As the weather cools down, a popular adventure for those wanting to escape winter is a pilgrimage to the beautiful coastline of WA’s North West. With our head office and a great deal of our staff based in Perth and WA’s South West region , we’ve had lots of experience road tripping up north - and we want to share our tips with you.
What kind of adventurer are you?
Before you get swept away with visions of sitting by a campfire under the stars by night and snorkelling by day, it pays to think about what kind of adventure you’re really looking for. Your answer may surprise you, and your final destination may be unexpected.
Are you a camper, a glamper, or a resort type of person? Be honest! WA’s northern regions cater for all kinds of travellers, from low cost off-grid beach camping with views you can’t beat, to caravan parks with all the facilities and fun for the kids, and world-class resorts for luxury!
You’re spoiled for choice. All you need to do is choose the one that will meet your needs and get to the planning phase!
Where to go
Now the fun part: choosing your destination/s! We’ll help kickstart your research with a few key ideas below, then let your imagination and planning muscle take over.
A quick note on the weather - they generally say you need to be as north as Kalbarri to get fine weather, but we think anywhere feels like a holiday when you’re not working. Wouldn’t you agree?
For shorter trips (starting from Perth)
Jurien Bay
Just 2.5 hours drive north of Perth via Indian Ocean Drive, this top fishing spot is a family favourite. Expect to see endangered Australian Sea Lions, and plan a day trip north to Sandy Cape for fishing, sandboarding and snorkelling opportunities. If you visit between August and November, don’t miss the beautiful wildflowers at Mt Lesueur.
Cervantes
Home to one of Australia’s unique landscapes, Cervantes is the gateway to the Pinnacles Desert - the famous trail passes thousands of limestone spires, creating the feeling you could be walking on some distant planet! Sample the fruits of the local crayfishing industry and keep an eye out for emu and kangaroos.
Geraldton
If you want all the convenience of a ‘city’ with the charm of a coastal town then visit this popular spot during the winter months. Wildflower season begins in late July, and there’s plenty of other attractions to keep you entertained. With rich maritime and Aboriginal history, there are cultural attractions waiting to enrich your mind and spirit. Just a five-hour drive from Perth - or a one-hour flight.
Kalbarri
This little gem has something for everyone, from jaw dropping inland gorges to iconic coastal cliffs, glimmering beaches and the beautiful Murchison River. The wildflower spectacle bursts onto the scene from late July, and the nearby national park offers walking trails ranging from easy to adventurous. The new Skywalk is an attraction not to be missed.
For longer adventures
Carnarvon
Nestled between World Heritage areas of Ningaloo Coast and Shark Bay, Carnarvon has it all, whether you’re looking for adventure or rest and relaxation. If you’re a foodie, you’ll be spoiled for choice - this area is known as the ‘food bowl’ of WA, and is home to many fruit and vegetable plantations as well as a thriving prawn, crab, scallop and fishing industry. Hungry, anyone?
Ningaloo Reef
Nowhere else on earth can you access a large coral reef so easily - in some places just a short swim from land! Appearing on UNESCO’s World Heritage list for very good reason, it’s famous for the beautiful whale sharks (the largest fish in the ocean - up to 16 metres long), as well as turtles, manta rays, and 500 species of fish. Glass-bottom boat tours are available for those who prefer to stay dry. The southern reef can be accessed via Quobba Station and it hugs the coast all the way to Exmouth in the north.
Quobba Station
If you’re looking for raw nature - with a notable absence of luxury - and an experience of unforgettable, unique WA, this gem could be perfect for you. Expect world class waves and surfing to match, impossibly memorable camping, fishing, whale watching and beach fossicking. Watch spectacular sunsets and explore this little slice of paradise.
Coral Bay
Your 12-hour drive from Perth (or 2-hour flight + 1.5 hour drive) will be rewarded in this idyllic location with breathtaking beauty, adventure, and relaxation. One of the only places in the world where you can get up close and personal with the majestic whale sharks, Coral Bay is also home to fishing charters, snorkelling, and humpback whales from June to November.
Exmouth
Voted Australia's Top Small Tourism Town in 2023, Exmouth is the northern gateway to the Ningaloo Coast World Heritage Area. Exmouth Navy Pier is known as ‘the aquarium without glass’, and provides divers with a world class range of fish species and an underwater spectacle. Cape Range National Park is another local drawcard, covering more than 50,000 hectares and offering awe-inspiring natural landscapes and unspoiled beauty.
Broome
Gateway to the Kimberly in Australia’s North West, Broome is likely to draw you back again and again. From the ancient stories, to the beautiful natural landscape and range of activities, it’s a destination to be savoured. Book a trip to the Horizontal Falls and watch in awe as the turquoise tide is pushed rapidly through two gorges, creating a ‘waterfall on its side’. Experience whale watching from July to September, Staircase to the Moon every month, or a sunset camel safari on Cable Beach. It’s all here.
Road trip ideas
There are plenty of opportunities for a notable stop along the way, when you’re road tripping to the North West of WA
Jurien Bay Bakery is a top spot for snacks and sea air, but if you really want to stretch your legs you can take a 15-minute boat ride to Essex Rocks to see the local sea lion colony. Geraldton offers supplies and a stretch as well, plus a water playground for the kids if everyone needs a reset!
Wooramel Station is great for an overnight stop on those longer trips, with beautiful, rugged camping opportunities and hot springs.
For cheap fuel, a hot coffee and your pick of snacks (both healthy and not-so-healthy), Billabong Roadhouse is one of Australia’s last family owned and operated roadhouse facilities. The perfect pitstop.
For a broader selection of supplies stop into Carnarvon, where the kids can also enjoy a play on the foreshore jetty. The local war memorials offer a moment to soak in some history. If you’re here for a longer stop, head to the Aboriginal Heritage and Cultural Centre or the Carnarvon Space and Technology Museum, and grab a smoothie at Numbaks.
Minilya Bridge Roadhouse is another great spot to fuel up, grab something to eat and have a rest by the river. If you’re looking for a cheap overnight stay, you can stay for free for 24 hours across the road!
What to pack
As with any trip, there are always local shops to meet your needs, should you forget something. Tourism is a key industry in these areas and the local business owners always appreciate your support.
May to October is the Tropical Dry Season, so expect temperatures to hover in the 20 to 30 degrees celsius range. Bring clothing you can layer, in case the temperatures drop during the cooler nights. A good hat is always a must when travelling anywhere in Australia, and long trousers won’t go astray for hiking or sitting by the campfire.
Be sure to bring a day pack, so you can keep your essentials with you during your daily explorations, and hiking boots or shoes you can wear on tough terrain if you plan to explore those beautiful national parks.
Bring your best water bottle for staying hydrated. And don’t forget your adventurous spirit!
We hope this overview of some of the draw cards of WA’s North West inspires you to consider a new adventure during the cooler months. Or if you prefer a winter getaway in WA's South West, read my blog on the ultimate down south holiday. WA truly has something for everyone, in every season, and that's why I'm proud to call WA home.
Proudly WA born and bred, Plico’s mission is to make solar + battery solutions as affordable as possible for everyone. Our unique offering includes solar + battery, years of support and no big upfront cost - all for one low weekly instalment. If you’d like to learn more about finding the system that is right for you, talk to one of our switched-on team by calling 1300 175 426.
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