If there’s one state in Australia that’s made for road trips, it’s Western Australia. The massive state makes up about a third of the country and includes around 13,000km of coastline, with endless possibilities for scenic drives and unforgettable road trips.

 

We Are Explorers acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the Countries on which these adventures take place, who have occupied and cared for these lands, waters, and their inhabitants for thousands of years. We pay our respects to them and recognise that sovereignty was never ceded.

 

If you’re road tripping in WA, buckle in for an epic. These aren’t your standard scenic weekend drives. They’re thousands of kilometres of memory-making and weeks on the road, covering vast distances of the country’s largest state. Be prepared to get remote extremely quickly, but ready yourself for the roadie of a lifetime.

All of our favourite road trips around WA are based on the real-life experiences of our contributors – they won’t lead you astray.

Read more: Remember to leave no trace

Jump to Section

Best Road Trips Around Western Australia

1. South West – Perth to Albany and Back Again

Driven and written by Michael Heritage

Distance: 2,175km round trip from Perth, with a few optional extras
Duration: Comfortably done in 14 days
Start point: Perth
End point: Perth

With an endless coastline of pristine, rugged beaches, the South West corner of Western Australia is home to the most jaw-dropping scenery in all of the country. Don’t let the red dust stop you from heading off the beaten path; it only adds a layer of character to the campervan.

Read more: How to Drive Safely on the Beach

Read More

 

Road Tripping WA's South-West Corner, Michael Heritage, Wharton Bay, drone shot, beach

@michael.heritage

2. Coral Coast – Perth to Exmouth

Driven and written by Jordan Clayden-Lewis

Distance: 2712km
Time driving: 31 hours
Days: 6 days
Start point: Perth
End point: Exmouth

Want to discover Western Australia’s Coral Coast? The road trip from Perth to Exmouth is the way to do it. From the vast contrast between remote desert scenery and aqua ocean hues, to swimming with the world’s largest fish, this is one hell of a bucket list adventure.

Read More

 

Road Tripping WA’s Coral Coast From Desert to Reef, Jordan Clayden-Lewis, Nature's Window, Kalbarri, river, gorge

@jordan-clayden-lewis

3. Granite Way Drive

Driven and written by Lisa Ikin

Distance: 60km
Duration: 1 day
Start point: Kwolyin Campground
End point: Kwolyin Campground

The Granite Way loop drive is located approximately 200km from Perth in the Western Australian Wheatbelt. 

The 60km Granite Way driving route begins at the Kwolyin Campground, but it can also be accessed from Kellerberrin or Yoting. The self-drive trail provides a link between some of the best granite outcrops in the Wheatbelt. You’ll be treated to stellar views of wildflowers, farmland, and great monoliths rising from surrounding plains. Wildlife is abundant and most points of interests have benches, shelters, and toilets.

Read More

 

A Tale of Monoliths and the Night Sky on the Granite Way Drive, WA, Lisa Ikin, Kwolyin, Kokerbin rock, Western Australia, South West,

@lisabenjess

4. Great Central Road

Driven and written by Jane Pelusey

Distance: 1,237km
Duration: 4 days
Start point: Leonora
End point: Uluru

The Great Central Road winds its way through the Great Victoria Desert. It’s the ‘back road’ from Western Australia to the Northern Territory for those who want a true desert experience. Leaving the Golden Quest Discovery Trail at Leonora, continue on to another gold mining town, Laverton.

Read more: Outback Driving Survival Guide

The road is mainly gravel dirt with small bitumen sections. There are a couple of Indigenous communities, an amazing art gallery and interactive museum, the most remote weather station in Australia, a roadhouse in the middle of nowhere, sand dunes and breakaway country.

Read More

 

Great Central Road – A Guide to Driving the Great Victoria Desert from Leonora to Uluru, Jane Pelusey, petermann ranges, desert highway, roadsign

@pelusey_life

5. Gibb River Road

Driven and written by Casey Fung

Distance: 660km
Duration: 2 weeks
Start point: Broome
End point: Kununurra

The Gibb River Road is a rite-of-passage for any 4WD enthusiast, Explorer or first time big lappers. The 660km rugged dirt track is well-known for shredding tyres, but it’s the only real way to see the heart of the Kimberley wilderness.

Not only is the drive an adventure in itself, but it’s also a great opportunity to see some true Australian wilderness, including the best waterfalls and swimming holes the country has to offer.

We did the route over two weeks, driving west to east. While we’d only planned for one week, there were so many great places to see, even two weeks seemed quick!

Read More

 

8 Places You Need a 4WD to Get To (That You Definitely Don't Want to Miss), Photo by Casey Fung, crossing the Gibb River Road

@fungshuay

6. Perth to Cervantes

Driven and written by Haz & Loz

Distance: 400km
Time driving: 5 hours
Days: 2 days
Start point: Perth
End point: Perth

This road trip kicks off in Perth, heading north until the freeway gives way to the scenic Indian Ocean Drive. As you head north watch as the landscape changes from urban sprawl to rugged bushland, pristine beaches, and rolling sand dunes.

Kick off your weekend in this laid-back region with an ocean dip at Wedge Island and lunch in the sleepy fishing village of Cervantes for locally sourced seafood.

The journey continues at arguably the most famous landscape along this stretch of coast, the Pinnacles, as you wind your way back south to spend the evening in Lancelin, a coastal town with rural charm nestled between the ocean and towering white sand dunes.

Read More

 

@haz_and_loz

7. Kingsford Smith Mail Run 

Driven and written by Jane Pelusey

Distance: 834km
Duration: 4 days driving, but spend 5-6 days
Start point: Meekatharra
End point: Carnarvon

From outback Meekatharra to coastal Carnarvon, the 834km Kingsford Smith Mail Run follows a dirt road across creek beds, past the biggest rock in the world, and the escarpment of the Kennedy Ranges. It’s a quiet road through outback cattle stations, fields of wildflowers, and red rock.

Back in 1924, Australian adventurer and aviator Charles Kingsford Smith raised money for his flying exploits by starting a transport company. It delivered mail to outback stations in the Gascoyne region. Today we can follow in his adventurous tyre tracks, taking in iconic outback landscapes along with relics from the past.

Read More

 

Kingsford Smith Mail Run - A Five Day Road Trip in Outback WA, Jane Pelusey

8. Broome to Perth

Driven and written by Sofia Echesortu

Distance: 4,000km (one-way)
Duration: 8 days
Start point: Broome Airport
End point: Perth Airport
Route: Google Maps route and road trip pins

The most direct route from Broome to Perth is the National Highway 95, covering about 2,000km of long, open roads. But why stick to the straight path when you can explore WA’s stunning coast and dramatic inland parks along the way?

This Broome to Perth itinerary takes a scenic detour, with side trips to Karijini National Park, Ningaloo Reef, and Kalbarri National Park, adding a bit more substance to the journey.

While you could easily spend a month exploring this region, this itinerary gives you the chance to soak in the best of it in a shorter time – perfect for anyone with limited leave (or let’s be real, a full-time job).

A trip this big requires dedication and a decent amount of driving. You’ll be locked in a car for hours so bring good company (I took my brother and parents!).

Read More

 

This Broome to Perth Road Trip Itinerary Hits Bucket List Locations Along the West Coast, Photo by Sofia Echesortu, Western Australia, 4wd, camping, red dirt

@atlasoutdoorclub

Featured Event

‘Run for Country’ Sydney Film Screening

  • Start Date: Mar 19, 2026
  • Venue: Hayden Orpheum Picture Palace

Join us for a powerful documentary screening that tells the story of communities standing together to protect one of Australia’s most significant inland forests. In north-west NSW, farmers, First Nations leaders, nurses, nannas, runners, and young activists are united against...

See Event Details See More Events

9. Golden Quest Discovery Trail

Driven and written by Jane Pelusey

Distance: 965km
Duration: 5 days
Start point: Coolgardie
End point: Kalgoorlie

The Golden Quest Discovery Trail follows in the footsteps of the adventurous pioneers looking for gold, visiting once prosperous communities that 100 years later are essentially ghost towns. It’s interspersed with salt and freshwater lakes including one that’s the location of the world’s biggest outdoor art gallery.

In 2003, the local shire came together to link everything of interest together and the Golden Quest Discovery Trail was born.

The trail can be driven in three days, but four or five days is recommended if you’re visiting Laverton.

 
 
 
 
Golden Quest Discovery Trail: A Guide to Driving WA’s Goldfields & Ghost Towns, Jane pelusey, lake ballard, sculpture, lake, water

@pelusey_life

10. The Dampier Peninsula

Driven and written by Callum Brocket

Distance: 550km
Time Driving: 8 hours 15 minutes
Days: 8
Start point: Broome
End point: Broome

Whenever you get the chance to explore WA’s Kimberley region, leave some time to check out the Dampier Peninsula, a hub of red sand, turquoise water, and human-free landscapes.

This 200km stretch of road reaches all the way to Kooljamin/Cape Leveque, and although it can be done in a few hours, there’s plenty of reason to spend a bit more time on this bit of coast.

The great thing about such a small road means that this journey can be customised according to your schedule and interests.

Read More

 

From Broome to Kooljamin: A Road Trip Across the Dampier Peninsula, Callum Brockett - Western Australia, Kimberleys, Dampier Peninsula, 4WD, Beach,James Price Point

Image by Callum Brocket

Road Trip WA FAQs

Where should I go two hours drive from Perth?

A great place to road trip to from Perth is the coastal town of Cervantes, around a two-hour drive north. Stop off at the Pinnacles on the way.

How to spend 7 days in Western Australia?

A great way to spend a week in Western Australia is to road trip from Perth to Exmouth, stopping at the stunning Kalbarri and Karijini National Parks along the way.

What is the most beautiful road trip in Australia?

It’s so difficult to say! With so much scenic coastline to drive along, iconic outback locations, and stunning forests full of unique flora and fauna, the most beautiful road trip in Australia is in the eye of the steering-wheel holder!

 

Feature photo by Callum Brocket
Table of contents photo by Michael Heritage

Keep Exploring Western Australia

We’ve shared these recommendations because we genuinely rate them and want you to enjoy them too. Our writers use a mix of personal experience and research to compile these lists, and they’re also encouraged to be honest when things aren’t up to scratch. For more information on our approach, check out our Editorial Standards.