western australia road trip 3 weeks

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.

Back of a white van covered in stickers under a blue sky while driving along the road

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.

A woman walks around a sandy area with big rocks

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.

Coastal view of the view ocean against the cliff sides

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.

A river breaks through a red canyon covered in grass.

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.

View of a canyon through red rocks with a river breaking through the middle of it

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.

A wooden pier next to clear water with rocks on the bottom

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.

A woman stands smiling in a pink dress while holding sand on the beach

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!

A person stands next to an ocean animal in the water while a boat floats in the background

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.

View of the turquoise ocean under a blue sky

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.

A woman walks in shallow ocean water next to a rocky cliff

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.

Families play in shallow ocean water on the beach

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!

A white van with its door open and stickers on the back sits on a dirt road

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.

A waterfall trickles down rocks into a body of water

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.

A man walks along the beach as the sun sets

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.

A group of people ride camels on the beach at sunset

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!

The bright moon is in the sky over the ocean.

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

Heading down under? Check out our other Australia posts !

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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.

motorhome in western Australia on a roadtrip

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.

motorhome in the middle of western australia

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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

Book a Campervan for Western Australia Today!

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The ultimate west coast australia road trip.

The ULTIMATE Western 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!

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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Ultimate West Coast Australia Road Trip Guide - Itinerary + Tips

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

From Perth to Esperance: An incredible 3-week road trip itinerary

Welcome and thank you for visiting this article. before you start reading, you need to know that some of the links on my website are affiliate links of which i receive a small commission from the sale of certain items, but the price remains the same for you..

A road trip in Western Australia from Perth to Esperance will likely include stops at world-class wineries, chilling out with kangaroos on the whitest beaches, swimming in crystal-clear lagoons, and traveling along the most gorgeous coasts. It was one of my favorite road trips after I bought and converted my 4WD Toyota Landcruiser.

Since I think everyone should take this road trip at least once in their lives, I’ve put together this itinerary based on my own experiences, tips, and favorite things to do.

I did this road trip twice, in both directions, for a minimum of three weeks, which is the perfect amount of time. However, you can make this trip in 10 days or even 4 weeks if you decide to stay longer at some places as you’ll love it!

READ ALSO: From Darwin to Uluru: the best Northern Territory road trip in 3 weeks

How to get to Western Australia?

First of all, you need to figure out how to get to Western Australia.

The most convenient and best option is to fly to Perth, Western Australia’s capital city.

When searching for the most convenient and affordable flight options, I suggest that you use Skyscanner. When you finally arrive in the city, you can take the shuttle bus for AUD 27/€17, while a ride to the city center with Didi, Ola, or Uber will cost you AUD 20/€12

I flew from Bali to Perth , which is only a three-and-a-half-hour flight, and one-way tickets cost about AU$100/€82 per person

Renting a car or campervan in Australia

When you get to Perth, you have a few ways to get to Esperance.

First of all, the easiest way is to rent a car, which will cost between AUD45 and AUD65 or €28 and €40 per day . And to avoid extra fees or expensive rental prices, it’s recommended to pick up and drop off the car at the same location.

You can also rent a campervan which is comparable to hiring a car (about AUD50-105 per day or €30-65 for a camper that sleeps 2-3 people ), but you won’t have to worry about finding a place to stay, which will save you a significant amount of money.

Check out the campervans that are available through Jucy Rentals , Travellersautobarn, Maui, or Britz, as these rental companies are the best in Western Australia.

Staying longer in Australia? Buy your own car!

If you plan to remain in Australia for a longer time, it is highly recommended that you own your own vehicle. You will have to pay a bit more at first, but in the long run, you will come out ahead since you will sell the car or campervan again.

I decided to make a house on wheels out of the Toyota Landcruiser Prado 4×4 I bought from an old man. I’ve always imagined living the van life in Australia and owning a camper van, but now that I have this 4×4, I couldn’t be happier with the decision.

It is necessary to have a 4WD vehicle in Western Australia as you can visit and drive along the beaches with your car, which is not always possible with a 2WD.

However, if you are looking for the most exciting experiences, driving over beaches, and camping in remote locations while you are on your road trip in Western Australia, then you should rent or buy a four-wheel-drive vehicle.

For buying your own car, I recommend using the website of Gumtree and Carsales but also Marketplace on Facebook and the Facebook groups like Australia Backpackers .

With a budget of AUD5000 or €3100 , you’re sure to find a good secondhand car.

READ ALSO: The Big Lap: the ultimate road trip around Australia in 2 years

Bathers Paradise Campground - Coco2- BLOGPOST HQ

Best time to visit Western Australia?

Even though the weather in Western Australia is warm throughout the year, the best time to make this amazing road trip in Australia is between December and February.

The skies are clear blue, the days are bright and sunny, and the temperature is a delightful warm with averages ranging from 25 to 35 degrees Celsius.

It is also the perfect time to go wine tasting in Margaret River during the summer, as well as to visit Rottnest Island, where you can get up close with some adorable quokkas.

READ ALSO: 10 amazing day trips from Perth

Map of South Western Australia

I’ve made this map of South West WA with the complete itinerary to help you visualize all the highlights and places I’ve visited during this road trip.

Perth to Esperance Road trip Itinerary

Hotel: Pensione Hotel Perth A$ 135 per night

This road trip is the most beautiful one in Australia by many people as there are many unique places along the way that will blow your mind. Think about the wine region of Margaret River, the incredible white sandy beaches of Esperance, and one of the largest mine pits of Australia in Kalgoorlie.

You can do this road trip in either direction and as I did both ways I recommend starting from Perth towards Margaret River. so you can meet other travelers easily and might end up traveling in the outback together, which is more comfortable and fun.

This road trip itinerary will start from when I left Perth (where I lived for a few months), so make sure you add a few days to the beginning or end of your trip to spend in Perth. It’s a great city with lots of fun things to do.

You can take a ferry to Rottnest Island , where you can hang out with the cutest quokkas, which takes only 25 minutes, or visit Fremantle , which is Perth’s port city and a beautiful, historic town.

READ ALSO: 20 great things to do in Perth, Western Australia

Travel distance: 200 km – 2h 10m Campsite: Collie River Valley Tourist Park A$35 – powered campsite

Most travelers skip this place and drive straight to Busselton but I believe it is worth the small detour. Collie has 2 big artificial lakes, Diamond -and Stockton Lake , which are actually old coal mines filled with water. Due to the limestone soil, the water gets a turquoise-blue color.

After I visited the beautiful lakes, I drove to Wellington National Park where the massive dam was recently decorated with a large mural and now it is a beautiful sightseeing place. During warmer days, you can go for a swim in the nearby Honeymoon Pool.

On the way to Busselton, I stopped at Gnomesville , a small area in the Ferguson Valley where tourists donated garden gnomes and these days there are thousands of gnomes. Impressive and funny to walk around!

Before I headed to Busselton, I stopped at the Hackersley Estate Wines to enjoy the beautiful views while tasting some of their prestige wines.

TIP: The Ferguson Valley has many vineyards and wineries, so you can easily spend a few days in this region.

Travel distance: 124km – 1h 50m Campsite: Discovery Parks Busselton A$38 – powered campsite

Busselton is famous for its wooden jetty as it is the longest wooden jetty in the Southern Hemisphere and all the way at the end of this 1840m jetty you’ll find paintings of life-sized whales and an underwater aquarium. Worth to walk or taking the mini-train.

The Busselton Jetty is a great place for snorkeling and diving as there is so much life underneath the surface, so I took my snorkeling gear and bought a Jetty Daypass for only AU$ 4. On the jetty are many platforms with stairs from where you can enter the water.

The other day, I visited the Busselton Foreshore, which is a great place to explore when it’s too cold for snorkeling or just hanging out and enjoying the beach vibes.

Besides a visit to the Jetty, I recommend driving to the Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park and Meelup Regional Park as you will find beautiful spots here such as Point Picquet , Castle Rock Beach , Sugarloaf Rock , and the Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse.

TIP: Visit Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park between September and October to spot whales along the coastline

Margaret River

Travel distance: 100 km – 1h 45m Campsite: Margaret River Tourist Park A$40 – powered campsite

Not only the world-famous wine region of Margaret River makes this one of the best places to visit in Australia, but also the stunning beaches, massive limestone caves, and incredible whale-watching experiences.

I visited the Indijup Natural pools and the Canal Rocks when I drove from Busselton to Margaret River, visited the Olive Farm of Olio Bello , joined a tasting at the Leeuwin Estate Winery, and watched the sunset at Prevelly Beach.

Such a beautiful area with lots of awesome things to do, so make sure you stay a few days around here.

The next day I went a bit more South of Margaret River, to explore the Jewel Cave , visit Hamelin Bay and the Leeuwin Lighthouse . Although these were my favorite things to do in Margaret River, I did much more.

BOOK: A guided tour in the Jewel Cave which I highly recommend or a self-guided tour in the Mammoth Cave which is really fun

BOOK: I joined this wine-tasting experience at Leeuwin Estate and had a fantastic tour of the art gallery

Margaret River - Voyageur Estate24- BLOGPOST HQ

Travel distance: 125 km – 1h 30m Campsite: Pemberton Caravan Park A$28 per night – unpowered site

Pemberton is a great place to stop and break the drive to Denmark and Albany as the surrounding nature is perfect for some outdoor adventures. However, another great reason to visit Pemberton is to climb up the Gloucester Tree.

Built as fire lookouts, these massive trees now have a man-made stair made from steel bars, so you can climb up to the top. I am not good with heights so skipped this climb.

At the top, you can have a beautiful panoramic view over the Karri Valley. The view is even more amazing if you climb at sunset.

The Gloucester Tree is the most popular one and also very easy to get to as it is close to the Town, however, If you would like to visit The Bicentennial Tree, which is taller, you’ll have to drive another 13 minutes out of town. Both have picnic areas at the bottom and are surrounded by beautiful forests.

The RAC Karri Valley Resort is an excellent place to stay if you want to unwind and have some great outdoor fun.

TIP: The entrance fee is AU$ 15 per vehicle or included in the WA National Park Pass.

Cloucester Tree - Pemberton18- BLOGPOST HQ

Travel distance: 190 km – 2h 10m Campsite: BIG4 Denmark Ocean Beach Holiday Park – A$45 per night – powered campsite with concrete slab

On the way from Pemberton to Denmark, I stopped in Walpole and visited the Valley of The Giants Tree Top Walk where you can walk 40 meters above the ground in the massive treetops. These trees are one of the tallest trees in the South West and crossing the suspension bridges from tree to tree is just stunning.

After the visit to Walpole and the Valley of the Giants, I headed to Denmark where you can swim in a place that can’t be missed on this road trip from Perth to Esperance, the Green Pools in William Bay National Park.

Beautiful Turquoise ocean water surrounded by big boulders in a small bay creates a natural pool and makes it the perfect place to relax and snorkel. A small walk along the rocky coastline brought me to another awesome spot, Elephants Rocks , which are giant boulders rising from the ocean. Just stunning.

There was one more place I wanted to see in Williams Bay National Park, so I took my car and drove to Waterfall Beach . A beautiful waterfall that literally drops down at the beach.

TIP: Most BIG4 Parks offer a “Stay 4 nights, pay for 3” discount

Travel distance: 50 km – 45m Campsite: Albany Holiday Park – A$32 unpowered

The next stop on this road trip is Albany which is only 45 min from Denmark but offers many amazing places to visit, so definitely worth staying for a few days.

When the sun was out, I headed to Torndirrup National Park and Two Peoples Bay to relax at some of the most beautiful beaches in the world (Salmon Beach in Torndirrup National Park was the most beautiful beach in Australia in 2022) and Little Beach in Two Peoples Bay probably popped up on your Instagram feed somewhere.

On a rainy or cloudy day, I went to Mount Clarence where you have amazing viewpoints and the ANZAC Museum, or just relaxed in one of the many great cafes in town.

BOOK: Join a guided tour in the Torndirrup National Park and visit the Gap and the Natural Bridge

Porongurup National Park

Travel distance: 50 km – 39 min. Campsite: Porongurup Range Tourist Park A$33 per night – powered campsite

One of my favorite and the best stops in Western Australia is the Granite Skywalk or Castle Rock in Porongurup National Park which has spectacular views 360 degrees from the top. It takes about an hour to walk up to the Granite Skywalk from the car park.

The best time to go is just before sunset but beware that you have to go back down at dusk, so be careful.

The surrounding area of Porongurup National Park is also very interesting as there are many family-owned wineries, boutique vineyards, and beautiful walking trails.

TIP: Visit Duke’s Vineyard to taste some award-winning wines

BOOK: A guided tour from Albany to the Granite Skywalk including a wine-tasting experience

Albany - Granite Skywalk Porongurup NP23- BLOGPOST HQ

Stirling Range National Park

Travel distance: 45 km –30 min. Campsite: Stirling Range Retreat A$35 per night – powered campsite

Only 30 minutes from Porongurup National Park is the highest mountain in South Western Australia, Bluff Knoll, which is located in the Stirling Range National Park . I drove here in the afternoon and grabbed a camping spot at the Stirling Range Retreat.

I was planning to hike to Bluff Knoll but unfortunately, it was closed due to bushfires and safety reasons. However, If you want to do this hike (which is apparently amazing) it is about a 6 km return and a grade 4 hike, and not recommended to walk when it’s windy or too hot.

Instead of doing another hike in the Stirling Ranges, I continued my trip to Bremer Bay as I planned to do an exciting experience.

TIP: Check the website of Stirling Range National Park before you go to get the latest info and bring enough water with you.

Travel distance: 140 km – 1h 50m Hotel: Bremer Bay Resort A$150 night

After a lovely morning in Stirling Range, I continued to Bremer Bay , which is located on the Western side of the Fitzgerald National Park. Although, I am not going to visit Fitzgerald National Park this time as most highlights are on the Eastern side.

The reason I came is to join a Bremer Bay orca tour with Whale Watch Western Australia as this was on my bucket list for so long and it was the perfect season.

The boat left in the morning to search Orca pods and a group of dolphins joined us along the way, so amazing! After a few hours, we spotted our first killer whales. we spotted around 10-15 killer whales during the Bremer Bay Orca tour and even though they didn’t come close to the boat (they do sometimes), it was a unique experience.

On the way back to the harbor, the boat stopped to watch a giant rock in the ocean that was full of seals playing around.

If you do this road trip in a different season, you can join also a whale watch expedition from Fremantle.

BOOK: I joined this Killer Whale tour of Whale Watch Western Australia and it was amazing!

READ ALSO: 12 awesome things to do in Fremantle

Whale Watch Western Australia229- BLOGPOST HQ

Fitzgerald River National Park

Travel distance: 260 km – 2h 45m Campsite: Wavecrest village & tourist park A$32 per night – powered campsite

Fitzgerald River National Park was the next place on this itinerary in South Western Australia. A lot of tourists skip this beautiful undeveloped wilderness, but I think you should visit this spot.

You can access the park from Bremer Bay and go to Point Ann , which is the best place to spot whales along the coastline during the season between July and October . However, I decided to drive to the entrance on the Eastside near Hopetoun.

From there it is much easier to reach some amazing viewpoints such as the Barrens Beach lookout and Cave Point but also to reach the beautiful Four Mile Beach , and the East Hamersley Inlet

Fitzgerald National Park is one of the conservation areas in all of Western Australia with the most plants and animals. According to the website, there are about 20% of the plant species in WA, 22 species of mammals, 41 species of reptiles, and more than 200 species of birds.

Travel distance: 190 km – 2h 10m Chalet: Pink Lake Tourist Park – A$30 unpowered site

After visiting Fitzgerald National Park, I finally reached the town of Esperance, which is quite nice and lovely, with just a handful of shops, some cafes, and a local farmer’s market.

I stayed a few nights and spend most of the days at the most beautiful beaches such as Twilight Beach , Bluehaven Beach and 10-Miles Beach, while during the evenings I had some beers at the Lucky Bay Brewery or made some conversations with the neighbors on the campground.

On the last day in Esperance, I drove to Wylie Bay Rock, a breathtaking beach that shouldn’t be missed on this itinerary. You can then enter Cape Le Grand National Park from there and drive along the beach until you reach the entrance, which is approximately 22 kilometers away.

Cape Le Grand National Park

Travel distance: 63 km – 50m Campsite: Lucky Bay Campground A$30 per night – Book this campsite in advance

When I got to Cape Le Grand National Park , I entered through the beach entrance (the drive itself is just epic), and I went straight to the Lucky Bay camping to hang out with the kangaroos on the beach . It was just amazing to see these kangaroos coming soo close and relaxing on the beach.

Because this campground is so popular, you have to book your spot weeks in advance. Even during the off-peak times, it is difficult to find a camping spot here.

The following day, I went to Hellfire Bay and Thistle Cove to check out their beaches, and I think I may have found paradise! These are two incredible beaches that have water as clear as a mirror, and there you can sunbathe on the rocks or have a picnic on the beach.

Another amazing thing to do is the hike at Frenchman Peak , I didn’t do the hike up, but if you have the time and want to see some incredible views over the national park, you should definitely consider climbing Frenchman Peak at sunset.

Duke Of Orleans Bay

Travel distance: 77 km – 55h Campsite: Orleans Bay Caravan Park A$40 per night – powered campsite

This place is heaven on earth, and it’s only an hour from Cape Le Grand National Park. People usually only go to Esperance and Cape Le Grand National Park and skip Duke of Orleans Bay , so they don’t know much about this place, which makes it kind of a hidden gem .

Crystal-clear water, azure skies, and the most breathtaking coastline scenery imaginable are what you can expect at Wharton Beach , where I pretty much spend all my days. I just relaxed on the beach, made a fresh lunch, and drove along the white sandy beach with my 4WD until the sun went down.

And when I stayed at the Duke of Orleans Caravan Park (end of February during peak season in Australia), I was nearly the only person there.

Travel distance: 285 km – 3h Campsite: Free overnight stop (north of Dundas) – unpowered

The drive from Duke Of Orleans Bay to Kalgoorlie is about 5-6 hours, so I decided to relax at Wharton Beach until noon and then head to Norseman where I stayed for the night to break the long distance.

Norseman is a small mining town that doesn’t have much to offer besides the heritage site of Dundas Rock and Lone Grave. If you plan to go to South Australia , Norseman is also the place to go to get to the famous Nullarbor Road.

TIP: download a playlist on Spotify before heading into the outback and bring enough water and snacks with you! There are only a few roadhouses along the way and no big towns with supermarkets until you reach Kalgoorlie

Travel distance: 380 km – 4h 20m Campsite: Discovery Parks – Kalgoorlie Goldfields A$35 per night – unpowered campsite

Unfortunately, because it was a Sunday when I arrived in Kalgoorlie, the visitor center was closed and I was unable to make a reservation on one of the available tours. I just took a drive to the Super Pit Lookout, and all I can say is that this location is just fantastic!

The Kalgoorlie Super Pit is not only the largest gold mine in Australia but also one of the largest open-cut mines in the world! If you arrange your trip better than I did, you might be able to join the tours that take you into the pit (which should be incredible), or you could be able to watch one of the blasts that are updated regularly.

Travel distance: 340 km – 3h 50m Campsite: Wave Rock Cabin & Caravan Park – A$25 unpowered campsite (the entrance ticket to Wave Rock is included when you book this campground)

I left Kalgoorlie the next morning to visit one of the most unique places in the outback, Wave Rock , which was made about 2700 million years ago and looks like a big surf wave made of grey and red granite strips. So beautiful how nature creates this formation.

From Kalgoorlie, it is about 4-5 hours and you need to follow the 94 National Highway to Southern Cross and turn left on an unsealed road towards the town of Hyden. You could also drive to Narembeen and Merredin first, both of which have sealed roads, but it will take you 1.5 hours longer.

Stay at the campsite “ Wave Rock Caravan Park “, which is only a 2-minute walk from wave-shaped rock and a wonderful place to stay before you drove back from Wave Rock to Perth

TIP: Check the weather and cloud forecast when you visit Wave Rock as it is such a cool place to see the Milky Way and take pictures of it. I was there, but it was a very cloudy night, so I couldn’t get to see it.

BOOK: A guided tour from Perth to Wave Rock

This road trip was amazing, with lots of fun things to do and days to just chill out. I could spend time at some of the best beaches in Australia, taste world wines in Margaret River, Explored many National Parks and visited many other cool places.

Tell me about your suggestions and helpful tips, or let me know if this article helped you plan your road trip.

READ ALSO: The Best NSW Road trip itinerary in 2 weeks

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Plan your western australia road trip itinerary with my favorite travel apps.

To plan my adventures, I use these FREE websites and apps as they provide the best information, the best deals, and they are user-friendly.

Skyscanner – Flight deals
Booking.com – Hotels and accommodation
TourRadar – Group trips
TripAdvisor – Reviews and activities
HostelWorld – Hostels
GetYourGuide – Activities and excursions
RentalCars – Car rental
Omio – Transport
iVisa – Travel documents
Wise – Money transfer
InsuredNomads – Travel Insurance

PICTURES AND EDITING

All the pictures on this page are made and owned by me. If you are interested in some pictures to use for your magazine, website, blog, or any other purpose, just send me an email and we’ll figure it out.

Do you like the edits? My Presets will be online soon so you can edit your pictures in just one click!

The camera gear I used for this trip

I never go out without my camera and many people ask me which gear I use. So to make it quite easy, I listed all the gear I used for this trip below.

Most of the time, I travel with the Sony A7III and the Sony 24-105mm/f4 as my primary lens but depending on the location, I change to another setup. However, I love the Tamron 17-28 to shoot in the big cities.

SONY 24-105mm/f4
TAMRON 17-28mm/f2.8
TAMRON 70-180mm/f2.8
SIGMA 24mm/1.4
DJI MAVIC PRO 2
WANDRD PRVKE TRAVEL BAG

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Day 1: Explore Perth’s Rottnest Island & Fremantle

Quokka on Rottnest Island © James Vodicka

Quokka, Rottnest Island, Western Australia © James Vodicka

Jump on The Rottnest Express for a short ferry ride from Fremantle to the picturesque Rottnest Island ; home to the world's cutest and extremely photogenic marsupial, the quokka. Arrive at the sweeping white sands of Thomson Bay, one of the 63 beautiful beaches on the island. Walk off the beach to Thomson Bay Settlement to grab a coffee, pick up maps and hire bikes to explore the rest of the car-free island. Don’t forget your snorkel mask – Rottnest has beautiful marine life, easily accessible from the islands’ beaches and bays.

Before getting the 45-minute ferry back to the mainland, hop on a Rottnest Wild Seafood Experience Tour for a sensational sundowner cruise serving freshly caught delicacies.

When back on the mainland, stay the night at Hougoumont Hotel Fremantle or Be.Fremantle in the historic town of Fremantle.

Day 2: Fremantle to Bunbury

Couple walking through vineyards at Willow Bridge Estate © Frances Andrijich

Willow Bridge Estate, Ferguson Valley, Western Australia © Frances Andrijich

Enjoy the gourmet café culture of Fremantle for breakfast and browse local boutiques for unique or vintage finds. Then jump in your car and head 167 kilometres (103.7 miles) to Bunbury via the rolling hills of the Ferguson Valley.

Discover the secret spots along the Valley on a customised tour with South West Tourist Services or Hinterland Escapes . Explore boutique wineries and breweries, or tackle the scenic hiking and mountain bike trails of Wellington Forest National Park, stopping at Black Diamond Lake near Collie for a view of vivid turquoise waters.

Roll into Bunbury, where you can purchase fresh local produce from farmers’ markets, meet native animals at the Bunbury Wildlife Park, shop the boutiques and spot vibrant street art. Spend the evening immersed in the city’s nightlife at one of the many bars and restaurants overlooking one of Bunbury’s famous three waters – the bay, inlet and ocean – before returning to your accommodation at Bunbury Seaview Apartments or Discovery Parks Bunbury Foreshore .

Day 3: Bunbury To Yallingup

Aerial view of a woman sitting on a rock in Injidup Natural Spa © Jarrad Seng / Tourism Western Australia

Injidup Natural Spa, Yallingup, Margaret River, Western Australia © Jarrad Seng / Tourism Western Australia

Aerial view of a mother and baby whale in the ocean © Australia's South West

Spot migrating humpbacks, southern right, and sometimes blue whales from high vantage points along the coast or on a whale watching tour with Naturaliste Charters between August and October.

Begin your morning with a Dolphin Eco Cruise or head over to the Dolphin Discovery Centre at Koombana Bay in Bunbury, where wild bottlenose dolphins come into shore every morning between September to April to interact with humans. Make sure you're here by 9am, wade into water up to your knees and the dolphins will swim around you.

Drive 57 kilometres (35.4 miles) to Busselton , which sits on a white sandy beach on the north-facing shoreline of the tranquil waters of Geographe Bay, a popular family holiday destination. Swing among the trees on a high ropes course at Forest Adventures set among the last remaining tall tuart forest in the world. Or take a stroll or ride the train for 1.8 kilometres (1.1 miles) over the Indian Ocean on the beautifully restored historic jetty , the longest timber-piled jetty in the southern hemisphere. At the end, visit the Underwater Observatory and Interpretive Centre, where you’ll descend eight metres below the surface to see one of Australia’s greatest artificial reefs alive with corals, sponges, fish and invertebrates living in the warm Leeuwin Current.

Spend the afternoon exploring Yallingup’s sensational coastal spots including Canal Rocks and the marvellous Injidup Natural Spa.

Have a dinner of fresh local produce at the seaside Goose Beach Bar and Kitchen or Bunkers Beach Cafe before driving 32 kilometres (20 miles) to Seashells or Smiths Beach Resort in Yallingup; an environmentally sensitive resort with villas, apartments, beach shacks and beach houses, and a member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World . Stay here for the next two nights.

Day 4: Yallingup to Margaret River

Wine barrels at Amelia Park Winery © Australia's South West

Amelia Park, Margaret River, Western Australia © Australia's South West

Book a tour with Top Drop Tours and spend the day exploring the beautiful Margaret River wine region, whose 150 wineries produce more than 20 percent of Australia's premium wine (Margaret River cabernet sauvignons and chardonnays are particularly impressive).

After breakfast at the hotel, you'll be picked up by your tour guide for a day-long tour visiting some of the region's wineries. These may include Leeuwin Estate , Voyager Estate , Vasse Felix (one of the first wineries in Margaret River, with a designer lounge bar and views across the region), the biodynamic Windows Estate , run by married couple Chris and Jo Davies who manage the entire viticultural process, or Wills Domain , owned and operated by the Austrian Haunold family and offering some of the region's best food.

You'll also visit a range of gourmet producers along the way, like Ginversity . On your way, pick up a collection of cheese, bread, pâté, biscuits, olives and chocolates and enjoy a gourmet picnic back in your suite this evening. Or if you’re staying at Smiths Beach Resort, have a drink at the brilliant wine bar, then dine on ocean views with a side order of superb food at the on-site restaurant.

Day 5: Explore the Margaret River region

Two travellers with a tour guide in caves on a Koomal Dreaming tour © Archie Sartracom

Koomal Dreaming, Margaret River, Western Australia © Archie Sartracom

Cape to cape track above Contos beach © Martine Perret

Explore by foot

Why not explore by foot along part of the 135-kilometre (83-mile) Cape to Cape Track , which treads along ocean cliffs, behind powdery beaches and through tall forests.

Go for a swim just in front of the resort at Yallingup, where the water (protected by the surrounding reef) is flat, rip free and laps against a stretch of powdery sand. Then drive five minutes north to explore Ngilgi Cave’s huge cavern of illuminated stalactites and stalagmites. You can also do an Aboriginal cultural tour here with Josh from Koomal Dreaming . Feel the powerful vibrations of the didgeridoo as it fills the natural amphitheatre of the cave, learn to create fire as generations past have done, and learn about the ways of life of the world's oldest living culture.

Next, head 43 kilometres (26.7 miles) west of the Margaret River township to watch pro surfers in action at Surfers Point and drive four kilometres (2.5 miles) south to White Elephant Café , where you can enjoy a delicious brunch overlooking calm Gnarabup Beach .

After lunch, take a stand-up paddleboard (SUP) lesson with Stand Up Surfing , go rock climbing or abseiling, or take a kayak along the Margaret River with Margaret River Discovery Co .

There's nothing like a refreshing beer after the beach, and luckily there are plenty of craft breweries to choose from. Try the Brewhouse (in Margaret River township), The Beer Farm , and Black Brewing Co . End your day with a polished great-value pub meal at Settlers Tavern in Margaret River township. Or for authentic Japanese cuisine you can't do better than Miki's Open Kitchen .

Stay overnight at Margarets In-Town Apartments or Eight Willows Retreat .

Day 6: Margaret River to Pemberton

Gloucester Tree in Pemberton © Australia's South West

Gloucester Tree, Pemberton, Western Australia © Australia's South West

Head 40 kilometres (25 miles) south to Augusta , where an unusual microclimate means the local weather is almost always a few degrees warmer than the rest of the region. When you arrive, jump on a two-hour whale watching tour . It’s said that humpback whales come here to flirt with each other, so you're likely to see plenty of action when they're visiting between August and October, such as tail slaps and breaches.

Have lunch in town; Blue Ocean serves up freshly caught fish in a humble fish-n-chips shop. Then drive eight kilometres (five miles) to Cape Leeuwin, where the Indian and Southern oceans meet at the south-western tip of Australia. The Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse is one of Australia's best land-based vantage points for spotting humpback and southern right whales on their annual migration.

From here, drive 135 kilometres (84 miles) into the forest around Pemberton , a former logging town surrounded by soaring white-trunked karri trees. You can actually climb three karri trees, which have such great views over the area that they were originally used as fire lookouts. If you’re feeling extra active, ride one of the many mountain bike trails around the area or walk a small part of the 1,000-kilometre (600-mile) Bibbulmun Track , one of the world's great long distance walking trails, which runs from Perth through the Southern Forests and along the coast from Walpole to Albany . The section around Denmark runs along coastal heathland awash with wildflowers in spring .

Make an appointment to visit pretty Picardy Wines , which makes superb pinot noir. If you are into truffles, it's worth taking a 31-kilometre (19-mile) detour to the Truffle & Wine Co to enjoy wine and truffle tasting at Western Australia's largest truffle farm.

Stay overnight at RAC Karry Valley Resort in Pemberton.

Day 7: Pemberton to Denmark

Girl standing in the water at Green Pools © Australia's South West

Greens Pool, Denmark, Western Australia © Australia's South West

Girl walking through an ancient tree © Australia's South West

Walk through giant trees

After visiting the Valley of the Giants, descend to the boardwalks below and explore the Ancient Empires Walk through a grove of veteran tingle trees, some more than 400 years old.

Take a four-wheel drive tour of the world’s largest moving sand dune system — Yeagarup Dunes — with Pemberton Discovery Tours before travelling 162 kilometres (100 miles) to the former lumber milling town of Walpole. Join an eco-cruise on the Walpole inlet with WOW Wilderness Cruises for breathtaking views of Mount Chudalup.

Have a coffee at Four Sisters Coffee Shop in Walpole before you visit the Valley of the Giants Tree Top Walk , a 40-metre (131-foot) high walkway through the forest's canopy designed to move – which is fun or scary, depending on your perspective – with the majestic red-barked tingle eucalyptus trees that are found nowhere else in the world. They also just happen to be some of the tallest trees on earth.

Next, drive 45 kilometres (28 miles) along spectacular coastal scenery to William Bay National Park , where you'll find the giant granite boulders of Elephant Rocks, and the turquoise waters and white sandy beaches of Greens Pool.

Check in to a lovely cedar chalet at the Karma Chalets in the birdlife-rich hills behind Denmark and enjoy a relaxing massage at the Karisma Spa. At night, frogs will sing you to sleep.

If you have longer, stay another day in Denmark to explore the family-owned wineries along the 34-kilometre (21-mile) Scotsdale Scenic Drive . Otherwise, get a good night's sleep before heading to Albany tomorrow.

Day 8: Denmark to Albany

The Gap, Albany, Western Australia © Airloft

Have breakfast at a Denmark favourite, Mrs Jones Café , before driving 54 kilometres (33 miles) to Albany. Call ahead to book a cellar door tasting at bucolic organic winery Oranje Tractor on the way. Birdwatchers should also stop at Wilson Inlet (11 kilometres, or seven miles, east of Denmark) to twitch for blue splendid wrens, ospreys, parrots, red-tailed and white-tailed black cockatoos, and purple-crowned lorikeets.

Albany is where the first European settlers set foot in Western Australia in 1826 and much of their legacy remains today, with colonial buildings housing museums, galleries and restaurants. Step back in time at Albany’s Historic Whaling Station at Discovery Bay or visit the National Anzac Centre , a state-of-the-art interpretive museum that uses multimedia, interactive technology and historical artefacts to pay tribute to the Australian and New Zealand forces who served in the First World War.

Have lunch at its Garrison Restaurant , then explore the Albany Heritage Park , a reserve that stretches from the shores of Middleton Beach to the port of Albany.

You can also visit the nearby Australian Wildlife Park , where you'll see kangaroos, bandicoots and wombats, or stop in at the beautiful Regional Wildflower Garden . From here, follow Frenchman Bay Road for eight kilometres (five miles) to Torndirrup National Park and The Gap . This natural gap in the granite cliff has a thrilling see-through skywalk platform extending out 10 metres (33 feet) over the cliff's edge, so you can walk out and look down at the pounding waves below. The Gap , a thick, horizontal column of rock, is a few steps away.

On the return to Albany, visit Limeburners distillery to sample whisky made with locally sourced peat while you watch out the window for dolphins in the bay.

Enjoy an inventive dinner of Vietnamese-French inspired fare at Liberte at the London and stay at The Beach House at Bayside, an upmarket bed and breakfast behind the sand dunes of Middleton Bay, or Quality Suites Banksia Gardens .

Day 9: Albany to Bremer Bay

Man looking at the view from Mt Toolbrunup Summit in Stirling National Park © Australia's South West Inc.

Mt Toolbrunup Summit, Stirling Range National Park, Western Australia © Australia's South West Inc.

Go for a walk or swim along Middleton Beach, and if you are here on a Saturday, browse the Albany Farmers Market , one of the best artisan markets in Australia.

Next, drive 49 kilometres (31 miles) inland to Porongurup National Park . Here you'll find the Granite Skywalk , a suspended walkway that rises 670-metres (2,200-feet) above sea level to offer panoramic views of your remarkable surrounds. Return to your car and continue along Chester Pass Road.

Reward yourself with lunch at boutique Porongurup wineries like Castle Rock Estate or Zarephath Wines .

If you are a wildflower enthusiast, birdwatcher or hiker, you may wish to continue onwards to Stirling Range National Park where you can climb one of Western Australia’s highest peaks, Bluff Knoll, known for its sweeping views of the Stirling Range National Park.

Drive for about 1.5 hours to reach the small seaside town of Bremer Bay. Stay at the Bremer Bay Resort , where the Mount Barren Restaurant offers panoramic views across the bay.

Day 10: Bremer Bay to Hopetoun

Orca jumping out of the ocean in Bremer Bay © Keith Lightbody

Orca, Naturaliste Charters, Bremer Bay, Western Australia © Keith Lightbody

Phymatocarpus maxwellii wildflower in Fitzgerald River National Park © Tourism WA

Did you know?

Fitzgerald River National Park is recognised as one of the most biodiverse botanical regions on earth. Nearly 20 per cent of Western Australia’s native flora species occur here, many of which can only be found in the park.

Bremer Bay is one of only three places in Australia where southern right whales come in large numbers to calve. Between June and October you can watch them frolicking in the water from purpose-built platforms on the shore at Point Ann, 63 kilometres (39 miles) from town, on the west side of the Fitzgerald River National Park .

From February to April you can also join Naturaliste Charters off the coast at Bremer Bay to watch the gathering of the largest pod of orcas in the southern hemisphere. This incredible sight is only a recently discovered phenomenon and little is known about why it takes place.

Even if it's not whale watching season, you should stop here: the national park is one of the most significant biospheres in the world and a plant lover's dream, with 62 plant species found nowhere else on earth. It also has prolific native wildlife (look out for kangaroos), several beautiful beaches (go swimming at Barrens Beach ), hiking trails, the beautiful hills of Hamersley Dunes and on-site accommodation at Quaalup Homestead Wilderness Retreat .

Make your way to Ravensthorpe — known for its spectacular displays of wildflowers during spring — and discover the locals’ secret hotspots on a tour during the Ravensthorpe Wildflower Festival .

Stay for the night in Hopetoun at Wavecrest Village Tourist Park or Hopetoun Motel & Chalet Village .

Day 11: Explore Esperance and Lucky Bay

Kangaroos with a person on Lucky Bay beach © Australia’s Golden Outback

Lucky Bay, Esperance, Western Australia © Australia’s Golden Outback

The exquisite town of Esperance is a 182-kilometre (113-mile) drive from Hopetoun. Arrive to the stunning pure white sand shores of Esperance Bay, fringed by more than 100 islands that make up the Recherche Archipelago (known locally as the Bay of Isles), where whales, seals and dolphins can often be seen in the translucent waters.

Lucky Bay is arguably Esperance's biggest drawcard. It's 60 kilometres (37 miles) out of town at Cape Le Grand National Park . Hop in your car or join an Esperance Eco Discovery Tour and head to the world's only full-size replica of Stonehenge, Esperance Stonehenge (it's as quirky as it sounds). Then continue to the national park, a place of white sand beaches, freshwater pools, massive granite outcrops and, in spring, carpets of native wildflowers.

Day 12: Esperance

Twilight Cove along the Great Ocean Drive © Tourism Western Australia

Twilight Cove, Great Ocean Drive, Esperance, Western Australia © Tourism Western Australia

This morning you can leave the car keys in your room, as you'll be picked by your Aboriginal guide for a eco-cultural discovery tour of the area with Aboriginal-run company Kepa Kurl. This memorable half-day experience will give you some truly interesting insights into how the local Aboriginal Noongar people have hunted and gathered food here for thousands of years. You'll see plenty of native wildlife and some Aboriginal rock art as well as getting a great orientation to the area.

Returning to town about midday, hop in your car and head to Yirri Grove , a restaurant in an olive grove 20 minutes out of town (open Fridays to Mondays only; alternatively, grab ingredients for a picnic from one of the four supermarkets in town). After you've eaten, get a feel for the area's beauty on the Great Ocean Drive , a 38-kilometre (24-mile) loop from town that showcases the sugary beaches and translucent waters of the area. Be warned; you won't be able to stop yourself from pulling over every few minutes to take photo after photo. Along the way, look out for Twilight Bay – a firm favourite for its translucent, turquoise waters, sculpted rock formations, picnic tables and showers – and the breaks at West, Fourth and Observatory beaches, where local surfers can often be seen enjoying the water.

Day 13: Explore the Rainbow Lakes

Rainbow Lakes, near Esperance, Western Australia © Golden Outback

Today, you're taking to the skies on a scenic flight over a myriad of rainbow--coloured lakes with Fly Esperance . Embark on an 80-minute adventure over a series of warm-hued waterholes sprinkled among a sea of green grass in Cape Le Grand National Park . Along the way, witness Esperance's township and dramatic blue coastline from above as well as the iconic white sands of Lucky Bay. As you approach the lakes, notice the colours ranging from honey yellow to marshmallow pink and everywhere in between. The best time for spotting the most vibrant shades is from April to January each year, but you're sure to catch brilliant sights on this scenic flight year-round. End your day with a hearty dinner at the excellent Loose Goose restaurant.

Day 14: Esperance to Perth

Person standing below Wave Rock in Hyden © Australia's Golden Outback

Wave Rock, Hyden, Western Australia © Australia's Golden Outback

Return your hire car at Esperance airport before boarding your 90-minute flight to Perth. Or if you’d prefer to soak up more of the South West, drive back to Perth via Hyden or Kalgoorlie over the next few days – the choice is yours.

If you travel through Hyden, be sure to visit the impressive Wave Rock on your way. Thought to have formed some 130 million years ago, the Wave Rock is entirely natural and measures about 15 kilometres (9.3 miles and roughly three storeys) in height. It’s the perfect end to your Instagram highlights reel.

If you travel back to Perth via Kalgoorlie, immerse yourself in outback history; dine in quirky outback pubs, feast your eyes on the Super Pit gold mine, or try your hand at prospecting with Gold Prospecting Kalgoorlie .

Overnight at Wave Rock Hotel in Hyden or Hospitality Kalgoorlie, SureStay Collection by Best Western .

This article was written in partnership with Tourism Western Australia. For more information about road trips in Western Australia, go to w esternaustralia.com .

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Great Ocean Road, VIC © Tourism Australia

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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…

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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!

Karijini National Park Western Australia-We Are Global Travellers

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!

Western Australia-We Are Global Travellers

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!

Places You Cannot Miss on Your Western Australia Road Trip

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.

Pin and save this blog post for later…

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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Search by adventure type, active travel, backpacking, budget travel, love and relationships, once in a lifetime, packing tips, solo travel, weekend getaways, where's mollie newsletter, travel shop, search by destination, other posts that you may like....

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Itineraries and road trips

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The Ultimate West Coast Australia Road Trip Itinerary (1-3 Weeks)

You contrary thing, you. For many roadtrippers with their own wheels, West Coast = Best Coast.

The diversity of experiences available, rare wildlife spotting opportunities and emptiness of landscapes (hellooooo, perfect Instagram shot!) makes for a magical off the beaten path experience.

How much time you have really depends on how many places you can see, we have put together two itineraries, for 7 or 21 days but both can be adapted to fit any time frames.

We’d recommend you allow a little longer for the West Coast than the East coast, due to the sheer distance between some remote places on this itinerary.

Having said that, if you’re pushed for time, you could easily spend a few less days on Shark Bay and Exmouth or opt out of exploring the Kimberleys.

Australia West Coast 1 Week Itinerary

If you’re after a real Aussie adventure with less time, a speedy one-week road trip headed north from Perth cuts the mustard.

First drive to Karrijini National park for iconic red rock gorges, natural waterfalls, tree-climbing and camping under the clearest starry sky (so clear you can legit see the galaxies).

Then swing back to the coast starting with Exmouth and its incredible coral reefs, swimming with whale sharks and sundowners on the sand dunes.

Make your way back to Perth stopping at Coral bay, Monkey Mia, Shelly beach, the pinnacles and back down to Perth.

This is a really quick and rushed itinerary but will allow you to see all the main highlights in a short period of time.

Australia West Coast 3 Week Itinerary

This 21 day itinerary starts in Perth and travels north. The itinerary can be adapted as you go.

Day 1: Starting our itinerary in Perth but before you hit the open road, we recommend you head to Rottnest Island to meet its gorgeous fuzzy residents and also see some of the most pristine beaches in the country.

Day 2: Set off up the West Coast. It’s around a two-hour drive from Perth to Nambung National Park, home to the Pinnacles. After a day exploring here, bed down in your camper in Cervantes, a cute coastal town nearby.

Day 3: Check out Cervantes’ Thirsty Point for views of the Indian Ocean after brekky, before driving the four and a half hours to Kalbarri, where there are plenty of campsite options.

Day 4: Explore the spectacular Kalbarri National Park!

Day 5: It’s around a four-hour drive to the first of your stops in the beautiful Shark Bay region. First stop, Shell Beach!

Day 6-8: With so many gorgeous beaches and wildlife encounters fit to rival Blue Planet, you’ll want a few days to explore Francois Peron National Park, Monkey Mia’s wild dolphin feeding grounds and Shark Bay’s amply other sandy enclaves at your leisure – they’re all within a short drive of each other.

Day 9: You can drive on to Coral Bay in three hours and pitch up for the night, or choose to rest and have lunch before continuing onto Ningaloo.

Day 10: It’s a short drive from Coral Bay beach to Ningaloo, where you can spend the day diving with whale sharks, snorkelling with turtles or boat tripping out to see humpback whales.

Day 11: Drive time between Ningaloo and Exmouth is under two hours. You’ll want to spend a few days in this heavenly beach bum’s paradise, soaking up more of the Ningaloo reef, and the marine life you missed at your last stop.

Day 13: It’s an eight hour drive from Ningaloo to Karijini National Park, so make sure you’re well rested – camping overnight under a blanket of stars here is a must.

Day 14-15: Rise early to take in Karijini’s landscapes on Day 14. On Day 15, set off on the five hour drive to Port Hedland for an overnight stop. These parts are remote, but there’s plenty of campsites with amenities.

Day 16: Port Hedland to Eighty Mile Beach is a three hour drive. Although the sea full of nasty critters you wouldn’t want to swim with, sunrise, sunset and the endless empty tidal flats here are made for photo opportunities, beers and general zenning out.

Day 17: On to Broome! Abandon your trusty campervan here, mount one of Australia’s million native camels (the Middx East does import them from here, you know) and ride down Cable Beach.

Days 18-20: Optionally tag an off-road adventure in the Kimberley region onto the end of your West Coast roadie. This area needs4WD vehicle, so we recommend a tour.

Day 21 You could decide to continue travelling up the coast to Darwin, or start your journey down back to Perth or other destinations in Australia either by car or flight from Broome.

Australia’s East Coast really does get all the love, but the West Coast will steal your heart. It is generally less touristy than the East, and although it doesn’t have famous sights like the Great Barrier Reef and WhitSunday Islands, you will absolute love travelling in this region.

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The Most EPIC Perth to Broome Road Trip Itinerary [2024]

Last Updated: January 13, 2024

Our guide to the perfect Perth to Broome road trip itinerary.

This Perth to Broome drive is easily one of the most epic road trips in Western Australia.

Follow along Western Australia’s seemingly endless coast enjoying all the stops along the way before you reach the magical location that is Broome.

From seeing wild dolphins in Monkey Mia to swimming with whale sharks in Coral Bay, exploring the gorges of Karijini National Park to simply taking in the surreal views of some of Australia’s most beautiful deserts and coastal roads, you will have an incredible time on this road trip.

This is a can’t-be-missed road trip and if there’s one that you’ll ever do in Western Australia, we think this should be it!

READ MORE: Whether you live in Australia or are taking a trip there, start all of your planning with our comprehensive Australia travel guide !

Table of Contents

Stop 1: Yanchep National Park

Stop 2: explore the moon in the pinnacles desert of nambung national park, stop 3: lake thetis, stop 4: jurien bay, stop 5: leaning tree, stop 6: geraldton, stop 1: spend the morning in geraldton, stop 2: pink lake, stop 3: kalbarri, day 3: kalbarri national park, stop 1: hamelin pool, stop 2: shell beach, stop 3: denham, day 5: francois peron national park, stop 1: monkey mia, stop 2: carnarvon, stop 3: coral bay, stop 1: coral bay, stop 2: ningaloo visitor centre, stop 3: swim at town beach, stop 4: vlamingh head lighthouse, stop 1: swim with whale sharks, stop 2: turquoise bay, oyster stacks and sandy bay, alternative dry day: hiking, stop 1: tom price, stop 2: karijini national park, stop 1: hamersley gorge, stop 2: joffre and knox gorges, stop 3: karijini eco retreat, stop 1: oxer and junction pool lookouts, stop 2: weano and hancock gorges, stop 3: karijini visitor centre, stop 4: dales camping area, stop 1: dales gorge, stop 2: fortescue falls, stop 3: circular pool, stop 4: auski tourist village or dales camping area, stop 1: port hedland, stop 2: eighty mile beach, stop 1: port smith lagoon, stop 2: broome, stop 3: visitor centre, stop 4: cable beach, wrapping up your perth to broome drive, perth to broome road trip itinerary, western australia.

Though this Western Australia road trip can be done in as little as a week, this would involve big driving days and missing out on a lot of WA’s awesome sights.

To really get the most of driving from Perth to Broome, you should allow at least 2 weeks and anything up to 3 or even 4 weeks.

If you have your own car, you’re just about ready for the trip. But if you need to hire one, then the best and most affordable option is to get one through Rental Cars .

If you’re more of a campervan kind of person though, check out Spaceships Rentals , who have great vans for good prices.

You will also want to consider purchasing a park pass for the National parks in Western Australia as you will pass in or near the following:

Nambung National Park
Drover’s Cave National Park
Francois Peron National Park
Cape Range National Park
Karijini National Park

More information on purchasing a park pass can be found here .

Pro Tip: For access to the different national parks in Western Australia, you should buy the Holiday Pass (5 days for $25, 14 days for $40 or 4 weeks for $60) or the Annual All Parks Pass which is valid for 12 months and only costs $120.

If you’ve ever done a road trip in Australia, you would have noticed that drives tend to be quite long. This is particularly true in Western Australia.

If you have more time, I recommend following my Perth to Exmouth road trip itinerary first and then join in here from day 9 onwards.

You could also spread out some of the Perth to Exmouth drive. If you take it slow through Exmouth, Karijini and Eighty Mile Beach, your road trip could easily extend to over a month.

Let’s begin our epic road trip from Perth to Broome in Western Australia.

Day 1: Perth to Geraldton

Distance: 415 km
Time: 4.5 – 5 hours

While the distance may be relatively short compared to the others on this road trip, there is plenty to see between Perth and Jurien Bay that could easily take you a few days.

Expect heavy traffic during winter public holidays or schools holidays and try to leave as early as possible to get the most out of your day.

The sealed roads are fast though and consist of mainly flat landscapes.

After exploring all the best Perth attractions and activities, it’s time to hit the road!

With nine walk trails, over 400 caves and home to western grey kangaroos, Yanchep is an easy first stop on your first day of driving.

Only 40 minutes north of Perth, you can go for a stroll or even spend the day here taking in the coastal woodlands, wildlife and limestone caves.

Yanchep National Park is also home to western grey kangaroos which can be seen early and late in the day. The park has nine walk trails suitable for any ages, interests and fitness abilities as well as over 400 caves to enjoy.

For those wanting to extend their Perth to Broome drive, this is also a great spot to spend a night.

The Pinnacles in Nambung National Park is often said to resemble walking on the moon or another planet. It’s s truly unique landscape for Western Australia.

The Pinnacles have incredible natural limestone structures that were formed approximately 25,000 to 30,000 years ago after the sea receded and left deposits of seashells.

Over time, the pillars have been exposed to the elements as coastal winds removed the surrounding sand.

Nambung National Park is a super cool place to see in Western Australia!

Walk along an easy 1.5-kilometre trail around the shores to see an abundance of thrombolites in the lake.

These rock-like structures are built by micro-organisms too small for the human eye to see. The thrombolite-building micro-organisms of Lake Thetis resemble the earliest forms of life on Earth!

Spend the late afternoon and evening enjoying the tranquillity of Jurien Bay along the coast at any of the beaches. If you’ve got your snorkelling gear, head towards the old wooden jetty and check out some of the coral around there.

You can also rent stand up paddleboards and enjoy some paddling if time permits.

Enjoy some delicious seafood for dinner before continuing your journey to Geraldton.

You’ll start noticing some leaning trees as you make your way closer to Geraldton.

The most photographed leaning tree is this River Gum that leans due to constant strong southerly winds.

For your first overnight stay, we recommend booking your accommodation ahead of time so you don’t have to spend hours driving around finding a place to stay.

Check out the options on Booking.com .

If you end up wrapping up quite late and don’t want to drive too much further, consider staying in Jurien Bay overnight and continue to Geraldton early in the morning.

READ MORE: As you are exploring Australia, try to check off as many of these incredible things to do as you can!

Day 2: Geraldton to Kalbarri

Distance: 155 km
Time: 2 hours

Follow along the flat and fast sealed road from Geraldton to Kalbarri.

Enjoy some breakfast in town and go for a swim at the beach before continuing north towards your next stop.

If you have an extra day or two to spare, you can make a trip to the Abrolhos Islands which are filled with wonderful marine life, go on a fishing charter or take a scenic flight out to the islands.

Continue north to Hutt Lagoon, one of WA’s iconic pink lakes.

Drive along Port Gregory Road and park your car to walk to the edge of the water.

Explore the World Heritage listed Coral Coast and check out the dramatic coastal cliffs at Red Bluff which overs incredible views over the ocean and is a good spot for whale watching.

Don’t miss Island Rock and Natural Bridge for some epic sunset views and photos. Go for a swim at Pot Alley or bring your snorkelling gear for some fun at Blue Holes.

Kalbarri National Park offers many different hiking options of varying classes that are suitable for any level.

You can enjoy gorge views from the picnic area and follow a short path to Hawks Head which overlooks the Murchison River. Or take the Z Bend Lookout trail which overlooks the river.

The Loop trail to Nature’s Window is only 800m and has views of the Murchison Riber’s switchback course from a natural rock arch that frames the upstream view. This is one of the more popular hikes in Kalbarri National Park.

You can also continue the trail along an 8km loop for those who want to get moving.

Nature's Window In Kalbarri National Park

Day 4: Kalbarri to Shark Bay

Distance : 374km
Time: 4 hours

The road from Kalbarri National Park to Shark Bay doesn’t have too many great views but the road is sealed, accessible and easy to drive.

The most diverse and abundant examples of living marine stromatolites (or ‘living fossils’) in the world are found right here in Western Australia and can be seen on this portion of your Perth to Broome drive.

The stromatolites can be viewed from the boardwalk which extends out in the ocean for everyone to enjoy.

Note that boating, swimming, diving and snorkelling are not permitted over stromatolites or within 300m of the shore.

Stretching over 70km and up to 10 metres deep are billions of tiny shells along aptly named Shell Beach.

This is one of the only places on earth where shells replace beach sand and is a must-visit on your way into Shark Bay.

The ocean here is hypersaline so it is very salty, making it easy to float – just don’t get any in your eyes!

READ MORE: Lap the whole state with this epic Western Australia road trip !

Denham is your first stop in exploring the Shark Bay World Heritage Area and is a friendly coastal town of approximately 1,000 residents.

The town provides many accommodation options, has safe swimming beaches, restaurants and a golf course.

Be sure to stock up on supplies and fuel before moving on tomorrow!

Francois Peron National Park is one of Western Australia’s best-hidden gems but requires a high-clearance 4WD and experience driving.

There aren’t any sealed roads and you should be prepared to get bogged and know how to get out.

Known for its contrasting red cliffs, white beaches and blue waters, the park offers great opportunities for canoeing, kayaking, swimming, snorkelling, fishing and bushwalking.

There is a small campground with gas BBQs and toilets located at Big Lagoon. Be sure to read all signs carefully as some beaches aren’t safe to swim in due to strong currents.

No bookings are taken for camping and sites are available on a first-come-first-served basis.

For those without a 4WD, you can access Little Lagoon – a natural swimming pool full of fish – and Peron Homestead which has a self-guided station walk trail, picnic facilities and a hot tub.

Day 6: Shark Bay to Coral Bay

Distance : 560 km
Time: 5.5 hours

One of the more famous places to visit on any Perth to Broome drive, just 30 minutes from Denham, is Monkey Mia which is famous for its wild dolphin experience.

Monkey Mia, part of the World Heritage-listed Shark Bay, is surrounded by rusty red sand dunes, white sandy beaches and its waters are full of marine life.

Here, you might see dugongs, sharks, rays, turtles and loads of other fish outside of the dolphins.

A day permit of $15 per adult applies for Monkey Mia.

Get out of the car and give your legs are break when you get to Carnarvon.

This Western Australian town is known for its fruit farms, making it a delicious stop for local produce.

Walk along the One Mile Jetty which is perfect for visiting in the late afternoon for sunset.

You can also head to the Carnarvon Space and Technology Museum that was built in 1964 to support NASA’s Gemini, Apollo and Skylab programs.

Stay overnight in Coral Bay before continuing on tomorrow towards Exmouth and the Ningaloo Reef.

If you arrive in time for sunset, spend this on the beach. Otherwise, you can head to your accommodation in the evening which should be booked in advance to avoid disappointment.

The Ningaloo Coral Bay – Bayview is a fantastic spot to sleep.

Budget-conscious? You can stay at a free rest stop just outside of Coral Bay along the road. There are no facilities here so you’ll need to be fully equipped.

Day 7: Coral Bay to Exmouth

Distance: 155 km
Time: 2 hours

Spend the morning in Coral Bay before continuing along the main sealed road all the way to Exmouth.

There isn’t much to see along the way and the road is mostly flat with dry desert views.

The beach at Coral Bay is calm, crystal clear and is perfect for snorkelling and diving.

Walk to the right of Coral Bay’s beach to Skeleton Bay, a reef shark nursery where you can see some shark pups!

You can also go quad biking on the sand dunes, go out on diving, fishing or boat routes in Coral Bay.

We’d recommend you book a Coral Bay reef tour on a glass-bottom boat to allow you to see the beauty of the reef without taking too much time out of your Western Australia drive itinerary.

Your first stop is the Ningaloo Visitor Centre where you can pick up all the information and maps you need for Cape Range National Park and for insight on weather and local’s tips on where to swim at that current time.

Here, you can also learn about whale sharks and other marine life in the area and how conservation works in Ningaloo Reef.

If you’ve got a 4WD, you can step up the excitement of the road trip and drive along the Town Beach and find your own private spot to swim.

Otherwise, just head down for a quick dip and enjoy the ocean views.

Drive to the lighthouse for sweeping views over Exmouth and the ocean. If you have binoculars, be sure to bring it along to spot whales breaching in the distance.

Head up in the late afternoon to take in the serenity and enjoy watching the sunset. This is also one of the best stargazing spots you’ll ever find!

Day 8: Cape Range National Park

Distance: 60 km
Time: 1 hour

As you are halfway through your drive from Perth to Broome, you’re in for some real treats! Drive from Exmouth into Cape Range National Park along the sealed access road.

Boasting 50 km of pristine beaches, breathtaking deep canyons and rugged limestone ranges, Cape Range National Park is absolutely spectacular and warrants as many days as you have available to fully enjoy it.

One of the highlights of your Perth to Broome road trip is the opportunity to swim with whale sharks. Be sure to book a tour early to reserve your place.

Swimming with whale sharks in the Ningaloo Reef is very controlled and there are loads of rules around it to ensure that it doesn’t negatively impact whale sharks.

Head to Turquoise Bay, Oyster Stacks and Sandy Bay for epic snorkelling alongside turtles, stingrays, reef sharks and plenty of other fish and coral.

You can also book this tour to swim with massive manta rays !

If you’re not keen on getting in the water, you can enjoy the 3 km return trail through Mandu Mandu Gorge, the 1.5 km Yardie Gorge Trail, the 3.5 km Charles Knife Edge Walk or some longer trails such Shothole Canyon’s 24.5 km trail.

As summer gets as hot as 50 degrees Celcius (122 degrees Fahrenheit), the walks and hikes through the park should only be done between April and September when temperatures are cooler.

This is generally the best time to make this road trip anyway.

Day 9: Exmouth to Karijini

Distance: 658 km
Time: 8 hours

After a few days on the coast, your Perth to Broome road trip is going to head inland towards Karijini National Park, one of Australia’s more underrated national parks.

Unfortunately, there’s not much to see between Exmouth and Karijini so today is mostly a big day of driving. Be prepared with snacks, water and make all the fuel stops you need.

Welcome to the Pilbara!

Before heading into Karijini, stop by Tom Price, the highest town in Western Australia at 747 metres above sea level.

Pop into the visitor centre to get maps of Karijini National Park and into the supermarket for anything you’ll need to cover you for Karijini.

This is your last major pit stop before you head into the park.

Since you won’t really have any time to explore the national park on your first day, why not score free accommodation by camping near Hamersley Gorge.

Just past the turnoff to the gorge is an open area outside of the national park where you are allowed to camp.

Enjoy your night under the stars and get plenty of rest for tomorrow.

Day 10: Karijini National Park

Welcome to Karijini National Park, Western Australia’s second-largest national park, encompassing some 627,441 ha.

You are about to embark on some incredible hikes through spectacular, rugged scenery with ancient geological formations.

If you’re travelling through Karijini during the dry season (April to October which generally the best time to visit), it’s going to be fairly hot.

You should be prepared with good hiking shoes or sandals, protective weather gear, swimwear and water for your hikes.

The roads in the park are mostly unsealed though 2WD vehicles will still be able to drive through fine.

The roads are mostly red dirt so if you’re bringing your own car, beware that this stuff is almost impossible to get out!

You’ll start at the westernmost point of the national park and head to Hamersley Gorge.

Here, you can enjoy a beautiful morning descending into a gorge with dramatic colours, textures and reflections.

In the middle of the national park, you’ll find a cluster of incredible gorges and waterfalls where you could easily spend a few days exploring.

To break these up and to ensure you have sufficient energy for hiking and to enjoy the gorges, it’s best to group a couple of gorges together, stay overnight and then tackle the others the next day.

These two gorges are class 5 trails which means they are the most difficult in the park. Expect to find steep and slippery sections.

If these hikes are inaccessible to you, you can head to the Joffre and Knox lookouts and enjoy the views from above.

Karijini Eco Retreat offers stay-in or campsite options but needs to be booked ahead of time . There are full facilities here as well as a restaurant.

Day 11: Karijini

Wake up to a morning view of Western Australia’s abundance of wildflowers in bloom and prepare yourself for another epic day of exploring gorges.

An easy 30-minute return hike will take you to some breathtaking views of Hancock Gorge.

From here, you can continue along to Oxer Lookout which consists or a narrow trail with loose rocks.

After enjoying your views from above, head to Weano Gorge and take on the shorter Upper and Lower Weano trails.

From the Lower Weano trail, you can continue on to Handrail Pool at the peak of the day when it’s hottest. The Gorge is refreshing and cool so this is the best time to go for a lovely dip.

Take on Hancock Gorge after this and walk all the way downstream to Kermits Pool where you’ll find a small turquoise pool with some spots to jump in.

This hike is also a class 5 hike and is one of the most difficult in the park.

In the late afternoon, pop into the Karijini Visitor Centre to immerse yourself further in the park.

The Visitor Centre provides plenty of fascinating information about the gorges, the stories behind them, the surrounding Pilbara area and the geology on the site.

Wifi, public toilet and shower facilities are also available here.

Your overnight pit stop will be at Dales Camping Area and needs to be booked well in advance.

Campsites are in very high demand from June to September and the only other campsite is back at the Karijini Eco Retreat.

Day 12: Karijini National Park

Spend your last full day of in Karijini National Park in Dales Gorge before continuing your Perth to Broome drive.

There are a few different trail options through Dales Gorge that you could do all in a day. Start with the 2km Gorge Rim trail and enjoy the wonderful views into Dales Gorge.

Fortescue Falls is a stunning waterfall that can’t be missed. You can enjoy a few hours here laying in the sun, having a picnic and revelling in the tranquillity of the surrounding nature.

From Fortescue Falls, continue the hike onwards to Fern Pool, another beautiful little swimming hole.

From the car park, descend down a steep slope to the bottom of the gorge before you reach the fern-framed pool that is another great spot to enjoy for a couple of hours.

Once you’ve finished exploring Dales Gorge, you can either spend the night in the camping area otherwise exit the park and stay at Auski Tourist Village which is a short drive away.

There are both campsites and accommodation options here.

You could easily extend your time in Karijini to a week and take your time exploring the gorges individually. This would also allow you to get plenty of rest between big hikes and spend more time in the swimming holes.

If you do have the time, you could tack on Mount Bruce which is the second-tallest peak in WA. Here you’ll find three trail options, the longest being to Mount Bruce Summit which is a 9km, 6-hour return hike.

Day 13: Karijini to Eighty Mile Beach

Distance: 580 km
Time: 6.5 hours

Enjoy your last morning in Karijini and perhaps making any last stops in any gorges you missed before continuing on your road trip.

After this, you’re in for another big drive out of the National Park and back towards the coast to Port Hedland.

While Port Hedland isn’t exactly the top of any must-see destinations, this mining town does have a couple of things in town to give you a chance to stretch your legs.

You can head to Pretty Pool Park for a quick swim or go to Dalgety House Museum which showcases a little bit about the local history of the town.

This is also a good opportunity to top up on fuel and any supplies you might need.

After that big drive, you’ll stop and spend the rest of the day and night here at Eighty Mile Beach.

Famous for its fishing and shell collecting, Eighty Mile Beach is given its name thanks to the super long stretch of coast that seemingly goes on forever.

If you have a 4WD you can drive along the beach and find a nice spot to spend the day and enjoy an epic sunset on the beach.

Eighty Mile Beach Caravan Park offers powered and unpowered campsites as well as self-contained cabins to stay in.

Day 14: Eighty Mile Beach to Broome

Distance: 380 km
Time: 4 hours

Wake up to a beautiful sunrise on the beach and prepare yourself for the final leg of your Perth to Broome drive itinerary.

Turn left from the main road towards Port Smith Caravan Park and drive along the 23 km well-maintained dirt road to one of WA’s best-kept secrets.

Pop in to go fishing or for a refreshing dip to break up your drive.

Continue along the National Highway all the way to your final destination, Broome!

Broome is the famous beach resort town in Western Australia’s Kimberley region. Known for its dramatic sunsets, camel rides and incredible beaches, you will plenty to do here.

The question is, how much time can you spend here?

Make a brief stop in the visitor centre to get information on tides, weather updates and a map for the different beaches around town.

Reward yourself with a relaxing afternoon at Cable Beach and spend the rest of the day fishing or swimming.

Cable Beach is also a nude beach though most of the time you’ll only find the older folks stripping down and taking advantage of this liberty.

If you’ve booked a camel ride, you’ll do this on the beach in the late afternoon or at sunset.

If you aren’t doing this, stay around for a spectacular sunset before heading to your accommodation for the night.

READ MORE: Check out all of these other great things to do when you are in Broome!

That wraps up your incredible Perth to Broome road trip itinerary! This itinerary can be modified to suit any length of time you have but we definitely recommend extending it out if you have time available.

Western Australia is huge and unless you are on a time crunch, there are plenty of other side trips you can take on this road trip.

Don’t forget to have plenty of water, supplies and tools handy in the car as driving in remote Western Australia will often leave you out of range and a flat tyre is a nightmare.

Drive safe and let us know if you’re planning this road trip soon and what you’re looking forward to most!

DISCLAIMER: Some of the links in this article are affiliate links, which means if you book accommodation, tours or buy a product, we will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. These commissions help us keep creating more free travel content to help people plan their holidays and adventures. We only recommend the best accommodations, tours and products that ourselves or our fantastic editorial team have personally experienced, and regularly review these. Thanks for your support, kind friend!

Amanda Tran

Hi, We’re Alesha and Jarryd!

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Are there any good companies that people would recommend that we could rent a SUV or motorhome and drive one way up to Broome? (Versus having to drive back?)

This is such a great, comprehensive guide. Really helpful when planning my own WA trip, thank you 🙂

You are welcome. So glad you found our article helpful. We hope you had a great time in Broome. 🙂

This trip looks amazing also all the photos looks awesome. I enjoyed alot your blog

What is the best route coming home in about the same time length of 14 days? 🙂

West Coast is the best! But I read the part about the campervan and I don’t think that spaceships campervans operate in western Australia though. Loads of other options though! (I.e. home on the road, travellers Autobarn , share bus who help find a group to rent with etc)

Yes it is Jade. West is best. I say this to Jarryd all the time. I am from the west. Thank you for this. Amanda is from the west too, but we both haven’t been back for a while. We will change that. Thanks for letting us know. 🙂

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.

Cycling on Rottnest Island, Western Australia

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 !

Kilbarri National Park, Western Australia

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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Planning Travel itineraries

Experience the romance of the open road on an epic adventure across Western Australia’s captivating landscapes.

Start in Perth, Australia’s sunniest capital and a thriving cultural hub. The city’s natural attractions and imaginative dining scene make it an idyllic introduction to your trip.

Head south for dramatic coastlines dotted with welcoming wineries and ocean-side walking trails. Out east, you can immerse yourself in the outback charm of Kalgoorlie (Karlkurla) or journey through seasonal wildflower fields. Up north, the rugged beauty of the Kimberley and the marine wonders of World Heritage-listed Ningaloo Reef (Nyinggulu) await.

Western Australia's iconic landscapes can be explored by car over a few days, a few weeks or more – line up your playlist and prepare for an unforgettable adventure.

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.

Best of South West WA: One Week Road Trip Itinerary

When visiting Perth, exploring the South West of Australia is a must. The region has spectacular natural attractions, stunning coastal scenery and delightful food and wine. A road trip through the region is a great way to experience the best of Western Australia.

It’s a popular road trip from Perth, for both tourists and locals alike. You’ll hear us locals refer to it as a road trip “down south.”

It’s important to plan your route carefully, to make sure you maximise the time spent seeing the main attractions in the region, without finding yourself constantly on the road driving to the next spot.

To make life easier, in this guide I’ll step you through a suggested one week itinerary for a Southern Western Australia road trip.

Table of Contents

Best Time for a South West WA Road Trip

This one week south west Australia itinerary can be done at anytime of the year.

Winters (June – August) in the South West can be cold and rainy (usually more so than Perth). But there are also many sunny but mild days – which come without as many people as you might get in summer!

For the best weather for exploring many of the region’s beaches, late spring to early Autumn (November – April) would be the ideal time of the year to road trip south western Australia.

Mid December to late January are the busiest months, thanks to the warm weather and coinciding with the busy Australian school holidays. Make sure to book accommodation well in advance if visiting during this period!

During the cooler months from May to October, another Western Australia 1 week itinerary could be a Perth to Kalbarri or (slightly longer) Perth to Exmouth road trip.

If you’re spending some time in Perth before starting your road trip, make sure to check out my fun 3, 5 and 7-day Perth itineraries to make planning a breeze!

About this South Western Australia 7-Day Itinerary

Departing from Perth, exploring the whole region in one week is do-able but will require some driving.

We based ourselves in three towns over six nights to ensure we had a full day of exploring in each area.

This South Western Australia 7 day itinerary is ideal for those who want to see the key attractions and sights in the region in just a week. If you do have a few extra days, I would spend them exploring the Margaret River Region.

Distances & Driving Times South West WA

Perth to Yallingup: 260km, ~3 hours (if driving to Margaret River, allow 3.5 hours)
Yallingup to Denmark: 345km, ~4 hours
Denmark to Albany: 55km, ~40 minutes
Albany to Perth: 420km, ~5 hours

Getting Around

You will need a car for this road trip – public transport is very limited (or non existent!) in many of the towns you’ll be visiting.

You should hire a rental car in Perth, as there will be the largest range of options and availability.

I recommend using Discover Cars – this highly-rated car aggregator offer the best prices across a large range of suppliers, plus the flexibility of free cancellation.

Compare car rental prices and get the best deal here.

A 4WD vehicle is not required for this road trip, you will spend most of your time on sealed roads. There may be the occasional gravel road in some of the National Parks, but they are 2WD suitable.

South West Australia Road Trip Map

Click below for an interactive map of this suggested South Western Australia road trip itinerary.

Day 1: Perth to Margaret River

It’s road trip time! Get ready to commence the round trip on this South WA road trip itinerary, departing from Perth.

To make the most of your day, set off from Perth early to start the 3 hour drive south to the Margaret River Region.

It is an easy drive down the highway, mostly going at 110 km/h until you reach Busselton.

You could visit Black Diamond Lake or Gnomesville in the Ferguson Valley on the way to Margaret River

It’s worth stopping Busselton to check out the heritage listed Busselton Jetty, the longest timber jetty in the southern hemisphere. Walk or take a train ride out to the end of the jetty, where an underwater observatory awaits.

Grab a bite to eat in town (Shelter Brewery, in front of the jetty is a personal fave!), or continue on the 30-40 minutes to reach your destination, Yallingup or Margaret River.

TIP: Busselton or Dunsborough are good stops for groceries to pick up snacks and dinner supplies for the next few days.

After your long drive, you probably don’t want to spend too much more time in your car!

If staying in Yallingup, go for a walk down to Yallingup Beach. This sheltered lagoon that makes for the perfect swimming and snorkelling spot.

Visit a Cave in Australia’s South West

If you have time and are feeling adventurous, check out one of the acclaimed caves in Margaret River.

Here’s a brief summary of what to expect from each of the caves. Please note some of these are self-guided, semi-guided or fully guided, depending on the cave.

Hence bookings are strongly recommended as they do sell out.

Ngilgi Cave: this cave offers semi-guided tours leading you through its distinct aspects, including awe-inspiring stalactites hanging overhead and secret nooks to crawl through and explore.
Mammoth Cave: immerse yourself in a self-guided tour showcasing the cave’s vast chambers while you learn its rich history through an informative audio guide.
Lake Cave: this cave has a permanent underground lake with a distinctive stalactite and stalagmite formation joining to meet in the middle. Guided tours are provided to access this remarkable attraction.
Jewel Cave: Situated near Augusta, join the guided tour of three large caverns displaying mesmerizing flowstone resembling frozen waterfalls.

It’s hard to pick a favourite, but if I had to choose just one to visit, Lake Cave would be my recommendation.

For sunset, check out the iconic Sugarloaf Rock or kick back at your accommodation to watch the sun go down with a glass of wine in hand.

Girl standing in front of Sugarloaf Rock

Where to Stay in the Margaret River Region

In the Margaret River region, the main towns are Dunsborough, Yallingup and Margaret River town. There is a wide range of available accomodation in these towns and the surrounding areas.

Dunsborough is on the west coast, with a shopping complex including a supermarket and lots of residential houses. A 10 minute drive away is Yallingup , a small beachfront town with houses nestled onto a hill with sweeping coastal views.

Margaret River is slightly further south and inland, and has a main strip with cafes, boutiques and a supermarket.

Accommodation options in each town range from hotels/ motels, B&Bs, villas, serviced apartments, AirBnBs and campgrounds.

Margaret River has the largest range of accommodation, but is slightly further (5-10 minutes drive) from the beach.

If you are struggle to find available or cheap accommodation, also consider staying in Busselton and driving a bit further to the main sights in the Margaret River Region each day.

Dunsborough & Yallingup

Budget – Lanterns Retreats Quaint accommodation in the heart of Dunsborough, and a 10-minute walk away from the beach
Mid-Range – Club Wyndham Resort Dunsborough With a beach right on your doorstep, you might not even want to use the pool in this resort with immaculate gardens! Also has an on-site restaurant with outdoor patio.
Luxury – Pullman Bunker Bay Resort You can’t beat the location of this beachfront resort with pool overlooking the tranquil Bunker Bay. This luxury resort has an award-winning spa and each villa comes with a kitchen.
Best for Families – Seashells Yallingup I’ve stayed here multiple times and love the self-contained apartments. You can walk to Yallingup Lagoon and the property is right next door to Caves House hotel which has live music on weekends.
Boutique – Barn Hives Yallingup Cute eco pods located in the middle of a vineyard! Only a 5 minute drive from Canal Rocks.

Margaret River & Surrounds

Budget – Margaret River Resort Older style resort, but a great location 10 minutes from the center of Margaret River town.
Mid-Range – Riverglen Chalets Chalets nestled in the middle of the forest, but still only a 10 minute walk from Margaret River town.
Luxury – Burnside Organic Farm I was lucky enough to have a tour of this beautiful property, and their luxury chalets look stunning! They even have outdoor bathtubs.
Best for Families – The Villa Margaret River I’ve stayed at this beautiful light-filled 3 bedroom villa, located in the middle of town and walking distance to the best Margaret River cafes.
Glamping – Olio Bello Lakeside Glamping Luxurious, unique lakeside glamping on an olive farm in the heart of the Margaret River Region

Day 2: Exploring the Margaret River Region

Start the day with a coffee from the Yallingup General Store to fuel you for a busy day of exploring ahead.

Dunsborough Beaches

Head to Meelup Beach near Dunsborough to check out the long stretch of protected, calm beach. This popular spot also has SUP and Kayak hire during the summer months. There are BBQ facilities for those wanting to spend the day here.

For those wanting to avoid the crowds, Castle Rock Beach is only 5-10 minutes drive away and is equally (if not more) stunning as Meelup Beach.

Injidup Natural Spa

It wouldn’t be a visit to Yallingup unless you checked out the popular Injidup Natural Spa! Located at the end of Wydaup Rd , the natural spa is created by waves overflowing rocks into the pool.

Warning: Be very careful of the strong tides and waves that can occur here. Unfortunately, lives have been lost. You can read more about visiting this unique natural attraction in my guide here .

Wavesflowing into a natural pool at Indijup Natural Spa

Another spectacular swimming spot nearby is the Natural Aquarium. This requires a short hike, which you can read about in my guide here .

After a morning of sand and sun, spend the afternoon wining and dining at one of the many wineries or breweries in the region.

Looking for more things to do in the Margaret River Region? Check out my detailed guide with 35 ideas for things to do here !

Wineries of Margaret River & Yallingup

Is it a trip to the South West of WA without a visit to at least a winery or two?

Some of my personal favourites are:

Windance Estate : one of the first wineries you’ll come across on Caves Rd as you set off from Yallingup. Windance is a small family own and run vineyard with a stellar line up of wines. When we first came here a few years ago tastings were done in a little tin shed. These days they have a beautiful open farmhouse style cellar door with sweeping views across the vineyard. They have a beautiful range of rich reds, and we always leave with at least a few bottles!
Stormflower Vineyard : One of the region’s certified organic wineries! Stormflower has the cutest cellar door set in a thriving garden where you can have your wine tasting outside. The Sauvignon Blanc is our pick.
Xanadu Wines : driving through the sweeping estate near Margaret River town, this winery impresses on first entrance and then later again when trying their wines. Our favourites are the Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon.
Voyager Estate : Highly acclaimed as one of the oldest wineries in the region, Voyager Estate certainly lives up to the hype. Come here for a (paid) wine tasting or a degustation in their restaurant. You can learn more about the wine-making history of the region as you taste prized Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon wines with a paired wine flight and cheese tasting. Enquire here about availability . Make sure to check out the beautiful estate gardens too before leaving.

Leave the car at home and book onto a local wine tour to make the most of a day exploring and sampling at the amazing wineries in the region.

Recommended Margaret River Wine Tours

Margies Big Day Out Beer & Wine Tours : go on a gastronomic adventure on this full-day tour with a food-loving guide. Visit three wineries, two breweries and sample chocolates and cheese. Includes pickup and drop-off from accommodations around Margaret River.
Margaret River Wine Adventure : One for the wine lovers and aficionados. This small-group tour begins with a visit to 3 award-winning boutique wineries, before getting hands-on in an exclusive Wine Blending experience. Create your own wine to enjoy with lunch! The day ends with a visit to a local brewery and the chocolate factory. Pick up available from Margaret River , or from Dunsborough/Busselton

There are so many options for local craft breweries these days in the Margaret River Region.

Some of our favourites include Wild Hop (Yallingup), Beer Farm (Metricup) and Eagle Bay Brewing (Eagel Bay).

Go for a Hike

If the weather is suitable, I’d also highly recommend hiking a section of the Cape to Cape track. The “access for more” trail starting at Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse to Sugarloaf Rock is a gentle paved trail with stunning ocean views! Another scenic hike is the trail to reach Quinningup Falls , one of Margaret River’s waterfalls.

Boranup Karri Forest & Viewpoint

While you are on Caves Rd make sure you check out the Boranup Forest Viewpoint.

The Boranup forest of towering Karri trees is located about 25 minutes south of Margaret River. There is an area to park and take in the forest in all its peaceful glory.

Alternatively, take the Boranup Drive tourist drive along an unsealed road which is located in a loop off Caves Rd.

Girl running up road surrounded by Karri trees

Visit Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse

At the end of 2022, the Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse reopened after being renovated for the last few years. Cape Leeuwin takes the title of tallest lighthouse of mainland Australia, and watches over the point where the Southern and Indian Oceans meet.

Cape Leeuwin is near the town of Augusta, 30 minutes south from Margaret River.

You can join a 30-minute guided tour to the top of the tower for a spectacular 360-degree view of the surrounding coastline.

Go Whale Watching

Between late May and August, it’s not uncommon to see whales splashing in the distance as you explore the coast. For an up close and personal view of these majestic creatures, join a whale watching tour.

Tours run from Busselton, Dunsborough and Augusta. Check prices and availability here .

Day 3: Margaret River to Denmark

There are quite a few towns you could visit in the Southern Forests region between Yallingup and Denmark. I’d recommend stopping by at least two to break up the 4-hour drive.

Our first stop was Barrabup Pool, located near the quaint town of Nannup. This natural pool was a great place to stop for a snack and a quick dip, or for a walk along the nearby forest trail.

We then set off for the small town of Pemberton, about an hour’s drive away.

Other quaint country towns to stop by at include Bridgetown and Manjimup.

Pemberton is a quaint town with a few different attractions, making it a great place to stop for a few hours or spend a night or two here.

Pemberton is a great lunch stop. On the main street you have the bakery, Source Kitchen and Wild At Heart Cafe which are all great options.

One of Pemberton’s main attractions is the Gloucester Tree, an old fire lookout tree from the 1940s.

Standing over 53 metres tall, visitors can climb to the top of the tree and experience the views from the lookout on top. Note there are no safety harnesses, so it’s definitely not one for the faint hearted!

Girl climbing gloucester tree in pemberton

As the Gloucester tree is located in a National Park, you’ll need to pay a fee to enter or use a National Parks Pass .

If it’s warm, check out the beautiful man made swimming pool nestled next to the forest. It’s one of my favourite Unique Swimmings Spots in Western Australia.

Beedalup Falls

Jumping back into the car, drive 20 minutes to the nearby Beedalup Falls. Again, a national park ticket is required so keep your day ticket from your earlier visit to the Gloucester Tree.

The Falls feature a short walking trail which allows you to do a loop around the falls and across a suspension bridge. You can take a longer hike and visit the unique Walk Through Tree too!

If you have time up your sleeve, you could spend a night in Pemberton or the beautiful Karri Valley Resort just 20 minutes away.

Where to Stay in Denmark

Continue on your south west Western Australia road trip with a 2.5 hour drive into Denmark.

Denmark is so beautiful, with so much to do and see! If you are arriving during the week, I would recommend to plan cooking some dinners as there isn’t as many restaurants open mid-week, compared to the weekend.

Denmark accommodation is mostly chalet and self contained holiday units, some highly rated options are included below.

Budget – Koorabup Motel A short drive from Denmark town centre with comfortable and spacious rooms.
Mid-Range – Karri Aura Clean and cosy units with kitchenettes and scenic views
Luxury – Chimes Spa Retreat An adults only retreat with stylish suites. Treat yourself to a spa bath after completing the challenging Bluff Knoll hike!
Best for Families – William Bay Cottages A range of cottages with full kitchen. Close to Greens Pool and Elephant Rocks too!
Boutique Luxury Cabin – Upland Farm Luxury accommodation with high end amenities on a sprawling farm (adults only)

Day 4: Exploring Denmark

Start the day with a coffee and checking out the little town of Denmark, located by the river. Our favourite coffee stops are Mrs Jones or Ravens Coffee . The bakery here also has excellent pies if you feel like stocking up for lunch later or a cheeky breakfast pie.

The main attraction in Denmark is the stunning Greens Pool and Elephant Rocks. Luckily, both are located in the William Bay National Park (no fee required for entry).

Denmark Wineries

The afternoon in Denmark can be well spent by visiting some of the local wineries. I recommend Rockcliffe, Forest Hill Wines and Singlefile Wines.

Boston Brewing Co is also worth a visit for a beer tasting paddle or meal.

Another great activity near Denmark is the acclaimed Valley of the Giants Tree Top Walk. Time permitting, visit here to walk amongst the tops of the tall tingle trees.

Other Things to Do in Denmark

Denmark Animal Farm: pet and feed the range of friendly farm animals, including guinea pigs, alpacas, goats, highland cows, chickens and more!
Dine at the Lake House Denmark, a picturesque winery situated by the lake.
Hike Monkey Rock: for a panoramic view across Denmark from the top
Taste Cheese and Wines: At Duckett Mill Wine and Cheese restaurant
Try the Range of Ciders at Monkey Rock Cidery

Day 5: Denmark to Albany

Today is your shortest day of driving, with Albany only 45 minutes from Denmark. Start the morning with a trip out to scenic Lights Beach off Ocean Beach Rd before hitting the road.

On the way to Albany, I would recommend making the detour through West Cape Howe National Park to visit Shelly Beach and the scenic lookout platform located here .

Just before you reach Albany township you can stop in at Wilson Brewing for a craft beer and lunch stop. The portion sizes here were massive, with food made and served out of the built in food truck at the brewery.

Where to Stay in Albany

During our time in Albany, we stayed at the cutest accommodation, Jeffries Cottage . This little blue cottage has been beautifully renovated.

Some other options in Albany include:

Budget – Park Avenue Holiday Unit Harbour front accommodation walking distance to restaurants in town
Mid-Range – Hilton Garden Inn Australia’s first Hilton Garden Inn hotel, newly opened in 2021.
Best for Families – Pelicans Albany Middleton Beach Close to Middleton Beach, offering self contained apartments.

After checking in, we jumped back into the car to check out Little Beach in Albany.

Little Beach & Two People’s Bay

I had seen so many photos on Instagram of Little Beach, a south west road trip icon! Particularly famous for the unusual shaped boulders in the middle of the beach. The water was also impossibly turquoise in real life.

Best of all, when we visited in late October in the afternoon we had this beautiful beach almost all to ourselves!

We spent an hour or exploring the beach, taking drone photos and enjoying the views.

Two boulders on the sand at Little Beach

While walking along Little Beach, at the end there is a short uphill trail to a hidden beach, Waterfall Beach.

To the left of Little Beach across the boulders there are some rock pools that are worth exploring too.

Cocktails in Albany

Albany has a lot of food and drink options (definitely more than Denmark) at night.

I’d recommend checking out Liberte for a cocktail. The bar is very quirky, with Parisian inspired interiors and the restaurant comes highly recommended.

York St sign with red phone box in background

Day 6: Albany & Torndirrup National Park

Some might be tempted to keep moving through Albany, but I’m glad we decided to spend two nights here!

With another big day ahead, start the morning with coffee from Bred Co . It is then a 20 minute drive from Albany to Torndirrup National Park. This National Park is incredibly varied with lots to see and do here.

Torndirrup National Park

In summary, make sure you visit the key attractions in the park outlined below (a National Park fee is required to be paid once for the day unless you have that Park Pass);

Salmon Holes beach
Frenchman Bay beach
Jimmy Newell’s harbour
The Gap & Natural Bridge
Bald Head Trail hike

You can explore the park self-guided, or join a guided tour that includes transport to explore the sights of Torndirrup National Park whilst learning more about this history of these sights.

Albany Wind Farm

After spending a few hours exploring the National Park, head to the Albany Wind Farm.

A free attraction, we were mesmerised by how close we could get to these giant turbines!

There is a short 20 minute walk trail starting at the carpark. Here you can see the turbines up close and learn more about the science behind them.

Great Southern Distillery Visit

On the way back from the wind farm, stop at the nearby Great Southern Distillery .

Enjoy a a whisky tasting (for a small fee) or lunch at the Cellar Door. They also have a gin cellar door back in Margaret River that’s worth checking out too when in town.

National Anzac Centre

Albany is home to the National Anzac Centre . This award-winning museum overlooks the harbour from which over 41,000 men and women departed Australia for World War 1.

After exploring the interactive displays and media at the museum, explore the fortifications and large coastal guns at the heritage listed Princess Royal Fortress, one of Australia’s oldest coastal military sites.

Check ticket prices here.

Other Fun Things to Do in Albany

Hop Aboard a Scenic Wildlife Cruise : Sail the sheltered waters of Albany’s Kalgan River on this half-day scenic cruise aboard a glass-bottom vessel. You’ll learn about Albany’s history and wildlife, with the chance to spot hawks, eagles, pelicans and kangaroos.
Explore Albany Heritage Park on Segway: Discover the highlights of the 260 hectare Heritage Park on segway. Traverse sandy beaches and hilly terrain with ease whilst exploring more of Albany with your local guide. Learn more here.
Explore the Granite Skywalk at the Porongorups: you can join a guided tour departing from Albany. Explore new heights from the Granite Skywalk, with a lunch and wine tasting at a local winery on the way back to town.
Whale Watching: From June to September the magnificent humpback and Southern Right whales can be seen in the water of King George Sound near Albany. Learn more here .

Dinner & Drinks at Rats Bar

Our last dinner was over the other side of Albany in Middleton Beach.

Rats Bar caught our attention with its delicious sounding menu and great range of local wines. Notably, the risotto was one of the best I had ever had. Rats Bar is recommended for drinks and dinner while in Albany.

Day 7: Albany to Perth

Head over to Naked Bean , touted as one of the best coffee shops in Albany before hitting the road for the long 5 hour drive back to Perth.

You’ll pass nearby the Porongorup National Park, where you can hike up to the Granite Skywalk . Another option would be to do the Bluff Knoll hike in Stirling Range National Park. You can read all about it in my Bluff Knoll guide .

That wraps up your week long road trip exploring the beautiful South West region of Western Australia. There is so much to see and do, but this one week road trip South West WA itinerary gives you time to explore the main sights without feeling too rushed!

You can head further along the south coast and visit Esperance , home to some of WA’s best beaches . Allow at least an additional four nights to your journey. From Albany, it’s a further 5 hour drive to Esperance.

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30 thoughts on “Best of South West WA: One Week Road Trip Itinerary”

Wait, there is such a thing as underground yoga in a cave?! No way!!! I am adding this to my bucket list right now. That was so cool to learn and realize was a thing out there somewhere. And that name of the bar…Rats Bar. This would catch my eye too. Literally laughing out loud. The food did look delicious and will have to try it one day if I ever make it over. Thanks for sharing this!

I never been to Australia! The wineries and the forest really attracts me!

Love the imagery with the drone and land photos side-by-side. And Gloucester Tree Fire Lookout looks like an adventure worthy of a road trip!

I was booked and about to head to Aus for three months right before borders started shutting down, so reading Aus posts is so hard lol! But this road trip sounds and looks so amazing, I’m saving it for later. I definitely want to visit for more than three months now!

Road trips must be a special thing, the coast of Australia seems magical! I hope to do this someday.

Great Post. There is so much to see and do in WA, Margaret River is a particular favourite.

I’ve only been to WA once, but that was more of a romantic trip with my partner (it was our first international trip together), so we didn’t really go around much. Only chilled out in Perth and Fremantle. The next time I visit, I’d love to go on a road trip like this one!

I’ve never been to Australia but this looks like such a great road trip itinerary! Thanks for sharing 🙂

This looks like the type of road trip I would love to set off on! I’ll definitely save this itinerary for when I head to this part of Australia.

My gosh, these views are stunning and this food looks divine. I’ve just saved for my Australia bucketlist. Dying to visit one day!!

I am so amazed by this beautiful area! The landscapes are beautiful and I really appreciate the beaches! I hope to go to Australia one day!

Your pictures make me want to visit right now! I can’t wait to go back and explore WA!

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Thank you so much Tess !! We are going to use this Itenary as a rough guide for my Fiances first trip to Australia !!!

Theres some locations in here I had never even heard of !! Yoga in Caves sounds really grounding and relaxing and I love Pemberton so much !! thanks for all you included.

Weve been under the pump lately and were sure what route to take through the south west thanks for including accomodation ideas . this was such a time saver instead of writing our own itinery down so we stay on track and not waste any time in our short holiday period.

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This is great, but Texas isn’t the largest state in the U.S.! Continental maybe, but Alaska is actually 2.5 times bigger than Texas.

Hehe thanks for the correction!

3 Weeks in Australia Itinerary

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Australia is one of the largest countries in the world and the only country named after the continent . It is so huge that we decided to create 2 itinerary options, one for the East Coast and the other across Australia.

Since this country is massive, the best mode of transportation is by aeroplane when travelling between cities. You should also know that there are three time zones in Australia, and not all parts of the country adapt to Daylist Saving Time, which adds two extra time zones .

The country is made up of 18% desert ; one of Australia’s charms is the diversity of species that you can find here. Aside from kangaroos are the Tasmanian devil , mistletoe bird, Australian southern cassowary, and short-beaked echidna, to name a few.

Australia also produces tasty wine, has great surfing spots and unique marine life, and provides free health care to its citizens. It’s easy to understand why many people decide to emigrate to Australia .

But if you can’t move here, you can instead plan an incredible vacation. You can also ride one of the world’s greatest railway journeys, sunbathe with the kangaroos, swim in the Great Barrier Reef, visit the Sydney Opera House and ride a hot air balloon – you can do all these if you’re staying for 3 weeks in Australia.

Of course, you don’t need to follow our itinerary, but maybe you can find inspiration or two when writing your own itinerary for a 3-week trip . Excited yet? Let’s start with the east coast itinerary.

RECOMMENDED DESTINATION: 3 weeks in New Zealand

HOW TO VISIT THE GREAT BARRIER REEF

While the Great Barrier Reef will not be on our itinerary, if you have some extra time, you can fly to Cairns. From there, you can book tours and sailing trips to visit this popular destination.

If you book a 3-week cruise , it’s highly possible that there’s a port stop in Cairns to see the Great Barrier Reef.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE VISITING AUSTRALIA

sydney opera house, koala, melbourne houses - 3 WEEKS IN AUSTRALIA

If you are coming from the West, you want to ensure everything is prepared. It’s a long trip, and you don’t want to book anything or even arrive at your destination just to be turned away or get things not in order too early. So, here’s a little list of important things you should know about Australia:

ALSO READ: Where to go on your next 3 weeks holiday

When is the best time to visit Australia

Spring (September to November) or fall season (March to May) is the best time to travel to Australia . Within these months, it’s neither too hot nor too cold in the country, making it more comfortable to travel around. It’s also outside the peak season, so the prices are relatively good .

The busiest season in Australia is in summer (December to February) when school is on break, it’s summer, and many Australians living abroad tend to visit home. During this time of the year, the cost of travelling around Australia is much higher due to demand.

The rainy season in Australia is from November to April, making December and March the wettest months . Regardless, it’s still warm and can be humid during this time, and it’s still a popular time of the year to visit.

The winter time in Australia is from May to August . Although cloudy and can be freezing, it’s not uncommon to have sunshine and good days. The price of tourism-related services in these months is low, which is ideal if you prefer to avoid the high cost and big crowds anyway.

If you’re spending more time in Melbourne, it’s best that you read this best time to visit Melbourne guide to have a more in-depth idea when it comes to planning your itinerary.

Getting around

Australia is a massive country. Flying is the best and fastest way to get from one city to another . While there are also buses and trains, it’s only suitable to use them within cities or if the place you are getting to is not far from the city itself.

The most efficient mode of transportation across Australia is renting a car, especially if you’re planning to visit cities not too far from one another . Tourists in Australia commonly use one-way car rentals. It is when you rent a car in one state and drop it off in another.

From Sydney to Adelaide, the price ranges anywhere from $273 to as high as $918, depending on the rental company, car brand, and model. This is for the first day. However, for the following days, you’ll just have to add smaller amounts to the total bill.

Car rental companies that offer this service

Budget Australia
Avis Australia

Are 3 weeks enough for Australia

The simple answer is no . Australia is a massive country. Do you know that you can pretty much fit Europe at least 1.5x in Australia? Travelling cross-country takes days and is not recommended.

I t’s better to stick to one coast during your visit to make the most of your time . Most people will spend their trip on the East Coast if it’s your first time here. If you prefer fewer touristy locations, go to the South or West Coast. You can fit 3-4 cities on your travel itinerary , maybe 5 if they’re close to one another.

3 weeks in Australia budget

Australia is not an affordable destination for a 3-week trip . On average cost, you should expect to spend around $3,500 for a 20-day vacation in Australia (that’s $175 a day) if you want to have a private room and maybe get a rental car .

For backpackers planning to go to Australia , you can stay in shared dorms and budget around $1,800 . You’ll also be required to take buses and trains when getting from point A to B.

For those planning a luxurious trip, $5,000 will be a good budget to stay in four or five-star hotels most of the time and dine at fancier restaurants.

These numbers are in USD and don’t calculate your flight to get to Australia and out. It also doesn’t include your travel insurance or other travel items you wish to bring with you. This is calculated for a single person , add 80% of the cost if you’re travelling with another person and plan to share a room.

Visa and COVID Policy

Travellers from Europe, North America, East Asia, and Malaysia don’t have to worry about travel visas. You either need an electronic travel authority (ETA) or an e-Visitor permit, which costs about $30 and can be obtained online .

Australia opened its borders to international tourists on February 21, 2022. A visitor must be fully vaccinated (prepare your vaccination certificate/card), complete a digital passenger declaration pass 72 hours before your flight, and have a negative result of the COVID-19 test taken 24 hours before your flight. Read more information .

Other basic travel tips

To travel more conveniently, I use travel sites and tools to help me plan and ensure I will encounter as little hassle as possible. Here are the travel sites and services I trust and use all the time:

PINNED MAP OF MUST-SEE PLACES IN AUSTRALIA

3 WEEKS IN AUSTRALIA EAST COAST

The east coast of Australia has it all: vibrant cities, beaches, and rainforests. First, let’s discuss travelling across the east coast of Australia, starting from Sydney, then Canberra, to Adelaide. This is an ideal itinerary if you’re visiting Australia for the first time .

If you have the time and patience, this itinerary can be a fun road trip. You should also make sure you pack your luggage smartly . You will travel far from home, so bring all your necessities, but do not overpack.

We also have a specific itinerary if you prefer to spend 3 weeks on the East Coast of Australia only.

Day-to-day overview

Day 1 : Arrive in Sydney and pick up your rental car or arrange an airport transfer to your hotel .
Day 2 to 5 : Explore Sydney and a get city tour bus ticket .
Day 6 : Drive or get to Canberra from Sydney
Day 6 to 8 : Enjoy Canberra
Day 9 : Fly from Canberra or Sydney to Adelaide
Day 9 to 12 : Discover Adelaide
Day 13 : Fly or take a bus from Adelaide to Melbourne
Day 13 to 16 : Explore Melbourne
Day 17 : Fly from Melbourne to Tasmania
Day 17 to 20 : Enjoy Tasmia
Day 21 : Fly to Sydney to catch the flight home

Sydney and Canberra for 8 days

I recommend you combine these two cities together in a week . The distance is about 300 kilometres (186 mi), a 3-hour drive or a 4-hour train. The fastest way to reach Canberra from Sydney is via plane, but it is very expensive.

The cheapest is via train, which would cost anywhere from $27 to $40. If you’re going to ride a bus, it could cost you anywhere from $30 to $60 and will take 3 hours and 30 minutes.

Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and Oceania. It is also frequently included in the top 10 most liveable cities all over the world . Going for a dip in Sydney is definitely a must-do. Even if you are travelling with a pet, there are dog-friendly beaches to choose from.

Aside from having more than 100 beaches, it also has numerous vibrant dining scenes and various cultural venues, which is enough reason for tourists to stay for at least a week.

Sydney Opera House – book your tour in advance or watch La Boheme
Chinese Garden of Friendship
Explore the city and Bondi Beach – get your bus ticket or join a half-day tour or join a crime tour
Darling Harbour
Sydney Tower- look at the tour price and reviews and enjoy a buffet feast at the tower
Luna Park Sydney
Blue Mountains – book a day trip with a cruise
Royal Botanic Garden Sydney
Day trip to Katoomba Scenic World – get your hop-on, hop-off bus and park pas or bushwalk and lunch
Cruise at Circular Quaym
Featherdale Sydney Wildlife Park
Madame Tussauds – skip the line and get a ticket in advance
Queen Victoria Building
Sydney Harbour – enjoy a sunset cruise or an all-inclusive dinner cruise
BridgeClimb Sydney
Art Gallery of New South Wales
Day trip to Hunter Valley for wine, cheese, and chocolate tour
King Street Wharf Darling Harbour

Canberra is Australia’s capital city, which not many people know . It is also one of the only places in Australia where you can fly a hot air balloon. This city features a mix of cultural richness and natural beauty.

Home to significant national institutions like the Australian War Memorial, National Gallery, and Parliament House , it offers insights into the country’s history and governance. Surrounded by bushland and nestled near Lake Burley Griffin, the city also provides recreational activities and scenic spots.

Explore Canberra on a full-day tour or women’s history tour
Lake Burley Griffin
Australian War Memorial
National Gallery of Australia
National Botanic Gardens
Questacon – National Science and Technology Centre
Book a brewery tour or a private wine tasting with lunch
Day trip to Black Mountain Nature Park
Parliament House

Accommodations in Sydney and Canberra

Hostels in Sydney – Wake Up! Sydney Central or Sydney Harbour YHA
Mid-range hotels in Sydney – Mariner’s Court Hotel or Meriton Suites
Luxury Hotels in Sydney – Sofitel Darling Harbour or Radisson Blue Plaza or Shangri-La
Hostels in Canberra – Unilodge or Canberra City YHA
Mid-range hotels in Canberra – ibis Budget or The Sebel
Luxury hotels in Canberra – Park Hyatt or Midnight Hotel

Adelaide for 4 days

Adelaide is also well-known as a 20-minute city because it only takes 20 minutes to reach one point to another . It is also considered Australia’s opal capital, which is perfect for jewellery lovers. Even if it is a small city, there are tons of places to visit and things to do here, that’s why it is also worth a week-long stay.

Walking, trains, buses, or trams is the best way to get around Adelaide . If you prefer riding public transportation over walking, you can purchase a MetroCard or a MetroCard Visitor Pass, which provides tourists with three-day unlimited travel for a fixed rate.

Since Sydney and Canberra are both too far to drive to Adelaide, it’s best to book a 2-hour and 10-minute direct flight . This means that if you rent a car, you should schedule to drop it off at the airport where you’re flying from.

Must-see places and activities to do in Adelaide

Adelaide Botanic Garden
Glenelg Area – book a Catamaran Sunset Cruise
Adelaide Central Market
Kangaroo Island – do a day tour
Art Gallery of South Australia
Book a River Torren Cruise
BOUNCEinc Adelaide
South Australian Museum
Join an eco kayaking tour at Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary
Cleland Conservation Park
Mt Lofty and the Waterfall Gully Reserve.
Join the famous Barossa Valley wine tour
Adelaide Oval Rooftop Climbing
Rundle Mall
Brighton Jetty

Accommodations in Adelaide

Budget hostels – Tequila Sunrise Hostel or Adelaide Central YHA
Mid-range hotels – ibis Adelaide or Hotel Grand Chancellor
Luxury Hotels – Mayfair Hotel or Pullman Hotel

Melbourne for 4 days

melbourne clock tower, tram - 3 WEEKS IN AUSTRALIA

3 weeks in Australia is not complete without visiting Melbourne. Did you know that UNESCO has declared Melbourne as a city of literature ? It was the second city in the world to become one. The city is also the sports capital of the world.

Melburnians are massive sports fans . They hold various notable sporting events here, including the Formula 1 Grand Prix, the Australian Open, and the Melbourne Cup.

The best way to travel across Melbourne is through public transportation and tram . It operates throughout the day and offers multiple routes. There are even free trams that are designed for tourists. Aside from trams, buses, and trains are also available.

Standard bus fares cost is about AU$2.70 to AU$3.90 (depending on the zone) for two-hour rides. The fare cost is also the same for train rides.

You can drive from Adelaide to Melbourne, but it will take nearly 9 hours with breaks. A non-stop flight is only 1 hr and 20 minutes .

Things to do in Melbourne for a week

Melbourne Cricket Ground – a tour that you can join
National Gallery of Victoria
Day trip to Phillip Island – see the penguins and Moonlit Sanctuary or the one with Penguin and Koala tour
Shrine of Remembrance
Melbourne Skydeck – check the updated price
Federation Square
Great Ocean and 12 Apostles – book a day tour from Melbourne
South Wharf Area
Polly Woodside – the country’s last surviving 19th-century ships
Garden and Sporting Precinct River Cruise
Ride Hot Air Baloon – check the tour price and reviews
City Circle Tram
Skydive Melbourne
Luna Park in Melbourne
Yarra River Cruise – enjoy a dinner cruise or balloon flight at sunrise or a bottomless brunch cruise
Visit Yarra Valley and go on a Winery Tour
National Tennis Centre (Rod Laver Arena)
Williamstown Ferry Cruise – read the reviews and see the tour price
Royal Botanic Gardens
Day trip to Healesville Sanctuary – ride Puffing Billy and see the rescued wild animals

Accommodations in Melbourne

Budget hostels – Space Hotel or Flinders Backpackers
Mid-range hotels – The Victoria Hotel or Atlantis Hotel
Luxury Hotels – The Langham or Crown Towers

Tasmania for 4 days

As the final leg of your trip, it’s time to fly from Melbourne to Tasmania. There are three main airports, but flying to Hobart is the most recommended. This also means that you can fly from Hobart back to Sydney if you’re flight home is leaving there anyway.

Tasmania, a gem of Australia, offers pristine wilderness, unique wildlife, and a rich heritage. From the beautiful Cradle Mountain to the historic Port Arthur site and the vibrant Salamanca Market in Hobart , it’s a haven for nature lovers and culture enthusiasts alike.

With its diverse landscapes, artisanal food and wine scene, and the chance to spot the elusive Tasmanian devil , Tasmania is a great way to end your 20 days in Australia.

For this part, it’s best to rent a car to get around the island and save some time. You can pick up the vehicle at Hobart Airport and plan to return it there as well.

Things to do in Hobart, Tasmania

Explore Hobart with a hop-on, hop-off bus – check the cost
Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park
Port Arthur Site – join a Tasman Island Wilderness Cruise or a full-day Port Arthur trip
Salamanca Market in Hobart
Bruny Island to see the wallabies, seals, and penguins – read the tour reviews first or do a gourmet tasting
Hike the Overland Track
Tamar Valley – there’s a wine tour with lunch that you can do
See the Tasmanian devil at Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary
Bay of Fires
Gordon River – book a World Heritage Cruise
Cataract Gorge in Launceston
Hastings Cave, Tahune, and Huon Valley – check this guided tour
Drive the scenic Great Eastern Drive
Coles Bay – join a wineglass bay cruise

Accommodations in Hobart, Tasmania

Budget: Hobart Central YHA or Montacute Boutique Bunkhouse or Narrara Backpackers
Mid-range: Battery Point Manor or Edinburg Gallery BnB or Bay Hotel Apartments or Custom House Hotel
Luxury: The Tasman Hotel or Lenna Of Hobart or Movenpick Hotel or Hotel Grand Chancellor or Zero Davey Boutique Apartment Hotel

3 WEEKS ACROSS AUSTRALIA ITINERARY

In this portion of the article, we’ll still discuss 3 weeks in Australia but stay for a shorter duration in each city so that you’ll get to go to more cities. Here, we’ll discuss Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, and Perth.

This is an ideal itinerary for those who want to see the top destinations but also the less-travelled part of Australia to get away from crowds of tourists.

Day 1 : Land in Brisbane, get a car rental if you plan to drive or book an airport transfer to your hotel.
Day 2 to 5 : Travel around Brisbane and maybe go surfing
Day 6 : Fly from Brisbane to Sydney
Day 6 to 10 : Explore Sydney with a city bus ; you can plan a day trip to Canberra if you don’t mind the 6-hour roundtrip drive
Day 11 : Fly from Sydney to Melbourne
Day 11 to 15 : Enjoy Melbourne
Day 16 : Travel from Melbourne to Perth
Day 16 to 20 : Enjoy Perth
Day 21 : Fly from Perth back to Sydney or catch your flight home from Pert

Brisbane for 5 days

brisbane ferries wheel, koala - 3 WEEKS IN AUSTRALIA

Brisbane is the capital city of Queensland and is the third-most populous city in Australia . There are dozens of interesting things about this city, like how the Spring Hill water reservoir is now an underground opera performing space.

Their city hall is also the largest city hall in Australia, and the first-ever cultivated Macadamia tree in the world could also be found here. To make the most out of your stay in Brisbane, the ideal duration to stay here is four days.

The best way to get around Brisbane is through public transportatio n. You can ride a combination of trams, trains, ferries, and buses. Just like in the other cities, you can avail of an unlimited pass called seeQ card, which allows you to use these modes of transportation for three to five days.

Must-see places in Brisbane

Queensland Museum and Science Centre
Queensland Art Gallery & Gallery of Modern Art
State Library of Queensland
Australia Zoo – ride the famous Croc Express
Queensland Performing Arts Centre
Dracula’s Cabaret – book a night party on the Gold Coast
South Bank Parklands
Go ATV ride at Tangalooma – check the tour price
Wheel of Brisbane
Brisbane river cruise with lunch
Museum of Brisbane
Day trip to Moreton Island – do a kayak, snorkel, and sandboard tour or a dolphin and Tangalooma wreck ruise
Brisbane City Botanic Gardens
Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary – get your day pass
Glass House Mountains National
Story Bridge Adventure Climb – book a tour
Roma Street Parkland
For crime junkies, there’s a True Crime Tour

Accommodations in Brisbane

Budget hostels – Breeze Lodge or Brisbane YHA
Mid-range hotels – Royal On The Park or Meriton Suites
Luxury Hotels – Emporium Hotel or W Brisbane

Sydney for 5 days

With its iconic Opera House and Harbour Bridge, Sydney is a world-class city blending urban sophistication with natural wonders . Renowned for its vibrant arts scene, diverse cuisine, and stunning beaches like Bondi and Manly, it offers a multitude of experiences.

The bustling Circular Quay and historic Rocks district are just a few attractions that you must not miss during your 3 weeks in Australia.

Top-rated Sydney attractions

Cruise at Circular Quay

Melbourne for 5 days

Spending 3 weeks in Australia is not complete without visiting Melbourne. This is well-known for being the richest city during the gold rush era . You can also experience the 4 seasons in one day here. It is a pretty common occurrence in Melbourne, which is nothing short of amazing.

Melbourne is also perfect for coffee lovers because it is the city with the most cafes per capita and they are also considered the fox capital of the world. In just 4 days, you can see and do many things in Melbourne.

Top attractions in Mlebourne:

Perth for 5 days.

perth city bridge - 3 WEEKS IN AUSTRALIA

P erth is Western Australia’s capital . This city is usually overshadowed by its neighbouring cities, but it has its charms as well. It is the world’s largest producer of gold and the only place in the world where you can find the species called quokkas .

It has one of the world’s longest straight railway tracks . Unlike some of the cities in Australia, which have unpredictable weather, Perth has great weather that’s why walking and biking are possible throughout the year.

You can get around Perth by trains, buses, or ferries. You can purchase a TransPerth SmartRider card, in which you’ll get fare discounts.

Famous landmarks and activities in Perth

There are so many places you could visit in Perth and around the area. If you have a car, you should also check out a few day trips from Perth .

Get a hop-on, hop-off bus pass for ease of travel within the city
Elizabeth Quay
Mandurah Dolphin Watching
Pinnacles Desert – do a sandboarding and 4WD day tour or a stargazing sunset tour
Book a Murray River Cruise
Art Gallery of Western Australia
Swim with Wild Dolphins – read the reviews first
Visit Rottnest Island and do a ferry tour with a bike or a ferry with a bus tour
Kings Park and Botanic Garden
Day trip to Swan Valley – for food and wine tasting or a Swan River lunch cruise
The Bell Tower
Book a romantic Perth Swan River Dinner Cruise
Cottesloe Beach
Margaret River – to see caves and visit a winery

Accommodations in Perth

Budget hostels – Hostel G or Spinners Hostel
Mid-range hotels – Doubletree by Hilton or Great Southern Hotel
Luxury Hotels – The Westin or The Ritz-Carlton

SUMMARY OF 3 WEEKS IN AUSTRALIA

It is advisable to plan ahead of your trip and book the various attractions where you’ll go and accommodations where you’ll stay as opposed to having a spontaneous trip, especially nowadays.

That’s why we compiled a list of places you could visit during your three weeks in Australia. We also included the best mode of transportation per city.

Australia is easily one of my favourite destinations when it comes to a place where various activities can be experienced. There is so much to see, and I can honestly say that I’ll be back in the future to explore more.

I hope that this travel itinerary for 3 weeks in Australia has been helpful and that you’ll consider going to Australia on your trip.

SAVE THIS ITINERARY ON YOUR PINTEREST:

Australia beckons with its vast landscapes, from the iconic Sydney Opera House to the Great Barrier Reef. Explore vibrant cities, ancient deserts, and unique wildlife, offering an adventure in diverse environments. via @threeweektraveller

Perth to Albany Road Trip: An Epic 2-Week Self-Drive Itinerary for Spectacular South West Australia

11 feb 2024 07 dec 2023 | dan.

Stunning beaches, ancient forests, delicious food and wine – explore spectacular South West Australia with our two week Perth to Albany road trip itinerary loop , starting and finishing in Perth.

We Aussies are spoiled for choice when it comes to road tripping the epic outdoors. For John and I though, one of the greatest regions for exploring has to be the wedge of country from Perth to Albany in South West Australia.

Here, you can experience some of Australia’s very best in nature. Pristine pearly-white beaches lapped by turquoise seas. Old growth forests guarded by some of the biggest trees in the world. Dramatic granite coastal cliffs and formations. Otherworldly dunes and desertscapes. The list of wonders goes on.

Aboriginal culture infuses this ancient place, while a more recent maritime, colonial and wartime history has also left an indelible mark. Add world class wineries, a stellar craft brewery scene and excellent foodie options, and you have what is, quite possibly, the ultimate Australian road trip. It’s a big call, yes, but definitely one worth deciding for yourself.

John and Dan lean against a car looking out over a bay in South West WA.

Perth to Albany Road Trip Snapshot Start & Finish: Perth, Western Australia Distance: If you do everything in this itinerary, you’ll travel around 2,000km (appx 1,240 miles), give or take. How long do I need? This road trip itinerary is 14 days. See below for our suggestions if you have less time or more time. Overnight stops: 1 night in Perth, 1 night in Busselton, 3 nights in Margaret River, 1 night in Pemberton, 1 night in Denmark, 1 night in Albany, 3 nights in Fremantle, 1 night in Cervantes, 1 night back in Perth.

What’s in this post?

Planning a Perth to Albany Road Trip 2-Week Perth to Albany Road Trip Itinerary Day 1 – Arrive in Perth Day 2 – Perth to Busselton Day 3 – Busselton to Margaret River via Cape Naturaliste Day 4 – Margaret River Wine Tasting Day 5 – Margaret River south to Cape Leeuwin Day 6 – Margaret River to Pemberton Day 7 – Pemberton to Denmark Day 8 – Denmark to Albany Day 9 – Albany to Fremantle Day 10 – Rottnest Island Day 11 – Fremantle Day 12 – Fremantle to Pinnacles Desert (or choose your own adventure) Day 13 – Pinnacles Desert to Perth Day 14 – Depart Perth

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Planning a Perth to Albany Road Trip

What’s the route.

Our two week south west Australian road trip planner starts and finishes in the city of Perth, capital of the vast state of Western Australia (WA).

We trace a coast-and-hinterland path down to the most south-westerly point on the Australian continent, spending a couple of days searching out some of the best places to visit in Margaret River and surrounds. Then we head east to Albany via Pemberton and Denmark, before looping back via an inland Albany – Perth route. We also visit Wadjemup/Rottnest Island and Pinnacles Desert, two awesome Perth day trips.

If you have less than two weeks , you can cover the Perth to Albany return segment of this itinerary in around ten days, leaving out The Pinnacles and Rottnest Island.

If you have more than two weeks , you might slow the pace and add more days to some of the stops along the way. You could also consider making this a Perth to Esperance road trip. We discuss travelling to Esperance in more detail further on.

Map showing the route of this Perth to Albany road trip.

The thing about planning a road trip in Australia is that distances can be as epic as the nature itself. Fun fact: the state of Western Australia is ten times the size of the United Kingdom! In other words, it’s vital to take a pragmatic approach to just how much you can see and do with the time you have.

Having said that, we’ll ‘fess up and note that even this 2 week Perth to Albany itinerary is ambitious given the distances and the sheer number of highlights involved.

Despite having our sensible planner hats on, we found it almost impossible to pick and choose what to include. So we went ahead and visited as much as we could. We’ve captured it all here, with the caveat that if you do as we did, you can expect to be on the go most of the time .

How you roll is entirely up to you. You can go hard like we did, or slow the pace and pick a couple of places from each day’s highlights that interest you most.

For a round-up of the absolute must-sees in this corner of the country, check out our post ‘ 20 Unmissable Things To Do in South West WA ‘.

When is the best time to visit?

South West WA is lovely pretty much all the time, with a temperate Mediterranean-like climate. Naturally, summers and holiday periods draw the crowds, especially in the Margaret River region. Accordingly, prices go up and accommodation availability goes down.

The shoulder periods between March and May (Aussie Autumn) and September to November (Aussie Spring) are said to be the nicest times of year. Though chilling out by a fire in winter with a nice Margaret River cabernet sauvignon has definite appeal for us too.

We travelled in March and experienced a mix of overcast and beautiful sunny days with temps in the low 20s C (low 70s F) punctuated by some brief, torrential storms. Keep an eye on the weather before you go, and take a warm top whenever you visit the coastal cliffs and lookouts along the south. Those Antarctic winds can bite.

Where should I stay?

Most of the overnighters on this road trip are in decent sized towns with a range of accommodation for all budget levels.

Your options for Perth, Fremantle and Margaret River accommodation are extensive. In Margaret River, having a car means you can stay further out of town if you want (there’s no Uber and taxis are few and far between).

Regardless, it’s a good idea to book your accommodation well ahead of your visit if you can, particularly if you’re travelling in peak season and over weekends. We found this was critical in the smaller towns of Pemberton, Denmark and Albany.

In Australia, you can search and book accommodation via all the usual booking engine suspects. For this trip we booked all our accommodation through Booking.com .

Do I need a 4WD?

Not for this Perth road trip. While a 4WD would certainly give you access to some of the more off-the-beaten-path destinations and adventures in South West WA, like the Yeagurup Dunes, this itinerary can be fully driven in a regular 2WD . With the exception of a couple of packed dirt roads, we travelled on paved roads throughout.

We found our car for this trip on Rental Cars , but would also suggest checking Discover Cars to find the best deal you can.

Do I need a National Park Pass?

Most national parks in Western Australia have a park entry fee of around $17 per vehicle. These fees go towards park management and conservation.

You can visit more than one park on the same day with one ticket. However, with this itinerary, we visit a number of national parks with fees over different days. One way to save money is to consider buying a Holiday Park Pass , which can be purchased online.

It’s $30 for a 5-Day pass and $50 for a 14-Day pass. This will give you unlimited park entry for the pass duration. You’ll need to print and display the pass in your car, so best to sort this out before you travel.

2-Week Perth to Albany Road Trip Itinerary

Day 1 – arrive in perth.

Total driving distance: There’s no driving today, unless you’re collecting a hire car and driving to your accommodation. If you want to save a days’ car hire, you could arrange pick up for early tomorrow instead. Overnight: Perth

Perth is the capital of WA, and it’s the launchpad for our South West Australia road trip.

As a major city, you can fly direct to Perth from various cities around the world and from a bunch of places within Australia. Ironically, there’s not much time difference in a flight from Singapore to Perth and a flight from Sydney to Perth!

Can you drive to Perth from Sydney? Sure, but it’s a 4,000km (2,485 mile) journey and crosses desert, so you’ll need at least another week and plenty of preparation to do it. For us, that’s part of a whole other future Australian road trip on our Bucket List of 100 Ultimate Road Trips Around The World .

Depending what time you arrive in Perth today, you might consider hitting up some of the city’s highlights.

If you like getting out and about on foot, there’s a range of guided and self-guided walking tours that will introduce you to the city of Perth.

For gorgeous views over the CBD, head to Kings Park and Botanic Garden . Or check out the outstanding collection of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artworks at the Art Gallery of Western Australia .

If you’re craft beer apprecionados like us, you might go in search of the city’s tap rooms . Try a tasting paddle at Petition Beer Corner or a sundowner by the Swan River at The Island at Elizabeth Quay.

Don’t worry though if you arrive too late to do much Perth sightseeing today. You’ll be back here again at the end of the trip.

Where to Stay in Perth

As the capital of Western Australia Perth has a broad range of accommodation, ranging from hostels to high-end hotels, however staying in or near the city centre isn’t cheap. The following options get consistently good reviews:

Good value: Spinner’s Backpackers – close to city | super friendly | kitchen for self-caterers
Mid-range: Aurea Hotel – modern | pool | edge of CBD
Indulge: Doubletree By Hilton – waterfront CBD location | city and river views | great breakfast

We stayed at Mercure Perth On Hay (formerly Travelodge) for it’s great central location, making it an easy walk to most city attractions and the bars and restaurants around Elizabeth Quay.

Buildings lit up at night above the water of Elizabeth Quay, city highlight of a Perth road trip.

Day 2 – Perth to Busselton

Highlights: Bunbury dolphins | Busselton Jetty Total driving distance: appx. 225km (140 miles) Total driving time: appx. 2.5 hours Overnight: Busselton

The goal today is to be in the pretty bayside town of Busselton by early afternoon, so you can max your time exploring the famous Busselton Jetty and surrounds.

You can either spend the morning exploring more of Perth city before driving straight to Busselton. Or get on the road earlier and make a pit stop en route in the quirky town of Bunbury.

It’s a 2-hour drive from Perth to Bunbury. We ultimately weren’t here long enough to make a qualified judgment about this bustling port city. But a quick online search of things to do throws up plenty of options to fill a day or more here.

Bunbury has grown up around a huge working port which, interestingly, hasn’t deterred the city’s most famous marine residents from hanging around. In fact, the wild bottlenose dolphins of Koombana Bay have become such a drawcard that the dedicated Dolphin Discovery Centre was created to ensure interactions with these magical creatures are safe and eco-friendly.

We stopped here to stretch our legs. Hoping to see dolphins, we parked up at the centre and wandered down to the beach. As luck would have it, there was a small pod of five or six dolphins chasing each other back and forth along the shoreline. Definitely worth the brief break in the journey south!

It’s around 40-minutes from Bunbury to Busselton, or a straight 2.5-hour drive from Perth. Aim to arrive in Busselton by early afternoon.

The focus of our visit here is Busselton Jetty . At 1.8km (1.1 mile), it’s said to be the longest timber-piled jetty in the world.

We pre-booked tickets for a tour of the Underwater Observatory at the end of the jetty. The observatory takes you down into the shallow bay and showcases the beautiful coral reef habitat that has formed on and around the timber pilings.

To reach the observatory, it’s a lovely wander along the jetty out into Geographe Bay , and there are plaques along the way telling the jetty’s story. You can also take the little red train that runs on tracks the length of the pier. We did this on the way back. Busselton Jetty is open 24-hours while the observatory is generally open between 9am and 4pm.

With more time in Busselton, you could explore some of the other local sights, like the Old Courthouse Art Complex and Busselton Museum . We found there was plenty happening on and around the jetty itself to keep us busy for a couple of hours.

Back on land, we were drawn to the bright lights and glinting taps of Shelter Brewing Co, which overlooks the grassy foreshore and beach. There are lots of other options for dinner around here too. Once you’ve checked out the area and refueled, we recommend a good night’s sleep as tomorrow is a huge day.

Where to Stay in Busselton

For its small size, busy Busselton has a decent range of accommodation clustered around the famous jetty and beach. The following options get consistently good reviews:

Good value: Ithaca 1896 Manor – 1km to jetty | free onsite parking | loads of character
Mid-range: Gale Street Motel & Villas – walking distance to everything | comfortable and clean | free onsite parking
Indulge: Hilton Garden Inn Busselton – central location | pool and sun terrace | free onsite parking

Clouds glow golden and pink above Busselton Jetty at sunset, highlight of a Western Australia road trip.

Day 3 – Busselton to Margaret River via Cape Naturaliste

The Margaret River and Leeuwin-Naturaliste coast packs a huge punch in the nature stakes, and there are a ton of places to visit in Margaret River besides its world renowned wineries. Though wine tasting is most definitely on the agenda.

You have the option of staying in any of the lovely little towns that dot the Margaret River region for this part of our south west road trip, as you’ll be exploring this coastal area in sections over the coming three days. We chose to stay in the delightful town of Margaret River itself, which sits squarely in the middle of the region.

As you’ll be coming from the north, today’s sightseeing is focused on the northern part of the region. Our route follows a loose trail around the Cape Naturaliste peninsula, however there is a bit of criss-crossing and back-tracking in order to be at Sugarloaf Rock at sunset.

Day 3 Planning Tips: There’s a lot packed into today’s itinerary, which means you’ll see plenty but you’ll have limited time in each place if you visit every spot. If you’d prefer to do less and spend more time in each place, then choose your preferred stops from the highlights below. The time of year you visit will also make a difference to today’s itinerary, as the sun sets anywhere from around 5.15pm in mid-winter to 7.30pm in mid-summer.

Dunsborough

Break your fast in Busselton, or make the half-hour trip west to the resort town of Dunsborough for brekkie.

It was pretty quiet here on the weekday morning we visited, and the waters of Geographe Bay were mirror flat. In season though, this tidy little town apparently comes alive with beachgoers and water lovers, and we hear there’s a buzzing eating and drinking scene at night.

We picked up some fresh juices from a local café and wandered for a bit before settling on the beach for some people watching.

Canal Rocks

From Dunsborough, follow Caves Road to the south-west and then take the turnoff to Canal Rocks .

The artist Gaudi said there are no straight lines in nature, which makes this strikingly linear sea-sculpted channel a real eye-catcher, surrounded as it is by an otherwise rugged and wild coast.

A suck-your-gut-in-narrow wooden walkway takes you out into the heart of the rocky scene, to where the sea churns through gaps and you can feel the spray on your face.

We spent a bit of time here climbing around the rocks and taking in the views as the clouds rolled in and the crashing waves continued their ceaseless sculpting.

Yallingup Beach

Around 10 minutes north of Canal Rocks is famous Yallingup Beach , a stunning stretch of white sand and a great spot for swimming and snorkelling. It’s also world famous for its surf breaks.

If you fancy a dip, now’s the time. Or head to the small carpark north of town and wander up to Yallingup Beach Lookout for a great view over the scene and surf.

Ngilgi Cave

The limestone of the Leeuwin-Naturaliste ridge is pockmarked with spectacular, million-year-old caves and visiting at least one is a must. There are four showcase caves in the region and we include three in this itinerary (one today and two on Day 5), so you can pick and choose, or do them all.

The most northern of the caves is Ngilgi Cave , just five minutes from Yallingup Beach. It’s open from 9am to 5pm daily, with last entry at 4pm.

You can either visit this beautiful cave on its own or spend longer here and also enjoy the full Ancient Lands Experience – a walk through the bushland with installations that tell the story of how Ngilgi was created. Give yourself around an hour and a half for the whole visit.

Lunch at Eagle Bay Brewing Co

Make your way back across the peninsula via Caves Road and Cape Naturaliste Road to Eagle Bay Brewing Co .

There’s no shortage of places to pick up a bite to eat in the villages dotting the peninsula. We were keen to visit this beautifully-sited brewery overlooking an expansive panorama of fields and forest, and we highly recommend a lunch stop here.

We settled in to refuel with a paddle of local brews for John (the lucky passenger) and a cheese board to share. It’s open seven days a week from 11am to 5pm.

Meelup Beach

A short drive from the brewery is stunning Meelup Beach . This is a classic Western Australia beaches scene: a stretch of pearly white sand and aqua-hued water edged by smatterings of ochre rock.

Meelup is gorgeous during the day (moreso with the shifting clouds and light we had on our visit). But this spot is also renowned for its moonrises-over-ocean . If you’re travelling during a full moon, put Meelup Beach later on today’s itinerary and try to be here before the moon starts its ascent above the horizon.

Looking out over red rocks, green trees, white sand and aqua sea at Meelup Beach, one of many beautiful beaches in Western Australia.

Practically next door to Meelup but a world away is Eagle Bay, a spectacular little hideaway for the rich and famous.

We spotted some incredible homes through the trees here, and popped down to Eagle Bay Beach for a brief wander.

Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse

A bright white beacon on the headland, Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse rises above the dense coastal heath of Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park . It’s been lighting the way along this dangerous coast for 120 years.

While there’s no park fee for Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park, there is a small entry fee for the lighthouse grounds.

There’s a museum and tearooms here, and guided tours every hour from 9.30am to 4.30pm, including a climb up the 59 steps of the lighthouse to its balcony.

There’s also a network of walking trails around the cape, including the trailhead for the famous Cape to Cape Track, an epic 135km (84 mile) coastal hike. We opted for a slightly shorter, hour-long wander along the Lighthouse Track , a peaceful loop walk around the headland accompanied by speccy ocean views.

Sugarloaf Rock

Our penultimate stop today is Sugarloaf Rock , a dramatic lump of offshore granite famous for its changing hues. It’s renowned as a spectacular spot for sunset and today’s itinerary is worked so that you can be here for that (be sure to check sunset times when you visit).

Our own Sugarloaf Rock sunset experience was an angry sky with roiling clouds. If anything though, weather just adds to the drama of this beautiful coastline.

As a birder, I also brought my binoculars in the hopes of an end-of-season glimpse of the red-tailed tropic birds that nest on the rock over the summer months. No joy, but that’s birding.

From Sugarloaf Rock, make your way to your Margaret River accommodation. If you’re staying in Margaret River town as we did, you’ll find many of its bars and eateries clustered along the main street, Bussell Highway.

Clouds gather over the rugged island of Sugarloaf Rock, a top sunset spot on a south west Australia road trip.

Where to Stay in Margaret River

Margaret River has a dizzying array of options when it comes to accommodation, however it’s a very popular town so you may need to redefine your idea of budget accommodation if that’s your price point. The following options get consistently good reviews:

Good value: Higgins Lane Motel – very central | free parking | spacious rooms
Mid-range: Margarets In Town Apartments – pool | very close to town | free parking
Indulge: Grape Juice Retreat – peaceful | super private | closer to beaches

We stayed at Grape Juice Retreat , and while it’s a little outside town we loved the ambience of the place, while its location made for a great base to explore nearby beaches, caves and coastline.

We have also stayed at 107 Apartments Margaret River which is right in the middle of town on the main street. This makes it a very convenient and comfortable base to enjoy the bars and restaurants of Margaret River without having to organise taxis.

Day 4 – Margaret River Wine Tasting

Highlights: Margaret River wineries Total driving distance: Let someone else do the driving today! Overnight: Margaret River

Margaret River is one of Australia’s top wine regions, and world-renowned for its chardonnay and cabernet sauvignon. So it goes without saying, a trip here really isn’t a fait accompli without a visit to a winery or two. Or more if, like us, you sign up for a Margaret River wine tour.

Also, given the amount of driving on this south west Australia road trip itinerary, we figured it was only fair that we both get a day off from being designated driver and let someone else show us around!

If you’d rather self-tour though, your options are many. A number of wineries have cellar doors where you can pop in and sample the wares, or settle in for lunch surrounded by beautiful vineyards.

There are a handful of companies doing wine tours in Margaret River and they all follow a fairly similar format. We chose the company we did in part because they aim to visit some of the smaller wineries we might not have otherwise discovered on our own.

We visited a local olive oil company followed by three vineyards, before winding up the day at Margaret River’s famous just-out-of-town brewery, the Margaret River Brewhouse.

A tasting flight of white and red wines at a cellar door on a Perth to Margaret River trip.

Day 5 – Margaret River south to Cape Leeuwin

Today we hit the roads south of Margaret River to explore the natural and historic highlights along the coast to Cape Leeuwin , Australia’s most south-westerly point.

Travel Tip: When putting together this south west Australian road trip planner, we plotted to visit the sites below roughly in the order they appear on the map heading south from Margaret River along Caves Road. With hindsight, and if you’re keen to see the stingrays of Hamelin Bay, we suggest making straight for Hamelin Bay Beach first thing in the morning. Then head to Cape Leeuwin and visit the other sites in reverse as you make your way back north to Margaret River.

Mammoth Cave and Lake Cave

There are two caves on today’s agenda. Both are absolutely worth visiting and are entirely different experiences.

The first stop is Mammoth Cave , where a self-guided audio tour takes you on a boardwalk journey through the stunning, stalactite-filled chambers of this ancient place. Mammoth Cave is renowned for the extraordinary fossils found here, including the 50,000-year-old jawbone of an extinct giant wombat-like species still embedded in the wall.

We’ve also included a visit to nearby Lake Cave . While the cavern itself is tiny compared to Mammoth Cave, Lake Cave requires an epic descent through a vast sinkhole into the bowels of the Earth. Which also means a thigh-burning ascent afterwards. The exquisite decorations and lake reflections make this cave worth the sore legs.

Both caves are open daily from 9am to 5pm, with last entry an hour before.

Stalactites drip from the ceiling above John at Mammoth Cave, one of the top attractions in Margaret River.

Karri Forests

The Karri forests of South West Australia are extraordinary. These are some of the tallest trees in the world and it’s truly something to be among the giants. You’ll be getting up close with some of the region’s most epic stands of forest around Pemberton later on in our Perth to Albany road trip, but today’s drive also travels through some impressive karri regrowth forest.

A car drives along a road lined by giant karri trees, a unique feature of a South West Australia road trip.

If time is on your side today, you can also opt to leave Caves Road for a bit and immerse more fully in the forest along the 14km (9 mile) Boranup Drive . This unpaved (but 2WD-suitable) route loops off Caves Road around 3km (1.8 miles) south of Lake Cave, and rejoins Caves Road just south of Boranup Forest Maze. Keep an eye out for Boranup Lookout en route.

Heading further south to Cape Leeuwin, make a brief stop in Augusta, Australia’s most south-westerly town .

In season, this is apparently a bustling holiday spot and adventure hub for water sports like kite and windsurfing but it was very calm and quiet the day we visited. We picked up some lunch at a local bakery and found a grassy spot by pretty Hardy Inlet to enjoy the scenery.

Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse

At the end of Leeuwin Road out of Augusta is Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse in Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park . This is the tallest lighthouse on mainland Australia. It’s an impressive sight in and of itself, and there’s a guided tour every half hour from 9am to 4.30pm daily if you’re keen to climb its narrow interior (book ahead).

It’s the location of this lighthouse though, on a dramatic rocky point at the confluence of the Indian and Southern Oceans, that is truly breathtaking. It’s also an excellent spot for whale watching between May and November each year.

There’s a café at the lighthouse precinct and an interpretive centre that tells the story of the lighthouse and its keepers. There’s no entry fee for the national park but there is an entry fee for the lighthouse precinct.

History nerds like us will also appreciate the historic water wheel just off the road on the approach to the lighthouse. Built back in the 1890s to pump fresh water to the lighthouse keepers’ cottages, the wheel has become encrusted in limestone over the years. It’s now part of the rock, reclaimed by nature and forevermore a feature of the history here.

Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse rises tall and white above the coastal heath, marking the most south-westerly point of our Perth road trip.

Hamelin Bay Beach

A quintessential stretch of gorgeous white sand and sparkling aquamarine sea, Hamelin Bay Beach has become famous for the stingrays that cruise the shallows here , weaving between ankles and feet. The best time to see them is during summer on clear, calm mornings.

Hamelin Bay was our last stop when we drove this route. We turned up for sunset and the light was quite low so we didn’t get to mingle with the rays. We did, however, enjoy an incredible golden hour over the ambient jetty ruins, and the silhouette of a lone dolphin cruising the shoreline. It’s a beautiful spot to end the day.

As suggested earlier, if you’re keen to see the Hamelin Bay stingrays, make this your first or second stop today.

Day 6 – Margaret River to Pemberton

Highlights: Nannup | Beedelup Falls | Fire trees | Pemberton Total driving distance: appx. 165km (100 miles) Total driving time: appx. 2.5 hours (with lots of stops) Overnight: Pemberton

It’s farewell to Margaret River today as we turn our attention inland and make for the historic town of Pemberton.

Our south west road trip centres today on the southern section of the Karri Forest Explorer Drive , which showcases the region’s majestic karri forests and national parks on a looping mix of paved and unpaved road in and out of Pemberton. As we only have a night here, we’ve cherry picked some of the region’s best highlights as an introduction to the area.

It’s worth breaking up this morning’s drive with a coffee stop and a wander in the charming village of Nannup. It’s around 45-50 minutes from Margaret River. This historic little town on the Blackwood River harks back to the early 1900s and was built on industries of timber milling and agriculture.

After a coffee under the vines at the Blackwood Café, have a short wander of the main street to check out its heritage buildings.

With a day or more here, you could explore Nannup and surrounds in more depth. This is said to be a wonderful place for wandering, with lots of trails to explore. There’s also a music festival here each March.

Beedelup Falls

Roughly 52km (32 miles) south-east of Nannup on the Vasse Highway, you’ll join the Karri Forest Explorer Drive. First stop on this tourist route is Beedelup Falls, in the Greater Beedelup National Park .

There’s a boardwalk system culminating in a cool suspension bridge at the base of the falls. The 100 metre high falls are apparently at their best in the wetter months of winter and spring. It was just a trickle when we visited in autumn, but the setting here is beautiful regardless.

The falls are just a couple hundred metres from the carpark. If you feel like stretching your legs on a further walk while you’re here, hit up the 4.5km (2.8 mile), moderately tough Beedelup Loop Walk .

Dave Evans Bicentennial Tree

Our next destination on the Karri Forest Explorer Drive is Warren National Park and the Dave Evans Bicentennial Tree . This is one of the region’s famed ‘fire trees’ – epic old-growth karri trees once used as above-the-forest-canopy fire lookouts.

165 long metal bars spiral up the 75-metre tall tree (246 feet), via a first viewing platform at 25 metres, to the top viewing platform another 35 metres up. And yes, unless it’s closed for maintenance or inspection, it can be climbed. Be warned though, there are no safety harnesses, clips or nets. Climbing is entirely at your own risk and signage at the base of the tree is explicit about this.

I made it to the first platform before jelly legs and a racing heart put paid to climbing any higher. John, brave soul, made it all the way to the top. He insists the panoramic views and sense of achievement were worth it, even as his leg muscles went into meltdown and had him limping for days.

If risking your life climbing a big tree doesn’t take your fancy (sensible), we still recommend visiting Warren National Park for a wander on its trails instead. This is old growth karri forest at its best with great bird and wildlife spotting to be had.

The Gloucester Tree is a second fire tree just outside of Pemberton in Gloucester National Park that can also be climbed when it’s open. It offers a 53 metre high adrenaline rush.

Closed to climbing – At last check in late 2023, both the Dave Evans Bicentennial Tree and the Gloucester Tree are undergoing maintenance and are closed to climbing until further notice. The trees can still be visited, just not climbed. Check WA Park Alerts for updates before you go.

John climbs the spiral metal rung ladder up the Dave Evans Bicentennial Tree near Pemberton in South West WA.

Pemberton Wineries

After our hair-raising experience climbing a fire tree, we needed some time to reflect.

Pemberton may not be as established a wine region as its world-famous neighbour, Margaret River, but it’s working on it. There are fifty-odd Pemberton wineries, and while there are far fewer cellar doors, it’s worth taking time out to visit at least one to sample the cooler climate wares.

We chose Hidden River Estate just north of Pemberton and around 15 minutes from the Dave Evans Bicentennial Tree. There, we settled on the outdoor patio with some tasty sharing plates and a glass of their lovely pinot noir overlooking the beautiful rolling hills. Hidden River is open from 11am to 4pm Wednesday to Sunday.

Wrap up the day in Pemberton

By this stage, you might be inclined to make for Pemberton, check into your accommodation and chill out for what’s left of the day. We’d understand!

Pemberton itself is pretty low-key but there are a few things to do locally if you still have the energy. If you fancy a swim, historic Pemberton Pool offers a refreshing dip surrounded by beautiful karri trees. If you want to raise a sweat and you’ve brought a mountain bike, you could get on the trails at Pemberton Mountain Bike Park .

Alternatively, for something more relaxing, you might like to try your luck fishing at the Old Vasse Trout and Marron Farm . Or you could sample some more of the local vino at some other Pemberton cellar doors (check in advance though as days and hours vary).

Of course, if you’re like us, there’s always another sunset to chase.

Sunset at The Window

After checking into our hotel in Pemberton, we got straight back in the car and made for Point D’Entrecastenaux in D’Entrecastenaux National Park for sunset.

Big caveat here – this is no small commitment. It’s 60km (37 miles) and around 50 minutes, each way . Time of day, time of year and effort are all big considerations. For us though, the temptation of a sunset over dramatic coastline was too much to resist.

If you’re up for it, head south from Pemberton on State Route 10, then take Windy Harbour Road further south until you reach D’Entrecasteneaux Drive. Then turn right and follow it to the end, where there’s a small carpark. From here, the Coastal Survivors Walk and the Pupalong Loop Walk wind away, serving up spectacular cliff-edge panoramas and views over the Southern Ocean.

A highlight on this rugged headland is ‘ The Window ’, a remarkable wind-and-sea eroded picture frame in the limestone cliff with views to the sea far below.

View of the sea through The Window, a natural cliff hole in D'Entrecastenaux National Park in south west Australia.

Where to Stay in Pemberton

Pemberton is a small, quiet town surrounded by some really stunning nature. There are a handful of accommodation options here, but you may need to travel further afield for budget rooms. The following get consistently good reviews:

Mid-range: Karri Forest Motel – short walk to town | pool | free parking
Indulge: Jaspers Cabins – modern | on-site restaurant | central location

We stayed at Karri Forest Motel and found the affordable, simple rooms to be comfortable for a quick overnight stay, while being close to somewhere for dinner (the local pub).

Day 7 – Pemberton to Denmark

Highlights: Walpole and Nornalup Inlets Marine Park | Giant Tingle Tree | Valley of the Giants | Denmark Total driving distance: appx. 230km (140 miles) Total driving time: appx. 3 hours (with lots of stops) Overnight: Denmark

Tree giants, boulder herds, and an eco-tour like no other are today’s highlights on our Perth to Albany road trip itinerary, as we journey from Pemberton to the chill little artisan town of Denmark.

Wilderness Eco-cruising, Walpole

When we were researching our South West WA road trip, a certain eco-tour out of Walpole kept turning up on our radar.

The WOW Wilderness EcoCruise takes otherwise unsuspecting passengers – like us – and thrusts them into the compelling orbit of one-of-a-kind guide Gary Muir. Gary’s family history in this area goes back generations, and his passion for the nature and wildlife of the delicate Walpole and Nornalup Inlets Marine Park is absolutely contagious.

This 2.5 hour daily slow boat tour out of Walpole is easily one of the most memorable and educational tours we’ve been on, largely thanks to Gary’s charisma and encyclopaedic knowledge.

The gorgeous scenery of aquamarine waterways, sightings of eagles, rays and dolphins, and the hike to a pristine, secluded beach were practically a bonus. Tours can be booked through the Walpole Visitor Centre . Highly recommended.

Looking out at the aqua waters of Walpole and Nornalup Inlets Marine Park, a top stop on a south west Australian road trip.

Giant Tingle Tree, Walpole

A short drive west of Walpole, around 4.3km (2.7 miles) along Hilltop Road (off the South Coast Highway), is the Giant Tingle Tree in Walpole-Nornalup National Park . We were initially tempted to skip it as we’d heard it’s a bit touristy. We’re glad we didn’t though – this tree is special.

Red tingle trees are the elders of the forest. They’re practically exclusive to this corner of the world, live for hundreds of years, can survive the ravages of fire and fungus, and reach heights of 50 metres (164 feet) and more. But they are extra impressive in their girth. Some trees have been recorded with a circumference of 22+ metres (72+ feet) at the base. That’s a bus and a half wide!

The Giant Tingle Tree is the grand dame and showpiece of a lovely, 800 metre (1/2 mile) loop walk through karri and red tingle forest. Her heartwood has been completely hollowed out by fire over the decades, but this extraordinary, 400-year-old queen of trees is still very much alive.

The walking trail to the Giant Tingle Tree is free and open 24 hours. There’s no park entry fee for Walpole-Nornalup National Park.

Travel Tip: If you’re coming from Walpole, keep your eyes peeled for the lookout on the right as you travel along Hilltop Road. It’s an impressive forest-framed view to the Southern Ocean.

Valley of the Giants Treetop Walk

From one remarkable tree to a forest of them. The Giant Tingle Tree is an introduction to the world of the South West Australia hardwoods – huge, ancient trees with a talent for survival in the harshest of conditions.

The next stop on today’s itinerary, Valley of the Giants Tree Top Walk , gives you a chance to get up close with these amazing trees in their upper reaches. The cantilevered walkway here takes you from ground level up to 40 metres and into the canopy of the Walpole-Nornalup National Park tingle forest.

Back at the forest floor, a separate boardwalk meanders through a fantastical, Game of Thrones-esque grove of tingle trees called The Ancient Empire . We loved this just about as much as the canopy walk. Ancient ents like the ‘Grandma Tingle’ keep vigil as birds zip about and native critters ferret through the undergrowth.

The Valley of the Giants is open daily from 9am to 5pm. There’s isn’t a park entry fee but there is a fee for the Treetop Walk.

Walking through a high canopy of green leaves on the Valley of the Giants Treetop Walk on our WA road trip.

From the Valley of the Giants, it’s around 50km (31 miles) to our next overnight destination, the cute little town of Denmark.

We have just one night here on this trip but there’s plenty to keep you lingering. Like Pemberton, Denmark is home to an excellent cool climate wine scene and there are also some great drives around here, like the Scotsdale Tourist Drive. We’ll definitely be back.

Depending how you’re feeling at this stage in the day, you could settle into your accommodation before dinner, or take a wander around Denmark.

Or do we as did, and chase the sunset again, this time at Denmark’s famous Elephant Cove and Greens Pool. For us, resistance is futile.

Sunset at Elephant Cove & Greens Pool

You’ll be returning here tomorrow morning to properly explore this area. This afternoon’s visit is purely about the sunset.

Beautiful Elephant Cove and Greens Pool are in William Bay National Park , which has free entry. From the carpark at the top of the hill, you have the option to head left to Elephant Cove or right to Greens Pool. We made our way to the left first, to catch a last glimpse of the cove’s famous herd of huddling granite elephants under the changing light. They’re not so obvious at first, but once you see them, they really can’t be unseen.

Across the rocky foreshore to the right is stunning Greens Pool. The coastline is patterned with wind-and-sea-smoothed granite boulders and platforms, edged by sparkling white sands and pools of crystal clear water.

The coast here faces south, so the sun sets over the land to the right. On the afternoon we visited, an angry storm front was gathering over the sea and it amplified the last light of the day, delivering a stellar sunset. Then it chased us off the rocks and all the way back to Denmark as a solid wall of rain.

John looks towards the huddle of granite 'elephants' at Denmark's Elephant Cove.

Where to Stay in Denmark

Slightly larger than Pemberton, Denmark has more infrastructure and a few more accommodation options, but again due to its size, budget accommodation is hard to come by. If you don’t mind being a bit further out, you may find a better deal. The following options get consistently good reviews:

Mid-range: 31 On The Terrace – central location | friendly | free parking
Indulge: Aiyana Retreat – stylish | natural forest setting | spa treatments

We stayed at 31 On The Terrace and really liked the welcome we received, along with its great central location and cosy, if somewhat quirky, rooms.

Day 8: Denmark to Albany

Highlights: Elephant Cove & Greens Pool | National Anzac Centre | Torndirrup National Park Total driving distance: appx. 145km (90 miles) Total driving time: appx. 2¼ hours (with lots of stops) Overnight: Albany

This is another day with a lot on the agenda. If you’d rather slow the pace, aim to visit the main highlights of Elephant Cove and Greens Pool in the morning, followed by the National Anzac Centre and The Gap and Natural Bridge in Torndirrup National Park in the afternoon.

Morning (back) at Elephant Cove & Greens Pool

A day or two on the sand and in the sea in the spectacular surrounds of Elephant Cove and Greens Pool would be reason alone for a trip to Denmark. This is without doubt one of the most beautiful places on our Perth to Albany road trip (and the competition is fierce).

Head (back) here in the early morning to relax for a little while in this little nirvana. I was happy to park myself atop a high rock overlooking the dazzling water and boulders of Elephant Cove below, while John climbed down into the inlet to explore further. If you have time, you might opt for a swim here or over at Greens Pool.

Looking out over the turquoise water of Elephant Cove in Denmark, a Perth to Albany road trip must-see.

Denmark Wineries

Denmark is yet another region fast gaining a place on the map for its cool climate wines. There are a number of cellar doors that you can visit in the area.

While today’s itinerary doesn’t leave much time for wine tasting, where there’s a will there’s a way. We managed to squeeze in a brief tasting at Forest Hill Wines before leaving Denmark. This sweeping vineyard, just off the South Coast Highway, has a friendly cellar door and is open daily from 10.30am to 5pm.

National Anzac Centre, Albany

Before you depart Denmark, grab some lunch-to-go and then set the GPS for the National Anzac Centre in Albany. While war museums aren’t everyone’s cup of tea, we reckon this award-winning centre, high above King George Sound, is a must-visit.

Albany is where Australia and New Zealand mustered their first contingent of troops for the convoy to the Great War in Europe in 1914. For the many, many Aussies who never made it back, this is where they last stood on home soil.

On arrival, you’re randomly assigned a real service woman or man from the past and as you move through the museum, you follow their actual experience of WWI. It’s an immersive, moving and eye-opening journey through this tragic chapter of history.

There’s quite a lot to explore at the centre and if you’re into this kind of heritage, you could definitely dedicate a couple of hours to the visit. We were there for around an hour.

Travel Tip: Don’t miss the fantastic panoramic views from the Convoy Lookout at the top of Forts Road.

Views past Albany's National Anzac Centre across King George Sound.

Albany Wind Farm

The Albany Wind Farm wasn’t originally on our itinerary. But we spotted a sign en route to Torndirrup National Park and made a spontaneous decision to head down that road instead.

While we’ve seen plenty of wind farms from a distance on our travels, this was the first time we’d had the chance to get right up in the shadow of these vast turbines and it’s pretty cool.

There’s a path through the scrubby coastal heath overlooking the wind farm that takes you so close to a turbine you can practically feel the slow whump of the enormous rotor blades as they turn.

Torndirrup National Park

Buffering Albany from the wild Southern Ocean is Torndirrup National Park , and there are a number of sites worth seeing here. There’s an entry fee for this park.

As with just about every stop on this south west Australian road trip, you could spend days exploring this park alone. Torndirrup has a ton of trails, lookouts and some exquisite beaches. With just a couple of hours to play with though, make for the park’s most famous spots: The Gap and Natural Bridge, and The Blowholes.

As you head along The Gap Road, keep an eye out for signs for Cable Beach on the left. This isn’t the world famous, camel-trekking Cable Beach of Broome (a mere 2,400km/1,490 miles away in the north west of Australia), but it’s pretty speccy in its own right. There wasn’t a soul on the sand when we stopped at the lookout. It’s a serious hike down to the beach itself so sadly not an adventure for this trip. Next time!

The Gap and Natural Bridge

The Gap and Natural Bridge are at the end of The Gap Road in the park. At The Gap, a cantilevered platform hovers out over a narrow fissure in the sheer cliffs, serving up a thrilling view of the crashing sea 40 metres (130 feet) below.

Just nearby, the Natural Bridge is exactly that – a hulking granite span carved from the living rock over millions of years. It’s impressive in its own right but the real head spin comes with a read of the signage onsite. It turns out these rocks are the remnant foundations of a once vast mountain range where Australia joined Antarctica!

The sea surges below the cliffs at The Gap in Torndirrup National Park, a key stop on our trip from Perth to Albany.

The Blowholes

As the other must-see on our Torndirrup list, we made a beeline for The Blowholes as the sun was getting low. With hindsight though, unless you’ve got more days in Albany, this is probably a spot worth leaving for when you have more time.

We were expecting a coastal cave with random whooshes of air followed by drenching explosions of sea water. Torndirrup’s Blowholes are a bit more, well, subtle. More like long, narrow cracks in the rock. They were so understated on the day we visited that we almost missed them.

It’s a nice 1.6km (1 mile) return walk from the carpark to The Blowholes down a pathway to the rocky cliffs, where huge boulders cluster in frozen tumbles to the sea. When you see a white pole with an orange life-ring, turn towards the sea and make your way carefully down the slope until you see the sign for the blowholes. If they’re active, you’ll probably hear them before you see them.

Where to Stay in Albany

As the largest town and main hub for visiting the region, Albany has a great choice of accommodation to suit most preferences. The following options get consistently good reviews:

Good value: Six Degrees Boutique Hotel – central location | restaurant and bar | shared bathrooms
Mid-range: Spencer Suites – close to centre | well-presented | free parking
Indulge: Hilton Garden Inn – modern | central harbourside location | free parking

We stayed at Clarence on Melville which was clean and basic, and a decent budget option if you have a car and don’t mind being a little further away from the centre of town.

Day 9: Albany to Fremantle

Highlights: Granite Skywalk | Kojonup | Fremantle Total driving distance: appx. 440km (274 miles) Total driving time: appx. 5 hours Overnight: Fremantle

Today we’re closing the loop on our south west WA road trip and making our way from Albany to Perth via the Albany Highway/State Route 30. You could also do this road trip in reverse by travelling direct to Albany from Perth via this route at the start.

Granite Skywalk, Porongurup

From Albany, take the Chester Pass Road and Porongurup Road to Castle Rock in Porongurup National Park , around 30-40 minutes’ drive. The Granite Skywalk trailhead is at the Castle Rock picnic area. There’s an entry fee for this national park.

It’s a steady, 2km (1.24 mile) climb to the Skywalk along a bush track through beautiful native forest. We found it a solid cardio workout. You’ll know you’ve reached the lower lookout when you arrive at the extraordinary Balancing Rock , a huge boulder eroded over millennia perched precariously on a granite base.

Reaching the upper lookout requires another workout. You have to climb up and over a natural window in the outcrop, then shimmy along a narrow crevasse using metal handles hammered into the granite. Next is a tight climb up a six metre, enclosed metal ladder to the Skywalk, a narrow suspended platform crowning the peak of Castle Rock . The view is every bit the reward. We spent around two hours making this trek.

Looking out across the countryside from the Granite Skywalk in Porongurup.

From Castle Rock, make your way back to the Albany Highway/State Route 30 and plot a route to Kojonup. It’s about an hour and a half and we’ll make a stop here to stretch legs and use the amenities.

There’s a visitor centre in Kojonup with a café and museum, and a special maze made of hardy, Aussie-bred roses that tells the story of early 20th century life in this dusty outback town through the eyes of several local women. There are also public toilets and a play area across the road.

We highly recommend swinging by Kojonup Bakery while you’re here to sample one of the locally made pies the town has become famous for. As all Aussies know, it’s not a true Australian road trip until you’ve had a pie or a sausage roll in a country town.

It’s a straight 3-hour cruise from Kojonup to Fremantle along State Route 30, so settle in for the drive past farms and bushland.

You’ll likely arrive in Fremantle in the late afternoon. We opted to stay a short walk from Fremantle’s historic and port area and after checking in, we made for the town’s most popular gathering joint, Little Creatures Brewery, for a sunset beer followed by dinner and an early night.

Tomorrow is yet another big day, but we’ll be taking a break from the car and catching an early morning ferry to Wadjemup/Rottnest Island.

Where to Stay in Fremantle

Fremantle is a fabulous place to stay and its laid-back beach vibe, and historic feel make it a great alternative to staying in Perth. There are stacks of accommodation options here so choosing somewhere can be a bit of a challenge. The following options get consistently good reviews:

Good value: YHA Fremantle Prison – historic building | central location | no free parking
Mid-range: Dawson Accommodation – friendly | modern | central location | paid parking
Indulge: Warders Hotel Fremantle Markets – super stylish | great location | on-site restaurant | paid parking nearby

Day 10: Rottnest Island

Gorgeous Rottnest Island – Wadjemup in the Aboriginal Noongar language – rises from a cyan-coloured sea just 25 minutes by ferry from Fremantle.

One day is definitely not enough to do much more than scratch the island’s sandy surface. There are more than 60 beautiful beaches (possibly some of the best beaches in Western Australia), as well as snorkelling and diving sites, cycling and walking trails, WWII relics, historic lighthouses and heritage sites. Not to mention the island’s famous resident rodent, the charming quokka.

We’d post a pic of the quintessential ‘quokka selfie’ that just about every visitor to Rottnest posts. Except we found it virtually impossible to take a quokka selfie. #instafail

Getting to Rottnest Island

There are three ferry operators making the daily journey between Fremantle and Wadjemup. Aim to pre-book the first ferry out from B Shed (Victoria Quay) or Northport (Rous Head) in Fremantle, and the last one back, so you can max your time on the island.

Getting around Rottnest Island

Cars are not permitted on Wadjemup but there are lots of different ways to get around. You can join a guided bus or boat tour, hop on a heritage train, or take to the skies in a plane or helicopter. There’s also the Island Explorer hop-on hop-off shuttle bus.

Another option is to cycle around the island , which is what we did. Bikes can be booked with your ferry ticket. They travel over with the ferry and you collect them when you disembark at the island.

There was plenty about cycling Rottnest that we loved, but we tried to cover too much ground (surprise!) and it’s a pretty hilly ride. By mid-afternoon, sweaty and sunburnt, we were definitely having second thoughts. Next time, we’ll hire electric bikes on the island, or take the bus.

Top Spots for One Day on Rottnest Island

It’s a challenge to choose what to focus on with just one day on Rottnest Island. Our cycle loop took in a number of the island’s natural and heritage highlights. We stopped for a swim at Little Salmon Bay , took in the views over Parker Point , explored Wadjemup Lighthouse , and rode around the island’s pink salt lakes .

We made it right out to the island’s far point of West End for a stroll on the Cape Vlamingh Boardwalk and to watch the frolicking New Zealand fur seals at Cathedral Rocks . This is a good 10-13km ride one-way, so if you don’t want to cycle quite so far, consider the bus or focus your pedal power on the eastern and central parts of the island.

We also stopped on the way back for a quick dip at Little Parakeet Bay and a much-needed beverage at Pinky Beach . We rolled back into ‘the Settlement’ with just enough time for some quokka selfie attempts and the return ferry.

People relax on white sand lapped by cyan water on one of the spectacular Western Australia beaches of Rottnest Island.

We were totally exhausted by the time we got back to the mainland, but we managed to shower and head straight back out in search of a meal in the buzzy area around Fremantle Esplanade .

There’s always lots happening in this vibey little town. In addition to all the usual things to do in Fremantle, be sure to check out what’s on while you’re there.

Day 11: Fremantle

Highlights: Fremantle Markets | World Heritage Fremantle Prison | WA Shipwrecks Museum Total driving distance: Driving is optional today but if you do drive, the trips are short Overnight: Fremantle

Lovely Fremantle, or Freo as it’s affectionately known, also really deserves more than a day. While it’s effectively an outer suburb of Perth, it feels a world away from the big city. This is our kind of town – a vibrant waterfront precinct, a hub of historic sites to wander around, some excellent eateries and great drinking establishments.

We’ve previously written about the free bus service that used to do a loop of Freo’s key sites. Sadly, this is no longer running, although there is a 532 bus that travels through the CBD every 15 minutes during the day (you can buy a ticket onboard).

Fortunately, Freo‘s historic centre and the main highlights below are all very walkable so unless you’re staying further out, you can leave the car today. There are also various guided and self-guided Fremantle walking tours .

Some of Fremantle’s highlights are:

Fremantle Markets

The markets are on Friday, Saturday and Sunday and have been running since 1897, so they’re a slick affair of yummy food and produce, local crafts, clothes and entertainment. If you’re here on a weekend, start your day here with something tasty and some souvenir shopping.

Fremantle Prison

The World Heritage Fremantle Prison dates back to the mid 19 th century and has all the grim feels of a place that soaked up 140-odd years of angst, rage and sadness in its limestone walls.

There are a range of exhibitions and tours at the prison, including a creepy torchlight night tour, and a tour into the bowels of the prison to explore the tunnels hacked out of the rock by convicts. It’s open daily from 9am to 5pm.

WA Shipwrecks Museum

This was our favourite Fremantle attraction. The perilous WA coastline has claimed more than its fair share of vessels over the centuries, and the fascinating relics of some of the oldest wrecks have found their way here, in an epic combo of two of our great loves: history and underwater archaeology.

The standout of the museum is a huge, resurrected section of the shipwrecked Batavia , a Dutch East Indies ship that hit a reef and sank off the WA coast in 1629.

The story of mutiny, murder and island castaway horror is the stuff of fiction but it’s all too real. Seeing the artefacts of the fateful voyage set out around a massive section of raised and carefully restored stern, brings it all back to gruesome reality. The museum is open daily from 9.30am to 5pm.

The wild story of the Batavia shipwreck: If you want to learn more about the Batavia, two great reads are ‘Batavia’ by Aussie journalist, Peter FitzSimons, and a fictional account written through the arch villain’s eyes called ‘The Company’, by Arabella Edge. Incidentally, Russell Crowe bought the rights to a 1966 novel about the shipwreck – we’re hanging out for that film to be made!

Dan looks small next to a huge preserved section of the shipwreck Batavia at the WA Shipwrecks Museum in Fremantle.

Cappuccino Strip

There are heaps of places to eat and drink around Freo’s compact heart, mainly clustered along a stretch of South Terrace known as Cappuccino Strip .

Unsurprisingly, there are lots of cafés here but the name also reflects Freo’s Italian heritage, which is still very much alive. Pause for a proper espresso at Gino’s, an Italian staple on the strip for the past 40 years.

You’ll also find a couple of lovely wine bars in this area. We really liked Whisper on Essex Street, a cozy little wine bar in an historic mill converted into a charming French townhouse.

Day 12: Fremantle to Pinnacles Desert (OR Choose Your Own Adventure)

Highlights: Pinnacles Desert Total driving distance: appx. 255km (160 miles) Total driving time: appx. 3 hours Overnight: Cervantes

Dramatic nature is a key theme of this journey. In keeping with that, for the second last day of our south west road trip, we head around 2.5 hours north of Perth for a visit to one of the state’s most famous natural attractions, the Pinnacles Desert in Nambung National Park .

Here, within view of the sparkling Indian Ocean, thousands of ancient limestone needles sweep across the rise and fall of a sandy desert. Thought to have been formed by seashell deposits, the pinnacles are more than 25,000 years old.

After breakfasting in Freo, make for the tiny town of Cervantes , gateway to the Pinnacles Desert. Keep a look out for shifting white ‘wedding cake’ dunes and wild emus on the way.

Cervantes is named for an American whaling ship that wrecked offshore in 1844. If you arrive in time for lunch, don’t miss the chance to have a feed at the town’s famous Lobster Shack.

The best time to visit the Pinnacles is sunset and sunrise , when the low light casts the pinnacles in beautiful golden hues and long shadows. It’s also worth heading early or later in the day to avoid the heat and the clouds of flies that descend the moment you exit the car (repellent and a head net are handy).

Make your way into Nambung National Park around mid-afternoon and visit the Pinnacles Desert Discovery Centre first for excellent insights into the geology, nature and culture of this extraordinary place. The centre is open daily from 9.30am to 4.30pm. You can visit the Pinnacles Desert anytime but there is a national park entry fee.

After the centre, head out into the park for a drive around the 4km unsealed loop road, stopping wherever you like. Give yourself around two hours for this. We found it a great way to get a feel for the park and scout out our favourite spots to come back to for sunset and sunrise.

Driving through the Pinnacles at sunset makes for a magical Perth road trip.

Where to Stay in Cervantes

Cervantes is the nearest town to the Pinnacles Desert just 15 minutes’ drive away. It’s a small town with a holiday park and a handful of other accommodation.

We stayed at comfy Pinnacles Edge Resort , which has nice rooms and decent facilities, including a pool, ample parking, and an on-site restaurant.

Today’s Itinerary Alternative: Choose Your Own Adventure

If the drive north or desert flies don’t appeal, then we suggest taking this day and adding it to any other part of our Perth to Albany road trip where you’d like to spend more time.

We would have loved extra hours at just about every place we stopped, but here are some of our suggestions for what you might do instead of the Pinnacles Desert:

Spend an extra day in Margaret River and enjoy more time exploring the spectacular nature and/or wineries in this region.
Give an extra day to Denmark and spend more time swimming/chilling at gorgeous Elephant Cove and Greens Pool, plus a morning or afternoon sampling the food options, wineries and nature trails of the Scotsdale Tourist Drive .
Day trip from Albany to Bremer Bay – if you’re travelling between January and April, before looping back from Albany to Perth, you might consider making the 2-hour drive west of Albany to Bremer Bay for an orca watching tour. Orca (along with various other marine and bird species) congregate in large numbers here over this period to hunt squid.

What about Esperance? Esperance is home to some of the best beaches in Western Australia, if not all of Australia. Pics of its crystal clear water and shimmery-white shores dotted with kangaroos make it tough to rule out of any south western Australia road trip itinerary. However, while our original goal was in fact a Perth to Esperance road trip, in the end practicality won out. Which is surprising really, as it usually doesn’t when we’re planning these things. The reality is, Esperance is a further five hours along the coast from Albany. The distances on this trip are already big and the days packed, and we felt there was a risk of it turning into the Amazing Race if we added a further 10-hour round-trip for a couple of hours on the sand. Even if it is some of the nicest looking sand we’ve seen. If Esperance is a non-negotiable though, swap out some of the other days and activities in this 2 week itinerary or add a couple more days to your trip.

Day 13 – Pinnacles Desert to Perth

Highlights: Sunrise at Pinnacles Desert | Perth sightseeing Total driving distance: appx. 200 km (124 miles) Total driving time: appx. 2¼ hours Overnight: Perth

Sunrise at The Pinnacles

After overnighting in Cervantes, we recommend heading back to the Pinnacles Desert for sunrise to watch as this magical place erupts from an otherworldly expanse of shadowy sentinels into the light of day.

Early morning is also perfect for exploring a bit more of the park on foot. The Desert View Trail is an easy, 1.5km (0.9 mile) return walk.

After brunch, get on the road and head back to Perth. If you want to break up the journey, there are a couple of places to stop en route, such as lookout over sweeping Lancelin Sand Dunes and Two Rocks beach.

Afternoon & Evening in Perth

Back in Perth, the city’s highlights await, so if you missed Kings Park and Botanic Garden , the Art Gallery of Western Australia , the Perth Mint or a walking tour at the start of the trip, now’s the time.

You could also make the 15-minute drive drive to Perth’s famous Cottesloe Beach for fish and chips.

We found ourselves back by the Swan River at Elizabeth Quay for our last night (what can we say, we’re suckers for a trifecta of craft beer and city lights by water). But Perth is a smorgasbord of international dining and drinking options – here are some ideas on where to spend your final evening.

Day 14 – Depart Perth

Last day! Depending on what time you depart Perth today, you could explore a bit more of the town, or head to Cottesloe Beach or back to Fremantle for a final brekkie or lunch.

Perth Airport is just 20 minutes from the Perth CBD and around 35 minutes from Freo. If you’re dropping off a hire car though, be sure to factor in traffic and leave plenty of time to check in.

As for us, we’ve already started planning our next road trip in Western Australia, plus future visits to south west WA to do all the things we didn’t quite manage to squeeze in this time around (not for want of trying). Till next time!

For more great road tripping itineraries and adventures, check out our Road Trips page , and our bucket list of 100 ultimate road trips around the world .

If you have any questions about our Perth to Albany road trip itinerary or thoughts you’d like to share, let us know in the comments below!

6 thoughts on “Perth to Albany Road Trip: An Epic 2-Week Self-Drive Itinerary for Spectacular South West Australia”

Hi Which winery tour did u do?

Hi Beth, we did a half-day tour with Margaret River Vintage Wine Tours. Hope you have a great time in the region, it’s beautiful!

The photo of Elephant Cove in Denmark is just brilliant.

Cheers Muzz! Such a gorgeous place, can’t wait to get back there! Happy travels!

Thank you so much for your time, detailed itinerary, honest opinions and great choices and suggestions. Having no knowledge of this area we can now plan our 13 day road trip Perth to Albany return based around your stops except we will split our stops up to cover the return trip along the coastline instead of that inland road. That sounds a bit long and boring. We have hired a camper so now to go plan those stops in the townships. Thanks again from us Qlders.

Hi Janine, thanks so much for your lovely feedback – we’re really pleased you’ve found our itinerary helpful in planning your own. If you have the time while in Albany, the one stop we would recommend on that inland route is the Granite Skywalk at Porongurup – it’s only 30-40 minutes from Albany so not a huge detour from the coastal route and with the bush walk, the skywalk and the beautiful views, it’s pretty special. As is the whole region! We hope you have a fantastic trip! Happy travels, Danielle & John

Ultimate 3 Week Australia East Coast Road Trip Itinerary

Last Updated on March 1, 2024 by Natalia

Australia’s East Coast is known for being an incredible road trip destination, with a mix of stunning landscapes, incredible wildlife, idyllic beaches, and more! There are some unforgettable bucket list experiences to enjoy on the east coast of Australia, from seeing the Great Barrier Reef in Cairns to the famous Opera House in Sydney. With an array of well-known spots and off-the-beaten-path hidden gems, there are a variety of attractions that cater to all types of travellers. Whether you’re looking for adrenaline-fuelled adventures, relaxing beach days, or unforgettable wildlife experiences, this region has it all. Having spent around 3 months travelling the country’s east coast, we’ve been fortunate enough to explore the area well. This comprehensive three week East Coast Australia itinerary fits all of the highlights and some hidden gems into one epic road trip from Cairns to Sydney!

Need more help planning your trip? We can do the hard work for you with our custom travel itinerary service! We also recommend checking out this list of the 20 best apps for travelling Australia to make your trip as easy as possible!

Table of Contents

Ultimate 3 week East Coast of Australia Road Trip Itinerary

The best way to travel the East Coast of Australia is in either a camper van or motorhome, giving you the freedom and comfort of a home on wheels. There are plenty of campsites along the east coast ready to welcome you for the night, with both powered and unpowered sites available.

It may feel a little daunting driving a campervan or motorhome, but it’s much easier than it may seem. Although they are big vehicles, they’re very easy to drive – so don’t let the size put you off.

One of the huge benefits of a camper van or motorhome is that it’s your personal kitchen, with a fridge and cooking facilities – helping to keep costs low and save your budget for unique experiences on your trip! Some models even come equipped with air conditioning, so you can stay cool as you sleep!

You can find the best campervan or motorhome rental days for your Australian road trip on the Motorhome Republic website. They compare a variety of options and campervans/motorhomes to ensure you get the best price for your trip!

Click here to find the best deals for your road trip on the Motorhome Republic website!

Of course, it is possible to follow this incredible three week East Coast Australia road trip itinerary by car too, but you will need to book accommodation in each stop along the way. If you’re looking to rent a car then make sure to visit the Tripadvisor website to compare the best deals between a number of operators!

Click here to see the best deals on the Tripadvisor website!

Alternatively, VRBO have some fantastic accommodation options if you want to rent a property instead of staying at a hotel! Click here to see the amazing options on the VRBO website!

Inside of our campervan which we did our East Coast of Australia road trip itinerary in

Cairns (Days 1-4)

Start your amazing three week East Coast Australia itinerary in Cairns – the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef. Get your bearings which a quick walk through the CBD, which is home to numerous restaurants, bars, shops, and more.

Following this, head for the Cairns Esplanade Lagoon . This free, public saltwater lagoon is a safe swimming haven, unlike the beaches in the area which are inhabited by stingers and crocodiles.

Lay out your belongings on the grass or sand by the lagoon and take a refreshing dip. After cooling off in the water, meander along the Cairns Esplanade Boardwalk and take in the ocean views.

Next drive north for around 25 minutes to Palm Cove, a peaceful coastal village with towering palm trees lining the long sandy beach. Take a stroll along the sea to enjoy this picturesque spot, and maybe grab a bite to eat or drink at one of the nearby restaurants or bars.

One of the most picturesque places you will see on this 3 week East Coast of Australia roadtrip itinerary - Palm Cove near Cairns

From Palm Cove head to the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway, which will take you on an incredible gondola ride up to Kuranda in the Atherton Tablelands. Along the way you will enjoy views of the Barron Gorge National Park, the impressive Barron Falls, and the world’s oldest tropical rainforest.

Tickets cost $157 AUD per person, which includes the gondola up to Kuranda and then a trip back to Cairns via the Kuranda Scenic Railway. Click here to book your skysail and scenic railway tickets on the Get Your Guide website!

Once you arrive in Kuranda, take time to wander around the town – and if you’re visiting between Wednesday and Sunday then you might want to check out the Heritage Markets.

One thing you definitely don’t want to miss is the Kuranda Riverboat – a 45-minute guided nature cruise along the Barron River, with the possibility of spotting crocodiles, cassowaries, turtles, and more! At just $25 AUD per person, this trip is incredible value for what will be a highlight of your road trip along the East Coast of Australia. Book your trip now via the Kuranda Riverboat website.

If you’re taking the midday skyrail, then it’s best to take the 2.30pm riverboat trip as you should be in Kuranda in plenty of time before this trip, and it finishes just before your departure on the scenic railway back to Cairns.

A crocodile resting on a tree some of the amazing wildlife you could see on this 3 week East Coast of Australia road trip itinerary

On the second day of your three week East Coast Australia itinerary, you will explore more of the beautiful Atherton Tablelands, with its wonderful waterfalls and amazing wildlife. First up is the drive from Cairns to Millaa Millaa Falls, which should take around 90 minutes.

Millaa Milla Falls is a stunning 18-metre waterfall, nestled in the middle of lush rainforest. Take the chance to swim in the pool at the bottom of the falls, which is a great way to cool off from the tropical heat!

Millaa Millaa falls near Cairns one of the few waterfalls you will see on this 3 week Cairns to Sydney East Coast Australia itinerary

After drying off, take a 10-minute drive to the nearby Zillie Falls. Standing at 30-metres tall, the waterfall isn’t as easily accessible as Millaa Millaa, but thankfully a viewing platform does give a reasonable view.

The path to the bottom of the Zillie Falls is steep at times, although is reasonably manageable for most of the way if you want to get a view of the falls from nearer the bottom. Either way, this lovely waterfall is a sight to behold!

Next up, head for the final waterfall of the day – the small but picturesque Eliinjaa Falls. With a height of 15 metres it’s still a lovely sight, and is another nice spot for a swim if you need to cool off! The falls are easily accessible via a paved path and stairs, and make sure to keep an eye out for turtles in the area!

Make sure to read our guide to the Cairns waterfall circuit in the Atherton Tablelands for more information on visiting these three beautiful waterfalls!

After you’ve visited all three waterfalls, it’s time to drive on to Peterson’s Creek in Yungaburra. The drive should take around 35 minutes, and once you arrive take a stroll along the creek.

This spot is a haven for wildlife, and you have the chance to see a number of rare species including tree kangaroos, platypuses, pademelons, and more! Platypus sightings are most common by the suspension bridge over the creek, so make sure to spend some time looking around there.

Wrap up your day at the Platypus Viewing Platform in Yungaburra, just a 2-minute drive from Peterson’s Creek. Sightings of these elusive creatures are fairly common here, but you will still need a bit of luck and patience.

If you don’t manage to spot one from the viewing platform, then head under the nearby bridge – as there are plenty of sightings there! After you’ve hopefully seen a platypus or two, make your way back to Cairns and unwind after another busy day!

Your final day in Cairns takes you on a thrilling adventure to the Great Barrier Reef, one of the world’s most extraordinary natural wonders. Cairns is the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef – so you can’t miss this opportunity to snorkel or dive into its vibrant underwater world.

When it comes to booking a day trip to the reef, there are a few things to consider – like whether you want to snorkel or dive, and where exactly you want to visit. In terms of the latter, it’s best to visit some of the more remote parts of the reef – as it will be more secluded from other tour groups.

Get Your Guide offer a brilliant day trip that includes visits to three different sites on the outer reef. Both snorkelling and diving is available on this tour, and you will have plenty of time in the water to discover the incredible reef!

We took this tour and had an amazing day, and the reef sites were very impressive – with lots of incredible coral and marine life. We managed to see several turtles, a blue spotted stingray, a green humphead parrotfish, and much more!

Prices for a snorkelling tour start from just $270 AUD per person, but expect to pay more if you want to try an introductory dive at the reef. Certified dives are also available if you are a certified diver.

Click here to book your amazing Great Barrier Reef day trip on the Get Your Guide website!

Tours last up to 8 hours, and so you will spend much of the day exploring the reef. When you finally get back to Cairns you will be fairly worn out, as snorkelling and diving can be quite tiring – but it’s certainly worth it to see this natural wonder!

Make sure to read our three day Cairns itinerary for more detail of how to spend the first three days of your East Coast Australia itinerary, as they both cover the same spots!

Click here to find the best accommodation options in Cairns on Booking.com!

A turtle resting at the bottom of the sea

Mission Beach (Days 4-5)

Now it’s time to properly begin your 3 week Australian East Coast road trip itinerary, as you begin your journey down the coast from Cairns. Your first stop is Mission Beach, around a 2 hour drive south.

Mission Beach is a prime location for spotting one of Australia’s most unique birds – the cassowary. This endangered species is only found in the rainforests of North-East Queensland, as well as Papua New Guinea and some surrounding islands.

Growing up to 6 feet tall, cassowaries are one of the world’s largest birds, and they have a unique horn-like casque on top of their head. Mission Beach is one of the best places to spot a wild cassowary, so it’s a great place to walk through the rainforest to try and spot one!

Two of the best routes if you want to see a cassowary are the Lacey Creek Walk and the Dreaming Trail, with both paths leading through lush rainforest. Click here for more information on the best places to see cassowaries in Mission Beach!

If you are lucky enough to spot a cassowary, please keep in mind that they are wild animals and can potentially be dangerous. Always keep a safe distance, never feed them, and respect their natural habitat.

Of course you can’t visit the town of Mission Beach without actually visiting the beach. The beach stretches for 14 kilometres, and has some unique curved palm trees that make for a nice photo opportunity!

If you’re a thrill-seeker or looking for an unforgettable experience, then you can also skydive at Mission Beach. Freefall for up to 60 seconds from 15,000 feet, whilst taking in a unique birds eye perspective of Australia’s stunning east coast.

Weather permitting, you will land on Mission Beach itself after one of the most thrilling experiences of your life! Get Your Guide offer skydives from just $359 AUD per person, but make sure to book ahead to guarantee your preferred time!

Click here to book an amazing skydive on the Get Your Guide website!

It’s up to you whether you want to spend the night at Mission Beach, or continue on to Townsville. There are caravan parks and campsites suitable for campervans in both locations, and both have options if you’re looking to book accommodation too.

The advantage of continuing on to Townsville is that you will have a shorter drive the following day, but we suggest spending the night at Mission Beach and then just allowing plenty of time for the drive tomorrow.

Click here to find the best accommodation in Mission Beach on Booking.com!

Airlie Beach and the Whitsundays (Days 5-7)

Continue your epic East Coast Australia road trip itinerary down to Airlie Beach, the gateway to the stunning Whitsunday Islands. Airlie Beach is approximately a 6 hour drive from Mission Beach, or a 3 hour 15 minute drive from Townsville if you decided to travel further the previous day.

Along the drive, make sure to stop at the scenic Hinchinbrook Lookout which provides an incredible view of a river meandering through the rainforest, as well as mountains and Hinchinbrook Island in the background. A free car park is located just off the Bruce Highway, so it’s easily accessible – and there is space to park larger vehicles like campervans and RVs.

It’s just a short walk from the car park to the lookout point, and if you have time you can also visit the Panjoo lookout, which offers similarly wonderful views. As well as offering brilliant views, it’s a convenient place to stop to break up the drive – and you can rustle up some lunch while you’re stopped here too.

When you’re ready, continue the remainder of the way to Airlie Beach and spend the rest of the day settling in. If you have time then wander through the town and head to the Airlie Beach Lagoon for a swim. This impressive man-made lagoon is located in the centre of town and is free to use, so it’s a great place to relax and cool off from the tropical heat!

Beautiful scenery on the East Coast Australia roadtrip itinerary at hinchinbrook lookout

It’s time to set sail for an unforgettable day trip to the Whitsundays. This day will undoubtedly be a highlight of your Australian East Coast road trip itinerary, as you visit stunning viewpoints and one of the most beautiful beaches in Australia.

Most boats depart for the Whitsundays at around 8am, so it’s a fairly early start. Thankfully there is plenty of time to relax on deck as you take in lovely oceans view whilst you sail towards the islands.

Prepare to be mesmerised by the the view from the Hill Inlet Lookout, known for its swirling sands and stunning blue waters. Then head down to the famous Whitehaven Beach, with pure white silica sands and crystal-clear waters that will tempt you in! Without a doubt, it’s one of the most beautiful beaches we’ve ever visited.

Whitehaven Beach at Hill Inlet a must see on this 3 week East Coast Australia itinerary

If you’re lucky, you may even be able to spot some stingrays and lemon sharks in the waters to the right of the main beach. The stingrays and sharks come right up to shore, and thankfully the sharks aren’t considered dangerous to humans – so it’s safe to be in the water with them! We were fortunate to see a number of sharks and stingrays here, and this unexpected encounter turned out to be one of the highlights of our East Coast Australia itinerary!

The easiest way to book a day trip to the Whitsundays is through Cruise Whitsundays on the Get Your Guide website, with prices starting at just $229 AUD per person. We took this exact tour and had an amazing trip, and the trip includes visits to the iconic Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet Lookout, as well as snorkelling stop.

To top if off, this all-inclusive tour includes morning and afternoon tea, a lunch buffet and barbecue, as well as unlimited alcoholic and soft drinks during your trip! Click here to book this amazing day trip to the Whitsundays on the Get Your Guide website!

Click here to find the best places to stay in Airlie Beach on the Booking.com website!

A stingray in shallow water in the Whitsunday Islands

Clairview (Days 7-8)

Your next stop is Clairview, a tiny coastal town around a 3 hour drive from Airlie Beach. Before you leave Airlie Beach though, don’t miss the chance to take an incredible scenic flight of the Whitsundays and Great Barrier Reef.

Flights last 60 minutes and give you a unique chance to get a birds eye view of the swirling sands of Whitehaven Beach and the iconic Great Barrier Reef. The views are simply breathtaking, and for us this was a highlight of not only our 3 week East Coast itinerary, but our entire 6 month trip in Australia!

A sight you have to see on this 3 week East Coast Australia itinerary is Whitehaven Beach from above with its swirly sands and bright blue sea

Try to time your flight for low tide if you can by searching tide times in advance online , as both the swirling sands of the Whitsundays and the Great Barrier Reef are best viewed during low tide. One of the many highlights of these flights is the chance to see the famous Heart Reef, a stunning piece of coral that naturally formed into the shape of a heart in the pristine Hardy Reef.

Flights are surprisingly affordable, with prices starting from just $308 AUD per person. Considering you get a 60-minute flight filled with stunning natural beauty, it’s completely worth the price in our opinion – and we cannot recommend it enough!

Click here to book an amazing scenic flight on the Get Your Guide website!

One of the most beautiful views on this 3 week East Coast Australia road trip is the river - apart of the Great Barrier Reef

After your exhilarating flight, it’s time to hit the road again to continue your East Coast road trip as you journey from Airlie Beach to Clairview. In Clairview you will need to stay in the Barracrab Caravan Park – which gives you the chance to stay right by the beach.

If you’re travelling in a campervan or motorhome then you can book an unpowered or powered site on their website, but if you’re travelling by car you will need to book one of the bungalows. Make sure to book in advance to ensure you have somewhere to stay, as there aren’t any other places to stay nearby! Click here to visit the Barracrab Caravan Park website!

The caravan park has a beachfront bar that serves food, so you can enjoy a drink or two with dinner. Make sure to take a stroll along the beach before you leave, and keep an eye out for turtles or dugongs which can sometimes be spotted from shore – and we managed to spot a number of turtles on our visit.

Try to time your walk for high tide, as during low tide the water is a long way from the beachfront. As you walk along the beach you will also see a number of mangrove trees just off shore, which help make this a picturesque spot to stay.

A turtle surfacing to breathe at Clairview an off the beaten path place to visit on a 3 week East Coast Australia road trip itinerary

Hervey Bay and K’gari (Days 8-10)

After a night in Clairview it’s time to hit the road again, as you journey on to Hervey Bay. It takes around 7 hours to drive from Clairview to Hervey Bay, so make sure to split the driving if you’re travelling with others or stop every few hours if you’re driving solo.

It’s worth having a reasonably early start so that you don’t arrive to Hervey Bay too late in the day. Once you do arrive, take the chance to stretch your legs and take a wander around the town.

An interesting spot to visit is the Urangan Pier, which stretches for 868 metres out to sea. It’s nice to walk along the pier out to sea, and you can spot fishes, stingrays, and if you’re really lucky maybe even a dugong!

After a walk, it’s best to have a relatively chilled evening after a long drive and ahead of a trip to K’gari Island the following day.

Urangan Pier at Hervey Bay, a stop on this 3 week East Coast Australia itinerary

Day nine of your three week East Coast Australia itinerary is a day trip from Hervey Bay to the island of K’gari, formerly known as Fraser Island. K’gari is a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to being the largest sand island in the world, and is home to tropical rainforest, shifting sand dunes, stunning lakes, and more!

The easiest option for your day trip is to book onto a tour, which will take you to the main attractions on the island. It is possible to hire a 4 Wheel Drive (4WD) and drive around the island yourself, but we suggest only doing this if you’re experienced in driving a 4WD. Driving on the island can be tricky and dangerous, so we suggest booking a tour so that you have an experienced driver doing the hard work for you!

Different operators may offer slightly different itineraries for your trip to K’gari, but most will include the beautiful Lake McKenzie, the SS Maheno Shipwreck, 75 Mile Beach, and Eli Creek.

One of the highlights of any trip to K’gari is a visit to Lake Mckenzie, a pristine freshwater lake with unbelievably clear turquoise waters and white silica sand. Swimming in the lake’s crystal-clear water is the perfect way to cool off from the heat!

The blue and clear waters of Lake McKenzie on Kgari, a great stop on this 3 week East Coast itinerary in Australia

Your trip to the island will involve a drive along a stretch of 75 Mile Beach – which is used as a highway for 4 Wheel Drives to get between some of the island’s main attractions. Along the beach you will have the chance to stop for a swim in the clear waters of Eli Creek, as well as being able to visit the impressive yet eerie SS Maheno Shipwreck – the rusting remains of a ship beached during a cyclone in 1935.

As you journey around the island you will learn about what makes it so unique as the largest sand island in the world, as well as having the chance to spot wild dingoes if you’re lucky! K’gari is one of the best places to see dingoes in the wild, so fingers crossed you’ll manage to see one or two. We were fortunate enough to see four on our visit (from the safety of the bus), so you have a reasonable chance if you keep your eyes peeled!

Get Your Guide offer a brilliant 4 Wheel Drive coach tour of K’gari, which includes visits to Lake McKenzie, Eli Creek, 75 Mile Beach, the Maheno Shipwreck, and more! The cost of this tour is $259 AUD per person, with lunch and return ferry transport included in the price. Click here to book an amazing day trip to K’gari on the Get Your Guide website!

Click here to find amazing accommodation options in Hervey Bay on Booking.com!

Maheno shipwreck on Kgari the largest sand island in the world that is a must visit on this 3 week East Coast Australia itinerary

Optional Extra Day

If you have time to add an extra day to your trip, then you may want to consider a multi-day trip to K’gari/Fraser Island. This way you get to spend the night on K’gari, and it gives you two days to explore its natural beauty and the different attractions around the island.

Viator offer a 2 day guided tour to K’gari, which includes overnight accommodation, 4 Wheel Drive coach transport, return ferries, and most of your meals from $639 AUD per person. Opting for this tour means you will get to see more of K’gari, including Lake Wabby, Indian Head, and the Champagne Pools.

Click here to book a 2-day tour to K’gari on the Viator website!

Noosa Heads (Days 10-12)

The next stop on your road trip is Noosa Heads, a small coastal town around a two hour drive south of Hervey Bay. As it’s only a short drive, you don’t need to set off too early – and if you happen to be visiting between June and October then you can take a whale watching tour from Hervey Bay before continuing your road trip.

These boat tours start at 8.30am and give you the chance to see migrating humpback whales, which are truly incredible to see in person. Tours last for four hours and cost just $135 AUD per person, which is great value for a rare chance to see these majestic animals up close and in the wild!

Click here to book an unforgettable whale watching trip from Hervey Bay on the Get Your Guide website!

Unfortunately we visited Hervey Bay in May, just before the whale watching season had started so we didn’t have chance to take a tour. Thankfully we’ve been fortunate enough to see humpback whales whilst whale watching in Akureyri, Iceland – and we can safely say it’s an amazing experience that you won’t want to miss!

After a thrilling morning of whale watching, it’s time to hit the road again and undertake the two hour drive to Noosa Heads. Once you get to the town, head for a stroll down Hastings Street. This street is the heart of the town with a variety of shops, galleries, restaurants, cafes, and more!

If low tide falls during mid to late afternoon, then head to the amazing Fairy Pools in Noosa National Park. These natural rock pools are only accessible during low tide, and are one of the most beautiful spots to visit in the area. Click here to check tide times in Noosa.

Take the chance to swim in these picturesque pools, which have lovely views overlooking the ocean. It takes around 30-45 minutes to walk to the Fairy Pools along the Noosa National Park coastal walk, and you get some lovely views along the way!

With some luck you may even spot some dolphins, migrating whales (between June and October), or koalas as you walk through the park. Find out everything you need to know about visiting this beautiful spot with our guide to the Noosa Fairy Pools!

If low tide doesn’t happen to be in the afternoon, then it should hopefully be low tide at some point the following morning – so plan to visit the pools then instead!

A unique place for a dip on this 3 week East Coast Australia road trip itinerary is Noosa Fairy Pools

Day 11 of your East Coast Australia road trip itinerary varies depending on whether you managed to visit the Fairy Pools the previous day. If you didn’t visit them already, hopefully low tide will allow you to visit on the morning of day 11.

Alternatively, if you’ve already been to the Fairy Pools then there are two options of what to do. The first option is to have a relaxing morning on the Noosa Heads beach, where you can soak up some sun and go for a swim.

Option two is to visit Mount Coolum , which is around a 25-minute drive south of Noosa. Climb to the summit for some incredible views of the Sunshine Coast, with the walk taking around 30-45 minutes one-way.

View from Mt Coolum lookout over the Sunshine Coast

In the afternoon you will have the chance to see some more of the area’s natural beauty, as you take a cruise through the Noosa Everglades. With only two everglade systems in the world, the other being the famous Florida Everglades, this is an opportunity not to be missed!

The Noosa Everglades are home to a variety of wildlife and birdlife, and with some luck you will have some interesting sightings during your cruise. Enjoy commentary throughout your trip, and you even get a beer or glass of sparkling wine included in the price!

Tickets can be booked through Get Your Guide for just $84 AUD per person, with trips departing at 2pm and lasting for approximately 3 hours. Click here to book a unique cruise through the Noosa Everglades on the Get Your Guide website!

Click here to find great accommodation options in Noosa on the Booking.com website!

View from Noosa Lagoon over the scenic landscape

Sunshine Coast (Days 12-13)

Noosa is actually part of the Sunshine Coast, so you don’t need to drive too far before your next stop. There are a couple of options for how you want to spend your day discovering the Sunshine Coast – either enjoying the beautiful beaches or venturing into the hinterland.

If you fancy a more relaxing day, head to one of the beaches in Mooloolaba , Caloundra, or Currimundi. These spots are home to some of the nicest beaches in the Sunshine Coast, so you can spend your day sunbathing and having a swim in the sea.

Alternatively, if you’re up for doing something a bit more active then head into the Sunshine Coast Hinterland to visit the quaint towns of Montville and Maleny, and enjoy a hike in the Kondalilla National Park.

Head to Montville first and wander through the town, visiting the various artisan shops, art gallery, and cafes. Make sure to check out our guide to the best things to do in Montville to help you decide what to do while you’re there!

The cute chapel of Montville in the Sunshine Coast an off the beaten path place to visit on this 3 week Australia East Coast itinerary and roadtrip

Next up, head to the nearby Kondalilla National Park and hike to Kondalilla Falls. It’s not too strenuous of a hike, but it does involve ascending and descending a fair distance by stairs – which can be a bit of work in the heat! Check out our guide to the Kondalilla Falls circuit hike for more information!

After a few hours of hiking it’s time to take it easier for the rest of the day, so head to Maleny to visit more independent shops and wander through this pleasant town. Don’t miss the nearby McCarthy’s Lookout, which offers some stunning views of the Glass House Mountains! Read our guide to the best things to do in Maleny for more ideas of what to do in the town!

Where you end up spending the night depends on how you’ve spent your day, but assuming you’re travelling by campervan there will be a few different options in terms of campsites. Alternatively, there are plenty of great hotels and places to stay in the area too.

Click here to see the best accommodation options in the Sunshine Coast on the Booking.com website!

Brisbane (Days 13-14)

It should only take around 1-2 hours to drive to Brisbane from the Sunshine Coast, giving you almost a full day to explore the city. We recommend having an early start so that you can maximise your time in Brisbane.

Start your day with a visit to City Hall – one of the city’s most iconic landmarks and a fine work or architecture .The highlight here is the chance to visit the Clock Tower, which offers great views of the city from above! Clock Tower tours last just 15 minutes but require advance booking – so click here to book your tour now!

Your next stop is the Brisbane City Botanic Gardens, which you can walk to from City Hall in around 10 minutes. Take a walk through the gardens and enjoy this lovely green space, which is a tranquil escape from the busy city streets.

When you’ve finished up in the gardens, walk across the Goodwill Bridge into Southbank. Wander along the South Bank Grand Arbour – a kilometre long pathway with a purple bougainvillea canopy growing on steel arches. Head in the direction of the Streets Beach – a man-made beach that is free to use, and is a great place to cool off in the heat!

Brisbane Southbank free swimming pool a perfect place to cool off on this 3 week East Coast Australia itinerary

Next, head to the Wilson Outlook Reserve for a stunning view of the city skyline and famous Story Bridge. It’s a wonderful place to enjoy sunset if you can time it right, but it’s still a wonderful view at any time of day.

Your final stop for the day should be the vibrant Fortitude Valley. Grab some dinner at one of the many trendy restaurants, and make sure to check out the wide variety of nightlife in this inner-suburb. With everything from cocktails bars to dive bars to nightclubs, there are a plenty of great places for a drink or two!

For more detail of how to spend your time in the city, make sure to read our one day in Brisbane itinerary! There are also some great nighttime activities in the city – so check out our guide to the best things to do in Brisbane at night if you fancy some different activities to fill your evening.

If you’re travelling by campervan then stay at one of the campsites outside of the city, but if you’re looking for accommodation then make sure to read our guide to the best hotels and places to stay in Brisbane!

Table and view of Story Bridge a scenic place for a drink on this 3 week Australia East Coast roadtrip itinerary

Bryon Bay (Days 14-16)

The first two weeks of your East Coast Australia road trip itinerary are spent in Queensland, but on day 14 you will reach the state of New South Wales. It’s approximately a 2 hour drive from Brisbane to the famous coastal town of Byron Bay, located in the north of New South Wales. Known for its beaches, good surfing, and hippie culture, the town is one of the most popular stops on the East Coast of Australia.

Aim to arrive in the late morning or early afternoon, which gives you time to enjoy the Byron Bay lighthouse walk before sunset. This popular walk along the Cape Byron walking track begins in the town centre, and leads through rainforest and along clifftops up to the Cape Byron Lighthouse.

Along the way you will get some beautiful ocean and beach views, and if you’re lucky you might even spot dolphins! If you’re visiting between June and October then you may even spot migrating humpback whales.

This 4 kilometre scenic loop is well worth the time, and is not a particularly strenuous walk – despite being steep at points. It’s well worth the effort for the lovely views, and is an ideal spot to enjoy a stunning sunset in Byron Bay.

Spend the remainder of your day taking it relatively easy, and enjoying some of the famous Byron Bay nightlife!

Surfers in the water at Byron Bay a beautiful place to stop on this 3 week East Coast Australia road trip itinerary

Dive into the day with a breathtaking two and a half hour sea kayaking tour on the pristine waters of Byron Bay. Offering the chance to see wild dolphins and turtles, this tour is another highlight of your 3 week East Coast Australia road trip itinerary.

Enjoy beautiful views of the famous Byron Bay Lighthouse from your kayak as you paddle through the Cape Byron Marine Park. As you paddle, your guide will tell you about local history, and help to spot any wildlife nearby.

Dolphins and turtles are seen regularly on these tours, and in the whale watching season it’s even possible to see migrating humpback whales from your kayak! Of course it’s impossible to guarantee sightings of these animals, but if you don’t see any dolphins, turtles, or whales, you do have the option of another tour free of charge – which you should be able to squeeze in the following morning if need be!

Tours are easy to book online through Get Your Guide, and cost just $89 AUD per person. This price includes all the equipment, instructions from an experienced guide, wet suit hire, and free photos from your trip!

Click here to book an unforgettable sea kayaking tour on the Get Your Guide website!

Take it easy for the remainder of the day, as the kayaking can be quite tiring – but it’s worth the effort to see some incredible marine life up close! Spend the rest of the day having a wander around the town, where there are plenty of cafes, restaurants, and bars to enjoy – so take your pick for a relaxing afternoon and evening.

Click here to find the best hotels and places to stay in Byron Bay on Booking.com!

A turtle surfacing a common sight to see at Bryon Bay

Coffs Harbour (Days 16-17)

It’s time to hit the road again for the penultimate time on your Cairns to Sydney East Coast Australia road trip. Your destination for the day is Coffs Harbour, which is around a 2 hour 30 minute drive from Byron Bay.

Around 15 minutes before you reach Coffs Harbour, make a stop at the Moonee Beach Nature Reserve – one of the hidden gems on Australia’s East Coast. The reserve is home to the Look At Me Now Headland walk, a lovely trail by the ocean with scenic coastal views.

While the views are impressive, it’s the native wildlife that steals the show here. Get ready to meet the charismatic resident kangaroos, often found grazing or lazing in the sun, or hopping around the headland.

Seeing wild kangaroos in this beautiful setting is special, and for us was a highlight of our Australian East Coast road trip. If you’re lucky you may see the kangaroos on one of the beaches too – similar to the kangaroos at Lucky Bay in Cape Le Grand National Park in Western Australia.

Spend around an hour wandering along the headland walk and enjoying seeing kangaroos up close. If you want to make the walk a bit longer you can always head down to Moonee Beach itself and take a stroll along this long stretch of sandy beach.

Once you’ve finished your walk, continue driving for around 15 minutes and you will reach Coffs Harbour. Take it relatively easy for the remainder of the day as the following day involves around 6 hours of driving.

Click here to find some great accommodation options in Coffs Harbour on the Booking.com website!

Kangaroos and a beautiful background of beach and mountains you will see on the stunning East Coast of Australia itinerary

Sydney (Days 17-21)

The final drive of your three week East Coast Australia road trip itinerary is from Coffs Harbour to Sydney. It’s around a 5 and a half hour drive along the east coast, so make sure to take a few breaks to stretch your legs!

Just over half an hour into the drive you will pass Nambucca Heads, and it’s worth stopping here for a couple of wonderful lookout points. Rotary Lookout and Captain Cook Lookout provide beautiful views of swirling sands similar to that of the Whitsundays! Although it’s not long into the drive, it’s definitely a nice enough spot to justify an early break.

After visiting the lookouts, hit the road again and continue on your 3 week East Coast Australia road trip itinerary. When you do get to Sydney it may be worth returning your campervan on this day as it’s easier to explore the city and surroundings using public transport.

If you would prefer to stay at a campsite you can of course do so for the remaining days, but after a few weeks on the road it’s nice to get back to a proper bed and stay in a hotel for the last few nights of your trip.

View of the changing tides and beach at Nambucca Heads

Spend your first full day in Sydney visiting some of the main attractions in Australia’s capital city. Prepare yourself for plenty of walking, as you discover some of the city’s most iconic spots – and from now on you will be following our four day Sydney itinerary.

Start your day with a stroll through Sydney’s Royal Botanic Gardens , home to 30 hectares of beautiful gardens. There are several paths to walk along, but make sure to head up to the waterfront by Mrs Macquarie’s Chair to get amazing views of Sydney Opera House and the Harbour Bridge.

Continue along the path by the waterfront, and eventually you will arrive at the Opera House. No visit to Sydney is complete without seeing the iconic Opera House up close, so take this opportunity to walk around the outside and admire this unique work of architecture. If you need to give your legs a break then grab a drink or bite to eat at the Opera Bar before continuing your day.

The famous Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House a must see in a 3 week East Coast Australia itinerary

Next up, take a wander through the CBD to discover more of the city. The CBD is home to a mix of towering skyscrapers, malls, shops, restaurants, cafes, bars, and more! Whether you are shopping at the high-end designer stores or grabbing a cup of coffee, there’s plenty to keep you entertained.

After you’ve explored the CBD, head to The Rocks – a charming neighbourhood with historic cobblestone laneways and a famous weekend market. Situated in the shadow of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, the neighbourhood has plenty to see as you wander around – including some great bars and restaurants with views of the Sydney Harbour.

Your next stop is Darling Harbour, a waterfront precinct home to museums, restaurants, bars, and more! It’s a great spot to enjoy a few drinks on a sunny day, as well as being a pleasant place for a stroll – if you’re not too tired out by this point!

If you still have the energy then head back to the Sydney Opera House to finish the day with drinks at the Opera Bar. The outside bar area is a lovely place to be at night, thanks to the lively atmosphere and stunning views of the Opera House and Sydney Harbour!

2 Balloons in the Darling Harbour with buildings as a backdrop

Start your day by heading for the world-famous Bondi Beach, known for its golden sand, blue sea, and great surf. If you fancy an early morning dip then head straight into the water, but there will be plenty of time for that later too!

When you’re ready, it’s time for the renowned Bondi to Coogee walk. Stretching for 6 kilometres, the walk offers stunning ocean views and is one of the essential things to do in Sydney!

The walk takes around 2-3 hours to complete, and involves sections along clifftops as well as via a number of brilliant beaches including Tamarama Beach, Bronte Beach, and Coogee Beach. There are stairs and some steep sections along the route, but it’s not too strenuous and is undoubtedly worth the effort for the brilliant views.

One of the beaches you will see on the Bondi to Coogee walk as part of your time in Sydney

If you’re lucky you may even catch a glimpse of dolphins in the sea, and between May and November you can even see migrating whales from this coastal walk! Once you reach Coogee you can either retrace your steps back to Bondi, but at that point you may prefer to give your feet a rest and take a taxi instead.

Spend the remainder of the day in Bondi, where you can pass the hours relaxing and swimming at the beach. Make sure to explore the neighbourhood too, as there are plenty of great cafes, restaurants, and bars in the area.

If you fancy a drink with a view then it’s worth heading to the Bondi Icebergs Swimming Club, which you will have passed on your walk earlier. Home to a large seafront pool, there is also a bar at the Bondi Icebergs which has a wonderful view of Bondi Beach – making it the ideal place for a drink or two!

One of the most famous beaches on this 3 week Australia East Coast itinerary is Bondi Beach in Sydney

Prepare to be amazed at the stunning natural beauty of the Blue Mountains, an easy day trip from Sydney. It’s a two hour train journey from Sydney Central Station to the charming small town of Katoomba, which acts as a gateway to this majestic mountainous region.

On arrival in Katoomba, walk through the town and head for the Echo Point Lookout – offering panoramic views of rocky cliffs, eucalyptus forests, and the famous Three Sisters rock formation. It’s only a half an hour walk from Katoomba station to Echo Point, and the view is one of the best in the Blue Mountains National Park.

After you’ve soaked in this incredible view, it’s time to embark on the Prince Henry Cliff Walk. This winding path leads to breathtaking viewpoints, and leads in both directions from Echo Point – so it’s up to you how much walking you want to do!

In total the Prince Henry Cliff Walk covers 7 kilometres, but if you don’t want to walk so much then simply follow the trail from Echo Point to Katoomba Falls. With a total height of 244 metres over three vertical drops, this waterfall is a truly spectacular sight!

Ideally you will be able to walk along the Prince Henry Cliff Walk, although sometimes path closures do happen. Make sure to check the New South Wales national parks website for up to date information on any closures.

If you don’t fancy doing so much walking then you have the option for a hop-on-hop-off bus, which can be booked via Get Your Guide. Costing just $49 AUD per person, this bus takes you to some of the best spots around Katoomba for seeing the incredible Blue Mountains! Click here to book your hop-on-hop-off bus tickets on the Get Your Guide website!

There are various other walking trails, lookouts, and waterfalls to visit if you want to fill more time, but when you’re ready head back into Katoomba itself. Round off your deal with a meal and a drink in one of the town’s many restaurants, before boarding a train back to Sydney.

Scenery of the blue mountains a must see on this 3 week road trip itinerary down the East Coast of Australia

After three weeks you have reached the final day of your 3 week East Coast Australia road trip itinerary. Spend your last day visiting the popular seaside suburb of Manly, a relaxing way to end your East Coast trip.

Begin by taking the iconic Manly Ferry from Circular Quay, an enjoyable boat journey that offers incredible views of Sydney Harbour, Sydney Opera House, and the Harbour Bridge. Try to get a seat outside so that you can get some great pictures and soak in the wonderful views.

Once you reach Manly, walk along the Corso – a pedestrian friendly street that runs from nearby the ferry wharf to the impressive Manly Beach. There are a number of shops, boutiques, bars, and restaurants along the Corso, so either pop in or make a note of anywhere you may want to visit later!

Manly Beach is known for its fantastic surf – and was actually home to the world’s first surfing competition in 1964. Thankfully it’s also a great beach for sunbathing and going for a swim, so take advantage of this lovely spot. The beach stretches for quite some distance, so it’s also nice to take a stroll along the beachfront promenade.

End your 3 week road trip itinerary on the East Coast with a visit to Manly Beach in Sydney

At the far end of the beach, nearby to the Queenscliff Rockpool, is the Manly Wormhole. Climb on the rocks here and you can get some lovely views of Manly Beach, and there is an opening that leads through the rocks to a small area with some lovely sea views.

Next up, take the coastal path in the direction of Shelly Beach. Once there follow the Shelly Beach walking track for some wonderful lookouts over the area, offering some picturesque spots for some final photos of your East Australia trip.

It’s up to you how you spend the last few hours of your day – either find a nice restaurant or bar in Manly, or catch the ferry back to Sydney a bit earlier and potentially back to the Opera Bar for another night drinking by the famous Opera House!

If you’re looking for more activities and things to do in Sydney, then make sure to check out the wide variety of options through Get Your Guide. Click here to find more amazing things to do in Sydney on the Get Your Guide website!

Click here to find some incredible places to stay in Sydney on the Booking.com website!

Looking to visit other places in Australia? Check out our 2 day Great Ocean Road itinerary and our day trip itinerary to Rottnest Island!

Please note that some links in this article are affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase we make a small commission at no extra cost to you. This money is used to support this website and cover the costs of keeping it online and free to access!

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Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge was “over the moon” at his side’s aerial dominance against St Kilda as he called on his players to replicate their performance on a tough road trip next week.

Beveridge said stringing together a run of wins, starting with a round 7 assignment against Fremantle in Perth, was the only way to quash doubts over the Dogs’ consistency after a clinical 60-point win over the Saints on Thursday night.

The coach was thrilled for star forward Aaron Naughton, who snapped a disappointing run of form to boot six goals as he, Rory Lobb and Sam Darcy reeled in eight contested marks between them while the Saints only managed four in total.

“We were pleased for (Naughton). He doesn’t covet necessarily kicking half a dozen like he did. He does all the team things,” Beveridge told reporters after the game.

“He competes like there’s no tomorrow and I love the fact he’s able to get some reward for himself … he’s such an important player for us.

Aaron Naughton flies for a big pack mark before kicking his sixth goal in the Western Bulldogs’ 60-point thumping of St Kilda. Picture: Michael Klein

“Naughts got on the end of a few and he kicked pretty straight too, which was fantastic. Our accuracy just takes the heat off a bit as far as scoreboard pressure goes.”

The performance of Lobb, who was goalless but enjoyed one of his most influential games as a Bulldog with a team-high nine inside 50s from his 14 disposals, could pose a selection dilemma for Beveridge as he prepares for the Dockers clash next Saturday.

Beveridge was unsure whether Jamarra Ugle-Hagan would make the trip after he sat out the Saints game to deal with a family matter.

“It’s a bit of an unknown at the moment, he’s got a few things to take care of back home. With these personal assignments, you’ve just got to be sensitive to the privacy of Marra and his family,” Beveridge said.

“Hopefully it won’t be too long, but it may not be this week, so we’ll wait and see.”

He praised Bailey Dale (39 disposals) and Jack Macrae (30) for their performances after both entered the game fighting for their spots in the side.

“I thought they were both really influential … it’s part of what we’re doing, we’re challenging everyone to take their games to new levels, and not reinvent themselves – for me, history doesn’t matter,” he said.

Bailey Dale’s first 18 kicks went at 100 per cent efficiency as he put together a best-on-ground performance one week after he was dropped from the starting 22. Picture: Michael Willson / Getty Images

“We saw the Bailey Dale tonight as a high defender when he was first moved there, obviously he’s got an All-Australian jacket, but you’re never sure whether he can reproduce his best form.

“He was unbelievably influential, and it wasn’t just what he did with the ball, I think he had 13 or 14 intercept possessions … that’s a crazy game for a high halfback.

“I thought Jack (Macrae), his contest, his hands, his ball security, his creativity, his workmanship with the other inside mids was there, and I think we got the balance of what he was doing on the ground right tonight for him, so that’s encouraging.”

Beveridge said Laitham Vandermeer had passed a concussion test but was subbed out anyway because the Bulldogs did not want to wait until midway through the final term to activate Ryley Sanders.

He said a “real closeness” had helped the side respond to criticism against the Saints, as he reiterated that stringing wins together was now required to silence naysayers.

“We haven’t always bounced out of healthy wins as part of our growth and our maturity as a team to bounce out of a pretty impressive win, into a good account of ourselves in Perth against Fremantle next week,” he said.

“We think there’s a lot of promise in our team, and as much as our desire is to get some momentum and string wins together, we know there’s a challenge on our hands to be in that space.

“If the question marks come over consistency, it’s just a fact at the moment – the only way we can change it is to win games, or perform like we did tonight.”

One of AFL’s most sought after out-of-contract players has made a decision on where he wants to play next year.

Hawthorn’s reigning best and fairest winner is set to play his first game of the season as the Saints prepare to unveil a new recruit.

Footy great Wally Lewis has opened up on his “fear” and “embarrassment” after being diagnosed with an incurable disorder.

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

Things to Know:

Best Time for Western Australia Travel

Your Ultimate 3 Week Australia Itinerary

Day 1 Perth to Geraldton

Day 2 Geraldton to Kalbarri

Day 3 Kalbarri

Day 4 Kalbarri to Shark Bay

Day 5 Shark Bay

Day 6 Shark Bay to Carnarvon

Day 7 Carnarvon to Exmouth

Day 8 Exmouth

Day 9 Exmouth

Day 10 Exmouth to Stopping Point

Day 11 Stopping Point to Karijini

Day 12 Karijini

Day 13 Karijini

Day 14, 15, 16 Karijini to Broome

Day 17 Broome

Day 18 Broome

Day 19 Broome to Perth or next destination

Western Australia Road Trip Map

Heading down under? Check out our other Australia posts !

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

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

Unmissable destinations for your Western Australia roadtrip.

Margaret River scenic drive.

Pinnacles Desert tour.

Coral Coast drive.

Ningaloo Reef adventure.

Karijini National Park exploration.

Gibb River Road journey.

Nullarbor Plain crossing.

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

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

Day 3-4: Cervantes and the Pinnacles

Day 5-6: Geraldton and Kalbarri National Park

Day 7-8: Monkey Mia and Shark Bay

Day 9-10: Coral Bay and Ningaloo Reef

Day 11-12: Exmouth and Cape Range National Park

Day 13-14: The fantastic Karijini National Park

Day 15: Return to Perth

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From Perth to Esperance: An incredible 3-week road trip itinerary

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Margaret River

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The camera gear I used for this trip