Perth to Kalbarri road trip: Distance, drive time & stops
Perth to Kalbarri drive: Dongara and Geraldton
The second leg of the Perth to Kalbarri road trip is from Perth to Geraldton. This is 196km long and takes just over two hours.
Decent options for a road trip stop include Drovers Cave National Park, Green Head and Illawong Beach. But Dongara on the Brand Highway is the highlight. 5 Mile Beach and 7 Mile Beach are stunners, although you can also take in local history at Russ Cottage.
Top Dongara experiences include a history and local produce walking tour, plus a behind-the-scenes tour at the Illegal Tender Rum Distillery.
Between Dongara and Geraldton, options include Flat Rock Beach, the Greenough Wildlife and Bird Park and the Waigan Lakes.
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.
Geraldton is the largest town in Western Australia north of Perth. The Museum of Geraldton offers gripping tales on historic shipwrecks. But the real treats here are the day tours to the Houtman-Abrolhos Islands. The beaches and wallabies are gorgeous, but the tale of the Batavia shipwreck is simply astonishing.
Geraldton accommodation recommendations
Booking site Wotif offers Geraldton accommodation for from $119 a night. Search for the best deals here.
However, the following places to stay in Geraldton are particularly worth considering.
- For central location: Gerald Apartment Hotel.
- For low prices, but with a pool: Ibis Styles.
- To be by the beach: Ocean Centre Hotel.
- For overall quality: Mantra Geraldton.
Click through to the next section: Horrocks Beach and Hutt Lagoon.