An epic 17 or 19 day journey through the National Parks, outback towns and coastal communities of Australia’s spectacular and undiscovered North West.
UNFORGETTABLE SIGHTSEEING EXPERIENCES
• Darwin and Broome
• Katherine Gorge cruise
• El Questro Station
• Ord River cruise
• Stunning National Parks
• Lirrgarn Argyle Diamond Mine
• Geikie Gorge cruise
• Ningaloo Reef
• Dolphins of Monkey Mia
• The amazing Pinnacles
Day 1 Thu: Arrive Darwin
On arrival in Darwin you will be transferred to your hotel. This afternoon join a tour of the city. Enjoy a welcome drink and dinner with your Tour Director.
Hotel: Travelodge Mirambeena Resort, Darwin. D
Day 2 Fri: Katherine Gorge
Head south and stop at the Adelaide River War Cemetery. In Nitmiluk National Park cruise on the Katherine River through the towering cliffs of two gorges.
Hotel: Paraway Motel, Katherine. BD
Day 3 Sat: Ord River Cruise
Travel via Timber Creek and Victoria River Station across vast cattle stations into Western Australia. Visit the historic Durack Homestead then travel to Lake Argyle, Australia’s largest man-made lake. Cruise on the Ord River to Kununurra.
Hotel: Lakeside Resort, Kununurra, 3 nights. BD
Day 4 Sun: Kununurra
See the Ord River Irrigation Scheme, Hidden Valley National Park and visit Kelly’s Knob Lookout. This afternoon travel to Parry Lagoon Nature Reserve. See the birdlife of this region and learn about traditional lifestyles. Continue to Wyndham to the 5 Rivers Lookout. BD
Day 5 Mon: El Questro
This morning we briefly traverse the Gibb River Road on the way to El Questro Station. Cruise through Chamberlain Gorge, abounded by tropical vegetation. You will have some free time in this serene Wilderness Park. BD
Day 6 Tue: Lirrgarn Argyle Diamond Mine
Visit the Lirrgarn Argyle Diamond Mine for a guided tour of the world’s largest diamond mine. Continue to Halls Creek.
Hotel: Kimberley Hotel, Halls Creek. BLD
Day 7 Wed: Geikie Gorge
Travel to the remote township of Fitzroy Crossing. Cruise through Geikie Gorge, which was formed by the waters of the Fitzroy River tunnelling through the Napier Range. During the wet season, the Fitzroy River rises over 16 metres, staining the limestone walls of the gorge and flooding the national park with seven metres of water. Watch for freshwater crocodiles,
fruit bats and wallabies as the 30 metre high walls of the gorge tower above us.
Hotel: Fitzroy River Lodge, Fitzroy Crossing. BD
Day 8 Thu: Fitzroy Crossing – Broome
See the famous Boab Prison Tree near the port of Derby, the oldest established town in the Kimberley before continuing to the tropical resort town of Broome.
Hotel: Mercure Inn Continental, Broome, 2 nights. B
Day 9 Fri: Broome ‘Free Time’
Enjoy a day at leisure to explore this tropical hideaway. Take a leisurely stroll along the 22 kilometres of pristine sand and swim in the turquoise blue water of Cable Beach. This evening sit back, relax and watch the spectacular sunset over the Indian Ocean. Or you may like to take a camel ride along Cable Beach. B
Day 10 Sat: Karratha
Skirt the edge of the Great Sandy Desert to Port Hedland, a major shipping outlet for the mineral rich Pilbara region. We continue to Karratha, headquarters of the North West Shelf Project.
Hotel: All Seasons Karratha, Karratha. BD
Day 11 Sun: Karijini National Park
We travel east today through the oasis that is Millstream National Park. See Hamersley Gorge as we journey into Karijini National Park where spectacular gorges, waterfalls and rock pools provide a contrast to the red Pilbara landscape.
Hotel: Windawarri Lodge, Tom Price. BLD
Day 12 Mon: North West Cape
Visit Giralia Station, an area of outstanding biodiversity with many species of flora and fauna, some of which are unique to the station. Travel to Exmouth, situated on the boundary of Cape Range National Park and Ningaloo Marine Park.
Hotel: Potshot Hotel Resort, Exmouth. BLD
Day 13 Tue: Ningaloo Reef
Travel to Coral Bay, a quaint seaside town and join a sub-sea viewer over the Ningaloo Reef, Western Australia’s largest coral reef. Observe the abundance of marine life that inhabit these tropical waters and marvel at the brilliant display of coral formations.
Hotel: Fascine Lodge, Carnarvon. BD
Day 14 Wed: Monkey Mia
Travel to Monkey Mia where dolphins come into shore. These wild mammals of the ocean swim into the shallows to mingle with people. (Note: As dolphins are wild their appearance cannot be guaranteed).
Hotel: Monkey Mia Dolphin Resort. B
Day 15 Thu: Kalbarri National Park
This morning visit Hamelin Pool to see the world’s best-known colony of Stromatolites. Stop at spectacular Shell Beach, formed from billions of shells up to ten metres deep. Later visit Kalbarri National Park to view the spectacular scenery of Murchison River Gorge from Hawks Head Lookout.
Hotel: All Seasons Geraldton, Geraldton. BD
Day 16 Fri: The Pinnacles
In Nambung National Park view the spectacular mystical Pinnacles. Made from limestone, these pillars provide an almost eerie landscape. Enjoy views from
Kings Park on arrival in Perth.
Hotel: Ambassador Hotel, Perth. BD
Day 17 Sat: Depart Perth
After breakfast you will be transferred to Perth Airport to connect with your onward flight. B
17 day escorted tour from Darwin to Perth - from £3120
10 day escorted tour from Darwin to Broome - from £1945
Or choose the North West Discovery Premium tour with a higher
level of accommodation and 2 extra nights, including a deluxe
camping experience at El Questro Outbacks Station and a stay in
Karijini National Park
19 day Premium tour from Darwin to Perth - from £4020
Prices include accommodation and touring only. Ask your consultant for flight details.
Includes meals where shown: (B) breakfast (L) lunch (D) dinner. Accommodation specified is subject to availability and may be substituted to a similar or higher standard if necessary.
