Perth to Darwin Campervan Road Trip
Perth to Darwin is a popular road trip that tourists and locals make, but how do you create the perfect itinerary? There is so much to see and do on this journey; the last thing you want to do is miss anything.
Well, luckily for you, we are here to help. We have created the perfect itinerary that allows you to complete a 4,000km road trip over 21 days, soaking up the landscape and attractions and finding time to relax. Our road trip is broken into four legs to help you plan your trip today.
Leg 1: Perth to Shark Bay
The first leg of your trip will take you from Perth to Shark Bay along the western coast of Australia. Before you set off, we recommend spending some time in Perth, sightseeing and stocking up on supplies before heading to Nambung. Access Nambung through the Pinnacles Desert, taking time to rest before driving to Kalbarri. This beautiful city and natural preserve is set amid gorges in the countryside, offering plenty of photo opportunities.
From Kalbarri, Shark Bay is just a few hours’ drive. You will want to set aside at least three days here to tour Shark Bay. There are plenty of opportunities to spot dolphins and other ocean animals that will quickly become a highlight of your trip.
Leg 2: Shark Bay to Karijini
After exploring Shark Bay, head to Coral Bay along the Carnarvon Shore. This is made up of tiny beach shells, providing a unique experience that you don’t find in other parts of the Australian coast. If you want to explore further, we recommend a trip to Cape Range, home to Ningaloo Reef, one of the most beautiful isolated beaches in the world.
Karijini is a few hours’ drive, and we recommend driving via the Nanutarra Roadhouse, where you will enjoy beautiful gorges along the way, with plenty of opportunities to stop for photos or breaks to stretch your legs. Karijini deserves several days of your journey, where you can fully explore the natural wonders and delights that it has to offer.
Leg 3: Karijini to Nitmiluk
Head east from Karijini to Nitmiluk, with a 2,500 km drive ahead of you. Thankfully, this is the most scenic part of the journey, so there are plenty of places to stop and take in the scenery. You will drive through the Hammersley Range, moving towards the North Eastern Coast, where beaches like Cleaverville Beach await you. This is a great spot to explore and rest before reaching Broome, a beautiful town with plenty of sea views.
Make sure you set aside time to visit Kimberley, home to the best gorges in the world and the Purnululu Bungle Bungles, before arriving at Nitmiluk. This village is worth an overnight stay, allowing you to rest and recharge before the final leg of your road trip.
Leg 4: Nitmiluk to Darwin
After three impressive legs, the fourth promises to offer just as much beauty. A 400km drive will bring you to Darwin, and we recommend allowing three days to enjoy all the sights along the way. Kakadu should be visited, one of the best national parks, with a huge variety of flora and fauna that you can enjoy. Litchfield is nearby, where its river swimming will allow you to cool down and stretch your body before you arrive at Darwin, your final destination.
Make sure you allow a few days to explore Darwin too. There is so much to see and do here, from the Mindil Beach sunset markets to exploring the George Brown Darwin Botanic Gardens. For those who want to get their blood pumping, Crocosaurus Cove lets you enter the water with crocodiles, seeing them up close in their natural habitat!
Enjoy Your Perth to Darwin Campervan Road Trip Today
Each of these legs provides plenty of opportunities to explore, so you can be sure you have seen the best of Australia on your Perth to Darwin road trip. To complete your trip, we recommend hiring a campervan, where you can enjoy comfort as you travel from Perth to Darwin. Travellers Autobarn offer campervan hire across the country, making it even easier for you to pick up and drop off your van. Visit the Travellers Autobarn Perth campervan hire branch to see how they can help plan your road trip.
