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Western Australia's Coral Coast: the Day-by-Day Itinerary
Western Australia's coast road runs a thousand kilometres of reef and dune without a single crowd. Dolphins visit at Monkey Mia, wildflowers carpet spring, and at Ningaloo you step off the beach to swim beside whale sharks — no boat queue, no fuss.
Western Australia's Coral Coast is a 1250 km one-way journey (self-drive). It works best as a 5-day trip; the plan below is the 5-day version for April, built from 53 verified places, with real road-routed transit times, opening hours and daylight checked.
Customize this plan → 5-day plan · best time to go
5
days
1883 km
distance
22.1 h
driving
21
curated stops
💡 Good to know for this plan
- Whale-shark season on Ningaloo Reef — the swim of a lifetime; book the boat before the flight.
- Heavy transit: day 5 (9h18) runs over 6 hours on the road. Around 5 days would keep daily driving comfortable on this route — or keep the dates and start each of those days by 08:00.
Day 1 Perth → Cervantes (Pinnacles)
🌡 13.7–32.6°C · 🌧 ~3 rain days · ☀ 11.3h light
09:00
Australian Rules Footballbeaches & cliffs
Feel the electric roar of the crowd as teams clash on the field.
50 min · Perth
09:50
Take a day tripbeaches & cliffs
Discover diverse wildlife and serene beaches on Rottnest Island.
90 min · Perth
11:20
Visit Weekend Marketslocal & traditional
Taste fresh, local produce from vibrant market stalls.
90 min · Perth
15:35
Pinnacles Desert Discovery Centrebeaches & cliffsmuseums & heritage
Learn about unique rock formations in an engaging gallery.
50 min · Cervantes (Pinnacles)
open: Daily 9:30AM–4:30PM
Overnight: Cervantes (Pinnacles)
e.g. Pinnacles Edge Resort · RAC Cervantes Holiday Park
Day 2 Around Cervantes (Pinnacles)
🌡 13.7–32.6°C · 🌧 ~3 rain days · ☀ 11.3h light
09:00
Raves and Festivalslocal & traditional
Move to the beat of top DJs under clear night skies.
90 min · Perth
10:30
Cycle
Enjoy smooth, scenic rides along the river with gentle breezes.
90 min · Perth
12:00
Watch a movie
Settle in for a film in a cozy, independent cinema setting.
90 min · Perth
13:30
Get out
Explore charming streets and coastal views on a perfect day trip.
90 min · Perth
15:00
Go wine tasting
Savor rich, local wines amidst lush valley surroundings.
90 min · Perth
16:30
China
50 min · Perth
Overnight: Cervantes (Pinnacles)
e.g. Pinnacles Edge Resort · RAC Cervantes Holiday Park
Day 3 Kalbarri
🌡 10.6–39.8°C · 🌧 ~2 rain days · ☀ 11.3h light
14:03
Kalbarri Skywalkbeaches & cliffs
Walk high above the gorge on suspended pathways with stunning views.
50 min · Kalbarri
14:53
Hutt River Principalitylocal & traditional
Tour a quirky micro-nation with its own stamps and currency.
50 min · Kalbarri
15:43
Wild Ocean Indonesian Cuisine
Enjoy flavorful beef redang from a popular food truck by the marina.
60 min · Kalbarri
18:30
Kalbarri Motor Hotelcraft beer & pubs
Unwind in a lively bar at this partially reopened motel and restaurant.
75 min · Kalbarri
open: Daily noon-2PM, 5:30PM-8PM
Overnight: Kalbarri
e.g. Kalbarri Beach Resort · Kalbarri Backpackers YHA
See the remaining 2 days of the 5-day plan →
Route map
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