Perth to Karijini Road Trip: 24 Days Through the heart of WA

If you’re searching for inspiration for a Perth to Karijini road trip, you’re in the right place!

We spent 24 days exploring many off the beaten path places as we set off from Perth to Karijini National Park. Instead of sticking to the more popular coastal routes or rushing straight to Karijini with a few stops along the way, we decided to explore the hidden gems that many travellers miss.

This route is packed with options that you can mix and match to create your own adventure. If you want to follow our exact route, you can check out our journey on Polar Steps here for more photos and detailed notes from each stop.

Perth to Karijini Road Trip Interactive Map

Day 1: Perth to Marshall Rock

We started our trip by driving to Toodyay, just over an hour from Perth.

Arriving in time for lunch, we headed straight to Toodyay Bakery—and yes, their pepper steak pie lived up to the hype!

After that, we took a short walk along the Bilya Walk Track, following the Avon River, before dark clouds chased us back to the car. Even so, we were lucky enough to spot a spoonbill stork along the riverbank.

In mid-August, the canola fields around Toodyay were a dazzling yellow, making the drive feel like we were travelling through a sea of gold. It was the perfect way to kick off our road trip to Karijini National Park.

Don’t miss the Old Coach House near Goomalling. With its bright yellow doors, it looked stunning against the golden fields.

Where we stayed: Bencubbin Marshall Rock – Free Camp

Day 2: Elachbutting Rock

Next up was Elachbutting Rock, one of our favourite stops on the trip.

On the way, we stopped at the Trayning Gnamma Holes, part of the Wheatbelt Belt Way Trails, a short distance from Elachbutting.

Elachbutting is a quieter version of Wave Rock and, in our opinion, much prettier! What made it special for us was that hardly anyone else was around, so we had the place to ourselves.

We also explored Marty’s Pass, a tunnel that cuts through the rock, the Elachbutting Cave and climbed to the top for panoramic views of the surrounding bushland.

Where we stayed: Elachbutting Campsite is a free camp with just a bush toilet.

Day 3: Elachbutting Rock to Billiburning Rock – Outback Solitude

Day three took us first to Beringbooding Rock, home to Australia’s largest rock water catchment system. We tried to locate the Aboriginal handprints said to be here but had no luck. However, it’s still worth a visit to explore the rock and the catchment

Next up, we headed to Billiburning Rock, another massive rock formation. There were pockets of wildflowers around the camping areas and this would have made a great place to overnight.

We debated staying here but decided to press on. However, we ended up going around in circles trying to find our way to Paynes Find and should have camped here overnight. Five hours after we left, we ended up camping just off the road nearby!

Day 4-5: Billiburning Rock to Sandstone

After a long drive and finally arriving at Paynes Find, we arrived in Sandstone, a town with a rich gold-mining history.

We spent two nights there, exploring the Sandstone Heritage Trail and checking out the fascinating London Bridge rock formation. We got up early to catch the sunrise, and the golden light hitting the bridge was stunning.

A quick stop at the Old Brewery cave (just a cave now, not an actual brewery anymore) gave us a glimpse into how tough life must have been for the miners.

The Sandstone Cemetery was also a sombre but interesting stop. Plaques tell the stories of those who lived and died during the gold rush.

• Where we stayed: Alice Atkinson Caravan Park—clean, quiet, and well-equipped.

Day 6: Sandstone to Yalgar River

Meekatharra felt a little tired, but we stocked up on supplies before continuing. If you’re passing through, fuel up and grab what you need because it’s slim pickings until you reach Tom Price.

Just past Meekatharra, we stopped at Peace Gorge, a beautiful spot surrounded by red boulders. We even thought about camping here, but although it was a fantastic place, the flies were out in force, so we decided to push on to the Yalgar River instead.

Yalgar River has free camping on either side of the river on the left-hand side as you head north and is marked on Wikicamps.

• Where we camped: By the Yalgar River—free and peaceful.

Day 7-8: Mount Augustus – Hiking, Petroglyphs, and Unforgettable Views

The next part of our journey took us to Mount Augustus, the world’s largest monolith. It’s like a mini version of Uluru.

The next morning we were up bright and early to avoid the heat and hiked Etneys Trail. It is one of the lookouts and the easiest than the main hike to the summit.

Etney’s Trail took us through a landscape dotted with wildflowers and ancient Aboriginal petroglyphs. The hike wasn’t too tricky, and the views were well worth it.

The next day, we explored more of the area, including the Cattle Pool, a great spot for birdwatching. The contrast between the red rocks and the greenery around the water was lovely.

There are two great lookout points to note. To see the sunset hitting Mount Augustus, head to Emu Hill Lookout, and sunrise, head to Yalaweerie Hill Lookout.

• Where we stayed: Mount Augustus Tourist Park.

Day 9: Tom Price

Next up was Tom Price, where we made a supply stop and were pleasantly surprised to find reasonable prices compared to some of the other towns we’d passed through.

While there, we visited the Visitor Centre for information on Karijini and learned more about the condition of the 4×4 track to the top of Mount Nameless.

Mount Nameless is one of the highest accessible peaks by 4WD in Western Australia, offering incredible views of the Tom Price Iron Ore Mine and the surrounding Hamersley Range.

The idea was to reach the free camp near Hammersly Gorge just outside Karijini National Park, but by the time we’d bumped and trundled our way to the top of Mount Nameless and taken time taking in the views of the ranges it was already nearing dark.

Therefore, we booked a last-minute campsite at Tom Price Caravan Park.

Where we camped: Tom Price Tourist Park

Day 10-14: Exploring Karijini National Park

Arriving in Karijini National Park felt like the culmination of the trip. We spent the next few days exploring the incredible gorges, each one more stunning than the last.

Kalamina Gorge stood out for us, with its serene atmosphere, fewer crowds, and vibrant reflections in the calm water. Its tranquil beauty made it feel like a hidden sanctuary within Karijini.

 But we also loved Dales Gorge for its stunning swimming spots, like Fern Pool and Fortescue Falls. We managed to beat the crowds by getting there early, so it felt like we had our own private paradise for a while.

• Where we camped:
  • Buddha Camp (free, no facilities but peaceful).
  • Karijini Eco Retreat
  • Dales Campground

Day 15-16: Exmouth – Snorkelling and Wildlife Encounters

After leaving Karijini, we made our way to Karratha, where we visited with friends, but to be honest, we wouldn’t suggest you do unless you want to go further north to Broome or to the Kimberleys.

Millstream Chichester National Park might be worth visiting. It was on our list but we ran out of time.

Other than that, we suggest the long drive to the coast – towards Exmouth.

Once in Exmouth, we camped at Kurrajong and enjoyed some of the best snorkelling ever. The water was crystal clear.

These campsites in Cape Range National Park usually get booked well in advance but we were lucky enough to get a few nights a few days before.

Nearby was Pilgonoman Gorge, where we were treated to the sight of black-flanked rock wallabies warming themselves on the rocks. It was an amazing wildlife encounter that we hadn’t expected and it was the first time seeing these endangered animals.

Where we camped: Kurrajong Camp Ground

Day 17: Exmouth to Quobba Station

Though blowholes don’t usually amaze me, these were some of the most impressive we’ve seen, with the rugged coastline adding to the dramatic effect.

In the carpark here is a Blowholes Truck that sells coffee, ice cream and also fish and chips!

Another stop, a little further south from the Blowholes, is the Aquarium. This is another great spot to snorkel, and it looked like there was more live coral there.

If you don’t want to snorkel, you can see some of the array of fish from the cliff edge to the north of the bay. We saw quite a selection by just sitting there for a while, where the water was clear and not too deep.

We then headed to Quobba station and set up camp. It’s a huge area, so you can basically pick where to camp. We chose a spot by a shaded gazebo. 

Where we camped: Quobba Station

Day 18 -20: Quobba Station to Coral Bay

We spent three nights in Coral Bay, which quickly became one of our favourite stops.

The laid-back atmosphere, the shallow bay perfect for swimming, and the reef at our doorstep made it feel like the perfect place to relax.

We also walked along the coast to the Shark Nursery, further along the bay, where we saw baby sharks in the shallow waters—something we never thought we’d experience!

• Where we stayed: Coral Bay Campground – Bayview

Day 21: Coral Bay to Mullewa – The Heart of Wildflower Country

Reluctantly leaving Coral Bay, we headed inland to Mullewa, the Heart of Wildflower Country.

This was a long drive, and due to the coastal winds, we skipped our planned stops at Monkey Mia, Francois Peron National Park, and Kalbarri. We’ve been there before, but if you have time, they are worth visiting.

In Mullewa, stay at one of the free camps, Perkins #2 Well, in wildflower season, was absolutely beautiful. We also saw a few campers camped at the Mullewa Waterfalls.

Where to Camp: Perkins Well, Mullewa

Day 22-23: Mullewa to Coalseam Conservation Park – Wildflower Heaven

Swathes of wildflowers filled the area around Mullewa. We drove the Mullewa Northern Drive, stopping at Bindoon Nature Reserve to see the hills covered in pink and white everlastings.

We then took the road out towards Pindar to find the gorgeous Wreath flowers.

Arriving at Coalseam in the early afternoon, we took a scenic drive around, taking in the sights at Irwin’s Lookout, Fossil Picnic Spot, and Riverbend, and then set up camp in Miners Camp.

Where we camped: Miners Camp, Coalseam Conservation Reserve

Day 24: Coalseam Conservation Park to Perth

We spent the last morning of our road trip soaking up the beauty of Depot Hill near Mingenew, where we found some wildflowers we hadn’t seen anywhere else on the trip. It was the perfect way to wrap up this epic road trip.

Karijini Road Trip Loop … That’s a Wrap

Looking back, our road trip from Perth to Karijini was an unforgettable journey through some of Western Australia’s most hidden treasures.

From the quiet, awe-inspiring beauty of Elachbutting Rock to the rugged gorges of Karijini and the tranquil waters of Coral Bay, we discovered so much more than we ever expected.

It’s a route that takes you off the beaten path, offering experiences far beyond the typical coastal drive.

Whether you follow in our exact footsteps or create your own adventure, there’s something magical waiting at every turn.

For those ready to experience Western Australia in a way most travellers miss, we highly recommend stepping off the well-trodden path and exploring some of these incredible places.

If you’re looking for more inspiration or ideas on what else to see in this stunning part of the world, don’t forget to check out our other articles on where to visit in WA here.

Happy travels!