Australia’s south west is incredibly diverse and abundant in natural beauty. There’s no better way to experience all it has to offer than hitting the road. We’ve created the perfect itinerary to ensure you don’t miss out on a single highlight!
This 11 day Perth to Esperance road trip will take you through the very best of the south west. See the lush Karri forests of Pemberton and the gorgeous wineries of Denmark. Explore the historic town of Albany then relax on the pristine beaches of Esperance. End on a high with a visit to the West Australian icon of Wave Rock.
This is definitely one of the best road trips in Australia and a personal favourite of ours. So, what are you waiting for? Read on to plan your own bucket-list worthy Perth to Esperance adventure!
See the kangaroos hopping on the beach at Lucky Bay, Esperance
Table of Contents
Perth to Esperance Road Trip Overview
Recommended Stops
- Pemberton – 2 nights
- Tree Top Walk
- Denmark – 2 nights
- Albany – 2 nights
- Two Peoples Bay and/or Granite Skywalk
- Esperance – 3 nights
- Hyden (Wave Rock) – 1 night
Perth to Esperance Road Trip Summary
Day 1 – Leave Perth early in the morning and drive 3.5 hrs to Pemberton.
Night 1 – Pemberton
Day 2 – Explore the highlights of Pemberton and the surrounding area.
Night 2 – Pemberton
Day 3 – Drive just over 2 hrs from Pemberton to Denmark, stopping at the many great sites along the route.
Night 3 – Denmark
Day 4 – Discover the beautiful beaches and taste the delicious wines at a few of the local vineyards around Denmark.
Night 4 – Denmark
Day 5 – Begin the day with a 40 min drive from Denmark to Albany, stopping at a few scenic spots along the way. Spend the rest of the day seeing some of Albany’s highlights.
Night 5 – Albany
Go for a dip in the turquoise waters of Greens Pool, Denmark
Day 6 – Spend the full day seeing the incredible sites of Torndirrup National Park, finish it off by watching an epic sunset at the Albany Windfarm.
Night 6 – Albany
Day 7 – Drive 5 hrs from Albany to Esperance stopping at Two People’s Bay and/or the Granite Skywalk along along the way.
Night 7 –Esperance
Day 8 – Explore the amazing beaches of Cape Le Grande National Park, relax in the crystal clear ocean and kick-back in the white sand alongside a few kangaroos at Lucky Bay.
Night 8 – Esperance
Day 9 – Start the day with a hike up Frenchman Peak for an epic coastal view and spend the afternoon by taking a scenic flight over the famous pink lake or perhaps ticking off a few of the sites around the town of Esperance. Finish off this perfect day with a cold pint at Lucky Bay Brewing.
Night 9 – Esperance
Day 10 – Leave Esperance in the morning and drive 4 hrs to Hyden, spend the rest of the day seeing Wave Rock and some of the other attractions of Hyden.
Night 10 – Hyden
Total Driving Time
~ 20 hrs – The full driving route from Perth to Esperance and then back to Perth via Hyden, give or take depending on the stops you choose to make.
Longest Stretch of Driving
~ 5 hrs from Albany to Esperance
Total KM Covered
~1,800 km
Perth to Esperance Highlights
- Drive through the beautiful forests of Pemberton
- Visit the picturesque wineries and turquoise bays of Denmark
- Discover the fascinating ANZAC history and many attractions of Albany
- Admire the stunning beaches of Esperance – think crisp white sand and vibrant turquoise water
- Witness the unique sight of kangaroos hanging out on the beach in Cape le Grande National Park
- Marvel at the mind blowing natural formation of Wave Rock in Hyden
Watch a magical sunset at Wave Rock in Hyden
How Long Will I Need?
We would recommend allowing a minimum of 11 days to complete this Perth to Esperance road trip itinerary.
Best Time to Road Trip the South West of Australia
You should plan your road trip from Perth to Esperance during summer (December – February). The southwest has a cooler climate to Perth, so planning your visit during the summer months will ensure pleasant temperatures of around 25 – 30°C.
During winter this region sees quite a few storms, a lot of rainfall and much cooler temperatures. If you’re seeking some winter sun, it’s a better idea to head north. Make sure to check out our 10 day Perth to Exmouth road trip itinerary!
Accommodation
The most popular way to road trip in Australia is by hiring a campervan or driving a 4WD and setting up a tent along the way.
If you’re not into camping, the good news is that it’s really easy to do this road trip without camping. All the stops listed in this itinerary cater to campers as well as those who prefer staying in hotels, apartments or resorts.
You’ll find our recommendations on where to stay in each section of this itinerary.
Explore the unique and beautiful landscape of the Yeagarup Dunes in Pemberton
Perth to Esperance Road Trip Tips
- Save Money: Make use of free campsites using the WikiCamps app. The cheap government run campsites are great too and often have toilets, showers, BBQs etc.
- Get a WA Park Pass: If you’re planning to spend some time travelling around WA, this could end up saving you a ton of money as each national park costs $15 to enter. Click here to browse W.A Park Passes.
- Don’t drive at night: Always plan your drives during daylight hours. Driving at dusk, night or even early morning means you’ll have a much higher chance of hitting a kangaroo in rural areas.
- Share the Driving: The distances between towns in WA can be extremely large and it’s so easy to get tired behind the wheel, aim to switch drivers every 2-3 hours.
►Check out our full list of all of the best Australian road trip tips you must know before hitting the road!
The Best Travel Insurance for Road Trips
If you are travelling to Australia from overseas, make sure you get travel insurance before setting off on this epic adventure, it’s something that you cannot road trip without! We always go with Heymondo as it’s the perfect insurance for adventure travel such as hiking, surfing, road tripping etc.
Heymondo is one of the most reputable travel insurance companies that will provide you with simple and flexible coverage. Whether you are into adventurous activities or simply looking for trip cancellation and basic medical insurance, Heymondo has you covered.
As a reader of The Road Is Life, you get 5% off your Heymondo travel insurance by using the link below!
►Get 5% off your Heymondo travel insurance◄
Discover the most spectacular beaches you’ve ever seen in Esperance WA
Hiring a Car in Perth
Before you head out, you may need to organize a hire car in Perth. To search for car hire in all of the countries we travel to, we use Rentalcars.com. It’s an easy website to use, they have a large selection of providers with reasonable prices and no booking fees! Use the form below or click here to browse car hire options.
The Ultimate 11 Day Perth to Esperance Road Trip Itinerary
Day 1 – Perth to Pemberton
When I dream about my next trip to the south-west, images of Pemberton are always the first to come to mind. That unforgettable juxtaposition of lush, vine covered valleys with towering old growth forest.
The major industry of Pemberton has been logging since back in the early 1900’s. The logging of old-growth forest has thankfully decreased over the years, with plantations of pine and karri replacing it.
The majestic forests of Pemberton are the main attraction, but there is plenty more to see. This itinerary includes some of the best spots around town. If you want more then check out our post on all the best things to do in Pemberton.
Reaching Pemberton already involves quite a bit of driving. After arriving in Pemberton, consider checking out some of the sights close to town. This way you will save your energy for a full day of sightseeing tomorrow. See below for some recommendations.
Nothing beats driving through the lush forests of Pemberton WA
Lunch at the Hidden River Winery
Your first priority on arrival is probably going to be lunch. You could grab something quick in town, but why not dive straight into holiday mode at a beautiful winery?
Check out the Hidden River Winery and Restaurant. The food here is all local and they have a changing seasonal menu to keep it fresh.
If you do want something a little cheaper and faster, you’ll find a bakery and several small cafes on the main street.
Pemberton Pool
This tree lined brook was adapted as a swimming pool for the local logging families in the 1920s. It provides a great place for the kids to burn some energy, as well as making for some great photo ops.
Hop in for a swim at the serene Pemberton Pool
The Gloucester Tree
Climbing to the top of a towering tree is the must-do activity whilst visiting Pemberton. Those with no love of heights may have to give this a miss unfortunately!
Built as a fire-lookout, metal pegs driven into the wood snake around the tree up to a height of 60+ metres. There is a little hut at the top offering breath-taking views above the forest canopy.
Climbing is free however to enter the park you need to pay the national park entry fee. A W.A. Parks Pass covers all national park fees in the state. You can also buy a single entry pass for $15 at the Pemberton Visitor Centre.
Would you dare to climb this tree?
Fine Woodcraft Gallery
The trees around Pemberton produce a beautiful, red-tinged hardwood called Jarrah. In this woodcraft gallery, beautiful pieces of Jarrah are used to create all sorts of artistic and practical things.
Pop in and simply admire or maybe pick up a unique souvenir.
Opening Hours:
Daily – 10am to 1pm
Where to Stay in Pemberton
Hotels/Resorts
RAC Karri Valley Resort – The ultimate getaway for those seeking a bit more luxury. Beautifully set right next to Lake Beedlup and surrounded by lush forest, the Karri Valley Resort is actually 20 minutes away from Pemberton but we had to include it because of the spectacular location and beautiful property.
Forest Lodge Resort – This beautiful historic lodge is located just outside of Pemberton and overlooks the forest. The rooms are clean and cosy and some even feature a hot tub or spa bath. Kangaroos hang around this area so you can relax in the evening and watch them hop around.
Pemberton Hotel -Conveniently located on the main street of Pemberton, this classic country hotel features comfortable rooms and a restaurant/pub. Great for the budget traveller who prefers to do this road trip without camping.
Caravan Parks/Glamping
WA Wilderness Glamping – Experience the beauty of the forest at this unique glamping style campground. Each tent features 4 single beds with everything ready to go on arrival. There is a BBQ and dining area for your use.
Pemberton Caravan Park – Choose from camp sites, caravan sites or cottages in this peaceful location next to Lefroy Brook. It’s only 3 minutes from town and less than a 5 minute walk to the Pemberton Pool.
Camping
Big Brook Arboretum – This government run campground is located near the scenic Big Brook Dam. It’s surrounded by the beautiful forests of Pemberton and perfect for those who love to disconnect in nature. The campground runs on a first come first serve basis and costs $11 per night. See the official website for more info.
→Browse more accommodation options in Pemberton←
Big Brook Dam, Pemberton
Day 2 – Pemberton
Today is all about ticking off as many of the amazing highlights of Pemberton as you can manage. You might not have enough time to see everything but below you’ll find the top spots to aim for.
Pemberton Tramway and the Cascades
This company operates a tram that winds through the beautiful forest around Pemberton, whilst providing a commentary on the history of the area.
The tram passes through some of the best bits of forest and takes you over some interesting bridges. In wildflower season from Sep to Oct, the forest will be alive with colour.
The tram makes a 25 minute stop at the Cascades where you can go for a short walk to view the many small waterfalls. The total trip is 75 minutes.
Opening Hours:
(Check website for holiday hours)
Ticket Office:
Monday to Friday – 9am to 4:30pm,
Saturday – 9am to 4pm
Departures:
Monday to Saturday – 10:30am and 2pm
Cost:
Adult $28, Child $14
The Cascades
Channybearup Rd and Wineries
After exploring the forest in the morning, grab some lunch in town or pack a