The mighty land of Western Australia brims brightly with its glorious adventures, otherworldly attractions, and natural landscapes. The vast portions of its rugged & scenic routes stand as a unique point of attraction for global travellers. With abundant wildlife and gorgeous terrains, baffling rock formations and traditional Aboriginal sites, Western Australia is a region full of discoveries.
Lately, or over the past few years, Western Australia did receive a large global traction in terms of tourism. Generally speaking, visiting Australia has always been about Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane a.k the known eastern land which ideally houses some of the best beaches and recognized landmarks. However, visitors have started realizing that there’s more to it, other than the normal touristic places which we all visit.
That’s when travellers slowly but steadily realized the charms of Western Australia.
If you ask me, visiting WA is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. It doesn’t seem as different as you might think for its regional counterparts, yet the exploration feels oddly unique. From sweeping green vineyards to award-winning wineries and unbelievably road trip routes, there’s so much to discover here.
And the best way to explore this evergreen land is via a road trip. No matter how long you spend exploring WA via a road trip, just ensure that it’s a fulfilling one, without having any regrets of missing out on top highlights. And to make sure that you don’t really exclude the best ones, we chartered out an amazing road trip plan from Perth to Broome.
About Perth to Broome Road Trip
Driving from Perth to Broome easily has to be one of the best routes in Western Australia. The never-ending coastline and the epicness of rugged terrains let you witness the marvellous landscapes of Western Australia. Furthermore, the diversity of pitstops between Perth and Broome let visitors of any age to fully explore and enjoy. This brings great joy to families travelling with their kids, while also bachelors and groups of friends to have an amazing road trip experience.
As mentioned before, Perth to Broome is packed with a plethora of attractions. From discovering the beautiful landscapes of Cape Range National Park to seeing abundant wildlife at Monkey Mia and Coral Bay, there’s an incredible amount of things to do. And to really get the best out of your visiting experience, we recommend renting a car.
In the below sections, we will talk about Perth to Broome distance, the best routes, how many days to visit, and the best ways to explore.
Planning Tips for Perth to Broome Road Trip
Perth to Broome is an extensive road trip. One needs to plan it carefully and thoroughly to ensure all the must-visit places are noted. Moreover, it requires a great effort in planning to design such a long road trip. Hence, to minimize your efforts, we’ve shared some helpful & practical tips below
Driving Times for Perth to Broome
The drive from Perth to Broome is a total of 2046km (excluding stops). If you drive non-stop, it would approximately take 22hr 21mins to reach via National Highway 95. However, a direct journey is not recommended for this or any other Australian road trip. However, a direct journey is not recommended, and it’s best to include stops throughout your entire road trip.
How many days to spend on Perth to Broome road trip?
We would suggest spending a minimum of seven to a maximum of ten days covering the best of Western Australia. A week’s vacation could be a little tighter, but would still grant you flexibility to cover the top highlights. However, with ten or more days, you would be exploring the majority of attractions spread across WA.
How to Rent a Car in Australia
Renting a car is one of the best ways to explore the vast portion of Western Australia. This mode gives you the ultimate freedom to explore the attractions of your choice. For all our other Australian road trips, I have suggested using Rentalcars.com as a preferred partner. With a wide range of vehicles, services and great affordability, you could be sure of booking the right rental option.
Perth to Broome Road Trip Map
Have a look at the below map which gives an overview of the Perth to Broome road distance:
Perth to Broome Road Trip Stops
Perth to Geraldton
Driving distance: 419kms (4hr 24mins)
The first half of the road trip itself gives you a great glimpse of what Western Australia boasts. The drive from Perth is pretty scenic, with plenty of stops to enjoy and relax by. Having said that, the city of Perth is a great base for travellers to experience some of the best Australian landmarks.
Spend a day in Perth visiting notable places like Elizabeth Quay, Fremantle Markets, The Art Gallery of Western Australia, Cottesloe Beach, The Bell Tower and Kings Park and Botanic Gardens. Ideally, a guided tour of Perth is more than enough to visit these landmarks in a short time. Once done with the exploration, you can hit the pedal and drive towards Geraldton.
Here’s a list of the best stops to enjoy between Perth and Geraldton –
Yanchep National Park
If picking, hiking, or exploring the abundant collection of native Australian species sounds like fun to you, there’s no ideal getaway than visiting Yanchep National Park. Home to 400 spectacular caves, gorgeous paved trails, and intriguing historical sites – Yanchep National Park is one of the must-visit places on our Perth to Broome road trip.
With less than 40 minutes of drive from Perth, Yanchep National Park is an idyllic day trip destination for most localities. The site can be really crowded during peak summers, and it’s best advised to time your travel well (by visiting early in the morning). However, even with crowds – the national park still becomes an enjoyable place to explore.
One of the highlights of visiting Yanchep National Park is its grey kangaroos which can be seen all over the park. I would recommend taking any one of the nine walking trails to marvel at the serene beauty whilst keeping a watch on these grey kangaroos.
Good to know: Yanchep National Park is a great spot for camping. If looking to spend a night, reserve a camp stay prior to your visit. If you feel a little more adventurous, then hop on for a caving tour to witness the striking beauty of the historical cave systems of Yanchep. You can book tours by contacting the visitor centre.
Read More | The Ultimate Guide to Yanchep National Park
Gravity Discovery Centre and Gingin Observatory
Well, if you got kids travelling with you, then make a stop at Gravity Discovery Centre and Gingin Observatory to let them experience what astronomy and science are all about. Reading books may be one thing, but having it visualised with some entertainment is a unique experience for little kids. Take a 28-minute drive from Yanchep National Park and let your kids enjoy exhibits, displays and activities inside the Discovery Centre.
Nambung National Park
Known for the Pinnacles Desert, Nambung National Park is an impressive natural attraction resembling the planet Moon with its contrasting landscape features. There are dunes, there are ancient rock formations and incredible limestone structures that truly stand as a visual spectacle.
Visiting the Pinnacles Desert: The Pinnacles Desert is one of the must-visit spots at Nambung. Known for its mass desert area, the Pinnacles have been known for its limestone formations and impressive landscapes. The dunes are also surrounded by coastal plains, beaches, and spring flowers. With plenty of walking trails and boardwalks, you could easily spend a day exploring this greater area.
Lancelin: If you enjoy exhilarating activities, then sandboarding should definitely be on your list to try at Lancelin. Nestled along the coast of the Indian Ocean, Lancelin is a small fishing village that hosts the country’s biggest windsurfing event.
Cervantes: Love the idea of fishing or camping? Cervantes is the right place for you. With more than 100 campgrounds, Cervantes is an ideal place to stay overnight and explore the best of Nambung National Park. While you’re here, do not miss visiting Lake Thetis, Lobster Shack Cervantes and Hansen Bay Lookout.
Jurien Bay
Jurein Bay will be your last stop of this stretch. Spend your late afternoon or evening relaxing, snorkelling or swimming at any of the beaches. Take beach walks or cycle down the paved trail along the coastline to marvel at the scenic sunsets. Moreover, Jurien Bay is pretty popular for its colony of sea lions. It’s quite easy to spot them, but if you don’t – then you can take a local snorkel tour to greet these amazing wild creatures.
Note: We recommend booking your accommodation way prior to your arrangements for this road trip. During peak summers, bookings are difficult to get and can be a great hassle too. Check out some of these preferred hotel options for Geraldton.
Geraldton to Kalbarri
Driving distance: 156kms (1hr 46mins)
Geraldton to Kalbarri is truly one of the best stretches of this road trip. Get ready to witness the marvellous attractions of Western Australia, as you embark further towards Broome.
Hutt Lagoon
Australia is full of natural wonders. Sometimes it’s hard to believe, that such things even exist on our planet. And one of them, which you will witness now, is the iconic pink lake located at Hutt Lagoon. This baffling site is a complete visual spectacle, commonly known for its vividly-hued nature.
The colour pink is because of the high level of salinity the lake has. Due to extreme characteristics, the lagoon has an unusual hue, which contrastingly changes its colour depending on the season and time of day. Weather factors such as sunny, cloud coverage or humidity may change its colour from pink to red or sometimes even purple.
To witness this dramatic sight, we recommend visiting Hutt Lagoon early in the morning (on a bright sunny day), or mid-afternoon. Try and avoid cloudy days, as the lake might not be at its best colour formation. However, it’s still an attraction which is completely unmissable.
There are plenty of ways to gasp at the pink lake: one is by driving along Port Gregory Road, and the other is a scenic flight with Shine Aviation or Kalbarri Scenic Flights.
Kalbarri
The beach town of Kalbarii celebrates life with utmost generosity. The localities always welcome you with a great sense of warmth and love. While its open culture might be a great vibe, its trendy touristic environment will spoil you down to its core. Kalbarii is home to amazing surf spots, river hikes, gorgeous terrain, and abundant wildlife. All-in-all, it’s one of the must-visit places in our Perth to Broome road trip.
Nature’s Window and Loop Trail: Nature’s Window is an epic lookout area which boasts a wonderful-looking arched rock formation. This is also the start and finish of a moderate-paved loop trail walk, which is approximately 8km. Generally, it takes three to four to complete the circuit. However, it’s a strenuous stretch demanding a good physique and stamina. Plus, the temperatures could be extreme in summer.
Kalbarri Ocean Gorges: The highlight of visiting Kalbarii is its coastal route edges kissing the surface bed of the ocean. This 1.3-kilometre stretch is worth a drive to witness the swirling patterns. While there are many notable stops to enjoy, Red Bluff is the one to watch out for. Eagle Gorge and Natural Bridge are worth visiting too.
Kalbarri Skywalk: For those who are not into hiking or walking moderate trails can perfectly enjoy the scenic vistas of Kalbarii via skywalk. These two 100-metre-high bridges provide an expansive view of the Murchison River. Due to its height, visitors may feel a little dizzy but rest assured it’s worth the adventure.
Read More | The Best Things to Do in Kalbarri 2023
Driving distance: 444kms (4hr 32mins)
Get ready for another scenic stretch, boasting the best highlights of Western Australia. Kalbarri to Carnavron is a long stretch with plenty of sights to marvel at. Here are some of the top ones which you should visit –
Hamelin Pool
Home to the largest and oldest living fossils in the world, Hamelin Pool remarkably represents the historic stromatolites of the coral coast. Nestled in the Shark Bay World Heritage Area, this area has been a global point of interest for all ecologists, climate scientists, and marine conservationists. It gives the visitors a perfect representation of what the earth may have looked like billion years ago. And for this viewing experience, travellers can walk the jetty bridge looking down the stromatolites below.
Shell Beach
Located off Shark Bay Road, Shell Beach is one of the most famous beaches in Australia. Interestingly, it’s one of the two beaches in the world made up entirely of shells. While it may sound like an ordinary beach-type vibe to you, a walk amidst the coast of this beach is simply magical. From a faraway distance, Shell Beach looks like it’s covered with a snow-white blanket against the dramatic Indian Ocean.
Shark Bay
Western Australia has one of the greatest wilderness treasures in the form of the Shark Bay Heritage Area. Located on the westerly point of the country’s coast, Shark Bay encompasses islands, bay areas, and peninsulas covering a mass area of more than 2.2 million hectares. Having said that, more area brings more diversity, and that’s why Shark Bay is one of the natural landmarks housing rare species of flora and fauna. More than 10,000 species of dugong are found here, in addition to dolphins, sharks, and humpback whales.
Francois Peron National Park
Known for its vivid-colourful shades and dramatic landscapes, Francois Peron National Park is one of the unique places to visit in our Perth to Broome road trip. It’s an ideal getaway destination for those staying nearby to Carnarvon, as it perfectly blends adventurous activities with family-based tours. The only best way to see the highlights of this park is via a 4WD vehicle. There aren’t any sealed roads and your normal vehicle’s tires may suddenly go flat. Hence, it’s best to rent out a 4WD to fully enjoy Francois Peron National Park.
Resource | Download this PDF guide to maximize your knowledge of Francois Peron National Park. Get to know how to reach this park, vehicle restrictions, park fees, and activities.
Carnarvon to Cape Range National Park
Driving distance: 440kms (4hr 26mins)
Continue your journey towards the northern part of Western Australia as you marvel at the sites of Ningaloo Reef and Cape Range National Park.
Coral Bay & Ningaloo Reef
Known as an ultimate beachside holiday spot, Coral Bay is one of the beloved destinations of Western Australia. Located near the World Heritage Site of Ningaloo Reef, this laid-back settlement has been quite popular to host water adventures such as snorkelling, kayaking, paddle-boarding and deep-diving.
The unspoiled coastline and the crystal white sandy beaches are the biggest draws for travellers visiting Coral Bay for the first time. It may seem like a replica of the Great Barrier Reef in Eastern Australia, but it provides a unique experience for all those visiting. While there may be a ton of things to do at Coral Bay, here are some of the most notable ones –
Swim with Whale Sharks: Coral Bay Eco Tours gives you the perfect opportunity to get up close with whale sharks. As thrilling and scary as it might sound, these tours are completely safe with experts around you. Furthermore, these guided tours have a great success rate since they spot aerially spot the locations of whale sharks. Below are some of the tours to check out –
Visit Bills Bay Beach: If you aren’t into water activities or such, no worries! Relax, nourish and unwind yourselves at Bills Bay Beach, which is popular amongst families. The sunsets are unmatched and can be a great place to take an evening walk as well. Moreover, accommodations in this region are worth checkout!
Snorkel at Ningaloo Reef: Visiting Ningaloo Reef and not snorkelling? That’s mean. This region is one of the best places to snorkel in the entire world. From the tropical dense flora & fauna to the exhilaration of being under-water – snorkel amongst the beautiful species of Coral Bay. Here are some fabulous tours for you to explore –
Marine Eco Safari – Swim with Manta Rays (Guided Excursion)
Coral Bay – 2-Hour Coral Viewing and Snorkeling
Turtle Eco Tour: Ningaloo Reef is home to some of the planet’s most beautiful creatures and rare species. The most popular of them are these cute sea turtles. The Ningaloo Coast itself is home to varied species of sea turtles including Green, Loggerhead and Hawksbill. To spot them easily, embark on a three-hour cruise on a glass-bottom boat. With the help of an expert guide, you’ll be amazed by the history of Ningaloo Bay and its colony of sea turtles.
Cape Range National Park
With secluded beaches, rugged limestone canyons, and beautiful walking trails, Cape Range National Park is only an hour’s drive from Ningaloo Reef. It’s one of the important tourist destinations of Western Australia and is often considered a haven for all hikers. There’s so much to discover in this vast area, that past travellers recommend staying a minimum of three days to fully explore the region.
If you’ve got the time, I recommend checking out this ultimate guide to Cape Range National Park. Otherwise, check out the below-suggested activities to do within a day’s trip –
Explore the Mandu Mandu Gorge: Cape Range National Park is a paradise for hikers & trekkers. While there are plenty of trails to wander, the Mandu Mandu Gorge still remains one of the best beginner trails, to begin with. This 3km loop trail offers stunning vistas of the park along with gorgeous views of the deep canyon and gorges.
Marvel at Turquoise Bay: Turquoise Bay is rated as one of the top beaches in Western Australia. This title is justified by its sheer beauty. Visitors find the beach a perfect place to unwind, relax and swim. Furthermore, the snorkelling sites at Turquoise Bay grant you an enthralling experience to spot aquatic animals.
Discover Shothole Canyon: Perched on the eastern side of the national park, Shothole Canyon is a sight to gasp at. To reach the main area, you’ll follow a 12-kilometre scenic stretch which showcases the true rugged beauty of Western Australia. Upon reaching the site, you can rent a 4WD vehicle to traverse the trails of the canyon.
Exmouth to Karijini
Driving distance: 640kms (7hr 43mins)
We head inland to explore one of the most underrated spots in WA – Kariini National Park. Since there are fewer pitstops to take between Exmouth and Karijini, we suggest directly driving to the national park to save time.
Karijini National Park
Nestled in the Hamersley Range, Karijini National Park is home to spectacular gorges, towering canyons, dramatic waterfalls and rocky creeks. The vast wilderness and the abundance of activities just surpass all the attractions you visited on our Perth to Broome road trip. Visitors going on a day trip to Karijini can cover the main sights of Oxer Lookout, Hancock and Joffre Gorges easily. However, to extensively cover all the landmarks – you would need a minimum of three days.
Is Karijini worth visiting?
Being the second largest national park in Western Australia, Karijini till today is still considered to be an underrated park. However, with more and more travellers flocking to the region, the hype about visiting Karijini has increased lately. My personal recommendation would be to visit this national park once, as there’s literally a plethora of things to do, keeping you busy for a week.
Hamersley Gorge: The gorge has been a natural highlight of Karijini National Park. Home to amazing fields of gorges and swirling rocks, the contrasting shades of Hamersley are a sight to behold. Beneath the gorge, you’ll even find a turquoise spa pool, with tiny waterfalls gushing down from the valley.
Weano Gorge: This is a popular swimming spot. During summer, the pool is usually crowded but if you can make it early in the morning, then you’ll realize the tranquillity of this serene place. Reaching the pool is an experience in itself, as you need to wind down the valley and scramble over the boulders. However, it’s worthwhile the task.
Dales Gorge: Home to waterholes and colourful rocks, Dales Gorge reminds me of national parks in the U.S. The landscape characteristics are somewhat similar to what you find in Utah. However, I feel the Australian version of Dales Gorge is much, much better. Fern Pool and Fortescue Falls are the biggest highlights of this area.
Explore other road trips | 7 Beautiful Stops on Sydney to Gold Coast Road Trip
Karijini to Broome via Eighty Mile Beach
Driving distance: 955kms (10 hours) via a stop at Eighty Mile Beach
Today you will be driving the final stretch of this epic road trip. Leave Karijini early in the morning to head towards your first stop & overnight stay – Eighty Mile Beach.
Eighty Mile Beach
Unspoiled and stunning, Eighty Mile Beach is one of my favourites in Western Australia. It boasts a long coastline of 220 kilometres, which can be enjoyed via a 4WD vehicle. If you are able to reach Eighty Mile Beach by sundown, then it’s the perfect time to witness the beautiful sunsets. There are even powered and unpowered campsites offered by Eighty Mile Beach Caravan Park.
Broome
We made it to our final stop – Broome! An exciting, energetic beach resort town which is loved by local, interstate and international travellers. Known for secluded beaches, camel rides, scenic flights, star gazing and so much more, Broome is a must-visit in Australia. Some of the famous attractions to visit in Broome include Horizontal Falls, Riddell Beach, Cable Beach, Gantheaume Point, and Broome Historical Museum.
Practical Tips for Perth to Broome Road Trip
Now that you finally have an understanding of the best routes, driving distances, and places to visit – we look at some additional tips to help you plan better for this road trip. Following the below steps will benefit you by saving some money on the trip as well.
- Consider purchasing Park Pass: Our Perth to Broome road trip edition includes a visit to four national parks: Yanchep National Park, Nambung National Park, Francois Peron National Park, Cape Range National Park, and Karijini National Park. Purchasing a park pass can help you save money and grants you unlimited visits. For more info on various passes, visit this website.
- Break your journey: As mentioned before, Perth to Broome is a super extensive road trip journey. Covering 3000 km (with stops) within a week isn’t easy and may lead to exertion. If you want to simplify your journey, you could first take Perth to Exmouth stretch (covering the first half of the road trip), and then Exmouth to Broome (the second stretch). This way you can ensure that you rest at Exmouth for a couple of days more.
- Plan your budget: Consider planning your expenses for your road trip in advance. Visits to national parks and other attractions carry a certain fee, so ensure that you accommodate them within your budget. With respect to the vehicle, Rentalcars.com will be a value-added service for your budgeted road trip.
- Accommodation: One of the most crucial stages of planning a road trip is booking accommodation. It’s an important factor as you may need to decide well in advance where to stay. These budgeted hotels and apartments in Western Australia could be a great starting point for you.
We generally refer Booking.com to all our readers to book their accommodation for their trips. With affordable rates, a price match guarantee, and free cancellation – you could easily find the best options to stay across Western Australia.
What to Pack for Perth to Broome Road Trip
It’s important to travel light, but at the same ensuring that you carry all the essential items for your road trip. The below list gives a high-level overview of what you should pack for your Western Australia road trip.
- Prescribed Medicines: For visitors who are on certain medications should bring along their prescribed medicines for the road trip duration.
- Clothing Accessories: Depending on the season you travel, you will need to bring clothing items best suitable for the weather conditions. Carry jeans, t-shirts, long wear (full-sleeve shirts or T-shirts), and jackets.
- Footwear: Ensure that you get sturdy hiking boots which may be required for national park visits. Also, carry a pair of flippers/shoes for casual explorations.
- Electronics: As per individual’s preference.
- Essentials: Toiletries, rubbish bags, reusable bags, sunscreen, and caps.
- Travel Accessories: Get a Lonely Planet Guidebook and a map for your road trip.
Popular Guided Tours & Excursions
Our partnership with GetYourGuide enables us to promote unique day trips and popular excursions, which is completely compatible with all our road trips & itineraries. These guided tours lighten up the adventures of your itinerary, by making you venture & discover more.
Below are some of the tours which you choose to book for your Perth to Broome road trip:
Further Readings & Resources
Love Australian road trips? Here are a couple of in-depth guides:
Great Ocean Road: The Ultimate Great Ocean Road Itinerary for 2 Days
Whitsundays: Whitsundays Itinerary 7 Days: Ultimate Guide (+ Sailing Ideas, Tips)
Airlie Beach: 3-Day Airlie Beach Itinerary | How to Spend 3 Days in Airlie Beach
Flinders Ranges: The Ultimate Guide to Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park
Explore Fleurieu Peninsula with us:
Experiences: Best Things to Do in the Fleurieu Peninsula of South Australia
Where to Stay: 10 Gorgeous Places to Stay on the Fleurieu Peninsula
Coastal Towns: 10 Unique Places to Visit on the Fleurieu Peninsula of South Australia
