Self Drive
A$3495per person
The contrasting landscapes of the rugged Kimberley, from its spectacular coastline to its rich mineral fields, will amaze and delight you on this extensive northerly expedition. Cruise on rivers and gorges, hike to waterholes, tour working mines, relax on pristine beaches and stay in safari-style accommodation. Discover the ocean at Broome, Coral Bay and Monkey Mia, and the stunning outback landscapes of the Pilbara.
Your Guided Holiday includes a range of quality accommodation for your comfort.
Air-conditioned, modern coach
Specialist team of two highly experienced Travel Director and Driver Guide
20 Full breakfasts, 2 Lunches, 15 Dinners with wine, 1 Be My Guest dinner, 1 Farewell Dinner
Welcome to Darwin! This afternoon you will enjoy a tour of this tropical city. See the mixture of old and new architectural styles and cultural influences including old Government House and the new Northern Territory Parliament building. You’ll also see for yourself some of the damage caused to the town during Cyclone Tracy of 1974. Enjoy dinner this evening with your Travel Director and fellow travellers at a restaurant with spectacular views overlooking the Darwin Waterfront.
Hotel: Mantra on the Esplanade or Vibe Hotel Darwin Waterfront
Travel south along the Stuart Highway stopping at Adelaide River War Cemetery along the way. During WWII, Adelaide River was the headquarters of a large military base. A large cemetery was created especially for those who gave their lives in the service and defence of their country. This afternoon continue through Katherine to Nitmiluk National Park. Take a relaxing cruise at Katherine Gorge where you’ll really feel the spirituality of the land and marvel at the gorges while you spot wildlife and learn about the history and culture of the local Traditional Owners, the Jawoyn people. Later on, you’ll meet Tom Curtain and experience his spectacular Outback show, it will be an experience you’ll never forget.
Hotel: Paraway Motel
Watch the landscape transform as you journey across vast pastoral leases and Aboriginal homelands into Western Australia. Visit the historic Durack Homestead Museum. The homestead was originally built in 1895 by the famous pioneering Durack family on Argyle Downs Station. Cruise the Ord River from Lake Argyle to Kununurra on an exhilarating and educational boat journey where you will experience an abundance of wildlife and some of the most spectacular landscapes in the Kimberley. The magical sunset on the water at the end of this journey as you arrive into the town of Kununurra.
Hotel: Kununurra Country Club Resort or The Cambridge Kununurra, 2 nights
Today you can take an optional early morning scenic flight over the spectacular Bungle Bungle beehive domes before a tour of Kununurra, or you may like to join an in depth 4WD tour of the Bungle Bungles in the World Heritage listed Purnululu National Park. Alternately join your Travel Director and visit Mirima National Park, which has great cultural significance to the local Miriwoong people and features intriguing natural rock formations. Afterwards you’ll have time to view the town from Kelly’s Knob Lookout before enjoying a free afternoon to relax and unwind. This evening, you’re invited to a privately hosted ‘Be My Guest’ dinner at the Kununurra Sandalwood Factory in the heartland of Kununurra’s Sandalwood plantations. Enjoy a dinner based on fresh locally grown produce from the Ord Valley, Australia’s next ‘food bowl’.
Our long time friends and family at Hoochery Distillery will take you on a guided tour to hear how Spike Desert and his family came to open this award winning rum distillery. The family will take you behind the scenes of the distillery before you sit down and try their famous Ord River Rum Cake for morning tea. Today you get to hit the Gibb River Road and travel to El Questro Wilderness Park for your stay at Emma Gorge Resort. Nestled at the foot of the rusty red Cockburn Ranges, you won’t even know the resort is there as you approach down the dusty dirt road, but before you know it, an oasis of native pandanus and palms appear. Staying in safari style tented cabins, you really feel like you’re immersed in nature. It’s just magic!
Hotel: Emma Gorge Resort, Tented Cabin with private facilities, El Questro, 2 nights
This morning rise to the calls of native birds and head to the resort’s large veranda for a hearty breakfast with views of the surrounding ranges. Next up you’ll travel across the mighty Pentecost River to the hub of El Questro Wilderness Park for a cruise on Chamberlain Gorge, a fresh waterhole fringed by tropical vegetation and 60 metre tall escarpments. Afterwards, spend a little time at the station and grab a bite for lunch before heading back to Emma Gorge Resort. This afternoon is free for you to relax and enjoy your surrounds. Maybe take a dip in the resort pool, lay back with a good book on your cabin’s veranda or if you have a high level fitness you might take the challenging hike to Emma Gorge for a dip in the crystal clear waterhole.
Today visit the Argyle Diamond Mine. Located at the traditional Barramundi Dreaming site at Barramundi Gap, it’s the world’s largest supplier of natural coloured diamonds. The mine has been operating since 1983 and has produced 800 million carats of rough diamond since! A local Indigenous guide will join you for an extensive behind the scenes look at the diamond mining process and cultural significance of the mine site. Continue south to the historic town of Halls Creek, situated on the edge of the Great Sandy Desert. The town is rich in Aboriginal and European history and culture.
Hotel: Kimberley Hotel
Travel through the Kimberley to the remote township of Fitzroy Crossing. Stop at an indigenous Art Gallery and experience what the gallery is doing for the local community. This afternoon a beautiful boat cruise with a local guide through the remarkable Geikie Gorge. Discover how the gorge was formed by the waters of the Fitzroy River tunnelling through the Napier Range. Watch for freshwater crocodiles, fruit bats and wallabies as the 30 metre high walls of the gorge tower above you.
Hotel: Fitzroy River Lodge
Travel to the tropical resort town of Broome on the Indian Ocean. On arrival, enjoy a Broome orientation tour with your Travel Director and hear stories of this famous pearling town. Cable Beach has some of the best sunsets in Western Australia so sit back and relax with a drink to watch the spectacular sunset over the ocean.
Hotel: Cable Beach Club Resort, 2 nights
Today you have a full free day to explore this tropical hideaway. From a scenic flight over the Horizontal Falls to cruising through the unique horizontal falls on a boat (pre book as it sells out) there are many options for you to explore the area. You may enjoy a leisurely stroll along the 22 kilometres of pristine sand and turquoise water that is Cable Beach. Wander through Chinatown, shop for pearls or just relax at the resort. Tonight, join your fellow travellers for dinner overlooking Cable Beach.
Today get set to head south to Western Australia’s famous Pilbara region which is known for its rich cultural landscape, red earth and vast mineral deposits. Port Hedland is a hub for major resource activity and is a powerhouse of the Australian economy. Enjoy dinner at your hotel and then stick around for the local musicians.
Hotel: The Esplanade Hotel Port Hedland
Journey into the Pilbara region, known as the engine room of Australia. First stop is Marble Bar, one of the most famous outback towns in Australia. Marble Bar is a fine example of a pioneering town dating back to the gold rush days at the end of the nineteenth century. Today Marble Bar is synonymous with heat. It is known as ‘the hottest town in Australia’ a fact which is still recorded by the Guinness Book of Records. Continuing on through the old gold mining town of Nullagine before arriving into Newman.
Hotel: Karijini Eco Retreat or Seasons Hotel Newman
Today journey into the heart of the spectacular Karijini National Park. The Hammersley Ranges and Karijini National Park off startling landscapes, spectacular gorges, waterfalls and rock pools. These provides a striking contrast to the stark red landscape of the Pilbara. You’ll explore Fortescue Falls at Dales Gorge and if you’re up to it, you can take a walk to one of the national park’s plunge pools before continuing onto the mining town of Parabadoo.
Hotel: ibis Styles Karratha or Paraburdoo Inn
Today travel further through the stunning Pilbara region to the North West Cape and the town of Exmouth. Exmouth is situated on the boundary of Cape Range National Park and the Ningaloo Marine Park home to the spectacular Ningaloo Reef. Our special accommodation for the next few nights is situated right on the water of the Exmouth Gulf.
Hotel: Mantarays Ningaloo Beach Resort, 2 nights
Free time today allows you to do as you choose. With Ningaloo Reef right on the doorstep of this town, why not marvel at the size, grace and beauty of the Whale Shark as you swim alongside them in the pristine open ocean of the Ningaloo Marine Park. Take a stroll along the beach, relax by the hotel pool overlooking the ocean and why not choose a sunset cruise as it is a fantastic way to end your day.
Today, on a shallow draft glass bottom boat, cruise over World Heritage listed Ningaloo Reef at famous Coral Bay. Your local guide will show you extraordinary coral formations found in the lagoon gardens of the inner reef. On this coral cruise you’ll see wonderful fish and bright unspoiled corals without having to get in the water. It’s a fantastic experience! We then make the journey south to the town of Carnarvon where you’ll visit the Carnarvon Space and Technology Museum.
Hotel: Best Western Hospitality Inn Carnarvon
Discover Hamelin Pool and see the world’s best known colony of Stromatolites. Dating back to the beginning of life on earth, while they may not appear alive, these living structures have helped scientists unravel the history of life on earth! Later visit fascinating Shell Beach that is formed from billions of coquina bivalve shells that can be up to ten metres deep along the water. Continue to the crystal blue waters of UNESCO World Heritage Site of Shark Bay and the pristine white sandy beaches of Monkey Mia. You will instantly feel totally relaxed at this beach side resort.
Hotel: Monkey Mia Dolphin Resort, 2 nights
Every morning, Monkey Mia’s wild dolphins swim close to shore where the National Park Rangers explain the feeding habits of these friendly mammals that they know by name. After watching the famous dolphins swim into shore (Note: As dolphins are wild their appearance cannot be guaranteed) enjoy a leisurely breakfast overlooking the calm waters of the bay. The rest of the day is free for you to explore or relax. You might choose a leisurely boat cruise through the waters to spot marine life or why not choose to take to the air with a scenic flight over the amazing Shark Bay.
Venture through Kalbarri National Park and visit Hawks Head Lookout to view the spectacular scenery of Murchison River Gorge. Keep an eye out for graceful Peregrine Falcons hunting along the gorges and cliffs. During wildflower season, the National Park is a bloom with many a variety of wildflower. You’ll spot Acacia, Banksia, Caladenia and more! On arrival in Geraldton you’ll visit the evocative HMAS Sydney Memorial and have the chance to discover the seaside township.
Hotel: Mantra Geraldton
Visit the Nambung National Park, home of the marvellous Pinnacles. Afterwards stop at the seaside hamlet of Lancelin at lunchtime. This afternoon visit Yanchep National Park where you’ll enjoy a fantastic Aboriginal cultural experience in a bush setting. Meet your Aboriginal guide who’ll share with you their way of life and will treat you to the enchanting sounds of the didgeridoo. It’s a hands-on experience where you’ll have the chance to touch and feel traditional Aboriginal. Continue to Perth and join your fellow travellers for a few laughs over a Farewell dinner.
Hotel: Crowne Plaza, Perth
This morning say goodbye to your fellow travellers after breakfast when your trip comes to an end.
From 9 May 2023
| Departs | Returns | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 20/06/2023 | 10/07/2023 | Available – Definite |
From 4 July 2023
| Departs | Returns | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 04/07/2023 | 24/07/2023 | Available – Definite | |
| 11/07/2023 | 31/07/2023 | Closed | |
| 01/08/2023 | 21/08/2023 | Available – Definite | |
| 15/08/2023 | 04/09/2023 | Available – Definite |
From 7 May 2024
| Departs | Returns | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 07/05/2024 | 27/05/2024 | Available | |
| 18/06/2024 | 08/07/2024 | Available |
From 2 July 2024
| Departs | Returns | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 02/07/2024 | 22/07/2024 | Available | |
| 09/07/2024 | 29/07/2024 | Available | |
| 30/07/2024 | 19/08/2024 | Available | |
| 13/08/2024 | 02/09/2024 | Available |
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