The Ultimate West Coast Australia Road Trip: Perth to Exmouth (14 Day Itinerary & Travel Tips)

On By saar.decosterIn Australia

Western Australia surprised me more than I expected.

After spending months travelling Australia’s East Coast, I thought I knew what to expect. More beaches, more road trips, more backpackers. Instead, the West Coast felt completely different. The distances were bigger, the landscapes were wilder, and some days it felt like we drove for hours without seeing another town.

From sandboarding in the Pinnacles Desert to seeing dolphins at Monkey Mia and sunsets that somehow got better every evening, this turned out to be one of my favourite road trips in Australia. I actually wrote a more personal day-by-day travel diary about the experience as well, with more of the small moments and what it felt like on the road, for anyone who wants a deeper look into the trip.

If you’re planning your own West Coast Australia itinerary, this guide covers the best stops between Perth and Exmouth, including practical travel tips, suggested timings, and my favourite experiences along the way.

14 days West Coast Itinerary

West Coast Australia is one of those road trips where you can easily do it in 10 days, but in my opinion 14 days is the perfect amount of time to drive from Perth to Exmouth without feeling rushed. It gives you enough space to actually enjoy the journey and leave room for those small, unexpected stops along the way.

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Days 1-2: Perth

Most travellers fly into Perth and immediately leave for the road trip north. I actually think that’s a mistake.

Perth ended up being one of my favourite Australian cities. It feels relaxed, walkable and much less hectic than Sydney or Melbourne. Spending a couple of days here before starting your road trip is definitely worth it.

Fremantle Prison

The first place I visited was Fremantle Prison.

Even if you’re not usually interested in history, this place is fascinating. Built by convicts in the 1850s, it became one of Australia’s most notorious prisons. Walking through the old cell blocks and hearing stories about escapes and prison life made it much more interesting than I expected.

I highly recommend joining one of the guided tours.

Fremantle Markets

After the prison, head to Fremantle Markets.

This is the perfect place to grab lunch, browse local stalls and soak up the atmosphere. I ended up wandering around with a coffee while deciding what to eat, which is honestly half the experience.

Fremantle Markets in Perth during a West Coast Australia travel diary stop, showing vibrant stalls, local food and relaxed weekend atmosphere in Fremantle.

Kings Park & Botanic Garden

One of the best free things to do in Perth.

Kings Park offers incredible views over the city skyline and the Swan River. The park is huge, so allow at least a couple of hours if you want to explore properly.

Art Gallery of Western Australia

If you need a break from beaches and road trips, the Art Gallery of Western Australia is worth visiting. The exhibitions focus heavily on Australian and Indigenous art.

The Bell Tower

The Bell Tower is one of Perth’s most recognisable landmarks and a quick stop if you’re exploring the city centre.

Sunset at Cottesloe Beach

If there’s one thing you absolutely shouldn’t skip in Perth, it’s sunset at Cottesloe Beach.

I had already seen countless sunsets around Australia, but West Coast sunsets somehow hit differently. Sitting on the beach while the sky slowly turned orange felt like the perfect introduction to Western Australia.

→ Read my 24 Hours in Perth Itinerary for the perfect one-day route with the best things to do, eat and see.

Sunset at Cottesloe Beach in Perth on a West Coast Australia itinerary, with golden light over the Indian Ocean and silhouettes of people on the sand.

Day 3: Rottnest Island

If you’re spending time in Perth, Rottnest Island deserves a full day.

Most people visit for the quokkas, and yes, they’re ridiculously cute. But the beaches ended up being the real highlight for me.

Henrietta Rocks

One of the best snorkelling spots on the island. The water is crystal clear and you can often spot colourful fish close to shore.

Parker Point

Probably my favourite snorkelling stop on Rottnest.

The water here was incredibly clear and calm.

Little Salmon Bay

Little Salmon Bay looks exactly like the photos you see online. White sand, turquoise water and barely any waves.

Jeannies Lookout

One of the best viewpoints on the island.

Rottnest Island Tip

Rent a bike.

The island is much bigger than it looks on a map.

Day 4: Lancelin & Pinnacles Desert

This is where the road trip really begins.

Sandboarding at Lancelin

The Lancelin Sand Dunes were one of the most unexpected highlights of my trip.

Imagine giant white dunes stretching across the landscape and people throwing themselves down them on sandboards.

It’s fun, slightly chaotic, and much harder than it looks.

It was also surprisingly cold out there, especially with the wind coming off the coast, so I’d definitely recommend bringing a layer even if it looks like beach weather. If you’re planning your trip, it’s worth checking the best time to visit Western Australia before you go so you can time it with warmer, calmer conditions.

Sandboarding during a West Coast Australia travel diary at the Pinnacles Desert, with dunes, strong wind and a cold but fun group tour experience in Western Australia.

Nambung National Park & The Pinnacles

The Pinnacles are one of Western Australia’s most famous natural attractions.

Hundreds of limestone formations rise out of the desert, creating a landscape that almost feels alien.

Sunrise and sunset are considered the best times to visit, but honestly, they look impressive at any time of day.

The Pinnacles Desert in Nambung National Park, Western Australia, on a West Coast Australia itinerary, with limestone formations rising from the golden sand.

Day 5: Geraldton

Geraldton is often used as a stopover town on the drive north.

HMAS Sydney Memorial

The town’s most famous attraction is the HMAS Sydney Memorial.

Even if military history isn’t usually your thing, the memorial is incredibly moving.

Pink Lake (Hutt Lagoon)

This was one of the stops I was most excited about.

Depending on the weather and season, Hutt Lagoon turns bright pink.

It almost looks photoshopped in real life.

Still waters at Ank Lake during a West Coast Australia travel diary, with mirror-like reflections and soft colours creating a peaceful stop on a Western Australia road trip.

I mean? Is this even real?

Days 6-7: Kalbarri National Park

Kalbarri National Park is one of the most dramatic coastal and inland regions along a West Coast Australia itinerary. It’s where red desert cliffs meet the ocean, and where you suddenly realise how diverse Western Australia actually is.

Kalbarri quickly became one of my favourite stops on the entire trip.

Why Kalbarri Reminded Me Of The Great Ocean Road

The coastal scenery immediately reminded me of the Great Ocean Road on Australia’s East Coast.

The rugged cliffs, dramatic ocean views and endless coastline felt surprisingly similar, although Kalbarri sees far fewer visitors.

Kalbarri National Park cliffs during a West Coast Australia travel diary, showing deep red rock formations, vast canyon views and dramatic Western Australia landscapes.

Stops to visit in Kalbarri National Park

Eagle Gorge

One of the most spectacular coastal viewpoints in the park, with wide-open ocean views and dramatic cliffs.

Pot Alley

A short walk leads you down into a rocky coastal cove surrounded by towering cliffs and powerful waves.

Blue Holes

A natural rock pool area that’s perfect for snorkelling when the water conditions are calm.

Nature’s Window & Z-Bend

These are the most iconic inland stops in Kalbarri. Expect deep red canyon landscapes, dramatic cliffs, and some of the best viewpoints in the entire park.

Days 8-9: Shark Bay & Monkey Mia

This section of the trip was all about wildlife.

Shell Beach

One of the most unique beaches I’ve ever visited.

Instead of sand, the entire beach is made up of tiny white shells.

Walking here sounds completely different than on a normal beach. Of course, I also had to do the typical tourist thing and take a photo holding my hands in a heart shape filled with shells, cliché, but it kind of had to be done.

Hands making a heart shape with shells at Shell Beach during a West Coast Australia travel diary in Western Australia, surrounded by white shell-covered shoreline.

Hamelin Pool Stromatolites

One of the oldest living organisms on Earth.

Not the most exciting stop visually, but incredibly interesting.

Eagle Bluff

A beautiful viewpoint overlooking Shark Bay.

If you’re lucky, you might spot rays or sharks swimming below.

Denham

Denham is a small coastal town and the perfect base for exploring Shark Bay.

The sunsets here were unreal.

Sunset in Denham, Shark Bay during a West Coast Australia travel diary, with warm golden light over calm water and a quiet Western Australia coastal town.

Monkey Mia Dolphins

If you’re visiting Shark Bay, this is probably why.

Located at Monkey Mia, which is also part of the Shark Bay area, this is one of the few places in Australia where wild dolphins come right up to the beach every morning. There’s also a resort and campsite here, so you can actually stay overnight and experience the early morning dolphin feedings without having to drive in.

When we first arrived, it looked like they weren’t coming.

Then, literally minutes before we were about to leave, several dolphins suddenly appeared right in front of us.

A mother, her calves and another female dolphin swam within metres of the shore.

It was one of the most memorable wildlife experiences of my entire Australia trip.

Wild dolphins swimming close to shore at Monkey Mia in Shark Bay Western Australia during sunrise

You can also spot:

  • Emus
  • Sea turtles
  • Rays

→ Want to know exactly what to do here? Read my guide: 5 Things to Do in Shark Bay, Western Australia.

Day 10: Carnarvon

Most people only stop here for a night, but there are a few worthwhile attractions.

The Fascine

A scenic waterfront area perfect for an evening walk.

One Mile Jetty

One of Carnarvon’s best-known landmarks.

Point Quobba Blowholes

The power of the ocean here is incredible.

Watching water explode through the rocks was much more impressive than I expected.

Day 11: Coral Bay

Coral Bay is tiny, but beautiful.

The biggest attraction is that you can access Ningaloo Reef directly from the beach.

You don’t need a boat tour.

You don’t need to swim far.

You can literally walk into the water and start snorkelling.

Days 12–14: Exmouth

Exmouth is the perfect place to end a West Coast Australia itinerary. It’s where the red desert meets turquoise water, and where the pace finally slows down after days on the road.

Exmouth sits on the edge of the Ningaloo Reef, which is often compared to the Great Barrier Reef, but feels way more relaxed, less commercial, and much easier to experience without big crowds.

Ningaloo Reef

Ningaloo Reef is one of the highlights of any West Coast Australia itinerary. What makes it special is how accessible it is, you don’t always need a boat or a long tour to experience it. In some places you can literally walk in from the beach and start snorkelling within minutes.

The water is incredibly clear, and even close to shore you can spot turtles, rays, and colourful coral.

Swimming with whale sharks

If there’s one thing you should budget for in Exmouth, it’s a whale shark tour.

Swimming alongside whale sharks is one of the most unforgettable wildlife experiences in Australia. Most tours include a full-day boat trip on the reef, spotter planes searching for whale sharks, snorkel gear, and multiple ocean entries if you’re lucky.

It sounds intense, but it’s actually really well organised and surprisingly calm once you’re in the water. Seeing a whale shark glide past you in open ocean is one of those moments that doesn’t really feel real while it’s happening.

North West Cape Lighthouse

A short drive out of town takes you to the North West Cape Lighthouse, with wide coastal views over the Indian Ocean. It’s especially nice around sunset when everything turns soft and golden.

View from North West Cape in Western Australia during a West Coast Australia travel diary, showing rugged coastline, ocean cliffs and vast open landscapes.

Turquoise Bay

One of the most beautiful beaches in Australia. Turquoise Bay is known for its bright blue water and strong “drift snorkel”, you can float with the current and see coral and fish without much effort.

Earlybird Café

My favourite breakfast spot in Exmouth. Simple, good coffee, and exactly what you need before another day of swimming, snorkelling or just doing nothing.

Travel Tips For Western Australia

  • Download offline maps.
  • Distances are much bigger than they look.
  • Start driving early.
  • Book whale shark tours in advance.
  • Bring layers. The mornings can be surprisingly cold.
  • Fill up whenever you see a petrol station.

Final Thoughts

If you’re looking for one of the best road trips in Australia, this West Coast Australia itinerary delivers everything: incredible beaches, unique wildlife, dramatic national parks and some of the best sunsets I’ve ever seen.

From quokkas on Rottnest Island to dolphins at Monkey Mia and whale sharks in Ningaloo Reef, every stop feels completely different from the last. And while the distances can be intimidating, that’s exactly what makes Western Australia feel so special.

Planning Your Australia Trip?

Planning a trip to Australia can feel overwhelming, with so many places to explore and things to organise.

That’s why I created my Australia Travel Guide, sharing my itineraries, tips, experiences and everything you need to plan your own adventure.

→ START HERE: Australia Travel Guide
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FAQ

How many days do you need for a West Coast Australia itinerary?

I’d recommend at least 14 days for Perth to Exmouth.

Is Perth to Exmouth worth it?

Absolutely. It was one of my favourite road trips in Australia.

Is Kalbarri worth visiting?

Yes. It was one of the highlights of the entire trip.

Is Monkey Mia worth visiting?

For the dolphins alone, yes.

Coral Bay or Exmouth?

If you have time, visit both. Coral Bay is more relaxed, while Exmouth offers more tours and activities.

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