Coral Bay to Broome road trip: Distance, driving time & best stops
The best stops on a Coral Bay to Broome road trip include Onslow, Karratha and Port Hedland. The 1,348km drive should take around 13h44m.
This expert-researched guide is aimed at helping travellers plan the perfect Coral Bay to Broome road trip itinerary in Western Australia.
Coral Bay highlights include swimming with whale sharks – the biggest fish on earth, as well as snorkelling with wild manta rays and viewing turtles on a glass bottom boat. To see a fuller range of brilliant activities, come this way. To book Coral Bay accommodation (and the whole town can sell out – so book in advance), head over 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.
For detailed information on the Coral Bay to Broome drive, read on…
Planning a Coral Bay to Broome road trip
The Coral Bay to Broome drive is part of the epic journey up the coast of Western Australia from Perth to Broome.
Things to do in Coral Bay include swimming with manta rays, viewing turtles in a glass-bottomed boat and swimming with whale sharks.
Broome, meanwhile, brings camel rides on Cable Beach, dinosaur footprints adventures and close encounters at a crocodile park.
This guide should help you prepare your Coral Bay to Broome road trip itinerary. Click on the links for more detailed information about any particular place, attraction or activity.
Coral Bay to Broome distance and driving time
By car, the distance from Coral Bay to Broome is 1,348km, with a driving time of approximately 13 hours and 44 minutes.
The best stops to add to a Coral Bay to Broome road trip itinerary include Onslow, Karratha, Roebourne and Port Hedland.
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.
Best Coral Bay accommodation
The best Coral Bay accommodation options are…
- For budget travellers: Coral Bay Backpackers.
- For overall quality: Ningaloo Reef Resort.
Coral Bay to Broome road trip: Coral Bay to Nanutarra Roadhouse
This first section of Coral Bay to Broome road trip involves heading up the North West Cape, then cutting through Giralia Station along Burkett Road, and this will take you to the NW Coastal Highway. This is National Highway 1.
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.
Coral Bay to Broome drive: Cane to Onslow
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.
Click through to the next section: Karratha and the Burrup Peninsula.