The Coral Coast Highway

Welcome to the Coral Coast Highway.

The 1,250km (800 miles) Coral Coast Highway from Perth to Exmouth is one of Australia's Great Scenic Drives, and has been referred to as one of the greatest road trips on earth.

Along the way, you will discover a combination of some of Australia's and the world's most amazing attractions and experiences, many found nowhere else on earth, as the road hugs the Indian Ocean coastline.

The Coral Coast Highway takes you to two of Western Australia's three World Heritage Areas - Shark Bay and Ningaloo. You'll find pristine coastlines and colourful reefs, rugged gorges and striking ranges, world-class diving, snorkelling and fishing, an abundance of incredible wildlife and marine life, heritage, history and culture, foodie experiences and carefully crafted brews, and a landscape filled with colour from green to blue, red to pink, orange to yellow...

Your first stop on the Coral Coast Highway is the famous otherworldly Pinnacles Desert of Nambung National Park, just north of Perth. Your last stop? The World's largest fringing reef - the World Heritage Listed Ningaloo Reef.

Download the Coral Coast Highway Map and Guide

The only thing spoilt, will be you.

The Coral Coast Highway - a Fly and Drive Holiday

From 1 April to 31 October, 2021, Avis Australia will make it easier than ever to overcome the distances by offering a great one way hire car rental deal between Perth and Exmouth, with a significantly reduced one-way relocation fee.

How do I plan and book this trip?

Decide which direction to go - drive first or fly first?
Reserve your hire car with Avis
Book your flights with Qantas
Organise and pre-book your major tours*
Choose which towns to visit and choose your accommodation

* It is highly recommended to book tours in advance, especially Whale Shark, Humpback Whales and Manta Ray swims.

Need to know:

The relocation fee is additional to daily rental fees and any applicable charges applied by Avis Australia
One way rentals available from Perth City and Perth Airport depots. Contact Avis Australia directly to confirm participating locations
There is a minimum 7-day rental period for the discounted relocation fee to apply
For full rental vehicle terms and conditions, refer to Avis Australia's hire policy

Ellendale Pool Geraldton Greenough Western Australia aerial kayak picnic camping

Step 1. Choose which Direction to Travel

Most people drive North to South, but frequently this leaves a surplus of vehicles in one location. Driving from Ningaloo to Perth whilst on your self-drive holiday can sometimes give you a wider choice of vehicles, as well as a further reduced relocation fee.

North or South?

Step 2.Booking Your Avis Rental Car

From 1 April to 31st October 2021, visitors can book a one-way Avis hire car between Perth and Exmouth with significantly reduced relocation fees.

Book your hire car

Step 3.Booking Qantas Flights

Qantas flies between Perth and Learmonth (Ningaloo) Airport 12 times per week (check current schedules). If you fly first from Perth, make sure to collect your Avis hire car from the Learmonth Airport depot.

Book your flights

Where shall we visit?

With landscapes changing before your eyes at each turn (or even every hour!), take in all the colours of the Coral Coast.
Gold, Aqua, Purple, Pink, Orange, Green, Red, White and of course Turquoise - think of a colour and we've got a place for you to visit.

Indian Ocean Drive

Starting from Cervantes spanning north, the Indian Ocean Drive offers a scenic journey past the coastal towns of Jurien Bay, Greenhead, Leeman, Dongara and Port Denison. Don't forget to visit the Pinnacles Desert!

Geraldton

The only city on the Coral Coast, Geraldton is a contemporary coastal hub of cafés, shops, street art and galleries, and gateway to the Houtman Abrolhos Islands.

Kalbarri

A family-favourite holiday destination, the Kalbarri region is also known for its adventure experiences and land-based attractions, with rugged gorges, protected swimming bays, superb walking trails and wildflowers.

Shark Bay

A wonderland of world-class natural attractions, the Shark Bay World Heritage Area was the first location in Western Australia to receive UNESCO status in 1991.

Ningaloo

The UNESCO Ningaloo Coast World Heritage Area, established in 2011, stretches from Carnarvon in the south to Exmouth in the north and is regarded as one of the last great ocean paradises.

Western Australia Wildflower pink yellow everlasting carpets

Wildflower Country

To the north of Perth along the Brand Highway or Midlands Route, witness an abundance of colour as wildflowers bloom spectacularly during wildflower season.

Explore a little further

Follow a Coral Coast Highway Itinerary

10 Day - Perth to Exmouth (North)

From April to October, 2021, Collect your Avis rental car and start driving north from Perth to Exmouth. Take your time to explore our key experiences and attractions, then fly back to Perth with

Jump in the car

14 Day - Exmouth to Perth (South)

From April to October, 2021, take the road trip to the next level with a slow amble along the Coral Coast Highway. Fly into Learmonth airport from Perth, then drive your Avis rental car back to Perth

Drive it today

Learn more about the Driving Routes

Sit back and enjoy the drive

After all, the journey is more than half the fun. You can see a lot from behind the wheel of a car; and the other leg of your trip is a relaxing flight.

Our Key Experiences

Jurien Bay Sea Lions

To get up close to inquisitive wild Sea Lions head to Jurien Bay about a 2.5 drive north of Perth. Take a sea lion watching cruise and you'll find these graceful swimmers love to show off in front of

Beresford Foreshore Horizon Geraldton Marble Public Art

Horizon: Public Art at Beresford

You will find Horizon, the city of Geraldton's newest #Instaworthy location, on the Beresford Foreshore at the bottom of Dean Street. Some see a snow globe, others a clear marble - whatever you see

Honeycomb Gorge

Honeycomb Gorge is a must-visit location when in Carnarvon. Due east of the town into the Kennedy Range National Park, it's perfect for a four wheel driving bush-camping adventure under a star-filled

The Navy Pier

The Navy Pier has a reputation as one of the top 10 shore dives worldwide, primarily due to its vast range of marine life - best described as an aquarium without glass. At the last count, there were

The Loop Walk

The Loop Walk The challenging yet spectacular Loop Walk highlights the erosive power of the Murchison River, which has carved magnificent gorges through the landscape. The hike will take you along the

A dolphin playing in the surf at Kalbarri, Western Australia

Jacques/Jakes Point

Jacques Point (better known as Jakes by the locals) is a popular surfing beach in Kalbarri providing a perfect left hand surf break along the point. Experienced surfers will enjoy the safe conditions

Gwoonwardu Mia Carnarvon Aboriginal Centre

Gwoonwardu Mia, Gascoyne Aboriginal Heritage and Cultural Centre

Gwoonwardu Mia, Gascoyne Aboriginal Heritage and Cultural Centre is a multipurpose centre that celebrates the Gascoyne regions' five Aboriginal language groups' culture and country. Located in

Kalbarri Z Bend Nature's Window National Park

Bushwalking National Parks

Marvel at nature's ability to carve the landscape. Explore the depths and heights of the river gorges and sea cliffs and admire the floral beauty of the vast, rolling sandplains. From Nambung National

The Pinnacles

Visiting Australia's Nambung National Park and the Pinnacles Desert is a must. Located at the southern gateway to Australia's Coral Coast, along the Indian Ocean Drive, the Pinnacles Desert of Nambung

Steep Point and Zuytdorp Cliffs

Steep Point, the westernmost point of Western Australia, is a perfect vantage point to see the magnificent Zuytdorp Cliffs, which rise some 170 meters above sea level. Steep Point is also a mecca for

Greenough Leaning Trees Geraldton Western Australia

Leaning Trees of Greenough

Located approximately two kilometres north of the Greenough Historic Settlement, the iconic leaning trees of Greenough are a must-see when in the region. Buffeted by prevailing southerly winds, the

Abrolhos Islands Geraldton Western Australia's Coral Coast

Houtman Abrolhos Islands

The Houtman Abrolhos Islands, more commonly referred to as the Abrolhos Islands, and their surrounding coral reef communities form one of Western Australia's unique marine areas. The Islands lie about

Blue Holes

Video: Chris Lewis Renowned for exceptional snorkelling, Blue Holes is located along the Red Bluff Road/George Grey Drive (southern entrance/exit road to Kalbarri). The protected waters and rock pools

Kalbarri Coastal Cliff Mushroom Rock Walk Couple

Mushroom Rock Walk Trail

Mushroom Rock Trail is a leisurely two hour walk track within Kalbarri National Park that leads you to the unusual sight of Mushroom Rock and the spectacular Rainbow Valley gorge. Read the information

Monkey Mia Dolphin, Shark Bay World Heritage Area

Meet the Monkey Mia Dolphins

Head for Monkey Mia Beach during feeding times and meet the dolphins that have put this beautiful seaside spot on the map. The friendly pod of wild bottlenose dolphins regularly swim to Monkey Mia’s

Kalbarri Skywalk

Breathtaking twin skywalks in Kalbarri National Park boast stunning vistas of the Murchison River Gorge's rust-red cliffs, flowing water and bushland from high above. Famous for its exceptional

One Mile Jetty Interpretive Centre

Carnarvon's One Mile Jetty Interpretive Centre and heritage precinct reflect the jetty's iconic history. Housing an exhibition covering the Carnarvon stories about whaling, pastoral farming and

HMAS Sydney II Memorial Sunset, Geraldton, Western Australia's Coral Coast

HMAS Sydney II Memorial Geraldton

For a moving tribute to the sailors who lost their lives aboard the HMAS Sydney II during World War II, visit Geraldton's HMAS Sydney II Memorial. Steeped in symbolism, the Memorial pays homage to the

Hamelin Pool Stromatolites Shark Bay Western Australia's Coral Coast

Stromatolites of Hamelin Pool

Please note: the stromatolites can currently be seen from the Hamelin Pool quarry, however the viewing boardwalk is closed due to damage caused by Cyclone Seroja. For further information on the impact

Free diving Coral Bay Ningaloo Reef Western Australia

Blue Maze

One of the top ten snorkel spots voted by National Geographic, the Blue Maze in Coral Bay on Western Australia's Ningaloo Reef is a labyrinth of coral formations. With a huge variety of fish life

Need more holiday ideas?

A region enriched by contrasting landscapes and connected by colour - that's the Coral Coast. Explore preserved wilderness on a nature-based road trip - that's the Coral Coast Highway.

Fly + Drive, let's do it together...

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Windsurfing Western Australia Coral Coast

Western Australia's Best Windsurfing and Kitesurfing

The Coral Coast could just as aptly be named the Windy Coast - if Paris is the City of Lights, then Geraldton is most definitely the City of Wind! These conditions are what make Geraldton, and the

A traveller soaks up the view of Kalbarri's Coastal Cliffs, Kalbarri, Western Australia

Bimble About on the Coral Coast Highway

We are Amy & Lyndon, Bimble About, and we are a young couple from Melbourne travelling around Australia in our van. We realised after travelling for three years abroad, we hadn't seen much of

The Milky Way above the Pinnacles Desert Western Australia

Photographing the Milky Way at the Pinnacles

This article was written by Michael Goh; photographer and astrophotography enthusiast. The Pinnacles, Nambung National Park, Western Australia Around 200km north of Perth, hundreds of limestone

Discover RAC Parks & Resorts along the Coral Coast

If you're travelling on the Coral Coast Highway there is so much to see and explore - but where do you stay? RAC Parks & Resorts has the perfect locations to base yourself; from Cervantes and Shark

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