Perth to Broome Drive – The 14 Best Road Trip Stops

Perth to Broome Drive – The Ultimate WA Road Trip

The Perth to Broome drive is easily one of the best road trip routes in Australia. There are so many unique and blissful places to visit – you won’t want to go home. This itinerary will highlight the best places to visit and what to do in each of them. Remember, it is possible to do it the other way round and drive from Broome to Perth. 

The East Coast road trip often overshadows Western Australia, but this trip can offer so much more to the curious traveller. Including some of the world’s best and secluded beaches, surfing, incredible wildlife and the iconic sunsets over the Indian Ocean. Another incredible WA road trip, is Perth to Esperance, so you may want to extend your trip.

What is the distance from Perth to Broome?

According to Google Maps, the Perth to Broome drive with no stops is 2,048km and would take 22 hours and 20-minutes. However, this is via National Highway 95 and will not take you to some of the most beautiful spots in Western Australia. Therefore, we recommend that you take the coastal route; not only will you break up your journey, you will also have the time of your life.

Perth to Broome Driving Map

Look at the Perth to Broome coastal drive map to see the distances of the main spots!

When should you do the Perth to Broome drive?

Wildflowers, whales and the wet season.

• Visit between late July/August to November to see the wildflowers along the roads and national parks.
• Visit between June and November to see the humpback whales dancing in the ocean. 
• Visit between May and October (during the dry season) because the temperatures are milder.

How to get from Broome to Perth?

Hire a Car or Van: if you do not have your car, then a great way to do the Perth to Broome drive is by hiring a vehicle. Broome to Perth will usually be the cheapest option, and it is also less expensive if you return your car to the place where you picked it up. However, you need to factor in the extra km you will have to drive too. 

If you hire a van, it will be initially more expensive than a car, but you can stay in freedom camps, and this means you will be able to save money on accommodation. 

Another option is relocating cars or vans with Immova. We go into detail about this in our post about travelling to Australia cheaply. In a nutshell, if you’re on a strict budget and can be flexible with your dates, you can relocate a vehicle for free or for a few $ a day. 

Public Transport: it is possible to get the bus up the West Coast of Australia. However, it is not as frequent as the Greyhound on the East Coast, so you will need to factor in more time. Integrity Coach Lines offer a hop on hop off service. It is an excellent option for e people who are travelling solo or do not want to drive yourself. What’s great about this option is that you can travel in any direction and you can design your itinerary. They have a range of deals from $267- $722 depending on the frequency of travel and kilometres you wish to travel.

Tours: You can join several tours if you want to do Perth to Broome drive with no planning. If you’re a backpacker, a well-respected tour group is the Why Not Bus, which explores all of the main sights. They cater to a person aged 18-35, and it is predominantly a camping trip. 

However, there are so many tours available you need to find the right deal for you. They usually do the same route but vary in prices and start dates. The downfall of these would be less freedom and a higher cost. Although, it takes the stress out of planning your trip, and you will get to see the best of the west.

Which route should you take? Broome to Perth or Perth to Broome?

The direction you decide to go will depend on your circumstances. Are you driving this route on a long road trip, or are you renting a car or camper to travel? Usually, car hire is cheaper from Broome to Perth drive because travellers usually do Perth to Broome drive and then fly back to Perth. You should research prices and decide what your budget can take. 

How long do you need to do the Perth to Broome drive?

How long you spend depends on how you enjoy travelling and what you would like to see and do on your trip. If you want to see everything on this list without going too fast, you would need to spend about 2-weeks. However, if you don’t have the time or enjoy travelling faster – than a week would be enough time. However, you would need to skip some of the main attractions, but this should not stop you from going. 

Useful Things to Know

Western Australia National Park Pass

You should buy a Western Australia National Park Pass if you plan to explore them because it is a much cheaper option than buying them individually. Depending on how long you are going to complete your Perth to Broome drive, you can get a holiday pass for 5-days ($25), 14-days ($40) or 4-weeks ($60). Individual entry costs around $10-$15 per car, so it would be cost-efficient to buy a pass.

Download an Offline Map

There may be times when you do not have a phone connection on the Perth to Broome drive. You will need to download an offline map. We like to use Maps.Me and we explain why in our post about the best travel apps. But there is a lot you can use. 

Fuel

Remember, Western Australia is extremely remote and isolated, which means that it is always a good idea to drive from Perth to Broome to keep your tank full when you can. 

4 Wheel Drive

It is good to know that because most of the roads are sealed, you do not need a 4 Wheel Drive to complete this road trip. However, if you want to do some off-roading or plan to go off the beaten path, it is a good idea to have one.

Take Water

It is always a good idea to have water in your car because Western Australia can get very hot and you could break down in a remote place. There is also usually no water available in the national parks, and there have been fatalities due to dehydration. Our purpose in telling you this is not to scare you but to make sure you feel prepared!

Where to stay

There are hotels, resorts, hostels, campgrounds and free camps located throughout this trip. So accommodation choice will depend on your budget and where you are. We stayed at hostels, campsites and free camps, and there was always something available. 

The 14 Best Spots on the Perth to Broome Drive

This mighty West Coast Australia road trip guide explores all the best spots to see on your Perth to Broome drive and what you can do in each place. However, if you want to drive from Broome to Perth, you can flip the route! Read, discover and create your itinerary, but here are the places you do not want to miss!

Perth

Recommended time to spend: 1 – 3 days

Perth is the capital of Western Australia. Some say it is a ‘ghost town’ compared to Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane. But we disagree. It is the most isolated city globally, but that does not mean that it isn’t fun. There are more sunny days than any other state capital, but that’s not the only reason you should visit.

The best things you can see and do in a Perth itinerary are:

• King’s Park – for a bushwalk and views over the skyline.
• The CBD – visit Elizabeth Quay and London Court.
• Go on a free walking tour – from a local (lasts 90-minutes).
• Visit Perth’s Cultural Centre – the library, the museums and Amphitheatre.
• Explore the Northbridge suburb – go to a yummy restaurant. 
• See the Blue Boat House – take the Instagram shot and see black swans.
• Cottesloe Beach and City Beach.
• Fremantle- Markets, Fremantle Road House and the cute shops.
• Rottnest Island Day Trip – a 45-minute ferry, hire bikes and see the quokkas. 

Lancelin

Recommended time to spend: 1 – 2 hours

Time from Perth: 1 hour 30-minutes

Lancelin is home to incredible, white dunes and is a natural playground. You can rent sandboards, a road buggy, take your 4×4, go for a walk on the dunes or simply admire them. It is an outstanding place to take some pictures and is generally just a fun place to see and explore.

Nambung National Park- The Pinnacles

Recommended time to spend: 1 – 2 hours

Time from Lancelin: 40-minutes 

In Nambung National Park, you will find the natural wonders that are the Pinnacles. You will have to pay for a pass to drive around, or if you purchased a national parks pass, now is the time to use it. If you want to visit for sunset, remember to get there an hour before, so you have time to discover the park’s circular driving loop. In the visitor centre, you can learn about the Pinnacles. They are marine fossils that formed in columns, and they vary in size up to 3.5metres tall. 

Jurien Bay

Recommended time to spend: ½ day to 1 day

Time from The Pinnacles: 1 hour

Jurien Bay is the best place to swim with sea lions in Australia, and there are many colonies that you can see. However, if you want to swim with them, you will have to book a tour. These tours usually last around two and a half hours, and you will be able to play with the curious sea creatures. Jurien Bay is also a wonderful place to relax on the beach, with incredibly blue water if you don’t want to go on the sea lion tour.

Geraldton

Recommended time to spend: ½ a day

Time from Jurien Bay: 2 hours- 5 minutes

Geraldton is an excellent place to stop to break up your journey and will be the largest place you will see for a while because it is the largest town between Perth and Darwin. It’s a good idea to stock up on anything essential whilst you can. There won’t be a Coles or a Woolies for a while…

Geraldton is a city by the coast, which is known to be a getaway to the ocean. You can swim, snorkel, sail, surf – so many adventures. Or you can visit the HMAS Sydney Memorial, the Museum of Geraldton (both are free to enter) and the Art Gallery. 

Horrocks

Recommended time to spend: 1 day (stay at the campsite).

Time from Geraldton: 1 hour

Horrocks was named Australia’s best mainland beach in 2018 and is worth visiting for that alone. The colour of the water is unbelievable, and it is a great place to relax. You can jump off the pier, have a BBQ using the free facilities or have seafood from the only shop in town. Stay at Horrocks Beach Caravan Park. It is not expensive, and it is not on the usual touristy route, so you will feel like you are genuinely exploring WA!

Hutt Lagoon – The Pink Lake

Recommended time to spend: 1-2 hours

Time from Horrocks: 35 minutes

Hutt Lagoon is a pink lake that you have probably seen on Instagram. You will not need to spend very long here, but we would recommend taking some pictures on the way to Kalbarri. We have never swum in this lake, although we did dip our feet in once because it is very salty. You can take a scenic flight over this lake if you want to get an aerial view and if not, you should aim to visit at midday, when the sun hits the lake, and you can see the pink colour!

Kalbarri 

Recommended time to spend: 1 – 2 days

Time from Hutt Lagoon: 35 minutes

Disclaimer: we lived in Kalbarri when we were doing our farm work as backpackers. Therefore, we may be a little biased, but we love the humble town and always tell anyone to go on their Perth to Broome drive. If you are looking to spend longer here, then read all about why we love it with our post about 16 wonderful things to do in Kalbarri. 

Kalbarri lies where the Murchison River meets the Indian Ocean and is home to two beautiful national parks. An inland national park and a coastal national park. Both of these are breathtaking, and you should visit them.

The highlights of Kalbarri are:

• The Kalbarri Window in Kalbarri National Park
• The Z-Bend
• The Kalbarri Skywalk
• The Coastal Cliffs – including Mushroom Rock, Island Rock and the Natural Bridge
• Jacques Point – to surf and have coffee from the van
• The Blue Holes – for snorkelling
• Fishing
• Chinaman’s Beach
• Quad Biking

Shark Bay

Recommended time to spend: 1 – 2 days

Time from Kalbarri: 3 hours

Shark Bay is a breathtaking UNESCO World Heritage Area, and you should not skip it. It sits at the most western point of Australia and is home to many different animal species – both in the sea and land.

There are many free and fun things to do in Shark Bay:

• Nanga Bay – appreciate the clear water.
• Hamelin Pool Marine Nature Reserve
• Shell Beach – you will find millions of tiny shells. There are only two beaches in the whole world like this. 
• Denham – a lovely seaside town to rest and fill up your car with fuel.
• Monkey Mia – to see the dolphins.

Since the 1960s, people have been coming to Monkey Mia to see the bottlenose dolphins. If you get to the park early (7:45 am), you can watch volunteers feed the dolphins. There are three feeds a day, and while it is fantastic to see them up close, this can be a controversial activity, and you should make your mind up if you want to go. You can stay overnight at the Mia Dolphin Resort, or you can eat in their restaurant or have a well-deserved cocktail. 

Coral Bay

Recommended time to spend: 1 – 2 days

Time from Shark Bay: 7 hours

Coral Bay is a small town with white sand beaches located on the Ningaloo Reef. It is known as a marine paradise and is named after the coral gardens meters from the shore. If you are lucky, you may be able to see dolphins, manta rays and many fish species from the Coral Bay WalkWay. Coral Bay is World Heritage-listed and is untouched and protected. Undeniably, it is a beautiful spot on the Perth to Broome drive.

Exmouth

Recommended time to spend: 1 – 2 days

Time from Coral Bay: 1 hour 35-minutes

Cape Range National Park is out of this world. It is home to Turquoise Bay, which is one of the most beautiful beaches in Australia. We loved this beach because of its proximity to the beautiful Ningaloo Reef. You can drift snorkel just a few metres from shore and see beautiful fish and turtles (if you are lucky). Our top tip would be to be careful of the current, start snorkelling from the southern part of the beach and let the current take you down but get out before the sandbar. Do not do this if you are a weak swimmer. 

Another incredible thing you can do in Exmouth is to swim with Whale Sharks. It is one of the few places in the world that run this tour sustainably. You can do this from March to August, and you can shop around for the best tour company.

Karijini National Park

Recommended time to spend: 1 – 2 days

Time from Exmouth: 8 hours

Karijini National Park is one of the most beautiful and unique places you can visit in Australia. It is also good to know that you do not need access to a 4WD to go to Karijini. However, make sure that you have one if you want to go everywhere. Also, remember to bring water into the park with you because you will not find any inside. This national park is vast and is Australia’s second-largest (627,422 hectares), so there are lots of things to see and do. 

The best things you can see and do are: 

• Fortescue Falls
• Fern Pool
• Hike to Circular Pool
• Hancock Gorge (spider walk to reach Kermit’s Pool)
• Hamersley Gorge to find swimming pools and waterfalls. 

Eighty Mile Beach

Recommended time to spend: 

Time from Karijini:6 hours

Eighty Mile Beach is a great place to stop to break up your journey to Broome. It is a significant wetland for migratory birds from all over the world. It is a great spot to break up the trip, and you can see an incredible sunset over the Indian Ocean. Also, as the beach is so long (220 km), you will truly feel like you are away from the crowds, and you can find your spot to kick back and relax before you start the final leg of your journey to Broome. There is also a caravan park if you wanted to spend the night here, offering camping, caravans and cabins.

Broome

Recommended time to spend: 1 – 2 days

Time from Eighty Mile Beach: 3 hours 50-minutes

The final stop is Broome. Undeniably, Broome is beautiful and lives up to all the hype around it. It is most famous for Cable Beach and the iconic sunsets you can see from this spot with the camels as a subject. Broome has a fascinating history and outstanding natural beauty. 

The best things to do for your Broome itinerary:

• Gantheaume Point – to see the dinosaur footprints.
• Broome Markets – every Saturday morning.
• Cable Beach – for the perfect sunset.
• Visit the Japanese cemetery.
• The Staircase to the moon – a natural phenomenon at a full moon.
• Have a Mango or Ginger beer at Matso’s Brewery (the most remote brewery in WA).

Fancy something different? Rent a scooter to discover Broome. For instance, you can ride to the beaches, see dinosaur prints on the red rocks, explore Bohemian markets, and stop at calming coffee shops, all for $35 per day.

The Perth to Broome drive is a road trip of a lifetime. Discover the remote, secluded and most beautiful spots in Australia on this epic road trip. There is something for everyone, and it is one adventure after another! Have you visited Western Australia before? What is your favourite place to stop off at on the Perth to Broome drive? Let us know in the comments!

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Photo Credit: averagelives.com

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