Western Australia (W.A.) occupies over one-third of Australia. Yet, to this day, it remains one of the most overlooked and least visited states in Australia.
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W.A. is unlike any other state in Australia. Here, clear blue skies collide with the red dirt road, the beautiful landscapes transport you to the canyons of Arizona, the beach towns are infused with a laid-back lifestyle found in the best Asian destinations, and the deserted outback is seeped with signs of prehistoric existence.
Wildlife roams the region far and wide, adding colour to the destination. For the adventurous explorers, this is an exhilarating state, packed with a bucket list of activities and picture-perfect backdrops.
Having now traversed 3,500km (2,174.80mi) from Perth to Broome ourselves, we are convinced that the most incredible places and experiences in W.A. are probably the ones you have never heard of before. The road trip along the North West Coastal Highway may have been long, but it was extremely rewarding.
Allow us to elaborate with our ultimate Perth to Broome road trip itinerary that will show you all the gems W.A. has to offer.
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Best Time to Visit
Being the largest state in Australia, Western Australia experiences different climates in the North and South of the state. So take note of that when planning your ultimate road trip.
South W.A. has a temperate climate with winter rainfall and 4 seasons: summer from December to February, autumn from March to May, winter from June to August, and spring from September to November.
Each season has its own charm, but we’d say the best time to visit is summer. Nothing beats experiencing W.A.’s white sandy beaches and many swimming holes with warmer temperatures and less rainfall.
Meanwhile, North W.A. has a tropical climate with a wet and dry season. To avoid the rain and enjoy mild temperatures, head north and plan an epic road trip during the dry season between May and October.
Perth: 1-2 Days
One of the most remote cities on earth, Perth has a certain charm that other Australian cities lack. It is cosmopolitan yet laid-back, and the people couldn’t be nicer.
Before you head off on your Perth to Broome road trip, dedicate a couple of days to enjoying some of Perth’s biggest attractions.
Things to Do in Perth
Visit Kings Park–one of the biggest parks in the world. This inner-city park is filled with bushland, wildflowers, and stunning trails at every turn, and also gives you a view of the Perth Skyline that’s hard to beat! Book a tour for a walkthrough of the park’s highlights.
Head to the beach! Australia is known for its impressive coastline, and Perth doesn’t disappoint. There are a number of white sandy beaches to choose from, such as Cottesloe, Leighton Beach, Mettams Pool, or Town Beach.
Meet the quokkas on Rottnest Island. Did you really go to Perth if you didn’t take a selfie with a quokka? Aside from these furry friends, Rottnest Island is also a sight to see with its lush vegetation, turquoise waters, and lots of outdoor activities easily accessible on a day trip.
Walk down history lane at Fremantle. Considered Perth’s most historic neighbourhood, this charming port town is home to heritage buildings where you’ll find street art, buskers, breweries, and cafés.
Wine and dine at Swan Valley. Perth is lucky to have a wine region just 25 minutes away! Spend some time here to explore (and indulge in) the area’s iconic wineries, breweries, and gourmet produce.
Learn more about the city’s history. Check out an urban tour or a traditional ceremony to learn more about the land’s history and its connection to Perth’s Traditional Custodians.
Where To Stay In Perth
We’re always on the lookout for eco-friendly accommodation options, and The Four Points by Sheraton is a great one. They have implemented a Global Citizen program, which has demonstrated a reduction in carbon emissions, water wastage, and energy usage.
The upscale travel hotel is easily accessible, located in the centre of Perth’s business district, with several room configurations suited for families, couples, and even groups of friends. These non-smoking rooms come with large, private bathrooms with a walk-in shower, air conditioning, wifi, and basic kitchen amenities such as an electric kettle and a refrigerator.
On-site, there is a 24-hour front desk, a 24-hour business centre, and a fitness centre for the guests’ convenience. If you’re looking for a good meal, try locally-inspired comfort food at their restaurant, The Eatery, or the tasty seasonal menu and craft beer at Best Brew.
Lancelin: 1 Day
Driving Distance: 127km (78.91mi) from Perth
Driving Time: 1hr 50 min
The first leg of the road trip takes us on a drive to Lancelin–a small fishing town located just 127 km north of Perth. There is really not a whole lot there, except for the lovely bay with a local beach and the vast, sprawling sand hills that surround the town.
Lancelin sand dunes are the biggest of its kind in all of W.A. and are known for their pure, soft, white silica sand and absolutely no vegetation.
The sand dunes are about 2km (1.24mi) long and are considered to be one of W.A.’s hidden gems for adventure seekers and a must-see for any Perth to Broome Itinerary.
For an unforgettable afternoon, hire a board in town and spend a few hours on the sand duning on the hills, or do a 4WD tour and sand dune surfing experience.
Where To Stay In Lancelin
Try the Lancelin Sands Hotel, known for its warm service and stunning location. The hotel sits in front of the giant sand dunes, and right in its backyard is the beautiful white beach. The boutique hotel has a combination of ground and first-floor rooms as well as family suites, making it ideal for groups of friends and families. All the accommodations come with en-suite bathrooms, reverse cycle AC, a small bar fridge, tea and coffee-making facilities, a microwave, and high-speed wifi. If you want to grab a bite or unwind, you can choose between their on-site beer garden, BBQ and pool area, or their restaurant that overlooks the Indian Ocean.
Cervantes And Nambung National Park: 1 Day
Driving Distance: 200 km from Perth
Driving Time: 2hr 30 min
Cervantes is another sleepy fishing town along Australia’s Coral Coast that is frequented by visitors looking for a fishing holiday or a relaxing family escape at Sandy Cape Recreation Park. But its main attraction is undoubtedly Nambung National Park, home of the mythical Pinnacles.
The Pinnacles are W.A.’s most visited attraction outside of Perth, making it a must-add on the road trip. These natural limestone formations were dated back to approximately 25,000 to 30,000 years ago, after the sea receded and left behind deposits of sea shells. Some of these limestone formations stand as high as 3.5m!
The park covers an area of 17,487 hectares and is home to a wide variety of native animals and birds.
Admire The Pinnacles At Sunset
To admire the Pinnacles in all of their glory, visit the park at sunset, leaving yourself enough time to explore the 4.5km (2.8mi) Pinnacle walk throughout the national park.
Once it gets dark, you also get endless views of the Milky Way galaxy, which is a special experience in and of itself. To explore The Pinnacles at night, you can self-drive and head out on your own (though take caution because you will bump into wildlife) or join a dedicated Pinnacles by night tour with a romantic sunset dinner and endless views of the Milky Way galaxy.
Alternatively, you can gain a perspective on the desert from the Pinnacles lookout located at the end of the walk.
Where To Stay In Cervantes
Cervantes 4 G Ranch is a sustainable 5-bedroom holiday home that’s cozy and spacious. It’s a great place to rest your head after long hours on the road. This pet-friendly property has a garden, a private beach area, and free private parking. Inside, there’s a living room with a flat-screen TV, a fully-equipped kitchen with an oven, 2 bathrooms, and a washing machine. Meanwhile, there’s also an outdoor fireplace to keep you warm after a day of fishing or swimming.
Hutt Lagoon (Pink Lake): 1-2 Days
Driving Distance: 324km (201.32mi) from Cervantes
Driving Time: 3hr 30min from Cervantes
You know those BuzzFeed posts that fill your Facebook newsfeed with photos of unbelievable places around the world?
Hutt Lagoon, a pink lake near Kalbarri, is one of those unbelievable places. It is undeniably one of nature’s most incredible sights. We didn’t believe it existed until we saw it with our own eyes.
It’s not just the bright pink colour of the water that makes you question reality, but the strong chemical smell that surrounds it. It looks fake. It smells artificial. But it is 100% natural and it’s even more impressive, seen from the air in a flight tour of Hutt Lagoon.
Hutt Lagoon gets its red or pink hue due to the presence of the carotenoid-producing algae Dunaliella salina, a source of ß-carotene, a food-colouring agent and source of vitamin A. The lagoon also contains the world’s largest microalgae production plant and provides a commercial supply of Artemia brine shrimp. Phenomenal!
This stop warrants 1-2 days of your Perth to Broome road trip to accommodate for the long 6-hour drive from Cervantes.
Where To Stay Near Hutt Lagoon
Stay at the lovely, family-run Port Gregory Caravan Park, which is just a short ten-minute drive. They offer both powered campsites and self-contained cabins.
Kalbarri National Park: 1-2 Days
Driving Distance: 55.6km (34.55mi)
Driving Time: About an hour from Hutt Lagoon
Kalbarri National Park is one of the most spectacular parks in the area and is one of the best places in the world to find ancient traces of life on land. Located 590km (366.61mi) north of Perth, the park is over 186,000 hectares in size and is positioned at the lower reaches of the Murchison River.
Over 400 million years in the making, Kalbarri National Park’s landscape features deep red and white banded gorges created by the flow of the Murchison River, which stretches 80km (49.71 mi) towards the ocean.
All the roads in the park are sealed and suitable for 2-wheel drives, so there are lots of ways to explore Kalbarri National Park.
Things to see in Kalbarri
Nature’s Window
Just 500m from The Loop car park is one of the most iconic attractions, Nature’s Window–a natural rock arch formation that serves as the perfect frame for the spectacular Murchison River Gorge.
This formation marks the beginning and end of The Loop Walk, an 8km (4.97mi) walking trail (Class 4 hike) that takes you down a breathtaking trail to view the rock formation that frames the rugged scenery with an upstream view of the Murchison River.
Visit the Kalbarri Skywalk
A brief stroll from Nature’s Window leads to the West Loop (Inyaka Wookai Watju), home to the Kalbarri Skywalk. The skywalk has two cantilevered viewing platforms that hang mid-air at 100m high, and it faces one of the highest points of the Murchison River Gorge.
Hike coastal cliffs and walking trails
There are many lookouts and trails to choose from that offer a great view of Kalbarri’s cliffs and coastlines. One of the popular lookouts is Natural Bridge, which can lead you to two paths: down to Island Rock, or the start of the Bigurda Trail. The 8km (4.97mi) Bigurda Trail takes you all the way to Eagle Gorge, along the cliff’s edge.
Another option further down the coast is the Mushroom Rock to Rainbow Valley Walking Trail, the Red Bluff Lookout, and Pot Alley. You’ll end up in a small secluded beach that, though isn’t the best for swimming, happens to be a great spot to watch the sunset. Humpback whales are also known to migrate down the coastline, so consider whale watching between June and November.
Add a stop at Francois Peron National Park
Why not tick another national park off your road trip list and head to the Francois Peron National Park?
It’s a 3.5-hour drive (215.6mi or 347km) from the Kalbarri to the Shark Bay World Heritage Area just off of Monkey Mia Road. There, you’ll find a colourful spot where red cliffs meet the turquoise sea–ideal for lots of outdoor activities in and out of the water.
Where To Stay Near Kalbarri National Park
Kalbarri Blue Ocean Villas is family-owned and operated. Their complex has a total of 7 self-contained villas that you can rent individually.
Each apartment has 2 bedrooms, sleeps a maximum of 4 guests, and comes with a living room, a fully-equipped kitchen, a private bathroom, and covered parking.
There’s also air conditioning, heating, and wifi throughout the property. These villas are highly recommended for their excellent location–it keeps you close to the beach, restaurants, supermarkets, and more.
Ningaloo Reef At Cape Range National Park: 3-5 Days
Driving Distance: 728km (452.36mi)
Driving Time: 7hr 44min from Kalbarri
Diving/Snorkeling
On the north side of the Coral Coast is Ningaloo Reef, Australia’s largest fringing coral reef and the pride of Coral Bay that stretches 260km (161.56mi).
Right on the Ningaloo Coast, the reef is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and is understandably a gem of the west coast. Marine life you can spot in Ningaloo include whale sharks, manta rays, turtles, and even humpback whales during migration season.
Join a full-day scuba diving trip at Ningaloo Reef and experience some of the 200 species of hard coral, 50 soft coral and over 500 species of fish.
Unlike the Great Barrier Reef on the East Coast, Ningaloo on the west coast is one of the only places in the world where you can walk from the beach straight onto a coral reef.
Coral Bay and Turquoise Bay inside the Cape Range National Park were our favourite snorkelling spots. A good snorkelling day will greet you with lots of marine life, like colourful schools of fish, turtles, stingrays, manta rays, wild dolphins, and sometimes even reef sharks chilling in the crevices of the corals.
Scuba diving is one way to dip your toes in, but you don’t need to be a certified diver to experience the reef, but if you do get a chance to descend into its crystal clear waters, you won’t be disappointed.
We dove at the Lighthouse Bay dive site, which offers a number of fantastic dive sites and is particularly famous for the site called Labyrinth. The site features a turtle cleaning station and Gullivers, which houses a manta ray cleaning station.
Take a day or two to get to Cape Range National Park, as it is a 14+ hour drive from Kalbarri National Park.
Swimming With Whale Sharks
Ningaloo and particularly Exmouth near Cape Range National Park are one of the few places in the world where you can swim with the biggest fish on the planet–whale sharks.
It is impossible to convey the overwhelming feeling of joy and adrenaline that rushes through your body when you encounter whale sharks. It is a breathtaking creature in the most literal meaning of the word.
Swimming with these gentle giants was an absolute privilege and an unforgettable lifetime experience. The prices are steep, but the experience is worth every penny!
Where To Stay Near The Ningaloo Reef
Stay at Sal Salis, a luxury safari camp that offers a one-of-a-kind experience in the white sand dunes of Cape Range National Park. They take glamping to the next level, with 15 spacious wilderness tents that come with en-suite natural composting bathrooms, and stocked with native herb soaps and ecologically-sound shampoos. As for dining, there’s a chef on-site who prepares contemporary cuisine using locally sourced ingredients.
But what truly makes this stay stand out is its unbeatable location. From your tent, the Ningaloo Reef is just a hop and skip away. Kayaking, paddle boarding, and snorkelling are just some of the unique nature activities you can try. If it’s your lucky day, you might just encounter a whale shark or a humpback whale. At night, kangaroos and wallaroos appear from the bushes for their evening graze. It’s a great place for unplugging and enjoying what nature has to offer.
Karijini National Park – 1-2 Days
Driving Distance: 589km (366 mi)
Driving Time: About 7hr 30min from Ningaloo
We have visited countless national parks in Australia. We’ve seen everything from the lush rainforests in Northern Queensland to the alpine vegetation and jagged Tasmanian wilderness, but none of them are comparable to the phenomenal natural wonder that is the Karijini National Park.
Karijini is the second-largest national park in Western Australia. Erosion has sculpted its iconic, stunning red landscape, forming breathtaking deep canyons from rocks that are over 2.5 billion years old.
It’s a pain in the butt to get to (literally 6 hours of bumpy roads on the way to the park and another 4 hours on the way out), but the scenery in Karijini is out of this world!
Things to do in Karijini National Park
Stop by the Karijini Visitor Centre
Dropping by the Karijini Visitor Centre is recommended before you start exploring. The centre is staffed by First Nations Australians, who are more than happy to advise you on the best things to see, and what to look for in the national park. Visitors are also welcome to ask more about their culture, and their history with the land.
Explore interactive displays narrating the story of the area’s flora, fauna, and geology. Additionally, take the opportunity to meet park rangers during sessions led by a First Nations ranger. A visit here provides a comprehensive overview of what to anticipate in the park.
Soak up the gorge-ous view
Erosion has slowly carved this landscape out of rocks, some of which are over 2,500 million years old, leaving today’s visitor with 8 stunning gorges to explore.
Some gorges are easily accessible along a Class 3 (out of 5) trail, while others require visitors to possess great tenacity, experience, and proper hiking gear.
Whichever gorge you set out for, reward yourself with a refreshing dip in crystal-clear waters, freshwater falls, a circular pool, and secluded swimming holes that you can find around the park.
One of the most impressive views is the Oxer Lookout, which lets you look down a sheer 100-metre (320ft.) cliff to a clear, circular pool below.
Cool off in the Fern Pool
You’ll find lots of serene swimming spots here, but a must-try is a cool dip in a fern-rimmed pool. The fern pool is located right above Fortescue Falls, and is one of the easiest to reach.
Despite the difficult task of getting to some of the tucked-away passages, the views, in the end, are always beyond spectacular.
Where To Stay Near Karijini National Park
Karijini Eco Retreat is owned by the local Gumala Aboriginal Corporation and operates within the park. They are ecologically friendly and environmentally aware, using solar power for the eco-tents and recycled timber for the flooring.
The eco-tents are comfortable and luxuriously furnished, each with en-suite bathrooms. They also offer dorm-style tents and campsites as alternative accommodation options.
On-site, there’s an al fresco restaurant and bar, a kiosk, and shared barbecue facilities.
Eighty Mile Beach
Driving Distance: 579km (359.77mi)
Driving Time: About 6hr 15min from Karijini
The famed Eighty Mile Beach is exactly as it sounds–Western Australia’s longest stretch of uninterrupted white beach that leads you to clear, turquoise water. The coastline makes you feel like the ocean is never-ending, and the great thing is, that there’s always a spot you can have all to yourself. Sunrises and sunsets are tough to beat when viewed over the Indian Ocean!
The beach is recognized as one of WA’s 12 Ramsar Nature Reserve wetland sites. The Eighty Mile Beach Marine Park is also considered internationally significant, providing food and shelter to a large number of animals.
Things to Do in Eighty Mile Beach
Try Beach Fishing
One of the most popular activities here is fishing. There are several fishing spots along the beach, from offshore locations and even down to a small creek. Needless to say, all sorts of species can be found here, with the most notable being threadfin salmon, bluenose salmon, and mulloway.
Spot the Migratory Birds
The beach gives you a great vantage point for birdwatching since it’s one of the world’s most important feeding grounds for migratory shorebirds. The birds feed during their annual migration in the summer months, and about half a million of them fly in each year.
Observe the Nesting Flatback Turtles
From October to February, female flatback turtles make their way to the shore to lay their eggs. After 8 weeks, the hatchlings then scurry their way into the water. While visitors are encouraged to witness this beautiful phenomenon, remember that we should keep our distance to help protect the marine turtles.
Where to Stay in Eighty Mile Beach
You can make a stop at the Eighty Mile Beach Caravan Park. You can choose between two campsites: a grassed, shaded powered site or an unpowered one. A good thing to note is that all sites have fresh water on tap. There are also toilets, rubbish bins, and a ranger on-site, plus a mini-mart for any basic toiletries.
For those who prefer not to camp, the park also has self-contained cabins that can fit groups of two to six. These cabins have air conditioning, fresh linen and towels, and are also equipped with a kitchen.
Whichever accommodations you’re choosing at the park, the best part is definitely that you’re only 50 metres away from the beach!
Broome and Cable Beach: 1-2 Days
Driving Distance: 376km (233.64mi)
Driving Time: About 4hr from Eighty Mile Beach
OK, you probably have heard of Broome and maybe even Cable Beach, often named as one of the most spectacular beaches in all of Australia!
After spending two days in Broome, it was hard not to give it a spot on our list of incredible places to visit on your Perth to Broome itinerary.
Picture this: a 22km (13.67mi) stretch of nothing but white sand. On the edge, the turquoise waves of the Indian Ocean invite you for a dip, and on the edges are sand dunes and ochre red cliffs. Whether you’re lying your towel on the shore, trying out water activities, or hitting the trails, make sure to take your time and savour the experience
Things to do in Broome
Spend the Day at the Beach
The uncrowded pure white sand and turquoise waters will no doubt draw you in. It’s perfect for paddle boarding, surfing–or if you want something a little different, how about an iconic camel ride by the shore?
At low tide, the beach is interspersed with rocks, forming small rock pools frequented by octopus and other sea creatures basking in the warm sunlight.
Walk, Run, or Bike through Minyirr Park Trail
Broome’s coastal reserve, Minyirr Park, lies inland of the beach. The 10.8km (6.71mi) route, lined by interesting back beach shrubbery, follows three colour-coded trails that run through the coastal area, from the bush and the dunes and heading to the sea. It’s a great route for hiking, mountain biking, or running, and especially scenic in the early morning or late afternoon.
Visit the Horizontal Falls
The Horizontal Falls, or “The Horries” as they’re nicknamed, are located in the Lang-garram or Horizontal Falls Marine Park and are a breathtaking sight to see. Visitors can choose to witness them on air or sea: you can either join a scenic flight that gives you an aerial view of the waterfalls or take a day cruise on a fast boat.
Detour to see the Bungle Bungles
Located in Purnululu National Park, the Bungle Bungle range is a visual treat with deep chasms and epic gorges that create a captivating pattern. Over 20 million years of weathering has shaped these sandstone domes, turning them into a visual icon for Western Australia’s Kimberley region. The Bungle Bungles were inscribed as a World Heritage Area in 2003.
Check out the World’s Largest Dinosaur Footprints
The dinosaur footprints at Gantheaume Point in Broome are recognized as the most significant and largest in the world! The tracks stretch for about 80 km along Broome’s sandstone coastline, with potentially over 20 different types of tracks–some of which are about 120 million years old.
Enjoy a Spectacular Sunset
As great as the beach is during the day, it is its sunset that landed it a spot on this Perth to Broome road trip. The sunset here is always amazing.
The crystal clear waters of the Indian Ocean crash onto the rock formations at the shore, reflecting a burst of vibrant orange, red and purple onto the sky.
The view is mesmerizing, interrupted only by a passing train of camels that makes you feel like you are thousands of miles away from reality.
Where To Stay In Broome
If you’ve made it to the end of your Perth to Broome itinerary, you deserve to treat yourself to a few nights at the Mangrove Hotel. They’re known to have Broome’s best view of the Staircase to the Moon, a natural phenomenon that happens on select nights from March to October. But even on any other day, you can still expect stunning views over Roebuck Bay.
The hotel has a variety of accommodation types, all non-smoking and with private bathrooms, cable TV, tea/coffee makers, and free wifi. You’ll also have a choice between 2 restaurants and 2 outdoor swimming pools, plus a fitness centre if you want to squeeze a workout in.
READ NEXT: 9 Unmissable Things To Do In Broome
A Worthwhile Experience
There are lots of great road trips in Australia, however, the Perth to Broome road trip is one of the longest and most demanding. It takes a certain kind of traveller to traverse through remote Western Australia.
The drives from Perth to Broome are long and often completely desolate, the weather is harsh for the majority of the year (the best time to visit is May-July when the heat subsides), and the outback is unforgiving.
However, the sights and experiences awaiting you along the way from Perth to Broome are nothing like what you would see on the East Coast.
What Are Some Of Your Favourite Places In Western Australia?
READ NEXT: Road Trip Essentials: 50 Things To Bring On A Road Trip
I’ve done 4 of 8! If I ever go back I’ll get a 4WD so I can see the Kimberly properly. That’s what I feel like I missed out on!
I thought Shell beach was pretty cool to see. Probably not amazing enough to make a list, but it’s only 1 of 2 beaches in the world made entirely out of shells!
Well you missed several really spectacular sites in WA. But those places probably are better kept as a secret, cause they are too beautiful to let the crowd going there.
Hi there,
Just wondering what month did you go? Planning to go in Dec but then we will miss the whale sharks, if we go in mar / Apr will it be too cold in Perth and Margaret River?
Thank you!
We went in May and it was comfortable. Not too hot but not cold either. March/April wont be cold either. That’s still Summer/Fall in Australia so temperatures shouldn’t drop below 20-25C.
we are planning for visit of Australia. The drives from Perth to Broome are long and often completely desolate, the weather is harsh for the majority of the year (best time to visit is May-July.