Things to do in Carnarvon, Western Australia

The best things to do in Carnarvon, Western Australia, include the boardwalk by the Carnarvon Fascine, the Gwoonwardu Mia Gascoyne Aboriginal Heritage and Cultural Centre and the Carnarvon Fruit Loop Driving Trail.

The best things to do in Carnarvon, WA, are:

Taking in the sunset from the boardwalk at the Carnarvon Fascine.
Learn about local Indigenous customs at the Gwoonwardu Mia Gascoyne Aboriginal Heritage and Cultural Centre.
Discover Carnarvon’s role in space research at the Carnarvon Space and Technology Museum.
Take a driving tour around the vast banana plantations.

Where is Carnarvon, Western Australia?

Carnarvon, Western Australia, is the main town of the Gascoyne region. It’s at the mouth of the Gascoyne River between Shark Bay and the Ningaloo Reef.

Carnarvon is a sunny, pleasant-looking town – especially the waterside areas. There’s also decent range of things to do in Carnarvon, which makes it well worth a stop if driving north from Perth to Exmouth, or Monkey Mia to Coral Bay.

Things to do in Carnarvon, WA: Carnarvon Fascine

The town’s focal point it the Carnarvon Fascine, a bay formed by the southern arm of the river. This is a fabulous place to watch the sun set, but you can also swim safely here and take a walk along the boardwalk past the coconut palms.

Carnarvon Fascine in Carnarvon, Western Australia. Photo courtesy of Australia’s Coral Coast.

Cultural attractions in Carnarvon include the Gwoonwardu Mia Gascoyne Aboriginal Heritage and Cultural Centre. This features several exhibitions that explain the traditional way of life and world view of the local Indigenous people. You’ll also discover the Aboriginal takes on local wildlife and the night sky.

Things to do in Carnarvon, WA: Carnarvon Space and Technology Museum

The Carnarvon Space and Technology Museum also looks to the heavens. This Carnarvon attraction focuses on the Carnarvon Tracking Station and the OTC Satellite Earth Station, which both played critical roles in man’s exploration of Perth. The Carnarvon Space and Technology Museum is based at the OTC Satellite Earth Station, and has the 12.8 metre wide Casshorn antenna outside.

Carnarvon is also a major fruit-growing area and was the first place in Australia to grow bananas. The Carnarvon Fruit Loop driving trail is 26km long and takes you past several banana plantations. Many have roadside stalls where you can buy fruit as fresh as it’s possible to get.

Another famous Carnarvon attraction is the Carnarvon Blowholes. But these aren’t actually in Carnarvon itself – they’re about 75km to the north near Point Quobba on Quobba Station. You can see them as a detour on the Carnarvon to Coral Bay drive.

Carnarvon accommodation picks

Accommodation in Carnarvon, WA, costs from around $126 a night. Wotif has a good selection of options.

The following Carnarvon accommodation is particularly worth looking at:

For central location: Carnarvon Motel.
For two bedroom apartments: Carnarvon Central Apartments.
For best overall quality: Hospitality Carnarvon.
For family cabins with a pool: Capricorn Holiday Park.

More towns and cities in Western Australia

Gascoyne things to do Western Australia