I fulfilled a little dream of mine by taking a road trip along the coast in Western Australia! I never really thought it would actually happen, given how far away and expensive Australia is (at least if I compare it to Southeast Asia, where I spent most of my time the past years). As I was already in Sydney visiting old friends, I decided to use the opportunity and explore Australia’s West Coast. My previous road trip was a seven-day adventure around the Lake District in the UK in June 2021, so I wouldn’t say call myself a very experienced road tripper or camper.
This Perth to Coral Bay road trip intinerary is ideal for those looking for a doable, comfortable journey in a well-equipped 2WD van. If you love the ocean, enjoy ocean-based activities, like doing occasional hikes, and want to avoid long driving distances, this Perth to Coral Bay route is perfect for you. Plus, if you’re a digital nomad needing reliable internet on your Western Australia road trip, I have some helpful advice for you. My partner and I did this trip in August 2024, working remotely on four of the 14 days, and we adjusted our route accordingly.
Here is a one week itinerary for a road trip around the Lake District!
I wanted to share our route here because planning this road trip was a bit overwhelming for me. Where can I legally camp at night? Is the entire road sealed? How do I find campgrounds in Western Australia? Will the reception be good enough for remote work? Did I allow enough time for the route? I hope this 14 day itinerary from Perth to Coral Bay answers some of your questions and inspires your own road trip. If you’re not working remotely, I’ve added a few extra stops you might want to consider. Overall, the West Coast of Australia is absolutely worth a visit!
The best time to do a road trip from Perth to Coral Bay
What is the best time to do a road trip from Perth up north along the West Coast? This very much depends on your interests and what you hope to experience along the way as each season offers unique benefits but also challenges. Overall, late autumn to winter is the ideal time to take this road trip. I personally loved travelling in August. We had a few rain showers and a full day of rain in Kalbarri. Other than that the weather was absolutely perfect. Most days were sunny, with temperatures ranging from 20-25°C, and nights were cool, dropping to around 15°C. We enjoyed cozy nights sleeping in the van and comfortable hikes without the heat. Along the way, we spotted humpback whales and blooming wildflowers. Let’s have a look at the different seasons in case August is not an option for you and what to expect:
Summer
Summer (December to February) brings long days and warm ocean temperatures. However, it also comes with extreme heat, high UV levels and a LOT of flies. This makes the experience away from the ocean destinations less enjoyable. I wouldn’t want to do a hike or anything similar in the National Parks in this heat.
Autumn
Autumn (March to May) offers milder temperatures and fewer flies, making it a great time for outdoor activities. Late autumn, particularly from March, is also the start of the Whale shark season at the Ningaloo Reef. You can go on a Whale shark interaction tour and observe them from the distance.
Winter
Winter (June to August) is cooler and perfect for hiking and exploring, with fewer flies and the added bonus of seeing humpback whales! They are migrating from the south to the north at this time of the year. The nights in Winter can be chilly with around 10-15 degrees, and there’s a slight chance of rain. We had roughly two days of rain.
Spring
Spring (September to November) brings mild temperatures, and the chance to see both whale sharks and humpback whales as they migrate south. The change of windy conditions is higher at this time of the year, and flies start to become more noticeable again.
What to prepare for your Western Australia road trip
There are a few things you should prepare before starting your road trip from Perth to Coral Bay. From booking the van, buying a SIM card and planning a rough route. Depending on what time of the year you travel up the West coast of Australia you should do this 1-2 months beforehand – it can get quite busy!
Book a campervan
Planning ahead is key, especially for booking a campervan. I made sure to choose a van that had everything I needed: cooking utensils, bedding, linen, and towels. Many rentals don’t provide these things, which means you’d have to buy everything yourself. Annoying! Especially when traveling light. Luckily, we found our perfect match: Chloe!
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We booked our campervan through Camplify and came across a company called IndiOcean. They offer three different vans tailored to various needs. These vans not only look great but also come fully equipped with camping chairs, a gas stove, cutlery, a solar panel, plenty of plugs, comfortable bedding, towels, and even a TV. This made our trip much more convenient. When you have a closer look at most rentals they only come with very basic things. There are a few rules to follow: a maximum distance per day (or rather per trip) and driving only on sealed roads. This itinerary complies with these guidelines, ensuring you will stay within the distance limits and stick to sealed roads.
Buy a National Park pass
If you’re following this route from Perth to Coral Bay, I recommend to get a 14-day National Park pass. It’s more cost-effective than paying individual fees at each park. You can buy the pass online on this website before the trip. Make sure to print out the ticket before heading off as mobile versions are not accepted. We used the pass for destinations like the Pinnacle Desert and Kalbarri National Park. The easiest way to print out the pass is by looking up news agents around Perth, they usually also offer printing services.
Plan a rough route
We briefly researched the route online before the trip. As we needed to be in spots with good internet on certain days, we planned around larger towns like Carnarvon and Kalbarri to ensure mobile reception. Overall, we kept the itinerary quite flexible to allow for spontaneous changes and adjustments. Originally we wanted to go all the way up to Exmouth, however due to campsites and whale tours being fully booked we chose Coral Bay instead. Along the way we also realised that we don’t enjoy driving more than 4-5 hours per day, going to Exmouth would’ve meant to make the final days of the route only about driving back south.
Buy a SIM for Western Australia
For a reliable coverage along the West Coast of Australia, I recommend a Telstra SIM card. Belong is the low-cost value brand of Telstra and uses the same network. They offer cheaper plans with good coverage. There were some reception gaps along the road, especially on the long roads without any towns in between. In the towns we had 5G, which was perfect to work.
I highly recommend getting both a data and calling plan. Many campgrounds can only be contacted by phone, and reservations are typically handled this way. Especially when heading north, we realized that caravan parks were getting busier. Calling ahead to check availability can save you from driving into a fully booked site.
Download offline maps
On most of the routes in between towns there won’t be any reception, even if you are using the Telstra network. It’s best to download the road map beforehand in order to be able to look up restaurants, gas stations or the route in general. It’s always good to know how much fuel your vehicle needs and where the next gas station is. Sometimes one gas station is 200 km away from the next one so you want to make sure to always have enough fuel.
Book a tour (depending on season)
If you’re planning to dive in Exmouth or see the Whale sharks or Humpback Whales, it’s best to book your tours 3-4 weeks in advance. These tours are quite popular and can fill up quickly, especially during peak season. We struggled to find a tour in Exmouth just two weeks before, so we ended up to book one in Coral Bay instead. It was a similar situation for diving trips – they didn’t have availability until end of September! This will make your overall plan a bit less flexible but with this itinerary you can get some idea on how many days to plan for the stops before or after the tour.
Book campgrounds (depending!)
Whether or not you need to book campgrounds depends on the season. During our trip in August 2024, we always found space, except in Coral Bay and further north. In Kalbarri, Carnarvon and Lancelin there were always a few spots available. If you’re traveling during local holidays, weekends, or peak season, booking in advance is wise. Especially, if you are looking for the top spots by the ocean. Some campervan parks can be booked online, while others require a phone call.
If you can’t find a campground, don’t stress! Look for “free camping” or “rest area” on Google Maps while you have reception. Go through the previous reviews and check if the spot is suitable for your campervan. In the next chapter you can find out more about where you are legally allowed to sleep with a 2WD not self-contained campervan. These free camping areas are quite basic and not the most comfortable way of spending your holiday, but free and fine for a few nights.
Where to sleep with a 2WD in Western Australia
We are not really experienced campers and were quite unsure about where it’s allowed to park overnight. Contrary to the Instagram van life image, you need to be self-contained to park ‘anywhere’. Also with a 2WD you can’t access the remote spots a 4WD can. Since our van Chloe wasn’t self-contained, we stayed at caravan parks for most of the nights and used the free rest areas for a night or two.
Honestly, caravan parks are not as picturesque and romantic as one might hope. But they offer essential comforts like proper bathrooms, hot showers, kitchen, power, WiFi, and drinking water. Some even have ocean views!
Find out more about my favourite travel and work backpack!
Caravan park recommendation
On average, we paid about 35 AUD per night. While many spots operate on a first-come, first-served basis, we pre-booked some and arrived spontaneously at others. Depending on which season and are you visit, it’s wise to get a mobile plan and check availability ahead of time, especially in areas like Coral Bay and Exmouth where caravan park options as well as free spots are limited. Here is a list of the caravan parks we visited:
- Lancelin: Lancelin Caravan Park (online booking possible, good reception)
- Kalbarri: Kalbarri Anchorage Holiday Village (online booking possible, good reception)
- Carnarvon: Carnarvon Capricorn Holiday Park (online booking possible, good reception)
- Coral Bay: Peoples Park Coral Bay (online booking possible, good reception)
- Sandy Cape: Sandy Cape Recreation Park (no booking possible, cash only, almost no reception)
What is a self-contained campervan?
A self-contained campervan includes its own toilet and waste disposal system. Basically it allows you to operate independently without relying on external facilities. This setup makes it possible to camp in a wider range of locations, including more remote areas.
Where to park if not self-contained?
If you are a self-contained vehicle: great! You will have a few more options regarding where to park. If you are not self-contained, stick to designated campground or caravan parks with facilities. Avoid camping in prohibited areas like national parks or roadside rest areas without amenities. Basic bush toilets are available in some rest areas, but they lack comfort.
In case you can’t find a caravan park, rest areas with bush toilets are a free alternative. They’re not the most comfortable way of camping in my opinion, but free. You can find them on Google Maps by looking for “free campground” or “rest area”. Many travellers choose the free spots or just rock up anywhere really, but we preferred the convenience and amenities of caravan parks due to our work commitments. Also they do have a special camper-vibe.
The Route: Perth to Coral Bay
Day 1: Perth to Lancelin
The first leg of the journey took us from Perth to Lancelin, a drive of about 1.5 hours. We were actually planning to drive much further on the first day but totally underestimated how much time was needed to stock up on groceries. After picking up Chloe in Perth (the pick up point can be reached by using public transport), we spent a significant portion of the day at Aldi and Woolworths, ensuring we had enough food for the entire week. There will be smaller IGA stores along the way, but supermarkets like Coles and Woolworths will only exist in the bigger cities. By the time we were ready to hit the road, it was already 1 pm. But: It was good taking it easy on the first day, to get used to the vehicle and to driving again. Also why make this road trip too stressful?
Lancelin is a charming coastal town, famous for its massive sand dunes. Once we arrived we went to explore the dunes by foot. We stayed at Experience Lancelin Holiday Park and found a spot right by the ocean. Our first night was a magical start into this road trip. We could see the Milky Way and fell asleep to the sound of the ocean.
Special advice: Plan your meals ahead and stock up on supplies on the first day. Also, remember to print out the national park pass beforehand – a mobile version is not accepted. The best place to do prints is at news agencies e.g. in Yanchep.
What to do and see: Take a walk in Lancelin’s sand dunes. You can park right at the entrance (no fee) and enter the dunes for free. There’s plenty of space for big vehicles!
Where to sleep: Experience Lancelin Holiday Park offers no-powered spots for 39 AUD (24 EUR) per night. They have great facilities and a spacious campsite kitchen.
Day 2: Lancelin to Kalbarri
Today’s leg will take around 4,5 hours but with some stops in between to break down the journey. Our first stop was the Pinnacle Desert, around 1 hour away from Lancelin. We decided to have breakfast at the parking spot and were surprised by a kangaroo hanging out with us. After breakfast, we explored the 1 km walking trail. There is also a car trail you can do but I honestly recommend to walk through the pinnacles, I think it’s a nice experience and a good chance to stretch your legs before the long drive.
The Pinnacle Desert is part of Nambung National Park and is famous for its limestone formations, some of them rising up to 4 metres high. They were formed millions of years ago from seashells and have been shaped by the forces of wind and water over time. Make sure to have your national park pass printed out, as you will need it at Nambung National Park!
On the way from Lancelin to Kalbarri you will drive through beautiful and diverse nature. Occasionally, you’ll come across some small towns, but for the most part, it’s just you, the van and the open road. Along the way, we spotted an emu, kangaroos and various birds. We also made a stop at the Pink Hutt Lagoon, though it wasn’t as pink as we had hoped. We arrived around 5 pm, and the sun wasn’t high enough to bring out the pinkish colours. An hour later, we reached our campsite in Kalbarri just in time for a beautiful sunset. We booked two nights there in order to have a full day to explore Kalbarri National Park.
Special advice: Check fuel stations along the way beforehand. There also won’t be any reception for most of this drive, even in small towns.
What to do and see: Walk the 1 km trail through the Pinnacle Desert, visit Pink Hutt Lagoon.
Where to sleep: At Anchorage Campervan Park Kalbarri you can get a powered spot for 49 AUD (30 EUR) per night with hot showers and a shared kitchen.
Day 3: Kalbarri National Park
I love no-driving days – they give you more time to explore, rest, and just go with the flow. On day 3 of our Perth to Coral Bay road trip, we explored Kalbarri National Park. The park is easily accessible by 2WD, and you can use the national park pass there as well.
I recommend visiting the Kalbarri Skywalk, Nature’s Window, and the Z-Bend. All three destinations include a little walk and offer options to do longer hikes. Some trails are short with 1-2 hours, some are longer with 3-4 hours. Unfortunately, it rained quite a bit on our exploring day, so we focused on the main attractions. If the weather is good, take your time to hike – Kalbarri National Park is a stunning landscape. For sunset, drive to one of the cliffs and watch the sun dip below the ocean.
Special advice: Make sure to bring sunscreen, a hat and plenty of drinking water. There are no water refills in the whole national park. Also, this is one of the spots where you can expect quite a lot of flies.
What to do and see: Drive to Kalbarri Skywalk, Nature’s Window and Z-Bend.
Where to sleep: Anchorage Campervan Park Kalbarri for 49 AUD (30 EUR) per night including power.
Day 4: Kalbarri to Carnavon
Today is another driving day with about 4.5 hours on the road. We started our morning at Meanarra Hill Lookout on the outskirts of Kalbarri, where we did some yoga and had breakfast with a stunning view. One of the great things about traveling in a campervan is the flexibility to find scenic spots for meals, and this was the perfect place to start our day. We then continued along a long, very straight road towards Carnarvon. For lunch, I recommend stopping at Wooramel Lookout. This beautiful hill offers breathtaking views over both land and water. We ended up staying there for two hours, enjoying the nice breeze and the relative lack of flies, which was a welcome change.
In the late afternoon, we reached Carnarvon. Carnarvon was once home to a NASA tracking station that played a crucial role in the Apollo moon missions, and today you can visit the Carnarvon Space and Technology Museum to learn more about this. The town is also famous for its fertile plantations along the Gascoyne river, producing bananas, mangoes, and a variety of other tropical fruits.
In Carnarvon, we booked two nights at Capricorn Campervan Park Carnarvon, as the following day was planned as a full working day. After several days on the road, we could also feel that our bodies needed some rest after constantly being on the go and taking in so many beautiful sights.
Special advice: Carnarvon has great reception, with 5G coverage, which was perfect for working. There is also a Woolworths in town – the perfect opportunity to stock up your groceries.
What to do and see: Start your day at Meanarra Hill Lookout and stop at Wooramel Lookout along the way.
Where to sleep: Capricorn Campervan Park Carnarvon for 27 AUD (17 EUR) including power, access to the camp kitchen and hot showers.
Day 5 + 6: Carnarvon
Day 5 was a quiet day for us, as we needed to catch up on some online work. This is why we chose Carnarvon – it’s one of the few larger towns in the north with reliable internet connection. We found a great parking spot close to the ocean in town, where we could get a 5G coverage. This was when van life felt real – us sitting in our comfy van, by the ocean, getting some work done.
Check out my moving home office setup!
On the second day, we drove to the Quobba Blowhole, a really stunning spot about 50 minutes from Carnarvon. The drive is easy, with sealed roads that are accessible with a 2WD. We spent the whole afternoon at this spot, lying in bed and watching humpback whales breaching in the ocean. There was a wonderful breeze, no flies at all – just a wonderful afternoon and exciting teaser for our upcoming swim with these gentle giants. You can also drive along the Fruit Loop Trail to see the plantations around Gascoyne River – this takes around 15-30 minutes. We found that one rather disappointing though, and couldn’t see any fruit stalls or other exciting things.
What to do and see: Drive to Quobba Blowhole, spend the afternoon there, go snorkelling or just watch the ocean’s beauty from your home. Take a short drive along the Fruit Loop Trail.
Where to sleep: Capricorn Campervan Park Carnarvon for 27 AUD (17 EUR) per night including power.
Day 7: Carnarvon to Coral Bay
On day 7 of our road trip, we arrived in Coral Bay around noon. Even though the drive from Carnarvon to Coral Bay is only about 2.5 hours, it felt longer due to empty, straight roads that seemed to stretch endlessly. Coral Bay is a beautiful, little town sitting at the southern gateway to the famous Ningaloo Reef. The ocean up there looks amazing! Turquoise, crystal-clear water with vibrant reef patches. Coral Bay has a relaxed, laid-back vibe. The town has two large caravan parks, a couple of small supermarkets, and a handful of cafés. That’s about it, but I loved it – Coral Bay quickly became my favourite stop on the trip.
The main reason we headed to Coral Bay was to join a Humpback Whale interaction tour. We had originally planned to book this in Exmouth, but we were too late, and it was fully booked. Luckily, we found availability in Coral Bay, and it turned out to be a perfect choice. If you’re planning a visit, be sure to arrange your sleeping spot well in advance. The two big caravan parks in town are incredibly popular, and many people book their spots months ahead. We were fortunate to get a spot due to a last-minute cancellation that fit perfectly with our travel dates.
What to do and see: Go to the viewpoint to watch the sunset, have a coffee at Fin’s and take a walk around town.
Where to sleep: Peoples Park Coral Bay for 67 AUD (41 EUR) per night (not-powered) including access to the camping kitchen and hot showers.
Day 8 + 9: Coral Bay
We dedicated two full days to Coral Bay! I absolutely loved the laid-back vibe in this town and could’ve easily stayed over a week. On the second day of our stay, we joined a Humpback Whale interaction tour, which was one of the best things I have ever done. We booked the tour with Coral Bay Eco Tours, whose office is conveniently located right at Peoples Park. This full-day snorkelling trip takes you to Ningaloo Reef, where you can get the chance to observe the humpback whiles as they migrate from the south to their feeding and breeding grounds in the north. If you are lucky, you can watch them pass by for a few seconds – absolutely breathtaking.
Basically, there are spotter planes looking out for the whales. Once they find a suitable pod they communicate with the boat crew and position the group in the water. The group size is limited to just seven people per group, as regulated by the government. This ensures an intimate and controlled experience. We were fortunate enough to see a pair of whales each time we entered the water. It was soooo cool! We also went snorkelling along the reef and swam with five huge manta rays. The entire experience was worth every cent (550 AUD). The team was friendly, professional, and committed to making this a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Australia has strict regulations to protect marine life, and Coral Bay Eco Tours adhered to them all. They provided us with plenty of information about the whales and I learned a lot! The tour was conducted in a respectful manner, with no feeding or interference with the whales – just pure observation from a safe distance. It felt good to know that our presence wasn’t disruptive to the whales’ natural migration. Unfortunately there are other experiences in Southeast Asia where these animals are being fed to stay close to the humans.
On the third day in Coral Bay, we took it easy. You can enjoy a variety of activities in Coral Bay, such as walking along the beach to Shark Bay, renting a kayak, or go snorkelling in the clear waters. We were quite tired from our humpback experience and chose a lazy day. The bakery in town is also very good spot to have a coffee, a pastry and read a book.
Special advice: The whale tour included photos and videos, cameras are not allowed if you are in the water with the whales. The tour also includes amazing food as well as the snorkelling gear.
What to do and see: Swim with Humpback Whales and explore Ningaloo Reef.
Where to sleep: Peoples Park Coral Bay for 67 AUD (41 EUR) per night (not-powered) including access to the camping kitchen and hot showers.
Day 10: Coral Bay to Nerren Nerren rest stop
If you have more time on your road trip, I’d highly recommend driving 1.5 hours further north to Exmouth. It’s an even better spot to explore Ningaloo Reef and the surrounding Cape Range National Park. We originally planned to visit Exmouth, but with work commiemtnes, we realized we wouldn’t have enough time to fully enjoy it. Plus, all the campsites and diving tours in Exmouth were already fully booked, so it didn’t make sense for us to go there. Alternatively, you could also consider a detour to Monkey Mia on your way back south.
Since we had a couple more workdays ahead, we decided to dedicate another full day to Kalbarri National Park. When we first visited, it rained, and we couldn’t do the loop hike, so we wanted to give it another shot. The area also has good internet connectivity, which made it easier to balance work and travel. Plus, we wanted to avoid driving more than five hours per day, so starting to head back south made sense for us.
Late morning of day 10, we left Coral Bay, refilled our fridge during a stop in Carnarvon and headed further south. Our final destination was the Nerren Nerren free rest area. As the sun set we arrived at Nerren Nerren, one of the few free campsites along the way. This one is suitable for not self-contained vehicles, equipped with a simple bush toilet and some bins – that’s it. For a one-night-stay this was good enough and also saved us some money. We chose this rest area because it’s only about an hour away from Kalbarri National Park.
Where to sleep: Nerren Nerren rest area is a free campsite, suitable for not self-contained campervans. You can find this one on Google Maps.
Day 11 + 12: Nerren Nerren to Kalbarri
After an early rise, we headed straight to Kalbarri National Park. This time we decided to explore more of its stunning landscapes: Hawke’s Head and George River, both offering spectacular views. After having breakfast with a view, we embarked on a 10km loop hike, starting at Nature’s Window. The hike was beautiful, and thanks to cloudy conditions and a comfortable temperature of around 19°C, it was quite manageable. This is one of the reasons I loved doing the road trip in August – the weather was perfect for outdoor activities. I couldn’t imagine doing a hike like this in the heat of 30+ degrees Celsius. The loop hike took us along the top of Nature’s Window, down into the valley, and along the river. We spotted a lot of birds and there were beautiful wildflowers lining the trail.
In the afternoon, we drove back to Kalbarri and treated ourselves to a coffee at Red Bluff Bakery. Their menu is incredible, with a wide range of delicious treats (decision problems guaranteed). Since we loved our stay at Kalbarri Anchorage Park, we booked another two nights there.
The following day we fully dedicated to our online job and didn’t go exploring. We spent half of the time at the Bakery, using a hotspot and getting regular treats.
What to do and see: Visit Hawke’s Head, George River, and do the Nature’s Window Loop Hike (10km) in Kalbarri National Park. Have a coffee and a treat at Red Bluff Bakery in town.
Where to sleep: Capricorn Campervan Park Carnarvon for 27 AUD (17 EUR) including power, access to the camp kitchen and hot showers.
Day 13: Kalbarri to Sandy Cape
Time to head further south! The drive from Kalbarri to Sandy Cape takes about 4 hours. We planned our breakfast and lunch stops to make the journey more enjoyable and rewardable. Our first stop was breakfast at Drummond Cove, followed by amazing coffee at Sea Folk Co Café – probably my favourite one of the whole trip! Located right by the beach, it has a fantastic coastal vibe, and their iced latte was superb.
We arrived at Sandy Cape Recreation Park in the late afternoon. This camping spot features toilets and parking spots, right next to the beach. Usually, you will be able to enjoy white sand beaches and crystal clear waters. For us, the weather changed on the final days, so we got occasional showers, rough seas and lots of algae along the shore. However, it was a beautiful spot to spend the night.
Special advice: Make your journey down south more enjoyable and plan some stops along the way. We are true coffee lovers, so our stops often include cute coffee shops.
What to do and see: Stop at Sea Folk Co Café for an iced latte and stunning ocean views.
Where to sleep: Sandy Cape Recreation Park costs 20 AUD (12 EUR) per night. This park can only be paid in cash (bring the right amount) even though online reviews suggest there is EFTPOS. We tried and failed, not being able to get in touch with the caretaker. This is a very simple spot with toilets on site and BBQs. Reception can be very spotty, so plan accordingly.
Day 14: Sandy Cape to Lancelin
We’re getting closer and closer to Perth! Since we loved our first night in Lancelin so much, we booked the same beachfront spot to end our road trip right where it started. It felt almost nostalgic to revisit the place where the adventure began two weeks earlier. We reflected on our memories, experiences, lessons, and newfound love for van life. The drive from Sandy Cape to Lancelin takes around 1.5 hours. We made a breakfast stop in Jurien Bay and spent some hours at Meraki café.
Where to sleep: Experience Lancelin Holiday Park offers no-powered spots for 39 AUD (24 EUR) per night. They have great facilities and a spacious campsite kitchen.
Day 15: Lancelin to Perth
The final day has arrived. We were quite sad and felt like the 14 days we had weren’t enough. Western Australia’s beauty and the perfect mix of inland and ocean activities made the trip unforgettable. Plus, Chloe, our campervan, was just perfect. We loved every detail of it and felt incredibly comfortable throughout the trip, I can’t repeat this enough!
For this day we had one more things that needed to be done: to see a Koala. We therefore decided to visit the Yanchep National Park with a quick stop at Orion Café beforehand (coffee of course!). On this last day, we had one final goal: to see a koala. We therefore headed to Yanchep National Park. But first, we made a quick coffee stop at Orion Café – because, of course! Yanchep National Park features the Koala Boardwalk, where you can observe koalas up close in a natural setting. Furthermore there are lots of kangaroos around! It’s a nice spot to spend some hours, enjoy nature and tranquil lakes before driving back to the city.
In the afternoon we cleaned Chloe and successfully returned her to Dave. We then made our way back to Perth by bus and train, checked into a hotel and spent another night there before leaving Australia.
Packing essentials
Before you set off on your Australia West Coast adventure, it’s important to be well-prepared to make the most of your trip. I wrote down a list of things that come in handy to have with you. Having the right gear, especially in certain seasons, can make all the difference:
- Rain Coat or umbrella
- Mosquito repellent (if you have problems with flies and mozzies)
- Sunscreen (SPF 50+)
- Hat with fly cover or bandana (to keep the flies out of your face)
- Hand wash liquid and clothing line for the van
- Snorkel gear
Costs of our road trip from Perth to Coral Bay
A road trip along the West Coast of Australia can be expensive, but there are ways to keep the costs down. The biggest expense will most likely be the van, followed by fees for caravan parks and trous. Fuel is another significant cost, which I personally underestimated. To help you plan your budget, I summed up all costs of our road trip in the table below. Keep in mind that expenses can vary depending on the season and your habits. We saved money by cooking our own meals and shopping at more affordable stores like Woolworths, instead of smaller, local IGAs. We also researched fuel prices in advance to find the cheapest gas stations and planned our stops accordingly.
Summing up our road trip cost us around 5,386 AUD (3.271 EUR) total. Per person this would be 2,693 AUD (1.635 EUR). On top of that would be the flights in and out of Australia as well as accommodation in Perth. This is definitely a lot of money for a 14 day trip, but it was totally worth saving for this adventure. You can also cut down some costs by choosing a cheaper snorkelling tour which will show you more of the reef instead of whales.
| Cost | Amount in AUD | Amount in EUR |
|---|---|---|
| Van incl. insurance | 2,796 | 1.698 |
| Fuel | 640 | 389 |
| Food | 256 | 156 |
| Caravan Parks | 615 | 373 |
| Whale Trip/National Park Pass | 1,080 | 656 |
| Total | 5,386 | 3.271 |
Final thoughts
I absolutely loved this road trip! One big factor for me were the pleasant temperatures – it wasn’t too cold or too hot. For me, it was the perfect climate to be active, go on hikes and enjoy the sun. Travelling with Chloe, our van, was also a highlight. She was so comfortable that I never felt like I needed to be in a proper room or that I was missing anything. It was truly a beautiful adventure! I can really recommend to anyone to explore the West Coast of Australia in a van.
How about visiting Indonesia afterwards?
With a 4WD you would be much more flexible in terms of where you can sleep and you can do some more adventures. However, I never had the feeling of missing out driving a 2WD and was perfectly happy with what we saw and experienced.
One piece of advice I’d give is to plan your route so you have some exciting stops on the way back. When we reached Coral Bay, we found ourselves thinking, “This is the highlight of our journey—what’s next?”. To avoid feeling like the return trip is just about driving back, try to leave some time to revisit places you loved or explore spots you missed on the way down. This makes the journey back much more enjoyable and ensures your holiday doesn’t end with just time on the road.
