Perth to Exmouth Road Trip | Campervan Hire

Stop 1: Lancelin & Sandy Cape

Highlights:

Lancelin Sand Dunes: Sandboard down 40-metre 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 great coffee
Lancelin Seafood Fish & Chips ($): Takeaway for fresh fish and chips

Where to Park for the Night:

Sandy Cape Recreation Park ($$): Simple beachfront camping; non-electric pitches, permit required.

Lancelin and Sandy Cape

Nestled just north of Perth, Lancelin Sand Dunes is a proper adrenaline rush, with huge white dunes perfect for sandboarding at sunrise. Located on the Turquoise Coast of Western Australia, the area is famous for its dunes, ideal for sandboarding.

Stop 2: Jurien Bay and Hutt Lagoon

Highlights:

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

Where to eat:

Sandpiper Tavern & Pizzeria: Well-reviewed pub and pizzeria on the high street
Jurien Bay Beach Café (near the jetty): Popular café serving breakfast, lunch and dinner with sea views
Jetty Kiosk Coffee: Coffee van on the seafront, highly rated for coffee and snacks

Where to park for the night:

Jurien Bay and Hutt Lagoon

Jurien Bay, a laid-back fishing town just two hours north of Perth, offers crystal-clear turquoise waters, abundant marine life and the chance 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 or season, the lagoon shifts from soft bubblegum pink to electric fuchsia – a real 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 walk through towering gorges
Red Bluff Lookout: cliff-top views at sunrise or sunset
Red Bluff Bakery & Café: Bakery and café serving 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, shaded pitches and within easy walking distance of the 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 itinerary. Walk through Nature’s Window for an iconic photo 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 café 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 pitches, a swimming pool and full facilities. Great for travellers wanting to stay close to shops and the foreshore.

Shark Bay region

Dolphins, blowholes and private beach campsites — 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 4x4 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 snorkelling.

Where to Park for the Night:

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

Coral Bay and Turquoise Bay

Drift-snorkelling through a world-class reef is a must, then relax in the bays. Part of the UNESCO-listed Ningaloo Reef, Turquoise Bay boasts world-class coral and a huge variety of fish. Drift-snorkelling currents guide you effortlessly through vibrant reef systems, while nearby Coral Bay Village offers laid-back cafés and eco-friendly campsites.

Stop 6: Exmouth

Highlights:

Yardie Creek Gorge: Boat trip through red limestone cliffs
Mandu Mandu Gorge: Short walk to a hidden waterhole
Vlamingh Head Lighthouse: Sunset lookout over Exmouth Gulf
Swim with whale sharks: May–Aug — book in advance
Whalebone Brewing Company: Local microbrewery serving 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 and Cape Range National Park

Gorges by day, whale sharks by morning—this is where the Outback meets the reef. Exmouth is the launching point for Cape Range National Park and the UNESCO-listed Ningaloo Coast. Spend your days walking through ancient limestone gorges like Yardie Creek or Mandu Mandu, snorkelling 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.