14 Day Coral Coast & Ningaloo Itinerary: Perth to Exmouth

If you’re looking for warm beaches, incredible wildlife and some of Western Australia’s most spectacular coastal scenery, this is the itinerary I’d choose.

Over 14 days, you’ll travel north from Perth through Cervantes, Kalbarri, Shark Bay, Coral Bay and Exmouth, experiencing many of the highlights of Australia’s Coral Coast along the way.

This is a very different trip from my South West itineraries. The distances are bigger, the landscape becomes increasingly remote and you’ll spend more time on the road, but the experiences make it worthwhile.

You’ll see the strange limestone formations of the Pinnacles, dramatic gorges in Kalbarri National Park, the wildlife and beaches of Shark Bay and, finally, Ningaloo Reef, where some of WA’s best marine experiences are right on your doorstep.

I’ve deliberately allowed several nights around Coral Bay and Exmouth. After driving more than 1,200 km north from Perth, you don’t want to reach Ningaloo and immediately turn around.

This post may contain affiliate links (of companies I book through). This means I may receive a small commission if you book through them. You can read the disclaimer for more information.

14 Day Coral Coast & Ningaloo Itinerary at a Glance

Day	Overnight	Highlights
Day 1	Cervantes	Perth → Lancelin → Cervantes & the Pinnacles
Day 2	Kalbarri	Cervantes → Geraldton → Kalbarri
Day 3	Kalbarri	Kalbarri National Park
Day 4	Shark Bay	Kalbarri → Hamelin Pool → Shark Bay
Day 5	Shark Bay	Monkey Mia & Shark Bay
Day 6	Coral Bay	Shark Bay → Coral Bay
Day 7	Coral Bay	Ningaloo Reef & Coral Bay
Day 8	Exmouth	Coral Bay → Exmouth
Day 9	Exmouth	Cape Range National Park
Day 10	Exmouth	Ningaloo marine experience
Day 11	Carnarvon	Exmouth → Carnarvon
Day 12	Geraldton	Carnarvon → Geraldton
Day 13	Jurien Bay	Geraldton → Jurien Bay
Day 14	Perth	Jurien Bay → Perth

Best for: Wildlife, beaches, snorkelling and spectacular coastal landscapes
Trip style: Self-drive coastal road trip
Car needed: Yes
Pace: Moderate, with some long driving days
Ideal time: 14 full days

Day 1 – Perth to Cervantes & the Pinnacles

Leave Perth and begin your journey north along the coast.

Your first overnight stop is Cervantes, but there’s no need to drive straight there.

Stop around Lancelin on the way north before continuing towards Cervantes.

Later in the day, visit Nambung National Park to see the Pinnacles Desert.

Thousands of limestone pillars rise from the yellow sand, creating one of the more unusual landscapes you’ll encounter on this trip.

If your timing works, late afternoon is my favourite time to visit.

Day 1 route

Perth → Lancelin → Cervantes

Day 1 highlights

Lancelin • Cervantes • Pinnacles Desert • Nambung National Park

Stay: Cervantes

Read: Best Things to Do in Cervantes →

My Tip 💡

Don’t treat Cervantes as simply somewhere to sleep. Arriving early enough to see the Pinnacles later in the day means you can enjoy the area without rushing and start the longer drive north fresh the following morning.

Day 2 – Cervantes to Kalbarri

Today you continue north towards Kalbarri.

Stop in Geraldton to stretch your legs, have lunch and break up the drive. It’s a good place to grab supplies and fill up the tank with fuel.

From Geraldton, continue north towards Kalbarri.

Depending on your timing, you could also stop at Hutt Lagoon, famous for its pink colouring, before reaching town.

Once you’ve checked in, keep the evening fairly relaxed. You have a full day tomorrow to explore Kalbarri properly.

Day 2 route

Cervantes → Geraldton → Kalbarri

Day 2 highlights

Geraldton • Hutt Lagoon • Kalbarri

Stay: Kalbarri

Read: Best Things to Do in Kalbarri →

Day 3 – Kalbarri National Park

Spend today exploring Kalbarri National Park.

The inland section of the park is one of the highlights of the Coral Coast.

Visit Nature’s Window and the Kalbarri Skywalk, where you’ll get spectacular views over the Murchison River Gorge.

If you’re planning a longer walk, start early. Temperatures can climb quickly and this is not somewhere I’d underestimate the heat.

Later, explore some of Kalbarri’s coastal viewpoints or spend the afternoon around town.

Day 3 highlights

Nature’s Window • Kalbarri Skywalk • Murchison River Gorge • Coastal cliffs

Stay: Kalbarri

Read: Kalbarri National Park Guide →

My Tip 💡

Get into the national park early, particularly during warmer months. There’s very little shade around the gorge and this isn’t a place I’d want to start a walk in the middle of a hot day.

Day 4 – Kalbarri to Shark Bay

Leave Kalbarri and continue north towards the Shark Bay World Heritage Area.

This is another substantial driving day, so don’t overload it with stops.

On the way, you can stop at Hamelin Pool or Shell Beach before continuing towards Denham, which makes a convenient base for exploring Shark Bay.

Check into your accommodation and spend the evening around Denham.

Day 4 route

Kalbarri → Hamelin Pool → Denham

Day 4 highlights

Hamelin Pool • Shark Bay • Denham

Stay: Denham/Shark Bay

Read: Best Things to Do in Shark Bay →

Day 5 – Monkey Mia & Shark Bay

Today is for exploring Shark Bay.

Start with Monkey Mia, best known for its dolphins. Plan on getting there early in peak times as it’s extremely busy.

Afterwards, spend more time discovering the area rather than immediately getting back on the road.

Depending on your interests, you could explore more of the coastline, visit viewpoints around the peninsula or simply enjoy some time around Denham.

Day 5 highlights

Monkey Mia • Dolphins • Shark Bay • Denham

Stay: Denham/Shark Bay

My Tip 💡

Don’t visit Shark Bay just for Monkey Mia. The World Heritage area is the real attraction, so give yourself time to explore beyond the dolphin experience.

Day 6 – Shark Bay to Coral Bay

Today you leave Shark Bay and make the long journey towards Coral Bay.

This is primarily a travel day.

Take regular breaks, keep your fuel topped up and carry water with you.

Once you reach Coral Bay, check into your accommodation and head down to the beach.

One of the things that makes Coral Bay special is how accessible Ningaloo Reef feels — you don’t have to travel far to start enjoying it.

Day 6 route

Denham → Coral Bay

Stay: Coral Bay

Read: Best Things to Do in Coral Bay →

My Tip 💡

Don’t arrive in Coral Bay with a packed sightseeing list for the afternoon. After a long driving day, I’d check in, walk down to the beach and enjoy finally reaching Ningaloo.

Day 7 – Coral Bay & Ningaloo Reef

You have a full day in Coral Bay, and today should be about the water.

Depending on the season and your interests, you could join a snorkelling tour, take a glass-bottom boat trip or book one of the area’s wildlife experiences.

You can also snorkel from the beach.

Keep the rest of the day fairly relaxed. Coral Bay is small, and that’s part of its appeal.

Day 7 highlights

Ningaloo Reef • Snorkelling • Marine life • Coral Bay beach

Stay: Coral Bay

Day 8 – Coral Bay to Exmouth

You don’t have an enormous distance to cover today, so enjoy a slower morning in Coral Bay before continuing towards Exmouth.

Once you arrive, check into your accommodation and get organised for the next couple of days.

Depending on your arrival time, explore Exmouth or head out towards the coast for your first look at the northern end of Ningaloo.

Day 8 route

Coral Bay → Exmouth

Day 8 highlights

Coral Bay • Exmouth • Ningaloo Coast

Stay: Exmouth

Read: Best Things to Do in Exmouth →

Day 9 – Cape Range National Park

Today is dedicated to Cape Range National Park and the Ningaloo Coast.

Head towards Turquoise Bay, one of the best-known beaches in the area.

Spend time swimming and snorkelling before exploring more of the national park.

Depending on your interests and conditions, you could include Yardie Creek and other beaches along the coast.

Don’t try to tick off every stop. This is one of the best days of the itinerary to slow down.

Day 9 highlights

Turquoise Bay • Cape Range National Park • Yardie Creek • Ningaloo Reef

Stay: Exmouth

My Tip 💡

If you’re snorkelling at Turquoise Bay, check the conditions and understand the currents before entering the water. The famous drift snorkel isn’t suitable in every condition or for every swimmer.

Day 10 – Ningaloo Marine Experience

I’ve deliberately left another full day in Exmouth for one of Ningaloo’s major marine experiences.

Exactly what you choose will depend on the time of year.

Ningaloo is famous for encounters with marine life including whale sharks, humpback whales and manta rays, with different species present at different times.

If a wildlife tour is one of the main reasons you’re coming to Ningaloo, I’d book it well ahead.

If you don’t want to take a tour, use today for more snorkelling, beaches or another day exploring Cape Range National Park.

Day 10 highlights

Ningaloo Reef • Marine wildlife • Snorkelling • Exmouth

Stay: Exmouth

Read: Best Exmouth Tours →

My Tip 💡

Check the wildlife seasons before you book your trip. If swimming with a particular species is high on your wish list, plan your travel dates around the season rather than assuming everything is available year-round.

Day 11 – Exmouth to Carnarvon

It’s time to begin travelling south again.

Drive from Exmouth towards Carnarvon.

After several busy days around Ningaloo, I wouldn’t try to turn today into another major sightseeing day.

Use Carnarvon as a comfortable overnight stop that breaks up the long journey south.

Day 11 route

Exmouth → Carnarvon

Stay: Carnarvon

Read: Best Things to Do in Carnarvon →

Day 12 – Carnarvon to Geraldton

Continue south towards Geraldton.

This is another longer driving day, so take your time and stop when you need to.

Once you arrive in Geraldton, explore the foreshore or visit one of the city’s attractions if you have enough time and energy.

Day 12 route

Carnarvon → Geraldton

Stay: Geraldton

Read: Best Things to Do in Geraldton →

Day 13 – Geraldton to Jurien Bay

Today’s drive is considerably shorter.

Travel south from Geraldton towards Jurien Bay.

This gives you a much more relaxed penultimate day rather than spending the final two days racing back to Perth.

Spend the afternoon around Jurien Bay and the coast.

Day 13 route

Geraldton → Jurien Bay

Day 13 highlights

Coastal scenery • Jurien Bay • Beaches

Stay: Jurien Bay

Read: Best Things to Do in Jurien Bay →

Day 14 – Jurien Bay to Perth

Enjoy your final morning on the Coral Coast before returning to Perth.

Because you visited the Pinnacles at the beginning of the trip, you don’t need to repeat the stop today.

Take your time travelling south and arrive back in Perth with enough time to return your hire car and settle in.

Day 14 route

Jurien Bay → Perth

My Tip 💡

If you’re catching an international flight, I’d stay in Perth tonight and fly the following day rather than relying on the drive back from Jurien Bay on the day of departure.

Where to Stay on This Coral Coast & Ningaloo Itinerary

I’ve deliberately given you multiple nights at the destinations where there’s the most to experience rather than moving accommodation every day.

Cervantes – 1 night

Cervantes is a convenient first stop and gives you time to see the Pinnacles without squeezing them into a long driving day.

Kalbarri – 2 nights

Two nights gives you a complete day for Kalbarri National Park.

Where to Stay in Kalbarri →

Shark Bay – 2 nights

I’d base yourself around Denham for easy access to Monkey Mia and the wider Shark Bay area.

Coral Bay – 2 nights

Coral Bay deserves more than a quick stop between Shark Bay and Exmouth.

Two nights gives you a full day to enjoy Ningaloo Reef.

Exmouth – 3 nights

Three nights gives you two complete days for Cape Range National Park, snorkelling and a marine wildlife experience.

Where to Stay in Exmouth →

Carnarvon – 1 night

A practical overnight stop for breaking up the return journey.

Geraldton – 1 night

Another useful stop that prevents the return trip becoming exhausting.

Jurien Bay – 1 night

Finish with a relaxed coastal overnight before the relatively short journey back to Perth.

How Much Driving Is Involved?

Quite a lot.

This itinerary covers well over 2,500 km once you include sightseeing and detours.

That’s why I’ve avoided adding new destinations simply because they’re nearby on a map.

The longest driving days are balanced with full days in Kalbarri, Shark Bay, Coral Bay and Exmouth.

If you dislike long drives, consider flying between Perth and Exmouth and concentrating your holiday around Ningaloo instead.

Do You Need a 4WD?

You don’t need a 4WD for the main itinerary I’ve outlined here.

The major towns and attractions on this route can be reached using sealed roads, although some individual attractions or side trips may have different access requirements.

If you’re planning to venture onto unsealed roads or more remote tracks, check current road conditions and your hire-car restrictions before setting off.

There are car hire booths at Perth Airport, but it’s best to pre-book your car rental.

To compare Australian car hire prices, Discover Cars is an award-winning car rental comparison website. They offer competitive pricing in over 10,000 locations worldwide and are highly rated.

Compare Rental Cars Here.

When Is the Best Time for This Itinerary?

This is one itinerary where when you travel really matters.

The Coral Coast stretches a huge distance north, and conditions around Exmouth can be very different from Perth.

Your dates may also determine which marine wildlife experiences are available at Ningaloo.

If whale sharks, humpback whales or other wildlife encounters are a priority, check the relevant season before booking your flights and accommodation.

Read: Best Time to Visit Western Australia →

Should You Stay in Coral Bay and Exmouth?

Yes — I would.

They offer different experiences, and with two weeks you have enough time to include both.

Coral Bay is small, relaxed and incredibly easy for accessing the reef.

Exmouth gives you access to Cape Range National Park, Turquoise Bay and a much larger choice of activities and excursions.

If I only had a week, I’d probably choose one. With 14 days, I’d include both.

What If You Only Have 10 Days?

You can still travel from Perth to Ningaloo, but you’ll need to make some compromises.

I’d reduce the number of overnight stops and consider flying one direction rather than trying to squeeze the entire return drive into ten days.

What If You Have More Than 14 Days?

Add the extra days to the places that deserve them rather than adding lots of new stops.

I’d consider:

• another night in Kalbarri
• an extra day around Shark Bay
• another night in Coral Bay
• another full day in Exmouth

A slower Coral Coast trip is generally better than trying to turn it into a race to Broome.

Want to Continue to Broome?

You can continue north from Exmouth towards Karijini and Broome, but that’s a much bigger journey.

I wouldn’t add Broome onto this 14-day itinerary.

If Broome and the North West are priorities, use a dedicated longer itinerary instead.

Perth to Broome Itinerary →

Road Trip or Itinerary?

This itinerary shows you how I’d divide two weeks between the major destinations along the Coral Coast and Ningaloo. If you want more detail about the drive itself, distances, stops and alternative routes, use my dedicated Perth to Exmouth road trip guide.

Perth to Exmouth Road Trip Guide →

Explore More of Western Australia

Western Australia Itineraries

Find more suggested trips based on how much time you have.

Browse WA Itineraries →

Western Australia Road Trips

Find detailed driving routes and road-trip ideas across WA.

Explore WA Road Trips →