Carnarvon to Karratha road trip: Distance, driving time & best stops

Carnarvon to Karratha drive: Cane to Karratha

Skip Onslow, and the next stop after Cane is the Fortescue River Roadhouse. Again, you can get fuel and snacks here

Arguably the best place to stop on the Onslow to Karratha leg of the Exmouth to Karratha drive is Miaree Pool on the Nullagine River. This swimming hole offers a campground and picnic area.

Mairee Pool comes just 30km before Karratha, the best place to stop on this particular road trip itinerary.

What to do in Karratha

Things to do in Karratha include going to the Burrup Peninsula to see the Indigenous rock engravings and attacking the 3.5km Yaburara Aboriginal Heritage Walk Trail. There are also several tours available. Experience Murujuga runs 1.5 hour tours at Nganjarli – aka Deep Gorge.

Meanwhile, Pilbara Dive and Tours offers diving tours around the Dampier Archipelago, while Pelican Charters runs fishing charters to the Montebello Islands.

Where to stay in Karratha

Booking ahead in Karratha is strongly advised, as hotels can fill up with mine workers and get very expensive if you just rock up on the day. The best Karratha accommodation options are:

For a relatively cheap, decent bed for the night: Econo Lodge Karratha.
For overall quality, a pool and a restaurant: Best Western Plus The Ranges or Karratha International Hotel.
For facilities, space and self-catering: Karratha Central Apartments.