I’ve mentioned it earlier than and I’ll say it once more, the West Coast of Australia is my FAVOURITE a part of the nation to highway journey and that’s a reality!

There’s simply one thing concerning the grandeur of all of it, the vastness, the vacancy, the enormity… and the shortage of people who instantly grabbed my coronary heart and wouldn’t let it go!

No shock then that after I lastly clambered out of the Landrover and determined to remain put for just a few months it was on Australia’s west coast too!

So after spending nearly a yr residing, working, travelling and exploring this state, right here’s my full rundown of the ULTIMATE West Coast Australia highway journey to finish all highway journeys!

FYI: I’ve break up this put up into 5 sections – every taking in a special a part of the state:

Week 1: Kununurra to Broome

Week 2 & 3: Broome to Perth

Week 4: The South West

Week 5: Albany, Esperance and Wave Rock

This manner you may simply combine and match your itinerary, so simply bounce to the related part and begin your planning now!

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Week 1: Kununurra to Broome

Day 1: Lake Argyle

Start your West Coast Australia highway journey within the northern frontier of the state – Lake Argyle.

Fairly the engineering feat, this flooded valley, which vastly helped to help agriculture within the space, is significantly spectacular and stretches for miles.

Seize your snaps after which head again to arrange camp and chill on the Lake Argyle Resort & Caravan Park.

This award-winning caravan park (and its infinity pool) is superior!

Day 2: Kununurra

From Lake Argyle, your first cease ought to actually be the city of Kununurra!

There’s hundreds to do round this cute little hamlet and you would simply preserve extending your keep for plenty of days.

For some concepts about what to do, try my put up concerning the best free things to do in Kununurra … oh and one other tip, be sure to keep on the Discovery Parks – Lake Kununurra, the sunsets and sunrises listed below are to die for!

From Kununurra the highway splits, supplying you with 2 choices on your West Coast Australia highway journey!

For these with 4WD, why not try the well-known Gibb River Highway?

For individuals who need to take the 2wd Nice Northern Freeway choice, there’s lots alongside right here to see as properly.

And for many who need the perfect of each worlds (like I did) choose and select between the two!

2wd Route Day 3-4-5: Nice Northern Freeway

From Kununurra, head north in the direction of El Questro and spend 2 nights there, exploring the superb Zebedee Sizzling Springs, Emma Gorge and extra.

Take a facet journey to Wyndham to see the Fiver Rivers Lookout earlier than heading onto to take a hike and a dip at Bells Gorge after which spending the night time close to right here.

four wheel drive Route Day 3-4-5: Gibb River Highway

From Kununurra, make your method into Purnululu National Park.

Completely spellbinding, you’ll want 2 nights right here to actually recognize the spectacle of the enormous beehive-like rock formations and the park’s different sights together with Cathedral Gorge and Echidna Chasm.

Do beware the journey into the park is ROUGH nonetheless and a four wheel drive is crucial… it’ll additionally take you ages!

If you wish to cheat, and splurge, then why not contemplate a scenic flight over the Bungle Bungle Vary!

After this, make your method west stopping 1 night time at Fitzroy Crossing on the best way – we thought it a lot nicer than Halls Creek and there was customer centre there.

Subsequent, pop into Tunnel Creek in your strategy to see…

Day 6: Windjana Gorge

Each the Gibb River Highway and the Nice Northern Freeway basically be a part of at Windjana Gorge, so this can be a cease value making whatever the West Coast Australia highway journey route you’re taking.

Make sure to stroll into the gorge and don’t miss the day by day croc show!

You’ll be able to camp right here and there are showers as properly – hoorah!

Day 7: Derby

The ultimate cease earlier than Broome, Derby is an fascinating little city value exploring.

The principle sights embody the very best tides in Australia, which may seen from the Wharf, and the Boab Jail Tree believed to be about 1500 years outdated.

Cease right here and spend the night time, or glimpse it in a day earlier than motoring on to Broome.

Week 2 & 3: Broome to Perth

Day 1-3: Broome

Put together for some intakes of breath as Broome’s spectacular panorama has you operating on your digicam!

Sure this city located on the high of Western Australia is not any much less gorgeous than you’ll anticipate, and an absolute should in your West Coast Australia highway journey.

Everyone loves Broome and it’s simple to see why with Cable Seaside Sunsets, Gantheaume Level views and a wealthy cultural heritage evident all through the city.

Take a look at my favorite free things to do in Broome, in addition to my information to the perfect Broome Caravan Parks and permit your self not less than 3 days to discover all this magnificent vacation spot has to supply.

In any other case, should you fancy a splurge, this helicopter flight and Willie Creek Pearl Farm tour could possibly be simply the ticket!

Day 4: Eighty Mile Seaside

Eighty Mile Seaside is actually value a cease as you start your journey south.

The colors of the coast right here, as they unfold earlier than you, are unbelievable and the sensible Eighty Mile Seaside caravan park sits proper on high of them.

Day 5: Port Hedland

Not probably the most picturesque of locations, it must be mentioned, the mining city of Port Hedland is, nonetheless, an incredible in a single day cease if you wish to seize an honest espresso and replenish provides.

It’s additionally place to spend the night time earlier than you head to Karijini Nationwide Park.

I extremely suggest the Discovery Park – Port Hedland caravan park on the town, which is located proper above the attractive seashore of Fairly Pool that has stellar sundown views.

On the town itself, there’s a great deal of FREE issues to see (try my full listing here), together with the snow mountain – Rio Tinto’s large big salt piles – the unending iron ore trains or the insanely big ship-loading facility.

Day 6-7: Karijini Nationwide Park

20 billion years within the making, the traditional wilderness of Karijini Nationwide Park is unquestionably value a 2 night time stopover in your West Coast Australia highway journey.

Set within the distant Pilbara area, Karijini showcases some gorgeous landscapes with unimaginable gorges, waterfalls, swimming holes and lookouts you may discover on foot and by car.

Accessible even by 2wd automobiles, there’s primary nationwide park tenting out there, or improve and revel in a spot of glamping on the Karijini EcoRetreat.

The Spider Stroll is probably the most epic attraction for the intrepid explorers amongst you and it’s onerous to beat Fortescue Falls for a pleasant dip.

The park is break up into 2 sections and each are value exploring, so do give your self loads of time.

READ MORE: The Ultimate Guide to Karijni National Park

Day 8-9: Ningaloo Reef

At the moment’s the day to go to the superb Ningaloo Reef.

Select to both base your self at Exmouth – the principle city within the area and finest for diving – or at Coral Bay – a a lot smaller settlement nice for snorkelling with Mantra Rays.

Get right here and ebook your tour for the subsequent day – in any case, you may’t come to this unimaginable UNESCO World Heritage Web site and never get out on the water to discover it.

For these selecting Coral Bay as a cease, you can too hit the seashore to take a look at the shark nursery.

There’s 3 caravan parks on the town, however I feel Bayview was the perfect.

For these, choosing Exmouth, spend the night time at Potshot Hotel Resort the place you may camp, seize a dorm mattress for the night time, or splash out on an residence.

Then head to the Vlamignh Head Lighthouse close to Exmouth for gorgeous views over the reef, particularly at sundown.

When you’ve got time, then you definately undoubtedly need to try Cape Vary Nationwide Park too.

This gorgeous reserve protects each the reef and an on land space, the place emus, echidnas and roos roam freely. Highlights embody Yardie Creek and Turquoise Bay – the colors of which actually must be seen to be believed!

You’ll be able to camp cheaply in Cape Nationwide Vary Nationwide Park too.

Day 10: Carnarvon

Subsequent in your West Coast Australia highway journey, it’s time to go onto the nation city of Carnarvon – the contemporary produce capital of Western Australia.

Right here, the One Mile Jetty, the Fascine and the Heritage Precinct Museums are all value exploring (free to enter or by gold coin donation).

Drive Carnarvon’s fruit loop, stopping at farm outlets to purchase some scrumptious native produce, earlier than heading out to see the superb Blowholes at Quobba Level!

Then both camp cheaply out right here or head again into city and keep on the superior Wintersun Caravan Park.

READ MORE: 10 Best Things to Do in Carnarvon, WA

Day 11: Shark Bay

Proceed south from Carnarvon to the UNESCO World Heritage Space of Shark Bay.

That is actually the place the Outback meets the ocean, so be ready for some attractive views of crimson grime hitting white sand and the turquoise Indian Ocean past.

There’s tons of unimaginable free things to do in Shark Bay – from Stromatolite boardwalks to dugong recognizing and even soaking in an artesian water sizzling tub.

Most of those are located alongside the World Heritage Drive, which takes you up the Peninsula to the principle city of Denham – an incredible place to take pleasure in a picnic lunch on the foreshore.

Then proceed onto Monkey Mia and camp on the RAC Monkey Mia Dolphin resort.

Day 12: Kalbarri Nationwide Park

Kalbarri Nationwide Park is one other particular spotlight in your West Coast Australia Highway Journey.

From gorgeous gorges to sensational lookouts, don’t neglect the digicam on the subject of exploring considered one of Australia’s best national parks.

Highlights embody Nature’s Window and the Z-Bend.

There’s no tenting inside Kalbarri Nationwide Park, so return to the close by city to spend the night time on the YHA Backpackers, stopping on the Meanarra Hill Lookout on the best way.

End with a pleasant swim at considered one of Geraldton’s nice seashores or watch the windsurfers and kitesurfers ripping it up at Level Moore and Coronation Seaside.

READ MORE: The Ultimate Guide to Kalbarri National Park

TOP TIP: Purchase a WA Parks Pass earlier than your highway journey and save on a ton on Nationwide Park entrance charges.

Day 13: Geraldton

From Kalbarri, motor on to Port Gregory to take a look at the Hutt Lagoon, in any other case often called the Pink Lake.

This bubblegum-coloured physique of water actually must be seen to be believed and provides you with among the finest photographs of your West Coast Australia highway journey!

Then it’s time to drive onto Geraldton.

I beloved this cute little city, which has some tremendous quirky cafes (Quiet Life was my favorite), nice road artwork, historic buildings and a beautiful Esplanade to discover.

There’s additionally the HMAS Sydney II Memorial and the sensible Museum of Geraldton (each free to enter) that are undoubtedly value testing.

Deal with your self to an evening at Ocean West Apartments (nonetheless reasonably priced, however good if you wish to have a correct mattress, kitchen and a swim within the pool) or camp very cheaply at Ellendale Pool.

LEARN MORE: 10 Reasons I Fell in Love with Geraldton

Day 14: Perth

Leaving Geraldton, it’s all concerning the Indian Drive, which takes you south in the direction of Jurien Bay, snapping the superior Leaning Bushes at Greenough as you go.

Through the months of July to October, there are spectacular wildflowers to be discovered right here too, so head to Lesueur Nationwide Park to see the perfect shows.

In any other case, make a beeline for Nambung Nationwide Park, in any other case often called The Pinnacles.

These loopy trying desert towers make for an superior tour and are finest captured at sundown, when the colors of the golden sand actually spring to life.

Then head onto Perth to finish one other part of your West Coast Australia highway journey!

READ MORE: 10 Day Trips From Perth You Can’t Miss

Week 4: The South West

Day 1-3: Fremantle

Have a simple day’s journey from Perth on the primary day by simply hopping, skipping and leaping throughout the river to the historic port metropolis of Fremantle – a former industrial hub, now progressive, hipster, inventive mecca!

From cafes to classic outlets, markets to heritage buildings, there’s tons you may fill a day or 3 with right here!

Why not try the Fremantle Jail, the WA Maritime Museum or Little Creatures Brewery for a begin.

Or else pop over to Rottnest Island to hire a motorcycle for the day and meet the Quokkas!

Discover out why I feel at the present time journey is properly well worth the splurge here.

Ferries with Rottnest Express go away from proper close to the centre of Fremantle and take solely 45 minutes to cross.

Both method, finish your day in Fremantle on the fantastic Old Fire Station Backpacker Hostel – it’s like a house away from dwelling that places a cool spin on a ravishing heritage constructing within the true Freo method.

READ MORE: 18 Hidden Things to do in Fremantle the Locals Love

Day 4: Busselton

After Freo (because the locals like to name it!) cease in at Dunsborough, a cute little coastal city the place you may seize an incredible espresso and breakfast to set you up for the day.

The top onto Busselton to snap and stroll the extremely picturesque 148 yr outdated jetty – I feel it must be one of many prettiest in the entire of Australia.

This attractive seaside resort additionally boasts a number of pretty cafes and its protected swimming seashore, set inside Geographe Bay, is the proper place to unwind.

Take a look at the RAC Busselton Holiday Park for an incredible worth choice lodging choices right here.

Day 5-6: Margaret River

After Busselton, the forested magnificence begins as you make your method in the direction of Margaret River.

The seashore at Prevelly is a beautiful spot to loosen up, as is Gracetown, Sugarloaf Rock, Canal Rocks and Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse.

And you may’t come to Margaret River and never savour among the scrumptious native produce, wine and treats which might be grown and developed on this wealthy space.

From open cellar doorways to farmers’ markets, it’s all right here for the tasting and a drive alongside Caves Highway provides you with extra choices than you may ever hope to suit into your time.

And should you’re nonetheless searching for issues to do, then there’s loads of caves to discover, trails to hike, lanes to drive and tracks to cycle too!

Afterwards, transfer south and take a look at Augusta.

The underside of the peninsula, this spot provides you with an incredible likelihood to snap the tallest lighthouse in Australia and even spot whales between the months of June – September.

Alongside the best way, you may’t miss Hamelin Bay the place large rays may be seen proper from the shoreline!

From there head to Conto’s Campground inside Leeuwin-Naturaliste Nationwide Park to spend the night time near the shoreline, or else head into the city of Margaret River itself the place Margaret River Lodge is a superb funds choice.

READ MORE: How to Visit Margaret River on a Budget

Day 7: Pemberton

It’s time to start out leaving the shoreline and heading inland once more in your West Coast Australia highway journey in the direction of Pemberton.

And should you’re into large bushes, then the Gloucester Tree simply outdoors of this city takes some beating.

Set within the coronary heart of Karri Tree nation, that is the world’s tallest fireplace lookout tree, which you’ll be able to climb to take pleasure in views above the cover… should you’ve bought the nerves for it!

After a giant day, ending up on the Pemberton Best Western is the proper place to unwind.

Week 5: Albany, Wave Rock & Esperance

Day 1-2: Albany

After your enjoyable day in Pemberton, it’s actually time to get on with some critical driving and the stretch all the way down to Albany is a critical one.

On the best way, the Walpole-Nornalup Nationwide Park is the guts of the Tingle Tree nation.

These towering giants rise 40m above the forest ground and may be loved by way of some pleasant free strolling trails by way of the forest.

After that, heading to William Bay Nationwide Park is a should.

Right here the superb Elephant Rocks and Greens Swimming pools are the proper place to whereas away a day and revel in a swim, earlier than skipping as much as the lovable city of Denmark.

As soon as in Albany, Torndirrup is one other gorgeous nationwide park it’s essential go to.

The Hole and the Pure Bridge listed below are fairly exceptional and provides you with a direct perception into the pressure of the nice Southern Ocean which roars round you.

After this, a drive to close the Previous Whaling Station provides sensational views as properly or, again on the town, the Nationwide ANZAC Centre is properly value a visit too.

End your time by watching the sundown from West Cape Howe Nationwide Park, the place you can too camp proper on the seashore – bliss!

Day 3-4: Wave Rock

From Albany, head as much as Porongurup Nationwide Park – one of many oldest ranges on the planet.

It’s properly value climbing the granite skywalk right here to benefit from the gorgeous views it provides.

From there it’s time to hit the fuel and make all of it the best way to Hyden, the house of the well-known Wave Rock, which you’ll be able to discover and snap the next day at your leisure.

Day 5-7: Esperance

The ultimate days of your West Coast Australia highway journey, can hardly be higher spent than at one of many state’s most lovely stretches of shoreline.

With its resident kangaroos that like to lounge on the seashores right here, by way of to loads of fishing, browsing and crusing on provide, this can be a mecca for water lovers all over the place.

There’s additionally the superb Cape Le Grand Nationwide Park to discover with its gorgeous sand dunes, or why not benefit from the Nice Ocean Drive which provides superb views of the coast right here, together with the Pink Lake!

5 Key Packing Gadgets for Western Australia

#1 Good Digital camera – You may be just about snapping continuous in Australia and can want digicam to do that attractive nation justice. I extremely suggest the Sony A6000, which I exploit for all my travels and love, not least as a result of it’s mild, compact and strong!

#2 Good Strolling Sneakers – There might be a number of strolling in Australia – from cities to nationwide park! Be certain that your toes are comfy subsequently with a pair of New Balance Trainers. Excellent for trendy strollling, I like mine

#3 Good Guidebook – I’m nonetheless a large fan of the Lonely Planet Guidebooks and do suppose their Australia edition is properly put collectively

#4 Good Water Bottle – Travelling in sizzling outdated Australia may be thirsty work, so be sure to have a metal water bottle that you would be able to refill as you go, as a result of faucet water is drinkable… and free!

#5 Good Solar Hat – And there’s no denying you’ll want solar hat for defense in Australia too. For my part, you may’t go previous this Hello Sunshine one, which is each attractive and splendid for retaining the rays off your face.

Journey Insurance coverage for Western Australia

World Nomads gives easy and versatile journey insurance coverage. Purchase at dwelling or whereas travelling and declare on-line from wherever on the planet.

Alternatively, should you’re a long-term traveller, digital nomad or frequent distant employee searching for journey well being cowl, try Safetywing’s Nomad Insurance policies.

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So there you might have it, my ULTIMATE West Coast Australia highway journey.

Have I impressed you to get away from the east coast but?!

Do let me know within the feedback field under…