7 Day West Coast & Ningaloo Reef Adventure (Southbound)
Why will you love this tour?
- Watch Parks and Wildlife rangers feed the resident dolphins at Monkey Mia and learn about these animals and other marine creatures which call these pristine waters home.
- Snorkel the turquoise waters of Ningaloo Reef, where you’ll have views of the rich and diverse marine life and colourful coral underneath.
- Join an evening First Nations experience where you will learn about Gutharraguda (Shark Bay) from the Nhanda and Malgana people. Try your hand at playing the didgeridoo or traditional conch shell and taste some bush tucker prepared by your hosts over the open fire.
- Jump on a boat at the Kalbarri Marina and set sail for the open ocean where you’ll learn about the local rock lobster industry and help pull up some lobster pots and re-bait them, ready to catch more delicious rock lobster.
- Visit The Pinnacles at Nambung National Park where natural limestone pillars tower above the sand to create an otherworldly landscape.
Is this trip right for you?
- This trip is also available in a northbound direction from Perth to Exmouth. Please check out ‘West Coast & Ningaloo Reef Adventure (Northbound)’ – trip code PVKE – for more details and departure dates.
- This trip requires a moderate to good level of fitness as it involves some walking, allowing you to really get among nature. Please bring sturdy, comfortable walking shoes and comfortable clothing.
- When travelling in Western Australia, temperatures can be very hot during the day and drop quite dramatically at night. Have a think about what time of year suits you best to travel and pack accordingly.
- Just as a heads up before you book: this trip is new to our range this year. And while we have thoroughly researched every detail of the logistics, new destinations can sometimes throw us some unexpected surprises. More often than not, it’ll be a great surprise. But every now and again there might be a hiccup. We like to think that’s what puts the ‘adventure’ in ‘adventure travel’.
Full Itinerary
Key: B = Breakfast, L = lunch, D = Dinner
Day 1: Ningaloo Reef / Exmouth
Welcome to Western Australia! Your adventure begins in Exmouth, a seaside town boasting white sand beaches and turquoise waters. A meeting will take place around midday today where you’ll meet up with your local leader and fellow travellers before heading off to discover the wonders of the west coast. Your first stop is the Cape Range National Park where your leader will guide you on a walk to take in views of the rugged limestone landscape. Pop into the visitor centre to learn more about the geography and wildlife of the region, then continue on to the Vlamingh Head Lighthouse from where you can take in views of the famous Ningaloo Reef. Enjoy an evening at leisure in Exmouth.
Accommodation
- Lodge (1 night)
Included Activities
- Cape Range National Park – Guided Hike & Milyering Visitor Centre
- Cape Range National Park – Vlamingh Head Lighthouse
Optional Activities
- Cape Range National Park – Snorkel with the Whalesharks (seasonal only) – AUD450
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.
Special Information
Today’s first meeting and pick up will take place at our hotel in Exmouth at midday. It’s very important that you are on time today as we will be collecting insurance and emergency contact details at this time, and then head out to Cape Range National Park right away. We recommend you arrive a day earlier as there is plenty to discover in and around Exmouth, especially if you are interested in snorkelling with whale sharks. Please note that swimming with whale sharks is not included on this trip and is an optional activity. It is very important that you pre book any Whale Shark experiences, as this can sell out far in advance. Please also note that whale sharks visit the region between mid-March and mid-September only, so please make sure you schedule your trip accordingly if you would like to include this experience in your trip.
Day 2: Coral Bay / Ningaloo Reef / Carnarvon
Get ready for an experience you won’t soon forget, first driving to picturesque Coral Bay, home to the World Heritage-listed Ningaloo Reef. Join your group for a glass-bottom boat tour where you can see up to 250 species of coral and more than 500 species of colourful fish. Take to the waters with a snorkel. This afternoon, stop at the Quobba Blowholes where water shoots up to 20 metres into the air, check out the Carnarvon Cactus Farm, have the opportunity to check out some of the delicious produce along the Gascoyne Food Trail and snap a photo at the Carnarvon Space and Technology Centre which was created to support NASA’s Gemini, Apollo and Skylab programs. Stop at the Gascoyne Aboriginal Heritage and Cultural Centre and learn about the region’s culture and country from its First Nations custodians.
Accommodation
- Motel (1 night)
Included Activities
- Ningaloo Reef – Glass Bottom Boat Cruise & Snorkelling Experience
- Carnarvon – Gwoonwardu Mia (Gascoyne Aboriginal Heritage and Cultural Centre)
- Carnarvon – Quobba Blowholes
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Special Information
Today’s driving time is approximately 6 hours.
Day 3: Shark Bay / Monkey Mia
This morning, visit the Hamelin Pool Marine Nature Reserve and see marine stromatolites, or ‘living fossils’, which are widely regarded as the best of their kind in the world. Then enjoy a stop at beautiful Shell Beach, one of only two beaches in the world composed entirely of shells. Continue towards Denham where you can stroll along the Eagle Bluff boardwalk and enjoy the view from the lookout. This afternoon is yours to relax on the pristine shores of Monkey Mia until later on when you’ll join an evening First Nations experience where you will learn about Gutharraguda (Shark Bay) from the Nhanda and Malgana people. Try your hand at playing the didgeridoo or traditional conch shell and taste some bush tucker prepared by your hosts over the open fire. Tonight you’ll stay at a beachfront resort overlooking Shark Bay.
Accommodation
- Cabin (1 night)
Included Activities
- Monkey Mia – Didgeridoo Dreaming Night Tour with Bush Tucker
- Shark Bay – Eagle Bluff Lookout & Denham
- Shark Bay – Shell Beach
- Shark Bay – Hamelin Pool Stromatolites
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Special Information
Today’s total driving time is approximately 5.5 hours. Please note that the evening First Nations experience may not be available on all departures of this trip. If it is unavailable it will be replaced with a sunset cruise in Shark Bay.
Day 4: Shark Bay / Kalbarri National Park
After breakfast, watch Parks and Wildlife rangers feed the resident bottlenose dolphins at Monkey Mia and learn about these animals and other local marine life – this is a memory that is sure to stick with you long after your adventure is over! Then it’s time to hit the road once more and drive on to Kalbarri National Park, where you can appreciate the park’s diverse scenery including Nature’s Window, Z-Bend Gorge and the amazing Kalbarri Skywalk. You’ll spend tonight at a well-located resort within the park.
Accommodation
- Resort (1 night)
Included Activities
- Monkey Mia – Dolphin Spotting with Local Ranger
- Kalbarri National Park – Z Bend, Natures Window & Kalbarri Skywalk
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Special Information
Today’s total driving time is approximately 4.5 hours.
Day 5: Kalbarri National Park
Jump on a boat at the Kalbarri Marina this morning and set sail for the open ocean where you’ll learn about the local rock lobster industry and help pull up some lobster pots and re-bait them, ready to catch more delicious rock lobster before you return to the marina. The rest of the day in Kalbarri is yours to enjoy your way. Opt for a relaxing day at the beach or sign up for one of the many optional activities that are available in Kalbarri such as scenic flights, quad bike tours, canoe hire, or abseiling the Z-Bend at the national park.
Accommodation
- Resort (1 night)
Included Activities
- Kalbarri – Rock Lobster Pot Pull Boat Trip
Optional Activities
- Kalbarri – Canoe, Kayak or SUP Hire – from – AUD20
- Kalbarri – Chinamans Beach – Free
- Kalbarri – Local Hikes – Free
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Day 6: Northampton / Geraldton
Kick off the day with a visit to the photogenic Pink Lake at Hutt Lagoon before carrying on to historical Northampton. Join your leader for a walk around Northampton, one of the oldest towns in Western Australia, and admire dozens of historically significant buildings dating back to the 1800s. You’ll also visit a First Nations art gallery to see some beautiful pieces being made, and if you are lucky have the chance to meet the artists. Travel to Geraldton in the afternoon. Join your leader for a walk around town to learn about the region’s maritime history, see St Francis Xavier Cathedral, and perhaps spot some seals as you stroll along the waterfront at sunset.
Accommodation
- Motel (1 night)
Included Activities
- West Coast – Hutt Lagoon (Pink Lake)
- Northampton – Keepers Dreaming Indigenous Art Gallery Visit
- Geraldton – Orientation Walk with Leader
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Special Information
Today’s total driving time is approximately 3 hours.
Day 7: Pinnacles / Perth
This morning’s scenic journey along the Indian Ocean Drive will take you through Cervantes, Jurien Bay and the Leaning Trees of Greenough. Along the way, you’ll also stop at the largest dunes in Western Australia and The Pinnacles at Nambung National Park where natural limestone pillars tower above the sand to create an otherworldly landscape. Arrive into Perth, the capital of Western Australia, at which point your adventure will come to an end.
Included Activities
- West Coast – Cervantes & Jurien Bay
- West Coast – Lancelin Sand Dunes Visit
- Nambung National Park – Pinnacles Desert
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Special Information
Today’s total driving time is approximately 5 hours. Your trip comes to an end upon arrival in Perth in the late afternoon. Please consider this when booking onward travel. We are happy to organise additional accommodation in Perth for you, subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent.
Age Requirements & Tour Style:
Must be 18+ to travel on the tour unless an approved minor (8-17 years old) is accompanied by an adult. All guests must be young in spirit & active enough to participate daily in light to medium walks, some lasting up to 2 hours.
7 Day West Coast & Ningaloo Reef Adventure tour gallery
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IncludedCape Range National Park - Guided Hike & Milyering Visitor CentreCape Range National Park - Vlamingh Head LighthouseNingaloo Reef - Glass Bottom Boat Cruise & Snorkelling ExperienceCarnarvon - Gwoonwardu Mia (Gascoyne Aboriginal Heritage and Cultural Centre)Carnarvon - Quobba BlowholesMonkey Mia - Didgeridoo Dreaming Night Tour with Bush TuckerShark Bay - Eagle Bluff Lookout & DenhamShark Bay - Shell BeachShark Bay - Hamelin Pool StromatolitesMonkey Mia - Dolphin Spotting with Local RangerKalbarri National Park - Z Bend, Natures Window & Kalbarri SkywalkKalbarri - Rock Lobster Pot Pull Boat TripWest Coast - Hutt Lagoon (Pink Lake)Northampton - Keepers Dreaming Indigenous Art Gallery VisitGeraldton - Orientation Walk with LeaderWest Coast - Cervantes & Jurien BayWest Coast - Lancelin Sand Dunes VisitNambung National Park - Pinnacles Desert
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Not Included
