Indian Ocean Drive | Australia's Coral Coast

Starting from Cervantes spanning north, the Indian Ocean Drive (road extension off Perth's Yanchep suburb) offers a scenic journey to the coastal towns of Cervantes, Jurien Bay, Green Head, Leeman, Dongara and Port Denison. Cervantes is a short 2 hour drive from Perth.

The Indian Ocean Drive is a scenic but quick road, making the area an excellent day trip destination or the first port of call on your journey north along Australis' Coral Coast. These seaside towns are great short break destinations offering plenty of things to see and do on the coast and inland.

Cervantes is known worldwide the Pinnacles Desert in the Nambung National Park - so once you've seen the Pinnacles, travel a little north to Lake Thetis - one of only five thrombolite, or ‘Living fossils’, sites in Western Australia. An easy 1.5 kilometre walking loop around the lake showcases the experience via interpretive signage. Cervantes also boasts beautiful beaches for fishing, swimming, and fresh seafood - learn about the Western Rock Lobster industry and enjoy some for lunch!

Located just 20 minutes’ drive north of Cervantes along the Indian Ocean Drive, Jurien Bay is fast emerging as popular short break destination for families and adventure seekers. Whether you’re a scuba-diver discovering the Marine Park or a skydiver landing on the pristine white beaches or love 4WDing in all-terrain conditions.

Green Head is a town all about nature. Picnic at nearby Lesueur National Park, featuring 10% of the State’s total known flora. It's also home to WA's largest resident population of endangered Australian sea lions which can be viewed as part of a tour from Green Head or Jurien Bay.

Leeman offers great caravan and camping experiences. Milligan Island is a "nature-based" short term (48 hours maximum) camping site set amongst natural vegetation and dunes, while inland the Stockyard Gully National Park features caves and fantastic 4WDing opportunities.

The twin-towns of Dongara and Port Denison are found just 4 hours north of Perth and mark the end the Indian Ocean Drive area. With true coastal village charm, with the Irwin River meanders between the two towns. Dongara’s drive-in is one of two operating in Western Australia (opened in the 1960’s) and screens movies every second Saturday night from October until May. Of all the locations on the Coral Coast, Dongara-Port Denison has the most amount of pet-friendly accommodation available for those who like to travel with a furry friend.

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Whilst you're here, why not learn about...

Fishing in Dongara and Port Denison

The twin towns of Dongara and Port Denison are considered to be the rock lobster capital of Australia and are perfect for the amateur fisherman. The three jetties situated along Arurine Bay are a

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 allows visitors to immerse themselves in the

Jurien Bay snorkelling

Similar to the Abrolhos Islands the Jurien Bay Marine Park contains a mix of temperate and tropical waters and marine life, courtesy of the Leeuwin Current. Snorkellers will delight in the diversity

World-Heritage, Marine and National Parks

Our National Parks often abut coastal heathland and are home to a range of amazing native plants and Australian animals . From late winter to the end of spring, Wildflowers bloom spectacularly

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

Jurien Bay Sea Lions

To get up close to inquisitive wild Sea Lions head to Jurien Bay about a 2.5 drive north of Perth. Take a sea lion watching cruise and you'll find these graceful swimmers love to show off in front of

Dongara Heritage Trail

The Dongara Heritage Trail is a pleasant one hour self-guided walk through the charming town of Dongara taking in 17 points of interest. Meander along the trail as it winds through this charming

Lake Indoon

Lake Indoon is a picturesque freshwater lake and an ideal location to participate in a variety of water based activities. Spend a few days at the campsite to explore much of the lake which is renowned

Anchorage Bay

Located near the town of Green Head , Anchorage Bay is the site of the Green Head jetty, and the main place of anchorage for the area's fishing vessels. The beach is 2.2km long, with the jetty and

Lake Thetis Thrombolites

Visiting the remarkable Thrombolites at the picturesque Lake Thetis is an opportunity not to be missed. A visit to the area wouldn't be complete without a trip to the major tourist attraction of the

Point Louise Lookout

Only a few minutes north of Green Head by car, the Point Louise Lookout offers panoramic views over the main surf break below, where surfers, windsurfers and kite surfers regularly take to the water.

Irwin District Museum

The Irwin District Museum in Dongara is housed in one of the oldest police stations in Western Australia. A working station until 1984, it then underwent extensive restoration to bring the station,

Wildflower Sightings - Wildflower Country

Visitors will delight in viewing some of the state’s most vibrant wildflowers as they drive through the inland farming towns of Badgingarra , Eneabba , Coorow , Three Springs , Carnamah , Mingenew and

South Bay

Located near the town of Green Head , South Bay is a long stretch of white sand beach, ideal for swimming and fishing or just walking along an uncrowded and unspoiled beach. The bay is part of the

Stockyard Gully National Park

Video: Chris Lewis Stockyard Gully National Park is home to a fascinating group of limestone caves that lead to an underwater river system. View this post on Instagram A post shared by We Travel To

Milligan Island

Nestled amongst bushland, the Milligan Island Eco Campsite is between the two small towns of Leeman and Green Head - it's about camping right in nature and leaving a minimal footprint. The camping

Australian Sea Lion Encounters

Large colonies of Australian sea lions thrive on the Coral Coast of Western Australia (WA). It’s not uncommon to spot these cute creatures lazing in the sun on the beaches of the Jurien Bay Marine

Dongara Port Denison Visitor Centre

9 Waldeck St, Dongara WA 6525 Tel: +61 8 9927 1404 E: tourism@irwin.wa.gov.au Website: www.dongaraportdenison.com.au View this post on Instagram A post shared by Dongara Port Denison (

Europa Anchor

An unusual sight as you enter the town of Cervantes is the Europa Anchor. Displayed opposite the Cervantes Pinnacle Motel, the anchor was retrieved from the ship Europa which was wrecked off the coast

Wildflower Hotspot - Lesueur National Park

Lesueur National Park situated near Green Head , is one of the most diverse and rich floral areas in the world. The park is home to over 900 species, including many plants found nowhere else in the

Dynamite Bay

Dynamite Bay is a stunning bay in Green Head which is sheltered from the strong winds off the coast by a low lying rocky cliff that circles around the beach. The bay is part of the Three Bays Walkway

Hill River Four-Wheel Driving

Video: Ronny Dahl of 4WD in WA Explore the sand tracks along the coast and navigate through flooded tracks along the Hill River and find our way across the sand dunes. For more in depth details on the

Jurien Bay diving

Jurien Bay Marine Park Limestone reefs, caves and swim-throughs provide a haven for many temperate and tropical marine species. Lionfish, western blue devils, soft and hard corals, sponges, ascidians,

Cervantes

Cervantes is the gateway to Western Australia's Pinnacles Desert and the beginning of Australia's Coral Coast region. The town also boasts beautiful white sandy beaches and turquoise waters teeming

Royal Steam Flour Mill

The Royal Steam Flour Mill operated in the late 1800s and has recently been beautifully restored to its heyday. Make sure you stop by this prominent building in the Dongara town site, which is clearly

Green Head

Green Head is a small, friendly coastal town three hours north of Perth on the Indian Ocean Drive. Its pristine beaches and laid-back lifestyle provide a relaxed holiday atmosphere as well as the home

Lesueur National Park

Lesueur National Park is a must see for all wildflower lovers and botanists with over 900 species of flora identified within the park. Visit during the wildflower season for a spectacular sight when a

Russ Cottage

Situated on the banks of the Irwin River in Dongara , Russ Cottage provides an opportunity to appreciate the unique lifestyles of the early settlers in the 1860s. Furnished in the style of the early

Wildflower Hotspot - Nambung National Park

Made up of 17,000 hectares of coastal heathland, the Nambung National Park is home to a variety of native plants and animals. Wildflowers commonly found in the Nambung National Park during late winter

The Turquoise Way

Hire a segway or bike and follow the Turquoise Way Trail, a 14.2 kilometre sealed track stretching along the coast from the Jurien Bay Marina to the Hill River Mouth. The path is suitable for walking,

Jurien Bay Marine Park

The Jurien Bay Marine Park is located 200 to 300 kilometres north of Perth by road. This pristine coastal strip extends south from Green Head to the southern boundary of Nambung National Park (Wedge

Dongara Beaches

There's plenty on offer at the beaches of the twin towns of Dongara and Port Denison - from tranquil bays perfect for swimming to excellent fishing spots, surf breaks and beaches where strong sea

Thirsty Point Lookout

Only a stone's throw from the town of Cervantes, Thirsty Point Lookout is the ideal point from which to take in the stunning oceans surrounding the town. A wooden boardwalk allows you to weave through

Fishing in Jurien Bay

If you love fishing and crabbing you’ll love Jurien Bay . Try your luck casting a line from the beach, or head for local fishing spots including the Limestone Groynes, Jurien Bay Marina, or the two

Jurien Bay Visitor Centre

67 Bashford St, Jurien Bay WA 6516 Tel: +61 8 9652 0870 Email: tourism@dandaragan.wa.gov.au www.visitturquoisecoast.com.au/

Wildflower Sightings - Indian Ocean Drive

The wildflower season is usually from June to early October. Wildflower reports and sightings are published on this page during wildflower season. There are currently no sightings recorded as it is

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

Fisherman's Lookout

Fisherman'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

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

The Pinnacles

A visit to Australia’s Nambung National Park and the Pinnacles is a must. The Pinnacles had approximately 653,000 visitors recorded by Parks and Wildlife from during the 2017/2018 financial year,

South Beach, Port Denison

South Beach, Port Denison is a great surfing beach if you're learning to surf. It's also perfect for swimming and sand is so compact you can drive straight onto the beach and park up! Take a stroll

Leeman

Leeman sits on turquoise waters, white sandy beaches and offshore islands harbouring a great diversity of marine life. The picturesque coastline offers great conditions for an array of water

Sea Lion Charters

Let us take you out to meet the Australian Sea Lions off Jurien Bay. Sea Lion Charters in Jurien Bay, Western Australia, has been operating in the Jurien Bay Marine Park for 25 years, providing the

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Lobster Shack

Based on the shores of the Coral Coast, just 17km from the famous “Pinnacles National Park”, the lobster processing factory offers the complete lobster experience from lobster pot to cooking pot! The

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Skydive Jurien Bay

We are Australia’s most positively reviewed and awarded tandem skydive operation (no other skydive business has won as many awards in the WA Tourism Awards). Our incredible coastal views sets us apart

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Turquoise Safaris

Turquoise Safaris is the leading boat tour operator in Jurien Bay specialising in Sea lion Tours. Our guides are long time residents who know all the secret spots in and around the area. We pride

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Seaestar Fishing Charters

Seaestar Fishing Charters offer the ultimate fishing experience only a short drive from Perth in Jurien Bay, WA. Our boat is crewed by a dedicated team of fishing professionals who are passionate

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Adams Pinnacle Tours

Pinnacle Tours are proudly regarded as Western Australia's leading tour operator. Celebrating 31 years of operating tours throughout Western Australia, they simply know the best things to see and the

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Astrotourism WA

Amazing stargazing experiences are waiting for you in Western Australia. Country towns are creating special places and protecting dark night skies so you can enjoy stargazing at its best. Astrotourism

Autopia Tours Western Australia

Autopia Tours Western Australia - Get Lost Travel Group Pty Ltd specialise in small group tours from Perth. Offering one day Pinnacles Sunset Tours, 4 Day Perth to Monkey Mia Tours and 7 Day Perth to

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Browse the accommodation options along the Indian Ocean Drive

Jurien Bay Motel Apartments

Jurien Bay's newest accommodation right in the centre of town! Located just a short 5 minute walk from the Jurien Bay Jetty, Jurien Bay Motel Apartments offer the newest choice of 1 & 2 bedroom Self

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Coral Coast Sunset Deck

Coral Coast Sunset Deck - modern, airconditioned, 2 storey townhouse, designed to maximise the very best of relaxed seaside living 100m from the Indian Ocean. Fully self-contained and sleeping a

Jurien Bay Tourist Park

Jurien Bay Tourist Park is located in the heart of Jurien. The park is the largest along this stretch of the coast and is very popular as a holiday, tourist and fishing destination. Jurien Bay Tourist

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RAC Cervantes Holiday Park

RAC Cervantes Holiday Park is proud to announce that the redevelopment is now complete. RAC Cervantes introduces a range of brand new 2 and 3 bedroom poolside villas, nature playground for the kids,

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Discover RAC Parks & Resorts along the Coral Coast

If you're travelling on the Coral Coast Highway there is so much to see and explore - but where do you stay? RAC Parks & Resorts has the perfect location to base yourself; from the Pinnacles at

Lunar New Year - how to celebrate the Year of the Pig

Over 1.5 billion people around the world are ready to welcome in the Lunar New Year. The Year of the Pig begins on 5th February 2019 and is celebrated by Asian communities including Korean, Vietnam,

Photographing the Milky Way at the Pinnacles

This article was written by Michael Goh; photographer and astrophotography enthusiast . The Pinnacles, Nambung National Park, Western Australia Around 200km north of Perth, hundreds of limestone

Stargazing by the Seasons

This article was written by Carol Redford; creator of AstroTourismWA.com.au Stargazing Seasons and Your Travel Tips 2019 Country WA is perfect for stargazing. After you escape bright city lights, you