Unearth the riches of the Goldfield’s 120-year gold rush history – from the mind blowing buzz of one of the largest open-cut mines on Earth, to eerie ghost towns and the striking Antony Gormley statues on Lake Ballard.
We recommend taking at least 6 days to complete this adventure, making it the best start or finish to your road trip!
Leg 1: Perth to Kalgoorlie 593 kms 7 hours
Follow the path of the original pipeline that brought water to the Goldfields at the turn of the century.
Stop to view the spring flowers.
Coolgardie, the birthplace of the 1892 gold rush, with pioneering heritage proudly presented in its architecture and museums.
Put on a hardhat for a guided tour of the Super Pit – this 6km hole in the ground is one for the largest open cut mines on Earth.
Discover and admire the grandeur of Kalgoorlie’s gold rush history and architecture. Get a taste of life today in the lively pubs, clubs and cafes and restaurants of Australia’s largest outback town.
Play a hole on the world’s longest golf course, the Nullarbor Links.
Leg 2: Kalgoorlie to Menzies and Lake Ballard 207 kms 2 hours
Pass the ghost towns of Broad Arrow, Ora Banda, Siberia and Good darri to reach the historic gold mining town of Menzies.
View one of the largest and most remarkable outdoor galleries on Earth at Lake Ballard, where fifty-one Antony Gormley sculptures stand against the stark white salt bed.
Leg 3: Menzies to Kookynie, Leonora and Gwalia 286 kms 4 hours
Explore the ruins of Kookynie’s industrious past.
Explore the historic gold rush precinct of Gwalia, including the museum and historic Hoover House – once home to the former American President Herbert Hoover.
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.
Adventure into the heartland of an undisturbed and uncrowded Australia, on a road trip that will change you forever!
The South West Edge is an epic road trip around the South Western edge of Western Australia, through wine regions, towering forests and along marine life-rich coast, before returning to Perth across the outback.
Leg 1: Rottnest Island to Fremantle 25 kms
On day one, jump on a ferry ride from Fremantle to the picturesque Rottnest Island.
Here you can hire a bike and explore the many beaches that are perfect for snorkelling, plus Mermaid Pools and blowholes.
Meet friendly quokkas and enjoy the Thompson Bay Settlement or hop on a Rottnest seafood tour to experience fresh delicacies before catching the ferry to the mainland.
Stay overnight in the historic town of Fremantle, which has a vibrant arts scene and plenty of boutique shops for some retail therapy.
Enjoy the gourmet cafe culture of Fremantle for breakfast and browse local boutiques for unique or vintage finds.
Then jump in your 4WD and head to Bunbury via the rolling hills of the Ferguson Valley.
Spend the morning wine tasting, exploring or mountain biking in Wellington Forest National Park and stop by Black Diamond Lake near Collie for a view of turquoise waters.
Roll onto Bunbury, where you can purchase fresh local produce from farmers markets, meet native animals at a wildlife park, shop the boutiques and spend the evening immersed in the nightlife at one of the many bars and restaurants.
Interact with wild dolphins at Koombana Bay this morning before departing for the Margaret River region, beginning at Busselton and Dunsborough. Swing amongst the trees on a high ropes course of dive below the Busselton Jetty for a view of colourful sealife.
From winter through spring, spot whales as they migrate along the coast.
Indulge in gourmet food at beachfront dining before continuing to Yallingup, and incredible coast spots like Canal Rocks and Injidup Natural Spa.
Feeling adventurous? Hike the Cape to Cape track between the lighthouses, or connect with the world’s oldest living culture through an Aboriginal experience.
Leg 4: Yallingup to Margaret River 40 kms 30 minutes
Famous for its premium wines and world-class surf, Margaret River is also home to plenty of restaurants, wineries, breweries and distilleries for foodies to enjoy.
Visit cellar doors and meet the markers on guided tours with nature-meets gourmet experiences.
Adventure seekers can ride the waves, go rock climbing or abseiling, or take a kayak or canoe along the Margaret River.
Savour the natural surroundings with plenty of underground caves and the stunning Boranup Forest and meet stingrays at Hamelin Bay.
Leg 5: Margaret River to Pemberton 165 kms 2 hours
Drive to Pemberton through Nannup and Manjimup – home to the Perigord truffle. Search for this black gold in winter, and feast on other local delights such as marron, trout and chestnuts on your way.
Need to stretch your legs? Ride on of the many mountain bike trails or tackle the Munda Biddi, hike the Bibbulman track and admire Beedelup Falls.
Test your fear of heights at the 58m-tall Gloucester Tree, once a fire-lookout, and climb the makeshift ladder to the top.
Take a four-wheel drive tour of the world’s largest moving sand dune system, Yeagarup Dunes, before you head to Denmark via Northcliffe and Walpole.
Enjoy views at Mount Chudalup, join a Walpole inlet eco-cruise and walk among the tops of tingle trees at Valley of the Giants Tree Top Walk.
Then, its on to Greens Pool and Elephant Rocks – framed by huge boulders which act as a protective shore break for the peppermint-tinged waters, this sanctuary is perfect for snorkelling.
Next stop: Albany, where you will find farmers markets, fresh oysters and marron galore, and some of the most pristine beaches this side of the equator.
Go paragliding at Shelley Beach, or wreck diving in King George Sound.
Visit the striking coast at The Gap and Natural Bridge, and historical attractions at Discovery Bay.
Ready to take a safari, South West style? Spend an extra day between January and April to join the Bremer Bay orca tour, chasing the largest-known group of orcas in the Southern Hemisphere.
Start off early today and drive inland where it is another world entirely!
Hike the trails in Porongurup National Park and climb to the top of the Granite Skywalk for spectacular views across the jarrah, marri and karri forests, and undulating farmland to Albany.
Reward yourself with lunch at on the boutique Porongurup wineries.
Search for wildflowers in spring and climb one of Western Australia’s highest peaks, Bluff Knoll for sweeping views of the Stirling Range National Park.
With unique wildflowers and fauna in Fitzgerald River National Park, not to mention the dramatic coastal views, you will want to visit here before Hopetoun!
Next, head to Esperance and sip on refreshments at Lucky Bay Brewing, sample local olive oil and take in the town museums and craft shops.
Keep the adventure rolling by exploring the numerous lagoons and beaches along the breathtaking 40km loop of the Great Ocean Drive before watching a sunset at twilight.
There are a number of campsites available around the Esperance region, however camping within Cape Le Grand National Park at Lucky Bay is an unmissable experience.
Explore Esperance
The nearby Lucky Bay, in Cape Le Grand National Park lives up to its name in plenty of ways – translucent water and sand like icing sugar, not to mention sunbaking kangaroos!
Explore other stunning beaches around Esperance via coastal walk trails or for a bird’s-eye view, take a scenic flight to witness the striking juxtaposition of bubblegum pink Lake Hillier on Middle Island against the blue ocean.
Leg 10: Esperance to Perth 715 kms via Hyden or 985 kms via Kalgoorlie 7 hours (depending on the route taken)
Return to Perth via Hyden or Kalgoorlie other the next two days – the choice is yours!
If you travel through Hyden, be sure to visit the impressive Wave Rock on your way. Thought to have formed some 130 million years ago, Wave Rock is entirely natural and measures about 15 metres (roughly three storeys) in height.
If you travel back to Perth via Kalgoorlie, immerse yourself in living gold history, quirky outback pubs and be stunned by the scale of the Superpit gold mine.
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.
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 popular for the Koombana Bay dolphins. You can visit the Dolphin Discovery Centre for a close encounter.
From here, continue on to Busselton, 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.
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
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.
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.
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.
Itinerary including Cervantes, Kalbarri, Monkey Mia, Coral Bay, Karijini National Park and much more!
Leg 1: Perth to Cervantes 200 kms 2.5 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.
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 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.
If you want to break up the drive, Hamelin Pool has a museum and boardwalk over the stromatolites. Interesting history and the tea rooms do meals and a fantastic Devonshire Tea.
Monkey Mia is world-famous for its dolphins. A group of wild bottle-nose 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.
Fifty minutes away from Monkey Mia, you will arrive at Shell Beach, where shells replace the beach sand and stretches over 100 kilometres!
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.
Spend a day or two, to enjoy swimming and exploring.
Leg 6: Coral Bay to Exmouth and Cape Range National Park 220 kms 2.5 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 7: Exmouth and Cape Range National Park to Karijini 674 kms 8.5 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 Pool and Fern Pool.
Leg 8: Karijini to Mount Magnet or Paynes Find 376 kms 4.5 hours
A long drive. Get an early start and see how far you get. At the very least you should get to Mount Magnet, but if you can get to Paynes Find or further it will make the last day a lot easier.
Leg 9: Drive back to Perth 562 – 399 kms 5-6 hours
The trip can be done in the reverse direction, however we find that doing the coast first is beneficial in case it becomes too windy. If it is too windy, you can head inland to Karijini earlier than expected where it is more protected. If you do Karijini first you don’t have anywhere new to go to get away from the wind.
Total kilometres: 3,857
Total travel hours: 42
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 to Broome Itinerary including the Coral Coast and Karijini National Park
Traveling north in Western Australia 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.
If time allows, why not 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.
These are the top places that Red Dirt 4WD Rentals 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!
Leg 1: Perth to Cervantes 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.
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’. Which 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 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 Kalbarri Skywalk offering soaring views of the Murchison Gorge and surrounds, 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.
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. Fifty minutes away from Monkey Mia, you will arrive at Shell Beach, where shells replace the beach sand and stretches over 100 kilometres!
There are four coastal sites south of Denham: Eagle Bluff, Fowlers Camp, Whalebone Bay and Goulet Bluff.
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.
Leg 5: Coral Bay to Exmouth and Cape Range National Park 152 kms 2 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 6: Exmouth and Cape Range to Karijini National Park 674 kms 8.5 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 Pool and Fern Pool.
Leg 7: Karijini to Millstream Chichester National Park 207 kms 3.5 hours
Millstream compared to Karijini, is a more peaceful place. Nonetheless, it 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 8: Millstream Chichester to Eighty Mile Beach 476 kms 6 hours
The place where majority of people stop at Eighty Mile Beach to camp – it’s a beautiful beach that you can drive on (not past the high tide mark) and very popular for fishing.
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.
