Day 1
Perth: Welcome to Western Australia
Welcome to Perth, Australia's sunniest city! You will be transferred to your comfortable accommodation and relax in Australia’s sunniest capital city. With soft sandy beaches, epic skyscrapers, vast green parks, and a thriving street art scene, Perth is a fascinating town to explore. It’s home to one of the biggest city parks in the world – Kings Park & Botanic Garden – right in the heart of town. It’s even larger than Central Park in New York! This is a great place to get your bearings, with sweeping views of the Swan and Canning rivers.
Perth’s urban villages and small bistros offer plenty of dining options: fuel up the whole family for exciting adventures along the Western Australian coast tomorrow.
Accommodation: Adina Apartment Hotel Perth Barrack Plaza - 1 Night
Day 2
Perth to Cervantes: The Pinnacles Desert - Approximate Distance: 200 km | 124 miles | Total Driving Time: 2 hours 15 mins
Collect your rental vehicle this morning and begin your adventure by travelling to the coastal fishing town of Cervantes via one of Australia’s most unique landscapes: the Pinnacles Desert. Just ten minutes from Cervantes, prepare for a weird and wonderful sight. The sandy yellow Pinnacles Desert is filled with rocky spires as far as the eye can see. Thousands of these strange limestone formations resemble giant stony mushrooms in the desert.
Settle down for the night in quiet Cervantes and get ready to meet some slippery sea lions tomorrow!
Accommodation: Pinnacles Edge Resort Cervantes - 1 Night
Day 3
Cervantes to Kalbarri via Jurien Bay - Approximate Distance: 410 km | 255 miles | Total Driving Time: 4 hours 30 mins
En route to Kalbarri, make a stop at Jurien Bay, a favourite destination for Western Australian families. Hop on a boat and visit the Australian sea lions at their island home.
Jurien Bay Sea Lion Tour
The Australian sea lion is a protected species found only on the coast of Western Australia. Here in Jurien Bay, you can visit the sea lions on and around their island breeding colony. You'll spend 1 - 1.5 hours watching the curious sea lions coming to check you out! Don’t forget to look out for dolphins during your boat journey too.
Kalbarri: Where the Outback meets the Sea
Sitting at the mouth of the Murchison River, Kalbarri is known for its seaside cliffs, sand dunes, and wild pelicans. Discover 400-million-year-old river gorges, dramatic coastal rock formations, and a rainbow of wildflowers as you explore the secrets of this ancient landscape tomorrow.
Accommodation: Kalbarri Edge Resort - 2 Nights
Day 4
Day at Leisure in Kalbarri
Make the most of your day of leisure by trying out one or more of the options below:
Follow one of the many walking trails, join a river cruise, or, if you're feeling adventurous, tackle a challenging hike or try quad biking.
Visit between July and November and see over 800 species of Western Australian wildflowers in full bloom.
Spot humpback whales from the coastal gorges and towering cliffs during their annual migration from June to November.
Feed the friendly local pelicans at 8:45 am daily on the river foreshore.
Canoeing up the Murchison River is perfect for a sunny afternoon, while thrill-seekers may prefer abseiling and canyoning in the National Park Gorges.
For an adrenaline rush, go skydiving: freefall 8,000 metres and land on the beach.
Take a boat charter tour year-round, including sunset cruises, dolphin, whale, and private charters.
Day 5
Kalbarri to Monkey Mia via Shark Bay - Approximate Distance: 400 km | 249 miles | Total Driving Time: 4 hours 15 mins
Continue north to Denham and the Shark Bay World Heritage Area.
Denham: Shark Bay World Heritage Area
Learn about Shark Bay’s hidden treasures at the impressive Discovery and Visitor Centre, or simply relax at Shell Beach and enjoy the sunshine. Keep an eye out for the world’s oldest living fossils – the Hamelin Pool stromatolites, believed to be around 3.5 billion years old. This is one of only two places in the world where they can be seen!
Monkey Mia
Just north of Denham, the Monkey Mia Reserve is surrounded by red sand dunes, white sandy beaches, and waters brimming with marine wildlife. What can you see here? Wild dolphins, green turtles, dugongs, sea snakes, sharks, stingrays, manta rays, and even whales at certain times of the year. Scientists from all over the globe come to Monkey Mia to uncover the mysteries of the marine world. Tomorrow, you have the chance to discover the secrets of sea creatures, great and small, in this incredible location.
Accommodation: Monkey Mia Dolphin Resort - 2 Nights
Day 6
Francois Peron National Park 4WD Full Day Tour
Time to explore the Francois Peron National Park on a full-day adventure (9 am to 5 pm), where outback Australia meets the coast. Traverse wild tracks, rolling red sand dunes, and dense acacia shrublands. Learn survival skills and discover hidden spots for stunning photography. Witness dugong migrations and encounter diverse wildlife like lizards and echidnas. Experience nature's breathtaking outlooks and explore a natural aquarium teeming with marine life. Today is all-inclusive of entry fees, lunch, refreshments, sunscreen, and expert guidance for an unforgettable journey into Australia’s rugged beauty.
Day 7
Monkey Mia to Coral Bay - Approximate Distance: 585 km | 364 miles | Total Driving Time: 6 hours
After departing from Monkey Mia, continue north and stop off to marvel at the Carnarvon blowholes, which can reach up to 20 metres high. This natural spectacle is caused by the ocean forcing water through the sea caves and up through holes in the rock.
Coral Bay & Ningaloo Reef
Coral Bay is a marine paradise and one of Western Australia’s top family holiday spots. Named for the beautiful coral gardens lying metres from the shore, this laid-back seaside location is a must-visit destination for nature lovers. Ningaloo Reef is Australia’s only fringing reef where the coral starts right at the water’s edge. You’ll spend two nights at the waterside Ningaloo Reef Resort to explore this incredible World Heritage Area.
Accommodation: Ningaloo Coral Bay - 2 Nights
Day 8
Free Day in Coral Bay
With more than 500 tropical fish species inhabiting the 300-kilometre-long reef, why not spend your day in Coral Bay keeping them company? Coral Bay has plenty of safe-water options for the whole family, and here are some suggested ways to enjoy your day (own expense):
Coral Bay Suggested Activities
Take a full day or half-day snorkelling cruise of the Ningaloo Reef.
Hire glass-bottom canoes or see-through boogie boards and search the crystal-clear waters for cool creatures.
Cruise the pristine waters on a glass-bottom boat to enjoy the stunning coral formations.
Join a half-day eco-interaction tour to search for, and where possible snorkel with, the majestic Manta Ray.
If you prefer a lazy day, relax at the tropical gardens & pool at your accommodation, or bask on the beautiful beach – it’s just 100 metres away!
Day 9
Coral Bay to Exmouth - Approximate Distance: 155 km | 96 miles | Total Driving Time: 1 hour 45 mins
Continue along the coast to Exmouth, a small resort town on Western Australia’s North West Cape.
Exmouth
Exmouth is the perfect base to explore the grand landscapes of the Cape Range National Park and northern Ningaloo Marine Park. Visitors flock here from around the world to swim with whale sharks and even humpback whales!
Exmouth is also the gateway to the rugged Cape Range National Park, which features breathtaking canyons, limestone ranges, and 50 kilometres of unspoiled coastline.
Accommodation: Mantarays Ningaloo Beach Resort, Exmouth - 2 Nights
Day 10
Marine Adventures in Exmouth
Embark on an exciting ocean adventure today with Exmouth Dive Centre. Depending on the time of year you travel, here is what your day has in store:
Whale Shark Swim (March to August)
Swim and snorkel with gentle whale sharks, getting up close and personal with the world’s largest fish as they cruise the waters of Western Australia’s Northwest Cape.
Humpback Whale Swim (August to November)
Thousands of humpback whales grace the waters off Exmouth from June to October. You will have the opportunity to swim with them, or observe them from the comfort of the boat if you prefer.
Snorkel the Reef by Boat (rest of the year)
Snorkel the Muiron Islands and Ningaloo Reef for an unforgettable holiday experience. Enjoy a genuine coral reef adventure in a location unlike anywhere else in the world.
Day 11
Depart Exmouth
Return your rental vehicle and say farewell to Western Australia today as you board your onward flight, taking with you the magical memories of a truly exceptional Australian experience. We hope you will return soon to discover even more highlights of this incredible continent.
