Carnarvon to Broome road trip: Distance, driving time & best stops
The best stops on a Carnarvon to Broome road trip include Coral Bay, Exmouth and Karratha. The 1,460km drive should take around 14h50m.
The Carnarvon to Broome drive is part of the epic journey up the coast of Western Australia from Perth to Broome.
Carnarvon is the biggest town for miles around in the Gascoyne region. For Carnarvon accommodation, book here.
Broome, meanwhile, brings Horizontal Falls tours, camel rides on Cable Beach, dinosaur footprints adventures and close encounters at a crocodile park. To check out a great range of Broome activities and tours, browse here. For Broome accommodation, book here.
This guide should help you prepare a perfect Carnarvon to Broome road trip itinerary.
Carnarvon to Broome distance and driving time
By car, the distance from Carnarvon to Broome is 1,460km, with a driving time of approximately 14 hours and 50 minutes. However, there are a few detours worth adding to the journey which will add a few hours on to that.
Things to in Carnarvon include the Gwoonwardu Mia Gascoyne Aboriginal Heritage and Cultural Centre, which explores the traditional way of life and beliefs of the local Indigenous people.
Other Carnarvon attractions include the Carnarvon Space and Technology Museum. There are also several banana plantations to drive around.
Carnarvon accommodation picks
Accommodation in Carnarvon, WA, costs from around $126 a night. Wotif has a good selection of options.
The following Carnarvon accommodation is particularly worth looking at:
- For central location: Carnarvon Motel.
- For two bedroom apartments: Carnarvon Central Apartments.
- For best overall quality: Hospitality Carnarvon.
- For family cabins with a pool: Capricorn Holiday Park.
Carnarvon to Broome road trip: Carnarvon to the Ningaloo Reef.
Heading north from Carnarvon, don’t expect too much excitement along the route. You can stop for fuel and supplies at the Minilya Roadhouse and take a photo at the Tropic of Capricorn sign.
There’s a key decision to make at the Minilya Roadhouse, however – keep going north or branch off down the Minilya-Exmouth Road towards Coral Bay, Exmouth and the Ningaloo Reef. Given this will be the unquestioned highlight of the journey, this is not a difficult decision.
It’s another 98km from Minilya to Coral Bay.
5 Coral Bay experiences to book before you arrive
- Swim with whale sharks – with a dedicated spotter plane for more time in the water with them.
- Go on a glass bottom boat cruise – perfect for non-swimmers.
- Snorkel with turtles – on a boat tour that visits two top snorkelling sites.
- Swim with humpback whales – they visit between June and October.
- Swim with manta rays – available most of the year, with lunch & snorkelling gear included.
Things to do in Coral Bay include swimming with manta rays, viewing turtles in a glass-bottomed boat and swimming with whale sharks.
You can also watch turtles nesting at Mauds Landing Beach, then snorkel at Five Fingers Reef or Paradise Beach.
Best Coral Bay accommodation
The best Coral Bay accommodation options are…
- For budget travellers: Coral Bay Backpackers.
- For overall quality: Ningaloo Reef Resort.
You should book your Coral Bay tours and accommodation in advance.
Click through to the next section: Exmouth and Cape Range National Park.