The southwestern part of Western Australia is truly a magical destination. There is SO much to see and do here! As part of my lap around Australia, I did this road trip in early December and had the best time! Here’s my guide on what to see between Perth and Esperance.

How Much Time Do You Need to Road Trip from Perth to Esperance?

A minimum of one week, but two weeks is much better. While yes, the straight route is about 700km and doable in a single day, the area offers so much to see and do. I had just over one week on my road trip – but I easily could have spent two weeks. I felt very rushed, and I knew I missed out on certain things (like Wharton Beach) because I was time limited to get to Adelaide for a housesit.

The Best Stops Between Perth and Esperance

There are quite a few places south of Perth, that are worth a visit if you have time – I’d have loved to go to Penguin Island, for example. But if you are time limited, I recommend spending that time in other places. These are the top places to see!

Busselton Jetty

Busselton is a popular place to visit, and it’s just about 2.5 hours from Perth. There are some stunning beaches, but the real reason to visit Busselton is the jetty. It stretches 1.8km out into the ocean, making it the longest timber-piled jetty in the Southern Hemisphere. You can take a train ride out to the end, or walk. If you choose to walk during the visitor center’s opening hours, there is a charge of $4 AUD per adult. I highly recommend booking a tour at the Underwater Observatory – this is just one of six underwater observatories in the world! You can observe the sea life in its true natural habitat, through windows below the surface. Tours for adults are $38 AUD and, in my opinion, well worth the price.

Cape Naturaliste National Park

There’s incredible scenery to be found at Cape Naturaliste. Drive around the cape in a loop, heading first to Gannet Rock and then Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse. There are several walks you can do from the lighthouse – which is the start point for the 123km, long-distance Cape to Cape Trail – and you can climb to the top of the lighthouse (admission charge applicable) for great views. Don’t miss Sugarloaf Rock, a spectacular rock formation just off the coast. There is an accessible 3.5km trail from the lighthouse if you want to walk.

Yallingup Beach

This is a fantastic beach for relaxing in the sun, surfing, or swimming. It’s popular with locals, so keep this in mind if you’re visiting on a nice weekend day!

Smiths Beach

Smiths Beach is one of the best beaches I’ve seen in all of Australia. Bright, crystal-clear blue water, pristine white sand, and only a few people – it really is like paradise. This is a top spot to hang out for the day and soak up the sunshine. There’s a viewing platform over the beach that’s great for photos!

Canal Rocks

Just southwest of Yallingup, the coastline at Canal Rocks is really something else. There is a bridge connecting the mainland with one of the rocky little islands, where you can see the waves crash over the rocks and flow through the natural channels into the little pools.

Injidup Natural Spa

I loved my visit to Injidup Natural Spa! The rocks here form a safe and secluded pool, and big waves come through like a waterfall, creating a naturally fizzy, bubbly spa. It’s only a short walk from the car park, and perfect for a dip. There isn’t much flat space as the area surrounding the pool is rocks/boulders, but you can make it work if you want to spend the day here.

Margaret River

Margaret River is best known for its wineries, which are spread throughout the surrounding area. The town itself is a good spot for convenient accommodation and has lots of shops and restaurants. There are too many wineries to choose from here – a wine tour is the best way to explore them without driving! I didn’t end up going on a wine-tasting tour here, but this is one of the most highly rated wine tours in Margaret River.

Redgate Beach

This is a beautiful beach just outside of Margaret River. There is a long section that’s popular for surfers (be careful as there are rips here), and a section with more rocks that’s great for swimming and snorkeling.

Hamelin Beach

Unfortunately, I didn’t have time to visit Hamelin Beach – which is such a shame as it looks incredible! This is meant to be a top beach for seeing wildlife, as apparently rays will swim quite close to the shore.

Augusta

Augusta is the nearest town to Cape Leeuwin, the end of the Cape to Cape Trail, and another spot I sadly had to miss due to time constraints. I’d have loved to see Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse, Granny’s Pool, and Jewel Cave!

Point d’Entrecasteaux

Named after a French navigator who saw the point in 1792, Point d’Entrecasteaux is a perfect road trip stop between Perth and Esperance. There’s a short coastal walk you can do here (the Pupalong Loop) at the lookout. Or, if you’re up for a longer hike, there’s the Cliff Top Walk and the Coastal Survivors Walk. See the Window (a natural rock formation) at Point d’Entrecasteaux, the coastline from Tookulup Lookout, and the beach lookout over Salmon Beach.

Valley of the Giants Tree Top Walk

Experience the unique tingle trees of Western Australia up close and personal on the Valley of the Giants Tree Top Walk. This is a series of elevated walkways that take you high up among the treetops – the highest point is 70 meters off the forest floor! You can also see the massive hollow trees on the Ancient Empire section. There’s an admission fee of $21 AUD.

Greens Pool

Close to Denmark, you’ll find a beautiful white sand beach, surrounded by boulders. The water here is super clear, and perfect for swimming! While it’s a busy place, it’s also a big area – so there’s plenty of room for everyone.

Elephant Rocks

So close to Greens Pool, they share a car park! Elephant Rocks is a group of large boulders, that – if you look at it the right way – look like the shape of an elephant. Walk the short trail to look down over the rocks and snap some photos. The beach here is very quiet and more secluded than Greens Pool!

Shelley Beach

Located in West Cape Howe National Park, Shelley Beach is the stuff of WA dreams. Head to the lookout, where you’ll be greeted by a truly jaw-dropping view of the beach, surrounding by high rocky cliffs. The beach itself is the perfect place to relax for a day or three – there’s a small campsite here if you want to stay overnight. The road to get there is corrugated, and I recommend having a 4WD vehicle (although it’s probably manageable in a 2WD, if you just go very slow). While it’s a bit of a detour from the typical Perth to Esperance road trip, it’s well worth the time.

Torndirrup National Park

Located just outside Albany, Torndirrup National Park has several must-see sights. Hikers can’t miss Bald Head Trail, a 13km hike to the far headland, with breathtaking views of the coast on either side. Read my full guide to the Bald Head hike here! Relax on the beach at Salmon Holes – be wary of dangerous rips here, though. Walk out to see the Blowholes before visiting the Gap and Natural Bridge, which are two rock formations formed over thousands of years.

Little Beach

One place I didn’t get a chance to visit was Little Beach in Two Peoples Bay Nature Reserve. This is meant to be a quiet and blissful beach – unfortunately I just didn’t have enough time in my itinerary!

Castle Rock Granite Skywalk

Head away from the coast to Porongurup National Park. The Granite Skywalk at Castle Rock consists of two viewing platforms, accessed by a 4.7km (return) hike. The first viewing platform is easy to get to – the second will require two tricky scrambles, and a climb up a 7-meter ladder! It’s well worth it for the views from the top.

Bluff Knoll (Stirling Ranges National Park)

Bluff Knoll is the highest peak in the Stirling Ranges – an area with so much to offer hikers. The trail up to the summit is about 7km return, but it is very steep. Once the difficult challenge is over though, you can enjoy the spectacular views from the summit over the surrounding mountain ranges. I am SO glad I made the time to visit the Stirling Ranges and do this hike! Read my full guide to the Bluff Knoll hike here.

Esperance

Esperance is almost synonymous with beautiful beaches. It’s a popular place to visit in WA, with good reason! Drive the Great Ocean Drive outside the city, and be sure to stop at 11 Mile Beach and Observatory Point for incredible views. Don’t miss the Pink Lake – although it wasn’t pink at all when I visited!

Twilight Beach is one of the best beaches I’ve ever seen. I spent the afternoon here and it was like a dream! White sand, blue water, and fun rocks you can swim out to. If you only visit one place in Esperance, it should be Twilight Beach.

Cape Le Grand National Park

Outside of Esperance, you’ll find Cape Le Grand National Park. Hikers will want to climb up Frenchman Peak, a short but steep 3km hike with awesome views over the area.

Lucky Bay is regularly voted the best beach in Australia – it could easily be one of the best beaches in the world! – with its pristine white sand and bright blue water. If you have a 4WD, you can drive out on the sand to set up for the day. If you’re lucky (pun intended), you might even spot some kangaroos on the beach!

Hellfire Bay is around the bend from Lucky Bay, but feels like a world away. It’s much quieter here, as most of the crowds visit Lucky Bay. I actually preferred Hellfire Bay to Lucky Bay – I ended up spending most of the afternoon here instead!

Planning Your Road Trip from Perth to Esperance

Most of the national parks in Western Australia charge a daily admission fee for each vehicle – this is currently $17 AUD. I highly recommend buying either a one-month pass ($70 AUD) or an annual pass ($130 AUD) if you’re visiting more than a couple of the spots listed in this post. Perth is a big city with a large international airport – I use Skyscanner to find the best flight deals. Considering travel insurance for your trip? World Nomads offers coverage for more than 150 adventure activities as well as emergency medical, lost luggage, trip cancellation and more. If you’re wanting to experience the area but don’t want to drive, consider booking a multi-day tour like the one below!

Perth to Esperance: Where I Stayed

I stayed at a mixture of paid campsites and free camps on my road trip between Perth and Esperance, although there weren’t that many options for good/conveniently located free camps. I was also lucky enough to stay with friends when I visited Denmark!

• Seventh Day Adventist Church in Busselton ($30 per night)
• Northcliffe Bush Camp ($10pp)
• Old Fitzgerald School (free camp, no facilities)
• Bushlands Holiday Village ($25 for one person, for one night)
• Cape Le Grand Beach Campsite ($20 for one person, for one night)

If you’re looking at accommodation on your road trip from Perth to Esperance, Margaret River, Augusta, Denmark, Albany, and Esperance are some of the most popular places with plenty of options for accommodation. Here are a few mid-range options in each:

• Margaret River: Prideau’s of Margaret River – modern apartments in the heart of town
• Augusta: Baywatch Manor Augusta – clean and comfortable rooms (some with shared bathrooms) and a fully equipped kitchen
• Denmark: The Koorabup Motel – beautiful rooms and apartments with all the amenities you might need
• Albany: Kinsellas Water Views – a comfortable studio in an excellent location
• Esperance: The Jetty Resort – a wide range of accommodation options for every budget, plus an outdoor pool

I absolutely loved my time exploring southwestern WA. Sublime beaches, incredible coastal views, epic hikes, delicious wineries, and giant forests – there’s so much to see here. While I wish I’d had more time, I’m so glad I got to see what I did. I hope this post helps planning your road trip from Perth to Esperance!

Have you road tripped from Perth to Esperance? What were your favorite stops?

You might also like my posts:

Hiking Bald Head in Torndirrup National Park, Western Australia

Bluff Knoll: Hiking the Highest Peak in the Stirling Ranges, Western Australia

Epic Things to See and Do in Karijini National Park, Western Australia

What to See in Exmouth and Cape Range National Park, Western Australia

How to Spend 1 Day on Rottnest Island, Western Australia

A Guide to Jervis Bay, New South Wales

Paradise on Earth: A Travel Guide for Great Keppel Island, Queensland

Incredible Places You Must Visit on K’gari (Fraser Island)

A Travel Guide for Blackdown Tableland National Park, Queensland

Australia Budget: Month 9 (December 2023)

All of my Australia posts!

Like this post? Pin it for later!