Perth to Broome road trip: Coastal route distance & best stops

Perth to Broome drive: Francois Peron National Park to Carnarvon.

Following the drive from Kalbarri to Denham, the leg from Denham to Monkey Mia only takes around 20 minutes. On the way you can swim at Little Lagoon or drive around the Francois Peron National Park. Here, Cape Peron offers red cliffs and white sand and Big Lagoon brims with marine life.

The prime attraction at Monkey Mia is the morning dolphin-feeding sessions.

The only accommodation is the RAC Monkey Mia Dolphin Resort, and there is a $15 per car Monkey Mia entry fee.

From Monkey Mia to Coral Bay, you need to double back towards Hamelin Pool, then continue north to Carnarvon at the mouth of the Gascoyne River. Things to in Carnarvon include the Gwoonwardu Mia Gascoyne Aboriginal Heritage and Cultural Centre, which explores the traditional way of life and beliefs of the local Indigenous people.

Other Carnarvon attractions include the Carnarvon Space and Technology Museum. There are also several banana plantations to drive around.

Perth to Broome road trip: Carnarvon to the Ningaloo Reef.

Heading north from Carnarvon, don’t expect too much excitement along the route. You can stop for fuel and supplies at the Minilya Roadhouse and take a photo at the Tropic of Capricorn sign.

There’s a key decision to make at the Minilya Roadhouse, however – keep going north or branch off down the Minilya-Exmouth Road towards Coral Bay, Exmouth and the Ningaloo Reef. Given this will be the unquestioned highlight of the journey, this is not a difficult decision.

It’s another 98km from Minilya to Coral Bay.

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, or go snorkelling at Five Fingers Reef and Paradise Beach.

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

Click through for the next section: Coral Bay to Exmouth.