Kalbarri to Karratha road trip: Distance, driving time & best stops
The best stops on an Kalbarri to Karratha road trip include Shark Bay and the Ningaloo Reef. The Kalbarri to Karratha drive covers a 1,074km distance in a driving time of around 10h50m
The Kalbarri to Karratha drive is part of the epic journey up the coast of Western Australia from Perth to Broome.
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.
Karratha accommodation is fairly scarce. Find the best options and book in advance here.
This guide should help you prepare a perfect Kalbarri to Karratha road trip itinerary.
Kalbarri to Karratha distance and driving time
By car, the distance from Kalbarri to Karratha is 1,074km, with a driving time of approximately 10 hours and 50 minutes. However, there are a few detours worth adding to the journey which will add a few hours on to that.
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.
There are several attractions in Kalbarri National Park to enjoy before the Kalbarri to Coral Bay leg of the 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 Karratha drive is a whole lot of nothing before you reach Shark Bay Road at Hamelin Pool.
This is the first worthwhile detour off the highway going north.
Kalbarri to Karratha road trip: Hamelin Pool to Denham
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.
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.