Our WA Road trip 2024 was a much needed escape into the quiet, raw and wild countryside of our beautiful state. We visited lots of beautiful places including Mt Augustus, Coral Bay, Exmouth, Bullara Station, Quobba Station & Murchinson House Station.
Here is a collection of the images that I took along the way. While there are so many moments when I just didn’t have my camera in hand it is always close by and part of what I enjoy to do while I am enjoying the freest of free time.
WA Road Trip 2024 Camping Spots
- Mount Augustus – on my personal list for a little while Mt Augustus was our first destination, the long road to the big rock via York, Mt Magnet, Cue & Meekatharra.
- Coral Bay & Exmouth – so good to be embraced by the blue waters of the coral coast after the harsh conditions of the outback.
- Bullara Station – we had to see what all the fuss was about. Beautiful spot and the BEST coffee stopover!!
- Quobba Station – A favourite campsite of ours. Rugged coastline, wild oceans, quiet vibes and the most meticously kept homestead!
- Murchinson House Station – 350,000 acres of farm management blows my mind, it’s incredible that they so graciously open up this beautiful space for campers.
THE GRANITES – Thanks to Wikicamps we were able to keep an eye out for this sweet granite formation just North of Mt Magnet.
COFFEE DATES ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD – Naked Bean Coffee, always fueling the driver on our road trips 😉
CUE, Western Australia – it was a quick stop over at Cue but there is actually so much to see, a tough history and stories of hard yakka and resilience that remind us of our cushy modern Albany life.
MEEKATHARRA – we can’t help but notice that the town is surrounded by huge open cut mines. Even though it’s only September it’s hot and dry. The 2016 census states that there was 708 people living here. So, to some, it is home but it definitely has the feel of a working town.
MURCHINSON RIVER – Fun fact, the Murchinson River is the 2nd longest river in WA at 820kms. It starts at the Robinson Ranges, 75kms North of Meekatharra and runs all the way through to Kalbarri. It was pretty dry as we came through this section but you can see how full it must get by the width of the banks, the roots of the trees and the debris that is still barricaded against the big trunks.
GASCOYNE RIVER – We pulled up next to the Gascoyne riverbank to camp the night. It was nourishingly quiet and the stars were magnificent. This was by far the best night sleep we had had on our WA road trip so far. Then it was the last little stint to Mt Augustus.
Did you think I’d leave you hanging? The Gascoyne is the longest river in WA at 865kms long.
Mt Augustus National Park
Argh the first destination – 1470kms down!
The Mt Augustus Tourist Park is like an Oasis in the Desert. Green, clean and shady. The people living here are kind and friendly, welcoming us into their quiet part of the state. We also had a wonderful view of the main show from our bed.
After some local advice we headed to Yalaweerie Hill (5kms behind the tourist park) to watch the sun set over the magnificent rock. We took in the size, strength and power of the rock as we thought on the challenge of our climb the next day.
MT AUGUSTUS SUMMIT WALK
We rose early before sunrise to beat the heat of the sun and the rock combined. We were off up the rock by 6am. It was quiet and cool and the shade softened the rich colours of the beautiful environment.
We climbed the first 2000m, the steepest length and we were in the warm sun by 7am. The middle part of the walk is relatively flat, walking along the top of this very long rock formation, the landscape changes and there seems to be more ecosystems up there than there is on the ground.
Hitting the final peaks, the sun brought out the richness of the red rock and the natural organised layers of the summit seem engineered by nature. It felt good to reach to the top.
Heading down was a slightly different story, we said goodbye to the breeze and the heat started to crank up. Although we were back to the car by 10.30am it was already 34 degrees and it is said that the rock adds an extra 15 degrees to that total. It is very remote up there and out here, you definitely have the sense that you are 100% responsible for yourself. No risks needed. I couldn’t help but think of the 4 walkers that lost their lives up there in recent years. That is the harshness of this wild environment.
Coral Bay – hitting the coral coast
Long story short… we did lose 2 caravan tyres on the way into Mt Augustus, we found a makeshift spare to take with us but alas, 30kms up the road we were back to no spares.
We had to, we turned back around to Mt Augustus and my husband did the big day trip to Carnarvon and back the next day for extra rims and spare tyres. JP ❤️. We also met two wonderful humans, also diesel mechanics, on the roadside. So many thanks for their help and friendship.
So it is fair to say at this stage that we were ready to hit the cool waters of the coast.
After cleaning out red dust from, well everything, we enjoyed the cooler weather, a quad bike tour (best!!) and some snorkeling. Not many photos here but Coral Bay is changing rapidly. The old resort is gone with big plans for a new modern setup, the old cabins are gone with fancy two story apartments in their place. It will be interesting to see how this shapes change in this little unique place.
Shothole Canyon, Exmouth
Ruby’s fear of snorkeling completely disappeared this trip in Coral Bay after she swam with a turtle so we made the last minute decision to head to Exmouth for some first rate snorkel opportunities.
We headed out to Shothole Canyon which turned out to be a big bumpy ride through the floor of the canyon. It was so quiet and eiry in that valley. It is difficult to explain the peace that we felt in there.
We caught up with my old friend Leah at the Whalebone Brewery that night. And it rained!!
Also Leah may just have put up this “closed track” sign, we’ll see if she spots this photo of me grinning before I walk up it… in my thongs.
Turquoise Bay, Exmouth
First time here in this little unassuming spot. When you arrive, at sea level all you see if pretty blue and calm water, it really doesn’t look like much else.
As soon you get below the surface it’s a different world. Absolutely loved our early morning snorkel here. When we were leaving, around 10am the crowds were coming in fast. Might be a good idea to visit here outside of school holidays.
JP and I reminisced on the last time we were in Exmouth and accidentally swam with a 2m reef shark. At the time we froze in fear and we were interested to realise that this time around we would have been stoked to see one. It’s funny how quickly we humans adjust.
Bullara Station Stay
We didn’t stay here but we’ve heard so much about this place we had to drop in. We were surprised to see our friend, Pia working behind the counter. She is now a homemade pie kitchen whizz!
The building here is beautiful and such an ode to country living and farm life. BUT also the coffee is A1!
Open road to Quobba Station
What is it about the “Tropic of Capricorn” sign that makes you have to stop everytime? It just is, right?
Expensive fuel at Minyla (a given) and more evidence of the rocky roads of the outback with our smashed back window.
Quobba Station
I’m not sure that we will ever have a WA road trip that does not include this special place. It’s all the things that I mentioned before.
Clean, quiet and wild. It takes you back to yesteryear with the simple way that living is done.
Maybe it’s just the place but it seems to attract the same kind of considerate campers just looking for some quiet time.
Quobba Station – exploring the cliffs and Whistling Rock
I love rocks and wild ocean, is all.
And Ruby learning to drive.
Quobba Station, Red Bluff
Red Bluff is inside of Quobba Station and another great spot to camp.
I did my best here with photos but you really have to see and feel Red Bluff for yourself.
Last time we were here there were 50 surfers on that break and people packed in everywhere, camping in all which ways. This time is was very different, less people, calmer energy and still just as beautiful as before.
This spot is cash only too so we were prepared for Ruby’s mango smoothie, still one of the best she’s ever had. Unfortunately, I was not prepared with enough cash for that cool cream beanie on the hook.
Murchinson House Station
We planned to stay in Kalbarri but had friends who were camped up at the Murchinson House Station so we decided to forego our usual Kalbarri coastal explorations and camp up with them.
Murchinson House Station is a huge 350,000 acres of beautiful, clean, well cared for land. I am still amazed that they are willing to open the gates and share it with total strangers. I love that.
All of these photos were taken on the station. It’s just like the national park but without all of the concrete, railings, paths and signs. 😉
Thanks for the invite Bembens. ❤️
WA Road Trip 2024 – Our Lessons
- The WA outback is hot, wild and harsh. The people there are tough and hardy, as are the roads and you must have the right tyres to handle it.
- The quietest and wildest spots are our favourites.
- Too much driving was too much driving. That is me trying to fit too much in. Lesson learned.
- You really can have too many shells, however that is not the same for rocks 😉
- Oh, and don’t forget to keep driving as though everyone else is an idiot. We nearly got taken out by a big road train, the driver claimed the brakes failed, then also took off again. I later found out that the truck wasn’t registered.
- Roadtrips are still fun
- Life is teaching you every day regardless of where you are and what you are doing.
