Best Western Australia Road Trips

Western Australia could just be the best place in the world to do a road trip. This is where red desert meets turquoise ocean, where wine regions sit minutes from rugged coastline, and where sunsets feel almost unreal.

From Perth / Boorloo, the road leads to some of the state’s most iconic places: snorkelling straight off the beach at Ningaloo Reef, wine tasting and surf breaks in the Margaret River region, and the blindingly white sand and turquoise water of Esperance. These aren’t quick detours – they’re the kind of destinations you shape an entire trip around, linked by coastal drives, national parks and wide-open stretches of road.

Whether you’ve got a few days in the South West or a couple of weeks heading north, Western Australia rewards travellers who slow down, take the scenic route and let the journey unfold naturally – exactly what great road trips are all about.

Hiring a Campervan for Western Australia Road Trips

A campervan is the best way to experience Western Australia’s wide-open spaces. From our campervan hire depot in Perth, you can start your journey straight from the city and head north or south without complicated planning.

With your transport, accommodation and kitchen in one, campervan travel suits WA perfectly. You can stay closer to nature, cook your own meals, and stop wherever the scenery demands – whether that’s a coastal lookout, a national park campground, or a vineyard-backed campsite in the South West. It’s an especially good option for a Western Australia road trip, where distances are larger and having everything with you makes the journey more relaxed and self-sufficient.

Why Hiring a Campervan for a Western Australia Road Trip is a Great Idea – Expert Advice

South West Edge: Perth to Esperance

Distance: 700 km one way
Duration: 10-14 days

The South West Edge is one of the most diverse Western Australia road trips, taking you from the city streets of Perth through forests, wine regions, dramatic coastline and all the way to the brilliant white beaches of Esperance. It’s a route that constantly changes, with manageable driving days and standout scenery at every turn.

Highlights

• Margaret River Region – World-class wineries, craft breweries, surf beaches and limestone caves combine to make this one of Australia’s most rewarding places to explore at a relaxed pace.
• Pemberton & the Karri Forests – Drive through towering forests and walk through the treetops on the Valley of the Giants Walk.
• Esperance & Cape Le Grand National Park – Finish the trip at beaches that regularly rank among the whitest in the world, with turquoise water, granite headlands and kangaroos on the sand at Lucky Bay.

Plan your entire route with this 17-day Perth to Esperance road trip itinerary.

Coral Coast Highway: Perth to Exmouth

Distance: 1,250 km one way
Duration: 10-14 days

The Coral Coast Highway is one of Australia’s great coastal drives, tracing Western Australia’s Indian Ocean shoreline north from Perth to the World Heritage-listed Ningaloo Reef (Nyinggulu). Expect endless blue skies, empty beaches, red cliffs and megafauna swimming offshore.

Highlights

• Kalbarri National Park – Head here for dramatic coastal cliffs, river gorges and lookout points where red rock meets deep blue ocean, offering some of WA’s most photogenic scenery.
• Shark Bay & Monkey Mia – A UNESCO World Heritage area known for its clear water, beaches made entirely of shells, and resident dolphins that visit the shoreline.
• Exmouth & Cape Range National Park – One of the few places in the world where you can snorkel a coral reef directly from the beach, with opportunities to swim alongside turtles, rays and majestic whale sharks.

Find more inspo in this 10-day Perth to Ningaloo road trip itinerary.

Margaret River Road Trip: Perth Return

Distance: ~600 km return
Duration: 3-5 days

If you’re short on time, a Perth-to-Margaret River road trip delivers maximum reward with minimal driving. This compact loop focuses on food, wine, beaches and relaxed coastal towns, making it ideal for a shorter Western Australia escape.

Highlights

• Busselton Jetty – Stretch your legs with a walk along the Southern Hemisphere’s longest timber jetty, or visit the underwater observatory below.
• Margaret River Wineries & Breweries – Spend your days wine tasting, sampling local produce and enjoying cellar doors set among rolling vineyards.
• Yallingup & Prevelly Beaches – Watch surfers tackle powerful Indian Ocean breaks, explore sections of the Cape to Cape track, or relax with sunset views over rugged limestone coastline.

Perth to Broome: Coral Coast & Outback

Distance: ~4,470 km return
Duration: 16-20 days

This epic Western Australia road trip takes you out of Perth and into some of the state’s most dramatic coastal and outback landscapes. It’s perfect for travellers who have time up their sleeve and want a true sense of scale and stunning diversity in every region they pass through.

Highlights

• Coral Coast & Ningaloo Reef – As you head north, the coastline around Kalbarri and Exmouth delivers dramatic red cliffs and world-class snorkelling at Ningaloo Reef (Nyinggulu), where turtles, tropical fish and whale sharks (seasonal) can be encountered just metres from shore.
• Karijini National Park – Inland detours bring you to ancient gorges, steep red walls and refreshing waterholes. Explore Fern Pool and Hancock Gorge – iconic natural spots perfect for hiking and cooling off.
• Cable Beach & Broome – Finish in Broome, with its legendary 22-kilometre stretch of white sand where camel rides at sunset are practically compulsory and colours in the sky make every evening feel like a finale.

Explore more stops in this 14-day Perth to Broome road trip itinerary.

DISCLAIMER: All information provided, including prices, availability, and site details, is correct at the time of publishing. We recommend contacting campsites or caravan parks directly to confirm the latest details before planning your visit. Please review our Terms and Conditions for additional information.