10 days along the Coral Coast
The Coral Coast is a place of coral reefs and charming coastal towns. Did we mention the migration of hundreds of whale sharks each year?
Trip overview
The must-do experiences
- Swim next to majestic whale sharks at Ningaloo Reef
- Hike the dramatic gorges of Kalbarri National Park
- See the surreal limestone pillars of the Pinnacles
Day 1: Perth to Geraldton
Hug the Indian Ocean from Perth to Geraldton. The town’s fresh seafood and beautiful beaches are just a taste of what’s ahead.
Discover the ‘Rock Lobster Capital’
Stop to explore the twin coastal towns of Dongara-Port Denison. Stretch your legs along the banks of the Irwin River, tuck into fresh seafood at Southerlys Tavern and pick up award-winning spirits from a tour at Illegal Tender Rum Co.
Go wild on the water
In Geraldton, head straight to one of the town’s beautiful beaches for an afternoon swim or surf. If an adrenaline hit calls, find ocean thrills galore on a jet ski, flyboard, waterski or stand-up paddleboard tour with Ultimate Watersports.
Fly over the pink Hutt Lagoon
North of Geraldton lies one of Australia’s mysterious pink lakes. For the best views of the bubble-gum pink Hutt Lagoon, take to the skies on a scenic flight from Geraldton to see the striking Indian Ocean against the vivid pink lake.
Discover a thriving maritime culture
Dive into the town’s history and culture at the Museum of Geraldton, dedicated to celebrating the rich heritage of the region’s land, sea and people. Don’t miss the 3D tour, where you’ll descend to the ocean's depths to discover historic shipwrecks.
Taste Geraldton’s best seafood
With a 20,000km (12,427mi) long coastline, Western Australia is synonymous with spectacular seafood. Sit next to the ocean at Skeetas restaurant (don’t miss the local scallops with bacon) or head to the no-fuss fish shop, Barnacles on the Wharf.
Day 2: Geraldton to Carnarvon
Drive north to experience the coastal culture of Carnarvon, where tropical fruit plantations thrive on the fertile land around the Gascoyne River.
Visit a World War II memorial
Before leaving Geraldton, visit the HMAS Sydney Memorial, a tribute to the 645 sailors who lost their lives when the ship sank off Western Australia in 1941. Learn more about the boat and its history at the Wall of Remembrance.
Go bananas for fresh produce
Carnarvon has been dubbed the “Food Bowl of Western Australia” for good reason. Sink your teeth into juicy, fresh tropical fruits at the Gascoyne Growers Markets (Saturdays from May to October), or drive the Fruit Loop – lined with honesty stalls.
Discover Aboriginal culture and artistry
Visit the Gwoonwardu Mia - Gascoyne Aboriginal Heritage and Cultural Centre to immerse yourself in the art and culture of Gascoyne’s five Aboriginal language groups. Join a guided tour to forage native plants and medicines, then browse artworks and artefacts.
Snorkel pristine bays and beaches
Hire gear to snorkel in Carnarvon’s calm waters, filled with colourful corals, fish and shells. Head to Bill’s Bay and Paradise Beach, or drive a little further to spot turtles, reef sharks and parrot fish at Point Quobba lagoon, dubbed “the aquarium.”
Sleep at Coral Coast Tourist Park
Sleep in the heart of Carnarvon’s town, walking distance of waterways and restaurants, at the Coral Coast Tourist Park. Choose from deluxe spa suites, pet-friendly rooms, ensuite cabins and no-frills camping sites.
Day 3: Carnarvon to Exmouth
Continue to Exmouth, which sits between the red cliffs of Cape Range National Park and the turquoise waters of the Ningaloo Marine Park – one of Australia’s treasured coral reefs.
Frolic in turquoise waters
In Exmouth, cool off at the beach. Here, you only have to swim (or snorkel) a few metres off the shoreline to see the tropical fish and multi-coloured coral of World Heritage-listed Ningaloo Reef; the world’s longest fringing reef.
Swim with whale sharks
For an otherworldly experience, hop on a charter to swim with whale sharks – the world’s biggest fish – between April and July. Growing up to 18m (59ft) long, swimming with these awe-inspiring gentle giants makes for a breathtaking experience.
Kayak next to turtles
Ningaloo Reef is home to one of the world’s biggest breeding grounds for loggerhead and green turtles. It also shelters four of the world’s seven marine turtle species. Spot them from your kayak on a half-day Sea Kayak and Snorkel Tour.
See the reef from a glass bottom boat
Rather stay dry? Watch the underwater action unfold on a family-friendly glass-bottom boat, where coral gardens teeming with fish – and the odd turtle – will glide beneath your feet. Between May and November, look out for majestic manta rays.
Stay in a luxurious safari tent
Exmouth offers plenty of accommodation options, but nothing beats sleeping next to Ningaloo Reef in a luxe safari tent. At Sal Salis, you’ll indulge in five-star dining, immerse yourself in reef experiences and stargaze into endless night skies.
Day 4: Exmouth to Coral Bay
Dedicate half a day to exploring the craggy landscapes of Cape Range National Park before venturing back south to the chilled-out Coral Bay.
Explore Cape Range on foot
Take in Cape Range’s rocky gullies, colourful gorges, reef views and wildlife on one of the park’s scenic walks. Traverse the top of the park on the 8km (5mi) Badjirrajirra Loop Trail or try the 3km (1.9mi) Mandu Mandu Gorge hike.
Discover scenic lookouts
If you’d rather skip the hike, savour sweeping views of the canyon and neighbouring Ningaloo Reef from Charles Knife Canyon Lookout. Or, venture to Shothole Canyon to spot wildlife, and between August and October, over 630 species of wildflowers.
Sail down Yardie Creek
Cruise between Cape Range’s red limestone cliffs on a Yardie Creek Safari, listening to stories of the ancient landscape along the way. Keep your eyes peeled for rare black-footed rock wallabies clinging to cliffs and western ospreys soaring above.
Stay the night in Coral Bay
Drive to Coral Bay, where you can again swim at one of the town's dazzlingly white beaches. Stay in town at Ningaloo Coral Bay. If you're travelling with children, consider a detour to spend the night at Bullara Station, an outback station stay.
Day 5: Coral Bay to Denham
Today, uncover the unique natural treasures that earned Shark Bay its place on the World Heritage list.
Snorkel with gentle manta rays
Coral Bay, fringing the Ningaloo Reef, is known for its abundant manta rays. Swim alongside these friendly giants with a guide as they glide peacefully nearby. With a wingspan of up to 8m (29ft), it’s no surprise they’re one of Ningaloo’s ‘Big 3.’
See the world’s oldest living fossils
On your way to the Shark Bay World Heritage Area, stop at Hamelin Pool to see the most diverse collection of stromatolites (living fossils) on Earth. Meander along the boardwalk to witness the dome-shaped rocks, representing life 3.5 million years ago.
Float at the sparkling Shell Beach
Drive a little further to Shell Beach, where billions of tiny sparkling white shells coat the beach for 70km (43mi). Find yourself floating in the aqua blue water, which, with its high salt content, creates a Dead Sea-like experience.
Day 6: Denham and Monkey Mia
From Denham, drive 30 minutes to Monkey Mia, famous for the wild bottlenose dolphins that visit the shallow waters here daily.
Get up-close to dugongs
Monkey Mia is a sanctuary for rare marine life, including 10 per cent of the world’s dugong population. Spot these unique animals, along with dolphins and turtles, on a cruise. Dial up the excitement with a ride in the boat’s spa-like boom net.
Meet Monkey Mia’s dolphins
For over 40 years, a friendly pod of bottlenose dolphins has made daily visits to Monkey Mia’s shores. Head to the beach in the morning to see them and hear the ranger’s talk. It’s fascinating to see these wild animals up close.
Experience an Aboriginal-style dinner
Immerse yourself in local Aboriginal culture during a Didgeridoo Dreaming Night Tour. Feast on bush tucker cooked on an open campfire, spot native wildlife under the stars and listen in awe as the sounds of the didgeridoo echo throughout the outback.
Sleep next to the shore
RAC Monkey Mia Resort is the only accommodation in the area and caters to every type of traveller. Choose from beachfront villas, family garden rooms or powered beach sites just metres from the water. Or, return to your accommodation at Denham.
Day 7: Francois Peron National Park and surrounds
Explore the striking landscapes of Francois Peron National Park, where vivid red dunes blend into snow-white sand and blue ocean waves.
Explore Francois Peron National Park
Venture to the top of the Peron Peninsula, where red sand dunes contrast with aqua blue ocean and blinding white beaches, on a 4WD adventure. Encounter its rare wildlife, like thorny devils, racehorse goannas, emus and fairy-wrens.
Watch grazing dugongs at Eagle Bluff
Head south to Eagle Bluff, where towering cliffs overlook a dugong breeding area. Stroll along the boardwalk that extends over the ocean to glimpse down at dugongs grazing on seagrass, plus catch glimpses of sharks, dolphins, fish and coral.
Spend the night
Choose from camping under the stars or sleeping upstairs at the Shark Bay Hotel, fondly known as “The Old Pub.” Grab a bite of fresh seafood for dinner downstairs before retiring to your room in Australia’s westernmost accommodation.
Day 8: Denham to Kalbarri
Journey south to spend your afternoon in Kalbarri. But before you depart, explore Australia’s most westerly point and the wild wonders of Dirk Hartog Island.
Go on a 4WD adventure to Steep Point
Hit Edel Land National Park’s unsealed road to Steep Point, the westernmost tip of mainland Australia. Here, gaze out from the stunning Zuytdorp Cliffs, which tower 170m (580ft) high and stretch for 150km (93mi) along the rugged Western Australian coast.
Dedicate a day to Dirk Hartog Island
Coated in secluded beaches and untouched wilderness, Dirk Hartog Island, once a sheep station, is an adventurer’s paradise. If time permits, take the barge from Steep Point (with your 4WD) for a day or two, or sail to the island on a guided day tour.
Laze on Chinaman’s Beach
Drive to the charming town of Kalbarri, where the picturesque Murchison River meets the Indian Ocean. Frolic on the soft white sand of Chinaman’s Beach, dip into the crystal-clear waters or explore the protected bay on a stand-up paddleboard.
Surf the iconic Jakes Point
Australia’s coastline is brimming with surf spots, and Jakes Point is up there with the best. Recognised as a National Surfing Reserve, this left-hander is loved for its barrels and breathtaking views. Hit the waves, or simply admire the surfers.
Enjoy local seafood and craft beers
Grab a table at open-air Finlay’s, serving seafood straight from Kalbarri’s waters. Pair your plate with a craft beer, poured from the on-site microbrewery. Top tip: stick around at the end of the evening to roast marshmallows over the open fire pit.
Day 9: Kalbarri
Explore Kalbarri National Park’s rugged ranges, rust-red rock gorges, and unique coastal surroundings today.
Catch a rock lobster
Bring your appetite on board the 50ft (15m) lobster cruise around Kalbarri’s craggy coastline this morning. Learn to catch your own straight from the sea, spot whales (in season) and taste three local lobster delicacies cooked by the onboard chef.
Look through Nature’s Window
Pack plenty of water for the 8km (5mi) Loop Walk, starting at the iconic Nature’s Window; a wind-eroded rock arch that frames the river. The trail descends to the Murchison River’s banks before climbing back to the top of the sandstone cliffs.
Explore the Z Bend trails
For an easier hike, follow the 1.2km (0.75mi) Z Bend Lookout Trail, where the Murchison River carves a dramatic zigzag through the cliffs. Or, opt for the more adventurous River Trail to reach the river’s edge through Kalbarri’s raw, rugged landscape.
Walk above the Murchison River gorge
Discover the gorge’s history at Kalbarri Skywalk, where two platforms take you beyond the edge of the gorge rim for unparalleled views. Suspended 100m (328ft) above the Murchison River, you’ll feel like you’re floating over this ancient landscape.
Fly over the Abrolhos Islands
The Abrolhos Islands, a cluster of 122 islands, sit 60km (37mi) off the coast of Kalbarri. Take a scenic flight for a bird’s eye view, snorkel and hike on the coral-enveloped East Wallabi Island and see the 17th-century Batavia shipwreck from above.
Day 10: Kalbarri to the Pinnacles
Fill your final day with quintessential Coral Coast experiences. Indulge in fresh seafood, swim with awe-inspiring marine life and marvel at unique natural landscapes.
Explore sandy caves
Drive four hours to Stockyard Gully National Park, where you can walk through a series of limestone caves that lead to an underwater river system. Use a head torch to spot sleeping bats overhead as you traverse the biggest 300m (984ft) long cavern.
Swim with playful sea lions
Stop in the beautiful town of Jurien Bay to meet one of the world’s rarest (and most playful) sea lion species on a Sea Lion Charter. Watch in awe as inquisitive and cheeky Australian sea lions, dubbed “puppies of the sea”, swirl and somersault around you.
Fill up on seafood at the Lobster Shack
Stop in Cervantes, a fishing village famous for its seafood. Make a beeline for the Lobster Shack, known for serving up some of the best fresh Western Rock Lobster in Western Australia with sparkling blue views of Cervantes Bay.
Conclude your road trip in Cervantes
Sleep at Pinnacles Edge Resort in Cervantes tonight. In the morning, contemplate your epic trip on one of the town’s secluded beaches before following the Indian Ocean Drive for one last time to Perth.