A Perth to Exmouth road trip is the ultimate way to experience Western Australia’s Coral Coast — and Perth is the perfect city to start from. Whether you’re here for a few weeks or a few months, take the time to explore the state under your own steam; this route, or one of three others below, is genuinely the best way to get to know WA.
All four routes start and finish in Perth, so there’s no need to arrange one-way drop-off. Before you set off, organise car hire in Perth and spend a little time exploring the city itself — then head for the open road.
Perth to Exmouth Road Trip: 4 WA Routes to Explore
1. Perth to Exmouth (the Coral Coast)
This is the flagship Perth to Exmouth road trip, covering the full extent of WA’s west coast — a huge range of attractions along the way, from the coral reefs of Ningaloo Marine Park to the stark, otherworldly landscape of the Pinnacles Desert. It’s full of contrast and easily WA’s most popular long-distance drive.
The coastal road to Exmouth sits within Ace Rent A Car’s standard permitted travel zone, so it’s a route you can do without special arrangements — check our guide to hiring a car in Perth for the details. Given the distance, it’s worth running the numbers first with our fuel and trip cost calculator, and Australia’s Coral Coast has a full rundown of stops worth building your route around.
2. Perth to Albany
Travel to Albany along the Albany Highway (State Route 30), then return via the more circuitous coastal road. You’ll explore Aboriginal cultural centres, local art galleries, national parks and wineries along the way — a route with something for everyone, easily completed in a week or less. With our inexpensive Perth car rental packages, you can afford to take a couple of vehicles if one might feel cramped — our guide on which hire car suits your Perth trip can help you decide.
3. Perth to Kalgoorlie
A relatively short road trip at 2–3 days, but with plenty to offer. You’ll follow the same trail as hopeful gold prospectors did in the late 19th century, after the discovery of alluvial gold at Mount Charlotte. Along the way are several beautiful nature reserves, including the Eastern Railway Reserve, plus a number of abandoned mining towns with a stark, disturbing beauty that’s hard not to be moved by.
4. Perth to Armadale
If you’re travelling as a larger group and want a taste of the countryside without days on the road, organise minibus hire in Perth and drive 35 minutes to Armadale for bush trails and scenic walks.
If you’re planning to visit Perth and rent a car for your own Perth to Exmouth road trip or one of the other routes above, contact us for advice and quotations.