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Perth to Broome via the Coral Coast


Western Australia is made for road trips, and the Perth–to–Broome route via the Coral Coast is one of the most iconic in the country. Think turquoise bays, red desert gorges, marine wildlife, white-sand beaches and long, wide-open highways built for adventure.

If you’re exploring WA with a camper trailer from The Camp Co, this route gives you the perfect mix of easy driving, incredible scenery and unforgettable stops along the way.

Below is a detailed, day-by-day itinerary designed for camper trailer travelers, plus helpful tips and local highlights to make planning simple.

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🌿 Day 1: Perth → Jurien Bay

Drive time: ~2.5 hours

Kick off your Coral Coast adventure with a short, easy drive to Jurien Bay. This peaceful coastal town is ideal for a relaxed first day.

Things to do:

  • Snorkel the Jurien Bay Underwater Trail

  • Take a sea lion tour — they’re incredibly playful

  • Walk the long timber jetty at sunset

  • Visit Sandy Cape Recreation Park for beachside camping

Why stop here: It’s close to Perth, family-friendly and has great beachfront spots perfect for camper trailer travellers.


🏜 Day 2: Jurien Bay → Kalbarri

Drive time: ~3.5 hours

Kalbarri is where the rugged outback drops dramatically into the ocean — one of WA’s most photogenic regions.

Highlights:

  • Kalbarri Skywalk over the Murchison Gorge

  • Nature’s Window – one of WA’s most iconic rock formations

  • Z-Bend Lookout and short gorge walks

  • Coastal cliffs including Island Rock and Natural Bridge

Why stop here: Nowhere captures the red-earth / blue-ocean contrast quite like Kalbarri, and there are plenty of camping options suited to camper trailers.


🐬 Day 3: Kalbarri → Shark Bay / Monkey Mia

Drive time: ~4 hours

Entering Shark Bay feels like stepping into another world — from shell beaches to wildlife-rich bays and red-sand peninsulas.

Things to see:

  • Shell Beach (yes, it’s all shells!)

  • Eagle Bluff lookout — often spot sharks and rays below

  • Afternoon dolphin sightings at Monkey Mia

  • Little Lagoon for a swim or kayak

Why stop here: Shark Bay is a UNESCO World Heritage Area and one of WA’s most wildlife-packed stops.


🌊 Day 4: Explore Shark Bay

Take a full day here — there’s too much to rush.

Options for the day:

  • Soak in the Peron Homestead artesian hot tub

  • Explore Big Lagoon or Francois Peron National Park (4WD only)

  • Ocean Park Aquarium wildlife encounters

  • Sunset on the Denham foreshore


🌴 Day 5: Shark Bay → Coral Bay

Drive time: ~6 hours

Welcome to Coral Bay, one of the most laid-back coastal towns in WA, sitting directly on Ningaloo Reef.

Must-do experiences:

  • Snorkel right off the beach

  • Swim with manta rays (year-round)

  • Join a glass-bottom boat or coral-viewing cruise

  • Explore the reef shark nursery at Skeleton Bay

Why stop here:Everything is walkable — perfect for setting up your camper trailer and wandering between the beach and camp.


🐢 Day 6: Coral Bay – Full Day

Spend the day relaxing and exploring:

  • Drift snorkelling

  • Quad bike tours along untouched coastline

  • Sunset from the main beach

  • Turtle nesting season (Nov–Feb)

Coral Bay is the kind of place travellers often wish they’d booked extra nights for.


🏖 Day 7: Coral Bay → Exmouth

Drive time: ~1.5 hours

Exmouth gives you access to both Ningaloo Reef and Cape Range National Park — two completely different landscapes side by side.

Highlights:

  • Turquoise Bay – world-class drift snorkel

  • Yardie Creek Gorge walk or boat tour

  • Vlamingh Head Lighthouse at sunset

  • Oyster Stacks (check tide charts)

  • Ningaloo Centre


🌄 Day 8: Explore Exmouth

A full day here means more reef time or a chance to head into the gorge country.

Ideas:

  • Whale shark tours (Apr–Aug)

  • Humpback whale swims (Aug–Oct)

  • Mandu Mandu Gorge hike

  • Snorkel Lakeside or Turquoise Bay again (it’s worth it!)


⛰ Day 9: Exmouth → Karratha

Drive time: ~8 hours

A classic Pilbara drive — open roads, red earth, and wide horizons.

Stops & highlights:

  • The Red Dog memorial statue

  • Hearson’s Cove

  • Shopping, fuel and rest stops for the next stretch north

Great spot to break up the long drive to Broome.


🏜 Day 10: Karratha → Broome

Drive time: ~8 hours

Finish strong in Broome — a tropical, colourful town full of high-impact scenery and rich culture.

Things to do:

  • Sunset at Cable Beach (camels optional!)

  • Visit Gantheaume Point for red rocks + dinosaur footprints

  • Explore Chinatown

  • Pearl tours at Willie Creek

  • Check out the deep red cliffs of Reddell Beach

A perfect way to wrap up your Coral Coast adventure.


Best Time to Travel

  • April to October offers the best weather for camping.

  • June to August is peak wildlife season (whale sharks, manta rays, humpbacks).

  • Summer is hot but great for turtle nesting.


Why This Trip Works So Well With a Camper Trailer

  • Freedom to choose beachfront or bush camps

  • More affordable than staying in accommodation

  • Access to remote spots along Ningaloo and the Pilbara

  • Easy setup and comfortable sleeping

  • The perfect balance of adventure + convenience

If you’re travelling this route, a camper trailer from Camp Co gives you the flexibility to stay longer at the places you fall in love with — which is most of them!


Tips for Travellers

  • Carry extra water and fuel in the Pilbara

  • Bring snorkel gear — you’ll use it a lot

  • Check road conditions before entering national parks

  • Book Coral Bay and Exmouth sites early during peak months

  • Stop often — the journey is just as good as the destinations

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