Perth to Esperance road trip for backpackers
South West Loop
Jump on the Share Bus in Perth and travel along the coast to Margaret River, Hamelin Bay, Pemberton, Walpole, Denmark, Albany, and Esperance before heading back to Perth via Wave Rock.
We’re not a tour – we’re a shared rental! So that means it works a little differently from any tour or car rental you’ve done before.
The people joining the trip share the driving, camping, trip planning and experience. This way of travelling offers a more flexible and self-guided trip.
However, you get everything you could need for a camping road trip, plus an awesome group of travel mates! Additionally, it’s great for travellers on a budget.
about the
south west loop
Spend 10 days on the Share Bus ‘South West Loop’ and explore the stunning South West of Western Australia. The journey starts in Perth and takes you east as far as Esperance, before heading back west towards Perth, making sure to take a break at Wave Rock along the way. Join this trip to experience some of the best natural sights south of Western Australia has to offer!
This is one of Earth’s biodiversity hotspots, with many species endemic to the region. So enjoy the forests and nature around you! Here, you’ll get to see stingrays up close, chill with kangaroos and climb giant trees.
Luckily, this place is also famous for wine and food so make sure to enjoy a few cheeky tastings as well. It also has excellent beaches and coastal scenery that you’ll see throughout the whole trip as you follow the coast.
One of these coastal highlights will be Esperance – home to the whitest beach in Australia, as well as it’s beach-loving kangaroos. Also, if you don’t catch a wave in Margaret River, you’ll probably love Wave Rock (much easier to catch) when you stop by on the road back to Perth.
The destination is set, but the route is not – take control of your own adventure! Expect to get fit with lots of hiking, snorkelling and exercise as you appreciate the natural sights. This is a no-frills adventure – you’ll be setting up your own tents, cooking your own dinner and sharing your tent with 1 or 2 other travellers. The target age group is 18-35.
Things to note
inclusions and exclusions
about the bus and trailer
On this trip you will travel in a 12-seater Toyota Hiace Commuter with a custom-built trailer fully equipped with everything you need. All you need to drive the bus is a regular drivers license. You will have the option to sign up as a driver or non-driver when you book, although we do recommend signing up as a driver if you can.
South West Loop
Trip Dates
| START DATE | END DATE | PRICE | NOTES | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25/11/2026 | 04/12/2026 | $901 | BOOK NOW | |
| 02/12/2026 | 11/12/2026 | $901 | BOOK NOW | |
| 17/12/2026 | 26/12/2026 | $901 | BOOK NOW | |
| 24/12/2026 | 02/01/2027 | $901 | BOOK NOW | |
| 30/12/2026 | 08/01/2027 | $810 |
EARLY BIRD PRICE ENDS SOON |
BOOK NOW |
| 06/01/2027 | 15/01/2027 | $810 |
EARLY BIRD PRICE ENDS SOON |
BOOK NOW |
| 20/01/2027 | 29/01/2027 | $810 |
EARLY BIRD PRICE |
BOOK NOW |
| 28/01/2027 | 06/02/2027 | $810 |
EARLY BIRD PRICE |
BOOK NOW |
| 03/02/2027 | 12/02/2027 | $810 |
EARLY BIRD PRICE |
BOOK NOW |
| 10/02/2027 | 19/02/2027 | $810 |
EARLY BIRD PRICE |
BOOK NOW |
| 17/02/2027 | 26/02/2027 | $810 |
EARLY BIRD PRICE |
BOOK NOW |
| 03/03/2027 | 12/03/2027 | $810 |
EARLY BIRD PRICE |
BOOK NOW |
| 10/03/2027 | 19/03/2027 | $810 |
EARLY BIRD PRICE |
BOOK NOW |
| 01/04/2027 | 10/04/2027 | $810 |
EARLY BIRD PRICE |
BOOK NOW |
South West Loop
trip highlights
amazing wildlife
See stingrays, kangaroos and whales.
untouched nature
Forests, climbing a giant tree and the white isolated beaches in the South-West.
famous landmarks
‘Surf’ Wave Rock.
taste & explore
Enjoy Margaret River's wine and food tastings.
Perth to Esperance backpacker trip: your adventure, your way!
our recommended itinerary
Dunsborough/ Eagle Bay
Time to start your South West Loop / Perth to Esperance Road trip! You will meet in the morning to load up the Share Bus, meet your trip mates and do a big food shop for the next few days.
Then, spend your day on beautiful beaches. Start by heading to Busselton to see the longest wooden jetty in the world. Afterwards, drive to Dunsborough and Eagle Bay regions, stopping to see all the amazing beaches in the region on the way. They must be among the best in the world. Also, make sure you grab an ice cream at Simmos in Dunsborough as well.
Margaret River
See any of the beaches you didn’t manage to the day before, then check out the Margaret River region known for its food, wine and surfing.
Once there, go to a few cheeky wine/cheese/chocolate tastings, and check out Surfer’s Point. Afterwards, make sure you go on a trip to Hamelin Bay. At this spot, stingrays swim right up to the beach, close enough for you to even pat them.
Pemberton
Pemberton has an incredibly beautiful forest and is filled with GIANT trees. You can climb to the top of several giant trees such as the Gloucester tree which is 58m high. It’s a little bit scary, but amazing.
While in Pemberton you should also choose a walk or hike in this region so you can enjoy the forest (or dams/cascades). A part of the Bibbulmun track could be a good choice for this.
Walpole and Denmark
Check out the beautiful forests and tall trees of Walpole before heading into the hippy town of Denmark. Walpole is famous for the Giant tree top walk, however, there are also other free walks you could do to enjoy the region.
Once in Denmark, visit the inlet near Ocean Beach to surf, or Greens Pool to chill. You should definitely check out the Elephant Rocks as well. The bakery here is also popular with Aussies.
Albany
Spend a day in the town of Albany. Remember to stock up on your food! Visit the natural parks (i.e. The Gap) nearby and perhaps make a trip to hike up Bluff Knoll in the Stirling Ranges, which is the only place in Western Australia that sometimes receives snow (not that there will be snow in November!).
However, there are two much closer national parks worth exploring if you don’t want to trek up to the Stirling Ranges.
Fitzgerald National Park
Fitzgerald River is a large National Park located between Albany and Esperance. It has swimming beaches, fishing beaches, rocky sea cliffs, calm inlets, both steep and easy hikes, unique vegetation, and diverse landscapes.
Esperance and Cape Le Grand
Esperance is the place where all the beautiful photos of incredibly white beaches and kangaroos are taken. Make sure you go to Lucky Bay for this experience, and maybe later hike up Frenchman’s peak.
For many people this is the highlight of their Perth to Esperance and back road trip. After the fun, in the afternoon of Day 9, start driving towards Wave Rock.
Wave Rock
Check out ‘Wave Rock’ in Hyden as well as nearby Hippos Yawn Loop, Hyden Rock and the breakers. Then it’s the return part of this Perth to Esperance ‘return’ trip. So, start your drive back to Perth.
If you find you’re ahead of schedule, stop by Black Diamond Lake, a few hours southeast of Perth. It is a beautiful blue lake and a local treasure.
Finally, finish your day in Perth, clean/tidy the bus and trailer and enjoy your night at a hostel.
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