Best Campervan Road Trips across Western Australia
Vast horizons, cinematic coastlines and big sky outback make Western Australia a dream for campervan adventures. With good roads, well-spaced holiday parks and plenty of national parks and country towns, it’s easy to roll from vineyard tastings to turquoise bays and towering forests in a single trip.
Hire an Apollo campervan in Perth or Broome, set your own pace and follow these five standout routes. Each one delivers a very different side of Western Australia, with family-friendly stops and plenty of pet-friendly options in towns. Just remember that most WA national parks don’t allow pets, so always check local rules before you go.
Swan Valley to Perth Hills
Distance and time: Around 25 to 30 minutes from central Perth to the Swan Valley, then a short climb into the Perth Hills. This is the perfect day trip or relaxed weekender to ease into campervan life!
Why go: The Swan Valley is Western Australia’s oldest wine region, packed with cellar doors, craft breweries and artisan producers. Families love the easy wildlife encounters and riverside picnics, while the nearby Perth Hills offer waterfall walks, forest views and stargazing. It is close, delicious and effortlessly scenic, with plenty of powered sites for a comfortable first night on the road.
Where to stop:
Where to stay: You can stay at Acclaim Swan Valley Tourist Park or Discovery Parks - Swan Valley for powered sites and amenities for a comfortable rest after a long day of exploration.
Campervan tips: Many caravan parks in the area welcome dogs by arrangement. Most WA national parks do not allow pets, so plan walks accordingly. Families can find playgrounds and short, well-marked trails across the area.
The South West Edge (Margaret River to Albany to Esperance)
Distance and time: About 1,120 to 1,200 kilometres from Perth through Margaret River, Pemberton, Walpole, Denmark and Albany to Esperance. Allow 10 to 14 days to do it justice.
Why go: This is WA’s greatest coastal and forest epic. Sip your way through Margaret River’s cellar doors, stroll among giant karri and tingle trees near Pemberton and Walpole, then hop between glass-clear coves and granite headlands around Denmark and Albany. Finish with the white-sand perfection of Esperance and Cape Le Grand National Park. It is a highlight reel of wineries, forests and beaches with manageable driving legs and superb holiday parks.
Where to stop:
Where to stay:
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Margaret River: local caravan parks and nearby farm stays
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Pemberton: caravan parks and forest campgrounds
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Denmark and Albany: well-equipped holiday parks close to town and beaches
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Esperance: holiday parks near West Beach or the Lucky Bay campground in Cape Le Grand National Park (book ahead in peak times)
Campervan tips: You’ll find powered sites, dump points and laundries in the main towns. Many national park campgrounds are unpowered and have limited facilities, so use towns like Margaret River, Denmark, Albany and Esperance as resupply hubs. Some private parks allow pets, but beaches and national parks have specific rules, so always check signs and local guidance.
Coral Coast Highway (Perth to Exmouth)
Distance and time: About 1,250 kilometres from Perth to Exmouth. Aim for 7 to 12 days for unrushed swims, snorkels and sunsets.
Why go: This well-signed coastal route, widely promoted as the Coral Coast Highway, tracks the Indian Ocean from limestone desert to coral lagoons. Walk among the Pinnacles at Nambung National Park, gaze into the gorges and skywalks of Kalbarri, meet friendly dolphins at Monkey Mia and drift over coral gardens at Ningaloo. Exmouth and Cape Range National Park deliver rugged canyons on one side and turtle-nesting beaches on the other. It is a classic coast-hugging adventure with warm water and pastel sunsets.
Where to stop:
Where to stay:
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Jurien Bay and Kalbarri: holiday and tourist parks
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Shark Bay and Monkey Mia: waterfront holiday parks and resorts
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Coral Bay: caravan parks and campgrounds (book well in advance in peak season)
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Exmouth: several caravan parks in town plus beachside campgrounds in Cape Range National Park
Campervan tips: National parks in WA generally don’t allow dogs, so this one is easier without pets. Families will love the shallow swimming spots at Coral Bay and guided glass-bottom boat or snorkel tours at Ningaloo. Try to line up your trip with wildflower season (typically winter–spring) when roadside verges add extra colour to the drive.
Perth to Broome (The Big Northwest Adventure)
Distance and time: About 2,800 to 3,200 kilometres, depending on detours. The direct Perth to Broome run is about 2,240 kilometres, but most travellers add Coral Coast and Pilbara highlights. Plan for 14 days or more to enjoy a coast-to-outback odyssey that links the Coral Coast, Pilbara and Kimberley.
Why go: This is WA’s blockbuster. You tick off the Coral Coast highlights on the way north, add the red-rock chasms and waterholes of Karijini National Park, then roll past Eighty Mile Beach before arriving in Broome for camel trains and glowing sunsets on Cable Beach. It is the route for big landscapes, starry nights and a rotating cast of marine life, gorges and desert plains.
Where to stop:
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Nambung National Park, the Pinnacles
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Kalbarri National Park
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Shark Bay and Monkey Mia
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Ningaloo Reef: Coral Bay and Exmouth
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Karijini National Park: Dales and Weano gorges
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Port Hedland for history and harbour views
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Eighty Mile Beach for shells and sunsets
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Broome: Cable Beach, Town Beach and markets
Stay:
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Coastal towns like Geraldton, Exmouth and Karratha: holiday parks and tourist parks
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Inland stretches: roadhouse stops and basic campgrounds (book ahead in peak season)
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Karijini: national park campsites and Karijini Eco Retreat
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Broome: caravan parks around town and Cable Beach
Campervan tips: Distances between services can be large, so keep fuel, water and snacks topped up and don’t leave long legs for late afternoon. Roadhouses and established parks make planning easy if you map your overnights in advance. Many private parks welcome pets, but Karijini and most other national parks don’t, so plan pet care around those sections.
Wheatbelt and Wave Rock
Distance and time: Around 340 kilometres east of Perth to Hyden, typically 3.5 to 4 hours on sealed roads. It is a classic overnight or two-night inland escape.
Why go: Wave Rock is a 100 metre long, 15 metre high granite wave you can walk right beside. Add the Hippo’s Yawn rock formation, Wheatbelt wildflower drives in season and big open skies and you get an easy inland road trip with a real outback feel, without huge distances. Kids and adults both love the quirky side stops and simple, friendly town parks.
Where to stop:
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Wave Rock and Hippo’s Yawn near Hyden
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Seasonal wildflower drives (roughly July to October, sometimes later depending on rainfall)
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Tin Horse Highway near Kulin for paddock-side sculpture photos
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Corrigin Dog Cemetery for a slice of local history
Stay:
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Wave Rock Caravan Park, right near the rock
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Alternative bases: Narrogin and Merredin caravan parks, or York further afield if you are looping back via Avon Valley towns
Campervan tips: Many Wheatbelt parks and farm stays are pet friendly, but always check leash rules and local guidance. The short, well-signed walks and open skies make this an easy region for families and first-time campervanners. Clear nights here are great for simple stargazing right from your site.
FAQs and quick answers
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What is the best time of year for WA campervan road trips?
Autumn and spring suit most of the south-west and Coral Coast, with milder temperatures and good beach weather. For the far north and Kimberley, the dry season (roughly May to September) usually brings cooler days and fewer road closures.
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Do I need a 4WD campervan for these trips?
All routes listed here can be driven on sealed or main gravel roads in a 2WD campervan, as long as you follow local advice and Apollo’s vehicle rules. A 4WD opens up extra tracks and campgrounds, but it is not essential for the core itineraries.
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Can I take my dog on these WA road trips?
Yes, in many town caravan parks and some private campgrounds, as long as you follow their pet rules. Most WA national parks do not allow dogs on trails or in campgrounds, so you will need to plan pet-friendly overnights around those sections.
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How many days do I need for the Coral Coast Highway?
If you are just driving Perth to Exmouth with quick stops, you could do it in a week, but 10–14 days gives you time to enjoy Kalbarri, Shark Bay and Ningaloo without rushing.
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Is free camping allowed in Western Australia?
There are some designated rest areas and basic sites where self-contained campers can stay, but rules vary by shire. In many coastal and town areas, you must use official campgrounds or caravan parks, so always follow local signage and council guidance.
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Do I need to book holiday parks in advance?
In peak times (school holidays, whale shark season at Ningaloo, Christmas and Easter) it is wise to book key sites well ahead, especially in small coastal towns and national parks. Outside peak periods you will often have more flexibility, but it still pays to reserve a few anchor nights.
Ready to plan your Western Australia campervan road trip?
Western Australia is made for unhurried road time – long horizons, big skies and plenty of places to pull over “just for a look” that turn into trip highlights. Choose the route that suits your timeframe, book a few key holiday parks and national park campgrounds in advance, then leave room for detours and extra nights when a place surprises you.
Hire an Apollo campervan in Perth or Broome, stock the fridge with local goodies and start mapping out your own Western Australia story – whether that’s a quick Swan Valley weekender, a South West forest and beach loop or a full Perth to Broome adventure. Once your camper is packed and you hit the highway, all that’s left to do is follow the road and see where the next bend takes you.
You can try some of our itineraries below for your next WA adventure!
Western Australia | Perth Return Road Trip Itinerary
Western Australia | Perth To Esperance Road Trip Itinerary
Western Australia | Coral Coast Highway - Perth to Exmouth Road Trip Itinerary
Western Australia | Perth to Darwin Road Trip Itinerary