Best Road Trip Travel Activities in Western Australia
Have you ever wondered which route makes the best way to see western australia—and how long you really need?
I use this guide to map realistic trip plans, set expectations for time, and highlight must-see places you won’t want to miss.
Low population density and huge, remote parks make self-drive the clear way to connect iconic spots across western australia.
I wrote this guide for first-timers and repeat travelers who want a smarter plan. I show when to head north or south and why season matters.
Expect two hero itineraries: a Perth-to-Exmouth run and a southwest loop that can extend to Esperance. Each plan pairs beaches, parks, and wildlife with easy daily goals.
Practical notes: vehicle choices, typical costs, fuel and daylight safety tips, and booking windows are all covered so you can start planning with confidence.
Read on and you’ll see how a well-timed, well-planned trip becomes one of the most rewarding adventures in australia.
Why I Love Hitting the WA Road: What Makes This Coast an Epic Drive
There’s something addictive about driving this stretch of coast—each hour brings a new landscape and a fresh surprise.
western australia stitches together highlights from the Pinnacles at nambung national to Ningaloo Reef, and those shifts keep every day vivid.
The scenery moves fast: sugar-white beaches one hour, pink lakes or vineyard valleys the next. I often stop for a quick swim or a lookout and feel like I’ve found a new favorite place.
Wildlife pops up everywhere—kangaroos on sands, sea lions near small harbors, and whale sharks offshore when the season lines up. That sense of space makes each trip feel like a real adventure.
I love that towns are spaced so you can balance one big highlight with a few easy stops. The route gives me room to slow down and the simple routines—coffee at sunrise, star-gazing at night—turn into the best memories.
Plan First, Drive Far: How Long You Need and When to Go
Pick the right length for your itinerary first; the rest of the trip falls into place around the days you have.
Base minimums: I recommend 10–14 days if you choose the Perth–Exmouth run or the south loop to Margaret River and Albany. If you want Esperance added, make it 3 weeks. Four weeks is ideal to link north and south without rush.
Season matters: summer (Nov–Mar) favors the South West—forests, wineries, and beaches—while winter (May–Aug) is perfect up north for whale watching and reef clarity.
I break time down honestly: pick one half if you have a short time. If you’ve got more weeks, stitch both halves together carefully. Don’t cram Broome to Esperance into a few weeks; that becomes long hours of driving and little enjoyment.
Stack nights by region—2–3 in Margaret River, 2 in Kalbarri, 3+ near Exmouth—and lock in fixed bookings first. Plan long segments mid-trip, add buffer days for weather, and give yourself one free day each week to pivot for a surprise stop.
Car or Campervan: The Best Way to Do a Western Australia Road Trip
Choosing the right vehicle shapes almost every moment of a long coastal drive. I weigh comfort, cost, and how freely I want to travel when I decide between a car or a campervan.
I pick a car when I want nimble driving, easy parking, and lower daily rental costs. Brands I use include No Birds, Sixt, and Thrifty, with cars often from around AUD $60/day. Cars pair well with cabins, motels, and winery stays.
I choose a campervan when I want my bed and kitchen with me for spontaneous sunsets and starry night camps. Budget vans (JUCY, Travellers Autobarn) sit below mid-range options (Britz, Apollo), while StarRV is luxury. Expect mid-range rates around AUD $150–180/day.
Make sure to book campsites early. Use WikiCamps, Hipcamp, and the Explore Parks portal to secure national park sites up to 180 days out. Rangers patrol popular spots and national park camping only happens at designated sites.
My rule: match the vehicle to the route. Most classic WA routes are 2WD-friendly, so a standard car or self-contained van is the best way to balance freedom, cost, and restful nights.
Essential Driving Tips for Western Australia
I keep a strict safety checklist before every leg so nothing unexpected slows my day. I drive on the left and carry an overseas license or an IDP if mine isn’t in English.
I plan fuel windows with FuelWatch WA or PetrolSpy and mark backup stations so I’m never hunting for a pump. I also download offline maps and pin key waypoints for no-service stretches.
Avoid dawn, dusk, and night driving outside towns: kangaroos and wildlife are most active then. Staying off the road at those times is the single best safety move I make.
I pack recovery basics: extra water, food, a first aid kit, a spare tire and the know-how to change it. I share my itinerary with someone back home and keep fuel above a quarter tank on long runs.
I respect slower vehicles and longer stopping distances when passing caravans and road trains. I build in short day breaks every 2–3 hours to rest, stretch, and reset—calm driving saves time and stress over long hours.
What to Pack for the WA Outback and Coast
A well-chosen kit makes time on the coast and outback feel safer and more relaxed. I pack with safety first and comfort close behind so each trip runs smoothly.
Essentials I never leave without: 10–20 liters of water, shelf-stable food, a full first aid kit, headlamps, and a full-size spare tire with tools I know how to use.
Sun and sea gear: UPF clothing, a wide-brim hat, reef-safe sunscreen, snorkel sets, and sturdy water shoes make it easy to seize clear-water moments without renting gear.
I add creature comforts for quick stops: a compact camp table, two chairs, a windproof stove, soft cooler, reusable cutlery, and meal basics for roadside lunches when food is sparse.
For long drives I carry a tire pressure gauge, portable compressor, glass cleaner, offline maps, park passes, and a printed emergency contact sheet. I also pack layers—mornings can be crisp and cool after night falls.
Booking note: Cape Range and other peak-season camping fills 180 days ahead, so make sure reservations are set early or plan overflow options near Exmouth.
These small things save stress and keep the trip relaxed from dawn coffee to late-evening stargazing.
Iconic Northbound Itinerary: Perth to Exmouth (and Beyond)
I map a northbound route that turns long distances into a string of clear, fun stops from Perth to Exmouth. This classic road trip takes about 7–10 days, or longer if you add Karijini and inland gorges.
Day one mixes quick highlights: Yanchep National Park trails, sandboarding at Lancelin, then golden-hour at the Pinnacles in nambung national before settling near jurien bay.
Book a morning sea lion tour at jurien bay, then roll through Geraldton for supplies and the pink Hutt Lagoon photo stop. Kalbarri deserves two nights for Nature’s Window and coastal hikes.
Shark Bay’s UNESCO sights add variety, then Coral Bay and Exmouth deliver water time—snorkels, manta or whale shark tours in season, and Cape Range National Park highlights like Turquoise Bay and Yardie Creek.
I plan fuel and food stops carefully and carry extra water. If I have more weeks, I detour to Karijini for red-gorge hikes. This guide makes the long stretches feel manageable and memorable.
Signature Southbound Itinerary: Perth to Margaret River, Albany, and Esperance
My southward plan packs wineries, cave visits, and standout beaches into a manageable sequence of days.
I start at Busselton with the jetty walk and the Underwater Observatory, then relax on Dunsborough and Meelup beaches for a clear-water swim.
In Margaret River I split a day between wineries and caves like Jewel or Ngilgi, add a long lunch, and save golden-hour time for Meelup or Yallingup.
The stretch toward Denmark is full of highlights. I stop for stingrays at Hamelin Bay and the sculpted boulders at Elephant Rocks and Greens Pool in William Bay national parks.
Near Albany, Torndirrup’s The Gap and Natural Bridge are short walks with big views. If I visit Jan–Mar I consider a Bremer Bay orca tour; otherwise Fitzgerald River is my wild-flower and coastal walking fix.
For Esperance I allow at least two full days: Great Ocean Drive viewpoints, then Cape Le Grand for Lucky Bay kangaroos and long white sand. If short on time I drive via Hyden and Wave Rock to front-load beach days.
Practical note: best months are Oct–Apr, balance camping and cabins, keep the car fueled, and pack water and snacks for long coastal drives.
National Parks Not to Miss
A handful of national parks define the trip for me; each one delivers a different kind of awe. I pick parks that fit the day and my energy so every stop feels rewarding.
Cape Range National is my reef-meets-range favorite. Turquoise Bay has easy beach entries and shore snorkeling that rivals boat tours, while Yardie Creek offers a short gorge walk with big views.
Kalbarri National Park serves up camera-ready hikes like Nature’s Window and the Z Bend lookout where the Murchison River carves deep red rock.
Torndirrup shows raw coastal power at The Gap and Natural Bridge. Nearby William Bay feels gentler—Elephant Rocks and Greens Pool are calm, swimmable places to cool off.
Fitzgerald River National Park is a biodiversity hotspot. I go there for wildflowers, quiet beaches, and fewer crowds when I want space and solitude.
Karijini deserves at least a full day for its handrail pools, chasms, and refreshing swims; those hikes can reset the soul after long stretches on the road.
I time hikes early or late for better light and cooler temps. I check park alerts the day before, book range national park campgrounds early, and pack water and layers—many places have limited facilities and time flies once you start the trails.
Beaches, Bays, and Water Adventures Along the Coast
My favorite coastal hours happen at dawn, when light softens color and the sea is calm enough for great visibility.
I build days around character beaches—Lucky Bay’s white sand with kangaroos, Turquoise Bay’s drift snorkel at Cape Range, and Esperance coves that feel sculpted. Meelup Bay offers easy, calm water for a relaxed swim.
I book a couple of key tours ahead, such as the Jurien Bay sea lion trip and a whale shark swim during season at Ningaloo. I keep space for spontaneous dips and bring my own snorkel kit so I can jump into any inviting spot.
I mix long beach sessions with short scenic drives so the day flows. I chase variety: protected bays for easy swims, reef edges for fish traffic, and exposed beaches for dramatic views.
Before I go, I check marine forecasts and pack shade, hydration, and reef-safe sunscreen. I end the day simply—sunset on a dune or a beachside meal—to lock in that sandy-toed glow after a full adventure.
Wildflower Season and Off-Peak Adventures
I time my Mid-West wildflower trip for late August through September to catch everlastings and wreath flowers at Coalseam, Mingenew, and Mullewa.
These hotspots show blankets of color that reward slow driving and flexible days. I build in a few days to roam backroads where blooms concentrate and follow recent local reports before I leave.
In winter the north is balmy and dry, so I stack days for reef time and hikes from Exmouth toward Broome. Down south, shoulder seasons bring moodier forests and dramatic swells, so I pack layers and cozy up after brisk coastal walks.
I carry extra hours in the plan for photo stops and use a macro-capable lens for tiny blooms. Off-peak means quieter campgrounds, easier dinner bookings, and more relaxed trip pacing.
I watch weather and road advisories up north during the wet and pivot if closures appear. Most of my best days end simply: a bakery stop, a farm-gate find, and a warm drink with a view.
Logistics on the Road: Fuel, Food, Camping, and Rest Stops
I arrange logistics early so each long drive day feels smooth and low-stress. I pre-mark fuel stops on my map and use FuelWatch WA or PetrolSpy to compare prices. Topping up early beats sweating at the next pump, especially where services are sparse.
For food I shop in larger towns and pack a cooler with simple meals. That way I can picnic at viewpoints without detours and carry backup snacks when a store is closed.
Camping gets split between national park sites for location and caravan parks for hot showers and laundry. I book Explore Parks campgrounds up to 180 days ahead and use Hipcamp for private stays. Rangers patrol popular spots, so I make sure to choose legal sites to avoid fines.
I carry plenty of water for a couple of days and refill whenever I pass reliable sources. I plan longer drive hours mid-trip but pencil in rest stops every 2–3 hours to stretch and reset.
My routine: refuel, restock water, download confirmations, and tidy the car before bed. That simple end-of-day checklist keeps each next morning calm and on time.
Top Activities to Prioritize on road trips in Western Australia
I build each day around one standout activity and a handful of easy wins. That keeps the pace relaxed and the memories rich.
I book a swim with sea lions at jurien bay early; it’s playful and sets the tone for the trip. Then I slot short beach time or a market stop so afternoons stay flexible.
At cape range and cape range national I do the Turquoise Bay drift snorkel, then walk Yardie Creek for red walls and quiet views. Those two places feel like highlight reels every time.
I also pick one inland or south option: Nature’s Window in Kalbarri, Lucky Bay at Cape Le Grand, or Hamelin Bay with stingrays and Greens Pool. These short visits are big rewards along the western australia road.
My rule: scatter anchors—sea lions, snorkels, gorge swims, or an observatory descent—so every few days has a guaranteed highlight. That way the trip western australia stays full of small surprises and easy afternoons.
Conclusion
, This guide wraps up the planning essentials so you can turn a long regional drive into a relaxed, memorable adventure.
Quick recap: allow 10–14 days per half, three weeks to include Esperance, or four weeks to link both. Head south in summer and north in winter. Book national park campgrounds up to 180 days ahead.
I make sure to mark fuel stops with FuelWatch WA or PetrolSpy, carry extra water and a spare, and avoid dawn or dusk driving outside towns. Pick a car or camper that fits your nights—mix camping and cabins to balance comfort and budget.
Final note: plan smart, lock key bookings, then let the route surprise you. Celebrate small wins along the way and enjoy the adventure.
