Ningaloo Reef, Monkey Mia, Exmouth 7-Day Tour

Day 1 - Perth to Kalbarri

Pinnacles, Geraldton, Pink Hutt Lagoon, Pot Ally Gorge

Departing Perth, we travel north to the Pinnacles Desert to view the spectacular sight of thousands of limestone pillars that resemble an ancient ruin. Following the scenic Indian Ocean Drive, we break for lunch at the popular seaside town of Dongara.

From here, we make our way up the coast to Geraldton. This bustling town is the commercial centre for the Mid-West region, exporting Iron Ore, Mineral Sands, Wheat, Barley and Western Australian Rock Lobster.

Whilst in Geraldton we visit the beautifully designed HMAS Sydney Memorial, which features a silver dome of 645 seagulls to represent the loss of HMAS Sydney sailors.

We also stop at the St Francis Xavier Cathedral which was built in stages from 1914 to its eventual opening in 1938. The Byzantine style architecture of this cathedral is one of Monsignor John Hawes' greatest masterpieces.

Still in Geraldton we explore the Yamaji Art Centre which is Aboriginal owned and operated and provides professional services to support and develop Aboriginal artists living in the Lower Murchison region of Yamaji Country. On our way out of this region, we will visit Northampton, one of the oldest settlements outside Perth today, classified by the National Trust as a Historic Town.

We will see stunning coastal gorges and magnificent scenery on our drive further up the coast, including Hutt Lagoon and the vivid pink Salt Lake where beta-carotene is harvested for commercial use, and Pot Alley.

Accommodation:  Edge Resort Kalbarri

Day 2 - Kalbarri to Monkey Mia Dolphins

Kalbarri Skywalk, Shark Bay, Stromatolites, Shell Beach, Eagle Bluff, Denham, Monkey Mia

Kalbarri is nestled at the Murchison River mouth and surrounded by stunning coastline, soaring river gorges and protected bays.
Today, we will visit the amazing Kalbarri National Park for spectacular views of the Murchison River Gorges from the awesome Kalbarri Skywalk.

From here we will journey to the Shark Bay World Heritage Area and marvel at the astonishing world-class natural attractions in the region. Shark Bay is well known for its white beaches, turquoise waters and rust-red sand dunes. It is primarily renowned for both its terrestrial and marine life. It is nature at its most pure.

Next stop is Hamelin Pool to view to view Stromatolites, which are one of the earliest forms of life to evolve on our planet. Living fossils, part of the earth’s evolutionary history.

Further up we will visit Shell Beach which is home to billions of tiny Cardiid Cockle; the 60 km stretch of beach is covered to a depth of some seven to ten metres.

A stop at Eagle Bluff will give you a scenic view over the coast; you might be lucky enough to spot Lemon Sharks, Stingrays, Turtles or Dugongs.

Our last stop for today is Monkey Mia Resort. Before dinner go for a walk along the beach to see the Dolphins or go for a refreshing swim. 

Accommodation: Monkey Mia Resort

Day 3 - Monkey Mia to Carnarvon

Three-hour Dolphin Cruise, Carnarvon One Mile Jetty Heritage Precinct

This morning, on day three of our Perth to Exmouth tour, experience a very special breakfast whilst watching the dolphins come in close to the shore. After breakfast walk to the beach to see dolphin feeding and hear all about their lives in Shark Bay.

Join a three-hour boat cruise to see the dolphins in their natural environment and other wonderful sea creatures of the Shark Bay area, including dugongs, turtles, stingrays, lemon sharks, nervous sharks and sponge dolphins.

After lunch, we head further north to Carnarvon, a regional hub that provides essential services to the surrounding areas. The township lies at the mouth of the Gascoyne River and supports horticultural and fishing industries.

We visit the Carnarvon One Mile Jetty Heritage Precinct. The One Mile Jetty was built in 1897 and was the first port in Australia to transport commercial live stock by sea on a regular basis. State ships stopped in Carnarvon on average twice a week until they ceased operations in 1966.

Accommodation: Carnarvon Best Western Motel

Day 4 - Carnarvon to Coral Bay

Carnarvon town and Space and Technology Museum

Carnarvon is a diverse and laidback town where the outback meets the coast. It is recognised as a food bowl region, well known for its bananas, mangos, and luscious seafood. There is a rich indigenous culture, as well as stations producing wool and cattle.

This morning we visit the Carnarvon Space and Technology Museum, Carnarvon Tracking Station and the OTC Satellite Earth Station. The station was built to support NASA’s Gemini, Apollo and Skylab programs, before making our way up the coast to Coral Bay.

Coral Bay is a small settlement hugging the pristine sapphire ocean.  With its white sandy beaches hides special secret. Just meters from the shoreline is the Ningaloo Reef.
There are not many places in the world where a fringed reef is just steps away from the beach.

This afternoon go for a swim or snorkel in the pristine waters. Or go for a walk along the beach to discover the extraordinary shoreline vista.

Coral Bay is a great place to relax and enjoy the slower natural pace of life.

Accommodation: Coral Bay Ningaloo Reef Resort

Day 5 - Coral Bay to Exmouth

Glass bottom boat cruise, Charles Knife Gorge, Cape Range

The UNESCO Ningaloo Coast World Heritage Area was established in 2011 and is regarded as one of the last great ocean paradises. The area was listed due to its marine and terrestrial assets including rare flora and fauna including the Whale Shark with 300 to 500 of these megafauna gathering at Ningaloo annually.

The Ningaloo Reef is one of the longest near-shore reefs in the world and Australia’s largest fringing reef system, stretching 300 kilometres from Red Bluff going north along the coast to Muiron Islands the north and Bundegi Beach east in the Exmouth Gulf.

After a leisurely breakfast, experience a glass bottom boat and snorkelling cruise on the Ningaloo Reef. Not only will you see the reef passing by under the glass, you will also get the chance to snorkel at two beautiful locations.

A highlight is to see a large coral formation known is Ayres Rock. Immerse yourself amongst hundreds of tropical fish and view magnificent coral gardens in this underwater wonderland.

After lunch, we tour to Exmouth and visit the Charles Knife Gorge for fabulous views of Exmouth Gulf. Enjoy a drive on the top of Cape Range with deep gullies and gorges dropping away below us. We end the way at the historical Wapet Oil Well No. 3 site before arriving into Exmouth for the evening.

Accommodation: Mantaray l Ningaloo Resort Exmouth

Day 6 - Exmouth Region

Cape Range National Park, Yardie Creek, Turquoise Bay

We will spend today enjoying all the highlights of Exmouth, including a drive along the Indian Ocean Ningaloo Reef side of Cape Range National Park to visit scenic sights.

Join a cruise at Yardie Creek. Enjoy the stunning gorges, unique flora and fauna, aboriginal history and the beautiful natural environment.

After lunch, we head off to swim and snorkel at the famous Turquoise Bay. Drift over the colourful coral and see fish, rays and turtles.

Accommodation: Mantaray l Ningaloo Resort Exmouth

Day 7 - Exmouth to Perth

This morning relax and enjoy a leisurely breakfast before your transfer to Learmonth Domestic Airport and your return flight to Perth.

Option in season: Whaleshark Swim on Day 6.

Tour Inclusions

Accommodation

• Kalbarri Edge Resort
• Monkey Mia Dolphin Resort
• Carnarvon Best Western Motel
• Coral Bay Ningaloo Reef Resort
• Mantarays Ningaloo Resort Exmouth X 2 nights or next best available accommodation at time of booking.

Meals

• Breakfasts - cooked or continental
• Light lunches,  include, local café, picnic, roadhouse fare
• All Dinners

Entry fees

• Pinnacles Nambung National Park
• Kalbarri National Park
• Shark Bay World Heritage National Park
• Monkey Mia
• Cape Range National Park

Cruise fees

• Dolphin Cruise Monkey Mia
• Coral viewing and snorkelling at Coral Bay
• Yardie Creek Cruise

NOT INCLUDED

Air Fares to Perth and from Perth to your next destination and internal flights to or from Exmouth (Learmonth).

Tour Highlights

• Pinnacles Nambung National Park
• Kalbarri Skywalk
• Turquoise beaches and soaring cliffs
• Steep cliffs of the Murchison Gorges
• Monkey Mia Dolphins
• Shell Beach
• OTC Satellite Earth Station
• Glass bottom boat coral viewing and snorkel over the coral at Coral Bay
• Snorkelling at iconic Turquoise Bay
• Pristine Ningaloo Reef Cape Range National Park
• Dolphin Cruise
• Yamaji Aboriginal Art
• Delicious food
• Yardie Creek Cruise
• Shark Bay World Heritage Park – Stromatolites, Shell Beach, Eagle Point Carnarvon where central desert reaches to the ocean