South West itinerary in 8 days or add to another adventure for a complete road trip around Australia’s South West region.
Leg 1: Perth to Yallingup 263 kms 3 hours
Head south to Bunbury. Don’t forget to stop for a quick trip to Yalgorup National Park, where you can see thrombolites at Lake Clifton. This is one of few places in Western Australia where these thrombolites survive.
Bunbury is popluar for the Koombana Bay dolphins. You can visit the Dolphin Discovery Centre for a close encounter. From here, continue on to Bussleton, where you can visit the longest wooden jetty in the world, before continuing your drive to Yallingup. If you have children, stop at Simmos Ice Creamery, which offers over 60 flavours of icecream with a huge playground at the back for the kids.
Explore Dunsborough area
Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse
Premium wine tasting
Ngilgi Cave
Spectacular seascapes
Leg 2: Yallingup to Margaret River 42 kms 34 minutes
Explore the wineries, chocolate factory, cheese factory and other little wonders that the Margaret River region has to offer.
Explore the Margaret River region
Award winning wine region
Best big-wave surfing locations on Earth
World’s tallest trees
Ancient limestone caves
Leg 3: Margaret River to Pemberton 150 kms 1 hour 30 minutes
Head south on one of the most scenic drives, Caves Road. Explore a few caves, then make your way to Pemberton.
Enjoy a forest walk, climb a tree, explore the waterfalls, or take the Pemberton tram and meander through the Karri forest.
Leg 4: Pemberton to Albany 260 kms 2 hours 40 minutes
Make your way to Albany via Northcliffe and Walpole.
Stop at the Giant Tingle Tree and explore the only place where these giant trees grow. Continue to the Valley of the Giant Tree Top walk (fees apply to enter). It features a stunning walkway positioned 40 metres above the ground amid the spectacular heights of the Tingle forest canopy.
Denmark is 52kms from Walpole. There are nice little shops on the way from Walpole to Denmark, toffee factory, burger place and even a honey shop.
Don’t miss Greens Pool, Elephant Rocks and Elephant Cove before making your way to Albany.
Explore Albany
Take a break today and explore Albany, a town full of history.
Between June and October, you can watch out for humpback and southern right whales.
First convoy of ANZACs departed for the First World War
Torndirrup National Park
Albany Wind Farm
World-class hiking
Leg 5: Albany to Perth 410 kms 4 hours 40 minutes
A long drive to get back to Perth.
This trip can also be made in reverse if you wish to drive from Perth to Albany first.
Total kilometres: 1,086 Total travel hours: 12
Travel times are estimated based on an average speed of 80km p/h and should be adjusted to suit road conditions and weather. The travel times indicated should allow for delays due to road works, traffic, fuel, food and bathroom stops. Travel times and distances are approximate and we recommend using as a guide only, along with a published map book or GPS navigational system.
Explore Western Australia’s largest outdoor art gallery
This colourful route through the Wheatbelt and Great Southern following the Public Silo Trail, which has transformed by a string of massive grain silos into works of art.
What better way to get off the beaten track and explore the Wheatbelt than following these larger than life murals? The open-air gallery stretches from Northam to Albany.
You’ll wind your way through gorgeous Wheatbelt country towns like Merredin, rich with bright-yellow canola fields and wildflowers in spring. There are heaps of picnic spots and nature walks around this area, as well as Aboriginal tours.
Each leg of this adventure discovers a new silo mural, some are closer than others allowing for more than one leg to be completed in a day.
We recommend spending at least 5 days completing this adventure. There are powered and unpowered sites near all silo locations as well as ablution facilities.
Leg 1: Perth to Northam 105 kms 1.5 hours
Start your adventure from Perth travelling towards Northam and turning off on Northam-Toodyay Road for the first stop and Australia’s first ever painted silo mural.
Artwork by London artist Phlegm and Atlanta native Hense in April 2015.
*Please note CBH Northam Grain Termial is a fully operational grain handling site, with trucks and loading equipment constantly in use. The site is not open to the public. A safe viewing area on Toodyay Road does not currently exist, however plans are in motion to establish one in the near future.
Stay at Homestead, Valley, Drummonds or Bald Hill campsites for forest camping in the Perth Hills in your 4WD and Roof Top Tent.
Leg 2: Northam to Merredin 165 kms 1.5 hours
The second silo artworks are located in Merredin along Great Eastern Highway. Using 200 litres of paint, 14 days, 168 hours, two lifts, 80 rollers and 10 brushes!
Artwork by Australian street artist Kyle Hughes-Odgers in August 2017.
Stay at Merredin Tourist Park for camping or fully equipped chalets and villas.
Leg 3: Merredin to Katanning 295 kms 3 hours
This stop showcases a series of Western Power owned transformer boxes. The various artworks can be found off Clive and Austral Terrace.
Artworks by Western Australian artists Mel McVee, Brenton See, Chris Nixon and Darren Hutchens and Karim Jabbari from Tunisia in November 2017.
Stay at Moingup Springs forest camping close to the Stirling Ranges, Liberty Roadhouse and Katanning Caravan Park, Lake Ewlyamartup campground or Eulin Crossing Campsite.
Leg 4: Katanning to Pingrup 132 kms 1.5 hours
The silos at Pingrup took the artist 15 days and 230 litres of paint to create the mural depicting the scenes of everyday life in Pingrup’s farming community.
Artwork by Evoca1, whose name refers to the Spanish word evocar (meaning to evoke).
Stay at Pingrup Caravan Park or Nyabing Caravan Parking Facility
Leg 5: Pingrup to Newdegate 102 kms 1 hour
Newdegate is salt lake, wildflower, wheat and barley country.
From Pingrup head along Katanning-Nyabing Road to view this mural and continue on Newdegate-Ravensthorpe Road to explore Lake King or back track to Lake Grace.
Artwork by Benton See in May 2018.
Stay at Newdegate Caravan Park or Hollands Track B&B with your 4WD.
Leg 6: Newdegate to Ravensthorpe 133 kms 1.5 hours
The landscape around Ravensthorpe comes alive every spring with thousands of species of wildflower bursting into colour so naturally these silo murals depict the six stages of Banksia Baxteri. A species of wildflower only found between Esperance and Albany.
Artwork by Amok Island.
Stay at a variety of coastal sites on secluded beaches of Hopetoun within the Fitzgerald River National Park.
Leg 7: Ravensthorpe to Albany 293 kms 3 hours
Heading to Western Australia’s southernmost port city you will find the ruby sea dragon (Phyllopteryx dewysea)
Artwork by Yok (Australia) and Sheryo (Singapore) in 2018.
Stay at nature-based campgrounds such as Cape Riche, Bettys or Normans Beach, Easy Bay, Torbay Inlet or Cosy Corner Easy in your 4WD and Roof Top Tent.
Total kilometres: 1,225 Total travel hours: 13
Travel times are estimated based on an average speed of 80km p/h and should be adjusted to suit road conditions and weather. The travel times indicated should allow for delays due to road works, traffic, fuel, food and bathroom stops. Travel times and distances are approximate and we recommend using as a guide only, along with a published map book or GPS navigational system.
Mount Augustus is the world’s biggest rock, at 1700 million years old, it is three times older than Uluru and twice it’s size!
Found roughly 1,000kms north of Perth in the Gascoyne Murchinson region of Western Australia, Mount Augustus is the world’s biggest rock. It is located within Mount Augustus National Park, a lush outback paradise with swimming holes, ancient rock art, a small but buzzing tourist park and the cutest outback bar you’ve ever seen.
The adventure is recommended for a 9 day trip, however you can take as much time as you like, even add it on to make a bigger road trip!
Leg 1: Perth to Mount Magnet 563 kms 6 hours
Begin your adventure through the Swan Valley.
Refuel at Dalwallinu and check out the general store.
This will be your first glimpse at wildflowers on the roadside.
Stop for lunch at Payne’s Find at the outback roadhouse.
Take your time and enjoy the stops along today’s short drive.
First stop at The Granites – a striking set of rocky outcrops reaching 15 metres high, and s site of great cultural significance to the Badimia people.
Aim to arrive for a beautiful sunrise and try and spot a shy kangaroo among the boulders.
Explore the town of Cue. In the early 1890s there were more people in Cue than in Perth due to the gold rush, today it is a decidedly quieter place. The grand facade of the buildings remain, head to the Queen of the Murchison to check out the classic Art Deco – high ceilings and decorative wooden architraves that make up this fantastic bed and breakfast.
Next stop is the abandoned ghost town of Big Bell. Established in 1935 for those who came to work in the adjacent mine.
Continue on to discover the rock formation that has been nicknamed ‘Uluru’s little sister’. At nearly two kilometres in length, Walga Rock is amazingly similar in structure and appearance to Uluru, and is the second largest monolith in Australia.
Leg 3: Cue to Meekatharra to Mount Augustus 469 kms 7 hours
You’re off to see the world’s biggest rock!
Before you depart Cue, be sure to check out the Bell & Co emporium which today operates as a general store and working museum, with an original flying fox still in operation.
Meekatharra is home to lovely architecture and is your last chance to refuel and grab any food or drinks before you head off road for today’s ultimate destination.
Admire the unusual colour of the earth, which flows continuously between chalky white solids, field of olive-coloured srub and a dark red dirt. Stop and look for Mount Gould Lock-Up – an abandoned police station from the 1800s, be sure to check out the floor made of rocks of quartz!
This is a fantastic area to spy some of WA’s famous wildflowers during the spring.
Start by taking the 40-minute Loop Drive around the base of the rock. As you edge around it’s northern face, you will begin to see the resemblance to Uluru and just how enormous it is.
Settle in at an open-air bar or take the 15 minute drive to Emu Hill lookout, from which it’s not hard to understand how Mount Augustus came to be a place of spiritual significance to the Wadjarri people.
Explore Mount Augustus starting with Flintstone Rock Walk, a short trail at 500 metres to a set of ancient Aboriginal petroglyphs (carvings in rock) hidden under a large slab of rock that bridges a creek.
If it is warm enough take a swim at Cattle Pool or head off on one of the several walking trails in and around the rock.
Mount Augustus is a monocline: the type of rock formation that leans, or ‘dips’ in a single direction. At 1700 million years old, it is three times older than Uluru and twice it’s size, making it the largest rock in the world.
Hike to the peak of Mount Augustus. This is a challenging six-hour return adventure but it is well worth it. Make sure you prepare lunch and water the day before and head off before dawn to make your way around the rock to the entrance of the Summit Trail.
Leg 4: Mount Augustus to Gascoyne Junction 299 kms 4.5 hours
Refuel at the tourist park before you go and set off towards Temple Gorge, located within Kennedy Range National Park.
If it’s spring, prepare your camera… the road to Kennedy Range National Park heads west towards Australia’s coastline and is carpeted with wildflowers of yellow, white, purple and red.
Stop off for a walking trail from Honeycomb Gorge or the other trails before heading for the town of Gascoyne Junction.
Stay at Junction Tourist Park with a choice of powered and unpowered sites with access to water and ablution facilities.
Leg 5: Gascoyne Junction to Wooleen Station 339 kms 5 hours
Refuel at the roadhouse onsite and begin your adventure south to the famous Wooleen Station.
At nearly half a million acres in size, this breathtaking outback property made it’s way onto Australian TV after it’s change of ownership to David Pollock and Fances Jones in 2007. David hosts a Guided Sunset tour that concludes at Tanjimook, an Indigenous sacred site found on the property, which is similar to Australia’s famous Devils Marbles.
Camping sites are unpowered on Wooleen Station, campfires and pets are welcome in some areas.
Wooleen Station
Explore Wooleen Station, head off on a trail or to Yewlands Pool or Wooleen Lake, or if it is warm enough to the Murchison River.
Leg 6: Wooleen Station to Perth 640 kms 8 hours
Depart early and head for Coalseam Conservation Park – an absolute treat. This sheltered valley with mineral-rich soils has created the ideal conditions for WA’s native everlastings.
Total kilometres: 3,487 Total travel hours: 44
Travel times are estimated based on an average speed of 80km p/h and should be adjusted to suit road conditions and weather. The travel times indicated should allow for delays due to road works, traffic, fuel, food and bathroom stops. Travel times and distances are approximate and we recommend using as a guide only, along with a published map book or GPS navigational system.
Broome to Perth Itinerary including the Coral Coast and Karijini National Park
Meet friendly dolphins, tick off a World Heritage Site, experience some of the best campsites in Western Australia and see some awe-inspiring views at the Kalbarri Skywalk!
Traveling north will take you along the Coral Coast, which extends over 1100 kilometers of white beaches and offers the opportunity to swim with whale sharks, dolphins, humpback whales and manta rays. For the water sport lovers, there are countless opportunities including windsurfing, kite surfing, diving and snorkeling.
If you visit the Coral Coast in Spring, the coast is alive with colourful displays of wildflowers, and if time allows, head to Karijini National Park, which is a day drive from Exmouth. Karijini is the jewel of the Pilbara with splendid waterfalls and emerald coloured rock pools.
Leg 1: Broome to 80 Mile Beach 376 kms 4.5 hours
Broome is a compact town to explore and attractions are all within 15 minutes drive.
Must see & do:
Camel ride on Cable Beach
Matso’s mango beer brewery
Fishing
Whale Watching
Pearl tour
Sunset
80 Mile Beach is the place where the majority of people stop to camp – it’s a beautiful beach that you can drive on (not past the high tide mark) and very popular for fishing.
Leg 2: 80 Mile Beach to Millstream Chichester National Park 476 kms 6 hours
Millstream Chichester boasts tranquil gorges and hidden rock pools. The most popular site is Python Pool. It is one of the most important Aboriginal sites in Australia!
Leg 3: Millstream Chichester National Park to Karijini 207 kms 3.5 hours
One of the big attraction of Karijini National Park is its accessibility. Simply walk 50 metres and peer straight into a deep gorge to see waterfalls and rock pools below. There are many walk trails available to further explore the gorges. Karijini’s main highlights are Fortescue Falls, Circular and Fern Pool.
Leg 4: Karijini National Park to Exmouth and Cape Range 674 kms 8.5 hours
The Ningaloo reef is a long coral reef swarms with turtles, tropical fish, manta rays, humpback whales and even whale sharks. No wonder that Ningaloo Reef is listed as a World Heritage Site! Whether you like snorkeling, diving or swimming, you will not be disappointed!
Cape Range National Park supports a range of unique wildlife habitats from existing ocean reef to ancient reef, rugged limestone, gorges and cave systems. Throughout the park, there are ample opportunities to view wildlife.
Leg 5: Exmouth and Cape Range to Coral Bay 152 kms 2 hours
In contrast to other locations, the coral reef starts right at the water’s edge.
Coral Bay is a very popular holiday destination for Western Australians. It is recommended to book well in advance when traveling during school holidays. This place is a marine paradise where visitors have plenty of activities to choose from: snorkeling, fishing, swimming with whale sharks…You can even visit the reef shark nursery between October and March, which is only a 20 minutes walk from Main Beach.
Monkey Mia is world-famous for it’s friendly dolphins, a group of wild bottlenose dolphins come to the shore nearly everyday to be fed by humans.
South of Monkey Mia, you will find Denham and Francois Peron National Park. This National Park offers diverse experiences, including four-wheel-driving. 50 minutes away from Monkey Mia, you will arrive at Shell Beach, where shells replace the beach sand and stretches over 100 kilometres!
There are a few camping options in Denham and Monkey Mia including Eagle Bluff, Fowlers, Whalebone Bay and Goulet Bluff.
Leg 7: Monkey Mia to Kalbarri 397 kms 5 hours
Kalbarri is a popular stop over for people on their way to Shark Bay or Monkey Mia.
There are many natural attractions to visit such as the new Kalbarri Skywalk, Natures Window and the Z-Bend Lookout located in Kalbarri National Park.
You can also go whale watching as the humpback whale migration happens between May and August.
Cervantes is well-known for its Pinnacles Desert. You can learn all about those strange structures at the Pinnacles Desert Discovery Centre.
Just a kilometre from the town centre lies Lake Thetis, where you can observe stromatolites, most commonly known as “living fossils”. These have been dated to about 3370 years old!
Further north of Cervantes, you will find Sandy Cape, a nice little spot where you can swim and watch the sunset.
Stay in Sandy Cape, the recreational park is a very popular camping spot.
Leg 9: Cervantes to Perth 247 kms 3 hours
On the way to Cervantes, stop at Yanchep National Park. This is a great place for the kids, offering a koala viewing area, caves and an aboriginal experience.
If you would like to extend your trip and enjoy Cervantes you can camp within Tuarts Reserve.
Total kilometres: 3,487 Total travel hours: 44
Travel times are estimated based on an average speed of 80km p/h and should be adjusted to suit road conditions and weather. The travel times indicated should allow for delays due to road works, traffic, fuel, food and bathroom stops. Travel times and distances are approximate and we recommend using as a guide only, along with a published map book or GPS navigational system.
Broome to Broome itinerary, including the Gibb River Road in 16 days or more
Leg 1: Broome to Cape Leveque 210 kms 2.5 hours
The Dampier Peninsula stretches about 200 kilometres north of Broome along the partly unsealed Cape Leveque Road.
You can swim in the sparkling water, go snorkelling, fishing or relax and enjoy the beautiful landscapes. Experience the amazing force of the giant tides, standing waves and whirlpools of King Sound near Cygnet Bay.
Explore Cape Leveque for a day or two and enjoy the pristine beaches and spectacular coastline.
Leg 3: Windjana to Bell Gorge and Silent Grove 179 kms 2 hours
Explore and swim at the waterfalls including Bell Gorge along the lengths of the Gibb River Road.
Silent Grove campsite is the best area to set up camp and to see Bell Gorge and Bells Falls, which are about 11km to the north-west of this campsite.
Leg 4: Bell Gorge and Silent Grove to Manning Gorge 122 kms 1.5 hours
Enjoy a bushwalk and experience the tranquility of Manning Falls.
Manning Gorge is a great place to camp for the night.
Leg 5: Manning Gorge to El Questro 344 kms 4.5 hours
On your way to El Questro, visit Barnett River Gorge and enjoy the hospitality of a pioneering family-owned cattle station and explore the magnificent waterholes on the property.
Look out for incredible Aboriginal art on the rock walls surrounding the waterholes.
Spend a couple of days exploring the El Questro park. Visit the thermal pool at Zebedee Springs, Emma Gorge or take a boat down the Chamberlain Gorge and fish for barramundi.
Visit Lake Argyle. It is the largest lake in Australia and home to abundant wildlife.
Spend a day or two exploring Kununurra and enjoy the day in Mirima National Park
Check in at one of the many campsites available in Kununurra such as Ivanhoe Village Resort.
Leg 7: Kununurra to Purnululu National Park 265 kms 3.5 hours
Bushwalking, plane or heli-tours, bus tours, station tours and more. From Bungle Bungle Caravan Park there is 70-80kms of rough 4WD road to either Echidna Chasm or Cathedral Gorge.
Plan ahead and allow yourself enough time to visit a few attractions. Start by heading to the visitor centre, Cathedral Gorge and Picaninny Creek Walk – including Whipsnake Gorge and Picaninny Lookout.
The park’s main feature, the Bungle Bungle Range, stands 300 metress above the spinifex covered plain and is dominated by the famous orange and black banded beehive-shaped dome. The park has limited accessible drinkable water.
Leg 8: Purnululu National Park (Bungle Bungles) to Halls Creek 149 kms 3 hours
Have a look at the China Wall, just outside of town. It looks like the miniature of the Great Wall of China! 45 kms out of town, you will find Palm Springs, where you can have a swim. Other places to have a look at include Caroline Pool, Old Halls Creek and Sawpit Gorge.
Leg 9: Halls Creek to Wolfe Creek National Park 149 km 3 hours
The Wolfe Creek meteorite crater is the second largest crater in the world from which fragments of a meteorite have been collected. The crater is 880 metres across and almost circular.
A camping area in the national park is free to visitors.
Leg 10: Wolfe Creek National Park to Fitzroy Crossing 428 kms 6 hours
It’s the gateway to Geikie Gorge and it is one of only two “towns” along the over 1000 km stretch of highway between Broome and Kununurra.
The Geikie Gorge National Park does not have camping facilities so the only option is to stay at one of the two caravan parks in town.
Explore Geikie Gorge National Park or head back to Broome 471 kms 6 hours
There are several walk trails which can be explored or you can take a boat cruise to admire the gorge. Please note it is always recommended to purchase your tickets in advance. Depending on the time you are finished with Geikie Gorge National Park, you might wish to stay another night at Fitzroy Crossing or make your way back to Broome and stay in one of their caravan parks.
Explore Broome
Broome is a compact town to explore and attractions are all within 15 minutes drive.
Must see & do:
Camel ride on Cable Beach
Matso’s mango beer brewery
Fishing
Whale Watching
Pearl tour
Sunset
Crocodile farm
Total kilometers: 2,790 Total travel hours: 38
Travel times are estimated based on an average speed of 80km p/h and should be adjusted to suit road conditions and weather. The travel times indicated should allow for delays due to road works, traffic, fuel, food and bathroom stops. Travel times and distances are approximate and we recommend using as a guide only, along with a published map book or GPS navigational system.
Perth is the capital city of Western Australia and offers countless of experiences. Perth is also well known for its perfect Summer weather and its beautiful beaches. From eating or drinking, getting up close to the local wildlife, visiting art galleries or seeking some action and adventure, Perth has something for everyone!
1. Perth CBD
Perth is trendy and there’s a lot to do in the CBD! With our perfect weather, there are also many available outdoors activities such as kayaking or paddle boarding on the Swan River.
The Bell Tower
Elizabeth Quay
London Court
A guided walk or a tour on the Perth Explorer
Visit some of the beautiful gardens
2. Kings Park
It is the most popular visitor destination in Western Australia with unique native bushland and unique views over the CBD and the Swan river. The park features many walk trails, a botanic garden and many events throughout the year.
3. Fremantle
Fremantle is full of charm with its 19th century port streetscape. Again, a lot to do and see when out for the day. There are also many tours available such as whale watching (the new Perth Canyon Blue Whale Expedition), walk tours and Indigenous Heritage tours.
Fremantle Prison
Western Australian Maritime Museum
Fremantle Markets
Fremantle Roundhouse
Fremantle’s Fishing Boat Harbour
4. Cottesloe
Cottesloe is well known in Perth with over 1 km of white sandy beach. It’s the most popular spot for swimming, snorkeling and surfing.
5. Rottnest Island
Take the ferry from Fremantle, Hillary’s Boat Harbour or Perth City and head to Rottnest Island for the day or a weekend. Meet the local residents, the Quokkas and tour the island on a bicycle. Rottnest Island is the favourite destination for tourists as well as locals. There are many walk trails and beautiful beaches were you can go swimming.
6. Penguin Island
If you enjoyed Rottnest Island, you will probably enjoy Penguin Island as well. Although it is further away from Perth CBD it is well worth a detour. After a quick ferry ride of 10 mins from Rockingham, you will have the possibility to see penguins and sea lions. Rockingham Wild Encounters also offer the opportunity to go on a dolphin cruise and to swim with dolphins. If you need more adrenaline, you can also book a skydive over Rockingham Beach.
7. The Swan Valley
Just 25 mins away, it’s the place not to miss if you love food! Visit a chocolate factory, explore the food and wine trail, visit art galleries and much more.
9. Caversham Wildlife Park
While in the Swan Valley, don’t forget to visit Caversham Wildlife Park and get up close to kangaroos and koalas!
8. The Bickley Valley & Carmel Wine Route
Beautiful forests, extraordinary wildflowers, tranquil bush walking trails…The Perth Hills are alive! The wine Route is only half an hour from the Perth CBD, and presents a cluster of boutique wineries situated within a few kilometres of each other make for a fantastic day out.
10. Yanchep
Yanchep is a popular National Park located about an hour away from Perth CBD. There is a koala viewing area and a few caves to explore. It’s a great place to stop for lunch if you are on your way up North.
Hire a 4WD and experience the magnificent south west region!
Red Dirt 4WD Rentals love helping customers experiencing the best that WA has to offer. This is our top 10 destinations in the South West. The South West has some incredible 4WD tracks, so don’t wait any longer and get a quote to hire one of our 200 Series Landcruisers!
1. Bunbury
Bunbury has a great array of activities to choose from. From bird watching to swimming with dolphins, it’s all there. Over 150 Bottlenose dolphins live in the bay and some of them can regularly be seen in front of the Dolphin Discovery Centre. The centre offers swimming experiences with the dolphins throughout the day. It’s a perfect little break before continuing your journey down south! Not far from Bunbury is the Tuart Forest. This forest is one of the rarest in the world and can be seen while on your way to Busselton.
2. Busselton
This is the place to visit if you love jetties! Take a walk or catch the train to explore this 1.8 kilometre long jetty. There is also an Underwater Observatory where you can see amazing marine life.
3. Yallingup
This town is nestled on a ridge and surrounded by the Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park with amazing views over Yallingup Beach and the Indian Ocean. There are many attractions to see in the area including the Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse, Sugarloaf Rock, Ngilgi Cave and many splendid beaches with white sand such as Injidup, Three Bears and Smiths Beach.
4. Margaret River
Just three hours’ drive south of Perth will bring you to one of the most popular destination in the South West: Margaret River. There is so much to do and see that your biggest challenge will be to fit it all in!
This is the place to be if you are a food lover, a nature lover or a sport lover! Just a short drive away is the towering Boranup Karri Forest, which is home to the largest tree species in the world. Don’t miss the numerous caves on the way such as Lake and Mammoth Caves. There are also many walking and cycle trails close to town. If you love surfing, then head to the beach. Margaret River is well-known for its spectacular surf.
5. Augusta
Augusta is fast becoming a mecca for adventure! Augusta’s attractions include the Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse, Jewel Cave, Hamelin Bay and various water sports such as windsurfing, paddling and snorkelling.
Augusta’s whale watching in Flinders Bay is fantastic from June to August. It is the first stopping point for many southern right and humpback whales.
6. Manjimup and Pemberton
The region features the famous Gloucester, Bicentennial and Diamond fire lookout trees located in beautiful National Parks. All these trees can be climbed during your visit. The best way to experience Pemberton’s natural attractions is to drive the Karri Forest Explorer Drive, which is mostly on unsealed roads.
7. Walpole
Walpole is home to the last giant tingle trees. The best way to experience this forest is to walk the Valley of the Giants Tree Top Walk. You can also wander into the hollowed trunk of a tingle tree by walking the Ancient Empire Walk. Walpole is also home to splendid beaches including Mandalay and Conspicuous Beach. There are also many nature based adventure activities such as kayaking and four wheel driving in the National Parks.
8. Denmark
There is a lot to see in Denmark including the very popular Elephant Rocks and Elephant Cove. To entertain the children, Denmark has its own dinosaur world with a world-class exhibition as well as an animal farm. For the food lovers, try the chocolate and toffee factories.
9. Albany
Torndirrup National Park is well-known for its spectacular wave-carved rock formations including Natural Bridge, the Gap and the Blowholes. For the adventure lovers, head to Mount Frankland National Parks, Stirling Range National Park and Porongurup National Parks. All of them offer a great variety of walks.
Porongurup is also home to the Granite Skywalk, a suspended walkway which spirals around a huge granite outcrop.
10. Esperance
Esperance with its white sandy beaches never disappoints. The most popular beach is Lucky Bay with kangaroos often seen lazing nearby. Further east is Cape Arid National Park which presents a more rugged experience for those wanting to get in touch with remote nature. A 4WD is necessary for this national park.
Our 4WDs are the perfect vehicles for your adventure on the Gibb River Road as they are all equipped for the tough road conditions you will encounter.
The Gibb River Road is a very popular destination during the dry season. It’s a 660 kilometre track accessible between May and October (depending on road conditions). Originally used at a cattle route, it takes visitors though the last remote and pristine places of Australia.
Below is a list of the top places to visit on your Gibb River Road trip. We recommend at least 14 days for a trip from Darwin or Broome.
Please note, if you have allowed yourself 14 days, we recommend to either visit the Mitchell Falls or Bungle Bungles as both sites are large and require time to access and visit.
WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Broome
With a unique charm and character, Broome offers many attractions such as:
Camel rides
Fishing
Pearl tour
Dinosaur footprints (Gantheaume Point)
Beautiful sunsets
Crocodile park
Broome Bird Observatory
Windjana Gorge
Explore Windjana Gorge by walking one of the trails available. Spend the night at Windjana and explore Tunnel Creek.
Silent Grove and Bell Gorge
Explore and swim at the waterfalls, including Bell Gorge.
Mornington Wilderness Camp
Mornington Wildlife Sanctuary covers more than 3,000 km2 of spectacular gorges and tropical savannah dominated by the Fitzroy River and King Leopold Ranges. Popular activities include canoeing down Dimond Gorge and swimming and exploring Sir John Gorge.
Stop for a dip at Galvan’s Gorge and Adcock Gorge, two refreshing waterholes on the Gibb River Road.
Manning Gorge is a great place to camp for a night or two.
Mt Elizabeth Station
Stop at Barnett River Gorge on your way to Mt Elizabeth Station. This station hides many waterholes such as Warla Gorge and Wunnamurra Gorge.
Drysdale River Station
Drysdale River Station is the gateway to the Mitchell River National Park. It is the last refueling stop on your way to Mitchell Falls Plateau. It can take between 4 – 6 hours to reach the Mitchell Falls car park from Drysdale River Station.
Make sure you allow yourself enough time to do the drive in the day. The road leading to Mitchell Falls car park is all dirt road and can be very good or very rough (depending on when it was last graded). Please remember you are a long way away from everything and help is not readily available.
Going at a slow pace is always recommended to avoid vehicle damage and roll overs.
Mitchell Falls
Mitchell Falls is a great place for nature lovers. Please remember, it is a very remote area and you need to be self sufficient allow four to six hours for the moderate to difficult 8.6 km round trip to Mitchell Falls so that time can be spent at the falls. If you do not wish to walk, you can take an helicopter ride.
Always plan at least 3 days for Mitchell Falls (1 day to get there, 1 day to enjoy the falls and one day to get back onto the Gibb River Road).
Home Valley Station
It’s an outback oasis nestled at the foot of the spectacular Cockburn Range. There are a great number of activities offered on the station, including horse riding, hikes, sunset tours and fishing.
El Questro Wilderness Park
The true start or the end of the Gibb River Road! Enjoy the thermal pool at Zebedee Springs and the swim at Emma Gorge.
Kununurra
Built on the bank of the Ord River in the 1960s, the town is now the easter gateway to the Kimberley region. Visit Lake Argyle and Mirima National Park.
Purnululu National Park – Bungle Bungles
The Bungle Bungles is a World Heritage Site accessible with the Great Northern Highway and located approximately 300 kms south of Kununurra. It is famous for its sandstone towers which can also be observed from above.
Please note the road from the caravan park to the Echidna Chasm or Cathedral Gorge is about 70-80 km and the road conditions are rough.
NORTHERN TERRITORY
Nitmiluk National Park
Enjoy a few swims at Katherine Gorge and Edith Falls. The national park is also a great places for hiking.
Kakadu National Park
Kakadu is the largest national park in Australia. With plenty of waterfalls and hikes, this park will keep you busy for a few days!
We would recommend spending at least three days there as there is so much to explore!
Litchfield National Park
Litchfield National Park is home to stunning waterfalls and waterholes. It is a popular day tour from Darwin or Katherine.
Swim with whale sharks in the World Heritage Listed Ningaloo Reef!
Travelling North will take you along the Coral Coast. The Coral Coast extends over 1100 kilometres of white beaches and offers the opportunity to swim with whale sharks, dolphins, humpback whales and manta rays. For the water sport lovers, there are countless opportunities including windsurfing, kitesurfing, diving and snorkeling. If you visit the Coral Coast in Spring, the coast is alive with colourful displays of wildflowers. So what are you waiting for? Start planning your adventure with your Red Dirt 4WD! Those are the top places that Red Dirt 4WD recommends not to miss during your trip along the coast of Western Australia, whether it is a small trip or whether is it part of a bigger adventures for our customers who will return their 4WD to Broome or Darwin!
Cervantes
Cervantes is well-known for its Pinnacles Desert. You can learn all about those strange structures at the Pinnacles Desert Discovery Centre. Just a kilometre from the town centre lies Lake Thetis, where you can observe stromatolites, most commonly known as “living fossils”. Those have been dated to about 3370 years old! Further North of Cervantes, you will find Sandy Cape, a nice little spot where you swim and watch the sunset.
Kalbarri
Kalbarri is a popular stop over for people on their way to Shark Bay or Monkey Mia. There are many natural attractions to visit such as Natures Window and the Z-Bend Lookout located in Kalbarri National Park. You can also go whale watching as the humpback whale migration happens between May and August.
Dirk Hartog
This island is available to 4WD’s only. 2WD’s are not permitted. Guests can access the island by either barge, charter boat or light aircraft. A landing barge is available to transfer 4WD vehicles from Steep Point to Dirk Hartog Island and this takes about 15 minutes for the crossing. Dirk Hartog island is a secluded paradise for nature loves. From Rose Lake to blow holes, walks and rock pools, there is plenty to keep you busy for a couple of days.
Monkey Mia
Monkey Mia is world-famous for its dolphins. A group of wild bottlenose dolphins come to the shore nearly everyday to be fed by humans. South of Monkey Mia, you will find Denham and Francois Peron National Park. This National Park offers diverse experiences, including four-wheel-driving. 50 minutes away from Monkey Mia, you will arrive at Shell Beach, where shells replace the beach sand and stretches over 100 kilometres!
Coral Bay
In contrast to other locations, the coral reef starts right at the water’s edge. Coral Bay is a very popular holiday destination for Western Australians. It is recommended to book well in advance when travelling during school holidays. This place is a marine paradise where visitors have plenty of activities to choose from: snorkeling, fishing, swimming with whale sharks…You can even visit the reef shark nursery between October and March, which is only a 20 minutes walk from Main Beach.
Ningaloo
This long coral reef swarms with turtles, tropical fish, manta rays, humpback whales and even whale sharks. No wonder that Ningaloo Reef is listed as a World Heritage Place! Whether you like snorkeling, diving or swimming, you will not be disappointed!
Exmouth
Cape Range National Park supports a range of unique wildlife habitats from existing ocean reef to ancient reef, rugged limestone, gorges and cave systems. Throughout the park, there are ample opportunities to view wildlife: from emus to turtles and seabirds, corals and whale sharks for instance.
It is recommended to visit those places in a 4WD as some areas on the Coral Coast cannot be accessed with a 2WD rental vehicle.
Get a Red Dirt 4WD quote now or call us on 08 6364 0000.
Woman swimming with a whale shark, in the Ningaloo Marine Park
Turquoise Bay
Turquoise Bay
Manta rays (Manta birostris), in Ningaloo Marine Park
Aerial view of Nature’s Window, Kalbarri National Park
Francois Peron National Park
Stromatolites at Hamelin Pool Marine Nature Reserve, in the Shark Bay World Heritage Area.
Underwater view of a friendly Monkey Mia bottlenose dolphin.
Dolphin at Monkey Mia, located in the Shark Bay World Heritage Area.
Water activities at Dirk Hartog Island National Park in the Shark Bay World Heritage Area.
Western Australia is home to more than 12,000 species of wildflowers with more than 60 per cent of these found nowhere else in the world! Visitors come from all over Australia and overseas to see this spectacle of colour and scent. When Western Australia gets a lot of rain in winter, the display offered by the wildflowers can also be seen from space! The best time to see the wildflowers is between August and late November. Some of those wildflowers can be located along dirt roads, so in those cases a 4WD hire will be the right option for you.
Our recommendations for your wildflower tour with a 4WD hire:
Perth Wildflowers
Why not start with Perth’s wildflowers? Kings Park is located right in the Perth CBD and covers more than 400 hectares of natural bushland. Over 1,700 native wildflower species can be seen there. With amazing views over the Swan River, this place should be on everyone’s bucket list!
Yanchep National Park
Yanchep is a very popular spot, only one hour away from Perth. The park offers wildflowers and wildlife in abundance. Explore one of the nine walk trails, go birdwatching, discover one of the park’s caves and meet some koalas!
Lesueur National Park
This park with its 27,000 hectares ranks as one of the important reserves for flora and conservation in Western Australia. There are many beautiful orchids and kangaroo paws which can be seen along one of the many walk trails available in the park. Entry is from Cockleshell Gully Road which is unsealed.
Depot Hill Reserve
This reserve display colourful wildflowers in spring. Take your wildflower guide with you and go for a wander!
Coalseam Conservation Park
This park comes alive with its cover of Everlasting wildflowers after good rains. Coalseam Conservation Park should not be missed if you also have an interest for geology. A lot of fossils can be seen embedded in the riverbanks.
Geraldton and Mullewa
The Chapman River Regional Park is a must do with wildflowers that do not grow anywhere else. There are also over 120 bird species and 22 reptile species. See if you can spot kangaroos or echidnas during your trip! After your visit to Chapman River Regional Park, why not head out to Mullewa for a wildflower walk?
Mills Point Lookout also offers amazing views across the Chapman Valley and a huge abundance of wildflowers can be seen there as well.
Bindoon
Every year the town of Bindoon hosts its wildflower festival with a huge display of wildflowers at the town hall. There is a great range of local products for sale and a large exhibition of a vintage car on the oval. The rare and endangered Sun Star Orchid can also be spotted at the festival. On your way back from Bindoon, do not miss the beautiful Blackboy Ridge trail located on Chittering Road. This 1.5km trail, abundant in wildflowers, will take you to a lookout with amazing views across the valley.
