A trip up Indian Ocean Drive

I’ve been meaning to do a trip up the new Indian Ocean Drive now for quite some time. For those who don’t know, it’s a the new road that continues on from Lancelin road and connects up to Cervantes, Jurien Bay and ends just south of Dongara. It has always been a bit of a hassle traveling north of Perth; having an extra road that runs right near the coast is brilliant.

What is the new road like?

I must say I am impressed with the new Indian Ocean Drive. It is scenic, well made and certainly better than traveling up the Brand Hwy. There are fewer trucks which is a big bonus and the drive is much more enjoyable.

Indian Ocean Drive vs Brand Hwy

If you are going to Wedge Island, Grey, Cervantes, Jurien Bay or Sandy Cape, the Indian Ocean Drive is much faster. Traveling to Geraldton is similar in time; however this does depend on how far east you live. A lot of caravans tend to go up the new road, which can be a bit of a pain for overtaking. However, it is worth a drive regardless.

What does it go past?

Indian Ocean Drive goes past roads to a small lookout just before Wedge Island, Wedge Island, Grey, the Pinnacles, Cervantes, Hill River, Jurien Bay, Sandy Cape, Greenhead, Leeman, Coolimba, Illawong and it almost makes it to Port Denison and Dongara.

New travel distances and times

Below is a list of distances from Perth, and their approximate time. Please note travel times vary considerably depending on traffic, and where you live.

• Lancelin                127km (1.75 hours). No change
• Wedge Island    160km (2 hours). Much quicker than the inland track or beach run
• Grey                      188km (2.15 hours). Much faster than up the beach or from Cervantes
• Cervantes           200km (2.25 hours). Knocks off about 50km from Brand Hwy
• Hill River               214km (2.5 hours). No longer need to drive along the beach to get there.
• Jurien Bay           225km (2.5 hours). Also knocks off about 50km from Brand Hwy
• Sandy Cape        240km (2.75 hours). Probably the closest camping spot north of Perth (on the coast) outside of a caravan park!
• Dongara               355km (3.75 hours). Similar travel time as the Brand, but it is more scenic!
• Geraldton           421km (4.25 hours). As above

Overtaking on Indian Ocean Drive

I never found it an issue for overtaking, however I have heard a few people complaining about it. Big trucks are not allowed on the road, but it is the caravans that you need to be careful of. There are a number of overtaking lanes and enough hills to make overtaking easier. The most intelligent thing to do is alter your travel times so you don’t run into hundreds of Caravans!

What’s the traffic like?

As above, it really depends on when you go. At night time, the road is almost dead. On the public holidays (or night before) and school holidays the traffic can be a bit of a pain, but it always has been along Lancelin road too.

Watch out for native wildlife

It was sad to hear that a large number of echidna’s, goannas, kangaroos and other wildlife getting hit in the first few weeks that Indian Ocean Drive opened. Being a newer highway the animals haven’t quite gotten used to it. You need to be vigilant for the animals, and try to avoid them if it is safely possible. Some of the big kangaroos at night will make a mess of your vehicle – keep your eyes open!

Getting to Wedge Island and Grey

If you want to get to Wedge Island or Grey the fastest way, take the Indian Ocean Drive and turn off at the relevant roads. No longer do you have to battle soft sands, high tides and mountains of sea weed. People in 2wd vehicles can easily access both Wedge Island and Grey, but you want to stick to the hard tracks.

Hills and head winds

There are quite a few hills along the Indian Ocean Drive which provide incredible scenery. Apparently there are less than on Brand highway, but I can’t say I have ever paid much attention! I will also mention the head wind can be quite nasty if you are driving from Jurien bay to Lancelin. I know My Hilux suffered some nasty fuel economy figures trying to sit on 110km/h!

Personal comments

I would like to mention that I am disappointed in the decisions made to make a bitumen road to Wedge Island and Grey. The rangers complain that Wedge Island is hard to monitor, and now it has been opened up to everyone (2wd vehicles inclusive) making it even worse. Grey and Wedge Island have always been amazing places accessible by four wheel drive only, which has kept them great. If you are visiting, please respect the area and look after it.

It is ridiculous that you can no longer camp on the beach around Wedge Island. If you want somewhere to camp north of Perth near the coast, you have to drive all the way north of Cervantes. Why are we getting locked out of such amazing coastline? Lock the people responsible for damage out and keep it open for the rest of us!

The shacks are a totally different matter, and like many locals it would be sad to see them go. They have been there for a long time, provided a lot of entertainment and fun and they are part of the area’s history. I’d like to see some serious thought go into planning their future and making the area ecologically sustainable without ruining people’s ability to enjoy the coastline.

This coastline is truly incredible, and is enjoyed by hundreds of thousands of people every year. Let’s keep it clean, look after it and keep it accessible for future generation’s times to come.

What do you think of Indian Ocean Drive? Is it slower than Brand Hwy? Let us know below.

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