Carnarvon to Port Hedland road trip: Distance, time & best stops
Carnarvon to Port Hedland road trip: Yannarie to Onslow
On the highway, there’s a rest and free camping area in Yannarie by the Yannarie River. You can also stop for a photo at the big collection of outback boulder 17km further along.
A key decision needs making at the Nanutarra Roadhouse, a fuel and supplies stop. The turn-off for Karijini National Park is here, and many prefer to take in the gorges and swimming holes of Karijini than sticking to the coast.
If you do hug the coast, the next key turn-off is at Cane. Here, the Onslow Road will take you to Onslow. The Termite Mound Viewing Area and vast salt pans of the Onslow Salt Field can be seen before reaching the town.
Things to do in Onslow include going on the ferry to the Mackerel Islands Resort, fishing and snorkelling at Sunset Beach.
Good Onslow accommodation picks include the Onslow Beach Resort aparthotel and the Discovery Parks Onslow holiday park.
Carnarvon to Port Hedland drive: Fortescue River Roadhouse 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 Port Hedland 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.
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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.
Karratha accommodation options include the Discovery Parks holiday park and the pool-focused Karratha International Hotel.
Click through to the next section: Roebourne and Point Samson.