NOTE: Due to large distances, there are several longer days on this holiday. Some accommodation is first floor and may require that passengers manage a flight of stairs.
Day 1 (B,L,D) HOME, PERTH
Following Melbourne metropolitan home/hotel pickup, we transfer to Melbourne Airport for our flight to Perth. Passengers from other home ports may fly direct or via Melbourne according to air schedules. Lunch as we fly. We arrive in Perth and, following a visit to the picturesque Kings Park with time for a walk amongst the many wildflower areas and enjoy an afternoon cuppa, transfer to our home for tonight, Intercontinental Burswood, Perth.
Day 2 (B,L,D) PERTH, BROOME
We depart this morning on our flight to Broome. We are met on arrival by our Young at Heart coach and coach captain. Following lunch we have time to browse the shops and visit the Town Beach prior to arriving at our home for two nights, Oaks Resort.
Day 3 (B,L,D) BROOME
Today we explore some of the attractions of Broome including the Pearl Luggers and Chinatown. During the afternoon visit the Broome Historical Society Museum. Watch the sunset at Cable Beach tonight.
Day 4 (B,L,D) BROOME, PORT HEDLAND
An early start today as we journey into the Pilbara District. We may see one of the long iron ore trains carrying ore from the mines. We view the vast salt mining facility and busy iron ore port workings. Home tonight is the Esplanade Hotel Port Hedland.
Day 5 (B,L,D) PORT HEDLAND, KARRATHA
We continue south to Roebourne and the historic old port town of Cossack. Enjoy a stroll around the restored buildings and lunch in the village café. After lunch we explore Karratha, established in 1968 to serve the Hamersley iron ore project and the offshore North West Shelf gas fields. Visit the North West Shelf Venture Visitors Centre; enjoy the views from the lookout. Home for tonight is the Karratha International Hotel.
Day 6 (B,L,D) KARRATHA, TOM PRICE
We travel to Tom Price via the Great Northern Highway, passing through the Chichester Range with lunch at Auski Roadhouse. We continue to Munjina Gorge Lookout then through part of the scenic Hammersley Ranges. Our home for two nights is the Tom Price Hotel Motel.
Day 7 (B,L,D) KARIJINI NATIONAL PARK
A highlight of our holiday as we tour an open cut iron ore mining site then explore the Karijini National Park visiting and viewing deep gorges, waterfalls and spectacular scenery. Picnic lunch amongst a mixture of tropical and desert vegetation.
Day 8 (B,L,D) TOM PRICE, EXMOUTH
We travel to Paraburdoo, then on to Beasley River for a morning cuppa before continuing to Nanutarra Roadhouse for lunch. During the afternoon we continue to Exmouth, established in 1967 as a support for the USA communications base. Our home for two nights, Pot Shot Hotel Resort.
Day 9 (B,L,D) CAPE RANGE NATIONAL PARK
Explore Cape Range National Park and visit the Milyering Visitor Centre, built of rammed earth and run on solar power. Take in the magnificent 360 degree views from Vlamingh Lighthouse.
Day 10 (B,L,D) EXMOUTH, CORAL BAY, CARNARVON
We travel south to the idyllic seaside resort of Coral Bay with pristine blue waters and the 260 kilometre long Ningaloo coral reef. Enjoy a glass-bottomed boat cruise with great viewing of coral reefs and tropical fish. (Due to tides, we may be required to wade out in knee-deep water to board the cruise. Reasonable fitness and appropriate clothing and footwear required.) Later we continue to Carnarvon and our home for two nights, Fascine Lodge.
Day 11 (B,L,D) CARNARVON
Explore Carnarvon, the commercial centre of the Gascoyne region and a large industrial fishing port. Enjoy morning tea and an informative walking tour of Bumbak’s Plantation. This afternoon we visit the wharf heritage precinct where you may ride on the Coffee Pot Train along the jetty, over 1,400 metres in length, and visit the Lighthouse Keepers Museum.
Day 12 (B,L,D) CARNARVON, DENHAM
Today we travel to the Peron Peninsula and the village of Denham, the most westerly town in Australia. Visit Hamelin Pool and see the fascinating stromatolites, the world’s oldest known living organism. Our home for two nights is Comfort Heritage Resort, Denham.
Day 13 (B,L,D) MONKEY MIA, SHARK BAY CRUISE
This morning we visit Monkey Mia, famed for its bottlenose dolphins. Enjoy a scenic cruise on Shark Bay. View dolphins, rays and perhaps sharks and dugongs (although the sea life is generally present it can never be guaranteed). Lunch and time to relax at Monkey Mia before returning to Denham.
Day 14 (B,L,D) DENHAM, KALBARRI
Today we continue south to the Billabong Roadhouse for lunch. Visit Hawks Head Lookout with amazing views over the Murchison River and National Park, before arriving in Kalbarri. Our home for two nights, the Kalbarri Beach Resort.
Day 15 (B,L,D) KALBARRI N.P.
We visit Kalbarri National Park where the forces of nature have created spectacular formations along the Murchison River. It is wildflower season and we expect wildflowers to be present in abundance. Lunch in Kalbarri and during the afternoon, visit Rainbow Jungle, regarded as Australia’s most beautiful parrot habitat. As we return along the coast we pause to view the magnificent, rocky coastline from lookouts.
Day 16 (B,L,D) KALBARRI, GERALDTON
Today we complete the Kalbarri Loop drive to Northampton, enjoying displays of wildflowers along the way, on route to Geraldton. We visit the impressive St Francis Xavier Cathedral and take in the views from Mills Park Lookout and the recently completed HMAS Sydney memorial. Our home tonight is the Comfort Inn Geraldton.
Day 17 (B,L,D) GERALDTON, CERVANTES
We visit the restored historic village of Greenough. View the icon for the region – horizontal trees. A light lunch in Dongara before continuing along the coast via Jurien to Cervantes, home of the Pinnacles. Our home tonight, Pinnacles Edge Resort.
Day 18 (B,L,D) CERVANTES, THE PINNACLES, PERTH
We visit the Pinnacles (some walking required), thousands of spectacular spires (shell deposits) scattered over the multicoloured sands in Nambung National Park. We enjoy a light lunch on route as we travel to Perth. During spring the display of wildflowers in the area is a blanket of colour. We return to the Intercontinental Burswood, Perth for two nights.
Day 19 (B,L) PERTH
A relaxing day today. Enjoy a leisurely cruise on the Swan River to Fremantle followed by a Fish & Chips lunch. We return to Perth and during the afternoon we visit the Royal Perth Mint. Tonight we enjoy a farewell drink and relive highlights of our journey.
Day 20 (B,L) PERTH, HOME
After breakfast we transfer to Perth Airport for our return flight to Melbourne, arriving early evening Melbourne time. Lunch in flight. Passengers from other capital cities either fly direct or via Melbourne. Metropolitan home/hotel transfers are available for Melbourne passengers. So concludes a most enjoyable adventure on the west coast of Australia.
