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

The best stops on a Coral Bay to Karratha road trip include Shark Bay and the Ningaloo Reef. The Coral Bay to Karratha drive covers a 526km distance in a driving time of around 5h34m

The Coral Bay to Karratha drive is part of the epic journey up the coast of Western Australia from Perth to Broome.

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.

Karratha accommodation is fairly scarce. Find the best options and book in advance here.

This guide should help you prepare a perfect Coral Bay to Karratha road trip itinerary.

Coral Bay to Karratha distance and driving time

By car, the distance from Coral Bay to Karratha is 526km, with a driving time of approximately five hours and 34 minutes.

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.

Things to do in Coral Bay include swimming with manta rays, viewing turtles in a glass-bottomed boat and swimming with whale sharks.

You can also watch turtles nesting at Mauds Landing Beach.

Good Coral Bay accommodation choices include the Ningaloo Reef Resort and Ningaloo Coral Bay Backpackers.

Best Coral Bay accommodation

The best Coral Bay accommodation options are…

For budget travellers: Coral Bay Backpackers.
For overall quality: Ningaloo Reef Resort.

You should book your Coral Bay tours and accommodation in advance.

Coral Bay to Karratha road trip: Coral Bay to the NW Coastal Highway

This first section of the Coral Bay to Karratha 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 Karratha 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.

The Sunset Beach boardwalk in Onslow, Western Australia. Photo courtesy of Tourism Western Australia.

Click through to the next section: Fortescue River Roadhouse to Karratha.

Coral Bay to Karratha 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 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.

Burrup Peninsula and 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.