Road trip along Australia's West Coast
A road trip along Australia's West Coast is totally different from a journey along the East Coast. Here you won't find busy cities or touristy coastal towns, but vast landscapes, deserted beaches, impressive national parks and thousands of kilometres of pristine nature.
From the white beaches of Esperance and the gorges of Karijini National Park to swimming with whale sharks at Ningaloo Reef and the red rocks around Broome. The West Coast is made for travellers who love freedom, adventure and nature.
Exploring this region by Campervan lets you discover it at your own pace. It's precisely the long distances, quiet roads and spectacular landscapes that make this route one of Australia's most beautiful road trips.
Why the West Coast is so special
The route between Perth and Broome is approximately 2,300 kilometres, but many travellers continue even further towards the Kimberley or Darwin. Along the way, the landscape constantly changes. You drive past rugged cliffs, vast beaches, colourful deserts and tropical coastal areas.
What makes the West Coast so special is the peace and quiet. On some days you'll hardly encounter any traffic for hours on end. That's precisely why every stop feels special and you experience Australia as many people imagine it: vast, unspoilt and pure.
In addition, the West Coast is one of the best places in Australia to spot wildlife. Think dolphins at Monkey Mia, whale sharks at Ningaloo Reef, sea lions, sea turtles, emus and kangaroos.
West Coast Highlights
Along the West Coast lie quite a few special destinations. These are the absolute highlights:
Why a Campervan is the best choice
A road trip along the West Coast is best experienced in a Campervan.
The distances between destinations are large and along the way you regularly come across beautiful spots where you want to stop spontaneously. With a Campervan you decide for yourself where to spend the night and you don't have to arrive at a hotel or accommodation on time every day.
There are fewer hotels and other accommodation options on the West Coast, which means the accommodations that do exist are extra high in cost. As a result, you often pay hundreds of dollars per night for a standard accommodation.
Additionally, along the West Coast you'll find plenty of campsites, holiday parks and various free overnight spots. Precisely because you're combining transport, accommodation and kitchen, a Campervan is often more affordable than many travellers expect.
How much time do i need?
The West Coast requires a bit more time than many people think. The distances are large and there are many beautiful stops along the way.
My advice:
- 2 to 3 weeks Perth to Exmouth with the main highlights such as Kalbarri, Shark Bay and Ningaloo Reef.
- 4 to 5 weeks Perth to Broome, including sufficient time for Karijini National Park and several rest days. With this number of weeks you can also include the south-west coast with highlights such as Margaret River and Esperance.
- 6 weeks or longer The ideal travel time to discover the complete West Coast, The Kimberley and part of The Northern Territory. This way you have sufficient time to include the Gibb River Road and all the highlights along the way. Take Darwin as your end point for a complete road trip along the west coast of Australia.
Best time to visit
The West Coast can be travelled virtually year-round, but the ideal period depends on how far north you venture.
For a road trip from Perth to Broome, April through to October are the best months. During this period, temperatures are pleasant and the dry season in northern Australia has begun.
Travelling solo through Southwest Australia, around Perth, Margaret River and Esperance? Then November through to March are also excellent months. Do bear in mind that in summer, especially inland, it can get very hot.
If you're heading towards Broome or the Kimberley, it's best to avoid the wet season, which runs roughly from December through to March. Heavy rainfall can temporarily close roads and make some national parks less accessible.
Also read
Hire a Campervan in Australia
Travelling around Australia in a Campervan is the freest way to travel and often more affordable than you might think.
Karijini National Park
Ask ten travellers what Australia's most beautiful national park is, and chances are Karijini National Park will come up more than once.
3 Week West Coast Australia Itinerary
Discover the ultimate 3-week road trip along Australia's west coast.
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