A Road Trip North From Perth Shows Australia's Rugged Western Coast
25.07.2023 - 10:42
/ matadornetwork.com
/ Coral Coast
Western Australia is the largest state in Australia, a vast area of over 976,000 square miles facing the Indian Ocean to the west and north and the Southern Ocean along its southern border. The state’s population is about 2.6 million, with 92 percent living in the southwestern corner where the capital of Perth sits. North of Perth, the state is sparsely populated, isolated, and perfect for those with an adventurous spirit who are looking for an epic road trip. Here, you can swim with whale sharks and visit Australia’s Coral Coast. Here’s how to make it happen, beginning in Perth.
Editor’s note: A question on many minds is whether or not visiting Australia right now is a responsible, or even viable, option given the fires. The wildfires that have torn through the southeastern part of Australia since September 2019 have killed more than 30 people and destroyed over 3,000 homes, having an outsize impact on the whole of Australia. While this trip brings you to the opposite side of the country, supporting local businesses and the country’s tourism sector as a whole can aid in economic recovery.
Photo: Benny Marty/Shutterstock
Perth is quite isolated from the major capital cities on the east coast of Australia and is actually closer to Asia than it is to Sydney. Australia’s major domestic airlines — Qantas, Virgin, and Jetstar — all regularly fly from the opposite side of the country. It’s about a four-hour flight east to west and about 3.5 hours west to east due to the pilots taking advantage of the jet stream that flows over Australia. Western Australia is in the same timezone as Tokyo and Hong Kong, so you gain three hours when flying from Melbourne or Sydney.
International airlines fly daily into Perth from all over the globe. The average flight time from the west coast of the USA is about 20 hours, and from Hong Kong, it’s about seven hours. There is a wide variety of hire car and RV options in Perth, so depending on your needs or budget, something is available. Bear in mind though that distances are vast in outback Australia, and some of the most spectacular locations require a 4WD vehicle to reach. Britz offers many options for 4WD rentals right in Perth.
Photo: David Steele/Shutterstock
Your journey starts with the stretch from Perth to the seaside town of Lancelin. It’s only a 75-mile trip, and the temptation is to push on further up the coast on your first day. However, if you choose to do that, you will miss a lot of what this area has to offer, including a stop at Yanchep National Park. It’s just over 30 miles from Perth. Take guided tours of the Crystal Caves, the Koala displays, and the LochMcNess Lake, each available daily for about $11. There are also many walking tracks you can meander along on