Private Perth to Broome Tour 14 Day 2024

Day 1 - Perth to Geraldton 

Lancelin, Pinnacles, Cervantes, Geraldton

Departing Perth, we travel north Lancelin our first stop for a tea / coffee break. Continue on to visit to the Pinnacles Desert Discovery Interpretive Centre.

We drive into the Pinnacles Desert, and along a four-km trail where you will have the unique experience of also walking among the fascinating phenomenon of the Pinnacles. 

We invite you to work across the desert to meet your driver at the Desert View Lookout. We will be making several stops for photos and taking in the enviroment. Continue on the 4Km trail.  

The Pinnacles Desert contains thousands of limestone pillars, resembling an ancient ruin.

In geological terms, the Pinnacles are a modern phenomenon, beginning to form as ‘recently’ as three and a half million years ago, and appearing as they are today between two million and twenty thousand years ago. Astonishing!

As we are coming into Geraldton we visit the harbour and lighthouse. Visit Seperation Point Lookout for great panoramic vistas of the coast and toward the red and white candy stripes of Point Moore Lighthouse are a spectacular sight that stands out splendidly amidst the Geraldton landscape. Standing 34 metres high it was the first all steel tower built on the mainland of Australia, back in 1878. With its bold colours, the lighthouse has become an icon the port of Geraldton. We drive along the foreshore which offers further sights of the harbour, Champion Bay Beach and The Big Marble which fun for photograpers to take pictures of and through.  

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Accommodation Ocean Centre Hotel 

Day 2

Geraldton to Kalbarri

Scenic flight Hutt Lagoon, HMAS Sydney Memorial, Yamiji Art Gallery, Northampton 

This Morning we take a scenic flight over candy pink Hutt Lagoon. Have your cameras at the ready for this exciting photographers delight capturing contrast colours of the pink lagoon, coast and land. 

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.  

Explore the Yamiji 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 Yamiji Country. 

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 ocean gorges Pot Alley.

Accommodation:  Edge Resort Kalbarri. 

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Day 3 - Kalbarri to Shark Bay Monkey Mia

Kalbarri National Park,  Skywalk, The Loop, Nature's Window, 

Experience expansive views 100 metres above the Murchison River Gorges from the new regional highlight Kalbarri Skywalk.  And then on to see The Loop and Nature’s Window; a natural rock arch that frames the upstream views.

From here 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 Cardid 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 from the boardwalk; you might be lucky enough to spot Lemon Sharks, Stingrays, Turtles or Dugongs.

Dinner overlooking the beach and bay with the sun setting creating fabulous soft light out on the bay.

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Accommodation: Monkey Mia Resort 

Day 4 - Monkey Mia  to Carnarvon 

Two and half hour Eco Cruise  Carnarvon

This morning enjoy breakfast watching the dolphins gathering around the beach with the expection of later being fed.  After breakfast walk across the beach to see dolphin feeding and hear all about their lives in Shark Bay. 

Later join a 2 ½ hour 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 on to Carnarvon where the outback meets the coast.  A regional hub that provides essential services to the surrounding areas. The township lies at the mouth of the Gascoyne River and supports an extensive 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 livestock by sea on a regular basis. State ships stopped in Carnarvon on average twice a week until they ceased operations in 1966.

This evening enjoy by a picnic dinner of suculent local fresh Fish and Chips watching the sunset.

Accommodation: Carnarvon Best Western Motel 

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Day 5 -  Carnarvon to Exmouth 

OTC Space and Technology Museum, Coral Bay, Charles Knife Gorge, Cape Range

Carnarvon is a diverse and laidback town where the outback meets the coast. On the Gascoyne River 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 an

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.

At Coral Bay walk out into the water with your goggles and drift over the coral close to shore. 

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 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 our 3 night stay. 

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Accommodation: Mantaray Ningaloo Resort Exmouth

Day 6 - Exmouth 

Whaleshark Swim 

This morning you will be picked up and taken to Tandabiddi boat ramp to board the Whaleshark Swim vessel with a commentary on the history of the exmouth, the coastline,  the Cape Range National Park, and about the marine flora and fauna that lives the Ningaloo Reef. 

You may even see a kangaroo, echidna or a jaunty dingo on the drive around the Cape.

Once on board the vessle you will be safety briefed and explained what to expect. A spotter plane is used to lead the vessel to todays whaleshark swim location. 

Only up to ten people are allowed in the water with the whale shark taking turns within the group for your once in a life time experience.

 Lunch is served on board with snacks and water. All you have to do is bring your personal effects such as swimwear, hat, towel, sunscreen and sunglasses a change of clothes and a weather jacket if the breeze picks up on the way back to shore.

Hotel transfers 

Accommodation: Mantaray Ningaloo Resort Exmouth

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Day 7 - Exmouth 

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. 

As we are driving out of town  you will see a very large land mark the Harold E Holt Naval Communication Station, you will not be able to miss Tower Zero, which is one of the largest towers in the southern hemisphere.

The naval station played an important role during World War II. It was the base for passing messages between Australian and United States' command centre's and their ships and submarines.

First stop is the Vlamingh Head Lighthouse and lookout which offers spectacular views along the coast line, exmouth and the Naval Communication Station Harold E. Holt

Continue to join a cruise at Yardie Creek. View the stunning gorges, unique flora and fauna, aboriginal history and the beautiful natural environment.

After a picnic lunch, we head off to swim and snorkel at the famous Turquoise Bay. Drift over the colourful coral and see fish, rays and turtles. And visit other bays along the way  backto Exmouth. 

Accommodation: Mantaray Ningaloo Resort Exmouth

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Day 8 - Exmouth  to Onslow

Ashburton Shire, Old Goods Shed Museum, Old Town Onslow

After an early breakfast, we travel to Onslow.

Today’s highlights include the ever-changing landscape which is characteristic of the Ashburton outback station countryside, a visit to the Nanutarra Roadhouse and Station which was established in 1879,

Onslow the oldest town in the Ashburton Shire, with a colourful history including pearl lugging and devastation by cyclone and Japanese bombing in World War II.

As we are approaching Onslow there are thousands of acres of tall rich red brown termite mounds and and closer to the coast salt lakes some of which are being harvested for commercial salt and chemicals

Since the establishment of Onslow Salt’s ponds, many species of bird and wildlife have been attracted to the area and you may see pelicans, cormorants, wading birds, sea eagles, as well as kangaroos, emus and wild turkeys during our visit.

Visit old Goods Shed Museum, see what life was like for the pioneers who settled the old town which was gazetted in 1883, and moved to its present site in 1925. At the old town see the ruins of the old jail and courthouse, wander around the old town.

Our overnight accommodation is over looking Beadon Bay.

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Day 9 – Onslow to Karratha 

Red Dog Memorial, Dampier Rock Art Precinct, Dampier, Hearson’s Cove

This morning as we travel to Karratha we will be touring through Station country, iron ore mining, natural gas parrallel with the coast on our left in the distance. 

Karratha, a modern town, was developed in the 1960’s to accommodate the processing and exportation workforce of the Hamersley Iron Mining Company and, in the 1980s, the petroleum and liquefied natural gas operations of the North-West Shelf Venture. The name Karratha comes from the cattle station from which land was reclaimed and in the local Aboriginal language means 'good country' or 'soft earth'.

Today we explore the region surrounding Karratha, including the famous Red Dog Memorial and the Dampier Rock Art Precinct. This region comprises the 42 islands and islets of the Dampier Archipelago (including the Burrup Peninsula) and contains the highest concentration of rock ‘carvings’ in the world, dated between 6,000 and 20,000 years.

We will visit Hearson’s Cove, one of Western Australia’s prettiest beaches. Be sure to have your swimming costume handy as this is a beautiful spot to swim. 

Accommodation: The Range Karratha

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Day 10- Karratha to Karijini NP 

Millstream-Chichester National Park, Hamersley  Gorge

As we get underway to day we follow the Rio Tinto Iron Ore railway lines heading out to the Iron Ore Mines east near Tom Price.

This morning we head to The Millstream-Chichester National Park which covers an area of approximately 200,000 hectares around the Fortescue River. 

On the way out to Python Pool we take in the superb vistas from Panarama Lookout.  Python Pool is nestled into the Chichester Range at the base of a seasonal waterfall. 

Close to Millstream Homestead is Deep Reach Pool  a large, permanent body of water maintained by the aquifer beneath the park. It is home to the Warlu serpent of the Yinjibarndi people.

The run-off from the Hamersley Ranges flows via the Fortescue River into an underground aquifer that feeds the waters of Millstream-Chichester National Park. This natural reserve is believed to contain more than 1,700 million cubic metres of water and cover an area of almost 2,000 square kilometres.

Attracted by the bounty of water, early European settlers established an active pastoral station here, which remained in operation for over 100 years. 

Today, the original Millstream Homestead houses the Millstream Visitor Centre and museum, which we will visit and have a picnic lunch. as we leave we take the scenic route on Snappy Gum Drive. 

Later this afternoon we tour to spectacular Hamersley Gorge  in the Karijini National Park and continue on to our two night stay at Karijini Eco Resort. 

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Accommodation: Karijini Eco Resort 

2 nights 

Day 11 – Karijini  National Park 

Today explore the Karijini National Park,

Two billion years in the making, Karijini is one of Australia’s largest and most spectacular national parks. Follow a trail or tour through some of the oldest rock formations on Earth, exploring deep canyons, cavernous gorges, crystal clear rock pools and waterfalls. Bring your bathers to luxuriate in the pools.

Enjoy a walk among the mulga, spinifex, eucalypts, melaleuca and some 50 varieties of acacia, keeping a keen eye out for the euro (rock wallaby), dingoes, 133 species of birds and 92 species of amphibians and reptiles.

We will be visiting Weano & Hancock Gorge, Oxer Look Out, Joffre Gorge, Dales Gorge, Fortescue Falls and Fern Pool,  Circular Pool depending on access availability on day. 

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Accommodation: Karijini Eco Resort

Day 12

Saturday 28th  May 

Karijini NP – Port Hedland 

After breakfast we set off out of Karijini NP and travel to Port Hedland. On the way the terrain changes from Iron bearing Ranges spilling out on the the plains with vast vistas spreading out around us as we tour along. We travel through Yandeyarra Aboriginal Reserve, Stations and passing Braham cross cattle grazing. 

We are also in Road Train region with iron ore trucks towing up to 6 trailers of ore travel to and from the Iron Ore Mines to Port Hedland Harbour.  Like masses ants traveling the Great Northern Highway. 

As we are getting close to Port Hedland we start to see the railway lines with iron ore carriages converging into the harbour area. 

At Port Hedland we will take a look around and watch the helicopters take the Ship Pilots out to the waiting Mega Ships to come in with powerful and highly manoeuvrable tugs to escort the ships in. See if you can count how many waiting ships are sitting at anchor on the skyline. 

Visit local indigenous Art Gallery Spinfix Hill Gallery. Spinifex Hill Studio works with artists from many different language groups and presents art covering a breadth of styles. The artists paint critically acclaimed and award-winning contemporary art. You may spot an investment piece. 

Accommodation: Esplanade Hotel Port Hedland

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Day 13  -  Port hedland  - Eco Beach Resort Broome

Eighty Mile Beach, Eco Beach Resort 

This morning travel from Port Hedland to Eco Resort Broome. Along the way see vast stretches of the open landscape as the highway skirts the Great Sandy Desert.

Keep an eye out for raptors, brolgas, bustards, willy-willy’s, wallaby’s, and of course the unspoiled coastline which is never far away.

We will stop for lunch at Eighty Mile Beach, which is the longest uninterrupted beach in Western Australia.

Eco Beach Wilderness Retreat is a multi award-winning eco resort set amongst the pristine and untouched Kimberley environment. The accommodation at eco resort provides guests with an unforgettable and unique wilderness experience whilst having minimal impact on the surrounding landscape.

Accommodation Eco Beach Resort Broome

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Day 14  - Eco Beach Resort  - Broome 

China Town, Gantheaume Point, Japanese Cemetery, Broome Sunset Drinks on Beach 

A leisurely morning. After check out at 10am we continue to Broome. 

Broome originally founded as a pearling port over a hundred years ago now boasts a multicultural population of many nationalities lured here by the promise of finding their fortunes. 

At Broome we visit China Town for a browse of the elegant pearls shops, visit Town Beach reknown for Broome’s One Day War, visit Gantheaume Point fabulous land and water scapes, dinosaur footprints and the Japanese Cemetery    

Time to check into our fabulous accommodation at Cable Beach Club.

At Sunset we drive on to Cable Beach to enjoy a sunset bubbles and beer watching the camels on Cable Beach and that fantastic iconic Broome sunset and our final dinner together.

At days end immerse yourself in the simplistic beauty of the Kimberley outback living with all the touches you’d expect of luxury Cable Beach Resort Club 

Tour ends.                               

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