Best WA Road Trips | Australian Traveller

Uncrowded roads, remote landscapes and breathtaking coastal drives along the edge of Australia lead the way to swims under waterfalls, close encounters with whale sharks, cosmopolitan cities, wine regions and friendly holiday towns – and that’s just the start of what’s waiting for you on a road trip in Western Australia.

Perth to Broome, WA

It’s recommended you take 14 days to complete this road trip, and when you see the itinerary, you’ll understand why. The aim of the game is to explore the incredible Pinnacles Desert. During this trip you’ll stop off at numerous picture perfect spots in the Kimberley region of Western Australia.

Starting in Perth, head to Cervantes, where at the stunning Pinnacles Desert you’ll see some of the world’s oldest living fossils at Lake Thesis. Next up head to Jurien Bay, where you can skydive and mingle with tropical fish, sea lions and dolphins. From there, Dongara is on your list. Head to the beach for a morning of exploring and highlights like the Royal Steam Roller Flour Mill.

In Geraldton, stop by the HMAS Sydney Memorial on top of Mount Scott. From there, travel the five hours to Carnarvon, where you can explore one of the oldest shipwrecks in Australia’s history.

Ningaloo Reef is the place to swim with whale sharks, and Tom Price (named the ‘Top Town in Western Australia’) is the home of Australia’s youngest population. Next up, Karijini National Park, where you’ll find some of the finest walking trails.

The port town of Dampier is where you can explore 42 islands by boat, and the beautiful Eighty Mile Beach is your last stop before Broome.

Perth to Broome road trip — Take it slow on this 14-day road trip from Perth to Broome.

Perth to Exmouth, (Australia’s Coral Coast) WA

The 420-kilometre journey from Perth to Exmouth will immerse you in all the beauty the Coral Coast has to offer. The trip starts in Perth and heads first to Geraldton, where you’ll sample some of the freshest seafood in Western Australia, particularly the region’s famous western rock lobster. Make sure to stop by the impressive HMAS Sydney II Memorial, commemorating the lives of sailors who died in World War II.

Stop at Carnarvon to chase the winter sun, before carrying on to Exmouth and exploring the pristine Ningaloo Reef. Take a glass bottom boat to explore the reef’s vast marine life before circling back to Perth via Coral Bay; a snorkeller’s paradise. There, you can watch the sunset at one of the Bay’s best restaurants.

Shark Bay is the next stop, where you can stop in at the remarkable Hamelin Pool stromatolites – the oldest living fossils in the world. Stop in at Eagle Bluff, where reef sharks, dugongs and sting rays are often spotted. Definitely stop in at Monkey Mia to watch a magical sunset.

Kalbarri is your last destination for ending back at Perth, and here you can take part in one of the many coastal walk trails and kick back after dinner at the outdoor cinema. Before you leave, make sure you stop by Kalbarri National Park and enjoy a fishing tour, go canoeing and definitely get a photo at the incredible Pink Lake.

Where to swim with Whale Sharks — Swim with whale sharks on the Coral Coast.

The Kimberley road trip

There’s a reason The Kimberley features on most Australian bucket list. It’s one of the most scenic regions in the country. Technically in the north-west corner of Western Australia between Broome and Kununurra, the Kimberley is littered with stunning natural highlights, such as waterfalls you can swim beneath, ancient rock art galleries, and Mitchell Plateau’s multi-tiered falls.

Highway 1 is the sealed option that’ll take you between Broome and Kununurra, and past places such as Purnululu and Geikie Gorge, where you have the ability to cruise the river with Indigenous rangers.

Lake Argyle, the world’s largest man-made body of water is also on the itinerary on this route – and then it’s recommended you must bump your way along the Gibb where you can camp beside stunning waterholes.

Explore the red rock wilderness of the East Kimberley.

Perth to Margaret River

The drive from Perth to the Margaret River region takes around three and a half hours, but it’s one well worth doing. In fact, there are so many worthwhile stops, it’s worth allowing the entire day to be free to swim, dive, surf and explore. The beaches scattered along the coastal drive are some of the most beautiful in Australia.

Busselton is a family-friendly holiday town with 30 kilometres of sandy beaches and its very own jetty. From there, take the Caves Road to Dunsborough. The incredibly clear water shows the wrecks along the coast; in fact this spot is the largest accessible dive wreck site in the southern hemisphere.

Once you arrive in Margaret River region, get yourself ready – you’re about to experience some of the finest food and wine the country has to offer.

Enjoy the early spoils of the Margaret River region.

Drive to Albany, WA

If you’re looking to head on a trip somewhere exciting, you can’t beat the whale-watching capital of the country: Albany. Between June and October you can expect to be practically inundated with sightings, as the whales are visible from many of the cove’s whale-watching posts.

The coastline walks are an incredible way to stretch your legs and see more of the stunning landscapes – and there’s one to suit everyone.

Lake Seppings bird walk is great for bird lovers, or stop by Muttonbird Beach and Shelter Island to clap your eyes on some of the most beautiful vistas nature has to offer.

Visiting lake Seppings — Don’t miss the bird watching opportunities on a walk around Lake Seppings in Albany.

Time your visit to Margaret River just right, and you can spend the ultimate weekend wining, dining and exploring the region with Pair’d Margaret River Region x Range Rover.

Wine, world-class produce, surf, sun and beaches: it’s an alluring combination. And the reason so many pin the Margaret River region high on their travel hit-lists. There’s drawcard after drawcard to the southwestern corner of Western Australia, and the Pair’d Margaret River Region x Range Rover food and wine festival showcases the best of it over the course of one weekend in November. It’s never been easier to sip, see and savour the Margaret River region.

In partnership with Pair’d Margaret River Region, Range Rover invites you on a seven-day itinerary of refined adventure, where luxury and exploration go hand in hand. It’s the perfect WA road trip, and there’s no better way to do it than in a Range Rover.

Day 1

the pool at Pullman Bunker Bay — Check into Pullman Bunker Bay.

There’s no more popular West Australian road trip route than that between Perth and the Margaret River Region. It’s an easily digestible, three-hour drive, with worthy pit stops along the way.

Make the first of them one hour and 15 minutes in, at Lake Clifton. Here, find a 2000-year-old living thrombolite reef. Drive for a further 40 minutes and chance meeting some of Bunbury’s dolphin population at Koombana Bay.

Pullman Bunker Bay is the final stop, just over three hours south of Perth. This beachfront, five-star resort is the ultimate base for exploring the Margaret River Wine region.

Day 2

After a leisurely morning breakfast with an ocean view, start your Range Rover and head towards the Dunsborough town centre. Browsing the decidedly coastal-themed goods of the town’s many independent boutiques is a great way to while away the hours, breaking up the sartorial with an artisan gelato snack stop, or some good old-fashioned Australian bakery fare.

Leave room; you’ll need it for the Good Natured Gathering dinner at Wayfinder. Indulge in a four-course feast by chef Felipe Montiel, which uses produce from the winery’s market garden to enhance a selection of sustainably sourced seafood and meat. But food is just the support act. It’s organic wine that’s the star of the show, generously poured and expertly paired to each dish.

Day 3

Settle in for cabernet at Cape Mentelle Winery.

With a grand total of 20 wines from vintage 2022 to try, it’s a good thing Cape Mentelle’s International Cabernet Tasting kicks off early. Make your way to the estate for a 10:00 AM start, where a global selection of wines will be poured blind, before a long lunch by Tiller Dining is served.

Given that the Margaret River is responsible for more than 20 per cent of Australia’s fine wine production, it’s only right to delve into it while in the area.

Continue exploring the region via taste and terroir aboard Alison Maree, a whale-watching catamaran, as you cruise Geographe Bay . Admire the rolling green hills and crisp white beaches of Quindalup in sunset’s golden light, all the while sipping through the Clairault Streicker catalogue and dining on canapes.

For a more substantial dinner, venture into Busselton for a seven-course British x Australian mash-up , courtesy of Brendan Pratt (Busselton Pavilion) and Oliver Kent (Updown Farmhouse, UK). They’ll be putting their rustic yet refined spin on the likes of local marron, wagyu and abalone – championing the simple beauty of the world-class ingredients.

Day 4

Wrap your fingers around a wine glass and wiggle your toes into the sand at Pair’d Beach Club x Range Rover on Meelup Beach. Sit down to an intimate wine session with sommelier Cyndal Petty – or a four-course feast by Aaron Carr of Yarri – and revel in the open-air beach club, bar and restaurant’s laidback coastal vibe. It’s a whole new way to experience one of the region’s most renowned beaches.

Follow up a day in the sun with a casual Italian party at Mr Barvel Wines . Purchase wines –including the elusive, sold-out Nebbia – by the glass and enjoy canapes with the towering Karri forest as a backdrop.

If you’d prefer to keep it local, head to Skigh Wines for the New Wave Gathering , where the region’s independent wine makers and their boundary-pushing wines will be on show. Street-style eats, a DJ and complimentary wine masterclasses complete the experience.

Day 5

pair'd Grand Tasting — Taste your way through Howard Park Wines. (Image: C J Maddock)

Spend the morning at your leisure, driving the winding roads through the Boranup Karri forest in your Range Rover. Soak in the views at Contos Beach, and call into the small cheese, chocolate and preserve producers along the way.

Make your next stop Howard Park Wines for The Grand Tasting presented by Singapore Airlines . Numerous wine labels will be pouring their catalogues over four hours, accompanied by food from chefs Matt Moran and Silvia Colloca, with live opera providing the soundtrack.

Cap off a big weekend with one last hurrah at Busselton Pavilion. Six ‘local legends’ – chefs Brendan Pratt (Busselton Pavilion), Mal Chow (Chow’s Table), Aaron Carr (Yarri), Ben Jacob (Lagoon Yallingup), Corey Rozario (Dahl Daddies) and Laura Koentjoro (Banksia Tavern) – will be preparing a dish each. Dance the night away as vinyl spins and the sun sets on another day.

Day 6

Ngilgi Cave western australia — Head underground. (Image: Tourism WA)

After a busy few days of wining and dining, it’s wise to observe a rest day. There’s no easier task than unwinding in the Margaret River Region, also famous for its high concentration of world-class beaches.

Relax on the grassy knoll as you watch the region’s most experienced surfers braving the World Surf League break at Surfer’s Point, or don your own wetsuit and try out one of Gracetown’s more beginner-friendly waves. Swimmers will find their Eden at Meelup Beach, Eagle Bay, or Point Piquet, where the sand is brilliantly white and the water as still as a backyard swimming pool.

Not into sun, sand, and surf? Head underground at Mammoth Cave, just one of the region’s many stalactite-filled caves.

Day 7

Burnt Ends event at Pair'd — Farewell the Margaret River.

Pack up your Range Rover with new favourite wines and newfound memories, ready for the three-hour journey back to Perth.

Prebook your discovery journey through the south-west corner of Western Australia with Pair’d Margaret River Region x Range Rover.

The best road trips in WA

Perth to Broome, WA

Perth to Exmouth, (Australia’s Coral Coast) WA

The Kimberley road trip

Perth to Margaret River

Drive to Albany, WA

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This WA coastal walk takes you to pristine beaches and a spectacular light show

The new trail reinventing WA as a mountain biking hotspot

The best walks and hikes for an active day in Perth

The ultimate Margaret River road trip itinerary for food & wine lovers