Perth to Broome 7 day road trip

Hug the coast for a couple of hours in the city of Geraldton, once a tiny outpost, now a busy port and gateway to ocean adventures including sailing, surfing, fishing and scuba diving – the latter can be enjoyed at the young wreck of the South Tomi, or 60km out to sea where the Batavia was wrecked near the gorgeous Houtman Abrolhos Islands. In daylight hours visit the HMAS Sydney memorial, including its eerie yet beautiful Dome Of Souls, Point Moore Lighthouse, Museum of Geraldton (which closes at 3pm), Monsignor Hawes Heritage Centre and the Geraldton Regional Art Gallery. At night, book ahead to catch a show, concert or film festival at the Queens Park Theatre after dinner at a local favourite like Salt Dish for casual modern (dinner Friday and Saturday only), kid-friendly pub food including pizzas at The Provincial, or modern and traditional Indian at Origin India.

Sleep at Mantra which offers one, two and three bedroom apartments as well as an on-site restaurant. Ibis Styles offers family rooms and connecting room options, and Broadwater Mariner Resort has a pool you can relax by as well as a poolside barbeque (self-catered) for families and friends.

Alternatively, stay the night in Cervantes. The Cervantes Pinnacles Motel offers family-and-budget-friendly accommodation in the centre of town, including suites and two-bedroom units. The same team also manages the nearby luxury Pinnacles Edge Resort, which offers two-bedroom apartments, spa suites and studio hotel rooms. Both venues share the Europa Anchor Restaurant, which serves fresh local seafood and Asian-Italian fusion dishes using locally sourced produce.

People have been coming to see bottlenose dolphins in Monkey Mia since the 1960s. The dolphins are now carefully watched over by rangers from the Department of Parks and Wildlife. If you want to see the dolphins set an alarm to be ready to meet the rangers on the boardwalk at 7:45am. Visitors must follow the rangers’ instructions, including not touching any dolphins, even if you’re lucky to be chosen to feed them. Dugongs and turtles often visit too, and it’s worth taking a tour with a Malanga Aboriginal guide to learn about the Indigenous peoples’ connection to this country. The Monkey Mia Dolphin Resort is at the eastern tip of the reserve and caters to all travellers with a range of hotel rooms, family studios, backpacker dorms and a caravan and camping ground. Have dinner within the resort at The Boughshed Restaurant or one of the BBQ areas.

Carnarvon fans out at the mouth of the Gascoyne River where it meets the ocean at Babbage and Whitlock Islands. One Mile Jetty sticks 1.6km out off the end of Babbage Island. It’s popular with people who enjoy walking into the sunset – you can also catch the Coffee Pot train – but an access fee applies. The Fascine is an easier walk that curves alongside Olivia Terrace and includes a Walk of Remembrance for the sailors who died on HMAS Sydney; while the Carnarvon Space and Technology Museum is a short drive to the east side of town. Eat at the award-winning Westcoast Fish and Chips or Sails at the Best Western which offers comfortable dining.

Sleep at the Best Western, where Sails restaurant is also located. Alternatively, Carnarvon Motel is a great option for families. It has an outdoor pool, children's playground and games room alongside The Carnarvon Restaurant to keep the whole family entertained. 

The Ningaloo Reef runs from the water’s edge out to sea at the small town of Coral Bay, 2.5 hours north of Carnavon and 1.5 hours south of Exmouth, so even the smallest ocean explorer can get close to the coral if they wish. Ocean tour operators (glass-bottom boats or dive boats) will take you out to see whatever sea creatures are in season, including whale sharks between March and June, humpback whales between June and October, turtles gathering to breed on the beaches between November and February, and manta rays all year round. Sleep at the Ningaloo Reef Resort, which has a comprehensive range of accommodation from budget units to ocean view apartments and penthouses, plus a pool, BBQs and café.

Eat at the resort at Shades cafe or dine al fresco at Bills or Fins Café Coral Bay.

Karratha is at the west end of the ruddy Pilbara region on the Burrup Peninsula, and contains the highest concentration of Aboriginal rock art in the world, some of it more than 20,000 years old. One of the easiest sites to get to is Deep Gorge along Burrup Road between Dampier and Burrup. Nearby is the serene Hearsons Cove shell beach, a popular place to swim during the day, and at night to see the Staircase to the Moon reflection on the mudflats at very low tides during a full moon between May and October. The Yaburara Heritage Trail connects the visitor centre to several significant Aboriginal cultural and geologically interesting sites in the area, while the Cossack Heritage Trail takes you through a ghost town. Eat at the Tambrey Tavern for family-friendly pub food then splurge at Sweet but Psycho for dessert. 

Sleep at The Ranges which offers luxury serviced apartments perfect for travelers who enjoy home comforts. They also serve up breakfast, lunch and dinner at 'My second home', allowing you to enjoy home-cooked meals at the cafe or in the comfort of your apartment. Otherwise, there are BBQ gazebos for guests to enjoy. Best Western is located in central Karratha also offers comfortable serviced apartments. Karratha International is a 4 star rated hotel perfect for those seeking a little luxury.

The Karajarri and Nyangumarta people are custodians of the northern part of Eighty Mile Beach, which is an important wetland for migratory birds from around the world. Some of the bird species that rest here will then head north to the Mekong Delta (3,714km) or south to the Antarctic (7,200km). Sleep at Eighty Mile Beach Caravan Park, which has a handful of self-contained cabins and 150 powered caravan sites.

Head off after breakfast and you’ll easily make it to Broome for lunch. Eat at the The Zookeeper's Store and Wild Mango Cafe for fresh modern dishes and Town Beach Café for beachside café favourites. If you stop a few days in Broome you can take some mini-safaris, such as a camel ride along the 22km of white sand at Cable Beach, a trip just out of town to Malcolm Douglas Crocodile Park and Animal Refuge, a pearl farm tour by boat or the water park at Broome Town Beach. Broome Museum tells the history of the town, including 140 years of pearling. There are numerous highly regarded jewellers working with the pearls that have made this town internationally famous – check their websites for opening hours or ask at your hotel.

Sleep at Bali Hai Resort is ideal for couples looking for something more special and luxurious. It does, however, offer villas accommodating up to five people which would be idyllic for a small family. Health and beauty treatments are on offer at the Bali Hai Spa, which is surrounded by tropical gardens and the perfect way to relax and rejuvenate. Located opposite the Broome Recreation and Aquatic Centre is Broome-Time Accommodation and Art Gallery, offering affordable self-contained units. Cocos Beach Bungalows offers eight 'Pearlers' style bungalows, all with a private veranda. For a relaxed afternoon, head to the swimming pool and spa.