WA Road Trip

You're most likely going to be flying into Perth, and this is where one of the best road trips I've ever taken begins. The overall trip is going to require at least 2 weeks, but you could easily spend months exploring the vast open landscapes, raw natural beauty, red dirt roads and stunning turquoise waters of Western Australia. 

1. Whilst in Perth, I’d recommend at least 2 nights in the trendy surf suburb of Cottesloe, where cafes, pubs and restaurants line the long, sandy beaches.

2. Before you leave Perth and hit the open road, you have to visit Rottnest Island about 30km off the Western Australian coast. You can take a ferry out to Rottnest for a day trip, just make sure you catch the first ferry over and the last to come back so you have ample time to swim with the local sea lions & bike your way from pristine beach to pristine beach.

3. Another way to explore Rottnest is to climb aboard a catamaran and sail around the many beautiful bays and snorkelling spots situated around the island.

4. Now it's time to hit the road. You're going to come across so many amazing places to stop along the way, but I definitely suggest a stop at Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park, about 3 hours south of Perth.

5. Arriving at Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park, take the time to explore it's beautiful forests, 300+ caves, incredible beaches and stunning scenery overlooking the Indian Ocean.

6. Next stop is the Margaret River, home to some of Australia's best wineries and breweries, with over 50 amazing spots to catch a wave.

7. After leaving Margaret River, enjoy a delish vegan breakfast in Albany and a pit stop at Two Peoples Bay, before continuing east towards Esperance.

8. The drive to Esperance from Two People's Bay will take a little over 5 hours. Be sure to keep an eye out for kangaroos, who populate the area.

9. As you get closer to Esperance, you'll stumble upon Twilight Beach, where gorgeous white sand meets crystal clear turquoise water with perfect swimming conditions. Granite cliffs and the deepening blue ocean make this area of coastline one of the most scenic in Australia.

10. So you've arrived in Esperance and have found paradise. If you’re staying in town, don’t even bother with anything other than Fi’s Esperance Chalet Village. We stayed 5 nights here & explored beaches on the outskirts of town including West Beach and Blue Haven.

11. Some of the beaches of the region are only accessible via 4WD, however most (including Lucky Bay & The Duke) have a carpark close by. You don't necessarily need a 4WD but it is a very cool experience driving into a remote, untouched area. Just remember to leave it how you found it & do all the necessary research to make the day fun (don't get bogged!).

12. To get the true Aussie roadie experience, you have to go full outback, swag & all. Spend a week in the National Park and split your time between Lucky Bay & The Duke of Orleans camp grounds - they are about 1.5 hours apart. 

I’ve strategically selected these points for the ample beaches, walks & beauty surrounding them both. The camp grounds require you to be self sufficient and you should definitely book ahead (however Lucky Bay has a cute little pop up cafe open weekdays where you can grab your morning brew).

13. Lucky Bay is where you’ll find some new kangaroo mates & it’s best to hang with them at dusk & dawn. This bay is jaw-droppingly unbelievable & has maybe the bluest water I have ever seen (yes, bluer than the Maldives).

14. The Duke of Orleans aka ‘The Duke’ is equally as stunning as Lucky Bay, but a little smaller & also a little less touristy. Take a surfboard because there is a beautiful little peeling wave that you’ll have the time of your life on if the surfs up. However, most of the year its pretty sheltered & you’ll be swimming in a shallow lagoon.

15. Located 2km west of Duke of Orleans Bay is the stunning Wharton Beach, the most accessible and most popular surfing beach in the area. This is where your incredible WA road trip comes to an end, sadly. I implore you to tackle this trip with good vibes & an open mind. You’ll be blown away by the natural beauty & you’ll understand what all the fuss is about.

Meet SaltyLuxe

Sarah is the tropical addict & storyteller behind SALTY LUXE. Based in the surf town of Byron Bay on Australia’s East Coast, Sarah is passionate about travel, sustainability and sharing good vibes. She captures her adventures at home and around the world through photography and video.

Follow @Saltyluxe

With over 400K followers on Instagram alone, SALTY LUXE is a name synonymous with travel worldwide. Make sure you check out the SALTY LUXE website and follow Sarah's social media pages below:

Instagram: @SaltyLuxe
Pinterest: @SaltyLuxeOfficialPage