Road trips
[Watch] Perth to Esperance: The ultimate 10 day Western Australia road trip
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"We've made it to the best beach in the world. Fight me on it - I don't care. You're never changing my opinion"
TL;DR: The essential info for your South West WA road trip
Route: Perth to Esperance via Margaret River, Denmark, Albany (1,200km one-way)
Duration: 10 days (can be rushed in 5, but don't)
Best For: Beach lovers, road trippers, free camping enthusiasts
Vehicle: Self-contained campervan with off-grid power
What you need to know:
Self-contained certification unlocks the best free beach camps (Albany, Lucky Bay access)
Stock up on supplies in Margaret River and Albany - distances between towns are significant
Lucky Bay allows 2WD beach driving (compacted sand), but this is the exception not the rule
Download Wikicamps and explore Hipcamp for verified free sites and unique stays
Pack fly repellent - they're relentless in warmer months
Kangaroos at Lucky Bay: aim for early morning or late afternoon
Bottom line: Western Australia's South West delivers world-class beaches, accessible free camping, and genuine wildlife encounters just hours from Perth. Hire a self-contained campervan through Camplify and experience what seasoned travelers call "one of the best places in the world" - even if you've never considered yourself a road trip person.
Welcome to Australia's best beach debate
Because that's what happens when you spend 10 days driving from Perth to Esperance. You start arguing with yourself about which beach deserves the title. Spoiler: it's usually whichever one you've just pulled up to.
But here's the thing about Western Australia - it's not just about the scenery (though yes, the beaches are ridiculous). It's about pulling up to an empty stretch of sand, setting up camp, and having a kangaroo wander past while you're making breakfast. It's about discovering that "secret" bakery that's only open Fridays and Saturdays. It's about chasing sunsets at Whalebone Bay with a cold beer and realising you've been smiling all day.
Ready to roam? Let's map it out.
Find Hayley & Kyle on Instagram or Youtube to stay up to date with their most recent travel adventures.
Meet your guides: Hayley & Kyle Hunter
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Hayley and Kyle Hunter have already ticked off some of the world's most iconic road trips. New Zealand's South Island? Done. WA's North West? Brilliant.
So how does a South West WA road trip stack up?
"This is one of the best places in the world," they said. And they kept saying it. At every beach. Every campsite. Every sunset.
For this trip, they hired a campervan in Perth through Camplify - a self-contained high-top called Wattle. The owner, Lauren, handed over the keys along with a list of her favourite spots and practical tips on where to camp. That local knowledge? Game-changer.
'Wattle' the campervan: Perfect for WA road trips
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The van you choose can make or break a WA road trip. Hayley and Kyle needed something that could handle long distances, access free beach camps, and provide comfort when the weather turned.
Wattle delivered on three critical things:
Self-contained certification. This unlocked WA's best free camping spots near Albany and beach access at Lucky Bay. Without it, you're limited to paid campgrounds or towns.
Off-grid power. With 400 amp hours of lithium battery storage and solar panels, they never needed a powered site. Lights, fridge, device charging - all handled off-grid.
Stand-up comfort. The high-top design meant cooking, changing, and moving around inside was easy, regardless of weather. The electric awning provided instant shade for those scorching WA afternoons.
Kyle's take: "We could literally just jump in and go."
While Wattle is no longer available to hire, you can find similar self-contained, high-top campervans through Camplify.
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The Perth to Esperance itinerary (10 Days)
This south west WA road trip covers roughly 1,200km one way. You could rush it in 5 days, but you'd miss the point. Take 10. Camp on beaches. Wake up slow. Here's how it unfolded.
Stop 1: Margaret River region (3.5 hours from Perth)
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First morning target: Injidup Natural Spa
This isn't a spa in the massage-and-cucumber-water sense. It's a natural rock pool carved into granite boulders, with ocean spray misting over you as swells roll in. Kyle's advice? "Come early." By 10am, this popular spot can get busy.
From there, head to Conto Beach. The crew called it "possibly one of the best beaches in the South West" - and they were just getting started. Camp at Conto Campground, tucked into bushland a few minutes' walk from the beach among the gum trees & kookaburras.
Practical note: Margaret River is your last major town for a while. Stock up on fresh food here.
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Stop 2: Denmark & The Green Pools (3.5-4 hours from Margaret River)
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The drive along South Western Highway is spectacular - bush and coast trading places every few kilometers. When you reach William Bay National Park, head straight for Elephant Rocks and the Green Pools.
Kyle's reaction at the lookout: "This spot looks skits! Let's go!"
The Green Pools are sheltered by granite boulders, creating a calm lagoon perfect for snorkeling. Swim through, then walk over the headland to Elephant Rocks - massive boulders that look like a herd of grey elephants wading into the ocean.
Where to camp: You can't stay in the national park itself, but self-contained campervans can book Parry Beach Campground or unique Hipcamp properties nearby (Rockcliffe Vineyard is a local favorite).
Stop 3: Albany (40 minutes from Denmark)
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Albany is where the free camping options go to another level. Cosy Corner East, Betty's Beach, Torbay Inlet - all stunning beachfront spots with no fees. Hayley and Kyle set up at East Bay campground, which offers prime beach frontage on a first-in-best-dressed basis. Arrive mid-morning as others pack up.
Before you leave Albany, hit up Bread Local - a bakery that's only open Fridays and Saturdays (check first, seriously). Then swing past Torndirrup National Park to see The Gap and Natural Bridge, where the Southern Ocean hits with full force.)
Stop 4: Esperance & Twilight Beach (5 hours from Albany)
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This is one of Australia's most spectacular coastal drives. Five hours that don't feel like five hours because the scenery keeps shifting.
When you arrive in Esperance, the locals will tell you they live in the "home of Australia's best beaches." Hayley's take at Twilight Beach: "An absolute vibe. This place is insane."
Spend time on the Great Ocean Drive - a 38km loop past Eleven Mile Beach, incredible lookouts, and views toward the pink waters of Lake Hillier (visible by scenic flight).
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Stop 5: Cape Le Grand National Park & Lucky Bay (1 hour from Esperance)
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Lucky Bay is the beach that shows up in every WA tourism campaign for good reason. The sand is white. The water is turquoise. And yes, kangaroos hop around on the beach.
Here's something unexpected: you can drive your 2WD campervan right onto the sand. Kyle confirmed it's "literally as hard as a road." But you can't camp on the beach itself - book a powered or unpowered site at one of the park's campgrounds instead.
Kangaroo spotting tip: Early morning or late afternoon gives you the best chance. The crew confirmed they're usually around, but not guaranteed.
Do you need 4WD for Lucky Bay? No - the sand is compacted enough for 2WD vehicles. But this is the exception, not the rule. Don't attempt other WA beaches in a 2WD unless locals confirm it's safe.
Stop 6: Duke of Orleans Bay (1.5 hours east of Esperance)
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This was it. The crew's favorite spot on the entire western australia road trip.
"This is our favorite part of WA."
They pulled up to Wharton's Beach and declared: "We've made it to the best beach in the world. Fight me on it, I don't care. You're never changing my opinion."
End your trip by chasing the sunset at Whalebone Bay with a cold beer. The bay is protected, the views are ridiculous, and it's the perfect full-stop on an epic journey.
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How to find the best campervan hire in Perth
Not all RV hire options are equal - especially when you're covering this much distance and relying on free camping spots.
Hayley and Kyle hired through Camplify, which connects travellers with thousands of custom campervans, caravans, and motorhomes from local owners across Perth and WA. Instead of a generic rental fleet vehicle, they got Wattle - a self-contained high-top that came with insider tips from owner Lauren on where to camp and what to see.
Why self-contained matters for this trip:
Most of WA's best free camping spots (like the beachfront sites near Albany and access to Lucky Bay) require your vehicle to be fully self-contained. That means:
Your own toilet and grey water storage
Fresh water tank
Off-grid power (solar + lithium batteries)
Wattle delivered on all of this, plus stand-up headroom, an electric awning for instant shade, and enough battery power to run lights, fridge, and devices without needing powered sites.
What to look for when choosing campervan hire in WA:
High-top design for comfort (especially if weather turns)
Substantial battery storage + solar panels for off-grid camping
Self-contained certification for accessing free camps
Awning for shade (the WA sun is no joke)
While Wattle is no longer available, you can find similar self-contained, high-top campervans through Camplify to replicate the experience. Browse campervan hire in Perth.
Practical tips for your South West WA road trip
1. How to score beachfront free camping in WA
The free beach camps near Albany are unforgettable - but you need the right setup:
Be self-contained. Most nature-based free camps require certification. This protects WA's pristine coastline and gives you access to the best spots.
Use the right apps. Wikicamps is essential for finding verified free sites. The region also has excellent Hipcamp options - unique, affordable stays on private property.
Arrive early. Popular sites operate first-in-best-dressed. Aim for mid-morning as other campers pack up.
2. Prepare for remote distances
The stretch between Albany and Esperance is long and sparsely populated:
Stock up in major towns. Use your campervan's fridge to load up on fresh food in Margaret River or Albany. You'll be self-sufficient for days.
Fuel up often. Fill your tank whenever you see a service station in larger towns. Don't wait until you're running low.
Pack fly repellent. The flies can be relentless in warmer months. Your campervan's flyscreens will be your best friend.
3. Timing and local knowledge
Check local hours first. Don't miss spots like Bread Local bakery (Fridays and Saturdays only). A quick Google search before you arrive saves disappointment.
Time your wildlife visits. For kangaroos at Lucky Bay, go early morning or late afternoon.
Beat the crowds. Arrive at popular spots like Injidup Natural Spa before 9am.
Do you need a 4WD for this WA road trip?
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Short answer: No - but it depends on where you want to go.
For the Perth to Esperance itinerary outlined here (including Lucky Bay), a robust 2WD self-contained campervan is sufficient. The main roads are sealed, and Lucky Bay's sand is compacted enough for 2WD beach driving.
When you DO need 4WD:
Serious off-road tracks or unsealed roads
Remote beach driving beyond Lucky Bay
Exploring beyond the main tourist routes
If you're planning to venture further off-grid, consider 4WD hire in Perth with proper off-road capability. Always check your rental agreement before leaving sealed roads.
Ready to book your Western Australia road trip?
You've got the itinerary. You've got the insider tips. Now you just need the van.
Whether you're after a high-top campervan, a self-contained motorhome, or full 4WD capability, Camplify connects you with local owners who know WA inside out.
Stop dreaming. Start driving. Find campervan hire in Perth and start planning your own south west WA road trip.
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The information in this blog is accurate and current as of the date of posting. Please be aware that information, facts, and links may become outdated over time.