In an era where wanderlust knows no bounds, more women are seizing the opportunity to embark on solo adventures, forging paths of independence and self-discovery. However, safety concerns often loom as a barrier to fully enjoying the freedom of solo travel as a female. We caught up with Blaze Lopes, one of Camplify’s favourite
Get ready ladies, your adventure awaits.
Stop 1. Perth
Perth is a great place to set off on your north WA road trip as there is an extensive range of vans available to pick up for your adventure including the Creating Memories 4 van and the Off Grid W/ Wifi 3 van (which is a steal for only $89 a day). We recommend spending a couple of days in Perth to experience its beauty.
Off Grid W/Wifi 3 Van – $89 a day. Book here.
Begin with a trip to Kings Park and Botanic Garden, where you can wander around over 400 hectares of native bushland and manicured lawns. A trip to Perth would not be complete without a dip in the ocean at the iconic Cottesloe Beach, whilst munching on some local fish and chips from Longview Cottesloe.
Jump on a scenic cruise along the Swan River, where you can hop on and off, being sure to pay a visit to the local wineries and breweries in Swan Valley to sample the local wines and beers – only a mere 25 minutes away from the city.
To sharpen up your WA history, we recommend heading to the Perth Mint and learning all about the gold mining in Australia. You can also head to the Fremantle Prison and check out the fascinating exhibits there.
Another must-do within Perth is a day trip to Rottnest Island. Jump on the 90-minute ferry from Barrack Street to arrive at Rottnest Island where you can rent bikes to explore the 63 stunning beaches across the island, snorkel all of the bays and see the 135 species of tropical fish. Rottnest is also home to more than 10,000 local quokkas.
Snorkling at Rottnest Island. Image credit: Rottnest Express
Stop 2. Nambung National Park
After Perth, it’s time to really take off on your WA road trip. There’s no better place to kick off your journey than at Nambung National Park. View the thousands of pillars that rise from the yellow sand to form one of Australia’s most bewildering landscapes!
You can explore the Pinnacles Desert on foot or by car. It’s definitely worthwhile heading on foot to see the pinnacles up close. There’s a great lookout at the top as well that gives you the perfect view.
Pinnacles Desert. Image credit: Tourism WA
That’s not all Nambung National Park has to offer. There are two beautiful beaches at Kangaroo Point and Hangover Bay, along with plenty of trails for you to test out on foot. While you can’t camp out in the actual National Park, there are plenty of options nearby in Cervantes for you to rest your head after a big day of exploration.
Stop 3. Geraldton
Travelling from Perth to Geraldton (via Nambung National Park) is actually known as the Indian Ocean Drive. There’s a good reason for this too, as you drive, you will be able to enjoy hundreds of kilometres of ocean stretching along the way.
Once you reach Geraldton, you’ll be treated to culture, history, and plenty of tourist attractions – all in one spot. Your first stop should be to check out the HMAS Sydney II Memorial, which is the country’s premier site for honouring the 645 sailors who were lost off the Western Australian coast in World War II. Follow up with a trip to the Western Australian Museum, which celebrates the region’s local history.
For a little downtime, head to the Geraldton Foreshore, and venture onto The Esplanade, which offers spectacular 360 views.
Geraldton Foreshore. Image credit: City of Greater Geraldton
There are also plenty of walking trails, lookouts and water activities to explore, so take the time to really experience everything on offer. You could even try to fit in a trip to the Houtman Abrolhos Islands, where you can enjoy crystal clear waters and encounter plenty of sea life!
Image credit: Colby Bignell
Stop 4. Kalbarri National Park
The trip to Kalbarri National Park is only about one hour from Geraldton. Entrance to the park will set you back $15 per vehicle, but there’s plenty to keep you busy for a full day. Get there nice and early to make the most of your time.
Make sure to head to the main attraction in the park: Nature’s Window. This is a natural rock arch that has been wind-eroded to create an opening that offers the perfect window out across the river. It’s a 1km return walk and is well worth the photo. Just be prepared to line up for it.
Natures Window. Image credit: Explore Parks WA
If you’re up for more of a challenge, head out to the 8km Loop Walk, which will really test your inner explorer. You’ll find yourself wading through water, climbing rocks and balancing on unsteady ground.
Looking for something a little easier? There are plenty of tamer walks to tackle within the park, and some stunning lookouts to make your way to. Hike your way to Z Bend Lookout or visit Hawks Head, Ross Graham, Red Bluff and Pot Alley.
Stop 5. Monkey Mia
Monkey Mia is a must-stop destination. Put aside a day just to get your campervan here and then settle in for an early evening so you can wake early and catch the first dolphin feeding at Monkey Mia Dolphin Resort the next day.
Dolphins at Monkey Mia. Image credit: Shark Bay
You can also take off on an Aboriginal cultural tour, where you can learn about bush tucker, medicine and how they have survived off the land for thousands of years.
Shark Bay is Australia’s largest bay, so it’s well worth taking a drive to soak up all its beauty. There are plenty of lookout points for you to enjoy. At night, settle back and relax under the thousands of stars visible from the beach.
Shark Bay. Image credit: RAC
Stop 6. Coral Bay
Next stop, Coral Bay! It’s time to get into those swimmers and enjoy some of the water activities in the area. The Coral Coast is home to swarms of manta rays that you can view from up close on a tour of the reef. You might also come across dolphins, turtles, stingrays, tiger sharks and more.
Coral Bay. Image credit: Salt and Charcoal
Rent some snorkel gear from town and take off to Turquoise Bay where you can drift snorkel and spot plenty of sea life as you go. If you prefer to stay dry, then there’s always the option to jump on a glass-bottom boat tour and see the reef from above!
Bill’s Bay is the main stretch, with gorgeous white sand to sink your toes into and crystal-clear water to enjoy a dip. It’s the perfect spot to kick back and enjoy some downtime and you can even stay for a stunning sunset at the end of the day.
Stop 7. Exmouth
Exmouth is a small beachside town and a great place to end your north WA road trip before heading back to Perth. It acts as a gateway to Ningaloo Marine Park while also offering plenty of water adventures!
Ningaloo Marine Park. Image credit: Explore Parks WA
One of the must-dos is to swim with the whale sharks at Ningaloo Marine Park where you can enjoy a full-day tour on a Catamaran and learn about the incredible sea life. Back on land, head off hiking at Cape Range National Park or settle back and watch the sunrise at Charles Knife Canyon (it’s worth the drive to get there).
Swimming with the whale sharks. Image credit: Aussie Marine Adventures
If you’re looking to get back to Perth, it’s a good 12-hour drive, which is best to be broken up over a couple of days. Carnarvon and Geraldton make great stops along the way where you can rest your eyes and recharge for the next leg of your journey. Take it as a second opportunity to explore the many wonders of this amazing landscape!
So, what are you waiting for? This road trip has the female tick of approval so rent your Camplify van and embark on your solo adventure around north WA.
To read more of our travel itineraries head here.
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