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 are 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 Western Australian 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

Pinnacles Desert Cervantes Western Australia Nambung National Park

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
Geraldton Street Art Butterfly Western Australia

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!
Shark Bay Western Australia Francois Peron National Park Bottle Bay Image Outta Orbit

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

Turquoise Bay Ningaloo Reef Western Australia

Turquoise Bay

Turquoise Bay
Turquoise Bay has been named the second best beach in the South Pacific and #6 in the world, in Trip Advisor's 2021 Travellers' Choice Awards. When's the last time you went for a Wander Out Yonder
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Abrolhos Islands Geraldton Western Australia's Coral Coast

Houtman Abrolhos Islands

Houtman Abrolhos Islands
Please note: Houtman Abrolhos Islands National Park is currently closed due to the aftermath of Cyclone Seroja. We look forward to welcoming you back as soon as possible. For further information on
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Dongara Port Denison Drive In Cinema

Dongara Denison Drive-In Cinemas

Dongara Denison Drive-In Cinemas
The Dongara Denison Drive-in is a single screen drive-in that was opened in 1967 and is one of two Drive-In cinemas still operating in Western Australia. It is open seasonally from Spring through to
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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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Thong Shack beach Denham Shark Bay

The Thong Shack

The Thong Shack
An interesting and unexpected discovery... On an isolated beach just 3 kms south of Denham township, you will find a shrine to the thong of the footwear kind. Visitors to the beach have donated their
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An aerial photo of the Mackerel Islands, off Onslow, Western Australia

Mackerel Islands, off the northern coast of Exmouth

Mackerel Islands, off the northern coast of Exmouth
Seeking a slice of island life? When in Exmouth, why not add a trip to Thevenard Island or Direction Island to experience life on and around the Mackerel Islands. If you’re looking to enhance your
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Dongara-Port Denison's Fishemen's Memorial Lookout & Obelisk

Fishermen's Lookout

Fishermen's Lookout
Fishermen's Lookout offers a panoramic view of Port Denison and the harbour. Watch the magnificent ocean waves crashing on the reef below. Visit the obelisk built in the late 1800s to commemorate the
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Starry night at Valmingh Head Lighthouse, Exmouth, Western Australia

Solar Eclipse 2023

Solar Eclipse 2023
A total solar eclipse is the king of eclipses, and Western Australia’s Exmouth Peninsula, in Australia's Coral Coast, will play host to a ‘hybrid’ solar eclipse on April 20, 2023. Eclipse chasers are
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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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The Navy Pier

The Navy Pier
The Navy Pier has a reputation as one of the top 10 shore dives worldwide, primarily due to its vast range of marine life - best described as an aquarium without glass. At the last count, there were
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Three Bays Walkway in Green Head, Western Australia

Three Bays Walkway

Three Bays Walkway
The Three Bays Walkway is a 2.5km fully-sealed walkway which is found near Green Head; a small coastal town located 288km north of Perth. This walkway includes the sweeping South Bay, the picturesque
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Red Bluff Kalbarri Beach Surf Wave

Red Bluff, Kalbarri

Red Bluff, Kalbarri
The dramatic coastal cliffs of Kalbarri's Red Bluff offer amazing views over the Indian Ocean. Towering 100 metres over the ocean below, Red Bluff is the ideal spot to see humpback whales on their
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Steep Point and Zuytdorp Cliffs

Steep Point and Zuytdorp Cliffs
Please note: Edel Land (proposed) National Park, within which Steep Point and the Zuytdorp Cliffs are located, is currently closed due to the aftermath of Cyclone Seroja. We look forward to welcoming
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A 4WD set up beneath the starry night sky in Australia's Coral Coast, Western Australia

Caravan, Camping and 4WDing

Caravan, Camping and 4WDing
The wide-open spaces and warm climate of the region make the Coral Coast an ideal destination for caravan and camping holidays. The Coral Coast region has well maintained roads, making driving an easy
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Sal Salis Exmouth Bushwalking Cape Range National Park

Milyering Discovery Centre

Milyering Discovery Centre
Located 52 kilometres from Exmouth, in the heart of the Cape Range National Park, Milyering Discovery Centre offers interpretive information to open your eyes to the wonders of the National Park and
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Dugong Encounters

Dugong Encounters
The endangered dugong is nature's only vegetarian sea mammal. They resemble a walrus, related to the elephant, called a sea-cow and growing to three metres and weighing up to 400 kilograms. Around the
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Let's start planning your trip