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10 Soul-Warming WA Road Trips To Tackle This Winter

By Rebecca Keating 22nd Jul 2021

Whether it’s the holiday you've been waiting for, or an impromptu weekend getaway, ensure your home is covered with local RAC Insurance. Leaving you with nothing to do but to relax while you’re away from home.

If you call Western Australia home, it’s pretty likely you’ve done a road trip or ten in your lifetime. As the chilly days seem to have no end in sight (okay, we know it’s really only a couple of months in Perth) the idea of jumping in the car and heading out of the city seems like the perfect hug of warmth we all need. 

Whether you’re looking to embrace the chill and get cosy around a fire or just want to escape it all together, here’s our top ten road trip worthy getaways you need to get around this winter.

Karijini National Park

This one has to be on every West Aussie’s bucket list. Scrap that, it needs to be on every person who walks this earth’s bucket list. The road trip from Perth to Karijini National Park is no small feat, but we guarantee it’s worth every hour. From Perth you head inland for about fifteen hours before arriving in Meekatharra and then out to Karijini. Don’t worry, there’s plenty of places to stop for a sleep on the way. The crystal clear turquoise waterholes, epic gorges and thundering waterfalls are something you need to see at least once in your lifetime. Make sure you spend a few days here as you won’t want to miss a thing. True adventurers can roll out a swag and sleep under the stars, or if you’re feeling a little more glam, the Karijini Eco Resort is where it’s at. 

Margaret River and Dunsborough

While a trip down South is usually a regular on a Perthie’s itinerary, there’s a reason why. Hop in the car and in a few hours time you’ll be shacking up next to jaw-dropping beaches and an insanely good food scene. When the colder days hit in P-town, we can’t think of anything much better than curling up with a hot choc around a fire. Take your weekend away to a whole other level by setting up camp in Mile End Glamping’s light-filled domes complete with a spa bath, or scope out more of our favourite stays . Sounds like heaven to us.

Skip winter and commit to a long drive up the Coral Coast Highway to find yourself at some of the world’s best beaches you’ve ever laid eyes on. On the way up to the oh-so relaxed town of Coral Bay you can take a detour into Monkey Mia to say g’day to the resident dolphins or camp under the stars in Francois Peron National Park where you can soak up the spectacular sight of red cliffs and stunning blue waters. Arrive in Coral Bay and all of your dreams will come true. The town gets its name for a reason—no matter where you stay, you’ll be able to walk on to incredible white sand beaches, stick your head under water and see some of the most pristine coral you could have ever imagined. Heading up during Winter also means you’ll be able to swim with the most beautiful giants of the sea. Nope, we’re not talking about whale sharks. From the end of June through till October you’ll get the chance to see humpback whales making their annual migration through Coral Bay up towards Broome, and if conditions fit the bill, you’ll be able to jump in the water and get a ridiculously special sight of these magnificent creatures. While you’re up there, do yourself a favour and sample as many of the bakery’s pies as you can possibly fit in. You can thank us later. 

Just over an hour from Perth in the heart of the Avon Valley lies Northam, a town full of historical architecture and culture that’s well worth a visit. Our favourite time of year to get out to the valley is around late August, when the canola fields start to turn that crazy shade of yellow that almost makes you reach for your sunnies and the rain has made sure everything else is greener than Nana’s thumb. The best way to see it all is to get up at 4am (we promise it’s worth it) and tick off a bucket list experience in the form of hot air ballooning . The views are breathtaking and the serenity is worth ten days at the spa. Finish your morning with a champagne brekky and you can’t help but feel like you’ve been on cloud nine. 

If serenity is your thing, look no further than an escape to Manjimup. 80% of the entire region is made up of forest and national parks, so you’re sure to get some much needed R&R whilst getting cosy with a cup of tea and good book around the wood fire. Get settled in at Clover Country Retreat and you can lay back in a hammock with views over the lake or get steamy in a private spa bath before settling in with a platter of Manjimup’s finest. With incredibly rich soils, Manjimup is home to some of the State’s best food, not to mention a truck-load of truffles this time of year. Get out and experience a truffle hunt with some of the cutest dogs going round. You won’t be disappointed. 

With stunning bushwalks and beautiful campgrounds, Dwellingup is the place to go when you want to take it slow and admire everything Mother Nature has to offer. It’s also the perfect place to shack up around a campfire and spend your winter evenings gazing up at the stars. Lane Poole Reserve is where you’ll want to pitch a tent and if you’re bringing your furry friend, we recommend Stringers , Tony’s Bend and Chuditch —just remember to keep them on their lead. The region is also home to some seriously great restaurants and cosy cafes. Stop in at community-owned hotel The Dwelly Pub for a parmi before you head home. 

If you’re looking for something a little under the radar, yet equally as glam, a weekend away at Katanning’s Premier Mill Hotel should be high on your list. Drive south-east from Perth and in around three hours you’ll arrive in Katanning, a town full of history and the ideal place to explore the Wheatbelt. The hotel is a restored 128-year-old flour mill that has been converted into a 22-room guesthouse, basement bar and cafe, and every corner of the hotel oozes style and sophistication. It’s going to be hard to move away from the lush king beds, but this area has so much to see. Get out and snap public art , get your history nerd on, or if you’re feeling all sorts of energetic after the best sleep of your life, Bluff Knoll awaits. 

Albany 

There’s nothing quite like rugging up and exploring the awe-inspiring coastal landscapes of Albany in winter. Make your way through charming country towns like Kojonup and Mount Barker (a stop at the bakery is essential) and wind through the Porongurup National Park before settling into a B&B like  Dunmoylen House . Spend your days roaming around the gorgeous town of Albany, soaking up the history and culture, and exploring a great food and beverage scene. Must-do scenic sights like  The Gap  need to be on your itinerary and if you manage to find some free time you can make your way to Denmark to get all cosy amongst the Karri trees. 

Nestled in the Blackwood Rive r Valley, Nannup is where to go when you’re ready to relax and recharge by getting up close and personal to nature. Spend your days strolling through tearooms and gift stores, or get out and sample local produce like cheese and chestnuts. There are heaps of beautiful drives to get out and explore, or if you’re feeling like you need to burn off some of that Nannup goodness, hire a bike and try your hand at the Munda Biddi Trail.

Pack your bags and head two hours south of Perth to the  Shire of Collie.  Home to picturesque lakes and a tonne of hiking trails, there’s no shortage of jaw-dropping sights to fill your Insta stories. Must-see spots include  Black Diamond Lake  or  Stockton Lake , where you can also pitch a tent on the water’s edge if you score a weekend of no rain. For those with a sense of adventure,  Wellington National Park  has a variety of walks and trails to suss out. 

If you don't have time to go far, work through these top day trips to take in Perth .

Editor’s note: This article is sponsored by RAC Insurance and proudly endorsed by Urban List. Products issued by RAC Insurance Pty Limited. T&Cs apply. Check the  PDS  to see if the product is right for you.

Image credit: Tourism WA, Oliver Strewe, Windward Balloon Adventures, Premier Mill Hotel

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15 of the best road trips from Perth

Travel & Touring  |  WA Road Trips

12 October, 2022  By: Monique Ceccato

Pack the car and take your pick of these beautiful West Australian driving routes.

Be it a sea change, tree change, or rustic outback vistas that you’re after, these 15 road trip itineraries – each departing from Perth – have got you covered. While the destinations are incredible in their own right, it’s the journey there and the places in between that really make these holidays special.

So, where will you be off to next?

1. Perth to Esperance

After a long journey through the outback, there’s no greater feeling than arriving at an idyllic beach for a refreshing dip, without so much as another soul around. Set the GPS for Esperance, and that’s what you’ll get. Pull in at any beach in Cape Le Grand National Park, and you’ll have a substantial patch of sand all to yourself. There is the exception of Lucky Bay, where you may have to share your claim with the local kangaroos.

Take your time getting to the coast, exploring the tiny towns (with plenty to offer) along the route. Follow the Tin Horse Highway through Kulin, playing ‘spot-o’ as you pass quirky sculpture after quirky sculpture, and make a few stops to take snaps at Wave Rock and the mural-covered silo in Ravensthorpe.

• Distance:  Approximately 697km / 7hr 45min  (allow 4-5 days)
• When to visit: Visit from June to October for some whale watching, or September to November for perfect hiking and wildflower walk weather. Want to swim? Head down between November and March.
• Highlights: Kulin’s Tin Horse Highway, Wave Rock, Silo art in Ravensthorpe, Lake Dumbleyung, Lucky Bay.
• Full itinerary:   Perth to Esperance Road Trip »

RELATED: Perth to Esperance Road Trip inland via Wave Rock »

2. Perth to Broome

Watch as the scenery changes from cityscapes to heathland to vibrant red desert flats as you embark on a multi-week trip to the northern reaches of the state. Follow along WA’s seemingly endless coastline – with a detour inland to Karijini National Park – before landing in Broome , a town rich with Aboriginal culture and pearling history. Stay a while, exploring Cape Leveque and the Dampier Peninsula, heading out on some Aboriginal-run tours while you’re there.

Meander your way back down along the inland route, or take the spectacular Coral Coast Highway again, stopping in at any towns you may have missed on the way up. 

• Distance:  2,045km  / 22hr 40min (allow a good 14+ days to complete this epic road trip).
• When to visit: Typically, May to October (dry season) is the most popular time to visit. The sky is clear, and the average temperature hovers around 30 degrees.
• Highlights: Marble Bar, Cable Beach in Broome, Cape Leveque, The Mackerel Islands, Cape Range National Park.
• Full itinerary:   Perth to Broome Road Trip »

3. Perth to Exmouth

Exmouth is the final stop on what is, arguably, Australia’s most beautiful drive. It’s a stunning country town, where deep, red gorges give way to white sand bays and blue-green waters; and carpets of delicate wildflowers cover the sunburnt land.

Amble your way up there along the Coral Coast Highway, stopping in at Monkey Mia to watch the dolphins come into the bay. Take an extended break with a spot of snorkelling on the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Ningaloo Reef, accessible from the shore at Coral Bay. Before setting off on your return trip to Perth, a bucket-list whale shark swim off Exmouth is a must. 

• Distance: 1,248 km / 13hr 10min (allow 6-7 days)
• When to visit: Visit from June to October to see the wildflowers, April to July to swim with the whale sharks, or March to October to make the most of peak produce season in Carnarvon.
• Highlights: Dolphins at Monkey Mia, Carnarvon’s Fruit Loop Trail, Coral Bay, Charles Knife Canyon, Whalesharks at Ningaloo Reef
• Perth to Exmouth Road Trip along the Coral Coast  »
• Perth Exmouth Road Trip via Karijini  »

4. Perth to Albany

The last port of call for soldiers heading off to WWI, Albany has a rich ANZAC history, which you can discover at the National Anzac Museum on King George Sound. Visit at the right time of year, and you might spy whales passing through there, too. Miss them in Albany, and you might have more luck seeing them at other points on your road trip, like Denmark, Margaret River, or Busselton.

Nature lovers can find plenty of great walks and hikes along this ‘greatest hits of the South West’ route, from the Granite Skywalk at Castle Rock to the Valley of the Giants tree top walk near Walpole. There are even sections of the mighty Bibbulmun track that run through. Not into hiking? Try swimming at Lights Beach or Greens Pool instead. 

• Distance:  418km / 4hr 45min  (allow 4-5 days)
• When to visit:  The beaches and hiking trails are at their best from December to April. From June to September, the landscapes are lush and green, fires are roaring, and truffles are dug up by the bucket load.
• Highlights: Castle Rock Granite Skywalk, Greens Pool, Valley of the Giants, Manjimup truffle farms, National ANZAC Centre.
• Full itinerary:   Perth to Albany Road Trip »

5. Perth to Karijini

Spend your days hiking through gorges in search of emerald-green swimming holes before dozing off under a canopy of glittering stars in Western Australia’s second largest national park, Karijini. Make your way up there on the inland route, passing through the monastic town of New Norcia along the way.

Keep your eyes peeled for the rare wreath flower as you near Dallwallinu and remnants of the Rabbit-Proof Fence, too. Opt for a scenery change on the way back, tracking towards Perth along the coastal road from Exmouth. 

• Distance: 1,380 / 14hr 45min  (set aside 10 days)
• When to visit:  Temperatures are at their mildest in Karijini between May and September. It’s also the dry season, so rain is minimal. Wildflowers along Australia’s Coral Coast and in the Golden Outback are on show from July to October.
• Highlights: Dallwallinu wildflowers, Circular Pool, Hammersley Gorge, Shell Beach, Shark Bay
• Full itinerary:   Perth to Karijini Road Trip »

6. Perth to Kalbarri

It takes only a few hours to drive from Perth to Kalbarri, but the coastal town’s otherworldly landscapes will leave you feeling as though you’re so much further away. Slow your road trip right down with some pitstops at the striking Pinnacles Desert and Fuschia-hued Hutt Lagoon – they’re natural wonders so unbelievable, you’re going to need to take a few snaps as visual proof.

At your destination, explore the base of the red gorges in the Kalbarri National Park, or stand many metres above them on the Kalbarri Skywalk. Finish the day with a cooling dip at Chinaman’s beach. 

• Distance:  Approximately 575km / 6hr 15min (doable in a weekend, but allow more time to explore more thoroughly)
• When to visit:  Mild weather and an abundance of wildflowers from June to August make it the perfect time to go hiking through the national park. Visit from September to November to see the humpbacks migrating through the waters.
• Highlights: The Pinnacles Desert, Central Greenough Historic Settlement, Geraldton’s Yamatji Drive, Hutt Lagoon, the Kalbarri Skywalk
• Full itinerary:   Perth to Kalbarri Road Trip »

7. Perth to Monkey Mia

Though most drive up to Monkey Mia to catch a glimpse of the town’s resident dolphin population, there’s plenty more to see while you’re up there. Monkey Mia sits on the edge of the Shark Bay World Heritage area, one of the world’s greatest wilderness areas. On the way to your destination, take a short detour out to Shell Beach, where, instead of sand, thousands of tiny white shells line the shore.

Equally as mesmerising are the dusty red dunes of Francois Peron National Park and their contrast with the purple Shark Bay daisies that cover them come wildflower season. 

• Distance:  847km / 9hr  (allow 4-5 days)
• When to visit:  Make the most of the still, clear beaches and bays from December through February.
• Highlights: The Lobster Shack in Cervantes, Jurien Bay, Hutt Lagoon, Hamelin Pool Stromatolites, Francois Peron National Park

8. Perth to Geraldton

Looking for a family-friendly beach holiday? Look no further than Geraldton , a swimming, snorkelling, and kitesurfing hotspot. Though the drive from Perth is relatively short, there’s plenty to see along the way. On the fringes of Perth, you can head underground to wander amongst the stalactites, stalagmites and helictites of Crystal Cave. Further north, stop at Cervantes for a crayfish-laden lunch and then at the Pinnacles Desert to stretch your legs with a view.

Once in Geraldton, the beachside fun can begin. Hop from sandy stretch to sandy stretch in town, then take a fast ferry to the Houtman Abrolhos. Spend the day exploring the stunning deserted islands and snorkelling the colourful reef. 

• Distance:  Approximately 415km  / 4hr 30min (allow three days).
• When to visit:  Geraldton comes to life in the summer months. The weather is perfect for the beach, surfing, and kitesurfing.
• Highlights: Crystal Cave, Lancelin, Dongara, Museum of Geraldton, Abrolhos Islands

9. Perth to Margaret River

The route from Perth to Margaret River is one of the most famous road trips in the state, and for good reason. Not only is it one of the shortest routes you can take, but Margaret River seemingly has it all – gourmet producers, famous timber pile jetties, and a thriving wine industry, just to name a few.

There are towering karri forests and hidden waterfalls for nature-lovers to find, the undergrowth studded with delicate orchids and flame peas come springtime. Beaches and surf breaks run right the way up the coast, and its waters play host to migratory whales for six months of the year. In fact, there’s so much to see in this region that you could easily extend your trip out to a week or more. 

• Distance:  270km   / 3hr 10min (can be done in a weekend, but give yourself 3-4 days to take it slow)
• When to visit:  Visit in summer to make the most of the coastline. Winter is less crowded and a lot more green. Head down any time between June and December to see the whale migration.
• Highlights: Dolphin Discovery Centre, Busselton Jetty, Dunsborough, Surfer’s Point, Boranup Karri Forest.

10. Perth to Kalgoorlie

Follow a self-drive trail along a historically significant, 560km-long water pipeline from Mundaring to the ex-Goldrush town of Kalgoorlie. As you go, you’ll spy a few giant murals (on the side of grain silos, no less), fields of gold, and plenty of charming Colonial-era towns.

In Kalgoorlie, immerse yourself in the town’s rich mining history with a wander through the Museum of the Goldfields and a day trip out to the Kalgoorlie Super Pit. Finish up your stay with a feed at the local brewery, and an art-led mural wander through the CBD. 

• Distance:  Around 620km / 6hr 40min (approximately 4 days)
• When to visit:  The heat subsides in the Goldfields from May to September, and the region’s wildflowers also come out in full force.
• Highlights: Bilya Koort Boodja Interactive Centre, Silo art in Northam and Merredin, Kokerbin Rock, Museum of the Goldfields, Kalgoorlie Super Pit.
• Full itinerary:   Perth to Kalgoorlie Road Trip »

11. Perth to Pemberton

Keen to trade out the service station sausages for plenty of gourmet food? Head deep into the thickly forested Pemberton region, where towering karris, truffles, and Chardonnay are front and centre.

Even if gourmet food isn’t necessarily your thing, a road trip down this way is worth it just to be surrounded by such lush natural landscapes. See the forest-flanked Blackwood River by canoe or on a short cruise, or challenge your stamina and nerve by climbing the 153 pegs up to the top of the Gloucester Tree. Best of all, you can loop your way through the world-renowned Margaret River region on the way home. 

• Distance:  326 km / 3hr 45min (break up the drive over 4-5 days)
• When to visit:  Autumn provides the perfect conditions for mountain biking and hiking, while spring is prime wildflower-spotting time. But, visit in winter, and the rivers and falls are at their finest, perfect for a spot of canoeing or white water rafting.
• Highlights: Lake Kepwari, Blackwood River, Beedelup Falls, Gloucester Tree, Southern Forests growers and vineyards.
• Full itinerary:   Perth to Pemberton Road Trip »

12. Perth to Wave Rock

There’s so much more to a road trip out to Wave Rock than the iconic formation itself. You’ll drive through a tiny country town with Australia’s smallest bank and a handful more towns with wonderfully preserved 1920s architectural charm. Once in Hyden, Hippos Yawn rock formation and the Wave Rock Salt Baths are just a short drive from the main, crest-shaped attraction, worthy of a few extra minutes in the car. 

• Distance:  Approximately 331k m / 3hr 45min (give yourself 3 days)
• When to visit:  Wave Rock is great at any time of year. Though visit in spring and there are plenty of wildflowers scattered about the Golden Outback.
• Highlights: York, Wave Rock, Wave Rock Salt Baths. Hippos Yawn, Kulin’s Tin Horse Highway.
• Full itinerary:   Perth to Wave Rock Road Trip »

13. Perth to Mullewa (via Cervantes)

Come spring, Western Australia erupts into a brilliant display of colour. The blooming wildflowers that cover the outback and forest floors are a sight to be seen.

Nowhere is more spectacular during wildflower season than Mullewa, known for its endless carpets of pink, yellow, and white everlastings. Just nearby, at Pindar, are the rarest of West Australian wildflowers, the wreath flower. As you make your way up from Perth, be sure to stop in at Coalseam Conservation Park and Mingenew Hill to see even more floral displays. Even the Pinnacles Desert is in bloom, a very different look from the usually stark, moon-like landscape. 

• Distance:  472km  /  5hr (give yourself 3 days)
• When to visit:  July to October is peak wildflower season
• Highlights: The Pinnacles Desert, Lake Thetis thrombolites, Coalseam Conservation Park, Mingenew Hill, Pindar wildflowers.
• Full itinerary:   Perth to Mullewa Road Trip »

14. Perth to New Norcia

Leave the city behind for the peace, quiet, and calm of Australia’s only monastic town, New Norcia. Originally established by two Spanish monks in 1847, the ex-mission site has a long Stolen Generations history, some of which can be learned at the New Norcia Museum. Visit the woodfired bakery and gift shop on your way out, and pick up a souvenir or two of your time in the town.

On the return trip, you’ll pass through the lush green vines of the Swan Valley wine region and, depending on the time of year, kilometre after kilometre of golden canola fields. One of WA’s most iconic bakeries is on the route, too, just in case the hunger pangs strike. 

• Distance:  126km / 1hr 30min (road trip over a weekend)
• When to visit:  Visit New Norcia year round. August to October is wildflower season
• Highlights: Bindoon Bakehaus, New Norcia Benedictine Monastery, Wongan Hills Pioneer Museum, Slater Homestead, Swan Valley.
• Full itinerary:   Perth to New Norcia Road Trip »

15. Perth to Gracetown

Clean barrelling waves, quiet beach coves, and a barefoot dress code: Gracetown is an ocean lover's perfect escape. It’s only a few hours’ drive from Perth, but there’s a lot to see on the road in between. Call into Lake Clifton to see the 350-million-year-old thrombolites, then make your way down to Bunbury for a long lunch on the water. Before pulling in at your destination, do a spot of sightseeing and photo-taking at the famed coastal formations of Canal Rocks and Injidup Spa. 

• Distance:  271km /  3hr (take 2-3 days)
• When to visit:  The summer months are best for water lovers, with plenty of swimming, snorkelling, and water activities. Autumn for the best hiking or in spring to see the wildflowers and Quinninup Falls. There are fewer crowds in winter, and it’s the perfect time for whale watching and cosying up by the fire at a cellar door.
• Highlights: Lake Clifton Thrombolites, Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park, Cowaramup, Canal Rocks.
• Full itinerary:   Perth to Gracetown Road Trip »

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Exploring wa’s south west – a spectacular 9-day road trip from perth.

How to see the best of Southern Western Australia in 9 days

So you are looking to “head West” to Perth but not quite sure where to explore, or just how much you can fit in? 

While you could easily spend a week between Perth and sister city Fremantle on the coast, most visitors like to take in at least a few side trips , or head south!  

This post is part of our Discover Australia series – learn all about travelling around Australia with kids

Your 9 day south west wa road trip itinerary.

We recommend if you have at least one week to explore southern Western Australia (WA) that you take in a circular road trip of the South West.  Our 9-day itinerary assumes you have a week starting and ending with a flight through Perth,  but there are plenty more day trips from Perth you could add onto either end of your itinerary, as well as further activities around Perth itself and Fremantle to make this into a spectacular 2-week+ WA itinerary. 

Bear in mind that distances are deceptive! It looks like a very small corner of Australia but, in fact, the South West road trip we are about to describe can take well over 1000kms! You may at a glance think you can cover it in a few days, but trust me, you will need longer, to do it any sort of justice and not spend all day in the car.

You could choose a straight forward drive from Perth to the Margaret River Region which is only around a 3-hour drive away and base yourself there just a few days before coming back to explore more around Perth.  However, we think there are so many of Australia’s natural gems you’ll miss out on if you don’t continue to head east and explore the Southern Forests and at least part of the Amazing South Coast . 

You could also choose to stay longer in each place if you hate the pack/unpack element of road tripping! We’ve given you plenty of different accommodation ideas to try along the way, but another option is to hire a campervan and bring your home with you!  Holiday Parks are an incredibly popular way to explore in Australia and make new friends along the way.

You may find holiday rental homes are subject to minimum stays and not as convenient for short road-tripping – but they are absolutely the way to go if you plan to spend a week or more. We’ve recommended a mix of hotels, holiday parks and self-catering accommodation as you make your trek “Down South”

For rental cars, we recommend you start your search on rentalcars.com .

See all our car rental savings tips here.

Day 1 Perth 

Assuming you are arriving into Perth Airport Day 1 it’s a perfectly logical place to start our round trip and get to know the most isolated capital in the world before starting your road trip.

The airport is only an 18km drive into the city centre.  The city is based around the Swan River and the newly developed Elizabeth Quay Waterfront is a real highlight. From here if time permits you can catch a river cruise or head into the city centre.  The CBD does not take long to explore, it’s quite pedestrianized and made up of a series of little arcades.

Our favourite place to head to with the kids is Kings Park . You can easily spend a whole afternoon here exploring the various parks and catch spectacular sunset views over the city. Some favourite spots include the Federation Walkway and the Rio Tinto Naturescape park. 

Where to stay in Perth

A huge range of accommodation options in the CBD and nearby suburbs. Like any city, the closer to the centre the more you’ll pay. Watch out for car parking fees if you’ve picked up your hire car from the airport.  Otherwise, there are some car rentals close in to town too but having your car ready means an early start day 2.

At the top end of the range, the Crown Towers  in Burswood is great with plenty of play parks and facilities nearby (also great if you happen to be in town for the AFL!).

We also like Mounts Bay Waters Apartment Hotels and The Westin Perth for CBD hotels, or Perth Central City Stay Apartments are also convenient to a lot of places, walking distance to Kings Park. 

There is an increasingly good range of AirBnB properties in Perth to choose from, ideal for family groups. 

Day 2 Perth to Bunbury via Dwellingup

Perth to dwelling up 1hr 30 mins – dwellingup to bunbury 1hr 20 mins;  or direct perth to bunbury 2 hours.

Start your journey south from the Mitchell Freeway/State Route 2, turning off at Pinjarra then heading into the forest around Dwellingup with your first stop at Trees Adventure ,  a ropes course in Lane Poole Reserve! This is a fabulously fun family activity in the forest, ideal for 4 years+. They have a low ropes course then 7 years+, they have various degrees of challenging high ropes courses to tackle. (Pre-booking especially at weekends and holidays is a must).

From here you can camp in the forest if you’ve come campervan equipped, or continue your journey back to the coast. 

A family favourite in Bunbury is the Dolphin Discovery Centre. This interactive zone has been set up to help foster a healthy relationship between the dolphins that like to all these warm waters home, and us curious humans who love to interact with them.

Where to stay in Bunbury

Discovery Parks on the Bunbury Foreshore or Bunbury Hotel Koombana Bay are both good family choices. 

Day 3 Bunbury to Busselton

Bunbury to busselton 40 minutes direct.

The next stop is only a short hop – though our kids will always insist on a side trip to the small farming town of Donnybrook, famous for it’s Apple Fun Park ! Its claim to fame?  The biggest FREE outdoor playpark in Australia!  There’s all manner of outdoor play equipment here for kids of all ages to enjoy, and of course, nearby bakeries to stop at for a treat before heading on to nearby Busselton.

The undoubted highlight of Busselton is the iconic   Busselton Jetty .   The longest wooden jetty in the Southern Hemisphere, a huge amount of restoration work has seen a small electric train installed for those not quite up to the 1.8km walk get to the end and enjoy the Underwater Observatory in Geographe Bay.  

The Geographe Bay area generally has very calm beaches making it perfect for small children to swim.  There are a multitude of playparks along the foreshore here, or keep heading along the coast to Dunsborough and as far as the tip to Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse. You can also use this area for beachside walks or running and if you have a doubt on how to choose equipment for these activities, check more here .  

It’s possible to climb the lighthouse tower   (for a somewhat hefty fee).  You will also find Eagle Bay Brewing Co on this drive – well worthy of your lunch stop! 

Where to stay in Busselton

There’s a HUGE range of family accommodation here from holiday parks to motels and resorts (though don’t quite go thinking Bali ). We love and can personally recommend Big 4 Beachlands with great family sized cabins and facilities.  Staying near to the jetty in town try the Busselton Jetty Chalets  with family sized room options.

Day 4 Busselton to Margaret River (or to Augusta)

Busselton to augusta is around 1 hour direct.

Now, are there any wine lovers in the house? For us grown-ups, this can be the highlight day of a tour down south!  There are incredibly over 180 wineries in the Margaret River Region alone, many of which offer cellar door tastings – from huge conglomerates offering restaurant meals and entertainment with your lunch or dinner, through to smaller boutiques only open weekends for tastings by appointment.  The options are endless!!!

If you are coming for a full wine-tasting experience you will, of course, need to plan carefully. There are many tour companies that can do the driving for you – or take sensible precautions and allocate your skipper! Police are vigilant on you remaining below the 0.05 alcohol limit for driving – with good reason and those small sample glasses add up quickly.

You can perhaps reasonably see three to five wineries in one day without being totally rushed, but wine-lovers are best recommended to allow extra days in the region to enjoy this part of the itinerary to it’s fullest. Our full list of family-friendly favourite wineries coming soon.

If you’re more beer than wine, or drinking is not really your thing there is still PLENTY to do in the Margaret River region.  Many craft breweries double as family-friendly restaurants and are top spots for a day out, we love Cheeky Monkeys, Colonial Brewing Co & Bootleg Brewery just to name a few. 

Exploring the limestone caves along aptly named Caves Road is also an exciting part about visiting the Margaret River Region. Suited to slightly older children, take on Mammoth Caves , Jewel Caves with its enormous chambers, enjoy the underground Lake Cave or reveal in the history of the region with a guided tour through Ngilgi Cave – a complete guide here to which caves may suit your family’s ages best .

And more kiddy favourites in the region include the Yallingup Maze, the Margaret River Chocolate Company, Margaret River Ice Cream and the Candy Cow in Cowanarup. 

How have I gotten this far and not mentioned the beaches? Renown for its spectacular surf coast, there are many wonderful beaches along the Margaret River coast, most notably Smiths Beach and Prevelley Beach mouth for your surf-lovers and crashing waves. Neighbouring Gnarabup Beach is slightly calmer with the kids.

Our complete guide to Margaret River with Kids coming very soon!

Walking with the stingrays at Hamelin Bay is also a popular past-time, you will find Hamelin Bay toward the southern end of the Margaret River Region coastline.  Then the very last town you come to is Augusta.  A walk out to Cape Leeuwin lighthouse will see you at the very south-westernmost point of Australia, where the Indian and Southern Oceans meet. 

Where to stay near Margaret River

Compared to the rest of the South West, the Margaret River Region is actually quite a compact part of the state between the tip at Cape Naturalist to Cape Leeuwin in the south is about 110kms.  You could choose to spend 3-4 days based in one spot in this region without moving every night. Margaret River itself is only one of many small towns, though it has grown substantially in recent years along with its reputation. 

The township of Augusta is actually quite small and quiet. There is an OK motel in town, and plenty of holiday homes spotted around, but you may prefer to stay further north in the region and just day trip down to Augusta or try out the sweet little holiday park in Hamelin Bay.

Got an accommodation suggestion? We are currently compiling our list of best Margaret River family stays for 2020 – get in touch if you have an idea or want your property to feature as the Globetrotters will be touring the region this year for updated reviews. 

Day 5 Augusta to Walpole via Manjimup

Augusta to walpole is 245kms or 3 hours direct.

Day 5 is one of those deceptively long drives, depending on which route you take and how many stops.  There are no straight lines through the spectacular forests of southern Western Australia. 

You will be utterly blown away as you head through the tall timber forests including Karri Jarrah and Tingle Tree forests.  The region has a checkered history between the need for forests and wood and the need to protect the biodiversity of the region. A trip through the Southern Forests and particularly Walpole on the south coast brings much of this to life with a combination of both plantation and old growth forest.

We have more on exploring Walpole and the Southern Forest with kids here.

Those with a good head for heights may want to stop in at one of the Fire Climb Trees in the Pemberton region (recommended for older children only). You can head to the visitor centre afterward to collect a certificate marking your achievement (I still proudly have mine from when I was 10!!)

No trip to the Southern Forests region for us would be complete without a stop in at the Manjimup Heritage Park  adventure playground. It has one of the most amazing and beautiful kid’s playgrounds with one of the tallest slides you will ever see! (The cafe seemed closed during our last visit 2018, there are otherwise several bakeries in town to grab a bite before heading to the park).

One of the most famous attractions in the region is the Valley of the Giants Skywalk and Ancient Empire Walk below.  It’s quite pricey to go in but, of course, amazing. A small tip though you can get into the Empire Walk for free, the charge is only for the treetop walk .  Otherwise, there are many other tingle forests and short walks in the region that are without charge too , learn about them here.

Where to stay near Walpole

We highly recommend heading just a little beyond Walpole to an area called Coalmine Beach. They have both normal camping sites here, cabins, and even glamping tents  – you can see our full review of their glamping tents here!

Got longer?  Stay another full day in Walpole and catch one of the morning WOW Wilderness Cruises that comes highly commended via relatives and friends.  It commences at 10am daily from the jetty in Walpole and lasts 2.5 hours.  Host Gary Muir takes you through the regions nature and history on a fabulous and fascinating excursion back in time with some amazing humour and storytelling.

Day 6 Walpole to Albany via Denmark  

Walpole to albany is 120kms, 1.5 hours if you drive direct.

There are two ways you can tackle this leg – depending on if you’ve had your fill of spectacular beaches or if you’re tending towards beer and wine – though by all means try both!

If you didn’t have time to see the Valley of the Giants then tackle this at the start of Day 6 as they are the next stop from Walpole on the South Coast Highway.

There are several inlets you can stop at but our absolute favourite and I’m sure you’ve caught dreamy photos before is Greens Pool in William Bay National Park. The stunning rock formations and brilliant white sands are to die for! (So much so this is where we had our wedding photos taken!) 

We love heading slightly further around to Mad Fish Bay . Be warned the waters here can be rougher, and you need to be very careful with your tides , but there are more little coves and better rock climbing to be found here with fewer tourists who don’t want to take on the extra dirt track – still 2WD accessible. 

Whilst you can happily spend all day here, if you are a wine-lover, you won’t want to miss Scotsdale Rd. Wind through the hills behind the coastal township of Denmark for what I would argue are some of WA’s best wineries (they just don’t shout about it as loud as Margaret River but trust me, you’ll be spoilt!!!)

A great family place to stop for a feed on the South Coast Highway is Boston Brewing Co. They have a huge garden area and playground for the sunny days, as well as a lovely warm restaurant with fire for the winter months.

Another up and coming boutique star to try just before you get to Albany is Wilson Brewing Co . (It’s definitely a designated driver day!)

We talk more about family-friendly wineries in the Great Southern region here.

Where to stay near Denmark

There are plentiful accommodation choices just in Denmark, though many holiday homes are better suited to longer stays.  Otherwise, head onward to Albany which is another 40 minutes drive and make this your base for the next two nights.

Day 7 Albany

Albany is one of the country’s most dramatic coastal towns with an incredibly rich history.  It is, in fact, WA’s oldest city being settled in 1826 as one of the first military outposts of New South Wales (it pre-dates Fremantle).

You can see our full range of family-friendly activity suggestions in and around Albany here.

We recommend you start with a morning at the Albany Heritage Park,   Mount Adelaide and Mount Clarence.  Here you will find the National ANZAC Centre and stunning views over the city from the highest vantage points as well as several memorials and exhibits from World War I and World War II.

Spend a little time in Albany High Street – if it’s raining the little WA Museum here makes an excellent refuge! Kids will no doubt want to explore the Brig Amity replica ship, very popular with the little ones.

In the afternoon, head out to the Vancouver Peninsular and Torndirrup National Park.  Once again, there are some stunning beaches.   At the end of the peninsular, you will come to whaling cove and the historic Discovery Bay Whaling Centre . It is an interesting visit, but if you’re short on time, I would save your money and stick with the spectacular natural attractions.

The most dramatic ocean stops await at the Gap & Natural Bridge and the Blowholes.  Hold on to the kids because it can be mighty blustery even on a calm day (The blowholes are not suitable for small children). The Gap has seen major infrastructure put in place so visitors can stand on a viewing platform while watching the stunning show beneath as waves fiercely crash into the rock face, a true force of nature. 

Want to add some extra days from Albany? If time permits, keep travelling east and keep enjoying the spectacular southern ocean coastline.  Our all-time favourite little patch of beach (albeit I need to shut up about it as every year more and more people are there, even in winter!) is Little Beach in Two People’s Bay.  It is that perfect. 

It goes without saying as with anywhere along this south coast, watch the tides and changes in the ocean.  Never leave kids unsupervised near the water and watch for sudden winds. 

Further afield again, you could keep heading on to Bremer Bay, 180kms further east. A much smaller town but an excellent spot for whale spotting. If you are visiting during January to March you may catch the killer whale season in the Bremer Canyon.

Where to stay in Albany

Albany has a huge range of accommodation offerings to suit all budgets.  For families, we recommend the calm waters of Middleton Beach or Emu Point with its plentiful playgrounds and access to the Ellen Cove walk.

We recommend Big 4 Middleton Beach for camping and onsite cabins, or try Emu Point Motel. There are a great number of longer-term rentals around Albany too, or more motel style accommodation closer to town. 

Route Alternative: At this point, most travellers on a tight schedule head back to Perth, but as part of a longer 2-week round-trip, you can extend your road trip along the south coast to Esperance (480km/ 5 hours). You return journey could then take you further into the Wheatbelt and past Wave Rock (approx. 8 hours return). Learn more about travelling from Perth to Esperance here.

Day 8 Albany to Perth 

Albany to perth, via the porongurups, is 5 hours driving.

You can return directly to Perth up the Albany Highway, but there still plenty of stops you can make along the way depending on time.  The direct drive will take you 4.5 hours but we recommend more stops along the way to make a full day of it.

The first stop is Mount Barker and its award-winning bakery for breakfast, then head slightly east from Mount Barker to visit the Porongurups .  An easy(ish!) morning walk is up Castle Rock and the Granite Skywalk. A fairly steep 45-minute uphill climb then some scrambling at the top to be rewarded with these views. 

As part of an extended trip down south you could take on the Stirling Ranges too, the highest point in Western Australia – often hitting the news when on the occasional coldest days of winter the peaks experience snowfall!

The drive home up the Albany Highway is rather flat and straight from this point. Williams is a nice town to make a snacking stop before climbing back through the forests of Jarrahdale andthe dramatic mountainous decent into Armadale and Perth city.

Where to stay in Fremantle

We recommend if you haven’t hit the coast near Perth yet, make your way to Fremantle for your last night. Try Quest Fremantle or Tradewinds Hotel. 

Day 9 Fremantle

Spend your final day in Fremantle before departure exploring the port city – locals will tell you they are two different cities but the sprawl of suburbs it’s hard to tell!

Fremantle is undoubtedly the industrial port but also has a unique charm that lures visitors to enjoy fish and chips on the harbour, explore the markets and the many museums. 

You can see a full guide to exploring Fremantle here.

With a little longer on your itinerary, you will want to add either a day trip or spend a few nights out at “Rotto”. Rottnest Island is a favourite with Perth families for its calm bays and car-free roads made for family cycling trips, and adorable quokkas, of course!

• See Freo to Rottnest Ferry Package options here .
• Day packages to Rottnest

The practicalities – how to road trip in Western Australia

We have a comprehensive guide on road tripping the whole state of Western Australia here , but assuming you are just tackling the South West corner, here are a few further ideas to help you plan your trip:

• Beware WA school holidays – it is exceptionally busier during the Western Australia school holidays& public holiday weekends.
• Weekends in the Margaret River region are also much busier with weekend trippers from Perth. If you can visit outside of Friday/Saturday/Sunday things might be much quieter. 
• Don’t be surprised though once you’re off the main tourist drag, many smaller businesses may be shut early in the week, only opening say Thu-Sun.

• The roads are undulating and windy; towns certainly do not connect in straight lines and speed limits vary for the conditions.  This makes it a great excuse to explore small town WA.  There are many claims to fame of having the best park or the best stopover, best bakery, you name it – this corner of the world is just thriving for that “quick stop” on the side of the road so plan your day by day progress carefully! 
• Watch for limited kms when hiring a car.  More of an issue when you hire a car in the more remote parts of Australia, they will limit the number of kilometres you can do per day without extra charge – always read the fine print.
• If driving near sunset especially, keep your eye out for ‘roos. You should always use headlights on the highways.
• Driving is on the left side of the road (steering wheel on the right) and speed limits strictly enforced.
• Like all good travellers – make sure you take out travel insurance! 

Use this comprehensive Skyscanner planning tool to price out the different parts of your WA Trip

A two week perth to the south west itinerary.

Ask anyone in Perth and I am sure they will tell you a week is nowhere near long enough to explore down south. This itinerary is just a taster so you can see what’s available and the distance that needs to be covered.

We’d highly recommend at a minimum you double this itinerary to two weeks to make the most of it and settle into places for longer.  A two-week itinerary for the south west of WA could look like:

Day 1-2: Perth

Day 3: Pinjarra & Bunbury

Day 4: Busselton & Dunsborough

Day 5-7: Margaret River & Augusta

Day 8-9: The Southern Forests

Day 10-12: Denmark & Albany

Day 13-14: Fremantle & Rottnest  

It’s entirely up to you – tailor your holiday to your families love of beaches, nature & fresh produce – there is an abundance of all of our favourite things in this most amazing corner of the world!

Bookmark this page or save it to Pinterest for later

Want to catch more of our Australian Adventures? 

Don’t miss our guides to:

• Best Australian animal encounters
• Port Douglas & things to do with kids in tropical north Queensland
• Essential stops on a Queensland Road Trip
• Broome with Kids
• Brisbane with Kids
• Unique Sydney experiences with Kids
• Melbourne with kids

Disclosures: This article contains affiliate links.  If you click on these links it may earn a small income for this blog.   Our full disclosure policy and website terms of use can be found here.,

© Our Globetrotters

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3 thoughts on “ Exploring WA’s South West – a spectacular 9-day road trip from Perth ”

Thanks Globetrotters, this is a really great guide that will help plan a holiday in the Southwest.

I saved your Pin to pinterest as well, hopefully people find it!

SO glad I found this itinerary! We have been considering a loop in South West Australia and couldn’t work out how long we would need when travelling with kids. Good to know it is achievable in 9 days and for the guidance on key stops.

Definitely do-able in 9 but you’d still need to do a lot of moving around every day or two

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Winter in Perth

Winter in perth means clear skies, cooler days, and plenty of things to see and do, both indoors and outdoors. .

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10 Wonderful Winter Road Trips To Take In Western Australia

Western Australia is one of the  top winter destinations in Australia to escape the cooler temperatures. Boasting balmy and temperate weather, vibrant wildlife, blooming wildflowers and much more, a winter road trip in Western Australia offers a truly unique experience for every type of traveller.

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The biggest challenge? With so many beautiful road trip options and itineraries, it can be difficult deciding which route to take. To help, we have put together a list of our top ten winter road trips through WA. Detailing the best places to go, what to do and where to stay for each. Let’s dive in.

Planning a winter campervan trip in Western Australia

Western Australia is huge! The landmass of the state is 2.626 million km². It’s the second-largest state in the world and roughly half the size of Europe. Safe to say, the  climate in Western Australia will vary from one end of the state to the other.

In the south, the climate is akin to the Mediterranean, while the northern parts of the state enjoy a more tropical climate. This is something to consider when planning and packing for your winter escape. Ask yourself if you are chasing tropical summer weather or more temperate weather. Planning around the weather will help you decide where to go, as well as how to pack for your adventure.

If you are wondering  what to pack for a Western Australia road trip in winter, we have you covered! These are our top travel tips for renting a van to travel to Western Australia in the winter:

• Check  what is included with your rental to avoid packing any unnecessary items
• Pack a variety of essentials, including beach wear, sun protection, a rain jacket and a few light layers
• Be aware of how to stay safe driving in winter , especially in outback areas
• Download the thl Roadtrip app . This road trip itinerary planner is the perfect road trip companion to help you plan your trip. Using the integrated offline maps, you can mark caravan parks, dump points, attractions and more. All conveniently on your phone!

As for where to go, these are our favourite road trips around Western Australia.

1. Perth to Shark Bay

Leave the city lights of Perth behind you as you wind your way up the coast to Shark Bay. On the way, you will pass through the limestone formations of the  Pinnacles and past the geological wonder of Kalbarri National Park . When you arrive in Shark Bay don’t miss the opportunity to  witness the whale migrations and get up close with wild dolphins in Monkey Mia .

Distance: 1,869km

Recomended trip length: 6-10 days

Where to stop: Going up the coast you’ll see amazing views. Stop at  Southern Beekeepers Nature Reserve (keep an eye out for the limestone caves).

What to do: Interact with wild dolphins at the  Monkey Mia Dolphin Experience

Where to stay: You may need to split up the travel by staying a night in Dongara, otherwise, park up at  Shark Bay Caravan Park once you arrive.

For more ideas on things to do, read our in-depth Perth to Shark Bay itinerary .

2. Perth to Karijini National Park

Karijini National Park  is all about adventure. Wander amongst the ancient rocky crevices, swim in crystal-clear gorges and admire the geological layers on show in this ancient landscape. Karijini is the perfect mix of desert and oasis. As it is not as hot during the winter months, so it is a lot more comfortable to visit.

With that in mind, it is not just about the destination, but the journey. From vibrant coastal wildlife to gold mines, there is plenty of adventure to be had on this Western Australia road trip.

Distance: 1,353km

Recomended trip length: 3-4 days

Where to stop: Stop in at  Mount Magnet and visit the Mining and Pastoral Museum. You’ll pass a lot of gold mines on this journey, and this museum can provide a bit of background.

What to do: Take a hike or even swim in a waterfall pool in Karijini National Park .

Where to stay: You will need to allow at least a couple of nights to get there. A great option is to stay in  Cue along the way. Once you arrive, park up at Dales Campground .

3. Perth to Exmouth

Winter in Exmouth is nothing short of paradise. The days are warm and sunny, begging for you to go snorkelling in the fringing reef or swimming with the gentle giant whale sharks. In the evenings, the temperatures drop so you can cosy up and relax by the fire toasting marshmallows. On your way north, you will wind your way through some of this coast’s most iconic attractions, including Natures Window ; a spectacular lookout in Kalbarri, the vivid pink of Hutt Lagoon , the wildflowers in Geraldton and more.

Distance: 2,848km

Recomended trip length: 7 days

Where to stop: Stop in at  Kalbarri and see the pelicans

What to do: Swim with humpback whales !

Where to stay:   Haven Devon Cliffs Holiday Park

For more details, check out our in-depth Perth to Exmouth itinerary .

4. Perth to Jurien Bay

Starting in July, this coastline glows with the vibrant pinks, yellows and purples of wildflower season. As you wind your way north towards these wild treasures, you will pass some of Western Australia’s most iconic natural attractions, including  Lancelin sand dunes and the pinnacles. When you arrive in Jurien Bay, book yourself a tour to go swimming with the sea lions. These ‘puppies of the sea’ are as cute as they are playful. Be sure to rent a wetsuit - the water may be a bit nippy!

Distance: 218km

Recomended trip length: 1 day

Where to stop : Slide down  Lancelin Sand Dunes

What to do:   Sea Spray Art and go  swimming with sea lions

Where to stay:   Jurien Bay Caravan Park

5. Perth to Hamelin Bay

Australia’s Southwest is a hub for summer lovers, with laidback beach towns to explore and a thriving culinary scene. This route winds past the Margaret River wineries, boutique stores and once-in-a-lifetime wildlife experiences. Hamelin Bay is one such place - known for its abundance of curious stingrays that come close to shore to greet visitors.

Top tip: In winter there aren’t as many stingrays around at Hamelin Bay, so this is something to consider if you’re going there to see them!

Distance: 309km

Where to stop: See all of the  street art in Bunbury

What to do: Even in winter, there are a few stingrays around so keep an eye out. Otherwise, grab a fishing road and have a go at catching your dinner!

Where to stay:   Hamelin Bay Holiday Park

6. Perth to Esperance

This Western Australia road trip traverses Australia’s Southwest and the Great Southern region. In this jam-packed corner of the state, you will have the chance to enjoy some of the best experiences and attractions in Australia. Walk along the Southern Hemisphere’s longest jetty in Busselton, visit the surfing town of Margaret River , explore the forested town of Pemberton and see wallabies roaming on the beach in Lucky Bay .

Travel Tip: The weather is a little more variable during winter and you may expect a cloudy day here and there. The bonus? You will get to see these beautiful locations and enjoy these experiences without the summer crowds.

Distance: 697km

Where to stop: Stop at Lake Grace and follow the  Lake Grace Story Trail

What to do: Get up close with kangaroos at  Lucky Bay

Where to stay:   Esperance Bay Holiday Park

7. Perth to Kimberley

Step into one of the world’s last truly wild spaces with this Western Australia road trip to the Kimberley region. While many of the top attractions in Western Australia are found on the coast, this road trip takes you deep into the wild and arid beauty of the outback. Here you can go on a 4WD tour to see the Bungle Bungles , swim with 30,000 freshwater crocodiles (the safe kind) in Lake Argyle , see a giant baobab tree and lose yourself in the beauty of the many gorges and hikes tucked away in this region. In the winter, temperatures drop below 30°C making it much more comfortable to experience the great outdoors in this desert region.

Distance: 2,538km

Recomended trip length: 8-10 days

Where to stop: Stop at Port Hedland and keep an eye out for turtles at  Cemetery Beach Park

What to do: Take a  flight over the bizarre Bungle Bungles

Where to stay: You’ll need to break up the trip and stay at a few places along the way. Once you arrive though, stay at Kimberley Caravan Park.

8. Perth to The Pinnacles

The Pinnacles  make for the perfect day trip from the city. Just a few hours north of Perth, you will be immersed in this unique landscape. Explore the 17,000+ hectares of National park and walk amongst the natural limestone structures jutting from the sandy desert terrain. Once you have finished exploring, you can look up one of the many bush free-camping sites in the area using the thl Roadtrip app or head back to Perth.

Distance: 200km

Where to stop: Take in the views at  Lake Thetis

What to do: See the stunning limestone formations in  Nambung National Park

9. Perth to Broome

This drive is for the adventurous and avid road tripper. Running from the most southern city to the most northern, it encompasses the beauty and diversity of this state. In the winter months, you can enjoy nice warm days and balmy nights as you watch the coastline come to life. From wildlife and wildflowers in the south to red dirt beaches in the north, this is easily one of the most stunning winter escapes in Australia .

Travel tip: Once you have finished you can return your campervan to Broome at the  maui Broome branch to save the return journey!

Distance: 2,047km

Recomended trip length: 7-9 days

Where to stop: Stop in at Wubin and see the  Heritage Wheatbin Museum

What to do: Go hunting for dinosaur footprints !

Where to stay:   Broome Caravan Park

10. Perth to Katanning

Get off the beaten path with a road trip along the Wheatbelt path to Katanning . This little town is a rural cultural hotspot best known for its multicultural community and lively annual events. As many of the annual events run in the summer months, this is a nice, quiet time to explore this region. When in town, don’t miss a visit to Kodja Place , where you can learn about the stories and history of the Aboriginal cultures of this region.

Distance: 286km

Where to stop: Stop in at  Cohunu Koala Park just as you leave Perth

What to do: Visit the all-ages playground .

Where to stay:   Katanning Caravan Park

Time to book your WA winter escape?

Western Australia in the winter offers a truly unique experience. There are plenty of wonderful winter road trips to explore the smorgasbord of natural attractions, wildlife and temperate weather in this beautifully diverse state.

Begin planning your escape and book your maui campervan online today . All that’s left to do is to pick up your campervan at the  maui branch in Perth for an adventure of a lifetime.

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Best day trips from perth in the winter (2023 guide).

What are the best day trips from Perth in winter? We’ll go through them all in this thorough guide!

Are you looking for a perfect winter getaway to escape the hustle and bustle of Perth?

Perth is one of the most beautiful and vibrant cities in Australia and makes for an ideal holiday destination all year round. 

The winter temperatures are a lot milder than elsewhere in the world (trust me, I’m writing this as a Brit!), but if the weather isn’t too kind during your stay there, or you don’t fancy spending all day lazing on the beach in the cooler winter weather, you might be wondering what are the best day trips from Perth in winter?

From exploring the vineyards of Margaret River to cruising around Rottnest Island by bike; here are some of the best day trips from Perth during winter!

The best day trips from Perth in winter

From the many vineyards of Margaret River, to popular spots like Rottnest Island without the crowds, to the charismatic Western Australian towns and villages with plenty of indoor attractions, there are so many alluring day trips from Perth in the winter season! 

Margaret River

Margaret River is a prime Western Australia tourist destination all year round. 

With a mild climate, a range of wineries and pristine beaches, there’s so much to do here whatever the weather!

This area is popular for surfing, mountain biking, vineyards and hiking – just to name a few! 

The diverse landscape offers stunning views of rolling hills and green pastures surrounded by rugged cliffs.

While there are plenty of outdoor activities in Margaret River, if you’re visiting in winter when the weather isn’t so kind, I have two words for you: wine tour. 

Margaret River wine region is one of the most significant wine-producing regions in Australia.

It has been rated as having some of the best-tasting wines and has won several awards in international wine competitions. 

The Margaret River is home to many wineries that produce a wide range of styles from red, white and rose wines to sparkling, fortified and even dessert wines. 

Varying climates in the region make winemaking conditions perfect for many types of grape varieties used for a variety of reds and whites.

Visitors can visit a variety of different wineries located across the beautiful Margaret River landscape and experience firsthand why this region produces some of Australia’s most award-winning wines.

How to get to Margaret River

You can have a private Margaret River tour with King Minibus Charter Perth. They offer all sorts of tour and charter services throughout Perth and Western Australia – wherever you want to go, they’ll take you!

This is particularly useful in the Margaret River region because they can take you from vineyard to vineyard – so you don’t have to have a designated driver! 

The city of Fremantle in Western Australia is a fantastic place to visit during the winter months – here you’ll find bustling cafes, markets and beaches. 

During, winter temperatures can drop to as low as 9 degrees Celsius, and the rainy season starts in May. 

Despite the chilly weather, there are many things to explore in the town including the iconic Maritime Museum and the famous Fremantle Markets. 

Sitting just half an hour from Perth, Fremantle is almost a suburb of the city, but many passionate Fremantlians argue that it is very much a destination in its own right! 

Summer may be peak tourist season for Fremantle, with tourists frequenting the beaches and nature spots, but winter offers a quieter more tranquil atmosphere for visitors wanting a slower pace.

How to get there

Fremantle is well-connected to Perth, with the Transperth rail links spanning to the town from Perth city centre. You can also self-drive or do a private tour with King Mini Bus Charter Tours. 

If the weather isn’t too kind when you’re in Perth and you want to visit somewhere that’s pleasant in rain and sunshine, head to York, which is past the Perth Hills and into the countryside.

The first inland European settlement in Western Australia, York is known for its historic buildings and relaxed atmosphere.

With local markets offering fresh products, independent shops and gorgeous art galleries, there’s plenty to enjoy in York in the winter months. 

York is a 1 hour 20 minute drive inland from Perth; you can either self-drive or take a King Mini Bus Charter bus to reach the town. 

The Pinnacles

The Pinnacles Desert is renowned for its stunning natural beauty. 

The desert consists of massive limestone forms amidst yellow and white sand dunes that create an ethereal landscape. You’ll feel like you’re walking on Mars when you visit! 

The great thing about the Pinnacles is that, as they’re situated in a desert, precipitation is low. In the winter months, the weather can be a bit chillier – but as long as you remember to pull on a coat, you’ll be able to see them comfortably! 

On your way back to Perth, call into Yanchep. This is a scenic national park that’s famous for having the only koalas in Western Australia. 

They aren’t native to this side of the country – they stay in a forest here due to eucalyptus being grown here – but it’s a great way to see the adorable creatures in a semi-natural environment. 

Yanchep National Park is open year-round and has some lovely walks that are just as beautiful in the cooler months. 

How to get to The Pinnacles

The Pinnacles is about a two hour drive from Perth, and if you don’t have your own vehicle you can take advantage of a King Mini Bus Charter bus, who provide a Perth to Pinnacles charter tour bus service . 

Rottnest Island

Located in the Indian Ocean, some 30 kilometres from the coast of Perth,  Rottnest Island is a stunning Iceland destination like no other. 

Boasting turquoise waters, diverse wildlife and an abundance of activities both on land and sea, it’s the perfect spot for adventurers of all ages to explore! 

From exploring the white sand beaches, to playing golf, cycling around the island or visiting historic attractions such as Wadjemup Lighthouse or The Basin, there’s something to suit everyone on Rottnest. 

Rottnest Island is one of the most beautiful places to visit in Australia year-round, but winter is particularly special. 

During winter months, the island enjoys cooler temperatures far fewer crowds, making it all the more inviting.

If you want to take in the, which can make outdoor pursuits like hiking and cycling (the best way to get around the island) seem more enjoyable. 

 hiking or cycling trails, the winter months are much cooler than the sweltering summer. You can still enjoy the stunning beaches, but you’ll be fighting far fewer tourists to see them! 

I wouldn’t recommend visiting Rottnest on a rainy day in winter (it’s very exposed), but don’t worry if the weather is a little cooler – you might not be able to jump in the sea, but there’s plenty to explore on land!

You’ll need to take a boat over to Rottnest Island (the Rottnest Express ) from Fremantle. These take about 25 minutes, or you can take a boat from Perth which takes about 45 minutes. Be sure to book your ticket in advance and double check the times.

The best Perth winter day trips!

It might be colder in Perth in the winter months, but that doesn’t mean that the capital of Western Australia isn’t worth visiting! Not only are there plenty of museums and indoor attractions in the city, but there’s also an abundance of day trips in the winter months. 

Whether you want to see the best towns and villages close to Perth or go hiking in stunning national parks, there’s so much on offer in Perth in the winter. And, if it gets too cold, you can always head up the coast to see tropical Western Australia – I did a trip north that finished in beautiful Broome ! 

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Epic Perth Road Trips – Weekenders To Multi-Week Adventures in WA

When it comes to great Australian road trips , you are spoilt for choice in Perth. The sun-soaked capital of Western Australia is a gateway to several extraordinary driving adventures – each one comprising an endless tapestry of natural wonders, cultural marvels and unforgettable experiences.

From the ethereal Pinnacles Desert to the pristine beaches of the Coral Coast, there is plenty to discover as you navigate the highways and byways on Perth road trips .

So, if you have an adventurous spirit and yearn for the open road, please keep reading as we reveal the mysteries and highlights of what to expect from a selection of unforgettable road trips from Perth.

Hiring a Car in Perth

Perth to new norcia (national highway 95), perth to wave rock (state route 40), perth to geraldton (state route 60), perth to albany (state route 30), perth to esperance (national route 107), perth to exmouth (national route 1), perth to broome (national highway 95 and national highway 1), further tips for road tripping in western australia.

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If you did not bring your car to Perth or do not think it would be up to completing a road trip, then hiring a vehicle is an excellent option. Perth boasts a range of reputable car rental agencies that offer a wide selection of vehicles to suit various preferences and budgets.

Do I need an off-road vehicle in WA?

When selecting the ideal car for your weekend trips from Perth, consider the diverse terrains you may encounter. For those planning to explore the rugged outback or venture into remote regions, a robust 4WD or SUV is a wise choice, providing both comfort and reliability on unpaved roads.

However, if you stick mainly to the well-maintained highways and coastal routes, a compact or midsize car may suffice, offering better fuel efficiency for longer journeys.

Whatever your choice, ensure your rental car has GPS navigation and ample storage space to accommodate your luggage and road trip essentials.

Overall, having the right vehicle at your disposal will make road trips in Western Australia much more enjoyable.

Day Trips & Longer Road Trips From Perth

Once you’ve secured your hire car, or if you are taking your own, you’ll be set to hit the open road and go one day trips from Perth. But where can you go?

Whether you are looking for places to visit north of Perth or fancy a road trip down south, there are plenty of destinations you can head to.

If you have an adventurous spirit, here’s a list of places to consider adding to your road-tripping from Perth itinerary.

• Distance: 126 km
• Driving Time: 1 hour 30 minutes

If you are looking for short road trips from Perth that combine history, culture and natural beauty, look no further than the picturesque drive to New Norcia in Western Australia.

The journey to New Norcia is a serene experience, with wide, well-maintained highways that make for comfortable and enjoyable travel. Along the way, you’ll encounter the Avon Valley , a region renowned for its wildflowers during spring. Be sure to plan your trip during this season to witness a vibrant carpet of colours.

Upon reaching New Norcia, you’ll find a place that feels more European than Australian. Established in 1846 by Spanish Benedictine monks, New Norcia is Australia’s only monastic town. It boasts beautifully preserved architecture, including a grand abbey, a historic hotel and a museum that tells the story of the town’s religious heritage. Don’t miss the chance to savour the town’s famous bread and other artisanal products made by the monks.

In addition to its rich history, New Norcia is surrounded by natural beauty. Explore the nearby Moore River , where you can take leisurely walks or swim in the clear waters. For those interested in Aboriginal culture, the region also offers opportunities to learn about the local Indigenous history and art.

• Distance: 331 km
• Driving Time: 3 hours 45 minutes

Visiting Wave Rock is right up there as one of the best Perth day trips you can do.

An incredible geological formation, Wave Rock resembles a gigantic breaking wave frozen in time. As a result of millions of years of weathering and erosion, the rock’s unique shape stands an impressive 15 metres in height and stretches over 100 metres. Whilst there, you can explore the base of Wave Rock and discover the ancient Aboriginal rock art, revealing the deep cultural significance of this place.

Those seeking more adventurous pursuits can explore the surrounding Hyden Wildlife Park , home to a diverse range of native Australian wildlife, including kangaroos and emus. Additionally, check out the nearby Mulka’s Cave , known for its Aboriginal legends and fascinating rock formations.

Getting to Wave Rock involves traversing the expansive Western Australian Outback. The drive is a real adventure involving wide-open roads that lead you into the heart of the Wheatbelt region, full of quaint country towns, offering a glimpse into rural life.

• Distance: 415 km
• Driving Time: 4 hours 30 minutes

If you are in the mood for coastal day trips from Perth by car, consider heading up to Geraldton – the gateway to Western Australia’s Coral Coast. The drive takes you along the Indian Ocean, where you’ll witness superb, scenic coastal vistas that stretch as far as the eye can see.

Along the way, stop by the fascinating Pinnacles Desert in Nambung National Park , where thousands of limestone pillars create a surreal lunar-like landscape.

Once in Geraldton, explore the city’s maritime heritage at the Western Australian Museum , where the HMAS Sydney II Memorial is a poignant reminder of the region’s wartime history. Stroll along the picturesque foreshore or take a dip in the crystal-clear waters of the town’s pristine beaches.

While it’s possible to complete this journey in a day, this route is perfect for those wanting to enjoy weekend trips from Perth.

• Distance: 418 km
• Driving Time: 4 hours 45 minutes

Heading to Albany is an excellent option for those wanting a road trip down south.

From a departure point that involves driving in Perth, you’ll first encounter the evergreen expanses of the South West region. As you meander along the Albany Highway, the rolling hills and lush farmlands create a picturesque backdrop for your adventure. Make a stop at the historic town of York, known for its charming streets lined with well-preserved 19th-century architecture.

From there, the road takes you through the heart of Western Australia’s wine country. Be sure to explore the renowned wineries of the Great Southern region, where you can try award-winning varietals amidst the scenic vineyards.

On arrival in Albany, you’ll find a coastal paradise rich in history. The town played a significant role in Australia’s Anzac history, and you can pay your respects at the National Anzac Centre , perched atop Mount Clarence with panoramic views of King George Sound.

Albany’s rugged coastline boasts dramatic cliffs and pristine beaches, with must-visit spots like the Gap and Natural Bridge offering spectacular vistas of the Southern Ocean. Be sure to add the historic Whaling Station to your Perth itinerary to learn about the region’s whaling past.

• Distance: 697 km
• Driving Time: 7 hours 45 minutes

Perth Road Trips don’t get much better than the one that takes you to Esperance. This journey will leave you amazed by this vast and diverse region’s sheer beauty and natural wonders.

Leaving the urban comforts of driving in Perth behind, you’ll soon find yourself surrounded by the unique landscapes of the Wheatbelt region. The drive takes you through open farmlands and charming rural towns and to the historic gold mining town of Kalgoorlie to explore its rich heritage.

From there, the landscape gradually transforms as you approach Esperance until the brilliant turquoise waters of the Southern Ocean come into view. Prepare to be captivated by the pristine white sands of Twilight Beach and Lucky Bay . These beaches often rank among the world’s most beautiful, with their fine sands and crystal-clear waters – inviting you for a refreshing swim or relaxing stroll.

Esperance is also a gateway to the stunning Cape Le Grand National Park, home to iconic landmarks like Frenchman Peak and the Cape Le Grand Beaches. For hikers, this park offers a variety of trails that lead to breathtaking panoramic views.

As you explore the region, you’ll also discover the rugged beauty of the Great Ocean Drive, where you can witness the remarkable rock formations of the coast, including the famous Pink Lake . 

• We cover this drive and more interesting stops en route in our Perth to Esperance itinerary
• Distance : 1250 km
• Driving Time: 13 hours 10 minutes

For more adventurous road trippers looking for places to go north of Perth, visiting Exmouth is an epic journey to complete.

Spanning approximately 1,250 kilometres along the Coral Coast, this journey involves a thrilling exploration of Western Australia’s coastal beauty and marine treasures.

From Perth to Exmouth , you’ll journey through the picturesque countryside, passing rolling farmlands and charming towns like Geraldton. As you venture further northward, the scenery gradually transforms into a mesmerising tapestry of red dirt, turquoise waters, and dramatic cliffs.

Exmouth is a terrific base for exploring the World Heritage-listed Ningaloo Reef . You can snorkel or dive alongside majestic whale sharks, manta rays and vibrant coral formations here. Take the opportunity to explore the captivating underwater world of the reef’s numerous snorkelling sites, where you’ll encounter an array of marine life.

Beyond the oceanic wonders, Exmouth offers a unique blend of outdoor adventures. Hike in the Cape Range National Park , where rugged canyons, pristine beaches, and red rock formations provide endless opportunities for exploration. Take a scenic drive along Yardie Creek Road and be rewarded with breathtaking views of Yardie Creek Gorge .

The road trip also allows you to visit Turquoise Bay , known for its crystal-clear waters and iconic drift snorkel experience. You’ll love effortlessly floating along the shoreline, admiring colourful fish and vibrant corals as the gentle current guides you.

• Distance: 2045 km
• Driving Time : 22 hours 30 minutes

The mother of all road trips in Western Australia undoubtedly takes you from Perth to Broome .

This epic journey covers a distance of around 2,500 kilometres of breathtaking landscapes, promising an unforgettable adventure.

As you traverse the vast expanse of the National Highways, be prepared to be awestruck by the stark contrast between the vibrant red earth and the piercing blue skies. You’ll encounter charming outback towns with unique characteristics and characters along the way.

One of the highlights of this road trip is the opportunity to visit Karijini National Park . This pristine wilderness is a hiker’s paradise, with rugged gorges, refreshing rock pools, and ancient geological formations. Take the opportunity to explore Hancock Gorge and swim in Fern Pool – it’s an experience you’ll treasure forever.

As you continue north, the landscape transforms again, leading you to Broome’s sparkling turquoise waters and white sandy beaches. This coastal paradise is famous for its stunning sunsets over Cable Beach , where camel rides provide a unique perspective of the awe-inspiring scene.

Whilst in Broome, you can explore the town’s rich pearling history, visit the fascinating Horizontal Falls and enjoy delicious seafood while overlooking the Indian Ocean.

Allow between 10 – 14 days for this epic road trip.

• We extend this road trip further in our Perth to Darwin road trip itinerary

What many newcomers to Western Australia don’t realise is the vast size of the country.

• Calculate your daily driving distances carefully when considering a road trip from Perth as you can drive often hundreds of kilometres on fairly straight, boring stretches or road with few fuel stops.
• Plan regular stops to stretch out to avoid driver fatigue , and if possible, switch driver.
• Understand the rules and etiquette for overtaking road trains in WA ; outside of Perth, these ultra-long trucks are a frequent occurrence motorists need to be familiar with .
• You can find more tips here for planning an Australian road trip and driving through the Aussie outback.
• If you want to extend these itineraries further around the country, check out our guide to planning The Big Lap of Australia

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🐳 Perth to Esperance Road Trip (10-Day Itinerary)

With a list of attractions such as underground caves, award winning wineries, pristine beaches and jaw dropping coastlines, it’s no wonder a Perth to Esperance road trip is a popular travel itinerary for many. 

From the Busselton Jetty, to the Indijup Natural Spa, travelling down through Margaret River and Albany, with tree top walks, kangaroos and wineries, there is so much you can explore in the South West Western Australia region. It is simply stunning. 

This remarkable region has something for all ages, from fun playgrounds and family-friendly adventures to iconic points of interests, plus award-winning ‘wining and dining,’ with everything in between. 

Whether you are escaping the hustle and bustle for a short trip away or combining this itinerary with a longer trip, South West Australia is a destination you must visit.

This 10-day Perth to Esperance itinerary is jam-packed with plenty of attractions and ‘must see’ places as you travel around the bottom of Western Australia. I have added some optional places to visit if you love to make the most out of your days and see as much as possible.

For tips on packing, check out this list of 120+ road trip items to consider.

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Perth to Esperance Road Trip MAP

Perth to Esperance Road Trip

Day 1 + 2: Perth & Fremantle (1 night)

The first item on your Perth to Esperance road trip is visiting Fremantle, this is a ‘must’ while in Perth. It has so much to offer and is in no way like Perth City or any other suburb in the metropolitan area. It has its own culture and vibe, which I have never come across elsewhere in Western Australia. 

Getting to Fremantle is easy. It’s just a short 27 minute drive south of Perth or you can catch the train. Upon arrival you will smell the marina breeze and often you can hear the ships docking.

On the weekends will you find Fremantle at its finest, the markets are buzzing and the street entertainment is on point. The street performers have fire, magic tricks and are always pulling volunteers from the crowd to help.

After lunch is when everything starts to slow down and is packed away. This is when I suggest you head over to the marina and stop at Cicerellos for lunch and fill up on the best Fish & Chips in Fremantle.

Check out this guide to Perth when planning the first leg of your journey, plus add some of these great things to do in Perth to your itinerary.

Watch out for those pesky seagulls, they will try to take your lunch!

For the second half of the day, take a drive to Kings Park and see the idyllic views over the Swan river and Perth city. The gardens are well looked after and offer some of the best grass to have a picnic on. Kings Park also have some great walking trails through the bushland, with sweeping views from the cliffside. 

Accommodation in Fremantle

Perth is just like any other city and has plenty of Caravan Parks, Cabins, Motels and Hotels you can book. I recommend Coogee Caravan Park, which is located 100 metres from the beach and is only a 10 minute drive to Fremantle.

Day 2 + 3: Fremantle to Margaret River (2 nights)

My best advice is to hit the road and make an early start. This will give you more time to explore at the next destination. On this leg of the road trip, you will be driving from Perth to Busselton, then onto Yallingup and end the day in Margaret River. The longest stint of the journey is from Perth to Busselton, which can take roughly 3 hours with a stop and spans 219 kilometres. 

Busselton Jetty

There are loads of things to do in Busselton , including the well-known for the Busselton Jetty, which is 1.8 kilometres long and makes for a lovely walk to stretch those legs after the long three hour drive. There is a small cost to walk on the jetty, which then gives you access to swim, fish, jump and walk the jetty. If you would like to ride the train to the end of the jetty, this will incur an additional fee.

Busselton Jetty Parking: Across from the foreshore you will be able to find ample space to park your vehicle or rig. 

What to eat: Along the foreshore there are plenty of places to eat, from fine dining to café food. We chose to grab some fish and chips and eat on the grass. It was a lovely sunny day, and the view of the ocean was relaxing. There’s also a big playground for the kids to stretch their legs and burn some energy. 

Indijup Natural Spa

The Indijup Falls or Natural Spa are a popular point of interest for many travellers, found at Wyadup Rocks, Yallingup. These hidden rock pools are often called ‘spas,’ which are hidden behind the big rocks that form the coastline. The ocean water forces its way through the holes and gaps of the rock, cascading out the other side, which causes a waterfall ‘spa’ effect. 

The Indijup Falls are a 34 kilometre drive west from Bussleton and an easy stop through on your way to Margaret River. 

Keep in mind that there is limited parking for big rigs (caravans), but it’s worth trying to find one if you can wing it.

Margaret River

Just a 35 kilometre drive down the road is Margaret River, which is where you will spend two nights. Margaret River is well known all the way around the world in the surfing community. International events are held here throughout the year. 

On most weekends, you can head to Preverly Beach and watch a national or international surfing competition. The next beach over is Redgate beach where, at low tide, you can walk out onto the exposed reef and see the fish swimming.

Margaret River is also very well known for its wine region. Whether you are a wine connoisseur or an average Jo looking for a nice drop of wine, Margaret River has a wine region that will suit everyone’s taste. I highly recommend visiting Vasse Felix Estate .

For more to do during your stay, check out this full guide on what to do in Margaret River .

Accommodation in Margaret River

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Day 4 + 5: Margaret River to Walpole (2 nights)

The early bird gets the worm, so up early and ready for a day of exploring for the next leg of your Perth to Esperance road trip. The drive from Margaret River to Walpole is 254 kilometres, which will take about 3 hours without stops. However, we have a few interesting things worth stopping for along the way. 

Hamelin Bay

Along the drive I highly recommend you stop at Hamelin Bay to see the manta rays that swim along the shore. This is a free attraction, and you are up close and personal with these majestic creatures. Take your camera and remember not to touch. 

Hamelin Bay Parking: You’ll find parking available for long vehicles at the boat ramp.

After Hamelin Bay its time to take the drive to Pemberton, this is another detour on your way to Walpole, but it is well worth the effort. 

A must do when in Pemberton is to visit and climb the Gloucester Tree. This tree has 153 stairs and has magnificent views at the top. The cost to climb the tree is free but there is a National Park fee that is to be purchased before entering the National Park.

We had lunch at the local bakery and we highly recommend the pie – it was a winner with our family!

To finish the day, it is time to take the 1.5 hour drive to Walpole where you will pull up stumps and camp the night. Along the drive admire the wonderful landscapes that the south west has to offer. It is simply remarkable, the size of the Karri trees that tower alongside the road.

Accommodation in Walpole

Today it’s time to explore and stretch those legs. Walpole is beautiful and has the very well known ‘Valley of the hidden Giants.’ That’s where you’ll get to walk among some of the tallest trees in Western Australia, also known as “tingle trees.” 

Day 6 + 7: Walpole to Albany (2 nights)

Today is a short drive of 120 kilometres towards Albany, for the next stint of your Perth to Esperance road trip.

Along the way I would recommend stopping in Denmark at a place called the ‘Elephant Rocks’. On a sunny calm day the water has a green tinge and is relaxing to swim around. When we were there we had the whole beach to ourselves.

There is so much to see and do in Albany that you can do as much or as little as you like. Below are some of my recommended places to visit.

Frenchman Bay Tourist Drive

As you meander along Frenchman Bay Tourist Drive, you’ll notice that there are plenty of places to stop and explore. This is a ‘must’ while visiting Albany.

Bring your bathers and make sure you make a stop at all of the beaches. Misery Beach is a beautiful hidden beach along this drive. The best time to visit is on a bight sunny day.

Before heading to Misery Beach I highly recommend visiting the Whaling Station, it brings the history of Misery beach to life a little more (you’ll find the Whaling Station along Frenchman Bay Tourist Drive).

Things to do in Albany

Brig Amity Replica

• Replica of the first vessel to bring white settlers to Albany in 1826
• Built in 1975
• Climb aboard to see what life was like
• 23 convicts, 21 soldiers, domestic animals, food crops & building materials to start a small outpost
• Adult – $ | Concession – $4 | Child – $2 | Family – $12
• Huge, rugged granite channel carved by the waves of the Great Southern Ocean
• Sheer 25-metre drop
• 100m walk from the carpark
• View of Green Islands

The Natural Bridge

• Granite formation that looks like a giant rock bridge
• The gap underneath is caused by the constant wearing away at the rock by the Great Southern Oceans waves
• Just a few metres from ‘The Gap’
• Sealed paths and lookouts with railings

The Blowholes

• Crevasses in the granite stretching down to the sea level
• Each wave blows air and water up through the ‘holes’
• Watch the spray and listen to the droning “whoosh”
• A few hundred metres walk from carpark to reach top of long staircase

Accommodation in Albany

Albany has three caravan parks in the main city, plus a few caravan parks on the outskirts of the city in Emu Park.

Day 8 + 9: Albany to Esperance (2 nights)

At the very bottom of Western Australia is where you will find Esperance. A coastal town where the sand squeaks, the water is bright blue and the kangaroos sun bake with you on the beach. You can’t take a Perth to Esperance road trip without landing in Esperance of course!

The most well-known area in Esperance is the famous Cape Le Grand. This iconic beach also has a campground attached, which is the number one place I recommend to stay. It offers walking distance to the beaches and the sunsets are simply amazing!

Accommodation in Esperance

Beware! The Cape Le Grand campsites are always booked well in advance so arriving unannounced will leave you disappointed.

If you can’t get a spot there, accommodation can be found in Esperance. The drive to Cape La Grand is only 30 – 40 minutes away, so you still can take that selfie with one of the many Kangaroos that hang out there during the day.

DAY 10: Return to Perth or Continue on

The final day concludes the 10-day Perth to Esperance road trip itinerary in Western Australia.

If you are returning back to Perth, the drive time without stopping is about 7 hours and covers nearly 700 kilometres. There are plenty of stops on the way back for you to visit and explore. 

If you do need to return to Perth after your South West Australia road trip, you could easily do it in a day with rest stops along the way to stretch your legs, eat and go to the toilet.

But, if you’ve got more time to play with, why not break it up and choose a few different camps along the way back to add to your trip? WikiCamps is the best place to find camps, dump points, potable water, Visitor Information Centres and points of interest. Another option is to hire a camper and come in from South Australia.

For others, you may be returning to a different location or continuing on with your travels. Either way, stay safe and enjoy your trip!

Make sure you’re organised for your Western Australia travels with a trusty Hema Map. Technology is great, but when it fails or you find yourself out of service, it’s always wise to have a paper map on hand as a backup hardcopy.

Best time to do a Perth to Esperance Road Trip

The best time of year to visit the South West is summertime. The weather is simply perfect with an average temperature of 25 degrees and hardly any rain. The sun enhances the blue colour at the beaches and brightens the colour of the sand. I personally love the warmth and the sunshine, so my preference is the summer. 

However, a bonus for travelling to the South West in the winter is the whale watching. There’s always a high chance of seeing whales splashing about anywhere along the South West Coast. The whales migrate from June all the way through to November.

The average temperature is 16 degrees and rainy in winter. But you can swap the beaches for wineries with inside fireplaces and a drop of red wine and a cheese platter to warm the soul.

• 12 Things to do in Dwellingup
• Gibb River Road Camping & Itinerary
• 80+ BIG Things in WA

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Kylie Loy is the author behind ‘Fearless and Free Range,’ a blog about travelling Australia with kids. We home-school, travel, work, disagree, agree and travel some more. We love to explore and meet other travellers. 

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12 thoughts on “🐳 Perth to Esperance Road Trip (10-Day Itinerary)”

Well-written and detailed post. Most tourists visiting Australia are ignorant about South West Australia’s beauty and not many think about South West Australia during an Australian holiday. The cliched attractions of Australia’s East Coast dominate the tourism scene. They have no idea what they are missing … the places in the South are so stunning and less crowded.

For sure, the west coast and south get a bit forgotten behind the east coast.

This is indeed an epic and spectacular road trip that showcases some of the best sights and experiences of Australia. South West Australia is indeed a revelation with the fascinating wildlife and beaches. Misery beach looks so welcoming, and Margaret River looks lovely too. You have covered practical information that is sure to help in planning this awesome road trip,

It’s a great little pocket of Australia with so much that can be packed into one road trip.

I’ve never been to this part of Australia, but I guess I talked with a wrong person when I asked about Freemantle. She said there’s nothing to see there. I guess she’s a big city girl. I like how you put choices of accommodations that include caravan parks since we’re thinking about renting a caravan when we visit Australia.

It’s funny what different people take away from towns and cities. From what I’ve experienced there is always something to be found in each town, may it be a big tourist attraction or a lovely nature walk.

Such a detailed itinerary! I really like how you have the campsite / camping area formats – it’s quick and easy to understand. Great post!

Glad you got some good info out of it.

This looks like my kind of road trip with so much to do and see along the way! I was particularly intrigued by “The Gloucester Tree”. I had never heard of it and wondered why a tree would have “stairs”. I hit Google and the picture showed climbing spikes, not stairs! Really?? It looks awesome but I wonder what safety precautions are in place? Or is there an alternative, less adventurous way to climb? Regardless, I would definitely go out out of my way to follow this road trip route and enjoy this fabulous landscape – and check out the Gloucester Tree!

Yeah the word ‘stairs’ for the tree is quite deceiving. I’m not sure on how the tree feels about having the spikes in place, probably not too good. I feel a bit better knowing that it was originally used as a fire lookout and is now being repurposed as a tourist attraction. I’d be horrified to think that someone did that just for the tourists. I believe that climbing the ‘stairs’ are the only way to the top.

Great idea of a road trip in this part of Australia and hopefully one day I get to drive around here (as well as the rest of the island). Best tip was about when to go, I thought the summertime will be like +35 to +45 but an average of +25 is much more comfortable for me, otherwise I would be coming over in the winter months as I like cool weather also. Would love to check those beaches out in the middle of nowhere, looks like no one lives around those parts. 🙂 And seagulls…yup, have them here in the UK and they are bloody pesky also. 😛

I hope you make it out here one day too, there’s so much to explore. Across the bottom of Australia can be quite cool with those arctic winds hitting the coast. So, even summer isn’t too bad. You’d probably cope well with the winter weather, coming from the UK. Haha seagulls are everywhere, aren’t they!

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Sunday, September 25, 2022

8d7n perth family road trip itinerary - the only guide you need for western australia.

Ever since the border measures have been relaxed, many of our friends start to fly overseas. As frequent travelers ourselves before the whole covid situation, our butt starts to itch. We were thinking where could we go with our soon-to-be 4 year old daughter. And to be honest, Sydney was our first choice. We even started to plan the places we wanted to go. But then the air tickets become really crazy at over $1,000 per pax. So we decided to ditch that and see what other budget-friendly options were there in Australia. Perth. $700-800 on Singapore Airlines sound great. 

And thus, marks the start of our Great Western Australia Journey.

Lady M had been to Perth several years back, but missed on travelling out of Perth. So we decided to rent a car for a little road trip in Western Australia on September 2022. If you still don't know, we absolutely love road trips (still missing New Zealand and Iceland)! And this time, we will be bringing our third-wheel   daughter along. 

Trip Summary

We are going to start our trip at Perth itself, going to Rottnest Island to have our quokka selfie checked. After we collect our car, we will be travelling up north to Geraldton and Hutt Lagoon (or better known as Pink Lake), stopping at Lancelin for a sandboarding session. After which, we will be going south to Cervantes, passed by Perth, Bunbury, Busselton, and finally Margaret River, where we will have our long awaited farmstay. We will head back to Perth before flying home the following day.

Now if you still didn't know, this beautiful continent has all the opposite seasons. For example, May was supposed to be hot in most countries, but it's their coldest winter. So yup, you guessed it right, Australians spend their Christmas in hot summer. September is one of the best months to visit, it's spring with a nice temperature ranging from 10C to 20C. As compared to the winter months, rainfall is greatly reduced. Here's a glimpse of their weather throughout the year:

Our Packing List

Cold-weather essentials are a must - Jackets, pullovers, sweaters, and handwarmers if you wish. It was Olivia's first overseas trip so we need to make sure that she's not getting a cold. Being a coastal city, the wind was strong but the cold was bearable. So make sure you are prepped for that. Obviously if you're travelling during hotter seasons, you can opt for sleeveless and swimsuits. One thing I learnt - don't overpack. If you are staying at an apartment, chances are, there will be washing machines and dryers to wash your clothes every other day. 

Road-trip essentials - licenses (Singapore driving licence is eligible, you don't have to apply for anything else), car accessories, such as humidifier, shades, and of course, something to keep the young one entertained. For this, we printed some coloring pages and packed it inside a mini art bag (from IKEA) with lots of coloring materials. 

Meal essentials - We know that we ain't gonna eat bread and chips all day, and eating out could be expensive (about $25-30 per pax). So a mini 2L rice cooker came in really handy. I made porridge for breakfast and rice for dinner almost daily. Don't worry. Australia has a great variety of fresh ingredients and it's comparatively cheap as compared to Singapore. 

Our homemade brekkie almost every morning

Photography essentials - Mavic Air 2 for some really great drone shots. You can pretty much fly the drone everywhere outside of Perth with no license (excluding commercial). However, certain limitations still apply, such as flying near airports, flying not more a certain height and distance, etc. For more information, you may visit CASA drone rules here .

Our First-aid box comprises of plasters, alcohol wipes, paracetamol, and medications for diarrhea, flu, etc. Hopefully you wouldn't have to use it. But better be safe than sorry. To save luggage space, you can also choose to buy it at Australia. Don't worry, Australia is not a third-world country so there's plenty of pharmacies around.

Before the trip

Yes, you need a visa even with a Singapore passport (unfortunately). Days before the trip, please download the "Australia ETA" app and apply your visa (about SGD$20). Get your physical passport ready. The process is VERY EASY. You can fill up within 5 minutes and get it approved within 15 minutes or so.

Please download a copy of your vaccination certificate (via notarise.com) for your flight back to Singapore. 

Note: As of July 2022, there is no need to apply for PDT (vaccination status for Australia).

Is there any quarantine needed?

No quarantine to Australia and back to Singapore, if you're fully vaccinated (as of September 2022). Yay. However, just to play safe, please check country regulations. 

Tip: Before the trip, if you're not renting a car directly from airport, I highly recommend that you download and register with the following private car services - Uber, Didi, and OLA. That way, you don't have to fumble around when you need these apps. 

8D7N Itinerary

Day 0: Singapore > Perth

We decided not to go with a redeye flight, as it may be too taxing for Olivia, so we opted for a 6pm flight. Flight time is approximately 5 hours so we arrived only close to midnight. And yay, Olivia didn't make a fuss on the flight! It was raining crazily when we arrived, but thank God we got an Uber albeit waiting for more than 20 minutes. 

Check-in: Novotel Langley (Perth City)

Price: $160/night for Standard Double

Rating: Awesome receptionist (shoutout to Mason for his heartwarming service at 1am). Room has basic amenities, but close to city center. Bus stops are within 1-2 minutes walk. It's within the Free Travel Zone, so basically you can just board the bus without paying anything! 

Day 1: Rottnest Island

Due to unexpected weather, our ferry rides got brought forward to 10am and 3pm (from 12pm and 4.30pm). This meant that we had to wake up early for breakfast before heading to B Shed at Fremantle where we are taking the Rottnest Express to the island. Unfortunately for us, weather was crazy and the waves were extremely choppy, so the 30-minute roller coaster-  ferry ride ended with more than half of the passengers puking. Lady M and Olivia included.

Tip: If you're prone to motion-sickness, prep some meds (look for one called "Kwells" in their stores) beforehand. 

Rottnest Island , home of the quokkas, was beautiful. If you're not renting their bicycles ($70/pax) or bus tours ($100/pax), you can only explore the areas near to the ferry terminal. Which we did, mainly because to rent a bicycle is like what? 70 freaking dollars? And it was raining, so we wouldn't expect to see much on the bus.

And of course, gotta tick the "Quokka Selfie" off our bucket list.  ✓

They are really shy creatures, so it might take a few tries. Please make sure to respect the distance!

We spent our hours at the Dome Café , where they served really nice seafood platters and hot soups. A quokka even walked in on us while we were dining. There are a few playgrounds, general store and souvenir shops within walking proximity from the ferry terminal. Like I said, weather was erratic, so we actually ran back and forth between the playground and café, at least 3- 4 times.

The ferry back to Perth wasn't that bad, and we spend the night roaming the almost empty streets (most stores are closed by 7pm), so we got our dinner fix from their supermarket, Woolsworth, and munched it in our hotel.

Day 2: Lancelin > Geraldton

Rice and shine. Literally, as I started to utilise my rice cooker to make some congee. We packed up and collected our car at No Birds Car Rental . The entire process was real quick as we have booked online prior to collection.

First stop was at NP Supermarket , a Vietnamese supermarket where you can get a heck lot of Asian groceries. Here we bought small bottles of condiments (soy sauce, oyster sauce, pepper, etc.) and some sauces for our dinner prep. Having said that, other supermarkets such as Woolsworth and Coles do sell Asian ingredients too (although very limited).

Lancelin was a 1-hour drive from Perth. We had a quick bite before heading to collect our prebooked sand boards (approx. SGD$13 for 1 board, 2.5h) for a session of sandboarding at their famous sand dunes. This place is literally a vast desert so you could choose various heights to slide down. 

Tip 1: Get your shades and windbreaker ready. Their sand are very fine so they could get into your eyes easily.

Tip 2: If you're not driving a 4WD, please please be aware where you drive. Your insurance most probably wouldn't cover any damage or towing if you accidentally drive your 2WD into the sand.

After our sandboarding, it was getting late  so we had to hurried to Geraldton , which is a 3-hour drive away. We took a short break at Jurien Bay and topped up our gas before heading to Geraldton. The roads get really dark at night without any street lights. But I'm not complaining. When we got out the car and see a SKY FULL OF STARS (you could even see the milky way!) 

Check-in: Nesuto Geraldton Apartment

Price: $160/night for Premier Studio

Rating: Spacious apartment with living area, bedroom, kitchenette and laundry area. We even have a dedicated parking lot within a secured compound. Absolutely love this apartment. There's swimming pool facilities as well, but since the weather was cold, we had to skip that.

Day 3: Hutt Lagoon

After a grueling 5-hour drive yesterday, we took a relaxing day by heading only to one place - the famous Pink Lake , a mere 1-hour drive away from Geraldton. Yes, that's the one Jay Chou and his cute little son sang about.

Here's a fun fact: The natural pink color is caused by an algae, which is also used as a coloring agent for cosmetic and food. 

There wasn't anything much besides the lake, but if we were to head there again, I'll definitely pack some lunch along. We headed back to Geraldton for Macdonald lunch and visited their iconic HMAS Sydney II Memorial , which commemorates the loss of a ship and its 645 men. 

Tip: Kalbarri , which is famous for its Nature's Window is just a short drive away from Hutt Lagoon.

Day 4: Cervantes > Perth

What goes up must come down. This day we were going back to Perth. But before that, we passed by this leaning tree. Legend has it that the big bad wolf huffed and puffed this tree. Just kidding. 

And of course we had to make a lunch stop at Lobster Shack, Cervantes . This place is absolutely gorgeous, where you munch on lobsters while enjoying the sea views.

Definitely try their famous Lobster Shack Roll (AUD$30) and one of those delicious critters (AUD$40 for half lobster). Despite being spring with average temperature of 18C at noon, the sun was blaring, so the Iced Chocolate w/ Ice Cream (AUD$7) was a life-saver. They hold tours in their lobster factory too - for you to consider if you have spare time.

Actually, we were planning Caversham Park and Margaret River Chocolate Company here at Swan Valley. However we arrived absolutely too late. But it's alright, there will always be a next time. To compensate her, we stopped by a huge playground for Olivia to explore with some new founded friends.

Check-in: Airport Apartments by Vetroblu

Price: $120/night for One Bedroom Apartment with Balcony

Rating: Extremely spacious with all the necessities too. Exterior may look creepy at night, carpark is quite a walk from the apartment, especially if you've lots of luggage. But for the price, you get what's worth. Super love the spacious kitchen.

Day 5: Bunbury > Busselton > Margaret River

Travelling southwards, we found ourselves in the quiet town of Bunbury . It was raining so we had to give their weekly farmer's market a miss. But their Bunbury market was beyond awesome, with loads of fresh produce, about 3-4 times the variety of Singapore's and even cheaper! It's so fresh that you can take a bite off the shelf. But please don't do that.

We stopped by VAT2 for a nice lunch, huge portions of steak and chips, with a great sea view. We even saw dolphins in the water, and not to mention those nasty seagulls again.

As a coastal city, you can get really pretty shots beside the seas nearly everywhere.

Busselton Jetty is one of the most insta-worthy spot that you would come across. Featuring more than 2km of boardwalk. Needless to say, I had to fly my drone here. Got threatened here because someone got freaked out by the drone, but it's alright, life moves on. Plus I already got my shot. 

Yes, you can try to do your 2.4km run here (good luck running back though). Evening is a greattime to head there as you get some sunset scenery.

There's also a touristy train ride to and fro the boardwalk but we missed it, so I guess we are not walking all the way. In fact, along the boardwalk there are places where you can jump into the water.

One of the best playgrounds here at Busselton, so if you are bringing children, please let them enjoy for a moment or two here.

We arrived at Margaret River around 7pm and checked into our farm-stay for the next two nights. They had a cute campfire that they light on Saturdays, but since it's late and drizzling, we had to give it a miss. 

Check-in: Margaret River Holiday Cottages

Price: $325/night for 2-Bedroom Timber Family Cottage

Rating: Probably one of our favourite stays. It has a living and dining area, full kitchen, laundry area, and two bedrooms (can fit 6 pax). This was the only cottage left during our dates so we took it anyway.  The main attraction is probably the lovely animals that roam freely around the compound. 

Day 6: Margaret River > Yallingup > Naturaliste

We woke up early just in time for their animal feeding where we can meet the friendly residences, ranging from kangaroos, alpacas, sheep, cow, chickens, and many others. 

We also get to ride a decommissioned military truck around the farm.

But to see Olivia having so much fun is still our greatest joy as parents. 

Had a great talk with the owner Andrew, who was an expat in Singapore for 6 years before moving to Margaret River to set up this awesome place. According to him, he would rather have his children look at animals rather than screens. This made me think - isn't that beautiful to bask in nature rather than indulge in TV shows and whatnot?

With Andrew, owner of MR Holiday Cottages

Margaret River is a cosy, quaint town. It has pretty much your essentials within their most vibrant street, it's small but the vibes are strong here. Everybody is just so chill and relaxed here. I can totally imagine us retiring here. Just beside the road at Kevill Road , there's a small waterfall. Unlike most waterfalls where you have to hike for hours, this is literally just beside the road. Perfect if you have children or hate walking.

Back at the town center, we had a non-pretentious lunch at Squid Lips . Probably one of the most worthy fish and chips here at less than AUD$15. You could choose from a wide variety of fishes and we just gotta try the gummy shark. Squid bites are super flavourful as well. Highly rcommended.

Next up, we had a short 30-min drive to Lady M's most anticipated place -  Cape Lavender at Yallingup , where they are famous for their lavender-infused desserts and high-tea. It's no wonder that so many people make it their favourite hangout spot. 

We highly recommend their Lavender ice cream ($7), which is the creamiest and concentrated ice cream you would would ever taste. Needless to say, we need to get some lavender-infused souvenirs here.

Tip: Please take note of the store's closing time. When we leave, a couple of groups were still arriving but their kitchen was already closed. You wouldn't want to be disappointed after driving to this region (and especially if you're coming just for this).

There wasn't much in Dunsborough , so we headed to Cape Naturalise Lighthouse to catch a glimpse of the sunset but the entrance seemed closed and the skies gloomy. Nevertheless we stopped by Sugarloaf Rock as well. Although it rained heavily for a few minutes, thank God we stayed on when all other cars left. The skies cleared shortly and we were rewarded with a picturesque landscape of the entire coast.

And of course, another drone shot.

Day 7: Mandurah > Perth

We drove up to Dolphin Quay at Mandurah where we had a nice lunch amidst the seas, yachts and not to mention those nasty seagulls. Think of Sentosa Cove and Quayside Isle. It looks something like that.

We bade farewell to our trusty Corolla as we checked into our last hotel for the trip - Fraser Suites. It's our habit to end every trip with a bang, so we splurged on their most premier suite (which to be honest is still worth it). We wanted Ritz Carlton initially, but was turned off immediately at the $1k pricetag. Perhaps next time.

For dinner, we headed to Oyster Bar at Elizabeth Quay . I mean, how could we skip on oysters when in Western Australia? We had four mixed flavours (total 12 oysters for AUD$35) and had great pleasure slurping every single one down. Our favourite was the Thai - sour with a tinge of spiciness.

To be honest, price wasn't that expensive, we got the Beetroot Bruschetta (AUD$15), Chicken Tenders - super awesome btw (AUD$12), Prawn Taco (AUD$10) and a beautiful cocktail (AUD$20). Total bill was only around AUD$90.

Check-in: Fraser Suites Perth

Price: $350/night for Premier Suite w/ Balcony

Rating: Definitely the best we have stayed for this trip. Comes with a huge living and dining area, a full kitchen, and full height windows of the city. But seriously, we had so many luggage and there wasn't any bellboy to help out.

Day 8: Perth > Singapore

Since our flight is in the late afternoon, we decided to do so last minute sightseeing at Perth's highly acclaimed King's Park . It boasts of so many variety of flowers, and since it's spring-time, many has bloomed. There's also a full, unblocked scenery of the harbour.

Olivia was so fascinated with this fountain that shoots out really high every 3 minute or so. Psst, please stand at a distance if not you will get drenched.

Tip:  If you have not yet get your souvenirs, KMART is absolutely, hands-down the best place to get them. Australian-made products at a fraction of a cost, their house brands are even cheaper than Singapore. If you're looking at food stuff, head to their local supermarkets, like Coles, Woolsworth or ALDI, where you can get your manuka honey and chocolates. 

• Australia and Oceania / FEATURED / Western Australia

Pinnacles – a road trip from Perth

by Lyn ·

Table of Contents

We live in Western Australia and it’s an extremely beautiful state full of incredible landscapes. One such place is the Pinnacles, located in Nambung National Park about 2 hours north of Perth. The Pinnacles desert is one of Australia’s most unique and fascinating natural landscapes and simply breathtaking. Seeing the ancient limestone formations that punctuate the otherwise flat and barren plain of the Nambung National Park is one of the things to add to the top of your WA holiday bucket list .

Road trip, Perth to Pinnacles

We had left home late in the day. 3pm is not the usual time to head out on a Pinnacles road trip, but we were soon on our way along the scenic Indian Ocean Drive to the Pinnacles. Our plan was to head straight from Perth to the Pinnacles, as we wanted to photograph one of Western Australia’s most iconic landscapes at sunset. Despite being winter, we knew we’d arrive with some late afternoon sunlight and enough time to explore a little of this stunning location. When we arrived, these spectacular formations did not disappoint.

Pinnacles Desert, Nambung National Park

We stare at the eerie, landscape. It is unusual, almost alien, but oh so beautiful. The sight of these ancient guardians of the desert, known as Rock Stars in the Outback, is truly astounding. Many stand as high as 5 metres and driving around the 4km circuit we pass fields of limestone relics that were scattered as far as the eye can see. These limestone pillars protrude from the sand and look like shards of honeycomb.

The weathered rock spires were formed about 25,000 years ago. Over time the sea receded and the strong coastal winds exposed the geological formations. In some parts of the desert there is low scrub present and in other parts a desolate landscape prevails.

The Pinnacles desert at Nambung National Park covers an area of 190 hectares and is around 60 metres above sea level. The Pinnacles has a true desert landscape and is the most famous natural wonder of Western Australia.

Driving tracks and Walking trails

I can’t help but be impressed by the myriad of structures all carved by nature. There is a scenic driving track as well as a walking track which allows you to get an up close and personal view of these spectacular formations. Despite the desert like terrain it is not necessary to have 4WD as the track is compact enough to be accessible to regular vehicles. The route is clearly marked by rocks to avoid tourist deviating off the track and there are ample designated parking spots to get out along the way to explore and take photos.

We took a little roadtrip in our Zoom Zoom Mazda to the Pinnacles at Nambung National Park in Western Australia.

There are two loops, providing great views of the landscape and admire the desert views. Accessed along the Pinnacles Walk Trail and the Desert View drive is the Pinnacles Lookout. From here there are nice views looking back toward the ocean.

There were a few other tourists present, like us, taking in the last of the day’s sunlight to enjoy the beauty and atmosphere. The sight of this area during the golden hour adds another dimension and did not disappoint. The colours, textures and variation of size and density gave each vista a unique perspective.

Some were coarse and hollow whilst others were dense. Some were smooth and appeared to be layered and others were jagged and light in colour. Of course some were tall, others weren’t but the overall feeling was desolate, like we were isolated and amongst the first to see this spectacle.

We can understand why people compare this area to being on the moon as it is an interesting sight to behold, especially in the late afternoon with the shadows being cast. The view looks like something from a science fiction movie. The lunar-like Pinnacles form a most unique and fascinating natural landscape and provide wondrous photo opportunities. This is one place you just have to visit at least once in your lifetime.

Once the sun had gone down we took a short drive, into Cervantes. Cervantes is a fishing town, known for its rock lobster industry. If we had arrived earlier in the day we could have taken a self-guided audio tour of a live lobster processing plant and had lunch at the biggest attraction in Cervantes township, the Lobster Shack. Right now it was time for us to get a meal and book a room for the night.

Pinnacles Edge Resort

We came the Pinnacles Edge Resort on Aragon Street and went in to enquire. Being late in the day we were offered a discount for a Studio room, paid and made our way to the room. Up the stairs to our upper storey room, it was simple, functional and clean. The rate included free parking, in-house movies, wireless internet hotspot, LCD TV and kitchenette. The room has a queen size and single bed so can easily accommodate 3 people.

But the best part of choosing here to stay was the Europa Anchor restaurant. We were impressed with the menu where the chef sources seasonal, local produce. For entrée we had several choices including Duck & Cranberry Steamed Buns, Trio of Ravioli and a Seafood tasting plate which included chili mussels, salt & pepper squid, grilled scallops, chili garlic prawns, battered barramundi and tempura lobster. We chose to share the seafood platter.

Mains included more freshly house made pasta, like roast pumpkin & parmesan gnocchi, western rock lobster tortellini & garlic prawns, a tempting Thai red curry cobb and a western rock lobster platter which included grilled or mornay lobster, a selection of seafood, chips and salad. I chose the tortellini and Steve ordered the platter and again we shared both. The house made tortellini was silky and filled with a generous portion of perfectly cooked rock lobster. The platter was outstanding, half a moist and flavoursome lobster mornay, with a selection of scallops, prawns and barramundi. The experience to remember was the local Western Rock Lobster, simply delicious. With fresh, tasty lobster cooked to order who needs the commercial, touristy crowds of the Lobster Shack?

We finished our meal with desert, Steve had a trio of house made ice creams and I had a lemon, marshmallow parfait which Steve came to the rescue to finish.

Sunrise at the Pinnacles

We awoke at 5am and returned to the Pinnacles early. We wanted to catch a glimpse of the beauty as the sun peaked over the horizon and the first rays of the day kissed the barren landscape. I loved the way the shadows radiated off the face of the pillars and the ever-changing light added another dimension.

We had arrived very early, just before the sunrise and were the only ones there. I can’t describe the atmosphere, being the only ones present, the stark beauty of the area, but the footprints in the sand from the day before clearly show the popularity of this amazing location.

I can see why this area is one of Western Australia’s most photographed places and a must visit place in WA. It’s a unique, natural wonder one that is eerily beautiful and something to add to your bucket list of things you must do in WA. Clearly the other 250,000 visitors a year heading to the amazing Pinnacles Desert confirm my thoughts that this area known for its beautiful and striking limestone formations is truly stunning.

The sunlight changes the views and the shadows of thousands of limestone pillars rising out of the bright yellow sand is a sight to see. When it is high, the light is bright and casts itself on the yellow, golden sand and rocks. As the sun sets, the view softens, a pink hue appears and long shadows create a mystical landscape offering stunning photographic moments.

Bucket list moment, sunrise at the Pinnacles is truly spectacular. If haven’t seen this put it on your list.

Discover the Pinnacles

This is a place that I always find both fascinating and spiritual, no matter how many times I see it, regardless of the time of day, or season in the year. I’ve been here during the blazing heat of summer and in winter after some heavy rains in the area. I’ve visited in the middle of the day, when the sun is high and at sunrise and sunset and with every visit it feels like you are walking on the surface of the moon.

The yellow sands against the bright blue skies and stark relief of the pinnacles against the backdrop of sand dunes creates ever changing moods as the sun ripples over the sand.

Surrounding the graded loop road that passes around the thousands of columns, poking out of the desert sands, the eerie pinnacles punctuate the otherwise flat and barren plains of the Nambung National Park.

Times to visit the Pinnacles

Our suggestion is when you go and see the Pinnacles during the day, go off and see some of the other surrounding sights or head off for some dinner, then return. Because wow! To see the Pinnacles as the sun goes down and then lit by the moonlight is just wonderful. It is magical sitting amongst the Pinnacles, with your car lights off, you can see every star in the sky shining brightly. It feels like they are shining just for you.

Arriving late afternoon and returning for sunrise the following day we never had the opportunity to go through the Pinnacles Desert Discovery Centre. The interpretive Discovery Centre teaches about the history of the area, about the region’s biodiversity, and the geological processes that created this natural wonder and identifies the various flora and fauna from the area. But there is always next time.

We could have waited for the Discovery Centre to open at 9.30am but decided to head off. The Discovery Centre is open 9.30-4.30 but the trails are open 24/7 every day of the year. Entry is $12 per vehicle and if unattended there As we left the track and got back to the main carpark for the Discovery Centre we came across two kangaroos, one with a joey in her pouch. They were enjoying the peace and quiet before the tourists arrived, eating the dew covered grass in the morning sunlight.

The township of Cervantes

With that thought, we made our way back to the hotel for some eggs benedict for breakfast. After brekkie and checking out we took a quick look around town.

One of the first things we noticed across the road from the motel was a quirky zebra crossing, two zebras facing each other.

There is a general store, petrol station, motel, tavern, liquor store, takeaway food place and a caravan park. The RAC Holiday Park has a beachfront location and has a range of accommodation options including camping sites, to powered caravan sites and brand new poolside villas.

Cervantes was named after the 19th century sailing ship from the novel Don Quixote, Miguel de Cervantes and most street names have a Spanish influence. The ship was wrecked off Thirsty Point in 1844 and elements of the wreck can be seen throughout the town. Opposite our hotel is the Europa anchor retrieved from the ship.

At the entrance of the town is a Don Quixote-esque wind vane sculpture, a metaphor for the urban legend of how Cervantes got its name. Depicted are Don Quixote, his faithful squire Sancho Panza on his donkey Dapple and the ship Cervantes. Further along the road into town we saw a giant Dhufish sculpted from recycled agricultural materials by the Cervantes Men’s Shed. The sculpture reinforces the importance the fishing industry had in the development of the town.

Thrombolites & Stromatolites at Lake Thetis

Just out of town we stopped at Lake Thetis, one of the few places in the world to shelter marine thrombolites and stromatolites. We walked around the edge of the lake looking at the living fossils, formed by organisms similar to the earliest forms of life on earth. These communities of thrombolites and stromatolites have survived for thousands of years, formed by bacteria in the lake’s high saline waters.

Stromatolites are a build up of layers of microbes whereas thrombolites are clusters of cyanobacteria and look like large grey cauliflowers. Despite being over 3,500 years old these are some of the younger stromatolites found in Western Australia.

This small, seemingly insignificant body of water has salinity levels one and a half times that of the ocean and houses these domed structures. These rocklike ancient living fossils which have no natural predators, look like a giant cow pad and are the oldest and largest living fossil known to man. Their greatest importance is that they contribute to oxygenating the earth’s atmosphere.

Grey Shack Settlement

On our way back towards Lancelin we noticed some bright turquoise water and decided to turn off and check it out. This is where we came across the beach at the little village of Grey. Grey is a small settlement of shacks on an amazing part of the coast. This area is a wonderful example of off the grid living.

Wind farm, Grass Trees and Canola Fields

Along the way we make a few stops along the way, first at a Wind Farm and a few stops take some photos of the wildflowers . A short distance past the Pinnacles turn off we come across Wanagarren Nature Reserve which covers 11,000 hectares and shares its border with Nambung National Park. We pull into a roadside bay and admire the panoramic view and beautiful grass trees. Along the way we pass many fields filled with brilliant yellow canola. The sight is stunning, I’ve never seen canola growing before, the rolling hills near New Norcia are ablaze with the vivid yellow flowers of canola.

Last stop, New Norcia

By the time we get to New Norcia, Australia’s only Monastic town, we realise the only way to see the old Flour Mill, St Ildephonus, St Gertrudes, and learn about the Deep Space Ground Station is to attend a tour. Unfortunately we are half an hour too late to attend the second and last tour of the day. Therefore we decide to have a bite to eat and keep moving. Unfortunately entry isn’t permitted at our final stop, a satellite tracking station a few kilometres south of New Norcia. The satellite plays an important part in space discovery and is monitored by the European Space Agency. But we will get to learn all about the satellite when we do the tour of New Norcia.

What an amazing day. For anyone new to our state, this daytrip offers a proper introduction to Western Australia with a visit to some famous sights. We passed through some quaint towns, saw the stunning Pinnacles Desert, living stromatolites, pristine beaches and sampled the local Western Rock Lobster. This area features a diversity of wildflowers at the right time of the year and is a mere 2 hours from Perth. If you are looking for a 14 day roadtrip from Perth that incorporates lots of fun, sightseeing and is educational then a Kalbarri roadtrip might suit you.

Have you taken a road trip and rediscovered the area you live in? Have you tried Western Rock Lobster?

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Tags: Day trip Nambung National Park Road trip self drive wildflowers

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This looks a lot like what I’m planning on doing during my trip! Thanks for the guide. Love the flexibility of your writing. Such a great guide! You really seem to have gotten all the important facts down here about pinnacles.

At first it looked like a car shoot. But then the place looks amazing.

I always felt sorry for the poor Pinnacles. This is such an incredible world of its own – feels like you visiting some different planet – and yet it is seldom mentioned in travel guides. We’d been there on a cloudy day. It added some unexpected menacing flair. However, I am a bit jealous that you managed to view it during sunset. I absolutely enjoyed your photos. Thank you!

Great post Lynn, I’ve done this trip many times and love that you’ve included New Norcia on the way back. Definitely, recommend seeing the Pinnacles at sunrise or sunset, it’s not the same during the middle of the day.

Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment Tim. I hope you make your dream a reality and get to Australia.

Exactly one year ago we went to the pinnacles ourselves. Reading the blogpost and seeing your pictures brings back good memories. Great and informative blogpost.

Thank you for your comment Matthias. Glad my post bought back good memories. This time of year is ideal to visit the Pinnacles

[…] For more information on the formation and geology of the Pinnacles as well as their cultural significance visit the Pinnacle Discovery Centre. See more on the Pinnacles here. […]

[…] What to Do:  This laid-back fishing village is the perfect place to base yourself for exploring one of Western Australia’s more unusual spectacles, the Pinnacles in Nambung National Park.   Visit in spring to also experience the wildflower spectacular, and recommend you head inland to Mount National Park for a real wildflower spectacle.  You can find a great detailed guide to the Pinnacles region here. […]

[…] Pinnacles is two hours north of Perth in the Nambung National Park. There you will see the ancient desert […]

[…] makes for a very unique destination. The rich Top End landscape provides a backdrop for an epic roadtrip, whether it be on a tour or self-driven, it’s a great place to explore the amazing views from […]

[…] took a drive to Cervantes, The Pinnacles, then to Mullewa, Mingenew and Morawa, and finally down to the monastic town of New Norcia on our […]

[…] list when you come to Perth. So too should other smaller towns like Dalwallinu, Donnybrook, New Norcia and Margaret River as they have a ton of fair dinkum Aussie charm that will complete your […]

[…] we like street art. As we were looking for a getaway away from the big smoke, we decided on a roadtrip throughout Western Australia’s Wheatbelt. The region has equal parts fresh country air and […]

[…] Just a short drive from the city, you can find yourself in the heart of the Australian Outback. The Pinnacles Desert in Nambung National Park is a surreal alien landscape filled with limestone pillars that […]

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I am Lyn , from Perth, Western Australia, lover of travel, music and cats. I love visiting new places, whether at home or abroad. Join me as I share my experiences to inspire you to make your armchair travel a reality.

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2020 was the year that changed travel around the world. In March 2020 our state borders were closed and not reopened for 2 years. This kept us safe, but changed our travel style to local road trips. In this time we saved hard and in 2022 built our forever house, keeping us grounded and busy making a home. Read on to experience our beautiful state and reminiscing our travel memories.

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Western Australia Road Trips from Perth

Last Updated on 21 February 2024 by Ariana Svenson

Huge in size, road trips in Western Australia are always going to be epic!!!  Western Australia is such a massive state – 2.6 million square kilometers (10,021,748 square miles – the combined size of Alaska and Texas)!  People are sometimes overwhelmed with the vast number of choices and travel distances.  For that reason, we have divided our recommendations – and started all road trips from Perth.  We have separated it into “drivable from Perth’ and “more far-flung places” which need a flight unless you are on a long camping or caravan trip.

Interested in exploring Western Australia further? These are the best places to visit in Western Australia Here are the best family destinations in Western Australia As its well known,  we are a Western Australian Travel Family and so most of our travel experience are with kids.  In addition to talking about the overall best road trips in WA,  we have put together some tips and ideas for the best family road trip in Western Australia.  Being locals, we are a tad biased about what this wild – and wonderful – part of Australia and what it has to offer – but  Despite having lots of wide-open spaces, there are a lot of Western Australia road trips for kids. 

By the way, if you’re seeking more ideas for exciting Perth weekend getaways , you can find further inspiration in our blog post.

This post may contain affiliate links, from which we would earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you. More info in my disclaimer.

Best western australian road trips.

What is the Best Time of the Year to Road trip Western Australia?

 In summer WA’s average temperature is 30 degrees Celsius (86 Fahrenheit).  It is hot and dry and all travelers, especially kids, will find it difficult.  The winter in Australia is mild and can be rainy- but not too cold. 

Speaking of weather, we think that Western Australia in winter is nearly perfect!  That’s right; Western Australia could well be one of the world’s best winter travel destinations.  Yes, there is some rain, and temperatures are cooler with an average of 18-19 degrees Celsius (64-66 Fahrenheit).  However, there are loads of days with sunshine, blue skies, and with the temperature not too hot you can really enjoy the magnificent outdoors!  Some WA folk even swim in the ocean year-round!

Overall the best seasons – with not too extreme temperatures are Autumn (from March through early June) and then from late September through November.  Of course, if you are roadtripping in the Northern Part of the state, the winter months are best, eg April to November are wonderful in Broome and the Kimberley.

Looking for a Perth Self Drive Travel Blog?

If you are interested in a Perth Self Drive Travel blog then you have come to the right place!  With years of driving around Perth, testing out the best routes, and doing the hard yards to find the best attractions in Perth, we have got some great ideas on how to design the best Perth Self Drive itinerary.  They will be up on our site very soon! In the meantime, if you are looking for ideas on Perth Self Drive, please drop us a message below in the contents.

Western Australian Road Trips from Perth

Perth, the capital of Western Australia, consistently makes it into the top 10 World’s Most Livable Cities.  There are lots of reasons why you could spend more than a few days here and that makes it a good base to get your bearings before heading off on your Western Ausralia road trip. 

However, if you are short of time we recommend hitting a few key spots in the city (either on arrival or departure)  which give you a synopisis of what the state is like;  for example, a visit to Kings Park will enable to you experience Western Australian flora, while a trip to the beaches gives you a taste of the incredible coastline!

Kings Park is famous for its great views across Perth city, the Swan River, and also a wealth of botanical specimens.  Our full Guide to Kings Park is very useful for planning your visit.  Our kids love the walk area that leads up to the 620-meter long Lotterywest Federation Walkway which gives a unique view of the forest and gives great views across the city!  We also enjoy the DNA tower that offers a fantastic view and a good run for the kids.  For the kids, there is a range of different playgrounds.  Here is our summary of all the Kings Park Playgrounds. 

Perth Beaches

Perth has some stunning beaches; two of our favorites are Cottesloe and Scarborough.  If you are traveling your Western Australia itinerary you might get a chance to experience more than one of Western Australia’s amazing beaches.  However,  if you aren’t,  definitely organize to visit one in Perth.  Even better, plan to stay in one of Perth’s coastal suburbs to maximize your time!

If you are looking for some of the best beaches in and near Perth Western Australia, check out Best Beaches In Western Australia .

Perth to Wave Rock Road Trip

If you are short of time in Western Australia and want to fit in a short 1-2 day road trip to an incredibly iconic site then the Perth to Wave Rock Road trip might be perfect for you.   Just 4 hours drive from Perth you wind your way through the Perth Hills up into the countryside of the wheat belt – this is not a landscape you will encounter in any other place in the word!  And, at the end of the day’s driving you can see Wave Rock at Sunset.   For more info  Best Things to do in Wave Rock WA & Hyden Accommodation

Perth to Esperance Road trip 

The Perth to Esperance Road trip might not be the most exciting one for kids; there is a lot of driving to get under your belt, some incredible wide spaces – and not a lot of kid friendly stops along the way.  But – when you get to Esperance – WOW it might all be worth it when you see those perfect white sands and turquoise waters.  Of course everyone wants to get a selfie with the super cute kangaroos at Lucky Bay.   Make sure you don’t miss anything on the  An Awesome Perth to Esperance Road Trip and Esperance Beaches itinerary (and just so you know our Perth to Esperance Road trip goes via Wave Rock.) 

From Esperance you can return the same way, but we highly recommend continuing along the coast to Albany with the  The Spectacular Albany to Esperance Road Trip Guide (2022)

Perth to Albany Road Trip 

Perth to Bluff Knoll and the Stirling Ranges 

Perth to Denmark Road Trip

Perth to Kalgoorlie Road trip

Western Australian Road Trips South of Perth

in this section we cover the best Western Australian Road trips south of Perth – and if you are looking for all the information in one spot,  start at  A Guide to South West WA – South West Australia Road Trip Ideas

For those aiming to just hit the highlights of the South Coast of Western Australia, we’ve selected them for you here, Best of South Coast of Western Australia – A Margaret River to Albany Road Trip .

Perth to Margaret River Road Trip 

Without doubt the Perth to Margaret River Road Trip is one of the best short road trips from Perth that you can make.  While the driving time is just over 3 hours you can “make a day of it” and stop at some of the fun places along the way – we love Busselton .   It’s all documented in detail at  How to Ace the Perth to Margaret River Road Trip

Perth to Pemberton Road Trip

If you are driving, it takes about 4 hours from Perth to Pemberton WA – which means there are still plenty of opportunities for stops along the way.   You might like to make a detour to Ferguson Valley   and Gnomesville WA

We love the port city of Bunbury which has redefined itself in recent years and had a real makeover – and at 2 hours from Perth its the ideal time to stretch your legs.   If you have kids there is an amazing playground on the Koombana Bay Foreshore, or alternatively you could make a fun stop at the Apple Fun Park in Donnybrook, which doesn’t require detouring off the main South West Highway.

Perth to Walpole Road Trip 

Short Trips from Perth

Heading north of Perth you can make a great day trip that takes in three great sites, plus lunch at the super yummy lobster shack in Cervantes.  Yes, it would be a pretty long day but also packed with lots to see and do! The full summary is found here The Best Perth Day Trips

Yanchep National Park

Less than an hour from Perth city, plan to stop at Yanchep National Park to see the koalas and the grey kangaroos.  With a range of walk trails, native bush and caves there is a lot more to see than just these fluffy animals, and you could pack a picnic lunch and spend the whole day here.

Lobster Shack in Cervantes 

I think every local agrees – the Lobster Shack in Cervantes makes the perfect place to refuel for more road trips.  With views to die for,  and delicious lobster and seafood on the menu, there is something for everyone here.  Families will love the playground at the back and the chilled atmosphere that makes it easy to relax.  One of our favourites.   You can stop in at Lake Thetis in Cervantes after visiting the Lobster Shack – as its always nice to get out and stretch the legs after you have eaten so much food!

The Pinnacles, Nambung National Park 

The Pinnacles in Nambung National Park are out of this world, and an easy 2 hour drive further north from Yanchep National Park.  The shapes are quite intriguing and our kids loved imagining what might have lived there.  Photographers might prefer to plan a sunset visit when the colors on the sand are spectacular.

If you feel like treating yourself to some fresh Western Australian seafood, then the Lobster Shack in Cervantes gets rave reviews and is a short 15-minute drive from the Pinnacles.  You might like to fill up at the Lobster Shack and then head back to the Pinnacles to walk off your lunch!

On your way home – about an hour back south from the Pinnacles, swing by Lancelin which has now become one of Australia’s favorite sandboarding destinations.  With white sand dunes 3 stories high, you can access the dunes with your 2 wd car as long as you don’t get off the road!  For those that want to give sandboarding a go, boards can be hired for $12 and picked up nearby.  For more information check out the Lancelin website , or read or guide on things to do in Lancelin .

Perth to Kalbarri Road trip 

One of the easiest – and best road trips in Western Australia is the trip from Perth to Kalbarri!  Only 6 hours drive one way, there are lots of great things to do and see along the way – including the aforementioned Pinnacles and Lancelin.   If you are not in a rush we recommend stopping overnight at Geraldton and then spending more time travelling through the countryside before you get to Kalbarri.   Are you are interested in doing a Perth to Kalbarri roadtrip but don’t know where to start?  Don’t worry, we have you covered.  Read our guide  The Ultimate Perth to Kalbarri Road Trip Itinerary .

Don’t forget to check out Things to do in Kalbarri a nd   A Guide to the Spectacular Natures Window & Kalbarri Skywalk .

More Road Trips in Western Australia

These destinations could be visited on epic Western Australian road trips – or you could fly!  We recently flew to Exmouth with kids and hada wonderful time, without the driving.

Perth to Monkey Mia

Monkey Mia is 9 hours’ drive to the north of Perth.  With a pod of dolphins visiting frequently, Monkey Mia dolphins visit daily year-round and people are able to get up close to them.  This makes it a popular spot to visit for families.

We have heard mixed reports, so haven’t visited yet ourselves.  Check out once such review here on the Ytravel Blog .

Perth to Ningaloo Reef, and Cape Range National park

We recently ticked the Ningaloo Reef off our bucket list  based out of Exmouth .  We were super keen to go swimming with the Whale Sharks and Reef Sharks!

It is a total of 13 hours’ drive from Perth or a further 4 hours from Monkey Mia.  If you are a family with several kids the flights are going to add up.  You might consider driving in order to save.  However, if a budget is not a consideration or you were very short of time, then we would most definitely fly.

Next time fly to Exmouth (Learmonth Airport) and base ourselves at Coral Bay to explore the reef.  If time permits, and you have a car, then you can spend a couple of days at Cape Range National Park out of Exmouth.

Perth to Broome 

The pearl of Northern Western Australia.  I really want to visit Broome but at the same time find it hard to justify the expense.  Traveling slowly as we do, a week in Broome is going to cost us more than a week in Bali.  It goes without saying that we haven’t done it yet.  I hope that we will one day reach Broome .

Further north again,  here is a lot of inspiration for a visit to Kununurra with Kids .

Take a Northern Western Australia Road Trip

It is our dream to do a Northern Western Australia road trip.  If you have the time and dream take a look at these two blogs.  We hope you will come away feeling absolutely inspired as we do.

YTravel Blog – Things To Do in Western Australia

Blonde Nomads – Western Australia Travel Inspiration

We always travel with insurance, it has saved us numerous times.  World Nomads have specially designed travel insurance for families!  Take a look at their Family Travel Insurance here.

Family Road trip Western Australia Itinerary

We get asked alot: so what is the best family road trip itinerary in Western Australia?  Or; what would you do if it were your first trip to Western Australia with kids.  Most people have 10 – 14 days to spend on their first trip and wonder what will be the best option for their family.  As with all answers we provide; it depends on your family and especially the ages of your kids.  If you have young children then we would definitely say that you should go much slower and look for the most fun hotels! 

What is the Best Way to Travel with Kids?

When you first have children, and they are babies, you need to stop frequently to feed and settle them.  As they get older you find they get restless and more stops are necessary.   In short, we find the ONLY way to travel with kids is slowly, allowing them time for breaks and play.  On our sister site,  we cover the best Road trip tips and hacks .

Days 1 – 3  Visiting Perth 

Take a look at  An Awesome Perth Family Holiday Itinerary in 6 Days   and  make sure you check out  101 Awesome Things to do in Perth with Kids . 

Where to Stay in Perth for Families

Our post The Best Family Accommodation Perth – Family Resorts & Kid Friendly Hotels details our very favorite places to stay for people with kids in Perth.

For a brief summary, we like Mounts Bay Apartments for extremely central accommodation, well connected by public transport.  Mantra On Hay is another good central option near the city.   If you have your own wheels then you could consider one of the stunning beachside hotels like the Rendezvous Observation City in Scarborough.

If you are looking for an area with great food and atmosphere then Fremantle is fabulous.  We particularly like the Rydges Esplanade Fremantle which is housed in a gorgeous old building and conveniently located directly across from a park with a playground.  Public transport is nearby; it takes around 40 minutes one way if you take the train straight into the city.

Day 4 Travel from Perth to Margaret River / or Busselton 

 Check out our blog post How to Ace the Perth to Margaret River Road Trip  for more in-depth information.

For kids, there are two places we would definitely plan to stop here 

•  the Ferguson Valley to see Gnomesville , a curious collection of garden gnomes congregated in the middle of the countryside!  
• The Apple Fun Park in Donnybrook is amazing and our kids love it.

Days 5 – 8 Margaret River  & Busselton 

To start with, we highly recommend using our guide to  The Best Family Accommodation in South West WA   in order to work out where you would like to stay. There are all types of accommodation in this area, from the luxury  Pullman Resort Bunker Bay: Margaret River Luxury Accommodation  through to the very practical  Broadwater Resort Busselton Review – Awesome Pools .  Alternatively the   Guide to the Busselton Caravan Parks and the best family accommodation in Margaret River provide affordable options for families.

Margaret River is world-famous as a wine region, a home of fine food and globally famous gnarly surf breaks; what is less well known is that there is plenty to do for families with kids, and children will have a ball in the Margaret River area.  Our Top Things To Do In Margaret River For Kids are found here .

For Busselton  The Best things to do in Busselton for Families   – or we really enjoy neighbouring Dunsborough  Best Things to do in Dunsborough WA

Day 9 – Travel through the Southern Forests to the  South Coast

Heading further south, we highly recommend a stop at Pemberton to soak in the forests.   There is loads to do for a couple of hours  or even a day should you stop and stay.  Best Things to do in Pemberton WA

  From here – it’s pure forest and we love the untamed wilderness and remote feeling of the Walpole Wilderness area.   You could base yourself in Walpole for a day or two, but a drive from Margaret River to Denmark takes about 4 hours so it makes sense to keep driving and make a stop at the  the world-renowned Tree Top Walk at the Valley of the Giants.  Our top tips for a visit are found here in our post A Complete Guide to the Valley of the Giants Tree Top Walk Walpole Denmark .

Days 10- 13  Denmark or Albany

Either Denmark or Albany make a great base for the next couple of day’s adventures. You can see our recommendations here:

• The Best Denmark WA Accommodation
• The Best Family Accommodation in Albany WA

If you decide that you will push on through to Albany,  we would probably make a day trip back to Denmark as there is so much to do and see. .  We have covered the best in this in-depth post called 11 Great Things to do in Denmark .  while  we wouldn’t miss Elephant Rocks and Greens Pool in the William Bay National Park and combining it with a visit to the Denmark Alpaca Farm.

In Albany, the Gap and Natural Bridge in Tondirrup national Park are mind-blowing (although also scary) and worth a visit.   The National Anzac Museum comes highly recommended.  However, we haven’t personally visited with our kids who are still a bit young. Read Amazing Things to do in Albany WA .

Day 14 – Albany to Perth

If you want to head straight up Albany Highway (which is the quickest way to get from Albany to Perth) then our suggestions are found An Insider’s Guide – A Perth to Albany Road Trip (2022)  

The first stop on the route from Albany would be taking a hike in the Porongurup National Park, to Castle Rock or the Granite Skywalk.   If you feel energetic it is an exciting hike to the top, read our full post about The Spectacular Hike to Granite Skywalk Castle Rock WA .

From here, check out The Lily Dutch Windmill.  An interesting visit for kids (though it was closed on the day we visited).  You can also stay in some really quirky lodgings including a remodeled 1944 DC3!  If you had older kids (eg those that liked hiking) you might like to change the itinerary up a bit and hike Bluff Knoll – see our  Bluff Knoll Accommodation & The Stirling Ranges

From the Lilly Dutch Windmilll  it is about 3 hours’ drive to Wave Rock where you can stay either in the town of Hyden or at Wave Rock itself.  We do recommend that if you are doing a Wave Rock Road trip you plan to stay a night out there with our  Hyden Accommodation and Things to do at Wave Rock WA .

This whole itinerary is a whopping 1328 kilometers (825 miles) so is going to involve a lot of driving.  We wouldn’t attempt the whole itinerary described in less than 10 days. It would more ideally be done in 14 days or more.  The intention of the post is not to have you cram in all these sights but to give you a sense of what you would like to see and do when visiting planning your Western Australia itinerary.

Other Considerations for Planning the Best Family Road Trip in Western Australia!

If you are coming from interstate, or overseas you will have to make some important planning decisions about how to prepare your family road trip of Western Australia.

Car rentals are available in all major cities in Western Australia, but in reality most people want to pick up and drop off at the Perth airport.  We recommend Discover Cars for your car hire needs.

Another option, if you are doing a super long road trip – say from Perth to Broome (or vice versa) would be to do your pricing for pickup in Perth/ Drop off in Broome. When doing your investigations make sure you try both scenarios as sometimes it’s much cheaper to drop off in one location vs another.

Which Rental Car is Best for Me?

While small cars are both cheaper to hire, and more economic to run, they are often not very suited for long road trips.   For a family of 4 to 5 people we would look at a large Sedan style car (look at how much luggage you can fit in the boot/trunk) or even a midsize SUV.  Let’s be honest – road trips can be long and tiring and being crammed into a car makes them miserable.  We recommend looking for something that is quite spacious and therefore less stressful.

What about hiring a 4WD car?  The question is –can you drive on off-road conditions?  If the answer is no, you have never driven on dirt roads then you should not start while driving a hire car in Western Australia!  Yes 4WD are large and comfortable – and they give you confidence while driving in unfamiliar conditions.  However, on the flip side of the coin, they are heavy and cost a LOT to fuel up each time!

Whatever type of car you decide to hire for your trip, make sure to check out Discover Cars for the best pries. 

Doing a Road Trip with Kids

Don’t forget to talk to the car hire company about child seats.

In Western Australia Babies up to six months are also required to be in a rearward-facing child seat. 

Children up to7 years should be in an Australian approved child seat.

The Verdict – Awesome Road Trips in Western Australia with Kids

Western Australia family holidays have a lot going for them – lots of wide-open spaces, great beaches, and tall trees.   We believe Western Australia is certainly an awesome up and coming family adventure destination! We hope you have enjoyed our Western Australia road trip itinerary.  Hopefully, you are inspired to explore more of this gorgeous state!

Like It> Pin It> Awesome Road Trips in Western Australia with Kids

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The BEST Coastal Perth to Esperance Road Trip Itinerary

• Last Updated: January 2, 2024

This perfect Perth to Esperance road trip itinerary for anyone looking for adventure along the Western Australia coastline!

Esperance is made up of every Australian summer dream vacation – pristine white sand beaches, the famous Wave Rock, kangaroos sunbathing along the coast at Lucky Bay and a whole lotta peace and quiet.

An Australian summer is best enjoyed in the water. And this Perth to Esperance road trip itinerary is the perfect way to see some of Western Australia’s most stunning coastline.

This is definitely one of the best road trips in Western Australia that showcases the best of the south west as well as diverse landscapes like Sugarloaf Rock, Elephant Rocks, and Wave Rock.

Table of Contents

Stop 1: Mandurah

Stop 2: lake clifton thrombolites, stop 3: bunbury, stop 4: busselton, stop 1: morning in busselton, stop 2: eagle bay brewing co, stop 3: eagle bay, stop 4: cape naturalist lighthouse, stop 5: sugarloaf rock, stop 6: dunsborough, stop 1: dunsborough, stop 2: ngilgi cave, stop 3: canal rocks, stop 4: yallingup, stop 1: yallingup maze, stop 2: quinninup falls, stop 3: margaret river chocolate factory, stop 4: margaret river dairy company, stop 5: margaret river, day 5: margaret river, stop 1: hamelin bay, stop 2: valley of the giants, stop 3: peaceful bay, stop 1: william bay national park for elephant rocks and greens pool, stop 2: denmark town, stop 3: torndirrup national park, stop 4: two peoples bay nature reserve, stop 5: albany wind farm for sunset, stop 6: albany, stop 1: albany farmer’s market, stop 2: dive the former hmas perth ii wreck, stop 3: middleton beach and ellen cove, stop 4: bremer bay, stop 1: fitzgerald river national park, stop 2: pink lake, stop 3: esperance, stop 4: twilight beach, stop 1: surf in esperance, stop 2: esperance stonehenge, stop 3: cape le grand national park, day 11: cape le grand national park, day 12: esperance to perth via wave rock, perth to esperance road trip itinerary.

While the drive from Perth to Esperance looks pretty long, there are many days where you won’t be driving a lot because you will be enjoying the landscapes and activities in this great south west region of Western Australia.

Let’s start our breath-taking road trip from Perth to Esperance.

READ MORE: Be sure to check these great things to do in Perth while you’re there!

Day 1: Perth to Busselton

• Distance : 220km
• Time:  2.5 hours

To get to from Perth to Esperance, your first leg is a relatively easy drive.

Most of this drive is along the main freeway heading south so the road is fast-moving and offers some scenic landscapes coming out of the city. You will get pockets of coastal scenery as the road hugs the coast.

Since the Mandurah train line was built connecting to Perth, this small city has become a popular day trip spot for locals.

Located just under 1 hour out of Perth, Mandurah offers a wide range of family-friendly activities from exploring the waterways to national parks to bushwalking through the Jarrah Forests.

You can also head out on a Pirate Ship cruise and enjoy 45 minutes in the canal searching for dolphins and hanging out with crazy pirates.

Having spent a big chunk of my childhood weekends catching crabs in the marina, this is personally one of my favourite activities.

If you have the time to spend an extra night in Mandurah, head out in the late afternoon and be sure to check local laws and regulations for catch limits.

Thrombolites are living rock-like structures and these have formed on the edges of Lake Clifton.

The thrombolite-building micro-organisms are too small for the human eye to see but resemble the earliest forms of life on Earth.

Since the thrombolites are so fragile an observation walkway has been built for visitors to enjoy the formations.

Walk along the Lakeside Loop Walk trail which is a 5km trail (approximately 2 hours) that explores the eastern shoreline of Lake Clifton.

Stop into the Bunbury Farmer’s Market for a delicious lunch and to stock up on fresh produce.

The market has been selling locally grown fresh fruit and vegetables since 2003 and its philosophy is to provide customers with extreme value and extreme freshness.

After the market, you can walk off your lunch along Koombana Bay or visit Back Beach.

If you enjoy art galleries, you can also visit the Bunbury Regional Art Gallery located in a historic and picturesque building that was formerly a convent. Entrance is free!

READ MORE: Driving the other way? Check out my other epic road trip itinerary to get from Perth to Broome !

Your last stop for the day is in Busselton, a common place to stay on the route from Perth to Esperance!

Sheltered along the shores of Geographe Bay, the seemingly endless white, sandy beach stretches all the way to Cape Naturaliste, 30km west and offers calm and protected waters.

This makes Busselton the perfect place for swimming, snorkelling, sailing, diving, rowing or fishing.

The Busselton Foreshore is newly refurbished and is an idyllic place to enjoy awesome facilities like free barbeques, skate park and the new children’s playground.

After your relaxing afternoon here, head to the Busselton Jetty for sunset.

The 148-year-old wooden-piled jetty has survived a cyclone, storm and fire to retain its status as the longest timber-piled jetty in the southern hemisphere.

Visit the interpretive centre at the start of the jetty to gain insight into the jetty’s history before strolling along its 1.8 kilometres.

The marine life under the jetty is known as Australia’s best artificial reef and is a unique ecotourism site for the country. Abundant in corals and fish life, divers and snorkelers should consider exploring the world beneath the jetty.

Spend the rest of your evening strolling through the town or check-in at your accommodation and get some downtime.

Busselton is quite a popular destination so you should book your accommodation for the night ahead of time.

If you’re looking for an awesome place to stay in the area, we personally love using Airbnb. If you’ve never used the platform before, sign up using this link to get USD$35 off your first booking .

Day 2: Busselton to Dunsborough

• Distance: 25km
• Time:  30 minutes

You have a very short drive today as you head west towards Dunsborough along the coast.

You’ll drive past Dunsborough for your first couple of stops before returning back to the town for the rest of the evening.

Since the drive is very short today, there’s no rush out of Busselton. Spend your morning visiting Wonnerup House, an important surviving example of early farm pioneering.

You can also explore the Vasse-Wonnerup Wetlands which offers a sanctuary to more than 75 bird species.

Get some insight into life nearly centuries ago in Busselton’s oldest building is the Old Courthouse Arts Complex. The complex comprises a courtroom, jail cells, stable, post office and bond store.

Museum lovers should also check out the Busselton Museum which has 10 display rooms with photos, equipment and memorabilia tracing the history of the town.

This family-owned and run restaurant, brewery and vineyard is located on a sixty-six-year-old working farm in Eagle Bay.

Stop here for a tasty lunch while overlooking the farmland and bushland to Cape Naturaliste and the Indian Ocean.

You can also try some of their handcrafted beers and wines and buy some to take with you for the rest of your Perth to Esperance journey!

Located in Meelup Regional Park, Eagle Bay offers calm waters and is the location of the world-class HMAS Swan dive wreck.

Divers can organise a trip in advance to dive the wreck.

Explore the abundant marine life or just relax on the shore as you take in the turquoise water, green vegetation and white sandy beach.

Eagle Bay is one of the best swimming beaches in Western Australia and is a lovely place to enjoy a relaxing afternoon during your Perth to Esperance road trip.

One of the most popular attractions in the region, visitors can climb the 59 stairs to the top balcony of the lighthouse for breathtaking ocean views.

The lighthouse reveals the maritime history of the Cape region and a guided tour will take you back in time as you hear tales of ships wrecked off the coastline and the hardships of life as a lighthouse keeper.

READ MORE: Check out our ultimate Western Australia road trip itinerary !

Aim to arrive at Sugarloaf Rock in the late afternoon or early sunset to take in some more spectacular coastal views.

This gigantic granite rock emerges from the Indian Ocean and is situated in Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park.

The sea-sculptured rock offers budding photographers an opportunity to capture the most photographed coastal landform in the region.

Drive back to Dunsborough and check in for the evening.

Meander through the town and visit any of the restaurants or pubs or if you are still keen for some time on the coast, go to Meelup Beach and watch the stars.  

Again, make sure your accommodation in Dunsborough is booked ahead of time particularly on long weekends or during school holidays. Locals from Perth love heading down the southwest to stay here for the weekend.

Day 3: Dunsborough to Yallingup

• Distance : 20km
• Time: 25 minutes

Another short driving day on this Perth to Esperance road trip with more time to explore along your stops.

If you’re short on time, you can also combine Day 3 with Day 2 and just have a bigger day before spending the night in Yallingup.

Sleep in or spend your morning meandering through town and going to Dunsborough Beach for a swim before heading out.

Dunsborough has a lot of nice cafes and bakeries so be sure to grab some delicious treats for your Perth to Esperance drive.

Western Australia’s first tourist attraction was the Ngilgi Cave. The cave is exquisitely decorated with its stalactites, stalagmites, helictites and coloured shawls.

The best way to see the Ngilgi Cave is on a semi-guided tour . Here you are led through the chambers on an extensive boardwalk that is lit up to reveal hidden marvels.

Spend an hour with a guide and learn about the cave and its features before heading out to explore on your own.

Adventure lovers can ditch the boardwalks and instead descend 45 metres below the Earth’s surface on the Ngilgi Cave Adventure Tour.

Here, you’ll crawl and climb as you navigate through some stunning sections of the cave not normally seen by the public.

It’s a super cool place to stop on your Perth to Esperance road trip!

After exploring the cave, head west to visit the Canal Rocks. The rocks here have been carved by the Indian Ocean to reveal crevasses and channels leaving a network of patchy rocky islands.

A raised wooden boardwalk takes you out onto the rocks where you can observe the channels and see the canal.

You can also climb over the rocks but be aware that strong rips, currents, king waves and surges frequent the area.

Yallingup is another awesome little beach town in Western Australia with epic surf conditions that is popular among locals and surfers from Perth.

Here, you’ll find some of the world’s greatest surfers – just head to Yallingup Beach, Smiths Beach and Injidup.

The crystal clear lagoon at Yallingup Beach is perfect for snorkelling and swimming.

You can book a place to stay or if you’re sleeping in the car, just park up at one of the beaches for the night before continuing on from Perth to Esperance.

READ MORE: Don’t miss out on this epic guide to the best places to visit in Australia !

Day 4: Yallingup to Margaret River

• Distance : 60km
• Time: 1.5 hours

This southwest drive continues along inland roads before heading back on the main road towards Margaret River.

There is not loads to see along the way but the drive is easy and fairly fast.  

Yallingup Maze is the only timber maze in the Margaret River region. It features outdoor mazes, nature play areas, a bouncy castle, an indoor puzzle café where you can play with puzzles for free all day and heaps of other fascinating things to do.

Yallingup Maze is a great place to spend a few hours and is especially fun with friends or as a family trip. 

These secluded falls aren’t far from the coast near Moses Rock and the hike to the falls is very rewarding.

It can be quite physically challenging and you should allow around 45 minutes to hike down to the falls and about an hour to hike back.

The path varies from flat and easy to rocky and uneven with a few big sand dunes which are easy to come down but physically challenging climbing up.

Remember to take plenty of water with you!

A dedicated and delicious food stop on your Perth to Esperance road trip is right here. And yes, it is as delectable as it sounds.

The Margaret River Chocolate Factory was been around since 1999 and is one of the most popular spots to visit in the region and in Western Australia (there’s also now a location in Perth).

Entrance is free and you can enjoy free tastings and viewing windows to see the amazing range of chocolate products being made.

There is also a café here where you can stop for lunch and pick from a menu of burgers, chips, salad, scrumptious cakes, desserts, chocolate fondues, the best chocolate brownies in Australia and more. YUM!!

This is a cheese lover’s paradise. Margaret River cheeses are high quality, delicious and award-winning – some of the best in Western Australia!

You’ll find all the classics like brie and camembert with a range of gourmet flavoured cheeses too.

You can try many of the cheeses and then be sure to pick up some cheese, chutneys, oils and other condiments for the rest of your trip.

Once you’ve arrived in Margaret River (or Margs if you want to sound like an Aussie), check in to your accommodation and start looking up which wineries you’d like to visit tomorrow.

Since Margaret River is a very popular tourist destination, booking in advance is necessary!  

Today is your day of rest from the Perth to Esperance road trip – ie, getting absolutely sloshed by visiting all of the wineries in the region.

Hopefully, you have a group of people you’re travelling with (or have made some friends along the way) and someone is okay being designated driver.

Margaret River wineries are a must-visit whether or not you’re big on wines as some of Australia’s top wineries are here.

If you want to tour them on a budget and without worrying about who is driving, check out this tour with Get Your Guide .

Many places offer free tastings and others for as little as $5 or $10 will serve you an incredible variety along with some cheese and nibbles to accompany.

A few popular ones to visit are Vasse Felix, Barnyard 1978, Aravina Estate and Voyager Estate. These wineries also have picturesque landscapes and are perfect for snapping some garden photos.

Spend the night in Margaret River again and hopefully, you can survive the hangover to continue heading south west on the Perth to Esperance road trip tomorrow.

If you want to spend some more time here though, then this guide to all the best things to do in Margaret River will get you sorted!

Day 6: Margaret River to Peaceful Bay

• Distance: 300km
• Time : 3.5 hours

Veering off the southwest route, the drive along this road doesn’t offer too many interesting sights along the way as you’ll start off on the main highway before moving further inland.

As the road trip continues from Hamelin Bay to Walpole, you’ll travel through some forest roads through national parks and hopefully see a lot of lush greenery in your surroundings on the route from Perth to Esperance.

Hamelin Bay is known for being frequented by stingrays. The best time to see them is in summer when the water has less seaweed and is calmer.

Visit in the morning between 9 am – 10 am for your best chance to see them.

Besides the stingrays, the bay is also perfect for some early morning snorkelling if you have the energy for it after yesterday’s adventures!

As suggested in its name, the Valley of the Giants is among the biggest timber giants on Earth.

Situated within the Walpole-Nornalup National Park and Walpole Wilderness, the incredible Treetop Walk is an internationally recognised nature-based tourism attraction.

From the path, you are offered spectacular views over densely forested hills.

As you descend to the boardwalks below, you’ll be among giant eucalyptus trees that aren’t found anywhere else on Earth and some have been standing for more than 400 years!

• Opening times: Daily 9 am to 5 pm except for Christmas Day.
• Admission: $21 for adults, $10.50 for kids

After the wine escapades from the day before, you’ll be grateful to wind down a little earlier today and enjoy the rest of your afternoon at Peaceful Bay.

The town itself is very relaxed and quiet and offers some tranquillity in-between Perth to Esperance.

You can go for a leisurely walk and join the Bibbulmun Track and walk all the way to Point Irwin.

Alternatively, you can four-wheel drive along the unsealed tracks through Walpole-Nornalup National Park and explore.

If you’re in Peaceful Bay between July and October, head to Conspicuous Cliff and watch for breaching and tail-slapping whales as they pass by on their annual migration.

But hey, if you’re absolutely wrecked and just need to chill, that’s perfectly fine and this is the spot for it.

The best way to get around is to rent a car and explore on your own! We recommend Rental Cars , which has the largest range of vehicles for the best value on the market.

Day 7: Peaceful Bay to Albany

• Distance : 213km
• Time: 3 hours

You’ll head back onto the main South Coast Highway only veering off for your stops. Again, not so much of an interesting drive. But at least you’ll travel pretty fast on the route from Perth to Esperance.

If you can manage to get up early enough, it’s worth trying to get to William Bay National Park early to see the glassy water at Elephant Rocks and Greens Pool.

The ginormous rocks resemble elephants paddling in shallow waters.

Allow yourself a couple of hours to explore the cove, go for a swim and just enjoy being among these giant rocks before continuing on your Perth to Esperance road trip.

Swing by Denmark Town and stop in to top up on supplies or for lunch.

Meander through town and browse the unique stores or walk along the coast and take in some of Western Australia’s beautiful coastline.

Continue your journey onwards to Albany and stop into Torndirrup National Park, a rugged coastal park known for its wave carved features including the Natural Bridge, The Gap and Blowholes.

You can just go to the lookouts if you’re not feeling too energetic. Go fishing, surfing or take on one of the walking trails through here if you fancy a hike.

Torndirrup National Park is a great stop on a Perth to Esperance road trip if you love the wilderness.

I can’t imagine you’ve gotten enough of the coast along this journey from Perth to Esperance, so let’s add another beauty to the mix.

Two Peoples Bay is a special place as it serves as the home to the critically endangered Gilbert’s potoroo and the endangered noisy scrub-bird, both of which were presumed extinct until being rediscovered at Two Peoples Bay.

Gather some information about the Reserve at the visitor centre, walk along the Heritage Trail or head to Little Beach – a gorgeous white sand beach guaranteed to provide a moment of peace in your day. 

For sunset, head to Albany Wind Farm which offers impressive views of the eco-friendly turbines set on the coast.

After this big day of driving and exploration, you’ll finish up in Albany Town for the night.

Albany has many historically significant sites as it was the last port of call for troopships departing Australia in the First World War. You can also visit the National ANZAC Center to learn about the history.

Along the Albany foreshore is a full-scale replica of the Brig Amity, which brought the first settlers and convicts to Albany in 1826 on Christmas Day.

You can climb aboard and go below the decks to follow the story of the Amity’s journey from Sydney to King George Sound.

Day 8: Albany to Bremer Bay

• Distance: 163km
• Time: 1 hour 45 minutes

Before beginning today’s drive, you’ll spend the first half of the day exploring a bit more of Albany in the south west of Australia.

From there, you’ll head back onto the main highway before navigating off towards Bremer Bay.

If this day happens to fall on a Saturday, stop by the Albany Farmers Market.

You’ll find local producers selling fresh fruit and vegetables together with organic meats, ostrich, venison, yoghurt cheeses, olive oils and flowers.

There’s also musical entertainment that adds to the lively atmosphere!

Known as one of the best wreck dives in Western Australia, this wreck was scuttled in 2001 and now has extensive coral and sponge growth.

The wreck is 133 long with its deepest point at 36m. The dive is suitable for novice divers to technical divers as well so book your dive in ahead of time.

If you’re into diving, this is one of the coolest spots on a Perth to Esperance road trip.

If diving isn’t your thing, you can go to Middleton Beach and Ellen cove to enjoy a leisurely picnic, go swimming or enjoy the playground facilities.

The Norfolk pine trees are perfect for relaxing under and the Ellen Cove Boardwalk leads you around the coast to the port and is the ideal viewing location for whales between June and October.

Stock up on any supplies you’ll need for the next couple of days before setting off for Bremer Bay.

Considered one of the best places in the world to see orcas in the wild, the largest known congregation of orcas in the southern hemisphere gathers here in Bremer Bay from January to March.

Whale-watching cruises are available to take you out to see them up close.

If you’re lucky, you may also see sperm whales, pilot whales and sunfish during this period.

Travellers in Bremer Bay from July to October might see southern right whales as large numbers congregate here to calve.

So if you’re a whale-lover, plan your Perth to Esperance road trip around whale season!

Day 9: Bremer Bay to Esperance

• Distance: 416km
• Time: 5.5 hours

Today offers a nice big driving day to get you all the way to Esperance! Driving through the national park on the way out of Bremer Bay will offer some beautiful forest landscapes.

From there, it’s back onto the main highway for a speedy drive to our final destination, Esperance!

READ MORE: Check out these great things to do when you are in Esperance!

Fitzgerald River National Park is one of the largest and most botanically significant national parks in Australia. Here you’ll find nearly 20 per cent of the flora species in Western Australia.

The park has a variety of landscapes from rolling plains, rugged peaks and headlands to crystal clear bays and inlets. You can also spot southern right whales here in the winter.

With many wonderful walks to choose from with varying lengths and difficulties, you can spend just the morning or even half a day here exploring Fitzgerald River National Park.  

For those with more time for this road trip, you can set up camp and spend a couple of days enjoying the various walking trails and water activities.

• Entrance fee: $15 per vehicle for up to 12 occupants

This salt lake was historically known for its vibrant colour. But, unfortunately, Pink Lake hasn’t been pink since 2007!

The now white lake is still a nice stop if you want to read about it and understand the science behind pink lakes and why this one no longer has its colour.

Another option for seeing a pink lake is the famous Lake Hillier on Middle Island off the south coast of Western Australia. You can book a boat tour from Esperance to the island to see the phenomenon, as this lake is still pink.

Continue your Perth to Esperance road trip to the final stop! After the long drive, you’ll want to wind down and stretch out your legs.

For accommodation, it’s best to book just one night in Esperance town and then spend the next couple of nights in the national park if you enjoy camping.

Head to the Esperance Visitor Centre to pick up a map for Cape Le Grand National Park and for more interesting information about Esperance town.

After you’ve checked in to your accommodation in Esperance, drive over to Twilight Beach for sunset on the south coast and to chill on the beach. The beach is protected and often frequented by dolphins.

The drive along Twilight Beach Road is also really beautiful (if you’re still up for more driving).

Day 10: Esperance to Cape Le Grand National Park

• Distance: 50km
• Time: 45 minutes

Head a little further east and drive towards one of the best spots on this Perth to Esperance road trip.

Before leaving Esperance town, drive along the Great Ocean Drive in Esperance and stop at West Beach, Chapman’s Point, Second Beach, Fourth Beach or Twilight Beach for a quick surf. Even if you don’t surf, these beautiful beaches are great for a swim.

While it’s not one of the most spectacular sights to visit in Esperance, it’s pretty awesome to be able to see a full life-size replica of Stonehenge in the southern hemisphere.

The replica in Esperance allows you to see Stonehenge as it was in 1650 BC before its destruction.

Visit the website to read more about it!

• Opening hours: Daily, 9 am – 3 pm
• Admission: $10 for adults, $5 for kids

Those iconic photos of kangaroos lazing on a white sandy beach are taken right here in Cape Le Grand National Park.

Settle into your campsite at Le Grand Beach or Lucky Bay campgrounds. Both have gas barbecues, picnic tables, toilets and water. Booking is essential and should be done online here .

There’s plenty to do in the national park and you could easily laze about and spend a good 4 days here if you like.

The national park features sweeping heathlands, rugged coastal peaks and arguably one of the best beaches in the world.

Hike Frenchman Peak and take in the magnificent views from the 262m summit.

Head down to Lucky Bay where kangaroo friends frequent and laze about. Lucky Bay has also been titled the whitest beach in Australia and you’ll see why when you get there.

Climb around Whistling Rock and listen out for the whistling sounds in the rock. This is also an awesome place for photos near Lucky Bay.

Or simply enjoy solitude and get the beach to yourself at Cape Le Grand Beach, Little Hellfire Bay or Thistle Cove.

There is also another beach called Hellfire Bay, though locals claim Little Hellfire Bay is even better. Either way, there is no shortage of beautiful beaches here.

Finish your Esperance road trip at one of your favourite beaches in the national park before heading back into Esperance town to stock up on supplies for the trip home.

Rather than taking the long coastal road trip back to Perth, take in the road inland which will save you over 500km of driving and can be done in a day.

Make sure you stop at Wave Rock on the way. Wave Rock is a natural rock formation shaped like a wave and stands at around 15m high and 110m long.

This is a great way to break up the drive up, stretch the legs and take some fun photos at Wave Rock!

Between Wave Rock and the beautiful beaches and national parks, you’ll be ending your Perth to Esperance road trip with a bang.

That wraps up your Perth to Esperance road trip and back!

The south west coast of Australia is full of so many incredible sights, but it’s not as touristy as the east coast. A Perth to Esperance road trip is definitely one of the best road trips in the country, so add it to your bucket list.

Make sure you bring a camera to capture some of the most amazing beaches and scenery in Western Australia and don’t forget to comment and let us know if this tops your road trips of all time.

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

Amanda Tran

Hi, We’re Alesha and Jarryd!

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

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Amanda, Many thanks for the itinerary. We are following it (including Wave Rock) next month. It will take us two weeks in total and have pre booked accommodation etc as it seems pretty busy right now.

Your guide and suggested stops have made the planning so easy … I will let you know how we go. Garry & Jenny

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Perfect Perth Itinerary for 3, 5 or 7 Days

By: Author Amanda OBrien

Posted on Last updated: 01/03/2024

Wondering how many days to spend in Perth? This is always a hard question to answer. Perth is like a mini Australia in many ways – It has wine, wildlife, beaches, great food and nature in all its glory.

Ideally, visit Perth for at least three days. Even better visit for five days. Or visit for seven days and add in some of Perth’s biggest and best day trips (like a Rottnest Island Day Trip ) whilst still sleeping in the same boutique hotel every night.

My Perth itinerary covers several options. I have suggestions on what to do in 4 days in Perth, a Perth itinerary 5 days and a 7 days in Perth Australia option.

You can then move activities around between the different days as works best for your planned Perth travel itinerary.

Things to Book Before You Leave Home Few things are more frustrating on vacation than missing out on that amazing hotel or tour because it is sold out. Here are our top things to book before your vacation. 🐨 Most Popular Tours in Perth: 1. Rottnest Island – my top pick – don’t miss visiting this beautiful island 2. Dive with Sharks – this one has limited spots so booking is key 3. Pinnacles and Swan Valley Wine Trip – jaw-dropping natural beauty + great Aussie wine 4. See Perth on a Segway Tour – the most fun way to zip around Perth 🛏️ Where to Stay in Perth : 1. The Como Treasury – Perth’s most stylish hotel in the heart of downtown 2. QT Perth – the quirky style choice also downtown 3. The Alex Northbridge – sleek modern design 4. The Hougoumont Fremantle – boutique hotel made from sea containers

• Perth Itinerary: How to get to Perth and get around

Table of Contents

Getting a Visa for Australia

Perth itinerary day 1 – explore the best of perth, day 2 – visit rottnest island, organised tour options, how to get to rottnest island, top 3 things to do on rottnest island, 1. hire a bike, 2. swim and sunbathe, 3. get a quokka selfie, where to eat on rottnest island, perth itinerary day 3: visit fremantle, things to do in fremantle:, perth itinerary days 4 & 5: enjoy some of perth’s close day trips, visit caversham wildlife park, go wine tasting in the swan valley, head to the perth hills, day 6: eat your way around perth’s suburbs, perth 7 days itinerary: take a big day trip, margaret river, the pinnacles desert, things to know before you go to perth, boutique hotels in perth, 1. como the treasury cbd, 2. qt hotel perth cbd, 3. the alex hotel northbridge, 4. the hougoumont fremantle, when to visit perth, who paid for what in this post.

Perth is located on the southwest coast of Western Australia on the Swan River. Remember that Australia is big and a flight from sydney to Perth takes five hours (although it is usually much faster on the way back due to winds).

Perth has an international airport and most major airlines fly to Perth after a stopover in Asia.

There was considerable publicity of late when Qantas announced a direct flight from London to Perth taking 16 1/2 hours. I personally have not taken this flight yet but Australian friends have and all have been very positive about the flight and particularly that they felt their jet lag was much better than normal.

⇒ Flights to Perth

Perth has free CAT buses within the city centre. There is a train line that runs through Perth and the suburbs including popular Fremantle. And there is Uber.

But if you are staying in Perth for longer than a couple of days then I would highly recommend hiring a car . Perth is a very easy city to drive around and there is generally loads of parking.

If you are from a big city, you may find the frequency of Perth public transport a little frustrating. Also, this is a sprawling city, so the locals will be driving most places!  

Unless you have New Zealand citizenship, you will need to get a visa for Australia. However, the good news is that the online visa for Australia is a quick and easy process!

The entire online process only takes about 5 minutes. The most requested type of visa is the eVisitor which can be used for business or tourist purposes. The eVistor covers multiple entries over 12 months and stays of up to 3 months.

If your nationality doesn’t fit the criteria for the eVisitor then you can apply for an ETA visa (Electronic Travel Authority). This option is slightly more expensive whilst providing the same access as the eVisitor.

And there is a separate process if you are looking for a working holiday visa for Australia.

There is plenty to see and do in the heart of Perth itself. A great way to kick off a stay in Perth is to head to the beautiful Cottesloe Beach for a quick swim and breakfast. Cottesloe Beach is halfway between Perth and Fremantle.

Cottesloe Beach is loved by both locals and tourists with its stunning white sands and relaxed feel. Loads of cafes line its main street but I highly recommend heading to Il Lido . I enjoyed eating at Il Lido so much that I went their twice on my last trip to Perth!

One of the best ways to learn about Perth and to get a feel for its CBD is to take a tour. I took the Coffee, Culture and Art tour with local company Two Feet and a Heartbeat where I learned that the Perth city centre has been rejuvenated in the last 15 years.

You will get a chance to see the lovely kangaroo sculptures in Stirling Gardens, see the local street art and visit waterfront development Elizabeth Quay – all whilst learning the history of Perth.

In the afternoon head to Perth’s Kings Park . King’s Park is bigger than Central Park and could possibly be the biggest botanic garden in a city in the world at over 400 hectares! This beautiful park also has some stunning views of the city of Perth as well as the Swan River.

The park has several cafes and restaurants and a fantastic gift shop with lots of stunning local contemporary art and crafts.

Insider Tip – Have a local show you around Perth There are few better ways to explore a city than having a local to show you around. That’s why I was really keen to try out local tour company Two Feet and a Heartbeat and I wasn’t disappointed! In addition to the Coffee Culture and Art tour which I took they have some great food tours like Eat Drink Walk Perth and the well-named Fromage ! AND if you give them the code BOUTIQUE Two Feet and a Heartbeat will give you a 10% discount!

Lovely little Rottnest Island is just 18kms from the center of Perth. It is one of my favorite day trips in the world and loved by locals as much as tourists. It is almost an Australian landmark.

There are no cars on Rottnest Island and it has 20 bays, 63 beaches and 45 kilometres of cycling paths. Artefacts pre-dating 6,500 years have been found on Rottnest Island so it appears that the Aboriginals were also big fans!

It is very easy to travel to and around Rottnest Island independently but it does involve multiple bookings of ferry tickets and bike hire, figuring out ferry schedules and where and when to eat etc.

If you would prefer to have all of the administration taken care of for you but want to explore the island on a bike on your own the day trip to Rottnest from Fremantle or Perth does all of this and will pick you up and drop you back at your hotel.

If you would like to explore Rottnest Island from the water than this Rottnest by Sea day tour is perfect. Your boat leaves Fremantle and then it explores Rottnest Island by pulling into different bays and beaches across the day.

For those who are keen to snorkel and dive the waters of Rottnest Island this Snorkel and Sail Catamaran Adventure is perfect.

⇒ Book Your Rottnest Island Day Trip Now

The best ferry for you will depend on where you are staying. If you are staying in North Perth, then Hillary’s Boat Harbour is a good place to catch the ferry to Rottnest Island. However, there are only a few ferries for a Rottnest Island day trip from Hillary’s each day and they take 45 minutes.

The fastest route for a Rottnest Island one-day trip is from Fremantle at either B-shed or North Fremantle. This route takes 35 minutes. B-shed has a nice coffee place as well as somewhere for snacks – but I was told that the Rottnest Island bakery was much better and to save room in my stomach!

Travel Expert Tip – Book Your Rottnest Island Ferry at least 24 hours in advance Rottnest Island is one of the most popular things to do in Perth for both visitors and locals. Tickets sell out fast, particularly in the summer. Book your ticket ahead of time to avoid disappointment and long queues.

Rottnest Island has 45 km of cycling paths and to me, this is the best way to explore the island. I would recommend pre-booking your bike hire. It is possible to pre-book both your bike hire and ferry tickets together or hire an e-bike .

Or you can pre- book your bike hire with Pedal and Flipper and just pick it up when you arrive (Pedal and Flipper is about a 5-minute walk from where the ferry drops you on Rottnest Island).

Rottnest Island has 63 beaches and 20 bays! And pretty much all of them are ready for swimmers and sunbathers!

The beaches in the North tend to be a bit more sheltered whereas some of those in the south are beautiful but quite rugged. Pinky’s Beach and the Basin are two of the most popular beaches. They are both lovely and nice and close to Thomson Bay!

I highly recommend the beautiful Little Salmon Bay. It is a bit farther away from Thomson Bay so not as busy and it is also a great spot for snorkelling. Geordie Bay and Parakeet Bay are also spectacular.

The Quokka looks like a little kangaroo and is native to Rottnest Island. The first recorded European visitor to Rottnest Island, William de Vlamingn, gave the island its name Rotte Nest (meaning rat’s nest) after he mistook the quokkas for rats.

It is no wonder that Quokkas are known as the world’s happiest animals – they live on Rottnest Island! The quokkas roam free across Rottnest Island but seem to like spending a lot of time around the bakery and then the Rottnest Hotel from late afternoon.

Rottnest Island is highly encouraging of the Quokka selfie phenomenon, even providing full details of how to get the best Quokka selfie! However, the Quokkas are wild animals so don’t touch them and don’t feed them (all very Gremlins like!!).

It is best to sit and wait and let them come to you. They are friendly little fellows and there are loads of them (between 10,000 and 12,000) so as long as you have a bit of time you are unlikely to be unsuccessful when it comes to acquiring a Quokka selfie!

⇒ Heading to Sydney? Check out my posts on the best Barangaroo Restaurants , the perfect Sydney Itinerary , a day trip to Watsons Bay Sydney and the best weekend getaways from Sydney .

The majority of places to eat on Rottnest Island are clustered around the main village which is at the ferry station. There are lots of food options across a range of prices.

The most famous spot is the Rottnest Bakery . Locals love this iconic bakery. When you’re ready for a glass of wine or a terrific meal head to Hotel Rottnest .

If you’re interested in staying the night on Rottnest Island, check out its boutique hotel!  Discovery Glamping Resort features 83 glamping tents across categories from standard (56 square meters) to deluxe (98 square meters). Deluxe tends to feature walk-in wardrobes and double vanities and some have uninterrupted views of the Indian Ocean.

All of the tents have en suites and a furnished deck. The tents are made from sustainable materials and were designed to keep cool so there is no air conditioning.

⇒ Excited about Rottnest Island? It is perhaps my favourite thing to do in Perth! Read more about it in my full post on The Perfect Rottnest Island Day Trip .

Fremantle is Western Australia’s chief port and is just 25 minutes west of Perth. Founded in 1829 it is still home to many streets which are virtually unchanged since the mid 19th century. Many of these streets are now home to some fantastic restaurants, shops and bars.

• Get some nice photos down at the Fishing Boat harbor and if it’s the right time of day enjoy some fish and chips by the water.
• Take an underground Tunnels Tour or Torchlight tour at Fremantle Prison
• Take a tram ride through Fremantle.
• Visit the fantastic Fremantle Markets . The market is full of interesting local suppliers selling their arts and crafts as well as some tasty food pop-ups. Fremantle Market is a great place to find a unique souvenir – check out Stunned Emu Designs.
• Take a Segway Tour around the streets of Fremantle as well as its port.
• Go shopping in the West End of Fremantle
• Enjoy a cocktail at Bathers Beach House
• Have a meal at the fantastic Bread in Common – handmade, locally sourced and just delicious in a stylish modern industrial setting.
• Tuck into some Italian food at the Iconic Gino’s
• Enjoy a beer and a tour at popular local brewery Little Creatures

You might enjoy reading my Tasmania Itinerary.

Got 5 days in Perth? Here is a Perth 5 day itinerary I think you’ll like.

Lovely Caversham Wildlife Park is a fantastic place to get up close and personal with some of Australia’s unique wildlife! Caversham is about a 20-minute drive from the center of Perth. There are public transport options but they are all pretty painful so I highly recommend driving to Caversham Wildlife Park Perth!

Caversham is actually a private wildlife park – a family from Perth owns it and receives no government funding. This means that it is often more interactive than similar parks in Australia.

The park is divided into six sections and there are a number of daily activities. Do try to plan your visit around the timings of the daily activities which are all listed on the Caversham Wildlife website.

For me, the highlight was meeting the koalas! There are generally four sessions of meet the koalas each day. Handlers bring out the koalas. Visitors are then invited one by one to have some time with the koalas and are able to stroke their backs. I loved doing this!

Meet the Wombat and friends is another daily session that runs four times a day. A wombat is a uniquely Australian marsupial. He is not as cute as a koala (what is??) but definitely worth checking out! Again, the wombat is held by someone from the park and it is possible to sit next to the wombat.

The friends include other typically Australian forms of wildlife like cockatoos, snakes, quokkas and possums.

Feeding the kangaroos is open all day! There are quite a few kangaroos and wallabies at Caversham Wildlife Park. Food is freely available to give them and then hopefully a good photograph!

The morning is the best time as the kangaroos and the wallabies are up and about. Don’t visit on a warm afternoon as I did; they were lounging under the trees in the shade and weren’t terribly interested in anything!  

Only 30 30-minute drive from Perth is the beautiful Swan Valley. It is filled with rolling hills, wildflowers, walking trails, some great restaurants and most importantly some great wineries!

The Swan Valley has a Mediterranean-style climate plus rich soil and access to water from the Swan River, all of which make for some fantastic wine. Key varietals are Verdelho, Chenin Blanc, Petit Verdot and Shiraz. The area is also known for excellent sparkling and fortified wines.

With a first vintage in 1834, the Swan Valley is the second oldest wine region in Australia (New South Wales ‘ Hunter Valley is the oldest). The climate is similar to that of Greece , Croatia and southern Spain. Indeed, many of the Swan Valley vineyards were started by families from southern Europe.

Of course, the best way to visit a wine region is without a car! I can highly recommend d’Vine Wine Tours . Breanna and Ewen, the owners of this small company, are both born and bred in Perth. Both of them have extensive backgrounds in hospitality – and extensive personal experience with the wines of the Swan Valley!

I took their full day Swan Valley Wine tour. It was very well organised with a well-signed central pick up point in the Perth CBD. We then visited several wineries in the Swan Valley – and everyone on the tour received a 20% discount on any wines purchased! That is the same discount as the staff!

d’Vine also runs wine tours to the Bickley Valley, a special TGIF tour to kick off the weekend plus a special Sunday half-day tour.

Special Offer for Readers of The Boutique Adventurer The fab team at d’Vine Wine Tours are offering readers of The Boutique Adventurer a 5% discount on all of their tours! Just use the code TBA5OFF when you book !

And don’t leave without a visit to the Margaret River Chocolate Factory – if you can’t get down to Margaret River enjoy the best of its chocolate at this huge store and factory!

They have some outstanding ice cream, light lunches and chocolate Quokkas!

The Perth Hills provides a charming country Australia experience within just 45 minutes of the center of Perth. It is home to a whopping 8 National Parks, including Bibbulmun and lots of other walking and cycling trails.

This area is also home to some great restaurants and wineries. The Perth Hills is known for having some fantastic apples and is home to two great Cider Houses – Naked Apple and Core Cider . Both serve meals and make for a lovely day out.

If possible, time your trip to the Perth Hills on a Sunday to attend the Kalamunda Farmer’s Market in the Central Mall. And on the first Saturday of every month, the full Kalamunda Village Market with over 150 stalls is held in the Central Mall.

So far this itinerary for Perth has only had one day in actual Perth! So let’s spend a day exploring more of what Perth has on offer – based on its fabulous food! Mix and match from my list below to plan a perfect foodie day!

• Head to Northbridge for Dim Sum. Northbridge is a thriving dining and nightlife area just north of the CBD. It is home to various cuisines but does lean towards Asian and Italian. I highly recommend Juicy Bao Bao – don’t miss their wontons in homemade spicy sauce.
• Have fish and chips with the black Swans on Matilda Bay. Lovely Matilda Bay is just outside the Perth CBD and a natural Swan River bay. It is home to many photogenic and rather pushy black swans and some great fish and chips – check out the Bayside Kitchen. Matilda Bay is also very close to the renowned Perth Instagram spot the Blue Boatshed .
• Enjoy brunch with a view in Peppermint Grove. This high-end Perth suburb has some more very photogenic boatsheds as well as the fantastic Freshwaters restaurant. Order your brunch inside and then take a seat on the lovely deck and look out over the swan river.
• Go shopping and have coffee in Subiaco. Subiaco is inner-city cool Perth style. It all happens on Rokeby Road which is home to cute boutiques and high-end shops plus loads of cafes and wine bars. Enjoy a toasted sandwich Australian style at the Jaffle Shack.
• Have lunch by the seaside in Trigg. North of the center of Perth, Trigg Island beach is home to one of Perth’s surf breaks. And the lovely Island Market restaurant where you can dine on modern Australian cuisine whilst watching the waves.

With a Perth 7 day itinerary it is possible to include one of the fantastic day trips Perth has on offer.

I love Margaret River !! I first visited this beautiful region in Australia over 20 years ago and fell in love with it! Margaret River has forests, beautiful coastline, farmland galore and some of Australia’s best wineries.

The region is deserving of its own dedicated trip but if you don’t have the time or the inclination to move from your boutique hotel take a Margaret River day trip.

Margaret River is a 3-hour drive from Perth and as it is all about the wineries, I highly recommend you take a tour for this Perth day trip! Avoid six hours in the car by flying down to Margaret River and then hopping on a coach for a 5-hour tour of the region’s wineries.

Or combine the wineries with a visit to Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse and Mammoth Caves. Or visit the lovely towns of Busselton and Yallingup as well as Margaret Rivers’ famous wineries.

⇒ Book Your Margaret River Day Trip Now

The Pinnacles Desert is 200km north of Perth which is about a 2 hour drive from Perth. The desert covers an area of about 190 hectares and is home to thousands of limestone Pinnacles, some of which are up to five metres high.

These extraordinary structures are over 25,000 years old, formed after the sea receded and left deposits of sea shells. The surrounding sand was moved by coastal winds over time, leaving the pinnacles exposed to the elements.

There are many options for day tours to the Pinnacles. The visit is normally combined with either a visit to Yanchep National Park to see koalas and kangaroos, or with Caversham Wildlife Park and the Swan Valley in one big day or head to the Pinnacles in the evening for some amazing stargazing.

⇒ Book your Pinnacles Tour

Or if you have a bit more time why not drive north to Exmouth , gateway town to Ningaloo?

⇒ Planning a trip to Melbourne? Read about the Best Place to Stay in Melbourne , where to have a fantastic Melbourne Brunch , 18 brilliant places to watch the sunset in Melbourne , and 2 of Melbourne’s best side-trips: The Mornington Peninsula and Daylesford . And don’t forget Melbourne is very close to the wonderful Tasmania .

⇒ Perth is a long way away from the East Coast of Australia. It is a five-hour flight from Sydney to Perth. Yes, really!

⇒Don’t forget that unless you are a citizen of New Zealand you will need to get the online Visa for Australia . And there is a separate online process if you are looking for an Australian working holiday visa.

⇒ Perth doesn’t observe any daylight savings time eg it is the same time all year round. It’s time zone is Western Standard Time (WST) which is GMT +8.

⇒ Wifi is easily accessible in Perth. Most hotels, restaurants etc will have free wifi. The Perth CBD, Northbridge and East Perth all have the free “Perth Wifi” which visitors can access.

⇒ Australia has a rather uncommon 230V electricity system and is type 1. Most likely you will need an adaptor.

⇒ I do love a Hop on Hop off bus to get a feel for a city! Check out the Perth Hop On Hop Off Bus.  And Fremantle also has a Hop On Hop Off bus.

Perth has some fantastic boutique hotels! Indeed, it is hard to choose amongst all of the great options – and they also tend to be very good value for accommodation of this standard.

My favourite is Como the Treasury . The Victorian era building and former barracks were restored to reveal high ceilings, cornices, and balconies that were then styled with a modern touch.

This is a very special hotel with a unique feel. It has 48 guest rooms, one of the hottest restaurants in Perth (Wildflower, a glassed-in building on the rooftop featuring a traditional Aboriginal-style seasonal menu), a Como Shambhala spa and connected bars that allow you to take your glass of wine all through the hotel! And it is located literally in the heart of the city.

⇒ Check Prices and Availability for Como The Treasury

I love the QT hotels , which are across Australia and New Zealand! Yes, they are a chain but they are a small chain. QT Hotels tend to have great inner-city locations, eclectic and stylish designs and great bars and restaurants.

Perth’s QT hotel is more of the same with a fab rooftop bar and a great Italian restaurant, Santini Grill.

⇒ Check Prices and Availability for the QT Hotel Perth

The Alex Hotel is located in quirky Northbridge, one of Perth’s inner-city suburbs and home to some of its most interesting and edgy restaurants and bars. Check out The Shadow Wine Bar and use one of their bikes to head down to Cottesloe Beach.

⇒ Check Prices and Availability for The Alex Hotel

The Hougoumont is in lovely little Fremantle, one of Perth’s most happening areas and the kick off point for several Rottnest Island ferries. This hotel was actually built using shipping container construction methods!

This stylish and quirky hotel offers wine and cheese tastings every evening as well as tea and toast in the morning – from the fantastic Bread in Common Bakery in Fremantle.

Check Prices and Availability for The Hougoumont Fremantle

Planning a trip to Queensland? Check out my posts on the top 15 Brisbane Boutique Hotels and my Gold Coast Itinerary .

Perth, of course, uses Australian dollars. ATMs are easily available and most restaurants, tourist attractions etc not only take credit cards they will have touch payment. You may need cash for some smaller restaurants and shops but it will be infrequent.

Summers are warm and dry in Perth and winters are long, cool and wet. Summer is between December and February and the average temperature is 30 degrees. However, Perth is known for the cool wind blowing in most evenings (called the Fremantle Doctor), making sleeping easier.

Autumn is March to May and temperatures average around the mid 20s. Winter is from June to August and isn’t the best time to visit. Spring starts in September and is a great time to visit as is Autumn, in my opinion.

This is a sponsored post. However, I covered all of the tourism costs associated with writing this post eg flights, tours etc. And as always my opinions are my own.

The post does contain affiliate links. This means if you click through on some of the links and end up making a purchase I will receive a small commission. This will not affect the price that you pay. I just wanted to make sure that you knew this.

Like this Post? Why not Pin It?

Amanda O’Brien is the creator and editor of The Boutique Adventurer. She has visited 80 countries and is a member of the British Guild of Travel Writers as well as the IFTWTA. She is passionate about wine had has just completed Level 3 of the WSET. Born in Australia, she lives in London.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

Siobhan Fitzgerald

Friday 30th of September 2022

Great Post.Visiting Perth next month.Thank you

Amanda OBrien

Thanks Siobhan! Hope you have a great trip

Saturday 25th of April 2020

This looks amazing! I have never been to Australia, let alone Perth, but I would love to go!

I would love to visit Perth! I am dreaming about meeting the quokkas since many years! And I want to see this little blue house too, so photogenic!

Katja | placesandnotes

Oh Perth looks like such a nice place, definitely saving this post for later. I loved Australia but I was only on the east coast and to the central Aus. Next time the west coast for sure :) Thanks for sharing

Visited Australia 4 years ago, although didn't made it to Perth and the west coast. Thanks, now I have at least an ideas what to do in Perth :)

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Politics latest: 'Significant progress' on Gibraltar deal; Keir Starmer responds to news of Angela Rayner police investigation

Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron has been in Brussels for talks with the EU on Gibraltar; Police confirm they have launched an investigation into whether Angela Rayner broke electoral law. Listen to the latest episode of the Electoral Dysfunction podcast as you scroll.

Saturday 13 April 2024 10:26, UK

• 'Signifiant progress' towards UK-EU agreement on Gibraltar
• Rayner 'welcomes chance to set out facts' after police confirm investigation into whether she broke electoral rules
• Starmer 'fully confident' deputy has done nothing wrong
• Rob Powell: The investigation hinges on one thing
• What you need to know about Rayner
• Beth Rigby:  A dysfunctional week for the Tories and Labour
• How Sue Gray's friends and foes could shape Starmer's Downing Street
• Live reporting by Faith Ridler

As the fallout from the Westminster honeytrap scandal continues to unravel, Beth Rigby, Jess Phillips and Ruth Davidson explain why contacts are so valuable in Parliament and ask what William Wragg's resignation tells us about Rishi Sunak's leadership.

And, with Labour riding high after two major polls predicted landslide victories at the upcoming election, should Keir Starmer be worried about voter complacency?

Plus, Beth, Ruth and Jess talk about the impact of Dr Hilary Cass’ review into gender identity services for under-18s in England.

👉 Listen above then tap here to follow Electoral Dysfunction wherever you get your podcasts 👈

Email Beth, Jess, and Ruth at [email protected] , post on X to @BethRigby, or send a WhatsApp voice note on 07934 200 444.      

Warning: some strong language. 

People voting in local elections in England on 2 May will need to provide photo ID.

It is the second year the requirement has been in place - but in 2023,  14,000 people couldn't cast their ballot because they didn't take ID to the polling booth.

There are 22 different types of ID you can use - and if you don't have any of them, you can register for a Voter Authority Certificate.

Here's everything you need to know to avoid being caught out:

Angela Rayner is set to become the UK's deputy prime minister if Labour wins the next general election.

Here's what you need to know about the party's deputy leader - from her early life and career in politics to the abuse and controversy she has faced.

Born in Stockport in 1980, Ms Rayner was brought up on a council estate. She left school at 16 with no qualifications and pregnant with her first son.

She says she was told she would "never amount to anything".

"When I was young, we didn't have books because my mother couldn't read or write," Ms Rayner said in an interview with the Financial Times.

You can read more from Sky News below:

By Faye Brown , political reporter

Police are investigating allegations that Angela Rayner may have broken electoral law over information she gave about her living situation a decade ago.

It comes after Tory MP James Daly informed  Greater Manchester  Police (GMP) of claims made by neighbours that allegedly contradicted the Labour deputy leader's statement that her property - which was separate from her then husband's - was her main residence.

GMP previously said it would  not be investigating  the allegations.

But the force has now "reassessed" information about the case and launched a probe following a complaint from Mr Daly, an MP in the region and the deputy chairman of the Conservative Party.

You can read more here:

As with most political scandals, the heat in the Angela Rayner housing row is less about the (alleged) crime and more about the (alleged) cover-up.

Or, to put it another way, this is all about how honest and transparent the Labour deputy leader has been in responding to allegations about her living arrangements a decade ago.

The rebuttal from Ms Rayner right from the beginning has been (to paraphrase) "this is all a big Tory smear, the house at Vicarage Road was my main residence, nothing to see here".

Greater Manchester Police's newly-reopened investigation may hinge on whether officers believe that was indeed the case.

If they find it wasn't, it's hard to imagine a terribly harsh judicial penalty being handed down.

But there would still be a substantial political price to pay, as it would demolish the defence of the Labour deputy leader and call into question her honesty.

For a politician known for her straight-forward and unvarnished manner - who has often been on the front foot chastising Conservatives for all manner of indiscretions - a humbling like that may prove too severe to survive.

Alternatively, a clean bill of health from the police may finally bury this story for Labour by putting Ms Rayner in the clear.

But even if that later point is reached, it seems the party and its second most senior figure have - at the very least - a few more days of difficult coverage ahead.

Foreign secretary Lord Cameron has been in Brussels for talks on Gibraltar.

The terms of the territory's post-Brexit relationship with the EU remains unresolved.

A statement released by the UK, Spain and the EU after the discussions struck a positive note, saying "significant progress" has been made towards a UK-EU agreement.

Reported sticking points between the sides include the rules for Gibraltar's border with Spain and the EU, and Madrid seeking greater management of its airport.

Gibraltar is a British overseas territory, but this sovereignty is disputed by Spain. 

"European Commission Executive Vice-President Maroš Šefčovič, Spanish Minister for Foreign Affairs José Manuel Albares and UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron, together with the Chief Minister of Gibraltar Fabian Picardo, met in Brussels on Friday 12 April," the European Commission statement said.

"This was the first meeting in this format. Discussions took place in a constructive atmosphere, with significant progress achieved. 

"General political lines have been agreed, including on airport, goods and mobility. 

"Negotiations will continue over the coming weeks to conclude the EU-UK agreement.

"The participants agreed that this was a productive day. 

"The meeting reaffirmed their shared commitment to concluding an EU-UK agreement to secure the future prosperity of the whole region. 

"This agreement will bring confidence, legal certainty and stability to the lives and livelihoods of the people of the whole region, without prejudice to the parties' legal positions."

The Sky News live poll tracker - collated and updated by our Data and Forensics team - aggregates various surveys to indicate how voters feel about the different political parties.

As the local election campaign gets under way, Labour is still sitting comfortably on a roughly 20-point lead, averaging at 43.3% in the polls, with the Tories on 23.6%.

In third is Reform UK on 12.8%, followed by the Lib Dems on 9.4%.

The Green Party stands at 6.2%, and the SNP on 3.0%.

See the latest update below - and you can read more about the methodology behind the tracker  here .

Over a year ago, Rishi Sunak made five pledges for voters to judge him on.

The prime minister met his promise to halve inflation by the end of 2023.

But with the general election approaching, how is Mr Sunak doing on delivering his other promises?

You can see the progress for yourself below:

By Alexandra Rogers , political reporter

Sue Gray's ascension to the Labour Party - from civil service partygate investigator to Sir Keir Starmer's chief of staff - has delighted and rankled colleagues in equal measure.

Since her arrival last autumn, Ms Gray has been subject to praise from shadow cabinet members and mayors, whom she is said to have brought closer to the Labour leader.

But there have been negative briefings from Labour insiders too - including a story leaked to the press that she reduced staff to tears with a heavy-handed approach in an internal leak inquiry over the party's decision to ditch its £28bn green investment pledge.

However, one ally Ms Gray has found herself with is Labour's deputy leader Angela Rayner, with whom she is said to have established a good relationship based on mutual respect.

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