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, 2022, 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 2022, 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

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

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

Swimming with humpback whales, Ningaloo Reef, Western Australia

Swim with Humpback Whales

The 2021 Humpback Whale season is currently underway, with thousands of humpback whales currently migrating along Western Australia's Coastline. Now's the time to experience an in-water interaction

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

Turquoise Bay

Turquoise Bay has been named the second best beach in the South Pacific and #6 in the world, in Trip Advisor's 2021 Travellers' Choice Awards. When's the last time you went for a Wander Out Yonder

Horrocks

Horrocks Beach was named the #1 Mainland Beach in Tourism Australia's Best Australian Beaches for 2018 You'll instantly feel on holidays as you take in the glorious ocean views on your descent into

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

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

Nature's Window

Located just 500 metres from The Loop (or Inyaka Wookai Watju) carpark, Nature’s Window is one of Western Australia’s most iconic natural attractions, formed from layers of Tumblagooda Sandstone. View

Cape Range National Park

Situated on the west side of Exmouth is Cape Range National Park, a spectacular place of rugged limestone ranges and breathtaking deep canyons such as Yardie Creek, surrounded by 50 kilometres of

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

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

Swim with Manta Rays

Swimming with manta rays is one of Ningaloo Reef's 'Big 3' bucket list experiences, along with swimming with whale sharks and swimming with humpback whales. You can swim with manta rays year round on

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

Pot Alley

Pot Alley is a picturesque ocean gorge along the Coastal Cliffs of Kalbarri National Park, boasting spectacular ocean scenery amidst the expansive rugged gorges. Follow the 400m rocky walk trail down

Sandy Cape

Secret no more – Sandy Cape has grown in popularity with visitors unable to resist photographing and posting images of this idyllic location. The turnoff to the 7km unsealed road to reach the campsite

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

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

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...

Read about the Coral Coast Highway from fellow travellers

A tour operator's view - Swimming with Whales

Whale sharks may be moving on from Ningaloo Reef, but there is still a BIG reason to visit and stay at Luxury Lodge's of Australia accommodation, Sal Salis, over the next few months. Humpback Whales

Cycling the Pinnacles Desert

This story was written by Helen Dominish, creator of The Uncool Cycling Club blog. It may well have been one of my crazy ideas, but I thought it would be great fun to cycle the six kilometre Pinnacles

Wander Out Yonder with great flight deals from Qantas

As part of Western Australia's biggest ever regional flight sale, you can enjoy discounted fares between Perth and Exmouth (Learmonth Airport) with Qantas. Book great flight deals with Qantas Fares

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

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