ROAD TRIP: Western Australia's Golden Outback, Coast & Wine Country

Perth is Australia's sunniest capital, where white sandy beaches and raw natural beauty meets the city streets which are filled with curated street art, small bars, and innovative restaurants. Take a stroll along Kings Park and Botanic Garden, one of the biggest city parks in the world, with views of the Swan and Canning rivers, and the spire-like skyscrapers perched on their riverbanks.

Lying just 19km off the coast is the idyllic sunshine-drenched Rottnest Island, where you can spend a day exploring. Filled with pristine beaches, popular walking tracks, and unique wildlife such as the Quokkas, this is the ultimate holiday destination. The island is a car-free zone, so leave the car behind as you board the ferry across to Rottnest Island from either Perth or Fremantle.

Stay 2 nights in Perth

Make an early start as you make your way to Kalgoorlie, with the driving taking around six and half hours non-stop. The stretch of highway is known as the Golden Pipeline Heritage Trail, which joins the original water pipeline from Mundaring Weir to Kalgoorlie in the Goldfields, with many historic points of interest, walking trails and interpretive panels along the way. As you get closer to Kalgoorlie, you will pass the town of Coolgardie, which is the start of the Golden Quest Discovery Trail, and the birthplace of the 1892 gold rush. A short drive further east is Kalgoorlie, Australia's largest outback town.

Spend the next morning exploring the town to admire the well-preserved and restored Victorian-style houses, making Kalgoorlie look like a living museum. Stop into the Goldfields Museum to learn about the gold rush and see Western Australia's largest collection of gold bars and nuggets on display. Join a tour to the world's largest open cut mines - the Super Pit, a colossal 3.5km long and 1.5km wide modern pit, producing 900,000 ounces of gold each year.

If time permits, take a drive north to explore more of the Golden Quest Discovery Trail, passing ghost towns of Broad Arrow, Ora Banda, Siberia and Goongarri, stopping for lunch at the historic gold mining town of Menzies. If you have a 4WD, you can continue north-west on the unsealed road to Lake Ballard to see the remarkable outdoor Antony Gormley sculptures.

Stay 2 nights in Kalgoorlie

Depart Kalgoorlie driving south on the Coolgardie-Esperance Highway, stopping half-way at Norseman, offering spectacular panoramic views from Beacon Hill, before arriving at Esperance.

Spend a whole day exploring the national parks around the area. 90km from Esperance is the pristine Cape Le Grand National Park with its white sandy beaches, granite rocks and freshwater ponds. You can explore the park via the 17km coastal trail or hike the 262-metre Frenchman Peak for breathtaking views of more than 100 beautiful islands of the Recherche Archipelago. Take a short drive to Lucky Bay where you will witness Australia's whitest beach with its turquoise water, perfect for swimming, and keep an eye out for the Kangaroos lazing around on the sand.

Stay 2 nights in Esperance

As you depart Esperance along the Great Ocean Drive, you will pass Twilight Beach and Pink Lake, where the waters glow pink in certain weather conditions. Stop at Bremer Bay and explore the pristine beaches and see the unique native flora and fauna around the area. Between September to November, you will see the beautiful wildflowers in full bloom.

As you arrive in Albany, you will find Western Australia's oldest settlement, founded in 1826. Learn about the whaling history at the Discovery Bay Museum and if you are travelling between June to October, you may spot a whale passing by. Pack a picnic and head down to one of the beautiful beaches in the area, there is Little Beach or Two Peoples Bay Nature Reserve, two favorites. Take a trip south to the Torndirrup National Park where you will find spectacular attractions such as Blowholes, and the Gap and Natural Bridge with spectacular views.

Stay 1 night in Albany

As you depart Albany, you will pass the town of Denmark. Take your taste buds on an adventure at The Denmark Chocolate Factory for handmade chocolates or stop for a burger and cider at The Denmark Good Food Factory, finishing off with sweet toffee treats. Pass through Walpole and visit the canopy at The Valley of the Giants Tree Top Walk, before arriving at Pemberton.

Pemberton is renowned for climbing gigantic karri trees in Gloucester and Warren National Park. Climb the famous Gloucester Tree standing at 61 meters, or the 75-metre-high Dave Evans Bicentennial Tree. The viewpoints were originally used as fire lookouts in the 1940s and today offers visitors magnificent views. Head to any of the local gourmet stores or cellar doors to pick up local fresh produce and cool-climate wines, and pack yourself a picnic and relax beside the Beedelup Falls or at the Big Brook Dam. The region offers so many activities from mountain biking, bush walking, swimming, canoeing, and fishing, with many cycle and walking trails to wander through.

Stay 2 nights in Pemberton

Enjoy a leisurely drive towards Margaret River, passing through the Blackwood State Forest, set in the heart of karri tree country.

Stop at many of the wineries, breweries and gourmet providore stores dotted throughout the region as you make your way through Margaret River. There are over 100 wineries producing top drops, such as cabernet sauvignon, chardonnay, and sauvignon blanc, and plenty of breweries and distilleries to quench your thirst. Surfers will enjoy the beaches along the rugged coastline, with breaks such as Cowaramup Bombora, and Surfers Point, offering excellent waves. Browse the high street in Margaret River town for arts and crafts, fashion, and tasty delights. Dine at wineries, breweries, cafes, and restaurants, or pack a picnic and head down to the river or ocean with local produce you have gathered along the way.

Stay 2 nights in Margaret River

Head north making your way to Bunbury. Stop at Yallingup, renowned for its stunning beaches, world-class wines, and ancient caves, or stop at one of the many funky cafes, serving delicious and fresh local produce. A short drive further north is Dunsborough, where you can head up to the cape for breathtaking views of white sand beaches or stop at a local brewery to sample hand-crafted beers and gourmet produce. At the very tip of the peninsula stands Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse and Leeuwin Naturaliste National Park, home to hundreds of dramatic limestone caves and the ancient Karri trees.

As you pass the town of Busselton, stop at the Busselton Jetty, to see the longest wooden-piled jetty in the Southern Hemisphere, stretching 2km out to sea. Take a ride in the electric Jetty Train or enjoy a stroll over the waters of Geographe Bay to the Underwater Observatory.

On arrival into Bunbury head to the Bunbury Dolphin Discovery Centre to learn about dolphins and local marine life, or head to the shoreline and spot a dolphin. Bunbury is also rich in history with its gold rush-era architecture and a great selection of museums.

Stay 1 night in Bunbury

Enjoy a leisurely drive back to Perth.