Epic 7-day Perth to Albany Road Trip

Kickstart your adventure in the charismatic city of Perth, celebrated for its gorgeous sunny weather, laid-back attitude and great food. One of the first things you might notice about Perth is its balance of urban modernity with natural splendour. First things first, head over to Mighty Perth and collect your camper, this will be home for the next week, so grab some supplies and make yourself acquainted. Start the day's adventures by visiting the Lotterywest Federation Walkway in Kings Park. Here, you'll traverse a 620 m-long elevated walkway, enveloped by a canopy of eucalyptus trees. The walkway offers magnificent views of the city, Swan River, and Darling Ranges. 

Post-treetop adventure, head to the historic Fremantle Markets for a bite to eat. The market, housed in a Victorian-era building, has been an integral part of Fremantle for well over a century. Stroll through the vibrant stalls that sell everything from handcrafted jewellery to vintage clothing and locally-produced honey. Enjoy a cup of artisan coffee, or sample some of the mouth-watering street food on offer. If you still have some energy left before setting up camp for the night, venture to Elizabeth Quay for an enchanting evening. This popular spot in Perth's central business district is a hub for food, entertainment, and stunning views over the Swan River. With public art on display, events throughout the year, and endless affordable dining options, you'll find there's always something new to discover at Elizabeth Quay. 

Stay at: Discovery Parks Swan Valley.

On day two of your journey, head south to the coastal city of Mandurah. Along the way, you will pass through the beautiful bushlands of Kalamunda National Park and the coastal stretches of Golden Bay. Make sure to take full advantage of your Campervan hire by stopping to see these sights at your own pace, stopping whenever you feel like it. However, we suggest getting an early start on your morning and heading straight down to Dolphin Quay. The Quay is the perfect spot to enjoy a leisurely breakfast (or brunch) while watching the dolphins that play in the marina's calm waters. After brunch, explore the specialty shops, and boutiques around the Quay and soak in the vibrant atmosphere.

Then, venture down to Silver Sands Beach, a stretch of silvery sand that perfectly contrasts the waters of the Indian Ocean. From here, take a calming walk through the tranquil scenery of the Creery Wetland Nature Reserve. Stroll along the 3km of well-kept boardwalks while keeping your eyes peeled for some of the 22 different species of migratory shorebirds that call the wetlands home during the southern summers. As the day nears its end, relax and enjoy the variety of craft beers at the Three Rivers Brewing Company. Three Rivers conform to the strict German beer purity law: the Reinheitsgbot. This means that they use no additives, preservatives, colours or cheap sugars, and instead, you can enjoy only the simplicity of their classic water, malt, hops and yeast recipe. 

Stay at: Mandurah Caravan and Tourist Park.

On day three, it's time to make your way down to the acclaimed wine region of Margaret Region. The drive along the Bussell Highway is a visual treat with stunning coastal vistas, charming small towns, and lush vineyards. Margaret River, a celebrated wine region, is synonymous with the good life. It boasts world-class vineyards, captivating natural landscapes, pristine beaches, and a vibrant food scene. 

Firstly, begin the day with a visit to the lively Margaret River Farmers Market. The market, held every Saturday from 7:30 am until 11:30 am, is a jewel of fresh, locally-sourced produce, making it an essential stopover to stock up your camper's fridge. After refilling your stores, drive a little ways past Margaret River and immerse yourself in the magical realm of Lake Cave. Adorned with crystal formations, stalactites, and stalagmites, including the famous “suspended table”, mirrored in its tranquil lake, is bound to leave you in awe. From the cave's mystical calm, head to the sun-kissed sands of Gnarabup Beach and enjoy lunch at the White Elephant Beach Cafe. With the outer reef breaking the force of the swell, the calm beach can often feel like the world’s largest swimming pool. 

After finding your calm at Gnarabup Beach, sample some of the region's finest brews at the Margaret River Brewhouse. This local favourite offers an array of craft beers, adding a warm, rustic ambience to your beer-tasting experience, with plenty of options for lunch or dinner, all sporting fresh, locally sourced ingredients. If you're more of a wine drinker, there are over 200 local vineyards to sample, making it super easy to spend another day exploring the vineyards in the Margaret River region.

Day four brings you a little further south to Augusta, nestled between where the Indian and Southern Oceans meet. As you pass through towering Karri forests and lush farmlands, make a stop at the Jewel Cave, the largest show cave in Western Australia. With three immense chambers, a fully guided tour will take just over one hour, as you walk among the breathtaking stalactites and stalagmites that have taken thousands of years to form. 

After Jewel Cave, the next stop is at the historic Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse. As the tallest lighthouse on mainland Australia, it also marks the meeting point of the two oceans and offers panoramic views of the surrounding waters. Some of the top things to do here include: 

• Take part in a guided tour of the Lighthouse – This tour takes you to the top of the 40-metre-tall lighthouse and guides you through its history and what it was like to live as a lighthouse operator. 
• Learn about the 22 ships that were wrecked before the construction of the lighthouse in 1896 and how only 1 has been wrecked there since

Then, head back into town and try your luck at catching your own dinner at Skippy Rock, an excellent fishing and picnic spot overlooking the ocean. As the day fades, make your way to Flinders Bay, a perfect place for a peaceful stroll along the beach while watching the sunset. Use the supplied barbeques, to cook up your catch, or if you weren't so lucky, head to The OG Cafe & Takeaway for some local fish and chips. If you're there from May to December, watch from the jetty as whales on their annual migration breach and play in the calm bay.

Stay at: Flinders Bay Holiday Park.

On day five of your epic road trip from Perth to Albany, it's time to explore the furthest point of the trip in Albany, a town known for its dramatic coastline and rich history. While on your way, consider a lunchtime stop in at Walpole, affectionately known as the ‘belly button of the world’. Take some time to explore the Valley of the Giants, where you can walk amongst the giant Tingle Trees. After arriving in Albany, head on down to Emu Point. Emu Point is a long promontory, completely protected from the ocean swell, making it an ideal spot for relaxed swimming, fishing, boating or even some kite surfing if there is a bit of wind. Then, head down to the Squid Shack for local fish and chips while enjoying the calm waters. Middleton Beach, with its white sand, clear waters, and ocean swell, offers a range of watersports and great ocean swimming. With five kilometres of brilliant white sand, there is plenty of space to find your own area to stretch out and kick back.

If you are looking for a little slice of history, take a visit to the National Anzac Centre for an immersive step back in time with the interactive exhibits showcasing Australia's involvement in World War I. Afterwards, stroll through the Albany Heritage Park, where you can meander through native bushland to the Apex lookout giving an incredible view over King George Sound, all while observing the memorials that line the walk. 

Stay at: Acclaim Albany Holiday Park.

After reaching Albany, it’s time to start making your way back to Perth, through the stunning forests and natural bushland of Dunsborough. On your way, stop in at Manjimup for some lunch, or even consider dropping down to Pemberton for some super fun mountain bike trails built into the pristine local forests. When you make it to Dunsborough, make sure to visit:

• Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse – Take a guided tour to learn about the area's maritime history and enjoy breathtaking panoramic views of the Indian Ocean and Geographe Bay. 
• Meelup Beach – This incredible hidden gem offers wonderful facilities and calm blue waters. Perfect for a family picnic afternoon or a relaxing day by the ocean.
• Castle Rock – Scramble along the rocks and climb the natural outcrop to get to the stunning lookout. This is the perfect spot to spend sunset – watching as the sky and ocean take on a new hue. 

Stay at: Southern Stars Holiday Park Dunsborough.

For the final day of this epic road trip, it's time to drive the final stretch back to Perth. Along the way, don’t miss the chance to stop in at the Busselton Jetty and explore its one-of-a-kind 1.8km jetty stretching out into the ocean. Another great stop on the drive back up is the Bunbury Dolphin Discovery Centre. Here you can wade out into the water with the centre's volunteers and see the local dolphins up close and personal. After arriving in Perth, take some time to explore a few other fun and free things to do in Perth, like walking around the city, exploring the street art, or just relaxing on Cottesloe Beach. Finally, drop your camper back at the Mighty Perth branch to round off your epic seven-day road trip from Perth to Albany.

Ready to explore Western Australia?

This epic seven-day Perth to Albany road trip guarantees an unforgettable adventure through Western Australia's unparalleled beauty – from its thriving cityscapes to pristine beaches and world-class vineyards. So why wait? Hire a campervan from Mighty Campers today and kick-start your ultimate Australian adventure!