Carnarvon to Broome road trip: Distance, driving time & best stops
Attractions between Carnarvon and Broome: Roebourne to Point Samson.
It’s another 230km from Karratha to Port Hedland, with Roebourne being the first realistic stop. Here you can take in the views from the Mt Welcome Lookout and visit the Old Gaol Museum. You can also go on a Pilbara bird-watching tour, although most visitors simply just refuel at the BP service station.
There’s a decent argument for making a detour north to Point Samson, however. There are several good beaches here, particularly if you’re into beach fishing. You can also take a self-guided heritage walk through the town and stay at the Port Samson caravan park.
Other attractions include the huge Point Samson Jetty and the blue stone buildings of neighbouring gold rush ghost town Cossack.
Carnarvon to Broome road trip: Port Hedland attractions
Shortly after Roebourne, you’ll encounter the junction with the Roebourne-Wittenoom Road. This heads towards Millstream-Chichester National Park, an oasis best known for its pretty waterholes and winter wildflowers.
Otherwise, slug your way through the monotonous Pilbara desert scenery towards Port Hedland.
Things to do in Port Hedland include seeing the Staircase to the Moon at the Cooke Point Lookout and taking a harbour tour.
Port Hedland accommodation recommendations
The best places to stay in Port Hedland are:
- For a cheapish but decent motel: South Hedland Motel.
- For beachfront location and overall quality: Hospitality Port Hedland.
- For more space, a kitchen and laundry: Mia Mia Executive Apartments.
- For a pool and family-friendly facilities: Discovery Parks Port Hedland.
Port Hedland accommodation costs from $107 per night, but is notorious for selling out in advance.
Cape Keraudren and Eighty Mile Beach
The Port Hedland to Broome drive is 604km long and there aren’t many great stops along the way. Turn off at the cyclone-ravaged Pardoo Roadhouse, 144km from Port Hedland for Cape Keraudren, a lovely spot for fishing and crabbing on the Indian Ocean.
Then, 250km from Port Hedland, comes the Eighty Mile Beach Caravan Park. Right by the beach, this remote caravan park offers powered sites, cabins and fresh water. There are also gas barbecues and – perhaps most of interest to passing drivers – a mini-mart.
Eighty Mile Beach itself is famed for white sand and migratory birds. If you stay the night, the sunrises ain’t half bad either.
The Sandfire Roadhouse is just before 80 Mile Beach. You will almost certainly need to fill up on fuel here. The next fuel stop on the Great Northern Highway between Port Hedland and Broome is the Roebuck Plains Roadhouse, 287km away.
Between Eighty Mile Beach and the Roebuck Plains Roadhouse, there are a few accommodation options.
The Port Smith Caravan Park, on a natural lagoon by the coast, is 481km from Port Hedland.
Click through to the next section: Eco Beach and Broome.