3 Week West Coast Australia Itinerary

Day 1-2: Broome

After working a whole season in the Kimberley (Northwest Australia), we started our road trip in Broome at the beginning of October. During our stay there, we visited Gantheaume Point, a special place where you can see, at low tide, the ancient dinosaur footprints in the rocks. You'll also find a beautiful beach there where you can even drive your car onto. The ideal spot to spend a relaxed afternoon and unwind a bit before the road trip begins.

The next day we drove to Coconut Wells, a stunning location about 20 kilometres north of Broome. This spot transforms into a large natural lagoon at high tide and into a series of rock pools at low tide. You can enjoy lovely walks along the water or relax floating on an inflatable ring whilst taking in the peace and the views.

Great places to eat and drink in Broome

• Matso's Brewery
• Cable Beach House
• Mangrove Hotel
• Good Cartel (pick-up)
• Divers Tavern

If you're interested in Broome's fascinating pearling history, a visit to the Broome Historical Museum is well worth your time. You might be surprised by just how closely the Netherlands is connected to the history of Broome and its pearling industry.
Another absolute must is Willie Creek Pearl Farm. You can either drive there yourself in a 4WD or join a tour with transfers from Broome. Enjoy a relaxing cruise through the turquoise waters of Willie Creek and discover how some of the world's finest pearls are cultivated during a live pearl harvesting demonstration.

Day 3: Broome → South Hedland

This day was entirely dedicated to covering distance towards our next destination: Karijini National Park. Because the distance was too great to cover in one day, we chose a stopover in South Hedland. The area here is mainly industrial, so we didn't do much. We had a swim at the campsite and fired up the barbecue in the evening.

Day 4-6: South Hedland → Karijini National Park

Karijini National Park, located in the Pilbara region of Western Australia, is one of the country's most impressive natural parks. The park is renowned for its deep red-coloured gorges, crystal-clear waterholes and waterfalls hidden amongst the rocks. You can hike through ancient ravines here, swim in the refreshing natural pools and enjoy panoramic views across the rugged outback. Karijini is rugged, remote and breathtakingly beautiful. A place where nature remains pure and untouched.

We arrived at the park just before lunchtime and stayed at Dales Campground for our first night. In the afternoon we walked through Dales Gorge, enjoyed the Fortescue Falls and swam in Fern Pool and Circular Pool.

The next day we drove to Karijini Eco Retreat & Savannah Campground, located in the heart of Karijini National Park. This would be our base for the next two nights. We spent the day exploring Hancock Gorge and Weano Gorge, two of the park's absolute highlights. Expect short descents, ladders, creek crossings and scrambling through narrow rock passages. The reward at the end is a refreshing swim in crystal-clear water, something you'll be more than grateful for on a warm day. Every step to get there is absolutely worth it.

After that, we went to see Joffre Falls. The water was still flowing but to a lesser extent. The earlier in the season you are here, the more spectacular it will be!

The following morning, Hamersley Gorge was on the agenda. This was one of our favourites! After a steep walk down, you arrive at a beautiful oasis with small waterfalls where you can swim wonderfully. If you really want an adventure, you follow the water as far as you can until you reach a sort of island. This is about 15 minutes of swimming but you're guaranteed to have the entire place to yourself!

Please note!
You can only reach Hamersley Gorge with a 4-wheel drive!

Check out 'Karijini National Park: Western Australia's most beautiful national park'

Day 12-13: Exmouth → Coral Bay

On to the next oasis! After spending a few wonderful days in Exmouth, it was time for the next paradise; Coral Bay! This charming coastal town sits right on the Ningaloo Reef, one of the few places in the world where the coral reef lies so close to the shore that you can literally snorkel to it from the beach. This town is quite a bit smaller than Exmouth and there are only a handful of cafes, a small supermarket and one petrol station.

We stayed here for two days and during our stay we snorkelled from the beach at Bill's Bay, did a glass-bottom boat tour with Coral Bay Eco Tours and enjoyed the tranquillity at Paradise Beach. During the boat tour, whilst we were sailing, we could see the coral through the glass bottom. You sail a little way from the beach to a section of coral that you can't reach from the shore. Here we did a snorkel and it was incredible what we encountered. From the most colourful fish to turtles and more!

A fun spot for food and drinks in the evening is Bills Bar. At weekends there's often live music and it can easily turn into a proper dance night!

Check out 'Ningaloo Reef: the coral reef close by'

Day 17: Monkey Mia → Kalbarri

Around midday we arrived in Kalbarri. It's a charming coastal town located at the mouth of the Murchison River, about 6 hours' drive north of Perth. It's one of the most popular destinations along Western Australia's coast, and rightly so. The area combines dramatic red cliffs, tropical blue ocean and impressive river gorges in the middle of the desert.

Great places to eat and drink in Kalbarri

• Angie's Café
• Upstairs Restaurant
• Finlay's Kalbarri
• Kalbarri Edge Restaurant

Along the coast you'll find the Kalbarri Coastal Cliffs, a series of lookouts over the ocean where the waves crash against the red-orange rocks. Spots like Red Bluff, Pot Alley and Natural Bridge are all easily accessible with a normal car and show perfectly how rugged and beautiful Western Australia can be.

After we had lunch in the village, we drove on to visit the above spots along the coast. You don't need very much time at each place so it's very easy to do in an afternoon. Pot Alley was our favourite. The water comes into this inlet with brute force and makes it a spectacular experience.

The town itself has a relaxed, typically Australian atmosphere: small cafés, friendly locals and views over the river where pelicans often swim. But the real highlight lies just outside the village, in Kalbarri National Park, where we drove the following morning.

This national park is renowned for its spectacular rock formations and deep gorges carved out by the Murchison River. The most famous spot is without doubt Nature's Window - a natural window in the rock with views over the gorge. The Kalbarri Skywalk, two glass platforms high above the valley, also offers a breathtaking panorama over the rugged landscape. You're best off heading towards the park straight after it opens. This is the coolest time of day and it's still quiet there.

Day 20: Pinnacles Desert → Lancelin → Perth

From Cervantes, we began our final drive towards Perth. However, there was still one stop along the way where we wanted to spend some time, namely the Lancelin Sand Dunes. These are enormous, rolling sand dunes that almost feel as if you're standing in the middle of a desert. The brilliant white sand contrasts sharply with the blue sky and the ocean in the background, which once again makes it one of the most photogenic spots on the west coast of Australia.

The dunes are free to visit and form a true paradise for adventurers and nature lovers alike.

What can you do at the Lancelin Sand Dunes

• Sandboarding - The most popular activity in Lancelin is sandboarding. Hire a sandboard in town, for example from one of the local surf shops or at the Lancelin Sand Dunes Entrance Point, and race down the towering dunes. It's like snowboarding, but on sand! Easy to learn, great fun and suitable for all ages, which is exactly why we decided to give it a go ourselves.

• 4WD & Quad Biking - The Lancelin Sand Dunes are also a popular playground for 4WDs, quad bikes and dirt bikes. You're free to drive here, provided you have the appropriate permit, experience and a suitable vehicle. The terrain can be steep, soft and unpredictable, so it's important to know what you're doing. Don't have your own 4WD? Guided quad bike and buggy tours are a fantastic alternative, offering plenty of adventure without having to drive yourself.

After an hour of sandboarding, energy levels were pretty low, so we continued on towards Perth. From Lancelin it was only another 1.5 hours, and by late afternoon we were driving into the big city - well, it felt like the big city after all those weeks on the road. Of all the cities in Australia, Perth is my personal favourite because it more or less feels like a large town. No crazy crowds, beautifully situated by the sea, and there's plenty to do. We stayed there for another two nights with our campervan, and we chose to do this in Fremantle at Discovery Parks - Coogee Beach. This campsite is a 10-minute drive from the centre of Fremantle and is right on the beach.

Day 21-22: Fremantle

We used our last two days mainly to explore Fremantle. This lively port city is a perfect mix of historic charm and relaxed coastal living. The city breathes character. From the old colonial buildings to the bustling cafés, markets and street musicians that create a cosy, creative vibe.

Fremantle is small enough to explore in one or two days, but rich in atmosphere and attractions. It's therefore a popular first or last stop for travellers beginning or ending their road trip through Western Australia.

• Fremantle Prison - This UNESCO World Heritage site was once a prison built by convicted British colonists in the 19th century. Today you can take fascinating tours, including thrilling torchlight tours in the evening. An absolute must-see for history enthusiasts.

• Cappuccino Strip - Along South Terrace you'll find the famous Cappuccino Strip: a lively street full of cafés, restaurants and bars. Perfect for brunch, dinner or a drink in the evening sun — and the place to people-watch.

• Bathers Beach & Fishing Boat Harbour - Enjoy the sun at Bathers Beach, a small but cosy beach right near the centre. Afterwards, walk towards the Fishing Boat Harbour for fresh fish, an ice cream or a beer at Little Creatures Brewery, one of Fremantle's best-known spots.

• Arts and culture - Fremantle has a vibrant arts scene. Visit the Fremantle Arts Centre, which was once a psychiatric hospital but is now filled with galleries, workshops and live music. The street art in the narrow laneways is also worth discovering.

Eet- en drinkgelegenheden Fremantle

• Little Creatures Brewery
• Moore & Moore Cafe
• Best Wishes Coffee
• Gage Roads Freo Brewery

There are countless cosy cafés and excellent restaurants in Fremantle. Are you looking for something specific? Feel free to get in touch!