Outback Road Trips

Embark on the road trip of a lifetime through the rugged and enchanting landscapes of North Western Australia. From the striking red earth of the Pilbara region to the untouched beauty of the Kimberley, this part of Australia offers a road tripper's paradise. Imagine traversing the iconic Gibb River Road with its pristine waterfalls, or exploring the remote but accessible gorges of Karijini National Park.

Covering a million square kilometres, Australia’s North West offers unrivalled road trip experiences for both seasoned road warriors and first time adventurers. Start your engine and let the road lead you to places that will ignite your sense of wonder and leave you yearning for more.

Start planning your adventure, from choosing your dream itinerary, information on car hire, iconic attractions, key road trip destinations and more!

Jump ahead:

Drive the Dream in North West

Self-driving holidays in the Pilbara, Kimberley and Broome regions offer epic adventures for all.

FIND YOUR DREAM ROAD TRIP

 

Itineraries

TOP ROAD TRIP ITINERARIES

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    Start-End:
    Derby-Kununurra
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    Duration:
    7-14 days
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    Distance:
    660km
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    Start-End:
    Exmouth-Eighty Mile Beach
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    Duration:
    12+ days
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    Distance:
    3,000km
Limestone cliffs and landscape at Mimbi Caves near Fitzroy Crossing, the Kimberley Australia's North West and CJ Maddock
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    Start-End:
    Kununurra-Broome
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    Duration:
    8 days
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    Distance:
    1,095km

CAR & EQUIPMENT HIRE

Need to hire a car or campervan to explore Broome, the Kimberley and the Pilbara? 

RedSands Campers

RedSands Campers provides Australia’s highest quality 4WD campers and touring 4WD's for hire, for the ultimate self-drive adventure. With depots in Perth, Broome, Darwin and Adelaide, RedSands’ provides…

4xploring Rentals

Western Australia's premium off road rental experience! Looking for a thrilling adventure off the beaten track? Look no further than 4xploring! We offer off road rental vehicles for hire that will take…

Kimberley Adventure Hire

Hiring a reliable range of 4WD vehicles, camper trailers and camping equipment from our base in Kunuurra, we make planning your Kimberley adventure a dream! 4WD Cars View our range of capable Toyota and…

Thrifty Car and Truck Rental - Kununurra

Thrifty Kununurra is part of a franchise that covers the Kimberley region of Western Australia and all of the Northern Territory; it is owned and operated by people who live in this region. The…

Adventure Rentals

Adventure Rentals 4WD Cars and 4WD Campers are perfect for adventurous couples, families or small groups of friends wanting to get off the beaten track. All you need to to is take the keys and get out…

Broome Broome Car Rentals

Broome Broome Car Rentals has been supplying quality vehicle rental to the Kimberley for over 20 years. With a large fleet of modern, air-conditioned and reliable vehicles, Broome Broome can help you…

Sunrise Car Hire Broome Pty Ltd

Sunrise Car Hire are the Broome car hire specialists. Located in Cable Beach we can assist you with the right vehicle choice and show where to go, to get the most out of your Broome holiday. As a…

PLANNING YOUR CAR HIRE

When planning your car hire there are some important things to consider.

Depending on the itinerary you choose, you may need to hire a 4WD vehicle – for example the Gibb River Road, Mitchell Plateau and the access road to Purnululu National Park (the Bungles) are all 4WD only. Other itineraries can facilitate either 2WD or 4WD vehicles – for example the coastal and inland routes of the Warlu Way are along sealed roads, while the Geoheritage and Manuwarra Red Dog Highway routes involve some travel along unsealed roads, and exploring remote locations.

What’s your preferred type of accommodation for the trip? Campervans and roof-top campers offer incredible flexibility for your journey, and there are plenty of campsites across the region. If you’d prefer to stay in hotels, station stays, glamping and lodges, you can opt for a hire car, and may also be able to take advantage of packaged itineraries (see below).

Round trip car hire (that is, returning the car to your point of origin) is often the most cost-effective way to hire a vehicle, as one-way car hire can attract an extra charge. That said, RedSands Camper for example include no extra fee for one-way hire.

Finally, check how many kilometres per day are included in your daily hire fee – some hire companies will offer unlimited kilometres, whereas with others you may need to purchase extra kilometres.

DEALS AND PACKAGES

Opting for a packaged accommodation and car hire deal could make smooth work of planning your North West Road Trip. See itinerary options from trusted travel agents below, and contact them for more details!

Accommodation and Camping 

A range of accommodation options in the Kimberley, Broome and the Pilbara are available to suit all from wilderness lodges, luxury safari tents and hotels to motels, caravan parks and national park camping areas. During the peak season (June to September) it is best to book well ahead to avoid disappointment. 

Places To Stay

From blissful beach resorts to outback homesteads, holiday accommodation in West Australia’s Kimberley and Pilbara regions caters for every kind of holiday you care to mention.

Accommodation By Type

Accommodation options in the North West are up there with some of best accommodation Australia has to offer, particularly if you’re looking for adventure. Think rustic outback homesteads. Think…

OFF THE BEATEN TRACK ADVENTURES

Off the Beaten Track Road Trips

Aerial view of Parry Lagoons Nature Reserve

Parry Creek Road

An alternative 4WD route from Wyndham to Kununurra, with access to the Parry Lagoons Nature Reserve, Mambi Boat Ramp and spectacular scenery.

Mitchell Falls in the Kimberley region of Western Australia

Mitchell Plateau

Heading north from the Gibb River Road, the Kalumburu Road provides access to Punamii-Uunpuu (the Mitchell Falls) and the coast north of Kalumburu Community.

An iron ore train along the rail access road near Newman

Pilbara Rail Access Roads

Running alongside the tracks of the world’s largest private rail network, get a permit to travel along some of the over 1400km of tracks connecting mines at Tom Price and Pannawonica with the ports at Dampier and Port Lambert.

Shire of Halls Creek Duncan Road - Halls Creek

Duncan Road

This 429 kilometre unsealed track leads you through some of the most scenic landscapes in the Kimberley, connecting the Great Northern Highway at Halls Creek with the Victoria Highway to the east of Lake Argyle just over the NT/WA border.

Shire of Halls Creek Tanami Road signs

Tanami Road

Crossing the Tanami desert is one of the most memorable ways to reach the Red Centre.
The two day route from Halls Creek to Alice Springs via the Tanami Road 4WD track crosses the vast expanse of the Tanami Desert.

Canning Stock Route

Canning Stock Route

For experienced Australian adventurers only, the Canning Stock Route stretches over 1,700 kilometres through the vast open spaces of the Gibson, Great Sandy and Tanami deserts between Halls Creek in the north and Wiluna in the south

Off the Beaten Track Road Trips

An APT Kimberley tour vehicle in Purnululu National Park shown with the striped domes of the Bungle Bungle Ranges in the background
4WD tour vehicle in Purnululu National Park, the Kimberley.

Road Trip Option: Guided 4WD Tours

Take a drive adventure with an expert guide! A range of group and private tours are available, leading you off the beaten track with an experienced local guide and allowing you to discover places you might have just driven by. A private charter or tag-along tour can also allow you the comfort of your own vehicle.  

KIMBERLEY AND PILBARA ROAD TRIP MAP

While a detailed road map will be indispenable on your travels, this regional map will get you started with planning your adventure - download it to your own device at the link below. 

Please note we don't recommend relying only on Google Maps during your travels as particularly in remote areas it may sometimes be inaccurate. 

Holiday Planner Map

Click here for full map

TRAVEL APPS

There are also some apps that you may find useful to download, including options for offline use. 

 

Pilbara East Travel App

Experience the ‘Heart of the Pilbara’. Explore its hidden beauty. Discover the true essence of what…

Explore Broome App

The Explore Broome app features interactive self-guided walking trails for the Town Beach and…

Travel Tips and Information

Road Safety

It’s essential to carefully plan your trip before hitting the road. Make sure you inform…

Maps

Whether you’re at the start of your trip planning or about to start your adventure a…

Wildlife & Animals

Imagine seeing a humpback whale breach, turtles nest, snubfin dolphins and incredible bird species…

Tours & Sightseeing

Guided tours are an exciting way to explore the vast breathtaking wilderness, unique culture and…

Cruises

There's a wide range of cruises and on-the-water experiences to discover in Broome, the…

Eat & Drink

Broome has a food and drink scene as diverse as its multicultural past - Chinese, Japanese, Indian…