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Perth To Jurien Bay Road Trip WA – The Perfect Itinerary!

Whether you’re living in Perth or just visiting Western Australia, a Perth to Jurien Bay road trip makes for a great long weekend getaway from Perth.

At just 220km north of Perth, a road trip to Jurien Bay is very manageable in terms of distance covered for Australia. There are some really lovely places to stop off at along the way, plus Jurien Bay is a fantastic place to relax and enjoy!

Keep reading for the best Perth to Jurien Bay road trip itinerary!

Jurien bay Western Australia

How Far Is It From Perth To Jurien Bay?

The distance from Perth to Jurien Bay is 220km.

Driving from Perth to Jurien Bay takes around 2.5 hours driving without any stops. However, there are lots of unique places along the way that are definitely worth stopping off at that you’ll definitely want to break up the journey!

Lancelin Sand Dunes Western Australia

How Many Days Should I Spend On A Perth To Jurien Road Trip?

Ideally, 2 days should be the minimum amount of time for a Perth to Jurien Bay road trip.

You may however wish to spread it out even longer and spend a few days in Jurien Bay before you continue your journey either back to Perth or further north on a Perth to Exmouth or Perth to Broome road trip.

Below we have outlined a 3-day return road trip itinerary between Perth and Jurien Bay, however, feel free to spread it out over more days or alter it if you won’t be returning to Perth.

Try to avoid driving during dawn, dusk, or night as this is when Australian native wildlife is particularly active. Kangaroos can often jump out into the road so always be vigilant and drive carefully. pinnacles desert Western Australia Day trip

Where Do You Stop Between Perth And Jurien Bay?

Suggestions for places to stop off between Perth and Jurien Bay include:

  • Yanchep National Park (see kangaroos and koalas)
  • Lancelin Sand Dunes
  • The Pinnacles (Nambung National Park)
  • Wedge Island (4wd driving on the beach)
  • Jurien Bay (swimming with sea lions, skydiving, stunning beaches and walks).

curious sea lion coming near snorkelers at Jurien Bay WA

Day 1:

Start your journey from Perth in the morning. If you aren’t from Perth or haven’t explored it yet, make sure to check out the best photography spots in Perth at some point. Perth has so many great spots to visit!

The scenic drive out of Perth is to drive north along West Coast Drive, which takes you past some of Perth’s best beaches. Stop off at some if you wish, enjoy a little coastal walk, or just enjoy the lovely coastal views as you are driving! 

Yanchep National Park

When you reach Yanchep – a town around 50km north of Perth, you may want to stop off at Yanchep National Park to see the koalas and kangaroos!

kangaroos heirisson island perth CBD best things to do Australia

Entrance is $15 per vehicle, and if you hang onto your receipt this will also get you into Nambung National Park to see The Pinnacles!

There’s a nice pub here at Yanchep National Park where you can enjoy lunch before continuing your journey. Alternatively, head to the stunning Yanchep Lagoon and enjoy some fish and chips on the beach!

At Yanchep the Indian Ocean Drive starts, and this road takes you all the way to Jurien Bay! Enjoy the scenic drive as you pass through coastal towns and beautiful landscapes.

Nambung National Park (The Pinnacles)

After driving for roughly 1.5 hours north from Yanchep you will reach Nambung National Park, home to the famous Pinnacles Desert.

pinnacles desert Western Australia Day trip 

Entrance is $15, unless you visited Yanchep National Park earlier that day and show your receipt – then you will get in for free.

The Pinnacles are incredible and a very unique desert experience! These otherworldly natural structures rise out of yellow sand dunes, and were formed an impressive 30,000 years ago!

Made from limestone and ancient sea shells, their unusual shapes are a result of the coastal winds. You can get some fantastic photos here, just don’t sit on the pinnacles!  Here is the location on Google maps.

What’s great about visiting The Pinnacles is that is it so accessible and you can enjoy them even if you have limited mobility. You drive along the 4km one-way dirt road (suitable for 2wds) to admire the pinnacles.

the pinnacles Nambung national park Western Australia perth day trip

There are a few spots where you can park your car and get out, wander around the pinnacles and take some pictures of the unique landscape! 

Luckily it is very easy to get photos without other people in as the place is so big and there are literally thousands of pinnacles! When we were there we were lucky to see three emus walking amongst the pinnacles!

the pinnacles Nambung national park Western Australia perth day trip

Jurien Bay

After you’ve enjoyed your time at Nambung National Park continue your journey towards Jurien Bay, which is half an hours drive the Pinnacles!

Have some dinner (Joy’s Thai Kitchen, Sandpiper Tavern & Pizzeria and The One Jurien are all great options), check into your accommodation and enjoy the evening!

There are plenty of accommodation options in Jurien Bay, my favourites that I personally recommend are:

Coastal Paradise Jurien Bay – holiday home with sea views, a hot tub and outdoor pool and bar that can accommodate up to 6 guests.

Aqua Shack – 3 bedroom holiday home with a large garden and BBQ close to the beach

Jurien Bay Tourist Park – caravan park in an excellent and convenient location right next to the beach!

Jurien Bay Motel Apartments – popular self-contained apartments in a central location

Day 2:

Start your day by exploring the lovely coastal town of Jurien Bay. Jurien Bay is known for its beautiful beaches and outdoor activities and there are so many things to do in Jurien Bay to keep you occupied!

Swim With Jurien Bay Sea Lions

Jurien Bay is probably best known for its resident sea lions – it’s the best place in Western Australia to swim with sea lions!

sea lion blowing bubbles in Jurien Bay WA

Head out with Jurien Bay Oceanic in the morning and enjoy snorkeling with the friendly sea lions in their natural habitat at Essex Rocks – an island in Jurien Bay Maine Park just a 15 minute boat ride away from the mainland!

The water here is so clear and shallow, and swimming with the sea lions is such a unique experience! They are so playful and curious and often come right up to you to have a good look or show off their acrobatic skills!

The tour lasts 2.5 hours and depart every morning year-round, but definitely book in advance as they can get booked out quickly as they are a really popular activity!

swim with sea lions Jurien Bay

Alternatively, if you prefer to stay dry you can go fishing or take a boat tour to see dolphins and the sea lions in their natural habitat.

Jurien Bay Beach

Once you’ve enjoyed your morning, head to the Jurien Bay Jetty by Jurien Bay Beach, which offers stunning views of the coastline and is a great spot for photography.

The 162 metre long jetty is curved and is a popular spot to enjoy the views of the white sand and crystal clear waters. The water is lovely and calm here so it’s great for a swim!

Jurien Bay Beach best things to do pontoon

Relax on the beach for a bit and then head to the nearby Jurien Bay Beach Cafe for lunch or make use of the free BBQs by the beach!

You may also wish to visit some other local beaches nearby such as Sandy Cape and Green Head or even go on a nice bike ride along Turquoise Way that offers stunning views.

Lesueur National Park is a great place to spot wildflowers in the spring and go on nice walks, or if you’re after an adrenaline rush you can do a tandem skydive from Jurien Bay!

Day 3:

If you’ll be heading back to Perth, drive south from Jurien Bay to Lancelin, which takes just over an hour to drive.

If you have a 4wd however, stop off at Wedge Island which is just over half way – where you can drive on the beach with your 4wd!

Just be mindful that it gets very windy in the afternoon here so the morning is the best time to visit! You can then continue down to Lancelin.

Lancelin Sand Dunes

Lancelin is famous for its huge sand dunes – they are Western Australia’s biggest sand dunes and are stunningly white! 

Lancelin Sand Dunes Western Australia

The sand dunes here are perfect for sandboarding – plus you can look out onto The Indian Ocean and enjoy the stunning views!

Before heading back to Perth, relax on some of the beaches at Lancelin and enjoy some lunch. From Lancelin, it’s just over 1.5 hours drive back to Perth.

Accommodation in Jurien Bay:

Jurien Bay offers a range of accommodation options to suit various budgets and preferences. There are beachfront resorts, holiday parks, and cozy bed and breakfasts available.

Some popular options include the Jurien Bay Motel Apartments, Jurien Bay Tourist Park, and Aqua Shack.

 

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