Western Australia is huge: the Coral Coast Highway alone runs about 1,250 km between Perth and Exmouth, so choose your region first and then your pickup. Most trips start at Perth Airport for the south west and south coast, or fly into Broome or Learmonth (Exmouth) for the north. Timing matters: Broome's dry season runs May to October, and the Gibb River Road is generally open only in the dry season.
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The search starts at Perth Airport [PER]; change the pick-up to any airport or city. Prices are in Australian dollars.
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You must carry your overseas licence. For WA driving with a non-English licence, also carry an international driving permit or an English translation. Have the translation certified by your consulate or mission. Confirm your rental company's requirement.
The Gibb River Road is about 660 km between Derby and Kununurra and is mainly gravel. A four-wheel drive is required, and whether a hire car may use unsealed roads varies by company and should be in your rental agreement.
The main road from Broome to Cygnet Bay and Ardyaloon on the Dampier Peninsula is fully sealed and runs about 220 km. Some access roads on the peninsula are unsealed.
Slow down for animals from dusk to dawn. Unsealed roads, road trains, bushfires and flooding are other regional hazards.
Rottnest Island is predominantly car-free, so leave the hire car on the mainland.
Broome: dry May to October
The Broome dry season usually runs from May to October, and the wet from November to April, when January to March can bring monsoonal weather, flooding and cyclones.
Gibb River Road: generally open May to October
The road is generally accessible in the Kimberley dry season, typically May to October, but opening and closing dates change each year with the weather and road conditions.
Karijini: hot summers
Summer temperatures in Karijini National Park frequently top 40C.
Exmouth: hot summers
Coral Bay and Exmouth average about 37C from December to February, and the recommended Ningaloo Reef season runs from March to October.
South west: dry summers, wet winters
Most of the Margaret River Region's rain falls in winter, June to August. Summer has little rainfall, with an average maximum just under 30C.
Where the answer depends on your rental agreement, we say so rather than guess.
Most south west and south coast trips start at Perth Airport, which is a 20 to 30 minute drive from the CBD. For the Kimberley, pick up at Broome; for Ningaloo and Cape Range, at Learmonth Airport near Exmouth.
From Perth, Margaret River is about three hours by road, Albany a little over four and a half hours and Esperance about eight hours.
Most people fly. Twice daily direct flights run from Perth to Broome year round, and you can collect a hire car at the airport.
No. It is generally accessible in the dry season, typically May to October, with opening and closing dates changing each year, and a 4WD is required.
It varies by company. Check the rental agreement before you plan any gravel route.
Yes. Keep your overseas licence with you in WA. For a licence not in English, carry an international driving permit or a consulate- or mission-certified English translation.