An Unforgettable 2 Week Western Australia Road Trip Itinerary
My friend Amy has been living in Perth for 3 years now, and she wanted to share this 2 week Western Australia road trip itinerary with you. She’s spent a lot of time driving her van “Chuck” up and down Australia’s west coast and reckons it’s one of the most beautiful parts of the country.
“There’s just something about the grandeur of the roads here – the vastness, the emptiness, the enormity – that makes it such a fantastic place for a road trip!” she enthused.
And indeed, Western Australia certainly is grandeur.
Comprising of lots of opportunity for hiking in national parks, snorkelling among coral reefs, swimming in scenic bays and more, this Western Australia road trip itinerary is ideal for those who love the great outdoors.
Starting from Perth on the south-west coast, this itinerary will take you north along the Indian Ocean Drive to Kalbarri National Park, then along the Coral Coast via Shark Bay and Coral Bay, before finishing up in scenic Exmouth.
Perth – 3 days
Perth. A fantastic place to kickstart your Western Australia road trip – this sunny coastal city averages an annual eight hours of sunshine per day! During your time here, why not wander around scenic King’s Park, relax at Cottesloe Beach, visit bustling Fremantle, and make a day trip to beautiful Rottnest Island?
Kings Park: Kings Park is one of the world’s largest and most beautiful city parks. It’s home to the spectacular Western Australian Botanic Garden, which displays over 3,000 species of the State’s unique flora.
Cottesloe Beach: Cottesloe is a beach-side suburb of Perth, and the iconic Cottesloe Beach is the go-to spot for swimming, snorkelling, surfing and relaxing with a cold beer.
Fremantle: Located just 30 minutes from Perth and known for its rich history, markets, art galleries and abundance of cafes on the ‘cappuccino strip,’ Fremantle is well worth an afternoon of exploration.
Rottnest Island: You should absolutely spend one of your days in Perth cycling around Rottnest Island. Rottnest is a short 45-minute ferry ride away and offers spectacular bays, pink lakes, and the opportunity to spot quokkas, which are adorable marsupials that call the island home.
The Indian Ocean Drive – 1 day
From Perth, drive north towards Geraldton, a small city where you can spend the night.
The drive from Perth to Geraldton is known as the Indian Ocean Drive, a scenic coastal highway that runs parallel to the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean. The journey will take roughly 4.5 hours without stops, but you’ll want to take the whole day as the Indian Ocean Drive has some great sights to visit:
Lancelin Sand Dunes: These are the biggest network of sand dunes in Western Australia and are a super impressive sight. You can drive, walk or hire a sandboard ($12.50 for two hours) to explore them.
Nambung National Park: Nambung National Park is home to the famous Pinnacles – a vast collection of limestone rock pillars that pepper the landscape and create an otherworldly scene.
Lake Thetis: Check out some of the oldest living organisms in the world, otherwise known as thrombolites, at Lake Thetis.
Kalbarri National Park – 2 days
From Geraldton, continue north to Kalbarri National Park. It should only take an hour of driving to get there, but you’ll want to stop at the Hutt Lagoon’s gorgeous Pink Lake on your way.
Split into 2 main sections – 1 coastal and 1 inland – Kalbarri National Park really showcases the best of the beautiful scenery in this part of the world. The landscape has been carved into stunning red and white banded gorges by years of erosion by the Murchison River, and is home to emus, grey kangaroo and over 800 species of wildflower. Sounds impressive, am I right?
The town of Kalbarri itself is a small place that sits between the 2 main sections of the park, and is a good place to base yourself during your stay.
Along the coastal section of the Kalbarri National Park, which sits to the south of the town, you’ll be treated to soaring cliffs, some great walking trails and scenic lookouts. The inland section of Kalbarri National Park, however, is the main attraction and where you’ll likely want to spend most of your time.
Nature’s Window: Nature’s Window is the most famous spot in Kalbarri National Park, offering fantastic views and an amazing photo opportunity (see below)!
Z Bend Lookout: Walk the short distance to Z Bend Lookout and you’ll be rewarded with incredible views across the gorges and rivers of the national park.
Loop Walk: As you might deduce from the name, this challenging 8km walk loops you around a section of the national park. It’ll treat you to seriously impressive views – make sure to bring your hiking boots!
Shark Bay – 3 days
If you’re searching for extraordinary wildlife experiences, postcard-perfect coastline and remote national parks, then you’ve come to the right place – the stunning Shark Bay World Heritage Site!
Perched on the edge of the Indian Ocean, the scenery around Shark Bay is simply incredible, comprising of stunning views of fiery red cliffs, pristine white sand and the ever beautiful turquoise waters of the ocean.
The town of Denham makes for a great base from which to explore Shark Bay. From here, you’ll have easy access to the best attractions in the area:
Francois Peron National Park: The top half of the peninsula is comprised of the Francois Peron National Park, where it appears as though the desert meets the sea. Cape Peron is a particularly scenic part of the park – the sunset over the red cliffs are a sight you will not soon forget.
Shell Beach: Stretching 120km along the Indian Ocean, this beach is made up of billions of tiny cockle shells that are thought to be about 10 meters deep. It’s not the best beach for relaxing, given the sharp surface of the shells, but it’s a sight to behold!
Eagle Bluff Lookout: Sitting high above the water, this vantage point allows you to look out across the Indian Ocean. You might just spot manta rays, whale sharks and even dugongs during the summer months.
Little Lagoon: Pretty Little Lagoon is the perfect place to relax, have a swim or grab a bite to eat. Unlike other lagoons in Shark Bay, this one is easily accessible and is located just outside of Denham.
Coral Bay – 2 days
Today is one of the longest driving days on this Western Australia road trip, but it’s worth it to end up in Coral Bay, where you’ll catch your first glimpse of the Ningaloo Reef. Don’t tell anyone I said this, but I actually thought Ningaloo Reef was more impressive than the Great Barrier Reef!
Go snorkelling: The Coral Coast is teeming with marine life, including manta rays, turtles, reef shark and more! Rent a snorkel, or opt for a snorkelling tour, and explore the underwater world of Coral Bay.
Turquoise Bay: Yes, Turquoise Bay is as beautiful as it sounds. Spend some time relaxing, swimming or snorkelling here.
Take a ride on a glass-bottom boat: If you’re not keen on snorkelling in deeper water, a glass-bottom boat tour will give you the opportunity to see the spectacular marine life of the area, without getting wet!
Bill’s Beach: Bill’s Beach is the main stretch of sand in town, known for its lovely white sand and crystal clear water. Whether you’re looking to relax in the sun or cool off in the sea, this is the place to do it.
Exmouth – 3 days
A 90-minute drive north along the Coral Coast will land you in Exmouth, a small town situated at the top of the peninsula. While you’ll have caught a glimpse of the Ningaloo Reef at Coral Bay, Exmouth is thought of as the gateway to the reef and is the place to truly explore it.
With Exmouth being the gateway to the Ningaloo Reef and all, it’s one of the top spots in the country to see whale sharks and humpback whales, and so I really recommend booking a whale-watching tour during your time here.
On the West Side of Exmouth’s peninsula, you’ll find the Cape Range National Park, which boasts spectacular rocky gorges carved by ancient rivers.
Whale Watching: You’ll need to visit at certain times of the year depending on which species you want to see. Whale Shark season begins in March and ends in August, whereas Humpback Whales appear from May to October. Depending on when you visit, you might even see both!
Muiron Islands: Why not take a day-trip to Muiron Islands? These are two uninhabited islands teeming with marine life, where you’ll find some excellent snorkelling.
Kayak Yardie Creek: Located within the Cape Range National Park is Yardie Creek, which flows between the spectacular sheer cliffs of Yardie Creek Gorge. Opt to go kayaking along the creek and keep your eyes peeled for osprey!
Charles Knife Canyon: Stunning Charles Knife Canyon offers some excellent hiking opportunities. Or, you can opt to drive Charles Knife Road, which leads you up to the top of the park’s spectacular ranges, with views over Charles Knife Canyon, the gorges and Exmouth Gulf.
Got longer than two weeks?
If you’ve got longer than two weeks to road trip Western Australia, why not continue north from Exmouth? The following places are worth a visit:
Karijini National Park: The red rocks of Dales Gorge and the cascades of Fortescue Falls make this an epic national park to explore.
Broome: Located in the far north, Broome is hot and humid but beautiful nonetheless. Cable Beach sunsets and Gantheaume Point views are highlights not to be missed.
Alternatively, if you choose to do this itinerary starting from Exmouth, you could continue south from Perth and spend some time exploring the South West Edge of Australia.
Practical information for planning your Western Australia road trip
Best time of year to go?
In my opinion, the best times to visit Western Australia are autumn (April – May) or spring (September – November).
During these times, you’ll generally find blue skies and warm days with mild nights. Although, the further south you go, the cooler it will be, and the further north you go, the warmer and more humid it will be.
During springtime, the wildflowers will be out, which makes it a beautiful time to visit. But whale shark season is in the autumn, so wildlife enthusiasts may prefer to visit during this time.
If you can, I’d advise avoiding Christmas – late January, and the Easter holiday, as these are very busy travel times. Attractions will be more congested, finding accommodation will be more competitive, and prices will increase. Public holidays are best avoided for the same reason.
What kind of car do I need?
I absolutely recommend you self-drive the West Coast of Australia as it’ll provide you with far more flexibility, as well as the opportunity to drive on the beautiful open roads here.
The route is mainly highway based, so a 2WD will suffice, and hire can cost as little as $40 per day. That being said, there are some places, such as Francois Peron National Park, where you might need a 4WD if you want to get off the beaten track. The choice is yours!
Can I travel Western Australia without a car?
Western Australia is not known for its comprehensive bus route, and travelling in the state without a car is a little more difficult than elsewhere in the country. While the famous Greyhound services the East Coast very extensively, it sadly doesn’t have a network in Western Australia.
That being said, there is one bus company that does service Western Australia – Integrity Coach Lines. Integrity Coach Lines offer Hop On Hop Off passes so it’s possible to travel from A to B at your convenience. You’ll be able to visit each stop – and more – on this Western Australia road trip itinerary using this coach service.
The 1500km Hop On Hop Off pass will get you from Perth to Exmouth (no return) for $267.
About The Author
Lauren Pears is a freelance travel writer and blogger who writes about active adventure travel. She’s been blogging for almost 10 years, and has written for publications such as Lonely Planet, World Nomads, and Southeast Asia Backpacker.
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