As they say, all good things must come to an end, so this edition, we’ve brought you the last part of Australia’s iconic Big Lap.
Broome to Port Hedland 598 kilometres
While this journey is long, you’ll be rewarded on your drive with the delights of Eighty Mile Beach, the longest uninterrupted beach in Western Australia. This popular hotspot sits on the road between Broome and Port Hedland, and is approximately 220 kilometres in length. Fun fact: Eighty Mile Beach is recognised as a wetland of international importance under the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands – an international treaty for the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands. It is also one of the most important spots for shorebird migration, so bird lovers are in for an absolute treat. It was speculated that 2019 brought in 20 different species of waders!
Carnarvon to Geraldton 475 kilometres
The next stop on your tour of the west is Geraldton. In the past, Geraldton was just a place to stop and top up all your resources as you kept heading south. In recent times, however, more fantastic nuggets have been discovered in this town. For instance, the Geraldton Esplanade is located at the southern end of the foreshore and is a perfect spot for the entire family to while away an afternoon. With barbecue spots aplenty, it’s an ideal spot to put on a decent lunch for everyone. Once lunch is done, you can take a walk along the shore and see all the ships coming into port – some of them are huge, so it’s quite a sight to see!
Geraldton to Perth 413 kilometres
This next stretch of the trip is an absolute beauty. Stops along the way at Jurien Bay and Lancelin will allow you to immerse yourself in some spectacular beaches and scenery. While Jurien Bay may seem like a simple stopover for your trip, it actually has some incredible beaches and a wide range of fantastic accommodation options. For the keen fishers out there, it’s also a top fishing spot where you’re guaranteed some unreal catches. You may notice while you’re out on the water that the endangered Australian sea lions are out and about most days. Get your camera out for these furry subjects, as opportunities like these don’t come around very often!
Busselton to Dunsborough 24 kilometres
While the end of your Big Lap journey is in sight, it doesn’t have to be a sad send off – Dunsborough is the cherry on top the Margaret River cake! It’s the perfect destination to finish on, as its laid-back nature will have you hypnotised in a permanent state of relaxation.
A tour of Dunsborough has to start with an exploration of the Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse. Built to prevent ships crashing into rocks as they made their way onto Western Australian shores in 1903 atop a 100-metre-high bluff overlooking Geographe Bay, the breathtaking views atop this 20-metre-high tower are something that need to be experienced to be believed.