’t have a full three weeks to spare. If you have more time, feel free to spend extra days in places you really love.

If you don’t have your own wheels you can rent a campervan in Perth .

Southern Route

The Southern Route of the road trip takes 7 days. If you only have a short time to explore Western Australia, this is the quickest road trip to choose.

Be sure to spend a few days exploring Perth before you set out. Check out Fremantle, explore the beautiful  Perth beaches , or take a day trip to Rottnest Island and play with the quokkas.

Once you’ve had your fun in Perth, pick up your car or camper van and get going!

If you’re only planning on driving south too, have a read of our Perth to Esperance road trip guide.

From Perth, it’s a 3 hour drive to Dunsborough.

Stop in Busselton along the way, a charming coastal town with plenty of  fun things to do .

Stretch your legs along the iconic Busselton Jetty, or do the Underwater Sea Walk which explores the marine life under the jetty.

You could also walk to the Cape Naturalist Lighthouse or get some delicious fresh seafood for lunch.

Continue on to Dunsborough, which has some nice wineries and beaches to check out. Meelup Beach is a great spot for a swim or surf.

Dunsborough and Margaret River are only 30 minutes apart, so you can spend the night in either place.

Today you’ll want to do some wine tasting in the Margaret River region, as this is a highlight of Western Australia. You can just drive from vineyard to vineyard on your own, or  book a winery day tour  so you can drink all the wine you want without having to drive.

BONUS –  Booking ahead of time ensures you won’t miss out on the tour, and get the best price too! And just for NOMADasaurus readers, if you use the Klook discount code  “NOMADS10”  on the website when checking out, you’ll get $10 off your first booking!

Also check out Margaret River Chocolate Company and Margaret River Dairy Company to sample locally made, artisan food and buy some snacks for your trip.

Other fun things to do near Margaret River include surfing at Yallingup Beach, taking a dip at the nearby natural swimming pool called Injidup Natural Spa, and checking out the stalactites and stalagmites at Jewel Cave or Ngilgi Cave.

After Margaret River, it’s time to head towards your next destination: Esperance. If you want an extra day in Esperance, drive straight there from Margaret River. It takes 8 hours.

If you prefer to break the journey up and see more Western Australia highlights along the way, you can make a few stops on the way to Esperance.

It’s 4 hours from Margaret River to Albany.

Definitely stop in Hamelin Bay , where lots of sting rays swim through the shallow waters. You can go snorkelling here or just wade amongst the rays. 9am or 10am is the best time to see them!

Another cool stop on the way to Albany is the massive, seaside boulders known as Elephant Rocks in William Bay National Park. Nearby is Greens Pool, a beautiful spot for a swim.

Just before you reach Albany there is another gem: Torndirrup National Park. Check out the unique rock formations here like The Gap and the Blowholes, and the Natural Bridge.

Read next:  The 20 Best Things to Do in Albany

It’s 2 hours from Albany to Bremer Bay, the next stop on your way to Esperance along the south west coast.

You can spend the morning in Albany. Get brekky in a cafe, go for a swim or stroll on Middleton Beach, or check out the National ANZAC Center for a bit of Aussie history. If you’re here on a Saturday, definitely stop by the Albany Farmers Market.

Once you reach Bremer Bay, consider booking an  orca whale watching tour . This is one of the best places in the world to see orcas in the wild. Between January and March, the ocean here is home to the largest congregation of Orcas in the Southern Hemisphere.

You can also go whale watching here between June and October, as southern right whales come here to calve.

You may also see humpback whales, pilot whales, and more. Anywhere on this region of the south west coast of Australia is great for whale watching during the winter months!

Also in the area is the Fitzgerald River National Park. Full of beautiful forest and walking trails, this is a nice place to explore if you’re not here during whale season.

There are two campgrounds here as well if you want to spend the night in the wilderness.

From Bremer Bay, it’s a 5.5 hour drive to Esperance.

Known for its pink lakes, stunning beaches, and active wildlife, Esperance is one of Australia’s most beautiful places.

The famous saltwater Pink Lake is right next to the town, but it isn’t actually pink anymore.

Lake Hillier is the more famous pink lake, which is located on an island off the coast of Esperance. You can access this lake by a boat tour if you wish.

Once you arrive in Esperance, spend the day exploring Cape Le Grand National Park . Lucky Bay Beach is one of the most beautiful beaches in Australia.

It’s famous for its white sand, turquoise water, and kangaroos which frequent the beach.

A great way to see all the highlights of Esperance is to do the Great Ocean Drive. It’s a 40-km loop that starts and ends in Esperance.

Along the Great Ocean Drive is the Observatory Point Lookout, Twilight Beach, Twilight Cove, Ten Mile Lagoon, Lucky Bay Brewing Company, and the Pink Lake.

You can follow the  Great Ocean Drive route  or just pick and choose the attractions you want to see while you’re here.

Check out our full list of the  best things to do in Esperance .

After enjoying Esperance, it’s time to head back to Perth. It’s an 8 hour drive on the inland route. You can do it all at once, but we recommend stopping halfway in Hyden.

You’ll reach Hyden in 4 hours. While you’re here you have to check out Wave Rock. This giant slab of granite that was supposedly formed 130 million years ago is actually shaped like a huge wave.

It has formed this way naturally over time, and it’s one of the coolest natural attractions along the route. It’s worth stopping in Hyden just to see it.

From Hyden, it’s just a 4 hour drive back to Perth! You’ve finished the southern section of this road trip.

You can choose to spend some time relaxing in Perth, or just continue straight on to the northern section.

Northern Route

This next Western Australia road trip route goes from Perth up to Broome.

As you head north towards the Coral Coast, the waters of the Indian Ocean get warmer and you’ll find the marine life is flourishing.

You’ll also see lots of dramatic natural landscapes within all the national parks and coastal drives.

The Coral Coast is majestic, colourful, and full of life. It begins in Cervantes, a small town 2 hours north of Perth and ends up in Exmouth.

Read next: Check out our comprehensive Perth to Broome road trip itinerary with more info, or continue reading below for an overview of what you should do on this part of the drive!

From Perth it’s only a 2.5 hour drive to Jurien Bay. On the way you can make a few cool stops if you’d like.

If you already have your vehicle, then you can keep on driving from the southern loop.

But if you are looking to pick up wheels here, grab a campervan from Perth and you’ll be good to go.

Stop in Yanchep National Park to explore the forest, go wildlife watching, stretch your legs on some walking trails, and seek out some limestone caves.

Lancelin is another unique stop because it has sand dunes! You’ll feel like you’re in the middle of the Sahara Desert here.

If you have a 4WD you can go off roading on the Lancelin sand dunes. Or you can  rent a sandboard for $12.50  and have some fun.

But the absolute best stop is Nambung National Park, which is a real highlight of Western Australia.

The Pinnacles Desert in Nambung National Park is an otherworldly natural sight. This arid desert is full of natural limestone rock formations that were formed somewhere between 25,000 and 30,000 years ago.

The Pinnacles are a fascinating sight, and could be considered a must-see on road trips through Western Australia.

Once you arrive in Jurien Bay, enjoy the relaxed pace of this chill beach town. Walk along the white sandy beach and go for a snorkel or swim.

Camp near the beach at Sandy Cape Recreation Park and watch the stars.

After a good night’s sleep, there is one amazing adventure to do in Jurien Bay before you continue on the road: a sea lion tour!

A colony of sea lions lives on Essex Rocks, which is a 15-minute boat ride away from Jurien Bay.

Book a boat tour  so you can visit the colony and go snorkelling and swimming with some friendly sea lions.

After swimming with sea lions, drive 2 hours north from Jurien Bay towards Geraldton.

Geraldton is a pretty quiet town that is a popular stop on a road trip of Western Australia.

Spend the day visiting the cafes, markets, museums, beaches, and swimming holes in the area.

There are a few nice caravan parks in Geraldton as well, where you can rent a cabin or park your campervan.

Tomorrow you’re heading to Kalbarri National Park, which is full of fun things to do.

It’s a 2-hour drive from Geraldton to Kalbarri, a resort town framed by rugged coastal cliffs and oceans filled with wildlife.

On the way to Kalbarri you’ll pass by another pink lake called Hutt Lagoon. This lake is still pink due to the presence of a special algae, so check it out if you haven’t yet gotten a cool photo of a Western Australia pink lake.

Once you arrive in Kalbarri, spend some time admiring the stunning coastline. Visit Red Bluff, Natural Bridge, and Island Rock for impressive views of the jagged rocks towering over the ocean.

You can also head into Kalbarri National Park, which has lots of great hiking trails and some iconic landscapes.

The Z Bend Lookout is a short day trail that is quite popular.

The real highlight of Kalbarri National Park is the short, loop trail to Nature’s Window.

This is a large natural arch made of layers upon layers of dusty red sandstone. The arch creates “Nature’s Window” where you can look through over the rivers, forests, and cliffs of the national park.

Check out our list of the  best places to visit in Australia  for more travel inspiration!

Continue driving north for 4 hours until you reach Shark Bay, then spend the day exploring this very special area of Australia.

Shark Bay on the Coral Coast is a  UNESCO World Heritage Site . It is the most westerly point of Australia, and is made up of numerous islands, reefs, national parks, beaches, and more.

Shark Bay is also home to the world’s largest and richest seagrass beds, where you can find large numbers of dugongs grazing in the waters.

There are so many other cool things to see in Shark Bay. Visit Hamelin Pool to see the oldest life forms on earth: a type of living fossil known as stromatolites. These algae colonies are millions of years old.

Another highlight of the area is Shell Beach. This is one of the few places on earth where you can find a beach with billions of tiny shells in place of the sand.

After admiring Shell Beach, visit Francois Peron National Park to see the vibrant natural colors, from the red cliffs and white sandy beaches to the turquoise waters.

Monkey Mia is a small, quiet area of Shark Bay famous for its marine life. From a huge population of wild bottlenose dolphins, to manta rays, turtles, dugongs, and more, Monkey Mia is a great spot for wildlife watching.

Denham is the gateway town to the nature of Shark Bay, so you can find accommodation here unless you want to camp at a more remote campground in Francois Peron National Park. The Monkey Mia Dolphin Resort is another nice place to stay.

After marveling at the wildlife and colorful nature around Monkey Mia, Shark Bay, and the national park, drive 5 hours to Coral Bay.

On the way you can stop at the Quobba Blowholes to watch the water shoot out of natural rock crevices and up into the air.

Coral Bay is a charming spot on the Coral Coast, so enjoy your day here before heading up to Exmouth tomorrow.

There are a few nice caravan parks near the beach such as Bayview Caravan Park and People’s Park.

The Ningaloo Reef acts as a barrier from the Indian Ocean so the water here is calm, clear, and peaceful. The conditions are perfect for snorkelling, diving, fishing, kayaking, or stand up paddle boarding.

If you want a real treat, you can  tour the reefs of Coral Bay  on a glass bottom boat.

A highlight of the area is Skeleton Bay, a nursery for reef sharks. Stop here to add another species to your list of animals you’ve seen on this road trip of Western Australia!

From Coral Bay it’s 2 hours to Exmouth, one of the best places to visit on a road trip of Western Australia.

Stop by the  Ningaloo Visitor Centre  when you arrive for maps and information. You’ll spend a full day in Exmouth tomorrow exploring the beaches and reefs of Cape Range National Park so make sure you get some rest today in preparation for an incredible day.

Read more about the ultimate Perth to Exmouth road trip if you’re not planning on heading further north.

Exmouth is a major tourist town that marks the gateway to the Ningaloo Coast World Heritage Area.

The waters are filled with coral reefs and marine life, and the land is surrounded by the gorges and cliffs of Cape Range National Park.

It’s a stunning area, and it’s sure to be a highlight of your road trip.

Easily the best thing to do in Exmouth is swimming with whale sharks. These gentle giants roam the warm waters of the Ningaloo Reef, alongside humpback whales and manta rays. You can book a tour to snorkel with the ocean animals during the whale shark season (March through August).

Book your whale shark tour  a few months in advance because they sell out quickly!

Other amazing things to do in Exmouth include snorkeling at Turquoise Bay or Sandy Bay, or going hiking on the Yardie Gorge Trail or the Mandu Mandu Gorge Trail.

After a big day of snorkeling or hiking, get ready for an 8 hour drive to one of Australia’s most phenomenal national parks. Be sure to fill up on petrol, water, and snacks before you leave.

Once you arrive in Karijini National Park, stop at Visitor Centre in Tom Price which is the highest town in Western Australia. Here you can get maps of the park and stock up on more supplies if needed.

If you have a camper van, a great place to spend the night is the free camping ground near Hamersley Gorge. If you aren’t camping,  Karijini Eco Retreat  is a gorgeous place to stay.

Start your day in Australia’s second largest national park with an early morning swim in Hamersley Gorge.

There is so much to see and do in  Karijini National Park , so it’s a good idea to pick which hikes you’re doing the night before

That way you aren’t scrambling to make decisions and you can make the most of your day in the park.

The park is most well known for its rich red hues, swimming holes, and gorges. Some of the best gorges to visit include Knox Gorge, Joffre Gorge, Hancock Gorge, Weano Gorge, and Dales Gorge.

Each one has a challenging hiking trail that can be done in a few hours or more depending on your fitness level.

You probably won’t be able to hike every single gorge in one day, so take your pick of which hikes you’d like to tackle.

You can also just visit lookouts to see the gorges without a strenuous hike if you prefer. Fortescue Falls, Fern Pool, and the 2km Gorge Rim Trail are also highlights of the park.

Dales Camping Area is another lovely camping spot in the park if you’d like to spend the night somewhere new. It needs to be booked in advance.

From Karijini it’s a 6.5 hour drive to Eighty Mile Beach. 

We suggest driving though Port Hedland, which is a good place to stop for petrol, food, water, and any other supplies. 

There isn’t heaps to do in Eighty Mile Beach besides enjoying the long, peaceful stretch of sand.

Go swimming, fishing, birdwatching, or walking. Definitely watch the sunrise or sunset over the ocean. 

If you have a 4WD you can drive along the beach. The Eighty Mile Beach Caravan Park is a convenient place to stay. You can park your camper van at a powered or unpowered campsite, or rent a cabin for the night. 

Time to head to the last destination on your road trip of Western Australia! Broome is about 4 hours north of Eighty Mile Beach. 

Broome is the gateway to the Kimberly Region of northern Australia. The tropical resort town is best known for its pearl farms and the beautiful Cable Beach where you can ride camels at sunset. 

Some of the other  best things to do in Broome  include visiting the museums and Aboriginal art galleries, going whale watching, and checking out the views at Roebuck Bay. 

Further west from Broome lies the Gibb River Road, a scenic drive through the heart of the Outback.

Consider heading that way if you have more time to road trip, as it’s a unique part of Australia that has some beautiful gorges and lakes. 

After enjoying Broome, you have finished the most epic road trip of Western Australia!

If you have your own camper van or car, consider continuing north towards Darwin and Kakadu National Park in the Northern Territory. You’ve already made it this far, why not see more of the best places in Australia?

If you have a rental vehicle to return, or you’re done road tripping and you have responsibilities to get back to, get ready for a big drive back to Perth.

It’s almost a 23 hour drive from Broome to Perth via the National Highway. This route cuts inland so it’s a bit faster than heading back along the coast.

Don’t forget you can also look into one-way campervan rentals for a slight premium if that suits your itinerary more.

Hopefully this guide will help you on your next adventure out in Western Australia!

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Gabby Boucher

Hi, We’re Alesha and Jarryd!

We’ve been traveling the world together since 2008, searching for the planet’s best destinations and adventures.

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Thanks so much for this brilliant guide. We are going over in about 3 months and your excellent summary of the region will form the basis of our itinerary. Cheers.

I love the way you guide me as a reader. Amazing photos and you have a great adventure to the beautiful places. Thank you for sharing. This is what you meant by adventure, but getting there is the best part of the trip.

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The Very Best 2-3 Week Western Australia Road Trip Itinerary

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Planning a Western Australia road trip? Awesome! If you’re traveling to Australia, there’s one state you really shouldn’t miss. It’s the biggest in land size and perhaps one of the less-frequently touristed.

We’re talking about gorgeous Western Australia, and it’s where we spent most of our adventures down under in 2014. We drove in our campervan all over WA, hitting up the most scenic spots, camping in fascinating outback wilderness, and truly having the time of our lives.

Now, we’ve decided to replicate our route for you here. May we present the very best Western Australia road trip itinerary. Guaranteed to take you to some of Australia’s most incredible spots.

Table of Contents

Things to Know:

–Your WA road trip will start in Perth, the capital city. You can fly into Perth from other destinations in Australia or from abroad.  Check prices for flights to Perth here.

–The ultimate Western Australia road trip will take you about 2-3 weeks, although we recommend sticking closer to 3 weeks to maximize your experience and see everything you can.

–There are options to take a bus tour around WA, but we can’t recommend doing a self-drive itinerary. If you don’t want to buy a campervan, there are lots of options for renting one as well. Great options for car rentals/car hire in Australia can be found on this car rental comparison website . 

–Read up on Australia road trip safety. We have a basic post with some suggestions here: Tips for Your Australia Road Trip

–Remember that much of WA is remote bush landscape. Watch for wildlife (particularly at dawn and dusk) and be prepared with spare tires, extra fuel, etc.

Best Time for Western Australia Travel

When should you plan to visit WA? We were in WA during the Southern Hemisphere’s winter.

Our Perth to Broome road trip occurred during June and July. The weather was beautiful, nothing was too crowded, and we were able to time it right for many of the region’s best activities ( swimming with whales sharks in Exmouth, viewing Staircase to the Moon in Broome, etc).

Generally, April through October would probably be good dates for your trip, with good weather throughout the state.

It could be advisable to avoid the summer months because it is a popular/busy time to travel in some areas, and because in the far north of WA, such as in Broome, the summers are very wet and tropical…aka cyclone season!

Your Ultimate 3 Week Australia Itinerary

We should note that our travels in Western Australia may have been a bit slower, since we were spending a whole 7 months in Australia. We opted to spend longer in certain destinations to really make the most of it.

Of course, the more time you have, the better, but you can really see A LOT in just under 3 weeks. You could also skip a destination or two and turn this into a 2 week Australia Itinerary, it’s up to you.

All told, the itinerary below encompasses 18 days of fun and sun in WA. Let’s go!

PS: If you’re keen to explore parts closer to Perth or do a shorter road trip, you should check out this South West Australia road trip itinerary !

Day 1 Perth to Geraldton

You’re on your way! Wahooooo! Day 1 will take your from Perth north to Geraldton, WA. The ride should take about 4 hours 30 minutes, but you have a stop to make halfway. Your first stop is the Pinnacles in Nambung National Park.

This unearthly desert landscape will fascinate you, especially considering it’s perched almost directly next to the ocean. Spend some time driving through the park and marvel at the huge pinnacles.

They are hundreds of thousands of years old, and there’s a bit of mystery as to how they developed.

Arrive in Geraldton for your first evening on the road. If you’re on a road trip in a caravan, campervan, or planning on tent camping, there are several caravan parks in Geraldton to choose from.

These are always nice facilities that are fairly affordable. If you’re traveling on a tight budget, free camping is possible in many parts of Australia.

When we were in Australia, we loved the WikiCamps Australia app . This showed locations of campsites, caravan parks, petrol stations, bathrooms, and more. A super helpful tool for your West Australia road trip.

Day 2 Geraldton to Kalbarri

Your next day of driving takes you up to Kalbarri, WA. It’s a short 2 hour jaunt, and you’ll be glad. Kalbarri is amazing, and there’s so much to see here.

Check into your accommodation and go visit the Kalbarri Cliffs. This was one of our favorite spots in Western Australia. It’s a stunning landscape with epic cliffs descending into the Indian Ocean.

Day 3 Kalbarri

On day 3, you’ll drive eastward to visit the inland portion of Kalbarri National Park. Prepare for more stunning landscapes. A word of warning: the road into the National Park is unpaved and pretty rough.

We managed it with our non 4WD campervan driving at a snail’s pace, but ideally, you should travel in a 4WD campervan.

You’ll have a much easier time exploring Western Australia, and there is actually a lot more you can access with 4WD.

Kalbarri is a top spot for hiking. There are many good trails . We went on Nature’s Window and the Loop  for a portion (see photo below of the famous Nature’s Window) and took another short trail to the Z Bend Lookout.

If time allows, you could take the Z-Bend River Trail as well. It’s a difficult hike, but at 2.6km roundtrip, it’s not overly lengthy.

You might just fit in two hikes in one day. The entire Loop trail is 8km, so if you aim to tackle that as well, plan to spend a second full day in Kalbarri.

Day 4 Kalbarri to Shark Bay

Today’s destination is Shark Bay, with a drive of approximately 4 hours. But along the road to Shark Bay, you’ll encounter a lot of great places to stop. You’re entering the start of the Coral Coast and the Shark Bay World Heritage Area.

First stop is Hamelin Pool, home to the ancient stromatolites. This is one of the few places on earth you can witness these ‘living fossils.’ Stromatolites are a rock-like structure made by a single-celled organism called cyanobacteria.

Essentially, they are the oldest complex lifeform, dating back some 3.5 million years. Read more about the stromatolites on Atlas Obscura.

After checking out these rocks-that-are-older-than-plants, drive onward to Shell Beach. As you might guess, this shoreline is completely covered in an array of beautiful shells.

You’ll want to walk along the beach and run your hands through them all, though it’s not the comfiest place to sit, that’s for sure.

Your day ends in the town of Denham, where you can find accommodation. Get a good night’s sleep and be ready for more of Shark Bay tomorrow.

Day 5 Shark Bay

The distance from Perth to Shark Bay is 527 miles, 849 kilometers, so congrats on clocking some mileage! Today won’t require much driving, but it will require lots of fun. We’re going to Monkey Mia, a beautiful shoreline that is bursting with wildlife.

In Monkey Mia (pronounced “My-uh”) they feed a small pod of dolphins daily. These dolphins, and their ancestors, have been dropping by for years, so it’s quite a special attraction.

After watching the dolphins enjoy their meal, rent a kayak and go paddling around the bay. You’re likely to catch sightings of wildlife, and some of the resident dolphins might even glide right past your boat!

Day 6 Shark Bay to Carnarvon

You have to backtrack a bit on day 6, driving back down the road leading to Shark Bay to get back on the route northward.

Carnarvon is your next point of call. A humble shire most known for its banana plantations, Carnarvon is the ideal spot to stop over for a night.

Day 7 Carnarvon to Exmouth

On day 7, you will travel from Carnarvon to Exmouth, a journey of about 4 hours. However, you’ll break up the drive with a stop at the spectacular Coral Bay.

Coral Bay is a lovely, peaceful bay in which to swim or wade. The crystal clear water is beautiful to look at, and the rock formations on shore are quite impressive.

This is Australia’s only fringing reef, and the coral begins right at the shoreline, so it’s the perfect place to go snorkeling, particularly for beginners or for families with kids.

From Perth to Coral Bay is 1200 km, so you’ve definitely covered some distance in your one week in Western Australia.

If you have time, or want to spend an extra day in Coral Bay, you might look into this fun quad bike tour along the dunes. Australian travel bloggers YTravel wrote about the tour here , and it sounds like a blast.

If you’re continuing on to Exmouth tonight, hop back in your van and keep going. Exmouth is a popular holiday spot so you’ll find plenty of accommodation. We stayed at the RAC Exmouth Cape Holiday Park , which was very comfortable and had a tropical-inspired swimming pool.

Day 8 Exmouth

Now, we highly recommend spending at least a few days in Exmouth, because there is so much to see.

This is also the halfway point of your trip, your next long stretch being Exmouth to Broome, so why not rest awhile? When we were here, we spent about 4 nights in Exmouth.

While you’re here on the Ningaloo Coast, you have to go whale shark swimming if the season is right. Swimming with whale sharks was by and large one of the coolest things we’ve ever done, and for me, one of the scariest, too!

Whale sharks are the world’s biggest fish, and they are filter feeders. In other words, these gentle giants (and they ARE giants) won’t hurt you and they certainly won’t eat you.

There are a number of tour providers, but we went with Kings Ningaloo Reef Tours.  They provide the best whale shark tours Exmouth has to offer. We loved the captain, the crew, and the experience.

March through August is whale shark season in Exmouth, so if you can schedule your trip for those months, you absolutely should.

Day 9 Exmouth

Your whale shark tour will take most of a day, so on your other day in Exmouth, go explore the cape. You can snorkel at the aptly named Turquoise Bay or visit one of countless other insanely spectacular spots.

This is such a tremendous part of Australia.

The Sweet Wanderlust has an epic guide to 50 things to do in Exmouth , so definitely check that out when planning your trip.

One more thing, grab fish and chips at Blue Lips because it is amaaazing.

Day 10 Exmouth to Stopping Point

Okay, time to begin another long day of driving. Your ultimate destination is the magical Karijini National Park, but from Exmouth it’s almost 8 hours. So we suggest driving, camping overnight, and then finishing the drive on Day 11.

The stopping point is up to you. You may consult your app or camping guide to find a great spot out in the middle of nowhere!

Day 11 Stopping Point to Karijini

Rise and shine travelers, because today you’ll be going to Karijini National Park. 

This oasis is not nearly as well-known as other parts of Australia, but it is well worth the visit. The official park site calls it a “tropical, semi-desert”. This is a time when 4WD will come in handy. Since we didn’t have it in our van, we missed out on some of the park’s best spots. 🙁

We did explore some beautiful spots though, which we’d highly recommend.

During your stay in Karijini, we recommending camping in the park’s campground areas. We enjoyed Dales Campground, where we stayed.

From the Dales Campground, you can embark on the Dales Gorge hike, a 3 hour roundtrip which will take you past Fortescue Falls (pictured below), and to the beautiful Fern Pool as well. It’s a glorious hike, surrounded by towering red rocks.

On a hot day, hop in for a quick dip to cool off.

Day 12 Karijini

More Karijini excitement!

Today, why not go on one of the other hikes? Here is an excellent guide to 4 of the best hikes in Karijini National Park . It includes the one we did, Dales Gorge, but the other 3 are so amazing I feel envious just looking at the photos!

Enjoy a day of hiking, swimming, then a night under the stars.

Day 13 Karijini

More Karijini!

If you so choose, spend a third full day in Karijini. You can tackle one of the other hikes or go for another swim.

Day 14, 15, 16 Karijini to Broome

Okay, this is where the itinerary becomes somewhat flexible. The distance between Karijini National Park and the city of Broome is an incredible 963 km. In other words, a nearly 12-straight-hour drive. So you’ve got a few options.

There’s not much in the way of destinations along this remote stretch of the Great Northern Highway so you might opt to rise early and drive the whole route in one day.

Or, take it slow and stop at a few camping points along the way. Whatever suits your fancy.

Day 17 Broome

Finally, the final stop on your itinerary for Western Australia: Broome.

Broome is the gateway to the Kimberly region, so if you’re traveling on the Northern Territory after this, you’ll start to see a changing landscape. If you can travel further, we highly recommend it.

Broome is a town which feels extremely tropical. Some of its vegetation feels nearly Asian in nature, so it’s a unique place for sure. There is shopping, dining, and other typical tourist attractions, but there are a few standout things to do in Broome.

A visit to Cable Beach is a must. This is a wide beach that receives some of the world’s best sunsets. You can schedule a camel ride at sunset with one of the many tour operators, or just take a photo of this unbelievable site. No two sunsets are alike at Cable Beach, so it’s worth going back each night of your visit.

If at all possible, we do recommend timing your visit to Broome to coincide with the Staircase to the Moon phenomenon. This happens once a month from the months of March to October.

The Staircase to Moon is a unique event in which the rising moon is reflected over the expansive tidal flats of Roebuck Bay.

The tide is very low during this time, and the resulting reflection has the distinct appearance of a stairway rising up toward the moon. Our photo of it does not do the view justice at all, but it gives you a vague idea of how it looks!

For 2019, these are the Staircase to the Moon Dates:

March 21, 22, 23

April 20, 21, 22

May 19, 20, 21

June 18, 19, 20

July 17, 18, 19

August 16, 17, 18

September 15, 16, 17

October 14, 15, 16

Day 18 Broome

If you’re looking for what to do in Broome on your second day, consider a trip to Horizontal Falls. Google shares that “David Attenborough once described the Horizontal Falls as one of the greatest natural wonders of the world.” If David gives it his seal of approval, you know it rocks.

You can take a boat tour through the falls. It’s not truly a waterfall in the traditional sense, but the movement of the ocean between two rocky outcroppings that creates a “horizontal waterfall.” Intriguing, no?

Day 19 Broome to Perth or next destination

Alas, the end of your road trip of Western Australia has ended. Now it’s time to either continue on towards the Northern Territory or return back to Perth.

The return drive would be long, as you can imagine, so consider flying back to Perth or onto your next destination.

Western Australia Road Trip Map

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Amy Hartle   is the author of Do You Love Me? How To Stop Seeking Reassurance in Relationships , a book on reassurance seeking and relationship anxiety. Both her book and this blog are born of personal experience; Amy shares expert relationship advice from the lessons learned during her own 10+ years with her husband, as well as couples travel tips and romantic getaway recommendations, all gleaned while traveling the world together.

Western Australia Roadtrip: Discover Western Australia’s Open Roads in a Campervan

About the author: sammy.

Updated on: 22 March 2024

Published on: 10 October 2023

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Welcome to your dream Western Australia roadtrip!

WA is a bucket-list travel experience for many people, and what better way to explore the state’s vast and diverse landscapes than in a campervan? With open roads, breathtaking scenery, and endless opportunities for adventure, Western Australia is a road-tripper paradise.

Click images to see more.

The benefits of renting a campervan and travelling around Australia's west coast

Travelling Western Australia in a campervan can provide a unique and epic road trip with many beautiful spots and benefits, including:

• Flexibility: Travelling in a campervan provides the flexibility to change your itinerary and route at a moment’s notice. You can choose to stay in one place or explore new areas as you go. You can take your time or cover 1000 kilometres in a day! The choice is yours with a camper!
• Cost-effective: Renting a campervan isn’t just time effective but can be a cost-effective way to travel, as it combines your accommodation and transportation costs into one. Plus, you can save money on dining out by cooking your own meals in the campervan.
• Comfort and convenience: Campervans provide all the basic amenities you need for a comfortable trip, including a bed, kitchenette, and bathroom facilities. This makes it easy to travel long distances and explore remote areas without sacrificing comfort.
• Unique experiences: Campervans allow you to experience unique destinations and activities that may not be accessible with traditional accommodations. For example, camping in national parks or near secluded beaches can provide a one-of-a-kind experience.
• Connection with nature: Travelling in a campervan allows you to immerse yourself in nature and experience the beauty of Western Australia’s diverse landscapes up close. You can wake up to stunning views, enjoy outdoor activities like hiking and fishing, and appreciate the peace and tranquillity of the natural surroundings.

Overall, travelling around Western Australia in a campervan provides a sense of freedom and adventure that cannot be matched by other forms of travel. WA can be an incredible place to spot wildlife in australia . 

Unmissable destinations for your Western Australia roadtrip.

Perth to broome road trip..

Embark on an unforgettable adventure from Perth to Broome, two of Western Australia’s most popular cities. Along the way, you can take in the breathtaking coastal scenery, explore charming coastal towns like Geraldton, Coral Bay, and Kalbarri, and marvel at the natural wonders of the region such as the Pinnacles Desert and the gorges of Karijini National Park. With so many sights to see, this road trip is perfect for those looking for a diverse and unique travel experience.

Margaret River scenic drive.

The Margaret River region is renowned for its stunning coastline, lush forests, and world-class wineries. On a scenic drive through the area, you can explore the quaint towns of Margaret River, Dunsborough, and Yallingup, and indulge in wine tastings at some of Australia’s finest vineyards. Make sure to also visit the nearby natural attractions, such as the stunning white sand beaches, pink lakes, limestone caves, and towering karri trees, which make for an insane experience.

Pinnacles Desert tour.

The Pinnacles Desert is a must-visit destination in Western Australia, famous for its otherworldly rock formations that rise up from the sand dunes. You can take a guided tour through the desert, learn about the geology and history if you’re into that sort of thing, and take in the stunning landscape. While you’re in the region, be sure to also explore nearby attractions such as the seaside town of Cervantes and the stunning sand dunes of Lancelin.

Coral Coast drive.

The Coral Coast is one of Western Australia’s most scenic coastal drives, stretching from Perth to Exmouth. Along the way, you can explore charming seaside towns all the way down the former Coral Coast highway, visit historic landmarks, and witness some of the state’s most incredible natural wonders. Highlights include the beaches of Jurien Bay, the stunning Pink Lake near Port Gregory, Shark Bay, Monkey Mia, and the incredible Ningaloo Reef, where you can snorkel with whale sharks and swim alongside manta rays. A sure favourite of the RatPack team!

Ningaloo Reef adventure.

The Ningaloo Reef in Exmouth is one of the world’s most pristine coral reefs and home to a lot of marine life. You can embark on an adventure to explore the reef and its surroundings, including swimming with whale sharks, manta rays, and sea turtles. Humpback whales can also be spotted in this area, this area sees the highest number of these gentle giants in the Southern Hemisphere! While you’re in the area, be sure to also explore the rugged coastline, where you’ll find beautiful beaches, stunning gorges, and unique wildlife.

Karijini National Park exploration.

Karijini National Park is a rugged wilderness area in Western Australia’s Pilbara region, known for its incredible gorges, waterfalls, and ancient rock formations. On an exploration of the park, you can hike through narrow canyons, swim in natural rock pools, and marvel at the stunning vistas from the lookout points. With so much to see and do, Karijini National Park is a must-visit destination for nature lovers and adventurers.

Gibb River Road journey.

The Gibb River Road is an epic journey through some of Western Australia’s most remote and rugged landscapes. The route stretches over 660 kilometres, taking you through stunning gorges, across vast cattle stations, and past ancient Aboriginal rock art sites. Highlights of the journey include the stunning Mitchell Falls, the natural infinity pool of Emma Gorge, and the rugged landscapes of El Questro Wilderness Park.

Nullarbor Plain crossing.

The Nullarbor Plain is a vast, flat expanse of land that stretches over 1,100 kilometres between South Australia and Western Australia. It’s a unique and iconic part of Australia that is often crossed by travellers on their way to other destinations, such as Western Australia’s famous beaches or South Australia’s wine regions.

Crossing the Nullarbor Plain can be an unforgettable experience that provides a true sense of the vastness and isolation of the Australian outback. While it’s not for everyone, those who take on the challenge are rewarded with stunning scenery, unique wildlife, and a true sense of adventure.

If you are looking for more experiences in Australia check out this blog on our top 10!

Here's a 2-week itinerary for a campervan trip in Western Australia heading South from Perth.

Day 1-2: Perth

For the first day of your road trip itinerary, arrive in Perth and spend a day exploring the city. Visit the iconic Kings Park and Botanic Garden, enjoy a picnic on the beach at Cottesloe, and stroll through the historic streets of Fremantle.

Day 3: Mandurah

Drive south to Mandurah and spend the day cruising the waterways, exploring the estuary, and enjoying the local seafood.

Day 4: Bunbury

Head south west to the seaside town of Bunbury and visit the Dolphin Discovery Centre, where you can see these playful creatures up close.

Day 5-6: Margaret River

Explore the stunning Margaret River region, known for its world-class wineries, pristine beaches, and towering forests. Take a scenic drive to Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse, explore the limestone caves, and sample some of the region’s famous wines.

Day 7-8: Pemberton

Travel inland to the tranquil town of Pemberton, surrounded by ancient forests and stunning national parks. Visit the Gloucester Tree, climb up to the lookout for stunning views, and go for a swim in the nearby rivers.

Day 9-10: Albany

Head to the coastal town of Albany, where you can explore the historic whaling station, visit the stunning Torndirrup National Park, and hike to the top of the iconic Albany Wind Farm for 30 minutes of breathtaking views.

Day 11-12: Esperance

Move further south to Esperance, a stunning coastal town with pristine beaches, turquoise waters, and abundant wildlife. Visit the Cape Le Grand National Park, go for a swim in Lucky Bay, and explore along the coast of stunning coastline.

Day 13-14: Kalgoorlie

After a dip in Lucky bay, head inland to the historic gold mining town of Kalgoorlie, where you can explore the Super Pit, take a tour of the old mines and visit the fascinating Museum of the Goldfields.

Day 15: Head inland back to Perth for a full round trip.

There are many points of interest heading back to Perth from Kalgoorlie such as Wave Rock at Hyden and many others! Of course, this itinerary travelling South is just a suggestion and can be adjusted according to your interests and preferences. There are plenty of other destinations and activities to explore in Western Australia in a campervan, so take your time and enjoy the journey!

Read our suggested 2-week road trip itinerary for a campervan holiday heading North from Perth.

Day 1-2: perth to lancelin.

• Start your journey north by driving from Perth to Lancelin, a small coastal town known for its sand dunes and excellent surfing conditions.
• Spend your first day exploring the town, trying out sandboarding on the dunes, and enjoying the beach.

Day 3-4: Cervantes and the Pinnacles

• Drive north to Cervantes and visit the Pinnacles Desert, a surreal landscape of limestone pillars rising from the sand.
• Take a guided tour of the desert, and explore nearby attractions such as the Thirsty Point Lookout and Jurien Bay Marine Park.

Day 5-6: Geraldton and Kalbarri National Park

• Continue north to Geraldton, a charming coastal city with a rich maritime history.
• Spend a day exploring the city’s museums, art galleries, and beaches.
• The next day, drive to Kalbarri National Park, a stunning wilderness area known for its rugged gorges, scenic lookouts, and wildflower displays (in season).
• Hike to the iconic Nature’s Window, marvel at the views from Hawks Head Lookout, and take a dip in the rock pools of the Murchison River.

Day 7-8: Monkey Mia and Shark Bay

• Drive further north to the Shark Bay World Heritage Area, home to some of Western Australia’s most unique and fascinating natural wonders.
• Spend a day at Monkey Mia, where you can see wild dolphins up close and even feed them. Monkey Mia is a must!
• Scout the nearby Francois Peron National Park, with its rugged coastline, red sand dunes, and stunning views over Shark Bay.

Day 9-10: Coral Bay and Ningaloo Reef

• After Monkey Mia, Shark Bay, and Francois Peron National Park, continue your journey north to Coral Bay, a small coastal town with crystal-clear waters and an abundance of marine life.
• Snorkel the Ningaloo Reef, one of the world’s most pristine coral reefs, and swim with manta rays, turtles, and reef sharks.
• Tour the nearby Cape Range National Park in your camper, with its stunning canyons, gorges, and beaches.

Day 11-12: Exmouth and Cape Range National Park

• After you’ve visited Coral Bay and Ningaloo Reef, drive to Exmouth, the gateway to the Ningaloo Coast World Heritage Area.
• Spend a day exploring the town, visiting the Vlamingh Head Lighthouse, and relaxing at the beach.
• The next day, explore Cape Range National Park further, hiking to breathtaking lookout points like Yardie Creek, Charles Knife Canyon, and Mandu Mandu Gorge.

Day 13-14: The fantastic Karijini National Park

• Drive east to Karijini National Park, a rugged wilderness area known for its incredible gorges, waterfalls, and ancient rock formations.
• Spend your last two days exploring the park, hiking through narrow canyons, swimming in natural rock pools, and marvelling at the stunning vistas from the lookout points.

Day 15: Return to Perth

• On the last day, drive back to Perth and return your campervan. If you have time, you could stop at other towns or attractions on the way back, such as the historic mining town of Cue or the charming Wheatbelt town of York.

Where can you rent a campervan for your Western Australia trip of a lifetime?

If you are going to rent a campervan to embark on your road trip of a lifetime in Western Australia then we ( RatPack Travel ) are here to help!

Why us? We have more 5-star reviews than ANY other travel agent in Australia! 

We work with every big camper provider in Aus to make sure you get that ideal campervan for your trip within a budget that suits you, we can even get 4WD if you want to adventure off the beaten track

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An Unforgettable 2 Week Western Australia Road Trip Itinerary

My friend Amy has been living in Perth for 3 years now, and she wanted to share this 2 week Western Australia road trip itinerary with you. She’s spent a lot of time driving her van “Chuck” up and down Australia’s west coast and reckons it’s one of the most beautiful parts of the country.

“There’s just something about the grandeur of the roads here – the vastness, the emptiness, the enormity – that makes it such a fantastic place for a road trip!” she enthused.

And indeed, Western Australia certainly is grandeur.

Comprising of lots of opportunity for hiking in national parks, snorkelling among coral reefs, swimming in scenic bays and more, this Western Australia road trip itinerary is ideal for those who love the great outdoors.

Starting from Perth on the south-west coast, this itinerary will take you north along the Indian Ocean Drive to Kalbarri National Park, then along the Coral Coast via Shark Bay and Coral Bay, before finishing up in scenic Exmouth.

Perth – 3 days

Perth. A fantastic place to kickstart your Western Australia road trip – this sunny coastal city averages an annual eight hours of sunshine per day! During your time here, why not wander around scenic King’s Park, relax at Cottesloe Beach, visit bustling Fremantle, and make a day trip to beautiful Rottnest Island?

Kings Park: Kings Park is one of the world’s largest and most beautiful city parks. It’s home to the spectacular Western Australian Botanic Garden, which displays over 3,000 species of the State’s unique flora.

Cottesloe Beach: Cottesloe is a beach-side suburb of Perth, and the iconic Cottesloe Beach is the go-to spot for swimming, snorkelling, surfing and relaxing with a cold beer.

Fremantle : Located just 30 minutes from Perth and known for its rich history, markets, art galleries and abundance of cafes on the ‘cappuccino strip,’ Fremantle is well worth an afternoon of exploration.

Rottnest Island: You should absolutely spend one of your days in Perth cycling around Rottnest Island . Rottnest is a short 45-minute ferry ride away and offers spectacular bays, pink lakes, and the opportunity to spot quokkas , which are adorable marsupials that call the island home.

The Indian Ocean Drive – 1 day

From Perth, drive north towards Geraldton, a small city where you can spend the night.

The drive from Perth to Geraldton is known as the Indian Ocean Drive, a scenic coastal highway that runs parallel to the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean. The journey will take roughly 4.5 hours without stops, but you’ll want to take the whole day as the Indian Ocean Drive has some great sights to visit:

Lancelin Sand Dunes: These are the biggest network of sand dunes in Western Australia and are a super impressive sight. You can drive, walk or hire a sandboard ($12.50 for two hours) to explore them.

Nambung National Park: Nambung National Park is home to the famous Pinnacles – a vast collection of limestone rock pillars that pepper the landscape and create an otherworldly scene.

Lake Thetis : Check out some of the oldest living organisms in the world, otherwise known as thrombolites, at Lake Thetis.

Kalbarri National Park – 2 days

From Geraldton, continue north to Kalbarri National Park. It should only take an hour of driving to get there, but you’ll want to stop at the Hutt Lagoon’s gorgeous Pink Lake on your way.

Split into 2 main sections – 1 coastal and 1 inland – Kalbarri National Park really showcases the best of the beautiful scenery in this part of the world. The landscape has been carved into stunning red and white banded gorges by years of erosion by the Murchison River, and is home to emus, grey kangaroo and over 800 species of wildflower. Sounds impressive, am I right?

The town of Kalbarri itself is a small place that sits between the 2 main sections of the park, and is a good place to base yourself during your stay.

Along the coastal section of the Kalbarri National Park, which sits to the south of the town, you’ll be treated to soaring cliffs, some great walking trails and scenic lookouts. The inland section of Kalbarri National Park, however, is the main attraction and where you’ll likely want to spend most of your time.

Nature’s Window: Nature’s Window is the most famous spot in Kalbarri National Park, offering fantastic views and an amazing photo opportunity (see below)!

Z Bend Lookout: Walk the short distance to Z Bend Lookout and you’ll be rewarded with incredible views across the gorges and rivers of the national park.

Loop Walk: As you might deduce from the name, this challenging 8km walk loops you around a section of the national park. It’ll treat you to seriously impressive views – make sure to bring your hiking boots !

Shark Bay – 3 days

If you’re searching for extraordinary wildlife experiences, postcard-perfect coastline and remote national parks, then you’ve come to the right place – the stunning Shark Bay World Heritage Site!

Perched on the edge of the Indian Ocean, the scenery around Shark Bay is simply incredible, comprising of stunning views of fiery red cliffs, pristine white sand and the ever beautiful turquoise waters of the ocean.

The town of Denham makes for a great base from which to explore Shark Bay. From here, you’ll have easy access to the best attractions in the area:

Francois Peron National Park: The top half of the peninsula is comprised of the Francois Peron National Park, where it appears as though the desert meets the sea. Cape Peron is a particularly scenic part of the park – the sunset over the red cliffs are a sight you will not soon forget.

Shell Beach: Stretching 120km along the Indian Ocean, this beach is made up of billions of tiny cockle shells that are thought to be about 10 meters deep. It’s not the best beach for relaxing, given the sharp surface of the shells, but it’s a sight to behold!

Eagle Bluff Lookout: Sitting high above the water, this vantage point allows you to look out across the Indian Ocean. You might just spot manta rays, whale sharks and even dugongs during the summer months.

Little Lagoon: Pretty Little Lagoon is the perfect place to relax, have a swim or grab a bite to eat. Unlike other lagoons in Shark Bay, this one is easily accessible and is located just outside of Denham.

Coral Bay – 2 days

Today is one of the longest driving days on this Western Australia road trip, but it’s worth it to end up in Coral Bay, where you’ll catch your first glimpse of the Ningaloo Reef. Don’t tell anyone I said this, but I actually thought Ningaloo Reef was more impressive than the Great Barrier Reef !

Go snorkelling: The Coral Coast is teeming with marine life, including manta rays, turtles, reef shark and more! Rent a snorkel, or opt for a snorkelling tour, and explore the underwater world of Coral Bay.

Turquoise Bay: Yes, Turquoise Bay is as beautiful as it sounds. Spend some time relaxing, swimming or snorkelling here.

Take a ride on a glass-bottom boat: If you’re not keen on snorkelling in deeper water, a glass-bottom boat tour will give you the opportunity to see the spectacular marine life of the area, without getting wet!

Bill’s Beach: Bill’s Beach is the main stretch of sand in town, known for its lovely white sand and crystal clear water. Whether you’re looking to relax in the sun or cool off in the sea, this is the place to do it.

Exmouth – 3 days

A 90-minute drive north along the Coral Coast will land you in Exmouth, a small town situated at the top of the peninsula. While you’ll have caught a glimpse of the Ningaloo Reef at Coral Bay, Exmouth is thought of as the gateway to the reef and is the place to truly explore it.

With Exmouth being the gateway to the Ningaloo Reef and all, it’s one of the top spots in the country to see whale sharks and humpback whales, and so I really recommend booking a whale-watching tour during your time here.

On the West Side of Exmouth’s peninsula, you’ll find the Cape Range National Park, which boasts spectacular rocky gorges carved by ancient rivers.

Whale Watching: You’ll need to visit at certain times of the year depending on which species you want to see. Whale Shark season begins in March and ends in August, whereas Humpback Whales appear from May to October. Depending on when you visit, you might even see both!

Muiron Islands: Why not take a day-trip to Muiron Islands? These are two uninhabited islands teeming with marine life, where you’ll find some excellent snorkelling.

Kayak Yardie Creek: Located within the Cape Range National Park is Yardie Creek, which flows between the spectacular sheer cliffs of Yardie Creek Gorge. Opt to go kayaking along the creek and keep your eyes peeled for osprey!

Charles Knife Canyon: Stunning Charles Knife Canyon offers some excellent hiking opportunities. Or, you can opt to drive Charles Knife Road, which leads you up to the top of the park’s spectacular ranges, with views over Charles Knife Canyon, the gorges and Exmouth Gulf.

Got longer than two weeks?

If you’ve got longer than two weeks to road trip Western Australia, why not continue north from Exmouth? The following places are worth a visit:

Karijini National Park: The red rocks of Dales Gorge and the cascades of Fortescue Falls make this an epic national park to explore.

Broome: Located in the far north, Broome is hot and humid but beautiful nonetheless. Cable Beach sunsets and Gantheaume Point views are highlights not to be missed.

Alternatively, if you choose to do this itinerary starting from Exmouth, you could continue south from Perth and spend some time exploring the South West Edge of Australia.

Practical information for planning your Western Australia road trip

Best time of year to go.

In my opinion, the best times to visit Western Australia are autumn (April – May) or spring (September – November).

During these times, you’ll generally find blue skies and warm days with mild nights. Although, the further south you go, the cooler it will be, and the further north you go, the warmer and more humid it will be.

During springtime, the wildflowers will be out, which makes it a beautiful time to visit. But whale shark season is in the autumn, so wildlife enthusiasts may prefer to visit during this time.

If you can, I’d advise avoiding Christmas – late January, and the Easter holiday, as these are very busy travel times. Attractions will be more congested, finding accommodation will be more competitive, and prices will increase. Public holidays are best avoided for the same reason.

What kind of car do I need?

I absolutely recommend you self-drive the West Coast of Australia as it’ll provide you with far more flexibility, as well as the opportunity to drive on the beautiful open roads here.

The route is mainly highway based, so a 2WD will suffice, and hire can cost as little as $40 per day. That being said, there are some places, such as Francois Peron National Park, where you might need a 4WD if you want to get off the beaten track. The choice is yours!

Can I travel Western Australia without a car?

Western Australia is not known for its comprehensive bus route, and travelling in the state without a car is a little more difficult than elsewhere in the country. While the famous Greyhound services the East Coast very extensively, it sadly doesn’t have a network in Western Australia.

That being said, there is one bus company that does service Western Australia – Integrity Coach Lines . Integrity Coach Lines offer Hop On Hop Off passes so it’s possible to travel from A to B at your convenience. You’ll be able to visit each stop – and more – on this Western Australia road trip itinerary using this coach service.

The 1500km Hop On Hop Off pass will get you from Perth to Exmouth (no return) for $267.

About The Author

Lauren Pears is a freelance travel writer and blogger based in London. She writes about active adventure travel, aiming to encourage and inspire travellers to make the most of the great outdoors.

Thank you for reading! If you found this post useful, I’d be grateful if you would consider using the affiliate links below when planning your travels. I’ll make a small commission at no extra cost to you. This will help me to keep this blog running. Thanks for your support – Lauren. Hotels –  Booking.com Hostels –  Hostelworld Cheap flights –  Skyscanner Travel insurance –  World Nomads Outdoor gear –  Decathlon  /  GO Outdoors Cycling gear –  Chain Reaction Cycles Alternatively, you could buy me a coffee to say thanks!

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A Guide To Planning Your Western Australia Road Trip

Updated On 9th February, 2023

A Western Australia road trip has got to be on your bucket list when planning your time in Australia. The East Coast is incredible but the West Coast is a whole other level.

If anyone knows about Western Australia (also commonly referred to as WA) road trips it’s me. Incase we haven’t met before, I’m Sammy,  owner and operator of RatPack Travel based in Byron Bay.

From personal experience and from helping to plan hundreds of backpackers and holidaymakers travel to Australia & New Zealand every year, it’s safe to say I know the best places to visit in Western Australia, the best places to hire a camper in Western Australia and everything in between. Your in luck, this is pretty much a complete guide when planning your road trip to Western Australia.

I just recently booked the campervan for @wheresmollie as she took on a 2 week wild road trip adventure through the contrasting landscapes of Western Australia. If you’ve seen the content, you’ll most likely be here wondering how on earth you can get your hands on an adventure like that for yourself…

In this Western Australia travel guide I will guide you through:

• how to get to WA to start your road trip
• the best places to visit on your Western Australia road trip
• the best place to book your camper / motorhome for your Western Australia road trip
• how long you should road trip Western Australia for
• where to pick up your campervan in Western Australia
• what time of year to road trip Western Australia
• Prices for road tripping Western Australia

Let’s get started shall we? Here are my places You Cannot Miss on Your Western Australia Road Trip and a complete guide to planning your Western Australia road trip…

• The best things to do in Australia
• The best things to do in Western Australia
• The best things to do in Exmouth, Western Australia
• The best things to do on Rottnest Island, Western Australia
• 9-day Western Australia road trip: Exmouth to Perth
• The best things to do in Perth, Western Australia
• Australia: the ultimate travel guide
• A guide to solo travel in Australia
• Australia: the ultimate East Coast bucket list

Where is Western Australia? How do you get there?

WA as the name suggests is the most Westerly state in Australia. Perth is the capital city of Western Australia and is where you’ll most likely fly into.

If you are travelling long haul it would be advisable to maybe shake off the jet lag here in Perth for a day or two before hitting the road and kick-starting the trip. There’s plenty to do in Perth.

What time of year should you road trip in Western Australia?

May to August are the wettest months of the year with the dry season from September to April. Dry season has an average temperature of 25°C, dry season may seem more appealing but temperates can soar and if you’re planning to travel inland to the likes of Karijini National Park, it can be dangerously hot.

Pay attention to weather forecasts and dress, drink and act accordingly – the heat is no joke in Australia. Neither are the UV rays!

Top Tip: There are LOTS of freedom camping spots on the West Coast so find a park in the evening that backs on to the beach to get the sea breeze.

How long should I road trip WA for?

We at RatPack Travel always suggest 4 weeks starting in Perth and travelling as far North as Karijini National Park and then looping down as far as Margaret river before finishing in Perth.

The road trip can be done in 21 days (3 weeks), but 4 weeks or longer (if you plan a more leisurely trip) is PERFECT. Here’s an example map that I sent to Mollie when suggesting a few epic spots.

NOTE: Mollie was a little short on time (2 weeks) so only went North of Perth, for those that have a little longer I’d definitely recommend heading South too – it’s a hard call if you have to choose between North and South!

Where to pick up your campervan / motorhome in Western Australia...

When it comes to campervan hire, Perth is the best option. A Perth pick up and drop off is always best as the only other location in WA is Broome. However, the companies that operate in Broome are few and far between so, therefore, charge a HUGE premium which is why when hiring a campervan in Perth, looping back to Perth, is the BEST option for your Western Australia road trip.

We at RatPack Travel have you covered when it comes to getting the best deal on your campervan rental from Perth. We have contracts with EVERY reputable company.

Simply submit your dates here and we will do the hard work for you. We’ll compare the rates and send you back the best-rated and most affordable options for the trip! 

How much does a campervan or motorhome cost in Western Australia?

This is by far the most common question we get. It completely depends on:

What style of campervan you would like…

For example travelling in a 2 seater 2 sleeper will be cheaper than a luxurious Motorhome. A Hi Top style camper will be in between.

Rough Rates: A campervan in September 2023 picking up from Perth for a 4-week duration is between $50 – $99 AUD. SUPER cheap when you compare the alternative modes of transport ie travelling by bus and staying in accommodation each evening.

Top tip: one of the reasons why we are massive campervan advocates is because you can be VERY spontaneous when it comes to staying in a campervan! If you travel with buses and accommodation you have to be VERY structured.

How far in advance you book the camper

Like most travel bookings the more planned you are the cheaper it will be, at RatPack we get early bird rates released to us for advanced booking regularly so we can let you know the cheapest company to go with once we establish what style you are looking for

Travelling in peak season periods is more expensive than the winter months. However there is great all year round weather in the majority of Australia, so get in touch and we’ll give you advice to help you decide!

Top tip: If you know you are coming on a working holiday visa and have an extensive amount of time then you can let us know the period of time that you wish to travel for and we can hook you up with our knowledge on what the best options will be dependent on the destinations you wish to travel!

If you need help with your travels you can get in touch with the RatPack Travel team here .

Why Western Australia is an epic road trip location...

Think beautiful untouched beaches, red sand, epic sunsets, HUGE national parks and coral reefs that will blow your mind than a Western Australia road trip ticks all the boxes!

Once you pick up the campervan you can hit the open road and you won’t be short of epic spots. WA is also home to some of the best freedom bush camps in Oz so if an off-grid roadie is what you want then your Western Australia road trip will deliver!

Australia Google Map Legend

With this Google Map, you can have all my tips and recommendations at the touch of your fingertips. These are all the things I wish I knew and spent a lot of time researching before my adventure. You’re welcome.

This Google Map Legend includes:

• Best walks, viewpoints and activities
• Top tips for travelling in Australia
• The best waterfalls, beaches, landmarks and surf spots
• Our favourite places for coffee, brunch and dinner
• Things you must add to your bucket list!
• Travel tips to help you on the go
• Travel guide links within each location

Here are some top places you should consider visiting on your Western Australia road trip...

1. fremantle.

Fremantle has an epic music scene, from here you can grab a passenger ferry over to Rottnest Island, where you can hire a bike for the day. The island is home of the Quokka, probably the cutest fluffy animal on the planet! These little marsupials are roughly the size of a domestic cat and can only be found in this region of Western Australia . 

Here there are also awesome coves to snorkel so pack your snorkel and mask, take some lunch and go on an island adventure!

The capital city of Western Australia, with beautiful beaches, parks and a vibrant cultural scene. I wouldn’t suggest staying in the city once you pick up the camper but maybe a few days at the end once the camper has been dropped off to take in the city vibe.  

3. Swim with the sea lions at Jurien Bay

One of the top rated (and for good reason) experiences on the whole of the West Coast of Australia.

Where else in the world can you take a short boat ride to swim with the seal lions in their natural habitat paradise? These ‘Sea Dawgs’ and the seal pups are playful and will loop around in somersaults as you snorkel in front of them. You can book onto a morning or afternoon trip from Jurien Bay.

4. Visit the Pink Lake (Hutt Lagoon)

Hutt Lagoon is that famous bright pink lake you’ve seen on Instagram. I wasn’t expecting much but it’s actually pretty pink and impressive!

The lagoon is separated from the ocean by a thin strip of land. It’s a truly unique place that has an access road looping around it. Find yourself a bush camp and kick back here for a day or two to enjoy the view!

5. Monkey Mia

A beach where bottlenose dolphins come right up to the beach in front of your feet.

The dolphins here are wild and come in daily. The staff here at Monkey Mia feed the dolphins a small amount of fish so they remain wild but come in for their daily snack!   

6. Ningaloo Reef

Located in the north-west of the state,  you can swim here with whale sharks (August to September) and manta rays.

If you travel outside of whale season no worries as the coral reef and marine life is incredible. Book yourself onto an ocean adventure and let Western Australia blow you away!

7. The Pinnacles Desert

An otherworldly landscape of limestone pillars located in the Nambung National Park. These rock formations are truly unique to this national park. It’s well worth a trip!  

8. Karijini National Park

This is the second largest national park in Western Australia. Here you’ll find gorges, waterfalls, swimming holes and EPIC look outs. It’s like being teleported back to the dinosaur era… Jurassic Park vibes!

9. Margaret River

Amazing surf, wineries & good eateries galore. For those foodies out there Margaret River is a top spot. Hire a surfboard and get in the white wash or for those accomplished surfers out there ensure you back your surf quiver as you can score some nice ones in this famous surf town!  

Booking your Western Australia road trip with RatPack Travel...

Whether you want a small 2 seater 2 sleeper or a large 6 person motorhome myself and the RatPack Travel team can help you hire a campervan. We have contracts with EVERY camper company. Once we have your dates and locations we can compare the online market and get back to you with the best rated and most affordable options. 

Our service is about as personalised as it gets and we’re stoked to have gained more 5* reviews that any other Aussie travel agent.

Once you submit your dates you can send us a WhatsApp or Facebook DM and we’ll walk you through the process.

We also offer all our customers a FREE courtesy call, as it’s always easier to explain the options over a quick 5 minute call and of course it gives you the opportunity to ask any questions you may have about the camper options or destination in general.  

We book ALL locations across both Australia and New Zealand so if you are saving the West Coast for another trip we can help with your East Coast & or your New Zealand trip. Feel free to click the link here and leave your travel details.  

Myself and the team at RatPack travel look forward to hearing from you!

What's on your Western Australia bucket list?

What would you do on a road trip to Western Australia ? Anything you’d add to this Western Australia travel guide?

I’m Sammy, owner and operator of RatPack Travel  based in  Byron Bay.

Did you find this post helpful? I’d love you to share it for me.

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IT’S LOVELY TO MEET YOU

I’M MOLLIE AND I STARTED THIS BLOG BACK IN 2013 WHEN I HEADED OUT ON MY FIRST BACKPACKING ADVENTURE. 

I’D LOVE TO SHARE THE JOURNEY WITH YOU, WE’VE GROWN A LOT SINCE THEN!

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The ultimate Western Australia road trip guide

The ultimate Western Australia road trip guide! Western Australia (or WA as we call it here) is the largest state in Australia. It covers the whole western third of the country which is 2.646 million km²…it’s big!  This makes it one epic road trip or as many people choose to do, many smaller epic road trips! We decided to fly into Perth, pick up a campervan and drive a fair way north to Exmouth then turn around and head south down to Esperance. We didn’t stop here and headed over the Nullabor Plain to South Australia, but you can read about that here, this blog is all about the great state of WA. And I mean it. I was blown away by it. I had always wanted to go there but nothing prepared me for how good it was going to be. No actually…how GREAT it was going to be! I feel like it is Australia’s best kept secret, I don’t know why I waited to so long to get there but one thing is for sure I will definitely be heading back there soon!

Useful WA Information

For the basic Australia information check out this blog , here is the stuff that you need to know for WA!

Capital City – Perth. A beautiful city with great beaches, restaurants and laid back people.

Roads – The roads in WA are not like the rest of Austraila…they are better. Seriously if you are road tripping this is something you notice and we really did notice. They are in great condition.

Food – The supermarkets are the same costs as other parts of Australia, nothing out of the ordinary. Except that there are tons of places you can pop in to farms or stalls and buy fresh food from the growers and this is great. Obviously Margaret River is in WA and they have some fantastic wines and local foods, check out our itinerary for your self drive Margaret River tasting tour here. We went everywhere to bring you the ones you shouldn’t miss!

Public toilets – Yes it seems strange to be talking about this…except that they are unlike the rest of Australia. They are clean, big and in many places they are the eco (long drop) toilets and they do not smell. Often they’ll be made from local materials like wood or rock and look like they belong there. I am not kidding when I say that WA has consistently the best, cleanest public toilets in Australia.

National Park fees – There were national park fees and you can buy a pass to cover a year, month, a few weeks or a day. You can find out the cost and h0w to purchase them at this website. It is worth getting one to cover you if you are going to be visiting a few like we did. You can purchase on line and get it printed out at any national park office, then we just left it on our dash and didn’t have to worry about it again. The only place this didn’t cover (that we went) was Monkey Mia and you have to pay separately there. The money goes to the maintenance of the parks, rangers and conservation. It is well worth it when you see the facilities that are available at most parks, particularly if you make use of the campsites, although these do cost extra per night.

Safety – I never felt unsafe travelling in WA, but it is like anywhere you shouldn’t take unnecessary risks. On the whole we felt safe road tripping around the state and if anything were only met by helpful and kind locals. Shout out to the blokes who helped us get fuel in our tank when none of the bowsers would fit in our tank!

Quick cost information:

Accommodation

FREE – Free Camping

Budget – National Park Campsites $10-$30

Mid-range – Caravan Park $30-$70

Luxe – Hotel room $80 +

Supermarket food – same as rest of Australia, it is reasonable but not the cheapest in the world. Look for the sales and specials. If you want to get an idea before you come check out Woolworths   for pricing, it is one of the bigger supermarkets throughout Australia. We did online orders also to pick up in the next town when we needed a bigger top up shop so we didn’t waste time in a new town.

Fishing and cooking up your catch is also fun!

Restaurants $20 – $30pp

Splurge $30+pp

Flights to WA from other states vary but range around $100-$400

Car hire – We hired a Maui campervans and LOVE it!  Read all about our latest campervan hire here .

The costs range depending on which you choose but we 100% recommend this company and have used them multiple times now. Check out the current rates on their site here .

Fuel you can check out current fuel prices on the state government website .

Trip Planning

Best time to go – The best times of year to visit WA is split in to the south from November to March and north from May to October. In the north you will see whale sharks March to end of July (and sometimes a little either side of this). However having said this we did our trip north and south in November and yes it was windy and chilly but still just stunning. I would go anytime of year as I completely fell in love with it!

How to get there – The airport at Perth is the usual however there are regional airports as well. You can drive there from SA or the NT, it just adds to your road trip.

Transportation – We LOVED our campervan! Some people buy a cheap car and then sell it on, others take tours and busses. Ultimately whatever suits you but I loved the freedom of going where ever we wanted. The only thing I would ever add is that a road trip in Australia is better with a 4WD as you can go anywhere. Sometimes you wont be able to access off road places in a 2WD vehicle.

Budget – Check out our budget column, we look for specials when booking our vans but the people at Maui/Britz are really reasonably priced for the type of van you get. In good condition and with everything you need.

What to pack – WA is a huge state and can be different depending on the part you are visiting. I would bring a wide range of clothing to accomodate for this. I wished I had brought a big jumper and a jacket as I really didn’t plan for such cold days, particularly in the Margaret River area. Obviously it will also depend on the time of year you visit. In November when we visited it was very hot up in Exmouth, got more moderate around Perth and increasingly got colder as we moved south.

We loved WA. I knew it was going to be good but I had no idea just how much I would adore it. I definitely wanted to do as much as we could fit in our time there. The thing is it is super huge, the distances between major places is…a lot. So we decided to do what we could without having to rush too much and yet we still long to go back and spend more time in certain places.

We flew into Perth and picked up our campervan. The Maui office is really close to the airport so you just need a quick Uber ride and you are there. I have reviewed the campervan we chose, you can check it out here!

You could follow this full itinerary or parts of it. I will add in where I would have stayed longer if I could have as well.

Day 1 – Fly into Perth and pick up your campervan or car of choice. Head off for Exmouth! That’s right we are going north. Now this is actually a 12 hour, 1252km, trip so we did it in 2 days. The first day we landed late and put us behind but we took off for Geraldton and stayed there the night. We got in pretty late and stayed in this free camp in town which is offered by the council. Here is the link to check it out. There are some bays in the marina carpark where fully self contained vehicles can pull in to sleep for a night. There are a few that are for just a few hours as well. It is best to get here early as they fill up! It is an easy walk into town for dinner and there is a pub nearby too. We got in late and were exhausted so went to the supermarket and then settled in for the night.

Day 2 – Exmouth – 4 days – Seriously I loved Exmouth. We drove straight there the next day, up early and off. The town is nice but the best part for me was in the national park. This is the website to book and there are loads of campsites all along the coast there. Lots are 2WD friendly and we had no real trouble. Having said that the roads in and out of the campsites can be corrugated and really bumpy. We were pretty concerned about taking the rented campervan over it but if you go really slowly it is ok. I do mean really slowly! The campsites are big and you feel surrounded by nature. We stayed in Kurrajong and Mesa campgrounds, both were great. Kurrajong is larger and you feel like you have more space. The beach front is rocky to the left and sandy further north which is nice if you want to fish and swim. The sun set here was stunning! We took some drinks up on to the sand dunes and watch it slip away. You can also book a nice campsite at one of the caravan parks in Exmouth . They have excellent facilities and are more ‘civilised’!

Mesa was seriously pretty. There is a beautiful stretch of beach and also a river inlet. As you walk out to the water you cross a mini desert which is pretty unique too. There is meant to be some good fishing and while we tried we didn’t have much luck. We were also told there was good snorkelling south of the campground. It is a very pretty spot and well looked after. Both campgrounds had hosts that checked you in and kept the grounds tidy. The toilets are eco toilets, they are clean, spacious and don’t smell. We slept well in both campgrounds, I absolutely recommend staying there if you’re thinking about it. The best things to do in Exmouth are all in the national park (in my opinion!).

Day 6 – Travel south to Coral Bay – As we didn’t have a 4WD we couldn’t go to a few places like Ningaloo Station, but we definitely would if we could have. If you are travelling in a 4WD I would recommend heading there as it looks amazing! Instead we headed down to Coral Bay, a sleepy little town which is super quiet. There are a couple of caravan parks, a few coffee shops, bakery, supermarket and dive shops. The slow pace is lovely and the water is beyond amazing. The main area starts shallow and gradually gets deeper until you are able to snorkel over a pretty reef. It was an easy snorkel and there was great reef there teeming with fish and colour. This is a place we would have stayed longer if we could have. Another day would have been perfect but sadly we had to keep going, that afternoon we took off and headed for the Overlander Roadhouse. You can free camp here overnight as they have a spot out the back to pull into. It is basically just a dusty area but we were told it was safer than the side of the road and quieter. The toilets here are clean and we filled up with fuel and bought some snacks to support this business. Having these free spots to stay is so good when you are on the road that you really try to support the people that offer them.

Day 7 – We drove up to Monkey Mia, stopping at shell beach on the way – This drive is really pretty. Shell beach was so unique and I loved it. It was just beautiful, bright white shells and turquoise water. Then on to Monkey Mia! You can stay here or just spend some time and camp further south at a national park. We decided to stay at the Monkey Mia caravan park and it is excellent! The facilities were great and almost all new. The beach was lovely with dolphins swimming by as they pleased. There are a heap of activities you can do, a cafe and restaurant and pools. Emus wander around freely looking for food.

Day 8 – We drove off to Kalbarri National Park. It is a 3.5 hour drive and there are so many places to check out here. There’s natures window, the skywalk and the coastal part of the park. We only got to the inland part unfortunately but hope to go back sometime soon. There is no real free camp spots in Kalbarri. There is the Glena Bridge North rest area which is off the highway north of Kalbarri National Park. It would make sense to stay here the night before you do the national park but it is a hike to head back there if you are heading south afterwards. You can stay at Murchison House Station but they were closed when we came through. There are some caravan parks and hotels you can stay at in Kalbarri township as well.

Day 9 – We started the next morning and headed off to Hutt Lagoon! This was something I had been waiting for. The first pink lake I had been to and I couldn’t wait to explore it. It was beautiful and yes it is pink! I loved wandering around in the pink water and droning to see what we could see from above. There is a little sign indicating the lookout and you can walk down from there to find a spot you like. We drove slowly down the coast, stopping off at towns along the way. We ended up staying at Tuarts Reserve, a little free camp that is inland a bit from Jurien Bay. It is another free camp offered by the local council areas. These are such great little spots and so worth supporting. It was pretty full when we got there but we squeezed in. It was super pretty out in the bush/national park area. I would really recommend getting there early.

Day 14 – We travelled down, stopping at all the small towns on the way, there were little treasures like Cervantes where we checked out The Lobster Shack. It was a really cute spot for a meal or drink and you can go on a tour here to swim with sea lions. After that we made it back to Perth . We had a problem with the navigation unit on our campervan and organised to stop in and get it fixed. The service was incredible. The man fixed it within 20 minutes and was so helpful. We moved on to Cottesloe Beach and it was just gorgeous. The beach was packed and whether we were sunning ourselves on the sand or chilling on the grassy hill we just loved the day there. After that we took off for Freemantle. Another really vibey place. The old buildings, cobbled streets and heritage areas were really sweet. I could have stayed here a few days exploring and I definitely want to go back. We found a little spot where you could park up for free and stayed there overnight.

Day 15  – Rottnest Island! We had to go to Rotty, and we definitely had to get a quokka selfie! Mikes was way better than mine but it was fun trying to find one to get a pic with. They are actually really easy to find but getting that perfect shot is kinda tricky, or it was for me. The island is really lovely. You can ride around it or take a bus. We originally planned to walk around but quickly found out that was a bit too much so we grabbed the hop on, hop off bus and off we went. Ideally I would have planned this day a little better. I would have loved to stay on the island and get more time to see it all. Safe to say we still loved our time here and definitely rate it as a must do. Once we got back in the afternoon we headed straight off to Bunbury to sleep overnight at their free rest area for fully self contained campervans. This is offered by the Bunbury council and it is very popular, you can find out about the locations here but they were great, right next to the water, toilet and bbq facilities nearby. We were lucky to get in a spot and I would recommend getting there early. Take a walk in to town and buy some dinner to support the town that supports van life!

Day 16 – We drove to Busselton. Wow, this place was a surprise. We were not expecting such a cool little town. There are loads of cafes and shops to wander, they have the longest jetty there (so long that there is a train you can ride to the end of it), a beautiful foreshore and a great brewery right near the jetty. We could have stayed a couple of days here easily. You can park in the carpark near the jetty all day for free, there are no camping signs here although we did see some people trying their luck, I am not sure how they went but it was a steep fine if they got caught.

Day 17 – Dunsborough, Cape Naturaliste and Yallingup. This is where it gets a bit confusing. The whole area from Dunsborough down is referred to as Margaret River, and there is a town called Margaret River. So because we were travelling south we didn’t want to keep driving back and forth across the whole region, we visited them as we went down. We went to Cape Naturaliste first and went to the lighthouse. It was nice but honestly you have to pay $5 per person to get in and the better one is at Auguste so I would skip it. You can still go there and do the hikes in the area and they looked great but the lighthouse was a let down. Cute but I wouldn’t recommend if you are on a budget. After that we went to Meelup Beach, this was beautiful! We pulled up in our campervans and had lunch over looking the stunning turquoise water. There are some rocks to the right and a path you can walk along to castle rock or you can drive along the road a little more and drive down to it. A huge rock in the water it is a nice stop too. I would absolutely recommend this beach, we whiled away a few hours here. There are so many things to see in this area but we had to choose a few so we could keep to a time frame. Our last place for the day was Injidup Natural Spa. It was just gorgeous. Unfortunately it was freezing when we went but it didn’t take away from the stunning setting. You can sit with your back against the rocks and water will crash down around around you. I really can’t wait to visit WA again because I am definitely coming back here.

Day 18 – Margaret River (town) . I just loved it here. The town is really cute, it is pretty much just a main street but there are lots of cute shops to wander. The big draw card here for me (and everyone else I guess!) is the food and wine scene. There are tons of wineries, breweries and boutique food places to visit. I could go on about how great this was but it will fill the whole itinerary section so if you want an epic itinerary for a day of wine, beer and food tasting check out my blog about it here. We stayed at a free camp which was just the best place. I think it was our favourite on the whole trip. Unfortunately I can’t actually disclose it here as we later learnt that it wasn’t a free camp and we had not understood the google map properly. Safe to say we were just really lucky that night but there are no free camps in Margaret River and you should just stay at one of the national park campsites (cost about $15-$20 per person/per night) or a caravan park. Or book in to one of the excellent hotels in the area. We had a fantastic time in Margaret River, once we were off we headed for our campsite in the forest, stopping off as we drove through the beautiful Boranup forest and really tried to soak it in. We stayed at Jarrahdene campsite which was great. Out in the middle of the forest it was beautiful. There are a few other options near by as well.

Day 19 – Hamelin Bay was our destination for this day, we got there early around 7am and went straight to the beach looking for the sting rays that we had heard come foraging along the coastline. We got lucky and there were about 3 or 4 there cruising back and forth looking for food. They came so close to us we had to walk out of the water as we didn’t want to interfere with them. It was a really special moment and one we will remember. There is a caravan park there you can stay right near the beach but we loved the forest camping.

Day 20 – We made our way to Pemberton, stopping at Augusta for some great baked goods for breakfast. We went to the Bleedup Falls which was just ok, the Glouster fire tree and the Dave Evans Bicentennial fire tree, both interesting and I can’t understand how no one has died climbing them! We carried on to the Pemberton area and then to Denmark . Unfortunately it was a cold and windy day which was definitely not conducive to swimming but it was still beautiful here. Greens Pool and Elephant Rocks were so windy we couldn’t drone but I loved them anyway. We stayed the night at Torbay Inlet free camp. It looked good online but was so odd when we got there I was glad it was just one night. It is a tiny place and there is about room for 3 bigger caravans/RVs. I wouldn’t recommend this one!

Day 21 – On to Albany which we loved! It is a really cool town, heaps of coffee spots, history and has a country town chilled out vibe. I could have stayed here for a few days but we only had the one here. We stayed out of the main town. There were loads of fishing spots and we drove around the area to explore as many as we could.

Day 22 – We moved on to stop at Two Peoples Bay. I had read so much about how amazing it is and it really did look nice except for our run of terrible weather. It was drizzly, overcast and there was a ton of seaweed washed up on the beach. We hung around but it didn’t clear up so we headed off again and stopped in at Cheyenes Beach. This was super pretty, even with the windy conditions. There is a caravan park here which we were told was beachfront but is actually a way back from the beach. We sat at a lookout spot for a while, wandered the beach and decided to head off again that afternoon. We made it to a rest stop and took a couple of hours sleep at night before continuing on to Esperance.

Day 23 – Esperance! I have waited so long to come here and I really loved it. It is honestly a big country coastal town. It is laid back and relaxed, with a few cafes, restaurants and shops to choose from. The local bakery, The Esperance French Hot Bread Shop, was a favourite of Mikes. He was buying up sweets and bread from there everyday! It also serves hot takeaway food and snacks. We stayed in town and spent the day driving to all the beaches along the town area. They are all so beautiful and unique I couldn’t really choose a favourite but I did love Twilight Beach! There are some great holiday parks here to stay at, this was a popular one.

Day 24 and 25 – We went in to the Cape Le Grand National Park and had booked campsites at Lucky Bay for 2 days. This was just amazing! Two days wasn’t enough I could have stayed much longer. The perfect blue water, kangaroos on the beach, a great campsite, lots of other beaches to drive and visit if you want to head off for the day. Honestly I would stock up on food and water and just head out there for a week. Even though the weather was still windy and cold it was sunny and just beautiful. The campground was amazing too. We got a spot with a view to the beach, the bathrooms were clean and new although you do have to time the showers right to get hot water. There is a basic camp kitchen and bins. The only thing we didn’t have was electricity to plug in to but the Maui van was fine for this. A total dream, make sure to do it!

Day 26 – We took off and started the trek across the Nullabor Plains. It was a long and boring drive, broken up by fuel stops and not much else. There was the old Nullabor roadhouse to check out at Nullabor and there is a golf game you can play along the way but we were more keen just to get across so didn’t stop much more than that. It honestly wasn’t too bad a of a drive but just a little monotonous. Have lots of good snacks, lots of good music and just marvel at the nothingness! From here we began our SA road trip and you can check that out in our SA blogs!

What to do in Western Australia

I LOVE WA! I’m planning on going back as soon as possible so will continue to update as I do. I know I keep saying it but WA is just huge, you could easily do multiple smaller trips like Perth to Exmouth, Perth to Esperance, Exmouth to Darwin, Esperance to SA, the Perth area or Margaret River area. You could also do these in multiple ways, for example Perth to Esperance could be done either in land or the coastal way. We tried to fit as much into our time as possible but it was a lot of driving and we still have to do the north from Exmouth up.

1. Lucky Bay

I loved Lucky Bay so much, it is so beautiful and there are kangaroos on the beach…what more could you ask for?

2. Hutt Lagoon pink lake

This was a real highlight for me. I was just desperate to get here, yes it really is this pink! I ran around in the lake for ages taking photos and just really loving the experience.

3. Stingrays at Hamelin Bay

Watching the stingrays come to the shore in Hamelin Bay was mesmerising. They were unafraid and calm, wild and free. It was a beautiful moment in our trip.

4. Kalbarri National Park, Natures Window

Kalbarri National Park is wonderful. There are so many places to see in there, split in to inland and coastal areas. I loved natures window but there are lots of other great spots in there too.

5. Twilight Beach Esperance

This beach is just stunning, a long wooden walkway through grasses to a lovely turquoise blue beach.

6. Turquoise Beach Exmouth

The water here is exceptional. Turquoise beach was just perfect, I can’t even describe it.

7. Dolphins at Monkey Mia

This was somewhere I wanted to go since I was a child. Watching the dolphins visit was great-you have to stay at Monkey Mia park it is perfect!

8. Getting a quokka selfie on Rottnest Island

I loved Rottnest Island, it was cute, relaxed and felt like a mini step back in time…and there are quokkas. Spend some time here, a couple of nights would be perfect!

9. Visiting beautiful Margaret River wineries

We had the best time visiting all the Margaret River wineries, wandering the lush gardens and sampling the stunning wines.

10. Visit Busselton Jetty

It is the longest timber piled jetty in the southern hemisphere. It is a lovely walk along the 1.8km jetty, there are fishermen trying their luck and a train that runs out to the end. It is a pretty walk and really lovely at sunset.

Where to stay

We found some really great places to stay in Western Australia. Actually we mostly free camped or stayed in national park campsites. There is info for the cheapest way to travel in WA.

Just an Aussie couple wandering the world.

Maui Cascade Campervan review….spoiler alert, we LOVED it!

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25 Stunning Places to See: A Western Australia Road trip

Western Australia is vast open land with many wonders to explore. With the majority of the population of the state living in and around Perth there is much to explore. If you are planning to explore Western Australia – which I highly recommend – below are 25 places along the way that we loved. Everything on this list can be accessed with 2WD. We did it all from our Coaster named Lil’ Beaut.

Traversing overland through Western Australia is an adventure not only because of the beauty but its sheer size and remote feeling. Always carry extra food and water in case of a breakdown. It can be a long way between stations. On major roads, there is enough traffic that you won’t be totally destitute if you break down. Australians have proven over and over to us that they are always willing to help. But on more remote roads, always inform someone where you will be going. There were parks that we visited and never saw another soul or passed another vehicle the entire time there. If you get stuck, you could be stuck a while so go prepared.

How Big is Western Australia?

Western Australia covers 975,685 sq miles (2,527,013 km2). Compared to the USA Western Australia is larger than California, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Nevada, Utah, and Arizona combined. These states combined are 971,252 sq miles (2,515,532 km2).

Compared to Europe Western Australia is larger than sixteen European countries including Germany, Spain, France, and Italy. These countries 974,583 square miles (2,524,160 km2).

Western Australia has a population of 2.7 Million, 1.7 Million of that population lives in Perth.

The same area of land in the USA has a population of 68 Million.

In Europe, the same area of land has a population of 414.7 Million.

If you were to just drive around the coastal edge of Western Australia without stopping it would take at least 60 hours. Now add in a few stops and sights you want to see. We spent four months touring this stunning state to see these 25 sites. We could have taken much longer and still not have seen it all.

Six months in Western Australia

We spent six months in Western Australia and were astounded at the beauty and diversity of both the shoreline and the interior. Two of the six months were spent in  lock-down because of the 2020 pandemic . Roelands, WA became our home for two months thankfully to the generosity of kind Australians. Something we have found all across the big island down here, people willing to lend a hand.

Our favorite spots to visit are listed below, some we describe and some we have already dedicated an entire post to so I will just link to them. We hope you explore this wonderful region someday.

Twenty-Five Key Attractions for your Western Australian Road Trip

Goldfields, margaret river.

• The Sterlings
• Castle Rock
• Natures Window
• Giant Hardwoods
• The Pinnacles
• Hutt Lagoon
• Window to the World
• Whale Sharks
• 80 Mile Beach
• Tunnels & Crocodiles
• Fitzroy Crossing
• Lake Argyle

These are just a few – there is so much more!

Western Australia's South

1) nullarbor.

There is but one paved road from South Australia to Western Australia if you are road-tripping. The long desolate road across the Nullarbor is filled with beauty and mystery and it is an entrance to the wild and open land of Western Australia.

We camped at Newmans Rocks on our first night in Western Australia. It is located on the western side of the Nullarbor. From there we watched as a new fire near Balladonia grew. We had waited a week in South Australia for the massive fire that had been blocking the road and stopping all traffic. The fire had closed down the Nullarbor. We saw the results of that along the way.

On our second night in Western Australia we parked in Grass Patch. Everything around our campsite had been burned. Be sure to keep an eye on the fire maps and warnings . You don’t want to be stuck somewhere on the Nullarbor if a fire has closed the road ahead. There is really no way around it.

2) Cape La Grand and The Great Ocean Drive: Esperance Area

After the long drive across the Nullarbor, we wanted a nice long dip in the ocean. Up next were beaches around Esperance in the southeast corner of Western Australia.

Just east of  Esperance is Le Grand National Park, one of the most beautiful places in the world that we’ve visited. The white sand glimmering through the cerulean blue waters creates one of the most pristine beaches we have ever seen. To the west of Esperance is the Great Ocean Drive. It is an extension of the beauty that begins in Cape Le Grand.

For more details about Cape Le Grand & the Great Ocean Drive read our full article about the  Best White Sand Beaches  in the world.

3) Wave Rock

A massive ocean wave high above Trin threatened to break down over him and the sandy soil on which he stood. But it is all an illusion. We were standing in the desert and the wave is frozen in granite. The granite wave is a two-hour drive north of Ravensthorpe, across a flat desert landscape to the town of Hyden.

A walking trail from  Wave Rock stretches across a sandy flat that is often flooded during the rainy season to Lake Magic, a salty waterhole around which a small resort was built. The resort looked a bit like a ghost town and there was little magic that made us want to swim in the bluish-green waterhole.

Nearby is  Hippo’s Yawn , appropriately named as the large rock looks like the wide-open mouth of a Hippo.

Mulkas’s Cave , part of the Humps, about 16 km from Wave rock is a significant site for Aboriginal art. The Humps are another unique outcrop of giant granite. The trail leading over the humps goes through Mulkas’s cave where 450 separate handprints are painted within the main chamber of the cave.

4) The Sterling Range

Driving south on Chester Pass Road the bitumen stretched out in a line before us straight all the way to the horizon. Every direction we looked the horizon lay flat. Soon we noticed a change in front of us, small ripples appeared. As we drove they grew larger in our view. It was the Sterling Mountain range. The entire range fit within our camera lens.

We had hoped to hike through the mountains here but a recent fire had destroyed everything and the trails were closed for safety. Trees trunks stood blackened and stripped of all life, soot-covered the earth, and the road signs tilted to the side melted from the heat of the fires.

Then we saw a glimpse of green. It was my favorite grass tree coming back to life. Fresh bright green sprouts like that of springtime after a rain reached skyward from the top of blackened little trunks. It was a beautiful display of life continuing on. Someday we hope to go back and hike this range once it has had time to recover.

Note: We visited the Sterling Range in 2020 just one month after the fire of Dec 2019 raged through the park. Rangers reopened the hiking trails in May of 2020, but it is always good to check the  National Park websites  first for alerts.

5) Castle Rock - Porongurup Range

6) The Gap - Torndirrup National Park

The rocky plateau abruptly ends but the walkway continues past the cliff edge. I gripped the railing as I looked at the ocean far below me. The echo of its crashing waves roared up through  The Gap . The skywalk was all we hoped it would be.

Almost all of the brochures for Torndirrup NP have pictures of the sky-walk over The Gap to entice visitors. It is a beautiful site to see, but don’t miss all the other sites this park has to offer along the far edge of the Great Australian Bight.

Cable beach had beautiful rock formations along the water. As each wave coming is captured on top of the rocks and then flows down as little waterfalls onto the beach.

The hike to Stony Hill provides spectacular views of the Southern Ocean. The wind on the top of the massive stony hill can be quite strong. I crawled near the top to keep from being blown off the trail completely.

The out and back walk to Limestone head follows along the ridge that extends out creating the edge of Frenchman’s Bay. The bay can be seen on one side and the Southern ocean on the other for much of the trail.

7) Nature's Window - D'Entrecasteaux National Park

Just 30 minutes from Northcliffe is D’Entrecasteaux National Park. Our favorite feature of this park was the cliff walk past  Nature’s Window. It is a limestone formation or window down to the ocean from atop the cliff. Looking out this window is like looking out of the mouth of a dragons it’s long teeth made of limestone frame the sea below.

Nearby we climbed to the top of Mt Chudalup. From the top of the granite rock, there is a 360-degree view of the D’Entrecasteaux National Park.

8) Giant Hardwoods - Karri Trees

In the south west corner of Western Australia grows the only Karri forest in the world. The smooth trunks of the   Eucalyptus diversicolor  (karri) rise straight and high into the air. Eucalyptus trees are one of the  tallest hardwoods in the world . Walking through an entire forest of these giants, feeling the smooth multi-colored trunks, is part of the experience of Western Australia.

Eucalypti trees shed their bark each year. The Karri tree reveals her multi-colored trunk in the spring while producing wispy white flowers.

Boorara Tree

The Boorara tree, located 17 km south east of Northcliffe is a massive tree with metal pegs drilled around it in a spiral. The pegs are used as a ladder. Between 1952 to 1972 a hut was in the top of the tree and used as a fire lookout.

A replica of the cabin that once perched atop the Boorara tree sits on the ground nearby. As I stood inside the tiny replica, I tried to imagine spending the day in that little hut 51 meters (167 feet) above the ground while it swayed 3 meters (almost 10 feet) back and forth in the wind.

Glouchester & Bicentennial Tree

9) Rock Pools - Margaret River

The Margaret River area has so much to offer between its eucalyptus forest, caves, and vineyards. It is seemingly the perfect place to be during an Australian summer, not too hot, but warm enough to enjoy the beautiful beaches and our favorite rock pool.

In Injidup at the end of Wyadup Road, rocks form a perfect little pool of crystal clear water away from the dangers of rip tides or sharks. But more than just a calm little pool it is also like a playground when the tide is high. Waves crash over the rock wall separating it from the ocean showering down onto swimmers and flowing like a short-lived waterfall over the rocks.

Perth to Pilbarra

Boorloo was first owned and occupied by the Noongar people. In 1829, recently arrived Europeans named the settlement Perth. Due to a shortage of labor, the colony accepted penal ships. They requested non-violent criminals that after they served their time could join the workforce for the colony. The gold rush in the late 19th century also created a population boom. Today it is the fourth largest city in Australia.

Many claim that Perth is the most isolated city in the world. It’s not quite the most isolated, but given the ocean on one side and the vast desert separating it from the rest of Australia it is quite isolated. The nearest city of at least 100,000 people is Adelaide on the other side of the Nullarbor 1,300 miles away.

Perth is a beautiful city with a bicycle trail that extends the entire coastline. One of our favorite places to hang out was King’s Park . We walked through the cultivated gardens and spent afternoons relaxing in the shade on the grass. From there we had an unobstructed view of the Swan River and the city of Perth.

The tours of Frematle Prison  were an interesting step back in time when Perth was a prison colony. It’s definitely worth a visit.

11) The Pinnacles

Pinnacles jut through the sand reaching to the sky in their strange structures. Like a desert scattered with soldiers standing at attention. Only instead of standing in formation, they are scattered, some alone, some standing in groups, but all silent as they stand at attention.

Some say that the Pinnacles are the calcified remains of ancient trees , others say it is a petrified forest. Whatever they are there is an otherworldly feel when you walk off the trail and out alone into the desert among the Pinnacles.

12) Hutt Lagoon

Australia has many pink lakes and seeing one was high on my list of things to experience.

While we were still in South Australia we pursued “pink lakes” only to find dried-up salt pans. Many of them are only pink during certain times of the year. Even Esperance has a lake called Pink Lake, but it has not been pink since 2011.

Hutt Lagoon in Western Australia is pink year-round so it’s a great stop to add to a road trip. A sunny day will increase the intensity of the pink. It was an odd sight but the pink is natural.

13) Window to the world - Kalbarri National Park

Kalbarri National Park’s recent claim to fame is a new sky-walk that extends out above the canyon. We were unimpressed with the skywalk but loved the nearby Loop Walk Trail. It meanders past nature’s window along the mountain ridge, down to the river below, and then back to nature’s window.

The walk provides stunning views of the valley and also brings hikers up close to black swans along the river as the magnificent birds glide and trumpet their calls like a chorus of wooden wind instruments. Their sounds echo off the valley walls. It was an earthy sound that gave the area mystique.

We stopped for lunch in a little cave off the side of the trail and quietly soaked in the nature around us as we ate. Two other hikers walked right past us on the path just below us never knowing that we were there.

Coast of Kilbarri National Park

Small cave where we had lunch in Kilbarri

Rock scramble on a trail in Kilbarri

Can you spot Trin on the trail?

14) shark bay.

Shark Bay is the home of a microscopic ancient jungle, dugongs, the largest seagrass beds in the world, and a beach made of shells.

Thrombolites & Stromatolites live in only a few places in the world . Thrombolites look like uniformly created mounds of cottage cheese hardened to rock but they are a microscopic jungle of bacteria. Stromatolites are similar but grow in layers and are taller. The healthiest structures can be found in  Lake Clifton  (south of Perth) and  Hamlin Bay (North of Perth in Shark Bay). Fossilized Thrombolites & Stromatolites can be found in the interior of Western Australia as well.

The Dugong is a species of manatee that thrives on the massive seagrass beds of Shark Bay. It is a stronghold for the vulnerable population of the Dugong.

Shark Bay has a 37-mile long beach made entirely of shells. It is one of only two in the world composed entirely of shells. The tiny white cockle clams on shell beach in Shark Bay are 23 feet deep.

15) Whale sharks - Coral Bay to Exmouth

16) Karijini National Park

Narrow canyon walks that lead to small hidden swim holes, having to scramble over rocks and swim through crevices are all part of the adventure awaiting you in Karijini National Park.

17) Marble Bar

For us visiting a truly outback town was high on our list of “experiencing Australia.” We chose Marble Bar and loved every moment of it. Camping there in the outback the grass seemed more golden the sunsets more brilliant. Then there was that vein of Jasper that lines the bed of the creek in Marble Bar. It is a creek that only flows during the wet season. During the dry, the beautiful rocks are exposed and we quite literally laid on a bed of Jasper.

The Kimberleys

18) eighty-mile beach.

In Port Hedland, we joined a walk with a local lay scientist through the tide pools. The shallow waters were teeming with life. Soft corals gently swayed in the shallow waters as eels slithered by and nudie branches wiggled around. One octopus shot water at us when we tried to take its picture. It was a pretty good shot too.

There is only one paved road east or west out of Port Hedland and to the north is just the ocean. Broome, the next town to the east, is 350 miles away on the Great Northern Highway. One side of this two-lane highway has dirt tracks that lead to Eighty Mile Beach. The other side is the Great Sandy Desert. It is a vast plane that stretches further than a sparrow could fly in a day.

Most of the dirt tracks to the coast are sandy or heavily corrugated and suited only for 4WD. Wallal Downs however was in good enough condition for us to take our  Toyota Coaster Bus  through giving us the chance to walk on Eighty Mile Beach.

At the time 80-mile beach was named Australia was still using the imperial measuring system. Between 1970 and 1988 the imperial measuring system was replaced with the metric system. Proper names of places remained the same. There are numerous beaches in Australia named for their length in miles.

19) Broome - Dampier Penninsula

Broome’s claim to fame is its beach camel ride. Most people who visit Broome either ride the camels or at least take a picture of them in the sunset. It does make for a nice picture. We skipped the ride. I’ve ridden a camel before, this ride was a bit lame (in our opinion). They did a circle on the beach around the line of vehicles parked for the sunset.

As we traveled around Australia we usually stop in at the visitor center for local information. The Broome visitor center offered no local knowledge, they had no idea what road conditions were north of town nor did they offer any information on how we could find out. Our suggestion is to skip the visitor center and maybe even Broome altogether. The beauty is outside of town.

Broome is the only town in Australia where we left a negative review on the visitor center. The beauty of the area is outside of Broome, my suggestion is to skip the town and drive north on the Dampier Peninsula if you have a 4WD.

Derby is a great place to stock up on supplies before heading down  Gibb River Road . The streets were originally designed to accommodate teams of mules and camels. Now they are open with a line of Boab trees down the center of Main Street. The visitor center is a wealth of information about the area and road conditions. One of the main attractions in Derby is the  Boab Prison Tree , believed to be about 1,500 years old.

The Boab tree is protected in the Derby shire so you may even find the odd one in the middle of the road. Take a drive around and explore.

21) Tunnels with Crocodiles

The Gibb River Road is an adventure route for those with 4WD but the first section of the road is mostly paved and Tunnel Creek & Windjana Gorge can be reached with a 2WD vehicle.

22) Fitzroy Crossing

The Big Lap, route 1, around Australia crosses the Fitzroy River river at the town aptly named Fitzroy Crossing. The Fitzroy River is one of the longest rivers in Australia and can rise 26 meters above sea level during a heavy wet season.

We hiked along a sandy path through the  Geikie Gorge . During the wet season, our path would be the middle of the river. During the dry season, the river shrinks to the lowest-lying area but leaves evidence of its seasonal power in the watermarks on the wall of the gorge. The Geikie Gorge was once part of the Devonian Reef System when this continent was under the sea. The Fitzroy River has cut through the reef leaving a gorge with spectacular cliffs on one side and unique rock formations on the other.

From the sandy trail, we looked down in the river and saw crocodiles lazily swimming out from the bank.

23) The Grotto

Traveling east to Kununurra take a short detour heading to Wyndham to hike in  The Grotto . The Grotto is a natural amphitheater carved into a riverbed that flows fast during the wet season but dries up to small swim-holes during the dry season. The stunning local swim-hole can be accessed by the 140 steps carved into the canyon wall.

24) Kununurra

The town of Kununurra lies in the flood zone and at times can be surrounded by water and cut off from travel out of town except by boat. Climbing Kelly’s Knob Lookout we watched the sunset over the plains. From that vantage point, the path of the water during the wet could be imagined surrounding the town.

Just outside of Kununurra is  Mirima National Park  also known as the mini Bungle Bungle. It is a small park but filled with unique rock formations.

It is wise to keep an eye out for kangaroos when driving in Australia, but at  Ivanhoe Crossing  keep your eyes open for crocodiles swimming across the road. Ivanhoe Crossing is a concrete causeway over which the river flows. Water levels can vary so driving across the causeway should be taken with caution.

25) Lake Argyle

Just before leaving Western Australia on the only paved highway connecting Western Australia to the Northern Territory is a peaceful man-made lake called Lake Argyle. A dam built in 1973 on the Ord River created a massive expanse of freshwater. From the reservoir lookout, it made me think of Lake Powell in Utah and Arizona. Both are filled with inlets and bays to explore by boat.

The lake is also home to over 25,000 freshwater crocodiles. The temperature of the water is warm to mild year-round and perfect for swimming for crocks and humans alike.

So much more to explore!

This list is just the start, a list of things to help you plan your own adventure. There is so much more to see. As you research don’t forget to find out more about the Gibb River Road and El Questro in the Kimberleys, Bungle Bungle, the Canning Road, and much more.

See also our 20 Key Attractions in the Northern Territory

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About The Author

Bonnie Truax

8 thoughts on “25 stunning places to see: a western australia road trip”.

I am so glad that you got to go to some of my favourite places. You’ve inspired me to go to some of the amazing places right here in my own back yard

You were the one who gave me part of our list before we got there. Thank you!

Sounds like you were able to see and explore a vast majority of Australia despite the pandemic. So happy for you. Thanks for sharing your travels with us.

Yes, thanks to the very low population density there wasn’t very much community spread making it easier to travel across the island.

Informative guide for travelers. The stunning spots shared in the blog are very helpful and must read if you are going for a road trip.

Thank you Monica

Your road trip seems exciting, adventurous and fun! Such an informative post for all adventure lovers looking for a road trip to Western Australia. The 25 attractions listed are a real treat courtesy the pictures and the information. Would love to walk the path someday. Thank you for the inspiration even during this time when everyone’s so very cautious of the pandemic. The meager population saves the day! 

Thank you, Kanchan. We loved our road trip around Australia. It was definitely the best place to be in the world during a pandemic. The population did save the day and we loved the secluded areas. I hope you do get the chance to do the Big Lap, it is an adventure.

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A 7 day Western Australia Road Trip Itinerary for the Free Independent Traveller

When life throws you only 7 days for a Western Australia Road Trip, you know you will only scratch the surface of Australia’s largest State. Decisions, decisions!

Table of Contents

Designing our Western Australia road trip

Our fit travel style.

We’re not so interested in a mad dash around, ticking off bucket list destinations. We’ve always loved that well-known travel term, FIT travel . Free Independent Travellers (FIT) do their own thing in their own time. We are our own travel agent and reservation booking agent. We prefer non-organised tours and space in our schedule for the ‘ Stop! That looks nice’ visits.

We delight in slower travel, we’re seeking a tucked-away lunch, an ocean beach wander, and an element of the unknown or make-it-up as we travel along.

If you’re the sort of visitor that wants to see all the major sights then check out Tourism Australia’s Top Things to Do in Western Australia .

Our Accommodation Style

With the exception of one luxury resort splurge, our stays are chosen as mid-range motels or local Bed and Breakfast.

Day 1 – Perth Airport to Cervantes

We hired a 2WD car with No Birds Bayswater with Perth Airport pick-up, all very easy but importantly available. We tried several of the major car rental places none had availability. Tip : Book Ahead!

Drive time 2 hours 20 mins (211 km)

For this full day itinerary check out: The Pinnacles Desert (Nambung National Park)

What to See and Do

We choose the coastal route to Cervantes, joining the Indian Ocean Drive heading north.The roads are good in Western Australia. You have various opportunities to stop along the way at Yellongona & Yanchep National Parks . We headed for Lancelin, the start of our other worldly landscapes for the day.

Lancelin Sand Dunes (1.5 hrs north of Perth) 

A well-known destination for off-the-road driving and sand boarding on dunes of white sand. Fun for all ages. The 2km of sand dunes are found inland from the township of Lancelin.

The Pinnacles Desert

The Pinnacles Desert was the big draw card for us! Found in Nambung National Park, 15 mins drive from Cervantes. These lunar like ancient limestone formations are one of Australia’s most fascinating natural landscape. They date back 25,000-30,000 years. You can view them on foot via the Emu bush walk. The 1.5 km trail through the desert starts at the Discovery Centre where there is a viewing platform.

Or you can drive 4.5k through the barren landscape. This drive is suitable for 2WD vehicles. The entry fee to the National Park is $15.00 per vehicle. For more see: The Pinnacles Desert (Nambung National Park)

Wandering Cervantes Town

There’s not a whole heap to do in the small fishing town of Cervantes. Holiday makers stay for the Pinnacles and are attracted to stay longer to enjoy it’s crystal clear waters and natural beauty. Relaxing, boating and fishing are the order of the day.

Lake Thetis

Whilst you’re into admiring the geology of the area you might like to stop by  Lake Thetis to admire the stromatolites in Cervantes. The what, do I hear you ask? This region is full of interesting geology!

Where to Eat

Off shore cafe lancelin.

We stopped off for brunch at the Off Shore Cafe in Lancelin, a welcome break after our Melbourne dawn start. Here you will find a shady garden, great coffee, and friendly staff await.

The Lobster Shack

Cervantes is a famous cray fishing town and you should not miss eating rock lobster at the  𝐋𝐨𝐛𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐜𝐤 . We were lucky to be offered a waterfront table by arriving after 2 pm. Lunch was delicious, those locally caught lobsters are so tasty! You can also join a Factory Tour which gives an insight into the region’s multi-million dollar lobster industry.

Note: The restaurant is large, popular, and gets extremely busy. Open for lunch daily 11.00 – 3.00 pm. Book ahead or come late.

Where to Stay

Pinnacles edge resort.

We chose the 𝐏𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐚𝐜𝐥𝐞𝐬 𝐄𝐝𝐠𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐨𝐫𝐭 , Cervantes, a 4-star hotel. Our Studio room was comfortable but nothing flash. We had everything we needed in this en-suite room, we slept well. The room had a double and single bed, aircon, good wifi and a large accessible bathroom. There is a swimming pool on site and it is a short walk to the beach.

Day 2 – Cervantes to Margaret River

Drive time 5 hours 10 mins (466 km)

This was a long drive but there is always something to see along the way! We liked the sound of Dolphin and Whale Watching in Bunbury and a wander along the 1.8km Busselton Jetty . We were driving to see friends for a cuppa en-route so did none of these.

Margaret River Motel (2 nights) ⁣

This 3 Star Margaret River Motel with a pool in Margaret River was a fab choice in the centre of town and easy to walk everywhere. We love the Margaret River region. There are great wineries and some lovely walks amidst spectacular scenery and a wonderful coastline. We enjoyed watching the birds from our window in our large and comfortable en-suite room.

The town offers plenty of dining and shopping, we chose the Settlers Tavern – winner of ‘Best Entertainment Venue’  in the Australian Hospitality Awards (WA) This buzzing pub, known for it’s live music in the town centre serves hearty food.  We also enjoyed La Scarpetta Trattoria and good choice if you like homestyle Italian food. Both were packed so book ahead!

A fabulous choice for a good value brekkie. Margs Cafe is found in a shopping centre, but don’t let that put you off. This cafe in the heart of Margaret River specialises in breakfast, lunch and gourmet panini.

Day 3 – Exploring Margaret River

Margaret river wineries.

A Western Australia Road Trip to enjoy the vineyards and wine tasting is a must. Everyone will have their own favourites, you can check out the Best Wineries in Western Australia Try Vasse Felix who we first visited ten years ago. We’re still talking about their outstanding wines and the superb reception we received.

We went wine tasting and shopping at Cape Mentelle . It’s one of Margaret River’s ‘founding five’ wineries and has a lovely colonial style estate. In the summer months they hold an outdoor  cinema  ‘ Movies  at  Cape Mentelle ‘

Cape Naturaliste Walk Trails⁣

The 𝐂𝐚𝐩𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐂𝐚𝐩𝐞 Trail is 123 kms land generally takes walkers around 7 days to enjoy with stunning coastal scenery. We did shorter sections as we could on our Western Australian Road Trip.   We enjoyed the trails found in the 𝐋𝐞𝐞𝐮𝐰𝐢𝐧-𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐤 . Walking under the shade of trees on a warm sunny day is one of life’s great pleasures.

Ellensbrook Coastal Loop via Cape to Cape track⁣

The Ellensbrook trail : ‘ Great hike with lots of varied scenery (beach, dunes, forest). Just remember to go clockwise (towards the homestead first) otherwise you’ll end up climbing a massive sand dune’.

Tip ❗️There were lots of pesky flies but with a fly net over my hat I could stop doing the Aussie wave!

Day 4 – Margaret River via Hamelin Bay to Bunker Bay

Drive time: 2 hours 42 mins (km)

What to see and do

Berry farm margaret river.

There is plenty of birdlife in Western Australia and The Berry Farm outside Margaret River is the best place to find blue wrens – so we had to go there! With a pretty Cottage Cafe and gardens, a gift shop selling gourmet food, delicious fresh jam and wines, as well as pick your own berries it’s a delightful place to visit.

Hamelin Bay Stingrays

There’s a buzz about  Hamelin Bay  when you find yourself in WA. Strangers ask whether you have been there yet and backpackers are forever searching for transport to get there. Why the furore?

Well,  three things…. stunning beauty, historical artifacts, and black stingrays.

We thoroughly recommend a day trip to see the Hamelin Bay Stingrays that appear in the shallow waters of this beautiful Bay.  The best time to visit is 9-10 am.

The coastal town of Prevelly was a chance stop off for us in search of a great lunch spot (see below) Surfers will know it for it’s world class surf breaks and those on the Cape to Cape coastal track will enjoy the views.

Sea Garden Cafe Prevelly

Sea Garden Cafe has a laid back surfer vibe with a great casual cafe menu, and well loved for their Nachos. You can’t miss the Prevelly Surf Board Fence, it is claimed to be the longest in Australia. The coffee is great. It has a distance view of the Ocean and is within walking distance of Surfers Point The coastal town of Prevelly was a chance stop off for us in search of a great lunch spot.

Where To Stay

Pullman bunker bay resort (2 nights).

A beautiful beach wedding at Bunker Bay took us to the 5 Star luxury and over priced Pullman Bunker Bay Resort . There are 150 luxury villas, with nice facilities; swimming pool, tennis court, spa. The highlight of the stay is the spectacular and unspoiled sands of Bunker Bay.

Day 5 – Bunker Bay

We took an early morning walk along the stunning Bunker Bay at the resorts edge. It was a pristine setting for a wedding and we enjoyed this very special wedding but also for the introduction to a beach that we probably would not have found on our own.

Cape to Cape Track

We couldn’t resist spending more time out wandering the Cape to Cape trail. We rarely passed other walkers and had beaches to ourselves. Good for the fitness and good for the soul!

Wedding at Bunker Bay

If you are looking for a stunning and memorable wedding on the beach venue, then look no further than Bunker Bay. The wedding was a short wander along the beach at Bunkers Beach House.

Where To stay

Day 6 – Bunker Bay to Northam

Drive time 3 hours 51 mins (350 km)

Wanted to make the most of the large hours in Bunker Bay we had an early morning wander, a leisurely breakfast at the resort and a late check out, our Western Australia Road Trip can wait!

Cape Naturaliste Walk Trails⁣ – Bunker Bay loop

There are so many walking trails to take in Western Australia. The Cape Naturaliste Track offers stunning ocean views and Bunker Bay beach views.

Avonbrook Wines

At Clackline a 15 minute drive (19 km) from Northam.

It’s a quirky place, wine and crystals and native American crafts. Wine tastings are free of charge. There is a cafe on site and you might be tempted by coffee and cake but do not miss Carol’s famous cheese platters.

Roseneath Cottage

We stayed at the lovely 𝐑𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐡 𝐂𝐨𝐭𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐞. This pretty newly renovated cottage was a good choice in the town it offers a couple of bed and breakfast rooms with ensuite bathrooms. Well positioned in the centre of town but note no Wifi.

Day 7 – Northam via Silo Trail & York to Perth

Drive time 1 hours 42 mins (132 km)

We visited Northam to see the Wheatbelt countryside and to enjoy some of the Silo Art Trail. We found a sleepy town which gave an interesting insight to Western Australian life away from the main commercial or touristy areas.

Northam Visitor Centre

The staff at this Visitor Centre are delightful, and a lovely source of local info. There is a small gift shop and a cafe overlooking the River Avon.

𝐁𝐢𝐥𝐲𝐚 𝐊𝐨𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐝𝐣𝐚

𝐁𝐢𝐥𝐲𝐚 𝐊𝐨𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐝𝐣𝐚 cultural centre which was sadly shut when we visited but has good reviews:

‘The Centre will protect, celebrate and share the culture of the Nyoongar people and highlight land management practices that draws upon the knowledge of the land’s traditional custodians’.

Northam make a big thing of their majestic white swans that have a breeding ground along the River Avon. This is the only place in the world where black swans are native. There is a Suspension Bridge over the water which is good for a wander. Check out the Swan street art at the 𝐎𝐥𝐝 𝐌𝐢𝐥𝐥 and see swans with cygnets on Avon River across the road ⁣ ⁣

Public Silo Trail

Discovering WA’s largest outdoor Art Gallery. Be aware stopping to admire these phenomenal paintings is not always easy as they are working grain silos. We stopped by the side of the road for these photos. These world class murals by internationally acclaimed artists span 200 kilometres of unique landscapes in six locations.

It’s not just for a Western Australian Road Trip, the 𝐀𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐧 𝐒𝐢𝐥𝐨 𝐀𝐫𝐭 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐥 starts here in Northam & ends 8,500 km later in Queensland. These huge painted silos and water towers across the land connects rural communities through art and are magnificent. ⁣

I love that the silo art attracts tourism to regional areas that need our tourism dollars. Discovering Silo Art is a perfect addition to a Western Australia Road Trip itinerary.

York is full of heritage buildings with the claim to fame being that it is the oldest inland town in WA. We took a road trip detour here to find yet another sleepy town by the River Avon with a suspension bridge. York is a nice place for a wander full of cafes, a bric a brac shop, Penny Farthing Sweets, the York Motor Museum. We enjoyed the cafe/art gallery Botanicalia. 

Final thoughts

Our 7-day Western Australia Road Trip took us to white sandy beaches, the World Heritage wonders of The Pinnacles Desert, we wandered along the Cape to Cape Trail, sampled award-winning wineries, had a memorable up close and personal experience with stingrays, and an unforgettable Aussie wedding. It was a fabulous trip.

My motto is always leave something to return to and you, Western Australia have given me so much I want to return to. There’s Broome and Cable Beach by Camel, Rottnest Island and Quokka’s, Busselton Jetty, Ningaloo Reef, The Kimberly Region, and Lucky Bay where the Kangaroos live on the beach.

I’m counting down my days to return back for our next Road Trip in Western Australia. 

For more Western Australia wanderings see:

• Hamelin Bay Stingrays WA
• The Pinnacles Desert, Nambung National Park
• Little Wandering Wren’s The Good Hotel Guide

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I like the way you travel — we’re definitely FIT also when we can be. Not as widely T as you are, but same idea. Looks like a wonderful trip.

Thank you Sallie – FIT is definitely to way to see the world in Australia, it’s so easy to have a wonderful trip here. Thanks so much for stopping by. Wren x

Yep. WA is a huge state and there is so much to see and explore. I have lived here all my life and there are still bits I haven’t managed to get to. You squeezed a lot into only 7 days! Happy and safe travels!

Hi Jill, I’m so happy to see you here, as a lifelong WA resident. You live in a beautiful state, I kept saying to Mr Wren we should move here! It was a great trip. Thanks for stopping by. Wren x

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The ultimate west coast australia road trip.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, the West Coast of Australia is my FAVOURITE part of the country to road trip and that’s a fact!

There’s just something about the grandeur of it all, the vastness, the emptiness, the enormity… and the lack of people that immediately grabbed my heart and wouldn’t let it go!

No surprise then that when I finally clambered out of the Landrover and decided to stay put for a few months it was on Australia’s west coast too!

So after spending almost a year living, working, travelling and exploring this state, here’s my full rundown of the ULTIMATE West Coast Australia road trip to end all road trips!

FYI: I’ve split this post into 5 sections – each taking in a different part of the state:

Week 1: Kununurra to Broome

Week 2 & 3: broome to perth, week 4: the south west.

Week 5: Albany, Esperance and Wave Rock

This way you can easily mix and match your itinerary, so just jump to the relevant section and start your planning now!

Related Posts

• Perfect Perth to Broome Road Trip Itinerary
• Ultimate Darwin to Broome Road Trip Itinerary
• Ideal Itinerary for Driving Australia’s South West

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Day 1: Lake Argyle

Begin your West Coast Australia road trip in the northern frontier of the state – Lake Argyle.

Quite the engineering feat, this flooded valley, which hugely helped to aid agriculture in the area, is seriously impressive and stretches for miles.

Grab your snaps and then head back to set up camp and chill at the Lake Argyle Resort & Caravan Park .

This award-winning caravan park (and its infinity pool) is awesome!

Day 2: Kununurra

From Lake Argyle, your first stop should really be the town of Kununurra!

There’s loads to do around this cute little hamlet and you could easily keep extending your stay for a number of days.

For some ideas about what to do, check out my post about the best free things to do in Kununurra … oh and another tip, make sure you stay at the Discovery Parks – Lake Kununurra , the sunsets and sunrises here are to die for!

From Kununurra the road splits, giving you 2 options for your West Coast Australia road trip! For those with 4WD, why not attempt the famous Gibb River Road? For those who want to take the 2wd Great Northern Highway option, there’s plenty along here to see as well. And for those who want the best of both worlds (like I did) pick and choose between the 2!

2wd Route Day 3-4-5: Great Northern Highway

From Kununurra, head north towards El Questro and spend 2 nights there, exploring the amazing Zebedee Hot Springs, Emma Gorge and more.

Take a side trip to Wyndham to see the Fiver Rivers Lookout before heading onto to take a hike and a dip at Bells Gorge and then spending the night near here.

4wd Route Day 3-4-5: Gibb River Road

From Kununurra, make your way into Purnululu National Park .

Absolutely spellbinding, you’ll need 2 nights here to really appreciate the spectacle of the giant beehive-like rock formations and the park’s other attractions including Cathedral Gorge and Echidna Chasm.

Do beware the ride into the park is ROUGH however and a 4wd is essential… it will also take you ages!

If you want to cheat, and splurge, then why not consider a scenic flight over the Bungle Bungle Range!

After this, make your way west stopping 1 night at Fitzroy Crossing on the way – we thought it much nicer than Halls Creek and there was a good visitor centre there.

Next, pop into Tunnel Creek on your way to see…

Day 6: Windjana Gorge

Both the Gibb River Road and the Great Northern Highway essentially join at Windjana Gorge, so this is a stop worth making regardless of the West Coast Australia road trip route you take.

Be sure to walk into the gorge and don’t miss the daily croc display!

You can camp here and there are showers as well – hoorah!

Day 7: Derby

The final stop before Broome, Derby is an interesting little town worth exploring.

The main attractions include the highest tides in Australia, which can viewed from the Wharf, and the Boab Prison Tree believed to be about 1500 years old.

Stop here and spend the night, or glimpse it in an afternoon before motoring on to Broome.

Day 1-3: Broome

Prepare for some intakes of breath as Broome’s spectacular landscape has you running for your camera!

Yes this town situated at the top of Western Australia is no less stunning than you would expect, and an absolute must on your West Coast Australia road trip.

Everybody loves Broome and it’s easy to see why with Cable Beach Sunsets, Gantheaume Point views and a rich cultural heritage evident throughout the town.

Check out my favourite free things to do in Broome , as well as my guide to the best Broome Caravan Parks and allow yourself at least 3 days to explore all this magnificent destination has to offer.

Otherwise, if you fancy a splurge, this helicopter flight and Willie Creek Pearl Farm tour could be just the ticket!

Day 4: Eighty Mile Beach

Eighty Mile Beach is certainly worth a stop as you begin your journey south.

The colours of the coast here, as they spread before you, are unbelievable and the brilliant Eighty Mile Beach caravan park sits right on top of them.

Day 5: Port Hedland

Not the most picturesque of places, it has to be said, the mining town of Port Hedland is, however, a great overnight stop if you want to grab a decent coffee and replenish supplies.

It’s also a good place to spend the night before you head to Karijini National Park.

I highly recommend the Discovery Park – Port Hedland caravan park in town, which is situated right above the gorgeous beach of Pretty Pool that has stellar sunset views.

In town itself, there’s loads of FREE things to see (check out my full list here ), including the snow mountain – Rio Tinto’s massive huge salt piles – the never-ending iron ore trains or the insanely huge ship-loading facility.

Day 6-7: Karijini National Park

20 billion years in the making, the ancient wilderness of Karijini National Park is definitely worth a 2 night stopover on your West Coast Australia road trip.

Set in the remote Pilbara region, Karijini showcases some stunning landscapes with incredible gorges, waterfalls, swimming holes and lookouts you can explore on foot and by vehicle.

Accessible even by 2wd vehicles, there is basic national park camping available, or upgrade and enjoy a spot of glamping at the Karijini EcoRetreat .

The Spider Walk is the most epic attraction for the intrepid explorers among you and it’s hard to beat Fortescue Falls for a delightful dip.

The park is split into 2 sections and both are worth exploring, so do give yourself plenty of time.

READ MORE: The Ultimate Guide to Karijni National Park

Day 8-9: Ningaloo Reef

Today’s the day to head to the amazing Ningaloo Reef.

Choose to either base yourself at Exmouth – the main town in the region and best for diving – or at Coral Bay – a much smaller settlement great for snorkelling with Mantra Rays.

Get here and book your excursion for the next day – after all, you can’t come to this incredible UNESCO World Heritage Site and not get out on the water to explore it.

For those choosing Coral Bay as a stop, you can also hit the beach to check out the shark nursery.

There’s 3 caravan parks in town, but I think Bayview was the best.

For those, selecting Exmouth, spend the night at Potshot Hotel Resort where you can camp, grab a dorm bed for the night, or splash out on an apartment.

Then head to the Vlamignh Head Lighthouse near Exmouth for stunning views over the reef, especially at sunset.

If you have time, then you definitely want to check out Cape Range National Park too.

This stunning reserve protects both the reef and an on land area, where emus, echidnas and roos roam freely. Highlights include Yardie Creek and Turquoise Bay – the colours of which really have to be seen to be believed!

You can camp cheaply in Cape National Range National Park too.

Day 10: Carnarvon

Next on your West Coast Australia road trip, it’s time to head onto the country town of Carnarvon – the fresh produce capital of Western Australia.

Here, the One Mile Jetty, the Fascine and the Heritage Precinct Museums are all worth exploring (free to enter or by gold coin donation).

Drive Carnarvon’s fruit loop, stopping at farm shops to buy some delicious local produce, before heading out to see the amazing Blowholes at Quobba Point!

Then either camp cheaply out here or head back into town and stay at the awesome Wintersun Caravan Park .

READ MORE: 10 Best Things to Do in Carnarvon, WA

Day 11: Shark Bay

Continue south from Carnarvon to the UNESCO World Heritage Area of Shark Bay.

This is really where the Outback meets the ocean, so be prepared for some gorgeous views of red dirt hitting white sand and the turquoise Indian Ocean beyond.

There’s tons of incredible free things to do in Shark Bay – from Stromatolite boardwalks to dugong spotting and even soaking in an artesian water hot tub.

Most of these are situated along the World Heritage Drive, which takes you up the Peninsula to the main town of Denham – a great place to enjoy a picnic lunch on the foreshore.

Then continue onto Monkey Mia and camp at the RAC Monkey Mia Dolphin resort .

Day 12: Kalbarri National Park

Kalbarri National Park is another definite highlight on your West Coast Australia Road Trip.

From stunning gorges to sensational lookouts, don’t forget the camera when it comes to exploring one of Australia’s best national parks .

Highlights include Nature’s Window and the Z-Bend.

There’s no camping within Kalbarri National Park, so return to the nearby town to spend the night at the YHA Backpackers, stopping at the Meanarra Hill Lookout on the way.

Finish with a delightful swim at one of Geraldton’s great beaches or watch the windsurfers and kitesurfers ripping it up at Point Moore and Coronation Beach.

READ MORE: The Ultimate Guide to Kalbarri National Park TOP TIP: Buy a WA Parks Pass before your road trip and save on a ton on National Park entrance fees.

Day 13: Geraldton

From Kalbarri, motor on to Port Gregory to check out the Hutt Lagoon, otherwise known as the Pink Lake.

This bubblegum-coloured body of water really has to be seen to be believed and will give you some of the best photos of your West Coast Australia road trip!

Then it’s time to drive onto Geraldton.

I loved this cute little town, which has some super quirky cafes (Quiet Life was my favourite), great street art, historic buildings and a lovely Esplanade to explore.

There’s also the HMAS Sydney II Memorial and the brilliant Museum of Geraldton (both free to enter) which are definitely worth checking out.

Treat yourself to a night at Ocean West Apartments (still affordable, but nice if you want to have a proper bed, kitchen and a swim in the pool) or camp very cheaply at Ellendale Pool.

LEARN MORE: 10 Reasons I Fell in Love with Geraldton

Day 14: Perth

Leaving Geraldton, it’s all about the Indian Drive, which takes you south towards Jurien Bay, snapping the awesome Leaning Trees at Greenough as you go.

During the months of July to October, there are spectacular wildflowers to be found here too, so head to Lesueur National Park to see the best displays.

Otherwise, make a beeline for Nambung National Park, otherwise known as The Pinnacles.

These crazy looking desert towers make for an awesome excursion and are best captured at sunset, when the colours of the golden sand really spring to life.

Then head onto Perth to complete another section of your West Coast Australia road trip!

READ MORE: 10 Day Trips From Perth You Can’t Miss

Day 1-3: Fremantle

Have an easy day’s travel from Perth on the first day by just hopping, skipping and jumping across the river to the historic port city of Fremantle – a former industrial hub, now progressive, hipster, artistic mecca!

From cafes to vintage shops, markets to heritage buildings, there’s tons you can fill a day or 3 with here!

Why not check out the Fremantle Prison, the WA Maritime Museum or Little Creatures Brewery for a start.

Or else pop over to Rottnest Island to rent a bike for the day and meet the Quokkas!

Find out why I think this day trip is well worth the splurge here .

Ferries with Rottnest Express leave from right near the centre of Fremantle and take only 45 minutes to cross.

Either way, end your day in Fremantle at the wonderful Old Fire Station Backpacker Hostel – it’s like a home away from home that puts a funky spin on a beautiful heritage building in the true Freo way.

READ MORE: 18 Hidden Things to do in Fremantle the Locals Love

Day 4: Busselton

After Freo (as the locals love to call it!) stop in at Dunsborough, a cute little coastal town where you can grab a great coffee and breakfast to set you up for the day.

The head onto Busselton to snap and stroll the incredibly picturesque 148 year old jetty – I think it has to be one of the prettiest in the whole of Australia.

This gorgeous seaside resort also boasts lots of lovely cafes and its safe swimming beach, set within Geographe Bay, is the perfect place to unwind.

Check out the RAC Busselton Holiday Park for a great value option accommodation options here.

Day 5-6: Margaret River

After Busselton, the forested beauty starts as you make your way towards Margaret River.

The beach at Prevelly is a gorgeous spot to relax, as is Gracetown, Sugarloaf Rock, Canal Rocks and Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse.

And you can’t come to Margaret River and not savour some of the delicious local produce, wine and treats that are grown and developed in this rich area.

From open cellar doors to farmers’ markets, it’s all here for the tasting and a drive along Caves Road will give you more options than you can ever hope to fit into your time.

And if you’re still looking for things to do, then there’s plenty of caves to explore, trails to hike, lanes to drive and tracks to cycle too!

Afterwards, move south and check out Augusta.

The bottom of the peninsula, this spot will give you a great chance to snap the tallest lighthouse in Australia and even spot whales between the months of June – September.

Along the way, you can’t miss Hamelin Bay where giant rays can be seen right from the shoreline!

From there head to Conto’s Campground within Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park to spend the night close to the shoreline, or else head into the town of Margaret River itself where Margaret River Lodge is a great budget option.

READ MORE: How to Visit Margaret River on a Budget

Day 7: Pemberton

It’s time to start leaving the coastline and heading inland again on your West Coast Australia road trip towards Pemberton.

And if you’re into big trees, then the Gloucester Tree just outside of this town takes some beating.

Set in the heart of Karri Tree country, this is the world’s tallest fire lookout tree, which you can climb to enjoy views above the canopy… if you’ve got the nerves for it!

After a big day, finishing up at the Pemberton Best Western is the perfect place to unwind.

Week 5: Albany, Wave Rock & Esperance

Day 1-2: Albany

After your relaxing day in Pemberton, it’s really time to get on with some serious driving and the stretch down to Albany is a serious one.

On the way, the Walpole-Nornalup National Park is the heart of the Tingle Tree country.

These towering giants rise 40m above the forest floor and can be enjoyed via some delightful free walking trails through the forest.

After that, heading to William Bay National Park is a must.

Here the amazing Elephant Rocks and Greens Pools are the perfect place to while away an afternoon and enjoy a swim, before skipping up to the cute town of Denmark.

Once in Albany, Torndirrup is another stunning national park you need to visit.

The Gap and the Natural Bridge here are quite remarkable and will give you a direct insight into the force of the great Southern Ocean which roars around you.

After this, a drive to near the Old Whaling Station gives sensational views as well or, back in town, the National ANZAC Centre is well worth a trip too.

Finish your time by watching the sunset from West Cape Howe National Park, where you can also camp right on the beach – bliss!

Day 3-4: Wave Rock

From Albany, head up to Porongurup National Park – one of the oldest ranges in the world.

It is well worth climbing the granite skywalk here to enjoy the stunning views it gives.

From there it’s time to hit the gas and make it all the way to Hyden, the home of the famous Wave Rock, which you can explore and snap the following day at your leisure.

Day 5-7: Esperance

The final days of your West Coast Australia road trip, can hardly be better spent than at one of the state’s most fabulous stretches of coastline.

With its resident kangaroos that love to lounge on the beaches here, through to plenty of fishing, surfing and sailing on offer, this is a mecca for water lovers everywhere.

There’s also the amazing Cape Le Grand National Park to explore with its stunning sand dunes, or why not enjoy the Great Ocean Drive which gives amazing views of the coast here, including the Pink Lake!

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5 Key Packing Items for Western Australia

#1 Good Camera – You will be pretty much snapping non-stop in Australia and will need a good camera to do this gorgeous country justice. I highly recommend the Sony A6000 , which I use for all my travels and love, not least because it’s light, compact and robust!

#2 Good Walking Shoes – There will be a lot of walking in Australia – from cities to national park! Make sure your feet are comfortable therefore with a pair of New Balance Trainers . Perfect for stylish strollling, I love mine

#3 Good Guidebook – I’m still a massive fan of the Lonely Planet Guidebooks and do think their Australia edition is well put together

#4 Good Water Bottle – Travelling in hot old Australia can be thirsty work, so make sure you have a metal water bottle that you can refill as you go, because tap water is drinkable… and free!

#5 Good Sun Hat – And there’s no denying you’ll need a good sun hat for protection in Australia too. In my opinion, you can’t go past this Hello Sunshine one, which is both gorgeous and ideal for keeping the rays off your face.

Travel Insurance for Western Australia

Alternatively, if you’re a long-term traveller, digital nomad or frequent remote worker seeking travel health cover, check out Safetywing’s Nomad Insurance policies.

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So there you have it, my ULTIMATE West Coast Australia road trip.

Have I inspired you to get away from the east coast yet?!

Do let me know in the comments box below…

Creator of Big World Small Pockets, Stephanie Parker is a travel addict! Originally from Jersey in the Channel Islands, Stephanie adventures the world collecting tips, advice and stories, to share with a smile

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Gab Travelling | Travel Blog

Road Trip Guide: Broome to Perth, Western Australia

The journey from Broome to Perth, Western Australia covers in incredible expanse of land. It goes through Northern Australia to the Southern part. It might be long, but this road trip is full of quirky stops, coral snorkelling and loads of red dust! This road trip is a quintessential journey through Western Australia’s stunning outback.

Starting in Broome, most people starting this destination would have arrived through the outback already. However, some people hire vehicles in Broome and travel through the outback. This is a popular travel option for Australians and international tourists that don’t want to drive there.

What I love most about this road trip is driving through endless roads with views that are always changing. It makes the world feel a lot more simple. There’s nothing normal about Australia’s landscape in the outback. It can go from mountains and hills, to gorges and ochre escarpments, among flat plains. The bushland is also greatly diverse. Starting in Broome, this is where the local boabs grow (my favourite trees). As they’ve been there for centuries, they are massive .

There’s also a great range of side trips that are possible on this road trip guide from Broome to Perth. Though there may be roads with what feels like nothing, these are also pathways to other road trips. However, our group stuck to main freeways because of using a 2WD. And it was the wet season, so we are keen to avoid storms and flooding.

Table of Contents

Road Trip Guide Broome, to Perth: Seasons and Weather

This road trip from Broome to Perth, travels from Northern Australia to Southern, meaning the weather varies greatly. Northern Australia is blessed with a dry season (April – October) and wet season (November to March). Some years, the seasons can vary a bit on when each season begins and ends.

What does this mean for a road trip from Broome to Perth? In terms of driving through Northern Australia, the weather can have major impacts on roads. During the wet season, in Northern Australia there could have cyclones (or warnings). Major storms may cause flooding, or intensely hot and humid conditions.

Travelling through the wet season doesn’t guarantee any of this will happen, though. I travelled through this entire road trip during the wet season with a 2WD vehicle, and still had an amazing time. I did however face storm warnings. These followed us down the coast, cut our time in Exmouth short, and left my group stuck in Carnarvon for a week due to major flooding . However, all of these things are what made the trip unique and fun, I don’t regret doing it. I do understand why people would choose to do the trip during the dry season, though.

To learn more about travelling Northern Australia during the wet season, check out Gab Travelling’s complete guide .

It is possible to do this road trip any time of year, people often choose the dry season. During the dry season, it’s still hot and dusty in the outback, but there’s cooler temperatures than in the wet. The landscape reflects these changes. Early in the dry season it should be more green from all the rain the environment just had. This means more wildlife is around as they can hide in the bush and forage.

Next, get into the full road trip guide, including driving and kilometre estimates.

Van Life: Travel and Health Insurance

Before going into the full road trip guide, I first want to share a personal recommendation of health and travel insurance, for other nomads. Safety Wing is an insurance company I heard of from other digital nomads, and believe those travelling across Australia could benefit from. When it comes to van life, anywhere in the world, it’s important to have a good insurance benefits.

Especially when travelling into a remote area such Australia’s outback, it’s important to have clear, good insurance coverage. There’s a lot of variables in the outback (snakes, bugs, and extreme weather conditions), and it’s good to be prepared.

Check out the company’s website for more information, better yet, chat with their customer service to find out clear details about coverage. If you’re in the market for a new insurance policy, or would like to double up on coverage, use the price calculator below for an easy quote.

Road Trip Guide: Broome, to Perth, WA

Total kilometres and hours driving: 33 hours (3,027.5 km), recommended days: 15 days+.

Day 1: Broome to Sandfire Road House, WA

Drive time: three hours and 20 minutes (322 km).

I was really excited to visit Broome, before arriving there my partner and I had been working on a cattle station in Northern Queensland and hadn’t seen regular civilization since Darwin. Only a few weeks, albeit still significant in the rugged outback. After not seeing many people in between Darwin and Broome, I was grateful to experience the amenities in Broome. Including big-name grocery stores, regular civilization, and walking around.

However, during the wet season, every time my partner and I were outside for more than five minutes, it felt like we were trapped in a steam room(!). Dripping in sweat and fatigued, it’s hard to enjoy Broome during the wet season. Avoid wearing white at all cost. There’s also less businesses open during the wet season as it has less tourism. It was time to move on and continue the road trip down to Perth.

For this first day of driving, we thought it’s too far to drive all the way to Port Hedland. Instead we stopped at Sandfire Roadhouse .

Keep an eye out for the huge and beautiful boab trees. Soon there will be no more of the trees, as they’re only found in the north west of Australia. It’s also the last few hours to enjoy the landscape near Broome, before heading into the Pilbara.

One of my favourite parts about outback road trip are the road houses. Often, they are the epicentre of the entire town, and they provide to both locals and the travelling public. They provide fuel, groceries, accommodation, prepared food, and entertainment. I love quirky roadhouses, they clearly have passionate owners, and bring a great atmosphere to a road trip. Sandfire Roadhouse was one of those roadhouses I loved, especially their holographic postcards (you’re welcome Mom!).

Just be warned, there is a huge amount of peacocks at this campground. If you haven’t heard it before, they have a special (and loud) call. There’s also loads of peacock feathers to collect. There’s also a camel around that comes to the fence.

Day 2: Sandfire Roadhouse to Auski Tourist Village, WA (Karijini National Park)

Drive time: five hours and 43 minutes (533 km).

The next major town south of Broome is Port Hedland, which is known for its port and mines. Both international, and Australia-based mining companies surround the area. Many workers fly in and fly out from Perth, while others live in the surrounding areas.

Port Hedland It’s a good stop for grocery shopping, but driving through it’s predominately industrial, not touristy.

After stopping for groceries, we continued driving with the road trains towards Karijini National Park. This is the first major stop of this road trip from Broome to Perth. Make sure to purchase a WA National Parks Pass , on a road trip like this. It’s definitely worth it to purchase an annual pass, and there’s a good discount with RAC, if you’re a member too.

Driving an entire day from outback to outback, the scenery does change a lot. Getting close to Karijini brings a richer ochre tone to the landscape. Notably, vehicles of all sorts, but especially those working on mines are covered in red dust. Mining vehicles can be spotted from their bright yellow radio frequency and identification codes.

We decided to camp at Auski Tourist Village before heading into the national park. In the past we would mainly stay at free campgrounds. This trip, we needed to stay at paid campgrounds which had showers, as it’s so hot. The tourist village may be covered in red dust, but there’s trees for shade (and hammocks). There’s also a kitchen area complete with BBQs, and even a grassy area for camping. There’s no showers available in the national park campground, so enjoy them here!

Day 3-6: Auski Tourist Village to Karijini National Park, WA

Drive time: one hour (83.2 km).

It’s a short drive to Karijini National Park on purpose, so there’s lots of time to arrive early and enjoy the park. The drive time above is meant for Dales Campground . I recommend staying three nights minimum to enjoy all the different sites around the park. Just know, dingoes are around the campground, along with other wildlife, like snakes and many, many insects. Be aware of your surroundings and definitely don’t leave food out!

If it’s a hot and dusty day, don’t waste time on the walking trails in Karijini, head straight to the swimming holes. Fern Pool and Fortescue Falls are right next to Dales Campground. Without even entering the water, the temperature seriously drops, making an incredible difference on a hot day in the outback.

After cooling off, enjoy some of the walking trails around and above the pools. Or, just enjoy the swimming holes!

We did the walk to Circular Pool, but the area was closed off at the time of visiting. The water looked to be full of algae and not good for swimming anyways, but the walk around was nice. During the time of visiting in the wet season, there were hardly any visitors to the park, making it quiet and peaceful.

We found it easiest to travel around the park east to west, and enjoy the last day in Hamersley Gorge before leaving on the third day.

For more details and what gorges to visit, check out Gab Travelling’s Guide to the Gorges at Karijini National Park

Day 6: Karijini National Park (Hamersley Gorge) to House Creek Rest Area via Tom Price, WA

Drive time: four hours and 10 minutes (300 km).

Depending on weather, leaving in the afternoon might be a good option to get a swim in the morning. We nearly didn’t leave! The water temperature was so nice in the morning, until the afternoon sun began hitting us.

On this route, opt to stop at Tom Price to stock up on groceries. We generally can only keep enough fresh groceries for a few days so it’s always good to stock up.

Instead of driving to another town, we decided to stop at House Creek Rest Area , found on Wikicamps. At the time of writing, this location has a 24hr stop policy, perfect to rest before another driving day.

There are road trains driving by, but they stop throughout the night, and otherwise the traffic isn’t disturbing. We slept with our van door open (and bug net on) and didn’t have any issues. Only the mosquitos and flies can be annoying while cooking.

Day 7-9: House Creek Rest Area to Exmouth, WA

Drive time: three hours and 43 minutes (343 km).

It might be hours of travelling through dusty, brown outback roads, but this drive will take you to one of Western Australia’s ocean gems. Exmouth is the town hub of Ningaloo Reef, UNESCO World Heritage-listed, loaded with tours to see and experience the area.

It’s recommended to spend at least three days here, depending on what you would like to do. Check out my list of WA’s best snorkelling spots.

The first time visiting during the wet season in January, we heard really amazing things about Exmouth. Unfortunately weren’t able to experience most things. Due to a cyclone warning everyone from our campsite was required to leave, so we could only stay about 24 hours. However, that evening there, we did see nesting sea turtles at Jurabi Turtle Centre . This was a once in a life time experience. Watching the sunset, huddled in the dark, as these huge sea turtles climb on to the beach and nest.

We returned during the dry season a year later, and fell in love with Exmouth. I finally understood why everyone raved about this area. We participated in a swim with whale shark tour, and spent days snorkelling.

Check out Australia’s Tourism website , which encapsulates the best things to do while visiting Exmouth. A few options aside from snorkelling are diving, wildlife tours, boat tours, outback experiences and more. It’s a really diverse place to visit, with lots to do, during any season. Just note many tours and experiences are only available in certain seasons, check before visiting!

Before leaving, or on the way to the next day of driving, check out Coral Bay . Which has more 4WD roads, snorkelling, fishing, campgrounds and outback-meets-beach bliss.

Day 10: Exmouth to Carnarvon, WA

Drive time: three hours and fifty minutes (364 km).

When it’s time to leave Exmouth, head south along the coast to Carnarvon. Remember that cyclone warning I was talking about? Well, it ended up hitting us while we were in Carnarvon. We headed to an affordable, yet reputable campground: Capricorn Holiday Park .

Torrential rains poured over Carnarvon and the surrounding expansive land for days straight. As it slowed, the pooling water began to tip towards the Gascoyne River. This is why Carnarvon bears the flooding in the area. We walked down to the river near the Banana plantations where the water levels got higher, hour by hour.

Eventually, we were completely trapped in the campground, which thankfully was high up enough to avoid flooding. Although, our friend’s tents did get pretty soaked during this time. It’s just one of the reasons to be careful while travelling through the outback. At the time, there were also road trains and other travellers on the freeways. They had to be airlifted out due to the conditions of the road and major flooding. I’m grateful we were in a safe place like this during this flooding and we had access to grocery stores. Although we did watch the grocery stores supplies dwindle as the week went on.

Carnarvon does flood every once in a while due to its proximity to the river, and with cyclone conditions. Otherwise, spend a day or so enjoying the area.

Point Quobba Blowholes Campground is a local outback camping spot, known for the blowholes in the rocks near the ocean. However, we didn’t head that way due to the weather conditions, and as the campground doesn’t have toilet facilities.

In Carnarvon, enjoy fishing and walking near the ocean to see wildlife. Or, like us, spend some time hiding from the rain in the library!

Day 11: Carnarvon to Shark Bay, WA

Drive time: two hours and forty minutes (257 km).

The drive to Shark Bay should have cooler weather than Carnarvon. And, the landscape will change reasonably to small bush. Shark Bay has a lot to offer with non-4WD options to explore the area. When first arriving, we drove straight to the Hamelin Pool Stromatolites Boardwalk , although it appears to be temporarily closed now.

However, there are also bricks of shells at the Hamelin Pool quarry . Although these are bricks, they are still delicate. This is also where the Stromatolites can be seen as the boardwalk has maintenance.

After this, we went to Shell Beach, which is incredibly white and flaky or crunchy? It’s a bit painful on the feet—without shoes. The water in the bay is incredibly clear, but it’s a far walk out through shallow water.

After this, we went to one of the beaches on the west end of Shark Bay’s peninsula. And stayed the night as a permit-required camping ground . At night the stars were incredible here (see photos above) when it’s clear, as there’s nearly no light pollution. We all sat outside for ages just admiring the sky, which is incredible in the outback.

We found there wasn’t a lot going on in Denham. After driving through the town, stopping at the IGA, it was time to get back on the road and head south to Kalbarri.

Other activities can be done in Francois Peron National Park , however it’s mainly 4WD accessible . There’s also Dolphin feeding in Monkey Mia, under supervision of the Parks and Wildlife Officers.

After pottering around the Shark Bay area for the morning and afternoon, we drove to Kalbarri, our next stop.

Day 12: Shark Bay to Kalbarri National Park, WA

Drive time: two hours and 40 mins (268 km).

It’s a bit of a drive to Kalbarri, and there’s lots to see here. We left Denham early in the morning and arrived in Denham, late morning, but the heat had already set in. It was 43 degrees while we were exploring Nature’s Window . The heat can be exhausting and it’s important to cover up and use SPF.

When visiting during January, the summer, it was dry and arid. The land was mainly covered in brown and red dirt with little bush. Next we visited the Kalbarri Skywalk , which can be a daunting if you’re scared of heights. It reminds me of a skywalk in the Canadian Rockies, which is paid. Surrounding the sky walk is a cafe and toilet blocks, along with shaded areas to sit down.

Next, we drove over to Red Bluff Lookout on the coast and walked over the rocks to Pot Alley . The red rock mixes with the rough ocean waves and is a cooling walk to do when it’s hot out. There were also wallabies in the area and other wildlife living in the rocks, such as birds and reptiles.

This leg of the road trip wouldn’t be complete without visiting Hutt Lagoon , for the pink lakes . Beware of the smell, it’s not the most pleasant. Otherwise the pink lakes are a fun sight to see. We have previously seen Melbourne’s seasonal pink lake a few years before so it wasn’t the first time.

After exploring these points, we settled into the free camp on Galena Bridge North .

Day 13: Kalbarri National Park to Geraldton, WA

Drive time: one hour and twenty minutes (129 km).

Leaving Kalbarri, we took the time to spend the day in Geraldton to stock up on groceries. We swam in the ocean a bit as well. Until that is, one of our friends was getting mild stings from white jellyfish, so we didn’t stay there for long.

Stings aside, Geraldton’s coast area is beautiful along the esplanade. There’s lots of seagrass and some people even spot dugongs off the coast. The day we visited was windy, but the ocean was incredibly clear and light blue.

Considering Geraldton is one of the most major towns on this road trip, it had a good amount of shops. This was good to do some life admin. There’s also great cafes around town, I love the chai latte at the Cafe Fleur .

Other places to visit around town are the Geraldton Museum, HMAS Sydney II Memorial, and multiple art galleries. We settled down for the night at John Batten Community Hall Free Camp . There’s about five spots for camping, and the night we stayed there was may two other vehicles. There’s also a nice BBQ area outside for meals.

Day 14: Geraldton to Cliff Head, WA

Drive time: one hour, ten minutes (103 km).

After spending the morning in Geraldton picking up any extra bits we needed, it was time for camping by the beach at Cliff Head. There’s a few free campgrounds in the area we found via Wikicamps. They show as 4WD only, but all of our non-4WD vehicles made the drive. Possibly the 4WD is more recommended for bad weather conditions. I wouldn’t recommend anyone go against the rules, other non-4WD vehicles were also there.

Cliff Head is a good distance away from Perth, I don’t believe people visit for the weekend. It’s still quiet and peaceful, without any crazy parties. Although there was some campers showing galaxy lights over the trees which was cute. The beach isn’t the best for swimming, it’s a long was to be knee deep. And, the fish would bite us, but it was still good to explore.

What I loved most about this location for camping was the night sky. Our group was playing around with lighting on my DSLR and took great pictures from the night. There were plenty of shooting stars as well, and all around just a peaceful night. The bathrooms were good, for drop toilets. I like how they’re located between campgrounds so multiple camping spots can access them without having to walk far.

Day 15: Cliff Head to the Pinnacles, Nambung, WA

Drive time: two hours and 12 minutes (200km).

Leaving our cute and relaxing campground, it was time to continue down the coast. Another interesting stop along the way is the Nambung National Park and the Pinnacles Desert . Because of the distance from this stop and our next, we decided to have a relaxing morning, head to the Pinnacles and camp in the area.

When entering the national park, the idea is to drive through the Pinnacles Desert. There’s a few parking spots so visitors can walk around as well. Be careful to stay on the designated track only and don’t touch the Pinnacles. The drive ends near the beginning of the drive, where other walks take place.

Nambung National Park has more to offer than just the Pinnacles, it’s well-laid out and organized. There’s even a Desert Discovery Centre which has history of the Pinnacles. And, it’s great to get out of the heat and dust for a while.

After enjoying this portion of the park, we head over to Hangover Bay to spend some time at the stunning white beach. We cooked dinner in the parking lot and headed to a free camp in the area, near the freeway to sleep.

Day 15: Cliff Head to Lancelin and Perth, WA

Drive time: one hour and 20 minutes (99 km) to lancelin, one hour and thirty minutes.

This road trip wouldn’t be complete without Lancelin’s stark white beaches and sand dunes. The town of Lancelin doesn’t seem to have a lot going on. It’s more of a sleepy surfing town. There’s no major grocery stores, just a few pubs and cafes.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Gabrielle (@gabtravelling)

None of our group has 4WD vehicles so we didn’t drive onto the beach, but it is accessible. After we went to the sand dunes to try out sand boarding. We even saw a small snake in the dunes!

Just a warning that it’s pretty bumpy around the area of the sand dunes. It’s good to nominate one vehicle to drive the group to an area for sand boarding. We went up a few different areas, eventually landing on one area that was steep. My favourite, and the easiest way to go down is just sitting on the board.

It would be plenty easy to make it to Perth the same day. However, when entering Perth during 2021, there was one of the many lockdowns and no one was permitted to enter the Perth/Peel region. We had to wait just one more day, which is why we split this up more.

Entering Perth after only being in the outback felt so hectic at first! We definitely went through the tunnel unintentionally. After living in Perth I did this a few more times—I’ll blame Google Maps for not keeping up with the roads fast enough.

For accommodation, I trust Hostelworld for comparing prices and reviews no matter where I’m travelling. Some hostels in Perth also have private rooms. One of the most popular places to stay, and great for meeting people is Billabong in Northbridge. This is close to Perth’s city centre and is great for restaurants and most things are within walking distance. Otherwise, Fremantle is another popular hostel hub, which is more laid back and artsy, but far from the city—however it is close to the beach.

Interested in more road trips? Check out this one from Darwin, NT to Broome, WA.

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Find the 8 best road trips in WA

Western Australia is the largest state in Australia and has so much to offer!

Once you venture out of Perth, you will discover Western Australia’s vast coastline, national parks, forests, deserts and many natural wonders.

Exploring the state by taking a road trip to a rural destination is the perfect way to ensure you don't miss out on any of Western Australia's hidden gems.

Road trips give you the freedom to stop at places you discover along the way, giving you plenty of stories to tell when you get back home!

To help you decide where to take your next trip, we have put together a list of locations with road trip itineraries, so you can start preparing for your next adventure!

Perth to Karijini road trip

If you are travelling from Perth to Karijini , you could take the fast route and cut straight through the state, but where is the fun in that?

We suggest turning your drive into a 5-10 day road trip along the coastline so that you can explore different towns along your way. 

Here is our suggested road trip itinerary for driving up to Karijini:

• Embark on your road trip with a 2-hour drive from Perth to Jurien Bay. While travelling up, make a stop at the Pinnacle Desert . Then once you arrive in Jurien Bay, you can go fishing or swim with Jurien Bay sea lions before staying the night.
• Wake up and hop in the car for a 3-hour drive to Horrocks. When you arrive, you can go for a 4WD along the beach, explore the pink lake and enjoy locally caught seafood.
• The next day, take a 1-hour drive to Kalbarri. While staying, hike through Kalbarri National Park while admiring the wildflowers or look over the park from the Kalbarri Skywalk .
• Take to the road for 4.5-hours while travelling to Carnarvon. Once you have arrived, you can visit the One Mile Jetty and go scuba diving. If you stay for two nights in Carnarvon, you can take a day trip up to Turquoise Bay or Coral Bay and see the manta rays.
• Get up early and finish your road trip with a 7.5-hour drive from Carnavon to Karijini next to Tom Price. When you arrive at your final destination, you can hike through Karijini National Park or conquer Mount Nameless and Mount Bruce.

Perth to Shark Bay road trip

Break up your road trip to Shark Bay by turning it into a road trip up the coral coast of Western Australia, stopping in at two little towns on your way.

This trip can take you three to five days, depending on if you wish to stay and explore each town for one or two nights.

Here is our suggested itinerary for travelling to shark bay:

• Start your journey with a 2.5-hour drive up to Jurien Bay. On your way, you can visit the Limestone Pinnacles in Nambung National Park. Once you arrive in Jurien Bay, you can enjoy the town in many ways, including skydiving or swimming with Sea Lions.
• The next day pack up and drive 2.5-hours to the serene Horrocks. While staying in Horrocks, you can explore the Willy Gully Caves and spend all day at the beach, snorkelling, sliding down sand dunes and maybe even take your surfboard out and catch a wave or two.
• Hop in the car for the last 3-hour stretch of your Western Australia road trip to Shark Bay. There you can spend your time swimming with dolphins, exploring Edel Land National Park, see Monkey Mia, visit the stromatolites and go diving and snorkelling.

Perth to Geraldton road trip

Perth to Geraldton is one of the best WA road trips you can take if you are a WA resident looking to escape the city for the weekend.

A straight drive up to Geraldton takes around 4 hours. So why not break up the drive into a few short distances before staying a night or two.

Here are a few towns we recommend stopping at on your way up to Geraldton:

• Hit the road for a 45min drive from Perth to the town of Yanchep. Stretch your legs through Koala Boardwalk in the Yanchep national park and see if you can spot any Koala's hidden in the trees.
• Drive for 40min inland to visit the town of Gingin and take a tour of the Gravity Discovery Centre .
• When you're ready, travel for 45min to Ledge Point. There you can stop for some fresh seafood for lunch.
• Drive for 40min along the coast and make a quick stop at Wedge Island, where you can stretch your legs by taking a stroll along the white sandy beach.
• Make a trip a further 30min north at Cervantes. While there, explore through the natural pinnacles at Nambung National Park.
• Hop back in the car for a short 20min drive up the coast to Jurien Bay, where you can go swimming with the Sea Lions.
• Travel 80min for the last stop along your way at Dongara. There you have the chance to fill up the car, get something to eat and stretch your legs along the Calico Trail.
• Finish off your journey with a 45min drive to Geraldton, where you can see the remnants of shipwrecks, swim, surf, and watch the sunset after a long day.

Perth to Walpole road trip

If you are taking a trip from Perth to Walpole , we suggest extending the usual 5-hour drive into a whole day of exploring the southwest as you make your way down.

You would be doing yourself a massive disfavour if you didn't extend your road trips as you would miss out on creating fantastic memories along the way at beaches, wineries and landmarks.

Here is our list of stops you should make on your road trip to Walpole:

• Leave Perth early and drive 40min down to Rockingham, enjoying breakfast at one of their many cafes along the beach.
• Take a 1.5-hour drive down to Bunbury and visit the famous Bunbury Farmers Market , where you can stock up on some snacks for the road.
• Continue your road trip with a 1-hour drive to Bridgetown and visit the Jigsaw Gallery , which supports many photographers and artists.
• Get back in your car for a short 30min drive to Manjimup, which is a beautiful place to stop for some lunch and maybe a glass of wine.
• Finish your road trip with a 1-hour drive to Walpole, where you can explore the untouched forests, pristine waters and go Walpole whale watching .

Perth to Jurien Bay road trip

Taking a road trip from Perth to Jurien Bay is an excellent way to make the most out of this short trip to the north of WA.

Jurien Bay isn't too far from Perth, making it a perfect day trip or ideal for a weekend getaway.

This road trip is also a terrific choice for those new to road trips as there are lots of stops along the way to Jurien Bay. You also won't need a high powered 4WD to make it to any of the stops along the way.

Here is our list of places to see on your little road trip getaway:

• The first stop is 1-hour north of Perth at Guilderton, where you can visit Moore River, the Guilderton Lighthouse and the Leaning Tower of Gingin.
• Continuing 30min along the road is your next stop at Lancelin, where you can get your sandboards out and slide down the Lancelin sand dunes.
• Another 45min drive up is Nambung National Park, where you can explore through the natural Pinnacles Desert.
• 15min up the road is Cervantes. Cervantes is known for their crayfish, so why not try some for lunch, then take a walk along the beach.
• Hop back in the car for the last 20min of your journey to Jurien Bay, where you can walk or ride along the Turquoise Way trail, go on a sea lion tour or hire a Jurien Bay fishing charter.

Great Ocean Drive road trip

There is so much to explore down south, and it is so beautiful all year round.

So, if travelling around Esperance, you should explore along the Great Ocean Drive , which is believed by many to be Australia's most beautiful stretch of road.

This 40km stretch of road takes you along some stunning beaches, wineries and forests.

Here a list of places we think you should stop at while driving along the Great Ocean Drive:

• Stop at the Rotary Lookout and take in the view of Esperance’s magnificent beaches.
• Visit Lucky Bay , a beach with some of the whitest sand in the country and frequented by kangaroos who you can take a selfie with - but remember to keep your distance!
• Go to Frenchman Peak or Cape Le Grande National Park and explore the cave toward the end of the hike.
• Explore the rock pools of Nine Mile Beach.
• Spot some humpback whales at Dolphin Cove.
• Stop at Observatory Point Lookout, where migrating dolphins and whales swim very close to shore.
• Take your 4WD or sandboard to Wylie Bay to enjoy the sand dunes.
• Visit Lucky Bay Brewing for a beer tasting.

Perth to Kalbarri road trip

Perth to Kalbarri is a beautiful scenic drive up to the coral coast of Western Australia, which is why we recommend taking your time on this road trip.

Take the extra time and explore this part of the world with all the national parks, wineries, beaches and natural wonders while travelling up the southwest.

This road trip up north can take you 4 to 10 days, depending on how long you would like to stay at each location.

Here is our recommended itinerary for getting the most out of your road trip:

• Start your road trip with a 2-hour drive to Jurien Bay. While staying in Jurien Bay, you should enjoy lunch at the Lobster Shack and have some of their famous fresh lobster. While staying, you can also go sandboarding and visit the Pinnacles Desert.
• When you're ready for your next destination, pack up and drive for 2-hours along the coast to Geraldton. Enjoy your time there by visiting the HMAS Sydney II Memorial , taking a day trip to the Abrolhos Islands and visit some wineries.
• Continue your road trip by hopping in the car for a 1-hour drive to Horrocks . While there, you can spend your days at the beach and take the opportunity to get some professional family photos at the Oakabella Homestead and enjoy their rustic tearoom.
• Get back on the road for the last hour stretch up to Kalbarri. Enjoy your time by wandering through the Kalbarri or Francois Peron National Park , visit the Hutt River Province, spend a day in Monkey Mia and maybe even go on a cruise around the coral coast.

Perth to Esperance road trip

If you are travelling to Esperance , perhaps experiencing to many local Esperance restaurants , we highly suggest taking the scenic route along the southwest edge.

Travelling from Perth to Esperance usually is an 8-hour drive, but we recommend extending your journey into a seven-day road trip. 

On this road trip, you can explore the vast coastline, visit the world-renowned wine region and visit the tourist attractions each town has to offer.

Here are the places we recommend you visit when travelling along the southwest edge:

• Take a 3-hour drive along the west coast to Eagle Bay where you can have lunch and a beer tasting at the Eagle Bay Brewery and visit the Injidup Natural Spa.
• Continue on the road for 45min to Margaret River where you can spend the first night of your road trip. While staying in Margaret River, you should explore their vineyards on a wine tour, go whale watching and visit the Margaret River Chocolate Company .
• The next day, travel 1.5 hours to Pemberton, where you can visit the Beedelup Falls in Beedelup National Park, go for a swim and visit a restaurant in Hamelin Bay. 
• Continue your drive for another 1.5-hours to Walpole, where you will stay the night. You can go on the Valley of Giants Treetop Walk and go for a swim in Mount Frankland National Park or the freshwater Circular Pool.
• When you're ready for your next destination, get back in your car for a 45min drive to Denmark, where you can visit Elephant Rocks & Greens Pool.
• Get back in the car for another 45min drive to Albany, where you can stay the night. While visiting Albany, you can go on a whale-watching cruise, visit the National ANZAC Centre and visit Torndirrup National Park or Middleton Beach.
• With one more day of travel left, get up early for a 4-hour drive to Hopetoun and stop along the way at Bremer Bay, visit Fitzgerald River National Park or walk over the Granite Skywalk .
• Finish your road trip to Experience with a 2-hour drive. While visiting the beautiful town, enjoy Cape Le Grand National Park , the Pink Lake, and all the outback adventures Experience has to offer.

Book accommodation before you leave

When travelling around Western Australia, Summerstar Tourist Parks has plenty of accommodation options to suit your road trip adventure.

Now if you're excited about a road trip, all you need to do is choose where you want to go and start packing !

Frequently asked questions

What are some popular road trip destinations in Western Australia?

Western Australia has many beautiful destinations that are perfect for road trips. Some popular ones include Karijini National Park, Shark Bay, Geraldton, Walpole, Esperance, and Kalbarri. Each of these destinations offers unique attractions and natural wonders to explore.

Why are road trips a great way to explore Western Australia?

Road trips give you the freedom to stop and explore places along the way, which means you won't miss out on any hidden gems. They also allow you to travel at your own pace and enjoy the scenery, national parks, forests, deserts, and many natural wonders that Western Australia has to offer. Road trips are an ideal way to make unforgettable memories and have plenty of stories to tell when you get back home.

How can Summerstar Tourist Parks help you plan your road trip in Western Australia?

Summerstar Tourist Parks offer plenty of accommodation options to suit your road trip adventure. They can help you plan your road trip by providing recommendations for places to visit and stay. You can book your accommodation with Summerstar Tourist Parks before you leave, ensuring that you have a comfortable place to stay during your trip.

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Ultimate Western Australia Coral Coast Road Trip Guide

Over the years we have taken many road trips through Australia’s north west. While holidays to Coral Bay are a family favourite, but we have visited many other places along the Coral Coast. The hot weather, stunning beaches and unique sights along the way make this an iconic Western Australian road trip.

As a note, when we travel the Coral Coast highway we usually head to a single destination and stay for a week or two. However, on our last trip to Coral Bay we made the effort to turn it into a road trip. This is the best way to make the journey apart of your family holiday! So, even if you don’t plan to stay in multiple destinations, use this guide to find places to explore as you drive!

Itinerary Ideas for Western Australia’s Coral Coast

So here I have compiled all the tips for a road trip in Australia’s north west. Create your own itinerary and explore the best of the Coral Coast. Get tips for driving up north, sights to see along the way and where to stay.

Western Australia’s Coral Coast

Australia’s Coral Coast stretches along the coast for 1,100km from Cervantes to Exmouth. It is home to stunning beaches, rugged and dry landscape, and unique wildlife.

The start of the Coral Coast, Cervantes, is located 2 hours north of Perth, Western Australia. It would take you over 10 hours to drive the entire route – and that would be missing out on all the amazing stops!

Hot Tip: While a 2WD will get you to most of the main attractions along the Coral Coast, if you want to go off the beaten path you will need a 4WD!

Weather along the Coral Coast

The weather along the Coral Coast is warm all year round. With a Mediterranean climate in the south and a subtropical climate in the north, it is a popular holiday destination throughout the year.

Being a warm destination, with harsh sun, make sure you are sun smart throughout your stay! Always have plenty of water, cover up and use a hat and sunscreen.

However, it is important to note, during the summer period the north is subject to cyclones. So if you plan to visit between November to February, it may be best to stay in within the Mediterranean climate.

Coral Coast Road Trip Tips

To drive the Coral Coast, the main road that you will take is the Coastal Hwy. This road is long, has very few stops and vast empty land along the way. So, it is important to keep these tips in mind throughout your road trip.

Tips for driving Australia’s Coral Coast

Along the Coral Coast highway, reception is very limited. Make sure you pre-download any maps you need and any games or movies for the kids. If you need reception along the way, you are most likely to get it when passing through a town.

Kangaroos and other wildlife are very common along the Coral Coast. Don’t be surprised to see a few pulled over to the side of the road, after being hit by a car or truck. Kangaroos are the most active at dusk and dawn so if you are driving at this time be alert! If you do see one, slow down by braking heavily in a straight line and only turn later if it’s safe.

Fuel stations are few and far between along the Coral Coast. When you pass one, make sure you know where the next one is and that you have enough fuel to get there. If you’re not sure, fill up when you have the chance.

Flooding along the Coastal Hwy is quite common during the summer months, especially between Carnarvon and Coral Bay. However, the road can also become very slick and slippery from rainfall at any time of the year. We, unfortunately, witnessed an accident caused by slick roads and fog when leaving Kalbarri once. So be careful on the roads when they are wet!

Road speeds along the Coral Coast Highway are up to 110km per hour. However, you will often find people driving much faster (or slower). Trucks and people who are towing are limited to 100km per hour. With people driving at a mix of speeds and very few dual lanes there is a lot of overtaking that happens on the road. Therefore, driving can become quite dangerous for those who aren’t confident behind the wheel.

Road Trip Australia’s Coral Coast with Kids

The Coral Coast is a popular destination for families. If you are planning to visit with your kids here are a few tips to help make the long road trip go smoothly:

• Let the kids stretch their legs when you make a stop.
• But, don’t stop until you need to!
• Have as much room possible in the car – use a roof rack or trailer.
• If your kids nap, drive during nap time.
• Stock up on snacks.
• Let them use the electronics… but wait till the right time.
• Have an essentials (toys, food, wipes) easily accessible.

Caravan & Camping along the Coral Coast

The easiest and most common way to travel along the Coral Coast is to take a caravan or camp. The warm climate makes the region an ideal place for a camping holiday.

Read More: Tips for Camping with a Baby

Caravan Parks

Most of the main stops along the way will have a caravan park with facilities available to stay at. Just search for caravan parks in the destination you will be visiting.

National Park Campgrounds

National Park campgrounds are also a popular choice for campers in the north of Western Australia. These are managed by the Department of Parks and Wildlife Services and can be booked through their site . Facilities at NP campgrounds vary, details for each will be provided through booking.

Just note: visitor fees will apply in National Parks in the region.

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Outback Stations

You can also stay at outback stations along the way. Staying at a station is a very authentic way to experience the outback along Australia’s Coral Coast. Some of the most popular ones are:

• Bullara Station Stay, Exmouth (from $15/night)
• Quobba Station, Carnarvon (from $17/night)
• Murchison House Station (from $15/night)
• Warroora Station, Carnarvon (from $15/night)

Free Camping Options

Free camping along Australia’s Coral Coast is only allowed in designated locations. To find places to free camp you can use an app such as Aircamp to find a spot.

Unique Coral Coast Accommodation Options

Is camping not your style? There are also several other options for Coral Coast accommodation. Why not try glamping at the Sal Salis in the Cape Range National Park near Exmouth. Or if you would like to stay at a resort, try Kalbarri Edge Resort, Monkey Mia Dolphin Resort, Exmouth Escape Resort or Mantarays Ningaloo Beach Resort.

Australia’s Coral Coast Road Trip Highlights

• Lancelin Sand Dunes
• The Pinnacles, Nambung National Park
• Wild Flowers (from July – October)
• Hutt Lagoon, Kalbarri
• Kalbarri National Park
• Shell Beach, Shark Bay
• Hamelin Pool, Shark Bay
• Carnarvon Cacti Farm
• Ningaloo Reef
• Cape Range National Park

2.5 hours from Perth

Jurien Bay is the first major holiday destination as you head north along the Coral Coast highway. It is located 2.5 hours north of Perth, so not a long drive for a family holiday. Located on the coast with beaches for swimming has made it a popular family favourite destination.

Top Things to See and Do in Jurien Bay

• Wildflowers in Lesueur National Park
• Go skydiving with Skydive Jurien Bay
• Fishing at the Jurien Bay jetty
• Swim with Sea Lions

Detour: Visit Lancelin Sand Dunes

As you head from Perth to Jurien Bay, stop over at the Lancelin Sand Dunes for some fun! You can book a quad bike tour or hire sand boards or you can just have some fun taking photos and climbing the dunes!

Read More: 10 Tips for Adventure Photography with Kids

Detour: The Pinnacles Desert

The Pinnacles in the Nambung National Park is a popular but unique attraction to visit along the Coral Coast. Filled with limestone formations of up to 3.5 meters high, its a great place for a pitstop on your road trip! You can drive along the track through the desert and park up close to the spectacular formations.

Entrance Fee: $15 per vehicle

2 hours from Jurien Bay

Geraldton is one of Western Australia’s biggest cities, and the only one along Australia’s Coral Coast. It is a port city, attracting cruise ships and trade.

Top Things to See and Do in Geraldton

• Head out to the Abrolhos Islands (fishing & shipwrecks)
• Visit the Geraldton Museum
• Spend the day at Geraldton Esplanade
• Explore the historic Greenough Settlement
• Enjoy a coffee & some boutiques at Geraldton West End

Detour: Coalseam Conservation Park

Located far inland, between Jurien Bay and Geraldton, is the Coalseam Conservation Park. An area rich in history and geology, it is home to spectacular bushland, wildlife and springtime wildflowers. If you are driving the Coral Coast between July to October, it is well worth the detour to see the incredible wildflowers in bloom.

Detour: Hutt Lagoon

With naturally pink water, Hutt Lagoon is located 30 minutes south of Kalbarri. If you visit on a sunny day the water will look its pinkest! It is a popular spot to capture an Instagram worthy photo. Read this post for tips on visiting the pink lake!

1 hours & 45 mins from Geraldton

Stopping in Kalbarri as you head north along the Coral Coast highway can seem like a detour. However, this beautiful nature destination is well worth the extra driving!

We chose to make a stop here on our last trip up north. On the first day we drove from Perth to Kalbarri, making a few detours and scenic stops along the way. The second day, we made the drive from Kalbarri to Coral Bay, visiting the Kalbarri National Park for sunrise as we left.

Things to See and Do in Kalbarri

• Explore & hike the Kalbarri National Park
• Enjoy some Fish’n’Chips at the Kalbarri Foreshore Playground
• Go fishing in the River Inlet
• Hire a canoe & paddle down the Murchison River
• Watch the Sunset over Island Rock & Natural Bridge
• Spend the day at Blue Holes beach

Shark Bay & Monkey Mia

3-4 hours from Kalbarri

Shark Bay is located on the Peron Peninsula, which is the most western point of the Australian continent. The main town in Shark Bay is Denham, located just over an hour off of the Coastal Hwy. However, Monkey Mia is the more famous destination in Shark Bay, known for its bottlenose dolphins!

Just note: while most of the main destinations are accessible by 2WD, much of the area requires a 4WD or boat.

Things to do in Shark Bay & Monkey Mia

• Appreciate the wildflowers from July – October
• Feed wild dolphins at Monkey Mia
• Visit Dirk Hartog Island for scuba diving, fishing and snorkelling

Detour: Shell Beach

This unique beach is made up of billions of tiny shells that stretch for over 70km! It is one of the few places on earth where there are shells on the beach instead of sand so don’t forget to take some fun photos here!

Read More: Travel Photography for Beginners

Detour: Hamelin Pool

Make the stop over at the Hamelin Pool stromatolites as you head in our out of Shark Bay. This fascinating attraction are some of the oldest and largest living fossils on earth, so please don’t walk on them! There is a viewing platform and boardwalk to enjoy them from.

5.5 hours from Shark Bay

Coral Bay is our most visited destination along Australia’s Coral Coast. To drive from Perth to Coral Bay it will take you anywhere from 11-13 hours (depending on if your towing). However, I highly suggest turning your visit to this destination into a Perth to Coral Bay Road Trip!

Things to Do in Coral Bay:

• Take a glass bottom boat tour
• Walk to the Shark Sanctuary
• Have a Ningaloo Marine-life Interaction!
• Go Snorkelling from the beach
• Try scuba diving (no experience needed!)

Read More: 10 Amazing Things to Do in Coral Bay

Detour: Carnarvon

As you drive from Kalbarri to Coral Bay you will pass through the town of Carnarvon. This town has a great fuel station where you can get some food and stretch your legs, an important thing to do on long drives!

Here, you can also take a little detour along “The Fruit Loop” drive trail. This will take you past banana plantations, roadside stalls and the insta famous “Cactus Farm!”

1.5 hours from Coral Bay

Exmouth is the furthest point in the north west of Australia, along the Coral Coast. Located at the tip of the North West Cape, it is the ideal location for swimming, fishing and snorkelling. You’ll also find lots of adventure activities here too!

Things to Do in Exmouth

• Explore Cape Range National Park
• Visit the Vlamingh Head Lighthouse
• Go hiking in Yardie Creek
• Go snorkelling at Turquoise Bay
• Watch the sunrise at Charles Knife Canyon
• Experience swimming with a Whale Shark

Top Beaches in Australia’s Coral Coast

The beaches along the Coral Coast are some of the most attractive in all Australia. With such an extensive coastline you can easily find a beach to suit your needs. Whether you are looking to go snorkelling, fishing or find somewhere to spend the day with kids, here are the top beaches in Australia’s North West:

• Point Moore & Separation Point, Geraldton – Fishing
• Blue Holes, Kalbarri – Snorkelling & Families
• Shell Beach, Shark Bay – Unique & Photo Worthy
• Steep Point, Shark Bay – Fishing
• Coral Bay Beach, Coral Bay – Families
• Five Fingers Reef, Coral Bay – Snorkelling (four-wheel drive access)
• Oyster Stacks, Coral Bay – Snorkelling (four-wheel drive access)
• Turquoise Bay, Ningaloo – Snorkelling & Families
• Sandy Bay, Exmouth – Families

Best Times to Road Trip the Coral Coast

The best time to visit the Coral Coast will mostly depend on what you want to see and do. Different times of the year offer a diversity of experiences, unique to the region.

If you are looking to avoid the crowds you will want to visit outside of the local school holidays. The school holidays are a popular time for West Australian’s to come explore the region. You will need to check when they are on for the year you are visiting.

Best Times to See Wildlife

Australia’s Coral Coast is filled with wildlife throughout the year. However, if you want to visit the region for a particular wildlife experience then make sure you book your trip for the best time and to the best location for that animal.

When: Year Round Where: Coral Bay

When: Year Round Where: Kalbarri & Monkey Mia

Whale Sharks

When: March – August Where: Coral Bay & Exmouth

Humpback Whales

When: July – October Where: Kalbarri & Ningaloo

When: Year Round Where: Jurien Bay & Geraldton

When: Year Round Where: Cape Range & Kalbarri National Park

Orcas (Killer Whale)

When: July – August Where: Exmouth

When: Year Round Where: Shark Bay & Exmouth

When: Year Round Where: Kalbarri, Shark Bay & Exmouth

When: Year Round Where: Shark Bay & Ningaloo

When: Year Round Where: Nambung National Park & Cape Range National Park

Best Times for Activities

On the other hand, if your heading to the north of Western Australia for particular activities, here are the best times and locations:

Beach Fishing

When: Year Round Where: Cervantes, Jurien Bay, Port Denison Kalbarri, Shark Bay & Carnarvon

Deep Sea Fishing

When: January – September Where: Abrolhos Islands, Kalbarri, Coral Bay & Exmouth

When: March – October Where: Dongara, Kalbarri, Geraldton, Exmouth

Wildflowers

When: July – October Where: Lesueur National Park, Coalseam Conservaton Park, Cape Range National Park, Shark Bay World Heritage Area

How to Create Your Coral Coast Road Trip Itinerary

As the Coral Coast is a huge stretch to drive, you will need to create your itinerary based on the length of time you have. To create your west coast Australia road trip itinerary, chose the top destinations you would like to visit and build your itinerary around them.

Suggestion: If you’re local to Western Australia, you may want to consider visiting just 1 or 2 destinations on this trip and then travel to another destinations next time.

I have put together some Coral Coast self drive itineraries to help you plan your Western Australia road trip.

Lancelin Sand Dunes & Pinnacles Day Trip

2 hours (one way) from Perth

If you can only head out to the Coral Coast on a day trip, then you will want to visit the Lancelin Sand Dunes and the Pinnacles in Nambung National Park. Only 2 hours out of Perth City, this is a fun way to spend the day!

Jurien Bay in 2-3 Days

With only a weekend to enjoy the Coral Coast, you should head to Jurien Bay. You can stop over at the Lancelin Sand Dunes and the Pinnacles on your way. With only a few days to enjoy this coastal town, book a Sea Lion tour or be adventurous and go skydiving!

From Jurien Bay you can also go visit the Lesueur National Park where you can see native Australian wildflowers!

Kalbarri in 5 Days

6 hours (one way) from Perth

Kalbarri is the ideal destination if you can only head to the Coral Coast on a long weekend. To make the most of your road trip from Perth to Kalbarri, along the way stop at:

• Hutt Lagoon

With just 5 days to spend in Kalbarri, be sure to visit the Kalbarri National Park for sunrise, spend a day hiking, another at the beach and try your luck fishing!

Hot Tip: Purchase a multi day National Park Pass so that you can visit the Kalbarri National Park on more than one day!

Shark Bay in 10 Days

10 hours (one way) from Perth

If you have longer than just 5 days, then keep heading north to Shark Bay! After you have spent 5 days enjoying Kalbarri, make the 3.5 hour drive to Denham in Shark Bay. Along the way you can stop over at:

• Hamelin Pool
• Shell Beach

Once your in Shark Bay you can spend a few days in Denham, a little town with lots of street art! Spend your days at the beach and exploring the coastline before heading to Monkey Mia for the last few nights.

Be sure to wake up early for the dolphin feeding at Monkey Mia beach. It’s best to have a few days available as the dolphins aren’t there every morning.

2-weeks Coral Coast Road Trip

17 hours (one way) from Perth

With 2 full weeks to travel the Coral Coast, you will easily be able to make it all the way up to Exmouth while still enjoying the destinations along the way. I suggest enjoying all of the stops as you head to Exmouth, then driving straight back to Perth at the end of your 2 weeks.

Once you have finished in Shark Bay, continue heading north to Coral Bay. Spend a night or two in Coral Bay before continuing on to Exmouth. The top places to visit along the way are:

• Carnarvon Cactus Farm
• Turquoise Bay

Tip: To make sure you have enough time north of Shark Bay, you may need to reduce your time at the previous locations!

FREE DOWNLOAD! Family Camping Checklist

Okay, so there really is so much to see and do along Australia’s Coral Coast. Just like any Western Australian road trip, you will certainly need to plan your itinerary according to the amount of time you have. So, you will need to priorities!

Further Reading...

Ultimate Guide to Kalbarri National Park

How to Visit The Coral Bay Shark Sanctuary

Top Things to Do in Margaret River in the Winter

Wow this post gets me SO excited to do a similar trip along the Coral Coast in May! We are adding on Karijini after Exmouth but following a similar itinerary to this. This post is so informative – and all your photos are incredible!

Heading up to Karijini is 100% on my bucketlist!! You’ll have an amazing time. Would love to do it with the family but not sure how we would go hiking there with a toddler… from what i’ve heard its not easy haha! Hope the post gave you some good ideas for your trip.

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The Perfect 4-Week Western Australia Roadtrip Itinerary.

You guys absolutely loved my Perfect 3-Week West Coast USA Roadtrip Itinerary , so I thought I’d share my perfect itinerary for a Western Australia roadtrip ! I’ve been visiting Western Australia since I was a child, and moved there in 2007 when I was 16 with my Dad’s work. I did Year 11 and 12 of high school there, and I’ve been back every year since we moved back to England to visit friends, so I know it pretty well. Over the years we’ve done many roadtrips in Western Australia, so I’ve got it all figured out with what the best things to see are.

So here it is, the perfect Western Australia Roadtrip Itinerary…

Day 1: Fly to Perth, Australia

Ok, so you want to start by flying into Perth . Take a look at hotels on Booking.com , but I recommend staying in the main city for your first night. Fraser Suites is my favourite hotel in Perth. After that first night you can walk to Bayswater Cars to hire a car. You’re gonna want a 4×4, and make sure you get their insurance (trust me, it’s the best insurance and it cuts down your deposit too). I always use Bayswater Cars every time I’m in Perth, they’re the best car hire company I’ve ever hired from and they’re all just really lovely!Once you’ve collected your hire car, head to Kings Park, and then drive over to Fremantle, and stay in Freo for 3 nights so you can really get a feel for the city. Being based in Freo also means it’s easier to get over to Rottnest Island for a day trip.

Top Things to do in Perth

Day 4: Drive to Margaret River

It’s around a 3 hour drive down to Margs, and I recommend driving through Pinjarra so you can stop off at the famous Pinjarra Bakery for a meat pie. That route is much nicer than the main highway and is often quicker because less cars use that road. Stop off at Busselton on your way from Pinjarra to Margaret River to take a walk on the famous Busselton Jetty, which is the longest wooden jetty in the world at 2km long!If you’re splashing out, stay at the luxury five star  Pullman Resort Bunker Bay (see my review here ).

  Top Things to do in Margaret River

– Yallingup Caves – Visit some of the wineries on Caves Road (Lenton Brae is a favourite of ours) – Breakfast at Morries in Margaret River – Whale Watching – Busselton Jetty – See the sunset at Sugarloaf Rock – Visit the incredible underground caves

Day 6: Drive to Albany

Wake up bright and early, you’re driving to Albany today with a coupla stops along the way! You want to stop off at Hamelin Bay because there are huuuuge stingrays that swim right up to the beach in the shallows. If you’re feeling brave you can try and give them a stroke – just make sure you stay in front of them. If a stingray feels threatened it can only inflict it’s stinger to go backwards, so as long as you’re standing in front of it, you’ll be fine!You can also stop off at Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse in Augusta, it’s a pretty breathtaking place and a nice little break from the drive. Two other must-do stop-offs en-route is the Gloucester Tree, and the Valley of the Giants treetop walk in Denmark . Two really special places!

Top Things to do in Albany

Day 8: Drive to Bremer Bay

Day 10: Drive to Esperence

Day 12: Drive to Wave Rock

Day 13: Drive to Cervantes

Day 14: Drive to Monkey Mia

Yay for Monkey Mia ! The Monkey Mia Resort is pure and utter bliss. You can chill on the beach, feed the dolphins in the most eco-friendly environment (aka, the dolphins naturally swim in to the beach every day to get their daily fish – no nets or pens involved whatsoever), go on a catamaran cruise to see the Dugongs, and just generally relax. When we were there in one day we saw dolphins, stingrays, and a turtle all from the beach, it was amazing!

Day 17: Drive to Coral Bay

Coral Bay is the Western Australia version of the Great Barrier Reef . However, while the Great Barrier Reef takes hours on a boat to get to, you can quite literally walk out to the reef at Coral Bay. It’s perfect for families and those who prefer snorkelling to scuba diving, and is a great place to spend a few days relaxing and exploring the underwater world and stunning coral reef.

A post shared by Australia (@australia) on Apr 22, 2017 at 11:59pm PDT

Day 22: Drive to Exmouth

If you visit between March and September, Exmouth is where you can swim with the giant plankton-eating Whale Sharks! Exmouth is also where you can visit the Cape Range National Park, and Ningaloo Marine Park.

A post shared by Western Australia (@westernaustralia) on Apr 24, 2017 at 1:18am PDT

Day 24: Drive to Broome

Now, you might decide you’d like to stop at Exmouth and head back down to Perth, or you could drive an extra 13 hours (sorry…Australia is just a really big place OK!) to Broome and the famous Cable Beach, where you can ride camels at sunset. On your way to Broome make sure you pay a visit to Eighty Mile Beach as well!

A post shared by Australia (@australia) on May 30, 2017 at 2:01pm PDT

Day 26: Drive Back to Perth

It’s time to drive back down to Perth, your epic month-long Western Australian roadtrip is almost over. Spend a few days driving back down and stopping off on the way down. Personally I recommend stopping at Kalbarri, which is where the famous Kalbarri National Park is located, and the very famous ‘Nature’s Window’ that you may have seen on various people’s Instagram. You could also stop off at Geraldton after that to help break up the journey even more.

A post shared by ✈🌏 (@louisecrpn) on May 4, 2017 at 3:09am PDT

Day 30: Arrive Back in Perth

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Catherine Lux is a veteran travel blogger by night and the Head of SEO at Havas Media Group by day. Originally from Surrey, she spent four years living in Australia (2007-2009, and 2016-2018), and now lives in London. An ex-party girl sometimes prone to relapses, she loves nothing more than sharing her fine dining and luxury travel experiences with her loyal readers.

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Driving down old route 66 from chicago to …, travel throwback thursday – roadtripping the northern territory., hotel review: the knickerbocker, new york city., the perfect 3-week west coast usa roadtrip ….

Ahh this looks like the perfect way to spend 4 weeks – all that amazing turquoise water is definitely calling my name! I would also love to see the sunset from Sugarloaf Rock – that picture is gorgeous and it probably doesn't even do it justice! x

Laura // Middle of Adventure

I'd love to do this itinerary!! Wave rock looks so cool.

Amazing itinerary, thanks. I am planning to go to Australia by the end of this year and I am looking for some inspiration.

Thanks Christine, defo a typo 😉

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Western Australia Road Trips from Perth

Last Updated on 21 February 2024 by Ariana Svenson

Huge in size, road trips in Western Australia are always going to be epic!!!  Western Australia is such a massive state – 2.6 million square kilometers (10,021,748 square miles – the combined size of Alaska and Texas)!  People are sometimes overwhelmed with the vast number of choices and travel distances.  For that reason, we have divided our recommendations – and started all road trips from Perth.  We have separated it into “drivable from Perth’ and “more far-flung places” which need a flight unless you are on a long camping or caravan trip.

Interested in exploring Western Australia further? These are the best places to visit in Western Australia Here are the best family destinations in Western Australia As its well known,  we are a Western Australian Travel Family and so most of our travel experience are with kids.  In addition to talking about the overall best road trips in WA,  we have put together some tips and ideas for the best family road trip in Western Australia.  Being locals, we are a tad biased about what this wild – and wonderful – part of Australia and what it has to offer – but  Despite having lots of wide-open spaces, there are a lot of Western Australia road trips for kids. 

By the way, if you’re seeking more ideas for exciting Perth weekend getaways , you can find further inspiration in our blog post.

This post may contain affiliate links, from which we would earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you. More info in my disclaimer.

Best western australian road trips.

What is the Best Time of the Year to Road trip Western Australia?

 In summer WA’s average temperature is 30 degrees Celsius (86 Fahrenheit).  It is hot and dry and all travelers, especially kids, will find it difficult.  The winter in Australia is mild and can be rainy- but not too cold. 

Speaking of weather, we think that Western Australia in winter is nearly perfect!  That’s right; Western Australia could well be one of the world’s best winter travel destinations.  Yes, there is some rain, and temperatures are cooler with an average of 18-19 degrees Celsius (64-66 Fahrenheit).  However, there are loads of days with sunshine, blue skies, and with the temperature not too hot you can really enjoy the magnificent outdoors!  Some WA folk even swim in the ocean year-round!

Overall the best seasons – with not too extreme temperatures are Autumn (from March through early June) and then from late September through November.  Of course, if you are roadtripping in the Northern Part of the state, the winter months are best, eg April to November are wonderful in Broome and the Kimberley.

Looking for a Perth Self Drive Travel Blog?

If you are interested in a Perth Self Drive Travel blog then you have come to the right place!  With years of driving around Perth, testing out the best routes, and doing the hard yards to find the best attractions in Perth, we have got some great ideas on how to design the best Perth Self Drive itinerary.  They will be up on our site very soon! In the meantime, if you are looking for ideas on Perth Self Drive, please drop us a message below in the contents.

Western Australian Road Trips from Perth

Perth, the capital of Western Australia, consistently makes it into the top 10 World’s Most Livable Cities.  There are lots of reasons why you could spend more than a few days here and that makes it a good base to get your bearings before heading off on your Western Ausralia road trip. 

However, if you are short of time we recommend hitting a few key spots in the city (either on arrival or departure)  which give you a synopisis of what the state is like;  for example, a visit to Kings Park will enable to you experience Western Australian flora, while a trip to the beaches gives you a taste of the incredible coastline!

Kings Park is famous for its great views across Perth city, the Swan River, and also a wealth of botanical specimens.  Our full Guide to Kings Park is very useful for planning your visit.  Our kids love the walk area that leads up to the 620-meter long Lotterywest Federation Walkway which gives a unique view of the forest and gives great views across the city!  We also enjoy the DNA tower that offers a fantastic view and a good run for the kids.  For the kids, there is a range of different playgrounds.  Here is our summary of all the Kings Park Playgrounds. 

Perth Beaches

Perth has some stunning beaches; two of our favorites are Cottesloe and Scarborough.  If you are traveling your Western Australia itinerary you might get a chance to experience more than one of Western Australia’s amazing beaches.  However,  if you aren’t,  definitely organize to visit one in Perth.  Even better, plan to stay in one of Perth’s coastal suburbs to maximize your time!

If you are looking for some of the best beaches in and near Perth Western Australia, check out Best Beaches In Western Australia .

Perth to Wave Rock Road Trip

If you are short of time in Western Australia and want to fit in a short 1-2 day road trip to an incredibly iconic site then the Perth to Wave Rock Road trip might be perfect for you.   Just 4 hours drive from Perth you wind your way through the Perth Hills up into the countryside of the wheat belt – this is not a landscape you will encounter in any other place in the word!  And, at the end of the day’s driving you can see Wave Rock at Sunset.   For more info  Best Things to do in Wave Rock WA & Hyden Accommodation

Perth to Esperance Road trip 

The Perth to Esperance Road trip might not be the most exciting one for kids; there is a lot of driving to get under your belt, some incredible wide spaces – and not a lot of kid friendly stops along the way.  But – when you get to Esperance – WOW it might all be worth it when you see those perfect white sands and turquoise waters.  Of course everyone wants to get a selfie with the super cute kangaroos at Lucky Bay.   Make sure you don’t miss anything on the  An Awesome Perth to Esperance Road Trip and Esperance Beaches itinerary (and just so you know our Perth to Esperance Road trip goes via Wave Rock.) 

From Esperance you can return the same way, but we highly recommend continuing along the coast to Albany with the  The Spectacular Albany to Esperance Road Trip Guide (2022)

Perth to Albany Road Trip 

Perth to Bluff Knoll and the Stirling Ranges 

Perth to Denmark Road Trip

Perth to Kalgoorlie Road trip

Western Australian Road Trips South of Perth

in this section we cover the best Western Australian Road trips south of Perth – and if you are looking for all the information in one spot,  start at  A Guide to South West WA – South West Australia Road Trip Ideas

For those aiming to just hit the highlights of the South Coast of Western Australia, we’ve selected them for you here, Best of South Coast of Western Australia – A Margaret River to Albany Road Trip .

Perth to Margaret River Road Trip 

Without doubt the Perth to Margaret River Road Trip is one of the best short road trips from Perth that you can make.  While the driving time is just over 3 hours you can “make a day of it” and stop at some of the fun places along the way – we love Busselton .   It’s all documented in detail at  How to Ace the Perth to Margaret River Road Trip

Perth to Pemberton Road Trip

If you are driving, it takes about 4 hours from Perth to Pemberton WA – which means there are still plenty of opportunities for stops along the way.   You might like to make a detour to Ferguson Valley   and Gnomesville WA

We love the port city of Bunbury which has redefined itself in recent years and had a real makeover – and at 2 hours from Perth its the ideal time to stretch your legs.   If you have kids there is an amazing playground on the Koombana Bay Foreshore, or alternatively you could make a fun stop at the Apple Fun Park in Donnybrook, which doesn’t require detouring off the main South West Highway.

Perth to Walpole Road Trip 

Short Trips from Perth

Heading north of Perth you can make a great day trip that takes in three great sites, plus lunch at the super yummy lobster shack in Cervantes.  Yes, it would be a pretty long day but also packed with lots to see and do! The full summary is found here The Best Perth Day Trips

Yanchep National Park

Less than an hour from Perth city, plan to stop at Yanchep National Park to see the koalas and the grey kangaroos.  With a range of walk trails, native bush and caves there is a lot more to see than just these fluffy animals, and you could pack a picnic lunch and spend the whole day here.

Lobster Shack in Cervantes 

I think every local agrees – the Lobster Shack in Cervantes makes the perfect place to refuel for more road trips.  With views to die for,  and delicious lobster and seafood on the menu, there is something for everyone here.  Families will love the playground at the back and the chilled atmosphere that makes it easy to relax.  One of our favourites.   You can stop in at Lake Thetis in Cervantes after visiting the Lobster Shack – as its always nice to get out and stretch the legs after you have eaten so much food!

The Pinnacles, Nambung National Park 

The Pinnacles in Nambung National Park are out of this world, and an easy 2 hour drive further north from Yanchep National Park.  The shapes are quite intriguing and our kids loved imagining what might have lived there.  Photographers might prefer to plan a sunset visit when the colors on the sand are spectacular.

If you feel like treating yourself to some fresh Western Australian seafood, then the Lobster Shack in Cervantes gets rave reviews and is a short 15-minute drive from the Pinnacles.  You might like to fill up at the Lobster Shack and then head back to the Pinnacles to walk off your lunch!

On your way home – about an hour back south from the Pinnacles, swing by Lancelin which has now become one of Australia’s favorite sandboarding destinations.  With white sand dunes 3 stories high, you can access the dunes with your 2 wd car as long as you don’t get off the road!  For those that want to give sandboarding a go, boards can be hired for $12 and picked up nearby.  For more information check out the Lancelin website , or read or guide on things to do in Lancelin .

Perth to Kalbarri Road trip 

One of the easiest – and best road trips in Western Australia is the trip from Perth to Kalbarri!  Only 6 hours drive one way, there are lots of great things to do and see along the way – including the aforementioned Pinnacles and Lancelin.   If you are not in a rush we recommend stopping overnight at Geraldton and then spending more time travelling through the countryside before you get to Kalbarri.   Are you are interested in doing a Perth to Kalbarri roadtrip but don’t know where to start?  Don’t worry, we have you covered.  Read our guide  The Ultimate Perth to Kalbarri Road Trip Itinerary .

Don’t forget to check out Things to do in Kalbarri a nd   A Guide to the Spectacular Natures Window & Kalbarri Skywalk .

More Road Trips in Western Australia

These destinations could be visited on epic Western Australian road trips – or you could fly!  We recently flew to Exmouth with kids and hada wonderful time, without the driving.

Perth to Monkey Mia

Monkey Mia is 9 hours’ drive to the north of Perth.  With a pod of dolphins visiting frequently, Monkey Mia dolphins visit daily year-round and people are able to get up close to them.  This makes it a popular spot to visit for families.

We have heard mixed reports, so haven’t visited yet ourselves.  Check out once such review here on the Ytravel Blog .

Perth to Ningaloo Reef, and Cape Range National park

We recently ticked the Ningaloo Reef off our bucket list  based out of Exmouth .  We were super keen to go swimming with the Whale Sharks and Reef Sharks!

It is a total of 13 hours’ drive from Perth or a further 4 hours from Monkey Mia.  If you are a family with several kids the flights are going to add up.  You might consider driving in order to save.  However, if a budget is not a consideration or you were very short of time, then we would most definitely fly.

Next time fly to Exmouth (Learmonth Airport) and base ourselves at Coral Bay to explore the reef.  If time permits, and you have a car, then you can spend a couple of days at Cape Range National Park out of Exmouth.

Perth to Broome 

The pearl of Northern Western Australia.  I really want to visit Broome but at the same time find it hard to justify the expense.  Traveling slowly as we do, a week in Broome is going to cost us more than a week in Bali.  It goes without saying that we haven’t done it yet.  I hope that we will one day reach Broome .

Further north again,  here is a lot of inspiration for a visit to Kununurra with Kids .

Take a Northern Western Australia Road Trip

It is our dream to do a Northern Western Australia road trip.  If you have the time and dream take a look at these two blogs.  We hope you will come away feeling absolutely inspired as we do.

YTravel Blog – Things To Do in Western Australia

Blonde Nomads – Western Australia Travel Inspiration

We always travel with insurance, it has saved us numerous times.  World Nomads have specially designed travel insurance for families!  Take a look at their Family Travel Insurance here.

Family Road trip Western Australia Itinerary

We get asked alot: so what is the best family road trip itinerary in Western Australia?  Or; what would you do if it were your first trip to Western Australia with kids.  Most people have 10 – 14 days to spend on their first trip and wonder what will be the best option for their family.  As with all answers we provide; it depends on your family and especially the ages of your kids.  If you have young children then we would definitely say that you should go much slower and look for the most fun hotels! 

What is the Best Way to Travel with Kids?

When you first have children, and they are babies, you need to stop frequently to feed and settle them.  As they get older you find they get restless and more stops are necessary.   In short, we find the ONLY way to travel with kids is slowly, allowing them time for breaks and play.  On our sister site,  we cover the best Road trip tips and hacks .

Days 1 – 3  Visiting Perth 

Take a look at  An Awesome Perth Family Holiday Itinerary in 6 Days   and  make sure you check out  101 Awesome Things to do in Perth with Kids . 

Where to Stay in Perth for Families

Our post The Best Family Accommodation Perth – Family Resorts & Kid Friendly Hotels details our very favorite places to stay for people with kids in Perth.

For a brief summary, we like Mounts Bay Apartments for extremely central accommodation, well connected by public transport.  Mantra On Hay is another good central option near the city.   If you have your own wheels then you could consider one of the stunning beachside hotels like the Rendezvous Observation City in Scarborough.

If you are looking for an area with great food and atmosphere then Fremantle is fabulous.  We particularly like the Rydges Esplanade Fremantle which is housed in a gorgeous old building and conveniently located directly across from a park with a playground.  Public transport is nearby; it takes around 40 minutes one way if you take the train straight into the city.

Day 4 Travel from Perth to Margaret River / or Busselton 

 Check out our blog post How to Ace the Perth to Margaret River Road Trip  for more in-depth information.

For kids, there are two places we would definitely plan to stop here 

•  the Ferguson Valley to see Gnomesville , a curious collection of garden gnomes congregated in the middle of the countryside!  
• The Apple Fun Park in Donnybrook is amazing and our kids love it.

Days 5 – 8 Margaret River  & Busselton 

To start with, we highly recommend using our guide to  The Best Family Accommodation in South West WA   in order to work out where you would like to stay. There are all types of accommodation in this area, from the luxury  Pullman Resort Bunker Bay: Margaret River Luxury Accommodation  through to the very practical  Broadwater Resort Busselton Review – Awesome Pools .  Alternatively the   Guide to the Busselton Caravan Parks and the best family accommodation in Margaret River provide affordable options for families.

Margaret River is world-famous as a wine region, a home of fine food and globally famous gnarly surf breaks; what is less well known is that there is plenty to do for families with kids, and children will have a ball in the Margaret River area.  Our Top Things To Do In Margaret River For Kids are found here .

For Busselton  The Best things to do in Busselton for Families   – or we really enjoy neighbouring Dunsborough  Best Things to do in Dunsborough WA

Day 9 – Travel through the Southern Forests to the  South Coast

Heading further south, we highly recommend a stop at Pemberton to soak in the forests.   There is loads to do for a couple of hours  or even a day should you stop and stay.  Best Things to do in Pemberton WA

  From here – it’s pure forest and we love the untamed wilderness and remote feeling of the Walpole Wilderness area.   You could base yourself in Walpole for a day or two, but a drive from Margaret River to Denmark takes about 4 hours so it makes sense to keep driving and make a stop at the  the world-renowned Tree Top Walk at the Valley of the Giants.  Our top tips for a visit are found here in our post A Complete Guide to the Valley of the Giants Tree Top Walk Walpole Denmark .

Days 10- 13  Denmark or Albany

Either Denmark or Albany make a great base for the next couple of day’s adventures. You can see our recommendations here:

• The Best Denmark WA Accommodation
• The Best Family Accommodation in Albany WA

If you decide that you will push on through to Albany,  we would probably make a day trip back to Denmark as there is so much to do and see. .  We have covered the best in this in-depth post called 11 Great Things to do in Denmark .  while  we wouldn’t miss Elephant Rocks and Greens Pool in the William Bay National Park and combining it with a visit to the Denmark Alpaca Farm.

In Albany, the Gap and Natural Bridge in Tondirrup national Park are mind-blowing (although also scary) and worth a visit.   The National Anzac Museum comes highly recommended.  However, we haven’t personally visited with our kids who are still a bit young. Read Amazing Things to do in Albany WA .

Day 14 – Albany to Perth

If you want to head straight up Albany Highway (which is the quickest way to get from Albany to Perth) then our suggestions are found An Insider’s Guide – A Perth to Albany Road Trip (2022)  

The first stop on the route from Albany would be taking a hike in the Porongurup National Park, to Castle Rock or the Granite Skywalk.   If you feel energetic it is an exciting hike to the top, read our full post about The Spectacular Hike to Granite Skywalk Castle Rock WA .

From here, check out The Lily Dutch Windmill.  An interesting visit for kids (though it was closed on the day we visited).  You can also stay in some really quirky lodgings including a remodeled 1944 DC3!  If you had older kids (eg those that liked hiking) you might like to change the itinerary up a bit and hike Bluff Knoll – see our  Bluff Knoll Accommodation & The Stirling Ranges

From the Lilly Dutch Windmilll  it is about 3 hours’ drive to Wave Rock where you can stay either in the town of Hyden or at Wave Rock itself.  We do recommend that if you are doing a Wave Rock Road trip you plan to stay a night out there with our  Hyden Accommodation and Things to do at Wave Rock WA .

This whole itinerary is a whopping 1328 kilometers (825 miles) so is going to involve a lot of driving.  We wouldn’t attempt the whole itinerary described in less than 10 days. It would more ideally be done in 14 days or more.  The intention of the post is not to have you cram in all these sights but to give you a sense of what you would like to see and do when visiting planning your Western Australia itinerary.

Other Considerations for Planning the Best Family Road Trip in Western Australia!

If you are coming from interstate, or overseas you will have to make some important planning decisions about how to prepare your family road trip of Western Australia.

Car rentals are available in all major cities in Western Australia, but in reality most people want to pick up and drop off at the Perth airport.  We recommend Discover Cars for your car hire needs.

Another option, if you are doing a super long road trip – say from Perth to Broome (or vice versa) would be to do your pricing for pickup in Perth/ Drop off in Broome. When doing your investigations make sure you try both scenarios as sometimes it’s much cheaper to drop off in one location vs another.

Which Rental Car is Best for Me?

While small cars are both cheaper to hire, and more economic to run, they are often not very suited for long road trips.   For a family of 4 to 5 people we would look at a large Sedan style car (look at how much luggage you can fit in the boot/trunk) or even a midsize SUV.  Let’s be honest – road trips can be long and tiring and being crammed into a car makes them miserable.  We recommend looking for something that is quite spacious and therefore less stressful.

What about hiring a 4WD car?  The question is –can you drive on off-road conditions?  If the answer is no, you have never driven on dirt roads then you should not start while driving a hire car in Western Australia!  Yes 4WD are large and comfortable – and they give you confidence while driving in unfamiliar conditions.  However, on the flip side of the coin, they are heavy and cost a LOT to fuel up each time!

Whatever type of car you decide to hire for your trip, make sure to check out Discover Cars for the best pries. 

Doing a Road Trip with Kids

Don’t forget to talk to the car hire company about child seats.

In Western Australia Babies up to six months are also required to be in a rearward-facing child seat. 

Children up to7 years should be in an Australian approved child seat.

The Verdict – Awesome Road Trips in Western Australia with Kids

Western Australia family holidays have a lot going for them – lots of wide-open spaces, great beaches, and tall trees.   We believe Western Australia is certainly an awesome up and coming family adventure destination! We hope you have enjoyed our Western Australia road trip itinerary.  Hopefully, you are inspired to explore more of this gorgeous state!

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Perth Exmouth Road Trip – The Ultimate Western Australia Itinerary!

By: Author Catrina

Posted on Last updated: December 1, 2023

Categories AUSTRALIA , ROAD TRIPS , WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Dreaming of heading off on a Perth to Exmouth road trip – one of the most amazing road trips in the whole of Australia? A 10 day Perth to Broome road trip will give you plenty time to explore this beautiful but very underrated part of Australia!

If you are only able to take one road trip in Western Australia, the Perth to Exmouth itinerary has to be it!

There are so many unique things to do here, from swimming with whale sharks and manta rays to seeing kangaroos on the beach, seeing otherworldly landscapes, taking quokka selfies, kayaking to stunning deserted beaches or watching stunning sunsets every night!

You’ll get to do all that here on this Perth to Exmouth Western Australia itinerary!

PERTH TO EXMOUTH ROAD TRIP ITINERARY

Highlights & key stops on the perth to exmouth drive.

If you plan to do a roadtrip between Perth and Exmouth, below are all the highlights and must do experiences you will want to include on your Western Australia drive itinerary.

• Perth (only major city in WA!)
• Rottnest Island – famous for its cute quokkas!
• Lancelin Sand Dunes
• The Pinnacles (Nambung National Park) – landscapes literally out of this world!
• Jurien Bay (to swim with sea lions!)
• Pink Lake (Hutt Lagoon)

Kalbarri National Park

• Shark Bay – Monkey Mia (to see wild dolphins come up to the beach!)
• Coral Bay (swimming with whale sharks and manta rays!)
• Exmouth – for Ningaloo Reef and turtle nesting season

I would advise no less than 10 days to do the complete itinerary. It’s a long drive and you want to enjoy all the unique experiences and landscapes that Western Australia has to offer!

The trip from Perth to Exmouth is a fantastic road trip but be prepared a lot of driving is involved, so you want to make sure you spend enough time at the stops to really enjoy all the beauty of Western Australia.

If you have less time, you may have to omit some of the stops from your itinerary. If you only have a few days and your time does not stretch to 10 days, CLICK HERE TO BOOK A PERTH TO EXMOUTH 6 DAY TOUR !

This blog will detail the itinerary from Perth to Exmouth. If you will be doing the road trip the other way, and driving from Exmouth to Perth, just do the itinerary in reverse.

If you want to extend your Perth to Exmouth road trip up towards Broome, check out this 2 week Perth to Broome road trip itinerary!

Day 1: Perth

There are many things to do in Perth before you head off north on your road trip to Exmouth. Make sure you enjoy time in Perth before you start your road trip to Exmouth, so you can enjoy the only bit of ‘city’ life in Western Australia.

Discover all the things you can do in Perth in this self-drive travel blog, including visiting King’s Park, as well as Perth’s iconic Cottesloe Beach and Scarborough Beach – the water here is crystal clear!

Also, check out the Blue Boat Shed – one of the best photo spots in Perth !

In addition, make sure to head over to Fremantle which is a 30-minute drive from Perth CBD.

Explore the Fremantle Market (only open on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays) and the iconic Fremantle Prison two of the best places to visit in Fremantle !

You can also visit the Omeo Wreck in Coogee (a suburb of Perth – not to be mixed up with the  Coogee in Sydney!) which is a short drive south of Fremantle.

The Omeo Wreck Dive Trail is a great place to snorkel, and the white sand at Coogee Beach is stunning.

The Omeo Wreck is a shore-based shipwreck that lies just under the water 25 metres from the shore of the north end of Coogee Beach. The sternpost is visible from the water – very similar to The Wreck in Byron Bay .

Accommodation in Perth: The Mantra on Murray is the perfect hotel situated in an absolutely fabulous location on the river.

Day 2: Rottnest Island

On day 2 head over to  Rottnest Island and see the quokkas there. Rottnest Island is a beautiful island paradise in the Indian Ocean that’s definitely worth visiting and can be easily reached as a day trip from Perth.

Less than 20km from Perth’s coastline, Rottnest boasts 63 brilliant white sand beaches, clear blue waters, bays and secluded coves, however, it is most famous for the quokka!

The quokka, which can be resembled to a small kangaroo, can be found only on Rottnest Island and is known as the world’s happiest animal!

They are very friendly animals and it is common for them to approach humans closely as they are curious about human interaction.

They are found everywhere on the island so it won’t be long before you see one: there are over 11,000 quokkas on the island and in 5 hours my friend and I must have seen at least 60 quokkas!

Visiting Rottnest Island is a popular summer excursion for people living in Perth , and it’s actually known as Perth’s playground so it’s absolutely worth a visit when in Perth!

To get to Rottnest, take the ferry from Barrack Street Jetty in Perth at 08.30 am – this is the fast ferry and gets into Rottnest at 10.45.

Otherwise, you will need to take the slow ferry, departing at 09.25 and arriving at 12.30, as you need to change ferry at Fremantle.

Get the 16.25 ferry back, getting into Perth at 18.00. You will need to transfer at Fremantle B-Shed, so you may even want to get off there and spend the evening in Fremantle.

The ferry is $99AUD return, which includes the admission fee to the island. Rottnest is only a small island, 11km x 4.5km and so there are only a few restaurants and shops.

Consider bringing a picnic if you are fussy, although we ate a delicious lunch in one of the restaurant cafes by the jetty, taking in the view of the Perth skyline.

There is accommodation to stay overnight on Rottnest Island, however, most people, like ourselves, do it as a day trip from Perth.

Day 3: Lancelin Sand Dunes and Pinnacles Desert

Head north from Perth and it will take around 1.5 hours to drive to Lancelin Sand Dunes (traffic may be heavier on holidays so I advise you to leave early). Here you can try sandboarding, which is actually so fun!

For just $10 you can rent sandboards from The General Store (you’ll need to leave a deposit or some form of ID until you return the board).

The sand is so white, so I would recommend wearing sunglasses if your eyes are sensitive to it, especially if it is a sunny day!

Wedge Island

Drive about 1 hour north of the Lancelin Sand Dunes and you will come to Wedge Island. You can drive on the beach here which is pretty cool!

Pinnacles Desert

After you have finished at Wedge Island, it will take around 30 minutes to drive to the Pinnacles Desert, located in Nambung National Park.

The Pinnacles Desert is so vast, unique and impressive. It honestly feels like you are walking on a different planet!

The Pinnacles are natural limestone structures that were formed around 25,000 to 30,000 years ago – previously this area was all under water.

Over time, the sea receded and left deposits of seashells. They formed into these pinnacles over time as wind and the elements eroded them.

There are so many opportunities to get great Instagram-worthy photographs here and it will never feel crowded as the National Park is so big.

If you can time your visit for later afternoon and stay until golden hour and sunset, the Pinnacles look especially beautiful at this time.

You will need to pay for National Park entry at Nambung National Park, or just use your National Parks pass if you have already purchased one.

Estimate for around half a day to explore the Pinnacles Desert and Lancelin Sand Dunes .

After you’ve visited The Pinnacles, drive the 40 minutes to Jurien Bay as accommodation is very limited by the Pinnacles Desert.

Accommodation in Jurien Bay: Jurien Bay Motel Apartments  is located just a 2-minute walk from the beach!

Day 4: Jurien Bay

Jurien Bay is the place to swim with sea lions in Western Australia !

Here at Jurien Bay, there is a large colony of sea lions and you can actually swim with them!

The best way to swim with the sea lions in Jurien Bay is to book a snorkelling tour. The tours run in the mornings and they last 2.5 hours long.

The sea lions are very playful and curious. They get very close and love having fun!

After your morning swimming with sea lions, you can relax on the beach at Jurien Bay for a while, rent a Stand Up Paddle Board or go for a snorkel – there are plenty of  activities in Jurien Bay to do to keep you entertained!

Afterwards, you can also head to nearby Sandy Cape Recreation Park to check out some of the beautiful beaches there – some of which you can spot kangaroos at dawn and dusk!

From Sandy Cape make the 3-hour drive north towards Hutt Lagoon.

Day 5: Hutt Lagoon & Kalbarri National Park

Hutt Lagoon (Pink Lake)

Hutt Lagoon is one of Western Australia’s stunning pink lakes and is a firm favourite on many people’s Western Australia road trip itinerary! It is an absolute must on the Perth to Exmouth itinerary.

The Pink Lake is a really vibrant pink due to the presence of carotenoid-producing algae and it looks great in photos – especially if you have a drone!

For an even more memorable and once-in-a-lifetime experience, as well as to get the best photos you can book a scenic flight to view the Pink Lake from above !

You can swim in Hutt Lagoon if you fancy – but the lake is very salty and so, therefore, you need to be very careful and swim at your own risk.

For tips on how to swim in very salty water safely – read this article on swimming in The Dead Sea – the saltiest body of water in the world!

The great thing about Hutt Lagoon and pretty much the whole of Western Australia, is that it is really not busy compared to other places in Australia!

Hutt Lagoon is about roughly halfway between Perth and Exmouth. From Hutt Lagoon drive into Kalbarri to get some lunch.

To enter Kalbarri National Park you’ll need your National Parks Pass. If you just want to visit the main sights listed below, you’ll probably only spend a couple of hours at Kalbarri National Park.

If however, you want to do more hiking here (there are several hiking trails), you may want to spend longer here.

There are several unique spots to visit at Kalbarri National Park – the most famous and iconic sight being Nature’s Window. Nature’s Window is a natural wind-eroded opening in layered sandstone where you can see the river behind.

To reach Nature’s Window it is an easy 1km return hike from the car park.

Other spots of interest at Kalbarri National Park include Hawk’s Head and the Z-Bend. The Z-Bend lookout is just 600m from the car park. The lookout is on an overhang and offers stunning views over the Murchison River Gorge.

The Hawk’s Head lookout is right next to the car park and also offers great views of the Murchison River Gorge.

Explore more of Kalbarri National Park by checking out the coastal part of Kalbarri National Park (just drive along the coast and you will see the main sights). Notable stops are:

Island Rock & Natural Bridge – think similar to Durdle Door or the once Azure Window arch in Malta . The car park is only 100m from the lookout for Island Rock & Natural Bridge, and the views out to the ocean are simply stunning.

Red Bluff Lookout – This is the highest viewpoint in Kalbarri National Park, with a hundred metres of soaring high cliff edges. From the car park, the viewpoint is about 250 metres.

Pot Alley – You’ll also get a nice ocean view over at Pot Alley. You can walk down to the beach (it’s a rocky and winding path) which is really lovely, but it is not safe to swim here.

Day 6: Shark Bay

From Kalbarri National Park it is a 4-hour drive north on a very long and straight road to Shark Bay. You can break up the journey with a stop at Billabong Roadhouse for some food before continuing the drive.

Shark Bay is a beautiful place in Australia and has been awarded World Heritage Status. When you get to Shark Bay, explore the area and be sure to check out the viewpoint at Eagle Bluff Point, as well as Shell Beach.

Francois Peron National Park

You can rent a kayak from RAC Monkey Mia Resort for the afternoon and kayak over to Francois Peron National Park (still located in the Shark Bay World Heritage Area).

Here dramatic red cliffs and red desert sand meet with beautiful white sandy beaches and clear turquoise waters.

The beaches here at this part of Francois Peron National Park are only accessible by water or by a high clearance 4×4 so it will be very quiet here – you might not even see anybody else here!

Look out for the dolphins, stingrays, manta rays, turtles, dugongs (sea cows!) and sharks! If you don’t want to kayak over you can always head over in your vehicle, providing it is a 4×4.

There are lots of red off-road 4WD dirt trails to explore here. If you choose to go here by 4WD remember to let out some of the air in your tyres first.

Before kayaking to Francois Peron National Park it is really important to check out the wind forecast and the tides beforehand.

Where to stay in Shark Bay: I highly recommend staying at the RAC Monkey Mia Dolphin Resort if you want to be close to the dolphins in the morning!

Day 7: Shark Bay/Monkey Mia

Monkey Mia is in Shark Bay World Heritage Area and this is where you will get to see the wild dolphins come to the beach! This is a fantastic experience and should definitely not be missed!

Go for the early morning feed (at 7.45 a.m.) which is when most dolphins are likely to attend! There are later feeds throughout the day, but you may not get as many dolphins at these times.

If you have seen the wild dolphins at Tin Can Bay on Australia’s Eastern Coast it is a similar experience. Only a certain amount of fish are given to these wild dolphins so they learn not to depend on the daily feeds for their food.

Plus the dolphins are completely wild so they choose to come to the shore every day.

It is in no way like a zoo or aquarium – the animals are free to come and the feeding and interaction doesn’t affect their natural habitat. You are not allowed to swim with the dolphins.

From Shark Bay to Coral Bay it is around a 6-hour drive. Luckily there are a few interesting places to see along the way that help break the trip up:

Hamelin Pool

1.5 hours drive from Monkey Mia you’ll find the Hamelin Pool Nature Reserve. Hamelin Pool is home to the most abundant and diverse examples of marine stromatolites (‘living fossils’) in the world.

This is a protected marine area so you are not allowed to swim in it.

Carnavon Cactus Garden

Almost halfway on the drive between Shark Bay and Coral Bay is Carnavon (about a 2-hour drive from Hamelin Pool). Stop here to break up your journey, have some lunch and visit the famous Cactus Garden!

You’ll find The Cactus Garden by The Gascoyne River on the South River Road, along the Fruit Loop Drive Trail. The Cactus Garden is now Insta-famous and is literally on the side of the road, as well as being free to walk around!

Tropic Of Capricorn

Almost two hours north of the Cactus Garden, about half an hour before you reach Coral Bay, you’ll see a sign on the side of the road that marks the Tropic of Capricorn. Can definitely be worth a photo stop!

Day 8: Coral Bay – Ningaloo Reef

Coral Bay is a small town located on Ningaloo Reef. Along with Exmouth, it is a gateway to the Ningaloo Reef – one of the best places in the whole of Western Australia and you should definitely organise a couple of boat tours when you are here. 

One of the most incredible experiences in Western Australia and in fact the whole of Australia, is to be able to swim with whale sharks – the largest fish in the ocean, which is possible at Ningaloo Reef!

Ningaloo Reef is one of the only places in the world where you can swim with wild whale sharks in a sustainable way. It is a fantastic experience and one I would highly recommend! These animals are so majestic and leave you in awe.

The whale shark season runs from March to July and I recommend you to spend your first day in Coral Bay on a whale shark tour.

This is on the off chance that just in case you don’t manage to see any whale sharks, as most companies usually let you go on another tour for free the next day if you don’t see any on your first tour.

There are several companies that offer swimming with whale sharks tours, and most of the tour operators all charge a similar price for the tour (around $500). It is expensive but it is definitely worth it.

Some of the whale shark tours offer more than others however, for example, some include pick up and drop off and photos. Most will include food and snorkelling gear though.

WHALE SHARK TOUR AT NINGALOO REEF

This is the best tour I found . It departs from Coral Bay and is an all-day tour (9 hours).

You’ll get the opportunity to swim with reef sharks, fish and other marine life whilst the spotter plane is locating the whale sharks (giving you a higher chance of being able to swim with the whale sharks!).

Once the spotter plane has located the whale sharks, you’ll be able to swim with them for up to an hour, before then going to another snorkelling spot. Meals and champagne are included, as well as snorkelling equipment and a wetsuit.

Day 9: Coral Bay – Exmouth

Coral Bay is also very well known as one of the only places where you can swim with manta rays ! Join this 6 hour tour where you can see turtles and swim with the manta rays year round ! Manta Rays are incredible creatures and they are so big and are very inquisitive!

There are also many beautiful beaches around the area, so after your manta ray tour relax on the beaches before heading up to Exmouth. Exmouth is 1.5 hours drive north from Coral Bay and has many beautiful beaches.

You can also swim with whale sharks at Exmouth if you didn’t get the chance in Coral Bay.

Both Exmouth and Coral Bay are known for their marine life, and they offer many similar tours, so just make sure when you are booking your tours that you book them in the area you will have accommodation that day, as Coral Bay and Exmouth are 1.5 hours drive apart from each other and you don’t want to be going back on yourself.

Where to stay overnight in Exmouth: There is accomodation near Cape Range National Park and the nearby beaches.

Day 10: Exmouth – Cape Range National Park

In the morning, visit some of the beautiful beaches at Cape Range National Park (you will need your National Parks pass to enter). There are some absolutely stunning beaches here – including Turquoise Bay which is an absolute must visit.

Turquoise Bay is one of the most beautiful beaches in the whole of Western Australia, and you can even spot turtles and stingrays here whilst you are snorkelling.

If you happen to be around Exmouth from November to March, this is the turtle nesting season! This can be such an incredible sight to witness (although please do not disturb the turtles).

Hundreds of turtles will come to the shore to lay eggs at sunrise and sunset so be sure to visit around this time.

One of the best places to see the turtles laying their eggs and hatching is on the beaches from Hunter Access down to Wobiri Access (Mauritius Beach and Jims Beach) on Yardie Creek Road, which is roughly 18 kilometres north of Exmouth.

Jurabi Turtle Centre is also located here and has lots of information about the turtles here and you can book turtle watching tours here.

PERTH TO EXMOUTH ROAD TRIP: 10 DAY ITINERARY WESTERN AUSTRALIA

What is the road distance to drive from exmouth to perth.

To drive from Exmouth to Perth on the fastest route without any stops, the distance is around 1270 km. This is about 12 hours of driving non-stop.

How Many Days Should I Do My Road Trip From Perth To Exmouth?

Western Australia is huge – it covers over a third of the whole of Australia! Make no mistake – a road trip from Exmouth to Perth is not something you can do in a couple of days!

If you’ve ever done any road trips in Australia , you’ll know just how long the distances can be!

This article includes a 10-day Perth to Exmouth itinerary. I don’t recommend you to go too much shorter than this – if you do so you will risk missing out on some beautiful places Western Australia has to offer.

Of course, this 10-day itinerary can be extended to 2 or even 3 weeks easily if you take it slow. If you only have a few days though and your time simply does not stretch to 10 days, you can do a Perth to Exmouth 6-day tour –  CLICK HERE TO BOOK !

Should You Do The Road Trip From Perth To Exmouth, Or From Exmouth To Perth?

So, when you are starting to plan your Western Australia road trip itinerary, one important thing to decide is whether to do your road trip going up from Perth to Exmouth, or whether you wish to start in Exmouth and drive down to Perth.

It doesn’t make a difference on your itinerary – it will really just depend on your schedule.

For example, if you are already doing a road trip around Australia you probably know which direction you want to go in (clockwise or anti-clockwise around Australia).

If you will be flying over to Western Australia to start your road trip, or if you will be hiring a car or camper van, I would definitely recommend you to look at airfare prices and car/campervan hire prices first, as sometimes prices from Exmouth – especially car and camper van hire, can be a lot cheaper than they are from Perth.

They may not be as readily available though, so always check this before you book your flight.

If the rental vehicle prices are significant (sometimes it can be several hundred dollars difference in the vehicle hire!) then often that will make it much easier for you to decide where to start your Western Australia road trip.

Of course, if you have your own vehicle this won’t apply to you.

This itinerary will focus on driving from Perth to Exmouth, as this seems to be the more common route.

What Time Of Year Should I Do The Perth To Exmouth Road Trip?

Most of Western Australia has good weather all year round, which means a road trip is possible during any season.

However whilst Perth enjoys consistent sunny days throughout the year, Exmouth is a bit more tropical, with the best weather occurring roughly from May to October.

Especially if you plan to continue your journey up to Broome and then head across to Darwin and the Northern Territory, some roads may become impassable during the wet season of November to April (as when it rains, it rains!) and some car hire companies may even stop operating during the wet season.

Therefore it is advisable to plan a Perth to Exmouth road trip during the drier months of May and October to avoid getting caught in flash floods.

Another thing to take into consideration when planning when you should do your Perth to Exmouth road trip is that many people will want to come to Western Australia to visit Ningaloo Reef to swim with the whale sharks!

Swimming with the whale sharks is an incredible experience and should definitely be high on your list!

The whale shark season runs roughly from March to July, so if swimming with whale sharks is something you are keen to do, plan your road trip between these months so you don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity!

Therefore taking into consideration the dry season and the whale shark season, the best time to visit Western Australia and do your Perth to Exmouth road trip is from May to July, give or take a little.

Of course, this is the busiest time, and when prices are slightly higher, so you will need to book your transport and accommodation in advance.

Don’t worry if the high season doesn’t coincide with the time you plan to be in Western Australia. There is still plenty to see (and turtle nesting season is from November to March!), plus travelling off-season generally means a reduction in car rental and accommodation costs.

It also means places aren’t as busy so you can be a little bit more flexible with your itinerary.

How To Get From Perth To Exmouth

There are three main ways to get from Perth to Exmouth. One way is by using your own transport (your own car/campervan or one you have hired), the other is by using public transport, and the third is by doing a tour that is organised for you..

1. Hiring A Car/Campervan

Unless you have your own transport, the most popular way to explore Western Australia from Perth to Exmouth is to hire a car or a campervan.

This will give you flexibility to plan your itinerary as you wish, and it means you can be more flexible as you can change the itinerary whenever you wish – for example, if you love a certain spot and want to stay longer there.

Rentalcars is a good price comparison website for car rental. As mentioned earlier, to find the best prices it is smart to look at car rentals for both Perth to Exmouth and from Exmouth to Perth.

Depending on the time of year, car rentals can often be cheaper from Exmouth to Perth. It is wise therefore to sort this out before you book your flights, so you aren’t forced to take your road trip in one direction.

You will, of course, be charged a one-way car fee, but this will still work out cheaper and a lot more convenient than having to drive all the way back to Perth from Exmouth (or vice versa) once you’ve done the road trip, as it will mean shelling out petrol money for another 1000km+, plus it will add another couple of days of (very boring) driving onto the end of your road trip.

Should I Hire A Campervan Or A Car To Roadtrip From Perth To Exmouth Western Australia?

This one is really a matter of preference. You can either hire a car – which is cheaper, and then pay for hotels each night, or you can hire a campervan – which costs more to hire, but then you don’t have to pay for hotels and just sleep in your van.

You will have to pay if you go to main campgrounds, but you will be able to do some free camping too at designated spots, which will save you paying for accommodation each night.

You aren’t allowed to just camp up anywhere in Australia and you could get fined. Apps such as Campermate are great for showing you places where you can camp (both free and paid).

If you book basic hotels, the cost of the car hire and the hotels will amount to roughly the same as if you hire a campervan. If you book very expensive hotels, it will of course cost more than campervan hire.

Some people prefer to rent a car as opposed to travelling in a campervan as they prefer the creature comforts of staying in a proper bed and air-conditioned room for the night.

The downside to renting a car as opposed to a campervan is that you aren’t as flexible – you often need to arrive at the hotel before a certain time in the evening as reception staff won’t be there if you arrive late. This can be a little annoying if you get delayed.

It also means that you can’t be as flexible with your itinerary and have to stick to a rough timetable if you have pre-booked your hotels already (which is advised so you are guaranteed somewhere to sleep that night!).

Travelling in a car will also of course mean less space for your luggage and you won’t have a fridge, a sink, a cooker (or even a toilet sometimes!).

With a campervan, you can stop anywhere and make some lunch quickly with your supplies when you get hungry, whereas you are a lot more limited with a car.

You’ll also find naturally that in a campervan you’ll start your days earlier, whereas when you are in a hotel you’ll often stick around for breakfast, and it will mean you may not get as much as an early start.

But of course, the choice is up to you. I have done road trips in camper vans, as well as road trips in cars where we slept in hotels, and they were both enjoyable.

In regards to which camper vans to get – the smaller ones which are usually a converted Toyota Hiace Sprinter or similar, are perfect for 2 people and are a lot cheaper than the big camper vans suitable for up to 6 people.

Should I Hire a 4×4 For A Western Australia Road Trip?

Many people wonder whether a 4×4 is necessary for their Perth to Exmouth road trip.

Whilst it is certainly not necessary and you can see all the sights below in a 2-wheeled drive, a 4×4 does offer more flexibility as you’ll be able to drive on the dirt roads. You’ll find lots of nice secluded campgrounds down dirt roads.

Note that if you don’t have a 4-wheel drive car or campervan you mustn’t drive along dirt roads as you won’t be covered by the insurance if there is a problem with your vehicle.

National Parks Pass For Western Australia

There are several gorgeous National Parks in Western Australia where you will need to pay a visitor fee to enter. It costs around $12 per car/campervan to enter the National Parks.

The 3 National Parks we will visit on this itinerary include Nambung National Park, Francois Peron National Park and Cape Range National Park.

2. Hop On Hop Off Coach Between Perth and Exmouth

Backpackers on a budget, those who do not drive, or those who want to travel at their own pace and want someone else to do the driving will find the Hop On Hop Off bus from Perth to Exmouth perfect.

Integrity Coach Lines is the only coach company that runs between Exmouth and Perth.

Prices are very reasonable and it makes stops at all the major tourist spots, however, the bus only runs 3 times a week so you will definitely need to check the timetable and plan your itinerary accordingly.

It will mean your journey will take a little longer than if you have your own transport, but it is a great option if that isn’t possible!

3. Tours From Perth To Exmouth

If you’d like to travel in more luxury and have someone organise everything for you, a tour is the perfect option for you!

There is a great 6-day tour from Perth to Exmouth that includes all the best places and experiences along the way! All accommodation, food, transport and entrance fees are included! Click here to book .

Summary of Perth to Exmouth Western Australia Road Trip

A Perth to Exmouth is one of the greatest road trips you can do, especially if you are a marine life lover!

If you are looking for a unique part of Australia to explore that’s not too busy, this Perth to Exmouth road trip definitely belongs on your bucket list!

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Catrina is a Travel Writer and ex-Flight Attendant based in Sydney, Australia. She has visited 85 countries and lived in several – including Italy, Australia, United Arab Emirates and England. Her work has been featured in a variety of popular travel publications including Fodors, Escape, Australian Traveller and Bear Grylls, as well as several international aviation and travel companies. She only writes about places she has personally visited, and aims to give real, honest advice to help her readers.

Planning Western Australia's Road Trips Guide

Leave the everyday behind and hit the open road in western australia..

Welcome to the Home of the Road Trip where nature, food and epic scenery awaits. Western Australia's picturesque and rugged beauty was made to be explored by car, taking a few days, to a few weeks or more. These driving routes will take you to some of the world’s most pristine and clean coastlines, into the heart of premium wine country, and through spectacular gorges and outback. Download our guide today.

Tourism Western Australia acknowledges Aboriginal peoples as the traditional custodians of Western Australia and pay our respects to Elders past and present. We celebrate the diversity of Aboriginal West Australians and honour their continuing connection to Country, culture and community. We recognise and appreciate the invaluable contributions made by First Nations peoples across many generations in shaping Western Australia as a premier destination.

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Road Trip! These Are Australia's Best Weekend Drives

Posted: June 17, 2023 | Last updated: June 17, 2023

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Australian Capital Territory (ACT): Canberra to Khancoban

For rolling green mountains laced with hiking and mountain biking trails and criss-crossed with streams and rivers, head south from capital Canberra and cross into the Snowy Mountains of New South Wales. First stop on the roughly four-hour drive is Cooma, the largest town in the mountains, and where you can enjoy for a host of outdoor adventures. Set by a gorgeous lake, Jindabyne is another outdoorsy town where there’s lots of fun to be had. Swap to two wheels and cycle around the Lake Jindabyne Foreshore Trail, go fishing or sign up for caving or rock-climbing tours.

Next up, follow the signs to Thredbo where you can take the chair lift up to Australia’s highest peak, Mount Kosciuszko. Head to the summit trail for dizzying views of Thredbo Valley, then go back down to continue your journey along the Alpine Way. This dramatic stretch of road, with views of snow-capped peaks, high forests and rivers, links the southern reaches of Kosciuszko National Park to Khancoban, near the Victorian border. From here hikes into the high country lie all around: trails to the majestic Western Fall and among the plains and snow gums of the Jagungal Wilderness are highly recommended.

Northern Territory: Alice Springs to Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park

If it’s classic outback scenery you’re after, you won’t want to miss the 705-mile (1,135km) Red Centre Way loop from Alice Springs deep into central Australia’s desert plains, weathered mountain ranges and rocky gorges. You’ll pass some of the country’s most remarkable natural formations with plenty of places to stop off and see them in all their glory. To make the most of this spectacular route hire a four-wheel drive or if not, you can follow the longer but completely sealed 1,087-mile (1,750km) loop.

First up on the dusty road west from Alice Springs are the chasms, gorges and waterholes of Tjoritja/West MacDonnell National Park, where it's possible to find a spot for a cool dip. Kings Canyon in the Watarrka National Park is up next. Be sure to do the Rim Walk, a spectacular three-hour adventure up and into the canyon’s vast sandstone walls. You’ll have sweeping desert views and can peer into its verdant floor filled with palms and prehistoric cyads. From here it’s 186 miles (300km) to Uluru and Kata Tjuta, both sacred sites to the Anangu people, with a host of stirring walks. Head back east along the Lasseter Highway then north on the Stuart Highway back towards Alice.

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Northern Territory: Darwin to Kakadu to Katherine

Tropical city Darwin is the gateway to some of the Top End’s most epic landscapes. Immerse yourself in them on the Nature’s Way road trip, best taken over four days. The route strikes southeast from the city along the Arnhem Highway to the vast Kakadu National Park. You could spend endless days here exploring its sandstone escarpments, ogling ancient rock art at Ubirr and Burrungkuy, cruising wildlife-filled wetlands and hiking to see plunging falls and sweeping views across to Arnhem Land.

If you can tear yourself away from the wonders of Australia’s largest national park, take the road south for a two-and-a-half-hour drive along Kakadu Highway towards the town of Katherine. Revive road-weary legs at its natural thermal springs, set on the banks of the Katherine River, before heading off to discover the myriad wonders of Nitmiluk National Park, just a 30-minute drive away. Explore bushwalking tracks or cruise or kayak your way along the series of 13 gorges that are carved into the ancient sandstone.

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Northern Territory: Darwin to Litchfield

If the often relentlessly long roads of the Top End don’t appeal, follow this easy return trip from Darwin to Litchfield National Park. Heading 75 miles (120km) southwest from the city on sealed roads, you’ll be marveling at towering magnetic termite mounds and cooling off in sparkling waterholes and under thundering cascades in less than two hours. The park is big though, with plenty to see, so plan to camp overnight to fully explore its monsoon forests, sandstone plateau, creeks and scenic pools.

Stunning waterfalls run down from the park's rugged Tabletop Range, which experienced hikers can explore on the strenuous 24-mile (39km) Tabletop Trek. Shorter routes link off it to Wangi Falls, Walker Creek and the spectacular waterfall of Florence Falls, all designated safe swimming areas. Buley Rockholes, a series of bubbling pools, are an especially delightful spot for a wallow. Litchfield is gorgeous year round, but its falls are at their most spectacular in the wet and early dry season (March to September).

South Australia: Port Augusta-Coober Pedy

If you want seclusion, red dirt, roadhouses and kangaroos, this epic 500-mile (800km) road trip is the one for you. Take the Flinders Ranges Way from Port Augusta and keep driving into the vast untouched wilderness of the Ikara-Flinders Ranges. You’ll pass historic townships like old railway town Quorn and unfathomably vast sheep stations (stop in at Rawnsley Park Station to watch sheep shearing demos or join guided walking tours) as you edge your way into the ancient sun-baked landscape.

An astonishing sweep of eroded mountain ranges, dramatic gorges, Aboriginal rock art galleries and ancient fossils, the sights you encounter in Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park will be forever etched on your mind. Take to the air to see the incredible natural marvel that is Wilpena Pound – Australia's largest salt lake Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre is best seen from a height too. If you have a four-wheel drive, you can drive along part of the legendary outback Oodnadatta Track from Marree to William Creek. From there, carry on two hours west and you’ll reach underground opal mining capital Coober Pedy. Go between May and September for cooler temperatures.

South Australia: Port Lincoln to Baird Bay

The Eyre Peninsula is where the outback meets the Southern Ocean with spectacular results. Follow the Seafood Frontier road trip route to discover why this less-visited part of South Australia enchants with its sensational seafood, marine life and incredible beaches. Start in Port Lincoln, which sits on Boston Bay – the largest natural harbor in Australia and the country’s seafood capital with a huge southern bluefin tuna industry. It’s also a hub of marine adventures, including the only cage dive with great white sharks in Australia.

From here, it’s an easy 30-minute drive to Coffin Bay where you can eat its eponymous oysters straight from the water – slip on your waders and head out on an oyster farm tour. The wild beaches of Coffin Bay National Park are out of this world: from dune-backed, surf-pounded beaches to sheltered bays, they’re all gorgeous and more often than not empty. From here drive north up the west coast of the peninsula to Elliston on the shores of Waterloo Bay. Follow its eight-mile (13.6km) walking and driving coastal track, for thrilling ocean views from high windswept cliffs peppered with caves. Then head on to Baird Bay where you can swim with playful sea lions and bottlenose dolphins.

South Australia: Adelaide to the Clare Valley

As the home of some of the country’s oldest and most renowned wineries, South Australia is the state for oenophiles to navigate to. Happily, its picturesque wine regions are an easy drive from capital Adelaide (also a hot spot for wining and dining). Follow the road trip known as the Epicurean Way to get your fill of the state's top drops and gourmet delights as you spend three days meandering around the vineyards, villages, farmers' markets and restaurants of four fantastic wine regions: McLaren Vale, Adelaide Hills, Barossa and Clare Valley.

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Start your gourmet odyssey an hour south of Adelaide at McLaren Vale, a scenic region wedged between the rolling Mount Lofty Ranges and the Gulf St Vincent beaches. With 80 plus cellar doors, there’s plenty to fill your day. Cycle or hike along the Shiraz Trail, a five-mile (8km) former rail-trail to Willunga, stopping off to sample wines and local produce at cellar doors. Heading back north to Adelaide Hills, known for its cool-climate wines, pretty townships and lush landscapes, the route then continues onto the historic towns and gourmet hot spots of the Barossa Valley and finally the picturesque Clare Valley. Ditch the car again and pedal along the 22-mile (35km) Riesling Trail for countryside views, cellar doors and charming B&Bs.

Tasmania: Hobart to Binalong Bay

Skirting along Tasmania’s scenic east coast, this 186-mile (300km) route is best taken over four days or more. Starting at Hobart, the road goes north past dramatic coastlines peppered with stunning and often deserted beaches. The Great Eastern Drive passes four of the state's 19 national parks: Freycinet (white sands, blue waters and pink granite peaks), Douglas-Apsley (forest tracks and gorges with swimming holes), Mount William (which includes the northern section of the dramatic Bay of Fires) and, a 30-minute ferry from the fishing port of Triabunna, the wildlife haven that is Maria Island (convict-era ruins and native species including wombats and Tasmanian devils). 

Other highlights on the Great Eastern Drive are impossibly pretty Wineglass Bay on the Freycinet​ Peninsula and the extraordinary orange lichen-covered granite boulders of the Bay of Fires, where the route ends. There are plenty of places to stay and eat en route, as the road takes in charming laid-back towns (including Orford, Swansea on the Great Oyster Bay and Bicheno) and some of Tasmania's top food and wine producers.

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Tasmania: Hobart to Cockle Bay

Take the road south of Hobart instead to follow the Southern Edge road trip. After exploring the historic waterfront capital, head along the Huon Highway and out past the little coves of the D’Entrecasteaux Channel, around the bucolic farms and orchards of the pretty Huon Valley and drive right to Australia’s southern-most edge for cliff-top walks and edge-of-the-world feels. This easy drive can be done in a few days, but add a few extra to hop over to Bruny Island. Take the car ferry from Kettering to wend your way around the wild little isle.

Back on the mainland, head south down the coastal road to Cygnet, hub of the Huon Valley with the D'Entrecasteaux Channel on one side and the Huon River on the other. From here you can pootle around farm gates and roadside stalls to sample its famed apples, pears and ciders. From here, head to Cockle Bay to explore Tasmania's secluded southwest wilderness where quite literally the next stop is Antarctica. Park at the end of Australia’s most southerly road and follow the South Coast Track through woods and bushland to the cliffs above South Cape Bay. This four-hour hike will certainly stretch your legs before you head back to Hobart.

Tasmania: Cradle Mountain to Queenstown

After exploring the spectacular scenery of Cradle Mountain and Dove Lake in Tasmania's Central Highlands, take the road less traveled into the island's western wilds. Turning west onto the C132, you’ll cross a stretch of wild open moorland, then head south onto the Murchison Highway. You’ll pass through former mining towns (Tullah and Rosebery) and remote settlements with a convict past that sit on the edge of the vast World Heritage-listed Tasmanian Wilderness Area that cloaks much of the island's west. 

Stop in small town Zeehan to learn about the region’s rich history at the West Coast Heritage Centre and Pioneers Museum and climb Mount Zeehan for sweeping west coast views. Then stretch your legs on the wild windswept expanse of Ocean Beach before driving 40 minutes south to harborside town Strahan. Now a tourist hub, cruises go into the Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park and to notorious convict station Sarah Island. From here, you could either catch the historic West Coast Wilderness Railway through the rainforest to Queenstown, once the world's richest mining town, or wind along the twisty mountainous road to explore its heritage buildings and visit former mines.

Queensland: Gold Coast to Bundaberg

Sun- and fun-filled days are a given on the 273-mile (440km) Great Sunshine Way, which stretches north from the buzzy Gold Coast along Queensland's subtropical coastline via Brisbane to Bundaberg. As well as sun-drenched beaches at every turn, you’ll see koalas and whales, eat in fantastic restaurants and pass stunning national parks. Start the trip on a high note by hitting the theme parks of the Gold Coast or learning to surf at Surfers Paradise then hit the M1, AKA Great Sunshine Way.

Spend a night or two in buzzy Brisbane: take the riverside walk and head to Fortitude Valley for hip bars and restaurants. More top food spots and blissful beaches await 90 miles (144km) north in upscale beach town Noosa. Follow the track through Noosa National Park to the headland where koalas are often spotted, and whales pass by. Didn’t spot any? Continue on the road 115 miles (185km) north to Hervey Bay. Around 10,000 humpback whales visit here every year on their annual migration between July and November. Next stop is Bundaberg, where a well-deserved rum awaits your arrival. Take a tour of its famed Bundaberg Rum Distillery.

Queensland: Noosa to Hervey Bay

There are beach roads and then there are actual beach roads. Follow the 236-mile (380km) Great Beach Drive to quite literally track your way along the sand on Queensland's sandy highways. Start in Noosa, where you’ll need to hire a four-wheel drive (make sure the right vehicle access permits are included), then cross Noosa River on the vehicle ferry at Tewantin. From here, take the third beach access road and hit the sands. You’ll go through the Great Sandy Strait Biosphere – stop at Teewah Beach to marvel at its multicolored sand cliffs then carry on north on the Leisha Track to cut through the sand dunes to the small coastal resort of Rainbow Beach. 

Stay overnight at seaside resort Rainbow Beach before you take the vehicle barge over to the southern end of World Heritage-listed K’gari (Fraser Island) for a mind-blowing drive along its 75 Mile Beach. This amazing sand highway runs along the island's eastern coast. Park at little township Eurong and head off on foot to explore or keep driving north to Lake Wabby, Eli Creek, the SS Maheno shipwreck, Indian Head (pictured) and Champagne Pools. Camp overnight then track inland to Kingfisher Bay on its west coast to catch the Fraser Island Barge across to River Heads, a 20-minute drive away from Hervey Bay.

Queensland: Cairns to Cooktown

After enjoying the sights above and below the waves in Cairns, hit the Captain Cook Highway for a seriously scenic 87-mile (140km) drive along the far north Queensland coast to Cape Tribulation. With white sand, blue waters and offshore islands on one side and emerald-green rainforest on the other, it’s a feast for the eyes. Stop off for lunch or the night at pretty resort Palm Cove, then head on to Port Douglas. This buzzy tropical town has great restaurants, bars and shops and is a top place to head out on boat trips to the outer Great Barrier Reef or to little islands for snorkeling.

Use Port Douglas as a base for exploring the many wonders of Daintree National Park, before taking the vehicle ferry across the Daintree River to Cow Bay. From here it’s a 30-minute stretch to Cape Tribulation, where the rainforest meets the Coral Sea with spectacular effect. Four-wheel drives only can continue from Emmagen Creek north along the scenic but challenging Bloomfield Track to Cooktown (where Captain James Cook came ashore after HMS Endeavour ran aground on the reef). Be sure to visit its museum and take a tour with Indigenous Australian guides to visit the Quinkan Rock Art. Decorating sandstone escarpments near small town Laura, these are one of the best collections of prehistoric rock art in the world.

Queensland: Gold Coast to the Scenic Rim

Queensland isn’t all reef and beach as you’ll discover on this inland route, which winds around the unfathomably picturesque Scenic Rim. The volcanic region encompasses six national parks, World Heritage-listed Gondwana Rainforests, towering mountains, sleepy villages and farmland. Within less than an hour of leaving Gold Coast’s high-rises, you’ll be meandering along narrow roads into lush cool hills and through lovely country towns. Start at North Tamborine on Tamborine Mountain where you can take the Tamborine Rainforest Skywalk, tour glow worm caves and stock up on local treats from its many distilleries, vineyards and food producers.

Itching to explore the walking trails? Head south through the rainforest-cloaked mountains towards Lamington National Park, part of the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia. In this park alone, 90 miles (160km) of hiking trails lead to no less than 500 waterfalls. For sweeping views of the Lost World plateau (a green shelf on Razorback Mountain), strike out on the Moonlight Crag walk or if time is short get up among the trees on the park's suspension bridge walk. From here, drive west towards Rathdowney to explore the trails that wrap around the rugged peaks and rainforests of Mount Barney National Park.

Victoria: Torquay to Allansford

Victoria’s Great Ocean Road is hands down one of the world’s best driving routes. Officially starting in Torquay and ending at Allansford to the west, the route twists 151 miles (243km) along the Southern Ocean passing surf towns, wild beaches and striking rock formations, before heading inland through undulating rainforest. From Torquay, head to Bells Beach (famed surf spot), Anglesea, Aireys Inlet (take a tour of historic Split Point Lighthouse for thrilling views) and spend the night at lovely beach town Lorne. Stroll to Teddy’s Lookout for more spectacular views and be sure to visit Erskine Falls.

Some of the road’s most coast-hugging sections follow on the drive to Apollo Bay: pull over at the lookouts to peer down to the crashing waves below. You’re likely to spot koalas as you drive, but if you don’t, follow the Grey River Road walk in Kennett River, home to a large population of wild koalas – it's halfway between Lorne and Apollo Bay. After the latter, the road veers into the Great Otway National Park (stop for rainforest strolls and thundering waterfalls) before winding back to the coast and past the famous rock formations of Port Campbell National Park – the Twelve Apostles, Loch Ard Gorge and London Arch.

Victoria: Melbourne to Mornington Peninsula

With its rolling hills, wineries, sleepy villages and hot springs, the Mornington Peninsula offers the best of both countryside and coast and is where Melburnians go to recharge. Framed by two spectacular coastlines, the peninsula has dramatic surf beaches and sheltered bays, and is scattered with artsy seaside towns. Take the M3 Eastlink Toll Road from the city and in an hour you could be gazing at the region from the top of Arthurs Seat, soaking in the Mornington Peninsula Hot Springs or picking up a pinot from its vineyards.

Pootle around the wineries and award-winning restaurants of the Red Hill and Main Ridge regions. Then for beach time head to Mount Martha, Rosebud and Portsea, all pretty bays backed by colorful beach huts. Scenic seaside town Sorrento near the western tip is a lovely base with plenty to do. From here, you can head towards Point Nepean at the very tip of the Mornington Peninsula: the views across the Bass Strait, the Rip and Port Phillip Bay are mind blowing, as are the walking trails that wind around its old military forts, tunnels and Quarantine Station.

Victoria: Wangaratta to Metung

Head into Victoria’s lofty mountain ranges on the Great Alpine Road for a dose of crisp mountain air and big sky views. The route stretches from Wangaratta through the Ovens Valley to Harrietville, up and over the alpine resort of Mount Hotham, then down again to the coastal village of Metung on the Gippsland Lakes. Covering 211 miles (339km) in total, this drive takes you along Australia's highest year-round accessible sealed road. As well as soaring peaks and plunging valleys, you’ll pass Gold Rush-era towns, thick forests, undulating vineyards and wildlife-rich waterways.

Head south of Wangaratta to explore Milawa (known for its great food) and Beechworth, a characterful 19th-century gold rush town, then head up into Mount Buffalo National Park. Here, walking tracks lead to hulking granite formations, waterfalls and lofty lookouts across the Australian Alps. It’s a hub of outdoor activities in both summer and winter. After stopping in charming country town Bright, ascend into Victoria's highest Alpine village, Mt Hotham. Danny's Lookout is the place to admire it all. You could tackle the Razorback Trail to the summit of Mount Feathertop or descend to the lush farmlands and historic buildings of Omeo. The last leg of this drive along the Great Alpine Road takes you to Metung, gateway to the gorgeous Gippsland Lakes. 

Western Australia: Perth to Exmouth

The 800-mile (1,250km) Coral Coast Highway from Perth to Exmouth is one of Australia’s ultimate campervan routes, skirting past some of the state’s most spectacular coastal scenery, otherworldly wonders and wildlife encounters, with some brilliant campsites en route. One of the first major stops after leaving Perth is the Pinnacles Desert, followed by the coastal city of Geraldton and onto the rugged landscape of Kalbarri National Park – well worth a stopover for hikes around its plunging gorges and to take the new Kalbarri Skywalk on the rim of Murchison Gorge for dizzying views. 

Next up are the wonders of the Shark Bay World Heritage Area: stroll across Shell Beach, meet the dolphins of Monkey Mia and see some of the oldest living organisms on the planet, the stromatolites at Hamelin Pool. From here it’s back on the North West Coastal Highway to Carnarvon and Coral Bay, where you can swim straight from the beach and out onto the Ningaloo Reef, the world’s longest fringing coral reef. Cape Range National Park just outside Exmouth is a suitably show-stopping end point with its ocher-colored gorges and reef-fringed turquoise lagoons. Go between March to July, if you can, and you’ll be there when whale sharks arrive to feed on plankton. 

Western Australia: Derby to Kununurra

The 410-mile (660km) Gibb River Road is one of Australia’s most legendary four-wheel drive routes, cutting through some of its most remarkable scenery. Accessible only between April and October, the challenging track (which has been sealed in sections recently) is a short cut between Derby in the west Kimberley and Kununurra in the east, taking drivers into the heart of the northern Kimberley plateau. You can do the full route, best taken over 12 days, or explore parts on a long weekend.

However far along the route you go, you're in for a truly breathtaking journey through sunburnt sandstone ranges, rivers and boab-dotted savannah country. There are plenty of places to sleep along the way, from camps to luxury lodges on unfeasibly large cattle stations like Drysdale River Station and Home Valley Station, as well as El Questro Wilderness Park. Cool off from dusty drives in sparkling waterholes, hike to dazzling gorges like Adcock Gorge (passing ancient rock art along bush tracks) and feel dwarfed by the majestic orange cliffs of the Cockburn Range.

Western Australia: Perth to Esperance

Follow the road south alongside the Indian Ocean from Perth in southern Western Australia for wildlife, wines, white-sand beaches, waves and towering trees. This is the epic South West Edge road trip that takes in some of the state’s most extraordinary landscapes. First up is go-to gourmet destination Margaret River, famed for its wineries, farmers' markets and surf-pounded beaches. Be sure to walk some of the spectacular coastal stretch that runs from the wind-lashed lighthouses of Cape Naturaliste to Cape Leeuwin.

If time allows, follow the road on as it curves around onto Western Australia’s southern coast. Stop to hike through the tingle trees in the Walpole-Nornalup National Park forest – these giant eucalypts are found nowhere else on Earth – and swim in the gorgeous Greens Pool in William Bay National at Denmark. More epic coastal scenery follows on Hamersley Drive, a scenic route that wends through Fitzgerald River National Park to Hopetoun. From here, it’s two hours to Esperance, on the edge of Cape Le Grand National Park, where resident kangaroos can be seen hopping about Lucky Bay’s gleaming sand.

Western Australia: Dalwallinu to Geraldton

Western Australia’s Northern Wheatbelt region is glorious road-trip territory at any time of the year, but go from July to October and you’ll be there when the landscape bursts into bloom during the wildflower season. Follow the Wildflower Way from Dalwallinu, a quiet farming town, and head 192 miles (309km) north to Geraldton, passing through traditional townships along the way. One of the first spots you’ll reach is Petrudor Rocks where you can see everlastings, wattles and wild orchids around the pools and granite formations.

Heading onwards, visit Wubin, Buntine Rock, Latham or Caron Dam before arriving at the Wheatbelt town of Perenjori, heart of the wildflower region where pink, yellow and white everlastings carpet the countryside in spring. There’s plenty to do in the sheep-and-wheat farming town, including walking trails – follow the one to John Forrest Lookout for incredible views of the surrounding station country. Carry on north along the Wubin Mullewa Highway to Morawa, Mullewa and finally, breezy coastal city Geraldton, all with their own picturesque wildflower sites.

New South Wales: Sydney to Shoalhaven

Stretching 87 miles (140km) south from Sydney, the Grand Pacific Drive is a blockbuster of a coastal route. First up is the Royal National Park, the oldest in Australia, with its walking trails to wild beaches. The highway continues south, over the famously photogenic Sea Cliff Bridge, which bends around towering cliffs and past the coastal towns of Wollongong, Shellharbour and Kiama. Stay overnight here and follow the Kiama Coastal Walk to see its famous blowhole, surf beaches and pretty bays – the lesser known Little Blowhole lies further south.

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New South Wales: Sydney to Southern Highlands

From Sydney, take the Hume Highway 70 miles (112km) southwest to Bowral, the largest town in the Southern Highlands. Bowral is packed with genteel shops and gourmet restaurants and cricket fans will love the Bradman Museum (you can also visit his childhood home). This rural region is all rolling green hills and farmlands, scattered with charming villages and cellar doors. Just to the west of Bowral lies historic township Berrima, home to the oldest continuously licensed pub in Australia, the Surveyor General Inn. Take the river walk and call in at the Bendooley Estate for wine tasting and book browsing (it has an amazing book barn). 

The region has over 60 vineyards that specialize in cool-climate varieties and 15 cellar doors – follow the wine trail to visit some of the best. It has beautiful bushland and waterfall walks too (keep an eye out for koalas). A couple of hours south of Berrima is Morton National Park, where you should walk to Fitzroy Falls before heading northeast for more stunning waterfalls and kayaking adventures in Kangaroo Valley – you'll cross over the gorgeous 19th-century Hampden Bridge. Then drive east towards the coast via picturesque Berry to join the stunning Grand Pacific Drive north back towards Sydney.

New South Wales: Sydney to the Blue Mountains

The Blue Mountains can easily be visited in a day from Sydney but make a long weekend of it to see more of the incredible region. Head out along the Great Western Highway from Sydney to Leura and Katoomba, two charming towns in the upper mountains and where most visitors gravitate. Echo Point Lookout is the place to go to see the Three Sisters, the dramatic sandstone peaks that soar over Jamison Valley. At Scenic World you can take the cable car across the valley or head down on the world's steepest railway to explore the trails below. 

Continue the short distance on the Great Western Highway towards Blackheath, then take the winding Megalong Valley Road through rainforest to explore this lovely pastoral valley with its delightful tearooms and horse-riding trails. Back on the highway, stop off at Hassan’s Walls (the highest lookout in the Greater Blue Mountains), and follow the winding road down to the mesmerizing Jenolan Caves, said to be the most ancient caverns in the world. From here wend your way back the way you came or go via Bilpin instead and through the Hawkesbury region to stop off at historic riverside settlements and national parks – and try your hand at kayaking – before heading south down the Pacific Highway back to Sydney.

New South Wales: Sydney to Blueys Beach

There's a reason this long-distance road-trip north from Sydney to Byron Bay is named the Legendary Pacific Coast drive. The full route is 497 miles long (800km) and passes surf towns, historic cities and wildlife-rich national parks, but you can get a taste of it along a three-hour section from Sydney to Blueys Beach in mid-north coast. Once you’ve crossed the Hawkesbury River, and weaved past the Central Coast’s beachside towns (Ettalong Beach, Terrigal and The Entrance), you'll reach cool coastal city Newcastle. From here, a detour to sample semillon and shiraz in the Hunter Valley is very much recommended. 

Next stop is Port Stephens – a huge sweep of a bay known for its giant sand dunes, dolphin tours and koala habitats. From here, head up along the Pacific Highway towards the mid-north coast, taking the exit onto the Lakes Way to the Great Lakes region. There are seven dazzling beaches to hop between, including surfer's hangout Blueys, Boomerang and Elizabeth Beach (part of Booti Booti National Park) and three coastal lagoon systems, including the magnificent Myall Lakes, to explore.

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