West Coast Adventure

Day 2 : Perth - Nambung National Park - The Pinnacles - Kalbarri

Following breakfast this morning, travel to Nambung National Park to see the limestone pillars of the Pinnacles. These amazing natural limestone structures, some standing as high as five metres, were formed approximately 25,000 to 30,000 years ago, after the sea receded and left deposits of sea shells. Attracting over 190,000 visitors each year, the Pinnacles of Nambung National Park are the major natural attraction in the Coral Coast region of Cervantes and Jurien Bay. The park is located north of Perth and covers an area of 17,487 hectares, providing natural habitat for an extensive array of native animals and bird life. Continue to the fishing town of Kalbarri, overlooking the Indian Ocean where the Murchison River meets the sea.

Hotel: Kalbarri Edge Resort

Day 3 : Kalbarri - Shark Bay

Set out for World Heritage-listed Shark Bay this morning. Visit the township of Denham, the most westerly town on the Australian mainland, before you continue to Monkey Mia. This evening you can unwind on a sunset cruise on Shark Bay before enjoying a feast on delicious local seafood. Tonight enjoy the beach location of Monkey Mia Dolphin Resort.

Hotel: Monkey Mia Dolphin Resort

Day 4 : Monkey Mia Dolphin Experience - Shell Beach - Carnarvon

Monkey Mia is famous for the wild dolphins that come into the shore on an almost daily basis to mingle with the people, so you’ll start the day with a short stroll to Dolphin Beach for the daily wild dolphin feeding experience. They are wild creatures so we can’t guarantee they will show up, but they are pretty reliable. Afterwards, head off to admire the billions of tiny non-fossilised shells that form Shell Beach, in places they are up to ten metres deep. Then view the ancient stromatolites found at Hamelin Pool, before continuing to Carnarvon.

Hotel: Fascine Lodge Carnarvon

Day 5 : Carnarvon - Ningaloo Reef Marine Park - Exmouth

Leaving Carnarvon this morning, travel to Coral Bay, the gateway to Ningaloo Reef Marine Park. Ningaloo Reef is the largest fringing reef in the world, reaching nearly 20 kilometres seaward and covering 5,000 square kilometres of ocean and is home to some 500 species of fish, graceful manta rays and turtles, and over 300 varieties of coral. Explore this wonderland in a glass bottomed boat. Continue to Vlamingh Head, with its famous lighthouse for stunning views of Western Australia’s coastline. Then later head to Exmouth.

Hotel: Pot Shot Hotel

Day 6 : Exmouth - The Pilbara - Tom Price

Travelling inland, you’ll pass through the striking ancient outback landscapes of the Pilbara on the journey to the remote mining town of Tom Price, nestled deep in the Hamersley Range. Enjoy a tour of the Tom Price Mine before dinner this evening.

Hotel: Tom Price Hotel

Day 7 : Tom Price - Karijini National Park - Karratha

Today you’ll explore Karijini National Park, where gorges and waterfalls provide a contrast to the red Pilbara terrain. The park is the traditional home of the Banyjima, Kurrama and Innawonga Aboriginal people. Evidence of their early occupation dates back more than 20,000 years Visit Dale and Fortescue Falls and take in the views from Oxers Lookout, before continuing to the township of Karratha.

Hotel: Ibis Styles Karratha

Day 8 : Karratha - Port Hedland

First thing today is a tour of Karratha, then journey onwards to Pilbara. Visit Roebourne and the small ghost town of Cossack before arriving in Port Hedland, home to Australia’s largest tonnage port, exporting iron ore around the world.

Hotel: Ibis Styles Port Hedland

Day 9 : Port Hedland - Great Sandy Desert - Broome

The Great Sandy Desert is Australia’s second largest at just over one hundred and ten thousand square miles; you’ll cross part of it on the way to Broome. Enjoy a guided tour of this historic pearling town before time at leisure this evening.

Hotel for 2 nights: Oaks Broome

Day 10 : Broome at Leisure

Today is yours to spend at leisure. Perhaps stroll through town or head to Gantheaume Point; wander along the pristine sand or swim in the turquoise water at Cable Beach or visit the Crocodile Park and hold a baby croc. This evening sit back and relax as you watch the sunset over the Indian Ocean or perhaps you’ll take an optional camel ride along the beach.

Day 11 : Broome - Fitzroy Crossing

Head inland through the Great Erskine Range and through a landscape dotted with cattle stations and boab trees to the remote Fitzroy Crossing on the edge of Geikie Gorge National Park. A true Outback town set on the banks of the mighty Fitzroy River it dates back to 1897.

Hotel: Fitzroy River Lodge

Day 12 : Fitzroy Crossing - Geikie Gorge - Halls Creek

Cruise the stunning Geikie Gorge, which was carved by the Fitzroy River through part of an ancient limestone barrier reef which snakes across the west Kimberley. It was laid down in an ancient sea that covered a large part of the Kimberley in Devonian times, some 350 million years ago. In the rainy season the river rises over 15 metres flooding the national park and staining the limestone walls of the gorge. Continue along the Great Northern Highway to Halls Creek at the doorstep of the Purnululu National Park.

Hotel: Kimberley Hotel

Day 13 : Halls Creek - Lirrgarn Argyle Diamond Mine - El Questro Wilderness Park

A quarter of the world’s diamonds are mined in the Argyle Diamond Mine. You’ll enjoy a tour behind the scenes to look at the process before continuing to the El Questro Wilderness Park, an area of outstanding natural beauty.

Hotel for 2 nights: El Questro, Emma Gorge Resort, in tented cabins with ensuites

Day 14 : El Questro Wilderness Park

Amid the vast and ancient landscape of Western Australia’s East Kimberley region sits the untamed natural beauty of El Questro. El Questro is a destination unlike any other and offers the freedom to explore one of Australia’s last true frontiers. From deep gorges and majestic mountains to thermal springs, mud and salt-flats, rainforests and cascading waterfalls everything the Kimberley has to offer is located across the property’s 700,000 acres and is why we say that El Questro is the heart of the Kimberley. Visit Zebedee Springs for a relaxing dip, then enjoy a guided cruise along the Chamberlain Gorge, fringed by sixty metre escarpments and lush tropical vegetation. Later, hike to Emma Gorge where you have the chance to indulge in a refreshing swim beneath the towering droplet waterfall. This evening you’ll dine under the stars as you savour a home-style dinner.

Day 15 : El Questro Wilderness Park - Lake Argyle - Ord River - Kununurra

Take the Gibb River Road to Lake Argyle, Australia’s largest man-made lake, then cruise the Ord River for some crocodile spotting. This wetland area is a haven for myriads of birds and other wildlife.

Hotel: Kununurra Country Club Hotel

Day 16 : Kununurra - Katherine

You’ll pass by vast cattle stations as you travel by way of Timber Creek into the Northern territory on the way to Katherine, where the outback meets the tropics.

Hotel: Ibis Styles Katherine

Day 17 : Katherine Gorge - Darwin

Cruise the majestic Katherine Gorge before visiting the Adelaide River and the Australian War Cemetery, dedicated to the WWII air raids on Darwin. Continue to Darwin, Australia’s tropical Top End capital city and a mixture of old meets new building styles. Enjoy a memorable Farewell Dinner this evening.

Hotel: Mantra on the Esplanade.

Day 18 : Depart Darwin

Tour Darwin then transfer to the airport for your onward flight.