Go up there heaps with work and Hols, indeed just got back from 2 weeks up that way doing the Coast and Wildflowers.
OK... Xmas time... Be prepared to do the bolt if a cyclone pushs down as some of the roads can wash out etc.
Personally I would maybe spend a day or so less in Kalbarri and def less time in Monkey Mia so you can squeeze a couple of days at Carnarvon or thereabouts.
That will also allow you to stop at say Carnarvon on the way up and Kal on the way back (Perth to Coral Bay is a loooong hop and 50% of the road is boring as bat****)
Anyhow...
Coral Bay. ... be very careful at night from Carnarvon to Manilya and Coral Bay as there WILL be stock on the road plus lotsa Roo's
Very limited 4WD other than the Coast Track up to Cape Range NP and Exmouth which I thouroughly recommend. This track starts just out of Coral bay and heads North along the coast thru Cardadia and Ningaloo Stations then thru the Bombing Range and if you cross Yardie Creek thence thru Cape Range NP to Exmouth. Heaps of terrific bays and beaches to explore plus the visitor centres in Cape Range NP and Shothole Canyon etc. Be warned that the track thru the Bombing range is rough but doable in 2WD high ( I only used 4WD H to get across Yardie Creek)
If you go south you can call in at Warroora Station and see some of the coast along there
If you go to Exmouth along the coast track go early with the sun behind or right of you as that is the best scenery. Exmouth for a late lunch and look around at Tantabiddi etc and back to Coral Bay on the Bitumen
Monkey Mia
Ok, I have to admit that I hate Monkey Mia (thieving Nazis the lot of em) so that aside the best things to see are a drive up to the tip thru Francois Peron NP and make sure you drop into Big Lagoon on the way. Mainly 2WD but a bit of 4H in the soft sand patches.
In Denham make sure you check out "Ocean Park Aquarium". It's on the road in on the LHS. Worth every cent of the admission. Eagle Bluff is nice at sunrise/sunset and near town there is a track around the back of little Lagoon that goes to a nice beach.
The stromatalites are worth a quick look as is the memorabilia at the old Station museum at Hamelin Pool.
The only other "4WD drive" is the road out to Steep Point.
Kalbarri
Don't miss the Gorge attractions and also Rainbow Jungle Avairy. There is also the Seahorse Breeding Mob if that interests you.
Lots of touristy spots along the coast, a track along the river on the southern bank and some beach driving in places but not much else unless you head out to Murchison Offroad Adventures for a day
Carnarvon (I'll try and talk you into this)
Quobba Blowholes are awesome if there is any sort of swell running then a drive thru Quobba Station to Cape Cuvier and Gnarloo will let you see some fantastic sites like Cape Cuvier (follow the Korean Star Wreck signs) Red Bluff and Gnarloo Bay (allow a full day)
South of Carnarvon take a trip thru New Beach and Bush Bay but follow the tracks off to the beaches etc to get the best of it.
North of Carnarvon a day spent exploring the Orchards etc plus a 4WD thru to Miaboolya Beach and other hidey holes is fun... there is a mob that do homemade Icecream on the Orchard Trail and that is to die for ('cept the Choccy Dipped Mango)
East of Carnarvon is Kennedy Ranges and Gascoyne Junction but a day trip will be HOT that time of year so maybe stay near the coast. Don't bother going to Rocky Pool unless you are going all the way to Gasy J and Kennedy Ranges. Dunno why it has a good write up in a lot of Websites as it is rubbish.
Hope that helps...
OK... Xmas time... Be prepared to do the bolt if a cyclone pushs down as some of the roads can wash out etc.
Personally I would maybe spend a day or so less in Kalbarri and def less time in Monkey Mia so you can squeeze a couple of days at Carnarvon or thereabouts.
That will also allow you to stop at say Carnarvon on the way up and Kal on the way back (Perth to Coral Bay is a loooong hop and 50% of the road is boring as bat****)
Anyhow...
Coral Bay. ... be very careful at night from Carnarvon to Manilya and Coral Bay as there WILL be stock on the road plus lotsa Roo's
Very limited 4WD other than the Coast Track up to Cape Range NP and Exmouth which I thouroughly recommend. This track starts just out of Coral bay and heads North along the coast thru Cardadia and Ningaloo Stations then thru the Bombing Range and if you cross Yardie Creek thence thru Cape Range NP to Exmouth. Heaps of terrific bays and beaches to explore plus the visitor centres in Cape Range NP and Shothole Canyon etc. Be warned that the track thru the Bombing range is rough but doable in 2WD high ( I only used 4WD H to get across Yardie Creek)
If you go south you can call in at Warroora Station and see some of the coast along there
If you go to Exmouth along the coast track go early with the sun behind or right of you as that is the best scenery. Exmouth for a late lunch and look around at Tantabiddi etc and back to Coral Bay on the Bitumen
Monkey Mia
Ok, I have to admit that I hate Monkey Mia (thieving Nazis the lot of em) so that aside the best things to see are a drive up to the tip thru Francois Peron NP and make sure you drop into Big Lagoon on the way. Mainly 2WD but a bit of 4H in the soft sand patches.
In Denham make sure you check out "Ocean Park Aquarium". It's on the road in on the LHS. Worth every cent of the admission. Eagle Bluff is nice at sunrise/sunset and near town there is a track around the back of little Lagoon that goes to a nice beach.
The stromatalites are worth a quick look as is the memorabilia at the old Station museum at Hamelin Pool.
The only other "4WD drive" is the road out to Steep Point.
Kalbarri
Don't miss the Gorge attractions and also Rainbow Jungle Avairy. There is also the Seahorse Breeding Mob if that interests you.
Lots of touristy spots along the coast, a track along the river on the southern bank and some beach driving in places but not much else unless you head out to Murchison Offroad Adventures for a day
Carnarvon (I'll try and talk you into this)
Quobba Blowholes are awesome if there is any sort of swell running then a drive thru Quobba Station to Cape Cuvier and Gnarloo will let you see some fantastic sites like Cape Cuvier (follow the Korean Star Wreck signs) Red Bluff and Gnarloo Bay (allow a full day)
South of Carnarvon take a trip thru New Beach and Bush Bay but follow the tracks off to the beaches etc to get the best of it.
North of Carnarvon a day spent exploring the Orchards etc plus a 4WD thru to Miaboolya Beach and other hidey holes is fun... there is a mob that do homemade Icecream on the Orchard Trail and that is to die for ('cept the Choccy Dipped Mango)
East of Carnarvon is Kennedy Ranges and Gascoyne Junction but a day trip will be HOT that time of year so maybe stay near the coast. Don't bother going to Rocky Pool unless you are going all the way to Gasy J and Kennedy Ranges. Dunno why it has a good write up in a lot of Websites as it is rubbish.
Hope that helps...
