Perth to Exmouth Road Trip Itinerary & Travel Guide

The Perfect Perth to Exmouth Itinerary!

DAY 1 – Perth to Jurien Bay

• Lancelin Sand Dunes – I recommend starting off early to spend the morning at the awesome sand dunes, about 1.5hrs drive from Perth. Try sandboarding if you’re up for it, or just explore the sandy expanses!
• Detour: Yanchep National Park – On your way north, consider a detour to Yanchep National Park for wildlife viewing, including koalas, and bush walks through scenic trails.
• Lunch – Stop for lunch at Endeavour Tavern or Lancelin Fish and Chips, then get back on the highway for about 45 minutes to Pinnacles Nambung National Park.
• Pinnacles Nambung National Park – A 4km loop takes you through the main section of the Pinnacles, an amazing array of jagged limestone formations. You’ll need a WA Parks pass or to pay an entry fee to get in. Visit the Pinnacles Desert Discovery Centre on your way in or out to learn about interesting history and facts about this unique place.
• Lobster Shack, Cervantes – After exploring the Pinnacles, stop at the famous Lobster Shack in Cervantes for fresh local seafood, including their renowned lobster dishes.
• Lesueur National Park – Before arriving at Jurien Bay, make time to visit Lesueur National Park, a major wildflower hotspot with accessible trails and scenic walks, especially vibrant during wildflower season.
• Jurien Bay – Another 30 minutes up the highway brings you to Jurien Bay, a cute little coastal town with several accommodation and food options. Take a stroll along the curved jetty to take in the sunset over the ocean.

DAY 2 – Jurien Bay to Kalbarri

• Sea Lion Swim – A highlight of Jurien Bay is the chance to join a sea lion tour in Jurien Bay Marine Park, where only a few operators offer this unique experience. Take an early morning tour (bring your underwater camera) to swim and play with these curious sea puppies in their natural habitat!
• Geraldton – Continue up the highway for 2 hours, taking a quick rest at Geraldton, where you can stock up on any groceries or supplies you may need. While in town, don’t miss the HMAS Sydney II Memorial, a must-visit landmark on Mount Scott known for its historical significance and stunning sunset views.
• Hutt Lagoon – Another hour brings you to the Instagram-famous bright pink Hutt Lagoon. Marvel at the flamingo hued waters, which are made by an algae called dunaliella salina. They’re at their most intense colour between 10am and 2pm on a sunny day (it’ll still be pink enough on cloudy days, though). Scenic flights are available if you want to get a birds-eye view of the pretty spectacle.
• Kalbarri – This beautiful little town is surrounded by dramatic cliffs, lovely beaches and the gorges of Kalbarri National Park, which are carved by the Murchison River. Spend the afternoon exploring the Red Bluff for coastal vistas, Pot Alley to view the red cliffs, or Blue Holes swimming bay for an excellent snorkelling spot around natural rock pools.
• Stay in the Backpackers YHA or Red Bluff Tourist Park for the budget conscious, or Palm or Edge Resorts for something a bit fancier.

DAY 3 – Kalbarri National Park

• Kalbarri National Park – Spend the day exploring and hiking around this magnificent national park, which is home to the spectacular Murchison River Gorge. Make sure you bring enough water and snacks to last the day, and dress for the weather. Some highlights to check out are:
• Kalbarri Skywalk – Walk out over the gorges for breathtaking views on these fairly new platforms – it’s included in the National Park entry fee and offers stunning vistas of the Murchison River Gorge.
• Z Bend Lookout & River Trail – A 1.2km trail from the car park brings you to the epic Z Bend Lookout. Continue along the more challenging River Trail for more beautiful sights of the gorge.
• Nature’s Window – This natural rock arch is one of the most popular spots in the park, forming an impeccable ‘window’ to the river only 1km from the car park. Great photo op!

The town of Kalbarri offers convenient access to the park and features a range of accommodation and dining options for visitors.

DAY 4 – Kalbarri to Denham (Monkey Mia)

• Shark Bay – It’s around a 4-hour drive to the UNESCO listed World Heritage Area of Shark Bay, which is home to numerous flora and fauna species found nowhere else on Earth. On the way to the towns of Denham or Monkey Mia, stop at these sights:
• Shell Beach – This beach is made entirely of – you guessed it – shells. No sand, just layers upon layers of shells thought to reach 10m deep.
• Eagle Bluff Lookout – A 400m boardwalk provides amazing views of the crystal clear waters below. Spot sharks, stingrays, turtles or even dugongs if you’re lucky from up here!
• Ocean Park Aquarium – This eco-friendly aquarium is run by marine biologists that know their stuff, and want to help protect all marine environments. Guided tours run every day between 9:00am and 3:30pm, and there’s a cafe on site if you want to incorporate lunch. You can also stop at the Shark Bay visitor centre for helpful information, local exhibits, and tips on exploring the area.
• There are some great bush campgrounds around here like Fowlers Camp and Whalebone Road Beach, as well as nice Seafront Apartments in Denham and the RAC Monkey Mia Resort in Monkey Mia. Many accommodation options are conveniently located close to the town centre of Denham or Monkey Mia, making it easy to access local attractions.
• To make the most of your visit, consider spending at least one night in the area so you can fully experience everything Shark Bay has to offer.

Day 4.1 – Optional Add in day (If you have a 4wd)

• Francois Peron National Park – Famous for brilliant red cliffs and orange ochre sand, you need a 4WD to access the park, especially if you plan on off road driving, or you can jump on an excellent tour like Ocean Park’s 4WD tour. Look out for:
• Amazing wildlife, such as dolphins, sting rays, and thorny devil lizards.
• Point Peron, where you can wade for cockles in the shallows.
• Skipjack Point to be amazed by the aquatic creatures.
• Bottle Bay for snorkelling in clear water beneath red cliffs.
• Peron Homestead, a historic site with a walking trail, interpretive centre and rustic ‘hot tub!’

DAY 5 Denham (Monkey Mia) to Coral Bay

• Monkey Mia Dolphins – Start your morning strong by enjoying the dolphin experience at Monkey Mia, where you can hand feed families of wild dolphins! -Pro Tip-Get there early — dolphin feedings usually happen between 7:45–10:00 am
• Drive to Coral Bay via North West Coastal Highway – It’s a pretty full day of driving today, taking around 6 hours to reach Coral Bay along the North West Coastal Highway. Make pit stops in Wooramel and stock up in Carnarvon (where you can take a scenic drive along the Fruit Loop Trail to sample local produce from roadside stalls and plantations), and Quobba Blowholes.

DAY 6 – Coral Bay

• Maybe also your Day 7, 8+, Its so good here you may never leave! or If you can’t spare the time for a full day here skip it and head straight onto Day 7 and Exmouth.
• Snorkel Ningaloo Reef – Right off the beach
• Tours – Jump on a quad bike or go fishing! Its all here in this sleepy little town.
• Swim with Manta Rays – Another amazing creature you can swim with here are the majestic manta rays. Manta ray tours are available seasonally and are a highlight for visitors. Most tours depart from Coral Bay so it can be done as a day trip from Exmouth.
• Swim with Whale Sharks– Whilst most people swim with them in Exmouth, there are often tours running from Coral Bay.
• Head to the pub – Visit one of the two local pubs and hangout with the locals or listen to some live music.

DAY 7 – Coral Bay to Exmouth

• Exmouth – Jump back on the road for a few hours and you will be at our final destination. Exmouth is an abundant resort town with a variety of accommodation and dining options. Mantarays Ningaloo Resort is the only luxury hotel here, complete with infinity pool. The Potshot resort has dorm and private rooms, as well as an outdoor pool and bbq.
• Exmouth town serves as the main base for exploring the region and has a bunch of great things to do; it’s difficult to decide between:
• Town Beach – Located close to Exmouth town, Town Beach is perfect for swimming and relaxing, making it a convenient spot for visitors.
• Vlamingh Head Lighthouse – Sunsets here are a nightly ritual — take a picnic and watch for humpbacks breaching offshore.

DAY 8 – Exmouth

• Swim with Whale Sharks– Swimming alongside these huge gentle giants is something you’ll never forget! Definitely consider it if you’re around between April and August – it’s one of the only places you can in Australia.

• Cape Range National Park – Some of the best snorkelling and swimming spots in the area are in this park, as well as some excellent hiking trails. The park is adjacent to Ningaloo Reef, a world-renowned marine destination. Hit up Oyster Stacks and Turquoise Bay for snorkelling, and the Mandu Mandu Gorge 3km hike. –PRO TIP- Arrive before 10 am for calmer currents and fewer crowds — afternoons can get windy.
• Snorkelling Tours at Ningaloo Reef – Join guided snorkelling tours to explore the vibrant coral and marine life of Ningaloo Reef. Various operators offer excursions suitable for all experience levels.
• Surfing – If conditions are right, Exmouth can serve up some nice waves for beginners to learn on. Hire boards from the Exmouth Surf Centre.
• Humpback Whales – During their migration season, you have the opportunity to go whale watching and witness humpback whales in the waters off Ningaloo Reef.
• Charles Knife Canyon Gorge  – Part of the North West Cape, a winding road takes you along the bottom of the canyon to the top of the ranges, to a stunning lookout great for watching the sun rise or set. Nearby is Shothole Canyon, which has colourful rock layers and abundant wildlife (you’ll need a 4WD to reach this one).
• Craft Breweries – Exmouth has two awesome little breweries: Whalebone Brewing Co. and Froth Craft Brewery. They often also do food and live music – highly worth a visit to chill out after a big day of adventuring.

DAY 9 – Where to Next?

• Spend more time in Exmouth or head off on your next adventure!