The Solo Traveller. Your independence, passion, and lifelong memories.
Destinations
Sunrise in Karijini National Park, Western Australia. Photography: Jakub @ Adobe Stock.
Wanderlust and the open road
By Michael Webster
There’s something undeniably liberating about hitting the road alone. No fixed timetables, no compromises, and no one to veto that spontaneous roadside stop at the world’s weirdest museum. Road trips give solo travellers a unique sense of agency – the power to choose direction, detour on a whim, and let the landscape unfold at our own pace. Whether it’s the slow rise of a mountain range on the horizon or the feeling of a sun-warmed steering wheel under our fingers, road travel heightens our awareness of the world – and our place in it.
Skipjack Point Lookout, Shark Bay Marine Park. Photography: Australia's Coral Coast.
Australia’s Coral Coast – where red desert meets turquoise sea
The Coral Coast, Western Australia, stretches from Cervantes to Exmouth, offering some of the world's best marine and coastal experiences. Recognised as one of the greatest road trips on earth, the 1,250km Coral Coast Highway connects visitors to this extraordinary region. Accessible by road or air, with airports in Exmouth, Carnarvon, Shark Bay, and Geraldton, Ningaloo and its surrounding attractions are waiting to be explored.
​
The Coral Coast is a wild and wonderful slice of the country where the desert meets the sea in dramatic fashion. It’s home to ancient gorges, pink lakes, World Heritage-listed reefs, and some of the most uncrowded stretches of coastline you’ll find anywhere in the world. For the solo traveller, it’s a region made for exploration – vast, vibrant, and filled with places that make you feel like you’ve stumbled across something rare and remarkable.
​
Whether you’re gliding alongside whale sharks at Ningaloo Reef, watching dolphins cruise the shallows of Monkey Mia, or standing among the surreal limestone spires of the Pinnacles Desert, the Coral Coast offers experiences that are as humbling as they are exhilarating. And with friendly small towns, and opportunities to connect with nature on your own terms, it’s the perfect region for those seeking solitude, freedom, and a little magic with their salt air.
Cervantes and the Pinnacles Desert
Just a couple of hours north of Perth, the capital city of Western Australia, Cervantes is the gateway to Nambung National Park, home to the otherworldly Pinnacles Desert. Thousands of ancient limestone spires rise from the yellow sand in eerie silence, making this one of Australia’s most surreal landscapes. Wander through at sunrise or sunset for the best light and fewest crowds – ideal for solo travellers seeking solitude and a truly cinematic experience.
The stunning celestial views from the Skywalk at Kalbarri National Park. Photography: Dan Avila for Australia's Coral Coast.
Kalbarri and Kalbarri National Park
This coastal town was my ideal base for exploring Kalbarri National Park, where dramatic red gorges slice through the outback and meet the ocean in striking contrast. Hike to Nature’s Window, paddle along the Murchison River, or just sit back and take in the sweeping views at Z-Bend Gorge. Kalbarri also boasts oceanfront cliffs and wildflower displays that are spectacular from late winter to spring.
A UNESCO World Heritage site, Shark Bay is famous for its rich marine life and striking landscapes. Photography: Australia's Coral Coast.
Shark Bay and Monkey Mia
A UNESCO World Heritage site, Shark Bay is famous for its rich marine life and striking landscapes. Monkey Mia is known for its daily dolphin visits, but there’s more here than just photo ops – think kayaking with turtles, walking across Shell Beach (made entirely of tiny white shells), and soaking in the stillness of a world where Mother Nature sets the rhythm.
A Humpback Whale and her calf, swim near Gnaraloo Station – a rustic oasis found at the southern entrance of the Ningaloo Marine Park. Photography: Australia's Coral Coast.
Coral Bay
Laid-back Coral Bay is the kind of place where days stretch long and slow. Here, Ningaloo Reef is just steps from the shore, making it one of the easiest places in the world I have ever snorkelled with coral, manta rays, and reef sharks. It’s a compact and friendly spot, perfect for solo travellers who want to mix underwater adventures with relaxed beach days and small-town charm.
Charles Knife Canyon, Cape Range National Park. Photography: Australia's Coral Coast.
Exmouth and Cape Range National Park
At the northern end of the Coral Coast, Exmouth is the adventure capital of the region. Between March and July, it’s one of the best places in the world to swim with whale sharks. Cape Range National Park offers gorge hikes, coastal lookouts, and secret beaches where you can be completely alone with the horizon. It’s where the reef meets the range, and it’s unforgettable.
​
For solo adventurers, the road is more than a route – it’s a kind of companion. It offers solitude without isolation, presence without pressure. You can sing as loudly as you like, take the long way home, or linger in a lookout car park just to watch the clouds roll by. In a world obsessed with arrival, road trips celebrate the journey itself – each curve, crossing, country town, and horizon line a chapter in a story you’re writing as you go.
For even more inspiration, you can visit our friends at Australia's Coral Coast to begin planning the road trip of your dreams!
Michael Webster is a devoted road-tripper, and The Solo Traveller’s International Community Development Lead.
