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.

This remote corner of Australia is one of the world’s last frontiers. This is how to see it properly.

Vast, rugged and deeply spiritual, the Kimberley coast in Australia’s North West feels a world away from everyday Australia – and there are countless ways to explore it. But if you want to reach ancient rock art, hidden gorges and lonely waterfalls, it has to be by boat. Whether you’re aboard a nimble expedition vessel or a luxury yacht with all the trimmings, exploring by the water brings exclusive experiences, shows unique views and makes travel easier than any other mode. And that’s just the beginning of Australia’s North West cruises.

The True North Adventure Cruise in between sandstone cliffs. — Adventure starts where the road ends.

1. Discover Broome, and beyond

Explore your launchpad before you set sail: Broome. Here camels and their riders stride along the 22 kilometres of powdery Cable Beach at sunset. That’s just the start.

At Gantheaume Point, red pindan cliffs plunge into the turquoise sea, whose low tide uncovers fossilised dinosaur footprints. Broome’s pearling history runs deep. Japanese, Chinese, Malay and Aboriginal divers once worked these waters, and their legacy lives on in boutiques where South Sea pearls still shine.

If the moon’s right, you may catch the Staircase to the Moon over Roebuck Bay. Or simply kick back with a cold beverage and a film under the stars at Sun Pictures , screening since 1916.

Ride a camel along Cable Beach as the sun sinks into the Indian Ocean, casting golden light across the sand and sea. — Ride a camel along Cable Beach. (Image: Nick Dunn)

2. Unmatched access to The Kimberley

Once you’re onboard, expect a backstage pass to some of the most isolated places on Earth. No roads. No ports. No phone reception.

At Horizontal Falls/ Garaanngaddim, 10-metre tides surge through twin gorges like a natural waterpark ride that’ll make your palms sweat. Then there’s Montgomery Reef/ Yowjab: a giant living platform of coral and seagrass, where the sea pulls back to reveal waterfalls, sea turtles and ospreys.

Up north, King George Falls/ Oomari rage 80 metres down red cliffs. Zodiac boats often nudge in closer so you can feel the spray on your sun-warmed cheeks. You might even fly in to reach Mitchell Falls/ Punamii-unpuu, a four-tiered cascade where you can swim in freshwater pools above the drop.

Come spring, some itineraries veer west to Rowley Shoals: an atoll chain of white sand and reef walls. Then it’s up the winding Prince Regent River to King Cascade/ Maamboolbadda, tumbling over rock terraces, and into a Zodiac to view the Gwion Gwion rock art, whose slender, ochre-painted figures are older than the pyramids.

A cruise drifts beneath King George Falls, where sheer sandstone cliffs frame the thunderous plunge into turquoise waters. — Get closer to the Kimberley than ever before.

3. Taste the Kimberley with onboard hospitality

You might spend your days clambering over slippery rocks or charging past waterfalls. But when you’re back on the water, it’s a different story. Meals are chef-prepared and regionally inspired: grilled barramundi, pearl meat sashimi, mango tarts, and bush tomato chutney. One night it’s barefoot beach barbecues with your shipmates; the next, alfresco dining on the ship.

Small expedition ships each have their own personality, but many carry just 12 to 36 guests, making being out on the water a whole other experience. You might sink into a spa on the foredeck or sip coffee in a lounge while watching crocodiles cruise by. It’s choose-your-own-relaxation, Kimberley style.

4. Expert-led excursions through the Kimberley

These voyages are led by people who know the Kimberley like the back of their sunburnt hand. Attenborough-esque naturalists might gently tap your shoulder to point out rare birds or tell the story beneath a slab of rock. Historians can explain exactly how that rusted World War II relic came to rest here.

If your ship has a helipad, you might chopper straight to a waterfall-fed swimming hole. If not, you’ll still be hopping ashore for that wet landing at a secret creek.

Then come the evenings: songlines shared by Traditional Owners under the stars, or astronomy sessions that link what’s overhead with what’s underfoot and what’s within.

A small group glides through Kimberley’s rugged coastline by boat, passing ancient cliffs. — Explore with naturalists and historians by your side.

5. Relax in luxurious lodgings

Just because you’re off-grid doesn’t mean you have to rough it. These Kimberley vessels are small in size, but mighty in luxury. True North’s ships come with their own helicopters and a no-sea-days policy, so you’re always in the thick of it. Try the luxurious offerings from Ocean Dream Charters for exploration in style. Kimberley Quest offers a fast boat for easy, off-ship adventures. On the larger end of the scale, Coral Expeditions has open-deck bars and curated wine cellars. And then there’s Ponant’s luxury yachts – sleek and incredibly stylish French sailing yachts.

A helicopter soars above the sea, with a sleek cruise ship gliding in the distance. — See the Kimberley from sky to shore.

6. The adventure continues with pre- and post-cruise experiences

You’ve already come this far – so, why not go further? Broome makes it easy to ease in before you board, or wind down when your voyage ends, and there is no reason to stop there.

Head an hour and a half south to Eco Beach to stay off-grid and off the clock. Join a Yawuru guide for a mangrove walk or ocean forage. Dive even deeper into Broome’s pearling past at Willie Creek or Cygnet Bay, where divers and craftspeople still pull the seawater-slicked gems from the deep.

If you’re still craving adventure, it’s time to go further. Soar over the Buccaneer Archipelago, or detour inland with a 4WD trip along the Gibb River Road. Book a scenic flight over the Bungle Bungles. Or – because you never know when you’ll be back – do all three.

aerial of people walking on eco beach in the kimberley western australia — Stay off grid at Eco Beach. (Image: Tourism WA)

Find out more about your trip to Australia’s North West at australiasnorthwest.com .

The best road trips in WA