The best road trips in WA

Australian Traveller Australian Traveller
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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.

READ MORE: A Perth to Ningaloo road trip itinerary

Need tips, more detail or itinerary ideas tailored to you? Ask AT.

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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
Explore the red rock wilderness of the East Kimberley.

READ MORE: The ultimate guide on how to road trip the 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
Enjoy the early spoils of the Margaret River region.

READ MORE: The best wineries and restaurants in Margaret River

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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.

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8 secret places in Western Australia you need to know about

    Kate Bettes Kate Bettes
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    WA might be enormous, but the right insider knowledge brings its mysteries a whole lot closer.

    “Western Australia is a land of record-breakers,” says Carolyn Tipper, a Travel Director working on AAT Kings Western Australia tours. “It has the second-longest fault line, the second-largest meteorite crater, the second-fastest flowing river—it just keeps surprising you. And every area has its charm.”

    From tropics to deserts, Australia’s largest state is a land of extremes. You can’t see all of Western Australia in a lifetime, but with the right guide, you can discover its hidden pockets of magic.

    Carolyn wishes to reach her guests’ hearts. “I want them to enjoy and be in awe,” she says. “I want them to have the holiday of a lifetime.”

    1. Mimbi Caves

    You wouldn’t expect a Great Barrier Reef in the outback – but that’s what you’ll find at Mimbi Caves. Once part of a 350-million-year-old reef, these caves hold marine fossils, ancient Indigenous rock art, and Dreamtime stories shared by a Gooniyandi guide.

    “That’s when the real connection happens,” says Carolyn, who has taken guests through on the AAT Kings Wonders of the West Coast and Kimberley tour. “When guests connect, not just with the land, but with the people who have called it home for tens of thousands of years.”

    Eye-level view of traveller exploring Mimbi Caves.
    Walk through ancient limestone passages. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

    2. Kalbarri National Park

    Nothing prepares you for the Kalbarri Skywalk: a 25-metre platform jutting over Murchison Gorge, 100 metres above the red cliffs and river below. From July to October, join the AAT Kings Untamed Pilbara and West Coast tour to see over 1000 wildflower species paint the park, and listen as an Indigenous guide shares their uses, bush foods and medicine plants.

    “I want our guests to have an emotional experience,” says Carolyn. “It’s not just about seeing the land, it’s about stepping into the stories.”

    An aerial view of the Kalbarri Skywalk, one of the secret places in Western Australia, with visitors on the edge.
    Stand on the Kalbarri Skywalk in Western Australia. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

    3. Hamelin Bay Wines

    Margaret River isn’t just a top wine region – it’s a winner in every category. Where the Indian and Southern Oceans collide, granite cliffs rise, limestone caves sprawl and Karri forests tower. It almost distracts from the world-class Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay.

    Almost.

    Out of over 100 cellar doors, AAT Kings pick Hamelin Bay Wines as a favourite. Hosted tastings of small-batch wines on the Western Wonderland tour end with a group meal. The menu shifting with the seasons.

    “Get off the beaten track to one of WA’s most relaxed venues for some amazing red and white signature wines,” explains Carolyn, “accompanied with upmarket pub food.”

    Spectacular views.

    A person raising a glass of Chardonnay against a glowing Western Australia sunset.
    Sip world-class wines at Hamelin Bay in Western Australia. (Image: Getty)

    4. Wildflower Guided Walk, Kings Park

    Western Australia is home to 12,000 native plant species – 3000 bloom in Kings Park’s Botanic Garden. Stroll past Kangaroo Paw, Banksia and blooms from the Goldfields, Stirling Ranges and Kimberley. “The diversity of Western Australia is immense,” says Carolyn, who leads guests through on the South Western Escape tour.

    Couple enjoying the view from the Lotterywest Federation walkway at Kings Park and Botanical Garden.
    Wander among thousands of native plant species. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

    5. Hoochery Distillery

    Did you know that between Kununurra and Emma Gorge lies the state’s oldest continuously operating distillery? Well, the oldest legal one. Set on a family farm, Hoochery Distillery was hand-built using materials found on the property, conjuring up award-winning rum from local sugarcane, wet season rainwater and yeast.

    Today, visitors can sample a hearty nip of rum, along with whiskies and gins – all crafted using traditional, labour-intensive methods. It’s the ideal way to soak up the ‘spirit’ of the Kimberley on the AAT Kings’ Untamed Kimberley tour.

    People enjoying a rum tasting at one of the secret places in Western Australia.
    Sample award-winning rum. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

    6. Geraldton

    The wildflowers of the Midwest will make your heart blossom. In Geraldton, the Helen Ansell Art Gallery brings the region’s botanicals to life in vivid colour and intricate detail. In nearby Mullewa, wander bushland trails lined with everlastings and native blooms. Further afield, Coalseam Conservation Park bursts into carpets of pink, white, and yellow each spring. Do it all on the Wildflower Wanderer tour with AAT Kings.

    woman walking through Wildflowers, Coalseam Conservation Park
    Chase vibrant wildflower trails. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

    7. El Questro

    Wake up after a night under the stars at Emma Gorge Resort, ready to explore the mighty beauty of the El Questro Wilderness Park. With deep gorges, thermal springs, and cascading waterfalls, time slows here.

    Join the AAT Kings’ Wonders of the West Coast and Kimberley tour to drift through Chamberlain Gorge, where sheer sandstone walls glow burnt orange in the sun, archer fish flick at the surface, and rock wallabies peer down from ledges above. Then, step into Zebedee Springs, a secret oasis of warm, crystal-clear pools among prehistoric Livistona palms – a moment of pure, wild stillness.

    Emma Gorge Resort at El Questro.
    Wake to adventure at Emma Gorge Resort. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

    8. Lake Argyle

    Once vast cattle country, Lake Argyle now sprawls like an inland sea – Western Australia’s largest freshwater lake, created by the damming of the Ord River. Scattered with over 70 islands, its glassy waters teem with life, like freshwater crocodiles, barramundi, bony bream, sleepy cod and over 240 bird species. That’s nearly a third of Australia’s avian population.

    Glide across the lake’s surface on a cruise as part of AAT Kings’ Untamed Kimberley tour, where the silence is only broken by the splash of fish and the call of birds. For Carolyn, this place is a perfect example of how WA’s landscapes surprise visitors. “Lake Argyle is a big puddle of water that became a game-changer,” she says. “Seeing it from a boat, coach, and plane is mind-blowing. It puts time, isolation and the sheer scale into perspective.”

    Aerial View of Triple J Tours on the Ord River, near Kununurra.
    Glide past islands on Western Australia’s largest freshwater lake. (Image: Western Australia)

    Discover more of Western Australia’s hidden gems and book your tour at aatkings.com.

    Best WA Road Trips | Australian Traveller