A Perth to Exmouth road trip is one of the best ways to experience the unique attractions along Australia’s Coral Coast. From towering limestone formations edging a coastal desert, to a bubblegum-pink salt lake, and a beach made entirely of shells, the Perth to Exmouth drive takes you through some of the most stunning landscapes on the Western Australian coastline. I’ve done a lot of road trips in Western Australia, and this is without a doubt one of my all-time favourites!
When I first started planning my road trip in 2021, I felt overwhelmed with not wanting to miss a single thing – there’s so many amazing destinations worth spending a night or two along the way!
I spent hours researching, and then exploring along the coast, to come up with the PERFECT itinerary that will truly show you the best of Australia’s Coral Coast. In this detailed guide, I cover everything you need to know for an unforgettable Perth to Exmouth road trip, along with my expertly tailored 7 and 10-day itineraries.
The Essentials: Planning your Road Trip Perth to Exmouth
How Far is the Drive From Perth to Exmouth?
The distance from Perth to Exmouth is just over 1,200 km long, with the non-stop drive taking 13 hours.
To put it into perspective, the Perth to Exmouth distance is still about 100-200 km longer than Sydney to Brisbane, and about the same distance as Paris to Madrid!
Instead of driving non-stop straight to Exmouth, the best way to experience the amazing coastline along the Coral Coast is on a road trip broken up with overnight stops along the way.
Perth to Exmouth flights are available daily with Qantas, make sure to organise car hire for arrival into Exmouth as there are limited transport options. The flight time is only 2 hours, but just a heads up that flights are usually quite expensive!
Car vs Campervan Trip
This itinerary is based on my own adventure driving from Perth to Exmouth by car.
Another popular option is to do this Perth to Exmouth trip in a campervan. The itinerary I suggest suitable for either, as it’s all on sealed roads.
The main campervan companies in Western Australia that I recommend for van hire are:
- Budget: JUCY Campervans or Travellers Autobarn
- Mid-Range: Apollo
- Luxury: StarRV (these premium campers look incredible! Definitely the way to go for full comfort on the road)
There’s also Camplify, which is like AirBnB but for campervans. Make sure to read the reviews – we hired our camper (pictured below) from Camplify for our Perth to Kalbarri road trip and while it looked great, the secondary battery kept going flat despite barely using it!
You can also take this road trip in a normal 2WD car, and stay in accommodation along the way like I did. After a long day of driving and exploring, a hot shower and comfy bed goes a long way!
Accommodation suggestions are provided in my detailed itinerary below.
Hiring a Car
For car hire in Perth, I recommend Discover Cars – they are one of the largest car hire aggregators. I’ve found they are often cheaper than booking direct, and they offer free cancellation which allows you more flexibility if plans change.
Check prices of car hire in Perth (with the largest range of suppliers and best prices)
It is a lot easier and usually cheaper to hire a car and begin your road trip from Perth. Rentals in Exmouth can be very limited. Also if you’re planning to hire a car in Exmouth and driving it back down to Perth, be warned – the one-way car hire fees can be exorbitant!
Do You Need a 4WD?
A 4WD is not required for this self-drive itinerary, but you will be able to access additional spots and do a spot of beach driving if you have a 4WD. Just be careful if you hire a 4WD – check the terms and conditions carefully as some companies have limitations on off-road use.
Best Time for Exmouth Road Trip
The best time to drive from Perth to Exmouth is between April – October. The temperatures will be warm, even during the Western Australia winter, with calmer winds than the gusty summer months.
In particular, the school holiday period over July will be the busiest time of the year in Coral Bay and Exmouth – advance bookings are required. At other times during the year during this period, bookings are still highly recommended.
Around August, the wildflowers will be blooming in the region. Whale Sharks will be migrating in the area, with whale shark swims from April to July – a truly bucket list activity!
Camping
Free camping is fairly limited in Western Australia other than roadside overnight stops.
You will need to book at Caravan Parks or the WA Parks-run bush camps. These have less facilities than caravan parks (no showers or power, and usually a long drop toilet) but generally cost only $15 – 17 per adult per night.
Caravan parks are usually around double this, but come with additional amenities such as powered camp sites, camp kitchens, shower and laundry facilities and sometimes even other comforts like a pool.
To find free camps (and paid camps), download the WikiCamps app – it is well worth the small $8 one-off fee. There is no legal free camping in Exmouth.
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Perth to Exmouth Road Trip Itinerary Overview
This detailed Perth to Exmouth drive itinerary is 10 days in length. At a minimum, you should allow 7 days, but I recommend at least 10 days. Any shorter than this, and I’d recommend flying to Exmouth instead.
Alternatively, hire a car in Perth and fly back to Perth from Exmouth (or vice versa). The downside to this itinerary is you’d incur a one-way hire fee for your rental car, and flights between Perth and Exmouth can be expensive.
Of course, this same itinerary can be done in reverse if travelling from Exmouth to Perth.
Recommended 10 Day Itinerary
In this 10 day Perth to Exmouth drive itinerary, most of the driving time is under 4 hours, with the longest drive on the way home being around 8-9 hours.
| Drive | Duration | How Long to Spend |
| Perth to Jurien Bay | 2.5 hours | 1 night |
| Jurien Bay to Kalbarri | 4 hours | 2 nights |
| Kalbarri to Shark Bay | 4 hours | 2 nights |
| Shark Bay to Exmouth | 7 hours | 3 nights |
| Exmouth to Carnarvon | 4 hours | 1 night |
| Carnarvon to Perth | 9 hours |
- Optional: To extend this road trip itinerary, you could spend a few nights exploring Quobba Station and Red Bluff (near Carnarvon). Or you could spend a few nights at Coral Bay and then head further up to Exmouth.
If you have longer: To extend your trip to 2 weeks like we did, you could visit the incredible Karijini National Park after visiting Exmouth. This is a 5-6 hour drive from Exmouth on sealed roads via Paraburdoo.
See my detailed guide on Karijini for everything you need to know to easily plan your trip.
Perth to Exmouth Road Trip Map
The map below shows my suggested 10 Day Perth Exmouth Itinerary. Click the map below to open an interactive Google Map which also has the option of toggling on a 7-Day Perth Exmouth Itinerary.
My new Western Australia Road Trip and Travel Guide eBook has two Coral Coast itineraries that includes day-by-day custom itineraries as well as detailed destination guides. Click here to learn more about it.
Recommended 7 Day Itineraries
7 Day Perth to Exmouth Itinerary
For this 7 Day itinerary, there are longer driving days required to cover the same ground in the shorter amount of time.
Remember to avoid driving on country roads around dawn and dusk if you can as this is when wildlife (such as kangaroos) are most active.
| Drive | Duration | How Long to Spend |
| Perth to Kalbarri | 6 hours | 2 nights |
| Kalbarri to Exmouth | 8 hours | 3 nights |
| Exmouth to Shark Bay | 7 hours | 2 nights |
| Shark Bay to Perth | 9 hours |
I highly recommend visiting Shark Bay, as there is so much to see and do in the area. It is a bit of a detour (1.5 hours one way) off the main highway though, so you could skip this to spend longer in Exmouth.
Alternative 7 Day Perth to Exmouth Itinerary (no Shark Bay)
If you’d rather spend an extra night in Exmouth, remove the 2 nights at Shark Bay and spend a night in Carnarvon instead.
| Drive | Duration | How Long to Spend |
| Perth to Kalbarri | 6 hours | 2 nights |
| Kalbarri to Exmouth | 8 hours | 4 nights |
| Exmouth to Carnarvon | 4 hours | 1 night |
| Carnarvon to Perth | 9 hours |
One-Way Exmouth to Perth Itinerary
With this itinerary, you can fly from Perth to Exmouth.
Hire a car in Exmouth and then start your road trip, taking the Exmouth to Perth drive with several stops. Of course, this also works in reverse for the Perth to Exmouth direction.
Just a heads up that one-way car hire fees can make this option pretty expensive!
| Drive | Duration | How Long to Spend |
| Exmouth to Carnarvon | 4 hours | 1 night |
| Carnarvon to Shark Bay | 3.5 hours | 2 nights |
| Shark Bay to Kalbarri | 4 hours | 3 nights |
| Kalbarri to Jurien Bay | 4 hours | 1 night |
| Jurien Bay to Perth | 2.5 hours |
Day 1 – Perth to Jurien Bay
Lancelin
Set off early from Perth. Your first stop on your road trip to Exmouth is the incredible Lancelin Sand Dunes, just 1.5 hours north from Perth. Spend a few hours exploring the dunes and go sandboarding!
After a lunch stop (Offshore Cafe & Bakery is a good option), continue on the coastal highway north to the Pinnacles Desert.
The Pinnacles – Nambung National Park
The Pinnacles are a truly spectacular sight to see. Large limestone formations rise out of the yellow desert sand for kilometres.
To enter the park, you will need to pay an entry fee (currently, $17 vehicle) or have a WA Parks pass which covers entry into all national parks for a certain time period.
Once in the park, you can drive around the 4km loop that goes through the main part of the Pinnacles. Pull off in the marked parking areas along the way to explore the pinnacles further on foot.
Make sure to visit the Pinnacles Desert Discovery before you leave for more information and history about this remarkable place.
Cervantes
Cervantes is another small coastal fishing town located 30 minutes south of Jurien Bay.
The main drawcard for visiting Cervantes is to dine on fresh seafood at the Lobster Shack. Here you can also take a behind the scenes tour of the lobster factory.
You could stay in Cervantes overnight instead of Jurien Bay if you prefer, but as we had booked to swim with the sea lions, we continued on northwards to Jurien Bay.
Jurien Bay
You’ll want to spend the night here if you want to do one of my favourite activities along the Coral Coast – swimming with sea lions!
Read about our Sea Lion swim and other ideas for things to do in Jurien Bay.
Where to Stay in Jurien Bay
- Jurien Bay Motel Apartments: We stayed in these apartments located 2 minutes from the beach and in the middle of town. They were clean and fairly modern and had a kitchen, saving us a few dinners out. Great value for money in Jurien Bay.
- Jurien Bay Tourist Park: The Tourist Park is centrally located and offers self contained cottages with facilities such as BBQ areas and children playgrounds.
Day 2 – Jurien Bay to Kalbarri
Geraldton
After an early morning sea lion swim or visiting the Jurien Bay jetties, it’s time to get back on the road to begin your drive to Kalbarri.
Lookout for the Greenough Leaning Trees about 20 minutes before Geraldton. These trees are testament to the strong winds of the west coast that have caused several trees to completely bend over until they touch the ground.
You’ll then pass through the seaside city of Geraldton. This is the last major city before Exmouth, so it’s a good idea to stock up on anything you need from the major supermarkets here.
You can stop in and explore Geraldton for a few hours, but you still have a 2-hour drive ahead of you. The main attraction to see in Geraldton is the HMAS Sydney II Memorial, and it’s worth wandering along the foreshore or cafe strip if you want to stretch your legs.
Hutt Lagoon Pink Lake
The main attraction on the drive to Kalbarri is the insta famous pink lake of Hutt Lagoon. The strawberry pink waters are a sight you must see for yourself!
Read on here for all you need to know about visiting Hutt Lagoon Pink Lake.
The township of Kalbarri is just a further 40 minutes north from Hutt Lagoon.
Kalbarri
Kalbarri is a small town with incredible coastal cliffs and beautiful beaches. One of the main attractions is the renowned Kalbarri National Park with its unique gorges, gravity-defying lookouts and scenic hiking trails. Spend your first day in Kalbarri exploring some of the attractions near town.
Red Bluff
Only 5 minutes from town you will find this scenic coastal lookout offering a magnificent view of the Kalbarri coastline. A great sunset spot too!
Pot Alley
Another stunning coastal lookout worth visiting near Red Bluff. Pot Alley offers views of the red cliffs as well as a short walking trail down to the beach.
Blue Holes
Blues Holes is a sheltered swimming bay just south of town. This spot is renowned for its excellent snorkelling thanks to the rock pools creating a natural aquarium for marine life.
For more things to do in Kalbarri, find some inspiration here with my guide of 30+ ideas.
Where to Stay in Kalbarri
- Kalbarri Palm Resort: Excellent value for money accommodation with air conditioned rooms located centrally in Kalbarri. The resort also has 2 pools surrounded by extensive gardens.
- Kalbarri Edge Resort: more modern rooms than the Palm Resort, Kalbarri Edge Resort also has accommodation options with kitchenettes and a spa bath.
- River Retreats Kalbarri: this adults-only accommodation with outdoor terrace is recommended for those wanting a more private and upmarket accommodation.
Day 3 – Kalbarri
Kalbarri National Park
Use this full day in Kalbarri to explore the wonders of the National Park. There are several hikes to do, so make sure you dress appropriately and bring enough water and snacks with you a full day of adventuring.
Kalbarri Skywalk
The latest addition to Kalbarri National Park are the twin skywalk platforms that are suspended over the cliff edge.
Admire the breathtaking views offered over the gorge and Murchison River. Best of all, there is no extra cost to visit this attraction – it’s all part of the National Park entry fee.
Read my essential tips for visiting the Skywalk here.
Nature’s Window
This natural attraction is one of the most popular sights in the park, and a recognisable WA landmark.
The rock arch makes a perfect window to the river below. It’s a fairly easy 1km walk from the Nature’s Window car park.
Z Bend Lookout & River Trail
You can visit the awesome Z Bend Lookout with a 1.2km walking trail from the car park. Or, extend your hike to take in the sights along the River Trail which has more challenging trail.
Loop Trail
This longer hike is a 9 kilometre loop that begins at Nature’s Window and takes you through down into the gorge and along the banks of the river. Allow 3-4 hours.
Day 4 & 5 – Kalbarri to Shark Bay
We’ve reached day 4 of your road trip Perth to Exmouth. This day involves a four hour drive to reach one of my favourite regions, the Shark Bay World Heritage Area.
Shark Bay is a UNESCO listed World Heritage Area, and said to be one of the world’s greatest wilderness treasures. This area of Western Australia has unique wildlife, flora and fauna and incredible natural scenery found nowhere else.
There are a number of unique attractions to see on your way to Denham or Monkey Mia.
Hamelin Pool Stromatolites
The Hamelin Pool Stromatolites are some of the oldest and largest living fossils on earth. Access to visit the stromatolites is free, with a wooden boardwalk in place to ensure no damage to these precious fossils.
Note: the boardwalk is currently closed due to damage from the April 2021 Cyclone Seroja, you can’t see the stromatolites as the area is fenced off so I recommend skipping this until it reopens.
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Shell Beach
A bit further down from the stromatolites you’ll find Shell Beach. There is no sand on this beach. Instead, billions of tiny shells make up the shoreline at Shell Beach.
The shells are thought to be over 10 metres deep. The water here at Shell Beach has higher salt levels, making it easier to float in the water.
Eagle Bluff Lookout
It’s worth a visit to the Eagle Bluff Lookout and boardwalk. Perched high up on a ridge, this 400 metre boardwalk offers stunning views to the clear waters below.
When visiting, we saw stingrays, sharks and even a turtle from above. More rare, but there are sightings of dugongs here too.
Ocean Park Aquarium
Ocean Park Aquarium is run by the same company who we did our Francois Peron 4WD tour with. They recommended we visit the Aquarium and it did not disappoint!
It’s worth knowing that this is an eco friendly aquarium run by marine biologists. The mission of the centre is to protect and conserve the marine environment, and teach visitors about respecting and appreciating the oceans. With a strong focus on conservation and sustainability, this is the only type of aquarium I would consider visiting.
Join a guided tour, run everyday between 9am and 3.30pm. We saw sea snakes, eels, stingrays, highly venomous stonefish and even a shark feeding.
There is a café here open during the day, which made for a great lunch stop.
Little Lagoon
Located close to town is Little Lagoon. You might have heard of Big Lagoon, which is actually found within the National Park (4WDs only).
Little Lagoon is 5 minutes from Denham, and 2WD accessible. This large stretch of water is very calm, and ideal for swimming.
Where to Stay in Shark Bay
In the Shark Bay area there are two accommodation options. The seaside town of Denham has the most accommodation options and facilities, including a small IGA supermarket.
About 20 minutes further along from Denham is the RAC Monkey Mia Resort. Accommodation options includes camping sites, and a range of renovated chalets and beachfront cabins.
On our trip we chose to stay in Denham.
Accommodation in Denham:
- Shark Bay Seafront Apartments: I stayed here and couldn’t fault the place. Friendly owners, clean and comfortable basic rooms and the best location with beachfront views from the property. Loved the shared BBQ facilities available for use.
- Bay Lodge: for a more budget option which still offers private rooms and even a pool, and great location in the middle of town.
- Denham Seaside Caravan Park: Chalets with private bathroom, kitchenette and a patio.
Accommodation in Monkey Mia:
- RAC Monkey Mia Resort: A range of options for all budgets, from rooms with shared bathrooms to deluxe rooms with sea views. If you’re looking for more modern accommodation, this would be my pick.
Francois Peron National Park
Francois Peron National Park was one of the reasons I was most excited about visiting Shark Bay. I’d seen pictures of this incredible park, with deep red cliffs and orange sand that reminds me of James Price Point in Broome.
A high clearance four-wheel drive is required to access Francois Peron National Park. An air compressor station is located at the front entrance so you can let your tyres down.
On our visit, we only had our 2WD so booked onto a 4WD tour with Ocean Park. This full day tour was one of the highlights of our entire Coral Coast trip and was worth every penny! Our tour guide Luke was super laid back, informative and went out of his way to make sure we had the best day possible.
The wildlife was a highlight of the tour. We saw the incredible Thorny Devil Lizard, sting rays, turtles and even a pod of dolphins splashing around.
Our tour took us all around the park. Stops included Point Peron, where we waded through the shallows looking for cockles and learning about this history of the park. Continuing onto Bottle Bay, we explored the red cliffs and snorkelled in turquoise water.
After a late lunch we continued our journey, with our last stop being a visit Skipjack Point, where we marvelled at the marine life in the crystal-clear waters below.
We ended the day with a dip in the waters of Peron Homestead hot tub before being dropped back at our accommodation. All in all, a fantastic day out and one of the highlights of our road trip.
Camping in Francois Peron National Park
There are five DPAW managed campground within Francois Peron National Park. Unlike most campsites, these cannot be booked in advance. All campers are required to be self-reliant, with no drinking water available.
Day 6 – Shark Bay to Exmouth
Day 6 of your Perth – Exmouth road trip is the day you will finally make it to Exmouth, the gateway to the Ningaloo Reef!
If you haven’t already, don’t forget to head to Monkey Mia in the early morning for the dolphin feeding experience.
Shark Bay to Exmouth is around a 7-hour drive, so get comfortable as you have a full day of driving ahead.
Quobba Blowholes
Quobba Blowholes is about a 3.5 hour drive from Denham and makes for a good lunch stop. The main things to see here are the Quobba Blowholes. Here, powerful ocean swells force there way through cracks in the rocks, creating powerful turrets of water into the air.
Time your visit if you want to see this sight, as the blowholes are created at high tide.
Nearby is a calm lagoon known as the aquarium, with snorkelling and picnic table shelters. Just near Quobba Blowholes you will find the much Instagrammed King Waves Kill sign.
From Quobba, it is 2.5 hours further north to Coral Bay, or just over 3.5 hours to Exmouth.
Should I visit Coral Bay or Exmouth?
I wasn’t sure when planning my own trip to visit Coral Bay or Exmouth.
For our short 10 day trip, I decided to visit Exmouth. The main reason for this is that Exmouth is a lot larger than Coral Bay, which is mainly just a few caravan parks and an IGA, and has a wider array of things to do and see. Exmouth has more dining and accommodation options. Plus I really wanted to swim with whale sharks in Exmouth.
Advance bookings are required in Coral Bay – some people book for school holiday periods at least a year in advance!
In general, I think there is more variety of things to do in Exmouth, whereas Coral Bay is mostly beach based activities and seems to be more popular with families who are happy relaxing by the beach and not exploring too far.
You could visit Coral Bay as a day trip from Exmouth, or vice versa.
Where to Stay in Exmouth
- Mantarays Ningaloo Resort ($$$): Mantarays is the only luxury hotel in Exmouth. Beachfront views with an infinity pool, restaurant and bar.
- Exmouth Escape Resort ($$): Highly rated self-contained accommodation with a large swimming pool.
- RAC Exmouth Cape Holiday Park ($$): I stayed here in the motel-style Double Room. Clean, comfortable and value for money accommodation (for Exmouth). This RAC resort is newly renovated and has two pools! They have a large range of cabins and private rooms available for different budgets and family sizes, in addition to campsites.
- Ningaloo Caravan and Holiday Resort ($): A large resort with outdoor swimming pool and barbeque facilities. Offers a large range of accommodation from Dorm Rooms, Budget Private Rooms and a Studio or multi bedroom Villa.
Where to Stay in Coral Bay
- Ningaloo Coral Bay Bayview ($$): A range of accommodation from budget rooms, to one or two bedroom villas to beach front villas with an onsite restaurant.
- People’s Park ($$): Located directly opposite the main beach in Coral Bay with an option of both studio and one to two bedroom apartments.
- Ningaloo Coral Bay Backpackers ($): Budget accommodation with private rooms or 4-bed dorm rooms.
Day 7 & 8 – Exmouth
It’s time to make the most of your two full days in Exmouth! Here are some ideas for things to do in Exmouth.
For the ultimate guide of what to do and see in Exmouth, check out my dedicated guide here with 20+ ideas.
Swim with Whale Sharks
From April to around August is whale shark season. I highly recommend booking a whale shark swim – it is truly a bucket list experience!
Read all about my experience doing the whale shark swim with Live Ningaloo, as well as my other recommended tour operators in my guide here.
Cape Range National Park
One of the highlights of Exmouth is exploring the Cape Range National Park. This has some of the best swimming and snorkelling spots Exmouth has to offer.
My favourites were Turquoise Bay and Oyster Stacks for snorkelling. While exploring Cape Range, make sure to check out Yardie Creek. You can take a boat tour up Yardie Creek, or explore it from the ground with a 3km hike along the gorge.
Look out for the rock wallabies that live around here!
Another great hike is the Mandu Mandu Gorge hike, a challenging 3km trail that takes you along the dry river bed and up the gorge.
Charles Knife Gorge & Shothole Canyon
Accessible from the Exmouth town side of Cape Range National Park is the incredible Charles Knife Canyon.
We actually visited here for sunrise and sunset in one day we were so taken with this place! Charles Knife Gorge and the lookout is 2WD accessible, but 4WD are recommended to explore Shothole Canyon.
Another good sunset spot is the Vlamingh Head Lighthouse – although note it’s a popular spot, so get here early!
Swim with Manta Rays
If we hadn’t swam with the whale sharks, next on my list was to take a tour to swim with manta rays! These tours depart from Coral Bay, so can be taken as a day trip from Exmouth or if you are staying in Coral Bay.
The glass boat bottom tour in Coral Bay also comes highly recommended from friends.
Exmouth Craft Breweries
Exmouth has not one, but two craft beer breweries serving up some awesome brews. Check out Froth Craft Brewery in the middle of town, and Whalebone Brewing Co.
Whalebone also serve delicious wood-fired pizzas, with live music during the week. Highly recommend checking out both of these spots after a long day of swimming and sunshine!
Day 9 – Exmouth to Carnarvon
Enjoy one last morning in Exmouth before setting off on the 4-hour drive to Carnarvon.
Carnarvon
Known as the food bowl of Western Australia, the Carnarvon region is abundant with tropical fruit and abundant seafood.
Make sure to do at least part of the Fruit Loop Drive Trail (map found here) taking you along the banks of the Gascoyne River. Here you can visit stalls at the front of farmers properties to buy fresh fruit and veg straight from the producer.
Also found on the Fruit Loop Trail is Bumbak’s, known for the best mango smoothie in town. There are a number of other tasty delights here, like preserves, ice-creams, dried fruit and chocolate to name a few.
You will also find Carnarvon’s Instagrammable cactus garden along the trail.
The Cactus Garden is the front yard of a private property, with a gold coin donation for entry. There were so many different cacti in here, it was definitely worth the stop.
Where to Stay in Carnarvon
- Hospitality Carnarvon ($): I stayed in this motel for one night and it was clean and comfortable, although a bit dated.
- Carnarvon Motel ($$): Similar to Hospitality Carnarvon, but has some larger rooms suitable for families as well as an outdoor pool and playground.
- Carnarvon Central Apartments ($$): Centrally located two-bedroom apartment with fully equipped kitchen.
Wooramel River Retreat
An alternative to stay in Carnarvon is driving a further 90-minutes south to Wooramel River Retreat. This laidback station stay offers campers a spot to camp under shaded trees by the river.
Best of all – they have naturally heated artesian bore baths (like a natural spa) to help you relax after a big week of adventuring.
Wooramel is open from March to December inclusive.
Day 10 – Carnarvon to Perth
The last day of your Perth to Exmouth drive, and time to head back to Perth. This drive is about 9 hours, so I’d recommend setting off early so you can make it back to Perth in time for dinner.
Continue the Adventure: Exmouth to Karijini
Instead of returning to Perth, you could extend your road trip to spend a few days exploring the remarkable Karijini National Park. This is the route we took on our road trip in 2021, before driving back to Perth via Karijini.
Allow at least an extra three nights if you choose to take this detour. Read all you need to know about visiting Karijini National Park here.
Final Thoughts
That wraps up this Perth to Exmouth road trip guide! Whether you join a tour or self-drive, camp or stay in accommodation along the way, you will have a blast discovering the delights that await on the Coral Coast.
Whether it’s by car or campervan, you’re guaranteed to have the adventure of a lifetime.
Make sure to check out my other WA road trip guides, and let me know if you have any questions in the comments below.
If you found this free guide useful, you’ll love my new Western Australia Road Trip & Travel Guide eBook! It’s jam-packed with over 90 pages of useful destination guides, essential tips and custom day-by-day itineraries to make planning your Western Australia adventures a breeze. Check it out here.
Continue Reading:
- Where to Stay in Perth (Local’s Guide)
- Fun 3, 5 and 7 Day Itineraries for Exploring Perth
- Perth to Esperance Road Trip Guide
- Rottnest Island Day Trip: The Perfect One Day Itinerary
- 23 Ideas for the Best Day Trips from Perth
- The Ultimate Western Australia Road Trip Guide – with Suggested Itineraries & Maps!
Quick FAQs: Road Trip from Perth to Exmouth
What is the distance Perth to Exmouth?
The distance from Perth to Exmouth is 1,250 kilometres.
How long does it take to drive from Perth to Exmouth?
Without stops, it takes 13 hours to drive between Perth and Exmouth.
Do you need a 4WD to drive from Perth to Exmouth?
You do not need a 4WD to drive from Perth to Exmouth. The drive to Exmouth is on main roads that are sealed and in good condition. The only place on this road trip itinerary that requires a high clearance 4WD is Francois Peron National Park in Shark Bay. However, we joined a 4WD tour to explore here.
Where to stop on the way to Exmouth?
The best stops between Perth and Exmouth are Jurien Bay, Kalbarri, Shark Bay, Carnarvon and Coral Bay.
Should I stay in Exmouth or Coral Bay?
If you have to choose between Exmouth or Coral Bay, I recommend Exmouth. There is much more to see and do in Exmouth, a wider range of accommodation and more dining options. If you have the time, it’s worth visiting both Coral Bay and Exmouth.
What is the distance from Exmouth to Coral Bay?
It’s 153km from Exmouth to Coral Bay and it takes 90 minutes to drive between the two.
How long is the flight from Perth to Exmouth?
Flights between Perth and Exmouth take about two hours. Qantas operates one or two non-stop flights daily. There are also seasonal non-stop flights between Melbourne and Exmouth.