The Best Western Australia Road Trips in 2023

Are you looking for the best Western Australis road trips? As locals, we’ve travelled extensively throughout WA and I want to share with you some of our favourites.

Western Australia Road Trip Inspiration

Here are some of the best Western Australia road trips we have taken:

• Perth to Exmouth road trip
• Perth to Broome road trip itinerary
• Perth to Albany road trip
• Perth to Margaret River road trip
• Perth to Esperance via Albany
• Indian Ocean Drive road trip
• Perth to Kalbarri road trip
• Perth to Jurien Bay road trip

Western Australia road trips we’ve yet to do are from Broome to Darwin via the Gibb River Road and Perth to Kalgoorlie.

There are car hire booths at Perth airport, but it’s best to pre-book your car rental.

To compare Australia 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 have a high rate of customer satisfaction.

Drivenow is a good resource to compare campervan hire in Western Australia as it includes all the large companies like Britz, Maui, Jucy as well as smaller ones.

Compare Rental Cars Here.

Western Australia Road Trip Packing List

• If you take prescription medication make sure you have enough for the duration of your trip and bring a script renewal from your doctor
• Swiss army knife, torch, & spare batteries
• First aid kit & emergency blanket
• Fire extinguisher
• Duct tape
• Umbrella/rain protection
• Insect repellent – mosquitoes can carry diseases such as encephalitis and Ross River fever
• Sun protection – sunscreen, large brimmed hat, sunglasses, and long-sleeve top
• National Park holiday or annual pass, which can be purchased online or at various outlets like visitor centres. RAC WA offer a 50% discount for members
• A CB Radio is useful if you are planning to travel into remote areas
• Cash and credit/debit cards
• Toiletries
• Toilet Paper
• Travel mugs, reusable water bottles, utensils, rubbish bags, and reusable bags
• Eskie or portable fridge
• Clothes, footwear, swimwear, towels
• Camera, drone, phone, tablet, and chargers
• Entertainment (cards, boardgames, books etc.)
• Guide book (I still like having a paper version)

Tips for a Western Australia Road Trip

• Don’t drive tired. If you feel sleepy, pull over at one of the many rest stops on the side of the road. Try to share the driving.
• Have at least 6 litres of water per person.
• Pack non-perishable food.
• Be prepared that you may lose the radio signal in some parts, so bring some music with you.
• Know your route and research the best places to stop along the way. Our Western Australia travel guides provide great advice on which hotels, restaurants and attractions to visit.
• Check for road closures which can be closed due to several factors, including bush fires.
• If you are towing a caravan, trailer, or boat ensure you know the legal load limit for your vehicle and that it is well secured. The maximum speed limit for a vehicle towing a trailer or caravan is 100 kmph, unless otherwise signposted.
• Buy a Telstra SIM card as their regional coverage is the best.
• Road trains (large trucks with up to four carriages) can be as long as 60m so extreme care must be taken if overtaking.
• Keep up to date with emergency advice on the WA Emergency site.
• The open road speed limit is 110 km per hour and 50 km per hour in built up areas. However, pay attention to the signs as they often change.
• It is illegal to touch your mobile phone while driving and all passengers must wear a seatbelt.
• Carry a first aid kit.
• It is highly recommended to have a GPS in order to avoid getting lost or download a mapping app like Avenza that provides a map even when you are out of range.
• Plan to travel no longer than eight to ten hours a day.
• Watch out for wildlife when driving, especially around dawn and dusk (serious accidents occur due to collisions with kangaroos, cows, and other animals).
• Stop at roadhouses for a break and stretch.
• Ensure you have enough fuel as some service stations are 100 – 300 km apart and some may be out of fuel. Also keep in mind that most of them do not open 24 hours.
• If you break down, stay with your vehicle and conserve water and food.
• Note a list of emergency contacts before you leave.
• Keep valuables out of sight.
• Be aware of crocodile dangers in Australia’s North West.
  

With these considerations in mind, you should be able to enjoy a safe, fun, and memorable Western Australia road trip.

If you’re not familiar with the state, these Western Australia region guides will help you decide what part of WA you want to see the most.

Western Australia Road Trip Guides