Duration: 10 days
Avis Car Hire relocation fee: $400
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Travel from Perth, Western Australia's international gateway airport, on your way north to Exmouth on the Ningaloo Reef - self-drive the new Coral Coast Highway today!
These self-drive itineraries are fully flexible and can be amended to include more/less nights in certain towns or combined with other Coral Coast itineraries. This itinerary can be done in reverse - learn more about the Exmouth to Perth (South) journey.
Perth to Geraldton (425km or 5hrs)
Pick up your Avis hire car and start your trip north of Perth on the Mitchell Highway Freeway turning onto the Indian Ocean Drive. First stop is Nambung National Park, home of the ancient Pinnacles Desert. Enjoy lunch at the Lobster Shack in nearby Cervantes or consider stopping in Jurien Bay for an epic Skydive experience.
Continue travelling north to Dongara-Port Denison, where you can make a stop at the Illegal Tender Rum Co for a rum tasting. Back on the highway, stop at the Leaning Trees of Greenough.
Spend sunset at the HMAS Sydney Memorial II before dinner at one of the city’s quality restaurants.
Stay: Geraldton
Day Two
Explore Geraldton and Kalbarri (155km or 90mins)
Wake up in Geraldton and enjoy a day in the City, café hopping to Piper Lane or Jaffle Shack. Learn about the nearby Abrolhos Islands at the Museum of Geraldton or shop Abrolhos pearls at Latitude Gallery, and immerse yourself in history at the HMAS Sydney II Memorial or St Francis Xavier Cathedral.
No visit to Geraldton would be complete without a visit to the Abrolhos Islands for the day on a Scenic Flight from Geraldton (or Kalbarri).
Stay: Kalbarri
Day Three
Explore Kalbarri
Wake up early to feed the Pelicans who visit the foreshore daily from 8.45am. Whist there, children will love the Nature Playground. Snorkelling at Blue Holes is ideal for kids too. Big and small kids will love Quad Biking tours at Wagoe Beach, about 20km south of Kalbarri.
Hike the Bigurda Trail along the Kalbarri Cliffs coastline, past Shellhouse Grandstand to Island Rock and Natural Bridge. End the afternoon by watching the surfers at Jacques Point.
Stay: Kalbarri
Day Four
Kalbarri to Shark Bay (385km or 4hrs 30 minutes)
Wake up early, pack drinks and snack and head north on the highway. Turning left onto the World Heritage Drive, stop into Shell Beach and picnic at the Hamelin Pool Stromatolites (note: the stromatolites boardwalk is currently closed, however the stromatolites can still be seen from the Hamelin Pool quarry or from the air or a scenic flight).
Follow signs to Eagle Bluff for expansive views over the Indian Ocean. Between Eagle Bluff and Denham, stop in to Ocean Park Aquarium, a marine life rehabilitation centre. Before arriving in town, walk to Denham Lookout (also the location of the infamous Thong Shack!).
Stay: Denham or Monkey Mia
Day Five
Explore Shark Bay
Wake up early to meet the Monkey Mia bottlenose dolphins who visit the shores daily from 7.45am. Afterwards, get up close to more of Shark Bay’s natural attractions:
- Join a 4WD day tour to Francois Peron National Park for a rugged adventure
- Enjoy a picnic at Little Lagoon and a hot tub soak at Peron Homestead
- Find a beach to yourself in Denham or Monkey Mia and kayak or swim
Enjoy a sunset wildlife cruise on the Bay before dinner.
Stay: Denham or Monkey Mia
Day Six
Shark Bay to Carnarvon – (335 kms or 4hrs)
Get up early to explore some incredible beaches in Carnarvon. Head east and then north onto the North West Coastal Highway. Approximately 40km south of Carnarvon, stop at Bush Bay and New Beach for a swim and picnic. If you aren't keen to stay in Carnarvon town, consider Wooramel River Retreat.
Head into Carnarvon town to purchase picnic supplies from fruit and vegetable growers direct at along the Fruit Loops Trail. Head out to snorkel the ‘Aquarium’ at Point Quobba, located 75km north of Carnarvon and 1km south of the Blowholes (also a must visit!).
Quobba is the beginning of Ningaloo Reef at its southern-most point. If you don’t have snorkel gear, buy it in Carnarvon town or at Red Bluff (near Quobba). Don’t feel like driving? Helicopter over these breathtaking beaches and snorkel your own private beach.
Stay: Carnarvon
Day Seven
Carnarvon to Coral Bay – (238 kms/2.5hrs)
Enjoy breakfast on Carnarvon’s Fascine, then drive out of town towards Coral Bay. North of Carnarvon, between Coral Bay and Exmouth, you’ll find Bullara Station, a top spot for homemade scones and barista coffee.
Arriving in Coral Bay, take an afternoon quad bike and snorkel tour, exploring secret and hard to reach Ningaloo Reef locations. Want something more exhilarating? See Ningaloo Reef from above on a scenic flight.
Stay: Coral Bay
Day Eight
Explore Coral Bay
You must visit Ningaloo Reef and swim with something! Whale Sharks, Manta Rays, Humpback Whales, Turtles, Fish and more.
All mega-fauna tours are a full day because our tour operators have world-class, life changing experiences to show you! Tours are offered from Coral Bay and Exmouth. An extra day in Coral Bay or Exmouth is recommended for this. Enjoy fresh seafood at Bill’s Bar.
Stay: Coral Bay
Day Nine
Coral Bay to Cape Range National Park – (205km/2hrs)
Check out and drive north from Coral Bay, stopping in Exmouth town for drinks and food.
Set off to Cape Range National Park for a snorkel at Lakeside or Turquoise Bay. You will love the colourful sunsets of Ningaloo, best experienced at Vlamingh Head Lighthouse on your way back into Exmouth.
Enjoy a seafood dinner at Exmouth Escape Resort or Mantarays Beach Resort.
A diver’s delight – the must do for you is the Navy Pier night dive.
Stay: Exmouth
Day Ten
Explore Exmouth and fly to Perth
Get up before the sun - Exmouth is one of the few places you can see the sun rise and set.
Check out of your accommodation and make the most of your morning by stopping at the Ningaloo Aquarium and Discovery Centre to learn about the area or
join a glass-bottom boat tour of the Reef.
Return your Avis hire car to the airport for your afternoon flight with Qantas to Perth.
The Coral Coast Highway - a Fly and Drive Holiday
From 1 April to 31 October, 2023, Avis Australia will make it easier than ever to overcome the distances by offering a great one way hire car rental deal between Perth and Exmouth, with a significantly reduced one-way relocation fee of $400 each way.
How do I plan and book this trip?
- Decide which direction to go - drive first or fly first?
- Reserve your hire car with Avis
- Book your flights with Qantas
- Organise and pre-book your major tours*
- Choose which towns to visit and choose your accommodation
* It is highly recommended to book tours in advance, especially Whale Shark, Humpback Whales and Manta Ray swims.
Need to know:
- The relocation fee is additional to daily rental fees and any applicable charges applied by Avis Australia
- One way rentals available from Perth City and Perth Airport depots. Contact Avis Australia directly to confirm participating locations
- There is a minimum 7-day rental period for the discounted relocation fee to apply
- For full rental vehicle terms and conditions, refer to Avis Australia's hire policy
