Best Road Trips From Perth

Western Australia is road-trip country on a completely different scale. From Perth, the roads stretch long and empty toward coral reefs, red-rock gorges, wind-sculpted coastlines and night skies so clear they barely feel real. This is a place where distances are big, crowds are small, and the reward for getting behind the wheel is a sense of space you won’t find anywhere else in Australia.

Hiring a campervan in Perth unlocks WA the way it’s meant to be experienced – waking up metres from the ocean, camping beneath billion-year-old rock formations, and stopping wherever curiosity tells you to pull over. Whether you’ve got a few days to explore the south-west or weeks to chase the sun north, Perth is the perfect launch point for road trips that feel wild, remote and deeply unforgettable.

Hiring a campervan for Perth road trips

Road tripping out of Perth opens the door to some of the biggest and most varied journeys in the country. One day you might be cruising the wine regions and surf beaches of Margaret River or the south coast, the next you could be heading north into red-rock gorges, coral-fringed bays and long, open highways where the sense of space is unmatched. A campervan gives you the flexibility to travel at WA’s natural pace – stopping when something catches your eye, staying close to the coast or bush, and keeping accommodation costs predictable across long distances.

To hire a campervan for your Perth road trip, you’ll need a valid driver’s licence. If your licence isn’t in English, most international travellers will also need an International Driving Permit (IDP). When you’re ready to pick up your vehicle, our Perth branch is easily accessible for travellers flying in or starting their journey from the city, making it simple to head straight out on the open road.

Why Hiring a Campervan from Perth is a Great Hire – Expert Advice

“Starting your campervan journey from Perth opens up some of Western Australia’s most diverse road trips. For shorter escapes, head north to Lancelin for sandboarding on the dunes or south to Rockingham for dolphin encounters and coastal walks. Travelling a little further, Margaret River delivers world-class surf breaks, limestone caves, and forest trails. For those ready to go the distance, the drive north to Kalbarri National Park rewards you with dramatic river gorges, coastal cliffs, and iconic hikes like the Kalbarri Skywalk.” – Bastian Graf, Global Sales & Marketing Manager, Travellers Autobarn

3 day road trips from Perth

Coastal Quick Escape: Perth – Yanchep & Lancelin

Distance: ~250 km loop
Duration: 2–3 days

This easy northbound escape delivers a taste of WA’s rugged coastline without committing to long driving days. It’s ideal for travellers who want beaches, dunes and national parks within a short distance of the city.

Highlights & stops:

• Yanchep National Park – A peaceful park just north of Perth where wetlands, koalas and limestone caves offer an easy introduction to WA’s natural landscapes.
• Lancelin Sand Dunes – Vast white dunes rolling straight into the ocean, perfect for sandboarding, sunset photos and a real sense of space.
• Ledge Point – A low-key fishing village where quiet beaches and simple seafood stops make a relaxing final pause before heading back to Perth.

Wine, Waves & Forests: Perth – Margaret River

Distance: ~610 km return
Duration: 3 days

Margaret River packs beaches, wineries and tall-timber forests into one of WA’s most rewarding short road trips. It’s a great choice if you want a taste of one of WA’s most renowned regions without long hours behind the wheel.

Highlights & stops:

• Busselton Jetty – A classic coastal stop with calm swimming spots and the option to walk or cycle the longest timber jetty in the Southern Hemisphere.
• Yallingup – Known for world-class surf breaks, dramatic limestone coastline, and relaxed beachside cafés, it also has a pristine lagoon made for snorkelling.
• Boranup Forest – Towering karri trees and quiet roads create one of the most scenic drives in the south-west – or hike it on a section of the Cape to Cape Track.

Wildflower Coast: Perth – Cervantes & Jurien Bay

Distance: ~450 km return
Duration: 2–3 days

This coastal drive is especially popular in spring, when wildflowers line the roadside and limestone landscapes glow in soft light. It’s an easy way to experience WA’s unique coastal ecology.

Highlights & stops:

• Pinnacles Desert – Thousands of limestone spires rise from the sand, creating one of Australia’s most surreal natural landscapes.
• Jurien Bay – Known for clear water, relaxed beach camping and the chance to snorkel or take a boat tour to nearby islands where Australian sea lions haul out in the shallows.
• Cervantes – A small fishing town where you can be a lobster catcher for a day or just enjoy some fresh Western Rock Lobster tacos at The Lobster Shack.

5 day road trips from Perth

Coral Coast Sampler: Perth – Kalbarri

Distance: ~570 km one way
Duration: 5-6 days

This route introduces the dramatic contrasts of WA’s mid-west, where turquoise ocean meets red-rock gorges. It’s an active, scenic road trip that still feels achievable within a week.

Highlights & stops:

• Geraldton – A lively coastal hub with good food, ocean walks and an easy place to break the drive north.
• Kalbarri National Park – Sweeping river gorges and coastal cliffs deliver some of the most photogenic views in Western Australia.
• Nature’s Window – A short walk leads to one of WA’s most iconic lookout points, framing the Murchison River below.

South Coast Stories: Perth – Albany

Distance: ~420 km one way
Duration: 5 days

Heading south reveals a coastline that’s raw, windswept and rich in history. This road trip blends dramatic scenery with meaningful cultural and heritage stops.

Highlights & stops:

• Denmark – A creative, forest-backed town with beaches, wineries and easy access to Greens Pool, a sheltered, jewel-coloured swimming spot that’s often ranked among Australia’s most beautiful beaches.
• Albany – A historic port city where rugged headlands, whale watching and the world-class National Anzac Centre define the experience.
• The Gap – A dramatic ocean-carved channel that shows the full force of the Southern Ocean.

7-10 day road trips from Brisbane

South Coast Icons: Perth – Esperance

Distance: ~1,400 km return
Duration: 7–10 days

Esperance deserves time – rushing this route means missing what makes it special. With pristine beaches, national parks and long empty roads, this is one of WA’s most visually striking journeys.

Highlights & stops:

• Wave Rock – A striking, wave-shaped granite formation rising from the wheatbelt near Hyden, created by millions of years of erosion and offering a photogenic stop on the way to the south coast.
• Twilight Beach – One of Esperance’s most iconic beaches – and the only one that’s patrolled – known for its blindingly white sand, turquoise water and smooth granite boulders
• Cape Le Grand National Park – Granite headlands, calm bays and kangaroos on the sand make this national park a standout, even by WA standards.

For more ideas, check out this Perth to Esperance Road Trip itinerary.

Southern Whales & Wilderness: Perth – Bremer Bay

Distance: ~1000 km return
Duration: 7–10 days

This lesser-known south coast journey blends quiet beaches with one of Australia’s most unique wildlife experiences. It’s perfect for travellers who want something special without heavy crowds.

Highlights & stops:

• Valley of the Giants Tree Top Walk – An elevated walkway through towering red tingle forest that offers a completely different perspective of WA’s south-west, with gentle trails and canopy-level views.
• Bremer Bay – A remote-feeling beach town famous for offshore orca tours and untouched coastal scenery.
• Fitzgerald River National Park – One of Australia’s most botanically diverse parks, especially spectacular during wildflower season.

14-day+ road trips from Perth

Coral to Canyon Epic: Perth – Ningaloo Reef & Karijini

Distance: ~3,500 km return
Duration: 14–18 days

This iconic WA road trip pairs reef snorkelling with deep inland gorges, showing just how extreme the contrasts of the state can be. It’s a favourite for travellers chasing bucket-list landscapes rather than city stops.

Highlights & stops:

• Monkey Mia – Famous for its wild dolphin encounters at the shoreline, Monkey Mia also offers calm bays, beachfront camping and unforgettable sunrise and sunset light across Shark Bay.
• Exmouth – A relaxed base town for reef adventures and coastal sunsets, and the jumping-off point for many exploring the World Heritage-listed Ningaloo coast.
• Karijini National Park – Towering red gorges and cool swimming holes deliver some of Australia’s most memorable hikes.

For more ideas, dive into this Perth to Ningaloo Reef Road Trip itinerary.

West to North Classic: Perth – Broome

Distance: ~4,500 km one way
Duration: 14–18 days

This is a true WA classic, following the coast north through reefs, red dirt and long empty highways. It’s best tackled slowly, letting the scenery shift from temperate to tropical.

Highlights & stops:

• Shark Bay – A unique marine environment home to stromatolites, dugongs and wide coastal views.
• Coral Bay – Snorkel straight from the beach over vibrant coral gardens or take a tour to swim with whale sharks or manta rays – or sometimes, both.
• Broome – Cable Beach sunsets and pearling history provide a memorable finish.

Find more ideas in this 14-Day Perth to Broome Road Trip.

Transcontinental Journey: Perth – Melbourne

Distance: ~3,400 km one way
Duration: 21–28 days

This is one of Australia’s great cross-country drives, linking the Indian Ocean to the Southern Ocean via remote plains and iconic coastal roads. It’s a commitment, but one that delivers unmatched variety.

Highlights & stops:

• Esperance – A spectacular final WA stop before heading east across the Nullarbor.
• Nullarbor Plain – Endless horizons, star-filled skies and legendary roadhouses define this crossing.
• Great Ocean Road – Dramatic cliffs and surf beaches mark a fitting finale to an epic drive.

Delve into more options with our 14-Day Perth to Melbourne Road Trip.

Tips for international travellers

In Australia, we drive on the left.
Take time to adjust before jumping onto highways or outback stretches.

Expect big distances – and embrace them.
Western Australia is vast, and drives between towns are often much longer than in eastern Australia, so plan conservative driving days and enjoy the quiet stretches of open road.

Fuel planning is essential, not optional.
In regional WA, fuel stops can be hundreds of kilometres apart – never pass a servo with a near-empty tank, especially once you leave the coast.

Timing matters more than anywhere else in Australia.
The south-west is best from autumn to spring, while northern WA (Ningaloo, Broome, the Kimberley) is safest and most enjoyable during the dry season from May to October.

Don’t underestimate heat and sun exposure.
Temperatures inland and in the north can be extreme, so always carry extra water, wear sun protection, and avoid long hikes in the middle of the day.

Check road conditions before heading inland.
Flooding, bushfires or unsealed detours can affect remote highways, so a quick check of WA road reports can save major backtracking.

Be wildlife-aware, especially at dusk.
Kangaroos, emus and even camels regularly cross WA roads – night driving increases risk significantly, so aim to be parked up before dark.

Respect Country and cultural sites.
Many areas are owned by Traditional Owners and/or are environmentally sensitive – follow signage, stay on marked roads and camp only where permitted.