Day 1: Pinnacles National Park & Geraldton
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.
Meals: None.
Driving Distance: 440km.
Walking Distance: Short easy walks / look out points.
Accommodation: Hospitality Inn Geraldton or similar.
Day 2: Northampton First Nations Gallery & Kalbarri National Park
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.
Included Activities:
- Northampton - First nations community art gallery visit. - Pink Lake at Hutt Lagoon. - Kalbarri National Park - Z Bend, Natures Window & Kalbarri Skywalk.
Meals: Breakfast.
Driving Distance: 170 kms.
Walking Distance: 5 km / 2 short guided walks. Anyone unable to walk that distance has the option to wait for the group to return.
Accommodation – Kalbarri Edge Resort or similar.
Day 3: Kalbarri to Shark Bay & Monkey Mia
It’s 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. 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 of 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.
Included Activities:
- Kalbarri - Rock Lobster Pot Pull Boat Trip - keep your catch to enjoy later. - Hamelin Pool Marine Nature Reserve for ‘living fossils’. - Visit the beautiful Shell Beach which is formed from billions of cockle shells. - First Nations experience courtesy of the Nhanda and Malgana people - try the didgeridoo or traditional conch shell, and taste some bush tucker.
Meals: Breakfast.
Driving Distance: 400 kms.
Walking Distance: Short easy walks / look out points.
Accommodation – Monkey Mia Dolphin Resort or similar.
Day 4: Shark Bay World Heritage Listed to Monkey Mia Marine Reserve
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, hire kayaks or relax by the pool in paradise. - Optional Activity – Sunset cruise and the chance to spot the elusive sea cows, or ‘Dugongs’.
Meals: Breakfast.
Driving Distance: None.
Walking Distance: Short easy walks / look out points.
Accommodation – Monkey Mia Dolphin Resort or similar.
Day 5: Carnarvon to Gascoyne Region
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 pictures of the Carnarvon Cactus Farm, one of the town’s quirkiest sights, before heading to the Gascoyne Food Trail. The trail features everything from bananas, avocados, to beans, beef, ice cream, and mangoes. Relax tonight – take the chance for a stroll along the beautiful foreshore and head to a local restaurant.
Included Activities:
- Quick photo stop overlooking the Carnarvon Space and Technology Centre created to support NASA’s Gemini, Apollo and Skylab. - Visit the Gascoyne Aboriginal Heritage and Cultural Centre. - Gascoyne Food Trail drive. The trail features everything from bananas, avocados, to beans, beef, ice cream, and mangoes.
Meals: Breakfast.
Driving Distance: 350 kms.
Walking Distance: Short easy walks / look out points.
Accommodation – Hospitality Inns Carnarvon or similar.
Day 6: Coral Bay to Ningaloo Reef Exmouth
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.
Meals: Breakfast.
Driving Distance: 490 kms.
Walking Distance: Short easy walks / look out points.
Accommodation – Ningaloo Lodge Exmouth or similar.
Day 7: Exmouth with optional activities
It’s your day. Experience a swim with the world famous whale sharks, go whale-spotting, swim with manta rays, or get your hiking boots on – the choice is yours. You can select your optional adventure when you book your tour, or your guide can help you get set up. Please note: Public transport is non-existent in Exmouth, so pre planning your activities is a must!
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.
Meals: Breakfast.
Driving Distance: None.
Walking Distance: Short easy walks / look out points.
Accommodation – Ningaloo Lodge Exmouth or similar.
Day 8: Exmouth
All good things must come to an end, sadly. It’s time to say goodbye to your fellow travellers after breakfast. Thanks for the memories!
Meals: Breakfast.
_ Autopia Tours (Via Travel) reserves the right to alter the route or itinerary stops during seasonal weather fluctuations and/or during park closures._
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