western australia travel tips

The Ultimate Western Australia Road Trip Itinerary

• Last Updated: February 5, 2024

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Table of Contents

Where to Start?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Here are some other road trip tips for Western Australia.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Western Australia Road Trip Itineraries

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

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

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

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

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

Southern Route

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

It’s 4 hours from Margaret River to Albany.

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

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

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

Read next:  The 20 Best Things to Do in Albany

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Northern Route

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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!

Gabby Boucher

Hi, We’re Alesha and Jarryd!

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

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

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

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Western Australia

If the vast expanse of Western Australia (WA) was a separate nation, it would be the world's 10th-largest (bigger than Algeria, smaller than Kazakhstan). Most of WA's population clings to the coast, yet you can wander along a beach here without seeing another footprint, or be one of a few scattered campers stargazing in a national park.

Attractions

Must-see attractions.

West Coast Australia

The multicolored cresting swell of Wave Rock, 209 miles (336km) east of Perth, formed some 60 million years ago by weathering and water erosion. Streaked…

The most arresting sight in the Horrocks/Port Gregory area is Hutt Lagoon, which is more commonly referred to as 'Pink Lake'. Yes, the saltwater here is…

Cable Beach

WA's most famous landmark offers turquoise waters and beautiful white sand curving away to the sunset. Clothing is optional north of the rocks, while…

Southern WA

One of Australia's top beaches, Lucky Bay has sand so white and so fine that is squeaks underfoot like rubber. Good for kite- and windsurfing. Tame…

Murujuga National Park

Murujuga is home to the world's largest concentration of rock art (dating back more than 30,000 years), stretched out along the rocky hills of the heavily…

Turquoise Bay

This perfect sweep of powdery-white sand, lapped at by cerulean waters, is considered one of the top beaches in Australia. If snorkelling at the reef near…

Hamelin Pool

Twenty-nine kilometres along Shark Bay Rd from the Overlander Roadhouse is the turn-off for Hamelin Pool, a marine reserve with the world's best-known…

Some 48km west of Cue via unsealed road, this granite monolith is Australia's second largest after Uluru (Ayers Rock). The shallow cave here is the…

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Western Australia and beyond

Western Australia Travel Guide

Our Western Australia Travel Guide gives you the 101 on planning a visit to the “wildflower state”, home of four UNESCO World Heritage areas, some of the country’s most beautiful beaches, a fabulous wine region and lots and lots of red desert.

At half the size of the USA and almost as big as India,   Western Australia is the largest state in Australia. It’s an excellent destination for those who like to travel off the beaten track. It provides a range of holiday experiences, from beautiful beaches and forests to deserts and even its own reef system.

The biggest drawcards:

• Shark Bay and the Ningaloo Coast
• Purnululu National Park – home of the Bungle Bungles
• Margaret River and the South West – home of surf and wine
• Broome – Pearls and the famous stairway to the moon

WA is worth the effort! If you are coming from Europe, you can fly directly from London to Perth and then continue to the east coast after your stopover.

Regions in Western Australia

Firstly, because Western Australia is so large, it’s probably a good idea to get your head around the regions. Western Australia, or WA, for short, can be divided into five main areas:

• Perth, Freemantle and Rottnest Island
• The Coral Coast 
• The Outback
• The North West, Kimberley and Broome
• The South West, Margaret River

Don’t expect to cover this state on a flying visit. Western Australia is best explored in at least two trips as the “best” time of year weather-wise is quite different north to south.

Western Australia Inspiration

Take one of these Fun Day Trips from Perth

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Don’t miss these Beautiful Towns in Western Australia

Wa travel planning.

Our Western Australia travel guide will help you decide which region, town and cities in Western Australia you should visit on your next trip. We cover the basics of planning a trip to WA and give you a quick rundown on the major tourist regions and the most popular things to do in the west’s cities and towns.

How to get to Western Australia

Western Australia covers one-third of the Australian continent. Unless you have more than a month, you might want to take a few flights or fly directly to your destination. WA is worth the effort!

International Airports in Western Australia

If you are coming from Europe, you can fly directly from London to Perth and then continue to the east coast after your stopover.

• Perth  – direct flights from Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, Tokyo, the Middle East, Johannesburg, Auckland or London
• Broome  – direct flights from Perth and Darwin – some international flights in peak season.

Domestic Airports in Western Australia

With a state this big, it can be handy to cut some travel time by flying. Flying to one of these regional airports and renting a vehicle on arrival will help you see more of the state on a short visit.

• Albany – Flight from Perth
• Broome – Flight from Perth and seasonally from other states – eg Darwin and Sydney
• Geraldton – Flights from Perth

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Western Australia Road Trip: Tips, Advice & Warnings 2024

They call it Australia’s last frontier , a land of photogenic landscapes, endless desolate roads, remote outback areas, unforgettable sunsets, incredible natural wonders, and beautiful beaches. 

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If you’re interested in getting off the beaten track and exploring in a way you would never be able to in a bustling big city, then Western Australia road trips will present lots of opportunities.

Infatuated by the romantic image of traversing the lesser-explored state of Western Australia , we set off on a 10-day Western Australia road trip .

We researched the routes and attractions, calculated driving times and planned stopovers. We knew going into it that we were in for a road trip; Western Australia has no other means of transport but to make the best road trips. Like sponges, we soaked up every bit of information we could.  We listened to locals’ advices for road trips and made sure to visit their favourite spots . We felt ready, and in theory, we were.

But in reality, no trip, no matter how well planned out and researched, is ever a smooth sail. So, just like many other road trips,  we made a plethora of little mistakes along the way .

So consider us your knight in shining armour, here to save you from making the same silly mistakes! Here are  a few things we wish we had known  before embarking on our road trips in Western Australia- our top 9 Western Australia travel tips.

Traveling Soon?  Here is a list of our favourite travel providers and accessories to help get you ready for your upcoming trip! Book Your Accommodation HERE Search for Great Tours HERE Get a Car Rental HERE Buy Travel Insurance HERE See our Favourite Camera Bag HERE Grab a Reusable Water Bottle HERE or a Filtration Straw HERE Order an eSim HERE

Best Time to go on a Western Australia Road Trip

During our Western Australia itinerary research, we learned that  May-June was the best time to visit Western Australia . The summer heat, which can sometimes get up to 35-40 degrees, had just subsided, bringing the  daily averages down to very manageable 25-30 degrees.

The water was still warm, 25-27 degrees,  and despite the fact that May and June are known to be the rainiest months of the year, we lucked out with clear blue skies for the entire duration of our trip. We packed for the hot summer climate, prepared to spend 10 days bumming around in bathing suits, shorts, and singlets.

READ NEXT: A Comprehensive Road Trip Checklist

Western Australia Road Trip Tips, Advice & Warnings

1. pack warm clothes.

Like most people, the weather in Western Australia caught us by surprise. At night, the  temperatures  in Perth and along the coast  drop down to 10-18 degrees.

So, if you are travelling to Western Australia between the months of May to November  pack at least a few warmer pieces of clothing  to keep you cozy at night and warm after a swim in the ocean.

2. Make More Time For Daylight Activities

Driving at night in WA is a terrible idea.  “The wildlife roams freely in the outback,”  they said,  “it is best if you don’t drive between dusk and dawn.”  Some campervan and car rental companies even forbid driving at night altogether. (Ours didn’t, although they too recommended that we don’t do it).

We didn’t initially didn’t plan to drive at night at first but ended up pushing the boundaries and driving after dusk a few times. We found that by driving in the evening we could split up our long 7-10 hour drives into more manageable 3-5 hour drives and  avoid losing too much precious daylight on the road.

3. Use Common Sense Driving After Dark

But,  we weren’t careless by driving after dusk . We drove well below the speed limit and only for a few hours after sunset. We kept our high beams on at all times, keeping our eyes peeled on the road and the wildlife that did sometimes pop out from the bushes.

In some places, like the Cape Range National Park near   Exmouth ,  we had to slow down to 40km/hr to avoid running into 40 kangaroos  that we counted chilling on the side of the road. It pays for one to know what is slow travel. Be extremely careful if you are considering driving at night. Know your own limits, and never drive while tired!

4. Research Your Route

When it comes to self-drive trips, Western Australia certainly makes it a unique experience. While it makes sense to start at one end of the West Coast and finish at the other, this isn’t realistic for most people because of the route.

If you have a week to spare before starting the drive from Perth to Exmouth, we highly recommend exploring the stunning coastline that lies further south. Drive from Perth via Hyden or Kalgoorlie over the next few days. Don’t miss the impressive Wave Rock on your way, Wave Rock is a natural wonder formed around 130 million years ago, it is said that Wave Rock is towering about three storeys high.

Google maps  and Google navigation is the best thing for driving routes in Western Australia. For those planning to explore Western Australia by car,  it’s an invaluable resource.

Even if you don’t have mobile reception or WIFI connection on the road, you can hook up to wifi at your hotel  pre-load the maps/route  and use GPS to get from point A to point B with great ease. However,  don’t trust Google in Western Australia.

5. Speed Limits In Western Australia

It seems that Google navigation hasn’t quite figured out the speed limits on some roads in W.A., labelling many 110km/hr roads as 60km/hr or even less.

The good news is that it’s always a mistake that will benefit you.  What may look like a 10-hour drive on Google Maps  (Exmouth to Karijini National Park, for example) is actually only 550kms and with a speed limit of 110kms/hr, it really  is only a 6-hour drive.

That’s 4 extra hours you can now spend exploring the park, or chilling out on the beach in   Exmouth .  Thanks for an unexpected surprise, Google!

6. Gas Stations Can Be Few And Far Between

Gas stations (or roadhouses, as they call them here) in remote areas of W.A. can be very spread out, with  some being 200-300 km apart,  so err on the side of caution and fill up when you can. We learned this the hard way, pushing our luck a bit too far when making our way from   Kalbarri National Park  to Coral Bay.

We bypassed the gas station in Kalbarri, thinking that with over half a tank of fuel we’ll be fine and ended up barely making it to the next roadhouse.  The last thing you want is to run out of fuel in the middle of nowhere , so play it safe and fill up whenever you can.

When the road looks this deserted for hours on end, the idea of being stuck on the side of the road sounds rather unpleasant.

7. Rent A 4WD Vehicle

Embarking on a Western Australia road trip is one of the best ways to explore this remote region of Australia. You aren’t going to find many other alternatives in Western Australia. Whether you plan on travelling in a car or a campervan, make sure you are comfortable driving on the left side of the road and be sure to invest in a 4WD vehicle. 

Car rentals in Western Australia aren’t cheap. Even for a non-4WD car without any of the bells and whistles, you could still be looking at a minimum of AUD 70 per day.

Check car rates and car availability with our recommended provider:

WANT TO EXPLORE AUSTRALIA BY CAR? Get the best car rental rates by booking ahead! Discover Cars compares prices across all major car rental companies, so you are guaranteed to get the best deal.

8. Pick A Car That’s Fuel Efficient

If you are navigating around W.A. by car you’ll know that  fuel usage can have a huge impact on the total cost of your trip . If a campervan is your choice of transportation, you may be surprised to learn (we were) that driving at 80-90kms/hr is more efficient than going at the 110km/hr speed limit.

Based on our experience,  driving at slower speeds can give you 50-100kms extra per tank  which is better for the environment too since you will be filling up less. So if you are trying to conserve slow down! You’ll not only save on gas, and achieve a greener road trip but will also be more likely to avoid an accident with wildlife on the roads.

9. Tips For A More Eco-Friendly Western Australia Road Trip

Choose eco-friendly hotels and restaurants while you’re on the road. Or even better,  try camping, and supporting local farmers markets.

Of course, where you decide to stay isn’t the only thing to take into account when it comes to making sure your road trip is as eco-friendly as you can make it.

• Choose a  hybrid model or energy-efficient vehicle  whenever possible.
• Get your car serviced prior  to your Australian road trip, and  check your oil and tire pressure regularly  for better fuel efficiency.
• When it’s hot out  roll down the windows  instead of using A/C.
• Avoid single-use plastics , and minimize packaging by  using reusable grocery bags or water bottles  when you need to restock food and refreshments.
• Bring your friends!  It’s always better (and more fun!) to travel with a full car of people. A five-person vehicle is more eco-friendly than travelling with a couple of two-seaters.

10. Don’t Forget To Enjoy Nature

If you haven’t felt too inspired to try camping before, just remember that  it’s the best way to experience some of Western Australia’s natural events.

If you’re in the northwestern portion in March through October,  you could see the Staircase to the Moon.  Look up at the sky when the full moon rises, and see the optical illusion that turns the mudflats into a staircase towards the sky.

If you’re aiming more for a spring road trip,  then you’ll be there at the perfect time to watch the native birds migrate home from their winter ranges.  From ducks to parrots to the well-known kookaburra, there won’t be a shortage.

11. Black Flies Are A Real Pest

We knew that pesky black flies were common in Northern Territories, in places like Alice Springs and  Uluru , but we were not prepared to encounter them in Western Australia.  We were swarmed by hundreds of flies (literally!)  as soon as we entered   Kalbarri National Park ,  located just 600kms north of Perth.

12. Invest In A Fly Net

The flies were so annoying that we had to use our clothing to create makeshift head covers to get us through the first few hours in the park. We soon discovered that  fly nets can be purchased in any local grocery/convenience shops and at most gas stations in the area.

The nets are stupidly expensive at $7, but it’s a small fee to pay for being able to enjoy the parks without 100 flies on your face.  The money is well worth it, so don’t hesitate to spend it upfront.

13. You Can Sandboard At The Lancelin Sand Dunes Without A Tour

The small fishing town of Lancelin is surrounded by sand hills, sprawling and enormous; they’re the biggest dunes of their kind in Western Australia. Soft, nearly pure white, and free of any vegetation,  the dunes are a sight to see on their own,  and that isn’t even getting into the sand dune surfing opportunities. If you find yourself stuck and wondering what to do in Western Australia,  hire a board in town , and you’ll realize why Lancelin is one of our must-see places to visit in Western Australia.

We found out that  sandboards can be hired from the gas station and a few other shops in town . Excited that our research didn’t lie, we grabbed 2 boards from the first place we came across, the Lancelin gas station.

We paid $20 AUD/board for 2 hours only to later discover that the  7 Lucky shop down the street offered the boards for half the price  and has a variety of sitting and standing boards available. We kicked ourselves for not shopping around and getting ripped off, silly tourist style.

So if sandboarding in Lancelin is on your to-do list for WA, forego booking an expensive tour and  head straight to the 7 Lucky store on Cunliffe St for the best selection of boards at cheap prices.

Then head straight to the dunes (the guys inside 7 Lucky can point them out for you) and  give yourself at least 3-4 hours at the dunes . Time flies when you are having fun!

For Western Australia travel tips for experiencing Lancelin Sand Dunes, including directions to the site and where to park, check out the comprehensive guide on the   Lancelin Tourism Website .

14. Don’t Miss The Pinnacles In Cervantes

Cervantes itself is mostly a sleepy fishing town along the Coral Coast, but it’s also where you’ll find  Nambung National Park , home to the beautiful Pinnacles. The Pinnacles are limestone formations up to 5 metres (16 feet) high and up to 30,000 years old.

The Pinnacles in Cervantes is one of Western Australia’s best-kept secrets. Knowing that the  Pinnacles are best enjoyed at sunset,  from other Western Australia travel tips we got from friends and locals, we arrived in Nambung National Park, home of the Pinnacles Desert, just as the sun was dipping below the horizon.

We imagined the Pinnacles to be a small patch of desert in the middle of the park, a place that you can check out in 15 minutes or less and were surprised to find out that  the Pinnacles Desert is actually a 1.5km trail .

Walking the trail should take approximately 45 mins-1 hour, but if you add the time for photos and exploration and you are looking at at least a 2hrs adventure.  It’s a beautiful way to fill an evening  while you decide what to do in Western Australia.

And turned out, the Pinnacles were worth every minute! We wish we had arrived at the park earlier, giving ourselves ample time to  explore the pinnacles before sunset without feeling rushed.

15. Food & Wine Stop in Margaret River

You don’t need to venture far from Perth for some adventure, especially if you’re a fan of good food and drinks. Just take a three-hour drive near Perth to the renowned Margaret River wine region, Margaret River is famous for its chardonnays and cabernets. Nearby towns like Pemberton and Manjimup offer other delights, and you can meet passionate producers by exploring coastal trails around Margaret River.

16. Take Your Time

If there is one piece of advice we could give to anyone travelling to Western Australia, it would be to  give yourself lots of time to explore this side of the country . 

There are too many things to do in Western Australia to list them all here. Take some extra time to explore this beautiful part of the world, filled with all the national parks, wineries, beaches, and natural wonders as you travel up the southwest. 

We knew that a 10-day trip was ambitious, but we didn’t realize how rushed it would be. Sure, we got to see everything on our itinerary, but it was exhausting!

There are simply too many   amazing places to see in Western Australia , and with an added travel time you really do need at least 2-3 weeks in your Western Australia itinerary to properly explore the region.

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Must-See Destinations

There are a few destinations on your Western Australia road trip that you absolutely should not miss. If you’ve found yourself at a loss trying to plan for things to do in Western Australia, then this isn’t exactly a road map of Western Australia, but  this list can make for a good starting point. 

South of Perth

Embarking on a road trip along the coast south of Perth in Western Australia offers a diverse mix of experiences, highlighted by iconic destinations like  Albany, Esperance (South West Edge), William Bay National Park,  and  Fitzgerald River National Park. 

In Albany, travellers can explore the rich history reflected in its colonial architecture and panoramic views from rugged cliffs, including a visit to the historic Whaling Station or a stroll along the iconic Albany Wind Farm. Esperance enchants visitors with its pristine white sand beaches, such as Twilight Cove and Lucky Bay, where kangaroos often laze on the sand, creating unique photo opportunities. William Bay National Park showcases remarkable rock formations like the Elephant Rocks, perfect for climbing and exploring, and the tranquil Green Pool, ideal for swimming and snorkelling. Meanwhile, Fitzgerald River National Park beckons with its extraordinary biodiversity, offering opportunities to spot rare flora and fauna while hiking along scenic trails or enjoying a leisurely picnic amidst stunning coastal landscapes. Each of these destinations promises unforgettable experiences, combining natural beauty with cultural intrigue along the captivating coastal journey.

As one of the most remote cities on earth, Perth is  a bit quirky compared to most cities.  It’s cosmopolitan but still laid back, and the people in Perth are some of the nicest you’ll ever meet. Like any other city of its size, you’ll find plenty of Western Australia attractions, and you’ll have to pick and choose what you want to do, but whether you’re taking in the scenery at Kings Park or taking selfies with the quokkas on Rottnest Island,  you’re almost guaranteed to have a good time.

Hutt Lagoon

Hutt Lagoon is one of the most incredible sights you’ll ever see, looking more like something out of a fairy tale,  even if it doesn’t necessarily smell like a fairy tale , cementing it as one of our must-see places to visit in Western Australia.  The water is bright pink , and it’s surrounded by a powerful chemical smell. Despite everything your eyes and nose try to tell you, though, Hutt Lagoon is perfectly natural, thanks to the algae that live there.

Kalbarri National Park

Considering Kalbarri National Park largely consists of the coast, coastal cliffs, and a massive river gorge, it’s no surprise that it’s a sight to behold. Most well-known of Kalbarri National Park’s scenery is Nature’s Window,  a natural rock arch that frames the Murchison River Gorge like an enormous window.

Ningaloo Reef & Shark Bay

A road trip along the coast of Western Australia wouldn’t be complete without exploring the wonders of Shark Bay, a  UNESCO World Heritage Site  famed for its diverse marine life and striking landscapes. 

Ningaloo Reef,  located within the broader region of Shark Bay, offers an unparalleled opportunity to witness the wonders of marine life, including the renowned whale shark season from March to July. During this time, visitors flock to Ningaloo to swim alongside these gentle giants in the nutrient-rich waters. 

Additionally,  Shark Bay  boasts a spectacular whale-watching season from June to November, providing an opportunity to witness the majestic humpback whales as they migrate along the coast. Beyond marine encounters, Shark Bay offers a host of other attractions, including the unique stromatolites of Hamelin Pool, the rich Aboriginal heritage of the area, and the breathtaking vistas of Francois Peron National Park.

READ NEXT:  Responsible Way Of Swimming With Whale Sharks In Ningaloo Reef

Karijini National Park

Australia isn’t exactly lacking when it comes to national parks, but Karijini National Park still manages to be one of the best. It can be a bit of a pain to get to, as the roads are bumpy enough you’ll find yourself wishing for an off-roading harness, but  the scenery and the stunning gorges make it one of the most amazing places  to visit in Western Australia and more than make up for a few bumps in the road.

Located at the end of your  Perth-to-Broome drive , Broome is a must-see stop on your road trip largely because of Cable Beach.  This white sandy beach is one of the most stunning beaches in Australia  and one of the most gorgeous Western Australia attractions, and we fell in love with it even after just 2 days. It’s perfect for paddleboarding and surfing, and  if you’re on the beach at low tide  then you can explore all sorts of rock formations and tide pools. If you linger until the evening, then you’ll be in for one of the most amazing sunsets you’ve ever seen.

Continue Further: Gibb River Road 

Consider travelling further to  Gibb River Road , an iconic outback route known for its rugged beauty and remote wilderness. Stretching over 660 kilometres through the heart of the Kimberley region, Gibb River Road offers intrepid travellers a chance to immerse themselves in the untamed landscapes of Australia’s northwest. 

Along the way, you’ll encounter breathtaking gorges, cascading waterfalls, and ancient Aboriginal rock art sites. From the towering cliffs of Windjana Gorge to the turquoise pools of Bell Gorge, each stop along Gibb River Road unveils a new facet of the region’s natural wonders. While the road can be challenging with its corrugations and river crossings, the rewards of exploring this remote and pristine wilderness are immeasurable, making Gibb River Road a must-visit destination for adventurous travellers seeking an unforgettable outback experience.

Have You Ever Traveled To Western Australia? What Tips Would You Share With First-Time Visitors To The Region?

READ NEXT:   Road Trip Essentials: 50 Things To Bring On A Road Trip

About The Author

Oksana & Max St John

11 thoughts on “western australia road trip: tips, advice & warnings 2024”.

Great you made it to the west and learn’t some invaluable tips. Some good ones too! Funnily, I’ve spent months in Western Australia, living in Broome and Perth and tripping in between and never had a problem with the flies like that. And I wouldn’t advise to drive at night but it sounds like you made good work of it!

The flies were the worst in Kalbarri National Park, and Cape Range National Park. Karijini wasn’t that bad, and there were certainly no flied in Coral Bay, Broome or in the other towns. And yes, everyone said the same thing to us about driving at night, but we gave it a go and it worked great for us. Maybe we were just lucky 🙂

Pleeeaaase don’t encourage people to drive on country roads at night. You may have had a good run, but this advice comes from people who have lived in WA their whole lives and know the dangers based on this lifetime of experience. The number of dead kangaroos along the road (45 counted on my last trip) shows how likely you are to hit an animal. Until you’ve hit a 90kg kangaroo travelling at high speeds please reconsider this advice.

Love the post; good on you guys for having a great time here. The flies vary a lot from year to year; sometimes they are shocking and other times they are almost non existent. Kalbarri can be terrible for them though, but most of WA doesn’t have them anywhere near as bad.

10 days is an impressive effort; I reckon you could easily spend 10 weeks!

No mention of roo bars on the car! I wouldn’t drive at night without a roo bar. And dusk and dawn are when the kangaroos move around. We hit a big one coming back from Carnarvon as we drove around a bend in the road, which stranded us 120 kms north of Geraldton. We caught him mid hop and he pushed the fan belt into the radiator.

Thanks for the comment, Steph. Our campervan didn’t come with a roo bar, so that was definitely not an option for us. Scary to hear about your accident. I guess we were pretty lucky, as we didn’t have any close encounters during our time in WA. Thanks for higlighting the dangers to others.

You guys had a good time and I’m impressed you saw so much in such a short time. As a seasoned West Aussie allow me the privalidge of encouraging you to head inland on your next trip and explore Kalgoorlie.

Kal as the locals call her has a facinating history centered on an Irishman named Patty Hannon who found gold in the 1870’s. Mine is a story of cultures and why the population of our state are the most assimulated and integrated community on the planet.

You see WA’s white population prior to Patty was just 15,000 people, mostly British colonialist, freemen and convicts. When Patty found gold the population swelled to 250,000 with people coming from every corner of the globe. When the gold ran out 75,000 people remained and the amazing process of the intergration of cultures began and still influences our culture to this day.

In Kal you can see the cultural blend it in the architecture and the people alike, Tribal Aboriginals are regulars in the town during the day and their community products are available in some shops.

The region known as the goldfields has numerous attractions from natural wonders like Red Hill in Kambalda to Lake Ballard near Menzies. The facinating shopping precinct of Bolder. Watch them blast at the superpit gold mine and the historic Hay St brothels. You can even do a real underground gold mine tour and feel the rumblings of nearby mines as they blast.

Stop in at Coolgardie Rock shop on the way in to Kal and buy a gold panning dish and try some prospecting of your own or brows this local prospecter’s latests gold finds. Camel rides, Broad Arrow hotal and so much more.

Hope you visit again.

We travelled all over west Australia and took wonderful pictures of the beaches, animals, wineries and the different cities. We even spotted a real shark at Hamelin Bay

Sounds like you had a great experience!

Re Ningaloo Reef: PLEASE never ever tell anyone …..”you can walk right from the beach onto the reef.” I’ve had the opportunity to snorkel over Ningaloo and it was by far the most pristine snorkel experience I have ever had. Absolutely beautiful!. Having said that, you don’t want anyone even touching the reef with their hands or flippers, let alone stand or walk on it. Reefs are living organisms. People kill them by touching them. In the various reef systems I have snorkeled throughout the Caribbean and the Hawaiian Islands the reef has been vastly destroyed by people sitting, standing, walking or anchoring boats on them. Can’t tell you how very discouraging it is go snorkeling over nothing but dead reef. Fringing reefs are often found closer to shore than barrier reefs. All the more reason why people need to know to snorkel responsibly, i.e. go to a place where you can swim out to the reef and swim above it where you have enough water above the actual reef to allow you to swim and use your flippers/fins without ever kicking or touching any part of the reef.. This is the number one rule of snorkeling any reef.

Hi Marie, I think you may be misunderstood our intention with that comment. Perhaps, the wording was unclear, but the comment “you can walk right from the beach onto the reef” was in no way meant to imply that you can literally walk on top of the reef and ruin it. The intention was to note that the reef is very close and does not require you to jump into a boat to get there. If you read a few more articles from our blog, you’ll quickly learn that we are very passionate about the environment and always encourage our readers to explore the underwater world with great care and responsibility, to never touch the reef or any wildlife for that matter, to be extremely cautious when navigating the reef and be respectful of all species that call it home. I’m sorry that our intention and our advice weren’t clear in this piece and thank you for clarifying. Yes, if you do end up snorkelling at Ningaloo Reef, please do so with great care, and ask the local operators for the best places to get to the reef offshore.

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5 Things You Need to Know Before Visiting Western Australia

Western Australia is a popular destination throughout the year for local and overseas visitors. This Western Australia travel guide covers all the things you need to know for planning your next trip, plus some useful tips for visiting Western Australia.

Table of Contents

When is the Best Time to Visit Western Australia?

You can visit Western Australia at any time of the year thanks to the Mediterranean climate of long summers and mild winters. Since Western Australia is such a large state, there can be a big difference in climates from the north to south.

Suggested visiting times for places to visit in Western Australia by region are:

Australia’s North West including Broome, Kununurra & Karijini National Park

The time to visit Australia’s North West is in the dry season, usually May – October depending on the area. Outside of these times it can be extremely hot and humid, with tropical storms. Tourist attractions and experiences may not be open or run during the wet season. Plus in the Kimberley region, including Broome, it is not recommended to swim in the ocean during this time due to the presence of Irukandji jellyfish .

As the dry season coincides with Australia’s winter, it’s a nice time to escape the cold cities and head north for some sunshine!

Australia’s Coral Coast including Exmouth, Coral Bay & Shark Bay

Australia’s coral coast has a similar high season to the North West. The best time to visit weather wise is May – October again. However this region can be visited all year round, and is a popular spot for the Christmas holidays. You might just want to book somewhere that has air conditioning!

Perth & Surrounds

Summer months are the best time to visit, around November to March to make the most of Perth’s beautiful beaches. However, Perth is worth visiting all year round thanks to the mild winters. There may be particular times of the year you want to time your visit to Perth, such as to see the golden canola blooms around August or the purple hues of jacarandas in Perth around November.

Rottnest Island is also best visited over the summer months.

Australia’s South West including Margaret River & Dunsborough

Visitors can explore the South West of WA all year round. Summer months are best to visit the region’s beautiful beaches. Winters are also a great time to visit, spending the day wine tasting before cosying up around a fire at night.

Australia’s Golden Outback including Esperance

Esperance, far along the south east coast of Western Australia, is a lot cooler than the South West. The best time to visit is in summer, although the wind can be quite strong at this time of the year. March and April can still have sunny days, but the winds tend to drop off.

Tip: School holidays in Western Australia are an extremely popular and busy time to travel, particularly over Christmas & Easter. Make sure you book far in advance, particularly for popular camping locations. Check the WA school holiday timetables

How to Get Around Western Australia?

Car hire is recommended to get around Western Australia, particularly for visitors to the more remote regions. Car hire isn’t strictly required in Perth, but for travellers wanting to explore more widely outside the CBD, it will be quicker and easier.

Non stop flights are available between Perth and most major tourist towns such as;

• Perth to Broome
• Perth to Kununurra
• Perth to Exmouth
• Perth to Esperance

The major airlines are Qantas and Virgin Australia, with Rex flying to smaller regional towns like Esperance, Albany, Carnarvon and Monkey Mia.

By Coach or Train

TransWA connects most regional towns across Western Australia, with coach services up to Kalbarri and Geraldtonin the North, to August, Pemberton, Albany and even Esperance in the south west and south east.

Regional trains are also available, including;

• Perth to Bunury
• Perth to Kalgoorlie

More information, including route options and times, are available from TransWA

Accommodation Options

There is a lot of variety in accommodation across Western Australia depending on your budget and preferences.

Options include;

Hotels and Motels

The nicest and more modern hotels are mostly in the Perth CBD, which is a great option for tourists or for locals wanting a staycation .

AirBnBs are a great choice for travellers to Western Australia, particularly if you want to have more amenities such as a kitchen and laundry facilities. There are a wide range of AirBnBs available across the state, including some quirky and unique options.

Camping is very popular in Western Australia, particularly across the warmer months. This can include camping in a tent or caravan. Options including staying in caravan parks across the state with powered and unpowered site options at most parks.

Bush camping is also very popular, which usually attracts a small fee. Most sites are bookable by the Parks and Wildlife service , and some operate on a first come, first served basis. Free camping is very limited in Western Australia – your best bet is to download the app WikiCamps to find the rare free camps scattered around the state.

There is no free camping at all in popular tourist towns like Dunsborough, Margaret River and Exmouth.

Campervans are another popular option to explore Western Australia, particularly when heading on a road trip in the South West WA or along the coast up north.

Campervan hire options range from the more expensive self contained (meaning you have bathroom and cooking facilities) options, to cheaper options that are mostly just a bed. You may be able to free camp as well as stay at caravan parks when power or kitchen facilities are needed.

WA Road Trip Travel Tips

Take note of driving distances.

As Western Australia is a big state, it can take a lot longer than you think to drive between points of interest. For context, Western Australia is about the same size as Western Europe! Look up driving times on Google Maps and factor these in when planning your itinerary.

Some people plan massive road trips across Western Australia, but spend so much time driving that they don’t leave much time to actually explore a destination!

Some driving times between popular places in Western Australia for context;

• Perth to Esperance: 8 hours
• Perth to Exmouth: 13 hours
• Perth to Broome: 23 hours
• Perth to Margaret River: 3.5 hours
• Perth to Denmark: 5 hours  

Drive Between Dawn and Dusk

Kangaroos are most active between dusk and dawn. In areas that have kangaroos, which are most areas outside of Perth, limit driving between these times. Hitting a kangaroo at high speed can be fatal for both the animal and people in the car.

Plan Rest Stops

Free camping outside of designated areas is illegal in Australia. Other than the bush camping throughs Parks WA, there are limited free rest stops across Western Australia. These rest areas aren’t intended for camping, but are a spot to rest when making long drives.

Stopping is only allowed for up to 24 hours, and facilities may be limited. To find rest stops in Western Australia, visit the Mainroads site or check on the WikiCamps app.

That wraps up all you need to know in this Western Australia travel guide. Keep these tips in mind when planning your next road trip to Western Australia.

Want more help planning your Western Australia Road Trip? Join our community of like-minded adventurers!

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Western Australia Guide

Welcome to this Guide to Western Australia for backpackers. Western Australia is absolutely beautiful and you should make sure to explore at least some of the coast instead of just staying in and around Perth. Included in this guide are the must see Western Australia attractions up the coast as well as a few quick facts, when to visit and how to get around.

Western Australia Facts

• Australia is the 6th largest country in the world and WA is the largest state in Australia at 2.527 million square metres
• The Timezone in WA is GMT+8
• Population – It’s thought that Western Australia’s total population will reach 2.72 million by the end of 2019 (and the whole of Australia 25.415 million) – source . To put that in perspective the UK’s total population in 2017 was 66.02 million.

Western Australia Cities & Population Size

Perth is the largest city in WA at 1,907,833 people according to the 2016 census. The second largest town is Bunbury with 71,090 people. There are only 10 towns with more than 10,000 people in the whole of WA.

The Climate

Being so large Western Australia has several types of climate. South West – temperate with winter rainfall and 4 seasons. North – tropical with a wet and a dry season. The rest is arid or semi-arid.

When is the best time to visit Western Australia?

Best times to visit WA: Visit the South of WA (below the Topic of Capricorn) between November to March (summer) when it doesn’t rain as much and the temperatures are high. Above the Tropic of Capricorn visit Between May and October (during the dry season) when the temperatures are milder.

How to Travel the West Coast of Australia

Personally I would get yourself on a hop on hop off bus tour. WA is massive, the roads are really long and you can go a long time without seeing people; so unless you have several people in the car who can all help with the driving (and possibly a car mechanic in case you break down) don’t even consider buying a cheap second hand car.

Western Australia Attractions

Although way fewer people visit WA compared to those that travel the East Coast , there are some Western Australia attractions that are absolute must sees. So if you get the chance to visit the stunning West Coast here’s where you should head to:

Must See’s West Coast Australia

Perth to the kimberleys, perth & fremantle.

Spend a few days exploring one of the remotest capital cities in the world. There are beautiful gardens to enjoy and a trip to Fremantle should absolutely be on the cards. If you want to sunbathe go to Cottesloe Beach.

• Read this Pocket Travel Guide to Perth

Rottnest Island & The Quokka’s

No trip to Perth is complete without a day trip to Rottnest Island. Hire a bike and spend the day swimming at remote beaches and taking selfies with the cutest of all Australian animals (and most probably the cutest animal on this planet!) – the Quokka.

• Learn more about Rottnest Island

The Pinnacles Desert

The Pinnacles Desert is located within Nambung National Park around 17 km south of Cervantes (and 200km north west of Perth). It’s a bizarre place filled with limestone formations jutting out of the sand. It’s a great place for photographers, and an eerie place to walk around.

Stromatolites

Quite some distance from the Pinnacles you’ll find the stromatolites. (Stop at Geraldton on the way up if you need a break from driving). “Stromatolites or stromatoliths are layered mounds, columns, and sheet-like sedimentary rocks that were originally formed by the growth of layer upon layer of cyanobacteria, a single-celled photosynthesizing microbe. Fossilized stromatolites provide records of ancient life on Earth.” – wikipedia

Shell Beach

Shell Beach is only a short drive from Monkey Mia and is one of only 2 beaches in the whole world where instead of sand you’ll see shells. It’s a bit crunchy on the feet so I recommend wearing thongs! It’s an absolutely massive beach (around 62 miles long) and the water is crystal clear, so it’s well worth stopping off here on your way to Monkey Mia from Perth.

Monkey Mia Dolphins

Monkey Mia is located within the Shark Bay World Heritage Area. Bottlenose dolphins visit Monkey Mia up to 3 times a day to be hand fed. They’ve done this for over 40 years now, but please be aware that the feeding is supervised and although you can’t swim with the dolphins here you can get knee deep in the water and see them up close.

Coral Bay is one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever visited. It’s quite a few years since I’ve been there but I would hope it’s not changed too much. I recommend staying here and relaxing for a few days before continuing your journey. Make sure you explore the coastal walks and go for a swim with the manta rays.

Ningaloo Reef

Ningaloo Reef is most well known for one of the best places in the world to go swimming with whale sharks and if you get the chance to do that I say go for it! The Ningaloo Reef marine park is about 260km long so you have a few chances on your way up the coast to get out there to dive and snorkel. It really is paradise so you can’t do the West Coast and not visit Ningaloo Reef.

Karijini National Park

On a map of Australia Karijini National Park looks quite small but don’t be fooled it actually covers 627,422 hectares. It’s located just north of the Tropic of Capricorn so try to get here between May and October when the weather is bit milder. It really is a beautiful place with rugged scenery and stunning gorges. Gorges to visit include Fortescue Falls, Weano Gorge, Dales Gorge and Oxers Lookout.

Broome is a great place to stop for a week, if you have the time. Not only is Cable Beach beautiful it’s also really long and at one end, at Gantheaume Point, you can even see dinosaur footprints at low tide. Broome is also famous for seeing the staircase to the moon. The staircase to the moon can be seen at full moon (choose your spot to take photo’s early, lot’s of people go to see this natural phenomenon). The awesome Broome markets are held every Saturday morning with additional markets on Sundays and Thursdays nights at different times of the year. One of the other most popular things to do in Broome is camel ride at sunset.

The Kimberleys

The Kimberley region is one of the most spectacular places I’ve visited. Broome is within the Kimberley region but it’s a vast area which also encompasses coastline and outback. Take a swim in a freshwater waterhole in the outback, visit the amazing Mitchell Falls or take a scenic flight over the Bungle Bungles (which is well worth the money by the way). You can find ancient rock art, loads of wildlife, white sandy beaches and a stunning coastline in The Kimberleys.

Perth and South West of WA

Margaret river.

Margaret River is a region you absolutely should visit if you’re a lover of wine. However there’s so much more… check out the beaches, the caves, walk the Cape to Cape track, do some chocolate tasting, and of course make sure you do a winery tour as well.

• Read all about Margaret River

Albany is where the first European settlers arrived in WA, so if you want to learn about a bit of Australian history it’s a good place to visit. One of the big things to do here is go on a whale watching tour or learn about the areas history of whaling, which is thankfully now over.

You’ve probably seen plenty of pictures of Esperance without realising it. This is the place where kangaroos hang out on the beach, and it’s also where a pink lake – Lake Hillier – is found. The beaches are really beautiful with or without kangaroos sunbathing on them.

Named because, well, it’s a rock that looks like a wave. It’s located a bit far from most places for a trip specifically to see it, but it certainly has potential for some instagram worthy photos.

A fascinating place with a rich (excuse the pun) gold mining history. There are some beautiful old buildings here and lots of history to learn. Kalgoorlie is known as the ‘the richest goldfield in the world’, although I’m not sure you’ll be able to find some for yourself.

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Locals guide to the Best Time To Visit Western Australia | When To Travel To Perth

Last Updated on 28 August 2024 by Ariana Svenson

This travel guide covers when the best time to visit Western Australia. As a local,  I definitely have my opinion of when is the best season for a visit, but add the caveat – it really depends on what you are looking for in your trip. Here are some factors to consider:

Best time to visit Western Australia – in a nutshell

Weather : Western Australia experiences a Mediterranean climate, with hot and dry summers from December to February and generally temperate mild winter months with rain and wind from June to August. The shoulder seasons of spring (September to November) and autumn (March to May) offer pleasant weather and are ideal for outdoor activities.  Summer in Perth and further north is very hot and means that outdoor activities are hard to do during the day.

• Wildflower Season:   In my opinion, Wildlflower season is the best time to visit Western Australia;  and runs from August to November. During this period, the region’s national parks, such as Kings Park in Perth and Fitzgerald River National Park near Bremer Bay come alive with vibrant and diverse blossoms.  (Extended details below)
• Whale Watching: I f you wish to experiencethe annual migration of humpback whales, you should plan your trip between June and November. The south coast, including Albany and Augusta, are popular spots for whale watching during this time. 

There are two main whale-watching seasons. Around 35,000 whales leave Antarctica in April to raise their young in the warm waters of the north west of WA. They return from September to December, coming closer to the coastline. During March to May, male humpback whales make a stop in Flinders Bay, Augusta, for mating, while the females travel along the coast to Coral Bay and Exmouth in the Kimberley region.

Check out the best places to visit in Western Australia , as well as more about road trips from Perth , in these blog posts.

• Swimming with Whale Sharks:  More or less in the middle of Western Autralia, a visit to Ningaloo Reef is on many people’s bucket list, and luckily it is a special place to visit all year round, with the water temperatures consistently  quite warm.  Mid-March to August are the best months to visit Ningaloo and see the whale sharks . The hottest months are November to February which can be very humid and bring seasonal cyclones and destructive winds to the Northern part of the state.
• Beaches and Water Activities: If you’re eager to swim, snorkel, or engage in other water activities, the best time to visit is during the high season/ summer months (November through to March) though it gets very hot during the day and if you don’t protect yourself from the sun you will get very, very sunburned. Be warned! 
• If you want to visit the North of Western Australia:  This state is huge and the northwestern part of the state, including Broome , the Kimberley  (like Geikie Gorge) and Ningaloo Reef , features warm waters and beautiful beaches… but the December to February period coincides with the ‘wet season’ when its very hot and there is the possiblity of cyclones. The best time to visit Northern Western Australia is the Dry season (eg,  April through to September) when the outback is not too hot! 
• Events and Festivals : Western Australia hosts a number of sporting, cultural, and food festivals during the year. We got into much more detail below about these and more below! 

My favourite time in Western Australia? While I love the riot of color in the bush during Western Australian  Wildflower season , my very favourite time of year is April and May, Djeran in the Noongar Calendar, as the days become shorter and cooler, but are crisp and clear. The colors seem brighter, and a bush walk is a joy without the flies and heat of summer. 

Western Australia Travel Guide – Must Read Information

• Given that the tourist seasons and weather patterns vary in different regions of Western Australia (which is the largest state in Australia!), it is vital to check specific destination details before planning your trip so you can decide the best time for YOU and your family. 
• Once you reach the Tropic of Capricorn (between Carnarvon and Exmouth) and above, the seasons are different; you no longer have four seasons, you have two weather zones; the dry season (April – September) and the wet season (October – March).
• Also keep in mind that Western Australian School Holidays are much busier than other times of the year, with caravan parks full and the roads with a lot more traffic. Those from populated parts of the world might not notice this traffic too much; but for West Aussies,  the traffic during school holidays is a lot! 

Did you know?  Perth has an average of 8.8 hours of sunshine per day, which equates to around 3,200 hours of annual sunshine, and 138.7 clear days annually, making it the sunniest capital city in Australia, and one of the most pleasant cities in the world.

WA Public Holidays and their impact on the travel seasons

If you are looking for the solitude that Western Australia is famous for, keep an eye on the public holiday calendar and avoid travelling (or find a nice bush camp away from the madding crowd).

Boxing Day,  New Years Day and Australia Day (26th January) all fall during the Summer School holidays and are very busy.

The March long weekend, celebrating Labour Day, usually falls on the first weekend of March and is the end of summer for the Sandgropers (West Aussies). Everyone loves to take advantage of this weekend.

Easter and ANZAC Day (25th April) usually coincide or buffer another series of school holidays and are both popular times for a getaway. 

Western Australia Day, celebrated on the first weekend in June is typically the quietest long weekend of the year in WA and you will experience fewer tourists. The Kings Birthday, celebrated on the last weekend in September is the beginning of spring and also coincides with the September school holiday, and the Perth Royal Show. 

The Noongar Calendar & the climate of Western Australia

With over 35,000 years of living on the land we call Western Australia, it makes sense that the indigenous Noongar have created a calendar that perfectly and accurately describes the seasons that we experience. From the moment I first learned about the calendar, I’ve talked about it with my children, pointing out the different characteristics I see in the landscape and how they relate to the seasons.  

Noongar country extends from near Jurien Bay on Australia’s Coral Coast to beyond Cape Arid, near  Esperance , in Australia’s southwest. Check out our blog posts on the Great Ocean Drive Esperance , things to do in Esperance and top accommodations in Esperance for more details.

The Noongar calendar describes six seasons – Birak, Bunuru, Djeran, Makuru, Djilba, and Kambarang. Each season represents seasonal changes that occur annually, like the flowering of different plants, the hibernation of reptiles, and the moulting of swans. The dates are not exact, but guided by the land. 

Birak (December & January)

Birak gives a great sky show with spectacular sunrises and sunsets. The Christmas Tree ( Moodjar ) with bright orange/yellow flowers is now in full bloom. Reptiles are active and will be shedding their skin and young Magpies ( Koolbardi ) are learning new techniques but still reliant on their parents, and you hear their calls in the bush. 

Bunuru (February & March)

In the South West Bunuru is hot, with northerly winds and a shortage of fresh water. Marron, Gilgies, Gooya (burrowing frogs) and Buyi (tortoises) were collected from wetlands. 

Djeran (April & May)

Djeran season sees a break in the really hot weather, and is associated with the arrival of the cool nights that bring a dewy presence in the early mornings. It is represented by the color green, and is generally a very balmy time of year with plenty of warm sunny days.

As the season progresses, the nights will become cooler and damp.  With the cool and rainy days arriving, the traditional mia mias (houses or shelters) were repaired to make sure they were waterproofed and facing in the right direction in readiness for the heavy rains and squalls to come.

Makuru (June & July)

The coldest and wettest time of the year, and the start of the winter rainfall, Makuru was the time that Noongar people moved back inland and away from the coast. Winds turned to the west and south bringing rain and occasional snow on the peaks of the Stirling and Porongurup Ranges.

During this season, waterways and catchments begin to fill and Noongar people changed their diet from eating food from the sea and lakes to hunting grazing animals such as the kangaroo (Yongar). The Yongar not only provided a food source but also Bookas, which are animal skin cloaks used as nights became much colder. 

Makuru is also a time for animals to begin pairing up in preparation for breeding in the coming season. 

Djilba (August & September)

These days we refer to Djilba as the ‘Widflower Season’ and in the Noongar Calendar it is is represented by the colour pink as it symbolises growth of wildflowers and plants. Djilba is a transitional time of the year, with some very cold and clear days combining with warmer,rainy and windy days mixing with an occasional sunny day or two.

Kambarang (October & November)

Kambarang means ‘ rains decreasing ‘ and brings warmer days and more flowers as the wildflower season continues. It is also referrred to as the “Season of Birth” and coincides with the Western concept of spring when baby animals are born. 

Kaartdijin Noongar (Welcome to Noongar Knowledge) is an excellent resource on Noongar culture.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have occupied and cared for this land for over 65,000 years. We respectfully acknowledge the Traditional Custodians and First People of these lands. We would like to pay our respects to the Elders past, present, and future, for they hold the memories, the traditions, the culture, and hopes of their people. “Always was, always will be Aboriginal land”

Quick Questions Answered 

Do perth & western australia observe daylight savings  .

Perth and Western Australia do NOT have daylight savings. 

At what time of year does Perth experience the shortest amount of daylight?

Perth experiences its shortest daylight hours in June, with the sun rising around 7:15 am and setting at approximately 5:20 pm. In December, Perth experiences its longest daylight hours, with the sun rising at about 5 am and setting at around 7:30 pm.

Perth weather by seasons; a travel guide 

Perth’s weather varies throughout the year, and we prefer to follow the six season Noongar calendar as the most accurate explanaion of the changing seasons. That said, the European seasons also loosely apply to Perth weather.

Summer (Peak Season)

During the busiest season, which corresponds wtih summer and runs between November and March, you can expect sunshine and many hot days in Perth, with very little rain. Keep in mind that accommodation prices are at their highest during the high season between mid-December and late January, and many places have minium stay requirements like 5 or 7 nights. See our guide to the  Best Perth family hotels .

If you want to experience some of the World’s best Beaches then you will likely want to visit Perth in the summer months between November and March. While popular, we love Cottesloe and Scarborough beaches, though there are a number of secret gems out there too – check out Perth beaches and Western Australia’s Best Beaches . Definite avoid summer if you want to hike or don’t like the heat (January and February are the hottest months of the year). Although average temperatures are about 30°C, they can a maximum temperature of 40-44°C, often for several days in a row. 

Perth is famously cooled off by a sea breeze known as the “Fremantle Doctor” which brings welcome relief during the long hot days of summer. 

February is generally a month of scorching temperartures with an average maximum of 32°C during the day. But February is also a great time to travel to WA if you don’t mind the heat as Australian’s have generally all gone back to work after the festive season which ends after the January Long Weekend and school has started for the new year. This means that tourist attractions are quieter and you shouldn’t have the same crowds. 

Spring & Autumn (Shoulder Season)

The shoulder season, consisting of September, October, April, and May, is a good option if you want to spend time around Perth as there are always some beautiful days interdispersed with rain. Temperatures are milder, without being extreme; while September heralds the start of the wildflower season and a burst of color. Airfares and accommodation prices are generally cheaper during this time, except for the Easter and September school holidays. Personally, I find spring and autumn to be the ideal time to be in Perth.

Winter (Low Season)

In contrast, the low season falls between June and August. This is the quietest time in Perth, and you can take advantage of the most affordable accommodation prices. However, be prepared for the possibility of wet and windy weather, which may limit outdoor activities. Daytime temperatures range around 12°c – 16°c-18 degrees with overnight temperatures falling as low as freezing but usually a more temperate 8°c. While you will get days of rain in a row, you would be unlucky if you get more than 2-3 stormy days. 

There are still so many exciting things to do in Perth during winter. Read this blog post to learn more about it.

When is the best time to visit Rottnest Island (Wadjemup)

Rottnest Island is great to visit year round. While summer (December – March) is the most popular time to explore the beautiful beaches, you can still enjoy warmer weather for water-based activities between September and April (if you are lucky) and you will find many people still go swimming in the shoulder seasons. 

While Rottnest’s climate is similar to the weather in Perth, it benefits from the sea breezes, so the temperatures always stay a few degrees below the city. 

Quokkas are nocturnal and will spend most of the day sleeping and resting under shady bushes. Early mornings and late afternoons are the best times to see quokkas out and about.

Yes, it is possible to take a day trip to Rottnest Island –  but I would personally avoid the public holidays like as well as weekends. During November the island is filled with schoolies,  which you man want to avoid. 

Best Time to Visit Perth for….

• Wilflowers – visit Perth in in September or October. The season begins in the northern part of WA in June and extends south, reaching Perth in September and the South West later on, with the October the best time to visit for Wilflowers. 
• For weddings and honeymoons – the best time to visit Perth is from November to March when there is minimal rainfall.
• Families – should plan their visit to Perth between November to mid-December, February, and March. It’s best to avoid the Australian school holidays when accommodations are full and prices are high.
• For hiking – The best time for hiking in Perth is during the shoulder seasons of spring and autumn. Waterfalls are most spectacular in September when wildflowers are in bloom. I prefer hiking in the autumn months to avoid the nuisance of flies that are common in spring. Check out our blog post on best waterfalls to visit in Western Australia!

Western Australia Festival Calendar

Explore Western Australia’s vibrant festival scene with our guide to the best times to visit. While some events may shift dates or be rescheduled, it’s always a good idea to double-check individual links before setting your itinerary in stone. Dive into the excitement and plan your adventure with confidence, using the invaluable resource, Events to Attend in Western Australia .

January 

The Festival of Busselton is synonymous with summertime, with events and activities staged across the city throughout January each year, with the festival celebrating its 60th birthday in 2024.Keep an eye out on  the Festival of Busselton’s website  for more details of this year programme.

Looking for more information about Busselton? Then discover the top things to do in Busselton for families  and best things to do in Busselton .

February & March

Taking place during the third weekend of February, the Boyup Brook Country Music Festival is a highly popular music and camping event in Western Australia, held annually. Situated in the South West region around 270 kilometers from Perth, Boyup Brook is known as the Country Music Capital of WA. People who love country music from all over the state and beyond travel to Boyup Brook to enjoy eventful days and starry nights. The town experiences a significant increase in population during the festival, as thousands of caravans, campers, utes and trucks make use of the various community-run camping grounds, all competing for the best spot to enjoy a few days of wholesome country entertainment.

 February & Early March

The Perth Festival  is when the best artists from Western Australia and the world stand shoulder to shoulder in creative unity within the community. Perth Festival is a not-for-profit multi-arts festival that brings world class performance, music, film, visual arts and literary events to Perth, Western Australia, every summer.

The Festival has been celebrating Perth, its people and its culture on the shores of the Derbarl Yerrigan (Swan River) for 70 years as Australia’s longest-running arts festival. Grounded on Noongar Boodjar, it is uniquely placed to celebrate the oldest living cultures in the world by championing rich Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander traditions and contemporary arts practice. The annual Perth Festival brings together top artists from Western Australia and around the world to showcase their creativity and talent within the local community. This non-profit event features a diverse range of performances, music, film, visual arts, and literary gatherings, making it a highlight of the summer in Perth, Western Australia. 

The Karijini Experience

The  Karijini Experience is a four-day event that celebrates culture, art, cuisine, and music in the stunning Karijini National Park. It features a range of genuine Aboriginal experiences and top-notch arts and cultural activities, with the aim of creating connections between individuals and the traditional land of the Banjima people, as well as the magnificent scenery of the national park. 

Experience a variety of events here, ranging from exclusive fine dining under the stars to live music and free community and family-friendly gatherings.

Shore Leave Festival, Geraldton

Shore Leave is the ultimate seafood festival. Taking place in Geraldton Western Australia Shore Leave  celebrates all things seafood, culture, food, and adventure that make the Midwest region unique. The name Shore Leave is a nod to the rich maritime history and the connotations of holiday, leisure, and adventure synonymous with the region. The festival hosts one of the most unique dining experiences in Western Australia with the Abrolhos Long Table Lunch.

Fremantle Street Arts Festival

Fremantle International Street Arts Festival is a great way to celebrate the long Easter weekend! It started as a celebration of Fremantle’s local busking culture in 1999 and has grown into a showcase of the world’s best street theatre.

Each year the streets of Fremantle are transformed into an open-air theatre of the amazing, weird and wacky, while Fremantle’s famous alfresco dining steps up a notch, with pop-up bars and eateries extending into the streets.

Entertainment centres around several major ‘pitches’ or performance locations and roving performers pop up in surprising and interesting places all across the City.

Explore Fremantle further by diving into these blog posts: Is Fremantle Worth Visiting ? and Things to Do in Fremantle.

Margaret River Pro

Margaret River’s wild coastline is renowned for its 75+ top surfing spots, making it a premier location for consistently large waves. Since 2014, the Margaret River Pro has been a fixture on the World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour, attracting the best male and female surfers to tackle some of the most challenging and intense waves in the world. Margaret River Pro is usually held in April-May.

Surfers Point is the prime location to witness the majority of the competition at Main Break, South Side, and The Box. The event hub will have large screens displaying replays, expert analysis, food trucks, and merchandise booths. It’s a great opportunity for young aspiring surfers to meet and interact with their surfing idols. 

Margaret River Readers & Writers Festival This event of established and emerging storytellers is unmissable for bibliophiles & lovers of the arts, culture & Margaret River. With past guests including the likes of Germaine Greer, Michael Palin, Dr Karl Kruszelnicki, Kerry O’Brien & Geraldine Brooks, it is a weekend of author talks, Q&A sessions, panel discussions, book signings, feature events, workshops as well as free events & entertainment for the whole family. Margaret River Readers & Writers Festival is created and presented by Arts Margaret River.

Are you looking for more tips and recommendations for Margaret River? Then read our blog posts on Margaret River Glamping , Best Margaret River Breweries and Best Things to Do in Margaret River in Winter .

Taste Great Southern

Great Southern TASTE is a festival that celebrates the culinary delights of the Great Southern region, including fresh local food, boutique wines, and delicious flavors. Stretching from the rugged coastline to the mountains and forests, this festival showcases the unique and vibrant food and drink scene of the area.

Highlighting the distinctive wines and craft breweries of the Great Southern, this event offers a variety of wine varietals such as Shiraz, Pinot Noir, and Riesling, along with local craft beers. Guests can also indulge in a range of fresh and local produce, from seafood and oysters to chicken, beef, lamb, heirloom vegetables, and cheeses. Featuring a range of events such as regional food and wine festivals, long lunches, unique dinners, pairing events, and community markets, Great Southern TASTE offers something for everyone. Attendees can enjoy festival favorites like the Great Southern Cellar Door, Catch of the South, Women of the Region Luncheon, and the Great Southern Wine Journey, among others.

Looking for tips on visitin Albany? Then read our guides on Things to do in Albany , Best Family Accommodations in Albany , and Perth to Albany road trip .

August 

10 Nights in Port

Wanjoo/Welcome to 10 Nights in Port , Walyalup’s warming winter festival which sets the town aglow every year with music, sensory splendour, fire, ceremony and art.

We live and love in a special place. We don’t own it, it owns us.

Our festival reflects the fierce creative power of our town and in turn our collective ownership and the strength of our community.

At the creative heart of this festival is a deep consideration of ways to lighten and brighten each other’s lives, to showcase unique local stories and focus on pathways forward.

Nannup Flower and Garden Festival

The Nannup Flower and Garden Festival is held every year in August, in the townsite of Nannup. It is coordinated by the Nannup Garden Village and showcases open gardens, the hero flower tulips, bulbs, Town Hall display and associated cultural, artistic and environmental events.

Balingup Medieval festival 

Travel back in time when visiting the Balingup Medieval Festiva l! This captivating event draws in visitors from all over, offering fun for the whole family. Whether you’re young or old, there’s plenty to enjoy.

The highlight of the festival is the amazing Burning of the Dragon ceremony on Saturday night, where drummers set the rhythm for a fantastic show. Throughout the festival, you will find performers entertaining with live music, dancing, and exciting battles. Be sure not to miss the daily grand parade, filled with colorful costumes and cheerful participants.

Besides, there are plenty of delicious food from market stalls – sip on tasty local wines, ciders, and mead, and try out fun activities like camel rides and archery tag. You can even get close to raptors and cuddle friendly snakes! With so much to see and do, the Balingup Medieval Festival is an unforgettable experience for everyone.

The Kings Park Festival honors the incredible plant diversity of Western Australia, highlighting its beauty and the urgent call for preservation. The majority of festivities occur in the Western Australian Botanic Garden, which is renowned as one of the most popular and respected botanical gardens globally. This garden specifically focuses on native plant species as a tribute to the diverse, delicate, and exceptionally beautiful flora found in Western Australia. The South West region of WA, which includes Perth, is identified as one of Australia’s two officially recognized biodiversity hotspots. 

Read more information about things to do in Kings Park in our guides  Kings Park playgrounds and Kings Park Perth travel guide .

Late September

The Perth Royal Show is a yearly agricultural exhibition that takes place at the Claremont Showground in Perth, Western Australia. It includes educational displays, agricultural contests, and animal exhibitions, as well as a carnival area with rides and showbags. With more than 400 performers, 300 shows, and countless hours of fun, the Perth Royal Show is a cherished cultural and community gathering.

The Southern Art and Craft Trail 

The Southern Art + Craft Trail includes the towns of Albany, Torbay, Kronkup, Little Grove, Denmark, Walpole, Mount Barker, Lake Grace, Kojonup, Dumbleyung, Manjimup and Gnowangerup.

74 different venues, including cafes, wineries, galleries, local businesses, community halls, libraries, art centres, studios and pop-up spaces will exhibit artworks. The variety of venues and range of professional Artists will show huge diversity. From textiles, painting, sculpture and jewellery, to printmaking, photography, pottery and woodcraft are on display.

Do you want to know more about these towns? Then read everything about them in our guides here: Hike to Granite Skywalk Castel Rock WA , Best accommodations in Walpole , Places to Eat in Denmark , and Stops on a Walpole to Albany trip .

The Verdict – The Best time to visit Perth & Travel to Western Australia

We hope we have given you ample information about when is the best time to visit WA, and especially when to visit Perth, the capital. We have also covered a range of other places including Albany,  Geraldton and Bunbury & the South West) and the types of climate that you expect in these vastly different areas. 

Explore more here:

• Accommodation in Bunbury, Western Australia

Related posts

Denmark WA Restaurants + The 22 Best Places to Eat

26 TOP Things to Do in Esperance + Travel Guide

16 of the Best Waterfalls in Western Australia to Visit on Your Next Trip

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Perth, Western Australia

Guide to Perth

Aboriginal name:  Boorloo (pronounced Boor-loo)

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• Getting to Perth
• When to visit
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Embrace the best of both worlds in Perth, where soft-sand beaches and scenic parks meet a thriving metropolis of small bars, creative restaurants and curated street art.

Australia's urban oasis of Perth is nestled within the vast nature of Western Australia – and that's why the locals love it! Here, not only can you relax on the serene white-sand beaches, but you can immerse yourself in the bustling art galleries, historic neighbourhoods and epic events. Just outside of Perth, you can find idyllic local wineries and unique wildlife.

Perth/Boorloo stands on the ancient country of the Whadjuk Noongar people, one of the 14 clans of the Noongar nation, who have been the Traditional Owners of the south west of Western Australia for at least 45,000 years. Experience Aboriginal culture with the many First Nations tours operating in Perth all year round.

• Traditional name: Boorloo (pronounced Boor-loo) 
• Indigenous Peoples: Whadjuk Noongar people
• Traditional lands: Whadjuk Noongar Nation
• Traditional languages: Noongar language
• How to say g’day in Noongar: Kaya

Perth Airport is easy to access both from international and domestic transit hubs. If you are flying from Brisbane, Sydney or Melbourne, you can get a direct flight into Perth with an average flight time of five hours. 

• Perth Airport (PER) is 12km (7.5mi) from the city and services domestic and international arrivals
• Hire cars, taxis and rideshare services as well as shuttle buses are available to book prior to your arrival, or on the day 

Cycling is the most popular mode of transport for residents, but the city also offers an efficient and affordable public transport system. Read more about getting around Perth .

The weather in Perth is very consistent all year round. Enjoy a hot, dry summer between December and February, and a mild winter between June and August. 

From September to November, not only is the weather dry and warm, but it is also the perfect time to spot whales migrating along the coast as the females with newborn calves are on their way back from the nursery grounds.

• High season: Dryer seasons (September to January)
• Low season: Wetter seasons (March to May)
• Don’t miss: Whale watching in spring (September to November)

Perth welcomes visitors of all abilities and offers a range of accessible facilities and experiences.

• Arrival: Travellers with disabilities, including hidden disabilities , can receive special assistance with baggage and travel throughout Perth Airport.
• Getting around: The Transperth website helps you navigate Perth’s many accessible buses, trains and ferries.
• Accessible experience highlights: Travellers with limited mobility can join Go Cultural Tours to explore Aboriginal art and history. If you’re an outdoor enthusiast, head out for a day of fishing with Fishability .
• Helpful resources: Travellers who are blind or have low-vision can access audio guides to Perth and surrounds via the Vacayit app .

Top things to do in Perth

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Wineries in Swan Valley

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Cottesloe Beach

The Coral Coast

Albany & Denmark

Trips and Itineraries

3 days in Perth

10 days along the Coral Coast

10-day trip of colourful attractions

14 incredible days on Christmas and Cocos (Keeling) Islands

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Top tips for travelling Western Australia

Updated On 2nd August, 2024

After years of hanging out on the East Coast Of Australia and never quite making it over to the West Coast (to be fair it isn’t exactly close), I promised myself upon my next return, I was going West to explore the landscapes people go so crazy for.

I’d heard ‘west is best’ more times than I could possibly count and so I finally booked my trip to see what the fuss was about. 

Now here I am, I’ve just got back from that exact trip, an incredible 2-week road trip around Western Australia and I get it. Wow. This coast of Australia is SO incredibly different to the east coast, like incomparable. It’s a whole different adventure, like a whole other country.

If you love road trips and want to be blown away by wildlife and surreal landscapes with very few people occupying them… get Western Australia on your bucket list.

See our best things to do in Western Australia here.

If you’ve been around here a while, you’ll know that I am no stranger to Australia, having travelled here 7 times now whilst creating an abundance of Australia travel guides , Australia youtube videos and Australian content for this travel blog.

Today I am excited to finally share inspiration for those of you considering the western coast of Australia, also commonly referred to as WA.

In this blog post, I am going to share with you my top tips for travelling to Western Australia, including all the things I wish I knew beforehand, all the things I figured out along the way and all the advice I have for travelling to Western Australia.

If you’re planning a Western Australia adventure this Western Australia travel guide is for you. If you’re looking for top tips and want to be as prepared as possible, get your notepad at ready and keep reading…

Other travel guides you might find useful…

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

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Get lifetime access to my endless hours of research and time spent on the ground finding the best places to eat, drink, relax and explore in the area. You simply open the Google Map on your device and all my pins are at the touch of your fingertips.

Why Western Australia is an epic road trip location?

The dream for a road trip is an open road, vast landscapes, stunning beaches and places to hike, swim and live that off-grid life in the wild. Western Australia is literally all of those things in abundance. Once you get outside of Perth and the main city anyway.

You can see all our top tips and clips from our adventure in the 12 minute Western Australia Youtube video below…

1. Take a look at the weather ahead of time and consider the season you’re travelling in

Peak season is actually Winter in WA. But don’t let ‘winter’ put you off, it is not cold!

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

If you’re travelling through these hotter months, be careful if you considering doing your road trip with a roof top tent. You’ll need to really think about heat in these extreme temperatures. For example whilst we were in Karijini National Park it reached 43degrees.

Basically, pay attention to weather forecasts and dress, drink and act accordingly – Australia’s heat is no joke. 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 onto the beach to get the sea breeze. 

2. Think about arrival times for the free camp spots

If you travel in off peak / shoulder season like we did, yes it can be hotter but it’s also less crowded. This works for your advantage when going for the awesome free camp spots dotted up and down the coast. Why? Many of them aren’t bookable, it’s a rock up and first come, first served basis.

We never really thought about it and always showed up (sometimes very late at night) to many spaces available.

I can imagine this is not the case during the peak months and so it may be a case of planning your days so that you arrive to your destination / camp spot in the afternoon.

That is, if you want to make the most of some of these epic, free, wild camp spots!

explore ONCE IN A LIFETIME ADVENTURES ON THE blog here

3. Book your non-negotiable trips during peak season

Again, if theres an activity, dive or trip that is an absolute must for you. Book it up in advance during the peak season to ensure that you get on it!

Another advantage to shoulder season is that you can be a little more spontaneous with your itinerary as the trips don’t tend to get fully booked in advance. We book 1/2 day in advance for popular trips like Jurien Bay and the Ningaloo reef and we were absolutely fine. We could have probably got in on the day!

4. Book your campervan ahead of time to secure your dates, particularly during peak season

The same thing applies to campervans and more so with campervans. Road tripping in Western Australia and in Australia, in general, is a very very popular way to travel. When you leave bookings until nearer the time you risk there not being availability but also higher prices. It’s highly advised to book in advance and pay a deposit if you know your dates!

When it comes to campervan hire locations, Perth is the best option and most popular.

• A Guide To Planning Your Western Australia Road Trip
• A 9-day West Coast Australia road trip itinerary: Exmouth to Perth

A Perth pick up and drop off is logistically the best as the only other location for pick up in WA is in Broome. The companies that operate in Broome are few and far between so, therefore, charge a HUGE premium. Hiring a campervan in Perth, looping back to Perth, is the BEST option for your Western Australia road trip.

P.s. RatPack Travel has you covered when it comes to getting the best deal on your campervan rental from Perth. They have contracts with EVERY reputable company and will get you the best prices available to choose from.

Simply submit your dates here and they will do the hard work for you.

explore ACTIVE TRAVEL ON THE blog here

5. You can’t always park up anywhere

On the whole, free camping and finding places to park real cheap are easy in WA. There is so much land!

However, take notice of ‘no camping’ signs, we missed a couple and had rangers knocking on our door to move on two occasions. 

Generally, there are limitations in National Parks like Kalbarri and around Coral Bay. You are likely to get fined and it will also disrupt your sleep which, if you are doing long drives, you won’t want!

Research camping restrictions ahead of time to avoid unnecessary fines and early morning wake-ups from the rangers! 

This is definitely one of my top tips for travelling Western Australia.

6. Take road trip snacks, download podcasts, playlists and prepare for some epic drives!

The extent to which you will need to prepare for long drives depends on the route you are planning to take and how much ground you are looking to cover in Western Australia.

If you’re approaching it like us, as a once-in-a-lifetime trip and wanting to see as much of this incredible coast as possible then you may be stacking up the miles on your Western Australia road trip.

One of my top tips for travelling Western Australia is to prepare snacks, music and podcasts for those long drive! They can get very long!

7. Fill up whenever you see petrol stations, particularly if driving through the outback

Leading on from the last point and particularly if you’re heading inland and away from the coast at all on your Western Australia road trip, one of my top tips would be to fill up whenever you see a petrol station.

We would be driving for hours and hours and sometimes without seeing anywhere to fill up. One place you would not want to get stuck and break down is in the outback of Australia!

Take water snacks and fill up your tank to avoid dangerous situations.

8. Take lots of water on your hikes and always your swimmers!

The same applies to fuelling yourself correctly as it does to fuelling your vehicle correctly for a Western Australia road trip.

One of my top tips for travelling to Western Australia is to drink more water than you think. Take more water than you think when hiking/doing activities and always take your swimmers to cool off in the water!

Preparing for the heat is essential in WA.

9. Be careful driving at night or avoid driving in the dark at all

Yes, it can be cooler to drive at dusk / dawn / at night in Western Australia, however when driving at night you have to be very careful about wildlife as this is when they too prefer to come out in the cooler temperatures.

If choosing to drive at night, it is highly recommended to drive slower in case of any wildlife on the road. This could add additional driving time to your trip when taking the slower driving speeds into account.

10. Chat to the locals and head to the Visitor Centre for information on whats available in the area

When you arrive at a new destination on your road trip, another top tip for travelling to Western Australia is to talk to the locals and pop into the Visitor centre when you arrive. This will allow you to gain local knowledge and can open up windows for epic opportunities.

We did this when we arrived at Shark Bay reserve and it was why we booked a local Aboriginal evening and a 4X4 private tour of the Francois Peron National Park. These ended up as two of our biggest highlights!

11. Download the Australia Google Map legend below to have all the best spots to hand on your phone!

12. leave more time than you think for your road trip so that you have time to slow down and enjoy the epic scenery.

If you’ve watched our Youtube video for Western Australia (scroll back if you missed it!) you’ll know that the only thing we would change about your WA road trip would be, to extend it a few more days.

We covered so much ground and saw so many amazing spots but we were kinda non-stop. It would have been lovely to have a few more down days to soak up the very stunning beaches, camp spots and landscapes we came across.

Truly one of the most surreal destinations I’ve ever had the pleasure of exploring!

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. 

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.  Feel free to click the  link here  and leave your travel details. 

Do you have any other tips for someone travelling Western Australia?

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

Love as always and happy adventuring…

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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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Western Australia Expert

Kaya, welcome to Western Australia Expert – a travel site written by a Perth local for visitors to WA and residents looking for information and reviews on all things Western Australian.

WA Travel Resources & Planning

Don’t try and plan your Western Australia vacation by yourself. We’ve got together all the resources we use that saves us money and makes our trip planning easier.

Find guides on the best time to visit WA, school holidays, getting around WA, Perth Airport guide, itineraries, and road trips .

This should be where you start your reseach and planning!

Let’s explore the diverse and breathtaking regions that Western Australia has to offer.

From the rugged landscapes of the Kimberley and the pristine beaches of the Coral Coast to the city of Perth and the stunning forests of the South West.

This is where you can research what to do in each region, where to stay, the best restaurants & bars, hikes & trails, shopping, and the best tours.

WA Travel Guide

This Western Australia Travel Guide is designed to provide you with essential information on travelling to and within WA.

WA Inspiration

Stuck for ideas on where to explore in Western Australia?

Here you will find road trip itineraries, getaways, day trips , and more inspiration to explore Western Australia.

WA Accommodation

Knowing where to stay is one of the hardest parts of planning a trip. Luckily we are here to help.

For tips on where to stay, what type of accommodation is available, what price range you’re looking at plus recommendations are all taken care of in our Western Australia accommodation guide.

WA Road Trips

One of the best experiences in Western Australia is hopping a vehicle and heading on a road trip.

We’ve covered most of WA by road and want to share our road trip itineraries with you so you can experience it too.

Who is Western Australia Expert?

I’m Wendy, a wife and mother to twin daughters who lives in Perth, Western Australia , and enjoys travelling within our state, Australia, and internationally.

My site is dedicated to helping you plan your trip to Western Australia and provide locals with inspiration on things to do and staycations. I cover where to visit, how to get there, where to stay, and what to do plus inspiration for road trips, getaways, and day trips.

I work directly with numerous Western Australian tour operators, promoting their tours and supporting small business owners.

Read more about me and how to work with me .

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Join my Facebook Group for more inspiration and get answers to any questions you may have and follow me on the channels below.

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

This post may contain affiliate links. Read our disclosure page for full details.

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

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

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

Table of Contents

Things to Know:

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

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

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

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

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

Best Time for Western Australia Travel

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

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

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

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

Your Ultimate 3 Week Australia Itinerary

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

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

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

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

Day 1 Perth to Geraldton

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

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

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

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

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

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

Day 2 Geraldton to Kalbarri

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

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

Day 3 Kalbarri

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

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

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

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

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

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

Day 4 Kalbarri to Shark Bay

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

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

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

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

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

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

Day 5 Shark Bay

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

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

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

Day 6 Shark Bay to Carnarvon

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

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

Day 7 Carnarvon to Exmouth

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

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

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

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

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

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

Day 8 Exmouth

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

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

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

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

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

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

Day 9 Exmouth

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

This is such a tremendous part of Australia.

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

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

Day 10 Exmouth to Stopping Point

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

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

Day 11 Stopping Point to Karijini

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

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

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

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

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

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

Day 12 Karijini

More Karijini excitement!

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

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

Day 13 Karijini

More Karijini!

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

Day 14, 15, 16 Karijini to Broome

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

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

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

Day 17 Broome

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

March 21, 22, 23

April 20, 21, 22

May 19, 20, 21

June 18, 19, 20

July 17, 18, 19

August 16, 17, 18

September 15, 16, 17

October 14, 15, 16

Day 18 Broome

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

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

Day 19 Broome to Perth or next destination

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

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

Western Australia Road Trip Map

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

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Western Australia covers a third of the Australian continent, yet it has a population of just 2.3 million. Conscious of its isolation from the more populous eastern states – or indeed anywhere else – WA has a strong sense of its own identity and a population who are very proud to call this state their home. And well they should be. The state offers an enticing mix of Outback grandeur and laidback living, and is attracting increasing numbers of tourists keen to break away from “the East”, as the rest of Australia is known in these parts.

Where to go in Western Australia

Around perth, the swan valley, the batavia coast, the central midlands – inland to the pilbara, karijini national park, the coral coast, driving highway 1 from perth to broome, the eastern goldfields, esperance and around, the eyre highway to south australia, national park entry fees, the southern coast, stirling range national park, the southwest, margaret river, tall timber country, travel ideas for australia, created by local experts.

Explore Western Australia from Perth to Broome

Western Australia is the country's largest state, covering more than a third of Australia. This self drive itinerary allows you to explore sunny Perth, stunning national parks and waterfalls, the remote wild west outback, empty beaches and much more.

Explore South Australia and the Northern Territory

Explore South Australia and the Northern Territory on this self-drive adventure. Start in Adelaide and make your way over the Ayers Rock, Kings Canyon, and Alice Springs to the Kakadu National Park and ultimately Darwin.

Cross Western Australia to Darwin

Western Australia offers wonderfully remote outback experiences: from spectacular national parks to sandy deserts, pristine beaches to working cattle stations. This itinerary allows you to explore the way from Perth to Darwin in depth and at your own pace, in your own rental car.

Classic Australia - Sydney, Melbourne and Gold Coast

Explore the best of Australia's cities and nature! From Sydney and Melbourne's urban charm to the scenic wonders of the Great Ocean Road, Cairns' reef adventures, to the lush rainforests of Kuranda. End with nature's embrace at Burleigh Head and Lamington National Parks on the Gold Coast.

The Best of Australia

Discover Australia's allure through this tour! You'll witness Sydney's iconic landmarks and explore the beauty of the Blue Mountains. Dive into Cairns' reef and rainforest wonders before marveling at the breathtaking beauty of the Great Ocean Road in Melbourne.

Perth , the state’s capital and where most of its population is based, retains the leisure-oriented vitality of a young city, while the atmospheric port of Fremantle , really just a suburb of the city, resonates with a youthful and somewhat boisterous charm. South of Perth, the wooded hills and trickling streams of the Southwest support the state’s most celebrated wine-growing region Margaret River , while the giant eucalyptus forests around Pemberton provide numerous opportunities for hiking and generally getting to grips with nature.

East of the forests is the state’s intensively farmed wheat belt, an interminable man-made prairie struggling against the saline soils it has created. Along the Southern Ocean’s stunning storm-washed coastline, Albany is the primary settlement; the dramatic granite peaks of the Stirling Ranges just visible from its hilltops are among the most botanically diverse habitats on the planet. Further east, past the beautifully sited coastal town of Esperance on the edge of the Great Australian Bight, is the Nullarbor Plain , while inland are the Eastern Goldfields around Kalgoorlie , the largest inland town in this region and a hardy survivor of the century-old mineral boom on which WA’s prosperity is still firmly based.

While the temperate southwest of WA has been tamed by an increasing urbanization, the north of the state is where you’ll discover the raw appeal of the Outback. The virtually unpopulated inland deserts are blanketed with spinifex and support remote Aboriginal and mining communities, while the west coast’s winds abate once you venture into the tropics north of Shark Bay , home of the friendly dolphins at Monkey Mia . From here, the mineral-rich Pilbara region fills the state’s northwest shoulder, with the dramatic gorges of the Karijini National Park at its core. An unmissable attraction on the state’s central coast – aka the Coral Coast – is the unspoiled and easily accessible Ningaloo Reef , the world’s largest fringing reef; those in the know rate it more highly than Queensland’s attention-grabbing Great Barrier Reef.

Northeast of the Pilbara, the Kimberley is regarded as Australia’s last frontier. Broome , once the world’s pearling capital, is a beacon of civilization in this hard-won cattle country, while adventurous travellers fall in love with the stirring, dusty scenery around Cape Leveque and the Gibb River Road . The region’s convoluted, barely accessible coasts are washed by huge tides and occupied only by secluded pearling operations, a handful of Aboriginal communities, a couple of luxury retreats, and crocodiles. On the way to the Northern Territory border is Purnululu National Park , home to the surreal Bungle Bungle massif – one of Australia’s greatest natural wonders.

Climate of Western Australia

WA’s climate is a seasonal mix of temperate, arid and tropical. Winters are cool in the south and wet in the southwest corner, while at this time of year the far north basks in daily temperatures of around 30°C, with no rain and tolerable humidity: this is the tropical dry season. Come the summer , the wet season or “Wet” (Dec–April) renders the Kimberley lush but inaccessible, while the rest of the state, particularly inland areas, crackles in the heat, with temperatures frequently climbing above 40°C. The southern coast is the only retreat for the heat-struck; the southwest coast is cooled by dependable afternoon sea breezes, known in Perth as the “Fremantle Doctor”.

Brief history of Western Australia

Aborigines had lived in WA for at least forty thousand years by the time the seventeenth-century traders of the Dutch East India Company began wrecking themselves on the west coast mid-journey to the Dutch East Indies (modern-day Indonesia), where they sought valuable spices. While some dispute remains about the first foreigner to see Australia, with French, Portuguese and Chinese explorers all laying a claim, it can safely be said that Dutch mariner Dirk Hartog was the first European to set foot on Western Australian soil, leaving an inscribed pewter plate on the island off Shark Bay that now bears his name, in 1616. For the next two hundred years, however, WA’s barren lands remained – commercially at least – uninspiring to European colonists.

France’s interest in Australia’s southwest corner at the beginning of the nineteenth century led the British to hastily claim the unknown western part of the continent in 1826, establishing Fredrickstown (Albany) on the south coast; the Swan River Colony , today’s Perth, followed three years later. The new colony initially rejected convict labour and as a result struggled desperately in its early years, but it had the familiar effect on an Aboriginal population that was at best misunderstood and at worst annihilated.

Economic problems continued for the settlers until stalwart explorers in the mid-nineteenth century opened up the country’s interior, leading to the gold rushes of the 1890s that propelled the colony into autonomous statehood by the time of Australian federation in 1901. This autonomy , and growing antipathy towards the eastern states, led to a move to secede in the depressed 1930s, when WA felt the rest of the country was dragging it down – an attitude that persists today. However, following World War II the whole of white Australia – and especially WA – began to thrive, making money first from wool and later from huge iron ore and offshore gas discoveries that continue to form the basis of the state’s wealth. Meanwhile, most of WA’s seventy thousand Aborigines continue to live in desperately poor and remote communities, as if in another country.

For excursions beyond central Perth, the port of Fremantle , at the mouth of the Swan River, should not be overlooked, nor should a trip over to Rottnest Island , a ninety-minute ferry ride from the city. It is also well worth the short trip out to Hillary’s Boat Harbour to visit the aquarium. Perth’s beaches form a near-unbroken line north of Fremantle, just a short train or bus ride from the centre, with Cottesloe and Scarborough the top picks. With your own vehicle you can escape to the Upper Swan Valley wineries and the national parks inland, which run parallel to the coast and atop the Darling Ranges , where patchily forested hills, just half an hour’s drive east of the city, offer a network of scenic drives and marked walking trails among the jarrah woodlands. Further afield, the monastic community of New Norcia can make a satisfying day-trip.

Although long since merged into the metropolitan area’s suburban sprawl, Perth’s port of FREMANTLE – “Freo” – retains a character altogether different to the centre of Perth. It’s small enough to keep its energy focused, with a real working harbour and busy yacht marina, and has an eclectic, arty ambience without too many upmarket pretensions. The town attracts people for its famed weekend markets (worth planning your visit around) and café-lined “Cappuccino Strip” or South Terrace where funky boutiques are also found. It’s worth noting that in the heat of summer Fremantle is often a breezy 5°C cooler than Perth, a mere half an hour away by train.

Exploring Fremantle on foot, with plenty of streetside café breaks, is the most agreeable way of visiting the town’s compactly grouped sights. If you want to tick off all of them, start your appraisal on the east side before moving down to the ocean to end up at the Fishing Boat Harbour, ready for a sunset seafood dinner.

Dating back to the earliest years of the colony, Guildford , a twenty-minute drive up the Swan River from Perth, is a historic town with several Federation-era grand hotels, a number of historic buildings, antique shops and cafés. The town serves as a gateway for the SWAN VALLEY – WA’s oldest wine-growing region.

The Swan Valley makes for a pleasant day’s wine tasting and, being within such easy reach of Perth CBD, is an attractive rival to the more famous Margaret River region several hours’ drive to the south. Two main roads run through the valley from Guildford – West Swan Road and the Great Northern Highway. These run either side of the Swan River and pretty much mark the extent of the fertile land – everything between river and road is ripe for grape-growing and this strip is where you will find all the major wineries.

Swan Valley wineries

8600 West Swan Rd, Henley Brook 08 9296 6090, blackswanwines.com.au . One of the newer wineries on the Swan, this beautiful vineyard produced its first vintage in 2001. The Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc are particularly well regarded and the food served in the on-site restaurant is well worth stopping by for. Lamb shank is $38. Restaurant open for lunch daily from 11.30am and for dinner Wed–Sat from 5.30pm. Tasting $3, or free with lunch. Tastings daily 11am–3pm.

Dale Rd, Middle Swan 08 9274 9540, houghton-wines.com.au. This was one of the first vineyards on the Swan and it shows in the quality of the wines. Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay and Verdelho are grown here, with Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec brought up from Margaret River to make some cracking reds too. There’s a small museum, art gallery and café on-site. Tastings $3. Daily 10am–5pm.

3210 West Swan Rd, Caversham 08 9374 9374, sandalford.com . Along with Houghton’s, this is the valley’s biggest name, with a range of wines that run the gamut from classy whites to rich reds. You can also do a winery tour for $22 (11am and 3pm daily). Tastings from $2.50. Mon–Fri 9.30am–5pm, Sat & Sun 9.30am–6pm.

Barratt St, Herne Hill 08 9296 2600, sittella.com.au . Don’t know much about wine? Make Sittella’s your first port of call for a tasting with Shannon – one of the most knowledgeable cellar-door managers you are likely to ever meet. Enjoy a free tasting (don’t miss the sparkling wines) and stay for lunch in the classy restaurant, where the full range of wines are served to wash down the steak and seafood. Free tastings. Tues–Sun 11am–4pm.

The Batavia Coast’s moniker comes from the Dutch East India Company’s ship the Batavia , which was wrecked off the Houtman Abrolhos islands, 80km west of Geraldton, in 1629 – just one of many ships wrecked in this area. Travelling north up this coastline from Perth, the first obligatory stop is Nambung National Park where the weird and wonderful Pinnacles are one of WA’s must-sees. Avoid the dreary Brand Highway in favour of the more scenic Indian Ocean Drive to reach the Pinnacles in around two and a half hours, making a (long) day-trip from Perth a possibility. Alternatively, stop over in the windswept crayfishing town of Cervantes .

Geraldton is the Batavia Coast’s administrative centre and a decent place to stock up for the onward journey, while further north the attractive seaside resort of Kalbarri is an enticing place to spend a day or two. Historic Greenough also makes a worthwhile stopover.

Ships and shipwrecks

This stretch of coast is awash with maritime history. The seventeenth and eighteenth centuries were notable for the wrecking of numerous Dutch East India Company ships, including the Batavia in 1629, and the Zuytdorp in 1710. The Batavia ’s story is especially compelling: the ship set sail from Amsterdam in 1628 for the Dutch East Indies, laden with silver and other goodies to trade for precious spices on arrival. During the journey, merchants Adriaene Jacobsz and Jeronimus Cornelisz hatched a plan to hijack the ship and effect a mutiny, allowing them to steal the booty on board and start a new life somewhere. After Jacobsz deliberately steered the ship off course, the Batavia struck a reef close to the Houtman Abrolhos islands. Most passengers managed to get ashore, but on finding no fresh water Captain François Pelsaert, Jacobsz and other crew members set off to find help, eventually arriving at Batavia (modern-day Jakarta) 33 days later. Pelsaert was given a new ship with which to rescue those left on the island, but on his return found that Cornelisz had unleashed a bloody mutiny , killing 125 survivors. The wreck of the Batavia was salvaged in the 1970s, with many of the items on board now displayed in museums in Geraldton and Fremantle .

In the 1920s the remains of a castaway’s camp were discovered on the clifftops between Kalbarri and Shark Bay, subsequently named the Zuytdorp Cliffs. The fate of the Zuytdorp survivors had been a 300-year-old mystery until a rare disease endemic among seventeenth-century Afrikaaners (ships en route to the Dutch East Indies routinely stopped in South Africa to stock up on provisions) was discovered in local Aborigines, which suggests that some of the castaways survived long enough to pass the gene on. Recent research has discredited this idea, but controversy surrounding the wreck remains, with various locals claiming its discovery between the 1920s and 1960s, and accusations of looting rife.

In modern times, the ship that has most interested WA is the HMAS Sydney , whose success in the early years of World War II was the source of much national pride. It was sunk in mysterious circumstances off the West Australian coast in 1941, after a confrontation with the Kormoran , a German merchant trader disguised as a Dutch ship. After decades of searching (and a bill of some $3.5 million), the ship was found 200km off Steep Point near Shark Bay on 16 March, 2008, 22km away from the Kormoran . It made front-page news in Australia and finally granted some peace to the families of the 645-strong crew who were lost.

About 1000km north of Perth are the ancient, mineral-rich highlands of the Pilbara , an area that includes Mount Meharry, at 1249m the highest point in WA. The world’s richest surface deposits of iron ore were developed here in the 1950s and rich discoveries of ore, crude oil, natural gas and salt continue to be made as private railroads cart the booty to the coast for export to the hungry markets in Japan and China. As a result, company towns such as Tom Price and Newman abound, offering little to travellers except mine tours and overpriced accommodation. While the Pilbara is unquestionably the economic powerhouse of the state (and indeed the nation), the unquenchable growth of the mining industries has had knock-on effects throughout the region. Chronic housing shortages plague many towns, Karratha and Port Hedland in particular, and hotels and hostels are increasingly bought up by companies desperate to house their staff. Surrounding the huge open-cast mine sites are vast, arid pastoral stations, recovering from or surrendering to overgrazing. In the middle of all this environmental chaos Karijini National Park serenely remains, safeguarding some of Australia’s most spectacular and timeless natural scenery. Up the coast, Cossack and Port Samson offer respite from the relentless heat and mining mentality.

Karijini National Park is WA’s second-largest protected area, with spectacular, accessible gorges in the north and a vast unvisited section to the south, separated roughly by Karijini Drive, the southernmost of the two roads running through the park. Travellers rave about the nerve-jangling walks, timeless scenery and sparkling waterholes here, and are often taken aback at the lush, spinifex-covered hills and proliferation of white-trunked snappy gums that sprout from the blood-red rock, distinguishing the Pilbara from the better-known but drier Kimberley, especially in July and August (the busiest months).

The gorges themselves cut through the north-facing escarpment of the Hamersley Ranges and all offer spectacular views as well as a range of graded walks through their interiors. There are scores of superlative swimming holes in the park too, but they tend to be situated deep in the gorges, and are rarely less than absolutely freezing, even on the hottest days.

Karijini Drive is sealed, but the northern Banjima Drive, which runs between the gorges, is predominantly corrugated dirt. Barring adverse weather, the park remains accessible for all vehicles throughout the year, although 2WD may find things a little bumpy. The gorges get extremely hot between November and April, making the winter the best time to visit, and flash floods are reasonably common so keep an eye on the weather forecast. Keep a check on your watch too – ascending out of the gorges in anything less than full daylight is a definite no-no.

The park has a western entrance, accessed from Highway 1 via Tom Price, and an eastern entrance, accessed via the Great Northern Highway from Newman in the south or Port Hedland to the north. Whichever way you enter, make sure you fill up at the last available fuel station as driving distances in the park tend to be underestimated; count on doing around 250km. There’s limited food and drinking water in the park, so it’s best to bring your own just in case.

Graded walks

Across Australia, all walking routes are marked as being in one of six different classes. Classes 1–3 can be completed comfortably by most, Class 4 requires a reasonable level of fitness, while Class 5 tend to be exhilarating semi-Indiana Jones-style adventures. Class 6 requires you to either be a qualified rock-climber and abseiler with all the necessary equipment, or on a guided tour.

While lesser trails are not uniformly well marked, the “ Trail Risk ” signs certainly are, and will warn you if you’re about to venture into a Class 6 area. Injuries are common in Karijini National Park, and fatalities do occur, so think carefully about which trail your level of fitness will allow you to complete comfortably, and wear solid walking sandals – on many walks a small slip could see you plunge a fair distance down a gorge face.

The beautiful Coral Coast stretches from Shark Bay , an ecological and evolutionary hotspot of the highest order, up to the arid spike of land on which Exmouth and Coral Bay rest. People head here to see the stunning 260km Ningaloo Reef that fringes the western edge of the peninsula, never more than 7km offshore and in places accessible right from the beach. Increasing numbers head to the tiny, laidback resort of Coral Bay at the southern end of the reef, rather than basing themselves in sterile Exmouth, near the tip of the peninsula.

Aside from viewing the reef, people flock here for the rare opportunity to swim with the world’s largest fish, the whale shark , which feeds in the area between April and July each year. In between Shark Bay and Exmouth is Carnarvon , a good base for exploring the exhilarating 4WD track north to Gnaraloo Station , past wild beaches and tumultuous seas.

Ningaloo Marine Park

Ningaloo Marine Park protects Ningaloo Reef , the world’s largest fringing reef and Australia’s most accessible – simply step off the white sands of the beach and float over the coral gardens. Ningaloo Reef runs for 300 kilometres from Bundegi Reef in the Exmouth gulf, along the shores of Cape Range National Park and all the way down to Red Bluff, just north of Carnarvon. It extends for some 10 nautical miles out to sea and covers more than 5000 square kilometres of ocean. It is the proximity of the continental shelf that gives this marine park such a stunning variety of marine life: more than 700 species of fish and 250 species of coral have been recorded here, attracting migrating humpback whales and whale sharks, plus numerous turtles, reef sharks and rays. There are few better places in Australia – if not the world – for snorkelling to see marine life.

Shark Bay is the name given to the two prongs of land and their corresponding lagoons situated west of Overlander Roadhouse on Highway 1. Denham , the only settlement, is on the western side of the eastern Peron Peninsula, while at Monkey Mia on the sheltered eastern side, bottlenose dolphins have been coming in to the beach almost daily since the 1960s. Shark Bay was World Heritage listed in 1991; this remarkable place qualifies for listing under no less than four of UNESCO’s “natural” criteria. Note that fresh water is very precious in the Shark Bay area: salty bore water is used as much as possible.

After all the hype, you might be surprised to find that Monkey Mia is just a resort and a jetty by a pretty beach. It’s to this beach that scores of people flock to see the almost daily visits by between five and ten adult female dolphins and their attendant calves, all known by name. Get here at 7.30am to watch the first feeding at around 8am. There are usually another two feeds per day, always before noon, to encourage the dolphins to spend the afternoon foraging for food in the bay – these two later feeds can be a better option if you don’t want to fight your way through the excitable crowds standing in the shallows.

Swimming with whale sharks

There are few experiences in life more memorable than swimming with a whale shark, the world’s largest fish, and Ningaloo is one of only a few places worldwide where they appear with any regularity – and in easily accessible waters.

It is the mass spawning of more than 200 species of coral every March or April that brings the whale sharks here and sightings are common until July. Interaction with these gentle giants (the juvenile males seen here can measure up to 12 metres long) is strictly regulated, with only one boat allowed to operate within the exclusive contact zone of 250 metres around each whale shark at any one time and just 10 swimmers in the water at once. This keeps both the whale shark itself and your interaction with it calm and relaxed – you won’t be surrounded by too many other people. You will need to be a competent swimmer and can expect to be in and out of the water all day.

Nothing can prepare you for the utter delight of swimming alongside a fish the size of a bus and with your eyes and ears in the water all else is blocked out until you emerge from this other-worldly experience. If you are in Exmouth during whale shark season this is absolutely not to be missed.

There are numerous whale shark tour operators running trips out from Exmouth and a few based in Coral Bay too. Some have their own spotter planes to increase the likelihood of finding a whale shark and all will equip you with masks, snorkel and fins, plus a wetsuit.

Coral Bay Ecotours coralbayecotours.com.au .

Ningaloo Experience ningalooexperience.com .

Ningaloo Reef Dreaming ningaloodreaming.com .

Ocean Eco Adventures oceanecoadventures.com.au . Thanks to their exclusive spotter plane, whale shark sightings on Ocean Eco Adventures’ one-day tours ($395) are almost guaranteed. You’ll be in and out of the water with them, as well as manta rays, turtles and other marine life. A DVD of your experience is included and lunch is a feast of local gourmet produce including fresh Exmouth prawns.

Three Islands Marine Charters whalesharkdive.com . This passionate company focuses on one thing only – memorable whale shark snorkel tours with experienced skippers (March–July). A videographer records your day and a complimentary DVD is included.

The 4400km drive up Highway 1 from Perth to Broome, across the Kimberley and on to Darwin in the Northern Territory is one of Australia’s great road journeys. Contrary perhaps to expectations, the Batavia and Coral coasts, Central Midlands region, the Pilbara and the Kimberley all have distinct personalities that become evident as you rack up the kilometres. On some days it’ll seem like all you’ve seen are road trains, road kill and roadhouses, but to compensate there are innumerable places en route whose beauty will take your breath away, and even more that give an insight into Australia that you rarely get on the east coast.

If any single trip across Australia benefits from independent mobility it’s this one: a car will allow you to explore intimately and linger indefinitely. If you want to discover the wayside attractions, allow at least four to five weeks for the journey from Perth to Darwin. Three weeks will whizz you through the highlights; anything less and you may as well fly. Highway 1 is sealed all the way, but to really experience northern WA you’ll need to get off the beaten track and explore, as towns en route are almost without exception lacking in charm. A glance at a map shows the long distances between roadhouses, let alone settlements; plan your next petrol stop and make sure your vehicle is in sound condition, particularly the tyres and the cooling system, both of which will be working hard.

Six hundred kilometres east of Perth, at the end of the Great Eastern Highway , are the Eastern Goldfields . In the late nineteenth century, gold was found in what still remains one of the world’s richest gold-producing regions and boom towns of thousands, boasting grand public buildings, multiple hotels and a vast periphery of hovels, would spring up and collapse in the time it took to extract any ore.

In 1894 the railway from Perth reached the town of Southern Cross , just as big finds turned the rush into a national stampede. This huge influx of people accentuated the water shortage, dealt with finally when a pipeline reached Kalgoorlie in 1903. Around this time many of the smaller gold towns were already in decline, but the Goldfields’ wealth and boost in population gave WA the economic autonomy it sought in its claim for statehood in 1901.

In the years preceding the gold rush, the area was briefly one of the world’s richest sources of sandalwood , an aromatic wood greatly prized throughout Asia for joss sticks. Exacerbating the inevitable over-cutting was the gold rush’s demand for timber to prop up shafts, or to fire the pre-pipeline water desalinators. Today the region is a pit-scarred and prematurely desertified landscape, dotted with the scavenged vestiges of past settlements, while at its core the Super Pit gold mine in Kalgoorlie gets wider and deeper every year.

Kalgoorlie–Boulder

From whichever direction you approach Kalgoorlie – the bustling gold capital of Australia, municipally merged but still fervently distinct from Boulder – it comes as a surprise after hundreds of kilometres of desolation. In 1893 Paddy Hannan and his mates, Tom Flannigan and Dan O’Shea, brought renewed meaning to the expression “the luck of the Irish” when a lame horse forced them to camp by the tree which still stands at the top of Egan Street in KALGOORLIE . With their instincts highly attuned after eight months of prospecting around Coolgardie, they soon found gold all around them, and as the first on the scene enjoyed the unusually easy pickings of surface gold. Ten years later, when the desperately needed water pipeline finally gushed into the Mount Charlotte Reservoir (see Kalgoorlie’s liquid gold), Kalgoorlie was already the established heart of WA’s rapidly growing mineral-based prosperity. As sole survivor of the original rush, and revitalized by the 1960s nickel boom, Kalgoorlie has benefited from new technology that has largely dispensed with slow and dangerous underground mining. Instead, the fabulously rich “ Golden Mile ” reef east of town, near Boulder, is being excavated around the clock, creating a colossal hole, the open-cast “Super Pit” , which is still going strong and grows larger every day.

Kalgoorlie’s liquid gold

Gold may be what Kal’s fortune is built on, but in the desert water is even more precious and the town would be nothing without its “liquid gold”. For this the town’s residents must thank Irish engineer C.Y. O’Connor, whose idea it was to pump the town’s water 560km from Mundaring, in the hills above Perth. A pipeline was duly constructed and opened in 1903, terminating today at Mount Charlotte lookout , where you can view displays on this magnificent feat of engineering. Although his scheme supplies the residents of Kalgoorlie – along with many other Outback towns and farms – with their water, sadly O’Connor was the subject of much ridicule for his plans and never saw the scheme completed, taking his own life in 1902 by shooting himself while riding on his horse into the water in Fremantle.

Prostitution in Kalgoorlie

Prostitution has long been legal in WA and due to Kalgoorlie’s perceived “special needs” (a large male population in need of a “safety valve” and significant lack of females) the high rates paid here saw willing women flock to the town. Until 13 years ago, a “containment” policy meant that prostitutes were not allowed to live in the community nor go “where people gathered”, effectively confining them to the one-street red-light district of Hay Street . Now, with containment lifted, the street’s appeal has diminished, prostitutes have flooded in in larger numbers, prices have dropped and almost all the brothels have closed. Just two remain, one of which offers brothel tours .

Approximately 720km southeast of Perth, Esperance is at the western end of the Archipelago of the Recherche . Both town and archipelago were named after the French ships that visited the area in the late eighteenth century, and whose persistent interest in the region precipitated the hasty colonization of WA by the edgy British. The archipelago’s string of haze-softened granite isles, bobbing in the inky blue Southern Ocean, presents an almost surreal seascape common to coasts washed by cold currents. The mild summer weather (rarely exceeding 30°C), abundant fishing opportunities and surrounding national parks ensure the town is a popular destination for heat-sensitive holiday-makers.

The hundred or so islands of the romantically named Archipelago of the Recherche – known as the Bay of Isles – around Esperance are chiefly occupied by seals, feral goats and multitudes of sea birds. Dolphins may also be spotted offshore and southern right whales are commonly observed migrating to the Antarctic in spring. Around 50km east of Esperance is the Cape Le Grand National Park , and a further 70km the more remote Cape Arid National Park (DPaW fee), on the edge of the Great Australian Bight. Care should be taken all along this coastline, as unpredictable king waves frequently sweep the unwary away from exposed, rocky shores.

After prospering briefly as a supply port during the heyday of the Eastern Goldfields, ESPERANCE was revived in the 1960s when its salty soils were made fertile with the simple addition of certain missing trace elements. Now an established farming and holiday centre, it makes an ideal base from which to explore the south coast’s dazzling beaches and storm-washed headlands and the town boasts a laidback charm that’s extremely appealing – you may end up staying here longer than you had planned to.

South of Kalgoorlie the Great Eastern Highway runs 190km to Norseman, at the western end of the Eyre Highway . The highway is named after the explorer Edward John Eyre, who crossed the southern edge of the continent in 1841, a gruelling eight-month trek that would have cost him his life but for the Aborigines who helped him locate water. Eyre crawled into Albany on his last legs but set the route for future crossings, the telegraph lines and the highway.

If you’re heading east on the Eyre Highway from Norseman, it’s about 700km to the South Australian border and another 470km from there to Ceduna. This is the legendary Nullarbor Plain , where a flat, arid and famously monotonous landscape stretches away from the road on both sides, with barely a tree to break it up ( nullarbor means “no trees” in Latin). Once this comes to an end at Ceduna, there is still a featureless 775km before you reach Adelaide.

Although the longest stretch without fuel is only 200km, do not underestimate the rigours of the journey on your vehicle. Carry reserves of fuel and water, take rests every few hours and don’t drive at dawn or dusk when kangaroos are crossing the road to feed. There’s a quarantine checkpoint at the border where a large range of prohibited animal and vegetable goods (mainly fruit and veg) must be discarded.

The Nullarbor: Norseman to Eucla

The Nullarbor Plain is the world’s largest single piece of limestone, covering an area of some 200,000 square kilometres and crossing it is mind-bendingly dull. That being said, there are a few very worthwhile viewpoints along the southern side of the road, where the arid landscape ends rather suddenly at the Great Australian Bight – there is nothing between here and Antarctica.

Facilities along here are limited. BALLADONIA , 191km east of Norseman, has the Balladonia Hotel Motel . Some 246km of virtually dead-straight road further along, you reach COCKLEBIDDY , which has a motel, while MADURA , 83km east, is halfway between Perth and Adelaide (if you’re still counting), and has rooms and caravan sites. MUNDRABILLA , 115km further on, also has a motel and caravan/campsite.

The world’s longest golf course: Nullarbor Links

The tedious journey across the Nullarbor was made a little more bearable in 2009 with the launch of the Nullarbor Links ( nullarborlinks.com ), an eighteen-hole, par 72 golf course that stretches 1365km from Kalgoorlie to Ceduna in South Australia. Each town or roadhouse along the route features one or two holes with a tee, a somewhat rugged Outback-style natural terrain fairway and a green. Score cards can be purchased at Kalgoorlie Golf Course (where the first two holes are located), and the visitor centres at Kalgoorlie, Ceduna and Norseman, and must be stamped at each hole. Clubs can be rented at each hole and golfers completing the course receive a free certificate in either Kalgoorlie or Ceduna.

DPaW (the state government Department of Parks and Wildlife) maintain's WA's parks and to enter most parks, you need to pay an entry fee or buy a pass. The DPaW website ( dpaw.wa.gov.au ) contains details of all passes, which you can buy online, as well as useful information about all of WA's national parks. You can also obtain a pass from the entry station (often unattended), local DPaW offices and some visitor centres. Note that fees only apply if arriving by vehicle; walking or cycling in is free. Camping in a national park attracts an additional fee.

Alternating sheltered bays and rounded granite headlands make up the southern coast , or “Great Southern”, around Albany . The temperate climate and changeable weather here create a rural Antipodean–English idyll unknown in the rest of WA. Site of the region’s original settlement, nowadays it’s an appealing area of wineries, art and craft galleries and fine restaurants. Albany, 410km from Perth, is an agricultural centre and holiday destination, while an hour’s drive north lie the burgeoning winemaking region of Mount Barker, the ancient granite highlands of the Porongurups and the impressive thousand-metre-high Stirling Ranges . While Perth’s radial bus services to the main centres run on a fairly frequent basis, moving around by bus requires considerable planning to avoid inconvenient delays. Consequently the area is best explored by car.

In 1826, three years before the establishment of the Swan River Colony, the British sent Major Lockyer and a team of hopeful colonists from Sydney to settle Albany’s strategic harbour where they built the Princess Royal Fortress. It was a hasty pre-emptive response to French exploration of Australia’s Southwest, and the small colony, originally called Frederickstown, was allowed to grow at a natural pace. Prior to the establishment of Fremantle Harbour in the 1890s, ALBANY ’s huge natural harbour was a key port on the route between England and Botany Bay: a coaling station in the age of steamers. It was also the last of Australia that many Anzacs saw on their way to Gallipoli in 1914.

Now serving the southern farming belt, Albany has also become one of the Southwest’s main holiday areas. Its attractions are spread between the Foreshore – where the original settlers set up camp – the calm white-sand beaches around Middleton Beach, the town’s central beach, and Emu Point on the still waters of Oyster Harbour. To get a good view on things, climb up to one of Albany’s two lookouts. The curious tower on top of Mount Melville Lookout , off Serpentine Road, is colloquially known as “the spark plug” and offers good seaward vistas, while Mount Clarence Lookout , up Marine Drive, has an Anzac memorial, from which, on a clear day, you can see the Stirling Ranges, 80km north. Middleton Beach is best first thing, when you may even have the sweeping sands to yourself. This is a decent spot for a swim, though Torndirrup National Park is far superior.

Taking the Chester Pass Road north towards the looming Stirling Range National Park , the distinctive profile of Bluff Knoll will, if you’re lucky, emerge from the cloudbanks often obscuring its summit. Avid hill-walkers could spend a few days “peak bagging” here and come away well satisfied; the Stirlings are WA’s best – if not only – mountain-walking area, with as many as five peaks over 1000m. Be aware, however, that the area can experience blizzards as late as October. Bluff Knoll (1095m), the park’s highest and most popular ascent, has a well-built path involving a three-hour-return slog (2hr up, 1hr back). Like much of the area, the floral biodiversity in the Range is exceptional.

The unsealed 45km Stirling Range scenic drive winds amid the peaks to Red Gum Pass in the west, where you can turn around and go back the same way (with superior views). Halfway along the drive Talyuberup (800m) is a short, steep ascent, with great vistas at the top, while Toolbrunup Peak (1052m), accessed by a track next to the park campsite, is a steep, 4km, three-hour trip, with some exposed scrambling near the summit. Many other trails wander between the peaks and link up into overnight walks.

The region south of Perth and west of the Albany Highway, known as the Southwest , is the temperate corner of the continent, where the cool Southern and warm Indian oceans meet to drop heavy winter rains. Travelling south from Perth, the first points of interest lie around the pleasant resort towns of Rockingham and Mandurah , which offer a range of water-based tours and wildlife experiences. Further on, Bunbury is worth a visit for its excellent dolphin centre and Busselton draws visitors in with its famously long jetty.

Located in the far southwest corner, the Margaret River region is WA’s most popular holiday destination and justly so, thanks to its fabulous surf beaches, gourmet food producers, wineries and boutique accommodation. East of here Tall Timber Country is home to attractive towns set amid the remnants of the giant karri forests and offers a chance to experience one of the world’s last stands of temperate old-growth forest. The best way to get around this area is with a car; expect to cover at least 2000km in a typical week’s tour as far as Albany.

The Margaret River region is characterized by sweeping beaches, ancient caves, superb wineries, choice restaurants and snug hideaways, all interspersed with art galleries, glass-blowing and woodcraft studios, and potteries. There’s plenty to see, do, taste and spend your money on here and the area is well worth a few days of your time.

The town of Margaret River itself gets busy at weekends and throughout the summer with surfers, tourists and gastronomes escaping from Perth and the east-coast cities, with many making it their base for wine tasting by day and fine dining by night. Though you may not want to stay here if it’s beach or rural bliss you’re seeking, you’ll still find the town handy for shopping, eating out and browsing for art, crafts and gourmet goodies, while the area surrounding it warrants several days’ exploration.

Cape to Cape Track

Hikers may want to consider the 135km coastal walk from Cape Leeuwin to Cape Naturaliste, the Cape to Cape Track , which can be tackled in one go or in smaller segments. For more information visit the Friends of the Cape to Cape online at capetocapetrack.com.au .

Margaret River wineries and breweries

Bootleg Brewery bootlegbrewery.com.au . This boutique brewery cheekily calls itself “an oasis of beer in a desert of wine”, and is not to be missed by those who prefer their drinks hopped. A wide range of all-natural ales is brewed here including Wils Pils (winner of Best Draft Beer Australasia), Amber Light and Raging Bull. Lunch also served.

Leeuwin Estate leeuwinestate.com.au . Leeuwin is one of Margaret River’s big hitters, with a long-standing pedigree of producing award-winning wines. A tasting here is not to be missed; Leeuwin offers an extensive free tasting at its classy cellar door, and there’s a balcony restaurant and regular outdoor concerts here to boot.

Vasse Felix vassefelix.com.au . Margaret River’s oldest winery has a welcoming cellar door and great restaurant with panoramic views of the vineyards. The range of wines produced here is focused on classic Margaret River grape varieties, meaning all wines are standouts.

Voyager Estate voyagerestate.com.au . Wineries don’t get better than this. Arriving visitors are confronted with one of the world’s largest Aussie flags before stepping inside the Cape Dutch-style building to taste the fantastic list of premium wines. The traditional yet chic restaurant serves a range of degustation menus and mouthwatering mains including a delicious braised beef cheek.

Watershed Premium Wines watershedwines.com.au . Modern winery offering tastings of their range of highly regarded wines, which includes the fabulous Senses Shiraz. The restaurant serves an inventive menu of fresh seafood and steaks, from scallops to start to beef tenderloin for main.

Wills Domain willsdomain.com.au . The cellar door of this family-owned and operated winery is a friendly place for a relaxed wine tasting. The restaurant serves mod-Oz cuisine with a twist, such as Rottnest Island scallops served with smoked trout, beetroot and grapefruit, or waygu brisket with pickled walnuts, quince, kale and parsnip.

Margaret River wines

Margaret River is a relatively new wine region – the first significant vine planting took place here in the late 1960s – but it has quickly established itself as one of the foremost wine-growing names in Australia, if not the world. There are more than 200 wine producers in the region, the bulk of which are located in a 100km-long stretch of land between the Bussell Highway and the Indian Ocean, though technically the region extends further east to the line of longitude known as Gladstones Line. Most of the wineries are boutique producers making relatively small quantities and selling only at the cellar door.

The Margaret River region has a reasonably cool, maritime climate with plenty of summer sunshine and very little rain during the grapes’ ripening season – in Bordeaux such conditions would produce a great year. Consequently many of the Bordeaux grape varieties grow very well here, including Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc. You will see Margaret River SBS (a Sauvignon Blanc–Semillon blend) on menus up and down the state, as well as overseas – it’s reliably good. Great Chardonnays and Cabernet Merlot blends are also stand-outs from the region.

Sandwiched between the popular tourist areas of the Margaret River region and Albany’s dramatic coast, the forests of the so-called Tall Timber Country are some of WA’s greatest sights. Along with the sinuous Blackwood River , which is ideal for sedate canoeing, especially downstream of Nannup , the highlight of the region is the brooding majesty of the karri forests , famed not so much for their arboreal gimmicks – of which the Gloucester Tree near Pemberton is the best known – as for the raw, elemental nature of the unique forest environment. The breathtaking Tree Top Walk near the peaceful village of Walpole provides a unique view on this primeval forest, while the bohemian town of Denmark is surrounded by one of WA’s most exciting emerging wine regions. Check out southernforests.com.au for further details on this area.

The Bibbulmun Track and Munda Biddi Trail

The Tall Timber region is a paradise for anyone who likes to travel on two feet or two wheels. For walkers, the Bibbulmun Track has established itself as one of the great rites of passage. Stretching almost 1000km from Kalamunda in the Perth Hills to Albany on the south coast, it passes through some of the Southwest’s most remote areas, winding amid towering karri and tingle forests, ranging over granite hills and clinging to the spectacular coastline. Walkers can stroll sections or tackle the track in its entirety over an epic eight-week adventure. There are 48 bushwalker campsites en route, as well as numerous small towns for those who like a little more comfort.

The Munda Biddi Cycle Trail runs for approximately 1000km from Mundaring through the heart of the forest to Albany and can be completed in one (very long) stretch or picked up at one of the picturesque ex-logging towns along the way. Some sections are challenging but experienced cyclists will love whizzing along the forest floor and dodging ancient jarrah trees. Nights are spent in one of the free purpose-built (but very basic) huts located every 35–40km or in atmospheric B&Bs along the route.

For more information contact the Bibbulmun Track Foundation ( bibbulmuntrack.org.au ) or the Munda Biddi Trail Foundation ( mundabiddi.org.au ).

The quaint town of PEMBERTON makes a central base for Tall Timber touring, with enough craft shops, galleries, wineries and gourmet destinations to keep you occupied for a while. Call in to the Karri Forest Discovery Centre at the visitor centre for a detailed explanation of the area’s fauna and wildlife. A fun way of enjoying the surrounding forest is to take the tram ( pemtram.com.au ) from Pemberton to Warren Bridge. The diesel tram rattles noisily along the old logging railway, over timber bridges spanning tiny creeks, visiting the Cascades , a local beauty spot also accessible by road.

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