To call the trek from Perth to Darwin ‘beautiful’ would be an understatement – think pristine white beaches, colourful marine life and jaw-dropping natural landscapes. With so much ground to cover, and endless options for natural and cultural attractions, you don’t want to miss a thing!

Perth

Leaving Perth, you’ll find charming coastal town after charming coastal town. We’d recommend a pit stop in Cervantes, around 200 kilometres from Perth. This town marks the start of Australia’s Coral Coast. From here it’s a hop, skip and a jump to the Pinnacles Desert in Nambung National Park. You’ll feel as if you’ve stepped onto another planet as you stand among the unique rock formations of the Pinnacles.

Kalbarri

About 320 kilometres north of Cervantes is Hutt Lagoon, also known as Pink Lake thanks to the hue caused by high salinity levels. Further north, you’ll find yourself in Kalbarri, home to the breathtaking gorges and sandstone cliffs of the Kalbarri National Park. The park has everything you could ask for, including deep river gorges and beach cliffs straight from a painting.

Exmouth

As you travel north towards Exmouth, pass through Coral Bay and Ningaloo, and admire the famous Ningaloo Reef stretching out beside you. If wildlife is your thing, Ningaloo Reef Dive & Snorkel in Coral Bay offers full- or half-day reef tours, diving courses and scenic flights over the incredible reef. Further north on the way to Exmouth is Cape Range National Park, home to rocky gorges and vast canyons that seamlessly blend into picturesque beaches and coastline.

Karratha

Karratha is around 550 kilometres from Exmouth. The area is rich in natural and cultural history, and the Yaburra Heritage Trail is the perfect way to soak it all up. Around 40 minutes outside of Karratha is Cossack, a ghost town whose restored bluestone buildings offer a fascinating glimpse into the town’s past.

To be continued…

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