Ultimate Wheatbelt Way Road Trip Itinerary
The Wheatbelt Way is one of Western Australia’s most underrated road trips – a self-drive trail that loops through nine regional communities and showcases some of the state’s most breathtaking inland landscapes. Think wide-open roads, golden canola fields and vibrant wildflowers during spring, giant granite outcrops and big skies that transform into a blanket of stars at night.
Plan the perfect Wheatbelt Way road trip with our detailed itinerary, featuring wildflowers, granite outcrops, free camping spots and insider tips for Western Australia’s most underrated road trip adventure.
Wheatbelt Way Road Trip Overview:
Duration: We recommend at least 4 days / 3 nights to enjoy the loop without rushing.
Distance: ~900 km return from Perth.
Best time to visit: July–October for mild weather and vibrant wildflowers (particularly August–September).
Road conditions: Main highways are sealed, most side roads to rocks and campsites are gravel but generally 2WD-friendly.
Wheatbelt Way Road Trip Itinerary:
Day 1: From Perth to Bonnie Rock
Approximately 4 hr 30 min of driving.
Start the trip from Perth and make your way towards Dowerin, approximately 2 hours east.
Dowerin: Snap a photo with Rusty the Tin Dog, the town’s iconic working dog statue and wander the heritage streetscape. You’ll also find Rusty’s friend Rosie in town along Stewart Street.
Wyalkatchem: Discover local history at the Wyalkatchem CBH Agricultural Museum and stock up on supplies.
Korrelocking Nature Reserve: Enjoy a quiet picnic amongst beautiful wildflowers and bird sounds.
Koorda: Consider stopping at Koorda drive-in movie theatre if travelling on a movie night, it’s one of the only drive-ins left in WA that is still operating.
Bonnie Rock: Otherwise, continue on towards Bonnie Rock and set up camp in the old Bonnie Rock townsite under endless stars.
Day 2: From Bonnie Rock to Baladjie Rock
Approximately 1 hr 40 min of driving.
Beringbooding Rock: Home to Australia’s largest rock water catchment tank. Spend some time admiring the incredible rock formation and walk the easy loop track.
Elachbutting Rock: Known as a quieter “Wave Rock,” this was one of our favourite places along the Wheatbelt Way. Explore the rock – don’t miss Monty’s Pass and the echoing cave on the other side. It feels like a natural amphitheatre.
If you have time to spare, we highly recommend seeing Elachbutting Rock at sunset for a beautiful golden glow and stay for some incredible astrophotography opportunities.
Baladjie Rock: A dramatic granite outcrop with sweeping views over the Wheatbelt.
It’s amazing at sunrise and well worth spending a bit of time exploring the rock and its caves.
Tip: There are campsites at all 3 rocks with basic facilities and firepits, so choose whichever option fits your schedule the best.
Day 3: From Westonia to Marshall Rock
Approximately 2 hr 40 min of driving.
Westonia: A beautifully restored historic mining town – once known for gold mining but now relies mainly on sheep and wheat.
Visit Edna May Gold Mine Lookout for views of an open-pit gold mine or go for a hike at Sandford Rocks Discovery Trail.
Tip: Sandford Rocks Discovery Trail is a ~2.6 km loop trail and takes about 30-60 minutes to complete.
Lake Campion: The Wheatbelt Way is home to some fascinating salt lakes and Lake Campion was one of our favourites. The water is very shallow and almost gives a glass-like effect. It’s an incredible spot to stop and take some amazing photos.
Eaglestone Rock: Located right next to Lake Campion, Eaglestone Rock is a great spot to spend some time exploring. Climb up on the rock for stunning views over the lake.
Lake McDermott: Another interesting stop along the Wheatbelt Way is Lake McDermott. The lake is dry majority of the time and doesn’t look like much from afar, but once you step out onto the lake, you’ll see all these tiny crystals from the salt. It’s a great spot to experiment with macro photography.
Marshall Rock: Finish the day at Marshall Rock and set up camp for the night. We highly recommend timing your visit to watch the sunset here. If you climb onto the rock, you will be rewarded with stunning views over the Wheatbelt.
Tip: Bring your own firewood around to the camps, there’s often free fire pits at the campsites and it’s the best way to enjoy the cosy camp vibes and look up into the starry nights.
Day 4: From Marshall Rock back to Perth
Approximately 3 hr 40 min of driving
Time to head back towards Perth after an epic Wheatbelt Way road trip!
Cowcowing Lakes: Consider making a stop at Cowcowing Lakes on the way back. An incredible spot for drone photography and videography providing some unique perspectives of the salt lakes.
Arrive back in Perth having completed the full loop – refreshed by country air and WA’s incredible inland scenery.
Highlights along the Wheatbelt Way:
🌼 Wildflower wonderland: Vibrant wildflowers and golden canola fields during spring.
🌄 Granite outcrops: Perfect for exploring, sunset views and stargazing.
🏕 Free camping: Most stops along the way offer free camps with basic facilities.
🤠 Country charm: Quirky and charming country towns.
🚶♀️ Hiking & climbing: Short but rewarding walks and/or rock climbs with panoramic views.
Essential tips for the best Wheatbelt Way Road Trip:
Fuel & food: Towns can be small and opening times unpredictable – fill your tank and stock up on food and water when you can.
Camping: Most stops have free camps along the way but only with basic facilities. Make sure to bring your own water, food and firewood etc.
Respect the land: Leave no trace, stick to existing tracks and take rubbish with you as bins are limited around campsites. Please also stick to pathways in Nature Reserves and protect the wildflowers.
Offline maps: Download Google Maps offline and the Wheatbelt Way App before departing from Perth as reception can be very limited.
Photography: Sunrise and sunset at the rocks are magical. Bring a tripod for night sky shots.
Wildlife: The wildlife around the Wheatbelt Way is incredible, but please be respectful and careful when driving, especially around dawn and dusk when they are most active.
FAQ about Wheatbelt Way:
Do I need a 4WD to do the Wheatbelt Way?
No. A standard 2WD is fine in dry conditions, though most roads to granite rocks and reserves are unsealed so be careful after heavy rain and look out for wildlife.
When is the best time to drive the Wheatbelt Way?
We recommend doing this trip during late winter or spring (July-October) for mild temperatures and wildflowers.
How long do I need to complete the Wheatbelt Way?
We would recommend at least 4 days to ensure enough time to visit the highlights without rushing.
Is the Wheatbelt Way family-friendly?
Yes. Short walks, wide-open spaces and interesting rock formations keep kids entertained.
Where should I stay along the Wheatbelt Way?
There are free camps at most of the rocks with basic facilities or hotels/motels and caravan parks around the towns.
Are there toilets and facilities?
We found most of the camping spots near the rocks have basic camping facilities. Towns have public toilets, playgrounds and cafes.
Can I bring my dog?
There are pet-friendly camping options and activities available along the route. Wheatbelt Way have put together a pet-friendly guide to make travelling with your furry friend even easier.
Final words:
We have been on hundreds of road trips throughout Western Australia, and we can safely say that Wheatbelt Way is one of the most underrated trips we have been on. It’s the perfect balance between nature, adventure and tranquillity.
You can have a quiet picnic amongst vibrant wildflowers and bird sounds, climb ancient granite rocks, explore caves, sit around campfires underneath millions of bright stars without any crowds.
If you’ve been craving a quiet and authentic WA experience, a Wheatbelt Way road trip is most definitely for you.
Share this itinerary with friends or family planning their next WA road trip.
Looking for more Western Australia road trip inspiration? Read our Perth to Exmouth Itinerary or Perth to Albany itinerary next.
