Western Australia – A Land of Vast Horizons and Untouched Beauty

Western Australia is the largest state in the country, spanning over one-third of the Australian continent. Yet, despite its immense size, it’s home to just over two million people—most of whom live in the south-western corner of the state. The rest? Endless horizons, remote deserts, rugged ranges, and that unforgettable outback magic that defines the “Land of the Never Never.”

This is a state for true adventurers—those who love isolation, sweeping landscapes, and space to breathe. It’s also home to some of the most stunning white sandy beaches and crystal-clear azure waters you’ll ever see.

Distances are vast, so plan accordingly. But the rewards? They’re unforgettable.

Must-See Destinations in Western Australia:

Cape Range National Park – Where rugged limestone ranges meet the Indian Ocean. Perfect for hiking, wildlife spotting, and swimming in turquoise waters.
Monkey Mia – A popular tourist hub famous for its wild dolphins that come in close to shore.
Ningaloo Reef & Coral Bay – Often considered Western Australia’s answer to the Great Barrier Reef, but far less commercial. Swim with whale sharks, snorkel pristine coral, and escape the crowds.
The Kimberley – One of the world’s last true wilderness areas. Think dramatic gorges, waterfalls, and red rock landscapes that seem untouched by time.
Rudall River (Karlamilyi) National Park – Remote, rugged, and absolutely breathtaking. One for serious off-roaders and nature lovers.
The Canning Stock Route – At 1,800 km, it’s one of the world’s longest and most challenging 4WD tracks, linking a chain of 51 wells through some of the most isolated desert country.
The Nullarbor Plain – Cross it by road or, for a different experience, follow the railway line instead of the bitumen. The track along the Bunda Cliffs offers dramatic views where the land drops straight into the Southern Ocean.

OUTBACK TRAVEL, Word of warning for our international overlanders. The outback, Australian deserts and to some degree our beaches are very different to the terrain you are used to in Europe, Africa or South America. If you are travelling remote ensure one person in the vehicle has first aid knowledge, make sure you have proper communication equipment. Min Satellite phone, UHF radio, and if possible HF radio (available for rental) let people know where you are going and call in to advise them you have arrived. Travel well within your capabilities and when crossing rivers in the North be aware of Crocodiles, same applies to those who like fishing, Freshwater Crocodiles are not as dangerous however they bite and do a lot of damage. The beaches of Australia have some very soft sand in particular when you have to drive above the high water mark. driving the beaches on a outgoing tide is what I recommend when turning on a beach always turn towards the water to avoid driving uphill and turning in soft sand. Tyre pressure very important in our land cruiser I have been down to 10 psi. My suggestion is start at 25 psi and go down in 5 psi lots as required and keep the speed down. Be aware of deep rutted tracks, bull dust, mud, soft sand on beaches and inland tracks, deep water crossings all combined in one day of driving can be a challenge and can break parts in your vehicle not to mention being stranded mid stream with a flooded engine. Be warned do not become one of those people who know it all Australia’s outback is unforgiving.

The Kimberleys – a region more vast than Germany – are rugged, remote, and hot. This dramatic corner of Australia is packed with must-see destinations, including:

The Bungle Bungles (Purnululu National Park), with their iconic beehive domes
Mitchell Falls, a stunning four-tiered waterfall set in a remote wilderness
Bell Gorge, perfect for a refreshing swim
Windjana Gorge, home to freshwater crocodiles and towering limestone cliffs
Cape Leveque, where red cliffs meet turquoise waters
Derby, a town famous for having one of the world’s highest tides—up to 11 meters
Wolf Creek Meteorite Crater, one of the world’s largest meteorite impact sites

And if you’re chasing a classic beach camping experience, 80 Mile Beach is hard to beat—endless sand, peaceful sunsets, and great fishing.

The Canning Stock Route stretches over 1,700 km of remote sandy tracks from Wiluna to Halls Creek, cutting through parts of the Gibson Desert, Great Sandy Desert, and Tanami Desert. The route offers spectacular desert scenery and a true outback experience. However, it is essential that your vehicle is mechanically sound, as assistance is virtually non-existent in case of a breakdown.

While you may encounter fellow travellers during the cooler months, the track is virtually deserted in summer, with scorching temperatures often exceeding 50°C. For those looking to explore further, the route provides access to a network of desert tracks leading toward Alice Springs via the Great Sandy and Tanami Deserts.

Make sure to carry ample supplies of water, food, and fuel. There is a resupply point on the Kidson Track, approximately 4 km west of the Canning Stock Route, where you’re now able to stock up on fuel and limited food supplies. This point lies roughly 1,000 km north of Wiluna and 650 km south of Billiluna.

Varies trips between 1988 and 2009

1. Outback Western Australia, Central-Southern Deserts,

For the True Off-Road Adventurer: Exploring the Outback and Deserts of Western Australia

If you’re the kind of traveler who thrives on remoteness, rugged landscapes, and true off-road adventure, the deserts and Outback of Western Australia should be high on your list. After soaking up the iconic tourist destinations like Uluru (Ayers Rock), Alice Springs, Kata Tjuta (The Olgas), and Kings Canyon, consider heading west—far west.

Venture into the Gibson Desert Nature Reserve, a vast and untouched expanse covering over 1.8 million hectares. This region offers a real taste of Australia’s red heart—raw, wild, and teeming with desert beauty. Along the way, you’ll pass through remote communities like Docker River (Kaltukatjara) and Warburton, rich in Indigenous culture and local stories.

For those seeking even more isolation and challenge, a detour northward to Kintore (about 430 km north of Warburton, across the NT border) opens up further possibilities. The journey is not for the faint-hearted—vehicle preparation, permits, and self-sufficiency are essential—but the rewards are immense.

This region is ideal for:

Serious 4WD exploration
Off road driving among ancient desert landscapes
Stargazing under pristine night skies
Caving adventures
Immersing yourself in the silence and stillness of true outback country

It’s one of those rare corners of the world where nature rules, and time seems to stand still.

The Anne Beadell Highway – A True Desert Adventure

The many tracks created by Len Beadell across the Australian outback carry a wealth of history. One of the most iconic is the Anne Beadell Highway, named after Len’s wife, Anne. Constructed between 1953 and 1962, this track took nine years to complete.

Despite the name, “highway” is a bit misleading — this is no sealed road. The Anne Beadell is often narrow, winding, and sandy, demanding respect from anyone who attempts it.

If you’re starting from Coober Pedy, be prepared: the next fuel stop is 750 km away at Ilkurka. You must be fully self-sufficient — that means carrying extra fuel, water, food, and recovery gear. Permits are required to cross Aboriginal lands in both South Australia and Western Australia, so plan ahead.

Along the way, you’ll pass Yeo Lake Homestead, located around 167 km east of Neale Junction. It’s a great spot to take in the isolation and vastness of the landscape. There are water tanks here, and while they usually contain water, never rely on it — always boil before drinking.

Expect extreme heat in summer, with temperatures reaching up to 50°C. Neale Junction marks the intersection of the Anne Beadell and Connie Sue highways and lies about 310 km south of the main track connecting Ayers Rock (Uluru) to Laverton.

This is rugged, remote terrain. Good communication equipment (satellite phone or HF radio), detailed maps or GPS, and thorough preparation are essential. But if you’re ready and well-prepared, you’ll be rewarded with a genuine outback experience — red dunes, salt lakes, wide horizons, and an incredible sense of solitude.

The Great Victoria Desert is Australia’s largest desert, an expansive arid landscape that stretches over 420,000 square kilometers, reaching from the Gibson Desert to the Nullarbor Plain. With its vast sandhills, grasslands, and salt marshes, it offers a stark yet beautiful contrast. The eastern part of the desert is home to Aboriginal communities, and within this area, you’ll find the Maralinga and Emu Field disused nuclear testing sites, adding an intriguing historical layer to the region. Despite the desert’s low rainfall, its landforms, diverse vegetation, and the striking red-ochre sand are awe-inspiring.

A visit to Mamungari Conservation Park, which was previously known as the Unnamed Conservation Park, would also be a must. Located just across the Western Australia border in far west South Australia, this park offers an authentic wilderness experience. To visit the Tjarutia community, a permit is required, but it’s well worth the effort. If you want a more adventurous route, instead of taking the Nullarbor bitumen highway to Kalgoorlie, you could follow the track along the Trans-Australian Railway line, adding a unique and scenic twist to your journey.

It’s a true exploration of Australia’s remote beauty and history!

This track runs around 100KM North of the sealed Eyre Highway between Ceduna and Kalgoorlie. By following the track along the railway line, you will arrive in Cook but before you do you could detour and include the Googs Track from the main highway north to Tarcoola and turning left towards Cook passing Ooldea, Watson and Fisher. After Cook you can continue the track to Forest and Rawlinna or head north from here for more desert exploring. After you pass Ooldea you follow the world longest dead straight railway track (478 kilometres) all the way to Loongana. From this area it is also possible to visit the remote Queen Victoria Spring Nature reserve or head south to the coast and visit the Nuytsland Nature reserve. This is a wild and untamed area suits well committed, well prepared Off Road drivers like the desert areas described above.

The Nullarbor Plain offers a stunning and remote coastline, where you can follow the ocean for about 190 kilometers along the top of the 80-meter-high Baxter Cliffs. These cliffs are the longest unbroken cliffs in the world, creating a dramatic and unique landscape. This coastline remains one of the least explored in Australia, with pristine beaches and dunes stretching all the way to Cape Le Grand. Inland, you’ll find Cocklebiddy Cave, the largest underwater cave in the Nullarbor region, adding to the area’s allure.

However, it’s important to exercise caution when traveling here. The beaches can be impassable, and it’s essential to check tide charts before setting up camp or venturing onto remote parts of the beach. Be aware that soft, wet sand and seaweed buildup can make it easy to get bogged down, so careful planning is crucial when navigating this rugged terrain.

Inland you will find Cocklebiddy Cave the largest underwater cave in the Nullarbor.

Before reaching Cape Le Grand, you’ll pass through Cape Arid National Park, where it’s important to check the crossings over the salt lakes. Once you arrive at Cape Arid and Cape Le Grand, it’s time for some well-deserved rest and relaxation. The beaches are stunning, with clear blue waters and rugged headlands. Secluded bays offer great beach camping, and one of our favorite spots is Lucky Bay. While it’s popular and can get busy, after spending 6 to 8 weeks in the bush, it’s nice to see other people.

In my opinion, Cape Le Grand, Coral Bay in Western Australia, and Whitehaven Beach in the Whitsundays are the top three beaches in Australia. From Lucky Bay, it’s a 45 km sealed road to Esperance, from where you can either explore more of far-western WA or head north through Kalgoorlie and Coolgardie to Wiluna, where you can tackle the 1,800 km Canning Stock Route.

Please note, this journey is not for the faint-hearted. Be sure to carry reliable communication equipment, a first aid kit, at least two spare tires, plenty of water, and enough fuel. I recommend two tanks: a 180-litre and a standard 90-litre tank, along with essential recovery equipment.