Perth to Ningaloo: a 14-day Coral Coast road trip

Highlights

Limestone desert and Indian Ocean blue in one opening day
A relaxed first evening beside Jurien Bay

Driving details(1 leg)

Perth → Jurien Bay

218 km · 2 hr 22 min · Indian Ocean Drive / State Route 60

Main-route driving is ordinarily sealed; check Main Roads WA for current conditions and restrictions before departure.

Check Main Roads WA for current conditions before you leave.

Stops along the way

NatureAllow 1 hr 30 min

Pinnacles Desert Discovery

Let the Pinnacles turn the opening drive into a first-day spectacle, choosing the discovery centre, short walk or driving loop to suit the weather and your energy.

WalkAllow 45 min

Jurien Bay foreshore and jetty

Ease into Jurien Bay with a foreshore walk along the jetty and sealed coastal path, keeping the evening as short or leisurely as you like.

2Day 2

Jurien Bay to Geraldton

196 km

2 hr 6 min

Jurien BayGeraldton

Clear turquoise water and boat activity off Jurien Bay

HMAS Sydney II Memorial dome and sculpture in Geraldton

Wildflower display at Coalseam Conservation Park

❤️ Tourism Western Australia

Follow the coast into Geraldton and leave time for Mid West stories and an evening by the water.

Overnight in Geraldton

Places to stay near Geraldton

Geraldton Belair Gardens Caravan Park - 1

Geraldton Belair Gardens Caravan Park - 2

Geraldton Belair Gardens Caravan Park - 3

Geraldton Belair Gardens Caravan Park - 4

4.0(1264)Google

Geraldton Belair Gardens Caravan Park

Geraldton. 6530, Western Australia

Sunset Beach Holiday Park

6530, Western Australia

Highlights

Indian Ocean blue and wide Mid West skies
Yamaji culture and Geraldton's maritime stories

Driving details(1 leg)

Jurien Bay → Geraldton

196 km · 2 hr 6 min · Indian Ocean Drive / State Route 60, Brand Highway

Main-route driving is ordinarily sealed; check Main Roads WA for current conditions and restrictions before departure.

Check Main Roads WA for current conditions before you leave.

Stops along the way

CultureAllow 1 hr 15 min

Museum of Geraldton

Use the museum to put the Mid West's Yamaji heritage, shipwreck history and HMAS Sydney II story into context before the route heads into smaller towns.

HeritageAllow 40 min

HMAS Sydney II Memorial

Pair the museum with this focused Mount Scott memorial, leaving enough time to read the symbolic elements rather than treating it as a quick lookout.

3Day 3

Geraldton to Kalbarri

155 km

1 hr 50 min

GeraldtonKalbarri

Gorge and plateau country in Kalbarri National Park

Boat on turquoise water along the Kalbarri coastline

❤️ Tourism Western Australia

Take a gentler day into Kalbarri, with the coastal cliffs as a taste of the landscapes still to come.

Overnight in Kalbarri

Places to stay near Kalbarri

4.7(688)Google

Kalbarri Red Bluff Tourist Park

Kalbarri, Western Australia

4.3(726)Google

Tasman Holiday Parks - Kalbarri

Kalbarri, Western Australia

4.3(712)Google

Kalbarri Tudor Holiday Park

10 Porter St Kalbarri, Western Australia

Highlights

Kalbarri's wild coast comes into view
A relaxed arrival before a day among the gorges

Driving details(1 leg)

Geraldton → Kalbarri

155 km · 1 hr 50 min · North West Coastal Highway / National Route 1, State Route 139

Main-route driving is ordinarily sealed; check Main Roads WA for current conditions and restrictions before departure.

Check Main Roads WA for current conditions before you leave.

Stops along the way

Scenic stopAllow 45 min

Natural Bridge and Island Rock

Use the enclosed lookouts and short boardwalk as an arrival-day contrast to the inland gorge, keeping well back from exposed cliff edges.

4Day 4

Kalbarri

❤️ Tourism Western Australia

Give Kalbarri's river gorges the cooler part of the day, then choose an easy afternoon by the coast.

Plan the Kalbarri gorge for cool conditions, carry your own water and choose short lookouts instead when heat or alerts make a walk unsuitable. Check current updates

Overnight in Kalbarri

Highlights

River-gorge lookouts in the cooler part of the day
An open afternoon for Kalbarri's coast

Things to do

Scenic stopAllow 45 min

Kalbarri Skywalk

Start the gorge day with broad Murchison River views and interpretation before deciding whether the heat and walking conditions suit a longer trail.

WalkAllow 45 min

Nature's Window

Treat the rock window as a moderate short walk in its own right; the adjoining Loop is a separate, much harder commitment with seasonal heat restrictions.

5Day 5

Kalbarri to Denham

374 km

3 hr 57 min

KalbarriDenham

Shell Beach shoreline south-east of Denham in Shark Bay

Shell Beach Conservation Park near Denham

❤️ Tourism Western Australia

Settle into the longer drive with a memorable pause at Shell Beach, then arrive in Denham with two open days ahead.

Overnight in Denham

Places to stay near Denham

Tasman Holiday Parks - Denham Seaside - 1

Tasman Holiday Parks - Denham Seaside - 2

Tasman Holiday Parks - Denham Seaside - 3

Tasman Holiday Parks - Denham Seaside - 4

4.4(714)Google

Tasman Holiday Parks - Denham Seaside

1 Stella Rowley Drive, Western Australia

4.3(2333)Google

RAC Monkey Mia Dolphin Resort

1 Monkey Mia Road, Western Australia

Highlights

Shell-white shoreline against Shark Bay blue
Three nights to sink into Denham's slower rhythm

Driving details(1 leg)

Kalbarri → Denham

374 km · 3 hr 57 min · North West Coastal Highway / National Route 1, Shark Bay Road

Main-route driving is ordinarily sealed; check Main Roads WA for current conditions and restrictions before departure.

Check Main Roads WA for current conditions before you leave.

Stops along the way

NatureAllow 45 min

Shell Beach

Pause at Shell Beach for the contrast of white cockle-shell ridges and shallow blue water before continuing to Denham.

6Day 6

Denham and Monkey Mia

Shallow turquoise water and beach at Monkey Mia in Shark Bay

Beach and bay light at Monkey Mia in Shark Bay

❤️ Tourism Western Australia

Begin with the chance to see Shark Bay's wild dolphins at Monkey Mia, then keep the rest of the day loose and unhurried.

Keep a 2WD visit to Peron Heritage Precinct; the park tracks beyond require a suitable high-clearance low-range 4WD and do not suit caravans or large boat trailers. Check current updates

Overnight in Denham

Highlights

The chance to see wild dolphins at Monkey Mia
A slower afternoon shaped by the morning's wildlife

Things to do

Visitor serviceAllow 1 hr

Shark Bay World Heritage Discovery and Visitor Centre

Use the centre to understand the World Heritage values and check current local access before choosing between a 2WD day, wildlife morning or 4WD tour.

NatureAllow 3 hrs

Monkey Mia Dolphin Experience

Give the wild dolphins the morning rather than a deadline: arrive early, follow ranger directions and keep the rest of the day flexible if they do not visit.

7Day 7

Shark Bay flex day

Wide view of Shell Beach Conservation Park near Denham

❤️ Tourism Western Australia

Choose the Shark Bay day that suits you: gentle World Heritage interpretation, a guided adventure or time closer to Denham.

Overnight in Denham

Highlights

Red earth and World Heritage landscapes beyond Denham
Choose a gentle heritage visit or a guided 4WD adventure

Things to do

HeritageAllow 1 hr 30 min

Peron Heritage Precinct

Keep a 2WD visit to the former station precinct distinct from the soft-sand park tracks beyond it, which require a suitable high-clearance low-range 4WD.

8Day 8

Denham to Carnarvon

326 km

3 hr 22 min

DenhamCarnarvon

Cactus plantings at The Cactus Farm in Carnarvon

Aerial view along the Coral Coast near Carnarvon

❤️ Tourism Western Australia

Leave Shark Bay for the red-earth Gascoyne and a quiet evening in Carnarvon before Ningaloo draws closer.

Overnight in Carnarvon

Places to stay near Carnarvon

4.4(897)Google

Discovery Parks - Carnarvon

Carnarvon, Western Australia

4.4(601)Google

Capricorn Holiday Park

6701, Western Australia

4.4(549)Google

Coral Coast Tourist Park

6701, Western Australia

Boatramp NearbyFishingDrive-through Sites

Highlights

Red-earth Gascoyne and wide-open horizons
A quieter evening before the Ningaloo coast

Driving details(1 leg)

Denham → Carnarvon

326 km · 3 hr 22 min · Shark Bay Road, North West Coastal Highway / National Route 1

Main-route driving is ordinarily sealed; check Main Roads WA for current conditions and restrictions before departure.

Check Main Roads WA for current conditions before you leave.

9Day 9

Carnarvon to Coral Bay

238 km

2 hr 36 min

CarnarvonCoral Bay

Aerial view of turquoise reef water, white sand and red earth at Coral Bay

❤️ Tourism Western Australia

Let Carnarvon's local stories start the day, then watch red earth meet turquoise water as you reach Coral Bay.

Overnight in Coral Bay

Places to stay near Coral Bay

4.2(567)Google

Peoples Park Coral Bay

Coral Bay, Western Australia

3.8(883)Google

Ningaloo Coral Bay - Bayview

6701, Western Australia

View park

Highlights

Red earth meets turquoise water near Coral Bay
Your first evening beside Ningaloo Reef

Driving details(1 leg)

Carnarvon → Coral Bay

238 km · 2 hr 36 min · North West Coastal Highway / National Route 1, Minilya-Exmouth Road

Main-route driving is ordinarily sealed; check Main Roads WA for current conditions and restrictions before departure.

Check Main Roads WA for current conditions before you leave.

Stops along the way

CultureAllow 1 hr

Gwoonwardu Mia

Before continuing north, make room for Gascoyne stories and work from regional Aboriginal artists; move the visit between days 8 and 9 to fit current hours.

10Day 10

Coral Bay

❤️ Tourism Western Australia

Let tide, weather and your own energy shape a slow day by the water at Coral Bay.

Carry drinking water into Cape Range, assess currents from shore and keep a beach or land-based alternative whenever marine conditions or swimming ability do not suit. Check current updates

Overnight in Coral Bay

Highlights

A shore-based reef day at your own pace
Swim, snorkel or simply slow down by the water

Things to do

NatureAllow 2 hrs

Bill's Bay

Use the sheltered town beach for a shore-based Ningaloo day, choosing swimming, snorkelling or simply the beach according to local conditions and ability.

11Day 11

Coral Bay to Exmouth

152 km

1 hr 39 min

Coral BayExmouth

Two walkers on white sand beside clear turquoise water at Turquoise Bay near Exmouth

❤️ Tourism Western Australia

Follow the coast to Exmouth, orient yourself between reef and range, and settle in for the route's final three nights.

Overnight in Exmouth

Places to stay near Exmouth

4.2(1167)Google

RAC Exmouth Cape Holiday Park

3 Truscott Crescent, Western Australia

4.0(971)Google

Ningaloo Caravan and Holiday Resort

Exmouth, Western Australia

View park

Highlights

Cape Range and the reef draw closer
Arrive in Exmouth with two open days ahead

Driving details(1 leg)

Coral Bay → Exmouth

152 km · 1 hr 39 min · Minilya-Exmouth Road

Main-route driving is ordinarily sealed; check Main Roads WA for current conditions and restrictions before departure.

Check Main Roads WA for current conditions before you leave.

Stops along the way

Visitor serviceAllow 1 hr

Ningaloo Centre

Orient yourself in Exmouth before committing the final two days, using the centre to understand the reef, range and current visitor options.

12Day 12

Cape Range and the Ningaloo coast

Milyering Discovery Centre in Cape Range National Park near Exmouth

Yardie Creek gorge walls and water in Cape Range National Park

❤️ Tourism Western Australia

Move between Cape Range's rugged interior and reef-blue beaches, choosing walks and water time to suit the day's conditions.

Carry drinking water into Cape Range, assess currents from shore and keep a beach or land-based alternative whenever marine conditions or swimming ability do not suit. Check current updates

Overnight in Exmouth

Highlights

Reef-blue water on one side, rugged ranges on the other
Choose your own rhythm of beaches, lookouts and gorge country

Things to do

Visitor serviceAllow 45 min

Milyering Discovery Centre

Pause inside Cape Range for park and reef interpretation, local guidance and a final conditions check before choosing a beach or trail.

NatureAllow 2 hrs

Turquoise Bay

At Turquoise Bay, choose the calmer bay, assess the drift snorkel carefully or stay on the beach; currents and swimming ability should shape the decision.

13Day 13

Exmouth flex day

Black-footed rock wallaby in an orange rock crevice at Yardie Creek

Travellers overlooking Yardie Creek gorge in Cape Range National Park

Turquoise Bay shoreline on the Ningaloo coast

❤️ Tourism Western Australia

Keep a second Exmouth day open for the experience and conditions that tempt you most, from a wildlife tour to a quiet day on land.

Overnight in Exmouth

Highlights

Keep the day open for the conditions that inspire you
Wildlife on the water or a quiet day on land

Things to do

WalkAllow 2 hrs

Yardie Creek

At Yardie Creek, choose between the gentle creek-edge path, the harder gorge extension or a pre-checked boat tour, with no need to fit all three into one visit.

FamilyAllow 45 min

Jurabi Turtle Centre

Use the year-round interpretation as a land-based option; treat seasonal guided turtle viewing as a separate, pre-booked wildlife activity with no sighting promise.