21 Day Perth to Darwin
Western Australia
Day 1 - Perth to Kalbarri
Jump aboard as we head north to Nambung National Park and explore the fascinating formations of the Pinnacles Desert. Our journey continues along coastal roads passing by seaside fishing towns until we arrive at some local sand dunes. Get ready for an adrenaline hit! Sand-boarding on local dunes will get your blood rushing. In the afternoon we pass through the major port of Geraldton, before reaching our overnight stop in the seaside resort town of Kalbarri (LD), (H).
Day 2 - Kalbarri to Shark Bay
It’s an early start this morning for a short drive to Murchison Gorge in Kalbarri National Park. Here, we explore Nature’s Window, the Loop and Z-Bend Gorge - an exhilarating 150 metre descent into the heart of the gorge - before an invigorating swim in the tranquil water pools (seasonal). Feeling adventurous? Give abseiling a go (at own expense). Lunch is well-earned today! In the afternoon we head towards Monkey Mia and enter Shark Bay World Heritage area, stopping at gorgeous Shell Beach before reaching our overnight stop at Denham. (BLD), (H).
Day 3 - Shark Bay to Coral Bay
We hit the beach after a short drive across the Peron Peninsula and make our way to the world famous Monkey Mia dolphins - have your camera ready for some great shots of these entrancing animals. From here, we head to Carnarvon, with a stop at a banana plantation (the chocolate coated frozen bananas sold here are a yummy treat!) From Carnarvon we finish the day by driving the highway to Coral Bay, the Jewel of the North. (B,L,D), (H).
Day 4 - Coral Bay & Exmouth
It’s time to relax! Spend today discovering the wonders of the Ningaloo Reef and its fantastic marine wildlife. Snorkelling, cruising on a glass-bottom boat, swimming with manta rays or whale sharks (seasonal), quad bike tours or a joy flight over the reef (all at own expense) are just some of the ways you can check out this beautiful aquatic park. Late this afternoon we make the short trip to Exmouth. (BLD), (H).
Day 5 - Exmouth
Get ready to explore the Exmouth region. After breakfast we head to Yardie Creek in the Cape Range National Park. Turquoise Bay is a great spot for a swim (or just lazing on the beach!). The views from historic Vlahming Head Lighthouse are spectacular. We head back to our accommodation mid afternoon. (BL), (H).
Day 6 - Exmouth to Karijini National Park
Heading inland through the vast cattle stations of the Pilbara region, our destination is the oasis of Karijini. This afternoon we drop in at Tom Price, a little town known for its iron ore mining, before setting up our camp overlooking the magnifi cent Hamersley Range, just in time to watch the sunset. (BLD), (BC).
Days 7 & 8 - Karijini National Park
It takes two full days to explore and take in the surrounding national park and gorges. Formed over 2,500 million years ago, the Hamersley Ranges are some of the most unusual landforms on earth. Deep in the gorges you’ll come across cascading waterfalls and fresh, still waterholes - perfect for swimming. Some of the gorges are so narrow; you can touch both sides at once! Dales, Gorge, Fortesque Falls, Fern Pool, Circular Pool, Weano Gorge and Hancock Gorge are just some of the areas we’ll get to. Definitely a highlight! (BLD), (C)
Day 9 - Karijini National
Park to Indee Station. We depart Karinjini this morning and take a leisurely drive out of the park towards outback Indee Station. We have time here to view Aboriginal rock art at Red rock before spending our last night together before heading for Broome. (BLD), (BC).
Day 10 - Eighty Mile Beach to Broome
We get off to a slow start this morning to take in the glorious stretching sands of Eighty Mile Beach, which stretches forever! Wander along the beach or go for a swim before we get to Broome in the mid-afternoon. (BL), (H).
Day 11 & 12 - Broome
Two days of leisure in this historic northern pearling town. There is plenty to see and do in Broome, time to just relax or laze on the beach in idyllic weather conditions on the famous Cable Beach or view some of the old pearling luggers. We start our time here with a town tour to show you the sights. (B), (H)
Day 13 - Broome to Windjana Gorge
Out of Broome we stop briefly at Willare Bridge, where a rushing torrent of water flows in the mighty Fitzroy River during the wet season. From here we leave the bitumen behind as we head for the Oscar Range and on to Tunnel Creek, where a 750 metre tunnel passes under the Napier Range. The area has a rich bushranger history - ask your guide for the true story! (LD), (BC).
Day 14 - Windjana Gorge to Mt Barnett
Windjana Gorge is worth exploring (there are loads of freshwater crocodiles here!) before we hit the track again to travel along the famous Gibb River road to Manning Gorge and to watch the sunset over the Barnett Range. (BLD)
Day 15 - Gibb River Road and Gorges
A great day of swimming and hiking! Explore some the Kimberley’s striking gorges, including Barnett, Manning, Adcock or Galvans depending on the time of year. We’re in for another night at our bush camp. (BLD)
Day 16 - Gibb River Road to El Questro Station
We pass through some ancient and spectacular country as we travel along the Gibb River Road. Crossing the Pentecost River, we reach the famous El Questro Station. We walk into the beautiful Cockburn Ranges for a swim under the waterfall at Emma Gorge before retiring for the night. (BLD)
Day 17 - El Questro to Bungle Bungles
Today sit back and admire the awesome scenery of the Carr Boyd and Durack Ranges as we head to Turkey Creek. We take a challenging 4WD trip into the Bungle Bungle (Purnululu) National Park for sunset over the Osmond Ranges and our overnight camp. (BLD).
Day 18 - Bungle Bungle NP
It’s a full day of exploration today. The rock formations of the Bungle Bungles massif are remarkable and we visit the permanent waterhole of Frog Hole, breathtaking Echidna Chasm and overwhelming and magnificent Cathedral Gorge. There’s time to get another perspective of the Bungles by helicopter if you choose (at own expense) before we head back to our overnight bush camp. (BLD)
Day 19 - Bungle-Bungles to Kununurra
It’s time for some 4WD action as we wind our way out of the Bungle Bungles on our way to Kununurra, the capital of the north. This afternoon we spend time exploring Hidden Valley, just a stones throw from Kununurra township. (BLD).
Day 20 - Kununurra to Victoria River
Lake Argyle, created by the Ord River Dam, is the biggest man-made lake in Australia and a couple of times bigger than Sydney Harbour! We spend some time here this morning before crossing the state border into the Northern Territory. If we’ve got time, we’ll check out the Keep River National Park before reaching camp on the Victoria River. (BLD)
Day 21 - Victoria River to Darwin
We’re on the home run now! It’s a short hop across to Katherine where we stop briefly at Katherine (Nitmiluk) Gorge. There’s time for one last refreshing swim at Edith Falls before we arrive in Darwin, the last stop for the journey. (BL).
About Western Australia
Western Australia has some of the most diverse landscapes in the country, providing a feeling of space and freedom, even the locals think its big! It is so different to anything you have experienced before. It’s all about real adventure & lifelong memories; buckle up and take a minibus or 4WD on a camping tour through the most breathtaking gorges and pristine beaches. Snorkel Ningaloo Reef with the mighty Whale Shark (seasonal), feed dolphins at Monkey Mia, hike Karijini Gorges, unwind on Cable Beach, swim & explore the remote Kimberleys region.
