12-day road trip through Western Australia's Southwest Edge

This itinerary can be done comfortably in a standard 2WD vehicle.

The main roads connecting key destinations such as Perth, Margaret River and Albany are fully sealed, well-maintained and easy to drive. You’ll also find that fuel stops, towns and rest areas are regularly spaced along these routes, making it a straightforward and accessible drive for international visitors.

You'll want to hire a suitable 4WD vehicle if you plan to access:

• Remote national parks: While main roads through Australia's national parks are typically sealed and suitable for 2WD vehicles, some parks have options 4WD tracks. 
• Off-road coastal tracks: South-west Australia has dozens of white-sand beaches, some of which are suitable for beach driving. With a suitable vehicle, you can drive right onto the beach at Lucky Bay and Boranup Beach.

Mobile phone coverage on this south-west Australia road trip is generally good, but varies by location.

• In towns: Mobile reception is generally good in towns, cities and along major highways. In larger centres such as Perth and other regional hubs, you’ll usually have strong and reliable service for calls, maps and travel planning.
• Remote coastal areas: Reception may drop out entirely along certain stretches.
• National parks: Reception can be patchy in national parks, so it's best to download offline maps before you travel and keep key information saved in advance, rather than relying solely on mobile data. A physical map can also be a useful backup in more remote areas.

You can do this spectacular trip at any time of the year, but spring (September to November) and autumn (March to May) are particularly beautiful. Here's why:

• Pleasant weather: These shoulder seasons offer mild, pleasant temperatures of 10ºC / 50ºF and 23ºC / 73ºF, making it ideal for coastal walks, forest hikes and sightseeing around Western Australia. 
• Wildflower bloom: In spring (September to November), wildflowers bloom across the region, creating carpets of colour especially around Bunbury and Leeuwin-Naturalise National Park.
• Whale watching: Whales migrate along Western Australia's coast from May to December. Whale watching tours are available throughout the region, especially around Albany and Busselton.

Summer (December to February) can be very warm, particularly inland, which can make long driving days less comfortable. Winter tends to be cooler and may bring rain or occasional storms along the coast, though it can still be a beautiful time for fewer crowds and dramatic scenery.