Perth to Karratha road trip: Coastal route distance & best stops

Exmouth to the NW Coastal highway

The next part of the road trip is from Exmouth to Karratha.

This first section of the drive out of Exmouth involves a hefty backtrack down the North West Cape.

Later on, you’ll cut through Giralia Station along Burkett Road, and this will take you to the NW Coastal Highway.

On the highway, there’s a rest and free camping area in Yannarie by the Yannarie River. You can also stop for a photo at the big collection of outback boulder 17km further along.

A key decision needs making at the Nanutarra Roadhouse, a fuel and supplies stop. The turn-off for Karijini National Park is here, and many prefer to take in the gorges and swimming holes of Karijini than sticking to the coast.

If you do hug the coast, the next key turn-off is at Cane. Here, the Onslow Road will take you to Onslow. The Termite Mound Viewing Area and vast salt pans of the Onslow Salt Field can be seen before reaching the town.

Things to do in Onslow include going on the ferry to the Mackerel Islands Resort, fishing and snorkelling at Sunset Beach.

Good Onslow accommodation picks include the Onslow Beach Resort aparthotel and the Discovery Parks Onslow holiday park.

Perth to Karratha drive: Next stop – Karratha

Skip Onslow, and the next stop after Cane is the Fortescue River Roadhouse. Again, you can get fuel and snacks here

Arguably the best place to stop on the Onslow to Karratha leg of the Perth to Karratha drive is Miaree Pool on the Nullagine River. This swimming hole offers a campground and picnic area.

Mairee Pool comes just 30km before Karratha, the best place to stop on this particular road trip itinerary.

Things to do in Karratha include going to the Burrup Peninsula to see the Indigenous rock engravings and attacking the 3.5km Yaburara Aboriginal Heritage Walk Trail. There are also several tours available. Experience Murujuga runs 1.5 hour tours at Nganjarli – aka Deep Gorge.

Meanwhile, Pilbara Dive and Tours offers diving tours around the Dampier Archipelago, while Pelican Charters runs fishing charters to the Montebello Islands.

Where to stay in Karratha

Booking ahead in Karratha is strongly advised, as hotels can fill up with mine workers and get very expensive if you just rock up on the day. The best Karratha accommodation options are:

For a relatively cheap, decent bed for the night: Econo Lodge Karratha.
For overall quality, a pool and a restaurant: Best Western Plus The Ranges or Karratha International Hotel.
For facilities, space and self-catering: Karratha Central Apartments.