Coral Coaster, 6 Days

Overview

This six-day one-way trip with Autopia Tours runs from Perth up the Coral Coast to Exmouth, finishing near Ningaloo Reef. It starts at 07:25 from the Criterion Hotel on Hay Street in Perth and ends at Potshot on Murat Road in Exmouth, covering the Pinnacles, Kalbarri National Park, Monkey Mia, Coral Bay and Cape Range National Park along the way. Five nights of accommodation are included, with private ensuites or budget shared rooms available.

The route unfolds day by day. After Perth and the Pinnacles desert formations, with a short stop in Geraldton, the first night is in Kalbarri. Day two takes in Kalbarri National Park and Nature's Window before reaching Monkey Mia, where the second night is spent by the beach. Day three passes the stromatolites of Shark Bay and finishes at Coral Bay beside Ningaloo Reef, then the final days explore Exmouth, Cape Range National Park, Turquoise Bay and Vlamingh Head Lighthouse.

Most meals are covered: five breakfasts, five dinners and three lunches. An experienced driver-guide hosts the trip with local commentary, and guided walks total roughly 7km at grade 1 to 3. The tour promises Australian wildlife and marine animal sightings along the way, but reviewers also mention long stretches of driving, so it suits travellers with moderate fitness who are comfortable covering big distances by road.

Itinerary

1. Perth departureThe tour departs Perth at 07:25 from the Criterion Hotel, 560 Hay St, with about 2 hours in the city at the start.
2. The Pinnacles and GeraldtonA 2-hour stop at the Pinnacles with admission included, then a 30-minute stop in Geraldton before continuing north.
3. Kalbarri and Nature's WindowRoughly 6 hours around Kalbarri and 2 hours at Nature's Window. Overnight in a centrally located Kalbarri hostel with shared bathrooms; lunch and dinner included.
4. Monkey Mia and Shark BayAbout 6 hours at Kalbarri National Park area and 6 hours at Monkey Mia, plus a 3-hour Monkey Mia visit and 3 hours at the Stromatolites of Shark Bay with admission included. Overnight by the beach at Monkey Mia; breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
5. Coral Bay and Ningaloo ReefA 2-hour stop at Coral Bay and 3 hours at Ningaloo Reef with admission included. Overnight in Coral Bay near the reef; breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Road Distances From Perth

1. Exmouth and Cape RangeRoughly 6 hours around Exmouth, with 2 hours each at Cape Range National Park, Turquoise Bay and Vlamingh Head Lighthouse, all admissions included. Overnight in Exmouth; breakfast and dinner included.
2. Exmouth finishA final 2-hour Ningaloo Reef stop and a pass by Exmouth. Checkout is at 10:00am with breakfast included, and the tour ends at Potshot, 561 Murat Rd, Exmouth.

Common Questions