Perth to Monkey Mia - Western Australia's perfect family road trip
This blog was inspired by @thesimplefolk_ who recently took a road trip from Perth to Monkey Mia in a campervan.
As you turn off the North Western Highway at Hamelin Pool onto Shark Bay Road, you can feel yourself getting closer to the coastline. The one and half hour drive from Hamelin Pool to Monkey Mia gives you plenty of options to explore, but nothing will be quite like the red desert giving way to sand dunes at the end of Monkey Mia Road. Once you've reached your destination, head likely swirling with all of the amazing things you've seen along the way, you'll realise this is an ideal Western Australia family road trip - long enough to feel like a proper journey, but compact enough to feel like you've spent more time doing and less time driving. If this sounds like an adventure you're ready to take, come with us as we break down what you can expect on a family road trip from Perth to Monkey Mia in a campervan.
Picking up your campervan in Perth
Western Australia's Capital City has an ideal mix of nature and city life. Families can swim at the beach, get up close with local wildlife and then dine in one of the many restaurants Perth has to offer. But this is only the start of our journey, and our campervan rental awaits.
There is no shortage or options when it comes to hiring a campervan in Perth. Families are especially well catered for with a range of vehicles sleeping between 4 and 6 people. We recommend a self-contained campervan, so that you can cook, shower and use the bathroom onboard instead of having to find facilities elsewhere. You should also check to see if unlimited mileage is offered, as you'll be covering about 900km one-way.
Hitting the road to Nambung National Park
As you head towards Monkey Mia, there are going to be plenty of things to see and do. These are some we recommend, starting with Nambung National Park.
Leaving Perth, you'll be heading north along State Route 60. About an hour into your journey, take a left onto Guilderton Road to get to Moore River Estuary. This is a great spot to stretch your legs and enjoy the freshwater estuary. It's calm enough to suit swimmers of all ages and you can also enjoy kayaking or a spot of fishing if you're so inclined.
Once you're rested and are ready to get back on the road, you're only about an hour and a half from Nambung National Park, where you'll be staying for the night. Home to the Pinnacles Desert and Lake Thetis, Nambung offers experiences you won't want to miss. Park your campervan at the carpark near the Pinnacles Desert Discovery Centre and then enjoy the walk around this unique landscape to discover the many limestone pillars laid out around the National Park. The walking route is clearly marked and you can spend as much or as little time here as you choose.
Where to stay near Nambung National Park
Once you've explored to your heart's content and enjoyed a swim at Hangover Bay, you'll no doubt be ready to rest your head. Here's where you can park up for the night in the area:
- Nambung Stay Station - Unpowered and powered sites
- RAC Cervantes Holiday Park - Powered grass and ground sites
- Jurien Bay Tourist Park - Premium and regular powered sites
Cervantes to Kalbarri
While this is one of the longer parts of the trip north, you'll have plenty of excuses to stop if you choose. We recommend pushing on to Geraldton, which is just over two and a half hours from Cervantes. Another gem on Western Australia's Coral Coast, Geraldton has things to see on land and in the water, including Point Moore Lighthouse, the tallest metal lighthouse in Australia; the Museum of Geraldton, which steps you back in time to discover the rich history of the area; Fisherman's Wharf, where you can indulge in local seafood; Houtman Abrolhos Island, with scenic flights available if budget allows; and of course, the many beaches, including Town Beach, Sunset Beach and Coronation Beach.
Fed, exercised and full of knowledge, you and the family can now enjoy the leisurely one hour and 45 minute trip to Kalbarri National Park, your next overnight stop.
Kalbarri National Park
There are plenty of campervan parks around Kalbarri National Park, including Kalbarri Tudor Holiday Park, Tasman Holiday Parks, Kalbarri Red Bluff Tourist Park and Kalbarri Anchorage Caravan Park. After your trip from Cervantes, you'll want to get a good night's sleep so that you can explore the National Park the next day.
Very different from Nambung, Kalbarri features deep, rugged landscapes, with cliffs and gorges made of red rock. The Kalbarri Skywalk is a great way to take in the vastness of the area, with two viewing platforms jutting out over the gorge 100 metres below. There is carparking onsite, so you can reach the Skywalk easily. Next, take the 1km hike to Nature's Window. Or, if the kids are up for you, the 9km Loop Trail that is a challenging but rewarding experience. Be aware that it gets very hot during the summer months, so we recommend you tackle these walks in the cooler months.
“ The beach is teeming with wild dolphins, but you'll want to wait until the morning to encounter them. ”
Kalbarri to Monkey Mia - The final stretch north
From Kalbarri, you are now just 4 hours away from Monkey Mia. By this point, we're sure your excitement is growing and you're keen to get there. The good news is that as you'll be travelling on long, straight highways for most of this trip, you won't really want to stop except to replenish at Hamelin Pool, just before Shark Bay turnoff.
Once on Shark Bay Road, you'll head west, then north up the peninsula towards Francois Peron National Park. If the kids are getting restless, stop at Shell Beach, or Whale Bone Point Scenic Lookout along the way, both just over halfway between Hamelin pool and Monkey Mia. As you head further north, passing Shark Bay Caravan Park and Shark Bay Airport, you'll be just 15 minutes from your destination.
Monkey Mia - Wildlife, beaches and stark nature
If there's one thing synonymous with Monkey Mia, it's dolphins. The beach is teeming with wild dolphins, but you'll want to wait until the morning to encounter them (we'll explain why soon). Luckily, there is plenty of other wildlife at Monkey Mia Beach and around Monkey Mia Reserve. Pelicans, emus, turtles, dugongs, there is the possibility of seeing them all.
If you've booked at the local RAC Monkey Mia Dolphin Resort, you can check in and set up at one of their powered beach sites. You'll now have the freedom to explore at your leisure, or relax after a day of driving through the arid Western Australian landscape.
Dolphin encounters
For five decades, Monkey Mia has attracted large groups of bottlenose dolphins. If you want to enjoy their visit, you'll need to be up early to meet a ranger at the boardwalk around 7:45am. You will then be invited onto the beach to see the dolphins being fed. A few people may be chosen to feed the dolphins themselves, something your kids will surely remember forever if they're lucky enough. Feedings take place between 7:45am and 12pm, so make sure you don't miss out on the dolphins visit.
Take a cruise
If you haven't had the chance to get out on the water during your trip, Monkey Mia offers the perfect excuse. Perfect Nature Cruises operate a family friendly yacht that has exclusive access to certain areas around Monkey Mia and Shark Bay, including the Restricted Dugong Exclusion Zone. Kids will love sitting on the netting above the water, trying to spot turtles and other marine wildlife.
4WD drive adventures
There are various 4WD adventures that can be had around Francois Peron National Park. Adults and children are welcome to join tour guides to visit the red Cape Peron sand dunes, Skipjack Point, Peron Peninsula and much more. Make sure you book in for one of these trips, as they may be sold out if you leave it to the last minute.
Monkey Mia to Perth - Time to head back
By now, you've no doubt seen and done a lot on your trip from Perth to Monkey Mia. Hopefully you've been relaxed and thrilled in equal measure and your kids have made memories that will last a lifetime. But now, it's the time to head back to Perth. The good news is, if time allows and there was anything you missed along the way, now's the time to make it a plan.
Maybe you didn't get to enjoy the Shark Bay World Heritage Area to its full extent. No problem, now's the time! Or maybe you didn't get to enjoy a meal at the Lobster Shack in Cervantes. You're in luck, it's on the way! The trip back to Perth can be as eventful or as quiet as you choose. You can technically do it in one day, but we definitely recommend staying somewhere along the way, if only to avoid the inevitable "are we there yet?" coming from the back seat.
Not sure if we want to add any final reference to motorhome trip as a fun and convenient way to travel as a family to close off the blog. Alternatively could add a few top tips to travelling with the family?
Why a motorhome adventure makes for the perfect family holiday
At Motorhome Republic, we've been helping people get behind the wheel of the perfect motorhome for a long time. Here's why we think a motorhome holiday is the perfect family adventure:
- Convenience - Booking a motorhome means your accommodation and transport are both taken care of. Add in kitchen facilities and you've got one less thing to organise.
- Quality time - Motorhomes are a great way to get quality time with the family, playing boardgames, telling stories or organising activities are your next stop.
- Comfort - Long road trips can get uncomfortable quickly, but with the extra space and modern conveniences of a motorhome, including swivel chairs, entertainment systems and spacious tables, you'll have more room to stretch out on the road.
- Nature - When was the last time you woke up to birdsong or gentle waves crashing? In a motorhome, you can spend time in nature and reconnect with the land.
Ready to go? Book a campervan with Motorhome Republic now!
