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Overview
Highlights
- Visit Nambung National Park and the Pinnacles Desert to see the thousands of limestone formations called ‘pinnacles’
- Fly to the Abrolhos Islands and explore this unique marine area and its abundant wildlife; 122 islands, crystal blue waters, tropical and temperate marine life, over 2 millions birds
- Explore the Shark Bay peninsular (World Heritage Area) and visit Monkey Mia to experience the dolphin feeding
- Visit Exmouth, a small town located right on the doorstop of Ningaloo Reef and Cape Range National Park – we spend one day in the National Park and you have a second day to spend as you please
- Explore Cape Range National Park and enjoy a cruise on Yardie Creek; with rocky red gorges, blue winding rivers, limestone cliffs, rugged green vegetation and abundant wildlife
- Experience the beautiful Ningaloo Reef – World Heritage area and one of the world’s largest fringing coral reefs
- Karijini National Park – A vast wilderness area with spectacular rugged scenery, ancient geological formations such as Dales Gorge, Fortescue Falls, Handrail Pool and Oxers Lookout
The Pilbara is fascinating at any time. The wildlife is abundant, and the scenery is striking; green covered hills, red soil and refreshing rock pools.
The Abrolhos Islands consist of 122 islands, approximately 60 km off Western Australia’s coast. The marine environment surrounding them is a meeting place for tropical and temperate sea life. It is also one of the most important seabird breeding sites in the world. More than 90 seabird species have been identified on the islands.
Ningaloo Reef is one of the world’s most extensive fringing reefs and is home to 200 species of hard coral, 50 species of soft coral and over 500 species of fish. It’s a great place to swim, snorkel and enjoy a cruise in a glass-bottomed boat. Colourful coral communities make up the reef while sea creatures thrive; sharks, dolphins, whales, whale sharks, birds, turtles, fish and more!
Karijini National Park has some of the oldest rocks on the continent and contains many beautiful gorges and rock formations. The park is also home to approximately 800 plant species. Two small, carnivorous marsupials are endemic to the area, the Pilbara Ningaui and the Little Red Antechinus. Other marsupials that call the park home include the Western Pebble-mound Mouse, Rothschild’s Rock-wallaby, Red Kangaroo and the Common Wallaroo.
Itinerary
| Day 1 | Perth - Geraldton | Early this morning, we head north, passing through the northern Kwongan (sand-plain heath) to Nambung National Park and the Pinnacle Desert. We continue north, passing through Dongara and historic Greenough to Geraldton. Accommodation: Motel LD |
| Day 2 | Geraldton | Today’s flight to the Abrolhos Islands will give us panoramic views of the island group. We will land on one of the islands and look at the wildlife, including various birdlife. There will be time for a swim and a snorkel, and you may spot bottle-nosed dolphins and sea lions. Accommodation: Motel BLD |
| Day 3 | Geraldton - Denham | Before leaving Geraldton, we'll visit the HMAS Sydney memorial, where a guide will take us through the Sydney story, and the Museum of Geraldton, which has a great display of the Batavia and Abrolhos islands. After morning tea, we continue north to the quaint seaside town of Denham. Accommodation: Motel BLD |
| Day 4 | Denham - Monkey Mia – Denham | Today we start our exploration of the Shark Bay Peninsular with a visit to Monkey Mia, in time to see the dolphin feeding. (As the dolphins are wild, their appearance cannot be guaranteed). We will visit the interpretation centre in the Francois Peron National Park before returning to Denham for some free time. You can either relax, explore the town or visit the Shark Bay World Heritage Discovery Centre. Mid-afternoon, we will visit Eagle Bluff (the lookout here is a good place for spotting marine wildlife) and Shell Beach Conservation Park (a stretch of coast made up entirely of small shells) before returning to Denham for the night. Accommodation: Motel BLD |
| Day 5 | Denham - Carnarvon | We leave Denham early this morning on our way to Carnarvon. Along the way, we will stop to visit the Stromatolites in the Hamelin Pool Marine Reserve. Although these stromatolites are only about 7000 years old, they give us a great indication of what the earliest forms of life would have looked like on Earth 3.5 billion years ago. We will arrive in Carnarvon in mid-afternoon with plenty of time to look at the town and do some shopping. Accommodation Motel BLD |
| Day 6 | Carnarvon - Exmouth | This morning we continue north to Exmouth, stopping at Coral Bay for lunch on the way. While in Coral Bay, there should be time to explore, pick up a souvenir or maybe even have a quick snorkel or swim. Arriving mid-afternoon, there will be free time in Exmouth to explore, relax or catch up with messages or washing. Accommodation Motel BLD |
| Day 7 | Exmouth | Today is a free day in Exmouth. You may want to take an optional Whale Shark Cruise or one of the many other shorter trips available (at your own expense), or relax and do some sightseeing. Accommodation: Motel BLD |
| Day 8 | Exmouth - Cape Range National Park - Exmouth | Today we will be visiting Cape Range National Park. We take a guided boat trip up Yardie Creek between sheer cliffs to enjoy the serenity of the gorge. Keep an eye out for Euros, wallabies, emus and perenties that are regularly found, and the threatened black-flanked rock wallaby may also be spotted on the cliffs. Accommodation Motel BLD |
| Day 9 | Exmouth - Tom Price | Leaving Exmouth, we continue north to Nanutarra Roadhouse on the banks of the Ashburton River, where bustard and bush stone-curlew can be found along the banks. We then head east towards Tom Price, the highest town in WA (‘Top Town in WA’). There should be several opportunities to stop for wildlife sightings during the day. We will arrive at Tom Price late afternoon. Accommodation: Motel BLD |
| Day 10 | Tom Price - Karijini National Park | This morning we will resupply before leaving Tom Price and Making our way into Karijini National Park. We will enter the park via the western park entry point before spending the day exploring Oxers lookout, Weano Gorge and Handrail pool. Mid-afternoon, we will check into Karijini Eco Retreat to enjoy our next two nights staying in their Deluxe Eco Tents. Accommodation: Karijini Eco Retreat BLD |
| Day 11 | Karijini National Park | Today we spend the day exploring the eastern parts of Karijini National Park. We will visit Kalamina and Dales Gorges and stop at the visitors centre. We will take walks, swim in water holes and enjoy one of Western Australia's most spectacular natural attractions. Accommodation: Karijini Eco Retreat BLD |
| Day 12 | Karijini National Park - Newman | We leave the national park behind this morning as we head to the mining centre of Newman, arriving late morning, marking the end of your outback adventure. We will transfer you to either the airport or your chosen accommodation. B |
| NOTE: The above itinerary may be varied according to conditions and advice. |
availability
Places available on 29 April 2023 departure
Inclusions
- 2 crew members consisting of a naturalist guide and a driver guide
- Accommodation as per the itinerary (more information on accommodation available in ‘Tour Information’ section in the trip dossier)
- Abrolhos Island flight
- Well maintained vehicle with front facing, seat-belted, mostly reclining, coach style seats
- Yardie Creek Cruise
- Meals as per itinerary: breakfast (B), lunch (L), dinner (D)
- Fruit for snacking throughout the day
- Morning tea each day
- All national park entrance fees
N.B. Accommodation is in traditional motel/hotel accommodation with private facilities and air-conditioning, with the exception of Cheela Plains and Karijini Eco Retreat. Due to the remoteness of these locations, motels/hotels are limited or unavailable. Accommodation at Cheela Plains is at a station stay with air-conditioned quarters and shared bathroom amenities. Karijini Eco Retreat provides basic solar powered cabins without air-conditioning and shared ablutions instead of private facilities. Please see trip dossier for further information.