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Meet the unique animals of Australia on a Nullarbor adventure

This is not only one of the world's great road trips across the vast plains of the mighty Nullarbor, but also an opportunity to encounter the best of Australian wildlife up close. This journey provides opportunities to spot a kangaroo, wombat, emu and dingo in the wild. Swimming with dolphins and sealions, taking in stunning Australian coastal scenery and kicking back in character-filled Aussie pubs, make this trip the ultimate for those looking for a wild and nature-filled journey through Australia's outback and remote regions.

Start
Perth, Australia
Finish
Adelaide, Australia
Destination
Australia
Style
Basix
Theme
Overland
Code
PA9
Physical rating
Ages
Min 8
Group size
Min 1, Max 21

Why you'll love this trip

  • Explore Wave Rock and the Darling Ranges

  • Travel across the vast plains of the Nullarbor

  • Go swimming with sealions and dolphins on the Eyre Peninsula

  • Spot unique Australian wildlife

  • Discover the mighty Flinders Ranges in South Australia

  • Visit the delightful city of Adelaide

Is this trip right for you?

  • Most nights are swag camping with basic facilities as we camp in National Parks

  • Australia is a really big country - it's important to appreciate the landscape for it's vastness

  • Mobile phone and internet signal is few and far between on this trip - enjoy some time detached from the real world!

Map of Perth to Adelaide Overland including Australia
australia emu wildlife western
australia sa flinders ranges arkaroola south
australia sa sea lions south western wildlife
australia wa nullabor plain western road signs

Itinerary
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Our adventure begins as we travel east over the Darling Ranges. After a morning break at the historic township of York we then continue our journey south. Our lunch stop will be at Wave Rock, where there's the opportunity to have a look at this amazing rock formation.

After lunch we drive further south to the Fitzgerald River National Park, an internationally recognised world biosphere reserve with plenty of beautiful beaches, rugged coastline and the opportunity for a short walk.

Approx travel 6 hours with stops along the way. Walking time is about an hour and a half.
Accommodation
  • Camping (with basic facilities) (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Fitzgerald River National Park Entrance Fees
  • Wave Rock
Meals Included
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

After a mornings hike up East Mt Baron we drive along the coast and arrive into Esperance with time to have a look around. The town is still remote but once you see the magnificent surrounds of the granite, bush and beach you can only wonder for how much longer this area can keep its quaint charm.

Get set for some of Australia's most beautiful scenery. This area of Western Australia has no less than 9 National Parks, which is testament to its beauty and uniqueness. We take in the most spectacular of all, Cape Le Grand National Park. Stunning blue seas mix with powder white beaches and secluded bays allow for stops and swims in what can only be described as a nature lover’s paradise. A short drive brings us to the Cape Le Grand National Park where we set up camp only meters from a picture postcard beach. We will have some lunch at Cape Le Grand National Park and the rest of the afternoon is free to explore this stunning coastal park with its white sandy beaches and crystal clear water through many of the coastal bushwalks or just simply relax on the beach.

Approx travel 2.5 hours with stops along the way. Walking time is about 3 hours.
Accommodation
  • Camping (with basic facilities) (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Cape Le Grand National Park Entrance Fees
  • East Mt Baron Hike
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

The next day we get up early and take a walk down to the beach, while you are still at Cape Le Grand National Park. You might even encounter a kangaroo on the beach - it doesn't get any more Aussie than that!
We are starting the morning with a hike at Frenchmen's Peak. Frenchman's Peak rewards you with stunning views of the bay and islands of the Recherche Archipelago. After this morning hike it is time for lunch and then we head back through Esperance and north to the Eyre Highway to start our journey east bound, for our overnight camp.

Driving time is about 5 hours today, and walking time is about 1 hour.
Accommodation
  • Bush camp (no facilities) (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Frenchmen's Peak Hike
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

Today we travel through some diverse Australian country, have a look around Eucla - an old telegraph town buried by sand dunes and stop for the night at Koonalda Homestead.

The reality of the Nullarbor really hits you; this huge expanse of karst limestone has many hidden secrets including the biggest under ground lake system in Australia and is the source of many international divers who come here to explore this unique landscape.

Travel time today is about 4.5 hours.
Accommodation
  • Bush camp (no facilities) (1 night)
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

The following day we see the majestic Nullarbor cliffs and stop at the famous wombat/camel/kangaroo road sign as we cross the Nullarbor. We drive onto the Nullarbor Plain and across the dingo fence while travelling through Yalata Aboriginal lands. In the afternoon we are heading to the Ceduna Arts and Cultural Centre. Here you will learn more about the different styles and meaning behind many forms of Indigenous art. Having a short stop at Streaky Bay for any supplies and then later in the afternoon we arrive at Coodlie Park bush camp. This working farm has traditional cropping, sheep and a project of tree planting on their own land to offset their own carbon emissions.

Today we travel for approximately 6 hours.
Accommodation
  • Bush camp (no facilities) (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Ceduna Arts & Cultural Centre
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

This morning we head out to swim with the ever cheeky and playful sea lions and dolphins at Baird Bay. A pristine coast line and sanctuary for a multitude of land and sea animals. This outsource adventure done by Baird Bay eco tours is an optional experience. It is a 3-4 hour tour that will remain a beautiful memory for the rest of your life. We need to have your decision of doing the sea lions and dolphin swim before tour departure.

Having had lunch at the picnic spot at Bairds, onto Murphy’s Haystacks, incredible granite rock formations sculptured into wondrous and weird shapes over millions of years.

We then head for Talia Caves and the Lake Newland Sand dunes to go sandboarding.
Accommodation
  • Farmstay (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Murphy's Haystacks
  • Sandboarding at Lake Newland
  • Talia Caves
Optional Activities
  • Swim with Sea Lions and Dolphins - Port Neill - AUD170
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

This morning we travel on toward Elliston to do the great ocean tourist drive and a last look at the amazing cliffs of the bight at Lock's Well, 283 steps to the beach. Travelling on to Port Lincoln for lunch. You will be able to discover a little bit of Port Lincoln on your own for an hour. Then out to Mikkira.

Mikkira Station is where we camp on a private campground with Koalas in nearly every tree. We have time to go for a walk around the property to see some Giant Yakkas and see if you can find some koalas in the Manna Gum.

Driving is about an hour and a half. Walking time is about 2 hours.

Accommodation
  • Camping (with basic facilities) (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Lock's Well
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

You will visit Whalers Way Conservation Park for spectacular rugged coastline, Lincoln National Park walk Stamford Hill (where you’ll hopefully spot some kangaroos and emus), Fishers Bay and swimming in the pristine waters of the Southern Ocean.

We visit Wadlata Cultural Centre and have an interpretive walk through the life of the new frontier pioneers of South Australia.
Accommodation
  • Camping (with basic facilities) (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Glen Forest Wildlife Park
  • Lincoln National Park
  • Whalers Way Conservation Park
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
Special Information
You may notice businesses offering an optional 'Great White shark cage diving' experience. We ask all Intrepid travellers to avoid this activity as it is contrary to our Responsible Travel policy. While wildlife viewing is a big part of many of our itineraries, we strive to only view animals in their natural habitats without attracting animals into contact with people.

Read more about animal welfare and our ‘Born to Live Wild’ pledge here:
http://www.intrepidtravel.com/animal-welfare

We head through Whyalla and into Port Augusta and the Wadlata Cultural Centre that helps provide answers to the many questions about the formation of the Nullarbor, Flinders Rangers, and the formation of Australia as a continent. It also takes you on an interpretative walk through the life of the new frontier pioneers. We then head to the Southern Flinders Ranges, Mount Remarkable National Park for lunch and a walk through Davey's Gully. After lunch we hit the road for one last time and head for South Australia’s capital city Adelaide where your trip will conclude.

Driving time on the last day is about three and a half hours.
Included Activities
  • Daveys Gully
  • Wadlata Cultural Centre
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch

Meals

8 breakfasts, 9 lunches, 8 dinners

Transport

Minibus

Accommodation

Bush camp (no facilities) (1 night), Camping (with basic facilities) (4 nights), Farmstay (2 nights)

Included activities

  • Fitzgerald River National Park Entrance Fees
  • Wave Rock
  • Cape Le Grand National Park Entrance Fees
  • East Mt Baron Hike
  • Frenchmen's Peak Hike
  • Ceduna Arts & Cultural Centre
  • Murphy's Haystacks
  • Sandboarding at Lake Newland
  • Talia Caves
  • Lock's Well
  • Glen Forest Wildlife Park
  • Lincoln National Park
  • Whalers Way Conservation Park
  • Daveys Gully
  • Wadlata Cultural Centre

Dates & availability

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Travel lightly with Intrepid. We’ve offset the main sources of carbon emissions from this trip on your behalf, including transport, accommodation & waste. Read more

Important notes

1. Please bring your own sleeping bag, this is not available for hire or purchase on the trip.
2. Swimming with sealions and dolphins can be reserved in advance to secure your place, and paid locally
3. Please note this trip starts early on day 1 at approx 6.45am and finishes late on day 9 at approx 6.30pm.
4. This trip is basix swag camping

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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Reviews

Our Perth to Adelaide Overland trips score an average of 4.5 out of 5 based on 6 reviews in the last year.

Perth to Adelaide Overland, April 2018

Rosemary Palmer

Review submitted 29 Apr 2018

Perth to Adelaide Overland, November 2017

Edmund Coates

Review submitted 09 Dec 2017

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