Monkey Mia to Coral Bay, WA: Distance, driving time and road trip attractions

The Monkey Mia to Coral Bay drive in Western Australia is 581km. Expect a Monkey Mia to Coral Bay driving time of around 5h51m along sealed roads. Road trip attractions on the way include the Francois Peron National Park, Hamelin Pool stromatolites and Carnarvon Space and Technology Museum.

This independent, Australia travel expert-researched guide is aimed at travellers planning a road trip itinerary from Monkey Mia to Coral Bay in Western Australia.

There is only one accommodation option at Monkey Mia. If planning to stay, you need to book in advance.

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.

To learn more about the Monkey Mia to Coral Bay drive, including the distance, driving time and the best stops along the route, read on…

Planning a Monkey Mia to Coral Bay road trip itinerary

The drive from Monkey Mia to Coral Bay is a key section of the Perth to Broome road trip up the Western Australian coast. The drive is along sealed roads and connects the nature-heavy regions of Shark Bay and the Ningaloo Reef.

Monkey Mia is the most fun place to stay in Shark Bay, mainly due to the morning dolphin-feeding. Coral Bay, meanwhile, is the southern entry point for swimming with the Ningaloo Reef’s whale sharks, humpbacks and manta rays.

Monkey Mia to Coral Bay distance and driving time

To drive the full Monkey Mia to Coral Bay distance of 581km is tough going in one stint. The Monkey Mia to Coral Bay driving time is around five hours and 51 minutes.

The first leg of the Monkey Mia to Coral Bay road trip is the easiest. The drive from Monkey Mia to Denham takes less than 20 minutes. However, you may wish to detour into the Francois Peron National Park on the way. You’ll only get as far as the informative visitor centre at the Peron Homestead if you’ve not got a 4WD vehicle, however. Cape Peron should be the goal with a 4WD.

Alternatively, stop for a swim at Little Lagoon, about 5km north of Denham. Things to do in Denham itself include the Shark Bay World Heritage Discovery and Visitor Centre. This museum delves into early European exploration of the west coast.

Monkey Mia to Coral Bay: Denham to Carnarvon section

Next comes the Denham to Carnarvon section, which is about 325km and includes a couple of Shark Bay’s top attractions. The Ocean Park Aquarium is just south of Denham, while the World Heritage-listed Hamelin Pool stromatolites are close to the junction with the North West Coastal Highway. These stromatolites are rare examples of the oldest living organisms on earth.

Carnarvon is a pleasant town at the mouth of the Gascoyne River. Things to in Carnarvon include the Gwoonwardu Mia Gascoyne Aboriginal Heritage and Cultural Centre. This cultural centre explores the traditional way of life and beliefs of the local Indigenous people.

Other Carnarvon attractions include the Carnarvon Space and Technology Museum and driving around the numerous banana planatations.

Enjoy the little break, because there’s not much excitement to come on the Carnarvon to Coral Bay leg of the Monkey Mia to Coral Bay drive. It’s just straight road, red dirt and the chance to stop for a photo at the Tropic of Capricorn sign.