Sal Salis Ningaloo Reef, near Exmouth
Accommodation at Sal Salis Ningaloo Reef, near Exmouth

Guide to a Romantic Escape along Australia’s Coral Coast Highway

Nothing beats a romantic escape with your significant other. Whether you’re looking to plan a special anniversary trip or a quick couple’s escape, Western Australia is the ideal location to bring your romance to life.

Easily accessible with a 5.5-hour flight from Kuala Lumpur, you and your partner can easily jet off on your getaway during one of the many long holidays coming up.

Want to make the most out of your romantic getaway? Opt to rent a car right at Perth airport for as low as RM 130 a day to embark on an adventurous road trip in one of the largest states in the world – Western Australia.

As you make your way along the Coral Coast Highway, be sure to have your camera at the ready to take in beautiful sights of the beach and lush green landscapes along the way.

Here are some of the must-visits stops along the Coral Coast Highway for a truly memorable romantic escape with your loved one.
1.Take a stroll on the ‘moon’ at the Pinnacles Desert
Startrails and Milky Way over The Pinnacles, Nambung National Park
Startrails and Milky Way over The Pinnacles, Nambung National Park.

Starting from Perth, take a scenic four-hour Indian Ocean Drive to the Pinnacles Desert of Nambung National Park. Regarded as Australia’s most fascinating landscape, a walk through the desert feels as though you are walking on the moon as you follow the trail through the limestones coming out of the shifting sand.

After your walk on the ‘moon’, head to the park and check out the beautiful beaches, coastal dune systems, shady groves of tuart trees and low heathlands of plants that produce vibrantly coloured flowers between August and October.

For more curious couples, head over to the Pinnacles Desert Discovery Centre located within the park to find out how this curious landscape took shape and discover the abundance of flora and fauna that call it home.

2.Capture the beauty of wildflowers at Kalbarri National Park
Kalbarri National Park
Couple sitting near Nature’s Window, in Kalbarri National Park

Located four hours away from the Pinnacles Desert along the Coral Coast Highway lies Kalbarri National Park. The park covers an expansive 186,096 hectares and offers some of the most spectacular scenery in Western Australia for nature-loving couples.

To see the park blossom with the colours of spring, make a visit between July and October where over 1,100 varieties of wildflowers are in full bloom, from Grevilleas to feather flowers. This offers you the most picturesque backdrop for the perfect Instagram shot!

3.Visit the friendly dolphins of Monkey Mia
RAC Monkey Mia Resort
Underwater view of a friendly Monkey Mia bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus)

With a four-hour drive from Kalbarri, you and your loved one will be able to get up close with these friendly creatures located at Monkey Mia in the Shark Bay World Heritage. Known for their ritual of swimming up to the shore almost daily, as many as five wild Bottlenose dolphins will visit the beach, making this spot a popular dolphin watching destination.

While the exact timing of these dolphin experiences depends on, well, the dolphins, there are feeding sessions between 7.45am and 12.00noon with a few lucky onlookers getting the chance to hand feed the dolphins. However, they are also known to visit the beach outside these times to forage and socialise. For your safety, and the dolphins’, do remember to not approach them too closely and refrain from touching them without the supervision of the specially trained rangers.

4.Marvel at the wonder of Shell Beach
Shell Beach Conservation Park, south east of Denham
Family on Shell beach in the Shark bay World Heritage Area.

After spending time with the friendly dolphins at Monkey Mia, drive an hour to Shell Beach. Formed from billions of tiny shells, Shell Beach is a hidden gem in the Shark Bay World Heritage Area and is popular for swimming, and simply relaxing in the sunshine.

Shell Beach, like its name, is one of only a handful of places on earth where shells replace beach sand. A walk on the 100 km stretch with shells that are seven to 10 metres deep with your loved one is truly an experience like no other.

5.Swim with whale sharks at Coral Bay
Swimming with whale shark (Rhincodon typus)
Woman swimming with a whale shark (Rhincodon typus), in the Ningaloo Marine Park

From Monkey Mia, take a six-hour drive to Coral Bay – the only place in Western Australia that gives you direct access to Ningaloo Reef. Here, in the peaceful waters of the bay, you and your partner are just a short snorkel or glass-bottom boat ride from Ningaloo’s coral gardens, all of which are part of a UNESCO World Heritage site.

You can also come face-to-fin with the gentle giant itself, the majestic whale shark. Take some time to explore the outer reef on a kayak, dive charter or even a snorkel tour and go on an exciting journey to discover humpback whales, turtles, and manta rays, which is sure to be a sight to behold. With plenty of beachfront stays to choose from, you’ll truly enjoy being just a few steps away from the sparkling waters for a quick dip in the waters or a snorkelling adventure.

Glamp under the stars at Sal Salis Ningaloo Reef
Sal Salis Ningaloo Reef, near Exmouth
Accommodation at Sal Salis Ningaloo Reef, near Exmouth

Located two hours away from Coral Bay lies the exclusive beach safari camp of Sal Salis. Nestled in the dunes of the Cape Range National Park, the camp offers an exclusive camping experience overlooking the World Heritage-listed Ningaloo Reef.

The campsite is perfect for a romantic evening under the stars as each of the 15 eco-luxe wilderness tents is decked with comfortable beds and comes complete with en suite bathroom with an eco-friendly toilet and solar hot shower.

The cherry on top is, of course, the fact that your stay comes with a spectacular view of the surrounding bush and the expansive Indian Ocean.

Spend the night stargazing under the bright jewels of the night and witness the cosmic wonder of the Milky Way for a truly memorable experience with your loved one.

With these equally relaxing and adventurous spots along the Coral Coast Highway, we’re sure you and your loved one will spend quality time together and enjoy the experience of these uniquely exciting activities across the Coral Coast.

For more details and destination inspirations, head over to Tourism Western Australia’s website at https://www.westernaustralia.com.

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