Day 1
Broome / Pardoo Station
Welcome to the pearling town of Broome, where your Western Australian adventure begins. Those keen on beach-lazing might like to arrive a few days earlier, as the local beaches are superb. Meet your group and depart Broome early this morning and cross the Great Sandy Desert, calling in at Eighty Mile Beach for a stroll along the white sand. Spend the night camping on a cattle station in the Pilbara Region.
Day 2
Port Hedland / Karijini National Park
This morning we head toward Karijini National Park with a stop and a quick tour of Port Headland to check out the iron ore mecca of Australia. If time permits, we may duck into one of the gorges this afternoon upon arrival at Karijini. If not, we’ll set up camp in the park and get a good night’s rest before we head in for a full day of exploring tomorrow.
Day 3
Karijini National Park
Spend a full day exploring the gorges, gullies and secluded swimming spots of Karijini. Weano Gorge, Hancock Gorge, Dales Gorge and Oxers Lookout are just some of the better-known sites we’ll get to. This, without any doubt, is one of Australia’s most magnificent national parks (and it’s not like Australia has any shortage of them).
Day 4
Karijini National Park
Pack up your towel and walking shoes and head out for another day exploring Karijini with your leader. Anything you didn’t tick off the list yesterday you can chase up today – whether it’s a snooze in the sun or a strenuous trek to a lookout. Swim in waterholes, hike along rocky trails and splash about in waterfalls. Paradise!
Day 5
Pilbara / Cape Range National Park
Today is a long day of driving. Leaving Karijini, travel through the vast bushland and cattle stations of the Pilbara. This sparsely populated region is known for its red earth and rich mineral deposits. Spend the night at an exclusive campsite at Yardie Creek in the Cape Range National Park, near Exmouth.
Day 6
Ningaloo Reef / Coral Bay
Enjoy a day of freedom and relaxation. Depending on the season, you’ll have the option to snorkel or scuba dive in search of whale sharks or manta rays, the largest rays in the world. Perhaps take a walk to Vlamingh Head Lighthouse, or soak up the sun on the pristine beach at Turquoise Bay. In the afternoon, take a short trip to beautiful Coral Bay where you will spend the night.
Day 7
Ningaloo Reef / Coral Bay
Spend another day on Ningaloo Reef, one of the world’s largest fringing reefs, meaning that it starts practically from the water’s edge. You just swim out from shore and suddenly you’re in a world of coral, fish, turtles and manta rays. Swimming above these enormous majestic creatures is really something else, they might even put on an acrobatics show for you! Not much of a swimmer? There’s also the option of taking in the scene on a glass bottom boat tour, along with many other optional activities. We’ll introduce you to the friendly staff at Coral Bay Eco Tours.
Day 8
Shark Bay / Monkey Mia
Today we cross over the Tropic of Capricorn to Monkey Mia. The main stop for the day is Shell Beach, which, much as name would suggest, is a beach made of shells. They cover a stretch 60-kilometres long and up to seven-metres deep. Tonight, stay in Monkey Mia.
Day 9
Shark Bay / Kalbarri
This morning, check out Monkey Mia – part of the Peron Peninsula, which extends into part of the Indian Ocean known as Shark Bay. This popular spot is known for its friendly local dolphins. Afterwards, continue across the Eastern Peninsula. See stromatolites, the oldest living organisms in the world, then head south for Kalbarri. Time permitting, there’ll be a stop along the way at Murchison Gorge, where there’s the opportunity to admire the landscape through Nature’s Window.
Day 10
Kalbarri National Park / Pinnacles / Perth
It’s a driving day today, but a spectacular one. Cruising through the coastal gorges of Kalbarri National Park, we come to the quaint coastal town of Dongara, which sits at the head of the Irwin River. Visit Western Australia’s own Pink Lake at Port Gregory. Head on to Sandy Cape (Lancelin), a vast sand desert peopled by the strange limestone structures of the Pinnacles Nambung National Park. After a walk around here it’s on to Perth, where this adventure finishes on arrival at 6 pm.