When planning a getaway, the airplane flight to your destination will be just the beginning of your transportation requirements abroad. Indeed, every journey is full of countless instances when you’ll need to find a way to get from point A to point B.

When it comes to the best method of transportation for travel, I’ve found that there is no one set answer. The streets of Paris for example may best be explored by grabbing a map and learning how to navigate the subway, whereas Lisbon is a walkable city in its own right and can easily be explored on foot. The lack of addresses and poor road conditions in Costa Rica make buses the best option (leave navigating to a driver), whereas for safety reasons I felt most comfortable using private charters in Guatemala.  My most recent trip to Papua New Guinea required perhaps the most high-end type of transportation – due to the lack of roads and infrastructure you have to fly between major points of interest.

Each destination has its own best way of being discovered. And in Western Australia, the best way to explore is definitely via a road trip.

Visit Western Australia

Australia is an expansive country with an abundance of sights to see and things to do. In fact, the country is nearly the same size as the contiguous United States. While Sydney’s Opera House and the Great Barrier Reef may dominate the attention of travelers, the country has many destinations that shouldn’t be overlooked.

Because of it’s vast distance from the major cities along the East Coast, Western Australia, one of the country’s six states, is one of these destinations that is often overlooked. But even just to its shear size it really shouldn’t be — the state comprises one-third of Australia’s land mass.

From the bee-hive shaped domes of the Bungle Bungle Range to the yellow sands of the Pinnacles Desert to the marine wonders of the Shark Bay World Heritage area, Western Australia is swimming with unique natural beauty. The capital city of Perth is a vibrant hub of culture and nightlife and the Margaret River produces some of the nation’s finest wines.

The Road Trip Way

Photo Credit: eGuide Travel

Those planning a trip around Australia need to think about transportation carefully because of its expanse. There are large distances in between must-see sights, so if you want to see a lot and plan your time accordingly, traveling the country by road is the best way to soak in the sights.

As I experienced first hand while studying abroad in Melbourne, a road trip really is the way many young travelers explore the country. At almost every hostel I stayed at I met couples who were driving around or small groups of travelers who were exploring together in a mini bus or mini van.

Group travelers will want to consider this second option. As a car may not be sufficient for people traveling in a large group as long trips in a cramped vehicle can take their toll. It might be a better idea to look into mini van hire in Perth if this is the case.

Perth: The Starting Point

Photo Credit: David Stanley

While road tripping Western Australia, Perth will likely be your starting point. And what a starting point it is! Perth is a very unique city in Australia – the most isolated capital city in the world, Perth is in fact closer to Indonesia than it is to Sydney, so the vibe here is distinct.

From enjoying the free city views in Kings Park, to cafe hopping on Wolf Lane to touring the historical sights of Fremantle Harbor, there’s plenty to do. You’ll want to spend at least a few days in the city before heading out to explore. Ace Rent a Car supply car hire in Perth is a well-trusted choice for car and mini van rentals in the city.

Plan Your Itinerary Ahead of Time

Photo Credit: Kristina D.C. Hoeppner

Before departing Perth, make sure you have at least a rough itinerary planned out ahead of time. Again, distances in Australia can be quite large so its important to get a sense of the distances before you start the drive. Be realistic about the amount of ground you will be able to cover – you will not be able to see all of Australia’s highlights in just a week.

One of the most popular routes for road trippers in Western Australia is to drive from Perth to the Coral Coast. This trip can be completed in as little as 11 days. Highlights include hiking the Pinnacles Desert, visiting the iconic pink lake near Exmouth, snorkeling or scuba diving in Coral Bay and wildlife watching in Shark Bay. You can find more ideas and itineraries at WesternAustralia.com.

Note: This is a sponsored post. However, all thoughts and opinions are my own.