The wild and striking southern coast of Western Australia is a must-see destination. With rugged cliffs overlooking glittering bays that blend into the Great Australian Bight, across the Indian Ocean and all the way to Antarctica, there’s an edge-of-the-world feeling here in the Great Southern region.
While you can scoot down the inland route for 400 kilometres to reach Albany, the better option, if time allows, is to skirt the coast along the southwest and through Margaret River, ducking inland at Pemberton and heading back to the coast at Walpole before arriving in beautiful Albany.
This trip lends itself perfectly to a campervan. Pick up your vehicle from Perth and create a loop that follows the coast, stopping where the surf is good and hanging around for sunsets or to climb towering trees. With your home away from home always with you, stretch this trip out on a shoestring by making your own meals, enjoying free unlimited kilometres with every hire, and spending very little on accommodation. There’s virtually no barrier here to the trip of a lifetime, so hit the road!
Why Hiring a Campervan for a Perth to Albany Road Trip is a Great Idea – Expert Advice
“I love this route for the variety it packs in. You go from towering karri trees in Pemberton to walking among 400-year-old tingle trees at the Valley of the Giants, then down to granite boulders and calm bays in Denmark, before finishing on Albany’s rugged coastline.” – Harrison Greig, Social Media and Marketing Content Manager
Table of contents
- How long is the drive from Perth to Albany, and which route should you take?
- Pemberton and the karri forests
- Walpole and the Valley of the Giants
- Denmark
- Porongurup and Stirling Range
- How many days do you need? A suggested Perth to Albany itinerary
- Things to do in Albany
- Where to camp and stay along the Perth to Albany route
- FAQs
How long is the drive from Perth to Albany, and which route should you take?
If you’re doing this drive for the destination above all else, the fastest route to Albany from Perth is inland straight down the Albany Highway for 420 kilometres, which will take a little under five hours. The mid-way point to stop is either Williams at 2.5 hours in or further on at Kojonup, at about three hours into the drive.
However, if this is more of a take-it-easy road trip, the best way down to Albany is via the southwest coast, through Bunbury, Margaret River, Pemberton, Walpole and Denmark. This clocks in at around 646 kilometres, depending on any additional detours you make and takes a little under eight hours – not including time to actually stop and enjoy. To get the most out of this coastal run, spread the drive over four-to-six days.
Best stops on the Perth to Albany drive
The southwest coast is a string of picturesque beaches, adorable surf towns and lush forests. If you only stop at two places on your way to Albany, make it the Valley of the Giants and the Elephant Rocks further on at Denmark. But if you have the time, each of these destinations are worthy of spending a day or at least a few hours.
Pemberton and the karri forests
A direct route from Perth to Pemberton is about four hours, but if you’ve come from Margaret River, it’s under two hours’ drive. Off the coast, Pemberton is all misty forests and tranquil river bends. It’s karri country and where you’ll find the world’s tallest of these trees that stretch skywards up to 85 metres. Be sure to take some trails to breathe in that forest air and, if you’re a tree-climber, you can’t miss the extraordinary Gloucester Tree, formerly used as a lookout to spot fires, the tree is now somewhat of a tourist attraction. If you’re brave, climb to the 37-metre-high viewing platform using the steel pegs. For something a little less heart-pounding, head to Beedelup Falls to watch this majestic cascade in full-thunder.
Walpole and the Valley of the Giants
From Pemberton, Walpole is about two hours away. This country town is hemmed by national parks and huddles with towering timber trees. You can’t visit without experiencing the 600-metre Valley of the Giants The Tree Top Walk among the old-growth tingle trees, some of which are as old as 400 years. Once you’ve enjoyed the birds-eye view, scramble down from the canopy and head to pretty Walpole-Nornalup inlet. The two inlets are joined by a one-kilometre channel and are a lovely spot for lunch or a gentle paddle.
Denmark
Coastal Denmark is just over two hours from Pemberton and even though you’re only 40 minutes away from Albany, it’s worth delaying your arrival to spend time here. The first stop will be a refreshing dip at Greens Pool on the edge of Williams Bay National Park. Here, the protected pool is hemmed by boulders and the calm waters are impossibly clear. Take the short walk from the pool to Elephant Rocks, another popular swimming spot made remarkable by the giant, elephantine granite boulders scattered around the bay. After spending time by the bay, head along to sample the local wines at Denmark’s excellent vineyards and cellar doors. If you’re in no hurry to reach Albany just yet, take the coastal route along Lower Denmark Road, rather than National Route 1.
Porongurup and Stirling Range (optional inland detour)
If you have the luxury of time, dip back inland to Porongurup, about a 40-minute drive from Albany and a 55-minute detour from Denmark. It’s all about dramatic granite peaks and the majestic Stirling Range here. The best way to take in these remarkable geological formations is at The Granite Skywalk at Castle Rock, a suspended walkway that rewards the two-kilometre walk with views across to Albany and north to the Stirling Range. Conquerors of peaks won’t be able to resist heading another 50 minutes into the range to hike Bluff Knoll, a trail that leads to a summit for sweeping vistas.
How many days do you need? A suggested Perth to Albany itinerary
While you can easily drive to Albany from Perth in a day along the inland route, if you’re turning this into a road trip, allow 2-3 days for a quick escape and up to one week to relax into it and make the most of the coastal route.
3 days:
Day one: Perth to Walpole
Day two: Walpole to Albany via Denmark
Day three: Return to Perth
7-10 days:
Day one: Perth to Margaret River
Day two: Margaret River to Pemberton. For a 10-day trip, spend another day in Margaret River.
Day three: Pemberton to Walpole
Day four: Walpole to Denmark. For a 10-day trip, spend another day here.
Day five: Denmark to Albany
Day six: Albany to Porongurup and Stirling Ranges. Back to Albany. For a 10-day trip, spend another day here.
Day seven: Return to Perth
Things to do in Albany
Harbourside and historic Albany is a southern wonder of beautifully rugged coastline, cool-climate wines, nature trails and pristine beaches. Middleton Beach is a hit come summer with its calm shore and city adjacent location. Take in the Southern Ocean vastness as it vanishes beyond the horizon from The Gap; from the viewing platform, you can also snap photos of Natural Bridge. The surrounding Torndirrup National Park also has some stunning trails leading from coast to bush, which are ever more stunning during spring’s wildflower blooms. Between June and November, you’ll likely catch the antics of whales from these clifftop lookouts. While you’re in town, dedicate some time to exploring the town’s historic centre.
Where to camp and stay along the Perth to Albany route
While you’re making your way down the coast, you can overnight in caravan and holiday parks through Bunbury, Pemberton, Walpole, Denmark and Albany as well as national park campgrounds in the southwest and Great Southern regions, making for a budget friendly escape to this stunning corner of the country. When you pick up a campervan in Perth with Travellers Autobarn, you also receive a 10 per cent discount on any of the 300 G’Day Campground Parks in Australia.
Hire a campervan in Perth for your Albany road trip
Pick up your campervan from Perth for this return loop down to Albany and back. Or keep going onto Esperance before making your way back to the city.
There’s more to explore from Perth with these road trips
Hire your campervan from our Perth depot and choose your next WA destination. From heading north to the Kimberley, to weekend road trips and across to Melbourne, these Perth itineraries showcase some of the state’s most stunning landscapes. Let’s go!
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.
Frequently asked questions
On the direct Albany Highway route inland, Williams and Kojonup are common refreshment and leg-stretching stops.
While you can do this round trip in a week, the better option would be to stretch that to 10 and spend 2–3 days in Albany to enjoy the coast, national parks, Porongurup and the Stirling Range.
This depends on you. In spring the wildflowers will be in bloom, while summer is great for making the most of those stunning swim spots. Keep in mind, summer is also busy and you will need to book campgrounds ahead. Winter is great for whale-watching, but is cooler and wetter.
Yes. If you have time for the scenic route following the coast makes for a rewarding drive.
Yes. The main roads are all sealed and easily accessed by campervans.
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