Road trips are the epitome of intrepid travel and a great way to see a lot of a large area. There are a lot of classic road trips in the world but a road trip in Western Australia is definitely a great way to see a good chunk of the biggest state in Australia. I recently took a road trip in Western Australia and it certainly ranks up as one of my all time favorites-and I’ve done quite a few!
My road trip in Western Australia started and ended in the capital and biggest city in Western Australia, Perth. Perth has a lot of things to do but it is definitely worth it to see the rest of the state. Here are 4 places to visit on a road trip in Western Australia. My first stop from Perth was to visit a remote outpost town called Hyden.
Hyden
Hyden is literally a desert outpost town on the side of the road about 3-4 hours from Perth. The majority of visitors go to Hyden for one reason and one reason only: to see Wave Rock. I was no exception.
I must admit I didn’t have many expectations, as it has been my experience that often these types of things can be overrated and underwhelming. However, I was very pleasantly surprised how much I enjoyed my 2 days in Hyden and Wave Rock.
I stayed at the Wave Rock Motel; which is basically the center of life in Hyden with the best restaurant, bar and even a pool. The pool is very welcome because trust me-it’s hot! It’s a few miles to Wave Rock.
As you can see, Wave Rock is a big rock that is formed like a wave. It is actually 15 meters high by 110 meters long-that’s pretty big. It is even cooler to see in person, especially if you’re fortunate to have it all to yourself.
Esperance
Esperance is the jewel in the Western Australia crown. The beachside town is surrounded by six of Western Australia’s national parks including the stunning Cape Le Grand National Park.
The views as you drive through the park are breathtaking and there are several great spots to take pictures and hike around to get that perfect shot. Give yourself a few hours at least in the park, as you’ll be stopping and getting out of the car a lot. Also bring a bathing suit because the beaches and water are spectacular.
The town of Esperance itself is not a bad place to be for a few nights. I stayed at the Captain Huon Motel; which was a good base to check everything out. However, for me the highlight was the Great Ocean Drive…not to be confused with the Great Ocean Road outside of Melbourne, Victoria.
The 30-mile or so round trip takes you past unreal viewpoints of untrodden beaches and landscapes. You will want to stop the car constantly to get out and hike down to the beaches or up to viewpoints.
Again, make sure you have a bathing suit with you because you wouldn’t be human if you didn’t jump in at least one of the amazing beaches dotting the coast around Esperance. Esperance is fantastic and is the one singular must visit for a road trip in Western Australia in my view. Trust me, you’ll thank me later!
Albany
Albany is a cute little town that is a good stopover for a night. In town, you must check out the legend of Dog Rock. It is a little cheesy for sure, but it’s also kind of cool and worth a photo.
There is a boat called the Amity in town that most tourists visit but it’s just a big ship; the main draw in Albany is Torndirrup National Park.
Diving through the park is pretty cool and there are some awesome viewpoints of cool landscapes but the coolest things are the Gap and the natural bridge. They are definitely worth checking out.
Margaret River
Margaret River is a big region in Western Australia. There is also a small town called Margaret River but aside from a good place to book excursions, there’s not much to keep you there long. But 100% visit the region.
Yallingup was probably my favorite area in Margaret River because of the great beaches. The windy white sand beaches are incredible to look at and well worth a few days in and of themselves.
Margaret River is also famous for its wine region. I spent some time visiting the highly recommended Vasse Felix winery. Great tasting wines and killer views equal a good time.
As you drive up north back to Perth, it’s also worth a stop off in Bussleton to check out the beach and get a sky view from the lookout tower. They also have the longest wooden jetty in the Southern Hemisphere called Bussleton Jetty-if that’s your thing!
All in all you cannot beat a road trip in Western Australia. Just remember it’s a big place, distances are vast and you need to keep an eye on your gas gauge because if you run out in the middle of nowhere, you’re in trouble! It almost happened to me like 5 times! Have fun though, WA rocks!
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