Western Australia

Road trip along Australia's West Coast

A road trip along Australia's West Coast is nothing like a trip along the East Coast. You won't find busy cities or touristy beach towns here. Instead you get vast landscapes, empty beaches, impressive national parks and thousands of kilometers of untouched 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 travelers who love freedom, adventure and nature.

In a campervan you can explore this region at your own pace. It's the long distances, quiet roads and spectacular landscapes that make this one of the most beautiful road trips in Australia.

Why the West Coast is so special

The route between Perth and Broome is about 2,300 kilometers, but many travelers keep going toward the Kimberley or Darwin. The landscape keeps changing along the way. You drive past rugged cliffs, wide beaches, colorful deserts and tropical coastline.

What makes the West Coast so special is the peace and quiet. Some days you'll barely see another car for hours. That's exactly why every stop feels special, and why you get to experience Australia the way many people picture it: vast, unspoiled and raw.

The West Coast is also one of the best places in Australia to see wildlife. Think dolphins at Monkey Mia, whale sharks at Ningaloo Reef, sea lions, sea turtles, emus and kangaroos.

West Coast highlights.

There are quite a few special places along the West Coast. These are the absolute highlights:

Karijini National Park

Margaret River

Ningaloo Reef

Why a campervan is the best choice

A road trip along the West Coast is best done in a campervan.

The distances between places are long, and you'll often pass beautiful spots where you just want to pull over. In a campervan you decide where to spend the night, and you don't have to make it to a hotel on time every day.

There are fewer hotels and other places to stay on the West Coast, so the ones that exist are extra expensive. You often pay hundreds of dollars a night for a basic room.

On top of that, you'll find plenty of campgrounds, holiday parks and all kinds of free overnight spots along the West Coast. Because your transportation, accommodation and kitchen are all in one, a campervan is often more affordable than many travelers expect.

How much time do I need?

The West Coast takes a bit more time than many people think. The distances are long and there are lots of 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, with enough time for Karijini National Park and a few rest days. With this much time you can also add the southwest coast, with highlights like Margaret River and Esperance.
6 weeks or longer: The ideal amount of time to explore the whole West Coast, the Kimberley and part of the Northern Territory. That gives you enough time for the Gibb River Road and all the highlights along the way. Finish in Darwin for a complete road trip along Australia's west coast.

Best time to visit

You can travel the West Coast almost all year round, but the best time depends on how far north you go.

For a road trip from Perth to Broome, April through October are the best months. Temperatures are pleasant then, and the dry season in northern Australia has started.

Only traveling through the Southwest, around Perth, Margaret River and Esperance? Then November through March are great months too. Keep in mind that it can get very hot in summer, especially inland.

If you're heading to Broome or the Kimberley, it's best to avoid the wet season, which runs roughly from December through March. Heavy rain can close roads for a while and make some national parks harder to reach.

Ready for your road trip?

Ask for a campervan deal, no strings attached. You'll hear back within 24 hours, and the advice is always free.

Book a campervan Send a WhatsApp