Coral Bay to Broome road trip: Distance, driving time & best stops
Coral Bay to Broome 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.
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.
Attractions between Coral Bay and Broome: Karratha 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.
Click through to the next section: What to do in Port Hedland.