Things to do with kids in Geraldton & Australia's Coral Coast

You can swim and snorkel from the shore in the sheltered waters of Bill's Bay. From October to March, walk 20 minutes north along the beach to see up to 200 reef sharks gather in the shallows. There is no park fee, and glass-bottom boat tours suit anyone who would rather stay dry.

The best snorkelling starts from the Bay Loop carpark, well away from the strong currents at the sandy point. Parks WA says inexperienced swimmers should stay out of strong currents; if unsure, enjoy the beach or swim well inside the bay. Cape Range National Park charges $17 a vehicle.

Yardie Creek is about 90 minutes' drive from Exmouth, and a one-hour tour on a shaded boat runs up the gorge on set days. Watch for the rare black-flanked rock-wallaby; a family ticket for two adults and two kids was $215. Parks WA says to do the walks here only from April to September, as summer can pass 45°C.

Shell Beach is 45km south-east of Denham, and instead of sand it is made of shells piled up to 10m deep. The water is clear, shallow and very salty, so it is easy to float. Entry is free, there are toilets, and thongs save little feet from the shells.

The Discovery Centre in Denham has interactive displays, a digital dugong and a permanent Lego hunt. The art gallery and the Fire on the Water 3D film are free. A family museum pass was $32 in October 2026.

Two platforms jut 25m and 17m past the gorge rim, more than 100m above the Murchison River. A wide concrete path runs about 180m from the accessible parking bays, and kids can hunt for native animal sculptures. Park entry fees apply, and there is no drinking water in the park, so bring your own.

Nature's Window is a wind-carved opening in layered sandstone that frames the Murchison River. The 1km return walk starts with a flight of stairs and ends on rocky ground, so leave the pram behind. Look for ancient ripple marks in the rock, and keep off the fragile rock in and above the window.

A 4.5km drive trail winds between pinnacles up to 3.5m tall, about two hours from Perth. The Desert View walk starts with a 300m accessible path to a viewing platform, and the Discovery Centre opens 9.30am to 4.30pm. Never climb on the pinnacles, and look for kangaroos and emus early or late in the day.

The old tracking station near town supported NASA's Apollo missions. Its antenna relayed the Apollo 11 moon landing to Perth, and the museum has a lunar module display. From October to March it opens 10am to 2pm daily, and a family ticket for two adults and two kids is $45.

The museum tells the stories of four Dutch shipwrecks, including the Batavia, along with Yamaji history and culture. General entry is free, and it opens daily from 9.30am to 3pm. A guided highlights tour runs at 11.30am, and the museum is fully accessible.