An aerial photo of the contrasting landscape in the Shark Bay World Heritage Area. Image credit: Summersite

Plan Your Journey

To help you plan your Coral Coast holiday, we've made it simple.

The best time to visit:
We generally say the best time to visit the Coral Coast is between March to October. This is due to the weather being dry, mild heat and the majority of our seasonal experiences/tours happen between these months. 

Key travelling resources

Here's all the resources you'll need including Australia's weather/seasons. How to travel by air, road or water, booking accommodation and tours plus more. And of course, a map to help you get around! 

Western Australia has 192,000km of unique and contrasting road conditions. The variation can be challenging for even the most seasoned drivers, while small differences in road laws between other countries can have significant safety implications.

To help keep you safe, the Road safety Commission produces a Guide to Driving on WA Roads. This free booklet is essential reading for those getting behind the wheel and hitting our roads. It includes helpful information about Western Australian road rules and tips for driving in urban and regional areas.

Guide to Driving on WA Roads - English booklet

Guide to Driving on WA Roads - Arabic booklet

Guide to Driving on WA Roads - Chinese (Mandarin) booklet

Guide to Driving on WA Roads - French booklet

Guide to Driving on WA Roads - German booklet

Guide to Driving on WA Roads - Italian booklet

Guide to Driving on WA Roads - Japanese booklet

Guide to Driving on WA Roads - Korean booklet

Guide to Driving on WA Roads - Malay booklet

 

The Coral Coast's Regions

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Indian Ocean Drive

Best known for the Pinnacles Desert at Cervantes or the endangered Australian Sea Lions of Jurien Bay, the area is home to several National Parks and Marine Parks, sporting colourful wildflowers during the season.

See the Pinnacles
Kalbarri National Park Western Australia Nature's Window

Kalbarri & the Pink Lake

Kalbarri and Hutt Lagoon, the pink lake at Port Gregory are an easy self-drive holiday from Perth. Adventures to be had on the water, quad biking by the ocean or hiking and biking at the National Park sites.

Colours of Kalbarri
A swimmer alongside a manta ray chain at Ningaloo, Western Australia

Ningaloo Reef

The 300km long Ningaloo Reef is the best place on Earth to swim with megafauna including Whale Shanks, Manta Rays, Humpback Whales and Turtles. Learn to dive, hike the Canyons, cruise the gorge creeks and enjoy fresh seafood. 

Meet our Megafauna
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Geraldton & its Islands

Geraldton has established itself as a contemporary coastal hub of cafés, shops, street art and galleries. It's also a great base for Western Australia wildflower carpets, a world-class kitesurfing hub and the gateway to the Abrolhos Islands with its black pearls.

Go to Geraldton!
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Shark Bay World Heritage Area

Shark Bay World Heritage Area is known worldwide for the Monkey Mia dolphin experience. Emus, Lizards, Dugongs, Turtles and Rays are found in its National Park - coloured red rust cliffs - and waters which are white sand (or shells) and turquoise waters.

See you in Shark Bay
Kid and dog in everlastings carpet of wildflowers, Western Australia

Wildflower Country

The Coral Coast is a popular spot to see dazzling Western Australia wildflowers - from late July to early October with the best months being August & September. Our region is Wildflower Hotspot, home to the flower carpets, orchids and the rare wreath flowers.

Wowed by Wildflowers

Discover all things Coral Coast

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Dongara-Port Denison

Dongara-Port Denison
The twin towns of Dongara and Port Denison boast true coastal village charm, with the Irwin River creating a scenic landmark as it meanders between the two towns. Beautiful beaches provide ideal
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An aerial view of Big Lagoon in Francois Peron National Park, in the Shark Bay World Heritage Area, Western Australia. Image by Tommy Clarke Photography

Big Lagoon

Big Lagoon
Situated in Francois Peron National Park, Big Lagoon is a stunning lagoon renowned for its vibrant colours and plentiful marine life, such as dolphins, dugongs, rays, fish and sharks. The lagoon
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Kalbarri Chinaman's Beach Western Australia

Chinaman's Beach

Chinaman's Beach

Make the most of the clear, tranquil waters of Chinaman’s Beach on the Murchison River. This swimming spot in the heart of Kalbarri is popular among families due to its safe swimming conditions
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Sunrise over Cape Range National Park, Exmouth, Ningaloo, Western Australia

Cape Range National Park

Cape Range National Park
Situated on the west side of Exmouth is Cape Range National Park, a spectacular place of rugged limestone ranges and breathtaking deep canyons such as Yardie Creek, surrounded by 50 kilometres of
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Ross Graham Lookout

Ross Graham Lookout
The Ross Graham Lookout offers breathtaking views over the gorges within the Kalbarri National Park. Take a short walk from the car park down to the river's edge for a swim and explore the glorious
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Bill's Bay in Coral Bay, Western Australia

Bill's Bay

Bill's Bay
The tranquillity of Bill's Bay with its pristine beaches and protected waters has a wonderfully relaxed seaside holiday ambience. The bay is located in the tiny town of Coral Bay and provides easy
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Carnarmah Macpherson Homestead Western Australia

Carnamah

Carnamah

The Shire of Carnamah includes the townsites of Carnamah and Eneabba. Just three hours north of Perth, the Carnamah Shire is one of the richest areas in the state for flowering plants and explodes
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An aerial view of boats in Geraldton's Marina, Western Australia

Geraldton Visitor Centre

Geraldton Visitor Centre
Geraldton Visitor Centre is located within the Geraldton Regional Art Gallery, located at 24 Chapman Road, Geraldton WA 6530. The Visitor Centre is open Tuesday - Friday from 09:00am to 4:00pm, and
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Greenough Leaning Trees Geraldton Western Australia

Leaning Trees of Greenough

Leaning Trees of Greenough
Located approximately two kilometres north of the Greenough Historic Settlement, the iconic leaning trees of Greenough are a must-see when in the region. Buffeted by prevailing southerly winds, the
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Murchison River

Murchison River
Video: Murchison River at Galena Bridge, Kalbarri The mighty Murchison River is the second longest river in Western Australia and is one of the best spots for fishing. It flows for about 820 km from
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Coral Coast Beach

Back Beach - Geraldton

Back Beach - Geraldton
Back Beach is one of the most popular surfing beaches in Geraldton. For the surfing enthusiast make sure to bring your surf board and practice your skills on the medium to large waves with the locals
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Cycling in Jurien Bay, Western Australia

Jurien Bay

Jurien Bay

Jurien Bay is Western Australia’s family favourite and fast emerging as popular short break destination. Jurien offers fantastic swimming, coffee, great beaches and a good range of accommodation
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Kalbarri Skywalk 2019 render drawings

Kalbarri Skywalk

Kalbarri Skywalk
Kalbarri Skywalk is OPEN. Breathtaking twin skywalks in Kalbarri National Park boast stunning vistas of the Murchison River Gorge's rust-red cliffs, flowing water and bushland from high above. Famous
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Sandy Cape

Sandy Cape
Secret no more – Sandy Cape has grown in popularity with visitors unable to resist photographing and posting images of this idyllic location. Located 10km north of Jurien Bay is the turnoff to the 7km
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Yued Ponar Trail Lesueur National Park

Yued Ponar Trail

Yued Ponar Trail
The Yued people knew the Indian Ocean Drive country well because they travelled between the inland and the coastal plains always following their seasonal food sources.The Yued Ponar Trail is an
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Monkey Mia

Monkey Mia
Best known as the home of the Monkey Mia dolphins, the Reserve is a must-see for families and nature lovers alike. It’s located on the eastern shore of Peron Peninsula, about 23 kilometres from the
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Let's start planning your trip