Perth to Albany Road Trip: The Ideal Self-Drive Itinerary (2026)

Last Updated on 16 August 2026 by Ariana Svenson

Planning a Perth to Albany road trip? You’ve come to the right place.

We’ve driven this self-drive itinerary from Perth to Albany at least 20 times over the years, including 3 times in the last 6 months. So, our advice comes from a WA local who knows the ins and outs of this area!

If you want to get from Perth to Albany as quickly as possible, Albany Highway is the route we’d choose. The drive is around 420 km and takes roughly 4.5 – 5 hours without stops (yes, I’ve done that plenty of times – it was even my first road trip after getting my driver’s license!).

However, stops are what this road trip from Perth to Albany Post is all about – there are plenty of fun stops along the way. You could also stop at different places on the drive back from Albany to Perth.

First up, we’re glad you have picked Albany-Kinjarling to visit. It is definitely a great spot to experience, with plenty of gorgeous natural beauty, white sand beaches and a fascinating history to explore.

We realise that things change constantly, so it’s really important to us that we provide the most up-to-date information possible! That’s why we go through our pages annually, ensuring they are as current as possible. If you notice something that’s not quite right, please let us know in the comments!

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Perth to Albany at a Glance

Distance: Around 420 km
Direct driving time: Around 4.5-5 hours
Route: Albany Highway
Vehicle: 2WD is fine
Best stops: Williams, Kojonup and Mount Barker
Best time: March-May and September-November

Perth to Albany Road Trip Map

The Drive from Perth to Albany

The direct route follows Albany Highway south from Perth through the Wheatbelt before reaching Mount Barker and continuing into Albany.

Stops You Could Make on a Perth to Albany Road Trip

Stops You Could Make on a Perth to Albany Road Trip

We are aware that other people online are sharing their best ideas for Perth to Albany Road trips, taking you via Busselton, the Margaret River region, and Walpole Nornalup National Park. However, that’s more like a South West road trip, and we have covered it in detail in our Margaret River to Albany Road Trip and Perth to Margaret River Road Trip guides.

Is Albany Highway the Best Route from Perth to Albany?

If your major destination is Albany, Denmark, the Stirling Ranges or Porongurup National Park, then this is the most efficient way to get there!

Also, this is by far the quickest way to get down to Denmark if you are in a hurry (via the Denbarker Road). Denmark has some fantastic things to do, including visiting the growing number of cool climate wineries.

Alternatively, if you have more time, you can visit Margaret River or the Southern Forests around Pemberton, seeing sights like the Karri trees in Gloucester National Park, then on to Walpole, enjoying the 600m Valley of Giants Treetop Walk before arriving in Albany. That’s nearly 8 hours driving and not the best way to get to Albany from Perth. Read our latest blog post on great things to do in Pemberton.

Best Time to Travel

The best travel times are March to May and September to November.

• Spring – Spring is one of the best times for a Perth to Albany road trip, particularly from September to October. You can also enjoy WA wildflowers in bloom if you’re visiting in Spring and spot some of the best wildflowers in the Perth area.
• Summer – From December to February, temperatures soar. Summer is ideal if you want to make the most of Albany’s beautiful beaches, but be prepared for much hotter conditions. December and January also coincide with the busy summer holiday period, which can get very crowded. Booking accommodation in advance is very important at this time.
• Autumn -Autumn is another of our favourite times to make the trip. From March to May, temperatures begin to ease across the Wheatbelt.
• Winter – Winter is cooler and wetter, particularly once you reach Albany. There are fewer crowds, and it’s the beginning of the whale season in Albany, which runs from June to October.

Perth to Albany Road Trip Itinerary

So, where should you actually stop? You certainly don’t need to visit everywhere below in a single journey. I choose different stops depending on how much time I have and whether I’m travelling with kids.

Leaving Perth: Armadale to Williams 

Road Trip Section: Perth to Williams

Once you climb up the Darling Scarp and through the Perth Hills locality of Armadale, you are suddenly quite literally in the forest – the Jarrahdale State Forest. You can’t help but feel a sense of adventure as you pass through nearly 100km of forest – on and on and on.

There are fuel stations at North Bannister, Bannister, and then Crossman, which break up the journey and give you a sense that you are getting somewhere! You can also pick up snacks at the fuel stations. This is particularly important if you’re heading north, as there’s a 50-60 km stretch with no places to buy fuel between North Bannister and Armadale.

Did you know? Bannister and North Bannister take their names from early Western Australian explorer Captain Thomas Bannister, who travelled through this part of the state in 1830.

Williams

Road Trip Section: Perth to Williams

About 1.5 -2 hours driving / 176km from Perth

Whether you’re driving from Perth to Albany or making the return journey, Williams is a good place to stop and stretch your legs. It’s an active agricultural community, with wool, livestock and grain important to the local economy. There are some fantastic things to do here, including:

Williams Woolshed and Art Gallery

You should definitely check out the Williams Woolshed and Art Gallery. Here, you can learn about this amazing fibre and what makes it so special. The Williams Woolshed also has food and some souvenirs! It’s an institution on the Albany Highway and an incredible place to stop to learn about wool history and try some delicious food at the cafe.

Williams Bakery

My daughter and I recently stopped at Williams Bakery. You can take the food down to Williams Lions Park, where there’s a giant Numbat.

Williams Lions Park

If you travel with kids, you will be grateful for the new Williams Lions Park, which Dryandra Woodland has inspired with a giant numbat and eagle. There’s a flying fox, playground, picnic tables, BBQ and toilets.

Arthur River

Road Trip Section: Williams to Kojonup

2 hours, 23 mins / 208km from Perth – 24 mins / 30 km from Williams

Arthur River is around 35 minutes north of Kojonup. It’s home to St Paul’s Anglican Church, which sits on a hill at the northern end of town and dates back to the 1880s. It’s one of the oldest still active churches in WA. 

Arthur River was once a popular stop on the mail coach route between Perth and Albany. If you visit the nearby graveyard, you’ll also see a huge number of well-known agricultural names.

The Arthur River Heritage Precinct includes the old Post Office and the surviving kitchen from the Mount Pleasant Inn, which used to cater for travellers passing through. The town is tiny today – the 2021 Census recorded just 66 people – and there isn’t loads to see, but it’s worth a short stop if you enjoy WA country history.

I have to admit, I’ve not stopped often at Arthur River. It’s your quintessential Aussie bush community. However, it’s been working hard to promote itself as a rural getaway with a focus on country heritage.

Optional Detour – Lake Towerrinning  – I am particularly interested in checking out the Lakeside Camping at Lake Towerinning, 40 km off the Albany Highway. Lake Towerrinning is a large and attractive semi-freshwater lake with clean sandy beaches located in the West Arthur Shire. It provides the perfect escape from the city with kayaking, swimming, birdwatching and stargazing. Situated on a family farm, there are 14 powered campsites on the water’s edge with beach access.

Kojonup

Road Trip Section: Williams to Kojonup

Perth to Kojonup – 3 Hours / 265km – 35 mins / 56km from Arthur River

Kojonup takes its name from the Noongar word “kodj” or “kodja”, referring to a traditional stone axe made from local stone. It’s a great stop if you want to learn more about the area’s history and grab food and use the toilets before continuing.

Kodja Place

We’ve recently committed to teaching our children more about Australian Indigenous history from their point of view (instead of teaching the white, European version). 

The Kodja Place Kojonup is a great place to do this. This interpretive centre celebrates the traditions of the local Aboriginal people and provides historical information about European settlers. Voices, photographs, art, and objects from Kojonup’s Noongar-Aboriginal and settler cultures are woven together in imaginative and richly layered stories. There’s also a cafe and visitor centre. It’s a great introduction to the Noongar history and culture of the area.

Or, you can enjoy yarns, billy-tea, and damper in Yoondi’s Mia Mia (bush shelter) with a Noongar Elder. This experience must be booked in advance directly with the Kojonup Visitors Centre or Kodja Place.

Australian Rose Maze

While you’re at Kodja Place, you can explore the Australian Rose Maze with Yoondi, Elizabeth and Maria, who reveal 100 years of Noongar, English and Italian experiences.

The maze contains more than 100 varieties of roses and around 1,400 plants, with the stories of the three women woven through the experience. You can walk through the 500m maze of roses and enjoy the gorgeous smell.

The Park, War Memorial and Wool Wagon

Across the road at Kojonup Park (also known as Apex Park), you’ll find public toilets, BBQs, picnic tables and a shaded playground.

There’s also a memorial to Brigadier Arnold Potts, a Kojonup local who commanded Australian troops during the Kokoda Trail campaign in the Second World War. The Kokoda Track Memorial Bridge connects the park with the nearby RSL Hall and War Memorial.

In 1989, Kojonup became the first shire to have more than one million sheep shorn, an achievement commemorated by the giant Wool Wagon. You can’t miss Kojonup’s huge Wool Wagon on the opposite side of Albany Highway, a nod to the importance of sheep and wool to the area. Driving through this area, you will see a lot of sheep!

Kojonup Military Barracks

Kojonup is also home to one of the oldest barracks in WA. This is also the oldest building in Kojonup, built in 1845 from local stone by soldiers of the 51st British Regiment. It’s since been a centre for many Kojonup events, including schools and churches. Guided building tours can be arranged by contacting the Kodja Place Visitor Centre.

Optional Detour – Bluff Knoll – Forty minutes south of Kojonup, you’ll see signs to Cranbrook – this is your sign to turn off to Bluff Knoll. Note, Cranbrook is 3 km off the Albany highway. From Cranbrook to Bluff Knoll, it’s about an hour drive to do the 75km. If you plan to do a dawn ascent of Bluff Knoll to see the sunrise, then you want to check out our information about where to stay.

Read our full Bluff Knoll guide here >>>

Mt Barker – The Final Major Town Before Albany

Road Trip Section: Kojonup to Mount Barker

4 hours / 367km from Perth – 1 hour / 104km from Kojonup

At just 45 minutes north of Albany, by the time people get to Mt Barker, they are keen to keep going to Albany or take the Muir Highway that then turns off to Denmark. 

I think it’s a shame people miss Mt. Barker. It’s a vibrant country town with fantastic murals and excellent wineries. We’ve covered them at Interesting Things to Do in Mt. Barker, WA.

Optional Detour – If you left Perth early and didn’t make too many stops on your Perth to Albany drive, you might have time for a detour to the Porongorups and a visit to the Castle Rock Granite Skywalk. Keep in mind a park pass is needed for many national parks in WA.

Read our Castle Rock guide here >>

You could even stay overnight at the historic Karribank or the luxury Cloud Nine Spa Chalets at the Porongorups. Then, rise early the next day for a hike to the Granite Skywalk.

Or, if you have done it before, why not consider a hike around Nancy Peak? We thought it was brilliant when we did it recently!

Albany – You’ve Arrived!

Well done! You did it! 

Now you have arrived in this attractive coastal town; there are many fantastic things to do, from the award-winning museum, the National Anzac Centre, to seeing the annual whale migration and enjoying the beaches and, in winter, the dramatic coastal scenery.

Amazing Things to do in Albany WA

Best Playgrounds in Albany Western Australia

Albany has a range of fantastic accommodation options which you can read all about in our guide:

The Best Family Accommodation in Albany WA

Once in Albany, you can enjoy day trips and mini road trips to destinations such as The Gap and Natural Bridge in Torndirrup National Park, which drops 40m into the sea.

More Road Trip Ideas – An Inland Detour for an Albany to Perth Road Trip

The standard drive from Albany to Perth takes 4.5 hours, but if you have kids or want to take a scenic route, we’d highly recommend adding in Wagin and Katanning, which adds another 45 minutes of driving but lets you delve deeply into rural Western Australia’s scenery. 

Wagin

If driving north to south, then when you get to Arthur River, take the road across to Wagin.  Google Maps shows a route going cross country, but I think if you are not familiar with country driving, sticking to the larger, bitumen roads makes sense. (Plus what Google Maps doesn’t realise is that out there in the back country there is no mobile reception, meaning people can get very, very lost).  

We detoured to Wagin to see the Giant Ram, a BIG replica of a ram. 

Here are the top things to do:

Giant Ram: This impressive sculpture is the largest anatomically correct man-made Merino ram in the world and definitely worth a stop. 

Playgrounds: Adjacent to the Giant Ram Park are several good-quality playgrounds, including one that is fully enclosed (a blessing for parents of little kids).   This “younger children’s” playground features a slide, various swings, musical equipment, a wooden boat and cubby house.  

Wetlands Park: a lovely park with a rock waterfall that cascades down water channels, and foot bridges that end up at a lovely pond. 

Ninja Parkour: Behind the big Ram is a Ninja Parkour Course with climbing nets, climbing walls, and a flying fox. Note – if you are heading south, don’t spend too much time at the Wagin playgrounds because you have a big treat coming your way in Katanning. 

Wagin Historical Village: A recreated pioneering village that provides a glimpse into life a century ago. This village features a range of historical buildings and exhibits.

Pubs: Wagin has some great old pubs – some restored, and some not, which are well-worth a visit!

Second Hand Shops: Wagin has incredible old second-hand stores – the type that you spend hours in and get very lost.   Definitely put Cresswells Department Store, Emporium and Café on your list; it was a total delight, and we spent ages in there. 

Katanning All Ages Playground

The reason for our detour off the Albany Highway was the Katanning All Ages Playground – I’d seen pictures online and thought it looked pretty cool. However, I was blown away by the whole concept. 

An All-Ages playground means that mum and dad get to play too. And parents – how long is it since you have played on a playground, whizzed down high slides, and generally laughed so much your cheeks hurt? I am not sure if there is anywhere else like this in Australia – or even the world. Certainly, in my days, I have not encountered a place where the equipment is large or designed for adults to use   

Standing 10 metres tall in the centre of the park is a red spiral slide, which is now accompanied by a new 35m long, giant aerial walkway. 

You can see that the play area has evolved, as there is giant play equipment, a children’s play area and plenty of adult-sized seesaws, spinners, rocking horses, swings, a fort and tunnels, a climbing net, a 30m flying fox … and I am not sure if I have got it all. 

The All-Ages Playground and surrounds are open all year round and free to enter, making the park a no-brainer. We visited mid-week during school term and had this giant playground all to ourselves.   

Katanning Miniature Railway 

If you are a train enthusiast, then you will want to plan a visit to Katanning on the 2nd or 4th Sunday of the month. There is a small volunteer-run miniature railway with steam and Diesel operating around a 700-metre track. 

From Katanning you head south to Cranbrook, before re-joining the Albany Highway above Kendenup.

Perth to Albany Driving Conditions and Tips

• 4WD? A normal 2WD vehicle is suitable for the direct Perth to Albany itinerary. The principal route follows sealed highways.
• Watch for Wildlife – Kangaroos and other wildlife are one of the realities of driving in regional Western Australia. They’re particularly worth watching for around dawn, dusk, and after dark.
• Fuel: Petrol stations are available along the main route, but this isn’t Perth. It’s best to plan where you’ll get fuel along the route. Williams and Kojonup are useful places to refuel.
• Download Offline Maps – Mobile coverage can be patchy away from the main towns, particularly if you take country detours. Download the maps you need before leaving.
• Plan Food and Toilet Stops – Williams and Kojonup are particularly useful because you can combine food and toilets with a proper break from the car.
• Driving with Kids – Don’t underestimate the value of a good playground. Williams Lions Park and Kojonup Park are both fantastic stops too.

The Verdict – Perth to Albany WA Road Trip Itinerary

We hope you have found these ideas for a road trip from Perth to Albany beneficial. 

We have done the Albany to Perth road trip (and the Perth to Albany road trip) many times and enjoy the wide open spaces and changing landscapes on this itinerary. 

Alternatively, Perth to Albany flights can be a fantastic option if you would rather get to Albany quickly. Good – and all we can say is enjoy Albany, Western Australia.

We love sharing our road trip itineraries! Here are some more popular routes:

Walpole to Albany Road Trip

Albany to Esperance Road Trip

Margaret River to Albany Road Trip

Perth to Exmouth Road Trip