Highlights
- Explore Western Australia’s desert landscapes, national parks and spectacular Coral Coast in rugged style on the ultimate overland trip
- Enjoy the local knowledge of a passionate guide and the magic of camping under the great southern sky
- Wade in the shallows of Monkey Mia beach and be amazed at the friendly dolphins that approach
- Peer into the ecologically diverse underwater world of Ningaloo Reef by snorkel, and swim with the gentle beasts of the deep in the season, whalesharks
- The cattle stations, red earth and mining communities of the Pilbara are reminiscent of the sun-baked Australia much of the world imagines
- Hike and swim in the ancient gorges and waterholes of Karijini National Park
Inclusions
- Experienced guide
- National park entry fees
- 4 nights multi-share accommodation with shared facilities, 5 nights camping
- 9 breakfasts, 10 lunches, 9 dinners
Day 1: Perth and Kalbarri
Welcome to sunny Perth, where your overland journey 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 the quiet beach town of Kalbarri, where you’ll stay the night. Accommodation: Hostel (shared facilities). Note: The total driving time today is about 6.5 hours and approximately 600km. The total walking distance is approximately 2km.
Meal(s) included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 2: Kalbarri National Park to Shark Bay
Today take a short drive to Kalbarri National Park. Hike around some of the park’s diverse scenery, including Murchison Gorge and Nature’s Window. It’s a steep descent into Z-Bend Gorge. After lunch visit 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. Accommodation: Hostel (shared facilities). Note: The total driving time today is about 5.5 hours and approximately 470km. The total walking distance is approximately 5km.
Meal(s) included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3: Monkey Mia to Coral Bay
This morning head down to the beach for the Monkey Mia dolphins experience. 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 Hamelin Pool where you’ll see the fascinating stromatolites, these marine rock formations are some of the world’s oldest and largest living fossils. After a short break, continue along the highway through Carnarvon to Coral Bay – known as the ‘Jewel of the Northwest’. Accommodation: Hostel (shared facilities). Note: The total driving time today is about 6.5 hours. The total walking distance is approximately 2km.
Meal(s) included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4: Coral Bay to Cape Range National Park
Today explore picturesque Coral Bay, home to the World Heritage-listed Ningaloo Reef. Snorkel equipment is available to hire (own expense), 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. You might prefer to take an optional scenic flight over the reef. In the late afternoon, it’s a short drive to our campsite at Yardie Creek in the Cape Range National Park, near Exmouth. Accommodation: Permanent twin share tent (shared facilities). Note: The total driving time today is about 2 hours and approximately 185km. The total walking distance is approximately 2km.
Meal(s) included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5: Exmouth and 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. 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 in our permanent campsite. Accommodation: Permanent twin share tent (shared facilities). Note: The total driving time today is about 2 hours and approximately 180km. The total walking distance is approximately 2km.
Meal(s) included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6: 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. Accommodation: Camping (shared facilities). Note: Today’s travel will take around 9 hours in total and approximately 750km.
Meal(s) included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7: Karijini National Park
Over the next two days explore the almighty gorges of Karijini National Park. Formed over 2,500 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 Oxlers Lookout, Fortescue Falls, Fern Pool, Weano and Hancock Gorge’s are just some of the places you can visit. This part of the journey is a real highlight. Accommodation: Camping (shared facilities). Note: The total driving time today is around 2 hours and approximately 30km, but you could be walking up to 6km.
Meal(s) included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8: Karijini National Park
Head back into the gorges today for further exploration of this fascinating national park. Accommodation: Camping (shared facilities). Note: The total driving time today is only around 2 hours and approximately 180km, but you could be walking up to 6km.
Meal(s) included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 9: Pilbara Region
Depart Karijini this morning and travel towards the coast (approximately four hours in total). Visit the iron ore port of Port Hedland, the second most populated town in the Pilbara. Take a quick tour of the town and gain an understanding of the scale of the iron ore industry. After lunch continue on to a nearby station, where you’ll spend the last night of your trip. Accommodation: Camping (shared facilities). Note: The total driving time today is about 6.5 hours and approximately 520km.
Meal(s) included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 10: Broome
The drive to your final destination of Broome will take around six hours. En route, enjoy a leisurely break and stroll along the immense 80-Mile Beach. On arrival into Broome, say goodbye to your fellow travellers and enjoy an idyllic Broome sunset - a fitting end to your overland adventure. There are no more activities planned for today. Note: The total driving time today is about 6 hours and approximately 525km.
Meal(s) included : Lunch
Departs: Selected Saturdays from April to September - Perth accommodation from 6.30 am
Pick Up: Barrack Street Jetty (Tourist stop Barrack Square, next to Pinnacle Tours Office) at 7am
Returns: Select Broome accommodation early evening Day 10.
What you need to bring:
Sturdy walking shoes
Hat and sunscreen
Water bottle (at least 1.5 litres)
Towel and toiletries
Camera/phone and batteries or charger
A sleeping bag is required - bring your own or pre-purchase at time of booking.
Headlight or torch
Insect repellent/flynet
Second pair of shoes that can get wet
Towel for swimming
You may also wish to bring a power pack for charging without electricity
Extra Costs:
A sleeping bag is required for this tour. You can bring your own or pre purchase one from Adventure Tours at time of booking. No sleeping bags can be purchased on the day of departure.
There are a number of optional activities on this tour, all of which can be booked by your Guide on the bus.
