9 Road Trips from Perth That Prove WA Is Seriously Underrated

We’ve spent years exploring every corner of Western Australia in our bus Bunji, and these 9 routes from Perth showcase the absolute best of the state.

From swimming with whale sharks at Ningaloo Reef to driving on the whitest beach in Australia, these trips cover the iconic bucket-list experiences and the hidden gems most people miss.

1. Perth to Esperance (WA)

Duration: 5-7 days
Best time: October-April
Vehicle: 2WD (4WD recommended for side trips)
Good for: Beach lovers chasing turquoise water, white sand, and swimming with kangaroos on the shore

This is hands down one of the most beautiful coastal drives in Australia. Esperance sits on the edge of the Southern Ocean with beaches so white and water so blue you’ll think someone cranked up the saturation.

The detour to Wave Rock near Hyden adds a proper outback experience to what’s otherwise a coastal trip. We reckon 7 days gives you time to properly explore Cape Le Grand without rushing.

Highlights

• Lucky Bay, where you drive on the whitest sand in Australia and share the beach with sunbathing kangaroos.
• Thistle Cove, a protected swimming spot with clear water perfect for snorkelling and kayaking.
• Frenchman Peak, a 3 kilometre return hike that rewards you with 360-degree views over Cape Le Grand and the Southern Ocean.
• Wave Rock, a 15-metre-high granite formation that looks like a perfect frozen wave just north of Hyden.
• Lake Hillier, the famous bright pink lake you can see on scenic flights from Esperance.
• Twilight Beach, our favourite Esperance town beach for swimming and watching sunset over the granite headlands.

We’ve mapped out the ultimate Perth to Esperance road trip with every beach, lake, and viewpoint you need to hit!

2. Perth to Kalbarri (WA)

Duration: 4-6 days
Best time: July-October
Vehicle: 2WD
Good for: Photographers chasing wildflowers, dramatic gorges, and coastal cliffs without needing a 4WD

Kalbarri packs serious scenery into a relatively short drive north. You’ve got the Pinnacles Desert just a couple of hours from Perth, then Geraldton breaks up the journey.

The national park here is split between inland river gorges and coastal cliffs, both equally stunning. Time it right during wildflower season (August to September) and the whole route explodes with colour.

Highlights

• The Pinnacles, thousands of limestone formations rising out of golden sand in Nambung National Park.
• Kalbarri Skywalk, two cantilevered platforms hanging 100 metres above the Murchison River gorge.
• Nature’s Window, the most photographed rock formation in WA that perfectly frames the river valley below.
• Natural Bridge, a massive sea arch carved into coastal cliffs where waves crash through during high tide.
• Hutt Lagoon, a pink lake so vivid it doesn’t look real, especially from the air.
• Z Bend, a challenging 1.4 kilometre return hike that drops 150 metres into the gorge for swimming in the Murchison River.

Our comprehensive Perth to Kalbarri road trip guide breaks down every stop and side trip along the Coral Coast!

3. Perth to Exmouth (WA)

Duration: 10-14 days
Best time: April-October
Vehicle: 2WD (4WD recommended for side trips)
Good for: Ocean lovers chasing world-class snorkelling, swimming with whale sharks, and remote reef experiences

This is the BIG one. Exmouth sits right on Ningaloo Reef, Australia’s largest fringing reef where you can literally snorkel with whale sharks, manta rays, and turtles straight off the beach.

The drive takes you through some pretty remote country, but that’s part of the appeal. We’ve done this trip 3 times and always find new beaches and snorkelling spots we missed before.

Highlights

• Turquoise Bay drift snorkel, float 200 metres along the reef watching turtles, reef sharks, and tropical fish.
• Swimming with whale sharks, the world’s largest fish gather here between March and July for the coral spawn.
• Coral Bay, walk straight off the beach into incredible snorkelling with manta rays and baby reef sharks.
• Monkey Mia, hand-feed wild dolphins that have been visiting this beach daily for over 50 years.
• Shothole Canyon, a dramatic gorge in Cape Range National Park perfect for sunset photography.
• Muiron Islands, take a day tour to pristine snorkelling spots you can only access by boat.

Check out our detailed Perth to Exmouth road trip itinerary covering every beach and snorkelling spot along the way!

4. Perth to Albany (WA)

Duration: 4-5 days
Best time: October-April
Vehicle: 2WD
Good for: History buffs and coastal scenery lovers who want towering forests, dramatic cliffs, and heritage sites

Albany is WA’s oldest colonial settlement and sits on one of the most beautiful natural harbours you’ll see. The coastline here is rugged and dramatic, completely different from the calm turquoise bays up north.

The inland route through the massive karri forests is worth the detour.

Highlights

• The Gap and Natural Bridge, massive granite cliffs where the Southern Ocean smashes against the rocks 40 metres below.
• Valley of the Giants Tree Top Walk, walk 40 metres above the forest floor through ancient tingle trees near Denmark.
• Greens Pool and Elephant Rocks, sheltered swimming spots with massive granite boulders and crystal-clear water.
• Torndirrup National Park, rugged coastal scenery with blowholes, beaches, and walking tracks along granite headlands.
• National ANZAC Centre, one of Australia’s best war museums built on Mount Clarence overlooking King George Sound.
• Whale watching, southern right whales and humpbacks visit Albany’s coast between June and October.

We’ve put together a complete Perth to Albany road trip guide with all the best stops through the karri forests and coastal towns!

5. Perth to Margaret River (WA)

Duration: 3-4 days
Best time: Year-round
Vehicle: 2WD
Good for: Wine and food lovers chasing premium tastings, surf beaches, and underground cave systems

Just 3 hours south of Perth, Margaret River packs more quality experiences into a small area than anywhere else in WA. We’re talking 120+ wineries, world-class surf breaks, and over 350 limestone caves.

You can literally surf in the morning, hit a wine tasting at lunch, and explore underground caves by afternoon. The region works perfectly as a long weekend escape or week-long indulgence.

Highlights

• Injidup Natural Spa, a rock pool carved by the ocean that fills with warm water at high tide in Yallingup.
• Canal Rocks, dramatic granite formations where the ocean has carved channels through the rock.
• Margaret River wine tours, visit cellar doors at Vasse Felix, Leeuwin Estate, and over 100 other premium wineries.
• Busselton Jetty, walk or ride 1.8 kilometres over the water on the longest timber jetty in the Southern Hemisphere.
• Lake Cave, descend into a stunning underground chamber with a suspended table formation reflecting in still water.
• The Aquarium surf break, watch experienced surfers tackle one of Australia’s best reef breaks from the clifftop lookout.

Our Perth to Margaret River road trip itinerary covers every winery, cave, and swimming spot you need to know about!

6. Perth to Bremer Bay (WA)

Duration: 4-6 days
Best time: October-April
Vehicle: 2WD (4WD recommended for side trips)
Good for: Wildlife enthusiasts chasing orca encounters and travellers wanting pristine beaches without the crowds

Bremer Bay is seriously underrated. Between January and April, this tiny coastal town becomes the orca capital of Australia when pods gather offshore to feed on giant squid.

Even if you miss orca season, the beaches here are some of the most untouched in WA. Fitzgerald River National Park next door offers proper wilderness hiking and coastal scenery without another person in sight.

Highlights

• Orca watching tours, see pods of killer whales hunting giant squid in the Bremer Canyon marine park between January and April.
• Fitzgerald River National Park, 330,000 hectares of untouched wilderness with wildflowers, coastal walks, and remote beaches.
• Point Ann, watch southern right whales with calves from the clifftop boardwalk between July and October near Hopetoun.
• Dempster Head, walk out to rugged granite headlands for panoramic ocean views and whale watching during migration season.
• Bremer Bay beaches, empty white sand beaches with turquoise water perfect for swimming, fishing, and beachcombing.

For the full route breakdown, read our Perth to Bremer Bay road trip guide with all the best detours and hidden spots!

7. South West Road Trip (WA)

Duration: 7-10 days
Best time: October-April
Vehicle: 2WD
Good for: First-timers wanting to tick off all the South West highlights in one epic loop

This loop combines Margaret River wine country, towering karri forests in Pemberton, the dramatic Albany coastline, and the sheltered beaches around Denmark into one cracking trip.

It’s the perfect introduction to the South West if you’ve got a week to spare. You’ll cover the region’s biggest drawcards without backtracking, finishing the loop back in Perth.

Highlights

• Gloucester Tree climb, ascend 53 metres up a fire lookout tree using metal spikes hammered into the trunk in Pemberton.
• Dunsborough beaches, calm swimming spots like Meelup Beach and Eagle Bay perfect for families and snorkelling.
• Beedelup Falls, walk across a suspension bridge over a karri forest waterfall between Pemberton and Northcliffe.
• William Bay National Park, sheltered swimming coves with massive granite boulders between Denmark and Albany.
• Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse, stand at the point where the Indian and Southern Oceans meet near Augusta.
• Dwellingup forest trails, explore jarrah forests, heritage railways, and mountain bike tracks on the way back to Perth.

We’ve planned out the perfect 7-day South West road trip itinerary covering every forest, beach, and winery along the loop!

8. Perth to Jurien Bay (WA)

Duration: 2-3 days
Best time: Year-round
Vehicle: 2WD
Good for: Weekend warriors wanting a quick coastal escape with unique landscapes and wildlife encounters

Jurien Bay is dead easy to reach from Perth and packs heaps into a short trip. The Pinnacles are the main drawcard, but the town itself offers excellent fishing, sea lion tours, and proper beach time.

This works brilliantly as a long weekend getaway or as the first leg of a longer trip up the Coral Coast. We reckon 3 days gives you enough time to properly explore without rushing.

Highlights

• The Pinnacles Desert, drive through thousands of limestone pillars rising from yellow sand in Nambung National Park.
• Sea lion tours, swim and snorkel with playful Australian sea lions in their natural habitat around the offshore islands.
• Hangover Bay, a sheltered swimming beach with crystal-clear water perfect for families and snorkelling.
• Lesueur National Park, explore wildflower trails and kwongan heathland with over 900 plant species just inland from the coast.
• Cervantes, stop in this tiny fishing village for fresh lobster and the famous Lobster Shack tours.

9. Perth to Shark Bay (WA)

Duration: 6-8 days
Best time: April-October
Vehicle: 2WD (4WD recommended for side trips)
Good for: Nature lovers chasing unique wildlife encounters and World Heritage natural wonders

Shark Bay is one of only a handful of places worldwide that meets all 4 natural World Heritage criteria. The marine life here is insane, from dugongs and dolphins to manta rays and turtles.

The landscapes are equally wild. Shell Beach is literally made of billions of tiny white shells, while Hamelin Pool has living stromatolites that are 3,000 years old. This trip takes you through some remote country, but that’s exactly why it’s so special.

Highlights

• Monkey Mia dolphins, interact with wild dolphins that visit the beach daily for feeding sessions in waist-deep water.
• Shell Beach, walk on a beach made entirely of tiny white shells piled 10 metres deep along 70 kilometres of coastline.
• Hamelin Pool stromatolites, see Earth’s oldest living fossils, marine structures built by cyanobacteria over thousands of years.
• François Peron National Park, explore red sand dunes, turquoise bays, and hot artesian pools at the tip of the peninsula (4WD only).
• Eagle Bluff, spot sharks, rays, turtles, and dugongs from clifftop lookouts over crystal-clear turquoise water.
• Little Lagoon, snorkel in calm, shallow water teeming with tropical fish just metres from the Denham foreshore.