Coral Bay to Port Hedland road trip: Distance, time & best stops

The best stops on a Coral Bay to Port Hedland road trip include Onslow, Karratha and Roebourne. The 754km drive should take around 7h47m.

Planning a Coral Bay to Port Hedland road trip

The Coral Bay to Port Hedland 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.

To book Port Hedland accommodation, head here.

This expert-researched guide should help you prepare your Coral Bay to Port Hedland road trip itinerary. Click on the links for more detailed information about any particular place, attraction or activity.

Coral Bay to Port Hedland distance and driving time

By car, the distance from Coral Bay to Port Hedland is 754km, with a driving time of approximately seven hours and 47 minutes.

The best stops to add to a Coral Bay to Port Hedland road trip itinerary include Onslow, Karratha and Roebourne.

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 Port Hedland road trip: Coral Bay to Nanutarra Roadhouse

This first section of Coral Bay to Port Hedland 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 Port Hedland 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: Karratha and the Burrup Peninsula.

Coral Bay 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.

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 Port Hedland: 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.

The beach at Point Samson, Western Australia.

Click through to the next section: What to do in Port Hedland.

Coral Bay to Port Hedland road trip: Port Hedland attractions

Shortly after Roebourne, you’ll encounter the junction with the Roebourne-Wittenoom Road. This heads towards Millstream-Chichester National Park, an oasis best known for its pretty waterholes and winter wildflowers.

Otherwise, slug your way through the monotonous Pilbara desert scenery towards Port Hedland.

Things to do in Port Hedland include seeing the Staircase to the Moon at the Cooke Point Lookout and taking a harbour tour.