20 Day Great Western Safari Tour

Tour 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 including ½ day Taste of Broome, Tour,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 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”. With the Indian Ocean to the west, we had 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 - Finlays on a balmy night is a treat.

Accommodation: Farm Stay - Multi Share (share facilities)
Meals: Lx1 Dx1

Day 2 - 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 Gathaagudu (Shark Bay) through Aboriginal eyes.

Accommodation: Monkey Mia Dolphin Resort
Meals: Bx1 Lx1

Day 3 - 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!

Accommodation: Monkey Mia Dolphin Resort
Meals: Bx1 Dx1

Day 4 & 5 - Monkey Mia to Coral Bay

Relax and enjoy the surroundings of this beautiful bay and wait for Monkey Mia's famous visitors to arrivel. Since the early 1960's the Bottle Nosed Dolphins who astound everyone with their intelligence and grace have visited Monkey Mia, now on a daily basis. Our afternon takes us to Coral Bay where you can enjoy the wonders of Ningaloo Reef Marine Park.

Accommodation: Campground Coral Bay
Meals: Bx2, Dx2

Days 6 & 7 - Coral Bay to Karijini National Park

Enjoy the colourful coral formations from a scenic submersible craft this morning – a great way to start the day! We then head to the beautiful Karijini National Park. Haunting in its rugged, red beauty and unbeatable for adventure, the park is famous for its sheer gorges, waterfalls and cool swimming holes. Our campsite is deep in the Aussie Outback.

Accommodation: Bush Camping Karijini National Park
Meals: Bx2, Lx2, Dx2

Day 8 - Karijini to 80 Mile Beach

On to Port Hedland, a town whose prosperity has been 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. Then on we travel ot a great long stretch of beach, a whole eighty miles worth! Here we will camp alongisde the Indian Ocean.

Accommodation: 80 Mile Beach Caravan Park Campsite
Meals: Bx1 Dx1

Day 9 & 10 - 80 Mile Beach to Broome

We continue on to cosmopolitan Broome. From its rough and tumble, romantic pearling history to the cosmopolitan character of Chinatown....the colours and moods of Broome will blow you away. On day 10, 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. 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!

Accommodation: Roebuck Bay Caravan Park Campsite
Meals: Bx2 Dx2

Day 11 - 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!

Accommodation: Roebuck Bay Caravan Park (Camping)
Meals: Bx1 Dx1

Day 12 - Broome to Windjana Gorge

Today our adventure begins as we head off in our purpose built 4 wheel drive. 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. 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!! 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.

Accommodation: Windjana Gorge Campsite
Meals: Bx1 Lx1 Dx1

Day 13 - Kimberley / Gibb River Road

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. Tonight a bush camp deep in the Kimberleys at Mt Barnett Station.

Accommodation: Gibb River Road Bush Camp
Meals: Bx1 Lx1 Dx1

Day 14 - Kimberley / Gibb River Road

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 our crew will decide as to which Gorge is the most appropriate to visit.

Accommodation: Gibb River Road Bush Camp
Meals: Bx1 Lx1 Dx1

Day 15 & 16- Gibb River Road to El Questro

As we cross the Pentecost River we farewell the Gibb River Road, and head to the equally stunning El Questro Wilderness Reserve. This is the world’s last unspoilt frontier, immersed in the Cockburn Ranges. Take a hike through either Emma Gorge or El Questro Gorge and later explore Zebedee Springs. You've got two nights in this gorgeous reserve so make the most of it! Please note alternative arrangements are made for the last departure in October due to the closure of El Questro.

Accommodation: El Questro Wilderness Reserve Campsite
Meals: Bx2, Lx2, Dx2

Day 17 - El Questro to Bungle Bungle Ranges

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.

Accommodation: Walardi Campsite
Meals: Bx1 Dx1

Day 18 - Bungle Bungle Ranges

A day to explore the amazing striped rock domes that comprise the Bungle Bungles. Specifically, we visit the very impressive Cathedral Gorge, Echidna Chasm and the unique Frog Hole. Today you’ll have the option to take a scenic flight* over this spectacular region.

Accommodation: Walardi Campsite
Meals: Bx1 Lx1 Dx1

Day  19: Bungle Bungle Ranges to Timber Creek

First stop today is the township of Kununurra. With year round warm weather and plentiful water, Kununurra is lush and fertile. We then head out to the massive expanse of water at Lake Argyle – containing 12 times the water volume of Sydney Harbour! We cross the border into the Northern Territory, and onto the small community of Timber Creek (pop. 300!).

Accommodation: Circle F Caravan Park Campsite
Meals: Bx1 Dx1

Day 20: 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 - it’s here you’ll bid farewell to the friends you’ve made on tour.

Meals: Bx1 Lx1

DRIVING DISTANCES

Climate

WA has one of the most diverse climates in Australia – from the tropical north to the temperate south. There are also two distinct seasonal variations. In the Southern half of the state there are 4 seasons – summer, autumn, winter & spring, whilst in the North there are just 2 – the ‘wet and ‘dry’.

Further Information

NOTE:  

This is an Open Aged Tour for passengers over the age of 12, however travellers over the age of 55 must provide a medical certificate from their physician. This is to ensure that senior travellers have the necessary fitness and mobility to comfortably complete their tour as the itinerary takes you to remote regions and days can be long through rugged regions, with very basic camping facilities. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Transport

This tour is a combination of a coach tour Perth to Broome and then a 4WD tour Broome to Darwin.

Flight Details

Day 1 - International Flights to arrive by 4.00am, Domestic Flights to arrive by 5.30am. It is recommended that clients arrive a day early.

Price Includes

All applicable park entrance fees, meals as indicated, accommodation, camping fees & equipment per the itinerary.

Maximum people: 18

Luggage

Our vehicles have limited space therefore please keep luggage to a minimum (i.e a small soft bag).

What to bring

Please check with your agent at time of confirmation. However, for most tours you will need the following: towel, water bottle, flash light, small pillow, toiletries and items of a personal nature, hat, sturdy walking shoes, sun screen, camera and film, warm clothing for night time in winter months and wet weather gear. Furthermore sleeping bags are required on this tour. You can hire them from the crew for A$25 per person or bring your own.

SUGGESTED CLOTHING LIST
The key note of our holidays is informality. You therefore, will need mainly casual clothes.
· 2 pairs of jeans
· 1 casual shirt
· 2 sweaters, 1 warm jacket (coat)
· 4 t-shirts, 3 pairs of shorts
· 1 towel
· Underwear and socks
· Swimwear and beach towel
· Shoes (include 1 pair of neat casuals and 1 pair of walking shoes suitable for steep rocky terrain - preferably hiking boots. Also 1 pair suitable for walking in water at Tunnel Creek)

ODDS AND ENDS
· Portable drinking container - not less than 1 litre (essential)
· Sun hat (essential), Sunglasses, insect repellent
· Travel pillow, torch, alarm clock, camera
· Small polythene bags
· Aspirin, medicines, sunscreen, tissues etc
· Sleeping Bag – These can be hired for $25