Monkey Mia to Broome road trip: Best stops, distance & drive time
Monkey Mia 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.
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.
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, then go snorkelling at either Paradise Beach or Five Fingers Reef.
You should book your Coral Bay tours and accommodation in advance.
Best Coral Bay accommodation
The best Coral Bay accommodation options are…
- For budget travellers: Coral Bay Backpackers.
- For overall quality: Ningaloo Reef Resort.
Click through for the next section: Coral Bay to Exmouth.