Exmouth to Onslow road trip: Distance, drive time & best stops
The best stops on the Exmouth to Onslow drive in Western Australia include Charles Knife Canyon, the Yannarie Rest Area and the Onslow Salt Field.
The drive from Exmouth to Onslow in Western Australia is likely to be a leg on a coastal road trip from Perth to Broome. Exmouth is the main centre for Ningaloo Reef tours, while Onslow is one of the more appealing towns in the vast Pilbara region.
If you can do just one thing in Exmouth, make it snorkelling with whale sharks. Seeing the biggest fish on earth gracefully gliding towards you is utterly awe-inspiring. Out of whale shark season, other great Exmouth experiences include swimming with humpback whales, full day lagoon kayaking adventures, Cape Range National Park trekking tours, whale-watching cruises and snorkelling with turtles.
For Exmouth accommodation deals, hunt here.
Exmouth to Onslow distance and driving time
By car, the distance from Exmouth to Onslow is 399km. That makes for a driving time of around four hours and 24 minutes. It’s not the most gripping road trip in the world, and it goes through a whole lot of empty nothing.
8 amazing Exmouth experiences to book in advance.
- Swim with whale sharks – using a spotter plane for maximum shark snorkelling time. This is an experience you’ll genuinely remember forever.
- Ningaloo wildlife adventure – see much more than just the whale sharks.
- Full day kayaking tour – stopping to snorkel at parts of the reef the boats can’t reach.
- Sunset cruise – with dolphin-spotting, snacks and drinks.
- Cape Range trekking adventure.
- Dive on the Ningaloo Reef.
- Swim with humpback whales – they come after whale shark season is over.
- Kayak and snorkel with turtles.
First things first – you need to get back down the North West Cape. That means heading south down the Minilya-Exmouth Road, past Pebble Beach, Shothole Gorge, Charles Knife Canyon and Learmonth Airport. Of these, Charles Knife Canyon offers the most spectacular views.
Leave the Minilya-Exmouth Road to turn right down Burkett Road, through Giralia Station. This eventually hits the NW Coastal Highway – aka National Highway 1.
Exmouth to Onslow road trip: Fuel and rest stops
Further along, there’s a rest area in Yannarie by the Yannarie River. This is a free camping area, should you wish to bed down for the night in the middle of nowhere. About 17km further along, a strange collection of roadside boulders makes for a half-decent photo stop.
For snacks and fuel, however, you’ll need to keep going to the Nanutarra Roadhouse. The turn-off towards Karijini National Park is here, but if carrying on along the coastal route, it’s another 124km to Onslow.
Exmouth to Onslow drive: The Onslow turn-off
The turn-off for Onslow is at Cane – head west down Onslow Road. Just before reaching Onslow, you can stop at the Termite Mound Viewing Area and the Onslow Salt Field. The latter offers views over vast, twinkling salt pans.
Things to do in Onslow include snorkelling at Sunset Beach, fishing and taking the ferry out to the Mackerel Islands Resort.
Top Onslow accommodation choices include the roomy Onslow Beach Resort aparthotel and the Discovery Parks Onslow holiday park.
8 amazing Exmouth experiences to book in advance.
- Swim with whale sharks – using a spotter plane for maximum shark snorkelling time. This is an experience you’ll genuinely remember forever.
- Ningaloo wildlife adventure – see much more than just the whale sharks.
- Full day kayaking tour – stopping to snorkel at parts of the reef the boats can’t reach.
- Sunset cruise – with dolphin-spotting, snacks and drinks.
- Cape Range trekking adventure.
- Dive on the Ningaloo Reef.
- Swim with humpback whales – they come after whale shark season is over.
- Kayak and snorkel with turtles.
More Western Australia travel
How long is the drive from Dongara to Geraldton?
Watch land-yachters on Lake Lefroy near Kambalda.
How high is the Perth Bell Tower?
Go swimming with dolphins in Rockingham.
Visit Ngigli Cave in Yallingup.