Perth to Esperance Road Trip: An Exciting 14 Day Itinerary

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Western Australia is full of diverse places and is the largest state in Australia that is made for road trips. From day trips to week-long trips like Perth to Exmouth or Perth to Kalbarri (don’t forget to check out Hutt lagoon pink lake), you have various options to go with. If you have plenty of time in WA then embark on a once-in-a-lifetime road trip from Broome to Esperance. It is the longest road trip that you can do in Western Australia and there will be no shortage of scenic vistas along this road trip.

However, if you have a limited amount of time then a trip from Perth to Esperance is a bucket list road trip that is a must-do when you are in Western Australia. Esperance is approximately 700 km and an 8 hrs drive from Perth if you don’t stop anywhere in between and there are plenty of things to do in Esperance. While this drive may look long but making a few stops in between will take you on an unforgettable journey with unbeatable views, diverse landscapes, white-sand beaches, and dramatic coastlines.

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VISA INFORMATION FOR AUSTRALIA

Unless you are an Australian or New Zealand citizen, you need a valid visa to enter the country. There are different types of visa options depending on your need. Click here to find the one that’s best-suited for you.

HOW TO GET TO ESPERANCE FROM PERTH

There are 3 ways to reach Esperance: Bus, self-drive, and by flight.

By Flight

If you want to save time, flying from Perth to Esperance is better as it only takes around 3 hrs and the price will depend on the time of the month you are planning to visit. REX (Regional Express) operates flights between Perth and Esperance.

By Car (Road Trip)

To make the most of your trip, the best way is to do a road trip from Perth to Esperance and enjoy the other stunning regions along the way. The distance from Perth to Esperance is approximately 700 Km and it takes around 8 hrs to reach Esperance but it’s one road trip that you will never forget.

Taking a road trip to Esperance is the most popular option among visitors.

By Bus

The cheapest option is to take a bus that will take around 11 hrs to reach. The Perth to Esperance bus service is operated by TransWA and to check the schedule, download this PDF.

You can also join a 6-day tour from Perth if you are interested in a group trip.

SUMMARY OF PERTH TO ESPERANCE ROAD TRIP ITINERARY

This road trip itinerary will let you explore Perth and surrounding cities like Fremantle before you set on an ultimate road trip from Perth to Esperance. It will take you from the remote city of Perth to some of the most beautiful towns in Australia’s South West including Dunsborough and Margaret River, then Denmark, Albany, and finally to the region of Goldfields-Esperance.

PERTH TO ESPERANCE ROAD TRIP MAP

TRAVEL TIPS FOR PERTH TO ESPERANCE ROAD TRIP

1. Download the whole route on offline maps: The mobile reception during the Perth to Esperance drive is not always good so download offline maps or carry a physical map for the route.

2. Fill up the tank: There are not many Petrol Stations after Margaret River so make sure your tank is full before you leave for Denmark and refill again at Albany.

3. Carry some snacks or takeaway lunch: It is better to carry your lunch or take snacks before leaving from one destination to another because there are some remote highways with no restaurants.

4. Buy a Holiday Pass for National parks: Since you will be visiting a lot of National Parks during this trip from Perth to Esperance, it is better to buy a holiday pass for 14 days at a cost of 40 AUD. Find out more information on holiday passes here.

PERTH TO ESPERANCE ROAD TRIP

Stops along the way: 6
Estimated days: 14 Days

DAY 1 : EXPLORE PERTH

HIGHLIGHTS

• Kings Park and Botanic Garden
• Explore Swan Valley Wineries
• Elizabeth Quay
• Take a cruise on the Swan River

Let’s start the road trip by exploring the capital and sunny city of Western Australia. Perth sits on the swan river and has a gorgeous stretch of coastline with nice beaches. Visiting a few attractions in Perth would be enough to get the feel of the city but there are enough things to do in Perth to keep you busy for 4-5 days.

KINGS PARK

Kings Park is a 400 hectares inner-city park located very close to the city and is home to the Western Australian Botanical garden that displays over 3000 species of flora and fauna. Start your day early to see a beautiful sunrise from Kings Park boasting the best view of Perth City, see the state war memorial, and wander around to explore the walkways and trails admiring the panoramic river views. After sightseeing, have breakfast at one of the 2 cafes situated in the park; Zamia Cafe and Botanical cafe.

EXPLORE SWAN VALLEY WINERIES

Located 30 mins from Perth city, Swan Valley is WA’s oldest winery growing region. After breakfast, rent a car to visit Swan Valley and enjoy at your own pace or join a tour to maximize your time. There are a lot of things to see and do in Swan valley including wildlife encounters and visiting Margaret River Chocolate Company.

ELIZABETH QUAY

Spend your afternoon or evening at Elizabeth Quay which is a waterfront precinct on the banks of the Swan River flaunting amazing views of the city. It is surrounded by restaurants and pubs along with Elizabeth Carousel which’s perfect for families with kids. Some of the best things to do at Elizabeth Quay include grabbing a gelato at Gusto Gelato, enjoying a dinner at the Island, and treating yourself to a giant cocktail at the rooftop bar of the Reveley.

TAKE A CRUISE ON THE SWAN RIVER

There are various options to choose from and the majority of them start from Elizabeth Quay. Some of the best are:

• Swan River Scenic Cruise with Lunch
• Swan River Twilight Cruise
• Swan River One-Way or Return Cruise from Perth or Fremantle
• Swan River Lunch Cruise from Fremantle or Perth
• Swan River Dinner Cruise with Beverages & Live Music

WHERE TO STAY IN PERTH

From 5 star hotels to hostels and Airbnb, there are various options to stay in Perth. Some of the luxurious and top picks in the city include The Ritz Carlton, Como the Treasury, and QT Perth. For budget travelers, the best options are Spinners Hostel and Hostel G Perth. You can also choose to stay in Scarborough.

READ MORE: While in Perth, don’t forget to do these day trips from Perth by car.

DAY 2: VISIT FREMANTLE

HIGHLIGHTS

• Cappuccino Street
• Little Creatures Brewery
• Fremantle Prison
• Fremantle Markets

Start your day early and take a direct train from Perth train station to Fremantle. Fremantle is a charming and lively port city in Western Australia and you will really see the difference in the vibes here in comparison to Perth. With European-style old buildings and laid-back vibes, there are so many interesting things to do in Fremantle which makes it a great place to explore.

Try one of the cafes at Cappuccino street, eat fish and chips at Fremantle fishing harbor, visit Bather’s beach to sip a cocktail at the beach, go pub hopping or drink craft at Little Creatures Brewery, explore Fremantle markets and visit historical sites like Fremantle Prison, there is no shortage of places to see and explore.

WHERE TO STAY IN FREMANTLE

It’s totally a personal choice whether you want to stay in Fremantle or not. If you choose to stay in Fremantle for a night then it will make the next day easier as you won’t have to board the train to Fremantle again to explore Rottnest Island. Some of the best stays in Fremantle are ideally located.

Some of the top picks include The National Hotel, Esplanade Hotel, Hougoumont Hotel, and Warder’s Hotel.

If you are a budget traveler then Old Fire Station Backpackers and Fremantle Prison YHA are the best options.

READ MORE: 15 Unbelievably Interesting Things to do in Fremantle

DAY 3: DISCOVER ROTTNEST ISLAND

HIGHLIGHTS

• Pinky Beach
• Little Salmon Bay and Salmon Bay
• Basin

Day 3 is all about a day trip to Rottnest Island and is going to be filled with an adventure that you will never forget. Rottnest Island is a secluded island off the coast of WA that is maintained by the Rottnest Island Authority. Take the first ferry from B-shed Fremantle to reach Rottnest. Rottnest Island is a car-free zone that can only be explored by bike or the Island Explorer bus.

A combo of ferry transfer with a bike is a great option to stick to the budget and explore the island at your own pace. If you are interested in taking a tour for sightseeing in Rottnest along with ferry transfer, there are multiple great options of tour and activities to choose from. Click here.

You can take the last ferry back to Fremantle and stay the night at Fremantle or Perth whatever suits you.

WHERE TO STAY IN ROTTNEST ISLAND

Looking to stay at Rottnest? There are only a handful of accommodations at Rottnest and they need to be booked in advance as the island is quite popular among both locals and tourists. Some of the best places to stay are Karma Rottnest, Rottnest Island Authority, and Discover Rottnest.

READ MORE: A Perfect Day Trip to Rottnest Island

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DAY 4: PERTH TO DUNSBOROUGH VIA BUSSELTON – 248 km

HIGHLIGHTS

• Busselton Jetty
• Whale Watching
• Cape Naturaliste
• Injidup Natural Spa

Day 4 is the day to finally hit the road to start the road trip from Perth to Esperance. Pick up your rental car and head straight to Dunsborough via Busselton to make a quick stop at Busselton jetty. The drive to Busselton is around 2.5 hrs and it will take another 30 mins to reach Dunsborough.

Dunsborough is one of the coastal towns that has stunning beaches. Apart from the beaches, there are a lot of things to do in Dunsborough if you are willing to have an adventure-filled busy day.

BUSSELTON JETTY

Busselton Jetty is 1841 meters long jetty that stretches out in the sea and is the longest timber jetty in the Southern Hemisphere. It’s one of the most popular attractions in Western Australia and for people coming to explore the South West.⁣ Due to the jetty, the city of Busselton has also been a popular tourist attraction. Take the Jetty train to visit the end of the jetty.

WHALE WATCHING

Did you know that between May and December, the southwest of Western Australia is home to humpback and southern right whales during migration? It is an incredible sight and an amazing feeling to see them in their natural habitat. The best way to have an encounter with these creatures is to head out on a whale-watching tour.

After having some fun at the Jetty, you can go on a tour at Busselton or drive to Dunsborough to take a tour from there. Check out the availability and price of a whale watching tour in Dunsborough or Busselton here.

CAPE NATURALISTE

After your whale watching tour, take a drive from Dunsborough to Cape Naturaliste and discover the coastline with some of the best beaches in Western Australia. Beach hop along the way between Castle Rock, Meelup, Eagle Bay, and Bunker Bay before climbing the Cape Naturaliste lighthouse for sweeping views. Visit the nearby Sugarloaf Rock to see a dramatic rock popping out of the ocean. It’s also a great spot to watch the best sunset in Western Australia. It’s one of my most favorite places in WA.

INJIDUP NATURAL SPA

Head to Injidup Natural Spa for a refreshing dip at sunset. Injidup Natural Spa is a perfect example of a place where nature did the best work. It is located in Yallingup which is a small surfing town a 10-minute drive from Dunsborough. It was a secret spot for locals but since its huge popularity on Instagram, it has become quite popular these days.

It is called a natural spa because huge waves from the ocean on the other side collide with the rocks, sending a wash of white water that comes down the rocks like a waterfall to fill the pool. If the tides are high and wave big then the water can actually wash you violently if you are standing close to the rock.

WHERE TO STAY IN DUNSBOROUGH

Since the distance between Dunsborough and Margaret River is just a 30 min drive. It will be better to stay in the Margaret River because the next day is all about exploring Margaret River but if you want to have more accommodation options, check out the stays in Dunsborough.

WHERE TO STAY IN MARGARET RIVER

There are some great luxury stays in Margaret River town if you want to indulge yourself in luxury and a spa. Have a look at the variety of stays and book the one that suits your budget. Margaret River Resort and Margarets In Town Apartments (formerly Darby Park Serviced Apartments) are the most reviewed and top picks.

READ MORE: 14 Exciting Things to do in Dunsborough

DAY 5: EXPLORE MARGARET RIVER AND OFF TO DENMARK – 336 km

HIGHLIGHTS

• Wineries
• Caves
• Hamelin Bay

Day 5 of the Perth to Esperance trip is going to be light on adventures so that you are not exhausted when you are finally off to Denmark in the Evening. It will take around 3.5 hrs to reach Denmark from Hamelin Bay so it’s better to book the stay in Denmark so that you get enough time to relax the next day.

WINERIES

Margaret River region is a heaven for people who love wine. There are many wineries and breweries that you will find while driving in and around the region. However, you must visit Voyager Estate and Leeuwin Estate both of them have upscale restaurants and are family-owned wineries. Don’t forget to visit the Margaret River Chocolate

CAVES

If you have never been to a cave or if you love visiting caves then I highly recommend visiting one here. There are 4 caves in the Margaret River Region that are open to the public and there is no best one. All the caves are unique have something different to offer. I have explored 3 out of 4 and totally loved them.

Jewel Cave is the largest show cave in Western Australia and home to one of the longest straw stalactites. Entrance is only allowed with fully guided tours. Lake Cave is seriously spectacular with a sinkhole entrance and full guided tours are available. If you want to cruise through at your own speed then taking a Self-Guided Audio Tour of Mammoth Cave or Ngilgi Cave’s semi-guided tour would be better options.

HAMELIN BAY

A visit to stunning Hamelin Bay is a must-do on this road trip from Perth to Esperance. Hamelin Bay is only 30 mins away from the Margaret River region and is famous for string rays, turquoise water, and white sand. Get ready to meet the protected stingrays at the beach and play with them. The best time to see them is in summer when the water has less to no seaweed.

After spending some time at the beach get ready to drive to Denmark and stay there for the night.

DAY 6: TAKING IT EASY AT DENMARK

HIGHLIGHTS

• Greens Pool and Elephant Rocks
• Madfish Bay and Waterfall Beach

Day 6 of the Perth to Esperance road trip is all about visiting some incredible beaches of Denmark, resting, and rejuvenating for the next leg of the journey.

GREEN POOL & ELEPHANT ROCKS

Green pool in Denmark is a turquoise green sheltered cove and a popular tourist spot. The water is calm and safe for swimming because it is sheltered from the waves of the Great Southern Ocean by the rounded rock boulders. Closer to Green Pools is the most stunning place in William national park, Elephant Rocks, which will blow your mind because of the massive rounded boulders in the water.

These granite boulders have an uncanny resemblance to the herd of elephants in the shallow waters at the beach. This is just the starting to see how gorgeous the Western Australia coast can be.

MADFISH BAY & WATERFALL BEACH

Most people usually come to Denmark and visit Green pools and Elephant Rocks but you should definitely go to the eastern side of William National Park to explore Madfish Bay and Waterfall Beach. Madfish Bay is actually a group of small beaches and chances are that you will have it all to yourself. Closer to Madfish Bay is Waterfall beach that has a very small waterfall on the beach.

WHERE TO STAY IN DENMARK

Chimes Spa Retreat is an adult-only boutique lodge that is perfect to have a great and relaxing stay. It is also only 5 min away from the main town of Denmark. The other good option to stay close to these attractions is William Bay Cottages. Browse through the other options of stays in Denmark.

DAY 7-8: DENMARK TO ALBANY VIA WEST CAPE HOWE – 75 km

HIGHLIGHTS

• Shelley Beach
• Torndirrup National Park
• Two Peoples Bay
• Albany Wind Farm
• National ANZAC Centre

Albany is just 40 mins drive from Denmark but rise and shine early to leave for West Cape Howe first which is on the way to Albany. Soak in the views at Shelley Beach and reach Albany at around 8:30 am, just in time to grab your breakfast in the pretty town of Albany. Albany is full of interesting things to do including a visit to the National ANZAC Centre, Museum Of The Great Southern, Historic Whaling Station, and taking a leisurely walk in the town.

SHELLEY BEACH

Situated and surrounded by the rugged wilderness of West Cape Howe National Park, Shelley Beach is the most visited area in this national park. You may also see hang gliders soaring above the beach as Shelley beach lookout point has platforms made for them. The beauty of this beach is different than the others because of its location.

TORNDIRRUP NATIONAL PARK

A Road trip from Perth to Esperance is incomplete without visiting the most impressive and dramatic part of Albany, Torndirrup National Park. It consists of places like The Gap and Natural Bridge that are a must-visit in Albany. It is named the Gap because, over thousands of years, the ocean has carved out these natural rock features creating a gap. There is a metal walkway that allows you to walk over the gap and looking straight down to the water below will give you the chills.

I also recommend visiting Salmon Holes which is another dramatic and popular place in Torndirrup National Park that has a really interesting reef pattern.

TWO PEOPLES BAY NATURE’S RESERVE

Two Peoples Bay Nature Reserve is about half an hour drive from the town of Albany where you can enjoy the unspoiled coastal scenery and a beautiful beach that is perfect for swimming. Take a stroll along the clean white sand at Little Beach and enjoy a scenic view over rolling hills and small granite outcrops.

ALBANY WIND FARM

The wind farm is a great attraction that consists of 12 wind farms, one of which you can watch closely and the others are set in beautiful scenery with the view of the ocean. The farm is owned by Bright energy Investments and is free to visit. You can also go for a boardwalk that involves stunning ocean views.

WHERE TO STAY IN ALBANY

This pretty town has many hotels but you may find that many hotels have common washrooms like dormitories. Check all your options carefully here.

DAY 9: ALBANY TO ESPERANCE VIA FITZGERALD RIVER NATIONAL PARK – 558 km

HIGHLIGHTS

• Bremer Bay

This final stretch of the road trip from Perth to Esperance welcomes you in the town of Esperance after making a stop at Bremer Bay. Bremer Bay sits on the edge of Fitzgerald National Park and is a great place to take a tour to watch orcas in their natural habitat. It is not mandatory to make this stop if you don’t feel like it.

The drive to Esperance via Fitzgerald NP is around 6.5 hrs and from directly from Albany it’s around 5hrs 15 mins. It is better to take away your lunch while leaving Albany and stock up the snacks.

DAY 10-13: ENJOY ESPERANCE

HIGHLIGHTS

• Lucky Bay
• Hellfire Bay
• Wharton Beach
• Twilight Beach
• Frenchmen Peak
• Lake Hillier aka Pink lake

LUCKY BAY

Lucky Bay is located in Cape Le Grand National Park and is the most popular beach in Esperance because of the sun lounging Kangaroos at the beach. There is no guarantee of seeing them but if you are at the beach early in the morning then you may get lucky. The sand is white and the water is pristine blue on a clear day. You can also drive your 4WD on this long beach.

HELLFIRE BAY

Another gem in Cape Le Grand and easily one of my favorite beaches in Esperance is Hellfire Bay. It is beautiful with white squeaky sand (as you walk on it) and the water is too blue and vibrant to be true. It is protected by the huge granite rock on one side so it’s safe to swim. You can also get to see a pod of dolphins here. This beach has toilet and BBQ facilities.

WHARTON BEACH

Wharton Beach is the farthest beach from the town of Esperance and is located on the western side of Duke of Orleans Bay. It is a paradise for people who just wants to lie in the sand and have fun. It is flat for some distance and popular for surfing. The sand is white and the water is super clear and blue.

TWILIGHT BEACH

Sitting right outside the town of Esperance, Twilight beach is highly popular among tourists because of its location. The crystal clear turquoise water will blow your mind. There is a huge rock a few meters into the water that also acts as a cliff jumping point for people who climb it. Definitely a beach you wouldn’t wanna miss in Esperance.

FRENCHMEN PEAK

Cape Le Grand is full of stunning places and this national park is where most of the beauty lies and a hike to Frenchmen Peak summit will show you exactly that. It is considered a tough hike and you should continue if you are fit but in my opinion, if you are moderately fit then also you will be able to tackle it. Do not hike when the weather is bad or if it’s raining as the rocks can be slippery and dangerous.

LAKE HILLIER AKA PINK LAKE

If you have never seen a pink lake before then you have to the pink lake in Esperance. There are 2 pink lakes in Esperance and the one that shows on google is actually not pink anymore so if you want to see a pink lake then Lake Hillier is where you want to visit. There is only one way to see this lake and it’s by taking a scenic flight. There are many flights and tours offering the service so you may want to check and see what suits your budget.

WHERE TO STAY IN ESPERANCE

The campsite nearby Lucky Bay at Cape Le Grand National Park is the best place to stay but it gets booked really fast so book well in advance. Otherwise, there are plenty of places to stay in Esperance WA. Find them here.

DAY 14: ESPERANCE TO PERTH VIA WAVE ROCK – 718 km

This day is going to be a big day of driving to finish off the Perth to Esperance road trip. As there is very little to see along the way, you can take a final stop at Wave Rock to stretch your legs and see this natural wonder. Then put your favorite playlist on and settle in for a long trip back to Perth.

WAVE ROCK

Located in Hyden, Wave Rock is a great place to see in the Wheatbelt region. This 15m high and 100m long natural rock formation is formed by erosion over the years. and the curve shape is highlighted by the black color which is actually algae that runs along the surface. During the dry season, the highlighted color turns brown.⁣⁣ At different times of the day, you can see the Wave Rock changing color with light.

You can hike up the rock to see the view from above that looks amazing at sunset. The entrance (parking) fee to visit Wave Rock is 12 AUD per vehicle.⁣⁣

BEST TIME TO DO A ROAD TRIP FROM PERTH TO ESPERANCE

If you have never lived in Australia, you would not know that the weather here can change fast. Though there is plenty of sunshine, it can also rain here in summers, and winds are crazy no matter the season. Depending on what kind of road trip you are interested in, choose the time of your visit wisely.

SPRING (September – November)

Spring is a beautiful season but for a place like Denmark, Albany, and Esperance, it means the ocean water would still be chilled. However, the other regions mentioned here would be great for spotting an array of wildflowers and doing a bushwalk. Remember, it can still rain in spring or can be cloudy.

SUMMER (December – February)

Summer months are sunny and dry with little to no rainfall and this is the perfect time to enjoy the beauty of every region in Australia. However, the beaches are crowded and stay expensive. Summers are perfect for swimming, water sports, and enjoying balmy nights.

FALL & WINTER (March – August)

Winter is great for spotting whales but not the best time to swim. However, you can plenty of cheap/discount deals on stays and rental cars.

Final Thoughts

Is Esperance Worth Visiting?

The road trip from Perth to Esperance is a dream trip that should be on everyone’s bucket list who plans to visit Australia. To save more time you can get take the route from Perth to Esperance via lake Grace making only a single stop at Hyden for a few hours to explore wave rock and visit Albany afterward.

The beauty of Esperance can’t be described in words and the heavenly beaches are just unmissable. It’s hard to believe that water this blue and sand this white can actually exist. It is quite a place to explore and a perfect trip if you love the sun, sand, and sea. I hope this itinerary will make you wanna do a Perth to Esperance Roadtrip.

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• Perth to Kalbarri: An Exciting 4 Day Road Trip Itinerary
• 15 Unbelievably Interesting Things to do in Fremantle
• 12 Unbelievably Beautiful White Sand Beaches in Esperance

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