The Coral Coast Highway

Western Australia truly is the home of the road trip. The 1,250km (800 miles) Coral Coast Highway from Perth to Exmouth is one of Australia’s great scenic drives. Along the way you will discover a combination of some of Australia’s most amazing attractions and experiences, many found nowhere else on earth, as the road hugs the Indian Ocean coastline.

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

The only thing spoilt, will be you.

The Coral Coast Highway - a Fly and Drive Holiday

Avis Australia and Hertz Australia now make it easier than ever to overcome the distances by offering a great one way hire car rental deal between Perth and Exmouth. From 1 April 2020 to 31 October 2020, and from 1 April 2021 to 31 October 2021, Avis and Hertz will reduce their one-way relocation fee (normally $1,000) to $250 driving Perth to Exmouth and $150 if driving Exmouth back to Perth. In addition, Hertz is offering one way hire car rental deals between Perth and Paraburdoo, and Exmouth and Paraburdoo, opening up self-drive access to Karijini National Park. Normal hire car rates and conditions apply.

How do I plan and book this trip?

Decide which direction to go - drive first or fly first?
Reserve your hire car with Avis or Hertz
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.

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 or Hertz Rental Car

Until the 31st October 2020, visitors can book a one-way Avis or Hertz hire car from Perth – Exmouth with relocation fees (normally $1,000) reduced to $250 Perth – Exmouth or $150 Exmouth – Perth.

Book your hire car

Step 3.Booking Qantas Flights

Qantas flies between Perth and Learmonth (Ningaloo) Airport 12 times per week. If you fly first from Perth, make sure to collect your Avis or Hertz 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)

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 Qantas.

Jump in the car

14 Day - Exmouth to Perth (South)

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 over a fortnight - really

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

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

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

One Mile Jetty Interpretive Centre

One Mile Jetty is currently closed to visitors, however to reflect the jetty’s iconic status, a new Interpretive Centre has opened! Housing an exhibition covering the Carnarvon stories about whaling

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

Ningaloo Centre

The Ningaloo Centre, situated in the town of Exmouth, is a research, tourism, education and community hub. The Centre acts as an ideal starting point for your adventure through Exmouth, and its

Island Rock and Natural Bridge

Island Rock and Natural Bridge are situated in Kalbarri National Park as part of the Coastal Cliff sites. Yielding to the forces of the ocean, the once resilient Island Rock was part of the shoreline

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

Ellendale Pool

Ellendale Pool is a stunning water hole naturally formed along the picturesque Greenough River. Located near the historic town of Greenough, it is surrounded by magnificent gum trees and a rocky gorge

Yardie Creek

Go bush walking, boating and see rare native animals at Yardie Creek gorge in Cape Range National Park. Yardie Creek is a highlight of the park and a must-do on any visit to Exmouth. The ancient gorge

Fruit Loop and the Cactus Garden

When visiting Carnarvon, take a drive along the scenic North and South River Roads, known as “The Fruit Loop” drive trail. The Drive will take you past working plantations – some of which run roadside

Karijini National Park

Karijini National Park is Western Australia’s second largest national park. Covering 627,422 hectares just north of the Tropic of Capricorn in the Hamersley Range, Karijini National Park's climate can

Swim child sea turtle Ningaloo Western Australia

Meeting a Sea Turtle

Sea turtles can be encountered on Western Australia's Coral Coast all year round and hatchlings may be sighted during turtle nesting season. You can snorkel with them through the beautiful coral

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

Ross Graham Lookout

The Ross Graham Lookout offers breathtaking views over the gorges within the Kalbarri National Park. Take a short walk from the car park down to the river's edge for a swim and explore the glorious

Paradise Beach

Spectacular beaches are plentiful in Coral Bay and the aptly named Paradise Beach is a well kept secret worth exploring. Providing clear calm waters and gleaming white sand, the uncrowded protected

Kalbarri National Park Z Bend The Loop sunset aerial drone

Z Bend Lookout and River Trail

The Z Bend is a section of the Murchison River aptly named because of the enormous Z bend created as the river flows through the gorges. Located in the spectacular Kalbarri National Park you will be

Gwoonwardu Mia Carnarvon Aboriginal Centre

Gwoonwardu Mia – Aboriginal Heritage and Cultural Centre

Gwoonwardu Mia – Aboriginal Heritage and Cultural Centre celebrates the region's Aboriginal heritage. The Gascoyne regions five Aboriginal language groups come together to celebrate and recognise

Sandy Cape

Secret no more – Sandy Cape has grown in popularity with visitors unable to resist photographing and posting images of this idyllic location. Located 10km north of Jurien Bay is the turnoff to the 7km

HMAS Sydney II Memorial Geraldton

For a moving tribute to the sailors who lost their lives on HMAS Sydney II during World War II visit the HMAS Sydney II Memorial in Geraldton. With the long awaited discovery of the HMAS Sydney II on

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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