Perth to Broome Road Trip: Basics, Preparations, Tips

Perth to Broome Road Trip Overview 

If you want to get from point A to point B quickly, go straight up National Highway 95, which splits Western Australia in half. Going this way would take about 22 hours, which is 2046 km.

The more scenic route for our car trip from Perth to Broome follows the coast up to Geraldton and then north to Exmouth. Then it curves back around and heads back to Broome. It takes about 27 hours to drive this road, which is 2620 kilometres long, and it is well worth it.

When you think about how far it is from Perth to Broome, you can see that the weather will change along the way. This is a friendly warning to bring clothes for when it gets cold. 

Perth to Broome Road Trip Itinerary 

There is much to see and do on the road trip from Perth to Broome. The trip will take you thousands of miles, and you will want to take your time with all the fantastic things you can see and do.

Consider whether you want this to be a one-way or a round-trip trip. You can book a one-way rental car and return it elsewhere, but this may not be possible at certain times of the year or may cost more.

Day 1: Perth to Geraldton

Length: 449km

Time: 4 hours 47 min

Best Stops: The Pinnacles Desert, Cervantes, North Head & Leaning Tree

(Data Source: Google Maps)

After seeing what Perth offers, it's time to start the trip and hit the road! Get on Route 60 going north and prepare for a short drive up to Nambung National Park, home to the strange Pinnacles Desert.

These towering planes of limestone lumps and particles are genuinely unique. They stick out of the ground. When you reach the famous lookout point, you'll feel like you've been taken to Mars or a science fiction movie. Take the short loop to see these unique natural features, and stop at the Discovery Centre to learn how they got there.

Cervantes is only 20 km away, so you should be able to make it to lunchtime. There is no way to miss the famous Lobster Shack, which has a view of the Outer Rocks nature area. Get back on the road after eating the best lobster rolls and seafood.

If you're not in a hurry, you could spend the night in Cervantes and sail or fish from the beach in the afternoon.

Stop into Geraldton to stretch your legs around the Leaning Tree! There are many places to stay in town, but if you are going during the busiest times of the year, you should plan and book ahead of time.

Enjoy breakfast and a stroll in Geraldton in the morning. Day 1 will have given you a taste of colour and nature, but the trip's scope and grandeur are still to come. 

Day 2: Geraldton to Kalbarri National Park

Length: 129km

Time: 1 hours 27 min

Best Stops: Pink Lake, Kalbarri Skywalk & Nature Window Loop Walk

(Data Source: Google Maps)

You will be at Kalbarri National Park today. Again, if you don't have to rush, you could stay here for three days or more and base yourself in Kalbarri. But if you want to get to Broome quickly, take the North West Coastal Highway for about forty minutes. Take a left at Northampton and head towards Hutt Lagoon.

You may have heard of or seen this place on Instagram or Pinterest. Hutt Lagoon is also known as Pink Lake. Pink Lake is a must-see place on the southern edge of Kalbarri National Park.

Take a walk to the Kalbarri skywalk after getting off the lookout. Enjoy your coffee and the view from the building built just for you. Get a full view of the beautiful Murchison River Gorge from this spot. This rough, engaging, and historically rich landscape always has something new to give.

After getting some coffee and warming up, you can hike to Nature's Window loop walk, a beautiful rock creation that frames the river below. This is about 8 km long and could take hours to finish. Knowing that Nature's Window faces west means that you should go back at sunset to see the sun going down through Nature's Window—a beautiful spot to take a picture or two.

Spend the night in Kalbarri, where many places exist to eat and sleep. 

Day 3: Kalbarri to Coral Bay

Length: 911km

Time: 9 hours 14 min

Best Stops: Eagle Bluff, Denham, Little Lagoon Creek Lookout, Monkey Mia dolphins, Carnarvon 

(Data Source: Google Maps)

The wildlife that lives in this area is well known for its bright and beautiful stretch! We're going to remember and love this part of the trip. Prepare for one of the longer drives north. Take breaks whenever you need to stretch your legs.

As you float along, you'll catch glimpses of the blue water. Take a break at Eagle Bluff and walk along the path. Reef sharks and rays live there, so keep your eyes open. Next, stop at the 26th Parallel on your way to Denham, even if it's only for a quick picture. Keep going until you reach Denham. This is where you should spend the night.

You can rest here for a night or two because there are many things to do nearby. You could take it easy in the afternoon and remember to watch the sun go down over the water.  

You could take a windsurfing lesson or hike up to the Little Lagoon Creek Lookout if you want something more exciting. Return to your trusty rental car and have a great time in Francois Peron National Park.

Plan your trip to Monkey Mia when you're ready! You'll need to plan this for the morning to meet the Park Rangers at 7:45 a.m. on the Monkey Mia beach. You can then follow them to the beach and into the water, where you can see bottlenose dolphins swimming right up to the shore. You can also often see turtles and dugongs.

Getting back in the car, stop in Carnarvon for a break or some snacks if you need to.

Day 4: Coral Bay to Exmouth  

Length: 229km

Time: 2 hours 28 min

Best Stops: Ningaloo Reef, Exmouth, Cape Range National Park, Vlamingh Head Lighthouse

(Data Source: Google Maps)

Coral Bay is the southernmost entrance to Ningaloo Reef and is a great place to book those trips and dives you can't miss. Also, you can see Whale Sharks here better than anywhere else. The Humpback Whales are also sometimes seen on their way south if you go between June and October.

Remember that the weather can change your chances of connecting with whales or other sea life, so plan a few extra days to ensure you don't miss out.

You can also go north and stop in Exmouth. It only takes about an hour and a half to drive here. You will pass through Cape Range National Park on your way. In Western Australia, this is one of the best places to see red kangaroos.

Take a break at the high-class safari camping spot, Sal Sails. You can relax on the beach and see some of the world's most famous blood-red sunsets. Also, the sky at night is stunning; there is no light pollution, so everything sparkles.

You can book trips into the Cape Range National Park from Exmouth if you don't want to plan them yourself. Remember to see another sunset at Vlamingh Head Lighthouse.

Day 5: Exmouth to Karijini

Length: 640km

Time: 7 hours 31 min

Best Stops: Port Hedland, Karijini National Park

(Data Source: Google Maps)

The drive to Karijini National Park, about 640 km west, takes a long time. Still, you're not going on a road trip from Perth to Broome to stress about a few extra miles, are you?

Karijini National Park has some of the most famous scenery you might think of when you think of this adventure: bright red rocks that drop into excellent swimming holes and unbelievable gorges that wind and turn through the land.

If you want to plan your trip, the best thing to do is go straight to the Karijini Visitor Centre. Even if you only have time to see this place briefly on a plane ride, it's still essential to think about where you'll stay the night.

Day 6: Karijini to Broome

Length: 952km

Time: 9 hours 52 min

Best Stops: Port Hedland, Eighty Mile Beach

(Data Source: Google Maps)

Your Perth to Broome road trip is almost over; today is the last day. The fact that there is little between these two points is another reason to stop in Karijini.

There will be no hotels between now and Broome, so you must spend the night here. The last six hours of the drive will go along Eighty Mile Beach. Along Highway 1, which leads straight to Broome, you'll follow the coast the whole way. For those planning a one-way road trip from Perth to Broome, your trip is over!!

When you visit Broome, there are many fun things to do and see, from breweries and whale-watching tours to helicopter rides and sailing trips that you will never forget. Before you start your journey back to Perth, you must see some of the cutest animals, like snubfin dolphins, or take a famous camel ride along the beach.

This is going to be the most epic journey of your life. You can change this schedule to fit how you travel, but you will drive for a while.

How to Plan Your Perth to Broome Road Trip

Making a detailed plan is essential for a great road trip from Perth to Broome so that you and your passengers stay safe while you enjoy the incredible journey. Here are some ideas to help you plan your trip.

Book A Car

If you don't have a car, rent one in Perth or Western Australia that fits your needs and tastes. By utilising some automobile rental applications, you can rent a vehicle well-suited to your specific requirements, enabling you to travel around Western Australia thoroughly. If you want to do this road trip backwards, you can look at cars on apps in Broome here.

Plan for Stops

You will likely need a break every two or three hours. When planning your road trip stops, consider any interesting towns, parks, shops, or restaurants you'd like to see. It's all fun to go on a road trip.

• Make a big-picture road trip plan
• Choose your overnight stops
• Add short, easy-to-reach stops along the way to get the most fun in the least amount of time
• Plan for fuel stops and vehicle checks
• Be realistic about time constraints

Prepare for Western Australia National Parks Pass

You are likely to go to a few different national parks if you are going to take a road trip through Western Australia. To save time and money, buy a national park pass online and print it before your trip.

Most national parks cost between $12 and $13 per car, so the 14-day Holiday Pass (see below) is a much better deal if you want to visit more than 4.

Order Camping

If you want to camp anywhere in Australia, the best advice is to get the Wikicamps app.

This great app for your phone only costs a few Australian Dollars, but it lets you camp at every spot along the way, even some sneaky ones in the bush. You can find out about new sites, prices, and the number of secret gems.

The legislation varies across different regions, and in certain areas, individuals may face penalties imposed by park rangers if they are found camping or staying overnight outside of officially permitted areas. There are many free places to camp along the path. The rules for camping got stricter as the spot got busier. This is another reason to keep up with Wikicamps.  

Pack Road Trip Essentials

You can take your road trip through Perth to Broome in many ways, each with its packing needs. You should bring a satellite phone, extra tyres, and a good-quality tool kit if you're going to be driving on dirt roads in the middle of the desert.

The more you take care of and maintain your car, the more likely it is that something will break down or stop working out of the blue. If this happens, you'll need your car's guidebook to determine what's wrong: a broken light or windscreen wiper.

If you're going camping along the way, this is our master camping list. It has almost everything you'll need for a great trip. For car trips in general, you can use our list of things to pack.

When the nearest town is 100 km away, essential items like bandages, antiseptic, safety pins, and gauze can be very handy. Bringing antibiotic ointment and bandages on a car trip is a good idea. Many great kits can be found online, or you can list the things you have in your home first aid kit and only bring the most important ones.

A generator is a good thing to bring on car trips because you need power. A sun generator is excellent because it doesn't pollute and can be used repeatedly. The Jackery Solar Generator 1000 Pro and 500 are the best things to take on an Australian road trip from Perth to Broome.

In your trailer, they only take up a little space and are easy to move. When you go to national parks and outdoor areas, these generators are good for the environment because they use solar power to reduce your carbon footprint.

Jackery Solar Generators for Road Trips

Geological research in Australia's mineral-rich landscapes needs power solutions that are good for the environment and can run heavy equipment in places that aren't connected to the primary power grid.

Portable solar generators are also helpful for road trips because they are easy to carry. Using power on-site without moving fuel reduces the active footprint and makes logistics easier.

Jackery Solar Generators comprise a portable power station and Jackery solar panels. For Perth to Broome road trips, this portable solar setup is ideal. It has a pure sine wave inverter, an MPPT regulator, and a premium lithium battery to ensure that your electronics and outdoor items always have power. 

The Jackery Solar Generator 1000 Pro and the Jackery Solar Generator 500 are the most suitable generators for car trips. They're strong and last a long time. 

Jackery Solar Generator 500

This Jackery Solar Generator 500 is made to withstand harsh weather thanks to its advanced temperature monitors and robust construction that can work in hot and cold conditions. Because it's so durable, it's an excellent choice for camping trips, outdoor activities, and backup power in an emergency.

With a capacity of 518Wh and a 500W inverter that can handle surges up to 1000W, the Jackery Explorer 500 can support multiple appliance charging, making it a versatile power solution for various needs. It is also designed for convenience, featuring a portable and light design that makes it easy to carry and use wherever power is needed.

The power station has three ways to charge it: solar panels, a wall outlet, and a car plug. This gives you options for how to charge it. With a noise level of 37.9dB, it's a quiet power option that won't bother you on the Perth to Broome road trip.

Jackery Solar Generator 1000 Pro

The Jackery Solar Generator 1000 Pro is more than just a gadget—it's your ticket to steady power on the go, thanks to its vast 1002Wh capacity and 1000W output power. It can easily hold a full wall charge in just 1.8 hours and has been charged a thousand times. This is a game-changer for people seeking efficient and environmentally friendly energy options.

Include two SolarSaga 80W solar panels to increase the energy you generate by 25%. This is a cost-effective and sustainable option for trips outside or backup power for your home.

To make things easier for you, the Jackery Explorer 1000 Pro portable power station has a handle that can be folded up for easy storage and travel. This makes it the perfect thing to take with you on your outdoor adventures. This small power source promises to keep you fired up with its impressive 1,000-charge cycle life and lightweight design.

Essential Tips for Perth to Broome Road Trip

The following are essential tips for the Perth to Broom road trip:

Don't Drive At Night: No matter how early, you should get off the road when the sun starts to go down. That's when animals begin to come out.

Animals from Australia, like the kangaroo, will throw themselves across the street without thinking, and you should not underestimate how much damage they can do. If you hit a kangaroo, you could die, or at the very least, your road trip from Perth to Broome will be over.  

Stock Up Supplies: 

1. Fill up at the next gas station you see.
2. When you see a grocery store, buy a lot of food.
3. If you can fill up your water bottle, do so.

It would help if you found another place to buy things. If you have room, always bring extra, just in case!

Be Safe and Alert While Driving: Since gas costs are increasing, you might need more money to spend on the road. To save money on gas, try these: Slow down how fast you are going. If you slow down your acceleration time from 0 to 60 mph, you can save 30% on gas usage.

It is best to buy gas when it is cool outside. The gas is most dense right now. Keep your speed modest. About 21% more gas economy will be saved if you drive at 55 mph instead of 10 to 15 miles over. When you're going fast, keep the windows shut. If your windows are open, it can cost you up to 10% more gas than with air conditioning on.

Check The Weather & Road Conditions: The weather in Western Australia can be very extreme and hard to predict, especially in the north. Flash rains and bushfires can happen on the roads. You often have to wait a long time if a road is closed. If the road isn't sealed, you should always ask someone in the area about the weather before entering the unknown.

Is the Perth to Broome Road Trip Worth It?

Western Australia has a gorgeous seashore. There are many beautiful beaches, different kinds of wildlife,  great stops and small towns. It is well worth taking your car from Perth to Broome. Have a great time. If you want to take a road trip from Perth to Broome and need a portable solar generator you can trust, choose Jackery immediately.