West Coast & Ningaloo Reef Adventure (Northbound)

Meet your group early this morning for a welcome meeting in Perth (Boorloo in the language of the local Whadjuk Nyoongar people, who are the traditional owners of the land on which Perth is now located), then enjoy the scenery on the drive to Geraldton. Along the way, you’ll stop at the largest dunes in Western Australia and The Pinnacles Desert at Nambung National Park where natural limestone pillars tower above the sand to create an otherworldly landscape. From here, continue along the scenic Indian Ocean Drive via Cervantes and the Leaning Trees of Greenough and arrive in Geraldton in the afternoon. Join your leader for a walk around town to learn about the region’s maritime history, see St Francis Xavier Cathedral, and perhaps spot some seals as you stroll along the waterfront at sunset. Tonight is yours to enjoy at your leisure.

After a leisurely breakfast, head to our first destination of the day, historical Northampton. Join your leader for a walk around Northampton, one of the oldest towns in Western Australia, and admire dozens of historically significant buildings dating back to the 1800s. You’ll also visit a First Nations art gallery to see some beautiful pieces being made, and if you are lucky have the chance to meet the artists. After you leave Northampton, you’ll visit the Hutt Lagoon Pink Lake and spend time at Kalbarri National Park where you can appreciate the park’s diverse scenery including Nature’s Window, Z Bend lookout and the amazing Kalbarri Skywalk. You’ll spend tonight at a well-located resort.

After breakfast, jump on a boat at the Kalbarri marina and set sail for the open ocean where you’ll learn about the local rock lobster industry and help pull up some lobster pots and re-bait them, ready to catch more delicious rock lobster before you return to the marina. The rest of the day in Kalbarri is yours to enjoy your way. Opt for a relaxing day at the beach or sign up for one of the many optional activities that are available in Kalbarri.

After breakfast, you’ll spend the morning driving to Monkey Mia. Along the way visit the Hamelin Pool Marine Nature Reserve and see marine stromatolites, or ‘living fossils’, which are widely regarded as the best of their kind in the world. You'll also enjoy a stop at beautiful Shell Beach, one of only two beaches in the world composed entirely of shells. Continue towards Denham and Shark Bay where you can stroll along the Eagle Bluff boardwalk and enjoy the view from the lookout. This afternoon is yours to relax on the pristine shores of Monkey Mia until later on when you'll join an evening First Nations experience where you will learn about Gutharraguda (Shark Bay) from the Nhanda and Malgana people. Try your hand at playing the didgeridoo or traditional conch shell and taste some bush tucker prepared by your hosts over the open fire. Tonight you’ll stay at a beachfront resort overlooking Shark Bay.

After breakfast, watch Parks & Wildlife rangers feed the resident bottlenose dolphins at Monkey Mia and learn about these animals and other local marine life. You’ll also have the opportunity to check out some of the delicious produce along the Gascoyne Food Trail and snap a photo at the Carnarvon Space and Technology Centre which was created to support NASA's Gemini, Apollo and Skylab programs. Stop at the Gascoyne Aboriginal Heritage and Cultural Centre and learn about the region’s culture and country from its First Nations custodians on the way to Carnarvon where you’ll spend the night.

Today is an early start. After a stop to photograph the Carnarvon Cactus Farm, one of the town’s quirkiest sights, you’ll drive to picturesque Coral Bay, home to the World Heritage-listed Ningaloo Reef. Join your group for a glass-bottom boat tour where you can see up to 250 species of coral and more than 500 species of colourful fish. Take to the waters with a snorkel. Further along the coast take a stroll to Vlamingh Head Lighthouse. This evening, take a walk around Exmouth, relax at your hotel or perhaps join your group for a casual farewell dinner at one of the restaurants in town.

Today your trip comes to an end after breakfast. Say goodbye to your fellow travellers and head back to Exmouth airport or, if you booked additional accommodation, you can enjoy an extended stay and perhaps book one of the tours which are available here such as swimming with whale sharks, snorkelling adventures or diving with manta rays.