Wonders of the West Coast & Kimberley
Wonders of the West Coast & Kimberley
Wonders of the West Coast & Kimberley
21 Days Starting in Perth (WA Aus) and ending in Darwin
Visiting: Perth, Geraldton, Monkey Mia, Carnarvon, Exmouth, Karratha, Tom Price, Port Hedland, Broome, Fitzroy Crossing, Halls Creek, El Questro Wilderness Park, Emma Gorge, Kununurra, Katherine, Darwin
Tour Overview
Three weeks of natural drama awaits on this unrivalled road-trip, covering two states, dozens of gorges, a wonderland of waterfalls and countless encounters with wildlife. Fancy swimming with whale sharks, spotting crocs and meeting dolphins? Then there are the World Heritage Sites, national park trips and blazing sunsets. The ultimate in Northern Territory and Western Australia tours, it’s a journey that puts life in perspective – in the best possible way.
Highlights
- Support local Aboriginal artists with a visit to a Kimberley Indigenous Art Gallery.
- Explore the Waringarri Aboriginal Art Centre on a guided tour, meeting Indigenous creatives at work and maybe picking up a piece to take home.
- Explore the spectacular Mimbi Caves with an Aboriginal guide, where you'll observe the delicate limestone formations, brilliantly vivid colours and crystal clear freshwater pools.
- Your First Nations host in Yanchep National Park is on a mission to reveal its ancient history. Dreamtime stories and bush-tucker tastings await.
- Have you ever wondered what life was like 3,500 million years ago? At Hamelin Pool you’ll find out while witnessing the world’s most abundant colony of stromatolites.
- Specialist team of two highly experienced Travel Director and Driver Guide 2 UNESCO World Heritage Sites – Ningaloo Coast & Shark Bay. Plus, Purnululu National Park (optional Bungle Bungles) Centrally located premium hotels Shark Bay, Hidden Valley, Karijini, Nambung, Yanchep and Nitmiluk National Parks and El Questro Winderness Park entrance fees Arrival and departure private airport transfers
- Warm layers in cooler months Camera Comfortable walking shoes Sunglasses, sunscreen and hat Water bottle
- Flights to and from the start/end of your trip are not included in the trip price. Day 1 – flights to arrive prior to 12 noon into Perth AirportDay 21 – flights to depart anytime from Darwin Airport Return arrival and departure airport to hotel transfers are included.
- Extreme temperatures can be experienced in this remote region of Australia. Guests should be made aware that this trip is recommended to guests with a moderate level of fitness. In addition, the walk to Emma Gorge considered “Difficult” and not all guests will be able to complete the walk. Some sections of Mimbi Caves have very low light and are rocky in parts. A torch is recommended.
Itinerary
Day 1: Welcome To Perth
Location: Perth
Accommodation Name: Crowne Plaza Perth
The WA capital is colourful in more ways than one. There are alleys lined with eye-popping street art, and wildflowers blanket Kings Park. Discover the sights with your Travel Director, and then meet again at a Welcome Dinner.
Day 2: Perth - Geraldton
Location: Perth
Accommodation Name: Nesuto Geraldton Apartment Hotel
Talk about starting on a high. First stop is Yanchep National Park, where, on a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience, your Aboriginal guide decodes native plants and tells Dreamtime stories. Just as scene-stealing are Nambung National Park’s Pinnacles, limestone structures jutting into the sky. Arriving in Geraldton, pay homage to sailors lost during WWII at the HMAS Sydney Memorial.
Day 3: Geraldton - Monkey Mia
Location: Geraldton
Accommodation Name: Monkey Mia Dolphin Resort
Arriving at Kalbarri National Park, enjoy spectacular views from the Kalbarri Skywalk over the Murchison River Gorge. If you’re here during wildflower season, expect acacia, banksia and caladenia in full bloom. And just when you thought the outlook couldn’t get any better, you arrive at Monkey Mia.
Day 4: Monkey Mia Free Time
Location: Monkey Mia
Accommodation Name: Monkey Mia Dolphin Resort
If you didn’t fall in love with the gin-clear waters and powdery sand of Monkey Mia last night, you will today. Meet the dolphins that turn up to the shore every morning, then spend the afternoon at leisure. Optional sunset cruise, perhaps? Or a scenic flight over the bay?
Day 5: Monkey Mia - Carnarvon
Location: Monkey Mia
Accommodation Name: Best Western Hospitality Inn Carnarvon
Prepare yourself for the ‘living fossils’ at Hamelin Pool, home to the most abundant colony of stromatolites in the world. The state’s World Heritage listed Shark Bay is also characterised by Shell Beach, formed from billions of coquina bivalve shells. Your next stop is the Carnarvon Space and Technology Museum. Did you know it played a role in the 1969 moon landing, and was instrumental in the space race? These are among the gallery’s claims to fame, as you’ll discover touring the collection.
Day 6: Carnarvon - Exmouth
Location: Carnarvon
Accommodation Name: Mantarays Ningaloo Beach Resort
Today’s cruise in a glass-bottomed boat allows you to glimpse the World Heritage listed Ningaloo Coast in comfort. Gliding around Coral Bay, your guide will point out colourful corals, turtles and angelic fish.
Day 7: Exmouth Free Time
Location: Exmouth
Accommodation Name: Mantarays Ningaloo Beach Resort
Depending on the time of year, Ningaloo Reef is home to both whale sharks and humpbacks. You can opt to snorkel with both (ethically) or book a sunset cruise to see some breaching and blowing, sparkling wine in hand.
Day 8: Exmouth - Karijini National Park
Location: Exmouth
Accommodation Name: Comfort Inn, Karratha
Take one last look over the Exmouth waters before continuing north to Western Australia's famous Pilbara region. Known for its rich landscape, red earth and vast mineral deposits, the region's diverse landscape will fascinate you.
Day 9: Karijini National Park
Location: Karratha
Accommodation Name: Tom Price Motel
Karijini National Park is a place where gorges seem to cleave off the edge of the Earth, waterfalls tumble from escarpments and remote turquoise rock pools shimmer like precious gems. It took billions of years to create the geological wonders you see: the red layered cliffs, the quiet gorges and the soaring gum trees.
Day 10: Karijini National Park - Port Hedland
Location: Tom Price
Accommodation Name: Hospitality Port Hedland
The eye-opening colours of the Pilbara region are your backdrop today – rich red earth streaked with mineral deposits. It’s sparsely populated, but you will find people in the major hub of Port Hedland. Before you leave, head to a lookout to spot migrating humpback whales and snubfin dolphins cruising along the coast, season pending.
Day 11: Port Hedland - Broome
Location: Port Hedland
Accommodation Name: Cable Beach Club Resort
The reason Broome was born is because of pearls. Today, it’s just as well known for its Indian Ocean sunsets, best enjoyed from a vantage on the Cable Beach sand.
Day 12: Broome Free Time
Accommodation Name: Cable Beach Club Resort
Today is yours to explore. Or simply relax on Cable Beach.
Day 13: Broome - Fitzroy Crossing
Location: Broome
Accommodation Name: Fitzroy River Lodge
Preserved for 125 million years in the reef rock at Gantheaume Point are the imprints of long-extinct dinosaurs. Remarkably, the Broome coast has become one of the most significant paleontological sites in the world. Glimpse their stomping ground before venturing toward Fitzroy Crossing.
Day 14: Fitzroy Crossing - Halls Creek
Location: Fitzroy Crossing
Accommodation Name: Kimberley Hotel
Visit the spectacular Mimbi Caves with an Indigenous guide and take a deep dive into First Nations culture, discovering ancient rock paintings and Dreamtime stories. Observe the limestone formations and crystal-clear freshwater pools that remain from a 350-million-year-old Devonian Great Barrier Reef. More Aboriginal history and culture awaits at the Yarliyil Arts Centre in Halls Creek.
Day 15: Halls Creek - Emma Gorge
Location: Halls Creek
Accommodation Name: Emma Gorge Resort, Tented Cabin with private facilities
From here, get a taste of the Gibb River Road, before arriving to El Questro Wilderness Park, backdropped by the rusty red Cockburn Range. Hidden among the pandanus and palms are a string of slick safari-style tents.
Day 16: El Questro Wilderness Park
Location: El Questro Wilderness Park
Accommodation Name: Emma Gorge Resort, Tented Cabin with private facilities
The Kimberley’s sounds follow you to Chamberlain Gorge, your boat dwarfed by its soaring escarpments. Afternoon remedy? A splash in the resort's pool, perhaps.
Day 17: Emma Gorge - Kununurra
Location: Emma Gorge
Accommodation Name: The Kimberley Grande
Kununurra was born through the Ord River Irrigation Scheme. It now waters crops like sugarcane, turned into lip-smacking rum at Hoochery Distillery. A cruise to sunset here is something you won’t forget in a hurry.
Day 18: Kununurra
Location: Kununurra
Accommodation Name: The Kimberley Grande
Today is one of decisions: An optional flight over (or 4WD tour of) the Bungle Bungles? Or a wander with your Travel Director through Mirima National Park. In between, explore the Waringarri Aboriginal Art Centre on a guided tour.
Day 19: Kununurra - Katherine
Location: Kununurra
Accommodation Name: Contour Hotel Katherine
Say goodbye to WA and hello to the NT, your introduction to the state the vast pastoral lands that characterise the outback here. Locals come with plenty of country swagger, as you’ll discover at the Katherine Outback Experience. After songs and entertainment, your special Be My Guest evening of dining under the stars begins.
Day 20: Katherine - Darwin
Location: Katherine
Accommodation Name: Vibe Hotel Darwin Waterfront
Nature rules at Nitmiluk National Park, where you cruise through dramatic Nitmiluk Gorge. Your northern sojourn reveals the region’s historic events, all the way to Darwin.
Day 21: Farewell From Darwin
Location: Darwin
It’s hard to believe this epic adventure has come to an end. Three weeks of incredible memories to take home with you.
What's Included
What's Not Included
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Flights
Flights to and from the start/end of your trip are not included in the trip price.
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Extreme weather preparation
Guests should be prepared for extreme temperatures and have a moderate level of fitness.
The walk to Emma Gorge is considered 'Difficult' and not all guests will be able to complete it. -
Personal items
Personal items such as warm layers in cooler months, camera, comfortable walking shoes, sunglasses, sunscreen, hat, and water bottle are not included.
Mode of Transport
Enjoy private airport transfers upon arrival and departure, and travel comfortably with a specialist team of a Travel Director and Driver Guide throughout the tour.
Accommodation
Stay in centrally located premium hotels, including Crowne Plaza Perth, Nesuto Geraldton Apartment Hotel, and Monkey Mia Dolphin Resort, with a unique experience at Emma Gorge Resort's tented cabins.
Check out our Q&As
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What kind of fitness level is required for this tour?
This trip is recommended for guests with a moderate level of fitness. The walk to Emma Gorge is considered 'Difficult' and not all guests will be able to complete it. Some sections of Mimbi Caves have very low light and are rocky in parts, so a torch is recommended.
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Are flights included in the tour price?
Flights to and from the start/end of your trip are not included in the trip price. You should arrange flights to arrive prior to 12 noon into Perth Airport on Day 1 and depart anytime from Darwin Airport on Day 21.
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What kind of accommodation can I expect during the tour?
The tour includes centrally located premium hotels and unique accommodations such as the Emma Gorge Resort with tented cabins. Specific accommodations include Crowne Plaza Perth, Nesuto Geraldton Apartment Hotel, Monkey Mia Dolphin Resort, and Cable Beach Club Resort, among others.
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What are some of the unique experiences included in this tour?
Unique experiences include visiting the Kimberley Indigenous Art Gallery, exploring the Mimbi Caves with an Aboriginal guide, and a guided tour of the Waringarri Aboriginal Art Centre. You will also have the opportunity to meet dolphins at Monkey Mia, cruise through Nitmiluk Gorge, and enjoy a special 'Be My Guest' evening of dining under the stars at Katherine Outback Experience.
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What should I pack for this tour?
You should pack warm layers for cooler months, a camera, comfortable walking shoes, sunglasses, sunscreen, a hat, and a water bottle. A torch is also recommended for exploring the Mimbi Caves.
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Are there any optional activities available during the tour?
Yes, there are several optional activities available, such as a sunset cruise or a scenic flight over Monkey Mia, snorkeling with whale sharks or humpbacks at Ningaloo Reef, and an optional flight over or 4WD tour of the Bungle Bungles.
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What kind of wildlife can I expect to see on this tour?
You can expect to see a variety of wildlife including dolphins at Monkey Mia, turtles and angelic fish during the glass-bottomed boat cruise at Ningaloo Coast, and possibly migrating humpback whales and snubfin dolphins at Port Hedland. Additionally, you may encounter unique flora and fauna in the various national parks visited during the tour.
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What are some of the cultural experiences included in this tour?
Cultural experiences include visiting the Waringarri Aboriginal Art Centre, learning about native plants and Dreamtime stories from an Aboriginal guide at Yanchep National Park, and exploring the Mimbi Caves with an Indigenous guide. You will also visit the Yarliyil Arts Centre in Halls Creek and enjoy bush-tucker tastings.
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Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?
The beauty of taking a holiday with us is you’ll have the opportunity to meet and travel with people from all over the globe.
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Can I join the tour once it has departed?
It is important to adhere to departure times while on tour for the comfort of everyone on-board, and to make sure no one misses out on the planned experiences. The coach will not be able to wait for you, and in some instances, if you miss a departure time you will need to make your own way to the next destination to re-join the tour.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
AAT Kings operated Guided Holidays have competitive single supplement rates available if you prefer to confirm your own room. Or we can match you to share with a guest of the same gender at no extra cost. If we fail to match you, we will accommodate you in a single room at no extra cost.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Over 100 years
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
We will email your documents to you approximately four weeks before your departure date provided you have completed your pre trip registration using the My Travel Portal. If you’ve booked through a travel agent, your documents will be emailed directly to your agent.
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Low Deposit
AAT Kings requires a minimum deposit of 100 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 60 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of aat kings charges.
Up to 60 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 59 days before tour starts: Forfeit 30% of booking price.
At 15 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 7 days before tour starts: Forfeit 90% of booking price.
At 1 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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