The Ultimate Perth to Esperance Road Trip: WA South West in 10 Days

The South West and South Coast regions of Western Australia are some of the most uniquely beautiful parts of Australia. They are filled with the most stunning beaches in the world along a stretch of rugged coastline that is an absolute bucket list destination. 

Home to some of the best surf in the country, as well as, ancient forests with trees only found in this part of the world, there’s no shortage of unique things to see and do in the south west.

Esperance is one of those famous places in Australia that most people want to visit at least once. However, it’s quite remote, located close to the western edge of the Nullarbor Plain. This is why a road trip is the best way to visit Esperance and discover the incredible gems of the southern coastline of WA along the way.

This Perth to Esperance road trip itinerary details how you can see the sights of the south west and south coast of Western Australia in 10 days. I’m going to outline all the things you can’t miss while driving from Perth to Esperance via the coast from my experience, with plenty of opportunities to tailor it to suit your own trip.

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Quick Overview of a Perth to Esperance Road Trip

Overall distance: 1,275 km

Recommended Time: 10 days

• Day 1: Perth to Dunsborough
• Day 2: Dunsborough to Margaret River
• Day 3: Margaret River to Pemberton
• Day 4: Pemberton to Walpole
• Day 5: Walpole to Denmark
• Day 6: Denmark to Albany 
• Day 7: Albany to Stirling Ranges
• Day 8: Stirling Ranges to Hopetoun/Fitzgerald River National Park
• Day 9: Hopetoun to Esperance
• Day 10: Cape Le Grand National Park

Add: You could easily spend more time exploring these places, depending on how much time you have. Recommendations below.

How Long to Spend Driving from Perth to Esperance

This highly depends on how much time you have. You could easily drive the distance in a couple of days, but there’s so much to see and do along the way, that I recommend at least 10 days. 

If you only have a week, then you could skip stops like Dunsborough, Pemberton, Walpole, Stirling Ranges, and Hopetoun. But honestly, these places are definitely worth seeing, so plan for 10 days at a minimum. 

If you have even more time, then you can easily add a stop in Busselton on your way south from Perth. Then, you could extend your stay to multiple nights in Albany and Esperance to really enjoy some of the sights at a slower pace.

For those keen on hiking, then spending a couple of days or more in the Stirling Ranges alone would also be great if you have the extra time.

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Best Time of Year to Visit the South West

The best time to drive from Perth to Esperance is either autumn or spring. This provides the most ideal weather, along with wildflowers and whale watching opportunities in spring. 

Summer can be very hot, and is especially busy. If you plan on travelling at this time, be sure to plan ahead and book accommodation when possible. 

Winter is very quiet in the south west, and you’ll likely have lots of places to yourself. However, it can be very cold, wet and windy at this time of year, so it’s not the best time to enjoy the beaches. Whales do begin their migration in winter though, so you should be able to spot them from June onwards.

Tips for a Perth to Esperance Road Trip

Avoid driving at night as animals are quite active after sunset and the risk of hitting a kangaroo is much higher at night.

Phone reception can be limited in some places, especially as you head further east towards Esperance. All of the town stops on this itinerary have phone signal, but don’t rely on it in the national parks or on long stretches of remote highway.

There are very limited official free camping spots in the south west and rangers can be strict in places like Margaret River and Esperance. However, national park campgrounds are great and worth booking.

Campgrounds will be extremely busy in summer, so plan ahead. You’ll have to book well in advance to secure spots at places like Lucky Bay Campground or other accommodation.

National Parks in WA require a Parks Pass to visit and stay within the park boundary. There are holiday passes available for 5, 14 or 28 days. Otherwise, if you’re planning on staying much longer in WA, it’s worth purchasing the annual pass.

Where to Stay Along the Way

As you drive the coastal route between Perth and Esperance, there are plenty of accommodation options. If you’re taking a campervan, caravan, or car camping setup, then you’ll find some incredible campgrounds in national parks and at caravan parks. Download Wikicamps to find the best spots for camping.

Otherwise, there’s accommodation for all budgets, from cheap motels to apartments with sea views.

You’ll find some of my recommendations below, including both accommodation and camping options, under each night stop on the itinerary.

Read more: 15 Best Campgrounds in South West WA

Road Trip Essentials list

• Reusable coffee cup
• Reef safe sunscreen
• First aid kit
• Refillable water bottle
• Walking shoes
• Day pack
• Healthy snacks

Perth to Esperance Road Trip Itinerary Day by Day

If you’re planning a road trip from Perth to Esperance along the south west coast in Western Australia, then this itinerary will help you plan the perfect 10 days. I’m going to outline how to spend each day and the must see spots along the way, plus where to stay. 

Day 1: Perth to Dunsborough

• Distance: 250 km
• Driving time: 3 hours
• Where to Stay: Southcamp Cabins

On the first day, leave the city and head south to Dunsborough. This gem of a town is one of the prettiest spots in the south west but still flies under the radar compared to the bigger and more popular town of Margaret River.

On the drive south from Perth, you can stop off in Busselton and walk the longest wooden jetty in the southern hemisphere, Busselton Jetty. It’s over 1.8 km long! This has become an iconic stop in the south west region.

At the very end of the jetty, you can also pay to go into the Busselton Underwater Observatory, an underwater aquarium with glass viewing areas. There’s a small fee to walk on the jetty (during the day, free after the ticket office closes), or you can take the jetty train for $17 and the observatory is around $40 per adult.

Once in Dunsborough, there are a couple of things I recommend you do. If you want to stretch your legs, then I highly recommend the Meelup Trail. This 7km one way walking trail hugs the coastline from Dunsborough to Eagle Bay and is worth doing to take in some of the beautiful views and beaches in the area. Or, just chill at one of the secluded beaches like Meelup Beach or Eagle Bay Beach on the trail instead.

You should also head out to Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse, the beginning of the Cape to Cape Track. Here, you can go for a short walk along the coast and stop to enjoy the view from the Whale Watching Platform, if you’re there in winter or spring.

Read more: 12 Best Day Hikes in South West WA

Day 2: Dunsborough to Margaret River via Yallingup

• Distance: 50 km
• Driving time: 45 minutes
• Where to Stay: Riverview Tourist Park or Waterfall Cottages or Conto Campground (NP bush camp)

Explore some of the best spots in the Margaret River region as you drive from Dunsborough to Margaret River. While the distance is only about 50km, there are a few places to see on the way.

Head to Yallingup, this popular little surf town is just a short drive from Dunsborough. Here you can go surfing, grab a coffee, and enjoy the beach. Then, continue out to Injidup Natural Spa, a natural rock pool and “spa” created from the waves crashing over the rocks. It’s a great place to enjoy a swim, but be aware that it gets very busy in high season, so arrive early if you can.

Continue to Margaret River, the central hub of the south west region. Known for its epic surf beaches nearby and wineries surrounding the town, there’s plenty to do for everyone. The best surf beaches are surrounding the small towns of Gracetown and Prevelly, both short drives from Margaret River and cute places in their own right.

Otherwise, you can spend some time visiting the wineries or exploring the shops in town itself.

Day 3: Margaret River to Pemberton

• Distance: 135 km (+ 50 km with side trip to Cape Leeuwin)
• Driving time: 1.5 hours
• Where to Stay: Karri Valley Resort and Caravan Park or Treenbrook Cottages

From Margaret River, I recommend taking the Boranup Forest drive heading south towards Augusta. This is a beautiful drive through a stunning coastal forest area. You can stop at Hamelin Bay on the way, a long white sand beach with sting rays that come close to shore.

Then, head down to Augusta to visit Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse. This is a bit of a detour, but a worthy stop to see both lighthouses along the Margaret River coast. From there, it’s another beautiful forest drive all the way to Pemberton.

In the small town of Pemberton, don’t forget to jump into the refreshing water of the public outdoor Pemberton Swimming Pool, surrounded by towering trees. Then, on the other side of town, gaze up at the Gloucester Tree, a 52m-high former fire lookout at the top of a karri tree. It’s no longer safe to climb, but still an amazing sight.

Day 4: Pemberton to Walpole

• Distance: 120 km
• Driving time: 1.5 hours
• Where to Stay: Coalmine Beach Caravan Park or Tinglewood Cabins

From Pemberton, drive down to Walpole through the Mount Frankland National Park. Stop at Mount Clare on the way to do the short 4.5 km loop walk through the forest to see the incredibly unique tingle trees, only grown in this small part of the world.

Check into your accommodation in the sleepy town of Walpole. Head out to the Valley of the Giants Tree Top Walk, an incredible suspended walkway in the canopy of the forest. It’s also worth driving down to Conspicuous Cliff, an absolutely stunning, wild beach, if you have time.

These are all stops on the long distance walk, the Bibbulmun Track, that runs from Perth to Albany and passes through Pemberton, Walpole and Denmark on its way .

Day 5: Walpole to Denmark

• Distance: 65 km
• Driving time: 1 hour
• Where to Stay: Koorabup Motel or Green Leaves Cabin

The drive from Walpole to Denmark is just an hour but there’s plenty of coastal views and beaches to stop at on the way. The main attraction is William Bay National Park. It’s worth spending some time there, checking out the famous Green Pool, Elephant Rocks, Madfish Bay and Waterfall Beach. These are all accessible on a sealed road through the park, with Madfish Bay being the last spot.

Then, drive back out to the main road and down to Lights Beach. This is a stunning spot that is really underrated as most people skip it on their way into Denmark. 

If you want to crack a sweat, then I suggest the hike up to Monkey Rock and Mount Hallowell. This is a 5km one way hike (or can be done return), that takes in two interesting peaks next to each other. It provides panoramic views of the coastline and is worth the effort.

Spend the evening in the cute town of Denmark, with plenty of good food to choose from.

Day 6: Denmark to Albany

• Distance: 55 km
• Driving time: 45 minutes
• Where to Stay: Tasman Holiday Parks or Beach House at Bayside

I suggest getting up early to head to Albany to make the most of your time in one of the most beautiful towns in Australia. There’s lots to do in Albany, with an array of beaches, walks, and lookouts.

I recommend first heading out to Albany Wind Farm for dramatic coastal views. Then, continue into Torndirrup National Park. The highlight here is the hike out to Bald Head. This 12km return coastal hike is one of the most beautiful walks in the country, as it undulates up and down along the headland out to the point.

If you’re not up for the long walk, check out nearby beaches and lookouts, like The Gap and Natural Bridge, Misery Beach and Frenchman Bay.

If you have time for more beaches, head out to Little Beach and Two Peoples Bay Nature Reserve, just east of Albany. This is arguably home to some of the most beautiful beaches in Australia with some of the whitest sand.

Stay or camp somewhere near Albany, ready to drive inland for a night.

Read more: 20 Best Things to Do in Albany

Day 7: Albany to Stirling Ranges

• Distance: 90 km
• Driving time: 1 hour
• Where to Stay: Stirling Range Retreat

Leave the coast for just a couple of days and explore some of the inland mountain ranges. On the drive up to the Stirling Ranges from Albany, don’t forget to stop at Porongurup National Park and hike up to the Granite Skywalk at Castle Rock. This 4.5km return walk is a great warmup for the Stirling Ranges and has a bit of fun scrambling near the top to reach the suspended boardwalk viewing platform.

Then, continue into the Stirling Ranges which will astound you as they come into view. The rugged range rises from the plains in dramatic fashion. If you have the energy, I recommend heading up Bluff Knoll for sunset, if the weather is looking good.

This is the highest peak in the south west of WA, and one of the most iconic summits in Australia. The hike is 6km return but you should allow 3-4 hours to complete it, depending on your fitness, because it’s a relentless climb on stairs all the way to the top. The views are outstanding though and elevated even more by the golden glow of the setting sun.

Read more: Guide to the Bluff Knoll Hike in Stirling Ranges

Day 8: Stirling Ranges to Hopetoun/Fitzgerald River National Park

• Distance: 260 km
• Driving time: 3 hours
• Where to Stay: Four Mile Campground (NP camp) or Hopetoun Motel

Before you leave the Stirling Ranges, I recommend ticking off another hike. If you’re up for a challenge, give Toolbrunup Peak a go. This is the second highest peak but much more difficult to climb than Bluff Knoll. It’s only 4.4 km return but takes around 3-4 hours to complete, with some challenging, rocky trail to navigate. The view and sense of achievement at the top are unmatched though.

If you prefer something more achievable, try Mount Hassell, a 3.2 km return hike on a fun climb to great views, or Mount Trio, the family friendly alternative which is 3.5km return and more moderate compared to the other hikes in the park.

Then, sit back and enjoy the long drive to Hopetoun. There’s not much to admire on the way, as it crosses dry, arid farmlands. Once you arrive, drive into Fitzgerald River National Park and spend some time at the beaches like Four Mile Beach or East Mileys. 

It’s worth driving to the end of the sealed road at Hamersley Inlet, to admire the incredible raw beauty of the national park. Either camp inside the national park or stay in town, though accommodation is very limited.

Day 9: Hopetoun to Esperance

• Distance: 190 km
• Driving time: 2 hours
• Where to Stay: Esperance Bay Holiday Park or Twilight Cottage

In the morning, head up to East Mount Barren Peak. This short but steep hike of 3km return will get you an incredible panoramic view of the coastline. It does make you work for it, with a bit of scrambling towards the end.

Then, finally drive towards Esperance. As you come into town, do the Great Ocean Drive. This 40km self driving loop takes in some of the most stunning beaches you’ll ever see with your own eyes and is the perfect introduction to the town. 

You can stop at numerous viewpoints and beaches on the drive. Don’t miss Blue Haven Beach, Twilight Beach (the most famous one), Eleven Mile Beach, and Ten Mile Beach.

If you stay out until nearly dusk, Observatory Point is a great spot for sunset and the perfect way to end the day in Esperance.

Day 10: Esperance to Cape Le Grand National Park

• Distance: 60 km
• Driving time: 1 hour
• Where to Stay: Lucky Bay Campground (NP camp) or Michael the Tiny Cabin

The absolute star of the show on the south coast of WA, Cape Le Grand National Park is one of those places everyone needs to visit once in their lifetime. It doesn’t seem real, even when you’re looking at it! The beaches and coastline are out of this world, with some of the most beautiful places you’ll ever see.

The two best beaches you must visit are Hellfire Bay and Lucky Bay. These are the two most popular, so be aware it can get crowded in high season. Hellfire Bay to me was the most stunning, but Lucky Bay has been voted best beach in Australia previously.

I’d also recommend doing the short, steep hike up Frenchman Peak. Not only does this 3km return hike provide a panoramic view of the national park, but there’s also an amazingly large cave at the summit that is cool to explore.

Where to After Esperance?

Once you get to Esperance, there are a few options depending on what your plans are; whether you’re returning to Perth or heading elsewhere. You could, of course, just head back along the coast again, or opt for one of these two:

Returning inland to Perth via Hyden and Wave Rock

Getting back to Perth, you can take the quicker inland route via Hyden and Wave Rock on the Brookton Highway. This is about 720 km one way back to Perth. You can make an overnight stop in Hyden to visit the famous Wave Rock, a 15m-high granite rock cliff shaped like a wave.

Crossing the Nullarbor Plain to South Australia

If you’re on a longer interstate road trip or a lap of Australia, then Esperance is usually a stopping off point before or after the Nullarbor road trip. If you’re heading across to South Australia, then from Esperance you can just head up to Norseman and begin the drive on the Eyre Highway. Use my itinerary from Adelaide to Perth in reverse.

Read more: Ultimate Adelaide to Perth Road Trip Itinerary

Want More Epic Road Trips in Australia?

• Perth to Kalbarri: Perfect 5 Day Perth to Kalbarri Road Trip
• Adelaide to Darwin: Ultimate Adelaide to Darwin Road Trip Itinerary
• Melbourne to Sydney: 2 Week Melbourne to Sydney Itinerary via East Coast
• Red Centre: Ultimate Red Centre Way Itinerary, NT
• Melbourne to Adelaide: Best 1 Week Melbourne to Adelaide Road Trip

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