Turquoise Coast Road Trip, Western Australia: An Epic Escape

Craving a road trip that blends surreal landscapes, wildlife encounters, adrenaline pumping adventures and mouth-watering seafood? Western Australia’s Turquoise Coast is calling. Stretching north from Perth along the Indian Ocean to Dongara in the north, this coastal route is a treasure trove of natural wonders and unforgettable experiences. Imagine wandering through the otherworldly Pinnacles Desert at sunset then discovering the Milky Way and other distant galaxies, carving down the sand dunes at Lancelin, standing beside ancient stromalolites that predate the dinosaurs, cracking open fresh lobster by the seaside ad diving into crystal clear waters to swim alongside playful sea lions. This isn’t just a road trip, it’s a journey into the wild, weird and wonderful.

I visited the Turquoise Coast as part of a larger adventure up the Coral Coast of Western Australia with my family. We absolutely loved our time spent on the Turquoise Coast and the turquoise colour of the ocean – exquisite!

Best Time to Visit

Anytime is a great time to visit the Turquoise Coast, it all depends what you want to do.

December to February (Summer) is the Australian school holidays. The weather is warm and dry with a strong sea breeze arriving about 11am.

March to May (Autumn) has milder temperatures and gentler winds.

June to August (Winter) is cool with sunny skies and the occasional storm. The crystal-clear ocean is often warmer than on land (I can definitely vouch for that).

September to November (Spring) has mild temperatures and gentle winds. This is when the wildflowers bloom so is a great time to hike the national parks.

Your 3-day Itinerary

The Turquoise Coast can be explored either as a 3-day epic weekend escape from Perth, or as the start of a longer adventure up the Western Australia Coast. You might even fall in love with the Turquoise Coast and decide to stay longer.

Whichever way you choose to explore, I recommend you self-drive. The distances between town are not great and just about everything is accessible with a 2WD car. We explored in a 6-berth motorhome as it was school holidays and accommodation was difficult to find.

Once you leave Perth and are heading north, I dare you to turn your GPS off. There is only one road, and all the towns are signposted. You can’t get lost.

Base yourself at either Cervantes or Jurien Bay to explore the Turquoise Coast. Jurien Bay is larger and has more activities and food options. We stayed at RAC Cervantes Holiday Park and Jurien Bay Tourist Park. Both are located on the beachfront and have excellent facilities. Alternatively, rent a holiday house or villa for your stay. If you are self-catering, purchase your supplies in Perth before you leave as both Cervantes and Jurien Bay are expensive.

Day 1 – Lancelin Sand Dunes and the Pinnacles

Lancelin

Lancelin in located 125km or 1 hour 50 minute drive north of Perth up the Indian Ocean Drive. It’s a sleepy seaside fishing town with a permanent population of 600 residents, however on the weekends and school holidays, the town becomes a busy holiday village with a great holiday vibe.

The best thing about Lancelin, is the powdery white sand dunes are right in town. You can explore the sand dunes in your 4WD or motorcross bike, hire a Quad Bike or join a Quad Bike tour or hire a sand board and surf down the dunes.

It’s best to hit the dunes early in the morning before the wind picks up. Believe me, wind and sand do NOT mix and unless you want a full body exfoliation, very unpleasant. The sand dunes can also get very hot under the blazing sun and burn your feet. Make sure you get off the dunes before 11am in summer. And finally, the sun bounces off the white sand, which becomes very glary and harsh on the eyes. Sunglasses are recommended and will help keep the sand out of your eyes too.

Sandboarding the Lancelin Sand Dunes

Step 1: Hire a sand board and make sure you know how to wax your board. Boards can be hired from

• Lancelin Surf located in the Lancelin Shops. It’s open from 9am – 4pm Monday to Saturday and 10am – 3pm Sundays.
• Lancelin Gull Roadhouse a.k.a. the Petrol Station. Who would have thought the petrol station would have sand boards for hire….
• Have a Chat General Store also does board hire.

Step 2: Drive to the Sandboarding Carpark off Bootoo Street. This is suitable for 2WD cars. It’s an easy 300m walk to the sand dunes from the carpark. Please note that there are no facilities at the sand dunes so make sure you have your wax, drinking water, hat and sunglasses.

Step 3: Start climbing the dunes with your board, feel the burn – best cardio workout ever. The steeper the dune, the faster you will go. Start off by sitting on your board, as you become more confident, you can progress to standing if your board is suitable. Don’t worry about falling, everyone does. You’ll just get sandy. Real sandy. Just shake it off and climb again. Kids will keep going and going and going. They love it!

The Pinnacles

The Pinnacles are located 30 minutes south of Jurien Bay down the Indian Ocean Drive. The amazing limestone structures were formed between 25,000 – 30,000 years ago when the sea receded and left deposits of shells. Over time, coastal winds have removed the surrounding sand, leaving exposed pillars. Some stand as high as 3.5m.

There is a 4.5km self-drive trail suitable for 2WD vehicles with parking bays allowing you to get out and stroll through the limestone pillars. Note that the track gets very narrow in spots and is not suitable for motorhomes.

There is parking at the main entry, education centre and toilets. From there, it is possible to walk through the limestone spires.

We met up with Lumineer Adventure Tours for a journey through the Pinnacles, sunset dinner and star gazing. The sky was so clear (when the clouds cleared) and we could see the Emu in the Sky lying down in the Milky Way. We also saw constellations through the telescope that you can’t see with the naked eye. So beautiful. We even found emu tracks and my daughters came face to face with a couple of Western Grey Kangaroos. A truly unforgettable way to experience the Pinnacles.

Follow the link below for more details of our Pinnacles Adventure

Mysteries of the Pinnacles: A Desert Night Adventure – Roam with No Regrets

A National Parks pass is required to enter the park or you can obtain a 1-day pass for $17 at the gate.

If you are short on time, Day 1 can be done as a long day trip from Perth.

Day 2 – Lobsters and Ancient Creatures

Day 2 is based around Cervantes, discovering all things lobster and the ancient creatures called Thrombolites at Lake Thetis.

Lobster Shack

Awarded WA’s best lobster restaurant 2025, The Lobster Shack is not just a seafood restaurant, it’s a pot to plate experience.

Starting at 11am, join the crew as they cruise through the gorgeous Marine Park and into the deep blue Indian Ocean and watch as they pull the lobster pots. Keep your eyes peeled, as the marine park is the playground of the endangered Australian Sea Lion. The tour takes approximately 1hour and booking are essential. Your tour price includes a lobster lunch. Seasickness bands can be purchased at the Shack if you are concerned about getting seasick.

You don’t need to go on a boat tour to enjoy the stunning views of the alfresco balcony as you sit back, relax and enjoy your Western Rock Lobster with a glass of wine or the local Lobster Shack beer.

If you want to keep your feet on terra firma, you can still get a firsthand look into the regions multi-million dollar lobster industry by taking a 30min tour of the LIVE lobster processing plant at Lobster Shack.

Starting with a video presentation on the lobster boats, find out firsthand how the elusive Western Rock Lobster is captured in the wild and transported into shore. Then trace the lobsters journey from sorting process to the Live holding lanes before they are then sent into our Live pack out room where they are prepared for their journey to destinations over the world.

Thrombolites at Lake Thetis

The rocks in the hyper-saline waters (double the salinity of the ocean) of Lake Thetis are not quite what they seem. They are actually living things. Lake Thetis is home to Stromatolites, the oldest living lifeforms on our planet believed to originate 3.5 billion years ago. But Lake Thetis is also home of Thrombolites, a close relative of the Stromatolites and believed to be 3000 years old – just a baby. The best time to see them is in summer when it is drier and they become exposed.

You can discover these living fossils by taking a stroll along a 300m elevated accessible walkway at Lake Thetis, one of only five locations in Western Australia where thrombolites live. There is a 1.5km trail around the lake where you can learn about the local flora, fauna, fossils, geology and local indigenous culture.

Finish your day with the sand between your toes, watching the sun slide into the Indian Ocean, the sky changing from vibrant blue to shades of orange and purples at Thirsty Point. As the sun fades and the sky turns dark, lie back and look up at the stars. The sky is so dark here the Milky Way is spectacular. You might also see a shooting star.

If you are staying in Jurien Bay, take a stroll along the jetty when it is dark and try your hand at catching squid. You will need a fishing rod and a squid jig. The squidding must be good, as the jetty is stained with black squid ink.

Want to explore Cervantes a little more, seek accommodation options and where to eat then follow the link below:-

Your Complete Guide to Cervantes, Western Australia – Roam with No Regrets

Day 3 – Sea lions, coastal cliff walks and beaches

Day 3 starts in Jurien Bay, swimming with sea lions, then follows the Indian Ocean Drive north to Green Head and Dongara/Fort Denison before returning to Perth.

For an in depth look at Jurien Bay, follow the link to

Ultimate Guide to Jurien Bay – Roam with No Regrets

Swim with Sea Lions

Swimming with Sea Lions is an unforgettable experience I was keen to experience again and share with my family. We chose Turquoise Safaris to take us to Essex Rocks and Sandland Islands to meet these playful creatures. Before we left the marina, we were fitted with short wetsuits, snorkels and fins then after a safety briefing we were on our way.

We arrived at the island and saw a small colony of endangered Australian sea lions sunbathing on the beach. We jumped into the water and snorkeled over to the reef, hoping they would come for a swim with us. The water was so clear, we could see for over 30m. Alas, they thought the water was too cold.

We did get to see another male arrive on the beach and there was a short scuffle between the two males before the younger male ran away.

It was disappointing that they didn’t want to play with us but there is no guarantee as they are wild and free. We still got to see them. Maybe next time……

Green Head

Travel north 20mins from Jurien Bay and you will find gorgeous Green Head, a water lover’s paradise being popular for swimming, snorkeling, surfing, water skiing, wind and kite surfing and of course fishing.

Dynamite Bay is a stunning circular-shaped beach that consistently rates in the top 20 beaches in Australia. It is sheltered from strong coastal winds by its rocky surrounds. Take a walk up to the headland lookout overlooking the bay or scan the horizon for passing whales from April to October. Continue to explore the Three Bays Walkway which connects South, Dynamite and Anchorage Bays.

This tiny town is worth a stop for a picnic or if you have more time, set up camp for a couple of days of coastal relaxation.

Dongara

Follow the Indian Ocean Drive north for an hour and you will reach Dongara/Port Denison is the most northerly town on the Turquoise Coast.

Dongara and Port Denison, are located on the Irwin River and marketed as the Rock Lobster capital of Australia. They even have the Big Rock Lobster at the main entrance to town.

Our time in Dongara/Port Denison was brief but we did venture up to The Fishermen’s Memorial Lookout and Obelisk which provides spectacular views of the Port Denison Marina and beyond. It was built in remembrance of all fishermen’s lives lost at sea.

Whilst in Dongara, have a fish and chip (or lobster) picnic before turning south for the 350km, 4hr trek back to Perth, or continue on your way north to explore the Coral Coast. Or maybe, just hang around the Turquoise Coast and enjoy the beautiful beaches.

From lunar landscapes of the Pinnacles, to the thrill of sandboarding in Lancelin, ancient living fossils to face-to-face encounters with sea lions, the Turquoise Coast offers a road trip like no other-raw, real, and unforgettable moments. Whether you’re chasing adventure, nature, or just a fresh lobster roll with an ocean view, this stretch of Western Australia delivers in spades.

So pack your bags, fuel up the car, and hit the road – it’s time to experience the magic of the Turquoise Coast for yourself. Adventure is waiting just beyond the next bend.