Albany to Perth road trip: Best stops, distance and driving time

The best stops on an Albany to Perth road trip include Porongurup National Park and Kojonup. By car, the distance from Albany to Perth is 419km, with a driving time of 4h33m.

A road trip from Albany to Perth connects the largest city on the south coast of Western Australia with the state capital. For many travellers, this will be the last leg in a loop around the south-west, which starts by heading from Perth to Margaret River, then continues via Pemberton, Walpole and Denmark.

Albany is the main town on WA’s south coast, and offers plenty of tourist attractions, including the historic whaling station at Frenchmans Bay and the National Anzac Centre war museum. To find the best Albany accommodation, head here.

Perth offers gold pouring experiences at the Perth Mint, Rottnest Island day trips, and scenic Swan River cruises. To book Perth tours and experiences, head here. For Perth accommodation deals, book here.

This guide is designed to help travellers plan their perfect Albany to Perth road trip itinerary.

Albany to Perth distance and driving time

By car along sealed roads, the distance from Albany to Perth is 419km. That makes for a driving time of around four hours and 33 minutes.

The best stops to add to an Albany to Perth road trip itinerary include Porongurup National Park and Kojonup.

Albany to Perth road trip: Albany to Mount Barker

The first leg of the Albany to Perth road trip is along the Albany Highway from Albany to Mount Barker. However, you may wish to make a slight detour to Porongurup National Park. There are several walking trails here, but the highlight is the Granite Skywalk. Part of a 4.4km walk from the Castle Rock car park, this suspended walkway has been built around a giant granite outcrop. A six metre ladder takes you to the top of Castle Rock, from where you can see the ocean on a clear day.

Mount Barker is a small town with a petrol station, bakery, supermarket and swimming pool. Visitors are most likely to be interested in Plantagenet Wines, however. The cellar door inside an old apple-packing shed is open for tastings.

Albany to Perth drive: Mount Barker to Kojonup

Further north near Kendenup, you can go wine-tasting at Gilbert Wines.

The Albany to Perth driving route then passes a series of lakes, with Lake Matilda being both the largest and the closest to the Albany Highway.

The next decent stop is at the Orchid Nature Reserve in Tenterden, which brims with wildflowers in spring. You can also branch off to Stirling Range National Park, although you should be aware that the main attraction – Bluff Knoll – requires a significant diversion to the eastern end of the park. At the much closer western end, the Western Lookout is the best bet.

Make a short detour up the Great Southern Highway instead, and you can visit the Cranbrook Pink Lakes. These salt lakes are not always pink, but when conditions are right, micro-organisms in the lake secrete carotene, turning the salt pink.

Kojonup is arguably the best stop on the Albany to Perth drive, however. Here, Kodja Place covers regional culture and history far better than most local history museums. Deliberate attempts are made to incorporate several perspectives, including those of the Indigenous Noongar people.

Kodja Place also has a rose garden.

You can also stop at the Farrar Nature Reserve, which is carpeted by wildflowers in spring. The Myrtle Benn Flora and Fauna Sanctuary is similar, but smaller and closer to the Albany Highway.

Click through to the next section: Kojonup to Williams.