ROAD TRIPS Through and Around Australia’S Golden Outback

21 Epic ROAD TRIPS Through and around Australia’s Golden Outback

@australiasgoldenoutback australiasgoldenoutback.com EXMOUTH LEARMONTH TIPS AND TRAVEL INFORMATION Driving around Australia’s Golden Outback may take you into remote areas where forward planning is important to ensure your experience MT. AUGUSTUS TOURIST PARK is safe and enjoyable.

• Always tell someone where you are going,

CARNARVON return dates & travel itinerary. GASCOYNE JUNCTION • Make sure your vehicle is in top condition. In event of a breakdown in remote locations, remain with your vehicle. Carry extra food, WILUNA water, fuel & spare tyres & pack a first-aid kit. MEEKATHARRA • Check road conditions before leaving as rain

MURCHISON can make tracks/roads impassable. If driving SETTLEMENT WOOLEEN STATION NALLAN STATION on corrugated/unsealed roads, exercise CUE LEINSTER caution & slow down. AGNEW SANDSTONE • Food/fuel are generally available every MT. MAGNET 100-300kms, but plan ahead as some petrol YALGOO 21. GREAT OCEAN ESPERANCE KIRKALOCKA LAVERTON stations/supermarkets/food outlets have NALBARRA STATION LEONORA MULLEWA STATION PINDAR GWALIA DRIVE restricted hours & limited bank/credit facilities. GERALDTON KOOKYNIE LPG Autogas is not available in all areas. PAYNES FIND MINGENEW MORAWA • 1-2 hours • Take care at all railway crossings as not all PERENJORI MENZIES TWILIGHT • Sealed roads COVE crossings have flashing lights.

• Road trains are common & often have up to ORA BANDA WUBIN BROAD ARROW Is this the best stretch of DALWALLINU BEACON 4 trailers. Always leave approx. 200m between KALGOORLIE- coastline in Australia? Renowned BOULDER vehicles in a convoy. Only overtake if the road CERVANTES BENCUBBIN KOORDA MUKINBUDIN COOLGARDIE for having some of the finest is clear for a long distance ahead. NEW TRAYNING SOUTHERN CROSS bays, steep cliffs and hidden 21 Epic NORCIA WYALKATCHEM beaches in Australia and the NUNGARIN • Slow-moving agricultural machinery may be DOWERIN WESTONIA ocean pools. If you’re feeling MERREDIN MECKERING TAMMIN clearest, crystalline waters; encountered, so take care when overtaking. KELLERBERRIN adventurous, you can also cycle NORTHAM 4WD ONLY CUNDERDIN Dust can obscure vision when travelling on YORK BRUCE ROCK Esperance packs a coastal NORSEMAN or walk to trail, following the coast PERTH dirt roads. Beware of wandering livestock/ QUAIRADING NAREMBEEN punch that’s hard to beat. This TRIPS CORRIGIN WAVE ROCK from the Esplanade all the way to ROAD wildlife, especially at dusk & dawn. KONDININ drive takes just an hour or two to PINGELLY Twilight Cove. The drive may only Through and around Australia’s Golden Outback KULIN complete and showcases some • Plan to travel for no longer than 8-10 hrs a NARROGIN LAKE KING take a couple of hours to complete, day & take a break every 2 hrs. LAKE NEWDEGATE of the best beaches in Australia. GRACE but we’d recommend stopping at WAGIN PINGRUP • Please dispose of your rubbish properly. BROOMEHILL RAVENSTHORPE MUNGLINUP ESPERANCE The Great Ocean Drive is circular whichever spot takes your fancy to • During the summer months obtain fire danger Drive times in this guide are suggestions only & are based on travelling KATANNING HOPETOUN loop that showcases a vast range of enjoy a spot of snorkelling, surfing, at 100kmph in 110kmph designated zones, but always ensure you drive to ONGERUP information. Only light fires when permitted in your capabilities and according to road, surface & weather conditions. Map coastal elements such as stunning swimming, walking or just taking in the designated areas. Check advice from the intended as a guide only, please purchase a detailed map if travelling by road. beaches, rocky headlands, small the amazing view! local visitor centre or Ranger/DPaW office.

ALBANY WELCOME TO ROAD TRIP COUNTRY

–––––––––––– 1. ROAD TO THE ROCK 5 GASCOYNE –––––––––––– 2. CANNING STOCK ROUTE 6 –––––––––––– 3. KINGSFORD SMITH MAIL RUN 7 MURCHISON –––––––––––– 4. WOOL WAGON PATHWAY 8 –––––––––––– 5. MINERS PATHWAY 9 –––––––––––– 6. GOLDEN QUEST DISCOVERY TRAIL 11 The –––––––––––– 7. THE OUTBACK WAY 12 GOLDFIELDS –––––––––––– 8. NORSEMAN HERITAGE TRAIL 13 –––––––––––– 9. GUNBARREL HIGHWAY 13 –––––––––––– 10. ANNE BEADELL 14 –––––––––––– 11. LEONORA LOOP TRAILS 15 –––––––––––– 12. PUBLIC SILO TRAIL 17 WHEATBELT –––––––––––– 13. GOLDEN PIPELINE HERITAGE TRAIL 18 –––––––––––– 14. GRANITE AND WOODLANDS DISCOVERY TRAIL 19 –––––––––––– 15. WHEATBELT WAY 20 –––––––––––– 16. WILDFLOWER WAY 21 –––––––––––– 17. PATHWAYS TO WAVE ROCK 22 –––––––––––– 18. THE HOLLAND WAY AND THE JOHN HOLLAND TRACK 23 –––––––––––– 19. ROAD TO ESPERANCE 25 ESPERANCE –––––––––––– 20. RAVENSTHORPE RANGES 26 and FITZGERALD –––––––––––– 21. GREAT OCEAN DRIVE 27 COAST GASCOYNE MURCHISON

Kennedy Range National Park, near Gascoyne Junction

4 1. ROAD TO THE ROCK MOUNT AUGUSTUS KENNEDY RANGE • 9 days NATIONAL PARK

• Sealed and unsealed roads GASCOYNE JUNCTION

This epic, 9-day road trip takes you MEEKATHARRA from Perth, north to the Gascoyne MURCHISON SETTLEMENT Murchison region of Western WOOLEEN STATION Australia. You’ll weave your way CUE through gorgeous country towns, MT. MAGNET historical sites, station stays, MULLEWA carpets of wildflowers (in spring) and the world’s biggest rock, MORAWA PAYNES FIND Mount Augustus. MINGENEW PERENJORI

WUBIN The Road to the Rock takes you DALWALLINU more than 1,000km north of Perth to see Mount Augustus, the world’s NEW NORCIA biggest rock – which amazingly, many Australians have never PERTH heard of. It is located within Mount Augustus National Park, a lush In Spring this area is awash with a outback paradise with swimming kaleidoscope of wildflowers and holes, ancient rock art and a buzzing carpets of everlastings. Mount outback village. You will venture Augustus is the star of this road trip, through historic towns like Paynes and it’s easy to see why. At 1700 Find, Mount Magnet, Cue and million years old, it is three times Meekatharra whilst seeing amazing older than Uluru and twice the size, natural attractions like the Aboriginal making it the largest rock in the world. rock art at Walga Rock. There are a number of walk trails Once you get to Mount Augustus around the base of Mount Augustus, National Park, you’ll be wowed by and a Summit Trail if you’re keen for a the colours of the landscape which climb and some epic views. This is an change from chalky white soils adventurous and rugged road trip for and fields of olive-coloured scrub those wanting to truly experience the to a dark, ruby red moonscape. beauty of the WA outback.

5 2. CANNING STOCK ROUTE

• 15 days The Canning Stock Route is an pioneer perspective – and you’ll feel this • 4WD Track internationally recognised ‘Iconic history with every kilometre you travel. Journey of Australia’. The remote This is a popular but very challenging HALLS CREEK trail runs from Halls Creek in four-wheel drive adventure trip which the Kimberley region of Western will take you through some of the most Australia to Wiluna in the Northern exciting and amazing scenery in WA. Goldfields. Stretching 1,850 km, it is You’ll cross four deserts en route - the the longest historic stock route in the Little Sandy, Gibson, Great Sandy and world and is perfect for experienced Tanami. As you cruise along, you’ll be Outback 4WDers and recommend treated to amazing outback scenery travel with another vehicle or in a including sand ridges that stretch to the convoy. Permits required. horizon, spinifex grasslands, narrow gorges, sheer cliffs, ancient Aboriginal The Canning Stock Route is rich in art sites, and engravings of explorers WILUNA history, from both an Aboriginal and and drovers.

6 MOUNT AUGUSTUS TOURIST PARK MOUNT AUGUSTUS NATIONAL PARK KENNEDY RANGE 3. KINGSFORD NATIONAL PARK GASCOYNE JUNCTION CARNARVON SMITH MAIL RUN • 3 Days • Unsealed roads

MEEKATHARRA

Hit the Kingsford Smith Mail Run in your 4WD and head north on an outback camping adventure, following the original overland mail run to the magnificent Mt Augustus. This trail takes you from Carnarvon on the Coral Coast, inland to the historic gold mining town of Meekatharra. This 3-day trail winds inland through beautiful pastoral land, to the iconic Mount Augustus, a massive monocline twice the size of Uluru. You’ll find amazing walk trails and an incredible array of wildflower in spring. There are also incredible rock formations, caves and Indigenous art scattered throughout the Mt Augustus area. There’s no shortage of swimming spots, places to fish and secluded picnic place. Adventure through the vast, timeless outback to finish your trip in historic Meekatharra. You can purchase the Gascoyne Murchison Outback Pathways Guidebook online or in local visitor centres to help plan your trip.

7 EXMOUTH 4. WOOL WAGON Prepare yourself for wide open spaces, historic homesteads and BULLARA STATION STAY PATHWAY plenty of wildlife. You can camp EMU CREEK STATION • 3 days along the way or get a taste for Unsealed roads life on the land by enjoying a • KENNEDY RANGE station stay. There are lots of NATIONAL PARK natural attractions to enjoy on this GASCOYNE JUNCTION The Wool Wagon Pathway adventure, including natural springs, epitomises the true Australian seashell fossils and gorgeous picnic outback. This self-drive trail spots. Take in the beauty of the takes you from Geraldton Kennedy Ranges, boasting springs, through the Gascoyne cliffs, canyons and wildlife. Finish MURCHISON SETTLEMENT Murchison up to Exmouth in the your trip in Exmouth where you can WOOLEEN STATION Coral Coast. The drive takes you enjoy the spectacular Ningaloo Reef. through historic and timeless You can purchase the Gascoyne towns like Pindar and Murchison Murchison Outback Pathways YALGOO Settlement whilst showcasing Guidebook online or in local visitor PINDAR the real Aussie landscape. centres to help plan your trip. GERALDTON

Simple map, showing locations, distances and suggested travel times

8 5. MINERS PATHWAY Follow the Miners Pathway Mount Magnet and Cue. Soak up and explore the legacy of this the open skies, amazing outback • 4 days remarkable period through scenery and the richness of the • Sealed and unsealed roads the grand old buildings and great Murchison and Goldfields the graveyards, the rusting regions. In spring you’ll be MEEKATHARRA machinery and the rich stories treated to an amazing array of those who lived in these of wildflowers – but whenever

NALLAN whirlwind times. you travel, be sure to keep your STATION CUE eyes peeled for wildlife including This 4-day trail takes you from emus, wedge-tailed eagles and Paynes Find to Meekatharra, WONDINONG SANDSTONE kangaroos. You can purchase STATION or from Yalgoo to Sandstone. GABYON MOUNT MAGNET the Gascoyne Murchison STATION STAY WOGARNO Venture along the Miners Pathway YALGOO STATION Outback Pathways Guidebook KIRKALOCKA STATION and explore the wild prospecting NALBARRA online or in local visitor centres to STATION towns that rocketed to the help plan your trip. forefront of Western Australia’s PAYNES FIND gold rush in the 1800s, including

9 The GOLDFIELDS

Antony Gormley ‘Inside Australia’ exhibit at Lake Ballard, near Menzies 10 LAVERTON 6. GOLDEN QUEST LEONORA GWALIA

DISCOVERY TRAIL KOOKYNIE

GORMLEY • 6 days SCULPTURES • Sealed and unsealed roads MENZIES

The Golden Quest Discovery Trail unearths the riches of the Goldfield’s 120-year gold rush KALGOORLIE-BOULDER history – from the mind-blowing buzz of one of the largest open- COOLGARDIE cut gold mines on earth, to perfect for enjoying a bite and a amazing ghost towns and the cold drink. There are a number striking Antony Gormley Statues of beautiful nature reserves and on Lake Ballard. campsites, including the man- made lake, Niagara Dam. Tour the The Golden Quest Discovery Trail old prosperous town of Kookynie, takes you from Kalgoorlie Boulder which has a pub well worth the stop on an amazing loop trail from as well as old camps in the town Coolgardie to Laverton, through of Gwalia, near Leonora, where incredible Goldfields towns, rich in the 31st United States President, heritage, history and charm. This Herbert Hoover, lived and worked. is a true outback adventure where you can explore the gold rush Linking in with the Golden Quest legends, landmarks, outback pubs Discovery Trail, the Green Trail and eerie ghost towns of what is highlights sites in the Kambalda still one of the world’s biggest gold and Coolgardie areas with producing regions. outstanding environmental, historical or cultural values such The 965km trail leads you from the as beautiful woodlands and mind-blowing buzz of one of the natural salt lakes. largest open-cut gold mines on earth, the Super Pit, to the striking You can purchase the Golden beauty of the 51 steel sculptures Quest Discovery Trail Guidebook on Lake Ballard. You’ll find outback online or in local visitor centres en pubs oozing with character, route to help plan your trip.

11 WINTON ALICE SPRINGS

7. THE OUTBACK WAY ULURU • 4 days Unsealed roads • LAVERTON

The Outback Way is one of The 2,800km Outback Way offers about ancient Aboriginal culture, Australia’s great odysseys. an awe-inspiring journey through life in the outback, and the natural Known as ‘Australia’s Longest the red centre – taking you from the environment of Australia’s central Shortcut’, the route runs from goldrush towns of Kalgoorlie and desert. Visitors can enjoy searching Laverton, Western Australia Laverton, through the Great Victoria for treasure boxes hidden along the to Winton in Queensland. The Desert where you’ll encounter vast ‘Outback Way Geocache Trail’. Outback Way crosses central salt lakes, scenic nature reserves, You can purchase the Outback Australia and is fast becoming waterholes, natural springs and Way Atlas from the Great Beyond one of the must-see and must caves. The route takes you through Visitor Centre in Laverton as you do drive routes coast to coast. Uluru, Alice Springs and Winton embark on your adventure. Permits required. before arriving into Cairns. Learn

12 8. NORSEMAN This trail, which runs between NORSEMANN HERITAGE TRAIL Norseman and the site of the original township of Dundas, is easily done • 1-2 hours over a couple of hours and is a great • Sealed roads way to explore a part of the beautiful The Dundas Coach Road Great Western Woodlands. In spring, Heritage Trail is an historic and this area is lush and alive with fascinating loop trail, spread over wildflowers. There are many picnic 50km around Norseman. The trail spots, walk trails and each point features 10 key places of interest of interest has interpretive signage and each site features fascinating so you can learn more about the interpretive stories that help build life and times of the hardy folk who a picture of life in the early years flocked to the Dundas Goldfields along the Coach Road. during the gold rush.

9. GUNBARREL HIGHWAY 6 days CARNEGIE • STATION WARBURTON Unsealed roads • WILUNA Set off on the Gunbarrel the Northern Territory. Highlights of Highway and experience one the highway include Giles Weather of Australia’s most famous and Station, Banjo Creek, Mt Beadell, challenging 4WD tracks. Built Lasseter’s Cave and Docker River. by surveyor Len Beadell, this Follow the trail and keep an eye 1,400km outback adventure is out for the interpretative plaques. perfect for the confident 4WD You’ll also find original bores and enthusiast. Remote, experienced blaze trees along the trail, and and well prepared 4WD only. keep your eyes peeled for outback Recommend travel with another animals like wild camels, dingoes vehicle. Permits required. and birdlife. Those who tackle this The Gunbarrel Highway runs from track will enjoy retelling the story Wiluna in Western Australia’s of how they conquered the rugged Northern Goldfields to Yulara in and unforgiving “Gunbarrel”.

13 10. ANNE BEADELL LAVERTON TO COOBER PEDY • 5-7 Days • Unsealed roads The Anne Beadell Highway is an awe-inspiring route that passes through extremely remote desert areas. Stretching 1,350km from Laverton in the Northern Goldfields region, through to Coober Pedy in South Australia this is a remote trail for experienced and well prepared 4WDers. Recommend travel with another vehicle. Permits are essential. 4WD enthusiasts will appreciate the vastness of the landscape on this route, as well as the dense scrub and challenges of the sandy track. Watch in awe as the terrain slowly changes from clay pans and salt lakes to red sand dunes. Be sure to stop by and experience the old Yeo Homestead, Yamarna Station and Djinkagara along the way. There are lots of unexpected sights on the trail, including the wreck of an old aircraft on the WA side of the track, and Emu Field, the former British atomic test site.

14 11. LEONORA LOOP LEINSTER

TRAILS AGNEW DARLOT LOOP • 1-3 hours • Unsealed and sealed roads Leonora is rich in history and amazing stories of the gold AGNEW LOOP rush era. Throw in some incredible natural attractions and you’ve got a pretty amazing outback location! Two trails make up the Leonora Loop THE TERRACES Trails – both with different themes. Do one or do both! The Agnew and Darlot Trails are a great way to see the sights and soak up the stories of the Leonora LEONORA Shire. Each trail has 15 interpretive sites across spaced roughly 15-30 kms apart. At each of these locations you will find an interpretive panel and, somewhere nearby, a figure, a ‘ghost’ from the past or a creature from the present, waiting to share a story with you. At each stopping place along both Loops someone (or something!) is waiting to tell you their story. You can purchase a Leonora Loop Trail Guidebook at the Leonora Visitor Centre to find out more.

15 WHEATBELT

PUBLIC Silo Art Trail, Merredin

16 12. PUBLIC SILO TRAIL • 5 days • Sealed roads

MERREDIN Explore this colourful route NORTHAM through the Wheatbelt and NAREMBEEN Great Southern following the HYDEN PERTH PUBLIC Silo Trail, which has NEWDEGATE transformed by a string of RAVENSTHORPE PINGRUP massive grain silos into works KATANNING ESPERANCE of art. What better way to get HOPETOUN off the beaten track and explore the Wheatbelt than following ALBANY these larger than life murals?

The open-air gallery stretches As you leave the countryside from Northam to Albany. You’ll behind, you’ll head towards the wind your way through gorgeous beautiful and expansive coastline Wheatbelt country towns like of South West WA. Enjoy some Merredin, rich with bright-yellow time in quaint Hopetoun and be canola fields and wildflowers in sure to explore the Fitzgerald spring. There are heaps of picnic River National Park, a stunningly spots and nature walks around rugged and beautiful park with this area, as well as Aboriginal many walk trails, camping spots tours. Go via Hyden and see and picnic places. You’ll then the famous Wave Rock, before head along the coast to Albany, heading south to Newdegate home to the ANZAC Centre and where Perth muralist Brenton amazing whale watching trips in See has depicted, on an epic season. For the home stretch, scale, the area’s local wildlife; the head back in-land towards the Western Bearded Lizard, Mallee charming farming towns of Fowl, Thigh Spotted Tree Frog Katanning and Pingrup and take and a Red-tailed Phascogale in those wide landscapes and across four silos. open skies.

17 KALGOORLIE-BOULDER 13. GOLDEN PIPELINE COOLGARDIE MERREDIN SOUTHERN CROSS HERITAGE TRAIL NORTHAM PERTH • 3 Days (MUNDARING WEIR) • Sealed roads The Golden Pipeline Heritage The heritage trail, like the pipeline Cunderdin No.3 Pump Station Trail celebrates one of the itself, runs from Mundaring Weir Museum, true blue Aussie country world’s greatest engineering in the Perth Hills to Mt Charlotte in pubs, one of the giant silo artworks marvels – a pipeline built 100 Kalgoorlie. The trail is punctuated that’s part of the PUBLIC art trail years ago to carry water from with stops, most centred around west of Merredin. There are a Mundaring Weir just outside pump stations and historic points number of beautiful camping and Perth to the remote and semi- of interest. You can see the picnic places along this trail. You’ll arid Goldfields of Kalgoorlie- many engineering points from arrive into Kalgoorlie-Boulder Boulder. The trail is full of historic the pipeline’s construction, the where you can learn more about gems and interesting stops. Meckering earthquake fault line, those heady gold rush days.

18 14. GRANITE AND WOODLANDS NORSEMAN WAVE ROCK THE BREAKAWAYS DISCOVERY TRAIL HYDEN • 2 Days • Unsealed roads Explore one of the world's greatest untouched temperate woodlands, right here in Western Australia. Stretching 300km from Hyden and Wave Rock to Norseman, the Granite and Woodlands Discovery Trail is an adventurous road trip through a remarkable landscape. The Granite and Woodlands Discovery Trail passes through part of one of the world’s greatest untouched temperate woodlands, a vast wilderness mosaic that is both beautiful and fascinating. The trail has 16 designated stopping places, each with interpretative signage that explains an aspect of natural or cultural history. You’ll also find a scattering of beautiful walk trails, picnic spots and camping areas. There is a Guide to the Granite and Woodlands Discovery Trail which provides all the information you need to plan your trip. Find it at australiasgoldenoutback.com/ granitediscovery or pick up a copy from the local visitor centre in Hyden or Norseman.

19 BEACON BONNIE ROCK

KOORDA BENCUBBIN 15. WHEATBELT WAY MUKINBUDIN DOWERIN TRAYNING • 4 Days GOOMALLING WESTONIA WYALKATCHEM NUNGARIN • Sealed roads TOODYAY CARABBIN MERREDIN Take a trip through the NORTHAM fascinating Northern Wheatbelt PERTH with the Wheatbelt Way! This is spots. The trail takes you from cute an area that boasts a rich and country towns like Dowerin, Koorda extensive history, charming and and Beacon through to the Hood- friendly people, and all located Penn museum at historic Westonia in a diverse and truly Australian and onto charming places like landscape. Bencubbin, Mukinbudin and Throughout this self-drive route Westonia where you’ll find amazing, you’ll be treated to stunning large granite outcrops perfect natural surrounds, sites of for exploring. Highlights include historical significance, and the Wyalkatchem CBH Museum, laid-back country atmosphere of Nungarin Markets and Mangowine the Wheatbelt. There are lots of Homestead. You can download a campsites along the trail as well free Wheatbelt Way trail map or app as walk trails and pretty picnic from the Wheatbelt Way website.

20 MULLEWA ERADU 16. WILDFLOWER WAY NATURE TENINDEWA WILROY RESERVE NATURE RESERVE

• 3 Days BUTTERABBY GERALDTON KOJARENA GRAVES TARDUN • Sealed roads CHAPEL COALSEAM CANNA CONSERVATION WA is home to thousands of species PARK BILYA ROCK GUTHA HALL WAR ROCK of wildflowers, some found nowhere MINGENEW MORAWA else on earth. Spring is the perfect BOWGADA time to explore the blooms, so YANDANOOKA NATURE RESERVE PERENJORI mark your calendar and set off on a ARRINO CARON DAM beautiful, colourful drive through the THREE SPRINGS CARNAMAH stunning Northern Wheatbelt, finishing LATHAM in the coastal town of Geraldton. For COOROW MAYA your return to Perth, follow the new BUNTINE ROCK Midlands Route. Both trails are sign- MARCHAGEE WUBIN posted and feature interpretive panels. DALWALLINU Each spring, this country bursts into WATHEROO bloom (normally between late August and COOMBERDALE October) with ‘carpets’ of everlastings through to the unique wreath flower. Make MOORA your way north from Perth through the picturesque Swan Valley, historic New Norcia and into gorgeous Dalwallinu. There are many wildflower trails around here, so you’ll be spoilt for choice! Continue through wildflower hotspots including Wubin, Perenjori, Morawa and Mullewa searching for those elusive blooms and engaging and informative interpretive panels and sculptures along the way. Wildflower can sometimes bloom for as little as two weeks, so we recommend checking our Wildflower Hotspots page or ringing the local visitor centres before setting off on your trip.

21 BRUCE ROCK with massive granite outcrops QUAIRADING 17. PATHWAYS TO NAREMBEEN which are perfect for hiking and YORK CORRIGIN PERTH WAVE ROCK getting some spectacular views. HYDEN WAVE ROCK BROOKTON KONDININ You’ll see natural bushland, KULIN bright-yellow canola fields and in • 3 Days LAKE GRACE spring, amazing displays of vibrant • Sealed roads This road trip is best done over wildflowers and rare orchids. Ready to surf an inland wave? 3 days and will take you on a There are lots of places to camp Then it's time to hit the road and journey of discovery through and you’ll see some of the most head to Wave Rock in beautiful the changing landscapes and spectacular night skies in the Hyden. If you're looking for a charming farming communities of world. Highlights include Kokerbin fun and action-packed itinerary the Western Australian Wheatbelt. Rock, the Grain Discovery Centre, to get you there from Perth, Stop at gorgeous country towns Tin Horse Highway, Lake Grace Pathways to Wave Rock is the to enjoy some proper country with its outback winery and of one for you. hospitality. The trail is punctuated course, Wave Rock.

22 COOLGARDIE

LY N 18. THE HOLLAND WAY O D W AND THE 4 JOHN HOLLAND TRACK • 3 Days

• Sealed and unsealed roads BROOMEHILL Embark on a real Australian outback adventure following a pioneering route created by John Holland through rugged bushland and woodlands. Connecting Broomehill in the southern Wheatbelt to Coolgardie in the Goldfields, this is an adventurous and fun 4WD route. The trail can actually be undertaken in two sections, each with different driving conditions. The Holland Way route consists of mainly bituminised roads and usually good surface gravel roads. The John Holland Track also starts in Broomehill, but from the Hyden/Norseman Road north it follows a different route that is a proper, 4WD adventurers track! Both offer an amazing drive through gorgeous countryside, beautiful salt lakes, granite outcrops and rock formations and nature reserves. There are lots of gorgeous camping spots but come prepared as much of this track is remote.

23 ESPERANCE and FITZGERALD COAST

Esperance and the Fitzgerald Coast are renowned for their amazing beaches

24 19. ROAD TO PERTH YORK HYDEN ESPERANCE RAVENSTHORPE HOPETOUN ESPERANCE • 5 days • Sealed roads

Esperance is an absolute Once in Esperance, make sure haven of natural wonders. to take a day trip to Cape Le You’ll find an abundance Grand National Park and meet of white-sand beaches, the kangaroos of Lucky Bay, rugged national parks and swim, snorkel or just sunbathe the clearest ocean water. at some of the most incredible Esperance is just over 700km beaches in the world, or climb from Perth and the drive to get Frenchman’s Peak for some there is one EPIC road trip! epic views of the ocean and the islands of the Archipelago. There’s so much to see on the Back in Esperance town, Road to Esperance - you can you can enjoy more coastal take two routes so mix it up adventures along the Great on the way home and see two Ocean Drive, grab a beer at a different perspectives of this craft brewery or walk along the part of the Golden Outback. gorgeous Esplanade. On the way there go via Hyden so you can catch a wave at If you want to get out onto the famous Wave Rock and the water, we’d recommend see some super-sized art at taking a cruise and exploring Ravensthorpe along the FORM the nearby islands. If you’re Public Silo Trail. On the way feeling adventurous, you can back, more supersized art take a scenic flight over Lake at Newdegate, Pingrup and Hillier in Middle island to see the Katanning heading through the incredible bubble-gum pink lake. Southern Wheatbelt countryside with wineries and vast salt lakes.

25 20. RAVENSTHORPE The Ravensthorpe Range is 45kms long and has a number of walk RAVENSTHORPE and drive trails that offer panoramic RANGES views of the district, mining • 2-3 hours history, home to one of the largest • Sealed and unsealed roads collection of Eucalyptus species in the world and simply exploding The Fitzgerald River National with wildflowers during spring. It is Park and the Ravensthorpe accessible by all vehicles via Ethel Range which forms part of the Daw Drive or Archer Drive although UNESCO recognised Fitzgerald a 4WD is required to access the Biosphere, one of the most Range Top Drive. HOPETOUN botanically significant parks in Australia, containing 20% of WA’s Whilst you are in the area, head to hike trail or pristine beach location 12,000 unique plant species. This the National Park with its rugged that’s totally yours. Hopetoun accessible wilderness is an area and unspoilt beauty, where you can provides sealed road access to of outstanding natural beauty leave the hustle behind and trade the park that will take you on a and biodiversity showcasing the the sound of traffic to bird calls and spectacular drive with breathtaking very best of the pristine bushland melodic tunes of the ocean. Here vistas and ocean views. A park and coastal landscape. you will certainly find a picnic spot, entry pass is required.

26 EXMOUTH LEARMONTH TIPS AND TRAVEL INFORMATION Driving around Australia’s Golden Outback may take you into remote areas where forward planning is important to ensure your experience MT. AUGUSTUS TOURIST PARK is safe and enjoyable.

• Always tell someone where you are going,

ALBANY 21 Epic ROAD TRIPS Through and around Australia’s Golden Outback

@australiasgoldenoutback australiasgoldenoutback.com