Best road trip around North WA: ultimate adventure

North Western Australia is an incredible region known for its jaw-dropping wilderness, wonderful wildlife and expanse of open road. In other words, it’s made for a van life adventure! But with so many great stops to choose from, where should you visit on a North WA road trip?

Including bucket list destinations like Monkey Mia and Ningaloo Reef, we’ve rounded up the top 7 places you don’t want to miss on your north WA road trip. With plenty of ground to cover and all sorts of unforgettable experiences to soak up along the way, setting aside a few extra days to take this road trip at your own pace is a must!

North WA road trip itinerary: 7 places you can’t miss

Total distance: about 1,650km | Recommended days: from 10 to 14 days | Best time to do the route: between September and November | See route in Google Maps

1. Perth

This is a great place to set off on your north WA road trip, and it’s well worth spending a couple of days here to really experience it all. Begin with a trip to Kings Park and Botanic Garden, where you can wander through over 400 hectares of native bushland and manicured lawns. Then take a dip in the ocean at Cottesloe beach, while munching on some local fish and chips!

Afterwards, fit in a trip to Perth Zoo or enjoy a scenic cruise along the Swan River. Hop off and be sure to pay a visit to the local wineries and breweries in Swan Valley for a sampling of the local wines and beers - all just 25 minutes from the city. For a little history, you can head to the Perth Mint and learn all about gold mining in Australia or check out the fascinating exhibits at Fremantle Prison.

And if you’ve got the time (before or after your road trip), head to Rottnest via ferry, where you can snorkel the bays, bask in the sun and meet the local quokkas.

2. Nambung National Park

After Perth, it’s time to really take off on your Western Australia road trip. There’s no better place to kick off your journey than at Nambung National Park. View the thousands of pillars that rise from the yellow sand that form one of Australia’s most bewildering landscapes!

You can explore Pinnacles Desert on foot or by car. It’s definitely worthwhile heading on foot to see the pinnacles up close. There’s a great lookout at the top as well that gives you the perfect view.

That’s not all Nambung National Park has to offer. There are two beautiful beaches at Kangaroo Point and Hangover Bay, along with plenty of trails for you to test out on foot. While you can’t camp out in the actual National Park, there’s plenty of options in nearby Cervantes for you to rest your head after a big day of exploration.

1. Geraldton

Travelling from Perth to Geraldton (via Nambung National Park) is actually known as the Indian Ocean Drive. There’s good reason for this too, as you drive, you will be able to enjoy hundreds of kilometres of ocean stretching along the way.

Once you reach Geraldton, you’ll be treated to culture, history, and plenty of tourist attractions - all in one spot. Your first stop should be to check out the HMAS Sydney II Memorial, which is the country’s premier site for honouring the 645 sailors who were lost off the Western Australian coast in World War II. Follow up with a trip to the Western Australian Museum, which celebrates the region’s local history.

For a little downtime, head to the Geraldton Foreshore, where there’s a fabulous park for the kids and a water play area. There are three separate areas for all ages to enjoy (adults too!). You can venture onto The Esplanade, which offers spectacular 360 views.

There’s also plenty of walking trails, lookouts and water activities to explore, so take the time to really experience everything on offer. You could even try to fit in a trip to the Houtman Abrolhos Islands, where you can enjoy crystal clear waters and encounter plenty of sea life!

4. Kalbarri National Park

The trip to Kalbarri National Park is only about one hour from Geraldton. Entrance to the park will set you back $15 per vehicle, but there’s plenty to keep you busy for a full day. Get there nice and early to make the most of your time.

Make sure to head to the main attraction in the park: Nature’s Window. This is a natural rock arch that has been wind-eroded to create an opening that offers the perfect window out across the river. It’s a 1km return walk and is well worth the photo. Just be prepared to line up for it.

If you’re up for more of a challenge, head out of the 8km Loop Walk, which will really test your inner explorer. You’ll find yourself wading through water, climbing rocks and balancing on unsteady ground.

Looking for something a little easier? There are plenty of tamer walks to tackle within the park, and some stunning lookouts to make your way to. Hike your way to Z Bend Lookout or visit Hawks Head and Ross Graham, Red Bluff and Pot Alley.

5. Monkey Mia

Monkey Mia is a must-stop destination. Put aside a day just to get your campervan here and then settle in for an early evening, so you can wake early and catch the first dolphin feeding at Monkey Mia Dolphin Resort the next day.

You can also take off on an Aboriginal cultural tour, where you can learn about bush tucker, medicine and how they have survived off the land for so many thousands of years.

Shark Bay is Australia’s largest bay, so it’s well worth taking a drive to soak up all its beauty. There are plenty of lookout points for you to enjoy. At night, settle back and relax under the thousands of stars visible from the beach.

6. Coral Bay

Next stop, Coral Bay! It’s time to get into those swimmers and enjoy some of the water activities in the area. The Coral Coast is home to swarms of manta rays that you can view from up close on a tour of the reef. You might also come across dolphins, turtles, stingrays, tiger sharks and more.

Rent some snorkel gear from town and take off to Turquoise Bay where you can drift snorkel and spot plenty of sea life as you go. If you prefer to stay dry, then there’s always the option to jump on a glass-bottom boat and see the reef from above!

Bill’s Beach is the main stretch, with gorgeous white sand to sink your toes into and crystal clear water to enjoy a dip. It’s the perfect spot to relax back and enjoy some downtime and you can even stay for a stunning sunset at the end of the day.

7. Exmouth

This small beachside town is a great place to end your north WA road trip before heading back to Perth. It acts as a gateway to Ningaloo Marine Park, while also offering plenty of water adventures!

One of the must-dos is to swim with the whale sharks at Ningaloo Marine Park, you can enjoy a full-day tour on a Catamaran and learn all about the incredible sea life. Back on land, head off hiking at Cape Range National Park or settle back and watch the sunrise at Charle Knife Canyon (it’s worth the drive to get there).

If you’re looking to get back to Perth, it’s a good 12-hour drive, which is best to be broken up over a couple of days. Carnarvon and Geraldton make great stops along the way, where you can rest your eyes and recharge for the next leg of the journey. Take it as a second opportunity to explore the many wonders of this amazing landscape!

Organise your North WA road trip with Camplify

Once you sort out campervan hire in Perth, you’re ready to head north and check out some of the amazing natural sights this breathtaking area has to offer! Our north WA road trip explores some of Australia’s greatest outdoors, taking you right along the turquoise coast.

And if you make it back to Perth and still have a case of the travel bug, then why not explore a South WA road trip and check out the lower half of this stunning state?

Why Camplify?

Camplify is the fastest-growing camper vehicle sharing community in Australia. We proudly include the following advantages with all Camplify rentals:

• Comprehensive hire insurance

• NRMA roadside assistance

• 24/7 customer support

• Member verification

Plus, by hiring a vehicle through Camplify, you are directly supporting local families and companies who share their vehicle through our platform!

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