Planning a trip to Western Australia but not sure how much you can realistically fit in? After years of travelling around WA, I know just how easy it is to underestimate the distances between places. I’ve put together these itineraries to make the most of your time.
From Perth city breaks to exploring the South West and adventures to Broome or Ningaloo Reef, use these itineraries to work out where to go, how long to stay and what you can realistically see.
Choose Your WA Itinerary by Trip Length
How long you have in Western Australia will make a big difference to where you should go. Trying to cover too much usually means spending more time driving than actually enjoying the places you’ve travelled all that way to see.
Start with the amount of time you have and choose an itinerary that gives you a realistic pace.
7 Days in Western Australia
With one week, I’d concentrate on Perth and one region rather than trying to cover huge distances.
For a first visit, Perth, Rottnest Island and the Margaret River Region make a great combination of city, beaches, food, wine and scenery without spending every day in the car.
7 Day Western Australia Itinerary →
10 Days in Western Australia
Ten days gives you enough time to venture further into the South West.
My 10-day itinerary combines Perth and Rottnest with Margaret River, Pemberton, Denmark and Albany, giving you a fantastic mix of beaches, wineries, forests and coastal scenery.
10 Day Western Australia Itinerary →
2 Weeks in Western Australia
Two weeks gives you far more choice.
Head south through Margaret River, Denmark and Albany to Esperance, or travel north along the Coral Coast towards Shark Bay, Ningaloo Reef and Exmouth.
The right itinerary will depend on the time of year and what you most want to experience.
2 Week Western Australia Itinerary →
Featured Western Australia Itineraries
Already know roughly where you want to go? These itineraries focus on some of WA’s most popular destinations and regions.
10 Day Perth to Esperance Itinerary
Travel from Perth through the South West to Esperance, stopping at Margaret River, Pemberton, Denmark and Albany along the way.
You’ll experience wineries, towering forests and spectacular coastline before reaching the white beaches of Esperance and Cape Le Grand National Park.
View the 10 Day Perth to Esperance Itinerary →
7 Day South West WA Itinerary
Slow things down and spend a week exploring one of Western Australia’s most varied regions.
Discover Margaret River, the Southern Forests, Denmark and Albany, with plenty of time for beaches, wineries, local food and some of WA’s most beautiful coastal scenery.
View the 7 Day South West Itinerary →
Coral Coast & Ningaloo Itinerary
Head north from Perth for a completely different Western Australia adventure.
Follow the coast towards Kalbarri, Shark Bay, Coral Bay and Exmouth, with incredible wildlife experiences and Ningaloo Reef waiting at the end.
View the Coral Coast & Ningaloo Itinerary →
WA Itineraries by Region
Western Australia’s five tourism regions are enormous and very different from one another. If you already know which part of WA you want to explore, start here.
Destination Perth
Explore Perth, Fremantle, Rottnest Island, the Swan Valley and the coast with shorter itineraries that work particularly well at the beginning or end of a WA holiday.
Browse Perth Itineraries →
Australia’s South West
Plan a trip through Margaret River, Busselton, Pemberton, Denmark and Albany, with itineraries ranging from short breaks to longer South West adventures.
Browse South West Itineraries →
Australia’s Coral Coast
Follow the coast north through Cervantes, Kalbarri and Shark Bay towards Coral Bay, Exmouth and Ningaloo Reef.
Browse Coral Coast Itineraries →
Australia’s Golden Outback
Explore Esperance, Wave Rock, the Wheatbelt and Goldfields with itineraries that combine extraordinary beaches with completely different inland landscapes.
Browse Golden Outback Itineraries →
Australia’s North West
Plan a longer adventure through Karijini, Broome and the Kimberley, where distances are huge and choosing the right time of year is especially important.
Browse North West Itineraries →
Explore Western Australia’s Five Regions →
Which Western Australia Itinerary Is Right for You?
Still undecided? Start with what you most want from your trip.
First Trip to Western Australia
If it’s your first visit and you have around a week to ten days, I’d start with Perth and the South West.
You’ll experience the city, beaches, Rottnest Island, wineries, forests and coastal towns without tackling some of WA’s enormous northern distances.
See My 7 Day WA Itinerary →
Beaches & Wildlife
For snorkelling, marine life and warmer weather, look north towards the Coral Coast and Ningaloo Reef.
If white-sand beaches and spectacular coastal scenery are your priority, Esperance and the south coast are another fantastic choice.
Food, Wine & Coastal Towns
Head south.
Margaret River and the South West combine wineries and excellent food with forests, beaches and some of WA’s prettiest towns.
Wilderness & Adventure
For a completely different side of Western Australia, head north towards Karijini, Broome and the Kimberley.
You’ll need more time, and when you travel matters much more in the north, but the landscapes are extraordinary.
Don’t Try to See Everything
This is where I’d add one of your My Tip boxes because it reinforces your first-hand authority.
MY TIP 💡
One of the biggest mistakes I see people make when planning a WA holiday is trying to fit too much in. Western Australia is enormous. I’d much rather spend three nights somewhere I love than lose half my holiday driving just so I can tick another destination off the list.
Road Trip or Itinerary – What’s the Difference?
You may notice that I have separate guides for WA itineraries and WA road trips.
The difference is simple.
An itinerary helps you decide where to go, what to do and how many days to spend in each place.
A road trip guide focuses more on the journey itself — the driving route, distances, stops and places to break up the drive.
If you already know where you’re heading and want help planning the drive:
Explore Western Australia Road Trips →
Planning Your Western Australia Trip
Once you’ve chosen your itinerary, these guides will help with the rest of your planning.
Explore WA Regions
Compare Western Australia’s five regions and decide where you want to spend your time.
Explore Western Australia Regions →
Travel Planning
Find practical information on when to visit, getting around, accommodation and planning your WA holiday.