Western Australia | Perth to Darwin Road Trip Itinerary
Discover the best of the west on this 16 day Perth to Darwin road trip itinerary along the Western Australia coastline.
Day 1: Perth to Cervantes
Distance: 213km
Travel time: 2 hours 40 minutes
Pick up your Apollo camper at our Perth branch and get ready to head north. On the way to Cervantes take the slight detour to The Pinnacles. Formed approximately 25, 000 years ago when sea levels receded, today The Pinnacles stand as a popular tourist and photography enthusiasts attraction.
Day 2: Cervantes to Geraldton
Distance: 223kms
Travel time: 2 hours 25 minutes
Continue north today in the direction of Geraldton, the only city in Western Australia's Coral Coast and famous for great windsurfing conditions. While you're here be sure to visit the iconic red and white Point Moore Lighthouse.
Image: Tourism Western Australia
Day 3: Geraldton to Monkey Mia
Distance: 432kms
Travel time: 4 hours 25 minutes
An exciting destination awaits you today - Monkey Mia! Enjoy the sunset this evening and get ready for an exciting wildlife experience tomorrow morning.
Image: Tourism Western Australia
Day 4: Monkey Mia
Monkey Mia is a famous Western Australia destination thanks to more than 40 years of wild dolphin encounters. Everyday at 7:45am, meet a ranger in front of the visitor centre and watch on as dolphins visit the beach until midday.
Image: Tourism Western Australia
Day 5: Monkey Mia to Carnarvon
Distance: 352kms
Travel time: 3 hours 30 minutes
Say goodbye to the Monkey Mia dolphins and continue north to Carnarvon. We recommend including a visit to the Quobba Blowholes, found 75km north of Carnarvon. Here you can witness the ocean pushing into sea caves and up through narrow holes in the rocks to propell impressive jets of water into the air.
Image: Tourism Western Australia
Day 6: Carnarvon to Exmouth
Distance: 364kms
Travel time: 3 hours 45 minutes
Exmouth is calling! The gateway to the Ningaloo Reef, Exmouth has been a popular tourist destination for decades - and for good reason! Ningaloo Reef is Australia's largest fringing reef (yep, you can step right off the beach to the reef!) and over 50% of Indian Ocean species are found here! If you time your trip between March and July, there are even multiple opportunites to swim with whale sharks.
Image: Tourism Western Australia
Day 7: Exmouth to Karratha
Distance: 549kms
Travel time: 5 hours 45 minutes
Say goodbye to the pearly white sand of Exmouth and hello to Karratha! After just under 6 hours on the road today, aquaint yourself with this town of just over 20,000 people with a trip up to TV Hill Lookout. Don't worry, there is no walking required to take in this view as you can drive right to the top!
Image: Tourism Western Australia
Day 8: Karratha to Port Hedland
Distance: 230kms
Travel time: 2 hours 25 minutes
Connecting the Pilbara and Kimberley regions of Western Australia, you'll find Port Hedland. Port Hedland is famous for being salty - in a good way. More than 3 million tonnes of salt is harvested at Port Hedland each year (making a tour to the salt mines a must do while in Port Hedland!). This town is also home to the world's largest bulk export port and boasts some of the world's largest ships.
Day 9: Port Hedland to Broome
Distance: 609kms
Travel time: 6 hours
Wave goodbye to the salt and the ships and say hello to Broome. Arrive before dark to experience another spectacular Western Australia sunset.
Image: Tourism Western Australia
Day 10: Broome
Welcome to Broome, today is yours to explore! Whether you join a guided pearl farm tour or visit Australia's most remote brewery, make sure you finish your day with a sunset at the world famous Cable Beach. Operating 7 days a week, be sure to join a sunset camel ride across Cable Beach for an incredible, bucket-list experience.
Image: Tourism Western Australia
Day 11: Broome to Fitzroy Crossing
Distance: 397kms
Travel time: 4 hours
Say goodbye to the Western Australia coast and head inland. Today's destination is Fitzroy Crossing, a true outback town. While you're here make sure to visit the nearby Danggu Geikie Gorge. If you are visiting between May and October, join a boat tour to gain a greater understanding of this historical area.
Image: Tourism Western Australia
Day 12: Fitzroy Crossing to Halls Creek
Distance: 289kms
Travel time: 2 hours 55 minutes
The site of Western Australia's first gold discovery is the destination for today. Halls Creek, a small outback town with the population of less than 4,000 people. From here you can enjoy a scenic flight over the world heritage listed Purnululu National Park and experience the striking beehive like formations found no where else on Earth.
Day 13: Halls Creek to Kununarra
Distance: 358kms
Travel time: 3 hours 40 minutes
Your final day on the Great Northern Highway, enjoy the 3 hours and 40 minutes travel through remote Australia before arriving at Kununarra.
Image: Instagram - @melissafindley
Day 14: Kununarra
Your final full day in Western Australia. While you're in Kununurra be sure to visit Lake Argyle, Australia's second largest man-made lake, several times larger than the Sydney Harbour.
Image: Tourism Western Australia
Day 15: Kununarra to Katherine
Distance: 515kms
Travel time: 5 hours 15 minutes
Leave Western Australia and cross into the Northern Territory. After the five and a bit hours on the road today, relax and unwind from the drive at the vibrant Katherine Hot Springs, just minutes away from the main street of Katherine.
Image: Lachlan Gardiner
Day 16: Katherine to Darwin Apollo Branch
Distance: 317kms
Travel time: 3 hours 10 minutes
The last day of one epic adventure. On your way to Darwin stop in at Florence Falls in Litchfield National Park for a relaxing swim before an easy drop off at the Darwin Apollo Branch.
Image: Lachlan Gardiner
| days | 16 |
| kms | 4,826 |
| stops | 14 |
| LabelField4 | 50 |
| Field4 | Outstanding Moments |