Kalbarri to Coral Bay road trip: Best stops, distance & drive time
The Kalbarri to Coral Bay drive is 673km long, with a driving time of around 6h53m along sealed roads. Top road trip stops to add to itinerary include the Shark Bay stromatolites, Monkey Mia and Carnarvon.
The drive from Kalbarri to Coral Bay connects two of the most attractive destinations on the Western Australian coast. Quite how long it takes well depend on how many road trip stops you add in along the way.
Kalbarri offers sunset cliffs cruises, and whale-watching tours. To pick your favourite from a good range of Kalbarri accommodation, hunt here. To investigate a wider range of Kalbarri tour and activity options, go here.
Coral Bay highlights include swimming with whale sharks – the biggest fish on earth, as well as snorkelling with wild manta rays and viewing turtles on a glass bottom boat. To see a fuller range of brilliant activities, come this way. To book Coral Bay accommodation (and the whole town can sell out – so book in advance), head over here.
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.
Kalbarri to Coral Bay distance and driving time
By car along sealed roads, the distance from Kalbarri to Coral Bay is 673km. That makes for a driving time of around six hours and 53 minutes, provided you don’t detour to Shark Bay. If you are planning on visiting Shark Bay – and it is well worth considering – you can add a couple of hours to that journey time.
There are several attractions in Kalbarri National Park to tick off before the Kalbarri to Coral Bay road trip joins National Highway 1. There are dramatic views of the Murchison River Gorge from Nature’s Window and the Kalbarri Skywalk.
After joining the highway, the Kalbarri to Coral Bay drive is a whole lot of nothing before you reach Shark Bay Road at Hamelin Pool.
Next section: What to do in Shark Bay.