GERALDTON TO CARNARVON. NORTH WEST COASTAL HIGHWAY - SOUTHERN SECTION.
INCLUDES ROUTE VIA KALBARRI.
This is the principal northern coastal route and tends to follow the western extremity of the W.A. coast.
It is sealed and dual lane.
NOTES .. WATER is not available in Rest Areas in the north west. We try and identify various watering spots.
There are a number of camp spots off the highway that, for various reasons, we did not visit. However, we did
gain information on them from other travellers. Previously, I have been reluctant to use secondhand info.
However, as I think, some info is better than none and if I do think it is correct, I do include it.
It would appear, least it happens at 40 mile beach, that camp spots with fees payable to ranger, only have
the ranger in attendance from March/April till the end of October .. thus free outside this time frame!
0 km (485.3 km) Geraldton .. large traffic interchange south of city centre .. southern extremity of North West
Coastal Highway. Northern extremity of Brand Highway. Coles and Woolworths shopping in town, but we found
parking too congested. There is parking at Info Centre, but it's a long way to shops. We shopped elsewhere.
FUEL .. best price (apparently consistantly) at "S" bend caravan park .. about 39 km south along Brand Highway.
[1.3 km]
1.3 km (484.0 km) Junction .. east side .. Utakarra Road (Gealdton to Mt. Magnet Road.
[7.2 km]
8.5 km (476.8 km) Junction .. east side .. Chapman Valley Road.
[6.3 km]
14.8 km (470.5 km) Road house .. west side. Large truck parking area noted, ? OK for travellers to park overnight.
[14.7 km]
29.5 km (455.8 km) Junction .. east side .. Coronation Beach. Info from others .. about 8 km to beach camp spot ..
reasonable facilities .. fee payable $5 pppn.
[1.1 km]
30.6 km (454.7 km) Junction .. east side .. Nason - Howatharra Road. Just 100 metres along, and on north side
is a medium/large level cleared area/gravel pit.
Class 2 to 3. 28° 32.16'S. 114° 37.97'E. Hema map 76, F 3.
Little shade, no facilities, 35 m max from road, OK big rigs.
[7.5 km]
38.1 km (447.2 km) Signed parking .. west side.
* Class 2. 28° 28.53'S. 114° 38.07'E. Hema map 76, F 3.
Covered tables, some shade, bush fire places, rubbish bins, 100m max from highway, OK big rigs,
no time limit, good TV, good CDMA.
[13.1 km]
51.2 km (434.1 km) Junction .. east side .. to Nabawa.
[2.4 km]
53.6 km (431.7 km) Junction .. west side .. Port Gregory Road.
Northampton Info Centre .. east side. Bicentenial Park (smallish) at rear.
Class 5. 28° 21.10'S. 114° 37.87'E. Hema map 76, E 3.
Toilets, shade, WATER tap on toilet wall .. set back from road, so long hose needed. Or, OK to fill containers.
Caravan park (smallish) is opposite Bicentenial Park.
------------------------------
0 km (176.2 km) .. turn off west .. Port Gregory Road to Kalbarri.
[4.4 km]
4.4 km (171.8 km) Junction .. west side .. Horrocks Road .. to Horracks.
[0.8 km]
5.2 km (171.0 km) Possible parking .. east side. gravel area adjacent to highway.
Class 3. 28° 21.09'S. 114° 35.26'E. Hema map 76, E 3.
Rubbish bin, 40m max to road, OK big rigs but quite exposed to highway.
[38.0 km]
43.2 km (133.0 km) Junction .. ahead for Port Gregory. Travel 5.8 km to coast .. no camping signs, so left.
Turn east at this junction to continue, via east side of Hutt lagoon to Kalbarri.
[20.8 km]
64.0 km (112.2 km) Junction .. west side .. Sandlewood Road. Small parking area on south west corner.
We had info of camping possibilities at Lucky Bay .. travelled in 4.9 km to beach shacks and was advised
that road to Lucky Bay wasn't suitable for our rig, so turned around.
[7.7 km]
71.7 km (104.5 km) Junction .. east side .. Ogilvie Road .. to Hutt River Province!
NOTE. Signage along roads into Kalbarri "Overnight camping only at designated areas" and a hefty fine is
mentioned. Actually, we were told at the Info Centre that no accomodation was available and it was suggested
that we "move on". Strange, we thought, after spending advertising money to get people there!
[31.9 km]
103.6 km (72.6 km) Junction .. east side .. short distance to Rainbow Jungle .. parrot breeding centre.
[3.4 km]
107.0 km (69.2 km) Kalbarri Info (Tourist) Centre. Parking not suitable for big rigs.
Follow signs to leave town via northern route. WATER available .. follow road north of Info Centre to
wharf area. On the track between the first two jetties is a tap. 27° 42.06'S. 114° 10.07'E.
[11.5 km]
118.5 km (57.7 km) Junction .. south side .. airport turn off. 0.6 km to parking area, but "NO PARKING" signs.
[2.2 km]
120.7 km (55.5 km) Junction .. north side .. Kalbarri Loop .. gravel road.
[16.5 km]
137.2 km (39.0 km) Signed parking .. north side .. large level gravel area near highway.
Class 2. 27° 46.23'S 114° 23.57'E. Hema map 76, E 3.
No shade, 60m max from highway, Ok big rigs .. rather exposed to highway.
[9.0 km]
146.2 km (30.0 km) Junction .. north side .. sealed road to River Georges/lookout .. just a short distance.
[24.5 km]
170.7 km (5.5 km) Gravel pit noted .. north side .. rubbish bin, 40m max from highway, OK big rigs.
[5.5 km]
176.2 km (0 km) "T" junction with North West Coastal Highway. Small parking area, rubbish bin on corner.
------------------------------
GERALDTON TO CARNARVON .. continued.
[0.4 km]
54.0 km (431.3 km) Northampton .. signed parking west side .. opposite Miners Arms hotel, National Bank immediately
south of hotel. Signed parking for caravans, one close to highay, another further back. At rear of the back
area is a signed WATER tap. 28° 20.90'S. 114° 37.83'E. Hema map 76, E 3. There is an old toilet
block down the steps, the open area to the rear was the original caravan park. No camping signs in front
parking areas.
[7.9 km]
61.9 km (423.4 km) Signed parking .. west side .. gravel loop off/on highway.
Class 2. 28° 16.83'S. 114° 37.32'E. Hema map 76, E 3.
Very little shade, rubbish bin, 35 m max from highway, OK big rigs.
[0.4 km]
62.3 km (423.0 km) Junction .. west side .. Chilmony Road.
------------------------------
0 km .. turn west on Chilmony Road for Hutt River Province.
[15.8 km]
15.8 km Junction .. Ogilvile Road West .. turn west.
[18.5 km]
34.3 km Entry .. throught gates to Hutt River. Signed visitors 9am to 4 pm. Prince Lenoard is happy
to show visitors the Post Office (possible to purchase Hutt River stamps and currency), the chapel next door
and the souvineer shop opposite. We asked if we could stay the night and he directed us to a level spot.
We found him interesting to talk to and we were glad we visited.
* Class 2. 28° 04.44'S. 114° 28.25'E. Hema map 76, E 3.
Toilets, quiet, OK big rigs, ABC TV OK, no CDMA..
------------------------------
GERALDTON TO CARNARVON .. continued.
[24.4 km]
86.7 km (398.6 km) Unsigned parking .. west side .. northern end of medium/large level gravel loop off/on
highway. Another road enters near northern entrance .. may lead to a farm?
Class 3. 28° 04.86'S. 114° 39.93'E. Hema map 76, E 3.
No facilities, no shade, 50m max from highway, OK big rigs.
[4.5 km]
91.2 km (394.1 km) Junction .. west side .. Binu Road West. Just down this road, there is a large grain handling
facility .. appears to have lots of parking space .. ? possibility of overnight stop out of "busy" season.
[12.1 km] This section not travelled .. distance taken from a map.
103.3 km (382.0 km) Junction .. west side .. Kalbarri Road. Small parking area, rubbish bin on corner.
[13.1 km]
116.4 km (368.9 km) Signed parking .. east side .. travel 600m along old road, turn east along gravel road parallel
to river to extensive series of camp spots along southern bank of Murchinson River. It is possible to
cross the river by the old low bridge to get to the northen camp spot and/or rejoin the highway further north.
* Class 2. 27° 49.66'S. 114° 41.38'E. Hema map 76, E 3.
Toilets, tables, some shade, WATER in river .. ? OK for washing, fire places, rubbish bins, 300m max from
highway, OK big rigs. All area signed 24 hours, no TV, no CDMA.
[1.2 km] .. across Galena Bridge, Murchinson River.
117.6 km (367.7 km) Signed Rest Area from north) ..east side .. travel 600m to small area on northern bank of Murchinson River.
Class 2-. 27° 49.60'S. 114° 41.32'E. Hema map 76, E 3.
Table, bush fire place, rubbish bin, OK big rig.
[41.0 km]
158.6 km (326.7 km) Signed parking .. east side .. level gravel area adjacent to highway .. plus tracks at rear.
Class 2. 27° 28.36'S. 114° 42.37'E. Hema map 76, D 3.
No shade, rubbish bins, 75m max from highway, OK big rigs.
[7.7 km]
166.3 km (319.0 km) Parking .. east side .. medium size level gravel area adjacent to highway. Metal roof as catchment
over 2 concrete tanks .. spring loaded taps make for slow delivery of water.
Class 2. 27° 24.86'S. 114° 40.01'E. Hema map 76, D 3.
Little shade, WATER, rubbish bins, 40m max from highway, OK big rigs.
[11.2 km]
177.5 km (307.8 km) Signed parking .. east side .. medium size level gravel area adjacent to highway plus additional
tracks at side and rear.
Class 2. 27° 19.68'S. 114° 36.74'E. Hema map 76, D 3.
Some shade, bush fire places, rubbish bins, OK big rigs.
[13.9 km]
191.4 km (293.9 km) Nerren Nerren Rest Area .. west side ..large level gravel area adjacent to highway and extending
back some distance.
* Class 2. 27° 12.71'S. 114° 36.71'E. Hema map 76, D 3.
Toilets, covered table + tables, some shade, fire places, rubbish bins, 100m max from highway,
OK big rigs, 24 hour limit, no TV, no CDMA, solar lights.
[18.0 km]
209.4 km (275.9 km) West side .. table and rubbish bin beside highway.
[28.4 km]
237.8 km (247.5 km) Rest area .. east side .. very large level gravel area opposite Billabong road house which has
  aparently just opened a caravan park .. hence "NO CAMPING - MRWA Gascoyne" sign!!!
Class 5. 26° 48.95'S. 114° 36.87'E. Hema map 76, C 3.
Table, rubbish bin, 80m max from highway, OK big rigs.
[28.5 km]
266.3 km (219.0 km) Signed parking .. west side .. adjacent to highway .. track at rear.
Class 2. 26° 34.64'S. 114° 31.51'E. Hema map 76, C 3.
No shade, rubbish bin, 70m max from highway, OK big rigs.
[0.9 km]
267.2 km (218.1 km) Signed parking area .. east side .. adjacent to highway .. track at rear.
Class 2-. 26° 34.18'S. 114° 31.39'E. Hema map 76, C 3.
No shade, rubbish bin, 60m max from highway, OK big rigs.
[18.8 km]
286.0 km (199.3 km) Parking Bay .. west side .. south of Overlander road house/caravan park and their diesel pumps.
Large level gravel area .. tracks at rear, mostly blocked off! Suggest area too close to caravan park!
Class 3 to 4. 26° 24.79'S. 114° 27.90'E. Hema map 76, C 3.
No shade, rubbish bins, 80m max from highway, OK big rigs, no TV, good CDMA.
[0.5 km]
286.5 km (198.8 km) Junction .. east side .. Denham, Shark Bay etc.
NOTE $1000 fine for free camping in this district .. unless you get permission from Shire office
to camp one night ONLY in a DESIGNATED site you nominate. Easier to give the district a miss!
[15.6 km]
302.1 km (183.2 km) Signed parking .. west side .. adjacent to highway. Long level gravel loop at rear.
More tracks again further to the rear.
Class 2. 26° 16.77'S. 114° 24.86'E. Hema map 76, B 2.
No shade, rubbish bins, bush fire places, 80m max from highway, OK big rigs.
[12.4 km]
314.5 km (170.8 km) West side .. southern end of large, level, gravel loop with 2 parking bays further to the west.
No sign at northern end. There is also a normal small parking area adjacent to highway.
Class 2. 26° 10.44'S. 114° 22.43'E. Hema map 76, B 2.
No shade, bush fire places, rubbish bins, 150m from highway, OK big rigs.
[0.6 km]
315.1 km (170.2 km) West side .. northern end of above large loop.
[27.4 km]
342.5 km (142.8 km) Junction .. east side .. 6km to Gladstone through gate. Second hand report is that an honour
box fee applies, nasty report of a large vehicle being bogged in wet weather, toilets and rubbish bins.
[21.1 km]
363.6 km (121.7 km) Wooarmel road house + caravan park .. west side .. road house facilities, diesel $1-41.9
Class 1.(fee). 25&$176; 46.21'S. 114° 17.66'E. Hema map 76, B 2.
[2.2 km]
365.8 km (119.5 km) Wooarmel River.
[24.4 km]
390.2 km (95.1 km) Junction .. east side .. back road to Gascoyne Junction.
[0.3 km]
390.5 km (94.8 km) Signed parking both sides. West side has additional level gravel loop at rear.
Class 2. 25° 34.42'S. 114° 09.50'E. Hema map 76, B 2.
No shade, fire places, rubbish bins, 60m max from highway, OK big rigs.
[16.7 km]
407.2 km (78.1 km) Signed Rest Area .. east side.. level gravel loop off/on highway .. other loops at rear with
nice drive through parking bays at edges.
* Class 2+. 25° 27.55'S. 114° 03.53'E. Hema map 76, A 2.
Toilet, shelter, lots of new tables, no shade, lots of new fire places, 75m max from highway, OK big rigs,
no TV, no CDMA.
[9.8 km]
417.0 km (68.3 km) Gravel pit .. west side.
[23.0 km]
440.0 km (45.3 km) Parking .. west side .. covered table with sail cover, rubbish bin.
[12.5 km]
452.5 km (32.8 km) Junction .. west side .. New Beach Road .. to Bush Bay and New Beach.
-----------------------------
0 km .. turn west towards Bush Bay.
[6.1 km]
6.1 km "T" intersection .. turn north (right) 3.7 km for Bush Bay. Flat, extensive, exposed coast,
some beach, some mangrove on shore line. Numerous tracks and parking spots spread over an extremely
large area. Suspect area could be inudated by sea with very high tides and onshore wind.
* Class 2. 25° 07.86'S. 113° 45.41'E. Hema map 76, A 2.
Toilets, no shade, bush fire places, rubbish bins, OK big rigs, no time limit, no TV, no CDMA.
Turn south (left) at intersection .. 2.5 km to New Beach. Smaller area, some sandy tracks, better
access to water .. but area appears lower, thus may inudate easier than Bush bay.
Class 2. Forgot to take lat and long. Hema map 76, A 2.
No shade, bush fire places, rubbish bins, OK big rigs, no time limit, no TV, no CDMA.
-----------------------------
GERALDTON TO (near) PORT HEADLAND .. continued.
[24.3 km]
476.8 km (8.5 km) Junction .. west side .. Uendoo Creek Road .. about 19 km corragated gravel road (reported)
to camp spots.
[8.3 km]
485.1 km (0.2 km) Signed Info Bay .. west side. Water available from spring loaded tap at centre of bay.
Class 5. 24° 51.77'S. 113° 42.13'E. Hema map 76, A 2.
[0.2 km]
485.3 km (0 km) Junction .. turn east to continue northwards, turn west for Carnarvon town.
Shell servo .. takes Coles dockets on south east corner. WATER and diesel on northern side.
Owner requests one uses water tap on northern corner of building so as to leave bowsers free.
Position of that tap 24° 51.77'S. 113° 42.13'E. Hema map 76, A 2.
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