North West Coastal Highway - Tourism

Tourism

Between Geraldton and Carnarvon, the highway passes through remote and dry semi-desert areas. There are no towns along the highway for about 400 km, with several roadhouses being the only settlements. Travellers are advised to bring adequate drinking water as the roadhouses do not provide it for free. On this stretch, a turnoff at the Overlander Roadhouse leads to Shark Bay with its world-famous Monkey Mia via a stretch of road known as World Heritage Drive.

Carnarvon, the only town between Geraldton and Karratha, marks a change in climate. Bananas and other subtropical fruits are grown here. Unlike the subtropical areas on the east coast, the climate is much drier, but Carnarvon is also notorious as one of Western Australia's windiest locations.

Further north, the highway passes through desert and becomes very flat. Bridges span many creeks and rivers, which from the distance can be spotted by stands of eucalyptus which grow along their courses towering above the surrounding spinifex and mulga plants. Most of the time these creeks and rivers are dry; however between November and April, the passage of cyclones and other rain bearing depressions can cause the rivers to rise from dry to over 10 metres deep in less than a day.

Near Minilya Roadhouse is the turnoff to the North West Cape area which is home to the tourist destinations of Cape Range National Park, Coral Bay and Exmouth. Exmouth is also home to the US Navy communications base.

Further north the road goes inland and crosses the Ashburton River near Nanutarra Roadhouse. Nearby is the access road to the mining towns of Tom Price, Paraburdoo and the former asbestos ghost town, Wittenoom. After crossing the Robe River, Fortescue River and Maitland River, the highway reaches Karratha. Karratha, together with its nearby sister town Dampier, is home to the North West Shelf oil & gas project, and the Pilbara's number two iron ore exporting port. A little further east, Roebourne is the gateway to Wickham and Point Samson, the region's number three iron ore port. The highway finishes in Port Hedland/South Hedland, the region's number one iron ore port and one of the largest towns in WA's northwest, with 15,000 residents.

The remoteness of the northwest can be gauged by the number of roadhouses serving the highway which are the only settlements for some of the long stretches of the highway. Significant distances separate larger towns such as Geraldton, Carnarvon and Port Hedland with extensive rangeland expanses. The highway provides access to some of the better known tourist destinations in the North West of Western Australia.