Western Australia is enormous — it covers about a third of the continent, and most of it is empty in the best possible way. The distances are real, and they’re worth understanding before you plan anything. Perth to Broome is around 2,200km. Perth to Esperance is nearly 750km. This isn’t a state you can cover in a week, so pick a region and focus on it.
Perth is a good city — beaches right in the suburbs, Margaret River wine country about 3 hours south, and Rottnest Island, a short ferry ride from Fremantle. Most people underestimate Perth and are surprised by how much there is to do. North of Perth is where things get more remote — Kalbarri, Shark Bay, Ningaloo Reef, and eventually the Kimberley, which is one of the most spectacular and least visited parts of Australia.
When to Visit Western Australia
It depends on where in WA you’re going. Perth and Margaret River are year-round destinations — summers are hot and dry, winters are mild. The best time to visit Perth is October through April for beach weather, though summer temperatures regularly push above 40°C, so factor that in.
The north is the opposite — the dry season (April to October) is when to go. The wet season brings extreme heat, flooding, and road closures across the Kimberley. Ningaloo Reef whale shark season runs from March through July. Monkey Mia dolphin encounters happen year-round, but the shoulder season months of April, May, and September are the most comfortable for touring the Coral Coast.
How to Get to Western Australia
Perth Airport has direct flights from Sydney (around 4.5 hours), Melbourne (around 3.5 hours), Brisbane (around 4.5 hours), and Adelaide (just under 3 hours). There are also direct international flights from Singapore, Bali, Kuala Lumpur, and Dubai. Perth is actually closer to Singapore than it is to Sydney.
Driving from Adelaide to Perth takes around 27 hours — most people spread it over 3–4 days along the Eyre Highway. It’s a genuine outback road trip and worth doing once, but it’s a long way.
Getting Around Western Australia
In Perth, the Transperth network covers trains, buses, and ferries. As of December 2025, you can tap on and off with a contactless debit or credit card (Visa or Mastercard), your phone, or smartwatch — no SmartRider card needed if you’re just visiting. Travel is free on Sundays when you tag on and off. The train connects Perth Airport directly to the city, which makes arriving straightforward.
Outside Perth, a hire car is essential. Margaret River is about 3 hours south on good roads. The Pinnacles are about 2.5 hours north of Perth. Anything further north — Monkey Mia, Ningaloo, the Kimberley — requires either flying into the nearest regional airport and hiring a car there, or committing to a proper road trip with a well-stocked vehicle. Mobile coverage drops off quickly once you leave the main highways.
Where to Start in Western Australia
Perth first — give it at least 2–3 days, and make sure Fremantle and Rottnest Island are on the list. From there, Margaret River is the easiest next step for most visitors. If the reef is the main draw, fly direct to Exmouth for Ningaloo rather than driving the full coastal route unless you’ve got 2 weeks. The Kimberley deserves its own dedicated trip. Use the guides below to plan each region.
