The ultimate Perth to Esperance 10 day travel guide
- dainlukaa
- Jul 22, 2023
- 7 min read
Updated: Jul 25, 2023
Are you ready for an unforgettable adventure in one of the most beautiful corners of Australia?
Look no further! In this travel guide I share an insane road trip itinerary that will take you through the mesmerizing landscapes of Western Australia's South West region. This road trip will take you through the charming town of Margaret river all the way to the turquoise waters of Esperance.
I’m Dain, a UK travel blogger currently exploring Australia on a Working Holiday Visa. I hope this blog can inspire you to take a trip and live out your Australian road trip dreams.
Western Australia is known for its vastness and awe-inspiring beauty, making it the perfect destination for a road trip. I recommend a minimum of 10 days to complete this road trip, and if time allows spend 14 or even 21 days to take a slower, more relaxed approach.
Your journey is likely to begin in the vibrant city of Perth. To make the most of your adventure, rent a campervan. This choice provides ultimate flexibility, enabling you to camp at various locations and save money on accommodation. You can also get those dreamy van life photos along the way.
The Itinerary
Perth to Esperance.
Prepare for an epic drive covering a total distance of 1930km return.
Recommended Timeframe
Short on time: 10 days
Perfect time: 14 days
Slower time frame: 21 days
Budget
$100 per day to cover fuel, food, accommodation, and activities.
- Twilight beach, Esperance
Many travellers who flock to Australia tend to stick to the East Coast, but the West Coast's unique beauty sets it apart. I personally believe the west coast is the BEST coast. There are many camper van rental companies, I usually go with Travellers Autorbarn for their affordability, great customer service and kitted-out vans!
Whether you're a seasoned traveler or an explorer at heart, South West Australia will undoubtedly leave you speechless. So, pack your bags, hop into a campervan, and get
ready to uncover the hidden beauty of this magical corner of Australia. Happy travels!
I want to emphasise that I have included all of the top places to hit off on your adventure in 10 days. I personally spent 14 days and felt that I got to see everything whilst slowing down in a few places. It is inevitable that you will fall in love with the slower pace of life on the west coast and never want to leave!
Day 1: Perth to Busselton (222km)
Depart from Perth and head to Busselton, home to the longest jetty in the southern hemisphere. Spend at least 1 night here, relishing the local vibe, exploring white sandy beaches, and enjoying stunning sunsets. Busselton jetty is the perfect place to watch the sunset as you swim in the waters below. To avoid jellyfish stings head to the netted area.
Heyscape, Busselton
Day 2: Busselton to Yalingup (33km)
Start your day with a scenic morning walk along the Jetty and enjoy coffee at Shelter, also known for its delicious pizzas. Optionally, return by train after the 1.8km walk. We spent a few nights at Heyscapes beautiful cabins in Whicher Ridge Winery, this allowed us to really take in this peaceful town. (pictured above)
After spending the morning in Busselton head further south to Dunsborough and relax at Meelup beach for a picnic and swim. Meelup beach was one of my favourite beaches in the south west, the ocean was so clear and clean. After spending a few hours here, drive down to Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse, you can pay $5 to enter the lighthouse area and then you have the option to do a few walking trails.
Find a free park up using wiki camps or camp at one of the Tasmin holiday parks in the area.
- Meelup Beach, Dunsburough
Day 3 - Margaret River (41km)
Take a morning dip at Injidup Natural Spa's crystal blue waters. The rocky landscape creates a natural spa effect when the waves crash into them, resulting in champagne pools below.
Continue the drive south to explore the Margaret River region, famous for its 200+ vineyards. We visited Cape Mentelli vineyard, the price is $10 for a tasting of 5 different wines or free if you choose to purchase a bottle. Choose to stay in Margaret River town or nearby coastal spot Prevelley.
A big reason I recommend spending at least 14 days is that you will want to jump out of the car several times an hour to take in the beautiful sights of the Western Australia Landscape.
- Hilliger National Park
Day 4: Walpole (250km)
Begin your morning with yoga at Gnarabup Yoga Studio, followed by coffee with a view at White Elephant Cafe.
Continue south with a quick visit to Hamelin Bay to see stingrays in their natural habitat. This area is also home to many caves which you can explore with a guided tour. We chose to explore Jewel Cave explore which cost $24 per person. Jewel Cave is one of the largest and most beautiful caves in the region.
You can continue the drive down to Albany or stay the night in a free or paid camp spot. We decided to spend the night at Walpole rest point caravan park as we wanted to do a few activities nearby in the morning. This was a very peaceful camping spot with Kangaroos jumping around the grounds.
Day 5: Albany (121km)
After a restful night in Walpole, kick off the day with a relaxed visit to the Valley of the Giants treetop walk. Stroll through the treetops and enjoy the tranquillity of the forest while enjoying a coffee from the truck at the entrance.
Continuing the journey, you will arrive at Green Pool and Elephant Rock, two iconic spots that left us in awe despite the overcast weather. We couldn't help but imagine how stunning these places would look under sunny skies.
Denmark is a small town you will pass through, I would recommend to keep driving until you reach Boston Brewing co, the stone-baked pizzas and drinks were delicious.
As you make your way to Albany, the next destination is Torndirrup National Park. Here, you can take a few minutes to check out The Gap, an impressive viewing platform offering a view of crashing waves below. Both The Gap and The Bridge are accessible as there is parking directly in front. A great spot for sunset is the Albany Wind farm.
Spend the night in Albany to wake up and head straight to the Stirling Range national park.
Day 6 Stirling Range National Park (79km)
Head to the Stirling Range national park to complete the Bluff Knoll Hike. The start of this hike is around 1-hour drive north of Albany. This hike is a grade level 4 and requires some level of fitness due to the many steps. I would recommend at least 3-4 hours.
After conquering the Bluff Knoll Hike head back to Albany and spend the afternoon relaxing at Little beach. Little beach is situated just outside Albany and has won several awards for being one of the best beaches to visit in Australia. Relax as much as possible before completing the long drive over to Esperance.
Driving in the dark is not recommended in sparse parts of Australia due to wildlife. Spend the night in Albany or Cheynes.
- Stirling Range National Park
Day 7 Esperance (414km)
Today hit the road to complete the 5 hour drive from Albany to the picturesque town of Esperance. Arrive in Esperance in the afternoon and relax around town, play some mini golf or head to one of the local beaches.
Tip - We visited Esperance in March 2023 which was just after the summer season, we found all the caravan parks to be full during this time. We spent several nights at Esperance pink lake tourist park. If you are coming in the summer period it may be wise to book ahead.
- Observatory point, Esperance
Day 8 Esperance Great Ocean Drive
Spend a full day exploring jaw-dropping beaches such as: Blue Haven Bay, Twilight Beach, Observatory Point, and 11 Mile Lagoon. There are no shops or cafes along this drive, I would ensure you have packed enough snacks to last the full day.
- Twilight beach, Esperance
Day 9 Cape Le Grand national park (49km)
Located just an hour's drive outside Esperance is Cape Le Grand National Park which boasts extraordinary beaches that warrant a full day, or even two.
One of the most popular beaches is the iconic Lucky Bay, where you might be lucky enough to spot friendly kangaroos hopping along the white sands. There is a range of activities to do here including surfing, swimming, hiking and snorkelling. Although our 2WD camper van couldn't access the beach, Lucky Bay's compact sand provides ideal driving conditions, with many cars parked along the beachfront.
Don't miss the chance to book a stay at the secluded campsite Lucky Bay Campground. This campsite books out months in advance so plan well and reserve early.
Details
Entry to the national park: $15
Top spots: Hellfire bay, Lucky Bay to Thistle cove hike (2 hour return) and Thistle cove beach
Day 10 Perth (741km)
On the final day of your adventure, I suggest making the drive back to Perth via Wave Rock for a quick stop. The driving time is 8 hours for this leg of the journey
I highly recommend dedicating 14 days to this itinerary because you're bound to fall in love with the charming towns you'll encounter and will want to extend your stay in some of them. While it's possible to squeeze everything into a 10-day trip, you'll feel rushed.
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