West Coast Encompassed: Perth to Ningaloo Reef and Karijini National Park – 13 Day Tour

Your adventure starts with a welcome meeting in Perth at 8.30am, before we set out for the trendy seaside resort of Geraldton. But this isn’t just any journey. We’ll stop off along the way to take in the largest dunes in WA and the mysterious alien-like limestone towers of the Pinnacles at Nambung National Park, as well as checking out the Leaning Trees of Greenough and the lovely Jurien Bay, where you might spot a sea lion or two. In Geraldton, have an orientation drive around town before dinner, drinks, and a chance to get to know everyone. 

Included Activities
● Visit to the largest dunes in WA
● Walk through the mysterious alien-like limestone towers of the Pinnacles at Nambung National Park
● Geraldton orientation tour & the stunning HMAS memorial lookout
Included Meals
● None
Accommodation – Hospitality Inn Geraldton

After a leisurely breakfast, we head to historical Northampton, one of the oldest towns in Western Australia. We’ll catch some heritage buildings dating back to the 1800s, and meet the artists at a First Nations gallery. Next up: the Pink Lake at Hutt Lagoon, which truly lives up to its name, before gazing in awe at the wind-eroded sandstone of Nature’s Window, the spectacular Z-Bend Gorge, and the Kalbarri Skywalk at Kalbarri National Park. 

It’s a bit of an ocean-themed day today. Jump on a boat at the Kalbarri Marina to learn about the local rock lobster industry – and even pull up some lobster pots yourself, and keep your catch to enjoy later that evening! Then it’s one sealife legend to another, as we head off to scenic Monkey Mia, where the local Dolphin population thrives. Stop via the Hamelin Pool Marine Nature Reserve for some ‘living fossils’, and one of Shark Bay’s picturesque lookouts. Put your feet up at Monkey Mia, or hit the water, before an evening First Nations experience courtesy of the Nhanda and Malgana people. This is your chance to try the didgeridoo or traditional conch shell, and taste some bush tucker. 

Here’s a post-breakfast activity you don’t get every day: Bottlenose dolphin-spotting with WA Parks & Wildlife experts. Learn a bit about these magnificent animals, and then take some well-earned time off to relax on the beach, snap photos to make the folks back home jealous, or sit at the bar and watch the wildlife go by. If you fancy it, there’s a sunset cruise, and you’re invited, feel free to bring a sundowner with you. If you’re lucky you might spot the elusive sea cows, or ‘Dugongs’.

Included Activities
● Bottlenose dolphin-spotting with the Parks & Wildlife experts 
● Free afternoon to walk the beaches, sand dunes or relax by the pool in paradise
Optional Activity – Sunset cruise and the chance to spot the elusive sea cows, or ‘Dugongs’.

Included Meals
● Breakfast
Accommodation – Monkey Mia Dolphin Resort

It’s definitely a more spaced out day as we head to Carnarvon Space and Technology Centre for a quick photo stop. It was created to support NASA’s Gemini, Apollo and Skylab programs. Next up, we visit the Gascoyne Aboriginal Heritage and Cultural Centre to learn about the region’s unique culture and country from its First Nations custodians. Snap some pics of the Carnarvon Cactus Farm, one of the town’s quirkiest sights, before heading to – Travel along the Gascoyne Food Trail. The trail features everything from bananas and avocados, to beans, beef, ice cream, and mangoes. Relax tonight – maybe take the chance for a stroll along the beautiful foreshore to a local restaurant?

Today we are off Coral Bay, home to the World Heritage-listed Ningaloo Reef, the world’s largest fringing reef, we’ll embark on a glass-bottom boat tour and snorkel experience, to see up to 250 species of coral and 500 species of fish. Further along the coast we visit Vlamingh Head Lighthouse, with stunning views, then rest up in Exmouth town.

Included Activities
● Visit Ningaloo reef on a glass-bottom boat tour and snorkel experience 
● Visit Vlamingh Head Lighthouse with breathtaking views
Included Meals
● Breakfast
Accommodation – Ningaloo Lodge Exmouth

It’s time to say goodbye to some of your fellow travellers after breakfast and for you to start the second part of our journey from Exmouth. Today is a free day for you to enjoy the many activities that Exmouth and the surrounding area has to offer. Perhaps a dip in the ocean at the nearby Town Beach, a sunset cruise (spot whales at the right time of the year!) on Exmouth Gulf or a visit to one of the fantastic local breweries!

Optional Activities
● Choose from many local activities on land or out on Ningaloo Reef – Swim with whale sharks, manta rays, or join a day tour to Cape Range National Park
Included Meals
● Breakfast
Accommodation – Ningaloo Lodge Exmouth

We start our day the way everyone should, with a morning tea stop (you’re welcome to enjoy fresh scones, tea and coffee) at Bullara Station, a working cattle station! Afterwards we are off to Cheela Plains Station via a refueling stop at the famous Nanutarra Roadhouse. As for Cheela Plains, expect a lush oasis of comfort between Karijini National Park and Ningaloo Reef, where you can really feel the power of the rugged Pilbara landscape surrounding you and the sensational night sky above.

Included Activities
● Visit Bullara Station for the chance to try their famous scones
● Sunset Hill Walk  – Watch the sunset over the Pilbara with a sundowner in hand
● Stargazing – See the Milky Way like never before
Included Meals
● None. However guests may enjoy dinner at Red Plains café (discuss with guide on day 2) or self-cater in the camp kitchen facilities. You will have opportunities to buy your own meal supplies on this adventure and there is a refrigerator onboard to keep your food and supplies fresh.
Accommodation  – Cheela Plains Station (shared bathroom facilities)

It’s all about deep gorges and crystal clear water as we head to Karijini National Park, the place to truly embrace your wild side. Along the way we’ll stop off at Tom Price (another chance to grab supplies), the highest town in Western Australia. You’ll get to experience the sheer dramatic force of Hammersley Gorge, where you can wander the bush, take a refreshing dip, or just laze away the day. Your call.

Included Activities
● Visit the mining township of Tom Price
● Explore Hammersley Gorge with a relaxing swim in it’s cool waters
Included Meals
● None. However guests may enjoy dinner options in the town of Tom Price or self-cater in the camp kitchen facilities. You will have opportunities to buy your own meal supplies on this adventure and there is a refrigerator onboard to keep your food and supplies fresh.
Accommodation  – Tom Price Tourist Park (shared bathroom facilities)

Another day of spectacular scenery and breathtaking views awaits. First it’s Weano Gorge, where you’ll want to leave time for some spectacular snaps. The walk to Hancock Gorge and Kermit’s Pool has been described as a ‘journey to the centre of the earth’ – judge for yourself as you descend amid steep walls. You will also have the opportunity to visit Handrail Pool as well. Back on the surface, we head to Dales Gorge where you can take an invigorating dip at Fern Pool and Fortescue Falls before it’s off to our bush camp and your chance to camp under the stars and really experience the grandeur of the great southern sky.

Included Activities
● Weano Gorge viewpoint
● Hancock Gorge – Kermit’s Pool and Handrail Pool hike (Fitness level and time permitting)
● Invigorating dip at Fern Pool and Fortescue Falls in Dales Gorge

Optional Activities
● Karijini Stargazing Tours (booked and paid locally)
● Dales Gorge loop hike

Included Meals
● None –  BBQ packs with salad available from us or self-cater using the BBQ facilities. You will have opportunities to buy your own meal supplies on this adventure and there is a refrigerator onboard to keep your food and supplies fresh.
Accommodation  – Private Permanent Bush Camp (shared bathroom facilities)  

We’re on the road back where we might spot an Emu or two. It’s a return to an old friend, Nanutarra Roadhouse, and then back to the amazing Bullara Station, this working cattle station is a real travellers rest stop and highlight. Tonight you might catch some of the live music the area has become renowned for. Cheers.

Included Activities
● Relaxation time at Bullara Station
● Live Music (schedule dependent)
● Campfire gatherings (BYO drinks if you wish) for a yarn with other travellers
● Station walks (self guided)
Included Meals
● None – However guests may enjoy great prebooked menu options (discuss with guide on day 2), buy local Bullara Station BBQ packs and/or self-cater in the camp kitchen facilities. You will have opportunities to buy your own supplies on this adventure and there is a refrigerator onboard to keep your food and supplies fresh
Accommodation  – Bullara Station

It’s time to shake the red Pilbara dirt off as we head to Coral Bay. We’re taking it easy today;
enjoy snorkelling or swimming in the beautiful water, grab a sweet treat from the bakery, or just wander around enjoying the atmosphere. Afterwards, we drop everyone off at their connections and it’s the end of another great trip. Thanks for coming!

Included Activities
● Visit the township of Coral Bay including the pristine bay itself with a chance to partake in many optional activities 
Optional Activities
● Snorkel, Kayak & SUP hire (paid locally)
● Ningaloo Reef snorkelling boat trips (booked and paid locally)
Included Meals
● None – However guests may enjoy great prebooked menu options (discuss with guide on day 2), buy local Bullara Station BBQ packs and/or self-cater in the camp kitchen facilities. You will have opportunities to buy your own supplies on this adventure and there is a refrigerator onboard to keep your food and supplies fresh
Accommodation  – None. Do you need help booking post tour accommodation? Get in touch, we can help.