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Map of Perth to Darwin Overland including Australia

Discover the Outback delights of Australia’s wild west and notable north.

The Aussie Outback is calling on this awesome overland 4WD tour of Western Australia and the Northern Territory. Spend a mighty 22 days travelling up the coast from Perth, stopping by the marine rock formations of the Coral Coast, discovering the earthly tones and scenic vistas of the Kalbarri National Park, swimming in the gorges and waterholes of the Karinjini National Park, all the way to Broome for a spectacular sunset at Cable Beach. Take to a 4WD and Explore the narrow rock passages winding through the Bungle Bungles, spot crocodiles sunning on the banks of Windjana Gorge and discover the gorgeous swimming holes of El Questro and Katherine. For a trip that brings you face-to-face with Australia's vast horizons and immense wilderness, this epic adventure covering Australia’s vast western plains is one to remember.

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Terms & Conditions
Start
Perth, Australia
Finish
Darwin, Australia
Destination
Australia
Style
Basix
Theme
Explorer, Overland
Code
PD22
Physical rating
Ages
Min 18
Group size
Min 6, Max 20

Why you'll love this trip

  • Snorkel in the sparkling waters of Ningaloo Reef in Coral Bay and spend time hopping between waterfalls in the Karinjini National Park.

  • Enjoy plenty of time to discover the untamed beauty of El Questro Station. Paddle in waterfalls, hike through gorges and access remote parts of this huge park on adventurous 4WD expeditions.

  • The red domes of the Bungle Bungle Range in Purnululu National Park form some iconic Australian landscapes. You'll have a whole day to explore the gorges and valleys of the park, and soak up a few fiery sunsets

  • Tunnel Creek in the Kimberley region has a rich First Nations history. Walk through the underground passages with your expert local leader learning about the culture and traditions of the first Australians.

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

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.

  • This trip requires a moderate level of fitness as it involves a lot of walking, allowing you to really get among nature. The hike in Karijini National Park is challenging. Please bring sturdy, comfortable walking shoes and comfortable clothing. You will need two pairs of shoes, one that can get wet.

Passenger enjoys the scenery of the Kimberleys in outback western australia
Passengers enjoy a camel ride along the beach in broome
Small wallaby in the Kimberleys, western australia
Passenger enjoys scenery at waterhole in kalbarri national park
Passengers take a swim under waterfall in the Kimberleys
Blue waters of ningaloo reef

Itinerary
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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.
Included Activities
  • Nambung National Park (Pinnacles) Entrance
  • Sandboarding Jurien Bay
Meals Included
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
Special Information
The total driving time today is about 7 hours. The total walking distance is approximately two kilometres.

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.
Accommodation
  • Hostel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Kalbarri National Park Entrance
Optional Activities
  • Abseiling in Kalbarri National Park - AUD30
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
Special Information
The total driving time today is about 5 hours. The total walking distance is approximately five kilometres.

After a short drive across the Peron Peninsula, head to the beach and see if you can spot some marine life in Monkey Mia. The idyllic shores around the Francoise Peron National Park are perfect to stretch the legs and admire another slice of Western Australian coastline. 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 – known as the ‘Jewel of the Northwest’.
Accommodation
  • Hostel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Monkey Mia Dolphins
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
Special Information
The total driving time today is about 6.5 hours. The total walking distance is approximately two kilometres.

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.
Accommodation
  • Permanent tented 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
Special Information
The total driving time today is about 2 hours. The total walking distance is approximately two kilometres.

Spend the morning snorkelling 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 a wander around the town of Exmouth before settling down in our permanent campsite.
Accommodation
  • Permanent tented camp (with shared facilities) (1 night)
Optional Activities
  • Snorkel with the Whalesharks (April to July only) from - AUD350
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
Special Information
The total driving time today is about 2 hours. The total walking distance is approximately two kilometres.

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.
Accommodation
  • Camping (with facilities) (1 night)
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
Special Information
Today’s travel will take around 8 hours, in total.

Over the next two days explore the almighty gorges of Karijini National Park. Formed over 2500 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.
Accommodation
  • Camping (with facilities) (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Karijini National Park Entrance
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
Special Information
The total driving time today is around 2 hours, but you could be walking up to six kilometres.

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

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 night.
Accommodation
  • Camping (with shared facilities) (1 night)
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
Special Information
The total driving time today is about 5 hours.

Today’s drive to Broome will take around 6 hours. En route, enjoy a leisurely break and stroll along the immense 80-Mile Beach. This seemingly never-ending stretch of coastline is where the Great Sandy Desert meets the Indian Ocean, and is an ideal place to stop and look out past the turquoise waters and into the horizon. Continue on your way northeast, and on arrival into Broome, reminisce with your fellow travellers and enjoy an idyllic Broome sunset – a fitting end to a long day of driving
Accommodation
  • Hostel (1 night)
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch

You’ve got the power to decide what you’d like to do today. You may have said goodbye to some of your travel crew not joining you for the next stage of your adventure, so all you have to please is yourself! Perhaps have a walk in and around town, head to the Broome History Museum or check out one of a number of galleries exhibiting First Nations artwork.
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 region. Season depending, perhaps take the first (and only) bus out to Gantheaume Point and see the deep red cliffs and prehistoric footprints set in the reef rock. Discover the cliffs and lighthouse, then continue back on foot along the Lurujarri Walk to the sandy shores of Cable Beach for a morning coffee of fresh juice before spending the day swimming and sunbaking.
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.

This morning, set off into the West Australian wilds pretty early today. After a bit of highway driving, arrive at the Fitzroy River, then it’s all off-road to the Napier Range. The main attraction here is a guided walk through Tunnel Creek National Park – a vast limestone cave system that extends 750 metres underground. Be sure to watch out for stalactites and the occasional bat!
Accommodation
  • Camping (with facilities) (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Tunnel Creek exploration walk
Meals Included
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
Special Information
The total driving time today is around 5 hours. The total walking distance is approximately three kilometres including walking through water in Tunnel Creek.

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.
Accommodation
  • Camping (with facilities) (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Bell Gorge
  • Windjana Gorge
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
Special Information
The total driving time today is around 4.5 hours. Total walking distance is approximately four to six kilometres including walking through water in Tunnel Creek.

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.
Accommodation
  • Camping (with facilities) (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Galvans Gorge
  • Adcock Gorge
  • Manning Gorge
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
Special Information
The total driving time today is around 1 hour. Total walking distance is approximately six to eight kilometres.

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.
Accommodation
  • Camping (with facilities) (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Gibb River Road
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
Special Information
The total driving time today is around 6 hours. The total walking distance is approximately two kilometres.

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.
Accommodation
  • Camping (with facilities) (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Emma Gorge
  • Zebedee Springs
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
Special Information
The total driving time today is only around 45 minutes. The total walking distance is up to six kilometres.

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.
Accommodation
  • Camping (with basic facilities - no showers) (1 night)
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
Special Information
The total driving time today is approximately 5 hours. The total walking distance is approximately five kilometres.

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.
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
Special Information
The total driving time today is around 1 hour. The total walking distance is approximately five kilometres.

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!
Accommodation
  • Camping (with facilities) (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Lake Argyle
Optional Activities
  • Lake Argyle Sunset Cruise - AUD100
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
Special Information
The total driving time today is around 5.5 hours. Total walking distance is one kilometre.

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.
Accommodation
  • Permanent tented camp (with shared facilities) (1 night)
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
Special Information
The total driving time today is around 7 hours. The total walking distance is around one kilometre.

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.
Included Activities
  • Katherine Gorge
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
Special Information
The total driving today is around 4.5 hours. The total walking distance is approximately two kilometres.
Want to tailor this itinerary?
 View this trip in reverse

Meals

18 breakfasts, 20 lunches, 18 dinners

Transport

All Terrain vehicle

Accommodation

Camping (with facilities) (10 nights), Hostel mixed gender multishare (6 nts), Permanent tented camp (with shared facilities) (3 nights), Camping with basic 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
  • Tunnel Creek exploration walk
  • Bell Gorge
  • Windjana Gorge
  • Galvans Gorge
  • Adcock Gorge
  • Manning Gorge
  • Gibb River Road
  • Emma Gorge
  • Zebedee Springs
  • Cathedral Gorge Walk (Bungle Bungle)
  • Echidna Chasm Walk
  • Lake Argyle
  • Katherine Gorge

Dates & availability

Trip departures are unavailable.

There are currently no scheduled departures on our Perth to Darwin Overland 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.

1. The tour commences in Perth on Day 1 at 7.15 am and finishes in Darwin (Day 22) at approximately 6 pm. 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. The minimum age on this trip is 18 years old.
5. This trip runs in reverse, see tour code PDP22 for more details.

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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