11 Day Perth to Exmouth Coastal Drive Itinerary

Welcome to Perth! You will be transferred to your comfortable accommodation and relax in Australia's sunniest capital city.

Explore Australia's Sunniest City

With soft sandy beaches, epic skyscrapers, huge green parks, and a thriving street art scene, Perth is a fascinating town to explore. It's home to one of the biggest city parks in the world – Kings Park & Botanic Garden – right in the heart of town. It's even bigger than Central Park in New York! This is a great place to get your bearings with sweeping views of the Swan and Canning rivers.

Perth's urban villages and small bistros offer plenty of dining options: fuel up the whole family for exciting adventures along the Western Australian Coast tomorrow.

Accommodation: Perth - 1 Night

Collect your rental vehicle this morning and begin your adventure by travelling to the coastal fishing town of Cervantes via one of Australia’s most unique landscapes: the Pinnacles Desert.

Pinnacles Desert

Ten minutes from Cervantes, prepare for a weird and wonderful sight. The sandy yellow Pinnacles Desert is filled with rocky spires as far as the eye can see. There are thousands of these strange limestone formations, like giant stony desert mushrooms.

Settle down for the night in quiet Cervantes and get ready to meet some slippery sea lions tomorrow!

Accommodation: Cervantes - 1 Night

Approximate Distance: 200 km | 124 miles   Total Driving Time: 2 hours 15 mins

En route to Kalbarri make a stop at Jurien Bay, a favourite destination for Western Australian families. Hop on a boat and visit the Australian Sea Lions at their island home.

Jurien Bay Sea Lion Tour

The Australian Sea Lion is a protected species found only on the coast of Western Australia. Here in Jurien Bay you can visit the sea lions on & around their island breeding colony. You'll spend 1 - 1.5 hours watching the curious sea lions coming to check you out!

Don't forget to look for dolphins during your boat journey too.

Kalbarri: Where the Outback meets the Sea

Sitting at the mouth of the Murchison River, Kalbarri is known for its seaside cliffs, sand dunes and wild pelicans. Discover 400 million year old river gorges, dramatic coastal rock formations and a rainbow of wildflowers as you explore the secrets of this ancient landscape tomorrow.

Accommodation: Jurien Bay - 2 Nights

Approximate Distance: 410 km | 255 miles   Total Driving Time: 4 hours 30 mins

Make the most of your day of leisure by trying out one or more of the options below

• Follow one of the many walking trails, join a river cruise, or, if you're feeling adventurous, tackle a challenging hike or try abseiling and quad biking.
• Visit the region between July and November and you can see over 800 species of Western Australian wildflowers bursting into bloom
• Spot humpback whales from the coastal gorges and towering cliffs. The annual migration runs from June to November
• Feed the friendly local pelicans at 8.45am daily on the river foreshore
• Canoeing up the Murchison River is the perfect activity for a sunny afternoon, while thrill seekers may prefer abseiling and canyoning the National Park Gorges.
• Get an adrenaline rush and go skydiving: free fall 8 thousand metres and land on the beach.
• You can take a boat charter tour all year round. There are many tours on offer including sunset cruises, dolphin, whale and private charters.
   

Continue north to Denham and the Shark Bay World Heritage Area.

Denham: Shark Bay World Heritage Area

Learn about Shark Bay’s hidden treasures at the awesome Discovery and Visitor Centre, or simply relax at Shell Beach and enjoy the sunshine.

Keep an eye out for the world’s oldest living fossils - the Hamelin Pool stromatolites, believed to be about 3.5 billion years old. This is one of only two places in the world that they can be seen!

Monkey Mia

Just north of Denham, the Monkey Mia Reserve is surrounded by red sand dunes, white sandy beaches and waters brimming with marine wildlife.

What can you see here? Wild dolphins, green turtles, dugongs, sea snakes, sharks, sting-rays, manta rays and even whales at certain times of year.

Scientists from all over the globe come to Monkey Mia to unravel the mysteries of the marine world. Tomorrow you have the chance to uncover the secrets of sea creatures great and small in this amazing location.

Accommodation: Monkey Mia  - 2 Nights

Approximate Distance: 400 km | 249 miles   Total Driving Time: 4 hours 15 mins

Time to explore the Francois Peron National Park Tour on a full-day adventure (9am to 5pm) where outback Australia meets the coast. Traverse wild tracks, rolling red sand dunes, and dense acacia shrublands.

Learn survival skills and discover hidden spots for stunning photography. Witness dugong migrations and encounter diverse wildlife like lizards and echidnas. Experience Nature's breathtaking outlooks and explore a natural aquarium teeming with marine life.

Today is all inclusive of entry fees, lunch, refreshments, sunscreen, and expert guidance for an unforgettable journey into Australia's rugged beauty.

After departing from Monkey Mia, continue north and stop off to marvel at the Carnarvon blowholes which can reach up to 20m high. This natural spectacle is caused by the ocean forcing water through the sea caves and up through holes in the rock.

Coral Bay & Ningaloo Reef

Coral Bay is a marine paradise and one of Western Australia’s top family holiday spots. Named for the beautiful coral gardens lying metres from the shore, this laidback seaside location is a must-visit destination for nature lovers.

Ningaloo Reef is Australia's only fringing reef where the coral starts right at the water's edge. You'll spend two nights at the waterside Ningaloo Reef Resort to explore this incredible World Heritage Area.

Accommodation: Coral Bay - 2 Nights

Approximate Distance: 585 km | 364 miles   Total Driving Time: 6 hours 

With more than 500 tropical fish species inhabiting the 300-kilometre-long reef, why not spend your day in Coral Bay by keeping them company?

Coral Bay Suggested Activities

Coral Bay has plenty of safe-water options for the whole family, and here are some suggested ways to enjoy your day (own expense):

•    Take a full day or half day snorkelling cruise of the Ningaloo Reef
•    Hire glass-bottom canoes or see-through boogie boards and search the crystal clear waters below you for cool   creatures.
•    Cruise the pristine waters on a glass-bottom boat with huge windows to enjoy the stunning coral formations
•    Join a half day eco-interaction tour to search for, and where possible snorkel with, the majestic Manta Ray.

If you prefer a lazy day, relax at the tropical gardens & pool at your accommodation, or bask on the beautiful beach - it's just 100 metres away!

Continue along the coast to Exmouth, a small resort town on Western Australia’s North West Cape.

Exmouth

Exmouth is the perfect base to explore the grand landscapes of the Cape Range National Park and northern Ningaloo Marine Park. Visitors flock here from around the world to swim with whale sharks and even humpback whales!

Exmouth is also the gateway to the rugged Cape Range National Park, which features breathtaking canyons, limestone ranges and 50 kilometres of unspoiled coastline.

Accommodation: Exmouth - 2 Nights

Approximate Distance: 155 km | 96 miles   Total Driving Time: 1 hour 45 mins

Embark on an exciting ocean adventure today with Exmouth Dive Centre. Depending on the time of year you travel, here is what your day has in store:

Whale Shark Swim (March to August)

Swim and snorkel with gentle Whale Sharks, getting up close and personal with the world’s largest fish as they cruise the waters of Western Australia’s Northwest Cape.

Humpback Whale Swim (August to November)

Thousands of humpback whales grace the waters off Exmouth between June through to the end of October. You will have the opportunity to swim with them, or observe them from the comfort of the boat if you prefer.

Snorkel the Reef by Boat (rest of the year)

Snorkel the Muiron Islands and Ningaloo Reef for a holiday experience you’ll never forget. Enjoy a genuine coral reef adventure in a location unlike anywhere else in the world.

Return your rental vehicle and say farewell to Western Australia today as you board your onward flight, taking with you the magical memories of a truly exceptional Australian experience. We know you will enjoy your 11 Day Perth to Exmouth Coastal Drive and we hope you will return soon to discover even more highlights of this incredible continent.