Feature by Danielle Austin

From aqua-blue Indian Ocean beaches to the expansive red-dirt plains of the outback, the path between Ningaloo Reef and remote Mt Augustus/Burringurrah is a road trip that will inspire you to slow down and reconnect with your surroundings.

There are few better ways to appreciate Western Australia’s stunningly varied landscapes than on a reef-to-rock road trip, starting at iconic Ningaloo Reef on the Coral Coast and ending at the world's largest monocline that is Mt Augustus/Burringurrah. This journey is best taken in spring, all the better to marvel at the humpback whale migration past Ningaloo Reef and the incredible wildflowers that blanket the Kennedy Ranges.

_{Shoal of fish at Ningaloo Reef, Coral Bay}

Day One: Ningaloo Coast

Starting on the Ningaloo Coast, a two-day drive up the Coral Coast Highway or a two-hour flight from Perth, is an unmissable opportunity to explore one of Western Australia’s most beautiful aquatic landscapes.

Ningaloo Reef, traditionally owned by the Baiyungu, Thalanyji and Yinigurdira peoples, is one of the world’s largest fringing coral reefs, and is one of few places in the world offering an opportunity to swim with the gentle giants that are whale sharks. An abundance of rainbow coral, schools of fish, turtles and manta ray also call the reef home, and visitors can explore the underwater garden by swimming, snorkelling or on a glass-bottom boat tour.

For accommodation options within close proximity to Ningaloo Reef, you can’t go past Sal Salis. With its luxury safari-style tents dotted along the remote sandy expanse at the edge of the ocean, the unique layout of the campsite reminds visitors of the vast wonder of the Australian outback.

_{Quobba Station, north of Carnarvon}

Day Two: Coral Bay and Carnarvon

Well-rested after a night under the stars, make an early start for Coral Bay which is a 1.5-hour drive away. Spend your morning relaxing on the pristine white-sand beaches, where it’s not uncommon to spot dolphins or manta rays from the shallow shores.

As the morning stretches into the heart of the day, it’s time to set forth from Coral Bay for Carnarvon. You’ll cover the roughly 240 kilometres in 2.5 hours, but a slight detour to the Quobba blowholes is well worth your time to catch a glimpse of seawater shooting metres into the air through natural rock formations.

Arriving in coastal Carnarvon you’ll be ready for a meal after a long day of travelling, and culinary delights abound. A fun way to fill up is to take a self-guided foodie tour along the aptly named Fruit Loop Trail, creating an artisanal lunch from the seasonal fruits on sale at roadside stalls.

After lunch, drive the 55 kilometres to Rocky Pool, a tranquil freshwater reservoir surrounded by sweeping native trees and dotted with rock pools ripe for wild swimming.

At the end of the day, embrace waterfront living at Carnarvon Retreat, where contemporary apartments and villas perch on the edge of a private canal. An undercover patio grants expansive views of the waterways that surround the property on three sides.

_{Kennedy Range National Park, near Gascoyne Junction}

Day Three: Kennedy Range National Park

A little over two hours’ driving will cover the 140 kilometres from Carnarvon to Kennedy Range National Park. The Kennedy Range is a treat in spring, when the region's famed wildflowers rear their pretty heads to create a carpet of yellow, purple and white blooms underfoot that stretches as far as the eye can see.

The Kennedy Range itself has a lot to offer, from interesting hiking trails to incredible natural views, and is best explored over a few days if your itinerary allows. Make Wooleen Station (temporarily closed) home for as long as you choose to stay. The National Trust-listed outback homestead and cattle station is an immersive accommodation experience that has a strong commitment to sustainable practices.

A quick 10-kilometre drive from Wooleen Station will deliver you to the Murchison River, where you can take a quick dip in Gradagullya Pool, explore the waterway by canoe, or simply take in the scenic waterway from its sandy shores.

_{Wooleen Station}

Day Four: Mt Augustus National Park

The final stretch of this road trip is a four-hour drive that will cover the 260 kilometres from Kennedy Range National Park to the base of the imposing Mt Augustus, or Burringurrah as it is known to its traditional custodians. The hulking monocline (which clocks in at 2.5 times the size of Uluru, which is a monolith) stretches out in front of you as you pull into Mt Augustus National Park.

You can’t ask for a better vantage point from which to view the main attraction of the park than Mt Augustus Tourist Park. Nestled at the base of the mountain, there’s a range of accommodation on offer under the looming peak of the rock formation.

Take your pick of walking trails while in residence, wondering at the incredible flora and fauna surrounding you; Edney’s Trail, a stunning walk through the gullies lying in the mountain’s shadow, leads you to Edney’s Lookout, which offers impressive views without scaling the summit. The area is the traditional Country of the Wajarri people, and beautiful examples of Wajarri art can be found at Flintstone Rock, roughly 30 minutes’ walk away along the cooling riverbed. The mountain hike of Burringurrah’s Summit Trail is a non-negotiable inclusion for avid adventurers, but plan to stay an extra day to take this on as the strenuous hike takes around six hours to complete.

And don’t miss out on a dip at Cattle Pool, a quiet waterhole with riverbeds that house stunning silvery-grey native gums. Native fish and birds are par for the course, but large goannas seeking a warm rock to stretch out on are also a common sight.

_{Mount Augustus National Park}

Published August 2022.