Southwest Australia Road Trip Stage 1: Perth to Albany

Are you ready to pack your bags and embark on an unforgettable Australian adventure? Join us as we explore the stunning landscapes and hidden gems of the southwest region on a four-day road trip from Perth to Albany. This journey is not just about the destination; it’s about the experiences, the breathtaking views, and the delightful encounters along the way.

In this article, we’ll guide you through each day of our trip, detailing the must-see spots, local attractions, and the distinctive charm of Western Australia. Get ready to uncover the essence of a perfect road trip!

Here are the essential details for our journey:

The excitement of our journey began weeks before we even hit the road. Envisioning ourselves in a campervan, parked by the ocean, enjoying picnics under the Southern Hemisphere stars filled our minds with joy. Finally, the day had come to pick up our campervan, and our excitement was palpable.

But let’s rewind to the night before: restless with anticipation, I found myself dreaming about our booked van being unavailable. Instead, they would offer us a larger model complete with a bathroom and shower. Surprisingly, that’s exactly what happened! We didn’t receive the €300 for gas from my dream, but we were thrilled nonetheless.

Day 1
Perth to Capel

On our first day, still getting accustomed to the campervan lifestyle, we stopped at Waikiki Beach to prepare our lunch. With a bit of clumsiness, we struggled to ignite the stove, which led us to ask a neighboring car for a lighter. In return, we received not only the lighter but also the delightful phrase “Cool bananas,” a uniquely Australian expression meaning “awesome” or “fantastic.” You can imagine our amused expressions!

Continuing south on Highway 1 as the sun began to set, we decided to find a place for the night to avoid kangaroos that emerge at dusk. Instead of kangaroos, we found a friendly horse at our campsite, and after a brief introduction, we named our campervan Chipy. Goodnight, horse, and goodnight, Chipy!

We spent our first night at a bowl club in Capel, where we camped for free. It may not have been luxurious, but it was a peaceful spot for a self-contained vehicle.

Day 2
Capel to Margaret River

The next morning, we had a little treat for our equine friend, who now had to share the spotlight with a neighboring horse. We headed to Peppermint Grove Beach for breakfast: a simple coffee and Nutella sandwich to kickstart our day.

As we drove through Tuart Forest National Park, we reached Busselton Jetty. The bustling atmosphere filled with families picnicking and children skating made it a delightful stop. The beach was perfect for a swim, and the jetty was incredibly picturesque. Don’t forget to check out the hut for a glimpse into the jetty's historical significance.

Our next stop was the charming town of Dunsborough. While wandering its local market, we had the unexpected delight of meeting Carmen Grau, an author known for her insightful travel books. The market featured organic products, handcrafted goods, and clothing, making it a vibrant spot to explore. Although the town beach wasn’t the best, it was ideal for soaking up the sun.

If you’re after postcard-perfect beaches, continue eastward and stop at one of the stunning beaches before reaching Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse. We chose Eagle Bay for our first dip in Australian waters, which was absolutely invigorating. Another great option nearby is Meelup Beach, known for its stunning scenery.

At the Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse, be prepared to pay an entry fee of AUD 5. There are also walking trails with stunning coastal views, including a lookout for potential whale sightings, though our timing wasn’t right. This made it a perfect excuse to continue on and avoid any snakes that might be lurking around!

On our way back, we detoured to Sugar Loaf Rock, where the mighty waves crash against the rocks, showcasing the raw power of Australian waters.

On the other side of the peninsula lie some great beaches, although they’re more suited for kitesurfing enthusiasts. Yallingup Beach and Smiths Beach are popular spots, but the highlight of this area is Canal Rocks. A boardwalk leads over the rocks and provides access to a cove where you can leap into the waters below. Just be cautious, as we encountered a brown snake in the vicinity, one of the world's most venomous snakes.

Next on our itinerary was the Injidup Natural Spa, a natural rock pool we had seen on Instagram. However, it disappointed us, likely due to the high tide and strong winds that day. Despite our expectations, it was challenging to enjoy the location.

Throughout the day, we continued south along Caves Road, known for its numerous accessible caves (most require a fee). This scenic route also takes you past vineyards and craft breweries, ideal for food lovers. Along the way, we spotted our first live kangaroos, cows, sheep, and even a group of deer.

We stopped at Margaret River to stock up on beers before heading to Conto Campground, where we spent our second night and attempted our first barbecue! The campground cost AUD 11 per person per night and required online booking. If you didn’t reserve, you could access their Wi-Fi to book directly, although it had no power at the campsites. However, it was quite pleasant.

Day 3
Margaret River to Denmark

Our third day promised a more relaxed pace in terms of sightseeing but a longer drive ahead. The first stop turned out to be one of the most exciting experiences of our trip: swimming with stingrays! While a local boy who lived nearby knew the stingrays by name, we were content to dip our toes in the water at Hamelin Bay Beach. It was incredible to see these graceful creatures up close, even though we were warned not to touch them due to the risk of bacteria transmission. It was essential to stay cautious, considering the tragic fate of the legendary Australian adventurer, Steve Irwin.

Continuing along Caves Road, we passed through lush forests until we reached Pemberton. There, we enjoyed a delicious carbonara meal by a unique pool—a pool where you could fish! It was a delightful spot that certainly deserves a visit.

We aimed to camp at Centre Road, but after a bumpy start, we realized we wouldn’t make it far on that road. Instead, we chose to continue to Denmark and camp at Boat Harbour Chalets, a family-friendly campground nestled among trees. To our surprise, we encountered a remarkable array of wildlife, including horses, rays, quokkas, dolphins, snakes, kangaroos, cows, sheep, deer, colorful birds, and even a somewhat hostile worm and a peculiar yellow fly. The highlight of the night was meeting Bruce, who introduced us to his collection of animals, including a pair of llamas and three camels. One of the llamas even spat at Bruce, who took it in stride—“It’s just part of the job!”

Day 4
Denmark to Albany

The first stop on our fourth day was a two-in-one visit to Greens Pool and Elephant Cove. This location is among the best coastal spots in WA. We arrived at the parking lot around 10 AM, and it was virtually empty. However, when we left around noon, it was bustling with visitors. It’s a popular hidden gem known to locals.

First, we ventured down some stairs to Green Pool, a small bay sheltered from the fierce ocean by a line of rocks. This provided calm waters ideal for swimming. The pool lives up to its name, with beautiful green hues that change with the sunlight.

If you’re up for some light climbing, you can scale the rounded rocks on the left for a great view of Elephant Cove. With a bit of imagination, you might spot some elephants among the rocks. The real treasure here is the breathtaking panoramic view! You can also take a short trek to a more secluded beach nearby.

As we explored the area, I had a little mishap—while attempting a dive off the same ledge where kids and grandmothers had previously jumped, I accidentally stubbed my toe. Talk about a lesson learned!

We continued along the scenic Ocean Beach Road, which offers several lookouts worth a visit, such as Ocean Beach Lookout and Lions Lookout, both offering stunning views of Pelican Bay.

Denmark was the last big town we passed before arriving in Albany, marking the end of the first leg of our road trip across Australia. There, we encountered a group of relaxed pelicans at the end of Hollings Rd. We stopped at Berridge Park for lunch, right across from the Denmark Hotel, which offered takeout fish and chips for AUD 13 and a soup and main course combo for AUD 15 (with a pint for an additional AUD 5). Naturally, we succumbed to the temptation of fish and chips, and they were absolutely delicious!

For our night’s stay, we aimed for a second camping experience, similar to the previous night. We headed to the busy Cosy Corner East Campground, but by 4 PM, it was already full. Instead, we found a lovely spot under the trees at Torbay West Campground, where we enjoyed a free and peaceful night under the stars. Keep in mind, it filled up quickly later on!

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