Perth to Broome Self-Drive Itinerary

DOWNLOAD: PERTH TO BROOME SELF-DRIVE ITINERARY

Here's a great itinerary from our Res team taking you up the coast of Western Australia journey from Perth to Broome.

Perth to Kalbarri
Kalbarri to Monkey Mia
Monkey Mia to Carnarvon
Carnarvon to Exmouth
Exmouth to Karijini National Park
Karijini National Park to Port Hedland
Port Hedland to Broome

Distance: 3283km

Day 1. Perth

Pick up your car or campervan today. If hiring a campervan we recommend allowing at least 1 hour to become familiar with the vehicle before leaving the depot. Perth is the capital of Western Australia, which is situated along the banks of the Swan River. The river twists through the city and ends at the port of Fremantle where you can enjoy a coffee on the ' Cappuccino ' strip, go down to the harbour to watch the boats come in. An absolute must is to visit King's Park, where you can overlook the hustle and bustle of the city amidst the calm of the Australian bush.

Stay: Discovery Holiday Parks, Perth

Day 2. Perth to Kalbarri via Nambung National Park

This morning depart Perth and journey into Nambung National Park, home to the Pinnacles. Enjoy time to admire these eerie limestone pillars, which rise up to six metres from the shifting golden sand. Afterwards, continue to Kalbarri, the gateway to Kalbarri National Park on Western Australia’s spectacular Coral Coast.

Distance: 600kms, 7 hours

Stay: Murchison Caravan Park, Kalbarri

Day 3. Kalbarri to Monkey Mia

Discover the sights of Kalbarri National Park this morning. Take in amazing vistas from the natural rock formation, known as Nature’s Lookout, and see the spectacular Murchison River. Travel onwards to Monkey Mia, maybe stop at Shell Beach for a seafood dinner.

Distance: 400kms, 5 hours 15 minutes.

Stay: Three nights at Monkey Mia Dolphin Resort, Monkey Mia

Day 4. World Heritage-listed Shark Bay

Journey to World Heritage-listed Shark Bay, one of the world’s greatest wilderness treasures. The shallow waters of the beautiful area are divided by striking banks, peninsulas and islands, including Dirk Hartog Island, which was discovered by the Dutch almost four hundred years ago in 1616. Shark Bay is a region of major zoological importance, home to around 26 species of endangered mammals.

Day 5. Denham

Explore Denham, Australia’s most westerly town, situated on the Peron Peninsula. Take in the interactive displays at the Shark Bay Interpretive Centre, where you can learn more about the incredible natural wonders and historic treasures of the local region. Take a stroll around the village and enjoy the exceptional views from Eagle Bluff.

Day 6. Monkey Mia, Hamelin Pool

This morning at Monkey Mia, see the wild dolphins that swim close to shore (subject to appearance). The famously playful bottlenose dolphins have delighted guests for years, visit Hamelin Pool to see the stromatolites, dome-shaped layered structures formed in shallow water and known to be the world’s oldest known living organisms. Continue to Carnarvon.

Distance: 360kms, 4 hours 45 minutes

Stay: Big4 Plantation Caravan Park, Carnarvon

Day 7. Ningaloo Reef Marine Park, Exmouth

Journey to Ningaloo Reef Marine Park, Australia’s largest and most accessible fringing reef. On arrival at Coral Bay, maybe join a cruise aboard a glass-bottom boat and view the colourful tropical fish and forests of corals that make up this reef. Depending on season, look out for the famous whale shark, as well as dolphins, dugongs, manta rays and humpback whales. The beaches of the reef are vital to loggerhead, green and hawksbill turtles, which breed along the shore. Later, continue to Exmouth, the gateway to the Coral Coast.

Distance: 365kms, 3 hours 50 minutes

Stay: Two Nights at Exmouth Cape Holiday Park, Exmouth

Day 8. Cape Range National Park

Enjoy a full day today to explore Cape Range National Park, a spectacular place of rugged limestone ranges, breathtaking deep canyons and 50 kilometres of pristine beaches. The national park, which encompasses Ningaloo Reef Marine Park, is famous for the striking contrast of the turquoise waters of the nearby bay with the rocky, yet verdant topography of Cape Range itself. During your time in the park, you’ll enjoy a cruise on Yardie Creek through Yardie Gorge. Fed by the nearby ocean, the gorge boasts deep-blue water, red limestone cliff faces and a wonderful array of birds and wildlife, including the rare black-footed wallaby and red kangaroos.

Day 9. Tom Price, Karijini National Park

Travel through the mining town of Tom Price. At the base of Mount Nameless, the town is a showcase for the rich red and gold hues of the Pilbara. Continue on to Karijini National Park, known for its rugged red landscapes, spectacular gorges, waterfalls and refreshing swimming holes. With a two night stay in the heart of this beautiful national park, you’ll enjoy plenty of time to explore all that Karijini has to offer.

Distance:7000kms, 8 hours 33 minutes

Stay: Two nights at Karijini Eco Retreat, Karijini NP

Day 10. Karijini National Park

Enjoy a full day to discover the contrasting landscapes of Karijini National Park. Here, the ever-changing light, colours and reflections highlight the intriguing geological structures of the park. Spectacular gorges, waterfalls and leafy verdure provide a luscious setting compared to the arid landscapes of the Pilbara, while the tropical climate has allowed a vast range of flora and fauna to thrive. Visit Dales Gorge, Fortescue Falls and Oxers Lookout. Perhaps walk to stunning Joffre Falls, located near the eco retreat.

Day 11. Millstream-Chichester National Park, Port Hedland

Visit Millstream-Chichester National Park, one of the most pleasant stopovers in the state’s north west. In between the rocky escarpments and spinifex-covered hills, the park’s rock pools and gorges form refreshing oases. Continue to the largest town in the Pilbara, Port Hedland. It’s one of the world’s highest tonnage ports due to the rich Iron Ore mining industry in the region. Huge ships export this sought after mineral to Japan, China, South Korea and Europe where it’s turned into steel, most commonly used in these parts of the world for car manufacturing.

Distance: 400kms, 5 hours 45 minutes

Stay: Cooke Point Holiday Park, Port Hedland

Day 12. Eighty Mile Beach, Broome

Break your journey to Broome with a stop at Eighty Mile Beach. Located half way between Port Hedland and Broome, Eighty Mile Beach forms a 220 kilometre-long coastline where the Great Sandy Desert meets the Indian Ocean.

Distance: 612kms, 6 hours 10 minutes

Stay: Palm Grove Holiday Resort, Broome

Day 13. Broome

Full day to explore Broome. Broome is a cosmopolitan town that has an interesting history and stunning natural beauty. Linked to its pearling and multicultural population, Broome has a reputation for its vibrant social life. Located in the attractive Roebuck Bay region, Broome is surrounded by sweeping white beaches, rich red outcrops and blazing turquoise water.

DISCLAIMER

DriveNow's suggested itineraries are made available to assist travellers create and build personalised journey plans. DriveNow does not warrant the accuracy or completeness of these itineraries and they are provided as is and as advisory only.

Special caution and planning should be taken when travelling in remote areas to ensure sufficient provisions, fuel and prescribed medicines are carried.

Weather conditions can make sealed roads impassable particularly during the northern Wet season. All rental vendors in Australia have restrictions on where their vehicles can be taken, therefore it is recommended that you consult with your vehicle provider on your intended journey when collecting your vehicle. Travelling where restrictions are imposed voids all insurance cover.

You acknowledge that any reliance on or use of any itinerary shall be at your sole risk.