Not Available - 20 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.
We'll camp under the stars as well as stay in dorm share accommodation. We'll visit Coral Bay, Exmouth, Turquoise Bay, Monkey Mia, Karijini, Broome, the Kimberleys, Kununurra, Bungle Bungles and more!.
- All the best highlights
- Exmouth & Coral Bay
- Monkey Mia & Ningaloo Reef
- Kalbarri & Kununurra
- Dedicated wildlife hiking guide
- Kimberley Region
- The Bungle Bungles
- Vegetarians catered for
- Camping or Dorms
- 4WD/ Offroad Vehicle
- Small Group Travel
- Experienced & Knowledgable guide
- Meals & Enquipment
- All Fees and Taxes
- 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:
We pick up in Perth at 6am, getting out of the city nice and early our first stop is Nambung National Park, home of the Pinnacles.
From here we continue our trek north to Kalbarri National Park, we explore some of the coastal areas of Kalbarri in the afternoon which can include sections of the Bigurda Trail & Eagle Gorge. After a bit of outdoor action we’ll head for our first bush camp of the tour.
Our bush camping is something which sets us apart and one of the great experiences that we will have on tour. We seek out camping spots which are located in beautiful wilderness areas and immerse ourselves in the landscape. Where possible we have a campfire and we use swags and tents, swags can be used under the stars or in the tents.
Our first campsite is located on private property along the Murchison River.
Highlights
- Nambung National Park
- Pinnacles Desert
- Kalbarri Coast
- Camp: Private Wilderness Camp on Station Country – River Side
- Activities: Hiking approx 3km
Day 2:
The beauty of bush camping is that we rise with the sun and get moving early. From our river camp we head back into Kalbarri National Park where we explore the inland gorges of the park including Murchison Gorge & Natures Window.
From Kalbarri we head north towards Shark Bay and Monkey Mia, we have an awesome camp right on Shark Bay just metres from the World Heritage Listed waters edge, immersed in total wilderness and surrounded by nature we can soak it all up around the campfire.
Highlights
- Kalbarri National Park
- Optional Abseiling (at own expense)
- Murchison Gorge & Z Bend
- Natures Window
- The Loop Hiking Trail
- Camp: Private Wilderness Camp on Station Country – Coastal
- Activities: Hiking approx 3 – 6km
Day 3:
We rise nice and early and head for Monkey Mia, our camp is only accessible by 4WD so we take on some sand dunes and stop in a Hemelin Pool and Shell Beach on the way to meet the dolphins.
Arriving at Monkey Mia we spend some quality time with the Dolphins and participate in a feeding session.
Wild dolphins have been visiting the shoreline at Monkey Mia virtually every day for over 40 years, making this spot in the Shark Bay World Heritage Area one of the best and most reliable places for dolphin interaction in the world.
The dolphin interactions are regulated by rangers and a few lucky visitors are selected to hand-feed the dolphins a small amount of fish.
From Monkey Mia we wave goodbye to our aquatic friends and head for Coral Bay
We access another another private wilderness camp under the stars, complete with sunset, stars and campfire.
Highlights
- Shark Bay & Monkey Mia
- Hemelin Pool
- Shell Beach
- Camp: Private Wilderness Camp on Station Country – Coastal
- Activities: Short Walks, total approx 2km
Day 4:
We spend all day at Coral Bay where there is a variety of activities to suit all tastes and budgets, including;
Relaxing and swimming on the beachHiring snorkels and exploring the bayJoining a Manta Ray Snorkeling Boat CruiseJoining a Whale Shark Snorkeling Boat Cruise (in season)
Highlights
- Coral Bay – Free day relaxing or optional snorkel hire & boat cruises
- Camp: Private Wilderness Camp on Station Country – Coastal
- Activities: Swimming, Snorkeling & Boat Cruises
Day 5:
From our Coral Bay camp we head a short distance north to the town of Exmouth and the Cape Range National Park
More coastal delights abound including a special palce called Turquoise Bay, where the coral reef comes right up to the beach, we spend quality time here exploring the reef where we see tropical fish and if lucky turtles and dolphins.
In addition to Turquoise Bay the Cape Range National Park is home to Yardie Creek, a coastal gorge where there is a great hike and more swimming opportunities.
We access another private wilderness camp right on the Exmouth Bay and enjoy some time under the stars and around the campfire.
Highlights
- Exmouth Peninsula
- Turquoise Bay
- Yardie Creek
- Camp: Private Wilderness Camp on Station Country – Coastal
- Activities: Swimming, Snorkeling & Hiking approx 3km
Day 6:
Today we say goodbye to the West Coast for a few days and head inland to the spectacular Karijini National Park.
Karijini is regularly voted as a highlight of the trip and we spend the final days of the tour exploring the spectacular gorges and waterfalls of this highly rated destination.
We spend 2 nights in the National Park Campground which gives us easy access to the plethora of amazing places to swim, hike and explore.
Due to our small group size we don’t muck around and are normally able to get to Karijini, set up camp and still have time to do some exploring and swimming at Circular Pool on day 6.
Highlights
- Karijini National Park
- Circular Pool – Karijini
- Camp: Bush Camp, National Park Facility
- Activities: Swimming, Hiking approx 3km
Day 7:
We have the next 2 days to explore what many people rate as their favourite Australian destination, Karijini National Park.
Slot canyons, deep gorges and waterfalls abound in this outback oasis.
Tour participants also have the opportunity to join a canyoning tour (at own expense) for 1 of these days, enabling them to explore some of the the areas restricted to rope access only.
Day 7 we normally head over the the Weano area where we find;
- Weano Gorge
- Hancock Gorge
- Red Gorge
- Handrail Pool
There is so much to explore and some great hiking and swimming for the whole day
At the end of Day 7 we return to camp and cook up another feast.
Highlights
- Karijini National Park
- Weano Gorge
- Hancock Gorge
- Red Gorge
- Handrail Pool
- Camp: Bush Camp, National Park Facility
- Activities: Swimming, Hiking approx 5km
Day 8:
On day 8 we normally check out the East Karijini delights of Fortescue Falls, Fern Pool & Dales Gorge. Again an action packed day exploring, hiking and swimming.
In the afternoon we head off a short distance to our final wilderness camp for the tour, some beautiful and rugged Pilbara country just to the east of Karijini National Park, again we have a private spot located on a cattle station where we can crank up the campfire and cook up a feast.\
- Fortescue Falls
- Fern Pool
- Dales Gorge
- Camp: Private Wilderness Camp on Station Country – Pilbara Ranges
- Activities: Swimming, Hiking up to 6km
Day 9:
Today we push through the Pilbara region via Marble Bar, home to the famous Iron Clad Hotel where we can stop for a refreshment and good Aussie hospitality.
Marble Bar is a unique outback town with a strong history, it also claims the title of Australia’s hottest town, summers are always up there in the high 40’s however back in 1922, long before anyone had invented air conditioning it got to a whopping 49.2C!
We gradually leave the rugged Pilbara behind us on a network or dirt roads and emerge back to the west coast near 80 mile beach south of Broome. After a refreshing swim we push on to Broome where we finish our expedition with a swim and classic Cable Beach Sunset.
Highlights
- 80 Mile Beach
- 4WD is required today to access 80 Mile Beach
- Bush Camp Bore Line
Day 10 & 11:
We take a break from the rugged outback and relax in style at the Kimberley Klub YHA in Broome.
We include 3 nights accommodation in a shared dorm and you have 2 free days to feast on wifi, clothes washing and checking out the township of Broome and Cable Beach.
Highlights
- Free Time In Broome
- Explore Broome Town
- Relax on Cable Beach
- Take a Camel Ride
- We include 3 nights dorm accommodation at the Kimberley Klub YHA
Day 12:
Today sees us jumping back into the Adventure Truck where we begin the next leg of the journey, the Kimberley.
Our first stop is the famous prison tree near Derby, a huge hollowed out Boab tree which was used as a prison in the early pioneering days, this is not only an amazing natural wonder but also gives us an insight into to challenging relationship between the early settlers and Aboriginal people of the Kimberley.
Next we head to Windjana Gorge, a huge gorge cut into the ranges over millennium to reveal beautiful scenery of high vertical cliffs, sandy beaches and meandering creek. We head off on a hike at Windjana of about 4km and often see freshwater crocodiles swimming in the clear waterholes.
From Windjana it’s off to our first wilderness bush camp. It feels nice to get back into the great outdoors with the stars above.
Highlights
- Depart Broome
- Boab Prison Tree
- Windjana Gorge
- Camp: Private Wilderness Camp on Station Country
- Activities: Short Hike approx 2km
Day 13:
The mobile phones get packed up with the camping gear as they become useless and we head off nice and early for our first activity, exploring Tunnel Creek.
Tunnel Creek is an amazing natural phenomenon and holds great significance to the local Aboriginal people, and getting there early normally guarantees we have the place for ourselves. It is a 750 metre long stretch of creek, which runs underground through one of the oldest cave systems in Western Australia. Many aboriginal rock paintings are present in the cave and it was a hideout of the Aboriginal warrior, Jandamarra in 1897.
From Tunnel Creek we get on the Gibb River Road, a 700km long outback dirt road which runs between Derby and Kununurra, it’s not the easiest route, the track is often rough, there are a number or deep water crossings and a 4WD vehicle is essential. However it’s an amazing travel route as along the length of the Gibb River Road are vast tracts of wilderness and numerous rivers, gorges and waterfalls to explore.
The first water fall is Bell Gorge. After a short 15 minute walk we come to a beautiful creek, which flows through the centre of this impressive gorge and cascades over numerous falls. A deep swimming hole at the base of the main waterfall, surrounded by shady ledges and high cliffs, is an ideal lunch spot.
From Bell Gorge we push on along the Gibb for a little before finding our 2nd bush Camp for the night, another remote wilderness location where we collect firewood, set up camp and settle in for the night.
Highlights
- Tunnel Creek
- Gibb River Road
- Bell Gorge
- Camp: Private Wilderness Camp on Station Country
- Activities: Hike & Swim approx 5km
Day 14:
Another day of adventure awaits.
Emerging from camp it’s back on the Gibb River Road and onto Manning Gorge where we spend most of the day.
White sandy beaches with a Pandanus tree lined waterway opening into a wide clear waterhole greet us only minutes after starting the walk. We must swim across the river before following a trail leading to the top of gorge. The gorge has a waterfall plus a deep wide swimming hole surrounded by granite cliffs & rock outcrops. It is a spectacular setting with hidden examples of Bradshaw Aboriginal Rock Art.
The return route from manning Gorge is a little less conventional as we swim and rock hop along the creek before reaching the main waterhole where it started.
Depending on the time available, Galvan’s and / or Adcock Gorge’s are also visited.
Camp tonight is either at Manning Gorge, where toilets and showers are available, or back into the bush depending on the preference of your guide.
Highlights
- Manning Gorge
- Galvan’s Gorge
- Adcock Gorge
- Camp: Private Wilderness Camp on Station Country
- Activities: Hiking & Swimming up to 8km
Day 15:
An early morning swim at Manning is a great way to wake up. From here it’s back on “The Gibb” where we continue on our Easterly trek.
There is a variety great spots to stop and check out, including secluded waterholes and Ellenbrae Cattle Station.
Arriving at the Pentecost River we are presented with an incredible landscape of a wide river surrounded by rugged Cockburn Ranges, a classic Kimberley scene.
Here we need to drive the 4WD through the Pentecost River, driving a vehicle across a 60 metre wide outback river which is occupied by Salt Water Crocodiles is not something you do every day, but it’s only way through so across we go.
Another bush camp under the stars awaits us.
Highlights
- Gibb River Road
- Pentacost River
- Camp: Private Wilderness Camp on Station Country
- Activities: Indigenous Art. Short Hike approx 2km
Day 16:
A short distance from the Pentecost is El Questro Station, home of more beautiful landscapes, one of which is Emma Falls. A hike through a spectacular gorge takes us to very high and narrow falls with a deep cool plunge pool where we can swim.
From El Questro we head to one of the highlights of this Kimberley trip, Purnululu National Park, more commonly known as the Bungle Bungles.
Our time in this region is spent hiking and exploring the Gorges and amazing landscapes the area contains. The long and dusty track into the Bungles is spectacular; it winds its way through valleys, over ranges and through creeks before arriving at what must be one of the world’s most unique landscapes.
The day ends with a spectacular sunset from a vantage point at camp.
Highlights
- Emma Gorge
- El Questro Station
- Purnululu National Park (Bungles) Sunset
- Camp: Bush Camp, National Park Facility
- Activities: Hiking & Swimming approx 5km
Day 17:
With an early rise we are able to take advantage of a spectacular Bungle Bungles sunrise, from our vantage point we watch the show with a cup of tea or coffee and breakfast from a remote location.
A short drive from the sunrise area is the trailhead for the Cathedral Gorge hike, a spectacular hike though the beehive formations to Cathedral Gorge. The gorge itself is one of the most impressive geological formations you are likely to see anywhere.
From here there is the opportunity to take a scenic flight over the Bungles, helicopter rides from 18 minutes are available. From the air the bungles take on a completely new perspective and the open chopper is sensational. Scenic flights are at your own expense and organised on the day.
We then head off for Echidna Chasm for a hike into the domes, following a creek to it’s source at a narrow passage buried within the Bungles.
After lunch we depart Purnululu and locate our bush camp, this time on a lovely creek with a sandy beach.
Highlights
- Purnululu Sunrise
- Cathedral Gorge
- Picaninny Creek
- Echidna Chasm
- Beehive Formations
- Optional Helicopter Flight
- Camp: Private Wilderness Camp on Station Country
- Activities: Hiking approx 5km
Day 18:
From our bush camp we head for Kununurra, the first sign of civilisation we have seen for a week. As we approach town the mobile phones start beeping and we take the opportunity to catch up on the world with some free time in this classic outback town while your guide replenishes supplies.
From Kununurra we head to Lake Argyle for what is regularly voted as the highlight of the tour. Lake Argyle is a huge freshwater lake teaming with wildlife, from wallabies in the rocky shores, to freshwater crocodiles to birdlife. We board a boat where a local guide shows us the lake, there is time to swim before we watch sunset from the water and then camp on one of the remote islands.
This is a great experience, knowing you are the only people on a single island in the middle of one of the most remote lakes in the world is unforgettable.
We have a campfire, the sky is full of stars and the cool water is inviting to those brave souls who want a midnight swim.
Highlights
- Kununurra
- Lake Argyle
- Lake Argyle Private Island Camp
- Camp: Private Wilderness Camp on Island
- Activities: Boat Cruise & Swimming
Day 19:
The sunrise from our island camp is again unforgettable.
We pack up camp, re-board the boat and head back to our vehicle.
From Lake Argyle we push East towards the Northern Territory border and Keep River National Park.
Keep River is another amazing location where there are a number of hikes we can take before settling down for another bush camp.
Highlights
- Lake Island Island Sunrise
- Early Cruise & Swim
- Victoria River Region
- Camp: Private Wilderness Camp on Station Country
- Activities: Boat Cruise & Hiking approx 4km
Day 20:
On the final day of our big adventure we arrive in Katherine. We explore or Edith Falls within Nitmiluk National Park, which offers more adventure, hiking, swimming and spectacular landscapes.
We normally arrive into Darwin at around 6pm, your guide will conclude the tour by dropping you off at your accommodation.
Highlights
- Edith Falls
- Arrival into Darwin
- Activities: Boat Cruise & Hiking approx 4km
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