Explore the Coral Coast of Western Australia: from Perth to Ningaloo Reef and back

Perth rises on the banks of the Swan River, the sunny and laid-back capital of Western Australia and Australia's most isolated city, yet surprisingly cosmopolitan. The green heart of the city is Kings Park, one of the largest urban parks in the world, which from the heights of Mount Eliza offers sweeping views over the skyline and the river. Along the waterfront, Elizabeth Quay enlivens the riverside with restaurants, bars and art installations, while the centre blends modern skyscrapers with colonial buildings and historic arcades. A short distance away, the historic port of Fremantle preserves a bohemian atmosphere of markets, microbreweries and Victorian architecture facing the Indian Ocean. The urban beaches of Cottesloe and Scarborough, with their golden sand and surfer-loved waves, set the pace of the relaxed local lifestyle. Offshore, Rottnest Island invites visitors to explore turquoise coves by bicycle, in the company of quokkas, the small marsupials that are the island's symbol. Inland, the vineyards and cellars of the Swan Valley round off the food and wine scene, with tastings, artisanal produce and seafood cuisine. Perth reveals itself slowly, beneath clear skies, amid open spaces and the Indian Ocean ever on the horizon.

Cervantes is a small fishing village on the western coast of Australia, best known as a base for visiting the famous Pinnacles of Nambung National Park, thousands of limestone formations rising from the sandy desert like a lunar landscape. White beaches and turquoise waters invite relaxed stops, while the little harbour is renowned for its fresh lobster. At dawn and dusk the Pinnacles take on golden hues that make them one of the most striking sights on the continent. A short but unforgettable stop along the Coral Coast.

Kalbarri sits at the mouth of the Murchison River, where the Indian Ocean meets the wild coast of Western Australia, a few hours’ drive north of Perth. A relaxed seaside town, it is the gateway to Kalbarri National Park, famous for its river-carved gorges and dramatic clifftop views: among the most spectacular highlights are Nature’s Window, a rock arch framing the Murchison, and the Z Bend, where sheer rock walls plunge below. Along the coast, the trail linking Red Bluff to Eagle Gorge reveals red cliffs above the sea and, in season, whale sightings. In spring the region bursts into colour with wildflower blooms, while the town offers quiet beaches, fishing, canoeing and ocean sunsets. An ideal stop for those combining nature, the sea and Australia’s wide-open spaces.

Monkey Mia owes its fame to the wild dolphins that for decades have come ashore in the turquoise waters of Shark Bay, in Western Australia, a UNESCO World Heritage area. This remote coastal spot is celebrated for ranger-supervised close encounters with dolphins, but also for its seagrass meadows, dugongs and exceptionally rich marine life. Amid golden beaches, boat trips and the vastness of the ocean, it is a dreamlike destination for lovers of wildlife and unspoilt landscapes.

Coral Bay is a tiny coastal village in Western Australia fronting Ningaloo Reef, a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the planet's largest fringing reefs. Here the coral begins just metres from the shore: slip on a mask and fins to swim among tropical fish, turtles and manta rays. Between March and August the waters welcome the gigantic whale sharks, encountered on guided snorkelling trips. White beaches, crystal-clear sea and seabeds teeming with life make this remote spot a paradise for lovers of the ocean and adventure.

Exmouth looks out over the crystalline waters of Western Australia, at the tip of the peninsula that shelters Ningaloo Reef, one of the world's largest fringing coral reefs and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here the coral grows just steps from the shore: a short swim is enough to glide among colourful fish, turtles and manta rays, and between March and July to encounter whale sharks, the gentle giants of the ocean. Behind the coast, Cape Range National Park blends rocky gorges, canyons and deserted beaches such as Turquoise Bay. Between diving, kayaking and sunsets over the Indian Ocean, Exmouth is the realm of those seeking wild nature and untouched sea far from the crowded routes.

Carnarvon stands at the mouth of the Gascoyne River, on Western Australia’s Coral Coast, where the river meets the Indian Ocean and plantations of bananas and tropical fruit thrive on underground water. A quiet, hardworking town, it owes part of its charm to a space-age past: the OTC Satellite Earth Station, a former tracking station, recalls its role in early NASA missions and now houses a small museum. Just to the north along the coast, the Blowholes send dramatic spouts of water skyward as the ocean funnels through the rock, while empty beaches and fishing spots invite you to slow down. Carnarvon is a genuine stop on the road toward Ningaloo, beneath vast skies and amid the flavours of freshly picked fruit.

Geraldton lies on the Coral Coast of Western Australia, a seaside city blessed with a sunny climate and steady winds that make it a paradise for windsurfers and kitesurfers. Its waterfront brims with fresh-seafood restaurants, while on the hill the HMAS Sydney II Memorial honours the sailors lost at sea with a striking panoramic monument. Geraldton is above all the gateway to the remote Houtman Abrolhos, a coral archipelago of crystal-clear waters rich in marine life and historic shipwrecks. Further south along the road lies the surreal landscape of the Pinnacles. An ideal destination for those who combine beaches, water sports and the authenticity of an Australian coastal town.