|
Notes:
CP = Camping Park, full facilities
NP = National Park, limited facilities
BC = Bush Camp, no facilities
DAY
1 - CP
Departing
Perth 7.00 am. We head north to Nambung National Park where
we stop to explore the famous Pinnacle Desert. After
lunch at one of the small fishing towns there is a chance
for a swim in the Indian Ocean at Hangover Bay, or a nice
stroll along deserted beaches. We carry on our journey through
Geraldton and along the coastal gorges of the Batavia Coast,
the site of many shipwrecks, (ask your guide for the stories).
In season, (July – September) check out the wildflowers en
route to the Pink Lakes and the Ocean Gorges (Pot Alley).
But before this we are now off sandboarding! Have some fun
surfing over large natural sand dunes so hang on. We stop
to watch the sunset & perhaps spot Humpback whales
frolicking in the Ocean (seasonal) and then we head for camp,
which is a good time for spotting kangaroos. Tonight we stay
in Kalbarri. Hostel, all facilities. We stop at a bottle
shop on the way. Traditional Aussie Barbie tonight.
DAY
2 - CP
This morning,
we have a short drive to Kalbarri National Park where we begin
the day with a bush walk to check out the awesome views of
the Murchison River Z-bends and the famous Natures
Window. We then continue north through station country, where
we cross Meadow and Nerren Nerren sheep stations, en route
to Shark Bay. The wild flowers are abundant in season
(July/September). Next we stop to visit the Stromatolites
(the oldest living things on the planet) and then on to Shell
beach, probably the longest shell beach in the world. Next
stop Denham (the most westerly town in Australia) for a bottle
shop stop before arriving at Monkey Mia Resort for the night.
Most companies stay in Denham but we would rather stay at
the Monkey Mia resort situated right on the beach;
you can relax around the Barbie or swimming pool and spa.
You may even see the Dolphins hunting at night for
fish along the shore line.
DAY
3 - CP
This morning
we visit the famous dolphins of Monkey Mia one of the
few places in the world were dolphins from the "wild" come
to meet people! The morning is spent interacting with these
amazing creatures (dolphin appearances not guaranteed). There
is also the opportunity to go sailing or kayaking in the bay
(optional extra). Then we bid the dolphin's farewell as we
head for one of the costal gorges and the ancient Stromatolites.
We have lunch before continuing north; here our journey into
the outback really becomes visible with 360 degrees of land,
sea and sky. This is called Big Sky country. After a brief
stop at the tropical town of Carnarvon, we head for our overnight
stay in Coral Bay. The Ningaloo Club all amenities,
swimming pool.
Optional extras you can do in Monkey Mia, (must be
booked in advance):
- Sailing Cruise,
- Fishing,
- Kayaking,
- Visit a Pearl Farm,
- Aboriginal Bush Walk.
DAY
4 - CP
Today
there is time to enjoy this idyllic location Coral Bay the
gateway to Ningaloo Reef, with Ningaloo Reef being
the largest fringing coral reef in the world. Here we can
marvel at the underwater world of multi-coloured fish and
corals. All this is just meters from the sandy shore. Enjoy
swimming, sunbaking, beachcombing, snorkeling or some optional
activities like glass bottomed cruise or quadbikes. Late this
afternoon we make our way across the grasslands to Exmouth.
Overnight stay Exmouth.
DAY
5 - CP
Today
after breakfast you have 2 options. Option 1 head out
into the magnificent Cape Range National Park, making our
way towards the secluded beaches of the Ningaloo Reef, where
you can snorkel (optional) with a huge variety of soft corals
and fish, some different to Coral Bay. First we head off to
explore Yardie Creek Gorge and look for rock wallabies, next
a swim/snorkel at Turquoise Bay. Option 2 Go diving
on Ningaloo Reef (own expense). There are many dive packages
to chose from you can even go Swim with whale sharks (April-June).
Overnight stay Exmouth.
Optional extras you can do in Exmouth. (Must be booked in
advance)
- Diving tours,
- Fishing,
- Whale watching (July-October),
- Swim with Whale sharks (April-June),
- Surfing,
- Quad Bike Tours.
DAY
6 - BC
After
an early start drive inland towards the Hammersley Ranges.
Look out for kangaroos, lizards - and cows! We stop at Tom
Price to get supplies and then head into the Karijini National
Park. This is truly unique country, an amazing contrast
of red rocks, green trees and blue skies. Sit back, relax
and enjoy the ride. Overnight Karijini: bushcamp.
DAY
7 & 8 - BC
A full
2-days is spent in Karijini, discovering the magnificent ancient
gorges and swimming in the waterfalls and pools. Go on a spectacular
bushwalk from Dales Gorge to Circular Pool and back
along the bottom of the Gorge to Fortesque Falls and
the beautiful Fern Pool. Visit the excellent Karijini visitor's
centre and learn about the history of this region and its
flora and fauna. You will be amazed at stunning Weano Gorge
and the viewing spots you can stop at - such as Junction Pool,
Oxer's, Joffre and Knox Lookouts. Walk along the bottom of
Weano Gorge to Handrail Pool. Overnight Karijini: bushcamp.
DAY
9 - BC
Time to
head to the coast again as we leave Karijini National Park
and travel north to Port Hedland. Approximately 50
million tonnes of iron ore are exported annually from here.
Trains used to transport the iron ore are over 2.5 kilometres
long! Tour the town. Stop at the De Grey River on the way
to Eighty Mile Beach, a perfect place to look for shells
and watch the sunset. Overnight: camping.
DAY
10
Departing
80 mile beach we head for Broome. We'll show you around
the town and point out some of the highlights such as Chinatown,
the Japanese Cemetery, Gantheaume Point and Anastasia's Pool.
Then we head down to Cable Beach; watch the sun slip
into the ocean as you celebrate the conclusion of the first
stage of your journey.
DAY
11 & 12
These
two days are free days, leaving you to explore this cosmopolitan
town nestled on the edge of the Indian Ocean. Spend time at
the beautiful Cable Beach or visiting some of the other attractions
including the Crocodile farm, Pearl farm and Bird Observatory.
Meals are not supplied on these days, giving you the chance
to try some of the local crusine from the many cafes and resturaunts
around town. An optional visit to the Sun Picture Theatre
- Australia's oldest open-air cinema, is the ultimate experience
for any Movie Buff.
DAY
13 - NP
This morning
we head east from Broome along the Great Northern Highway,
crossing the massive Fitzroy River. After stopping
at the Boab Prison Tree, we branch off along dirt roads and
explore by torchlight Tunnel Creek, hideout of the
outlaw Pigeon, and then through to our camp at Windjana
Gorge looking for some freshwater crocodiles.
DAY
14 - NP
Today
we start our trek along the famous Gibb River Road,
travelling through the King Leopold Ranges, with our first
stop for a refreshing swim at Galvans Gorge before
arriving at our camp at Manning Gorge.
DAY
15 - NP
Leaving
the Gibb, we travel via the Kalumburu Road, heading for
the remote Mitchell Plateau. Tonight we camp on the
banks of the
King Edward River where we can swim in the refreshing
pools and wash off the dust. Later we can look for “eyes”
in the river.
DAY
16 - NP
Passing
through forests of Livistonia Palms and some of the best views
that money can’t buy, a full day is set aside to explore this
spectacular area at leisure. A trek to Mertens Falls
and then on to the famous Mitchell Falls will take
you to one of the most remote places in the country. Plenty
of time to swim, photograph and just absorb some priceless
memories, as the Mitchell River cascades down, forming a massive
4-tiered waterfall. An optional helicopter flight is
also available. We camp here this evening.
DAY
17 - CP
This morning
we reluctantly leave Mitchell Falls stopping to view Aboriginal
rock art, including Wandjina art and the mysterious Bradshaw
paintings, before arriving at the King Edward River
in time for a swim and lunch. We trek on to Drysdale
River station, with time for a cold beer at a traditional
Kimberley cattle station. Camp tonight by the Drysdale river.
DAY
18 - CP
This morning
we can relax for a while or try our hand at fishing, before
rejoining the Gibb River Rd (one of the roughest roads in
the world), navigating through the stunning Pentecost Ranges,
while crossing the mighty rivers of both the Durack and Pentecost,
en-route to the award winning
El Questro station.
DAY
19 - CP
Start
the day with a walk through, and a soak in, the palm-fringed
Zebedee Hot Springs. Our next visit is to the magnificent
El Questro gorge, where we can hike through to the halfway
point for a refreshing swim; or, for the more energetic, a
trek to the end for the pristine waterfall. This afternoon
we end our trek along the Gibb River Road, heading to Kununurra,
where you can spend time relaxing around the pool, or take
an optional plane flight over Lake Argyle, the world-renowned
Argyle Diamond Mine and the Bungle Bungle ranges.
DAY
20 - NP
Early
this morning we head south along the Great Northern Highway.
Our first stop after Kununurra is to visit the renowned Warmun
Art Centre to view artwork from leading Aboriginal artists
in residence. We continue our journey to Purnululu
(Bungle Bungle National Park), driving for several hours via
rugged 4WD-only access tracks. After setting up camp and a
quick lunch, we walk through the tiger-striped sandstone domes
at Picanniny Creek to the spacious cavern of Cathedral Gorge.
Relax and absorb it all as we experience a magnificent Bungle
Bungle sunset.
DAY
21 - NP
There
is a lot more to the Bungles than the 400 metre high beehive-shaped
domes, as we will discover with an optional early morning
helicopter flight. Then it’s off to Echidna Chasm,
about a 2 km long narrow gorge with walls towering 100 metres
and adorned with tall palms. This is one of the most mysterious
places of Australia. This afternoon, we head north out of
the Bungles to our bush camp in the Bow River area.
DAY
22 - CP
After
a quick stop in Kununurra to replenish our supplies, we continue
our trek to the north-east, adjusting our time-pieces as we
cross the border into the Northern Territory. The drive
through the Gregory National Park is quite spectacular; on
both sides you have escarpment ranges, unique Boab trees and
the mighty Victoria River that runs into deep valleys
and gorges. Tonight we camp at Victoria River, with the stunning
Red Valley Gorge as our backdrop.
DAY
23 - NP
Today
we head North, traveling through the service town of Katherine,
(the NT’s 4th largest), and stop for the night at the delightful
Edith Falls or Douglas Hot Springs. Here, thermal pools
create an oasis in the surrounding dry woodlands on the edge
of the Litchfield National Park.
DAY
24
Today
we explore Litchfield. Here we can swim and explore
the tropical falls of this beautiful National Park, including
Buley rockhole and Wangi Falls. We then head
to Darwin arriving early evening, where your tour guide will
drop you at your accommodation, sadly ending a memorable adventure.
Please
Note: The Perth – Broome section of this tour is done in conjunction
with another operator.
|
