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Between Red Earth and Turquoise Seas - A Western Australian Road Trip
Perth greeted us with sunshine and blue skies - the kind of weather that instantly puts you in holiday mode. After picking up our hire car, we cruised along the Swan River, the kids pressed up against the windows, spotting sailboats and glittering city views
The Grand Island Tour of Rottnest Island
The next day, we caught the ferry to Rottnest Island and it genuinely felt like stepping into another world. We joined the Grand Island Tour, taking in rugged coastline, hidden bays, and fascinating history along the way. The highlight, of course, was meeting the famous quokkas - the kids were absolutely thrilled when one hopped right over for a photo.
From there, the adventure continued as we picked up my mum from Perth Airport and set off on the road trip inland. Our first stop was Hyden, and the drive itself was something special - endless stretches of golden wheat fields on either side, rolling past for hours.
It was a solid four-hour journey, including the necessary snack and toilet stops, but part of the charm was just how wide and open everything felt.
Wave Rock: Unforgettable
We stayed one night in a small countryside cottage in Hyden, which was simple but perfect for a short stopover. The next morning, we headed out early to Wave Rock. By 9am, the heat was already rising fast, but seeing the massive rock up close was incredible - far bigger and more impressive than expected.
Not far away is Hippo’s Yawn, a quirky natural rock formation shaped just like its name suggests, carved over thousands of years. We didn’t quite make the walk with little legs in tow, but Wave Rock alone was unforgettable.
Kalgoolie and the Super Pit
From Hyden, we continued on to Kalgoorlie, with no phone reception and nothing but red earth stretching endlessly ahead. It was another long four-hour drive, but arriving in the afternoon felt like stepping into a true outback town. Kalgoorlie was fascinating - full of history, character, and that unmistakable gold rush energy.
We visited the Hannans North Tourist Mine, where we learned about the region’s gold mining history, before heading out to the famous Super Pit. Standing there watching the enormous trucks and machinery working deep inside the open-cut mine really puts things into perspective - it’s absolutely massive and hard to comprehend until you see it in person.
By this stage, we had travelled over 700 kilometres through Western Australia, and the landscape had already shifted so dramatically from coast to outback.
From Kalgoorlie, it was time to say goodbye to the red dirt and hello to the coastline as we made our way to Esperance. This is where the temperature finally dropped a little and the air felt fresh and salty again.
Full-size Replica of Stonehenge
While we were there, we visited a full-size replica of Stonehenge, a surprising and slightly surreal stop in the middle of Western Australia. We also checked out the famous pink lake area, which is now more of a white lake, but still striking in its own unique way, especially under the bright coastal sun.
Next came Albany, which quickly became my favourite stop of the entire trip. This coastal town is absolutely stunning - rugged cliffs, dramatic ocean views, and a peaceful atmosphere that makes you want to stay longer than planned.
We visited a lookout over the coastline, and it was one of those views that genuinely stops you in your tracks. I only wish we had more time here.
From Albany, we continued on to Busselton, with a scenic pitstop at Elephant Rocks along the way. Elephant Rocks is a stunning natural formation near Denmark, where huge rounded granite boulders sit right beside crystal-clear turquoise water.
The rocks really do resemble a herd of elephants resting by the sea, and the whole area feels calm, sheltered, and incredibly picturesque - a perfect little pause on the drive.
Busselton itself was a lovely change of pace - still coastal, but with a more relaxed town feel compared to the larger stops. We spent a full day at the famous Busselton Jetty, riding the train out along the iconic wooden structure, visiting the underwater observatory, and enjoying a stop at a local chocolate shop (which was an obvious highlight for everyone).
We also visited the Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse, where the Indian and Southern Oceans meet. Standing there, you can feel the power of the coastline waves crashing against the cliffs, wind sweeping across the headland, and endless ocean stretching in every direction. It’s one of those places that feels both raw and peaceful at the same time, and the history of the lighthouse makes it even more special.
And just like that, the road trip came full circle. We made our way back to Perth for our final night, checking into The Ritz-Carlton for a well-earned touch of luxury after days on the road. After so much exploring, driving, and discovering, it felt like the perfect way to end - a glass of something cold, city lights reflecting on the water, and a moment to reflect on just how diverse and beautiful Western Australia really is.
From coastline to outback to farmland and back again, this journey showed just how much variety there is in one state. Endless red dirt roads, quiet country towns, dramatic cliffs, turquoise beaches, and wide-open skies all in one trip. It was equal parts adventure and relaxation, with just the right amount of chaos in between snack stops, long drives, and spontaneous detours.
Each place felt completely different, yet all connected by the journey in between.
What stood out most wasn’t just the destinations themselves, but the space between them - those long stretches of road where the world feels completely open, where conversations drift, music plays, and the landscape slowly shifts without warning. Western Australia has a way of making even the drive feel like part of the experience.
Rottnest Island gave us that postcard-perfect island escape, Wave Rock showed us something ancient and surreal, Kalgoorlie grounded us in the grit and history of the outback, and the south-west coast brought everything back to ocean blues and soft sand.
By the time we returned to Perth, we were tired in the best possible way - sun-warmed, road-worn, and full of memories that felt bigger than the photos could ever capture. It was one of those trips that doesn’t just give you highlights, but a feeling you carry long after you’ve unpacked.
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