05 Indian Ocean Drive
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FACT SHEET Fact sheet Indian Ocean Ocean Drive drive 4-5 DAYS 4-5 days Horrocks Northampton Mullewa Yalgoo GERALDTON Greenough Mingenew I000 Morawa KM ROUND TRIP Dongara APPROX. Paynes Find Three Springs Perenjori Eneabba Carnamah Coorow Leeman Buntine Green Head Wubin Watheroo Dalwallinu Jurien Bay Badgingarra Kalannie Pithara Miling Cervantes Beacon Bindi Ballidu Bindi Cataby Moora Walebing Bencubbin Wongan Cadoux Koorda INDIAN New Hills Lancelin Norcia Kununoppin OCEAN Trayning Dowerin Gingin Wyalkatchem Nungarin Guilderton Goomalling Bindoon Yanchep Muchea Toodyay Kellerberrin Joondalup NORTHAM PERTH Mundaring York Quairading FREMANTLE Karragullen Beverley © RACWA Copyright 2011 © RACWA Copyright 2011 Armadale Rockingham Brookton Corrigin IfIf you’reyou’re keenkeen toto take your time time and and Suggestedcoastal town ofitinery Cervantes and one of Australia’s most unique landscapes, the Pinnacles Desert. experience everything everything Western Western Day 1 » Perth to Cervantes 202km The road into the Pinnacles is sealed, and there Australia’s CoralCoral Coast has to offer, bebe Travellingis a car park north within along walking the Indian distance Ocean Drive of the sure to include the Indian Ocean Drive in (continue north from Wanneroo Road), the first leg sure to include the Indian Ocean Drive golden limestone structures, which stand up to your holiday itinerary. The route officially fromthree Perth and to a Dongarahalf metres takes tall. you After through exploring the coastal the openedin your holiday in September itinerary. 2010 The and route includes townpinnacles, of Cervantes head andto the one Desert of Australia’s Discovery most Centreunique someofficially of the openedmost iconic in September experiences 2010 on landscapes,to learn more the Pinnaclesabout these Desert. distinctive The road formations. into the PinnaclesAfter visiting is sealed, the andPinnacles there is Desert, a car park head within to Lake offerand includes in Australia’s some Coral of the Coast, most from iconic the walkingThetis distance(located of off the Hansen golden Baylimestone Road) structures, to marvel uniqueexperiences Pinnacles on offer Desert in inAustralia’s Cervantes, Coral whichat some stand of upthe to earth’s three and oldest a half living metres fossils, tall. After the skyCoast, diving from and the sea unique lion charters Pinnacles in JurienDesert exploringstromatolites the pinnacles, and strombalites. head to the EnjoyDesert a Discovery leisurely Bay, to the Central Greenough Historic Centrestroll onto learnthe nearby more about 1.3 kilometre these distinctive walk trail. Visit in Cervantes, sky diving and sea lion Settlement and the recently revitalised formations.the Indian After Ocean visiting Rock the Lobster Pinnacles Factory Desert, for head an informative Lobster Shack tour to learn about the Geraldtoncharters in foreshore. Jurien Bay, to the Central to Lake Thetis (located off Hansen Bay Road) to more recent history of cray-fishing in Cervantes. Greenough Historic Settlement and the marvel at some of the earth’s oldest living fossils, the SUGGESTED ITINERARY stromatolitesDAY 2 Cervantes and strombalites. to Dongara Enjoy a 160km leisurely stroll recently revitalised Geraldton foreshore. DAY 1 Perth to Cervantes 202km onContinue the nearby your 1.3 journeykilometre north walk trail. along Visit the the Indian Lobster Travelling north along the Indian Ocean Drive ShackOcean for Drive, an informative stopping tour along to learn the aboutway at the the more (continue north from Wanneroo Road), the first recentMolah history Hill Lookout, of cray-fishing which in offers Cervantes. uninterrupted Overnight leg from Perth to Dongara takes you through the atviews RAC Cervantesof native bushHoliday land Park. and the ocean. MC2787 RAC members save up to Need maps,Don’t guides, get stranded our entire range. atlases or aon GPS your for next trip.15% off Call RAC Travel on 1300 655 179, go to rac.com.au/holidayguides your journey?Join RAC Roadside Assistance todayor pop into your local RAC Travel Centre call 13 17 03 or visit rac.com.au MRB 723 Fact sheet Indian Ocean drive #05 drive series Highlights » Snorkelling » Art galleries » Fishing » Diving » National parks » Museums » Historical settlements RAC Recommends Inattention affects all drivers, especially in rural WA. Fatalities in the Wheatbelt are 6x higher than that of the WA state average. RAC recommends rest, before driving, stopping regularly, sharing the drive and allowing enough travel time. Day 2 » Cervantes to Dongara 160km through the 11 restored pioneerbuildings on site. Continue your journey north along the Indian As you continue your drivetowards Geraldton, Ocean Drive, stopping along the way at the Molah keep an eye for leaningtrees. Buffeted by prevailing Hill Lookout, which offers uninterrupted views of southerly winds,the trees’ horizontal trunks have Visitor Centres native bush land and the ocean. become something of an icon for the region. Cervantes (08) 9652 7700 Dongara (08) 9927 1404 Interpretive signage along the path to the lookout Day 4 » Geraldton to Perth 420km Geraldton (08) 9921 3999 provides information about the nearby flora and via Indian Ocean Drive, 430km, via Brand Hwy, fauna and an insight into the Indigenous heritage or 575km via inland wildflower trail. Head up of the area. Heading further north towards Jurien to the impressive HMAS Sydney II Memorial. Bay, Grigson’s Lookout is located in the Leseuer Commemorating the lives of 645 sailors who died National Park, which is home to 900 species in World War II. Located on Mt Scott, this emotive of flora. Continue north to Jurien Bay and jump memorial provides panoramic views across Accomodation aboard a sea lion charter or out of a plane and Geraldton and the Indian Ocean. Free walking Visit racparksandresorts.com.au onto the beach! Jurien Bay is the only place in WA tours are offered at 10.30am daily. or contact your nearest RAC where you can land on the beach after skydiving. travel centre to book today. Snorkel and explore the underwater wonderland of the Jurien Bay Marine Park, which is home Optional: Consider taking a scenic flight from to tropical fish, sponges, sea squirts, soft corals, Geraldton to the Houtman Abrolhos Islands where sea lions and dolphins. Explore the caves of the you can enjoy snorkelling and guided walks. The Park Passess Stockyard Gully National Park, which is accessible Houtman Abrolhos Islands feature rich biodiversity only by four wheel drive. Treat yourself to a dinner in wildlife on land and in the surrounding pristine RAC members receive 50% off of freshly caught seafood in Jurien Bay or up the waters. Shipwrecks and coral reefs offer great National Park Passes. Purchase yours today at rac.com.au/parkpasses. road in Dongara. Take a stroll along Dongara’s 1.6 snorkelling and diving and weather conditions are kilometre walk trail of historic buildings. often perfect for surfing and windsurfing. Day 3 » Dongara to Geraldton 66km Head north to the Greenough CentralHistoric Useful tips Settlement and step back in time as you stroll Need a car? Hire a car through Thrifty car rental and save. R16012 rac.com.au/carhire Call 1300 655 179, go to rac.com.au/greatdrives or pop into your local RAC Travel Centre Applecross 6150 6459 » Carousel 6150 6454 » Joondalup 9308 1600 » Mandurah 6150 6456 » Midland 6150 6468 » Morley 6466 2300 » West Perth 9436 4830 .