What type of roads would you like to take? The grandfathers of time roads, the wild & free roads, the sandy salty & surfy roads or the brave & true roads? Discover some of the roads that are a little harder to find, tucked away from the main thoroughfares but worth the extra mile to see. You’ll be handsomely rewarded for your efforts on roads less travelled in Western Australia.
The Sandy, Salty & Surfy
Sandy, salty and preoccupied by the waves, these roads lead to one destination, the beach. Offering views of coastlines with surf spots, fishing points and secluded beaches to explore. Take off on a sandy, salty venture, pop the car window down and let the breeze fill your hair, crank the tunes and pack the boards, these roads are fun, warm and inviting.
Here’s some ideas for travelling a sandy, salty & surfy road.
City to Pinnacles Discovery
Departing: Perth | Destination: Cervantes | Duration: Day Trip | Distance: 2 h 13 min (198 km) | Difficulty: 2WD, on road.
Depart Perth and head along the Indian Ocean Drive, heading out for a day trip to see the Pinnacles. This road will take you past beaches hidden by large dunes, lookouts where whales can be spotted and through small costal fishing towns. Although the end destination is the Nambung National Park, don’t forget to enjoy the ride and make the most of the winding coastal roads along the way.
The Nambung National Park is made up of limestone pillars rising out of the ground like ancient statues. Take a drive or walk around the ever shifting yellow sand dunes and see one of Australia’s most unusual landscape. The road into the Pinnacles Desert Discovery Centre is sealed.
Stop off along the way for a sand board down the Lancelin sand dune systems, a swim at one of the beaches or enjoy a seafood lunch at Cervantes. During July and October the landscape will be washed with wildflowers in full bloom.
Pinnacles Entry Costs $13 per car | Open 9.30am – 4.30pm
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Cape Range to Ningaloo Reef Drive
Departing: Exmouth (distance from Perth 1,247 km)| Destination: Yardie Creek | Duration: Day Trip | Distance: 42 min (55 km) | Difficulty: 2WD, on road.
Exmouth is located 1247kms north of Perth in Western Australia. Getting to Exmouth can be via plane, bus or car. This popular tourist destination sees people from all over the world visiting. Exmouth. The Ningaloo Marine Park is known for the coral reefs, whale sharks, marine life and boating experiences that are on offer throughout the year. Cape range national park is heritage listed and considered one of the most diverse areas in Australia.
Exmouth is located on the east side of Cape Range. Travel by car to the west side to the Cape on our Cape Range to Ningaloo Reef Drive trip. The trip will see you travel past beaches, fishing spots, snorkelling grounds and surfing beaches. The cute little road winds it’s way along the shores edge, with car parks and beaches clearly signed. Pull into any of the bays for a dip or to eat a picnic lunch. On the opposite side of the road is a large ancient range, that peaks and dives with gorges. Walk the Mandu Mandu gorge for a speculator view over the sweeping coral reef.
Along the way during wildflower season in Spring the road is lined with Mulla Mulla and Sturt Red Desert Pea. The Milyering Visitor Centre has interesting interactive displays about the area and the history.
Cape Range National Park Entry Costs $15 per car | Open Everyday
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Concealed Bays and the Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse Way
Departing: Dunsborough (distance from Perth 250 km) | Destination: Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse | Duration: Day Trip | Distance: 13 min (12.1 km) | Difficulty: 2WD, on road.
Dunsborough is located in the South West corner of Western Australia 250kms from Perth. This once small costal fishing village has grown into a tourist destination, with coffee shops, parks, beaches and restaurants. People often drive from Perth for the day to enjoy spending time in and around Dunsborough.
Head out of Dunsborough along Cape Naturaliste Rd towards the Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse. The road winds up and down hills, past beaches, walkways, hiking tracks, farms, wineries and many beaches. Some of the most well known is Sugar Loaf Rock, Meelup beach and Eagle Bay. Spend some time exploring the surfing spots, stopping in for an ice cream at a cafe or visiting a winery.
The Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse.was built in 1904 and sits 123 metres above sea level. Some say ghosts have been sighted, however others say that while they didn’t see ghosts they did see whales from the top of the lighthouse.
Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse Entry Costs Adult: $15.00 Child (4-16yrs): $9.00r | Open Monday – Sunday: 9:00am until 5:00pm
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The Grandfathers Of Time
This road understands a little more of how the world works, he’s the grandfather of all the roads, sitting back and enjoying the quieter moments in life. Along the journey expect fields of seasonal spring wildflowers or hills of golden wheat brushing the roads edges. Old farm ruins and pioneer towns laced in history provide evidence of the roads maturity and reliability.
Here’s some ideas for travelling a grandfathers of time road.
The Wildflower Way
Departing: Perth | Destination: Toodyay | Duration: Day Trip | Distance: 1 h 15 min (89 km) | Difficulty: 2WD, on road.
Weatfields and Pioneer Discovery Drive
Departing: Perth | Destination: York | Duration: Day Trip | Distance: 1 h 23 min (100 km) | Difficulty: 2WD, on road.
Geraldton Ship Wreaks to Australia’s only Monastic Town
Departing: Geraldton (distance from Perth 415 km) | Destination: New Norcia | Duration: 2 Days | Distance: 3 h 28 min (335 km) | Difficulty: 2WD, on road.
The Brave & True
A road full of courageous behaviour, offering an adventure and comradeship. With a flare for the extreme and different, sure to astound with sights that can’t be found any where else in Australia. These roads are often hard to get to, most will require a kitted out 4 wheel drive, safety equipment, camping gear and enough food and water to last the trip. Take a walk on the wild side with our brave and true tracks in Western Australia.
Here’s some ideas for travelling a brave & true road.
The Gibb River Road
Departing: Broome (distance from Perth 2,241 km) | Destination: Kununurra via The Gibb River Road | Duration: One to Two Weeks | Distance: 660 km | Difficulty: 4WD, off road.
The Canning Stock Route
Departing: Wiluna (distance from Perth 1,127 km) | Destination: Halls Creek | Duration: One to Two Weeks | Distance: 1,533 km | Difficulty: 4WD, off road.
Esperance to Cape Arid National Park
Departing: Esperance (distance from Perth 714 km) | Destination: Cape Arid National Park | Duration: One to Three Weeks | Distance: 167.8 km | Difficulty: 4WD, off road.
The Wild & Free
A wild and free road full of mystic and wonder, these roads are playful, hiding themselves among tall towering Karri, Marri and Jarrah tress, overhanging canopies and windy bends. There’s plenty to discover, from limestone caves, hiking tracks and ancient forrest. Travel along roads full of Western Australian’s wildlife, from nighttime prowlers to day time wonders.
Here’s some ideas for travelling a wild & free road.
Bibbulmun Track and Black Diamond Lake Discovery
Departing: Perth | Destination: Collie | Duration: Day Trip | Distance:: 2 h 6 min (201 km)| Difficulty: 2WD, on road.
Walpole, the Valley of the Giants and the Denmark River Drive
Departing: Walpole (distance from Perth 417 km) | Destination: Denmark | Duration: Day Trip | Distance: 59 min (74 km) | Difficulty: 2WD, on road.
Yallingup, Caves, Wineries and Augusta Day Trip
Departing: Yallingup (distance from Perth 258 km) | Destination: Augusta | Duration: Day Trip | Distance: 1 h 4 min (81.8 km) | Difficulty: 2WD, on road.
Safe Travels
Please check all destinations, distances, road conditions and facilities including water and fuel supplies before heading out on any WA road trip for your own safety. Some of the above roads are remote and require planning. Also allow extra fuel for exploring places off on side roads.
What’s your favourite road of WA? Head over to our Facebook page to let us know!