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From turquoise waters to the red, rocky outback, Western Australia has it all.

This 8-day adventure is the perfect taste of the best bits of Australia’s nature. Spend time soaking up sun and snorkelling in Turquoise Bay at Ningaloo Reef – keeping an eye out for the famous whale sharks the whole time – before heading inland. You’ll pass classic outback scenes of auburn landscape and limitless horizons before arriving at Karijini National Park, where you’ll have a chance to learn about the ancient culture of the Banyjima, Kurrama and Innawonga people, the traditional owners of the land. Swim in the secluded natural pools and hike through the vibrant gorges as you disconnect from the world and connect with the land around you.

Start
Exmouth, Australia
Finish
Exmouth, Australia
Destination
Australia
Style
Original
Theme
Explorer
Code
PVKP
Physical rating
Ages
Min 15
Group size
Min 1, Max 14

Why you'll love this trip

  • Enjoy the turquoise waters of Ningaloo Reef, where you’ll have views of the rich and diverse marine life and colourful coral underneath.

  • Drive to the top of the gorge for limitless views of Cheela Plains, where you’ll have the chance to enjoy sunset drinks and dinner around the campfire.

  • Explore the highlights of Karjini National Park, including West Karijini, Hancock Gorge, Kermit’s Pool, Junction Pool and many other special gems in the area.

  • Spend time relaxing in the amazing rocky environment of Hamersley Gorge, and cool off with a dip in the Jade Pools.

Is this trip right for you?

  • This trip requires a moderate to good level of fitness as it involves some walking, allowing you to really get among nature. Please bring sturdy, comfortable walking shoes and comfortable clothing. Please note that travellers over the age of 60 will need to fill in and complete a self-assessment form.

  • For your time in Karijini National Park you will be accompanied by a second guide, which will give you the option between more physically demanding walks, or more moderate walks. 

  • When travelling in Western Australia, temperatures can be very hot during the day and drop quite dramatically at night. Have a think about what time of year suits you best to travel and pack accordingly.

PVKP - Karijini NP - Group with leader admiring gorge
PVKP - Karijini NP - Landscape gorge reflection
PVKP - Karijini NP - Fortescue Waterfall reflection
PVKP - Exmouth - Charles Knife Canyon Sunset
PVKP - Burrup Peninsula scenic views
PVKP - Ningaloo Reef - Snorkeler underwater with turtle
PVKP - Turquoise Bay - Cape Range NP

Itinerary
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Welcome to Exmouth! Meet your local leader and fellow travellers for a Welcome Meeting at the hotel at 11am, then get to know everyone a little better over lunch (optional). Then its time to head out and explore the town and the spectacular surrounding areas with your leader who knows it best. Kick things off with an orientation of the township, then venture into the Cape Range National Park. Here your leader will introduce you to a world of ancient gorges and glittering coastline. Pay a visit to the famously beautiful Turquoise Bay. With pristine white sands and bright blue waters, this is undoubtedly one of the world’s most breathtaking beaches. Don some snorkel gear and after a short lesson and safety briefing you’ll dive in to experience this underwater wonderland bursting with beautiful corals and marine life. Enter the water at the southern end of the beach, where the current will naturally take you down the length of the beach with minimal effort. Your guide will be in the water with you, pointing out amazing marine life and ensuring your comfort and safety during your time here. For those that don’t wish to snorkel, you may just choose to relax on the beach and take in the pristine white sands and bright blue waters. Following your snorkel adventure, it’s time to visit the Milyering Visitor Centre in Cape Range National Park. There’s a wealth of interesting displays to explore here – make sure you look for the fossilised megalodon tooth! Later pay a visit to the Jurabi Turtle Centre, where you can learn about the life cycle of the three species of turtles that nest (October to March) along the Ningaloo Coast. Stop off at several stunning lookout points where you can soak in the scenery and marvel at the iconic Ningaloo reef. After an exciting afternoon, you may like to join your fellow travellers for dinner at a local brewery in the evening and reminisce about the day’s discoveries over a tasty meal and craft beer.
Accommodation
  • Lodge (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Cape Range National Park - Ningaloo Reef Excursion
  • Cape Range National Park - Ningaloo Reef Drift Snorkelling Adventure
  • Cape Range National Park - Milyering Visitor Centre & Jurabi Turtle Centre
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.
Special Information
It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting at 11 am as we will be collecting insurance details and next of kin information at this time. If you arrive today check-in may not be available yet, but you can store your luggage at reception. As we head out to the reef this afternoon please make sure you bring/wear your bathers. Warm layers are recommended during winter months as it can get a bit cooler later in the day. Also, don't forget your own bottle of drinking water, as we do not supply single use plastic water bottles. The leader will bring extra water for refills in larger containers.

This morning after breakfast you have the chance to don your swimmers for a day on the water. With a full free day you'll have the option of two activities – heading out in search of Ningaloo Reef’s famous seasonal Whale Sharks, which will need to be pre-booked, or soaking up the wonders of the reef with another snorkel drift. Head back out into the glistening blue and admire the amazing world under water. This evening is free to enjoy as you wish – your local leader will have plenty of recommendations for the best places to enjoy a fresh seafood dinner, so don’t hesitate to ask them.
Accommodation
  • Lodge (1 night)
Optional Activities
  • Cape Range National Park - Snorkel with the Whalesharks (seasonal only) - AUD450
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
Please note that swimming with whale sharks is not included on this trip and is an optional activity. It is very important that you pre book any Whale Shark experiences, as this can sell out far in advance. Please also note that whale sharks visit the region between mid-March and mid-September only, so please make sure you schedule your trip accordingly if you would like to include this experience in your trip.

Today after breakfast you’ll be saying goodbye to Exmouth and begin the approximately six and a half hour drive inland to Cheela Plains, with a stop at Bullara Station for morning tea and a lunch stop at Ashburton River. Along the way you’ll have plenty of time to appreciate the scenery of the Outback, before arriving at your destination, a remote outback station. Once here, you’ll drive to the top of a gorge for limitless views of the Cheela Plains, where you’ll have the chance to enjoy sunset drinks and dinner around the campfire with the group before settling into your nearby accommodation and watching the southern sky put on a show!
Accommodation
  • Outback station cabins (shared facilities) (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Cheela Plains - Sunset Drinks, Dinner & Campfire
  • Cheela Plains - Outback Station Stay
  • Bullara - Morning Tea at Bullara Station
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
Special Information
Please note that distances in the Outback are huge. Today's drive will be approximately 6.5 hours through arid Outback landscapes. Please also note that from days 3 to 7 you will be sharing transportation with non-Intrepid travellers. Accommodation tonight are simple cabins with shared facilities.

This morning after breakfast you’ll make the approximately 1 hour and 40-minute drive to Tom Price, the gateway Karijini National Park. Once here, your local guide will show you the highlights including West Karijini, Hancock Gorge, Kermit’s Pool, Junction Pool and many other special gems in the area before you stop to enjoy lunch at the Weano Recreation area. After lunch you’ll travel to Joffre Gorge and descend from the heat to an oasis of pools for an afternoon of swimming or relaxing in the shade of the ferns. Once you’ve had a chance to recharge your batteries, you’ll head to your safari camp for the evening for dinner.
Accommodation
  • Permanent tented camp (shared facilities) (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Karijini National Park - Kermit's Pool
  • Karijini National Park - Junction Pool
  • Karijini National Park - Joffre Gorge
  • Karijini National Park - Hancock Gorge
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
Special Information
Accommodation for tonight is in simple safari-style tents, however it is worth it for the incredible scenery of Karijini National Park. Tents have stretcher beds, and sleeping bags will be provided however you can bring your own if you prefer. Tents will be multi-shared with other members of your group, and a single supplement is not available for those nights.

Today you have a full-day guided tour of the highlights of Karijini National Park ahead of you. Pack your swimmers as you will start the day with a dip in the spring-fed Fortescue Falls at Dales Gorge before hiking the two-hour round-trip to Circular Pool at the other end of the gorge for another well-earned swim before lunch. After lunch you’ll head to the Karijini Visitors Centre where you’ll have the opportunity to learn more about the traditional owners of Karijini – the Banyjima, Kurrama and Innawonga people – and their connection to the land. From here, you’ll return to camp for the evening. Enjoy a cup of tea or a coffee in the afternoon and relax before enjoying another meal cooked by your leader under the southern sky.
Accommodation
  • Permanent tented camp (shared facilities) (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Karijini National Park - Fern Pool
  • Karijini National Park - Dales Gorge
  • Karijini National Park - Karijini Visitor Centre
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

After breakfast this morning you’ll leave your safari camp and make your way back to Tom Price to refuel, before heading to Hamersley Gorge, located in a different part of Karijini National Park. Here you can enjoy a relaxed morning of lazing around this amazing rocky environment, including a dip in the Jade Pools. Head back to a pub in Tom Price for lunch, before driving for the afternoon back to our station stay at Cheela Plains. After checking in and having time to freshen up, you’ll join the group for dinner at the accommodation.
Accommodation
  • Outback station cabins (shared facilities) (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Karijini National Park - Hamersley Gorge
  • Cheela Plains - Outback Station Stay
  • Tom Price - Pub Lunch
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

This morning after breakfast you’ll check out of your accommodation and begin driving back to Exmouth. After driving for approximately two and a half hours, you’ll stop at Nanutarra Roadhouse for lunch. Upon arriving in Exmouth in the afternoon check in to your accommodation for a chance to unwind. Perhaps catch up with your group again tonight for dinner and a chance to reflect on the incredible adventures you’ve shared in the Pilbara.
Accommodation
  • Lodge (1 night)
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
Today's drive back to Exmouth will be approximately 6.5 hours.

Today your trip comes to an end after breakfast. Say goodbye to your fellow travellers or consider staying longer in Exmouth to further explore Ningaloo Reef and Cape Range National Park. We are happy to book additional nights at our hotel (subject to availability). Please speak to your booking agent for details.
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Want to tailor this itinerary?

Meals

7 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 4 dinners

Transport

Private vehicle

Accommodation

Lodge (3 nights), Outback station cabins (shared facilities) (2 nights), Permanent tented camp (shared facilities) (2 nights)

Included activities

  • Cape Range National Park - Ningaloo Reef Excursion
  • Cape Range National Park - Ningaloo Reef Drift Snorkelling Adventure
  • Cape Range National Park - Milyering Visitor Centre & Jurabi Turtle Centre
  • Cheela Plains - Sunset Drinks, Dinner & Campfire
  • Cheela Plains - Outback Station Stay
  • Bullara - Morning Tea at Bullara Station
  • Karijini National Park - Kermit's Pool
  • Karijini National Park - Junction Pool
  • Karijini National Park - Joffre Gorge
  • Karijini National Park - Hancock Gorge
  • Karijini National Park - Fern Pool
  • Karijini National Park - Dales Gorge
  • Karijini National Park - Karijini Visitor Centre
  • Karijini National Park - Hamersley Gorge
  • Tom Price - Pub Lunch

Dates & availability

Trip departures are unavailable.

There are currently no scheduled departures on our Ningaloo Reef & Karijini Adventure trip. If you are interested in other trips in the region visit one of the links below.

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Important notes

Travellers on Intrepid trips are required to produce proof of full vaccination against COVID-19. Read details here.

SINGLE SUPPLEMENT
A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement excludes Days 4 and 5 (Permanent Tented Camps) where you will be in shared accommodation and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.

ACCOMMODATION STANDARD
Due to the challenge of finding suitable accommodation in this region you will experience a mix of standards on this trip. Accommodation in Karijini National Park is a basic permanent tented camp and at the outback station they are simple cabins, all with shared facilities, while our hotel in Exmouth is a very comfortable choice. For the nights at the camp we recommend you bring your own sleeping bag.

START & END TIME
This trip begins at 11am in Exmouth on day 1 and ends after breakfast back in Exmouth in the morning on the last day (day 8).

SWIMMING WITH WHALE SHARKS
Swimming with whale sharks is not included in this itinerary and is an optional activity. It is very important that you pre book any Whale Shark experiences, as this can sell out far in advance. Please also note that whale sharks visit the region between mid-March and mid-September only, so please make sure you schedule your trip accordingly if you would like to include this experience in your trip.

SELF-ASSESSMENT FORM
This trip requires a moderate to good level of fitness as it involves some walking, allowing you to really get among nature. Please bring sturdy, comfortable walking shoes and comfortable clothing. Please note that travellers over the age of 60 will need to fill in and complete a self-assessment form.

Essential trip information

Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.

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