In a country as vast and beautiful as Australia, there is no finer way of exploring than by driving through this epic country. Western Australia is the perfect place to drive, with its wide open spaces and stunning natural scenery. Before you leave, make sure you’ve done your home work. Research cheap hire car options and plan your drives well as with such vast distances between places, your drives will be long and so you’ll need to make sure you factor in time to rest and also places to fuel up!

The capital and largest city in Western Australia is Perth, situated right on the coast looking out over the Indian Ocean. With a view like that, it’s no wonder it’s been voted as one of the best cities in the world to live in. Perth has a fantastic climate, with the mercury rarely dropping beneath 60°C during the day. For a fantastic view of the city, take a trip to Kings Park which is especially stunning at sunset. The park also has much to see, including a botanic garden so it’s well worth a visit. You should also take the time to head to the Swan Bell Tower, a modern tower where eighteen bells ring out and Perth’s newest tourist attraction. To begin venturing out of the city, take a ferry ride out to Rottnest Island, where you can snorkel and dive in the beautifully clear waters.

Heading south from Perth, make your way along the coast to Rockingham. An hour’s drive from Perth, Rockingham is a coastal paradise and there is much to do here including surfing and snorkelling. Take a trip out on a boat to go dolphin spotting or a trip out to Penguin Island to see the adorable penguin colony that live here. Also south of Perth is Margaret River, a place which is famous for two things: wine and surfing! Make sure you book onto a wine tour and sample Australia’s finest and also take to the sea to hit the waves, though probably not on the same day!

If you head north along the coast of the Indian Ocean from Perth, there are also some gems to discover. A five hour drive north takes you to Geraldton, where you can surf, windsurf and even dive on several different wreck sites off the coast as well as lay back and relax on many of the gorgeous beaches here. On your way from Perth to Geraldton make sure you stop off at Badgingarra National Park which is about halfway between the two. The park gives you a chance to have a taste of the natural wonder of the country with a vast array of iconic Australian animals calling it their home. Further up the coast is Nambung Park which is home to the simply incredible Pinnacles, limestone structures that rise from the sand dunes and loom large over the desert below. They’re an absolute sight to behold, making you feel as though you’ve stepped back to the land before time.

Natalie Likness’ love of travel was introduced to her from an early age due to a trip abroad before she was even born! Having close family and making friends across the world, she has continued to travel ever since.