What you'll do
If there’s one place in Australia that has completely stolen my heart, it’s Exmouth and the Ningaloo Reef. There’s nowhere else like it—where red dirt meets turquoise water, and you can swim alongside turtles, manta rays, and whale sharks just meters from the shore. This 2-week itinerary is exactly how I’d spend my time driving from Perth to Exmouth, making the most of every stunning stop along the way.
This trip is packed with epic snorkelling, rugged hikes, pink lakes, remote beaches, and laid-back station stays. You’ll get to experience the best of Kalbarri, Shark Bay, Coral Bay, and Red Bluff before spending at least five days soaking up Exmouth’s magic. The itinerary is totally flexible, so you can tweak it to suit your pace—but one thing to lock in early is your whale shark tour. Book ahead and plan your Exmouth days around it because swimming alongside these gentle giants is something you’ll never forget.
Whether you’re watching sunrise over Charles Knife Canyon, snorkelling with turtles at Osprey Bay, chasing secret caves, or sinking a cold beer at Whalebone Brewery, this road trip is all about adventure, natural beauty, and making the most of every single moment. If you’ve been dreaming of exploring WA’s Coral Coast, this is the perfect way to do it.
Day 1
Day 1: Perth → Pinnacles → Sandy Cape Recreation Park (2.5 hrs)
Kick off your road trip with an early morning start from Perth.
First stop: Nambung National Park to explore the Pinnacles Desert, an otherworldly landscape of limestone formations. Drive or walk among the towering pillars or drive the scenic loop for the best views.
After soaking in the Pinnacles, head further north to Sandy Cape Recreation Park, a stunning coastal spot just outside Jurien Bay. Spend the afternoon swimming in the crystal-clear waters, white dunes and tranquil atmosphere :)
Set up camp and enjoy a sunset picnic with beautiful ocean views - what a spot for your first night on this roadtrip!!
The Pinnacles - It's like driving on the moon
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Drive amongst unique limestone pillars; 2hrs north of Perth
The Pinnacles Desert is probably the ONLY national park where you can drive AMONGST the formations - which is a super unique experience. If you're keen to stretch the legs, you can also walk around the structures too.
When to visit: It's stunning all year-round, but best time to visit is between August - October when wildflowers bloom, adding a splash of colour to the desert.
Location: Just 2hrs north of Perth, the drive is accessible to all vehicles.
Cost: Since it's a national park, it does come at a small cost to visit (see my tips on purchasing a national parks pass when in WA).
Additional info: a unique landscape filled with thousands of weathered limestone pillars, some reaching heights of up to 3.5 meters. These formations, resembling columns and tombstones, are thought to have been formed from seashells broken down into lime-rich sands that were blown inland to create high dunes. You can spot Western grey kangaroos, Baudin's black cockatoos, and emus roaming the area, making it a popular spot for nature enthusiasts.
Sandy Cape Recreation Park - A fav of mine
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Gorgeous campsite on the white sand beach amongst trees
I really love coming here, especially when I take the coastal highway! It's so stunning and heaps of options for camping - it just has a really nice energy, lots of amenities etc.
Sandy Cape Recreation Park is the perfect place to take a breather if you’re heading towards or away from Perth – it’s seriously stunning and just a short drive north, making it the first spot to catch a glimpse of that super white sand along the coast! Even when it's raining, it's stunning! We especially love exploring the sand dunes and enjoying the sunset from the lookout!
The camping options are awesome, with fees being just $15–20 per night, which is very reasonable for such a gorgeous spot. You can just park up and enjoy the views. Heaps of space to spread out.
It’s a super chilled place to hang out, whether you’re keen to throw in a line and go fishing, soak up some rays on the beach, or just enjoy the beautiful lookouts.
If you’ve got a pup in tow, it’s pet-friendly, so they can enjoy the sand and sea with you!