Western Australia | Perth to Darwin Road Trip Itinerary

Discover the best of the west on this 16 day Perth to Darwin road trip itinerary along the Western Australia coastline.

Day 1: Perth to Cervantes

Distance: 213km

Travel time: 2 hours 40 minutes

Pick up your Apollo camper at our Perth branch and get ready to head north. On the way to Cervantes take the slight detour to The Pinnacles. Formed approximately 25, 000 years ago when sea levels receded, today The Pinnacles stand as a popular tourist and photography enthusiasts attraction. 

Day 2: Cervantes to Geraldton

Distance: 223kms

Travel time: 2 hours 25 minutes

Continue north today in the direction of Geraldton, the only city in Western Australia's Coral Coast and famous for great windsurfing conditions. While you're here be sure to visit the iconic red and white Point Moore Lighthouse. 

Image: Tourism Western Australia

Day 3: Geraldton to Monkey Mia

Distance: 432kms

Travel time: 4 hours 25 minutes

An exciting destination awaits you today - Monkey Mia! Enjoy the sunset this evening and get ready for an exciting wildlife experience tomorrow morning. 

Image: Tourism Western Australia

Day 4: Monkey Mia 

Monkey Mia is a famous Western Australia destination thanks to more than 40 years of wild dolphin encounters. Everyday at 7:45am, meet a ranger in front of the visitor centre and watch on as dolphins visit the beach until midday. 

Image: Tourism Western Australia

Day 5: Monkey Mia to Carnarvon

Distance: 352kms

Travel time: 3 hours 30 minutes

Say goodbye to the Monkey Mia dolphins and continue north to Carnarvon. We recommend including a visit to the Quobba Blowholes, found 75km north of Carnarvon. Here you can witness the ocean pushing into sea caves and up through narrow holes in the rocks to propell impressive jets of water into the air. 

Day 6: Carnarvon to Exmouth

Distance: 364kms

Travel time: 3 hours 45 minutes

Exmouth is calling! The gateway to the Ningaloo Reef, Exmouth has been a popular tourist destination for decades - and for good reason! Ningaloo Reef is Australia's largest fringing reef (yep, you can step right off the beach to the reef!) and over 50% of Indian Ocean species are found here! If you time your trip between March and July, there are even multiple opportunites to swim with whale sharks.

Image: Tourism Western Australia

Day 7: Exmouth to Karratha

Distance: 549kms

Travel time: 5 hours 45 minutes

Say goodbye to the pearly white sand of Exmouth and hello to Karratha! After just under 6 hours on the road today, aquaint yourself with this town of just over 20,000 people with a trip up to TV Hill Lookout. Don't worry, there is no walking required to take in this view as you can drive right to the top! 

Day 8: Karratha to Port Hedland

Distance: 230kms

Travel time: 2 hours 25 minutes

Connecting the Pilbara and Kimberley regions of Western Australia, you'll find Port Hedland. Port Hedland is famous for being salty - in a good way. More than 3 million tonnes of salt is harvested at Port Hedland each year (making a tour to the salt mines a must do while in Port Hedland!). This town is also home to the world's largest bulk export port and boasts some of the world's largest ships. 

Day 9: Port Hedland to Broome

Distance: 609kms

Travel time: 6 hours

Wave goodbye to the salt and the ships and say hello to Broome. Arrive before dark to experience another spectacular Western Australia sunset. 

Image: Tourism Western Australia

Day 10: Broome

Welcome to Broome, today is yours to explore! Whether you join a guided pearl farm tour or visit Australia's most remote brewery, make sure you finish your day with a sunset at the world famous Cable Beach. Operating 7 days a week, be sure to join a sunset camel ride across Cable Beach for an incredible, bucket-list experience. 

Image: Tourism Western Australia

Day 11: Broome to Fitzroy Crossing

Distance: 397kms

Travel time: 4 hours

Say goodbye to the Western Australia coast and head inland. Today's destination is Fitzroy Crossing, a true outback town. While you're here make sure to visit the nearby Danggu Geikie Gorge. If you are visiting between May and October, join a boat tour to gain a greater understanding of this historical area. 

Image: Tourism Western Australia

Day 12: Fitzroy Crossing to Halls Creek

Distance: 289kms

Travel time: 2 hours 55 minutes

The site of Western Australia's first gold discovery is the destination for today. Halls Creek, a small outback town with the population of less than 4,000 people. From here you can enjoy a scenic flight over the world heritage listed Purnululu National Park and experience the striking beehive like formations found no where else on Earth. 

Day 13: Halls Creek to Kununarra

Distance: 358kms

Travel time: 3 hours 40 minutes

Your final day on the Great Northern Highway, enjoy the 3 hours and 40 minutes travel through remote Australia before arriving at Kununarra.

Image: Instagram - @melissafindley

Day 14: Kununarra

Your final full day in Western Australia. While you're in Kununurra be sure to visit Lake Argyle, Australia's second largest man-made lake, several times larger than the Sydney Harbour. 

Image: Tourism Western Australia

Day 15: Kununarra to Katherine

Distance: 515kms

Travel time: 5 hours 15 minutes

Leave Western Australia and cross into the Northern Territory. After the five and a bit hours on the road today, relax and unwind from the drive at the vibrant Katherine Hot Springs, just minutes away from the main street of Katherine. 

Image: Lachlan Gardiner

Day 16: Katherine to Darwin Apollo Branch

Distance: 317kms

Travel time: 3 hours 10 minutes

The last day of one epic adventure. On your way to Darwin stop in at Florence Falls in Litchfield National Park for a relaxing swim before an easy drop off at the Darwin Apollo Branch. 

Image: Lachlan Gardiner