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Carnarvon

Carnarvon is the food bowl of Western Australia and an absolute foodie heaven.

It is your access point to southern Ningaloo and Coral Bay, and the Gascoyne Hinterland. It’s also home to the OTC Satellite Earth Station, which has international significance for its role in a number of NASA’s space projects, including the first moon landing in 1969.

Carnarvon bananas on the Fruit Loop Drive Trail
Image credit: Tourism Western Australia

Don't miss

  • Eating your way around the Fruit Loop Drive Trail
  • Chartering the fishing trip of a lifetime in the Dorre, Bernier & Koks Island group
  • Joining Australia’s first heli-crayfish adventure
  • Experiencing a coastal outback station stay
  • Hiking to the summit of Mount Augustus (the world’s largest monolith)

When to go

Visit May-October to enjoy the most of seasonal produce and April-October if you’re heading to Dorre and Bernier Islands for fishing.

Getting there

Fly from Perth to Carnarvon in 2 hours 15 mins with Regional Express (Rex).

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Book your car hire with Perth Airport

For foodies

Checking in at Perth Airport with new safety measures in place
Image credit: Tourism Western Australia

From May to October, Carnarvon is packed with amazing food experiences. Discover local produce at farm gates along the Fruit Loop Drive Trail, including Australia’s first bananas, see the town centre come alive on Saturdays with the Gascoyne Growers Market, and head to Morel’s Orchard to try their range of fruit ice creams including the black sapote (chocolate pudding fruit). 

If you’re planning ahead, August and September is a great time to visit when you can catch the amazing Gascoyne Food Festival. Events from the 2020 festival included a bush BBQ under the stars, Coral Bay beachfront dining experience, and the Dirk Hartog Island Life Festival.

For ocean lovers

Snorkelling at Coral Bay 
Image credit: Tourism Western Australia

Anglers will enjoy crabbing and fishing from shore (try Miaboolya beach) but, for a really special experience, join a charter to the Dorre and Bernier Island group. Here you can expect to catch Pink Snapper, Red Emperor, Coral Trout, and Spanish Mackerel – amongst others.

Fancy something a bit different? What about catching cray fish by helicopter? A first for Australia, Coral Coast Helicopters will fly you to their secret spots for an incredible cray fish adventure.
For snorkelling and scuba diving, head to Coral Bay. There is amazing snorkelling just off the beautiful beaches and you can also join snorkelling, scuba and whale watching trips by boat to see manta rays, turtles, humpback whales, and whale sharks.

For active adventures

Woman picnicking at Mount Augustus
Image credit: Tourism Western Australia

In cooler months, we recommend blowing the cobwebs away with an early morning hike up to the summit of Mount Augustus (Burringurrah). 

Mt Augustus is the world’s largest monocline, standing at 1,106 metres above sea level with a central ridge that is almost 8 km long. Expect wide open vistas, wildlife, and Aboriginal rock engravings (petroglyphs). During the Gascoyne Food Festival, it is also the site for Australia’s Biggest Barbecue.


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