21 Day Perth to Broome Itinerary: The Ultimate West Coast Road Trip
Driving from Perth to Broome is one of the best ways to appreciate the sheer scale and diversity of Western Australia.
Over three weeks, this itinerary takes you from Perth along the Coral Coast through Cervantes, Kalbarri, Shark Bay, Coral Bay and Exmouth, before heading inland to the red gorges of Karijini National Park and continuing north to Broome.
It’s a huge journey, but that’s exactly why I recommend allowing around three weeks.
You could drive from Perth to Broome much faster, but you’d spend a large part of your holiday looking through the windscreen. With 21 days, you can stay several nights in the places that deserve it, enjoy Ningaloo Reef properly and spend two full days exploring Karijini before finishing with a few relaxing days in Broome.
For this itinerary, I’d drive one way from Perth to Broome and fly back to Perth rather than trying to squeeze the return drive into the same trip.
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21 Day Perth to Broome Itinerary at a Glance
| Day | Overnight | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Cervantes | Perth → Lancelin → Pinnacles → Cervantes |
| Day 2 | Kalbarri | Cervantes → Geraldton → Kalbarri |
| Day 3 | Kalbarri | Kalbarri National Park |
| Day 4 | Kalbarri | Kalbarri coastal cliffs & beaches |
| Day 5 | Denham | Kalbarri → Shark Bay |
| Day 6 | Denham | Monkey Mia & Shark Bay |
| Day 7 | Denham | Explore Shark Bay |
| Day 8 | Coral Bay | Shark Bay → Coral Bay |
| Day 9 | Coral Bay | Ningaloo Reef |
| Day 10 | Coral Bay | Wildlife tour or beach day |
| Day 11 | Exmouth | Coral Bay → Exmouth |
| Day 12 | Exmouth | Cape Range National Park |
| Day 13 | Exmouth | Ningaloo marine experience |
| Day 14 | Karijini | Exmouth → Karijini |
| Day 15 | Karijini | Karijini National Park |
| Day 16 | Karijini | More of Karijini |
| Day 17 | Port Hedland | Karijini → Port Hedland |
| Day 18 | Broome | Port Hedland → Broome |
| Day 19 | Broome | Broome & Cable Beach |
| Day 20 | Broome | Explore Broome |
| Day 21 | Broome | Relax or Dampier Peninsula |
Best for: Beaches, wildlife, snorkelling, national parks and adventure
Trip style: One-way self-drive road trip
Car needed: Yes
Pace: Moderate, with several long driving days
Ideal time: 21 days plus your departure day from Broome
Day 1 – Perth to Cervantes via Lancelin & the Pinnacles
Leave Perth and begin your journey north along the coast.
Your first destination is Cervantes, but I’d make a stop around Lancelin along the way.
Continue to Cervantes and visit Nambung National Park, home to the Pinnacles Desert.
Walking or driving amongst thousands of limestone formations is a memorable way to start your journey north.
Rather than continuing further today, stay overnight in Cervantes. You’ll have plenty of long driving days later in the trip.
Day 1 route
Perth → Lancelin → Cervantes
Day 1 highlights
Lancelin • Pinnacles Desert • Nambung National Park • Cervantes
Stay: Cervantes
Read: Best Things to Do in Cervantes →
My Tip 💡
If you can, visit the Pinnacles later in the afternoon. I prefer seeing them when the light is softer rather than rushing through in the middle of the day.
Day 2 – Cervantes to Kalbarri
Continue north towards Geraldton.
Geraldton is a good place to stop for lunch, refuel and break up the journey.
From here, continue north towards Kalbarri.
Depending on your timing, you could stop at Hutt Lagoon near Port Gregory before arriving in Kalbarri.
Check into your accommodation and enjoy a relaxed evening.
Day 2 route
Cervantes → Geraldton → Hutt Lagoon → Kalbarri
Day 2 highlights
Geraldton • Hutt Lagoon • Kalbarri
Stay: Kalbarri
Read: Best Things to Do in Kalbarri →
Day 3 – Kalbarri National Park
Today is dedicated to the inland section of Kalbarri National Park.
Visit Nature’s Window and the Kalbarri Skywalk for views over the Murchison River Gorge.
If you’re planning to hike, check the conditions before setting off and start early. My favourite hike is the loop trail.
This landscape is exposed and temperatures can become extremely hot.
Spend the afternoon back around Kalbarri or take things easy after your morning in the national park.
Day 3 highlights
Nature’s Window • Kalbarri Skywalk • Murchison River Gorge
Stay: Kalbarri
My Tip 💡
Start early if you’re visiting the gorges, particularly during warmer weather. Carry plenty of water and don’t underestimate the heat just because the temperature felt comfortable when you left Kalbarri.
Day 4 – Kalbarri Coast
One reason I’ve allowed three nights in Kalbarri is that the national park isn’t just about the inland gorges.
Today, explore the coastal section of Kalbarri National Park.
Spend time at some of the clifftop lookouts, enjoy the coastal scenery and take one of the shorter walks if you feel like being active.
Having this extra day also means you’re not rushing from one major attraction to another.
Spend your final evening in Kalbarri before continuing north tomorrow.
Day 4 highlights
Coastal cliffs • Ocean viewpoints • Kalbarri • Beaches
Stay: Kalbarri
Day 5 – Kalbarri to Shark Bay
Leave Kalbarri and continue north towards the Shark Bay World Heritage Area.
This is a longer driving day, but there are worthwhile stops as you approach Shark Bay.
Stop at Hamelin Pool before continuing towards Denham.
Once you arrive, check into your accommodation and have a wander around the waterfront.
You’ll be staying here for three nights, so there’s no need to rush into sightseeing.
Day 5 route
Kalbarri → Hamelin Pool → Denham
Day 5 highlights
Hamelin Pool • Shark Bay • Denham
Stay: Denham/Shark Bay
Read: Best Things to Do in Shark Bay →
Day 6 – Monkey Mia & Shark Bay
Head to Monkey Mia this morning.
It’s best known for its dolphins, but don’t make the mistake of thinking that’s all Shark Bay has to offer.
Spend the rest of the day exploring the peninsula before returning to Denham.
Day 6 highlights
Monkey Mia • Dolphins • Shark Bay • Denham
Stay: Denham
My Tip 💡
Monkey Mia may be the name everyone recognises, but allow time for the rest of Shark Bay. You’ve driven a long way to get here and the World Heritage area deserves more than a quick morning visit.
Day 7 – Explore More of Shark Bay
Today gives you something that’s often missing from road-trip itineraries: time.
Use it to explore more of Shark Bay.
You might spend time at Shell Beach, explore more of the coastline, join a wildlife cruise or simply have a slower day around Denham.
Having three nights here also gives you some flexibility if the weather doesn’t cooperate with your plans.
Day 7 highlights
Shell Beach • Shark Bay coastline • Wildlife • Denham
Stay: Denham
Day 8 – Shark Bay to Coral Bay
It’s time for another substantial drive as you continue north to Coral Bay.
Treat today mainly as a travel day.
Take regular breaks, carry water and don’t let your fuel level get too low.
When you arrive in Coral Bay, check in and head down to the beach.
You have two full days here, so there’s no need to start ticking off activities as soon as you arrive.
Day 8 route
Denham → Coral Bay
Stay: Coral Bay
My Tip 💡
WA distances can catch visitors out. On long driving days I always recommend refuelling when you have the opportunity rather than waiting until the tank is nearly empty.
Day 9 – Coral Bay & Ningaloo Reef
Today is your first full day experiencing Ningaloo Reef.
One of the great things about Coral Bay is how accessible the reef is.
You can snorkel from shore or join one of the boat tours that head further out onto Ningaloo.
Depending on the time of year, there may also be opportunities for marine wildlife encounters.
Day 9 highlights
Ningaloo Reef • Snorkelling • Coral Bay • Marine life
Stay: Coral Bay
Read: Best Things to Do in Coral Bay →
Day 10 – Coral Bay Wildlife or Beach Day
I’ve deliberately added a second full day in Coral Bay.
If you’re booking a wildlife tour, today is ideal.
Alternatively, spend the day snorkelling, swimming and enjoying the beach.
You could also use this as your quieter day before travelling further north.
Day 10 highlights
Wildlife tours • Snorkelling • Beaches • Ningaloo Reef
Stay: Coral Bay
My Tip 💡
Don’t feel you have to book an activity every day. Some of my favourite days on the WA coast are the ones where there’s no timetable and you simply enjoy where you are.
Day 11 – Coral Bay to Exmouth
Leave Coral Bay and continue north towards Exmouth.
Compared with some of the journeys on this itinerary, today’s drive is relatively easy.
Check into your accommodation and get organised for the next couple of days.
If you arrive early enough, explore Exmouth or head towards the coast.
Day 11 route
Coral Bay → Exmouth
Day 11 highlights
Coral Bay • Exmouth • Ningaloo Coast
Stay: Exmouth
Read: Best Things to Do in Exmouth →
Day 12 – Cape Range National Park & Turquoise Bay
Today is one of the highlights of the trip.
Spend the day exploring Cape Range National Park and the Ningaloo Coast.
Make Turquoise Bay one of your main stops and allow plenty of time for swimming and snorkelling.
You can also continue through the national park towards Yardie Creek, stopping at beaches and viewpoints along the way.
Day 12 highlights
Turquoise Bay • Cape Range National Park • Yardie Creek • Ningaloo Reef
Stay: Exmouth
My Tip 💡
Turquoise Bay is famous for its drift snorkel, but currents can be strong. Check the conditions and understand where you need to exit before entering the water.
Day 13 – Ningaloo Marine Experience
Keep another full day free for Ningaloo.
Depending on the season, this could be the day you book one of the area’s major wildlife experiences.
Ningaloo is known for encounters with marine life including whale sharks, humpback whales and manta rays, but the timing varies.
If there’s a particular species you hope to see, research the season before choosing your travel dates.
If you’re not interested in an organised tour, spend another day exploring the beaches and reef.
Day 13 highlights
Ningaloo Reef • Marine wildlife • Snorkelling • Exmouth
Stay: Exmouth
Read: Best Exmouth Tours →
My Tip 💡
If swimming with a particular marine species is one of the main reasons you’re coming to Ningaloo, plan the dates of your entire Perth to Broome trip around that season.
Day 14 – Exmouth to Karijini National Park
Today the trip changes completely.
Leave the turquoise water of Ningaloo behind and travel inland towards Karijini National Park.
As you enter the Pilbara, the landscape becomes increasingly red and rugged.
This is a long driving day, so I’d concentrate on reaching Karijini rather than trying to add sightseeing stops.
Get settled into your accommodation and prepare for two full days exploring the park.
Day 14 route
Exmouth → Karijini National Park
Stay: Karijini
My Tip 💡
Karijini is remote. Before leaving Exmouth, make sure you’ve thought about fuel, food and water rather than assuming you’ll be able to buy everything you need once you arrive.
Day 15 – Karijini National Park
Spend your first full day exploring Karijini National Park.
The park is known for its enormous red gorges, pools, waterfalls and walking trails.
Rather than trying to see everything, choose one area of the park and explore it properly.
Which walks you choose should depend on current access, weather conditions and your fitness.
Day 15 highlights
Gorges • Swimming holes • Hiking • Pilbara scenery
Stay: Karijini
Day 16 – More of Karijini
You have another complete day in Karijini.
Explore a different section of the national park or tackle another walk.
Having two full days here gives you much more flexibility than trying to squeeze Karijini into a single day between Exmouth and Broome.
Day 16 highlights
Karijini National Park • Gorges • Hiking • Lookouts
Stay: Karijini
My Tip 💡
Don’t measure a Karijini day by how many gorges you’ve visited. Some walks take longer than they appear on a map and you’ll probably want time to swim, stop for photos and simply enjoy the scenery.
Day 17 – Karijini to Port Hedland
Leave Karijini and continue north towards Port Hedland.
I’d use Port Hedland mainly as a practical overnight stop on this itinerary.
After several active days in Karijini, there’s no need to fill the afternoon with another long sightseeing list.
Check in, refuel and get a good night’s sleep before tomorrow’s journey to Broome.
Day 17 route
Karijini → Port Hedland
Stay: Port Hedland
Day 18 – Port Hedland to Broome
This is your final big driving day.
Leave Port Hedland early and head towards Broome.
It’s another long stretch through remote country, so take regular breaks and avoid putting yourself in a position where you’re driving tired.
When Broome finally appears, you’ve earned a celebration.
Check into your accommodation and, if timing allows, head to Cable Beach for sunset.
Day 18 route
Port Hedland → Broome
Day 18 highlights
North West landscapes • Broome • Cable Beach
Stay: Broome
Read: Things to do in Broome →
My Tip 💡
I try to avoid driving long distances after dark in regional WA. Wildlife on the roads is another good reason to leave early and arrive before evening.
Day 19 – Broome & Cable Beach
After nearly three weeks of travelling, today can be wonderfully slow.
Explore Broome and spend some time at Cable Beach.
Visit Chinatown, learn about Broome’s pearling history and enjoy being somewhere without needing to pack the car again tomorrow morning.
Return to Cable Beach for sunset.
Day 19 highlights
Cable Beach • Chinatown • Broome • Pearling history
Stay: Broome
Day 20 – Explore More of Broome
Use today to see more of Broome.
Depending on your interests and the conditions, you could visit more of the coastline, take a tour or simply spend another day enjoying the town and beaches.
If a Cable Beach camel ride is on your WA wish list, you could include it here.
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Day 20 highlights
Broome beaches • Local history • Cable Beach • Tours
Stay: Broome
Day 21 – Broome or Dampier Peninsula
Your final day is deliberately flexible.
After such a long road trip, there’s nothing wrong with spending it beside the pool or on the beach.
Alternatively, you could use today for an organised trip towards the Dampier Peninsula.
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If you want to explore the peninsula independently, check current road conditions, access requirements and hire-car restrictions before setting out.
Return to Broome for your final night.
Stay: Broome
My Tip 💡
Keep this final day flexible. After three weeks on the road, you may be delighted to have a day where the biggest decision is where to watch the sunset.
Where to Stay on a Perth to Broome Road Trip
One of the reasons I prefer 21 days rather than 14 is the accommodation pattern.
You’re still covering enormous distances, but you’re not packing your suitcase every morning.
Cervantes – 1 night
A useful first stop that allows you to explore the Pinnacles without combining them with an enormous driving day.
Kalbarri – 3 nights
Three nights gives you one full day for the inland national park and another for the coast.
Denham – 3 nights
Use Denham as your base for Monkey Mia and the wider Shark Bay World Heritage Area.
Coral Bay – 3 nights
Two full days gives you time for a Ningaloo tour and a more relaxed beach or snorkelling day.
Exmouth – 3 nights
You’ll have two full days for Cape Range National Park, Ningaloo and a marine wildlife experience.
Karijini – 3 nights
Three nights gives you two full days inside the national park.
I’d book accommodation here early because options are much more limited than in larger towns.
Port Hedland – 1 night
Primarily a practical stop between Karijini and Broome.
Broome – 4 nights
After travelling this far, I think Broome deserves more than one night.
Four nights gives you three full days before flying home.
How Far Is Perth to Broome?
The direct road distance is already enormous, and this itinerary is considerably longer because you’re detouring into Shark Bay, Coral Bay, Exmouth and Karijini.
Expect to cover well over 3,000 km across the entire trip once local sightseeing is included.
This is exactly why I don’t recommend trying to squeeze this route into 10 days – or even two weeks if you have the choice.
Three weeks gives you a much better balance between driving and actually experiencing Western Australia.
Should You Drive Back to Perth?
I wouldn’t.
For this particular itinerary, I’d hire a car in Perth, drive one way to Broome and fly back.
Before committing to that plan, compare the cost of one-way vehicle hire because relocation fees can make a significant difference.
If you’re travelling in your own vehicle and need to return to Perth, I’d allow considerably longer than three weeks.
Do You Need a 4WD?
You don’t need to turn this itinerary into a 4WD expedition to visit its main destinations.
However, you’re travelling through remote parts of WA and individual roads, national park areas and side trips can have different conditions or vehicle requirements.
If you’re hiring a car, check exactly where you’re permitted to drive it.
For Karijini and the Dampier Peninsula in particular, check current road conditions before travelling rather than relying on an old itinerary online.
There are car hire booths at Perth Airport, but it’s best to pre-book your car rental.
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Best Time to Drive From Perth to Broome
Choosing the right time of year is especially important for this trip because you’re travelling from Perth into tropical northern WA.
I would plan the trip around conditions in Karijini and Broome, rather than choosing dates based on Perth weather.
Your dates will also affect the marine wildlife you may encounter around Ningaloo.
If whale sharks, humpback whales or another particular wildlife experience is important to you, check the season before finalising the itinerary.
Read: Best Time to Visit Western Australia →
Is 21 Days Enough From Perth to Broome?
Yes. For most travellers, I think three weeks is a good minimum for this particular route.
It gives you enough time for the major destinations without making every day a driving day.
If you have four weeks, even better.
I’d add extra nights rather than immediately adding more destinations.
Places I’d happily spend longer include:
- Shark Bay
- Coral Bay
- Exmouth
- Karijini
- Broome
You could also add more smaller stops along the Coral Coast.
What If You Only Have 14 Days?
I’d change the trip rather than simply driving faster.
For two weeks, I’d recommend my 14 Day Coral Coast & Ningaloo Itinerary, which travels north to Ningaloo without trying to include Karijini and Broome as well.
You’ll see fewer places but have a much more enjoyable holiday.
14 Day Coral Coast & Ningaloo Itinerary →
What If You Have Four Weeks?
Four weeks would be fantastic.
I’d keep this basic route but slow it down.
You could add extra time around Jurien Bay, Kalbarri, Shark Bay, Ningaloo and Karijini, as well as spend longer in Broome.
If you want to travel deeper into the Kimberley beyond Broome, I’d allow additional time again rather than squeezing it into this itinerary.
Broome is really the point where a new Kimberley adventure begins.
Coral Coast or Perth to Broome?
If you’re deciding between my two northern itineraries, think about how much time you have.
For two weeks, choose the Coral Coast and Ningaloo.
You’ll still experience some of WA’s best beaches, national parks and marine wildlife without the huge additional distances involved in reaching Broome.
For three weeks or more, the Perth to Broome journey becomes much more realistic.
You’ll get everything from the Coral Coast trip plus the red landscapes and gorges of Karijini and the completely different atmosphere of Broome.
Road Trip or Itinerary?
This itinerary shows you how I’d divide three weeks between the main destinations from Perth to Broome. If you’re looking for detailed driving information, distances, alternative stops and route-planning advice, head to my dedicated road trip guide.
Perth to Broome Road Trip Guide →
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