A two-week long road trip in South-West Australia

Up next on our ‘Holiday Here This Year Summer Road Trip’ series, we’re taking you to the glorious Western Australia. From gold mine towns in the outback, to pristine beaches with turquoise water and dense, green national parks and beautiful wineries, this road trip is a great route to get a good taste of what WA has to offer.

Starting and ending in Perth, this round trip covers approximately 2,215 km, which is about 24 hours of driving in total. 
To see everything and have a relaxing experience, we recommend allowing at least two weeks for this trip.

Stop 1 – Wave Rock / Hyden

The first destination is Hyden, which lies about 341km east of Perth. It takes approximately four hours to arrive there, and we suggest staying overnight. The little town Hyden became famous because of its unique rock formation – the Wave Rock. As the name suggests, the rock is shaped like a gigantic breaking ocean wave of multi-coloured granite and is about 15 m high and 110 m long. We recommend to walk alongside the wave and climb through the provided stairs on top of the rock to gain sweeping views over the whole area. Trust us when we say, you must stay for the sunset. The Wave Rock is not the only impressive rock formation in this area – you can also visit the Hippos Yawn, The Humps, Camel Peaks and King Rocks.

Stop 2 – Kalgoorlie

Next up on the list is Australia’s largest Outback City Kalgoorlie, located 595 km east-northeast of Perth, at the end of the Great Eastern Highway. From Hyden, it is approximately a four-hour drive. Kalgoorlie is a legendary gold mining town and has had an economy driven by gold since 1893. Kalgoorlie is still one of the most important mining areas in the world – you can even take a tour of the huge Super Pit. Another must-do is visiting its museums – the Goldfields War Museum and the Museum of the Goldfields – and learn about the rich and colourful history of the Golden Outback.

Stop 3 – Esperance

We are heading down south! From Kalgoorlie, it takes about four hours to reach this magnificent coastal town. Esperance is known for its squeaky-white beaches, turquoise water and pink lakes. 60 km east of Esperance lies one of Western Australia’s best known and most spectacular national parks, the Cape Le Grand National Park. It is home of the famous Lucky Bay, where you can spot kangaroos sunbathing. The ocean here has all shades of blue, and the beaches are crystal white. We promise you that this place will leave you speechless!

Another great thing to do is the Great Ocean Drive. It’s a 40 km self-drive along beautiful beaches, cliffs and hidden ocean pools.

Stop 4 – Albany

From Esperance, your next stop is a five hour drive west to reach Albany, Western Australia’s oldest settlement town. Albany is a place full of history and fascinating museums. It’s the ideal spot for history lovers, but nature enthusiasts also have plenty of options. You can visit the Torndirrup National Park, the Whaling Station and Wildlife Park, as well as the Gap and Natural Bridge which showcases some pretty impressive blow holes. The sound coming out of the blowholes is very impressive – a nature spectacle you don’t want to miss.

Another great attraction is the Valley of the Giants. It’s about an hour and 20 minutes from Albany and consists of enormous Tingle Trees that are only found in this area in the world. You can even do a Tree Top Walk and enjoy incredible views from up high.

Stop 5 – Margaret River

The final stop is Margaret River. On the way to this small town south of Perth, we recommend stopping at Hamelin Bay, which is about three hours and 40 minutes from Albany. In summer you can spot the Hamelin Bay stingrays very close to the shore. It means visitors can stand on the sandy beach or in ankle-deep water and be just centimetres away from the rays, some which measure more than two metres in length.

After a swim with these majestic creatures, it is time to head to Margaret River, a town known for its premium wineries, impressive limestone caves and significant surf breaks. Watching the sunset over the Indian Ocean at Surfer’s Point – only a ten-minute drive away – is an absolute must. Also, exploring the surrounding wineries, cellar doors, and breweries should be on your bucket list.

After a fantastic holiday in the South-West, it’s time to head back to Perth. If you’re exploring this area with your Jayco RV, don’t forget to tag @jaycoaustralia on Instagram to show us what you’ve been up to.