West Coast & Karijini Overland Adventure

Description

Sun-scorched earth, turquoise waters and flourishing national parks – there’s nowhere on earth quite like Western Australia. Over ten days you’ll discover the best of the rugged West Coast and outback, taking in everything from glittering beaches to remote cattle stations. Explore the inspiring landscapes of Kalbarri National Park, get up close and personal with marine life in Monkey Mia and Ningaloo Reef, spend a night beneath the stars at a simple bush camp in the Pilbara and admire the stunning diversity of Karijini National Park. With two local leaders by your side, you’ll experience the west at its very best.

Trip Name

West Coast & Karijini Overland Adventure

Last Updated

2024-03-12

Days

Capacity

Highlights

From vast desert to diverse national parks and spell-binding coastline, this small group overland adventure takes in Western Australia’s most remarkable landscapes.
Travelling with two passionate local leaders, getting around in a private vehicle and camping beneath the stars, you’ll get to know the real Australia in no time.
Experience a wildlife lover’s paradise in Monkey Mia, famed for its delightful bottlenose dolphins, and choose to explore the underwater aquarium of Ningaloo Reef by plane, glass-bottom boat or snorkel.
Discover the cattle stations, mining communities and sun-baked red earth of the Pilbara, spending a night in a remote outback bush camp for a true taste of Western Australia.
Get to know the inspiring landscapes of Kalbarri National Park, including Murchison Gorge and the Kalbarri Skywalk, and trek through the rocky gorges and waterholes of Karijini National Park.

Itinerary

ITINERARY CHANGES Our itineraries are updated regularly throughout the year based on customer feedback and to reflect the current situation in each destination. The information included in this Essential Trip Information may therefore differ from when you first booked your trip. It's important that you review this information prior to travel so that you have the latest updates. Due to weather, local conditions, transport schedules, public holidays, political unrest or other factors, further changes may be necessary to your itinerary once in-country. Your group leader or local representative will keep you up to date with any such changes once your trip is underway. OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES A selection of optional activities that have been popular with past travellers are listed in the day-to-day itinerary. This isn't an exhaustive list and should be used as a guide only for some of what might be available. Prices are approximate, are for entrance fees only, and don’t include transport to and from the sites or local guides unless indicated. All activities are subject to availability, and maybe on a join-in basis. It may not be possible to do all the activities listed in the time available at each destination, so some pre-planning for what you are most interested in is advised. When it's recommended that travellers pre-book these activities, look for a note in the Special Information section of the day-to-day itinerary. For most, they can either be organised independently on the day, or let your group leader or local representative know you are interested at the Welcome Meeting and they can assist. Where activities are considered medium or high risk, we work with operators whose safety and credentials we have sighted and assessed. Although it is possible that you may find the same activity cheaper with another operator on the ground, we cannot vouch for the safety or quality of that operator. Medium and high-risk activities not listed above have not been assessed by us and as such our staff and group leader or local representative are unable to assist you with organising these activities. Activities that contravene our Responsible Travel policies are also not listed. Please remember that the decision to partake in any activity not listed is at your own discretion and risk. SNORKELLING WITH WHALE SHARKS Whale shark season in Western Australia runs from April through to July. Travellers on this trip have the option to swim with whale sharks – please check the itinerary for the exact day this is available. In August you can also swim with humpback whales. To book these optional activities you can speak to your guide on Day 1 of your trip. However, during busy periods, like school holidays, we recommend you book in advance to avoid disappointment. You can do this by contacting your booking agent or our activity supplier – Kings Ningaloo Reef. Please find a link to their website and their phone number below. http://kingsningalooreeftours.com.au/ 08 9949 1764 By pre-booking this activity you will be paying a slightly higher price to secure your spot, but given the popularity of this activity if it’s a must do for you then we do recommend booking in advance.

Day 1 - Perth / Pinnacles / Kalbarri

Welcome to sunny Perth (Boorloo in the language of the local Whadjuk Nyoongar people, who are the traditional owners of the land on which Perth is now located), where your adventure begins. Leave the city, driving north to Nambung National Park to explore The Pinnacles. These are ancient rock sculptures that rise out of the desert. From here continue on through Geraldton to visit to Western Australia’s own Pink Lake at Port Gregory before we reach the quiet beach town of Kalbarri, where you’ll stay the night.

Day 2 - Kalbarri National Park

Today take a short drive to Kalbarri National Park. Hike around some of the park’s diverse scenery, including Murchison Gorge, Nature’s Window and the amazing Kalbarri Skywalk. It’s a steep descent into Z-Bend Gorge. After lunch it's time to relax and check out the seaside cliffs and coastal gorges. Take a walk from Natural Bridge to Island Rock keeping a lookout for dolphins and migrating whales (seasonal). Enjoy a stunning west coast sunset over the Indian Ocean.

Day 3 - Shark Bay / Monkey Mia

An early departure this morning will see us take in the beautiful Shell Beach, which is one of only two beaches in the world composed entirely of shells. Get back on the road and continue towards Denham and Shark Bay. This afternoon you can relax by the pristine shores of Monkey Mia or maybe take an optional sunset sail onboard a local catamaran.

Day 4 - Shark Bay / Coral Bay

This morning head to the beach and see if you can spot some marine life in Monkey Mia. The beach is well known for their resident dolphins. The idyllic shores around the Francoise Peron National Park are perfect to stretch the legs and admire another slice of Western Australian coastline. The next stop is back at the base of the Shark Bay peninsula where you’ll see the fascinating stromatolites at Hamelin Pool. These marine rock formations are some of the world’s oldest and largest living fossils. After a short break, continue along the highway to Coral Bay – known as the ‘Jewel of the Northwest’.

Day 5 - Ningaloo Reef / Cape Range National Park

Today explore picturesque Coral Bay, home to the World Heritage-listed Ningaloo Reef. Snorkel equipment is available to hire, or you could cruise the reef in a glass-bottom boat to observe the tropical life teeming below the surface. The marine park is home to 250 species of coral and over 500 species of fish. In the late afternoon, it’s a short drive to our campsite at Yardie Creek in Cape Range National Park, near Exmouth.

Day 6 - Ningaloo Reef / Cape Range National Park

Spend the morning snorkelling right off the beach in the stunning Cape Range National Park. Depending on the time of year, you have the option to snorkel or scuba dive in search of whale sharks and manta rays. Perhaps take a visit to Vlamingh Head Lighthouse, one of the few places in Australia where you can see the sun both rise and set. Enjoy taking a wander around the town of Exmouth before settling down for the night in our permanent campsite.

Day 7 - Pilbara / Karijini National Park

Head inland today through the vast cattle stations of the Pilbara region. The sparsely populated Pilbara desert is known for its red earth and rich mineral deposits. In the afternoon pass through the little town of Tom Price, which is renowned for its iron ore mining. Continue on to your campsite overlooking the magnificent Hamersley Range in Karijini. Before you go to sleep, take a minute to gaze up at one the most magnificent night skies you’re ever likely to see.

Day 8 - Karijini National Park

Today explore the almighty gorges of Karijini National Park. Formed over 2500 million years ago, the Hamersley Ranges feature some of the most unusual landforms on Earth. You’ll be able to take some great photographs while you’re here. Hike deep into the gorges, where you’ll come across cascading waterfalls and fresh waterholes ideal for swimming in. Dales Gorge and Circular Pool, Fortescue Falls, Fern Pool and Weano Gorge are just some of the places you can visit. This part of the journey is a real highlight.

Day 9 - Pilbara Outback

Today is a long day of travel through WA's vast Pilbara Outback. Travel south via the outback mining town of Newman, the iron ore Mecca of the north. Continue through many large historical sheep and cattle stations (some over 1 million acres in size) and modern mining centres. Share your last night together at one of our outback campsites.

Day 10 - Pilbara Outback / Perth

Leave early as you'll travel to the gold mining town of Mt Magnet. A short break and once more we are on our way to Perth (Boorloo in the language of the local Whadjuk Nyoongar people, who are the traditional owners of the land on which Perth is now located). As the kilometres slip by we soon find ourselves in the wheat and sheep farming districts north east of Perth. Early afternoon will find us at the picturesque town of New Norcia, built as a mission by Benedictine monks in the 1840’s. As the day draws to a close we arrive back into Perth where the trip come to an end.

Trip Dates

Start	End	Price From	Room Type

Accommodation

Hostel (multi-share with shared facilities) (5 nights),Camping (with facilities) (4 nights)

Transport

Private vehicle