Western Australia is built for road trips. From Perth, you’re only a few hours’ drive from white-sand beaches, tall forests, surf breaks, wineries and granite coastline without needing to cross half the state.

Whether you’re planning a long weekend or a week-long summer escape, the right route and the right car turn ‘just a drive’ into something you’ll remember long after you’re back at your desk.

That’s where Karmo comes in. Instead of buying a vehicle or locking yourself into a lease, you can subscribe to something that actually fits your plans such as an SUV for coastal runs, a hatch for wine country, or something comfortable for big days on the road – and keep it for as long as you need.

Use this guide to map out your next Western Australia summer road trip, then sort the wheels to match.

All of these trips start from Perth, where you can pick up your Karmo and hit the road.

WA summers are hot, especially inland and in the middle of the day. Plan early starts and evening exploring, keep an eye on fire warnings and beach conditions, and always carry plenty of water.

1. Busselton, Dunsborough & Yallingup: Bays, headlands and calm water

Drive time from Perth: 2.5-3 hours to Busselton or Dunsborough

Ideal trip length: 3-4 days

Best for: Families, beach lovers, photographers, low-stress summer breaks

If you want a classic “beach holiday with options”, head for Geographe Bay and the Cape Naturaliste area. Towns like Busselton, Dunsborough and Yallingup offer calm, kid-friendly bays on one side and more rugged surf beaches on the other.

You can spend your days rotating between jetty walks, bay swims, coastal lookouts and lazy dinners by the water – all within a compact area.

Trip highlights:

• Swimming and paddling in the sheltered waters of Busselton Foreshore, Dunsborough and Meelup Beach
• Strolling the Busselton Jetty and visiting the underwater observatory
• Short walks and lookouts around Cape Naturaliste
• Late-afternoon swims at Eagle Bay or Castle Rock, when the light gets golden

Best time to go: Summer is prime time here – warm water, long evenings and plenty of beach days. Expect it to be busy in school holidays, so book accommodation and tours ahead.

Car tip: A small SUV or hatch is ideal and is easy to handle on the freeway and simple to park at busy foreshore areas, with enough boot space for beach gear and an esky.

2. Ferguson Valley & Wellington National Park: Forests, rivers and art

Drive time from Perth: 2–2.5 hours to Ferguson Valley or Collie

Ideal trip length: 2-3 days

Best for: Couples, groups of friends, people wanting a cool-change without coastal crowds

Head south-east from Perth and you trade beach traffic for forests, rivers, art trails and country pubs in the Ferguson Valley and Wellington National Park region. Around Dardanup, Ferguson, Wellington Dam and Collie, you’ll find swimming spots, walking trails and rolling farmland.

It’s a great option when you want a summer escape that isn’t just about beaches.

Trip highlights:

• Forest drives and riverside stops in Wellington National Park
• Swimming or kayaking at popular spots like Honeymoon Pool (check conditions and capacity)
• The massive Wellington Dam mural and nearby art trails
• Breweries, wineries and farm-style venues in the Ferguson Valley

Best time to go: Summer is warm but shaded forest areas and river swimming holes help take the edge off the heat. Aim for mornings and late afternoons for walks; use the middle of the day for long lunches and slower exploring.
Car tip: A small or mid-size SUV is ideal, it is comfortable for the drive down, with enough clearance for some of the smaller sealed and gravel access roads (within their limits).

3. Margaret River & Caves Road: Forests, surf and wine

Drive time from Perth: ~3 hours to Margaret River

Ideal trip length: 3-5 days

Best for: Couples, food and wine lovers, surfers, relaxed groups

The Margaret River region is the classic South West summer escape. Drive south from Perth and you’ll swap suburbs for vineyards, tall forests and a coastline full of surf breaks and sheltered bays. Caves Road runs roughly parallel to the coast between Busselton and Augusta, linking wineries, farm gates, forests and side roads to the ocean.

It’s a slower kind of road trip; long lunches, short drives, afternoon swims and cool evenings under the trees.

Trip highlights:

• Long, shaded sections of Caves Road lined with Jarrah, Karri and Marri trees
• Wine tasting at cellar doors dotted between Margaret River, Wilyabrup and Yallingup
• Side trips to surf beaches and swimming spots like Gnarabup, Redgate, Smiths Beach and Prevelly
• Visits some of the caves (over 150 known) along the coast for a break from the summer heat and some impressive natural architecture.
• Visit the lighthouses and lookouts along the Leeuwin–Naturaliste ridge

Best time to go: Summer (December-March) is ideal for beach time and long days, though it can be hot. Plan walks and outdoor activities in the morning or late afternoon, and use the middle of the day for winery visits and long lunches.

Car tip: Distances are modest but you’ll be hopping between towns, wineries and beaches. A small car or EV is perfect, it’s easy to park at busy cellar doors and coastal car parks, but still comfortable for the drive down from Perth.

4. Cervantes, Lancelin & Jurien Bay: Pinnacles, dunes and Indian Ocean coast

Drive time from Perth: ~2 hours to Lancelin; ~2.5 hours to Cervantes; ~3 hours to Jurien Bay

Ideal trip length: 2-4 days

Best for: First-time road-trippers, families, photographers, anyone wanting a Coral Coast taster

Head north along the Indian Ocean Drive and you’ll hit a run of coastal towns and unique landscapes without having to commit to Exmouth-level distances. Lancelin, Cervantes and Jurien Bay give you dunes, beaches, fishing spots and the famous Pinnacles Desert in Nambung National Park.

It’s a great short break or first “proper” WA road trip – close enough to be manageable, far enough to feel like you’ve left the city behind.

Trip highlights:

• Sandboarding or 4WD tours on the Lancelin sand dunes
• Sunset or sunrise at the Pinnacles Desert, with thousands of limestone pillars in the sand
• Swimming, snorkelling and beach time around Cervantes and Jurien Bay
• Easy coastal drives with plenty of places to pull over and enjoy the view

Best time to go: Summer brings hot days and clear skies, with sea breezes along the coast. Plan Pinnacles visits in the early morning or evening to avoid the harshest heat and get better light for photos.
Car tip: Any comfortable hatch or SUV will do the job here. Prioritise good air-con and enough space for boards, eskies and beach gear.

5. Albany & Denmark: Southern Ocean, cliffs and cool evenings

Drive time from Perth: 4.5–5 hours to Albany

Ideal trip length: 4-7 days

Best for: Families, couples, road-trip lovers, anyone wanting a longer escape without going ‘full outback’

For a slightly longer summer break that still feels reasonable from Perth, head to Albany and Denmark on the south coast. Here, the Southern Ocean delivers dramatic cliffs, turquoise bays and cooler evenings than Perth, plus historic sites and forests.

Base yourself in or around Albany and Denmark and spend your days jumping between national parks, beaches and small-town cafés.

Trip highlights:

• Coastal scenery in Torndirrup National Park, including The Gap, Natural Bridge and nearby lookouts
• Sheltered swimming at spots like Frenchman Bay, Greens Pool and Elephant Rocks near Denmark
• Historic sites and museums in Albany, including its ANZAC history
• Forest drives and walking trails through nearby national parks

Best time to go: Summer brings warmer days but generally cooler conditions than Perth, especially with the Southern Ocean breeze. It’s a great time for beach-hopping, coastal walks and long evenings outside.

Car tip: This is your ‘longer but still sensible’ summer road trip from Perth. A touring-friendly SUV or comfortable hatch with good seats and cruise control will make the 4.5–5 hour drive far more enjoyable.

Choosing the right car for your Western Australia road trip

A beautiful route is only half of a memorable road trip. The other half is driving a car that actually fits your people, your plans and the summer conditions.

With Karmo, you can:

• Pick a vehicle that matches your route such as SUV for coastal and forest runs, hatch or EV for shorter drives and wine regions
• Keep it for exactly as long as you need either a long weekend, a few weeks over summer, or longer
• Avoid the long-term commitment and upfront cost of buying or traditional leasing
• Swap into a different style of vehicle later if your plans (or life) change

Whether you’re cruising under tall trees on Caves Road, swimming in sheltered bays around Busselton, walking among limestone pinnacles near Cervantes, cooling off in forest rivers near Collie, or chasing sea breezes in Albany, there’s a WA summer road trip for every traveller and a Karmo that fits it.
Book the time off, choose your route, and then browse cars available in Perth to find a subscription that makes the journey just as memorable as the destination.