24 Day Perth to Darwin Tour
From the temperate south to tropical Darwin, experience the bluest oceans, untouched beaches, rugged bush terrain, unique rock formations and striking gorges as you explore the north west of Australia.
This is one of our most intense tours and is for people who are after a serious adventure travelling up the West Coast, through the remote Kimberley and into the Top End.
We'll camp under the stars as well as stay in dorm share accommodation. We'll visit Coral Bay, Carnavon, Exmouth, Monkey Mia, Karijini, Broome, the Kimberleys, Kununurra, Bungle Bungles and more!.
- All the best highlights
- Exmouth & Coral Bay
- Monkey Mia & Ningaloo Reef
- Kalbarri & Kununurra
- The Bungle Bungles
- Meals & Enquipment Inc
- Vegetarians catered for
- Camping or Dorms avble
- Experienced & Knowledgable guide
- Small group Travel
- Trip length:
- 22 Days
- Group size:
- 20 Max
- Start:
- Perth
- End:
- Darwin
- Vehicle:
- 4WD Coach
- Sleep:
- Camping
- Physical Demand:
- Comfortlevel:
Pictures / Videos Itinerary
See MapDay 1 Perth to Kalbarri
Perth’s one of those places that’s practically impossible to dislike. The weather’s great year-round, the vibe’s decidedly easygoing and there’s a good beach never too far away. If you have the time, book in a few days here before the trip starts. You’ll be happy you did. Two-hours north by road, on the edge of Western Australia’s Wheatbelt region, is Nambung National Park. The Pinnacles Desert is the highlight attraction here, with giant shards of limestone thrusting up from the earth to create an atmosphere that some find kinda spooky. The local emus don’t though – you’ll probably see them strutting about, wondering what all the fuss is about. From here it’s on to the dunes of Jurien Bay, where you might like to give sandboarding a shot. Then it’s back on the road Kalbarri, our base for the night. Note: Total driving time today is about four-and-a-half hours. Total walking distance is approximately two kilometres.
Accommodation
- Hostel (1 night)
Included Activities
- Nambung National Park (Pinnacles) Entrance
- Sandboarding Jurien Bay
Meals Included
- Lunch
- Dinner
Day 2 Kalbarri National Park to Shark bay
This morning we drive to Kalbarri National Park for a hike through its diverse scenery. Following the Loop Walk, we arrive at Nature’s Window, which frames impressive views of the Murchison River Gorge below, before walking down for a dip in Z-Bend Gorge (at extra cost, there’s also the option to abseil down). After lunch we drive on to Shell Beach, supposedly one of only two beaches in the world composed completely of shells. We finish up the day in Shark Bay. Note: Total driving time today is about four hours. Total walking distance is approximately five kilometres.
Accommodation
- Hostel (1 night)
Optional Activities
- Abseiling in Kalbarri National Park - AUD30
Included Activities
- Kalbarri National Park Entrance
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Day 3 Shark Bay to Coral Bay
Monkey Mia, on the other side of the Peron Peninsula, is a pretty little headland of white sands and turquoise waters. Better yet, it’s a place where, every day for the last 40 years, a pod of local dolphins has swum into shore for a free feed. This morning we’ll be there to welcome them, and then we’ll continue on to Carnarvon to see the stromatolites of Hamelin Pool. While not as visually impressive as their cousins, stalagmites, these rocky clumps are some of the oldest living things in the world. The day’s final driving will bring us to Coral Bay. Note: Total driving time today is about five-and-a-half hours. Total walking distance is approximately two kilometres.
Accommodation
- Hostel (1 night)
Included Activities
- Monkey Mia Dolphins
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Days 4 Coral Bay to Yardi Creek
World Heritage-listed and one of the largest fringing coral reefs in the world, Ningaloo Reef is a right national treasure. More than 500 species of fish and 200 species of coral are said to live here, along with turtles, dugongs, manta rays and whale sharks, so strap on a snorkel, head out, and see what’s swimming about. If you’re the type who prefers keeping dry, there’s also the option of cruising out to sea in a glass-bottom boat. Today’s a free day and what you spend it doing is entirely up to you. If you’re sea-shy, snub the beach altogether and head out on a quad bike ride. Tonight we make camp at our exclusive tent site in Yardie Creek. Note: Total driving time today is about one-and-a-half hours. Total walking distance is approximately two kilometres.
Accommodation
- Yardi Creek Camp (1 night)
Optional Activities
- Snorkel with Manta Rays - half day trip - AUD165
- Whale Watching (seasonal) from - AUD85
- Glass Bottom Boat Cruises from - AUD37
Included Activities
- Ningaloo Reef Marine Park
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Days 5 Exmouth and Cape Range National Park
Today’s a free day, so do whatever you feel. Head out on a dive trip in search of whale sharks (seasonal dependent and at extra cost) or wander up to Vlamingh Head Lighthouse with your guide and stake out your own little slice of tranquility in Turquoise Bay. Note: Total driving time today is about one-and-a-half hours. Total walking distance is approximately two kilometres.
Accommodation
- Yardi Creek Camp (1 night)
Optional Activities
- Snorkel with the Whalesharks (April to July only) from - AUD350
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Day 6 Karinjini National Park
Leaving the coast behind, we head into the Pilbara – a region famous for its wild, rust-coloured terrain and underground riches. Mining is big business here, which you’ll come to see when we pass through the iron-ore outpost of Tom Price on the drive to Karijini. Our campsite tonight overlooks the Hamersley Range. How many 5 Star resorts can boast that? Today’s travel will take around six-and-a-half hours in total.
Accommodation
- Karijini National Park Camp (1 night)
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Day 7 Karinjini National Park
Were it not slap-bang in the middle of nowhere, Karijini National Park would likely attract visitor numbers that would rival Kakadu and the Daintree. Fortunately though, it is. So it doesn’t. Which means the two days you’ll be spending exploring Karijini should be relatively crowd-free. Today you’ll visit Dales Gorge, Weano Gorge, Circular Pool, Fern Pool and Fortescue Falls – lovely places to swim, each and all. Note: Total driving time today is only around 40 minutes, but you could be walking up to six kilometres.
Accommodation
- Karijini National Park Camp (1 night)
Included Activities
- Karijini National Park Entrance
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Days 8 Karinjini National Park
There’s a whole lot more exploring scheduled in for today, but the highlight attraction is a navigation of Hancock Gorge. This isn’t the easiest walk around – it includes clambering down a ladder – but your reward is a swim in the emerald waters of Kermit’s Pool. Note: Total driving time today is only around 30 minutes, but you could be walking up to six kilometres.
Accommodation
- Karijini National Park Camp (1 night)
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Day 9 Pilbara Region
Prepare for a bit of driving today; we’ve got a fair distance to cover. On the plus side, the scenery is pretty captivating and you’ll get a good sense of the region’s immense scale. The major stop for the day is lunch in Port Hedland, and we spend the night at a working cattle station. Today we drive for about five hours
Accommodation
- Hostel (1 night)
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Day 10 Broome
After breakfast, the drive to your next destination of Broome will take around five hours. En route, enjoy a leisurely break and stroll on the white shores of 80 Mile Beach, made entirely of tiny seashells. On arrival into Broome enjoy an idyllic sunset, which the town is famous for. Tonight, check into your accommodation ahead of two free days in this beautiful city.
Accommodation
- Hostel (1 night)
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Lunch
Day 11-14 Broome
The next four days are free for you to explore Broome at your own pace. If you’re after more beach time, perhaps head to Cable Beach – named after the undersea telegraph cable that connected Broome to Singapore in the 19th century, or Town Beach in Roebuck Bay. Season depending, it’s possible to witness the ‘Staircase to the Moon’ at Roebuck Bay – a natural phenomenon and optical illusion where a ‘staircase’ appears to lead to the moon during low tide. A weekly Staircase Night Market sets up during this time and is also worth checking out if you happen to be in Broome at this time. Sample local flavours and browse stalls selling handmade products, jewellery, clothing and art while local musicians play.
If you’re after some history, check out the Broome Historical Museum to learn about local Aboriginal culture and for a glimpse into the town's pearling and wartime history. Maybe take a trip to Gantheaume Point to discover 130-million-year-old dinosaur footprints or to photograph the contrasting white sand, red cliffs and blue ocean of the area. Another option is the Malcolm Douglas Crocodile Park and Animal Refuge for some wildlife-viewing. In the evening, the buzzing district of Chinatown is a great place to grab a meal and a drink, or maybe catch an outdoor film at the charming Sun Pictures cinema.
Accommodation
- Hostel (4 nights)
Meals Not Included
There are no meals included on this day.
Days 15 Broome and Windjana Gorge
The town of Broome made its fortune from the pearling industry, though these days it’s better known as an easy going tourist town with a pretty striking strip of coastline.We set off into the West Australian wilds pretty early today, so consider arriving a day or two early if you fancy getting to know Broome better. After abit of highway driving we reach the Fitzroy River, then it’s all off-road to the Napier Range. The main attraction here is Tunnel Creek, a vast cave system that extends 750 metres underground. It’s from here that the indigenous renegade Jandamarra waged his rebellion against the colonial authorities – a legacy you’ll learn more about on walk through the tunnel with your guide.Note: Total driving time today is around four hours. Total walking distance isapproximately six kilometres.
Accommodation
- Camping (with basic facilities) (1 night)
Included Activities
- Tunnel Creek exploration walk
- Bunuba Indigenous Experience
Meals Included
- Lunch
- Dinner
Day 16 Windjana Gorge and Silent Grove
It might be hard to imagine these days, but Windjana Gorge was once an underwater reef. During the wet season a river flows all the way through it, but during the dry it’s really more a series of ponds and billabongs. We’ll set out on a bit of an explore, hopefully spotting a freshwater crocodile or two. The western Kimberley region is full of endless stunning gorges that have to be explored and this afternoon is no exception. After Lunch we adventure to Bell Gorge home to a stunning cascade ofwater flowing from the previous wet season rains that fall in the King Leoplold Ranges. We enjoy an afternoon swim in the large plunge pool before making our way back to camp.
Accommodation
- Camping (with basic facilities) (1 night)
Included Activities
- Windjana Gorge
- Bell Gorge
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Day 17 Silent Grove to Manning Gorge
We spend the morning exploring Adcock or Galvans gorge before making our way to Mt Barnett Station which will be our camp for this evening. After lunch we have the whole afternoon to explore and enjoy Manning gorge. After stretching your legs on the hike in you will be rewarded with a swim in a large rock pool at the base of Manning Falls.Note: Total driving time today is around two hours. Total walking distance is approximately 6-8 kilometres.
Accommodation
- Camping (with facilities) (1 night)
Included Activities
- Galvans Gorge
- Adcock Gorge
- Manning Gorge
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Day 18 Gibb River Road to El Questro Station
Fording rivers and weaving through gorges, travel by 4WD along the wild Gibb River Road – a 600-kilometre stretch that winds right through the heart ofthe Kimberley. We’ve got a fair bit of ground to cover today, so there is a fair bit of drive time, but we’ll be breaking the journey up with lunch and at a few stop-offsalong the way. This journey includes the iconic Pentecost river crossing in our 4WD. How Australian is that.Note: Total driving time today is around five hours. Total walkingdistance isapproximately 2 kilometres.
Accommodation
- Camping (with facilities) (1 night)
Included Activities
- Gibb River Road
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Day 19 El Questro Station
Originally established as an enormous cattle station, El Questro is now a vast wilderness reserve sprawled over more than one million acres. Camping out here, you’ll really feel like you’re in the middle of nowhere – albeit an extremely beautiful middle of nowhere. The ochre-coloured massifs of the Cockburn Ranges frame the landscape whichever way you turn and numerous natural springs offer plenty of opportunities for a refreshing cool-off. Following a soak in Zebedee Springs, enjoy a short trek to either El Questro or Emma Gorge (where there’s a very pretty waterfall).Then it’s another night camped out in El Questro.Note: Total driving time today is only around 45 minutes. Total walking distance is up to six kilometres.
Accommodation
- Camping (with basic facilities) (1 night)
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Day 20 Purnululu National Park (Bungle Bungles)
So long El Questro, hello Bungle Bungles. Today we drive through the rugged landscape of Carr Boyd and the Durack Ranges into Purnululu National Park. This park is home-ground of the Bungle Bungles, a UNESCO World Heritage Site dominated by massive sandstone karsts that rear hundreds ofmetres above the surrounding grasslands. We arrive at our bush camp in time to sit back and watch the sun set over the Osmond Ranges. If you’ve had enough of tent camping by now, you might want to spend tonight sleeping out beneath the stars snuggled up in a swag.Note: Total driving time today is approximately five hours. Totalwalking distance is approximately five kilometres.
Accommodation
- Camping (with basic facilities) (1 night)
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Day 21 The Bungle Bungles
Strangely enough given their size, the Bungle Bungles only became known to white Australia in 1983 when they were ‘discovered’ by a film team – who then had to fly over the top by plane to find a route in by land. We know the way in, but you can sign up for a helicopter ride over the site if you wish. At ground level, we’ ll go on a walk through Echidna Chasm – a long and narrow ravine banked on either side by 200 metre high rock walls – and enter the massive natural Amphitheatre of Cathedral Gorge.Note: Total driving time today is around an hour. Total walking distance is approximately five kilometres.
Accommodation
- Camping (with facilities) (1 night)
Optional Activities
- Helicopter Flight - Bungle Bungles - from - AUD350
Included Activities
- Cathedral Gorge Walk (Bungle Bungle)
- Echidna Chasm Walk
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Day 22 Kununurra and Lake Argyle
Today we leave the Bungle Bungles for Kununurra, the largest town between Broome and Darwin. Tonight’s campsite is on the shores of Lake Argyle. There are no further activities booked for the rest of the day, but an optional sunset cruise out on the lake is highly recommended.Note: Total driving time today is around three-and-a-half hours. Total walking distance is approximately three hours.
Accommodation
- Permanent tented camp (with shared facilities) (1 night)
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Day 23 Lake Argyle to Katherine
Today we leave the Bungle Bungles for Kununurra, the largest town between Broome and Darwin. Tonight’s campsite is on the shores of Lake Argyle. There are no further activities booked for the rest of the day, but an optional sunset cruise out on the lake is highly recommended.Note: Total driving time today is around three-and-a-half hours. Total walking distance is approximately three hours.
Accommodation
- Permanent tented camp (with shared facilities) (1 night)
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Day 24 Darwin
On the final day of the trip, the group will either stop at the secluded gorge of Nitmiluk (Katherine Gorge) or take one last plunge into the cool waters of Edith Falls. In the afternoon, make your way to Darwin, where your adventure comes to an end. There are no more activities planned for today and you’re free to explore Darwin, but please book any onward travel the following day. Note: Total driving today is around four hours. Total walking distance is approximately two kilometres.
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Lunch
