Perth to Broome drive

Australia's North West describes two major sealed roads from Perth to the Pilbara: the North West Coastal Highway and the inland Great Northern Highway. The Great Northern Highway continues north to Broome, the southern gateway to the Kimberley. Karijini National Park is around 1,400 km north of Perth by the inland route, roughly 15 hours of driving through Mt Magnet, Meekatharra and Newman.

From Karijini, RAC's figures are 335 km (at least four hours) to Port Hedland and 610 km (6 hr 30 min) from Port Hedland to Broome. The coastal route instead adds Kalbarri, Shark Bay and Ningaloo.

You do not need a 4WD for the sealed highways on either route. It matters if you add the Gibb River Road, a 660 km gravel 4WD trail between Derby and Kununurra: Hertz's terms, for example, allow vehicles on it only if they are 4WD, and prohibit the Kalumburu track (including Mitchell Plateau) and the Canning Stock Route altogether.

Hertz also lists driving on unsealed roads as a prohibited use, except roads under repair and access roads to recognised camping or accommodation grounds, and says a prohibited use makes its protection services void. Broome's visitor centre recommends high clearance 4WDs on all unsealed roads. Other companies' lists differ, so read the prohibited roads in your own agreement before booking a 4WD.

Long gaps between services are the practical limit on this drive. RAC advises having capacity to carry additional fuel and water, and Australia's North West suggests checking fuel stops and availability with visitor centres or the FuelWatch app. The 840 km Karratha to Broome haul is where this matters most, which is why RAC breaks it at Eighty Mile Beach.

Beyond Broome, you should be self-sufficient in food, water, supplies, spares, emergency aids and fuel. Drive with caution between dusk and dawn, when straying animals are a hazard.