Perth to Busselton 5 Day Road Trip Itinerary
Day 1: Perth to Mandurah
Distance: 72 kms
Travel time: ~1 hour
Your Perth to Busselton road trip begins with an easy first leg from the city to Mandurah. After picking up your Apollo camper in Perth, you can stock up on groceries, settle into the rhythm of the road and ease into holiday mode without needing to cover a big distance. The short drive makes this a gentle opener to the trip and leaves plenty of time to enjoy the coast once you arrive.
Where to stop between Perth and Mandurah
A worthwhile early stop is Rockingham, where you can pause near Shoalwater Islands Marine Park. This stretch of coast offers white sand, clear water and a lovely first glimpse of the scenery that makes a Western Australia road trip so rewarding. If you would prefer to keep the day simple, continue on to Mandurah and spend the afternoon along the foreshore. Mandurah is well known for its resident dolphins, and even a casual walk by the estuary can turn into an unexpected wildlife sighting. The waterfront, boardwalks and marina precinct also make this a pleasant first stop for easing into your campervan road trip.
Things to do in Mandurah
Mandurah has an easy holiday feel that suits the opening day perfectly. You might book a dolphin cruise, hire kayaks to explore the waterways or simply stroll around the estuary and foreshore. If the weather is warm, there is time for a swim or a relaxed fish and chips lunch near the water. Later in the day, the marina is a lovely place to watch the light change over the canals and settle into the slower pace of the trip.
Where to stay in Mandurah
For the night, stay at a camper-friendly holiday park such as Mandurah Caravan and Tourist Park. It offers powered sites and a practical base for your first night on the road, with good access to town and the waterfront. If you would rather stay closer to the coast, another nearby caravan park around the Mandurah area can also work well, as long as it offers campervan sites and easy access to the foreshore.
Day 2: Mandurah to Bunbury
Distance: 110 kms
Travel time: ~1.5 hours
Day two continues the journey south, but it still keeps things comfortable and unhurried. This section of the Perth itinerary is all about enjoying the smaller stops between the bigger hubs rather than rushing straight through. With a campervan, it is easy to turn this short drive into a full day of scenic pauses, local discoveries and beachside breaks.
Where to stop between Mandurah and Bunbury
Start with a stop in Pinjarra if you enjoy a little heritage charm and country-town atmosphere. It is a pleasant place to grab a coffee before continuing south. From there, a detour to Serpentine Falls adds a change of scenery, with bushland, rocky pools and short walks through the national park. Farther along, Lake Clifton is one of the more distinctive natural stops on this route. The boardwalk gives you a chance to view rare thrombolites, which are ancient living formations and a genuinely unusual sight on a campervan road trip. If you are in the mood for a beach stop instead, Preston Beach is an easy and peaceful option with soft white sand and a quiet coastal feel. These short detours are what make the drive from Perth to Busselton feel rich rather than rushed.
Things to do in Bunbury
Once you reach Bunbury, spend the rest of the day around Koombana Bay. This is one of the best places in the region for calm coastal scenery, and it is especially well known for dolphin encounters. You might choose to visit the Dolphin Discovery Centre area, enjoy a waterfront walk or simply spend time by the bay taking in the views. Bunbury strikes a nice balance between convenience and seaside relaxation, which makes it a comfortable overnight stop on this Busselton itinerary.
Where to stay in Bunbury
Set up for the night at a campervan-friendly park such as Discovery Parks - Bunbury Foreshore or BIG4 Bunbury Riverside Holiday Park. Both offer powered sites suited to campervan travellers. Discovery Parks is particularly handy if you want to stay close to the foreshore and Koombana Bay, while BIG4 Bunbury Riverside Holiday Park offers a comfortable base near the Eaton Foreshore for a quieter overnight stay.
Day 3: Bunbury to Busselton
Distance: 55 kms
Travel time: ~1 hour
Today is the shortest drive of the trip, which means you can enjoy a slow morning in Bunbury and still arrive in Busselton with most of the day ahead of you. This is where the road trip shifts from a series of coastal stopovers into a slower stay, giving you time to properly enjoy one of the south west’s best-known seaside towns.
Where to stop between Bunbury and Busselton
Before leaving Bunbury, you may want to spend a little more time around Koombana Bay if you did not see everything yesterday. From there, the drive south is straightforward and easy in a campervan. You can pause in or near Capel for a break, but this is deliberately a light driving day, so the real reward is arriving in Busselton early enough to settle in and explore without feeling pressed for time.
Things to do in Busselton
Busselton is the centrepiece of this campervan itinerary and a highlight of any Perth to Busselton road trip. The first place most visitors head is Busselton Jetty, which stretches 1.8 kilometres into Geographe Bay and is one of the town’s most recognisable landmarks. Walking the jetty is a simple pleasure, with wide views back to shore and a real sense of Busselton’s connection to the water. If you want to add something extra, the Underwater Observatory offers a closer look at marine life below the surface. Back on land, the foreshore is perfect for a swim, a cycle, a picnic or just a relaxed coffee by the bay. Busselton works especially well when you do not over-plan it, as the town’s appeal comes from its open space, beachside setting and easy pace.
Where to stay in Busselton
For your Busselton stay, choose a well-equipped holiday park such as Discovery Parks - Busselton or BIG4 Breeze Holiday Parks - Busselton. Both are strong options for a campervan road trip, with powered sites and convenient access to the beach and town. Staying two nights in Busselton is what gives this Perth to Busselton itinerary its relaxed feel, allowing you to settle in rather than pack up again straight away.
Day 4: Busselton
Distance: 40 kms
Travel time: ~1 hour
Today is all about enjoying Busselton at a slower pace. Instead of moving on, you can stay based in the same holiday park and use the day for easy local exploring. This helps turn the trip into more than just a point-to-point drive and gives you time to appreciate why Busselton is such a rewarding stop on a Western Australia road trip.
Where to stop in and around Busselton
Use the day to explore the foreshore and nearby coastline at your own rhythm. You might spend the morning in town, then head out for a short scenic drive toward the Dunsborough side of Geographe Bay. The broader area in that direction offers beautiful shoreline scenery, calm beaches and several good places to pause and take in the views. There is no need to cover much ground. A handful of short stops is enough to make the day feel full without losing the laid-back spirit of the trip.
Things to do in Busselton
A second day in Busselton gives you time for the kinds of simple experiences that often become the most memorable. Start with an early beach walk, hire bikes along the foreshore or revisit the jetty at a different time of day for a completely different feel. You could also enjoy a long lunch, spend time swimming in the bay or take a short outing to nearby beaches. In warmer months, the calm water and easy beach access make this a great day for swimming and picnics. In cooler weather, the coastline is still beautiful for walking, and the south west takes on a greener, fresher feel. This slower day is what gives the itinerary breathing room and makes the whole campervan road trip feel restorative.
Where to stay in Busselton
Stay a second night at your Busselton holiday park to keep the day simple and relaxed. Returning to the same powered site after a day of light exploring is one of the pleasures of travelling by campervan, and it means there is no need to rush tomorrow morning.
Image: Tourism Western Australia
Day 5: Busselton to Perth
Distance: 202 kms
Travel time: ~2.5 hours
Your final day brings you back to Perth, completing the round trip with one last scenic change of pace. After several days on the coast, the inland return route offers a different side of the south west, with forested stretches and a few appealing places to break the journey. It is the longest drive of the trip, but still very manageable in a day.
Where to stop between Busselton and Perth
If you want to break up the return run, make time for Dwellingup. Surrounded by jarrah forest, this area is known for trails, river scenery and outdoor adventure, but it is also simply a lovely place to stretch your legs and enjoy some bushland atmosphere before heading back into the city. Even a short stop here changes the feel of the drive home and helps make the final leg feel different from the coastal journey south. If you would rather return more directly, you can simply stop for lunch along the way and continue on to Perth in the afternoon.
Things to do in Perth
Once back in Perth, you might finish the trip with a quiet evening by the Swan River or extend your stay with another night in the city. Returning to Perth is also a good reminder of how much variety this short Western Australia road trip packs in. Over five days, you can fit in dolphin spotting, foreshore walks, wetlands, forest scenery and time at one of the state’s best-loved jetties, all without any especially demanding driving days.
Where to stay in Perth
If you need one last night in the campervan before or after drop-off, choose a Perth caravan park within easy reach of the city or coast. Otherwise, return your campervan to the Apollo Perth branch to complete the road trip.
FAQs and quick answers
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Is Busselton worth visiting on a short road trip from Perth?
Yes. Busselton is one of the easiest and most rewarding coastal getaways from Perth, with beaches, foreshore walks and the iconic jetty all within easy reach.
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How far is Perth to Busselton and back on this itinerary?
This round trip covers about 439 kilometres in total - allowing time for scenic stopovers.
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What is the best time of year for a Perth to Busselton campervan road trip?
Spring and autumn are especially comfortable for mild weather and fewer crowds. Summer is ideal for beach time, while winter brings greener scenery and a quieter feel.
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Is this a good campervan itinerary for first-time travellers?
Yes. The roads are straightforward, the driving days are short and the overnight stops are all in well-serviced coastal towns.
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Can this Busselton itinerary be done as a long weekend?
Absolutely. Five days gives you enough time to enjoy the drive and spend meaningful time in Busselton without rushing.
This Perth to Busselton 5 day road trip is proof that a memorable getaway does not have to cover huge distances. With a gentle route, easy coastal stopovers and time to properly enjoy Busselton, it delivers all the pleasures of a Western Australia road trip in a format that feels relaxed and easy to follow. When you’re ready, you can easily book your Apollo camper online and pick it up from your closest Apollo branch before hitting the road.