Vasse Felix, Margaret River, Western Australia
Self-Drive Western Australia
Western Australia offers extraordinary experiences across landscapes of beauty and grandeur.
Home to Australia’s sunniest capital city and whitest beach, world class wine and surf breaks, 350-million-year-old gorges, the largest fringing reef and the only Horizontal Waterfalls on Earth. The diversity of experiences in Western Australia provide the perfect playground to explore on a self-drive adventure.
South West Trail
Seekers of premium wines and top rated chefs head from Perth to Margaret River to indulge their foodie passions with a backdrop of stunning surf beaches and towering forests.
The surrounding regions of Bunbury, Pemberton and Manjimup are a little off the beaten track, where the mild weather and abundant sunshine also produce some extraordinary flavours to sample on a gourmet adventure.
Journey snapshot:
- Nearest Major City: Perth
- Best Time: All year round
- Duration: 4-6 days
- Distance: 750 km (469 miles)
Highlights
- Visit the vibrant town of Bunbury – home to more than 100 wild bottlenose dolphins. Learn more about the dolphins at the Dolphin Discovery Centre.
- Margaret River is home to world class food and wine, pristine beaches, surfing, tall tree forests, caves, whale watching and wildflowers.
- Manjimup’s black truffles are a taste sensation that’s coveted by top chefs the world over.
Golden Quest Discovery Trail
Leonora, Golden Outback, Western Australia
Drive or fly from Perth to Kalgoorlie to experience the Golden Quest Discovery Trail. This drive unearths the riches of the Goldfield’s 120-year gold rush history – from the mind-blowing buzz of one of the largest open-cut gold mines, to eerie ghost towns and the striking Antony Gormley statues on Lake Ballard.
Journey snapshot:
- Duration: from 4 (from Kalgoorlie) to 6 days (from Perth)
- Best Time: March to November
- Distance: From Kalgoorlie – 950 km (594 miles)
- From Perth – 1950 km (1219 miles)
Highlights
- Tour the Super Pit – this 1.5 km (1 mile) hole in the ground is one of the largest open cut mines.
- View Lake Ballard’s remarkable outdoor gallery, where 51 Antony Gormley sculptures stand against the stark white salt bed.
- Explore ruins of Kookynie’s industrious past and the historic gold rush precinct of Gwalia.
West Coast World Heritage Drive
Swimming with a whale shark, Ningaloo Marine Park, Western Australia
The Shark Bay-Ningaloo coast is one of few places to experience two World Heritage listed treasures in one self-drive adventure. This trail reveals the natural wonders that put the region on the UNESCO world map – from the biggest fringing reef, to the largest and oldest living fossils on the planet.
Journey snapshot:
- Nearest Major City: Exmouth, Carnarvon, Monkey Mia, Kalbarri
- Duration: 7-11 days
- Distance: 1250 km (781 miles)
Highlights
- Discover the Pinnacles Desert, one of the most unique landscapes.
- Experience Monkey Mia, where wild dolphins visit practically every day and have since the 1960s.
- Explore Coral Bay, just a short snorkel from Ningaloo – home to 500 species of fish and 300 varieties of coral.
- Swim with whale sharks at Exmouth for a truly unforgettable aquatic wildlife experience.
Driving in Western Australia
Cape Leveque, Kimberley, Western Australia
All major car rental operators have offices at the Perth Airport and in various Perth city, suburban and regional locations. There are no toll roads in Western Australia. A driving holiday in one of the world’s largest states can involve long distances, varied conditions and large commercial vehicles known as ‘road trains’. Before getting behind the wheel, become familiar with the road rules in Western Australia per useful links provided.