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Discover Outback delights of Western and Northern Australia

Journey through the jaw-dropping landscape of North and Western Australia into the heart of the Outback, on this incredible Darwin to Perth tour. Discover the rugged beauty of the Bungle Bungles, hang with dolphins at Monkey Mia, explore the Kimberlys and tackle some of the toughest 4X4 terrain in Australia, on this epic Outback adventure.

Start
Perth, Australia
Finish
Darwin, Australia
Destination
Australia
Style
Basix
Theme
Explorer, Overland
Code
PD22
Physical rating
Ages
Min 18
Group size
Min 1, Max 20

Why you'll love this trip

  • Get off the beaten track as you discover the raw desert landscapes and stunning coastline of Western Australia and the Kimberley in this ultimate overland adventure

  • It may be a cliche, but life is all about the journey. Explore the major highlights between Perth and Darwin at a slower pace, allowing you to really get under the skin of a place

  • Enjoy the flexibility of a private vehicle, the local knowledge of a passionate guide and the magic of camping under the great southern sky, Australian-style

  • The cattle stations, red earth and mining communities of the Pilbara are reminiscent of the sun-baked Australia much of the world imagines

  • Hike and swim in the ancient gorges and waterholes of Karijini National Park

Is this trip right for you?

  • Accommodation on the first half of this trip and in Broome is multishare, meaning there are no private rooms. You'll spend some nights of the trip sleeping at camping grounds in a swag (Australian bedroll) in twin-share, permanent tents. While conditions can be very basic, this is all part of the adventure.

  • This is a true overland trip, and the journey is a big part of the experience. On some days of the trip, you will spend several hours driving, often through very sparse areas of desert. Crank up the tunes and sit back to enjoy landscapes that you would miss in any other form of travel.

  • This trip requires a decent level of agility and stamina, as it involves a lot of walking, allowing you to really get among nature. The hikes in the Kimberley are particularly challenging. Please bring sturdy, comfortable walking shoes and comfortable clothing.

  • Temperatures in regional Australia can be extreme. During the day the weather can be hot (and the Australian sun is strong) so please bring appropriate clothing, use sun protection and drink plenty of water. In the evenings temperatures really drop, so ensure you have base layers and warm clothing.

Map of Perth to Darwin Overland including Australia
Red sand, Broome
Bungle Bungles
Pelicans, Shark Bay

Itinerary
Expand All Collapse All

Welcome to sunny Perth, where your overland journey begins. Leave the city, driving north to Nambung National Park to explore The Pinnacles. These are ancient rock sculptures that rise out of the desert. Journey on to Jurien Bay, where you’ll have the opportunity to sand-board down the massive expanse of dunes. From here continue on through Geraldton to the quiet beach town of Kalbarri, where you’ll stay the night.

Note: Total driving time today is about four-and-a-half hours. Total walking distance is approximately two kilometres.
Accommodation
  • Hostel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Nambung National Park (Pinnacles) Entrance
  • Sandboarding Jurien Bay
Meals Included
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

Today take a short drive to Kalbarri National Park. Hike around some of the park’s diverse scenery, including Murchison Gorge, the Loop Walk and Nature’s Window. Its a steep descent into Z-Bend Gorge. For those seeking even more adventure, there’s also an opportunity to abseil (at your own expense). After lunch visit the beautiful Shell Beach, which is one of only two beaches in the world composed entirely of shells. Get back on the road and continue towards Denham and Shark Bay.

Note: Total driving time today is about five hours. Total walking distance is approximately five kilometres.
Accommodation
  • Hostel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Kalbarri National Park Entrance
Optional Activities
  • Abseiling in Kalbarri National Park - AUD30
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

After a short drive across the Peron Peninsula, head to the beach and meet the world famous Monkey Mia dolphins. These friendly dolphins are fed by park rangers and often swim up to the shore several times a day. The next stop is Carnarvon where you’ll see the fascinating stromatolites at Hamelin Pool. These marine rock formations are some of the world’s oldest and largest living fossils. After a short break, continue along the highway to Coral Bay, which is known as the ‘Jewel of the Northwest’.

Note: Total driving time today is about six-and-a-half hours. Total walking distance is approximately two kilometres.
Accommodation
  • Hostel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Monkey Mia Dolphins
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

Today explore picturesque Coral Bay, home to the World Heritage-listed Ningaloo Reef. Snorkel equipment is available to hire, or you could cruise the reef in a glass-bottom boat to observe the tropical life teeming below the surface. The marine park is home to 250 species of coral and over 500 species of fish. You might prefer to take an optional scenic flight over the reef. In the late afternoon, it’s a short drive to our campsite at Yardie Creek in the Cape Range National Park, near Exmouth.

Note: Total driving time today is about two hours. Total walking distance is approximately two kilometres.
Accommodation
  • Permanent safari camp (with shared facilities) (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Ningaloo Reef Marine Park
Optional Activities
  • Snorkel with Manta Rays - half day trip - AUD165
  • Whale Watching (seasonal) from - AUD85
  • Glass Bottom Boat Cruises from - AUD37
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

Spend the morning snorkeling right off the beach in the stunning Cape Range National Park. Depending on the time of year, you have the option to snorkel or scuba dive in search of whale sharks and manta rays. Take a visit to Vlamingh Head Lighthouse, one of the few places in Australia where you can see the sun both rise and set. Enjoy taking wonder around the town of Exmouth before settling down in our permanent campsite.

Note: Total driving time today is about two hours. Total walking distance is approximately two kilometres.
Accommodation
  • Permanent safari camp (with shared facilities) (1 night)
Optional Activities
  • Snorkel with the Whalesharks (April to July only) from - AUD350
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

Head inland today through the vast cattle stations of the Pilbara region. The sparsely populated Pilbara desert is known for its red earth and rich mineral deposits. In the afternoon pass through the little town of Tom Price, which is renowned for its iron ore mining. Continue on to your campsite overlooking the magnificent Hamersley Range in Karijini. Before you go to sleep, take a minute to gaze up at one the most magnificent night skies you’re ever likely to see.

Today’s travel will take around eight hours in total.
Accommodation
  • Camping (with facilities) (1 night)
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

Over the next two days explore the almighty gorges of Karijini National Park. Formed over 2,500 million years ago, the Hamersley Ranges feature some of the most unusual landforms on Earth. You’ll be able to take some great photographs while you’re here. Hike deep into the gorges, where you’ll come across cascading waterfalls and fresh waterholes ideal for swimming in. Dales Gorge and Circular Pool, Fortescue Falls, Fern Pool and Weano Gorge are just some of the places you can visit. This part of the journey is a real highlight.

Note: Total driving time today is around two hours but you could be walking up to six kilometres.
Accommodation
  • Camping (with facilities) (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Karijini National Park Entrance
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

Head back into the gorges today for further exploration. Sing a tune in the natural amphitheatre caused by curved gorge walls, then make your way down to Hancock Gorge. Named after the Australian tycoon Lang Hancock, this is a narrow inlet of red rocks leading to a refreshing waterhole.

Note: Total driving time today is only around 30 minutes, but you could be walking up to six kilometres.
Accommodation
  • Camping (with facilities) (1 night)
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

Depart Karijini this morning and travel towards the coast (approximately four hours in total). Visit the iron ore port of Port Hedland, the second most populated town in the Pilbara. Take a quick tour of the town and gain an understanding of the scale of the iron ore industry. After lunch continue on to a nearby station, where you’ll spend the last night of your trip.

Today we drive for about five hours
Accommodation
  • Station Stay (1 night)
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

The drive to your final destination of Broome will take around six hours. En route, enjoy a leisurely break and stroll along the immense 80-Mile Beach. On arrival into Broome, say goodbye to your fellow travellers and enjoy an idyllic Broome sunset - a fitting end to your overland adventure. There are no more activities planned for today.
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch

Sleep in this morning and perhaps go for a walk into Old Broome Town this afternoon.
Accommodation
  • Hostel (1 night)
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.

Today is another day off to recharge your batteries before commencing the next leg of your journey through the Kimberley. Perhaps take the first bus out to Guantheaume Point and see the prehistoric footprints in the rock. Take the famous stroll back to Cable Beach for a morning coffee of fresh juice before spending the day on the beach.
Accommodation
  • Hostel (1 night)
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.

We set off into the West Australian wilds pretty early today, after a bit of highway driving we reach the Fitzroy River, then it’s all off-road to the Napier Range. The main attraction here is a guided walk through Tunnel Creek, a vast cave system that extends 750 metres underground.

Note: Total driving time today is around five hours. Total walking distance is approximately three kilometres including walking through water in Tunnel Creek



Note: Total driving time today is around five hours. Total walking distance is approximately three kilometres including walking through water in Tunnel Creek

Meals Included
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

Today we head to Windjana Gorge, once an underwater reef just 350 million years ago. During the wet season a river flows all the way through it, but during the dry it’s really more a series of ponds and billabongs. Set out on a bit of an explore, hopefully spotting a freshwater crocodile or two. The western Kimberley region is full of endless stunning gorges that have to be explored and this afternoon is no exception. Bell Gorge is home to a stunning cascade of water flowing from the previous wet season rains that fall in the King Leoplold Ranges. We enjoy an afternoon swim in the large plunge pool before making our way to camp along the Gibb River Road.

Note: Total driving time today is around 4.5 hours. Total walking distance is approximately 4 -6 kilometres including walking through water in Tunnel Creek
Accommodation
  • Camping (with facilities) (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Windjana Gorge
  • Bell Gorge
  • Tunnel Creek exploration walk
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

We spend the morning exploring Manning gorge and enjoy a swim in the pools under Manning Falls. After stretching your legs on the hike in you will be rewarded with a swim in a large rock pool at the base of Manning Falls. Spend the afternoon exploring Adcock or Galvins gorge before heading back to camp to relax around the campfire.

Note: Total driving time today is around one hour. Total walking distance is approximately 6-8 kilometres.
Accommodation
  • Camping (with facilities) (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Galvans Gorge
  • Adcock Gorge
  • Manning Gorge
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

Fording rivers and weaving through gorges, travel by 4WD along the wild Gibb River Road – a 600-kilometre stretch that winds right through the heart of the Kimberley. Pass through remote and extraordinary country as you travel through this historic part of Australia. Cross the Pentecost River to reach the famous El Questro Station, where you’ll spend the night camping under the stars.

Note: Total driving time today is around 6 hours. Total walking distance is approximately 2 kilometres.
Accommodation
  • Camping (with facilities) (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Gibb River Road
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

Wake up with the knowledge of not having to pack up camp before spending the day exploring the amazing sights of El Questro Station. Enjoy a relaxing swim at Zebedee Springs before tackling the hike into either Emma Gore or El Questro Gorge where you will be rewarded with a stunning waterfall and a swim. Tonight enjoy another night at the El Questro campsite, where you might choose to enjoy a well-earned drink at the station bar with your travel mates.

Note: Total driving time today is only around 45 minutes. Total walking distance is up to 6 kilometres.
Accommodation
  • Camping (with facilities) (1 night)
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

Say goodbye to El Questro and hello Bungle Bungles. Today we drive through the rugged landscape of Carr Boyd and the Durack Ranges into Purnululu National Park. This park is home-ground of the Bungle Bungles, a UNESCO World Heritage Site dominated by massive sandstone karsts that rear hundreds of metres above the surrounding grasslands. We arrive at our bush camp in time to sit back and watch the sun set over the Osmond Ranges. If you’ve had enough of tent camping by now, you might want to spend tonight sleeping out beneath the stars snuggled up in a swag.

Note: Total driving time today is approximately 5 hours. Total walking distance is approximately 5 kilometres.
Accommodation
  • Camping (with basic facilities - no showers) (1 night)
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

After breakfast prepare for a full day of activities. Explore the remarkable rock formations of the Bungle Bungle Range. Hike to the constricted, red gap of Echidna Chasm and the immense Cathedral Gorge. You'll also have the opportunity to experience another perspective of the Bungles in a helicopter flight (at your own expense). As the sun goes down, head back to your overnight bush camp.

Note: Total driving time today is around an hour. Total walking distance is approximately five kilometres.
Accommodation
  • Camping (with basic facilities) (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Cathedral Gorge Walk (Bungle Bungle)
  • Echidna Chasm Walk
Optional Activities
  • Helicopter Flight - Bungle Bungles - from - AUD350
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

This morning you will once again experience some serious 4WD action as you wind your way out of the Bungle Bungles. Take some time to have a look around the picturesque town of Kununarra. In the late afternoon, travel down beside the Ord River to make camp at Lake Argyle. You have the choice of relaxing in the famous infinity pool overlooking the magnificent Lake Argyle or appreciating it from the water by choosing to do a cruise (own expense). This vast body of water has been forged by the Ord River Dam. The biggest manmade lake in Australia, Lake Argyle is 18 times the size of Sydney Harbour!

Note: Total driving time today is around 5.5 and a half hours. Total walking distance is 1 kilometer.
Accommodation
  • Camping (with facilities) (1 night)
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

Not long after breakfast say goodbye to WA as from here we cross the state border into the Northern Territory. The day is spent enjoying the last views of the Boabs you have fallen in love with as we make our way towards our last camp for the night just outside of Nitmiluk National Park in the Katherine Region.

Note: Total driving time today is around 7 hours. Total walking distance is around 1 kilometre.
Accommodation
  • Permanent tented camp (with shared facilities) (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Lake Argyle
Optional Activities
  • Lake Argyle Sunset Cruise - AUD100
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

On the final day of the trip, stop at either the secluded gorge of Nitmiluk (Katherine Gorge) or take one last plunge for the trip into the cool waters of Edith Falls. In the afternoon, make your way to Darwin, where your adventure comes to an end. Please book any onward travel the following day.

Note: Total driving today is around four and a half hours. Total walking distance is approximately two kilometres.
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
 View this trip in reverse

Meals

18 breakfasts, 20 lunches, 18 dinners

Transport

All Terrain vehicle

Accommodation

Camping (with facilities) (11 nights), Hostel (8 nights), Permanent safari camp (with shared facilities) (2 nights)

Included activities

  • Nambung National Park (Pinnacles) Entrance
  • Sandboarding Jurien Bay
  • Kalbarri National Park Entrance
  • Monkey Mia Dolphins
  • Ningaloo Reef Marine Park
  • Karijini National Park Entrance
  • Windjana Gorge
  • Bell Gorge
  • Tunnel Creek exploration walk
  • Galvans Gorge
  • Adcock Gorge
  • Manning Gorge
  • Gibb River Road
  • Cathedral Gorge Walk (Bungle Bungle)
  • Echidna Chasm Walk
  • Lake Argyle

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Important notes

1. Tour commences in Perth on day 1 at 7:15am and finishes in Darwin day 22 at approx 6pm. Onward travel must be booked the following day.
2. This trip is for FIT AND ACTIVE people and involves very basic camping and challenging hikes.
3. This trip requires a sleeping bag.
4. Minimum Age on this trip is 18 years old.
5. Trip runs in reverse, see tour code PDP22

Essential trip information

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