The Ultimate Coral Coast Wildflower & Food Festival Road Trip
14 Days | Geraldton – Carnarvon – Coral Bay – Exmouth – Shark Bay
Every spring, Western Australia’s Coral Coast comes alive.
From August to September, carpets of colourful wildflowers transform the landscape, stretching from the coastal cliffs of Kalbarri through the plantations of Carnarvon and the rugged landscapes of Ningaloo to the spectacular shores of Shark Bay.
Pair this incredible natural display with the flavours, produce and experiences of the Gascoyne and you’ll discover one of Australia’s most unforgettable road trips.
Taste award-winning local produce, meet passionate growers and chefs, cruise the turquoise waters of Ningaloo Reef, experience authentic station life and finish your journey watching Australia’s Last Sunset.
Whether you’re travelling for a weekend or completing the entire itinerary, every stop offers something unique.
STOP 1
Grow. Gather. Feast
Carnarvon (6 Nights)
Distance from Geraldton: 480km (approx. 5 hours)
Welcome to Western Australia’s Food Bowl.
Surrounded by fertile plantations and fed by the mighty Gascoyne River, Carnarvon is famous for producing some of Australia’s freshest fruit, vegetables and seafood.
Spend several days exploring plantations, farm gates and local eateries while discovering the food, people and experiences that make Carnarvon one of the Gascoyne’s most distinctive destinations.
Wildflowers
Carnarvon marks the transition from the southern wildflower regions into the unique flora of the Gascoyne.
Look out for:
- Everlastings
- Mulla Mulla
- Grevilleas
- Native Hibiscus
- Wattles
- Acacias
Take time to explore Kennedy Range National Park or drive sections of the North West Coastal Highway where seasonal displays often line the roadside.
2026 Festival Experiences
Fireside Yarns: Land, Sea & Story
Fish Filleting & Smoking Workshop’
Gyotaku: Fish Printing Meets Japanese Cuisine
Taste the Gascoyne Food Trail
Discover the cafés, restaurants and bars that took part in the 2026 Taste of the Gascoyne Food Trail, showcasing local seafood and Gascoyne produce through their signature dishes.
Don’t Miss
- Plantations
- Fruit stalls
- Cactus Farm
- One Mile Jetty
- Fascine
STOP 2
Cruise. Sip. Celebrate.
Coral Bay (1 Night)
Distance: 240km
Tiny in size but enormous in beauty, Coral Bay is where Ningaloo Reef begins just metres from shore.
Wildflowers
The drive north is spectacular during wildflower season.
Watch for:
Mulla Mulla
Everlastings
Native peas
Wattles
Many blooms appear right beside the highway, making this one of the most scenic drives of the trip.
2026 Festival Experience
Seafood, Sundowners & Coastal Sounds
In 2026, guests cruised Ningaloo Reef at sunset while enjoying Gascoyne seafood canapés and drinks before continuing the evening at Bill’s Bar with The Family Shoveller Band.
Don’t Miss
- Snorkelling
- Whale Watching
- Bill’s Bay
- Ningaloo Reef
STOP 3
Reef. Relax. Indulge
Exmouth (4 Nights)
Distance: 150km
The gateway to Ningaloo Reef.
Spend several days discovering one of Australia’s most extraordinary coastal destinations.
Wildflowers
Cape Range National Park comes alive after winter rains.
Look for:
- Sturt Desert Pea
- Mulla Mulla
- Native orchids
- Everlastings
- Wattles
The contrast between wildflowers, red ranges and turquoise ocean is unlike anywhere else in Australia.
2026 Festival Experiences
Taste the Gascoyne Food Trail
Explore the Exmouth eateries and signature dishes that featured in the 2026 Taste of the Gascoyne Food Trail.
Don’t Miss
Whale Sharks (season permitting)
Turquoise Bay
Yardie Creek
Vlamingh Head Lighthouse
STOP 4
Campfire. Country. Connection
Bullara Station (1 Night)
Distance: 90km
Before heading south, slow the pace with an unforgettable night on one of the Gascoyne’s most iconic stations.
Wildflowers
The station country bursts with colour during spring.
Expect:
Everlastings
Acacias
Native daisies
Mulla Mulla
The open plains become a spectacular backdrop for an evening beneath the stars.
2026 Festival Experience
Premium Gascoyne beef.
Campfires.
Live music.
Country hospitality.
Bullara offers a chance to slow down and experience station life beneath some of the Gascoyne’s vastest night skies.
STOP 5
End at the Edge of Australia.
Shark Bay (2 Nights)
Distance: 640km
Your final stop takes you into one of the Gascoyne’s most remarkable World Heritage landscapes.
Wildflowers
Shark Bay’s World Heritage landscape is home to hundreds of flowering species.
Look for:
Shark Bay Daisy
Everlastings
Coastal Heath
Native Everlasting Bush
Visit Francois Peron National Park for spectacular displays.
2026 Festival Experience
In 2026, Australia’s Last Sunset took guests to Dirk Hartog Island for an overnight experience featuring remote landscapes, gourmet dining and island adventures.
Taste the Gascoyne Food Trail
Discover the Shark Bay eateries and signature dishes that featured in the 2026 Taste of the Gascoyne Food Trail.
Don’t Miss
- Monkey Mia Dolphins
- Shell Beach
- Francois Peron National Park
- Eagle Bluff
TASTE. VOTE. WIN
As you travel from Carnarvon to Coral Bay, Exmouth and Shark Bay, discover more than 20 exclusive Food Trail dishes celebrating this year’s theme:
Put a Prawn On It
After enjoying each dish, cast your vote for your favourite and go into the draw to win amazing Festival prizes.
Grand Prize
Australia’s Last Sunset Experience for Two
Valued at $1,968
Plus thousands of dollars in:
- Restaurant vouchers
- Tourism experiences
- Gascoyne produce packs
- Festival merchandise
Ready to Hit the Brown
Use this itinerary as inspiration for your own Gascoyne road trip, from wildflower country and working plantations to Ningaloo, remote stations and Shark Bay.
Follow the Blooms. Stay for the Feast.