Tourist Drives in Western Australia explained

Header Type:scenic
Tourist Drives of
Western Australia
Caption:Route markers for
Tourist Drives 200, 250, & 350
Length Km:2000
Length Ref: approx.
Length Round:-2
Label1:Within Perth:
Field1:Tourist Drives 200–207
Label2:Elsewhere:
Field2:Tourist Drives 250–260 & 350–360

Tourist Drives in Western Australia are routes through areas of scenic or historic significance, designated by route markers with white numbers on a brown shield.[1] Tourist Drives were introduced into Western Australia while Eric Charlton was the state government Minister for Transport in the 1990s. The 28 numbered routes collectively traverse more than across the state.[2] In addition to the Tourist Drives, there are unnumbered routes such as the Golden Pipeline Heritage Trail,[3] and local governments may designate and maintain local scenic drives, generally unnamed and unnumbered.[4]

Tourist Drive 200

Country:AUS
Tourist Drive 200
Type:T
Route:200
Location:Kings Park
Length Km:7
Header Type:scenic

Kings Park Tourist Drive, designated as Tourist Drive 200, is a scenic route through Kings Park in the centre of Perth, Western Australia. The 7adj=midNaNadj=mid drive begins with Fraser Avenue, the northern entry to the park. Lemon-scented Gums, planted in 1938, line the entrance road, which proceeds southwards to the State War Memorial. The memorial honours the servicemen and women who have died in wars since the Boer War, while the nearby lookout provides vistas of the Perth's city centre and adjacent Swan River, with the hills of the Darling Scarp in the background. The tourist drive continues in a loop inside Kings Park, with Forrest Drive, Lovekin Drive, and May Drive taking visitors to the Botanical Gardens, Synergy Parkland, children's playgrounds, and through native bushland, finishing back at the State War Memorial precinct. Vehicles can also be access the drive from Park Avenue and Poole Avenue at the southern end, and Saw Avenue at the western edge, and there are many paths and walkways crossing the park.

Tourist Drive 201

Country:AUS
Tourist Drive 201
Type:T
Route:201
Location:John Forrest National Park
Length Km:10
Header Type:scenic

John Forrest Tourist Drive, designated as Tourist Drive 201, is a scenic route through John Forrest National Park in the eastern hills of Perth, Western Australia. The 10adj=midNaNadj=mid drive travels around the national park along Park Road, and can be accessed from the park entrances on Great Eastern Highway. In addition to the natural fauna and flora of the park, the tourist drive provides access to a scenic lookout over Perth and the edge of the Darling Scarp, Glen Brook Dam, which is the site of a picnic area and starting point for many walking trails, as well as the park's visitors area, where facilities, cultivated gardens, and a swimming hole are located. The of land in John Forrest National Park is almost entirely undeveloped, with the tourist drive itself restricted to the southern section of the park, south of Jane Brook.

Park entry fees apply, unless visitors walk or cycle into the park.[5]

Tourist Drive 202

Country:AUS
Tourist Drive 202
Type:T
Route:202
Location:Rockingham
Length Km:24
Header Type:scenic

Rockingham Coastal Tourist Drive, designated as Tourist Drive 202, is a scenic route around the Rockingham coast. The route travels along Kwinana Beach Road, Rockingham Beach Road, Harrison Street, Val Street, The Esplanade, Hymus Street, Point Peron Road, Memorial Drive, Lease Road, Arcadia Drive, and Safety Bay Road. Starting at Kwinana Beach, the tourist drive travels via Point Peron and Safety Bay to Warnbro.

Tourist Drive 203

Country:AUS
Tourist Drive 203
Type:T
Route:203
Location:Swan Valley
Length Km:31
Header Type:scenic

Swan Valley Tourist Drive, designated as Tourist Drive 203, is a tourist drive through Perth's Swan Valley. The 31adj=midNaNadj=mid route is a loop from Guildford to West Swan, Belhus, and Midland, and then back to Guildford. The tourist drive travels via Meadow Street, West Swan Road, Great Northern Highway, Morrison Road, Great Eastern Highway, Terrace Road, and Swan Street.

Tourist Drive 204

Country:AUS
Tourist Drive 204
Type:T
Route:204
Location:North Fremantle – Ocean Reef
Length Km:38
Header Type:scenic

Sunset Coast Tourist Drive, designated as Tourist Drive 204, is a scenic route along Perth's northern beaches. There are two sections to the route, connected by West Coast Highway. The first section is from Stirling Bridge, North Fremantle via Cottesloe to Swanbourne, along Stirling Highway, Tydeman Road, Port Beach Road, Curtin Avenue, Marine Parade, and North Street. The second part connects City Beach to Scarborough, Trigg, North Beach, Hillarys, Mullaloo, and finally Ocean Reef, travelling along Challenger Parade, West Coast Highway, Karrinyup Road, West Coast Drive, Whitfords Avenue, Northshore Drive, Oceanside Promenade, and Ocean Reef Road.

Tourist Drive 205

Country:AUS
Tourist Drive 205
Type:T
Route:205
Location:Bedfordale & Roleystone
Length Km:44
Header Type:scenic

Heritage Country Tourist Drive, designated as Tourist Drive 205, is a scenic and historic route through Bedfordale and Roleystone. After heading east out of Armadale, the route travels in a loop to Churchman Brook Reservoir, Canning Dam, and Wungong Dam, and then returns to Armadale. The tourist drive follows Albany Highway, Carradine Road, Canns Road, Churchman Brook Road, Soldiers Road, Brookton Highway, Croyden Road, McNess Drive, Canning Dam Road, Albany Highway (again), Springfield Road, and Admiral Road, with Albany Highway the final link completing the loop.

Tourist Drive 206

Country:AUS
Tourist Drive 206
Type:T
Route:206
Location:Jarrahdale & Serpentine
Length Km:45
Header Type:scenic

Kingsbury Tourist Drive, designated as Tourist Drive 206, is a scenic route through the jarrah forest in and around Serpentine National Park. The route is a loop that links Jarrahdale, Serpentine Dam, and Serpentine National Park, travelling along Kingsbury Drive, South Western Highway, and Jarrahdale Road.

Tourist Drive 207

Country:AUS
Tourist Drive 207
Type:T
Route:207
Location:Mundaring – Kalamunda
Length Km:25
Header Type:scenic

Darling Range Tourist Drive, designated as Tourist Drive 207, is a historic route through the Darling Range near Mundaring. The 25adj=midNaNadj=mid route travels along Mundaring Weir Road, between the Mundaring and Kalamunda town sites. The drive's main attraction is the historic Mundaring Weir, a component of the Goldfields Water Supply Scheme, which has been described as "Western Australia's greatest engineering feat".

Tourist Drive 250

Country:AUS
Tourist Drive 250
Type:T
Route:250
Location:Cape Naturaliste – Cape Leeuwin
Length Km:123
Header Type:scenic

See also: Caves Road (Western Australia). Caves Road Tourist Drive, designated as Tourist Drive 250, is a scenic drive from Cape Naturaliste to Cape Leeuwin, via the Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park. The 123adj=midNaNadj=mid route travels almost entirely along Caves Road, as well as Cape Naturaliste Road to that cape. Beyond the southern extent of Caves Road, the tourist drive follows Bussell Highway, Blackwood Avenue, and Leeuwin Road to Cape Leeuwin.

Tourist Drive 251

Country:AUS
Tourist Drive 251
Type:T
Route:251
Location:Cape Naturaliste – Cape Leeuwin
Length Km:123
Header Type:scenic

Blackwood River Tourist Drive, designated as Tourist Drive 251, is a scenic route from Balingup via Nannup to Bridgetown. Much of the route from Balingup to Nannup, on Balingup–Nannup Road and Grange Road, is alongside the Blackwood River, as is the end part of the route near Bridgetown, on Brockman Highway. The direct connection from Balingup to Bridgetown is along South Western Highway, which, while not part of the tourist drive, connects the two ends to form a loop.

Tourist Drive 252

Country:AUS
Tourist Drive 252
Type:T
Route:252
Location:Mount Barker – Porongurup
Length Km:30
Header Type:scenic

Porongurup Tourist Drive, designated as Tourist Drive 252, is a scenic route from Mount Barker to Porongurup and the Porongurup National Park. The 30adj=midNaNadj=mid east–west route travels between Albany Highway and Chester Pass Road, along Oatlands Road and Mount Barker–Porongurup Road. The national park is described as having "many walks, spectacular views, interesting drives and abundant wildlife".

Tourist Drive 254

Country:AUS
Tourist Drive 254
Type:T
Route:254
Location:Toodyay – Beverley
Length Km:98
Header Type:scenic

Avon Historic Tourist Drive, designated as Tourist Drive 254, is a historic route through the Avon Valley and surrounding countryside. The 98adj=midNaNadj=mid route travels alongside the Avon River, from Toodyay to Northam and York, and finishing at Beverley. The tourist drive follows a number of different roads: Toodyay Road, Northam–Toodyay Road, Katrine Road, Taylor Street, Fitzgerald Street, Burlong Road, Spencers Brook Road, Spencers Brook–York Road, Avon Terrace, Balladong Street, York Road, Top Beverley Road, Great Southern Highway.

Tourist Drive 255

Country:AUS
Tourist Drive 255
Type:T
Route:255
Location:Denmark – William Bay National Park
Length Km:35
Header Type:scenic

Scotsdale Tourist Drive, designated as Tourist Drive 255, is a scenic route through the coastal, forest, and farming areas around Denmark. The 35adj=midNaNadj=mid route travels north-west from Denmark along Scotsdale Road to Scotsdale. The tourist drive then follows Mount Mcleod Road south to South Coast Highway, which connects it to William Bay Road. That road travels through the William Bay National Park to Greens Pool, a sheltered beach on the state's southern coast.

Tourist Drive 256

Country:AUS
Tourist Drive 256
Type:T
Route:256
Location:Lake Argyle
Length Km:34
Header Type:scenic

Lake Argyle Tourist Drive, designated as Tourist Drive 256, is a 34adj=midNaNadj=mid route that connects Victoria Highway, near the Northern Territory border, to the tourist attractions at Lake Argyle. As well as the lake itself, one of the world's largest artificial lakes, there is the historic Argyle Homestead Museum, a tourist village which was originally the construction camp, bushwalking tracks, and a multitude of fauna – birds, marsupials, freshwater crocodiles, and fish living in or around the lake. There are no attractions along the route before Lake Argyle, except for seeing the Kimberley's "rugged landscape".

Tourist Drive 257

Country:AUS
Tourist Drive 257
Type:T
Route:257
Location:Albany
Length Km:6
Header Type:scenic

Albany Historic Tourist Drive, designated as Tourist Drive 257, is a historic route through Albany, Western Australia's first settlement. The 6adj=midNaNadj=mid route travels parallel to the coastline, from Middleton Beach, around the base of Mount Adelaide, past Lawley Park and the restored Old Post Office, to the Western Australian Museum – Albany. The tourist drive follows the local roads Marine Drive, Burgoyne Road, Cuddihy Road, Brunswick Road West, Stirling Terrace, and Residency Road.

Tourist Drive 258

Country:AUS
Tourist Drive 258
Type:T
Route:258
Location:Torndirrup National Park
Length Km:7
Header Type:scenic

Frenchman Bay Tourist Drive, designated as Tourist Drive 258, is a scenic route through the Torndirrup National Park. The 7adj=midNaNadj=mid route travels along Frenchman Bay Road, from the edge of the national park to Frenchman Bay. Many roads turn off the tourist drive, to scenic spots along the coast, including The Gap (a narrow, steep sided ravine), The Natural Bridge (a large granite formation "shaped like a bridge of giants"), The Blowholes (the pressure of water coming into caves during a heavy ocean swell blasts air through cracks in rocks above the caves), Jimmy Newhill's Harbour (a natural harbour in the otherwise rugged coast), and Salmon Holes (a popular fishing spot for the native salmon).

Tourist Drive 259

Country:AUS
Tourist Drive 259
Type:T
Route:259
Location:Manjimup – Quinninup
Length Km:88
Header Type:scenic

Karri Tourist Drive, designated as Tourist Drive 259, is a scenic route through the karri forest south of Manjimup. In addition to the giant karri, which can reach a height of, the scenery includes streams, freshwater pools, and an undergrowth of ferns and vines. The 88adj=midNaNadj=mid route travels south from Manjimup, following Gilbert Street, Chopping Street, and South Western Highway, before turning off to Pemberton along Eastbourne Road, Diamond Tree Road, and Pemberton North Road. The tourist drive takes Vasse Highway, Pemberton Northcliffe Road, and Zamia Street into Northcliffe, before heading in a north-easterly direction along Wheatley Coast Road, to return to South Western Highway near Quinninup where the route ends. There are many wildflowers and picnic spots along the route.

Tourist Drive 260

Country:AUS
Tourist Drive 260
Type:T
Route:260
Location:Leschenault – Bunbury
Length Km:14
Header Type:scenic

Australind Bunbury Tourist Drive, designated as Tourist Drive 260, is a 14adj=midNaNadj=mid historic route from Leschenault to Bunbury via Australind, Western Australia. From Forrest Highway (at the point that was the intersection of the former Australind Bypass and Old Coast Road), the route travels south to Australind via Old Coast Road, east of the Leschenault Inlet. At Pelicon Point, the route turns south-west along Estuary Drive, entering Bunbury after crossing the Preston River.[6]

Tourist Drive 350

Country:AUS
Tourist Drive 350
Type:T
Route:350
Location:Geikie Gorge National Park – Windjana Gorge National Park
Length Km:166
Header Type:scenic

Geikie–Windjana Tourist Way, designated as Tourist Drive 350, is a 166adj=midNaNadj=mid scenic route connecting national parks in Western Australia's Kimberly region. From Fitzroy Crossing, the route travels north-east to Geikie Gorge National Park along Forrest Road, Russ Road, Geikie Gorge Road. It also travels west from the town along Great Northern Highway to Leopold Downs Road, the turn-off to Tunnel Creek National Park. The tourist drive continues along Fairfield–Leopold Downs Road to Windjana Gorge National Park, and ends at Derby Gibb River Road near the Lennard River. The route is only accessible in the dry season, from April to November.

Tourist Drive 351

Country:AUS
Tourist Drive 351
Type:T
Route:351
Location:Burrup Peninsula – Point Samson
Length Km:77
Header Type:scenic

Cossack Tourist Way, designated as Tourist Drive 351, is a 77adj=midNaNadj=mid scenic and historic route along the state's north-west coast. From Dampier, the route travels up the Burrup Peninsula on Burrup Road to Woodside Petroleum's North West Shelf Visitors Centre. The Burrup Peninsula is also the location of historic Aboriginal rock carvings and etchings which are thousands of years. South-east of Dampier, the route travels to Karratha, and then on to the historic town of Roebourne, along Dampier Highway, Karratha Road, and North West Coastal Highway. North of Roebourne, the route splits, with one leg travelling to the coastal ghost town of Cossack, and the other leg heading via Wickham to the nearby fishing village of Point Samson.

Tourist Drive 352

Country:AUS
Tourist Drive 352
Type:T
Route:352
Location:North West Cape
Length Km:121
Header Type:scenic

Cape Range Tourist Way, designated as Tourist Drive 352, is a 121adj=midNaNadj=mid scenic route along the coast of the North West Cape. From Learmonth, the route travels up the eastern side of the cape to Exmouth via the Minilya–Exmouth Road. It continues along Murat Road, Laermonth Minilya Road, and Yardie Creek Road to the Vlaming Head Lighthouse, and then follows Yardie Creek Road down the western side of the cape, through the Cape Range National Park, until it reaches Yardie Creek Gorge.

Tourist Drive 353

Country:AUS
Tourist Drive 353
Type:T
Route:353
Location:Shark Bay
Length Km:155
Header Type:scenic

Shark Bay Tourist Way, designated as Tourist Drive 353, is a 155adj=midNaNadj=mid scenic route around Shark Bay, in the state's Gascoyne region. The route travels along Shark Bay Road and Monkey Mia Road, from North West Coastal Highway near the Overlander Roadhouse, via Hamelin Pool Marine Nature Reserve and Denham, to Monkey Mia, which is famous for its wild but friendly bottlenose dolphins.

Tourist Drive 354

Country:AUS
Tourist Drive 354
Type:T
Route:354
Location:Dongara – Kalbarri National Park
Length Km:244
Header Type:scenic

Batavia Coast Tourist Way, designated as Tourist Drive 354, is a 244adj=midNaNadj=mid scenic route from Dongara to Kalbarri National Park, along the coast of the state's Mid West region. The route travels along Brand Highway and North West Coastal Highway to the national park, turns inland to Kalbarri along Kalbarri Road. Within the townsite the route follows Clotworthy Street and Grey Street. It departs southbound on Red Bluff Road, adjacent to the coast, and continues along George Grey Drive through the south-western portion of Kalbarri National Park.

Tourist Drive 355

Country:AUS
Tourist Drive 355
Type:T
Route:355
Location:Roelands – Muja
Length Km:57
Header Type:scenic

Collie Tourist Way, designated as Tourist Drive 355, is a scenic and historic route around the Western Australia's largest coalfield. The 57adj=midNaNadj=mid route travels across the Darling Range on Coalfields Highway, from Roelands to Collie River in Muja. It turns off at Centaur Road, alongside the river, and travels to the Muja Tourist lookout, overlooking the nearby working coal seam. On the way the route passes near the scenic Wellington Dam and Ferguson Valley, and travels through the historic coal mining town of Collie.

Tourist Drive 356

Country:AUS
Tourist Drive 356
Type:T
Route:356
Location:Beverley – Albany
Length Km:381
Header Type:scenic

Great Southern Tourist Way, designated as Tourist Drive 356, is a 381adj=midNaNadj=mid historic route that follows the Great Southern Railway from Beverley to Albany. The route travels along Great Southern Highway and Albany Highway, through the many settlements that have their origins across in the -year-old railway. The main attractions include Pingelly, Narrogin, Wagin, Katanning, Cranbrook, and Mount Barker.

Tourist Drive 357

Country:AUS
Tourist Drive 357
Type:T
Route:357
Location:Coolgardie – Kalgoorlie
Length Km:45
Header Type:scenic

Goldfields Tourist Way, designated as Tourist Drive 357, is a 45adj=midNaNadj=mid historic route in the state's goldfields. The route travels along Great Eastern Highway, from the Coolgardie Camel Farm 4km (02miles) west of Coolgardie, to Kalgoorlie. The entire length of the route coincides with the easternmost section of the Golden Pipeline Heritage Trail, which travels from Perth to Kalgoorlie alongside the Goldfields Water Supply Scheme pipeline. The heritage trail is a more recent initiative, introduced in 2003 for the pipeline's 100th anniversary.[7]

Tourist Drive 358

Country:AUS
Tourist Drive 358
Type:T
Route:358
Location:Esperance
Length Km:30
Header Type:scenic

Esperance Tourist Way, designated as Tourist Drive 358, is a 30adj=midNaNadj=mid scenic route along the Esperance coast and the nearby Pink Lake. The route starts in the centre of Esperance, travels along the coastline on Twilight Beach Road, passing numerous beaches and coves, and then continues inland on Eleven Mile Beach Road to Pink Lake. The tourist drive doesn't quite form a complete loop, but Pink Lake Drive connects the two ends.

Tourist Drive 359

Country:AUS
Tourist Drive 359
Type:T
Route:359
Location:Wanneroo – Chittering
Length Km:70
Header Type:scenic

Chittering Valley Tourist Way, designated as Tourist Drive 359, is a 70adj=midNaNadj=mid scenic route across the Gnangara-Moore River State Forest and through the Chittering Valley. The route starts on Pinjar Road in Ashby (just north of Wanneroo), at its intersection with Wanneroo Road. It then heads east through the state forest on Neaves Road to Bullsbrook, travelling for a short distance on Muchea South Road, Rutland Road, and Great Northern Highway. The route continues along Chittering Road to Chittering, following the Brockman River and its tributaries. It deviates onto Chittering Valley Road, continuing to follow the river's path, but soon after returns to Chittering Road. Chittering Valley Tourist Way ends at Great Northern Highway, a short distance away from Bindoon.

Tourist Drive 360

Country:AUS
Tourist Drive 360
Type:T
Route:360
Location:Upper Swan – Watheroo National Park
Length Km:204
Header Type:scenic

Midlands Tourist Way, designated as Tourist Drive 360, is a 204adj=midNaNadj=mid scenic and historic route through agriculture areas in the state's Wheatbelt region, north of Perth. From Upper Swan, the route travels north along Great Northern Highway to Walebing, and then west along The Midlands Road to Moora, and then continuing north to Watheroo National Park. Attractions along the way include the Walyunga National Park, where the Avon River becomes the Swan River (Western Australia), the historic towns of Bindoon and New Norcia, and the wildflowers north of Moora.

See also

Notes and References

  1. Book: Distance book. 2012. Main Roads Western Australia. 0 7309 7657 2. 4–5. 12th. 8 October 2012. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20121024075225/http://www.mainroads.wa.gov.au/UsingRoads/TouringWAMaps/Pages/DistanceBook.aspx. 24 October 2012. dmy-all.
  2. Web site: Tourist Drives of Western Australia . Main Roads Western Australia . 3 November 2013 . Main Roads Western Australia . Western Australian Tourism Commission . Royal Automobile Club . https://web.archive.org/web/20110404120927/http://www.tourism.wa.gov.au/Publications%20Library/Tourist%20Drives%20of%20WA.pdf . 4 April 2011 . dead . PDF.
  3. Web site: Explore the Pipeline. Golden Pipeline Heritage Trail. The National Trust of Australia (WA). https://web.archive.org/web/20130409125638/http://www.goldenpipeline.com.au/trail/index.html. 9 April 2013. 19 November 2013.
  4. Web site: State Tourist Drives: Policy Guidelines. Government of Western Australia. 19 November 2013. Tourism Western Australia. https://web.archive.org/web/20110404102620/http://www.tourism.wa.gov.au/Publications%20Library/State%20Tourist%20Drives%20-%20Policy%20Guidelines.pdf. 4 April 2011. live. 2, 5. PDF.
  5. Web site: Park visitor fees. Government of Western Australia. 16 December 2013. Department of Parks and Wildlife. https://web.archive.org/web/20131216053852/http://parks.dpaw.wa.gov.au/sites/default/files/downloads/know/20130339%20Park%20Visitor%20Fees%20brochure%20PRINT_WEB.PDF. 16 December 2013. live. PDF. December 2013.
  6. Web site: Collie Visitor Centre. Discover the Collie River Valley. Shire of Collie. 3 August 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140226031402/http://collie.wa.gov.au/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/discover_collie_tour1.pdf. 26 February 2014. dead. PDF. dmy-all.
  7. Web site: Golden Pipeline — WA Happy 10th birthday Golden Pipeline. Australian Council of National Trusts. 20 October 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130411135532/http://www.nationaltrust.org.au/wa/GoldenPipeline. 11 April 2013 . live. 11 February 2013.