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With a boundless coast, space-like rock formations and sunshine in spades, there's a reason they call Western Australia the Road Trip State. You could spend days, weeks and even months driving its network of bitumen and dirt trails.
However long you have in mind, here are our top picks of drives that must be ticked off the bucket list.
That south-west corner of our country is full of surprises. Along its coast are limestone caves, hidden coves and beaches, sand dune systems and the chance to spot whales and dolphins playing in the distance.
Tread inland and it won't be long until you're wandering among ancient trees, kissing the skies on mountain skywalks and tipping back glasses of world-class wine.
Distance: 2,171km, 2 days, roundtrip
Route: Perth to Lucky Bay via the coastline, return
Highlights: Rottnest Island, Busselton, Injidup Natural Spa, Geographe Bay, Margaret River, Ngilgi Cave, Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse, Walpole, The Gap in Albany, Granite Skywalk in Porongurup National Park, Bremer Bay, Esperance, Lucky Bay, Twilight Bay and Lake Hillier.
Eat at: Rottnest Bakery on Rottnest Island, Margaret River Brewhouse in Margaret River, Ocean and Paddock in Albany and Fish Face Takeaway and Restaurant in Esperance.
Fremantle to Margaret River via Busselton and Dunsborough
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.
Day 3
Distance: 373km
Drive time: 4 hours, 20 minutes
Margaret River to Albany
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.
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.
One of the greatest four-wheel-drive adventure drives, Canning Stock Route is the longest stock route in the world. It runs from Halls Creek to Wiluna through the rugged territory of the Gibson Desert and is marked by a series of wells and lakes that were used to sustain cattle as they were driven along the way.
Not for the faint-hearted, Canning Stock Route is not well maintained and takes anything from 10 to 20 days to drive. Come well equipped with fuel, supplies and camping gear as there are only two indigenous communities along the route (near wells 33 and 22) where you can refuel. You will also need to obtain a permit to drive the route as it runs through native land.
Distance: 1,850km, 10-20 days
Route: Halls Creek to Wiluna
Highlights: Breaden Pool, Gravity Lakes, Kiwirrkurra Rd/Canning Stock Route Intersection, Lake Disappointment, Durba Springs, Little Sandy Desert and a series of wells.
Things to do: Stop by the wells and hunt for the Aboriginal rock paintings and carvings that line the way.
Stay at: There is no accommodation except in Earaheedy near the end of your trip. You will have to camp along the way. Popular camping points include Ruby Plains, Well 49, Well 46, Well 42, Well 38, Well 33, Well 24, Lake Disappointment, Durba Springs and Well 10.
Perth to Albany, Denmark and Pemberton
If you're headed down the south coast on a 2-3 day trip, Denmark and Albany are two heralded cities that have it all.
Fringed by cakey soft beaches and craggy cliff faces, spend your days pumping those legs along the networks of walking trails in Pemberton and Porongurups. At night, dine on freshly shucked oysters overlooking the beach.
Distance: 1,005km, 11.5 hours, roundtrip
Route: Perth-Albany-Denmark-Pemberton-Perth
Highlights: Pemberton and Porongurups.
Best time to drive: November to June has the least amount of rainfall. If you're not keen on peak prices and tourists, avoid December and January travel.
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.
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.
Complete your trip by heading back to Perth along the National Route 1.
Perth to Esperance
Esperance is one of the most aesthetically pleasing spots on the southern coast of WA. Its beaches are pristine with surf that begs to be ridden, but it's not so much Esperance as what lies beyond that takes your breath away.
On its doorstep is Cape Le Grand. Famously known as the home of Lucky Bay, this piece of heaven is all pearly white sands, turquoise green waters, beach-loving kangaroos and colourful wildflowers.
From Esperance you can also charter a flight to Middle Island to spy its bubblegum pink Hillier Lake from above.
Distance: 1,522km, 16 hours and 40 minutes, roundtrip
Route: Perth to Esperance, return
Highlights: Cape Le Grand, Lucky Bay, Lake Hillier, Hyden Wave Rock.
Things to do: Relax on Twilight Beach, fly over Lake Hillier or, if that's too expensive, visit Pink Lake, hike through Cape Le Grand and play with kangaroos at Lucky Bay.
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.
Day 3
Distance: 714km
Drive time: 7 hours, 40 minutes
Esperance to Perth
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.
Coral Coast (includes Perth to Pinnacles)
Point your compass north and ready your Instagram as you skirt your way up part of the Coral Coast. This drive takes you from Perth to the Pinnacles, then further up to Jurien Bay and Gregory.
It's a popular tourist route, to be fair, but one that deserves all its accolades. From sandboarding over sand dunes at Lancelin and sizing up against the 12-metre high rock formations of the Pinnacles to spotting sea lions in Jurien Bay and snapping pics of the pink salt lake at Gregory, this road trip will not be easily forgotten.
Distance: 538km, 6 hours each way
Route: Perth-Gregory
Top road trip stops: Lancelin Sand Dunes, Cervantes, The Pinnacles, Jurien Bay, Dongora and Geraldton.
Best time to drive: March to October due to the cooler weather.
Eat at: Cervantes Bar & Bistro in Cervantes, Jurien Jetty Cafe in Jurien Bay and Salt Dish in Geraldton.
3-day itinerary up the Coral Coast:
Day
Route/itinerary
Day 1
Distance: 220km
Drive time: 2.5 hours
Perth to Jurien Bay
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.
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.
Drive back to Perth. You can go the way you came but to save time get on the Brand Highway after Dongara.
Perth to Dunsborough and Margaret River
A favourite with families and foodies, the southern end of WA takes in the natural beauty of Dunsborough, the aquatic adventures of Busselton and the food and drink of Margaret River.
On top of wining and dining, spend your road trip exploring the limestone cave system under Leeuwin-Naturaliste Ridge, basking on the beach at Geographe Bay and hiking or cycling the forested tracks in Nannup.
Distance: 640km, 7 hours 15 minutes, roundtrip
Route: Perth-Dunborough-Margaret River-Perth
Highlights: Busselton, Dunsborough, Geographe Bay, Yalingup and Nannup.
Best time to drive: Spring for wildflowers and autumn for cool, crisp days.
Eat at: Blue Manna Bistro in Busselton and Mikkis Open Kitchen in Maragaret River.
2-day itinerary from Perth to Dunsborough:
Day
Route/itinerary
Day 1
Distance: 258km
Drive time: 3 hours
Perth to Yalingup via Dunsborough
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.
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.
Perth to Wave Rock
No stranger to the Instagram feed, Wave Rock is a monument of Western Australia's outback. Naturally carved over time, it stretches 15 metres in height and offers heaps of fun photo opportunities.
Unfortunately there's not much in the way of tourist attractions between it and Perth. If it's on your bucket list, it can easily be done over a day or half day. Otherwise, you may want to consider tacking it onto a longer trip – for example, as a pitstop on the way to or from Esperance.
Distance: 664km, 7.5 hours, roundtrip
Route: Perth to Hyden, return
Highlights: Corrigin, Mundaring State Forest.
Things to do: Take an epic picture with Wave Rock, run through canola fields in Corrigin and chase waterfalls in Mundaring State Forest.
Eat at: Corrigin Hotel Restaurant & Pub and Wave Rock Bistro in Hyden.
One-day itinerary from Perth to Wave Rock:
Day
Route/itinerary
Day 1
Distance: 664km
Drive time: 7.5 hours
Perth to Hyden, return
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.
Avon Valley 500 Loop
Two hours out of Perth CBD, the Avon Valley 500 Loop boasts Spanish and Victorian architecture.
Start in York where Victorian and Federation architecture is the face of converted museums, art galleries and local stores. Then, continue to New Norcia, which is Australia's only monastic town and revels in Spanish architecture having once been the home to Benedictine monks.
Distance: 395km, 5 hours, roundtrip
Route: Perth-York-New Norcia-Perth
Highlights: Mundaring, York, Northam, Toodyay and New Norcia.
Best time to drive: May to November due to the cooler, more comfortable driving weather.
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.
Need a car for your road trip around WA? Book a ride now
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Stephanie Yip is the travel editor at Finder and has been writing about travel and lifestyle for over a decade. She has written for Travel Weekly, Escape, Showpo, The Nibbler and Hostelworld. She was also the editor of kids magazine DMAG. Stephanie has a Bachelor of Communications from the University of Technology Sydney and has visited 55 countries (and counting).
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