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Minilya Exmouth Road

Difficulty: Trek rating 0.5 of 5 - Click for details   Suitable for: 4WD AWD 2WD Caravan Camper Motorhome Bike 
This sealed road trek is suited for vehicles towing caravans and camper trailers heading to Exmouth from Coral Bay. The Minilya Exmouth Road heads north of Coral Bay for over 150kms passing the massive Learmonth RAAF Base & Airport and Kailis Fisheries.
StartClick to Reverse the Dynamic Map and Driving NotesCoral Bay
Trek
FinishExmouth
Distance152.01 kmMinimum Days1
Average Speed94.07 km/hrDriving Time1 hr 36 min
Article By: ExplorOz Team   Updated: 2 May 2008
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 Description

Exmouth is a town located near the tip of the North West Cape in Western Australia. It lies on the northern end of the Ningaloo Reef and has easy sealed road access to the tip of the cape and toward the western side of the Cape Range National Park. Exmouth is well known for its great fishing, whereby big game fish such as Marlin and Spanish Mackerel can be taken from within 2kms off the shore. Exmouth Gulf features a rich environment marine life and nursery for humpback whales, dugongs and turtles.

Exmouth has experienced some substantial weather extremes. Tropical in location, summer average maximum temperatures reaches a staggering 37 degrees Celsius; while winter maximum averages is a warm 24 degrees Celsius. On 22nd March 1999, the topical cyclone Vance reached a category 5 status where winds of 267kms an hour were recorded at Learmonth - the highest ever wind gust reported on the Australian mainland.

The town of Exmouth with its population of over 2060 people relies heavily on tourism. During the height of the tourist season, the population in this coastal town can reach over 6000 people. Some of the popular things to do in and around Exmouth include: tours to view or swim with whale sharks, manta rays, humpback whale watching from Vlamingh Head Lighthouse (July – November) and viewing the colourful rock layers at Shothole Canyon and Charles Knife Gorge.

 Interactive Route Map

Coral BayCoral Bay Rd & Mauds Landing AccessCoral Bay Rd & Cardabia Station Access Coral Bay Rd & Cardabia Ningaloo Rd Minilya Exmouth Rd & Coray Bay RdMinilya Exmouth Rd & Ningaloo RdMinilya Exmouth Rd & Burkett RdMinilya Exmouth Rd & Learmonth RAAF Base & Airport AccessMinilya Exmouth Rd & Charles Knife RdKailis FisheriesMinilya Exmouth Rd & Shothole Canyon RdExmouth
Coral Bay
Pristine white sands and aqua blue water, let the current drift you along as you snorkel above the coral. Coral Bay is a beautiful and popular tourist spot with many calling it pure paradise. It has good facilities, all within walking distance from the main beach.
Features: Populated PlaceCaravan Park Fuel Water Supply Toilet Food,Shopping Beach Resort,Motel Point of Interest
Position: 113.7714ºE   23.1431ºS (GDA 94)
Next Place: Coral Bay Rd & Mauds Landing Access
Distance: 0.89km
Average Speed: 62.71km/h
Features: Junction,Intersection,Turn Off
Position: 113.7797ºE   23.1423ºS (GDA 94)
Next Place: Coral Bay Rd & Cardabia Station Access
Distance: 4.45km
Average Speed: 99.27km/h
Features: Junction,Intersection,Turn Off
Position: 113.8076ºE   23.1220ºS (GDA 94)
Next Place: Coral Bay Rd & Cardabia Ningaloo Rd
Distance: 3.55km
Average Speed: 103.39km/h
Features: Junction,Intersection,Turn Off
Position: 113.8388ºE   23.1117ºS (GDA 94)
Next Place: Minilya Exmouth Rd & Coray Bay Rd
Distance: 3.9km
Average Speed: 102.96km/h
Features: Junction,Intersection,Turn Off
Position: 113.8738ºE   23.1126ºS (GDA 94)
Next Place: Minilya Exmouth Rd & Ningaloo Rd
Distance: 38.53km
Average Speed: 97.46km/h
Minilya Exmouth Rd & Ningaloo Rd
Junction that heads west from Minilya Exmouth Road to Ningaloo Homestead.
Features: Junction,Intersection,Turn Off
Position: 113.9532ºE   22.7778ºS (GDA 94)
Next Place: Minilya Exmouth Rd & Burkett Rd
Distance: 13.72km
Average Speed: 94.32km/h
Minilya Exmouth Rd & Burkett Rd
Junction of Minilya Exmouth Rd & Burkett Rd
Features: Junction,Intersection,Turn Off
Position: 114.0081ºE   22.6684ºS (GDA 94)
Next Place: Minilya Exmouth Rd & Learmonth RAAF Base & Airport Access
Distance: 54.14km
Average Speed: 91.44km/h
Minilya Exmouth Rd & Learmonth RAAF Base & Airport Access
Junction of Minilya Exmouth Rd & Learmonth RAAF Base & Airport Access
Features: Junction,Intersection,Turn Off
Position: 114.0949ºE   22.2150ºS (GDA 94)
Next Place: Minilya Exmouth Rd & Charles Knife Rd
Distance: 9.99km
Average Speed: 99.28km/h
Minilya Exmouth Rd & Charles Knife Rd
Junction of Minilya Exmouth Rd & Charles Knife Rd
Features: Junction,Intersection,Turn Off
Position: 114.0837ºE   22.1238ºS (GDA 94)
Next Place: Kailis Fisheries
Distance: 0.83km
Average Speed: 111.06km/h
Kailis Fisheries
This is the location of the Kailis Fisheries prawn processing factory.
Features: Point of Interest
Position: 114.0870ºE   22.1222ºS (GDA 94)
Next Place: Minilya Exmouth Rd & Shothole Canyon Rd
Distance: 6.37km
Average Speed: 92.07km/h
Minilya Exmouth Rd & Shothole Canyon Rd
Junction of Minilya Exmouth Rd & Shothole Canyon Rd
Features: Junction,Intersection,Turn Off
Position: 114.1035ºE   22.0653ºS (GDA 94)
Next Place: Exmouth
Distance: 15.64km
Average Speed: 80.84km/h
Exmouth
In the remote far north-west of Australia lies the small township of Exmouth, located 1300km from Perth. A fascinating natural event occurs each year from March - May when coral spawns and Whale Sharks visit the Ningaloo Reef.
Features: Populated PlaceService Station,Roadhouse Caravan Park Fuel Toilet Pub Food,Shopping Beach Cemetery,Grave Site Police Station Medical Services Resort,Motel Point of Interest
Position: 114.1276ºE   21.9323ºS (GDA 94)

Route Control

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 Permits

During the course of this trek you'll only traverse public roads and highways, so no permits are needed. Please note however that connecting routes within the area may require permits.

 Things to See & Do

Coral Bay   RatingRatingRatingRatingRating
Populated Place Caravan Park Fuel Water Supply Toilet Food,Shopping Beach Resort,Motel Point of Interest
Pristine white sands and aqua blue water, let the current drift you along as you snorkel above the coral. Coral Bay is a beautiful and popular tourist spot with many calling it pure paradise. It has good facilities, all within walking distance from the main beach. Facilities include a shopping complex with supermarket, tour desk, bakery, newsagent and gift shop.
Exmouth   RatingRatingRating
Populated Place Service Station,Roadhouse Caravan Park Fuel Toilet Pub Food,Shopping Beach Cemetery,Grave Site Police Station Medical Services Resort,Motel Point of Interest
In the remote far north-west of Australia lies the small township of Exmouth, located 1300km from Perth. A fascinating natural event occurs each year from March - May when coral spawns and Whale Sharks visit the Ningaloo Reef.
Kailis Fisheries   
Point of Interest 
This is the location of the Kailis Fisheries prawn processing factory.
A common side-trip for those with 4WD vehicles is to leave the Minilya Exmouth Road and the small dirt track signposted as Ningaloo Road. This is the only track leading off the highway giving access to the coast. If you plan to do this, you will need to be well prepared: the trip to the coast will take at least an hour, it is heavily corrugated so those with standard trailers may find the trip rather daunting, and once there if you wish to camp you must have brought in your own eco-toilet. Soft sand and 4WD access only to the beaches, accessible only within Ningaloo Station property.

 Preparation

There are no fuel stops between Coral Bay and Exmouth so be sure to fill up before the journey.

Fuel Supplies & Usage

Fuel SymbolCoral Bay, Exmouth Diesel4cyl 21 litres ULP4cyl 24 litres LPG4cyl 30 litres
6cyl 23 litres6cyl 27 litres6cyl 27 litres
8cyl 26 litres8cyl 24 litres
Usage is averaged from TrekFuel (* specific to trek) submissions and calculated based on trek distance.

Best Time To Visit

Summer in the tropics can get very hot, so best time to visit would be between March and November.

Closest Climatic Station

Learmonth Airport
Distance from Trek Mid Point 36.78km NE
 JanFebMarAprMayJun JulAugSepOctNovDec
Mean Max. °C 38.037.536.333.2 28.424.824.126.1 29.232.434.336.8
Mean Min. °C 22.824.123.020.5 16.313.111.412.2 13.816.218.320.7
Mean Rain mm 30.340.437.516.7 43.440.222.313.3 2.21.91.25.5
    Best time to travel      Ok time to travel      Travel NOT recommended

Services & Supplies

The following locations have various services and supplies: Coral Bay, Exmouth

 Camp Sites & Accomodation

Coral Bay   RatingRatingRatingRatingRating
Populated Place Caravan Park Fuel Water Supply Toilet Food,Shopping Beach Resort,Motel Point of Interest
Pristine white sands and aqua blue water, let the current drift you along as you snorkel above the coral. Coral Bay is a beautiful and popular tourist spot with many calling it pure paradise. It has good facilities, all within walking distance from the main beach. Facilities include a shopping complex with supermarket, tour desk, bakery, newsagent and gift shop.
Exmouth   RatingRatingRating
Populated Place Service Station,Roadhouse Caravan Park Fuel Toilet Pub Food,Shopping Beach Cemetery,Grave Site Police Station Medical Services Resort,Motel Point of Interest
In the remote far north-west of Australia lies the small township of Exmouth, located 1300km from Perth. A fascinating natural event occurs each year from March - May when coral spawns and Whale Sharks visit the Ningaloo Reef.

 Environment

From Coral Bay, the trip goes through some rather dry and barren lands. There are some long straight roads with a number of rest stops to pull in to. Once past Learmonth, the Minilya Exmouth Road closely follows the coast, making the last 30kms or so quite scenic and enjoyable.

 Driving Directions

Time
Direction
Distance
Coral Bay to Coral Bay Rd & Mauds Landing Access 0.89 km E 84°
Coral Bay Rd & Mauds Landing Access to Coral Bay Rd & Cardabia Station Access 4.45 km NE 52° 2 min
Coral Bay Rd & Cardabia Station Access to Coral Bay Rd & Cardabia Ningaloo Rd 3.55 km E 70° 2 min
Coral Bay Rd & Cardabia Ningaloo Rd to Minilya Exmouth Rd & Coray Bay Rd 3.9 km E 92° 2 min
Minilya Exmouth Rd & Coray Bay Rd to Minilya Exmouth Rd & Ningaloo Rd 38.53 km N 12° 23 min
Minilya Exmouth Rd & Ningaloo Rd to Minilya Exmouth Rd & Burkett Rd 13.72 km NE 25° 8 min
Minilya Exmouth Rd & Burkett Rd to Minilya Exmouth Rd & Learmonth RAAF Base & Airport Access 54.14 km N 10° 35 min
Minilya Exmouth Rd & Learmonth RAAF Base & Airport Access to Minilya Exmouth Rd & Charles Knife Rd 9.99 km N 354° 6 min
Minilya Exmouth Rd & Charles Knife Rd to Kailis Fisheries 0.83 km NE 63°
Kailis Fisheries to Minilya Exmouth Rd & Shothole Canyon Rd 6.37 km N 15° 4 min
Minilya Exmouth Rd & Shothole Canyon Rd to Exmouth 15.64 km N 10° 11 min
Coral Bay to Exmouth 152.01 km     1 hr 36 min
Distance is GPS recorded driving distance (not straight line), Direction is straight line from start to end, Time is calculated from actual GPS driving data.

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