10 Day Western Australia Itinerary: The Perfect First Trip
If you have 10 days in Western Australia, you have enough time to see much more than Perth without spending your entire holiday driving.
For a first visit, I recommend combining Perth with the South West.
You’ll experience city life, beautiful beaches, Rottnest Island, Margaret River’s wineries and coastline, the towering forests around Pemberton and some of the spectacular scenery around Denmark and Albany.
I particularly like this itinerary because the landscapes change dramatically as you travel south, but the driving distances remain manageable.
You’ll still only see a small part of Western Australia — and that’s the point. Rather than trying to squeeze Exmouth or Esperance into the same trip, this itinerary gives you enough time to actually enjoy the places you visit.
10 Day WA Itinerary at a Glance
| Day | Overnight | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Perth | Perth, Kings Park & the coast |
| Day 2 | Perth | Rottnest Island |
| Day 3 | Margaret River | Perth → Busselton → Margaret River |
| Day 4 | Margaret River | Margaret River wineries & attractions |
| Day 5 | Margaret River | Dunsborough & Yallingup |
| Day 6 | Pemberton | Margaret River → Pemberton |
| Day 7 | Denmark | Pemberton → Walpole → Denmark |
| Day 8 | Albany | Denmark → Albany |
| Day 9 | Albany | Albany & Torndirrup National Park |
| Day 10 | Perth | Albany → Perth |
Best for: First-time visitors
Trip style: Beaches, food & wine, forests, nature and coastal towns
Car needed: From Day 3
Pace: Moderate
Ideal time: Ten full days
Day 1 – Discover Perth
Start your 10 day Western Australia itinerary in Perth.
If you’ve arrived after a long flight, don’t try to cram too much into your first day.
Head to Kings Park and Botanic Garden first. It’s one of the best places to get your bearings, with beautiful views over the city and Swan River – it’s also my favourite place for a picnic.
From there, spend some time exploring central Perth and Elizabeth Quay.
Later in the afternoon, head to the coast.
For a first visit, I’d choose Cottesloe Beach and stay for sunset if the weather is nice.
Day 1 highlights
Kings Park • Perth CBD • Elizabeth Quay • Cottesloe Beach
Stay: Perth Hotel
Read next: Things to Do in Perth →
Day 2 – Rottnest Island
Spend your second day on Rottnest Island.
I recommend catching an early ferry so you have plenty of time to explore.
You can hire a bike, use the island bus or combine the two depending on how active you want to be.
Don’t just go for the quokkas. Some of the beaches and bays are spectacular.
Stops worth considering include:
- The Basin
- Little Salmon Bay
- Parker Point
- Wadjemup Lighthouse
- West End
Return to Perth in the late afternoon.
Day 2 highlights
Quokkas • Beaches • Snorkelling • Cycling • Coastal scenery
Stay: Perth
Read next: Rottnest Island Guide →
Day 3 – Perth to Margaret River via Busselton
Pick up your hire car this morning and start driving south.
Your main stop today is Busselton.
The journey from Perth to Busselton is easy, so you’ll still have plenty of time to explore once you arrive.
My favourite thing to do is walking along Busselton Jetty or taking the jetty train.
If you’re interested in marine life, consider booking the Underwater Observatory.
Have lunch in Busselton before continuing towards Margaret River.
Once you arrive, check into your accommodation and enjoy a relaxed evening.
Day 3 route
Perth → Busselton → Margaret River
Highlights
Busselton Jetty • Geographe Bay • Margaret River
Stay: Margaret River
My Tip 💡
If you want to visit the Busselton Jetty Underwater Observatory, book ahead rather than leaving it until you arrive. Sessions can sell out, particularly during busy periods.
Read next: Things to do in Busselton →
Day 4 – Margaret River
Today is about experiencing what the Margaret River Region is famous for.
Wine is obviously a big part of the region, but don’t make the mistake of thinking that’s all there is here.
You could combine:
- One or two wineries
- A brewery
- Local produce
- Chocolate or cheese
- A cave
- Margaret River town
- A coastal stop
I’d avoid trying to visit six or seven wineries in one day. Pick a few places you’re genuinely interested in and leave yourself time to enjoy them.
If both of you want to drink, joining a winery tour is much easier than worrying about driving.
Day 4 highlights
Wineries • Local food • Breweries • Caves • Margaret River town
Stay: Margaret River
Read next: Best Things to Do in Margaret River →
Day 5 – Dunsborough & Yallingup
Spend today exploring the northern Margaret River Region.
Head towards Dunsborough and Yallingup, which is one of my favourite parts of this stretch of coastline.
Visit Canal Rocks, stop at Yallingup Beach and continue towards Cape Naturaliste.
Depending on the weather and how much you want to fit in, you could also visit:
- Meelup Beach
- Eagle Bay
- Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse
- Sugarloaf Rock
Don’t plan every hour of this day. Some of the nicest moments here come from simply stopping at a beach or lookout that catches your eye.
Day 5 highlights
Dunsborough • Yallingup • Canal Rocks • Meelup Beach • Cape Naturaliste
Stay: Margaret River
Read next: Best Things to Do in Dunsbourough→ and Best Things to Do in Yallingup→
My Tip 💡
If the weather is good, leave plenty of time for Meelup Beach. I wouldn’t rush through this part of the region just to fit another attraction into the day.
Day 6 – Margaret River to Pemberton
Today, start heading deeper into the South West.
Drive south from Margaret River towards Pemberton.
The landscape changes noticeably as you leave the Margaret River Region and enter tall forest country.
Depending on your interests, you could stop around Augusta and Cape Leeuwin before, but I would save your time for exploring Pemberton. The karri forests are stunning and there are some beautiful walks.
Day 6 route
Margaret River → Augusta → Pemberton
Highlights
Cape Leeuwin • Karri forests • Pemberton
Stay: Pemberton
Read next: Best Things to Do in Pemberton→
Day 7 – Pemberton to Denmark via Walpole
This is one of the most scenic days of the itinerary and two of my favourite places in WA.
Leave Pemberton and drive towards Walpole.
Visit the Valley of the Giants Tree Top Walk, where you can walk high among the giant tingle trees. This would be my top pick if you are short on time as you get to see the forest canopy and walk amongst the trees on the forest floor.
Continue towards Denmark, stopping along the way as time allows.
Once you reach Denmark, check in and have a relaxed evening.
Day 7 route
Pemberton → Walpole → Denmark
Highlights
Karri forests • Walpole • Valley of the Giants • Denmark
Stay: Denmark
Read next: Best Things to Do in Walpole→ and Best Things to Do in Denmark→
Day 8 – Denmark to Albany
Don’t rush away from Denmark this morning.
The coastline around Denmark is one of the highlights of the South West.
Visit William Bay National Park, where you’ll find Greens Pool and Elephant Rocks – don’t miss out on this.
Afterwards, continue towards Albany.
The drive itself isn’t particularly long, so you have plenty of flexibility today.
Spend the afternoon getting acquainted with Albany.
Day 8 highlights
Greens Pool • Elephant Rocks • Denmark • Albany
Stay: Albany
Read next: Best Things to Do in Albany→
My Tip 💡
Greens Pool is much nicer when you aren’t trying to squeeze it into a rushed stop. Give yourself enough time to walk around to Elephant Rocks as well.
Day 9 – Albany & Torndirrup National Park
You now have a full day to explore Albany.
Head towards Torndirrup National Park, where you’ll find some of the most dramatic coastline in the South West.
Visit:
- The Gap
- Natural Bridge
- Misery Beach
- Coastal viewpoints
Then spend some time exploring Albany itself.
If you’re interested in history, the National Anzac Centre is worth including.
Depending on the season, Albany also has excellent whale-watching opportunities.
Day 9 highlights
The Gap • Natural Bridge • Torndirrup National Park • Albany • National Anzac Centre
Stay: Albany
Day 10 – Albany to Perth
Today is your longest driving day.
Drive from Albany back to Perth.
Rather than filling the day with lots of detours, I’d concentrate on getting back comfortably.
Take regular breaks and stop for lunch along the way.
If your flight home is on Day 10, I’d be cautious about relying on a long drive from Albany on the same day. Ideally, your flight would be the following morning.
Day 10 route
Albany → Perth
Stay: Perth if flying out the following day.
My Tip 💡
If you’re travelling internationally, I’d add an extra night in Perth rather than driving from Albany and catching a long-haul flight on the same day. It gives you some breathing room if anything delays the journey.
Where to Stay on This 10 Day WA Itinerary
This itinerary uses several bases, but you aren’t changing hotels every night.
Perth – 2 nights
Staying centrally makes sightseeing easy, while coastal areas work well if beaches are your priority.
Margaret River – 3 nights
Margaret River town is convenient for wineries and attractions.
Dunsborough is another option if you’re particularly interested in the northern beaches.
Where to Stay in Margaret River →
Pemberton – 1 night
Stay close to Pemberton town for easy access to the surrounding forests.
Denmark – 1 night
Denmark is a lovely place to break the journey between Pemberton and Albany.
Albany – 2 nights
Two nights gives you a full day to explore Albany and Torndirrup National Park without rushing.
How Much Driving Is Involved?
Western Australia is big, but I’ve deliberately kept most driving days manageable.
Your longest journey is Albany back to Perth on Day 10.
One of the reasons I prefer this itinerary for a first visit is that you aren’t spending days driving enormous distances just to tick places off a list.
I’d rather see fewer places properly than spend a 10-day holiday looking through a windscreen.
Do You Need a Car?
Not for the first two days.
Perth and Rottnest can easily be explored without hiring a car.
I’d therefore collect your hire car on the morning of Day 3, when you leave for the South West.
From that point onwards, having your own vehicle is by far the easiest way to follow this itinerary.
There are car hire booths at Perth Airport, but it’s best to pre-book your car rental.
To compare Australian car hire prices, Discover Cars is an award-winning car rental comparison website. They offer competitive pricing in over 10,000 locations worldwide and are highly rated.
Compare Rental Cars Here.
Best Time for This 10 Day WA Itinerary
This route can be travelled at different times of the year, but the experience changes considerably with the seasons.
Spring is particularly beautiful in the South West, while summer is ideal if beaches are a major priority.
Winter can be wetter and cooler, but forests, wineries and cosy South West towns can still make it an enjoyable trip.
Read: Best Time to Visit Western Australia →
Can You Add Esperance?
You could — but I wouldn’t on a 10-day first trip.
Esperance is spectacular, but adding it means significantly more driving and removes the relaxed pace that makes this itinerary work.
If Esperance is one of your absolute priorities, I’d create a different 10-day itinerary specifically around Albany and Esperance rather than bolting it onto this one.
10 Day Perth to Esperance Itinerary →
What If You Have Less Time?
If you only have one week, I’d stop the trip around Margaret River rather than continuing through Pemberton, Denmark and Albany.
7 Day Western Australia Itinerary →
What If You Have Two Weeks?
With 14 days, I’d slow this route down considerably.
You could spend more time in the South West, add Esperance, or choose a completely different itinerary north of Perth towards the Coral Coast.
2 Week Western Australia Itinerary →
Prefer a Road Trip?
This itinerary focuses on how to spend your 10 days in Western Australia. If you’re looking for detailed driving routes, distances, overnight stops and road-trip options, head to my Western Australia Road Trips guides.
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