Get road-trip ready with our guide to the best road trips that start from Perth.
With so much land to explore in Western Australia, where to visit and how to start planning your epic Western Australia road trip can be daunting.
We’ve searched far and wide to bring you the ultimate road trip guide, with all the best spots to visit and what you need to know if you’re upgrading your car before hitting the open road.
Given current COVID-19 restrictions have put a damper on our future travel plans, we’ve decided it’s time for a good old road trip to cure all those holiday blues, and we’ve got some pretty picture-perfect locations here in WA to travel to.
Get planning now with our road trips and tips guide.
How Far Are You Planning To Travel?
The first part of mapping out your epic road trip? Figure out how far you want to travel.
There are plenty of good options close to Perth if you’re not willing to take on a day-long journey, or you might decide that a big trip is your calling.
If it’s your first road trip in a while and you’re testing the waters with the kids or your car, then going steady and planning a shorter trip might be the way to go. There are heaps of gems just an hour or two out of Perth for a quick weekender or a week-long family getaway where the kids won’t get too antsy on the road.
If you’re a seasoned road-trip professional and taking on the long journey, you’ll need to make sure your car is road-ready and you’ve got a map (GPS is not always your best friend), emergency supplies for breakdowns or flat tyres, and a stock of food, drink and camping gear if you’re taking the week to get there.
Taking the long trip will mean plenty of sightseeing and pitstops on the way, check out the best places to pull up with our Top WA Pitstops On Your Next Road Trip From Perth.
Plan out your route and start prepping your car with our road trip essentials listed below.
Road-Trip Checklist
No matter the length of your trip, there are some ‘can’t forget’ items you’ll have to pack in:
- Bug spray
- Water bottles
- Sunscreen
- GPS and Map
- First aid kit
- A hat
- Snacks (VERY essential)
- Pillows
- Charging cords
- Sanitzer or disinfectant wipes
- Headphones
- Card games
- Book
- Esky/portable fridge or cooler
- Trash bags
- Bathers
Plus the all-important playlist.
We recommend jumping on the So Perth Road Trip Playlist for non-stop classics and wall-to-wall hits.
Is Your Car Road-Trip Ready?
Before you drive off to any of these epic locations, is your vehicle up to the challenge?
If not, upgrading might be your best option – but there are a few things potential buyers need to know as you research the best value car loan options available.
There are currently significant delays on imports in the market, with buyers waiting 6 to 12 months in some cases for their car to arrive. The result of this? Less negotiating power for buyers.
If you’re seeking a second-hand vehicle, there are also other things to consider – will you go private sale vs dealer? Warranty vs no warranty? You’ll have to beware of scams and check the vehicle against PPSR.gov.au. Also, consider this WA Government car buying checklist.
One easy way to avoid the hassle and get a more competitive deal is on vehicle finance by seeking pre-approval for the amount you want to borrow. By getting pre-approved, you enter the negotiation with a set budget in mind, often a lower interest rate, and more bargaining power.
So, Where To?
With options both near and far, here are our top 8 road trip destination picks:
Esperance
7h 40mins
Ah, the dreamy turquoise waters of Esperance are calling our name.
Enjoy some of the whitest beaches you’ve ever seen and plenty of stunning scenery in one of WA’s best outdoor playgrounds with plenty of water activities and good times to be had.
Stop in via Hyden and visit the iconic Wave Rock on your way, or go via Lake Grace and see the salt lakes and giant painted silo art murals. The best time to visit is between the warmer months of September and April.
Coral Bay
11h 36mins
An ocean lovers oasis, Coral Bay is the perfect family vacay with a little bit of something for everyone.
Explore the stunning Ningaloo Reef, get up close and personal with whale sharks, manta rays, or sea turtles, hit the water on a kayak or glass-bottom boat or just simply chill by the ocean.
If you’re more of a land lover you can take a quad trek adventure tour along the beach or take on the Coral Bay Walk Way trail.
Due to the long drive, a stop on the way is recommended – try checking out Geraldton, Northampton or Carnarvon.
Lancelin
1h 30mins
Beautiful beaches and vast, rolling sand dunes – Lancelin is just a short trip north with plenty to do.
It’s the perfect spot for a not-too-far weekend trip, with heaps of activities on offer from sandboarding through the dunes, 4WD tracks, windsurfing at Ledge Point or chilling at the beach.
Park up at Endeavour Tavern at the end of the day and watch the sunset roll in over the ocean with a drink in hand.
Ferguson Valley
1h 54mins
Set among lush rolling hills and green surrounds, Ferguson Valley is just a short drive to total relaxation, good food and good wine.
There are more than a dozen boutique wineries to visit, along with two craft breweries and opportunities for scenic walks and cycles.
Make sure to visit the famous Gnomesville as well, featuring thousands of gnomes from across the world.
Margaret River
3h 2mins
Yes, as much as you’ve heard it before, Margaret River is obviously included in this list- there’s good reason the Perth population flocks here on the regular.
The number one reason? Wine.
Home to some of the best in WA, wine lovers are in for a treat with plenty of gorgeous, world-class wineries to tick off the list. You can dazzle your stay as much or as little as you like with options for camping or luxurious stays, the choice is yours.
Kalbarri
6h 12mins
Kalbarri has it all. Red outback and crystal clear waters combine in a laid-back, small-town that will make you feel a world away from home.
Priority stops on your trip include Nature’s Window, for jaw-dropping views across the Murchison River and the Kalbarri Skywalk, for one of the best experiences in all of WA as you walk out suspended 100m above ground.
There are a number of tour operators you can look at as well if you want the full experience.
Denmark
4h 38mins
Perhaps a more laid-back version of Margaret River, Denmark is an absolute jewel on the WA coastline.
Picture-perfect spots like Elephant Rocks and Greens Pool provide the perfect opportunity for some killer gram shots, and there are a few sweet little wineries scattered about.
Broome + Karijini
22h 38mins
The king of all road trips from Perth, head up to Broome with a stop-in at Karijini and other incredible destinations on the way.
Swim with the dolphins at Monkey Mia, drop in at untouched beaches, explore deserts, coastal roads and stunning gorges – opportunities are endless. If you really want to go offroad, take Gibb River Road – a unique outback 4WD track through the Kimberley’s vast untouched wilderness and ancient gorge country.
For a full, comprehensive itinerary, check out Nomadasaurus’s guide for an epic Perth to Broome road trip.
Now you are ready to hit WA roads – don’t forget to #soperth your adventures.
Feature Image: @rileys_travels
See Also:
- 12 Best Farm Stays Down South
- 10 WA Towns You Probably Haven’t Heard Of That Are Worth Visiting
- Dunsborough: Best Things To See, Do, Eat, Drink & Stay
- The Top WA Pitstops On Your Next Road Trip From Perth
- Pub Horses, Ghost Towns & Gold Rushes: 8 Day Road Trip For A Golden Outback Getaway
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