Perth to Monkey Mia road trip: Distance, driving time and attractions
Perth to Monkey Mia drive: Dongara and Geraldton
The nearby Lesueur National Park is stunning in wildflower season, but otherwise, the next stop worth considering is Dongara. The biggest town on the drive from Jurien Bay to Geraldton. There are several delightful walking trails here, with the best taking in the Irwin River Lookout and surfer favourite Seaspray Beach.
Top Dongara experiences include a history and local produce walking tour, plus a behind-the-scenes tour at the Illegal Tender Rum Distillery.
The gardens-surrounded Dongara Breeze Inn and the Seaspray Beach Holiday Park are the best accommodation options.
Next up is Geraldton, easily the biggest city on the drive from Perth to Monkey Mia and a logical halfway point. The Perth to Geraldton drive takes around four-and-a-half hours. The Museum of Geraldton is the star attraction here, with plenty of stories of shipwrecks along the coast.
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.
But Geraldton is best used as a gateway to the site of the most famous of these shipwrecks – the Batavia. This Dutch ship came aground on the Houtman-Abrolhos Islands, leading to a deranged tale of slaughter and survival. Full day Abrolhos Islands tours tell the tale, while allowing for snorkelling time off East Wallabi Island. You can also try a lobster-fishing tour and whale-watching.
Geraldton accommodation options include the beachfront Belair Gardens Caravan Park, the Mantra at the Marina and the driver-friendly Geraldton Motor Inn.
Next up: Detour via Kalbarri?