The Best Road Trips in Western Australia for Retirees — A Complete Guide
Western Australia is, quite simply, one of the great road trip destinations on earth. The largest state in Australia — covering the whole western third of the country at 2.646 million square kilometres — WA offers an extraordinary range of landscapes, experiences, and road trip routes that consistently rank among the most memorable grey nomad adventures available anywhere in the country. For retirees with the time and flexibility to truly experience it, Western Australia rewards those who come properly prepared and stay long enough to let the place reveal itself. Here are the best road trips in Western Australia for retirees.
Why Western Australia Is a Grey Nomad Favourite
The South West of Western Australia is attracting retirees looking for space and scenery — retirees often plan longer stays to justify the travel distance, making the most of quieter seasons.
And the distance is worth it. Western Australia’s road trip experiences — the Kimberley, the Coral Coast, the Southwest — are genuinely unlike anything available in the eastern states. The distances are significant, the landscapes are extraordinary, and the sense of having genuinely gone somewhere different is unmistakable.
The best time to travel: The best time of the year to visit Western Australia is said to be during spring — beautiful weather before the dry summer heat arrives. Most visitors find the summer months too hot for sightseeing, with temperatures above 30°C. For the Kimberley and the northwest specifically, the dry season from May to September is the only realistic time to travel.
The Coral Coast — Perth to Exmouth
Distance: Approximately 1,270km one way Suggested time: 3-6 weeks Road type: Sealed throughout — suitable for all vehicles and caravans
The Coral Coast drive from Perth north to Exmouth is one of Australia’s most rewarding road trips — combining stunning coastal scenery, extraordinary wildlife encounters, and some of the most pristine marine environments on earth.
Key stops along the way:
The Pinnacles, Cervantes One of Western Australia’s most extraordinary and accessible natural attractions — thousands of ancient limestone pillars rising from the desert floor of Nambung National Park, just a few hours north of Perth. Best visited at sunrise or sunset when the light is extraordinary.
Geraldton The coastal city of Geraldton offers stunning natural scenery including pristine beaches and flowering outback meadows. Geraldton is packed with bars, cafes and restaurants, and for history buffs a visit to the Museum of Geraldton to learn about the town’s history and nearby shipwrecks is worth the time.
Monkey Mia, Shark Bay One of the world’s most extraordinary wildlife experiences — wild bottlenose dolphins that come to shore every morning at Monkey Mia to interact with visitors. Shark Bay is also home to Shell Beach — a beach made entirely of tiny shells stretching for kilometres — and the ancient stromatolites at Hamelin Pool, some of the oldest living organisms on earth. As I wrote in the best scenic drives in Australia for retirees — Shark Bay is one of those places that genuinely surprises people who had no idea it was there.
Carnarvon A significant coastal town with excellent facilities — famous for its bananas and tropical fruit, and a natural stopping point on the Coral Coast between Shark Bay and Exmouth.
Coral Bay A beautiful, relaxed coastal town on the southern edge of Ningaloo Reef — one of Australia’s most accessible and pristine reef systems. Snorkelling directly from the beach is possible here, with extraordinary marine life including reef sharks, manta rays, and hundreds of species of tropical fish.
Exmouth and Ningaloo Reef Sitting at the northern gateway to the Ningaloo Coast World Heritage Area, Exmouth is the perfect spot to set up camp and explore all the wonders of this region. Ningaloo Reef is arguably the most accessible coral reef experience in Australia — and whale shark swimming from March to July is a genuinely bucket list experience available to travellers of all fitness levels.
Grey nomad tip: Book Exmouth accommodation well ahead — it fills quickly during peak season. Geraldton has stunning natural scenery including pristine beaches and offers a good range of RV-friendly accommodation options at reasonable prices.
The Southwest — Perth to Albany via Margaret River
Distance: Approximately 700km circuit from Perth Suggested time: 2-3 weeks Road type: Sealed throughout — suitable for all vehicles and caravans
The South West of Western Australia is attracting retirees looking for space and scenery — and the Margaret River region in particular consistently delivers on both counts.
Key stops along the way:
Margaret River From its fantastic food and wine and thriving art scene to its pristine natural environment, Margaret River is a must-do on your Western Australia road trip. Enjoy natural wonders such as birdwatching or wandering through the Boranup Karri Forest. Indulge in artisan goodies and meet the local producers at the farmers markets.
The region’s caves — Mammoth Cave, Lake Cave, Jewel Cave — are extraordinary and accessible to most fitness levels. World-class wineries with relaxed cellar door experiences make the Margaret River region one of Australia’s finest food and wine destinations.
Dunsborough and Cape Naturaliste If getting back to nature is top of the list on your Western Australia road trip, then be sure to schedule a stay in the township of Dunsborough. Beautiful beaches, excellent whale watching from June to November, and the stunning Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse trail make Dunsborough one of the southwest’s most popular grey nomad stops.
Augusta and Cape Leeuwin The most southwesterly point of Australia — where the Indian Ocean meets the Southern Ocean. The Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse is the tallest in mainland Australia and offers extraordinary views across two oceans from a single lookout. A genuinely memorable and often emotional experience.
Denmark and the Valley of the Giants The Valley of the Giants near Denmark is home to extraordinary ancient tingle trees — some of the largest trees in the world — accessible via a remarkable elevated tree top walk. Denmark itself is a beautiful, artsy town with excellent local produce, wineries, and a relaxed atmosphere that suits grey nomads perfectly.
Albany The historic port city of Albany is truly a special spot to include on your Western Australia road trip. The town offers amazing views over King George Sound and is brimming with elegant buildings, beautiful churches, and historic homes. One of the must-dos while you’re here is a visit to the National Anzac Centre where you can hear stories of the Anzac soldiers from Australia and New Zealand.
Another top spot to visit is Two Peoples Bay Nature Reserve — home to several of Australia’s endangered animals, and incredibly beautiful. Take a walk along one of the tracks and stop at the lookouts to take in the sweeping views across the bay.
The Stirling Ranges Just north of Albany — an extraordinary mountain range rising dramatically from the flat surrounding farmland, with some of Western Australia’s best walking and an extraordinary diversity of wildflowers in spring. The range is visible from 100 kilometres away on a clear day.
Esperance and the Recherche Archipelago The furthest southeast stop on most southwest road trips — Esperance is famous for its extraordinary white sand beaches and turquoise water, often described as some of the most beautiful in Australia. Lucky Bay in Cape Le Grand National Park regularly features in lists of Australia’s best beaches — and kangaroos on the beach are a genuine attraction rather than a marketing gimmick.
The Kimberley — Broome to Kununurra
Distance: Approximately 1,000km one way via the Great Northern Highway, or significantly longer via the Gibb River Road Suggested time: 3-6 weeks Road type: Mix of sealed and unsealed — the Great Northern Highway is sealed throughout; the Gibb River Road is unsealed and requires 4WD
The Kimberley is one of Australia’s great bucket list destinations — one of the world’s last true wilderness areas, with ancient landscapes, extraordinary gorges, and a remoteness that is increasingly rare anywhere on earth.
The two main routes through the Kimberley:
Great Northern Highway — the accessible option The sealed route from Broome to Kununurra via Derby and Fitzroy Crossing is suitable for all vehicles and caravans — and still delivers extraordinary Kimberley experiences without requiring a 4WD or significant off-road experience.
Gibb River Road — the adventure option As I wrote in the best scenic drives in Australia for retirees — the Gibb River Road cuts through the heart of the Kimberley and is one of Australia’s great adventure drives. It requires a genuine 4WD and some off-road experience, but delivers access to some of the most extraordinary gorge and wilderness scenery in Australia.
Key stops in the Kimberley:
Broome The gateway to the Kimberley — a beautiful, characterful town with extraordinary Cable Beach, extraordinary sunsets over Roebuck Bay, and a genuine outback-meets-tropics atmosphere that makes it one of Australia’s most distinctive towns. Many grey nomads spend weeks or months in Broome — it has that quality. As I wrote in the best caravan parks in Australia for retirees — Broome consistently rates as one of Australia’s favourite extended grey nomad stops.
Fitzroy Crossing and Geikie Gorge Geikie Gorge is an extraordinary natural feature just outside Fitzroy Crossing — ancient limestone walls carved by the Fitzroy River, now home to freshwater crocodiles and extraordinary birdlife. Accessible by boat tour from the Fitzroy Crossing area — a genuinely memorable experience.
Halls Creek and Purnululu (Bungle Bungle Range) Purnululu National Park — home to the extraordinary Bungle Bungle Range — is one of the most remarkable geological formations in Australia. The distinctive orange and black striped beehive domes are genuinely unlike anything else in the country. Access to the park requires a 4WD — but helicopter tours from Halls Creek are available for those who want to experience the landscape without the rough track.
Kununurra and Lake Argyle Kununurra offers the opportunity to explore the stunning town and the spectacular Lake Argyle — one of Australia’s largest man-made lakes, extraordinary in scale and beauty. The Ord River irrigation scheme surrounding Kununurra is remarkable, and the surrounding landscape of ancient red ranges and lush irrigated farmland is striking.
El Questro Wilderness Park For those travelling the Gibb River Road — El Questro is a legendary Kimberley destination with extraordinary gorges, thermal springs, and some of Australia’s most spectacular outback accommodation and camping. Emma Gorge in particular is breathtaking.
The Indian Ocean Drive — Perth to Geraldton
Distance: Approximately 420km one way Suggested time: 4-7 days Road type: Sealed throughout — suitable for all vehicles and caravans
A shorter and more accessible road trip option — the Indian Ocean Drive north of Perth is a beautiful coastal route that delivers extraordinary scenery and wildlife encounters without requiring a lengthy commitment.
Key stops:
Yanchep National Park Just north of Perth — koalas, kangaroos, and beautiful coastal heath, all within easy reach of the city.
Lancelin and the Sand Dunes Extraordinary white sand dunes stretching along the coast — one of Western Australia’s most striking coastal landscapes and a popular stop for sandboarding.
The Pinnacles, Cervantes The extraordinary limestone pinnacles of Nambung National Park — one of Western Australia’s most photographed natural features and genuinely unlike anything else in Australia.
Jurien Bay A beautiful coastal town with an extraordinary sea lion colony at nearby Jurien Bay Marine Park — swimming with sea lions is a genuinely unforgettable experience available through guided tours.
Geraldton The endpoint of the Indian Ocean Drive and a significant regional city with excellent facilities, beautiful beaches, and a range of caravan parks and accommodation for grey nomads.
The Nullarbor — Perth to the South Australian Border
Distance: Approximately 1,200km from Perth to the SA border Suggested time: 5-10 days minimum Road type: Sealed throughout — suitable for all vehicles and caravans
The Nullarbor crossing is a genuine rite of passage for Australian grey nomads — one of the world’s great drives across one of the world’s most extraordinary landscapes.
Key stops:
Norseman The western gateway to the Nullarbor — a significant outback town with all facilities and genuine gold rush history.
Balladonia Famous as the site where pieces of Skylab fell in 1979 — a quirky piece of Australian history with a surprisingly good local museum.
Cocklebiddy and the Bunda Cliffs The Bunda Cliffs — sheer limestone cliffs dropping 60-80 metres straight into the Southern Ocean — are one of the most extraordinary geological features in Australia. Multiple lookout points along the Eyre Highway provide extraordinary views across what seems like an infinite expanse of ocean.
Head of Bight One of the world’s most extraordinary whale watching experiences — southern right whales gather in the Great Australian Bight from June to October with calves, viewable from elevated clifftop lookouts. Genuinely bucket list territory for wildlife lovers.
Eucla A small community near the South Australian border with a fascinating history — including the ruins of the old telegraph station being slowly consumed by sand dunes, one of the most haunting and memorable images on the entire Nullarbor crossing.
Practical Tips for Western Australia Road Trips
Allow significantly more time than you think you need Western Australia’s distances genuinely surprise many first-time visitors — the state is enormous and the gaps between significant towns can be substantial. Building in more time than you think you need is the single most consistent piece of advice from experienced WA grey nomads.
Fuel planning is critical Particularly in the Kimberley and on the Nullarbor — fuel stops can be hundreds of kilometres apart and prices significantly higher than in major cities. Always fill up when you have the opportunity rather than waiting for a more convenient stop.
Book ahead for popular destinations Retirees often plan longer stays to justify the travel distance, making the most of quieter seasons — but this means popular destinations like Exmouth, Broome, and Margaret River can book out well in advance during peak season. Get bookings in place before you leave.
Carry more water than you think you need Particularly in the Kimberley and on the Nullarbor — water is the most important safety item on any Western Australian road trip in remote areas.
Check road conditions before heading off sealed roads Western Australia’s unsealed roads can change dramatically after rain — always check current conditions through the Main Roads WA website or 13 81 38 before leaving the bitumen.
Travel in the right season for your destination The southwest is best in spring and autumn. The Kimberley and northwest are only accessible in the dry season (May to September). The Nullarbor is best avoided in extreme summer heat. Planning your trip around the right season for each region makes an enormous practical difference to comfort and enjoyment.
For more grey nomad planning inspiration, have a look at our complete guide to travelling Australia by caravan and our guide to planning the Big Lap of Australia.
The Bottom Line
Western Australia is genuinely one of the world’s great road trip destinations — and for Australian retirees with the time and flexibility to experience it properly, it delivers some of the most extraordinary and memorable travel experiences available anywhere in the country.
The distances are significant. The preparation required is real. But the reward — Cable Beach sunsets, Ningaloo whale sharks, Kimberley gorges, southern right whales at the Bight, and the profound quiet of the Nullarbor — is worth every kilometre of the journey.
Pack the van. Head west. And give yourself enough time to let Western Australia do what it does best — reveal itself slowly, spectacularly, and unforgettably.
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