Travel Perth to Broome

Explore the rugged coastline of Western Australia and get lost in wilderness on an epic road trip from Perth to Broome.

Explore the rugged coastline of Western Australia and get lost in wilderness on an epic road trip from Perth to Broome.

Western Australia is a largely unspoiled region where stunning beaches and ocean vistas are guaranteed. You will encounter many national parks such as Karajini, Mount Lesueur and Cape Range with unique landscapes in each destination. Whether you want to snorkel in hidden coves, take a dip in rock pools or hike the ancient trails, there is something different to experience at each stop. You will also cover a large distance on a road trip from Perth to Broome but taking a leisurely pace will help you see ‘the real Australia” and ensure you don’t miss out on any highlights along the way.

SUGGESTED Travel itinerary

Travel Perth to Broome - Travel Times & Highlights

  • Best Travelling Dates: April to November
Please note: Distances and travel times are estimates only and may vary due to alternative routes, weather and road conditions. Please check with Main Roads Western Australia for updated information before commencing your journey.

Perth

perth city wa
perth city wa

Perth is a modern city and often cited as the ”sunniest capital in Australia”. This is rather isolated city and home to more than 80% of the population in Western Australia. 

There is much culture and atmosphere as evidenced in the art galleries and historical neighbourhoods and the lively bars, cafes and restaurants in the city centre. However, where Perth really stands out is for the sandy beaches and leafy parks surrounding the city at every turn. Perth sits right on the doorstep of the natural landscapes for which the region is best known.

It’s true; the city is surrounded by natural beauty and the ideal place to begin a road trip in Western Australia. It might just be your starting point for a road trip but Perth really deserves a few days to soak in everything the city has to offer up.

Distance from Perth: 2 hr 20 min (191km)

Pinnacles Desert

Pinnacles Desert is situated at the southern end of Indian Ocean Drive and the Coral Coast of Western Australia. This National Park is overflowing with native wildlife and colourful landscapes and feels like a fitting introduction to Western Australia. 

Pinnacles Desert is also quite a busy area, for travellers often recommend the park and word gets around. In fact, the Pinnacles Desert of Nambung National Park is one of the most visited regions in this part of Australia. But what are the Pinnacles exactly?

Formed more than 25,000 years ago, many of these natural limestone formations are 3.5 metres tall and strike a remarkable sight in the desert. You can of course drive through the yellow desert and witness this otherworldly landscape up close, while marvelling at the white sandy dunes and blue ocean in the background.

This National Park is also a haven for emus, kangaroos and other native wildlife that you will surely want to see on your Perth to Broome road trip.

Distance from Pinnacles Desert: 38 min (43 km)

Jurien Bay

Jurien Bay is one of the most popular travel destinations in Western Australia, and for good reason. Featuring white powder sands and spectacular ocean vistas, this bay is ideal for swimming and sun bathing and swimming. 

You will also find a nice variety of cafes, restaurants and places to stay in the area. However, Jurien Bay Marine Park is the real attraction here and is known as one of the best places in Western Australia to see the endangered sea lions. The Australian sea lion population is one of the rarest in the world and it’s possible to get up close as they like to sunbathe on the beaches in Jurien Bay.

As if that’s not enough, you can also visit Lesueur National Park which is another hotspot for biodiversity. A looped-road travels around the park where you can see more than 1,000 species of native plants, wild flowers and other flora. If taking a road trip from Perth to Broome between August and November, Lesueur National Park is an encounter that showcases some of the most colourful landscapes in Australia.

Distance from Jurien Bay: 2 hr 4 min (196 km)

Geraldton

Geraldton is famous for Aboriginal trails, pink lakes and enchanting diving atolls. You will find a host of restaurants here serving some of the best lobster in Geraldton and a bustling city centre with galleries, street art and trendy cafes. 

The facilities make this a perfect pit-stop on a Perth to Broome road trip and a base for exploring the nearby attractions. The main attraction are the islands out to sea, and the incredible wildlife which has put Geraldton on the map for visitors.

Located 60km from Geraldton, there are three main groups of islands which are known as the Pelsaert, Easter and Wallabi Group of islands and they stretch for more than 100km across the ocean. Many people compare this region to the Galapagos Islands in South America due to the biodiversity and plethora of marine life.

You can also dive, snorkel and swim in the waters and even get off to explore some of the islands on foot. While you might have already visited islands elsewhere in Australia, there is nowhere like the islands along the Western coast and the charming town warrant a stop in Geraldton.

Distance from Geraldton: 1 hr 46 min (156 km)

Kalbarri

Kalbarri is situated next to the mouth of the Murchison River which is why the area is so popular for swimming and fishing. Inland you can find wildflowers and gorges with rugged cliffs and a unique natural attraction known as “Natures Window”. 

This natural rock arch is a spectacular sight which consists of layers of Tumblagooda Sandstone. There are also stunning viewpoints and short hiking trails which which offer unrivalled views of the Murchison River. Meanwhile, the dramatic cliffs in Kalbarri is one of the best places to catch a glimpse of Humpback Whales in Western Australia.

With over 180,000 hectares to explore, Kalbarri is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts and the near perfect climate make this a great place to get outside and immerse yourself in the nature of Western Australia.

Distance from Kalbarri: 3 hr 2 min (304 km)

Shark Bay

Shark Bay is a vast wilderness of more than 2 million hectares and the most western point in Australia. You will find flora and wildlife here that cannot be found anywhere else and local Aboriginals refer to this area as Gutharraguda which means ‘two waters’. 

Shark Bay consists of two sheltered bays which are protected by a long islands and peninsulas. This is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site such is the colourful and unique nature of the area. The bay is home to many of Australia’s bird species, endangered mammals and flora including 12 species of seagrass!

As for marine life, you will find everything from fish, turtles and crustaceans to a thriving population of dolphins. This is also a good stopover on a Perth to Broome road trip as the facilities and accommodation in Shark Bay are catered towards tourism.

Distance from Shark Bay: 43 min (70 km)

Denham

Denham is a seaside town with many hotels, resorts and campsites. This hotspot is especially popular with families, partly due to the tourist parks and the amazing playground down by the shore. Denham beach is also a beautiful stretch and the 5km trail at Nicholson Point features a large variety of bird life and plant species. 

Visitors can choose to go boating or windsurfing and the conditions are perfect for both swimming and snorkelling. Shark Bay is a short trip from Denham and a day exploring Steep Point is often cited by visitors as a highlight on a road trip from Perth to Broome.

Distance from Denham: 18 min (25.5 km)

Monkey Mia

Monkey Mia is home to some of the best beaches in Western Australia and famous for the mystical red sand dunes which hug the coastline. Marine life is thriving in the area and visitors will often see rays, turtles and sharks in the bay. 

There are also emus and pelicans in Monkey Mia and a local guided tours on which you can get up close to the dolphins. Meanwhile, the Wulyibidi Yaninyina trail is a looped walk along the iconic sand dunes and this path offers a different perspective of the wild and natural landscapes.

Photographers will love the red dunes but the marine life and charming town in Monkey Mia make this a must-visit destination on a Perth to Broome road trip.

Distance from Monkey Mia: 3 hr 35 min (352 km)

Carnarvon

Located in between Ningaloo Coast and Shark Bay, Carnarvon is a subtropical paradise where you can indulge in some amazing fresh fruit, vegetables and seafood. After all, Carnarvon is often called the ‘food bowl’ of this region and produces 80% of the fruit and vegetable in Western Australia. With this in mind, foodies and food lovers will not want to miss the town of Carnarvon. 

This is also a great place to learn about the colonial and indigenous heritage of WA as there are many historic buildings, landmarks and museums in Carnarvon.

You can also explore the waterway called the Fascine which features a swimming pontoon, playground and several picnic areas along the way.

Distance from Canarvon: 2 hr 28 min (238 km)

Coral Bay

Coral Bay is a paradise in Western Australia which features beautiful coral gardens along Ningaloo Reef, just metres from the white sandy shoreline. You will also find a very laidback vibe in the area which seems to compliment the quiet natural surroundings. 

There is also a 2km walkway along the reef from which you can often spot rays, dolphins and other marine life. A highlight is to swim with Whale Sharks the biggest fish in the sea!

This walk also travels through a large nature park where kangaroos, emus and a variety of bird life are common. That said, the pristine beaches are ideal for swimming and the perfect place to enjoy a sunset in the evenings.

Meanwhile, just outside town, Five Fingers Reef and Oyster Bridge are waiting to be explored by four-wheel drive and the Ningaloo Reserve will really help you feel as though you have escaped the beaten path in WA!

Distance from Coral Bay: 1 hr 34 min (152 km)

Exmouth

Exmouth is a small town with a big reputation and recently won an award as the best small tourism town in Australia. Located on the periphery of Ningaloo World Heritage Area, this small town is the perfect place from which to explore the marine park. 

You can often see humpback whales and whale sharks in the reef and the area is especially popular for diving and snorkelling. Some people even refer to Exmouth as an outdoor aquarium as the extent of marine life is always there to see.

This small town is also a great starting point from which to explore Cape Range National Park and the iconic natural landscapes that can make a Perth to Broome road trip so spectacular.

Distance from Exmouth: 7 hr 45 min (640 km)

Karajini

The second largest national park in Western Australia has a landscape which was carved into the rock more than 2.5 billion years ago. Karajini National Park is characterised by red rock and gorges but then also intersected by green ferns and hidden swimming holes. 

There are also fresh waterfalls in places and visitors often bush camp or go glam ping at Karajini Eco Retreat. Guided tours are also available and this can be a nice way to better understand the landscape, fauna and flora as you are travelling through.

For instance, a local guide can help locate and explain the many birds, kangaroos, goannas and wallabies that inhabit the region. Karajini has deep importance for the nearby indigenous peoples.

Among the most important sites is the picturesque Fern Pool (known as Jubara), a women’s place located at one end of Dales Gorge. It’s here that the Dreamtime Creation Serpent resided after writhing from the coast through the landscape to create the region’s waterways.

Distance from Karajini: 3 hr 45 min (343 km)

Port Hedland

 

Port Hedland is located 200km north of Karratha and best known for the big ships and trains which frequent the town. This is because of the huge resource industry in Port Hedland and the salt piles which get transported all over the country. 

Fishing, turtle nesting and whale watching are popular pastimes and the town is an important hub which connects the Kimberley to the Pilbara. Indeed, you will find things to do in Port Hedland but this iconic little town is a great place to relax while discovering the surrounding natural beauty.

Distance from Port Hedland: 2 hr 39 min (252 km)

Eighty Mile Beach

Eighty Mile Beach extends for over 200km between Broome and Port Hedland. This is actually the longest stretch of beach in Western Australia and popular for fishing, camping and bird watching.

Migratory birds come here in their thousands and feed in the area during the summer months. Turtles are also known to nest along isolated parts of the beach and the flat-back turtles are only found in Northern Australia. Mulloway, blue nose salmon and threadfin salmon are common in the water and the location is perfectly located for sunsets in the evening.

Visitors also appreciate the clean state of the beach at Eighty Mile and the uninterrupted stretches which can truly make this beach feel like your own private hideaway.

Windjana is also steeped in history as this area was home to the Bunuba people who rebelled against European settlers in the 1890s, and this cultural importance really adds to the experience on a Broome to Darwin road trip.

Distance from Eighty Mile Beach: 3 hr 56 min (376 km)

Broome

cable beach broome

Broome is the perfect starting point for a road trip and a great introduction to the stunning coastline in North western Australia.

The town itself is rather quiet and sleepy and known for having a relaxed atmosphere in general. With unobstructed views of the Indian Ocean, Cable Beach is one of the most iconic in all of Australia and the red cliffs make for an awe-inspiring sight.

Cable Beach stretches for more than 20 kilometres down the coastline and the near perfect weather have cemented Broome as one of the most popular destinations in WA.

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