18 Days West Coast Adventure

itinerary

Day 1. Arrive Perth, Welcome Dinner

On arrival in Perth today, you’ll be met by a dedicated APT representative who will transfer you to your hotel, meaning a hassle-free holiday experience. After check-in, we tour Perth’s shopping and business districts and journey to beautiful Kings Park, with its manicured lawns and spectacular gardens perched up on Mt Eliza. From here we’ll take in stunning views of the city and Swan River while a flotilla of yachts and ferries meander along its glistening waterways. This evening, enjoy a Welcome Dinner with your Tour Director, Driver and fellow travellers. Stay: Novotel Perth Hotel Langley (D)

Day 2. Nambung National Park, Pinnacles, Geraldton

Departing Perth we travel north and explore Nambung National Park, home to the ancient Pinnacles. Believed to be millions of years old, thousands of these unusual limestone spiers rise up to six metres above the shifting sands, creating a landscape more akin to the moon. Later, we continue travelling north to Geraldton, the main centre for the region overlooking the Indian Ocean. Stay: Geraldton, All Seasons (BD)

Day 3. Shark Bay

Covering 2.2 million hectares of Western Australia’s coastline, Shark Bay is home to a vast array of flora, fauna and natural wonders that has earnt the region World Heritage status. Shark Bay’s extensive sea-grass meadows are unique to this area, creating a haven for dugongs and other species of marine life. During our time here we also visit the township of Denham, which is the most westerly town on the Australian mainland. Our day comes to an end at the award-winning Monkey Mia Dolphin Resort, named after the bottlenose dolphins that have been coming to the beach at Monkey Mia to feed since the 1960s. Enjoy a sunset cruise on Shark Bay this evening before dinner. Stay: Monkey Mia Dolphin Resort (BD)

Day 4. Monkey Mia Dolphin Experience, Shell Beach, Carnarvon

Walk along the beach at Monkey Mia this morning, as the sun is still climbing, creating a beautiful glow over the glassy waters of Shark Bay. Witness the daily dolphin feeding experience (subject to appearance). After breakfast we depart and visit Shell Beach, one of only two beaches in the world consisting of billions of tiny non-fossilised shells. On the eastern gulf of Shark Bay, we’ll view the world’s oldest living organisms, the stromatolites, at Hamelin Pool, before continuing north to Carnarvon. Stay: Carnarvon, Fascine Lodge (BD)

Day 5. Ningaloo Reef Marine Park, Exmouth

Travel to Coral Bay, gateway to Ningaloo Reef Marine Park. Cruise the beautiful reefs and view the forests of soft coral and tropical fish, in what is Australia’s largest and most accessible fringing reef. Before departing for Exmouth we journey to Vlamingh Head for stunning vistas of Western Australia’s coastline. Stay: Exmouth, Pot Shot Hotel (BD)

Day 6. The Pilbara, Tom Price Mine tour

Travel inland today through some of Australia’s most ancient Outback landscapes. The Pilbara is home to deep rocky canyons, remote and isolated oases, the red terrain contrasts the blue azure waters of the Indian Ocean. Later, we arrive in the remote mining town of Tom Price, where we visit the Tom Price Mine and take a guided tour. Stay: Tom Price Hotel (BD)

Day 7. Karijini National Park

Continue to the differing landscapes of Karijini National Park, where gorges, waterfalls and rock pools provide refreshing scenery compared to the red Pilbara terrain. Stop at Dale and Fortescue falls as well as Oxers Lookout for inspiring views. This afternoon travel via Millstream-Chichester National Park to Karratha. Stay: Karratha, All Seasons Hotel (BLD)

Day 8. Karratha, Port Hedland

After a town tour of Karratha this morning, journey through the red earth of the Pilbara, with its impressive horizons and rocky landscapes. Visit Roebourne and the small ghost town of Cossack before arriving in Port Hedland. World renowned for its mining activities, Port Hedland is home to Australia’s largest tonnage port, exporting Iron Ore to all corners of the globe to be used in the manufacturing of cars, amongst its many uses. Stay: Port Hedland, All Seasons Hotel (BD)

Day 9. Great Sandy Desert, Broome Tour

Travel through the vast Great Sandy Desert today to the historic pearl mining town of Broome, where you’ll enjoy a town tour before arriving at the Cable Beach Club resort in time to watch a famous Cable Beach sunset. Stay: Two Nights: Broome, Cable Beach Club Resort and Spa (B)

Day 10. Broome

Today is at your leisure in Broome, perhaps go for a stroll through the small town, visit the Pearl Luggers museum and gain an insight into the town’s pearling history, spend time relaxing on the famous white sands of Cable Beach, and be sure to take a sunset camel ride along Cable Beach, a must on any visit to Broome (own expense). (B)

Day 11. Broome, Fitzroy Crossing

Leaving the coast behind, skirt the southern edge of the Kimberley to the remote township of Fitzroy Crossing on the banks of the Fitzroy River. Stay: Fitzroy Crossing, Fitzroy River Lodge (BD)

Day 12. Geikie Gorge Cruise, Halls Creek

Before rejoining the Great Northern Highway for our journey to Halls Creek, we spend the morning exploring Geikie Gorge, where annual flooding has created a bleached effect on the limestone walls. Board a unique cruise along this stunning gorge and learn more about its surrounding flora and fauna. Stay: Halls Creek, Kimberley Hotel (BD)

Day 13. Argyle Diamond Mine, El Questro

Tour the Lirrgarn Argyle Diamond Mine, the worlds largest producer of diamonds. Producing one third of the world diamonds, the Argyle Diamond Mine also produces the rare and very expensive Pink Diamond. Our journey then continues through the heart of the Kimberley to El Questro Wilderness Park, one of the most recognised working cattle stations in Australia. Stay: Two Nights: El Questro, Emma Gorge Resort, tented cabins with ensuite bathrooms (BLD)

Day 14. El Questro

With a local guide we take a cruise along Chamberlain Gorge this morning, and visit the station township, before walking into Zebedee Springs, where you may wish to take a dip in the thermal pools under the shade of Livistona Palms. On arrival back at Emma Gorge Resort you may like to hike into Emma Gorge and swim under the droplet waterfall, before returning for a delicious home-cooked dinner. (BD)

Day 15. Lake Argyle, Ord River Wildlife Cruise

Travelling along the last section of the Gibb River Road, a remote Outback Highway, journey to Lake Argyle. Created by the construction of the Ord River Dam, Lake Argyle is several times larger than Sydney Harbour. The lake forms part of the huge Ord River Scheme which was established to create a successful irrigation industry in the an otherwise dry and barren region. We then join a wildlife cruise along the Ord River, keeping an eye out for crocodiles and the many beautiful species of birdlife that call this area home. Stay: Kununurra, All Seasons (B)

Day 16. Kununurra, Katherine

Depart Kununurra this morning and cross the border into the Northern Territory. Pass through the remote township of Timber Creek, before arriving in Katherine, on the banks of the Katherine River. Stay: Katherine, All Seasons (BD)

Day 17. Katherine Gorge cruise, Darwin, Farewell Dinner

Cruise Katherine Gorge and admire the colours illuminated on the walls of the gorge as the sun rises. Visit Adelaide River and the Australian War Cemetery, before arriving in Darwin. Enjoy a delicious Farewell Dinner. Stay: Darwin, Novotel Atrium (BD)

Day 18. Darwin

This morning enjoy a city tour, taking in Darwin’s highlights, before transferring to the airport for your onward flight. (B)

dates & pricing