Coral Coast of WA family-friendly travel guide

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About the Coral Coast

Western Australia’s Coral Coast has somehow managed to fly under the radar of major tourism over the years, but now the secret is out. Starting just under two hours north of Perth and running for 1,200 kilometres north to Exmouth, the Coral Coast is attracting more visitors than ever – from both home and abroad – due to its uninterrupted stretches of white sandy beaches, pristine private islands and coral reefs, carpets of Australian wildflowers and incredibly diverse marine life.

There is a seemingly endless variety of family-centric activities on offer here, many of which are not available anywhere else in the world. From visiting sites of the rarest natural beauty like the Pinnacles and the Pink Lake, to playing with wild dolphins and even swimming with enormous whale sharks, the experiences you have on the Coral Coast are bound to become cherished family memories.

The best way to see this vast stretch of magnificent coastline is by car, and with many car hire companies now waiving exorbitant relocation fees for one-way hire, the untold adventures of the Coral Coast have never been more within reach.

Main image: Turquoise Bay © Tourism Western Australia

Coral Coast facts

State

Western Australia

Population

190 (Coral Bay, 2016)

Time zone

GMT+8

Currency

Australian Dollar

Emergency number

000

Helpful information

Where to go

Ningaloo

World Heritage-listed Ningaloo Marine Park is recognised internationally as one of the last great ocean paradises on the planet. It’s one of the longest fringing reefs in the world, stretching along 300 kilometres of coastline, and is just a stone’s throw from the shore – making it a dream diving or snorkelling destination. The turquoise water and coral gardens are teeming with sea turtles, tropical fish, manta rays, reef sharks and the rarer whale sharks. Between 300 and 500 of these megafauna aggregate at Ningaloo annually, and a host of tourism agencies in the area offer the truly magical experience of swimming alongside them.

Coral Bay is a small town along the reef offering a protected bay, ample facilities and activities that range from sedate to adventurous. A great way of being introduced to the reef is by glass-bottom boat, and the Sub Sea Explorer is a great way to view giant, friendly spangled emperor and local green sea turtles. For the more adventurous, Ningaloo Marine Interactions gets snorkellers up close and personal with the graceful and harmless manta ray that live in and around the calm waters of the reef. Everyone, of every age, has an almost overwhelming reaction when these graceful, otherworldy giants glide by. Before returning to base, the charter boat often stops in to visit ‘Big Albert’, a giant loggerhead turtle, casually crunching up starfish and molluscs on the sandy bottom.

Geraldton

Offering up an unbeatable combination of coffee culture, street art, inner city beaches and water sports galore, Geraldton on the Batavia Coast – about a four-hour drive from Perth – is not to be missed. Take advantage of the year-round wind and swell by hiring surfing, kite surfing or windsurfing equipment; check out the ethereal Pink Lake (caused by a type of algae) at nearby Hutt Lagoon; or shop for coloured pearls grown at the Abrolhos Islands, the 120 coral atolls just off the coast. Visitors to Geraldton are also perfectly placed to explore one of the world’s most magnificent displays of spring wildflowers at Coalseam Conservation Park.

The Coral Coast Highway

The 1,200-kilometre Coral Coast Highway, running between Perth and Exmouth, is the backbone of the Coral Coast and the ultimate road trip. Most people choose to travel south to north after landing in Perth, stopping at Cervantes to explore the alien landscape of the Pinnacles Desert with its stunning natural limestone columns, Carnarvon to sample the freshest bananas and mangos from the local plantations and Cape Range National Park for a snorkel at Lakeside or Turquoise Bay. It’s generally recommended to take around 10 days to complete the one-way trip comfortably.

Kalbarri

It doesn’t take long to discover why Kalbarri is a favourite destination among active, adventure-loving families. Located at the mouth of the Murchison River, the region offers some of the most exciting land-and water-based activities on the Coral Coast. The limestone reef and abundant marine life at Blue Holes make it a spectacular snorkelling spot, plus the protected waters and rock pools are super safe for kids. Or if you’d prefer to keep your feet dry, head to Kalbarri National Park to hike among 400-million-year-old, wind-carved cliffs.

Wildflower country

Why travel all the way to Europe to see wildflowers in bloom when Western Australia boasts one of the most stunning natural displays on the planet? The wildflower season usually lasts from June to early October, and the 2018 season is said to have been the most spectacular the region has seen in over a decade. WA’s Wildflower Country encompasses Carnamah, Coorow, Dalwallinu, Greater Geraldton – including Mullewa, Moora, Morowa, Mingenew, Perenjori and Three Springs. Camping for caravans and tents is even permitted at Coalseam Conservation Park’s Miners site, aka the premier location for everlasting wildflower carpets.

Shark Bay

The Shark Bay World Heritage Area seems to contain a concentrated dose of the magic that permeates the Coral Coast. Its colourful and diverse landscapes, awe-inspiring examples of Earth’s ecological processes and variety of exceedingly rare flora and fauna are all attributable to Shark Bay’s World Heritage listing. There’s no shortage of spectacular white sandy beaches in Denham, but for a truly out-of-this-world family beach day head to world-famous Shell Beach where, instead of sand, the shoreline is covered with millions of tiny shells up to 10 metres deep. Kids will also love meeting the friendly dolphins of Monkey Mia, marvelling at the Hamelin Pool stromatolites and spotting dugongs from coastal vantage points like Eagle Bluff.

Best time to go to Coral Coast

Best time to go to the Coral Coast

The Coral Coast is generally warm and dry year-round, so there’s no bad time to go. Temperatures in summer can be extreme, however – carrying a moderate risk of tropical cyclones – so it is generally recommended to visit between March and October. The largest concentration of seasonal activities is also available during this period, although increased demand can affect accommodation pricing and availability.

Summer

Summer is between the months of December and February, with an average temperature of 24 degrees Celsius and average rainfall of 11 millimetres.

Autumn

Autumn is between the months of March and May, with an average temperature of 20 degrees Celsius and average rainfall of 93 millimetres.

Winter

Winter is between the months of June and August, with an average temperature of 13 degrees Celsius and average rainfall of 146 millimetres.

Spring

Spring is between the months of September and November, with an average temperature of 17 degrees Celsius and average rainfall of 47 millimetres.

Getting in and around for families

Major airport

There are regular flights to Perth Airport from major international hubs. These flights connect with intrastate flights to major towns within the Coral Coast.

Driving

Due to its extensive area, WA’s Coral Coast is best accessed by private car. A full range of rental vehicles, ranging from motor homes to four-wheel drives, are available in Perth – both from the airport and the city centre.

Excellent road conditions make it easy for those wanting to travel around the Coral Coast at their own pace. The North West Coastal Highway traverses the length of the entire region, passing right through Geraldton in the south and Carnarvon in the north, with good sealed roads leading off the highway to coastal and country towns.

Please note distances between roadhouse facilities can be long in the north of the region, so make sure you bear this in mind when planning your journey.

Guided tours

If you’d rather relax and let somebody else take the wheel, a range of packaged tours is available ranging from four-wheel drive adventures to luxury coach tours.

Food and drinks that kids will love

There’s plenty of family-friendly cafes and restaurants dotted up and down the Coral Coast, and the order of the day is fresh seafood straight out of the ocean!

When passing through Cervantes, stop at The Lobster Shack for a mouth-watering lobster lunch. Or for dinner, Southerly’s Harbour View Bar and Restaurant offer a comprehensive menu featuring Modern Australian cuisine. The Salt Dish Café in Geraldton is an ideal breakfast spot, with charming vintage decor and an innovative menu. In Carnarvon, it’s all about fresh local produce – pick up fresh, fragrant fruit at the Grower’s Markets (held every Saturday) or the catch of the day at Pickles Point Seafood & Boatyard.

Mums and dads needing a caffeine fix in Exmouth should keep their eyes peeled for The Short Order Local, a family-owned food truck serving up top-notch coffee.

Shopping

Perth is the place to shop on your holiday in WA – it has all the usual supermarkets and department stores as well as a Direct Factory Outlet. The rest of the Coral Coast features some fantastic outdoor markets and independent boutiques selling one-of-a-kind local wares.

The rear platform at the back of the Old Railway Station in Geraldton comes alive on weekend mornings with local produce and craft at the Platform Markets. With face painting and fun kids’ activities, the Kalbarri Community Markets will be a hit with little ones, and mums and dads will love perusing stalls featuring handmade goods and fresh food.

For something special, visit Geraldton’s Latitude Gallery to swoon over stunning jewellery pieces featuring pearls from Australia and around the world but, most especially, those grown at the Abrolhos.

Customs

Tipping

Tipping is appreciated, but not expected in Australia.

What to wear

Sun safety is key when dressing for your family holiday on the Coral Coast. The summer months, in particular, see temperatures soaring, so make sure to cover yourself and the kids with sun safe clothes, a broad-rimmed hat, sunglasses and plenty of sunscreen.

Electricity

Mains voltage in Australia is 230V AC, 50Hz. Use a two-pin (shaped like a “V”) or three-pin adaptor (different to British three-pin adaptors).

Safety and health precautions

Health precautions

No special immunisations or vaccinations are required to visit Australia unless you have come from, or have visited, a yellow fever infected country within six days of your arrival. However, regulations and medical advice can change at short notice, so check with your doctor and the Australian Department of Health before you leave home.

Tap water is generally safe to drink in Australian cities.

Safety

By and large, Perth and the Coral Coast are considered very safe, although it’s wise to exercise regular safety precautions as you would at home.

Be sure to stay vigilant around the beaches, not only with sunscreen but also watching your kids while they’re in the water. Educate your little ones about rips and remember that lifeguards are doing their best to watch everybody, but the beaches can be extremely crowded and you should never consider them your child’s babysitter!

Most photographed places

The Pinnacles

The Pinnacles of Nambung National Park are the major natural attraction in the Coral Coast region, found between Cervantes and Jurien Bay. These amazing natural limestone structures, some standing as high as five metres, were formed approximately 25,000 to 30,000 years ago, after the sea receded and left deposits of sea shells. Over time, coastal winds removed the surrounding sand, leaving the pillars exposed to the elements.

Nature's Window

Nature’s Window in Kalbarri National Park is one of Western Australia’s most iconic natural attractions, formed from layers of Tumblagooda Sandstone. The natural rock arch perfectly frames the rugged upstream view of the Murchison River: the perfect setting for a family photo to last through the ages.

Whale sharks

The opportunity to swim with a whale shark is one that you might only get once in life, so make sure to pack the GoPro or underwater camera to capture the moment forever.