The state of Western Australia covers an enormous area, roughly 10 times the size of New Zealand. To truly experience all that WA has to offer would take months or even years, so covering small sections at a time is the most practical way to experience the state.
Heading down the Western Coast from Perth to Albany, then along the Southern Coast to Esperance, back inland to Kalgoorlie and then back to Perth is a picturesque route covering everything from coastal towns and tall tree forests to gold mines and dolphin encounters.
Days 1 & 2 – Perth
Image: Tourism Western Australia
Allow at least a couple of days to explore the beautiful city of Perth. Take a day trip to Rottnest Island, relax on one of Perth's stunning beaches, or cruise the Swan River. The city of Perth has an exciting array of trendy restaurants, chic boutiques and entertainment options. Did we mention the sunsets?
The famous Swan Valley is only a 20-minute drive away and boasts superb wineries, cheese shops, microbreweries, art galleries and more.
Where to stay
There are plenty of great accommodation options in Perth, from beachside to the CBD.
Day 3 – Perth to Margaret River
(271km)
Windows Estate. Image: Tourism Australia
The Margaret River region is famous for its world-class winemaking and is a great place to stop and explore. The area is a gourmet delight with a chocolate factory, cheese farms, olive plantations and numerous vineyards. Located along a stunning stretch of coastline and with a relaxed pace, the Margaret River lifestyle is a pleasure to immerse yourself in. Visit the many galleries, sip wine overlooking a vineyard or gorge yourself on gourmet delights.
Day 4 – Margaret River to Albany
(380km)
The Gap, Torndirrup National Park. Image: Tourism Western Australia
The scenic drive from the Margaret River to Albany takes you through the majestic Karri Forests between Manjimup and Denmark. Karri trees can grow up to 90m in height, making them one of the world's tallest hardwood trees, and the Karri Forests an amazing sight. During spring, the undergrowth bursts into a spectacular display of colour as the wildflowers bloom.
Albany is a historic maritime town with fascinating museums and an old whaling station. The rugged granite coastline is the ideal whale watching location, or take one of the whale watching cruises to see the magnificent Humpback and Southern Right whales migrating.
For a breathtaking taste of coastal splendour, Torndirrup National Park is a must-do. Twenty minutes from Albany, this slice of wonder is home to wave-sculpted granite formations, such as The Gap and Natural Bridge, as well as walking trails and whale spotting lookouts.
Where to stay
Check into Quality Apartments Banksia Gardens, which is centrally located and an easy drive from everything Albany has to offer. Climb to the nearby Mount Melville Parklands lookout for yet more amazing views.
Day 5 – Albany to Esperance
(480km)
Lucky Bay, Cape Le Grand National Park. Image from: Tourism Western Australia
The Esperance region is famous for its pristine beaches and extensive national parks, and is a haven for water lovers, fishermen and beach lovers alike. The ideal way to explore Esperance is by 4WD, with many of the beaches open to vehicles and beautiful 4WD tracks meandering through the National Parks.
After a big day of exploration, wind down over some of the tasty treats to be found around the region. Experience the relaxed atmosphere at Lucky Bay Brewing, which is named after the famous bay. This boutique brewery serves craft beers brewed from locally grown barley and other ingredients. Set amongst natural bushland and with lots of native birdlife, it's a relaxing setting in which to finish the day.
You'd expect to find exceptional seafood in this neck of the woods, and Fish Face doesn't disappoint. Dine in or grab some take away and head across The Esplanade to one of the picnic tables along the oceanfront.
Where to stay
The Comfort Inn Bay of Isles, situated near the town centre, is the ideal base for exploring the town.
Day 6 – Esperance to Kalgoorlie
(400km)
Image: Tourism Australia
Kalgoorlie is a historic mining town, founded in 1983 during the Yilgarn-Goldfields gold rush and is located near the 'Golden Mile'. It is home to the 'Super Pit', Australia's largest open-cut mine, which is approximately 3.6km long by 1.6km wide and over 500m deep.
There are several historic museums in the town worthy of a visit, and the local architecture is brimming with history and old-world charm.
Where to stay
Stay at Quality Inn Railway, close to the town centre and Kalgoorlie attractions.
Day 7 – Kalgoorlie to Perth
(600km)
Check out PUBLIC silo trail, Merredin on the way back to Perth. Image: Tourism Western Australia
The drive back to Perth will take around 6 hours. There are several towns and picnic spots along the way to stop at for a break.