Western Australia is one of the best road-trip states in the country, from a quick loop along the coast to a fortnight-long expedition through the Kimberley. Getting out on the road is also one of the best ways to support the regional towns and small businesses that line these routes. So, to help plan your next trip, we've put together our take on the top routes across WA, along with a handful of local businesses worth the detour — everything from a Sunday drive down West Coast Highway to the almighty Gibb River Road.
West Coast Highway
West Coast Highway is a quick, easy road trip — perfect for an hour away from the desk. We recommend starting near Hillarys Boat Harbour and making your way south past Scarborough to City Beach. Our favourite spot is the hill just before Scarborough, looking across to Trigg Point. Supporting local business is easy here, with Yelo, now based at North Beach, and Little Bay at Watermans Bay for a longer lunch.
The Perth Hills
If you have a full day up your sleeve, the Perth Hills offer a road trip through some of the state's best vineyards and local communities, including the Bickley-Carmel Valley and Kalamunda. If you're lucky enough to be a passenger for the day, we recommend a stop at Core Cider House for a cider or two. Wine tours and day trips to the Swan Valley and Perth Hills are our bread and butter — if you're chasing a full itinerary, head to our Ultimate Guide to the Swan Valley Region.
Denmark / Albany
Now we're moving on to the bigger trips, for those with at least a few days up their sleeve. The drive from Denmark to Albany, including the return via Pemberton, offers the best of both worlds — phenomenal coastline plus winding roads lined with tall karri trees. We recommend a stop at the Valley of the Giants Tree Top Walk to get a sense of the scale of these trees, some exceeding 50 metres in height. While you're in Denmark, a visit to Boston Brewing Co supports a local brewery still producing well-regarded ales.
Hopetoun to Esperance
If you've made the trip to Denmark and Albany and have time up your sleeve, we recommend taking it one step further to Hopetoun and Esperance. Along the scenic route past some of the state's whitest beaches, drop in at Fitzgerald River National Park, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Explore a variety of walking trails and keep an eye out for whales breaching in the distance from Point Ann.
Coral Coast Highway
This one, in our opinion, is the best on offer, but it does take a level of dedication and time to complete. The Coral Coast Highway is a 1,250km route that, for the most part, hugs the Indian Ocean coast as it travels from Perth all the way up to Exmouth. We recommend splitting the drive across a few days, stopping in Geraldton and Kalbarri along the way. No-brainer stops on this journey include Ningaloo Reef to swim with the whale sharks, Monkey Mia for a dolphin feeding experience, and humpback whale spotting around the Vlamingh Head Lighthouse in Exmouth.
Quintessential Caves Road
This road trip is a must for a jam-packed weekend down south. Caves Road stretches between two capes — Naturaliste in the north and Leeuwin to the south — and runs through jarrah forest and wine country, all within a couple of kilometres of the coast, making it easy to duck in and out of beaches along the way. Don't miss a long lunch at Voyager Estate or a quick bite at the White Elephant Cafe.
Karijini Round Trip
Tom Price is the closest town to Karijini National Park and is a significant drive from Perth via the Great Northern Highway. Once there, you can use Tom Price as a base to explore some of the world's most incredible natural pools and gorges. Don't miss Dales Gorge for its out-of-this-world views and moonscape-style rock formations, and the Dales Gorge Rim Walk down to the Circular Pool lookout — track conditions in Karijini change often after rain, so check with the visitor centre before you set out. Entry to the national park supports a variety of local communities across the Pilbara.
Gibb River Road
Now we're hitting some pretty serious territory. The Gibb River Road, only accessible by 4WD, is the pinnacle of Western Australian road trips. Situated in the state's far north, it takes a good deal of planning to hit all the spots and experience everything the Kimberley has to offer — allow as much time as you can. Derby will most likely be your first stop after leaving Broome, where you can see the huge boab trees and learn about the area's deep cultural significance to its Traditional Owners. From Derby, the real adventure begins as you head onto the unsealed road, taking in Winjana, Bell and Manning Gorges before circling around to the Bungle Bungles. This one takes planning, but it's highly rewarding.
And there we have it — 8 unmissable road trips across our great state. Getting out on the road is one of the best ways to see some of WA's most phenomenal landscapes, and to support the local businesses that make each of these regions worth the drive.
