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Western Australia's Coral Coast — a 5-Day Plan You Can Actually Drive
The 5-day version for April: every day fits real transit, opening hours and daylight. Prefer more or fewer days? 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
Day 4 Shark Bay (Monkey Mia)
🌡 15.5–36.5°C · 🌧 ~1 rain days · ☀ 11.4h light
14:03
Shark Bay World Heritage Discovery Centremuseums & heritage
Learn why Shark Bay is a world heritage site.
50 min · Shark Bay (Monkey Mia)
open: M-F 9AM–4:30PM, Sa Su 10AM–2PM
14:53
Ocean Park Aquariumlocal & traditional
Discover local marine life up close and personal.
50 min · Shark Bay (Monkey Mia) · Adult $27, child $19
open: Daily 9AM–5PM
15:43
Monkey Mia
Witness dolphins up close in a unique marine park.
50 min · Shark Bay (Monkey Mia)
16:33
Shark Bay Cafecoffee & bakes
Sample varied breakfast and lunch options, though quality varies.
60 min · Shark Bay (Monkey Mia) · Sa-Th 7:30AM-2:30PM, F 7:30AM-2:30PM, 5P
18:30
The Old Pearler
Taste fresh seafood in a small, popular setting.
75 min · Shark Bay (Monkey Mia)
open: Daily 5–9PM
Overnight: Shark Bay (Monkey Mia)
e.g. Heritage Resort Shark Bay · Oceanside Village
Day 5 Coral Bay
🌡 16.7–38.5°C · 🌧 ~3 rain days · ☀ 11.5h light
16:20
Reef Cafebeaches & cliffscoffee & bakes
Relish a decent range of meals, including tasty pizza.
60 min · Coral Bay
open: Daily noon-10PM
18:30
Fin'scoffee & bakes
Enjoy fresh seafood at a tiny, BYOB cafe with affordable burgers.
75 min · Coral Bay
open: Daily 8AM-9PM
Overnight: Coral Bay
e.g. Ningaloo Reef Resort · Ningaloo Coral Bay Backpackers