Coral Coast Trip Planning

[johnsy79 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close johnsy79]

Hi All,
I'm planning a Coral Coast (WA) Trip for April/May next year and am looking for advice. Our itinerary is fairly flexible, approx 18-20 days return from Kununurra. The plan is to drive for 3 days to Exmouth, spending 2-3 nights there. Then 2-3 nights at Coral Bay or Carnarvon (still undecided?) then onto Denham spending 4-5 nights here then onto Kalbarri for 2-3 nights. This will be our honeymoon! so we are hoping to mix it up with camping (tent style recommendations?? excluding rooftop)and motel accomodation for that little bit of luxury. We've looked at hiring a campertrailer but this seems expensive considering we'll be spending some time in motels. We'll also be travelling with our 16 month old daughter.
I dont expect too much hardcore offroading on this trip so shouldnt need too many mods. My rig is stock apart from sovereign bar,driving lights,rhino rack, side awning and dual batteries.
I might be able to convince SWMBO to lash out on a new set of tyres and cargo barrier (for safety reasons :wink: :wink: ) pre trip but thats about all.
Any info/feedback will be appreciated.
Cheers Johnsy

[perth90s Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close perth90s]

Re: Coral Coast Trip Planning

Johnsy...

Mate, you dont make the topic easy do ya, too many possibilities!

Have a look at my trip from about 18 months ago viewtopic.php?f=29&t=6720 might give you some ideas.

If your down that way (and haven't already been there) then you should go inland to karijni for a couple of days

Personally I wouldn't spend that long in denham/shark bay and definately coral bay over canarvon, but just personal views..

I reckon you will be getting plenty of opinions on this post =)

[Chriso57 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Chriso57]

Re: Coral Coast Trip Planning

If your down that way (and haven't already been there) then you should go inland to karijni for a couple of days

I agree. Karijini is spectacular if you can afford a couple of days inland. I am guessing you have seen some pretty special Gorges already though living in Kunnanurra....?

Last time I was up that way I also spent a bit of time at 80 Mile beach (between Port Hedland and Broome). Would be an ideal stopover on your way down.

Chriso

[chester Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close chester]

Re: Coral Coast Trip Planning

Check page 3 of chester big lap infavourie destinations

for that honeymoon feel i would forget exmouth and stay in one of the luxury cabins at coral bay in the peoples caravan park. you can go 4wd and get some beach to yourself

Denham i would forget and spoil yourselves at the resort at Monkey Mia feed the dolphins and even volunteer if you want go out for sunset cruises on the cat and chill out. It is only 1/2 hr back into denham to do the local things there oh bring some grog with yar resort prices are steep

If you do it that way forget the camper and just take a tent for the overnighters and if you are anywhere near school holidays you need to book in advance bog time

Carnarvon..... well lets just say we came we saw we filled up and could not get going quick enough

[Daz Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Daz]

Re: Coral Coast Trip Planning

If going to Coral Bay, I would suggest booking ahead if want to stay at Peoples Park. The new hill top cabins arent cheap, but look good for a honeymoon. Or try the Ningaloo Resort, which is basically a pub, but not too bad for families with small kids. Just try and avoid school holidays as they are both booked 2 yrs ahead.
Tenting in Coral Bay I would suggest Peoples Park over Bayview, as they have better lawn for little kids, and the beach is across the road

I wont ask too many questions on what you plan to do in your spare time on your honeymoon ops: but there are sime nice uncrowded beaches North and South of Coral Bay to explore, some nice tracks etc.
And Coral Bay, you need to take everything unless you want to pay extortionists prices for food, drinks, essentials etc.

Mixed opinions on Exmouth too. The Resort looks nice, but you will probably spend most of your time over Turquoise Bay side of the cape. The Ningaloo Caravan Park has lots of oldies who visit every year, and take up the good sites. They give impression that they own the place. But it has good cabins.
The park a bit further South on gulf side is much nicer, better pool etc, but cant remember if they have cabins.

Karijini I suggest 2 - 3 nights and I reckon it would be the highlight of any trip

[johnsy79 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close johnsy79]

Re: Coral Coast Trip Planning

Thanks for all the info guys. Will definately try to plan the trip so as not to coincide with school holidays as I can imagine it would be a bit crowded.
Chester, The hilltop villas at coral bay look like a great option. Will definately check these out.
The monkey mia resort looks fantastic but seems to have the monopoly on the market being the only accomodation in the area. We will probably just base ourselves in Denham and duck in to check out the dolphins.
Ningaloo reef resort looks like an option for the luxury accomodation (Penthouse perhaps? 8) )
Chriso, 80 mile beach looks good for a stopover but is sort of in the middle of our stopping points on the way down but we'll plan to stop here on our way back.
I have read through the various trip reports and gleaned some good info from these, thanks guys!
Perth90s and Chester, your trip reports are great and the old saying "a picture tells a thousand words" rings true. Great work!
The common theme is that Karajini is a must do, but this trip I only plan on checking out the coastal areas. It will remain on my to-do list for now.
Will keep trawling through the hordes of info available to plan our trip and once again thanks for the info.
Cheers Johnsy