Geraldton to Exmouth road trip: Distance, driving time & best stops
The Geraldton to Exmouth drive in Western Australia is 833km in distance, with a 8h23m driving time. Good road trip stops include Kalbarri, Shark Bay and Carnarvon.
The drive from Geraldton to Exmouth forms a major stretch of the road trip from Perth to Broome up the coast of Western Australia. Geraldton is the largest town north of Perth, and Exmouth is the primary gateway to the Ningaloo Reef.
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.
Should you 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.
Geraldton to Exmouth distance and driving time
By car, the distance from Geraldton to Exmouth is 833km. That makes for a driving time of eight hours and 23 minutes.
Well, it does if you don’t make any detours along the way. And it is well worth adding side trips to Kalbarri, Shark Bay and Carnarvon to a Geraldton to Exmouth road trip itinerary.
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.
Geraldton to Exmouth drive via Kalbarri
The first leg of this extended journey, from Geraldton to Kalbarri, heads north on National Highway 1. It skims close to Glenfield Beach, then reaches the town of Northampton. From here, you can jig 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.
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.
The town of Kalbarri is at the mouth of the Murchison River, and is increasingly becoming a popular coastal holiday destination.
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.
Click through for the next section: Shark Bay.
Geraldton to Exmouth road trip: Shark Bay
You can tackle the best-known section of Kalbarri National Park on the way out of town. Nature’s Window and the Kalbarri Skywalk offer dramatic views over the Murchison River Gorge.
After rejoining the North West Coastal Highway, the top diversion is to World Heritage-listed Shark Bay.
The stromatolites at Hamelin Pool should be the first stop. What look like black rocks are actually examples of the oldest living organisms on earth.
Further along, you’ll come to the Ocean Park Aquarium, just south of Denham. It’s not just an aquarium – it operates Shark Bay cruises and diving trips too.
While in Denham you can learn more about the fascinating local history and unique environment at the Shark Bay World Heritage Discovery and Visitor Centre.
Top Denham accommodation choices include the kitchenette-bestowed chalets at the Denham Seaside Caravan Park and the spacious Shark Bay Seafront Apartments.
Click through for the next section: Francois Peron National Park and Monkey Mia.
Geraldton to Exmouth drive: Monkey Mia attractions
After the drive from Kalbarri to Denham, it’s only another 20 minutes from Denham to Monkey Mia. It might take a little longer if you decide to swim at Little Lagoon or venture into Francois Peron National Park. Inside, Cape Peron brings red cliffs and white sand while Big Lagoon brims with marine life.
The main attraction at Monkey Mia is the morning dolphin-feeding sessions, but it’s a charming place to hang out.
Book your accommodation in advance, though. The only place to stay is the RAC Monkey Mia Dolphin Resort, and there is a $15 per car Monkey Mia entry fee.
Click through for next section: Towards Coral Bay.
Attractions between Geraldton and Exmouth: Carnarvon
The next leg, from Monkey Mia to Coral Bay, involves backtracking towards Hamelin Pool, then continuing north to Carnarvon
At the mouth of the Gascoyne River, this is the biggest town for a long way in any direction. Things to in Carnarvon include the Gwoonwardu Mia Gascoyne Aboriginal Heritage and Cultural Centre, which delves into local Indigenous beliefs and practices.
Attractions elsewhere in Carnarvon include the Carnarvon Space and Technology Museum and surrounding banana plantations.
Should you choose to break the Geraldton to Exmouth road trip with an overnight stay here, there are several Carnarvon accommodation options. These include the Carnarvon Motel, which has a water slide whizzing into its pool, and the Capricorn Holiday Park.
Click through for next section: North from Carnarvon.
Kalbarri to Exmouth road trip: North from Carnarvon
It’s another 238km stint behind the wheel from Carnarvon to Coral Bay. Excitement is pretty much limited to stopping for fuel and supplies at the Minilya Roadhouse and taking a photo at the Tropic of Capricorn sign.
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 go drift snorkelling at Paradise Beach.
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.
It’s advisable to book Coral Bay tours and accommodation in advance – it’s a small village with only a few shops and amenities.
Click through for the next section: Coral Bay to Exmouth.
Geraldton to Exmouth drive: Exmouth from Coral Bay
The final 153km from Coral Bay to Exmouth takes around one hour and 38 minutes. Most of the monotonous drive is along the Minilya – Exmouth Road.
Aside from massive sheep stations, there is nothing until you reach Learmonth Airport and its solar observatory.
The Learmonth Jetty on the Exmouth Gulf is reasonably photogenic and a good fishing spot.
Further along the road, those with a 4WD vehicle can explore the rugged Cape Range National Park. Charles Knife Canyon and Shothole Canyon are relatively easy to get to.
On the way into Exmouth, you can also stop at Pebble Beach.
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.
Most Ningaloo Reef whale shark swimming cruises, scenic flights and Ningaloo Reef kayaking tours pick up from Exmouth. It’s also possible to swim with humpback whales.
Best Exmouth accommodation choices
- For infinity pool resort luxury: Mantarays Ningaloo Beach Resort.
- For central location: Ningaloo Lodge.
- For apartments with pool and landscaped gardens: Exmouth Escape Resort.
- For families: RACV Exmouth Cape Holiday Park.
The Ningaloo Reef and Turquoise Bay
However, for most people, the town is a base for exploring the other side of the North West Cape. Ningaloo Reef tours usually leave from the Tantabiddi Boat Ramp, a half hour drive away past the Vlamingh Head Lighthouse and Mauritius Beach.
Further along are a series of staggering white sand beaches, from which the Ningaloo Reef is often about 100 metres offshore.
Turquoise Bay and Osprey Bay are arguably the most attractive of these beaches.
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.
More Western Australia travel
Where should I stop on the Exmouth to Port Hedland section of the Exmouth to Broome road trip?
How long does it take to get from Perth to Fremantle?
Stay in eco-tents at the Cygnet Bay Pearl Farm on the Dampier Peninsula.
How long is the drive from Perth to Eucla?