Western Australia road trips that showcase the best of the state

Distance: 22.2km

Drive time: 30 minutes

• Drive to Fremantle and catch the ferry to Rottnest Island.
• Spend the day on Rottnest Island, meeting the local quokkas, snorkelling at The Basin and climbing the lighthouse at Pinky Beach.
• Take the ferry back to Fremantle and spend the night at Terrace Central B&B Hotel.

Distance: 266km

Drive time: 3 hours

• Drive south to Busselton and walk along the famous 2km jetty and duck into the underwater observatory in Geographe Bay.
• If time permits, put on a helmet for a 30-minute undersea walk.
• Continue south to Dunsborough for lunch with a view. If you're lucky you could even spot a whale in the ocean.
• Swing by Ngilgi Cave to explore this vast karst cave system.

Spend the evening in Margaret River, tasting the local produce and wine before turning in at Riveresque.

Distance: 373km

Drive time: 4 hours, 20 minutes

• Start out early bound for Pemberton where you can hike through Karri forests and attempt to climb these giant trees.
• Follow the State Route 10 to Walpole, home to a network of national parks. Choose to hike part of the Bibbulmun Track, walk the treetops in the Valley of the Giants, catch summit views in Mountain Frankland National Park or take it easy in Mandalay Beach in D'Entrecasteaux National Park.
• From Walpole, take picture breaks at Peaceful Bay, Ocean Bay and Denmark before settling into Albany.

Stay at Sleepwell Motel.

Distance: 433km

Distance: 4.5 hours

• Take Chester Pass Road toward Porongurup and its Granite Skywalk. This walkway is 670 metres above sea level and takes you through stunning rock formations culminating in panoramic views from the Stirling Ranges to the Southern Ocean.
• Continue along Chester Pass Road turning onto Chillinup Road and Kojaneerup Road to reconnect to the State Route 1 toward Bremer Bay.
• In Bremer Bay keep an eye out for orca whales from February to April or southern right whales from June to October.

Continue to Hopetoun and stay the night at Wavecrest Village & Tourist Park.

Distance: 182km

Drive time: 2 hours

• Spend the morning in Fitzgerald River Park. Known for its botanic diversity, it's home to over 1,800 plant species.
• Drive the National Route 1 to Esperance via Pink Lake (called so for its pink hue) for those happy snaps.
• In Esperance sink your feet in Twilight Beach or West Beaches sands before taking off to Cape Le Grand.
• While here, hike to Frenchman Peak and swim in Lucky Bay with its white sand, turquoise waters and local and friendly kangaroo population.

Spend the night at Bayview Motel Esperance.

Distance: 382km

Drive time: 4 hours

• Up the game and book a scenic flight to Middle Island, best known for its bubblegum pink Lake Hillier.
• In the afternoon, start the drive back to Perth along State Route 40.
• Make your last stop Hyden with its Wave Rock formation.

Stay at Wave Rock Motel.

Distance: 336km

Drive time: 4 hours

• Continue along State Route 40 west back to Perth.

Distance: 418km

Drive time: 4.5 hours

• Take State Route 30 bound past Mundaring State Forest and Arthur River to Porongurup.
• Eat your fill on the local produce.
• In Albany, get your bearings by zipping around town on a guided segway tour.
• Cool your jets on any one of Albany's famed beaches. Pick from Middleton Beach, Little Beach or check out Torndirrup National Park's Cable Beach and Cave Point Lighthouse.
• Stay at Ace Accommodation Albany

Distance: 240km

Drive time: 2 hours, 45 minutes

• Travel west and walk in the footsteps of giants as you drink up sky-high views on the Valley of the Giants Tree Top Walk.
• Once you've had a taste of the forest, check out the over a series of short hikes and viewpoints. Highlights include Frankland Wilderness Lookout, the Swarbrick Art Trail and Greens Pool.
• Keep on west and turn in at Pemberton Lake View Chalets in Pemberton.

Distance: 323km

Drive time: 4 hours

• Go on a 4WD adventure through Pemberton's Warren and D'Entrecasteaux National Parks.
• Complete your trip by heading back to Perth along the National Route 1.

Distance: 697km

Drive time: 7.5 hours

• Start the day early and take State Route 40 east.
• You can continue along the 40 though for a shorter route, turn off at Jelcobine to get onto the 107 before reconnecting onto the 40 toward Esperance.
• This is a long day so if you need to break it up into two, feel free to.

Tuck in for the night at Comfort Inn Bay of Isles in Esperance.

Distance: 126 km

Drive time: 1.5 hours

• In the morning catch a seaplane over Lake Hillier. Or, explore Esperance with its many beaches and lakes.
• Drive to Cape Le Grand and Lucky Bay to splash around its perfect water, snap a pic with its kangaroos and wander through its wildflower fields in spring.
• Visiting between June and October? Keep an eye out for the migrating southern right whales in the ocean.
• Drive back to Esperance and stay another night.

Distance: 714km

Drive time: 7 hours, 40 minutes

• Take the route 40 back, stopping by Hyden for its Wave Rock formation. At 15 metres high and 110 metres long, this natural rock formation is curved into the shape of a wave and is popular with tourists.
• Stay the night in Hyden. Or, if you've got enough drivers, complete the trip back to Perth.
• Worth a quick stop in is Corrigin. This country town is known for its bright yellow canola fields.

Distance: 220km

Drive time: 2.5 hours

• Point your compass north and get on State Route 60 turning off at Lancelin. Hire a sandboard and test your balancing skills on the Lancelin sand dunes.
• Get back on the 60 toward Cervantes. Turn off at Hangover Bay onto Pinnacles Drive where you'll be surrounded by its spear-like limestone pillars AKA The Pinnacles.
• Finish your day in Jurien Bay with a waterfront meal of crayfish which is the area's specialty.

Stay the night at The Heights Bed & Breakfast.

Distance: 393km

Drive time: 4.5 hours

• Pop by Dongara for a happy snap with the Big Lobster before visiting Geraldton.
• This seaside town welcomes heavy breezes making it a mecca for windsurfers keen to skim the waters. Hire your own to get on the water or stay on the beach to get golden.
• Detour onto an Aboriginal driving trail such as Yamaji Drive Trail and its 14 Aboriginal sites.
• Drive that extra mile up to Gregory to be enchanted by its pink lake. Named so for its brilliant pink hue, the road drives along its edge giving you numerous chances to take it all in.
• Alternatively, you can hire a jetski from Geraldton to the pink lake.
• Spend the night in Geraldton at Belair Gardens Caravan Park.

Distance: 419km

Drive time: 4.5 hours

• Drive back to Perth. You can go the way you came but to save time get on the Brand Highway after Dongara.

Distance: 258km

Drive time: 3 hours

• From the heart of Perth drive south onto the National Route 1 for Busselton.
• Grab a bite from a local chippie and walk the historic Busselton Jetty, ducking into the underwater observatory to see Geographie Bay's marine life in their natural habitat.
• If time permits, don a helmet for a 30 minute undersea walk.
• Head west to Dunsborough and keep an eye out for whales migrating off the coast.
• Swing by Ngilgi Cave to explore its vast karst cave system before turning in at Wyadup Brook Cottages.

Distance: 374km

Drive time: 4 hours, 10 minutes

• Surround yourself by the rolling hills of Margaret River. This famous vine region sees vineyards tumble over each other. Sample the finest on a curated wine tasting experience. Or, to stay off the booze taste test the local cheeses, preserves and chocolates instead.
• Burn your indulgence off in Nannup hiking or cycling through the forested trails of Nannup State Forest.
• Head back to Perth.

Distance: 664km

Drive time: 7.5 hours

• Set off along State Route 40 through Mundaring Forest.
• Take a breather in Corrigin with a meal and wander through its canola fields. Its Adventure Playground is a fun stop if you have kids in tow.
• In Hyden, take that Insta-shot along the 110 metre long Wave Rock.
• Head back to Perth, meandering through Mundaring Forest to catch a glimpse of its gushing waterfalls.

Distance: 395km

Drive time: 5 hours

• Rev up your engine for a supercar loop with a European twist. From Perth make a beeline for Mundaring which is surrounded by state and national forests. Walk the heritage trail or visit the No 1 Pump Station to rewind the time back to the 19th century.
• Next is York. Established in 1831, it was the first inland European settlement and it shows in its well-preserved colonial architecture.
• Drive up to Mount Brown Lookout for panoramic views over York. There are barbecue facilities up here to make a meal of it.
• Northam has remnants of its past displayed as cottages, homesteads and an old railway station.
• You'll continue the history lesson in Toodyay. This picturesque town was once known as Newcastle and is packed full of family friendly adventure. Kids will love the Fairytale Farm while history buffs can visit the Newcastle Gaol Museum and Connor's Mill Museum.
• Finally, there's New Norcia. It's the country's only monastic town with a population of Benedictine monks. Visitors can visit the Spanish-style monastery, explore its museum and art gallery and are also free to stay the night in a guesthouse, retreat, hostel or campsite.