Perth to Exmouth Roadtrip | campervan hire

Stop 1: Lancelin & Sandy Cape

Highlights:

Lancelin Sand Dunes: Sandboard down 40 m slopes at sunrise
Lancelin Lagoon: Calm, shallow waters perfect for a quick dip
Sandy Cape: Secluded beach for shell-collecting and evening bonfires

Where to Eat:

Silver Coast Bakery: Delicious Aussie pies, pastries and good coffee
Lancelin Seafood Fish & Chips ($): Takeaway for fresh fish & chips

Where to Park for the Night:

Lancelin & Sandy Cape

Nestled just north of Perth, Lancelin Sand Dunes offers an adrenaline rush with giant white dunes perfect for sandboarding at sunrise. Located on the Turquoise Coast of Western Australia, this area is known for it’s sand dunes, perfect for sandboarding.

Stop 2: Jurien Bay & Hutt Lagoon

Highlights:

Jurien Bay Jetty: Seal-spotting cruise or low-tide rock-pool stroll
Hutt Lagoon (Pink Lake): Best viewed mid-morning when the hue is richest

Where to Eat:

Sandpiper Tavern & Pizzeria: Well-reviewed tavern/pizzeria on the main strip
Jurien Bay Beach Cafe (near the jetty): Popular cafe with breakfast, lunch, dinner, ocean views
Jetty Kiosk Coffee: Coffee van by the foreshore, highly rated for coffee and snacks

Jurien Bay & Hutt Lagoon

Jurien Bay, a laid-back fishing town just 2 hours north of Perth, offers crystal-clear turquoise waters, abundant marine life, and the opportunity to swim with wild sea lions – a rare bucket-list experience. Further north, the dazzling Hutt Lagoon stuns with its vibrant pink waters, a natural wonder caused by algae producing beta-carotene. Depending on the time of day and season, the lagoon shifts from soft bubblegum pink to electric fuchsia – a true magnet for photographers and drone enthusiasts.

Stop 3: Kalbarri National Park

Highlights:

Nature’s Window: Iconic rock arch framing the Murchison River
The Loop Walk: 3–4 hr hike through towering gorges
Red Bluff Lookout: cliff-top views at sunrise or sunset
Red Bluff Bakery & Cafe: Bakery and cafe offering pastries, wraps, and coffees

Where to Eat:

Kalbarri Motor Hotel: Restaurant/bar for evening meals

Where to Park for the Night:

Tasman Holiday Parks – Kalbarri ($$): Riverside camping in the heart of Kalbarri with clean facilities, shady sites, and easy walking access to shops and the foreshore.

Kalbarri National Park

Home to dramatic red-rock gorges and coastal cliffs, Kalbarri National Park is a highlight of any Coral Coast road trip itenerary. Walk through Nature’s Window for an iconic photo frame of the Murchison River below, then challenge yourself on the Loop Walk for panoramic outback vistas.

Stop 4: Shark Bay

Highlights:

Monkey Mia: Daily free dolphin-feeding talks at 08:00
Steep Point: Australia’s westernmost tip (4WD required)
Quobba Blowholes: Dramatic sea sprays at high tide
Shell Beach: 120 km of pure cockle shells

Where to Eat:

Shark Bay Café: Casual cafe with light meals, coffee and jetty views

Where to Park for the Night:

Shark Bay Caravan Park ($$): Centrally located in Denham, this caravan park offers powered and unpowered sites, a pool, and full amenities. Great for travellers wanting to stay close to shops and the foreshore.

Shark Bay Region

Dolphins, blowholes and private-beach camps , explore WA’s World-Heritage waters. A UNESCO World Heritage site, Shark Bay teems with unique marine and terrestrial life. Witness daily dolphin feeding at Monkey Mia, tackle 4WD tracks to Steep Point, the continent’s westernmost tip, and feel the power of the Quobba Blowholes as waves explode through submerged crevices.

Stop 5: Coral Bay

Highlights:

Turquoise Bay: Drift snorkel along Ningaloo Reef
Ningaloo Marine Park Visitor Centre: Gear hire and reef talks
Jurabi Turtle Centre: Turtle-nesting info (Nov–Mar)

Where to Eat:

Fins Café: Serves hearty breakfasts, fresh seafood platters, fish & chips, and excellent coffee. Great for relaxed meals before or after snorkeling.

Where to Park for the Night:

Peoples Park Coral Bay ($$): Beachfront caravan park with ocean-view sites, grassy powered/unpowered pitches, clean amenities, camp kitchens, BBQs, and a playground. Situated just seconds from the water and shops.

Coral Bay & Turquoise Bay

Drift-snorkel through world-class reef and relax in the bays. Part of the UNESCO-listed Ningaloo Reef, Turquoise Bay boasts world-class coral and fish diversity. Drift snorkel currents guide you effortlessly through vibrant reef systems, while nearby Coral Bay Village offers laid-back cafés and eco-friendly camping options.

Stop 6: Exmouth

Highlights:

Yardie Creek Gorge: Boat tour through red limestone walls
Mandu Mandu Gorge: Short hike to a hidden waterhole
Vlamingh Head Lighthouse: Sunset lookout over Exmouth Gulf
Whale shark swim: May–Aug; book in advance
Whalebone Brewing Company: Local microbrewery offering wood-fired pizzas and craft beers under the stars.

Where to Eat:

The Social Society Exmouth: Relaxed café serving smoothie bowls, toasties, and great coffee in a leafy courtyard setting.

Where to Park for the Night:

Exmouth & Cape Range NP

Gorges by day, whale sharks by morning—this is where the Outback meets the reef. Exmouth is the launchpad for Cape Range National Park and the UNESCO-listed Ningaloo Coast. Spend your days hiking through ancient limestone gorges like Yardie Creek or Mandu Mandu, snorkeling straight off the beach at Turquoise Bay, and swimming alongside whale sharks (May–August). End the day with sunset views from Vlamingh Head Lighthouse, where red cliffs meet turquoise waters. Perfect for nature lovers chasing both salt and sandstone.