There’s never been a better time to explore the South West of Western Australia. From pristine beaches and towering forests to incredible wineries and farm-to-table dining, the stretch of road connecting Denmark, Albany, and Esperance is packed with unforgettable experiences. Whether you’re planning a long weekend escape or a full road trip adventure, this guide will help you map out some of the best stops along WA’s stunning south coast.
Denmark
Starting off strong, Denmark combines a charming small-town atmosphere with spectacular coastline, excellent coffee, and iconic attractions like the Valley of the Giants Tree Top Walk. Often considered a quieter alternative to Margaret River, Denmark offers a relaxed pace with plenty to see and do for couples, families, and groups alike.
Things to do and see in Denmark
Wineries
Still boasting some seriously good wineries, the climate in Denmark makes for a selection of premium vineyards. We recommend dedicating a day to visiting a few, uncovering how their wines are harvested and bottled. For those who need a quick list – Harewood Estate, Moombaki, Rockcliffe and Singlefile Wines will produce the goods for your day and are located relatively close together.
Beaches
Only a 15 minute, hop, skip and jump out of town you’ll land yourself in the William Bay National Park. The highlight of this park is Greens Pool and is sheltered from the natural elements almost all year round and provides a pristine and calm environment to spend the day! Further up the road will take you to Elephant Rocks which brings to the party huge natural boulders that, from certain angles, resemble a herd of elephants standing in the water. Finally, for those with kiddos, Peaceful Bay might be your best bet with open sand, quiet bays with shallow entry points and not too much wind!
Valley of the Giants
A quick 45-minute drive down the highway will transport you to the Valley of the Giants Tree Top Walk. You’ll traverse 40 metres up before taking a stroll along the canopy linings of some of the states biggest trees! This has been designed with sustainability in mind where no local flora or fauna is impacted. Once you’ve purchased your ticket, you can complete the 600m loop as many times as you like on that day! Some people opt to have lunch before doing the track in reverse! We just ask that you take into consideration the limits on each platform and respect the signs. Booking ahead during school holidays and long weekends is highly recommended.
Denmark Animal Farm & Pentland Alpacas
Animal lovers should make time for Denmark Animal Farm & Pentland Alpacas, where visitors can feed alpacas and meet a variety of friendly farm animals. It’s a fantastic stop for families and remains one of the region’s most popular attractions. Opening hours can vary seasonally, so checking ahead before visiting is recommended.
Albany
Once you’ve explored Denmark, the next logical stop is Albany, located around 45 minutes away. Albany is packed with scenic hikes, rugged coastline, rich history, and fantastic local food experiences.
Things to do and see in Albany
Bluff Knoll
If you are all about hiking, Bluff Knoll is one of the highest and most iconic peaks in Western Australia and offers some pretty spectacular views of the Stirling Ranges. The walk will be approximately 6km return but averages a 20% gradient so it can be pretty challenging at points. It’s not a simple stroll that also requires those to come prepared for any change in weather. Sometimes it’s raining and high fog one minute, followed by sun an hour later. So, we really recommend coming prepared. Along the way, you’ll be able to see a variety of Western Australian wildlife and wildflowers. Sunrise hikes have become especially popular here, particularly during the cooler months.
Whale Watching
From May to October each year, Albany plays host to the great whale migration of the southwest and features the famous humpback whale. With King George South also providing calm waters for newborns, this area is the perfect location to witness these phenomenal mammals play and interact in their natural habitat. There is a heap of tour companies offering day trips or there are a variety of vantage points to potentially see them on the horizon from land. If you’re visiting outside whale season, the coastline is still worth exploring for its dramatic cliffs and ocean views
National ANZAC Centre
If you are in town exploring the high street, the National ANZAC Centre is worth a drop in to experience your hit of history. Featuring heaps of artifacts from WW1, immerse yourself in the lives of past soldiers using interactive exhibits. Each visitor will take on the persona and identity of 1 of 32 soldiers who will virtually accompany you through the exhibition!
Albany Farmers Market
If you can time your run right, the Albany Farmers Market is held each weekend on Saturday from 8 am to midday and is a great start to the weekend with fresh coffee, artisan stores, food trucks and a copious amount of fresh produce. Run by locals, use this as an opportunity to get to know a few and find out what it’s really like to live in the Albany region!
Esperance
From Albany, the next stop is Esperance which is a little bit of a drive coming in at just over 5 hours. We would recommend a quick pit stop at Bremer Bay for a dip and a breather to break up the drive. Here, you’ll be graced with potentially the best coastline in the country!
Cape Le Grand National Park & Lucky Bay
Boasting white sand that is so white it literally shimmers in the sun – Lucky Bay is located smack bang in the middle of Cape Le Grand National Park. Surrounded by granite limestone, blinding white sand – this stretch of beach is home to a resident population of kangaroo. Theys are known for relaxing on the beach, making Lucky Bay one of WA’s most iconic photo spots..
Hellfire Bay
Just a little longer along the coast – Hellfire Bay is yet another gobsmackingly beautiful stretch of white sand and is the perfect lunch spot with BBQ facilities. There is something super rugged about this stretch of beach and our hot tip is just to watch for the wind. Although it can add to the wild feeling, sometimes it can get a bit too much to handle.
Frenchmans Peak
Although this one is only a 262-metre peak, it offers 360-degree views of the flat plains of Esperance. The top requires a bit of scaling with some loose rocks but other than that – most visitors will be able to hit the summit with ease!
Great Ocean Drive
Voted consistently in the list of the best scenic drives in the world – the Esperance Great Ocean Drive is highly recommended while in town. Only a short 1-hour drive will take you along some of the best lookouts, vistas, coastlines and white sand that you’ll likely see in all of Western Australia.
If you are also looking for some other road trips around our amazing state including the far north, check out our guide to 8 unmissable road trips in WA.
That’s a wrap on some of the South West’s best road trip destinations. Use this guide to help plan your next adventure through Denmark, Albany, and Esperance. If you’re travelling with a larger group and need transport along the way, our team can help organise a customised itinerary and comfortable group transport to suit your plans.



















