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.

Discover the perfect road trip stopover between Perth and wine country.

Western Australia punches above its weight when it comes to coastal hot spots, but no other town or city has seen a tourism boom quite like Mandurah. Named Australia’s Top Tourism Town in 2023 , it’s the relaxed, beachside break you’ve been searching for. And it’s perfectly placed, sitting between Margaret River and Perth, as it’s just a 55-minute drive from Perth’s CBD. Which is why we’ve put together your ultimate Mandurah guide.

Aerial view of Mandurah. — Plan your perfect coastal escape to Australia’s Top Tourism Town of 2023.

The best things to do in Mandurah

Wetlands and rivers, ocean and inlet; Mandurah’s laid-back lifestyle centres around the aquatic. Its waterways cover twice the ground of Sydney Harbour – measuring some 134 square kilometres in total – and form a unique environment for oceanic and estuarine flora and fauna to thrive.

In the city’s estuary lives perhaps the region’s most famed inhabitants – a resident pod of 100 bottlenose dolphins – and the inlet’s silty bottom is home to the prized blue manna crab. Spot the former breaching and playing on an hour-long dolphin cruise through the channels, or try your hand at catching the latter by wading through the estuary’s shallows with a scoop net in hand.

While swimming at the circular Kwillena Gabi Pool, chance encounters with the local wildlife aren’t uncommon. The sheltered estuarine pool takes its name from the traditional custodians of the land, the Bindjareb people, and directly translates to ‘dolphin waters’. Jutting out of the eastern foreshore, it’s enclosed by a ring of net-free floating pontoons, which allow the dolphins to swim freely through the attraction.

If that’s a little too close for comfort, book a kayak tour with Down Under Discoveries . The dolphins have been known to cruise beside the paddle-powered crafts, which are a fun, family-friendly way to explore the city’s inner waterways.

Dolphins swimming in Mandurah. — Watch dolphins glide by as you explore Mandurah.

You don’t have to be on the water to appreciate the coastal city’s aquatic beauty, with 600 kilometres of cycleways and scenic walking trails traversing Mandurah’s estuary, inlet and coast.

Follow the 30-kilometre coastal trail and you’ll come face to face with one of Thomas Dambo’s headline-making ‘Giants of Mandurah sculptures, Santi Ikto, along the way. There are five sculptures around Mandurah in total, hidden among gum-filled reserves or sitting sentry over the water.

Head to the Mandurah Visitor Centre to pick up a map to pinpoint their exact location and download the traveller’s companion to learn more about the sights along the way. Or join a three-hour e-bike tour from The Bike Kiosk and you’ll stop by two of the giants – Santi Ikto and Yaburgurt Winjan Cirkelstone – as you sightsee central Mandurah.

The towering Santi Ikto, one of Thomas Dambo’s iconic Giants of Mandurah. — Meet Santi Ikto, one of the legendary Giants of Mandurah.

Where to eat in Mandurah

Mandurah’s culinary scene reflects its laid-back lifestyle, with large, honest meals and locally brewed beer. After visiting Lake Clifton’s 2000-year-old thrombolites, head to the peppermint and gum-shaded beer garden at Thorny Devil Brewery . Tuck into a platter of house-smoked meats and an ale pulled fresh from the tanks. Closer to town and right on the waterfront is Boundary Island Brewery ; here, woodfired pizza, pub-style seafood dishes and easy-drinking brews are centre stage.

On a Murray River Lunch Cruise , the focus is as much on the environment around you as the food you’re filling up on. Help yourself to the colourful salads and freshly cooked meats on the buffet as you meander up the winding, jarrah tree-lined waterway, stopping at the heritage Cooper’s Mill for a quick walking tour along the way.

Keep your eyes trained on the Creery Wetlands as you pass – you’ll spot much of the region’s migratory birdlife, and, as always, might see the playful bottlenose dolphins in the inlet.

The most memorable meals aren’t necessarily always the fanciest, and lunch aboard a self-skippered Mandurah BBQ Boat is a testament to that. All food and beverage prep is left up to you as you cruise through the canals, sausages and steaks sizzling away on the central hot plate.

If seafood is more your kind of fare, board the Wild Seafood Experience , where dolphin cruise meets long table lunch. Eight courses of crab, crayfish and scallops await.

A table filled with plates of crab, crayfish, and scallops. — Dine on the water with eight courses of ocean-fresh fare.

Where to stay in Mandurah

With so many waterways comes abundant waterside stays. Like the self-contained Seashells Mandurah on the shores of Comet Bay. The calm, oceanic outlook from the one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments and villas is as close to Maldivian as Mandurah gets. Families especially enjoy the property, bouncing between the protected cove and the beachfront pool for endless hours of fun.

The Sebel Mandurah , just a hop, skip and jump from the Mandurah Ocean Marina, has a different outlook entirely, overlooking the estuary and lively foreshore on the other side. It’s also within walking distance of the Mandurah Performing Arts Centre , cinema and a swathe of waterfront bars and eateries.

But you can’t get any closer to the water than on a vessel from Mandurah Houseboats . You don’t need a skipper’s ticket to hire one, nor do you need comprehensive boating experience; just a full driver’s license and your undivided attention during the pre-departure tuition will do. Then you’re free to take to the estuaries and tributaries for a few nights of peaceful rest, surrounded by the very element that makes Mandurah so special.

A houseboat cruising in Mandurah along the river — Captain a houseboat to explore Mandurah at your own pace.

Plan your next WA getaway in Mandurah.

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

This hotel room just became my favourite in Australia

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

Your Mandurah guide: art, dining & dolphins await in WA’s coastal gem

Discover the perfect road trip stopover between Perth and wine country.

The best things to do in Mandurah

Where to eat in Mandurah

Where to stay in Mandurah