Planning a road trip from Perth to Albany? The Albany Highway covers 417 kilometres and takes around 4 to 4.5 hours without stops. The most popular way to do this drive is to break the journey at Kojonup, a country town sitting 250km southeast of Perth and 160km north of Albany, right on the highway.
This guide covers everything you need: all the stops on the Albany Highway, how long each leg takes, where to eat and stay overnight in Kojonup, the best time of year to make the trip and a route map to help you plan.
Why Kojonup is the Perfect Perth to Albany Stopover
Kojonup sits almost exactly halfway between Perth and Albany on the Albany Highway. At the 3-hour mark from Perth it is the natural point to rest before completing the final 2-hour leg south to Albany. The town has a genuine country feel, with farmland, heritage buildings and good cafes, without being a tourist trap. For travellers who prefer to arrive in Albany refreshed rather than fatigued, an overnight stop here makes the whole trip more enjoyable.
Cornwall House Accommodation is located directly on Albany Highway in the centre of Kojonup. It offers 12 modern, air-conditioned rooms (queen, twin and family configurations) with free WiFi, smart TV, ensuite bathrooms, microwave, refrigerator and free onsite parking. Reception is open 9am to 3pm weekdays and 9am to 2pm weekends, with contactless check-in available from 2pm.
Perth to Albany Route Map
The route runs south-east from Perth on the Albany Highway (Route 30) through Armadale, Williams, Kojonup and Mount Barker before reaching Albany. Total distance: 417km. Recommended stops: Williams (161km), Kojonup (250km), Mount Barker (360km).
Perth to Kojonup: The First Leg (Approx. 3 Hours)
Leave Perth via the Albany Highway heading south-east. The road is well sealed and straightforward for all vehicle types. The first worthwhile stop is Williams, about 161km from Perth and roughly 2 hours into the drive.
Williams (161km from Perth)
Williams is a small agricultural town with a handful of useful stops. The Woolshed opens 7 days a week from 8am to 4pm and has a cafe plus local crafts. Williams Lion Park, on the banks of the Williams River, is a good spot to stretch legs with a grassed picnic area, BBQ facilities and nature play spaces.
From Williams, it is another 90km south-east to Kojonup, approximately 1 hour with no major stops on this stretch. Fill up the tank in Williams if needed; the next servo is in Kojonup.
Kojonup (250km from Perth): What to See and Do
Kojonup sits at the 3-hour mark from Perth making it the natural midpoint of the drive. The town has a genuine country feel, heritage buildings and good cafes without being a tourist trap. Allow half a day if you arrive in the afternoon.
Kodja Place
The standout attraction in town. Kodja Place is an interactive museum and cultural centre that tells the story of the Noongar Aboriginal people and early settler history through art, objects and photography. The adjacent Rose Maze features 2,000 Australian-bred rose bushes along a 500-metre walking path and is worth seeing from September to November during flowering season. Allow 1 to 1.5 hours. Open Tuesday to Sunday.
Kojonup Military Barracks
Built in 1845 by soldiers of the 51st Regiment, the barracks is one of the best-preserved military outposts in Western Australia. Tours run on Sundays from 1.30pm to 3.30pm or by arrangement with the Kojonup Visitor Centre. Good stop if you have kids interested in history.
Kojonup Spring and Rotary Park
A short walk from the town centre, Kojonup Spring is the freshwater source that first drew both Noongar people and European settlers to the area. The surrounding Rotary Park has good picnic facilities and shaded seating. Free entry.
Where to Eat in Kojonup
The best options for road trippers are the Royal Hotel directly opposite Cornwall House, Black Cockatoo Cafe on Albany Highway and Kojonup Country Kitchen. All three serve solid meals without needing a booking. The Royal Hotel is the safest bet for dinner after 6pm.
See the full Kojonup dining guide for opening hours and our recommendations.
Where to Stay in Kojonup Overnight
Cornwall House Accommodation is located at 72 Albany Highway, directly on the route with no detour required. The property has 12 rooms across three configurations.
Queen rooms (9 available): comfortable queen bed, ensuite and all standard inclusions. Twin room (1 available): two single beds, suitable for guests with limited mobility. Family rooms (2 available): two rooms available, one with Special Access features.
All rooms are non-smoking and include reverse cycle air conditioning, 32-inch Smart TV, free WiFi, microwave, refrigerator and tea and coffee making facilities. A shared Camp Kitchen with cooking, dining and lounge facilities is available for guests. Free onsite parking.
Reception is open 9am to 3pm weekdays and 9am to 2pm weekends. Contactless check-in is available from 2pm for late arrivals.
Kojonup to Albany: The Second Leg (Approx. 2 Hours)
The southern leg from Kojonup to Albany covers 160km and takes around 1.5 to 2 hours via the Albany Highway. Two worthwhile stops on this stretch:
Mount Barker (360km from Perth)
Mount Barker is a good short stop for coffee with excellent views toward the Stirling and Porongurup Ranges. The town has several small wineries worth visiting if you have an extra hour. Wildflower season from September to November is particularly impressive with over 500 varieties flowering in the mountains and surrounding farmland. From here it is 57km to Albany.
Albany
Albany is Western Australia’s oldest colonial settlement and worth at least a half-day. The National ANZAC Centre at Mount Clarence is the standout attraction. The Gap and Natural Bridge in Torndirrup National Park are close behind. Middleton Beach is calm and swimmable year-round. Between June and October whale watching tours depart from the historic waterfront.
Driving Albany to Perth: The Return Trip via Kojonup
The return drive from Albany to Perth via the Albany Highway covers 417km and takes 4 to 4.5 hours. Kojonup sits at the 2-hour mark from Albany making it the natural midpoint stop on the return as well.
For the northbound traveller, arriving in Kojonup in the early afternoon gives time to visit Kodja Place or the Military Barracks before dinner at the Royal Hotel and an overnight stay. Completing the remaining 250km to Perth the following morning means arriving refreshed rather than fatigued after a long day of driving.
An alternative return route from Albany heads north on the South Western Highway through Denmark, Walpole, Pemberton and Manjimup. This scenic route is approximately 530km to Perth and passes through karri forest country and the Margaret River wine region. It does not pass through Kojonup and takes around 6 to 6.5 hours.
What to See Driving from Perth to Albany
The Albany Highway passes through several distinct landscapes on the 417km drive. Here is what to expect and the best places to stop.
Perth to Armadale (0-50km):
Urban fringe transitioning to jarrah forest. Mundijong Road lookout offers good views on a clear morning.
Armadale to Williams (50-161km):
Open farmland and wheatbelt country. The road straightens out and driving conditions are easy. Good wildflower roadside display in spring.
Williams (161km):
Best fuel and food stop before Kojonup. Woolshed Cafe and Williams Lion Park.
Williams to Kojonup (161-250km):
Rolling farmland. Not many stops on this stretch so use Williams to refuel.
Kojonup (250km):
Main stopover point. Kodja Place, Military Barracks, cafes and accommodation.
Kojonup to Mount Barker (250-360km):
The landscape opens up. The Stirling Range appears on the horizon around the 300km mark.
Mount Barker (360km):
Coffee stop with excellent Stirling Range views. Wineries nearby.
Mount Barker to Albany (360-417km):
Final 57km. The road descends toward the coast. Albany and Princess Royal Harbour come into view on the final approach.
Perth to Albany Road Trip: Planning Tips
Best Time of Year
Spring (September to November) is the best time for the Perth to Albany drive. The wildflower season transforms roadsides and national parks along the Albany Highway into a display of native colour. Kojonup and Mount Barker are particularly impressive during this period.
Summer can be very hot inland, regularly reaching 35 to 40 degrees between Armadale and Kojonup. Carry at least 2 litres of water per person and check the road conditions via Main Roads WA before you leave. Winter drives are pleasant with mild temperatures but some mountain roads near Albany can close temporarily after heavy rain.
Fuel Stops on the Albany Highway
Fuel is available at Perth, Armadale, Williams, Kojonup, Katanning, Broomehill and Albany. There are no significant fuel gaps on this route but it is good practice to fill up in Williams (161km) or Kojonup (250km). Arriving in Albany on low fuel after a 4-hour drive is easily avoided with one stop along the way.
How Long Does the Perth to Albany Drive Take
The Perth to Albany drive via the Albany Highway is 417km and takes approximately 4 to 4.5 hours without stops. With a 20-minute break at Williams and an overnight stay in Kojonup, most travellers split the drive across two days: Perth to Kojonup (3 hours, 250km) and Kojonup to Albany (1.5 to 2 hours, 160km).
Drive Safely
The Albany Highway is a well-maintained sealed road suitable for all vehicles including caravans. Fatigue is the main risk on this route. The highway is long and relatively straight which increases the risk of microsleep. Stop and rest every 2 hours at minimum. Kojonup at the 3-hour mark from Perth is the ideal break point for a single-day drive or an overnight stop if splitting the trip across two days.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the drive from Perth to Albany?
The drive from Perth to Albany via the Albany Highway is 417km and takes approximately 4 to 4.5 hours non-stop. In practice most people add at least 30 to 45 minutes for fuel, a coffee stop and rest breaks. With a stop at Williams (161km) and an overnight stay at Kojonup (250km), the full trip is split into a 3-hour first leg and a 1.5 to 2-hour second leg the following morning. Albany is best approached fresh rather than at the end of a 4-hour drive if you plan to spend the afternoon exploring.
Where should I stop between Perth and Albany?
The two main stops on the Albany Highway are Williams (161km from Perth) and Kojonup (250km from Perth). Williams is a 15 to 20-minute fuel and food stop with the Woolshed Cafe and Williams Lion Park. Kojonup is the main overnight stop, with motel accommodation at Cornwall House, three dining options and heritage attractions including Kodja Place and the Military Barracks. Mount Barker (360km from Perth) is a good 10-minute stop for coffee and Stirling Range views on the final leg to Albany.
Is Kojonup worth stopping at on the way to Albany?
Yes, particularly if you want to arrive in Albany without fatigue. Kojonup sits at the 3-hour mark from Perth and has genuine things to see beyond fuel and a stretch. Kodja Place is one of the better regional museums in the south-west, the Military Barracks is worth 30 minutes for history enthusiasts and the Rose Maze at Kodja Place is outstanding in spring. The town also has three good dining options and quality motel accommodation at Cornwall House. Travellers who stop overnight consistently find Albany more enjoyable the next day.
How far is Kojonup from Perth and Albany?
Kojonup is 250km south-east of Perth by road, approximately 3 hours driving via the Albany Highway. From Albany, Kojonup is 160km north, approximately 1.5 to 2 hours. The town sits directly on the highway with no detour required.
What is the best route from Perth to Albany?
The Albany Highway (Route 30) is the most direct and most popular route from Perth to Albany. It departs Perth via Albany Highway Road through Armadale and heads south-east through Williams, Kojonup and Mount Barker before reaching Albany at 417km total. The alternative South Western Highway through Bunbury and Bridgetown is longer at around 470km but passes through the Margaret River wine region if you want a scenic variation on the return trip. Both routes are sealed and suitable for all vehicles.
What is there to do in Kojonup WA?
Kojonup’s main attractions for visitors are Kodja Place (museum, cultural centre and Rose Maze), the Kojonup Military Barracks (1845, open Sundays), Kojonup Spring and Rotary Park, and the local dining scene at the Royal Hotel, Black Cockatoo Cafe and Kojonup Country Kitchen. The town is in peak form from September to November during wildflower season when the surrounding farmland and Stirling Range foothills are in full colour. For accommodation, Cornwall House Accommodation on Albany Highway has 12 rooms with motel-style amenities.
