Flexible Itinerary for Guide Only
The itinerary shown is intended as a guide only indicating
a typical itinerary & series of activities. While our
intention is to adhere to the published day by day route,
the itinerary, distance travelled, type of accommodation
and available activities may vary due to group input, weather,
road conditions & local restrictions. Early or late
season treks can be affected by extreme weather.
This trek is a wilderness trip. It includes
4 bush camps and 3 National Park camp sites. Facilities
may be sparse though the scenery is outstanding. Swimming
is available most days. We will use several different vehicles
on this trek.
Tour Description
Day 1 - Perth to Goldfields
Our adventure begins with an early
start from Perth. Travelling through the Jarrah forests
of the Darling Ranges we follow the goldfields water pipeline
through rolling farmlands and sleepy country towns. Your
guide will tell you the fascinating story behind this engineering
marvel constructed over 100 years ago. Soon
we pass out of the golden wheatlands and into the historic
gold mining areas of Southern Cross, Coolgardie and Kalgoorlie.
At Kalgoorlie we take time out to visit the famous ’Super
pit’ and for last minute supplies before we head north
to set up our first bush camp for the night alongside the
road to Laverton.
Day 2 - Goldfields to Great
Victoria Desert
An early rise this morning - the
desert beckons. But first we will explore an old deserted
gold mining town. Once thousands of people lived around
here in the hectic gold rush era at the turn of the last
century - now just a few artifacts remain to mark the passing
of a golden era.
Leaving the bitumen
behind we head into the desert and towards the Red Centre.
The Great Central Road takes us through beautiful breakaway
country, past lakes that only contain water after substantial
rainfall, aboriginal waterholes and art sites, and abandoned
cattle stations that have been rehabilitated back to their
natural state. Keep an eye out for the unique Australian
wildlife, as well as the wild camels that have roamed this
desert area since the early days. Tonight we once again
set up a bush camp miles from civilization under the brilliant
night skies of the desert.
Day 3 - Great Victoria
Desert
Our day in the Great Victoria Desert.
We journey east through the Great Victoria Desert still
following the Great Central Road. Tjukayirla is recognised
as one of the most remote roadhouses in Australia. At the
isolated Aboriginal community of Warburton we pause for
a late morning break and perhaps a chance to visit the local
cultural centre, and by afternoon the Rawlinson Ranges appear
purple/blue in the distance. This is country traveled by
Ernest Giles in 1874. The countryside reveals many fascinating
sides today before we set up camp in the late afternoon
somewhere near the Schwerin Mural Crescent alongside the
Gunbarrel Highway.
Day 4 - Great Victoria
Desert to Ayers Rock
Today we give you a chance to
enjoy sunrise in a truly unique and beautiful setting. After
breakfast we pause at the WA / NT border near the Aboriginal
settlement of Docker River. Crossing the Docker River (there
are no bridges out here) the Great Central Road passes through
the magnificent Petermann Ranges and with only six more
rivers to cross and a visit to Lasseters Cave, then the
majestic Olgas will soon appear pink/purple on the horizon.
After a breathtaking
walk into the Olgas (Kata Tjuta) and distant views of Ayres
Rock (Uluru) it is a short drive to the cultural centre
for a close look at the Anangu way of life. Sunset will
find us watching the setting sun change the colours of the
worlds most famous rock.
Day 5 - Ayers Rock to Kings
Creek Station
An early rise is required today,
not only to watch the sunrise but because the cool of the
morning is the best time to for those that wish to climb
Ayers Rock. For anyone not wanting to climb the Rock there
is also plenty of time to seek out and explore the artwork
and culture around the base of the Rock. The comfort of
your air-conditioned seat on the coach will be appreciated
this afternoon after your strenuous morning as we head around
to Kings Creek Station for our last outback camp before
reaching Alice Springs. Here there is an opportunity to
indulge in some optional activities such as camel ride,
4WD quad bike ride or even a helicopter ride over the George
Gill Range.
Day 6 - Kings Creek Station
to Alice Springs
We depart ’the Station’
early this morning so that we can explore King’s Canyon
with its "Lost City" and "Garden of Eden"
in the cool of the morning. After our last adventure we
have a quick stop to refuel, then its time for the last
leg of our journey to Alice Spring before arriving in the
late afternoon.
Day 7 - Alice Springs
"The Alice" is home
to some of the world's best hot air ballooning, complete
with a champagne breakfast. Consider taking an optional
day trip through the Western MacDonnell Ranges where you
can see Simpson's Gap, the Ochre Pits or even hike around
Ormiston Gorg; visit the Desert Park, go shopping or just
hang out at the pool.
Day 8 - Alice Springs to
Tennant Creek
Depart Alice Springs and cross
the Tropic of Capricorn to see the amazing Devils Marbles;
precariously balanced granite boulders sacred to the traditional
owners. We also have a chance to visit
an Aboriginal art gallery before our overnight stay at Tennant
Creek.
Day 9 - Tennant Creek to
Katherine Gorge
Head to Katherine, home to the
majestic Katherine (Nitmiluk) Gorge situated in the Nitmiluk
National Park. Spend the afternoon either canoeing or cruising
(at own expense) the striking gorge. Dinner and overnight
stay is at our permanent camp near Katherine Gorge
Days 10 & 11 - Darwin
We head north to the city of Darwin
where we will do a quick city tour before checking into
the YHA for a bed for the next two nights. Let's head out
for a meal on the town tonight and a beer at the Vic Hotel.
A free day to sleep in or explore the city at your own pace.
Take a sight seeing tour on the "Tour Tub" and
leave some time for the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern
Territory. Well worth a look. We might even have a BBQ down
by the beach tonight.
Day 12 - Darwin to Victoria
River
Now we had south down “The Track“ (Stuart Hwy)
to Edith Falls where we break for a refreshing swim and
some time to get to know each other. Travelling west ,back
towards the Western Australian wilderness, we set up camp
beside the Victoria River.
Day 13 -Victoria River
to Kununurra
Up early this morning as we cross the border into Western
Australia. We visit the largest man made lake in Australia
- Lake Argyle and explore the area before heading for the
capital of the north – Kununurra and our overnight
campsite.
Day 14 - Kununurra to Bungle
Bungles
Explore Kununurra, the town of the
Ord River Scheme and the scenic Hidden Valley National Park.
Then sit back and admire the awesome views of the Carr Boyd
and Durack Ranges as we head to Turkey Creek. Next it’s
time to buckle up and hold on for the challenging 4WD trip
into the Bungle Bungle (Purnululu) National Park for sunset
over the Osmond Ranges and our camp.
Day 15 - Bungle Bungles
National Park
We spend the full day exploring
the unusual rock formations of the Bungle Bungle Ranges,
visiting the unique Frog Hole, the breathtaking Echidna
Chasm, and the magnificent Cathedral Gorge. There’s
also time for an optional scenic helicopter flight (at own
expense ) over the Bungles. We complete our day with another
amazing sunset.
Day 16 - Bungles Bungles
to El Questro
Leaving the Bungle Bungle we take
a short break at Turkey Creek before travelling onto Wyndham
and the Five Rivers Lookout. Overnight camp at El Questro.
Day 17 - Gibb River Road
& Gorges
We tackle the punishing Gibb
River Road stopping to visit the famous El Questro Station,
take a walk in the beautiful Cockburn Range and swim under
the waterfall in Emma Gorge. We cross the Pentecost River
and travel through the spectacular ranges before heading
to our overnight bush camp.
Day 18 - Gibb River Road
& Gorges
A day of swimming and hiking
as we explore some of these striking gorges: Barnett, Manning,
Galvins, or Adcock, depending on the time of year. Overnight
bush camp.
Day 19 - King Leopold Range
to Windjana Gorge
We enjoy an early hike and swim
at Bell or Leonard Gorge before experiencing the splendour
of the King Leopold Range travelling to Windjana Gorge.
After lunch, we wade through the icy waters of the mysterious
Tunnel Creek to explore the incredible limestone formations.
We camp overnight at Windjana Gorge National Park.
Day 20 - Windjana Gorge
to Broome
We view the abundant wildlife
of Windjana Gorge including freshwater crocodiles and explore
the 350 million year old fossilised reef wall rising 90
metres above the riverbed. Then we head for Derby, visiting
the famous Boab Prison Tree before continuing on to Broome
for sunset on beautiful Cable Beach.
Day 21 & 22 - Broome
Two days of leisure in this historic
northern pearling Town. There is plenty to see and do in
Broome, time to just relax or laze on the beach in idyllic
weather conditions on the famous Cable Beach or view some
of the old Pearling Luggers. We start our time here with
a town tour to show you the sights.
Day 23 - Broome to Port
Hedland
Day 24 - Port Hedland to
Karijini National Park
This morning we make our way
to the remote but spectacular Karijini National Park where
we spend the next three days exploring the ancient gorges
and swimming in emerald coloured rock pools. We begin our
Karijini experience with a visit to the Karijini Cultural
Centre before heading for Fortescue Falls where you will
be rewarded with a refreshing swim. Overnight camp in Karijini.
Day 25 & 26 - Port
Hedland to Karijini National Park
The next two days are spent exploring,
swimming and relaxing in the magnificent Karijini Gorges.
One of the oldest landscapes on earth this are will amaze
you. We will explore a number of gorges including Weano,
Gorge, Handrail Pool, Oxers Lookout, Hancock Gorge and Hamersley
Gorge amongst others. Overnight camp in Karijini.
Day 27 - Karijini National
Park to Exmouth
Leaving Karijini behind, we call
in at the unique mining town of Tom Price before travelling
through the vast bush land and station country of the Pilbara
region on our way to Exmouth and our accommodation.
Day 28 - Exmouth
This morning we explore the Cape
Range National Park. Take a dip or relax on the beach at
picturesque Turquoise Bay and hike around the vertical red
rock walls of the gorge for stunning views at Yardie Creek.
Day 29 - Exmouth to Coral
Bay
Spend the entire day snorkelling
the famous Ningaloo Reef accessible from Coral Bay’s
white sandy beach. Alternatively, you can choose one of
the many optional activities including quad biking, coral
viewing cruises and scuba diving.
Day 30 - Coral Bay to Monkey
Mia
Heading south we cross the Tropic
of Capricorn and pass through the banana growing town of
Carnarvon. We call in at unique Shell Beach before continuing
on to Monkey Mia – famous for the wild dolphins that
visit the beach daily.
Day 31 - Monkey Mia to
Kalbarri
Time this morning to visit with
the dolphins before exploring some of the Shark Bay World
Heritage area. We stop to be amazed by the stromatolites
– the oldest living organisms in the world – before
heading south for Kalbarri. Time permitting we will be able
to view the Murchison Gorge and Natures Window this afternoon
before arriving in this seaside resort town.
Day 32 - Kalbarri to Perth
Departing via the coastal gorges
of the Kalbarri National Park, we head to the picturesque
seaside town of Dongara before travelling south through
the fascinating landscape of the Nambung National Park and
checking out the famous Pinnacles. Then we make our way
to Perth arriving in the early evening and the end of our
amazing Western Australian adventure. A few beers tonight
I think!
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