TWENTY TWO DAY GREAT WESTERN SAFARI - PERTH TO DARWIN
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HIGHLIGHTS
· Dinner at Finlays in Kalbarri
· Explore the Nambung National Park – Pinnacles
· Meet the dolphins at Monkey Mia
· Aboriginal Cultural Night Tour in Monkey Mia
· Explore the gorges of Karijini
· 3 nights to explore Broome
· Trek Tunnel Creek
· Travel the challenging Gibb River Road
· Visit El Questro Reserve
· 4WD touring through the Bungle Bungles
· Small group of 18 passengers
ITINERARY
DAY 1: PERTH
Welcome to WA! A huge state, well known for plenty of
sun, adventure, an awesome natural environment and friendly people – and
a truly Aussie experience. You and your fellow travellers will arrive in
Perth from all corners of the globe today, so there’s no group activity
planned. The noticeboard at your Perth accommodation provides many
sightseeing and activity options should you arrive early. Maybe check
out Rottnest Island, take a trip to Fremantle or explore the parks and
waterways around Perth city. You’ll also find information about our
first group meeting, held this evening at approximately 5pm. Please make
every effort to attend this meeting.
OVERNIGHT Goodearth Perth (budget hotel) Perth
DAY 2: PERTH TO KALBARRI
This morning it’s an early start as we make our way
north through the Swan Valley on our way to Nambung National Park, home
of the famous “Pinnacles”. Here a moonscape of coloured quartz, studded
with fascinating limestone pillars makes a pretty bizarre picture! A
definite Kodak moment! It’s then further along the Coral Coast - a
treasure trove of gorgeous beaches, national reserves and the bluest
ocean you’ll see anywhere in the world. With the Indian Ocean to the
west, we head to Kalbarri where we’ll be staying on a farming station
situated on the Murchison River. Here you’ll find plenty of native
wildlife, a run of over 40 horses and plenty of wide open spaces to
enjoy. Tonight we head to Finlays in Kalbarri - an absolute must when in
the area! The unusual setting in an old ice works where at times,
includes occasional fireside ballads - Finlay’s on a balmy night is a
treat.
OVERNIGHT Big Ranch Farm Stay (basic farm quarters -
shared bathrooms) Kalbarri
Meals: Lunch & Dinner
DAY 3: KALBARRI TO
MONKEY MIA
Today we head further north to Shark Bay and Monkey Mia,
home of the wild dolphins. On route we will make a brief stop to see
stromatolites – the beginners of life. Tonight we’ll join an aboriginal
cultural walking tour to discover the ancient wisdom of Gulgadagudu
(Shark Bay) through Aboriginal eyes.
OVERNIGHT Monkey Mia Dolphin Resort Monkey Mia
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
DAY 4: MONKEY MIA
Relax, enjoy the surroundings and wait for Monkey Mia’s
famous visitors to arrive. Since the early 1960s, a pod of wild
bottle-nosed dolphins began what has now become a ritual. Every day a
number of dolphins swim into the clear shallows of the bay to interact
with humans. It shouldn't be missed and will be a real highlight of your
trip. This afternoon you have time to try one of the many activities*
available on land or sea!
OVERNIGHT Monkey Mia Dolphin Resort Monkey Mia
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
DAY 5: MONKEY MIA TO
CORAL BAY
This morning our drive takes us via the township of
Carnarvon to Coral Bay. This is the perfect destination for anyone
seeking relaxation, adventure or simply something different. Well known
for its marine life, Coral Bay is a great place to see whale sharks,
humpback whales, dugongs, manta rays, turtles and an abundance of fish
species (seasonal). Enjoy the colourful coral formations from a scenic
submersible craft this afternoon – a great way to kick off your visit to
this awesome Bay!
OVERNIGHT People’s Park Caravan Village (Camping) Coral
Bay
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
DAY 6: CORAL BAY
Today is a leisurely day to enjoy the wonders of
Ningaloo Reef Marine Park. This is not only Western Australia's largest
fringing coral reef, but one of the largest reefs worldwide that can be
reached just by stepping off the beach. Awesome!!! Swim and snorkel in
the crystal clear waters, do a once-in-alifetime manta ray swim* or get
up close and personal with the largest fish in the ocean, the Whale
Shark*! Everything is BIG in WA!!!!!!
OVERNIGHT Peoples Park Caravan Village (Camping) Coral
Bay
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
DAY 7: CORAL BAY TO KARIJINI NATIONAL PARK
Today we head away from the coast, where we’ll break for
refreshment stops at Nanutarra Roadhouse and Paraburdoo before reaching
the rugged, but beautiful Karijini National Park. Haunting in its red
beauty and unbeatable for adventure, the park is famous for its sheer
gorges, waterfalls and cool swimming holes. Our campsite here, deep in
the Aussie Outback is special.
OVERNIGHT Karijini National Park (Bush Camping)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
DAY 8: KARIJINI
NATIONAL PARK
Rise and shine early today so that we have plenty of
time to explore this intriguing and spectacular National Park. We'll
visit Joffre Gorge, Oxers Lookout, Weano Gorge and take a dip in this
spectacular area. For the more adventurous, the challenging ‘spider
walk’. Tonight we'll swap stories back at camp.
OVERNIGHT Karijini National Park (Bush Camping)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
DAY 9: KARIJINI
NATIONAL PARK TO 80 MILE BEACH
Onto Port Hedland, a town built on the iron-ore boom of
the 1960’s. Here, iron-ore from some of the world’s largest iron-ore
mines is loaded onto the world’s biggest ore carriers for international
consumption. Port Hedland is also renowned for its Indigenous culture
and history, long trains, big ships, salt piles and red dust. Our camp
tonight is on the sweeping shores of 80 Mile Beach with views of the
Indian Ocean.
OVERNIGHT Eighty Mile Beach Caravan Park (Camping)
Eighty Mile Beach
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
DAY 10: 80 MILE BEACH
TO BROOME
Back on the Great Northern Highway and a refreshment
stop at the Sandfire Roadhouse before we continue on to cosmopolitan
Broome. From its rough and tumble, romantic pearling history to the
cosmopolitan character of Chinatown, to the turquoise waters, red
sandstone cliffs and the endless expanse of white....the colours and
moods of Broome will blow you away. You’ll have the opportunity to
experience world famous Cable Beach at sunset. Take a camel ride* on the
longest and most photographed camel train in the Kimberley. Tonight
you’re free to explore this multi-cultural town at one of the many local
cafes and restaurants.
OVERNIGHT Roebuck Bay Caravan Park (Camping) Broome
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 11: BROOME
Make the most of a sleep in this morning and time to
recharge. After lunch you’ll join a Half Day Tour that takes in the
multicultural heart and soul of Broome. This is a perfect introduction
to Broome for travellers who are keen to explore a different side of
this diverse outback town. Our afternoon epicurean adventure explores
the highlights of this remote Kimberley oasis and its fascinating
history while indulging in its best culinary secrets. Along the way,
your guide will also reveal the town’s favourite restaurants and their
signature dishes, providing real local insight into eating out in
Broome. Visit the Kanagae Estate to see the mango orchards and taste
some of their delicious local produce. Sample fresh oysters at the
Broome jetty and taste local beers at the Matsos Boutique Brewery. Enjoy
a bush tucker walk and try a local recipe at Minyirr Park, a cultural
corridor of native habitat bordering Cable Beach. Indulge in a
Japanese-infused treat of sushi or pearl meat (when available) en route
to the Japanese Cemetery. We finish the day with a cocktail style BBQ
platter sitting at the water’s edge, while the sun sets on Cable Beach.
What an awesome way to experience this colourful town!
OVERNIGHT Roebuck Bay Caravan Park (Camping) Broome
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
DAY 12: BROOME
Today’s your day to relax and go at your own pace. Enjoy
the expanse of awesome Cable Beach, explore some of the many other
activities* available locally, or just chill out, Broome style! Tonight
you have another chance to enjoy the dinner by the beach – it’s
something you won’t get enough of!
OVERNIGHT Roebuck Bay Caravan Park (Camping) Broome
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
DAY 13: BROOME TO WINDJANA GORGE
Today we hit the road and our 4WD adventure begins as we
head off in our purpose built all terrain vehicle. We’ll be covering
some rugged country over the next 9 days and will need the extra grunt!
First off, it’s time to explore the awesome Kimberleys – one of the
world’s great wilderness areas. It has fewer people per square kilometre
than almost any other place on earth! We travel via the regional
township of Derby and visit the infamous Boab Prison Tree, once used as
a temporary prison for the local Aborigines. Leaving Derby behind, our
mighty 4WD comes into play as we tackle the infamous “Gibb River Road”,
where we explore Tunnel Creek - make sure you have your flashlight as
our underground discovery tour is dark, wet and fascinating!! Then to
Windjana Gorge, an area where sheer cliffs tower above white sands and
fresh water crocodiles can often been seen sunning themselves in the
afternoon sun.
OVERNIGHT Windjana Gorge (Camping)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
DAY 14: KIMBERLEYS/ GIBB RIVER
ROAD & GORGES
Take in the stunning views of the King Leopold Ranges
this morning, as we travel to Bells Creek Gorge. A refreshing swim in
the Lower Plunge Pool is a must before we continue our journey on the
challenging Gibb River Road. This road dissects some of the most rugged
country on earth and gives access to spectacular wildlife and stunning
gorges. Tonight enjoy a bush camp deep in the Kimberleys at Mt Barnett
Station.
OVERNIGHT Gibb River Road (Bush Camp)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
DAY 15: KIMBERLEYS/GIBB RIVER
ROAD & GORGES
Today we will visit one of the most outstanding Gorges
in the region with probably the best known and most striking being
Manning. Depending on the conditions on the day our crew will decide as
to which Gorge is the most appropriate to visit, with other
possibilities being Galvins and Adcock Gorges.
OVERNIGHT Gibb River Road (Bush Camp)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
DAY 16: GIBB RIVER ROAD TO EL
QUESTRO
As we cross the Pentecost River we continue our journey
to El Questro Wilderness Reserve. Spanning 1 million acres in size, this
is one of the world’s last unspoilt frontier, immersed in the Cockburn
Ranges. Time to set up camp for the next two nights.
OVERNIGHT El Questro Wilderness Reserve (Camping)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
DAY 17: EL QUESTRO
This morning we’ll explore Zebedee Springs which is a
short walk off the graded road through dense palms to a series of
thermal pools, a fabulous place to soak and relax. This afternoon our
exploring continues at one of the many gorges. Tonight enjoy a drink
with the locals at the El Questro Outback Bar.
OVERNIGHT El Questro Wilderness Reserve (Camping)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
DAY 18: EL QUESTRO TO BUNGLE
BUNGLES
Today we travel southwards, where we once again test the
terrain-conquering ability of our rugged 4 wheel drive vehicle. A rough
50km track off the Great Northern Highway leads to the spectacular
Bungle Bungle Range in Purnululu National Park. Over the last 20 million
years erosion and river movements have formed huge black and orange
striped domes. As unbelievable as it seems, this area was kept a secret
by locals until 1982, and was made a national park in 1987. We settle
into our very own permanently established camp at Walardi where we’ll
spend two nights and get to view outback sunsets in style.
OVERNIGHT Walardi (Camping) Bungle Bungles
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
DAY 19: BUNGLE BUNGLE NATIONAL
PARK
A day to explore the amazing striped rock domes that
comprise the Bungle Bungles. Specifically, we will visit the very
impressive Cathedral Gorge and Echidna Chasm. Today you’ll have the
option to take a scenic flight* over this spectacular region – it’s an
absolute must!! Then it’s back to camp to review the days’ activities.
OVERNIGHT Walardi (Camping) Bungle Bungles
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
DAY 20: BUNGLE BUNGLES TO TIMBER
CREEK
First stop today is the township of Kununurra situated
on the Ord River. With year round warm weather and plentiful water,
Kununurra is lush and fertile. After restocking supplies, we head out to
the massive expanse of water at Lake Argyle – containing 12 times the
water volume of Sydney Harbour! We then cross the border into the
Northern Territory, past Gregory National Park and onto the small
community of Timber Creek (pop. 300!).
OVERNIGHT Circle F Caravan Park (Camping) Timber Creek
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
DAY 21: TIMBER CREEK TO DARWIN
The final leg of our journey will take us north to
Katherine and if time permits we’ll have a refreshing swim at Edith
Falls located in the Nitmiluk National Park - land of the traditional
Jawoyn Aboriginal people. Our final destination is Darwin, tropical
capital of the Northern Territory. Darwin offers a fantastic mix of
cultural character, mystery, beauty and unlimited potential .
OVERNIGHT Travelodge Mirambeena (Hotel) Darwin
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
DAY 22: DARWIN
Today you can explore at your own pace. Why not head to
the Territory Wildlife Park* to learn more about Australian Native
animals or to Crocosaurus Cove in downtown Darwin. If you’re feeling
energetic head out on the historical city walk - a leisurely discovery
of Darwin city, through 17 historically significant sites and buildings
within walking distance of the CBD. Included is the British Australian
Telegraph house (Lyon's Cottage), the Wharf Precinct, Myilly Point
Historical Precinct and the new Parliament House. We can provide you
with a detailed itinerary and map. Our trip concludes here and you may
depart at any time on this day.
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