Perth to Broome road trip: Coastal route distance & best stops
Perth to Broome road trip: Geraldton to Kalbarri National Park
Stay on National Highway 1 from Geraldton, and it’s an extremely mundane drive. Given that it doesn’t take much of a detour to visit one of the Perth to Broome road trip’s highlights, you’d be pretty daft to not go via Kalbarri National Park instead.
The Geraldton to Kalbarri leg of the west coast road trip skims close to Glenfield Beach, then reaches the town of Northampton. From here, you slide west to the quietly gorgeous Horrocks Beach.
The route then passes one of Australia’s increasingly famous pink lakes. The best lookout over Hutt Lagoon comes just before you get into Port Gregory.
Soon afterwards, you’ll reach the coastal section of Kalbarri National Park. There is a series of clifftop lookouts, most of which have a worthwhile walking track attached. Take your pick from Eagle Gorge, Pot Alley, Mushroom Rock, Red Bluff and the Blue Holes.
The town of Kalbarri is at the mouth of the Murchison River, and is increasingly becoming a popular coastal holiday destination.
6 great Kalbarri experiences to book before you arrive
- See the colours of the giant cliffs change on a sunset cliffs cruise.
- Have fun catching the local lobsters on a lobster pot pulling tour.
- Learn about the area’s history, nature and wildlife on a Murchison River cruise.
- See migrating humpbacks on a seasonal whale-watching experience.
- Take a scenic flight to Monkey Mia for a dolphin-feeding encounter.
- Fly over the infamous Batavia shipwreck on an Abrolhos Islands tour by plane.
Kalbarri also offers sunset cliffs cruises, and whale-watching tours.
Kalbarri accommodation possibilities with a pool include the Gecko Lodge B&B and Kalbarri Backpackers YHA. Another potential option is the Big River Ranch, which offers horse-riding tours.
Kalbarri to Shark Bay
There are several attractions in Kalbarri National Park to enjoy before the Perth to Broome road trip joins National Highway 1. You’ll get dramatic views of the Murchison River Gorge from Nature’s Window and the Kalbarri Skywalk.
Once you’ve joined the highway, the Kalbarri to Coral Bay leg of the drive is a whole lot of nothing before you reach Shark Bay Road at Hamelin Pool.
This is the next worthwhile detour off the highway going north.
If diverting to Shark Bay, make the stromatolites at Hamelin Pool your first stop. They look like black rocks, but they’re examples of the oldest living organisms on earth.
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Keep going and you’ll pass the Ocean Park Aquarium, just south of Denham. This aquarium offers Shark Bay cruises and diving trips.
Other things to do in Denham include learning about the local environment and history at the Shark Bay World Heritage Discovery and Visitor Centre.
Denham accommodation options include the kitchenette-toting chalets at the Denham Seaside Caravan Park and the roomy Shark Bay Seafront Apartments.
Click through for the next section: Francois Peron National Park and Monkey Mia.