Start your Western Frontier adventure at the Pinnacles before heading north. You’ll take in World Heritage-listed national parks, bays and beaches on your way to Broome.
Day 1. Arrive Nambung National Park, the Pinnacles, Kalbarri
This morning depart Perth and journey into Nambung National Park, home to the Pinnacles. Enjoy time to admire these eerie limestone pillars, which rise up to six metres from the shifting golden sand. Afterwards, continue to Kalbarri, the gateway to Kalbarri National Park on Western Australia’s spectacular Coral Coast.
Day 2. Kalbarri National Park, Wooleen Station
Discover the sights of Kalbarri National Park this morning. Take in amazing vistas from the natural rock formation, known as Nature’s Lookout, and see the spectacular Murchison River. This afternoon travel to Wooleen Station, which is committed to preserving the unique ecology of the region through limited energy consumption. Gather before dinner and head to a special visiting area to witness a dramatic sunset.
Day 3. World Heritage-listed Shark Bay
Spend time at leisure exploring Wooleen Station, a working cattle and sheep station this morning. Journey to World Heritage-listed Shark Bay, one of the world’s greatest wilderness treasures. The shallow waters of the beautiful area are divided by striking banks, peninsulas and islands, including Dirk Hartog Island, which was discovered by the Dutch almost four hundred years ago in 1616. Shark Bay is a region of major zoological importance, home to around 26 species of endangered mammals. Continue to Shell Beach and tonight enjoy a seafood dinner.
Day 4. Denham
Explore Denham, Australia’s most westerly town, situated on the Peron Peninsula. Take in the interactive displays at the Shark Bay Interpretive Centre, where you can learn more about the incredible natural wonders and historic treasures of the local region. Take a stroll around the village and enjoy the exceptional views from Eagle Bluff.
Day 5. Monkey Mia, Hamelin Pool
This morning at Monkey Mia, see the wild dolphins that swim close to shore (subject to appearance). The famously playful bottlenose dolphins have delighted APT’s guests for years, as we were one of the first tour operators to escort visitors to this stunning location. Visit Hamelin Pool to see the stromatolites, dome-shaped layered structures formed in shallow water and known to be the world’s oldest known living organisms. Continue to Carnarvon.
Day 6. Ningaloo Reef Marine Park, Exmouth
Journey to Ningaloo Reef Marine Park, Australia’s largest and most accessible fringing reef. On arrival at Coral Bay, join a cruise aboard a glass-bottom boat and view the colourful tropical fish and forests of corals that make up this reef. Depending on season, look out for the famous whale shark, as well as dolphins, dugongs, manta rays and humpback whales. The beaches of the reef are vital to loggerhead, green and hawksbill turtles, who breed along the shore. Later, continue to Exmouth, the gateway to the Coral Coast where you’ll stay for two nights.
Day 7. Cape Range National Park
Enjoy a full day today to explore Cape Range National Park, a spectacular place of rugged limestone ranges, breathtaking deep canyons and 50 kilometres of pristine beaches. The national park, which encompasses Ningaloo Reef Marine Park, is famous for the striking contrast of the turquoise waters of the nearby bay with the rocky, yet verdant topography of Cape Range itself. During your time in the park, you’ll enjoy a cruise on Yardie Creek through Yardie Gorge. Fed by the nearby ocean, the gorge boasts deep-blue water, red limestone cliff faces and a wonderful array of birds and wildlife, including the rare black-footed wallaby and red kangaroos.
Day 8. Tom Price, Karijini National Park
Travel through the mining town of Tom Price. At the base of Mount Nameless, the town is a showcase for the rich red and gold hues of the Pilbara. Continue on to Karijini National Park, known for its rugged red landscapes, spectacular gorges, waterfalls and refreshing swimming holes. With a two night stay in the heart of this beautiful national park, you’ll enjoy plenty of time to explore all that Karijini has to offer.
Day 9. Karijini National Park
Enjoy a full day to discover the contrasting landscapes of Karijini National Park. Here, the ever-changing light, colours and reflections highlight the intriguing geological structures of the park. Spectacular gorges, waterfalls and leafy verdure provide a luscious setting compared to the arid landscapes of the Pilbara, while the tropical climate has allowed a vast range of flora and fauna to thrive. Visit Dales Gorge, Fortescue Falls and Oxers Lookout. Perhaps walk to stunning Joffre Falls, located near the eco retreat.
Day 10. Millstream-Chichester National Park, Port Hedland
Visit Millstream-Chichester National Park, one of the most pleasant stopovers in the state’s north west. In between the rocky escarpments and spinifex-covered hills, the park’s rock pools and gorges form refreshing oases. Continue to the largest town in the Pilbara, Port Hedland. It’s one of the world’s highest tonnage ports due to the rich Iron Ore mining industry in the region. Huge ships export this sought after mineral to Japan, China, South Korea and Europe where it’s turned into steel, most commonly used in these parts of the world for car manufacturing.
Day 11. Eighty Mile Beach, Broome
Break your journey to Broome with a stop at Eighty Mile Beach. Located half way between Port Hedland and Broome, Eighty Mile Beach forms a 220 kilometre-long coastline where the Great Sandy Desert meets the Indian Ocean.
Day 12. Horizontal Falls, Broome
Enjoy a highlight of your holiday this morning with a half-day scenic seaplane flight over spectacular Horizontal Falls, with breakfast included. On arrival at the falls take a ride on a high powered boat through the falls. This afternoon is at your leisure in Broome to further explore this historic pearling town.
Day 13. Depart Broome
Your tour concludes today with a transfer to the airport.
