ANIMAL INTERACTIONAnimal Interaction

 Day 2: Kalbarri to Monkey Mia - 380km / 236miles

 Day 3: Monkey Mia / Denham

 Day 4: Monkey Mia / Denham

 Day 5: Monkey Mia / Denham

 Day 6: Monkey Mia / Denham to Coral Bay - 564km / 350miles

 Day 7: Coral Bay and Ningaloo Reef

 Day 8: Coral Bay

 Day 9: Coral Bay to Exmouth - 152km / 94miles

 Day 10: Coral Bay to Kalbarri - 667km / 414miles

 Day 11: Kalbarri to Perth - 577km / 359miles

Meet some of Western Australia's most intriguing marine animals by exploring the Coral Coast region's underwater Eden.

Get up close and personal with whale sharks, manta rays and turtles or watch them at play from afar - the North West Cape will certainly satisfy your curiosity about life in the deep blue sea.

Starting from Perth, take your time driving to Exmouth. You'll be in Kalbarri within seven hours, even with a short break for a spot of fishing or surfing.

A visit to the Shark Bay World Heritage Area and Monkey Mia along the way are a must, then continue another four and a half hours to Carnarvon for some delicious tropical fruits. And of course, Coral Bay and the World Heritage Listed Ningaloo Reef offer that unique sea life encounter.

If you're on limited time, take a direct flight from Perth to Learmonth Airport in Exmouth. Then hire a car or join safari and boat tours for extra adventure.

Day 1: Perth to Kalbarri

The seven-hour trek from Perth to Kalbarri takes you through a rich diversity of attractions and natural scenery, including spectacular national parks, historic towns and wildflowers in season.

A five hour drive will see you arrive in the coastal town of Geraldton. Visit the lobster factory, right on the quay, for a crustacean encounter.

The Geraldton Museum is worth a stop - especially for its impressive Aboriginal Art Gallery. Also a must see is HMAS Sydney WA Memorial which overlooks the town from Mount Scott, providing a moving tribute to those who lost their lives off the coast during World War II.

There are numerous cafés and shops in Geraldton, so stock up on supplies and fill up on fuel before continuing the journey.

About an hours drive north of Geraldton is the Hutt River Province Principality - Australia's only independent territory, which seceded from the Commonwealth in 1970. An Administration building, post office, twin gift shops, Secession Monument and chapel are in its centre, and souvenirs such as Hutt River postage stamps, coins and bank notes are up for grabs. You might even bump into Prince Leonard - the principality's Administrator.

Drive another hour or so through the 186,000 hectare national park, where Kalbarri's beaches will glisten before your very eyes. Despite its popularity as a holiday destination, the town has retained a sleepy village atmosphere.

It offers breathtaking coastal cliffs and river gorges; whale watching; soft adventure options such as canoeing, abseiling, rock climbing, horse riding, and hiking; plus an excellent selection of accommodation. Stay a night and enjoy the relaxed family atmosphere.

Overnight: Kalbarri

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Day 2: Kalbarri to Monkey Mia

From Kalbarri, head four and a half hours along the North West Coastal Highway to Denham, the Shark Bay World Heritage Area's main township.
Before reaching Denham spend some time at the remarkable Hamelin Pool stromatolites - the oldest and largest living fossils in the world. Situated just 41 kilometres from the North West Coastal Highway turn off, it's the only place in the world where this natural phenomenon can be easily seen from shore.

A wooden boardwalk allows visitors to view these rock formations without causing damage, and provides an insight into how life on earth began.

Further down the road discover the calm and crystal clear waters of Shell Beach - there are absolutely no waves here, no sand and no silt, just miles of tiny white shells. This area is also home to natural phenomena such as the Wooramel sea grass bank.

Keep an eye out for Shark Bay's 13 threatened reptile species, three rare bird species, a population of over ten thousand dugongs and significant loggerhead turtle rockeries.

Head to Monkey Mia, just half an hour away from Denham, to rest and unwind.

Overnight: Monkey Mia / Denham

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Day 3: Monkey Mia / Denham 

Spend a day in Monkey Mia, renowned for its friendly bottlenose dolphins that have been swimming to shore each day since the early 1960's. Mid-morning is the best time to meet these gracious mammals with the help of local supervisors - you'll be captivated by their intelligence and curious nature.

Visit the dolphin information centre for an interpretation of dolphin biology and behavioural patterns, and grab more information on the area's activities and attractions. The centre is open daily from 7am to 4pm, and all proceeds from visitor entry fees go to the Monkey Mia Reserve.

Slow the pace and while away the afternoon beachside, where you can soak up the sun, relax and recoup.

Overnight: Monkey Mia / Denham

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Day 4: Monkey Mia / Denham

Brunch in the Shark Bay sun before heading over the waves for more sea encounters.

This World Heritage Area provides a safe haven for the world's largest colony of dugongs - hop aboard specially equipped catamarans for a closer look at these endearing creatures as they glide lazily over seagrass beds.

While on the water, other marine life may pop up to say hello. Humpback whales can sometimes be spotted between July and November, and brightly coloured fish provide company for the assortment of turtles, prawns, scallops and sea snakes that call the area home.

Snorkelling is highly recommended here - you'll marvel at the meadows of seagrass that protect a wide variety of sea life.

Overnight: Monkey Mia / Denham

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Day 5: Monkey Mia / Denham 

After a hearty homestyle breakfast, it's time to hit the road again.

Head to the Shark Bay Tourist Bureau in Denham to check out the range of four wheel drive tours to Francois Peron National Park, where the northern extreme of the Peron Peninsula can be explored.

Spot dugongs, manta rays, turtles, sharks, fish and massive whales in their natural environment while standing on the cliffs of Skip Jack Point.

In the afternoon take a 20 kilometre drive to Eagle Bluff Lookout or spend some time in Denham township where you can visit the Ocean Park Aquarium (five kilometres south of Eagle Bluff Lookout ), shop for pearls, walk the foreshore, swim and enjoy the fishing - particularly catching squid in the evening from the jetty.

Overnight: Monkey Mia / Denham

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Day 6: Monkey Mia / Denham to Coral Bay

It's an eight-hour drive to Coral Bay, so make an early start for a cooler journey - average summer temperatures can reach the high 30's (degrees Celsius).

The North West Coastal Highway will take you all the way there from Monkey Mia, passing through Carnarvon too, which provides the perfect mid-way rest spot. Stretch your legs with a walk along the town's One Mile Jetty, or enjoy some juicy, locally grown mangoes (in season) before travelling the final stretch of the highway to Coral Bay - the perfect destination for people of all ages seeking relaxation or adventure.

There's a variety of accommodation options here including motels, self-contained units, a caravan park and backpacker and camping facilities, so unpack and unwind for the evening. It's also a good idea to book ahead.

Overnight: Coral Bay

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Day 7: Coral Bay and Ningaloo Reef

The calm, protected waters of Coral Bay will keep any marine enthusiast occupied for days. Home to the first stretch of Ningaloo Marine Park, the surrounding area is a blend of dazzling water, amazing sea life and untouched nature.

Covering 5000 square kilometres around the North West Cape from Exmouth to Red Bluff, Ningaloo Reef is one of the largest fringing coral reefs in the world. It's also one of the few places on earth where you can swim with the world's biggest fish - the whale shark.

 Join a diving expedition arranged by any of the dive centres located in Coral Bay or Exmouth. Take a journey on a glass bottom boat for a more relaxed trip or an adventurous option is a four wheel bike tour along the shore.

Coral Bay offers great beach fishing and several deep sea and game fishing charters operate on a daily basis. Children are able to experience the wonder of safe swimming amongst tropical fish and over coral gardens.

Overnight: Coral Bay

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Day 8: Coral Bay

Spend another day exploring the magnetic Ningaloo Reef or simply relax on the surrounding beaches where little fish swim in the shallow waters.

It won't take long to drift into the relaxed holiday lifestyle of Coral Bay. Supermarkets, pubs, restaurants and a delicious bakery are all within walking distance of accommodation, and provide all the necessities fora relaxing stay.

Overnight: Coral Bay

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Day 9: Coral Bay to Exmouth

Drive an hour north of Coral Bay to Exmouth for some of Western Australia's loveliest beaches.

From June to October, see humpback and southern right whales cavorting in Exmouth Gulf with their calves or on migration along the coast.

Snorkelling and diving are superb throughout the year, with one of the highlights being the Navy Pier dive. Another is a tour to an offshore reef.

The weather is also ideal for relaxing seaside activities like fishing, swimming or simply basking in the golden sunshine.

Cape Range National Park, between Exmouth and the west coast, boasts sweeping gorges and rugged peaks, an array of wildlife and wildflowers in season. Four-wheel drive tours start at the town centre.

Overnight: Coral Bay or Exmouth

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Day 10: Exmouth to Kalbarri

Take one last walk along the sand at Coral Bay or Exmouth before starting the eight to nine hour journey back to Kalbarri - stopping for lunch in Carnarvon to break up the drive.

Pick from the selection of quaint restaurants and enjoy the twinkling stars before retiring for the night. There are many accommodation choices in Kalbarri ranging from caravan parks to beach villas.

Overnight: Kalbarri

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Day 11: Kalbarri to Perth

Before heading back to Perth, plunge into the beautiful gorges of Kalbarri National Park.

Look out for Nature's Window - an arch formation in the centre of the park that provides a picture-perfect view of the river 150 metres below.

Take the coastal road from the park back to the highway to make the trip home a little quicker - around six hours.

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