Experience Overview
See the Australian Outback in all its sun-kissed glory on this epic 24-day adventure from Darwin to Perth. Explore Nitmiluk National Park, Purnululu National Park, El Questro, Gibb River, Manning Gorge, Bell Gorge, Tunnel Creek and Cable Beach and then spend a few days exploring Broome at your own pace. Swim in watering holes and waterfalls, hike through creeks to sandstone spires and learn about fascinating First Nations history. Then, hop in a 4WD and go snorkelling among turtles, relax on Eighty Mile Beach, wander through national parks like Karijini, Nambung and Kalbarri. After every adventurous day, you’ll spend your nights camping under the starry skies of Western Australia.
Highlights
- Explore Lake Argyle and take an optional cruise on the still waters, looking out for crocodiles, wallabies and rare birds against the mountain island backdrop.
- Spend nights camping in the Australian Outback under a star-studded Milky Way sky. There is little, if any, reception out here, so it’s the perfect chance to disconnect, recharge and get back to basics in the heart of nature.
- Swim in rock pools, waterfalls and watering holes, travel along the Gibb River Road in a 4WD and hike through rivers past towering red cliffs, rocks and spires.
- Explore the World Heritage area of Shark Bay, home to the oldest living organisms in the world – stromatolites.
- Spend two nights and three days in the red-hued Pilbara, away from any light pollution, in Karijini National Park and spend your days exploring ancient gorges and refreshing swimming holes and waterfalls.
Trip Details
Product Code: 2318
Tour Type: Small Group
Accommodation: Basic
Transport: Private 4WD vehicle
Guide Language: English
Travel Styles: Overland Expedition
Supplier Code: PKOPC
Starts: Darwin / Katherine, Australia
Finishes: Kalbarri National Park / Pinnacles / Perth, Australia
Duration: 24 days
Departures: Guaranteed
Physical rating: Demanding
Includes
Meals: Breakfasts (22), Lunch (20), Dinner (17)Accommodation: Mixed Backpacker Dorm Multi-Share Accommodation with Shared Facilities (9 nights),Camping with Shared Facilities (14 nights)
Price
Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD 5445 (CAD 227 /day)
Itinerary
Welcome to Darwin! Or Gulumerrdgen, in the language of the Larrakia people, who are the Traditional Owners of the land on which Darwin is now located. Your adventure starts with a drive south to Nitmiluk National Park. Depending on the season, you’ll take a swim in the natural pool by the base of Edith Falls and visit the croc-filled waters of Katherine Gorge. After lunch, you’ll head to your private campsite on the edge of Nitmiluk, where you have the option of spending the night in a tent or snuggled up in a swag (an Aussie bedroll) under the stars.
Accommodation:
- Camping with shared facilities (Number of Nights: 1)
Today you’ll visit the huge (and absolutely gorgeous) Lake Argyle, which looks perfectly at home despite being entirely man-made. You have the option of taking a cruise here, where you can look out for the native fauna that has settled here – keep your eyes peeled for crocodiles, wallabies and the rare birdlife. Soak up the backdrop of mountains-turned-islands as you explore some of the 700 square km surface of the lake. Tonight, you’ll camp under some seriously starry skies.
Accommodation:
- Camping with shared facilities (Number of Nights: 1)
Over the next two days, you’ll explore the distinctive sandstone towers of the Bungle Bungle Range – which only became known to wider Australia when a group of documentary filmmakers stumbled across them in the early 1980s! Travelling by both foot and vehicle, you’ll see craggy gorges, unique rock formations and hidden waterholes. Cap off a scenic day with a stunning Kimberley sunset from your bush camp. Day 4 is all about getting to know the Bungle Bungles from another angle. Your first stop is the ever-narrowing gap of Echidna Chasm – formed over millions of years by water flowing through an opening in the sandstone, the path winds through palm-filled gorges up to 200 m high (but in parts it’s only 1 to 2 m wide). Next, trade the tight spaces for the wide-open natural amphitheatre of Cathedral Gorge.
Accommodation:
- Camping with shared facilities (Number of Nights: 2)
Hit the road again this morning, passing Warmun (Turkey Creek) and the Durack Ranges on the way to El Questro – not too long ago, it was mostly cattle that got to enjoy the million-acre sprawl of El Questro but the owners recognised the beauty and turned it into a wilderness park in 1991. At more than one and a half times the size of the UK, there are plenty of scenic spots to explore here!
Accommodation:
- Camping with shared facilities (Number of Nights: 1)
On the drive in you will have got some clue as to the huge cliffs, deep gorges, waterfalls and swimming holes contained in the Cockburn Ranges, but now you’ll be exploring them on foot. Walk to Emma Gorge, cool off in a waterfall-fed subtropical pool and bliss out in the thermal springs of Zebedee. (BLD)
Accommodation:
- Camping with shared facilities (Number of Nights: 1)
Weaving through gorges and rivers, you’ll travel by 4WD along the wild Gibb River Road today – a 600 km stretch that winds right through the heart of the Kimberley. You’ve got a fair bit of ground to cover today, so there’s a fair bit of drive time, but you’ll be breaking the journey up with a lunch stop and a few breaks along the way to stretch your legs. Tonight’s camp is at Mt Barnett Station, close to Manning Gorge.
Accommodation:
- Camping with shared facilities (Number of Nights: 1)
This morning, stretch your legs on an early hike and be rewarded with a refreshing swim in a large rock pool at the base of Manning Falls. After lunch, you’ll discover Adcock or Galvins Gorge before heading back to camp to relax around the campfire.
Accommodation:
- Camping with shared facilities (Number of Nights: 1)
The western Kimberley region is full of endless stunning gorges waiting to be explored, and this morning is just for that. After breakfast, you’ll adventure to Dalmanti (Bell Gorge) – home to a stunning cascade of water flowing from the previous wet season rains that fall in the King Leopold Ranges. Tonight, you’ll camp at Bandilngan (Windjana Gorge) – a segment of a 375-million-year-old reef that was once underwater. Cut through by the Lennard River, which runs during the wet season and then breaks up into little billabongs during the dry season. This gorge attracts many species of birds and bats and is a great spot to see wild freshwater crocodiles!
Accommodation:
- Camping with shared facilities (Number of Nights: 1)
This morning's major attraction is Dimalurru (Tunnel Creek) – an extensive limestone cave system extending 750 m underground. Inside, shards of sunlight stream through crevices, little bats flutter above you and enormous stalactites point down from the ceiling. In the late 1800s, an Indigenous man called Jandamarra waged a one-man uprising against European settlers, becoming a hero to his people. You’ll hear a bit about his legacy during your time at Tunnel Creek, then you’ll make the final drive to Broome, which is where some of your group members may leave the trip.
Accommodation:
- Backpacker Dorm Share Accommodation (Number of Nights: 1)
Over the next four days sit back, relax and enjoy your beach break at the Kimberley Travellers Lodge. Kick back on one of the best beaches in the world – Cable Beach – and have a couple of cold ones at Matsos Broome Brewery. Maybe search for dinosaur footprints on the rugged coastline or check out the local art galleries and spend every night watching the sunset over the ocean.
Accommodation:
- Backpacker Dorm Share Accommodation (Number of Nights: 4)
In the morning of day 15, you’ll meet your leader and new group members to start the second half of your adventure. Head to the Dampier Peninsula – you’ll visit the Beagle Bay Aboriginal Community and the remote One Arm Point Aboriginal Community to tour a local aquaculture hatchery perched on the tip of One Arm Point, which overlooks the impressive Buccaneer Archipelago. Take in the views, then continue to Cygnet Bay Pearl Farm. Take a tour of the farm, which provides insight into the remote pearling industry. After, take a swim in the infinity pool that looks over Cygnet Bay and head to an included group dinner to get to know your fellow travellers a little better.
Accommodation:
- Camping with shared facilities (Number of Nights: 1)
After breakfast, drive south this morning to start your journey across the Great Sandy Desert. Stop at the coastal oasis of Eighty Mile Beach along the way – famous for its magnificent sunsets, sunrises, fishing opportunities and shell collecting. Here, you can stroll along the beautiful white-sand beach, enjoy a group lunch and relax. Tonight, you’ll stay in the remote location of Sandfire, where you’ll sit down for a group dinner before a spot of stargazing.
Accommodation:
- Camping with shared facilities (Number of Nights: 1)
This morning, you’ll make your way to the remote but spectacular Karijini National Park, where you’ll spend the next two days exploring the ancient gorges and stunning swimming holes. Begin your Karijini experience with a visit to the Karijini Cultural Centre before heading for Fortesque Falls, where you’ll be rewarded with a refreshing swim. As one of the oldest landscapes on earth, this region will continue to amaze you. Explore a number of gorges, including Weano Gorge, Oxers Lookout, Hancock Gorge and more. Spend the nights at a campground complete with campfire under the stars.
Accommodation:
- Camping with shared facilities (Number of Nights: 2)
Leave Karijini this morning and travel through the vast bushland and station country on the way to Exmouth to set up camp for the night near Cape Range National Park, where you can kick back and watch the sunset as kangaroos hop around the grounds. The following day, enjoy a little freedom and relaxation. Maybe go snorkelling (equipment provided) or diving, maybe search for whale sharks if the season is right or view Vlamingh Head Lighthouse. If you’d rather, just kick back on the pristine beach at Turquoise Bay and soak up the sunshine. In the afternoon, make the short trip to beautiful Coral Bay to our backpacker style accommodation, where you will spend the next two nights. There you can spend the rest of the day snorkelling the world-famous Ningaloo Reef and seeing the marine life under the waterline. Alternatively, thrill-seekers can choose one of the many optional activities here.
Accommodation:
- Camping with shared facilities (Number of Nights: 1)
- Backpacker Dorm Share Accommodation (Number of Nights: 2)
Head south this morning after breakfast and cross the Tropic of Capricorn. Pass through the town of Carnarvon on the way, famous for its bananas, and maybe pick up some of nature’s snacks. Stop at unique Shell Beach – made up entirely of tiny shells – to stretch your legs. Tonight, sit down for a group dinner to swap photos and stories.
Accommodation:
- Backpacker Dorm Share Accommodation (Number of Nights: 1)
This morning after breakfast explore the Shark Bay World Heritage area. Stop to view the stromatolites at Hamelin Pool – the oldest living organisms in the world – before heading south for Kalbarri. Time permitting, you’ll be able to view the Murchison Gorge and Nature's Window this afternoon along the way. Have dinner and spend the night in Kalbarri.
Accommodation:
- Backpacker Dorm Share Accommodation (Number of Nights: 1)
This morning after breakfast, explore the coastal gorges of the Kalbarri National Park, then head to the beautiful seaside town of Dongara, before heading to the fascinating landscape of the Nambung National Park to check out the famous Pinnacle Desert. Then, make your way to Perth, arriving in the early evening. This is where your trip comes to an end.
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Tour Operator
Intrepid Travel
Intrepid Travel is a global adventure travel company, dedicated to providing sustainable, experience-rich travel opportunities. They’ve been the leader in ethical, small-group travel since 1989 - taking people around the world for more than 30 years. They’re the world’s largest travel B Corporation - dedicated to being the best travel company for the world. In 2002, they established The Intrepid Foundation so their travellers could make a lasting impact on the communities they had visited. Although Intrepid Travel absorbs all administrative costs of The Intrepid Foundation, they are separate legal entities, allowing The Intrepid Foundation to grow independently. Intrepid Travel is made up of a collection of tour operator brands and 28 destination management companies all united by one vision: To change the way we all see the world.
In Business Since 1989
Reviews
Ben - Traveled, April 2024
Took the tour hosted by Robert & Frederico. Robert was always full of energy when he spoke and he had lots of stories. Whenever we saw animals on the outback roads he stopped and allowed us to have a look and photograph them. He did this with camels. He found a dead snake on the side of the road and then pulled it into our van for us all to have a look at it. He found a thorny devil on the side of the road and pulled it into the van for all of us to look at it. He was very knowledgeable with explaining the story of the Southern Cross star constellation. I liked that the tour guides allowed us to swap seats in the van and sit up the front with Robert. I liked the number of stops we had including Erldunda at the geographic centre of Australia and the many photo opportunities on the side of the road. It was fabulous to see Uluru and I was amazed at the height and size of it. We saw the sunset over Uluru which changed the colour of the rock which was sensational. We also saw the sunrise over Uluru and I enjoyed visiting the Aboriginal cultural centre. Aboriginal art is stunning and the people are friendly.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 05/01/2024
Tatyana - Traveled, April 2024
Hi, The trip was very relaxing and recharging for me. I enjoyed it very much. It was great opportunity to meet people from different parts of Australia and from overseas in the group on the tour. I had such a great time exploring Western Australia and trying out new things. The weather was perfect in April, and we did some bushwalking and swimming as well. The travel was comfortable and entertaining. The accommodation was good, aging at some locations but clean. Very interesting tours to vineries for tasting local wines, chocolates. If we had more time on the last two days, I would prefer spending it exploring Freemantle with the Guide. And I think more than one day needed to spend on Rottnest Island. And I wish we had more time allocated to spend in Basselton. Our guide Sean provided great care managing our all-ladies group and we always were on time at different points of our destination. The chosen location for having meals were good and the food was excellent. My diet restriction options (gluten free, vegetarian) were always met. I'm grateful to Sean for sharing his knowledge about Australian history of this region and Aboriginal culture. I'm impressed that he was able answering all our questions. It was very interesting journey into Ngilgi Cave and meeting with Aboriginal guide, who happily presented stories about life of his people. I highly recommend this tour for people, who are interested in active, relaxing and informative vocation. Thank you!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 04/29/2024
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