Keen to experience the best of things to do in Australia’s Top End and west coast on a road trip through Northern Territory and Western Australia? There’s no better way than with a Darwin to Perth road trip.
Discover the rugged beauty of outback towns, explore biodiverse national parks, drive along sparkling coastlines and soak in the incredible views along the way on this 14 day ultimate Darwin to Perth road trip.
Once you arrive in town, pick up your campervan at Mighty’s Darwin branch. Then let the adventures begin! Darwin is the capital of Australia’s Northern Territory and is rich with Aboriginal culture, art galleries and natural beauty. Some of the best Darwin attractions include:
Before you begin the journey west, it is also worthwhile organising your Western Australia parks pass before you head out into areas with little to no reception. You can choose from 14 days for $40 or a month for $60, which will give you access to all WA parks for the duration of the pass.
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Discover the beauty of this untouched landscape filled with indigenous culture, outdoor adventure, and spectacular monsoonal rainforest-covered waterholes.
Continue the drive south to Katherine to unwind at Katherine Hot Springs before cooking up a storm with the campsite facilities at the Katherine BIG4 Breeze Holiday Park for the evening.
Remember to clear your camper of any fresh produce as you won’t be able to cross with it. This rugged outback region is best known for its pink diamonds and is the gateway to the Kimberly region. On the way, be sure to:
Settle in for the night at Kimberleyland Waterfront Holiday Park and enjoy their on-site rare finch aviary, outdoor dining area, and live entertainment.
Please note that these are located 52 kilometres into the national park along a four-wheel-drive track. Park at the entrance and get on an early tour so you can spend your day exploring.
If you’re looking for somewhere to rest for the night, grab one of the powered camping sites at Halls Creek Caravan Park.
On this long stretch between Halls Creek and Derby, soak up the last of these red dirt views and plan a stop off at the river crossing just before Fitzroy Crossing to see if you can spot a saltwater crocodile, and visit the over 1,500-year-old Boab Prison Tree.
If you time it right, watch the sunset from the Derby Jetty and try to catch a glimpse of the incredible tidal fluctuations (ranging up to 12 metres). Stay the night at Kimberley Entrance Caravan Park.
You could easily spend a day or two roaming around this scenic coastal town. Here are some of the best things to do in this Australian region:
If you time your trip right, be sure to check out the Staircase to the Moon. This natural phenomenon occurs when the full moon rises over the exposed tidal flats of Roebuck Bay and gives the impression of a staircase leading to the moon. This happens 2-3 days a month between March and October.
Grab one of the powered camping sites at Broome Vacation Village and wash away the red dirt of the desert using all the on-site facilities.
This stunning coastline is where the Great Sandy Desert meets the sparkling blue waters of the Indian Ocean. This is the perfect place to go beach fishing, bird watching and enjoy the magnificent sunsets.
Get in early and snag a million-dollar view waterfront property for the night at Eighty Mile Beach Caravan Park - only 50 metres from the beach.
As the world’s largest bulk export port, it has a rich industrial area, but it is also a great spot for fishing, whale watching and turtle nesting. Here are some of the highlights of Port Hedland:
Then settle in for the night at Discovery Parks Port Hedland.
While many of the areas of this park are tucked away down corrugated unsealed roads, Fern Pool is easily accessible by campervan and has plenty to explore.
Stay at Karijini Eco Retreat, where you can treat yourself to an outback-style dinner at the on-site alfresco restaurant.
Exmouth is a laid-back town where shoes are optional, and water sports are a way of life. As the northern gateway to the Ningaloo Coast World Heritage Area, it is the perfect base to explore this coastal paradise. There are so many things to do in Australia’s coral coast, including:
Stay at RAC Exmouth Cape Holiday Park for the night.
This sleepy little town comes alive in the busy season with plenty of tours and activities to check out, including:
Stay at Coral Bay Caravan Park for the night.
Here you can see the world’s oldest ‘living fossils’, and visit Shell Beach - one of two beaches in the entire world made entirely of shells! Stay the night at RAC Monkey Mia Dolphin Resort.
Continuing the drive south, stop by Kalbarri National Park to brave the 100-metre-high Kalbarri Skywalk to see the panoramic views of Murchison Gorge. Then enjoy the short hike down to see the gorge through the iconic rocky portal of Natures Window. It can get hot so start early and bring plenty of water.
Stay at Kalbarri Red Bluff Tourist Park for the night.
Australian pink salt lakes are such a unique experience and can make it feel like you have stepped onto another planet. Hutt Lagoon is one of only a few places to visit in Western Australia where you can see these pink lakes, so it is worth the detour! Once you’re finished, head south and enjoy a few of the highlights of this region:
Have a factory tour at the Lobster Shack and then enjoy a bite to eat Drive through Cervantes Pinnacles Desert and admire the unique landscape of limestone spires of all shapes and sizes jutting out from the desert floor
Park up for the evening at RAC Cervantes Holiday Park.
Ease your way into the vibrance and pace of city life with some of Perth’s best places to visit:
Once you drop your campervan at the Mighty Perth branch, it’s time to head home.
And there you have it! The ultimate Darwin to Perth road trip. We have broken this trip up over 14 days, but if you have more time, then you will be able to explore more of the incredible natural Australian attractions between Darwin and Perth. If you are fully self-contained, you could also try a mix of holiday parks and free camping, as there are some great free camping sites available between Darwin and Perth for self-contained vehicles.
If you’re ready to rent a van to explore Australia’s top end and west coast for yourself, be sure to check out all our latest deals and book your Mighty camper today. If you’re looking for other ways to get the most out of your Australian road trip, then be sure to check out our blog and download the thl Roadtrip app.
Australian Itineraries