Coastlines unfurl in dramatic fashion, towering trees bow and bend in dappled light, shimmering sands give way to turquoise seas, giants roam the oceans and beehives rise from red dirt. Everywhere you go, ancient land hums beneath the tyres, the call of Country strong.
Feature by: Julie Hosking
Part of the Dreamlike Journeys series, these road trips explore some of Western Australia’s most striking and stirring places. Slow down and immerse yourself in extraordinary experiences.
Coastal curve
The city in the rearview mirror, the Coral Coast Highway takes you from Perth (Boorloo) more than 3000km north to Exmouth. Open plains offer fleeting glimpses of sparkling seas before the Indian Ocean reveals itself in full glory. Follow the palette of blue horizon, white dunes and red earth, wildflowers peeking from all corners. Call into Kalbarri National Park, where gorges slice through ancient land with startling beauty.
On to World Heritage-listed Shark Bay (Gutharraguda), where aquamarine waters, ochre ranges and creamy shell beaches compete for attention. That's if you can drag yourself away from the world-famous dolphins at Monkey Mia. By the time Exmouth looms into view, your cup is already overflowing. Yet here awaits the surreal wonder of Ningaloo Reef (Nyinggulu), the second World Heritage-listed site on a remarkable road trip. Sink into the deep blue with whale sharks, the ocean’s gentle giants; glide alongside humpbacks and manta rays; snorkel over resplendent coral gardens. Who wants to go home?
Monkey Mia, Shark Bay
Southern edge
Feel the landscape shift along the South West Edge as you leave Perth (Boorloo). Lovers of barefoot luxury will lose themselves in the majesty of Margaret River, where world-class wine and culinary perfection intersect with truly sublime settings. Linger over lunch among the vineyards; catch a break in the legendary surf; explore ancient forests and captivating caves. Further inland, towards Pemberton, karri and jarrah trees form natural cathedrals. The air cools, the scent of eucalyptus thickens. Everything feels older, more deeply rooted.
In Denmark, the forest opens to the striking coast of the Southern Ocean. Swim or snorkel in picturesque pools, climb over rugged rock formations and indulge in local wines. In Albany (Kinjarling), the power of the elements rush up from striking cliffs to greet natural wonders forged in granite, while the stunning harbour offers calm respite. The road turns for one final destination, the impossibly white sand and emerald waters of Esperance (Kepa Kurl). Bask with the kangaroos at Lucky Bay, picnic in the dunes at Hellfire Bay, and watch the setting sun coat Cape Le Grand National Park in champagne gold.
Wild at heart
Drive through rugged ranges and spinifex plains, boabs rising like sculptured guardians against the endless sky. Everything about the Kimberley Wilderness Explorer feels immense – the distance, the colours, the beauty. The 728km return journey from Kununurra weaves through space and time, unlocking stories carved into ancient rocks and etched in ochre footprints.
Descend into gorges where waterfalls tumble in white ribbons from high escarpments. Stand in the shadows of Purnululu’s giant beehive domes and feel the quiet power of Cathedral Gorge. Nestled in the heart of El Questro National Park, Zebedee Springs is one of the Kimberley’s most nourishing gifts. Warm water trickles over smooth stones, steam rises in delicate swirls, light filtering through the fringe of palms in golden threads. Slip into the soothing springs and let the spirit of this incredible wilderness wash over you.
Cathedral Gorge in Purnululu National Park
Island dreams
Leave the road behind for a journey into the wild blue yonder, a place imbued with natural wonder and wrapped in serenity. Glide up the Swan River (Derbarl Yerrigan) on a ferry from Perth (Boorloo), the city shimmering in your wake. Break into the open sea, the Indian Ocean gleaming like polished glass the closer you edge to Rottnest Island (Wadjemup).
Grab a bicycle and follow the gentle breeze from one idyllic spot to the next, limestone tracks running past rolling dunes and pockets of bush, emerald and turquoise bays pulling you closer. Float in the jewelled water, silvery fish darting below, and gaze up at the expansive skies. As if the island hasn’t already worked its magic, the beaming quokka – dubbed the world’s happiest animal – pops up to keep those spirits soaring.
Quokka on Rottnest Island
Urban voyager
Shaped by the snaking beauty of the Swan River (Derbarl Yerrigan), Perth (Boorloo) weaves its way into your heart – from bustling streets and laidback laneways to Kings Park (Kaarta Koomba), where the views are as unforgettable as the native flora, and back down to the waterfront where the rooftop bars and restaurants of Elizabeth Quay await. By night, thousands of lights illuminate the 1km-long Boorloo Bridge, colours dance across the elegantly entwined arches of Matagarup and the curved surfaces of Optus Stadium. Take a gravity-defying walk along the rooftop or zip down the bridge to shore.
Follow the river downstream to the bustling port of Fremantle (Walyalup), where art galleries, craft beers and colonial architecture are all part of the charm. Explore the tunnels underneath World Heritage-listed Fremantle Prison and sail into the WA Maritime Museum. Settle down on the grass overlooking Cottesloe Beach with fish and chips, or book a culinary celebration of Western Australia’s astounding produce. Sip chilled wine as the sun sets, painting the sky in fiery hues, reflections rippling to shore in dreamy sequence.
Cottesloe Beach, Perth
Published in February 2026.