Seeking endless clear turquoise waters, isolated ocean pools, and breathtaking coastline? Exmouth, Australia is where you want to be. The lifestyle is idyllic, pure, and blissful in short. As I found on my road trip through the southwest, I was driving on the left through red-dirt lined roads, stumbling upon the most beautiful beaches, without a soul in sight. It was unreal. As you take the wheel in the northwest to explore Australia’s stunning coral coast, here are suggestions for your road trip route from Perth to Exmouth.
Exmouth Road Trip Packing List
A few essentials you might not think of, but that come highly recommended for your Exmouth road trip (depending on season) include:
- Beach umbrella
- Fly net (purchase at a chemist, otherwise known as pharmacy, or sports store)
- Snorkel Mask and Tube
- Swim Fins or Water Shoes
- Sunscreen and Aloe (the sun is very strong)
Perth to Lancelin or Jurien Bay
Estimated travel time: 2.5-3 hrs
The first leg of my Exmouth road trip was about midway to Geraldton, which is also a popular first stop. After picking up my rental at Bayswater (No Birds) in Perth for a steal of a deal, I drove to Yanchep. Their lavender fields and an array of lavender-infused batch-made ice cream at Yanchep Lavender are a sensory-bomb to kickstart your trip.
Continuing onward, I headed straight toward the Lancelin Sand Dunes, which consists of pillowy, white-sand mountains that resemble snow. You can rent a sandboard for $5 AUD, or an ATV for $15-20 AUD on the spot, no reservation or booking required. Honestly, they sell you on the ATV, but it gets stuck easily and can flip, and the sandboard seems to be the way to go.
Geraldton (Stock up #1)
One of the first major stops, Geraldton is an ideal place to reload petrol, grab groceries, and bunker down. I stayed at the Geraldton YHA because it was the cheapest and best option, plus there was parking included. The hostel was extremely clean, especially the kitchen! Bathrooms were great as well, and I got a six bed hostel room to myself.
Consider stopping at Horrocks Beach on your way north, or coming back from Kalbarri when you return.
Carnarvon (Stock up #2)
This farmstand town is the last major stop to stock up before petrol and groceries become few and far in-between. Swing by Woolworths, stop at Norwest Surf Shop for last-minute snorkel, and fill your tank before heading onward.
Exmouth
Congratulations! You made it to your destination. If your jaw hasn’t dropped yet from the blue waters that’ll tease and tempt you as you roll through Cape Range National Park, surely dipping your toes in that crystal clear water will.
My first night, I stayed at RAC Exmouth which had a lot of hostel-style cabins with nobody in them. The following morning I opted for coffee and a toastie at Short Order, a beachside food van in Exmouth proper. A cheery, cheeky UK expat runs the van and will happily serve you an amazing cuppa.
The majority of natural attractions are in Cape Range National Park, filled with paradisiacal beaches and pockets of coastline. You can have a beach to yourself, and even surf at beaches like Wobiri, a host to a prolific turtle population. Here are the most popular beaches with translucent waters:
Turquoise Bay
Turquoise Bay is the first stop of the most famous beaches along this strip of coast. Along this stretch, remember to pack a sun umbrella since there is no shade on the beaches. Bring your snorkel set, as there is much to see and venture out to feast your eyes!
Sandy Bay
While Turquoise Bay feeds directly into the Indian Ocean, a reef protects Sandy Bay, making it a calmer beachfront with tame (if any) waves. This makes it the perfect spot to bring a tube or SUP and float or paddle gently.
Both times I was here, there was either one group or nobody else.
Oyster Stacks
Underwater fanatics and sea enthusiasts, Oyster Stacks are where to head for supreme snorkeling. It’s imperative you check tide times and come at high tide only to avoid harming the coral or sea creatures.
Osprey Campground
One of the highly rated campgrounds in Cape Range, Osprey sits along the water, and you select your own spot. Drop/bush toilets only, but there are picnic tables.
Seeking a hike? Yardie Creek Trail is a popular option for trail-seekers.
On my way out of town, I stopped by The Social Society Exmouth. They serve tasty plant-based meals, deluxe coffees, and offer a local marketplace of curated goods.
Coral Bay
Don’t fret, because your unbelievably-colored water tour isn’t over yet. As you approach the tiny Tinseltown of Coral Bay, which is basically 2-3 blocks long, you’ll see the jeweled water.
Where I stayed:
Ningaloo Coral Bay Backpackers is the only and probably easiest accommodation in town. All the facilities you need are available, the rooms are clean, the kitchen not so much, but it’s decent value.
What to do:
Tours are the most common activity in this small town, and there is no shortage of availability. Explore the options, and assess what some offer that others don’t (gear, meals, etc).
I went for a manta ray tour and guided snorkel, which was really great in the group setting. However, when it came to trying to catch the mantas, they move very quick. With a large group, it was tricky to see them: the waters blurry with activity and bubbles from the people frantically kicking in front of me to catch the manta.
Tours will always try to pack their groups for more profit. If you can pay more for a smaller group, I’d highly recommend it!
Whale shark season is the most popular reason venture to Coral Coast. Whale Shark season starts in early-mid March and runs until late September, and it definitely is worth catching. Unfortunately, I was a few weeks shy of the season and couldn’t make it work. However, there were already whale shark spottings when I was in Coral Bay, late February.
Quobba Station
A mostly deserted and less traveled route, Quobba Station is about 1.5-2 hrs off the main road. The most popular destination here is the Quobba Blowholes, unless you’re a fisherman or local looking for isolation. It’s not a common stopover.
That said, there is a lot of natural, rugged beauty to embrace. You’ll know you’ve arrived when you see “King Waves Kill,” the signature Carnarvon sign.
Continue up the road and drive along the untouched coastline. It feels like you’re walking along the moon, especially at sunset.
Shark Bay / Denham
Sadly, I missed this due to time and the inability to book a tour, since I did not have 4WD. Francois Peron Park looks stunning.
Several attractions include:
- Monkey Mia to feed and see dolphins
- Shell Beach
- 4WD or aerial tour of Francois Peron National Park
Kalbarri
A tourist town with lots to offer. Your list should involve a visit to Kalbarri National Park, home to Nature’s Window and many other hikes. During peak heat months, only complete hikes early in the morning, otherwise you run a high risk of heatstroke and dehydration.
Don’t forget to pay the park entrance fee ($15 AUD), and definitely bring a fly net and wide-brimmed hat. When I came in late February, the air was thick with flies attracted to human sweat, the sun beaming high.
Other activities in the area include horseback riding at Big River Ranch – you canter and wade through water – as well as exploring Kalbarri’s overlooks and beaches. Here are a pockets of coastline I drove to, many with fun names:
Chinaman’s Beach: ideal for kids, and saw a number of fisherman on boats.
Blue Holes: another snorkel spot, good for kids
Others include Red Bluff Beach, Rainbow Valley, Pot Alley, Mushroom Rock, and Natural Bridge Kalbarri.
Hutt Lagoon
There are many famous pink lakes worldwide, Australia hosting a few. However, Hutt Lagoon has to be easily one of the most accessible. About 1-1.5 hrs south of Kalbarri, drive around the lake (until you can turn right) to get to the viewpoint. Pack a picnic, back into a spot or park alongside, and enjoy the serenity and view while you munch.
According to rumor, the lake is pink-est during mid-late mornings. I arrived around early afternoon, and it was quite pink.
From here on out, you can stop along the coast again from Geraldton to Perth. Exploring Green Head, Pinnacles, or Jurien Bay before heading back to the city.
Wishing you a great Exmouth road trip! Comment for questions about this vast northwest trip along the Coral Coast.
Looking to head south of Perth? Explore the southwest with this itinerary and travel guide too, an equally stunning zone of WA.
