Dongara to Geraldton drive: Distance, time & best stops
The best road trip stops on the Dongara to Geraldton drive in Western Australia include Flat Rocks Beach and the Greenough Wildlife Park.
The drive from Dongara to Geraldton connects two of the larger towns on the west coast of Australia. These two towns are relatively close to each other, and by Western Australian standards, this is not a particularly long drive.
Before leaving Dongara, you might be interested in a couple of tours. There’s a history and local produce walking tour, plus a behind-the-scenes tour at the Illegal Tender Rum Distillery.
If you can do just one thing in Geraldton, make it an Abrolhos Islands day tour – full of bloodthirsty shipwreck mutiny stories, cute wildlife and world class Indian Ocean beaches. Other Geraldton experience options include fishing charters, whale-watching cruises and lobster pot-pulling tours. For great Geraldton accommodation deals, look here.
Book your Geraldton tours and accommodation.
Dongara to Geraldton distance and driving time
By car, the distance from Dongara to Geraldton is 64km. That makes for a driving time of around 43 minutes. The drive is along the Brand Highway, which is the name given to National Highway 1 in these parts.
6 cool Geraldton experiences you should book in advance
- (HIGHLY RECOMMENDED) Hear astonishing shipwreck stories, spot tiny wallabies and enjoy white sand beaches – on a full day Abrolhos Islands tour including scenic flight.
- See what you can reel in on an Abrolhos Islands fishing charter.
- Try your hand at lobster farming on lobster pot-pulling tours.
- Gasp at migrating humpbacks on a whale-watching cruise.
- Marvel at Hutt Lagoon from above on a pink lake scenic flight.
- Watch the sun set over the Indian Ocean on a Geraldton harbour sunset cruise.
There’s obviously no real need to stop anywhere on the way, but there are a few beaches north of Dongara that may be of interest. 5 Mile Beach, 7 Mile Beach and 9 Mile Beach line up in succession, although Flat Rocks Beach and Lucy’s Beach in Greenough tend to be more popular.
Dongara to Geraldton road trip stops: Greenough Wildlife Park
The settlement is also home to the Greenough Wildlife Park, which is home to several native Australian creatures. No-one’s ever going to claim this is one of the best wildlife parks in Australia, however.
Further north, the Devlin Pool Lookout is a decent photo stop, while the Greenough River Beach has an attractive lake behind it.
Dongara to Geraldton drive: Geraldton attractions
The Dongara to Geraldton drive enters Geraldton’s southern suburbs shortly afterwards.
Things to do in Geraldton include the Museum of Geraldton, which has some fantastic sections on shipwrecks, and the St Francis Xavier Cathedral.
Geraldton is best used as a base for tours, however. Options include fishing charters, full day tours to the Houtman-Abrolhos Islands and lobster pot pulling adventures. There are also whale-watching cruises.
Geraldton accommodation recommendations
Booking site Wotif offers Geraldton accommodation for from $119 a night. Search for the best deals here.
However, the following places to stay in Geraldton are particularly worth considering.
- For central location: Gerald Apartment Hotel.
- For low prices, but with a pool: Ibis Styles.
- To be by the beach: Ocean Centre Hotel.
- For overall quality: Mantra Geraldton.
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