Western Discovery
SELF DRIVE TOUR
CERVANTES | GERALDTON | KALBARRI | THE PINNACLES | MONKEY MIA | SHARKS BAY | EXMOUTH | KARRATHA | PORT HEDLAND | BROOME
Travel the sunniest coastline in Australia in this self-driving tour as you make your way from Perth through the eerie scenery of the Pinnacles, past fringing reefs, dolphins and sharks to the pearling town of Broome in the tropical north.
HIGHLIGHTS:
- See the stunning marine life found around Sharks Bay
- Money Mia, famous for its dolphins
- Laid back Cervantes for turquoise waters and white beaches
- See the Pinnacles in Nambung National Park
- Explore the magical underwater gardens of Ningaloo Reef
- See the striking red terrain of Pilbara’s ancient landscape
- Cross part of the Great Sandy Desert
- Stroll on Cable Beach in the pearling town of Broome
Your Itinerary
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Day 1
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Day 2
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Day 3
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Day 4
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Day 5
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Day 6
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Day 7
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Day 8
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Day 9
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Day 10
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Day 11
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Day 12
Day 1 : Perth – Cervantes (124 miles)
Head north from Perth along the Indian Ocean coast road to the Pinnacles Desert and see the striking limestone spires before continuing to Cervantes.
Day 2 : Cervantes – Geraldton (140 miles)
Maybe see the pinnacles at sunrise then head to Geraldton, the “Sun City” with its great sunshine record and white sandy beaches.
Day 3 : Geraldton – Kalbarri (100 miles)
Continue north today and call into the Kalbarri National Park with its stunning coastline, spectacular gorges and wildflowers during July and November. In Kalbarri perhaps take an optional river cruise or camel trek.
Day 4 : Kalbarri – Monkey Mia (248 miles)
Travel north to Monkey Mia, famous for its dolphins, sparkling blue sea and beautiful scenery.
Day 5 : Monkey Mia
Spend the day enjoying all that Monkey Mia has to offer and see the dolphins and their babies swim in to shore to be fed. The friendly pod of wild bottlenose dolphins regularly swim to Monkey Mia’s shore to interact with humans up to three times a day. Or perhaps drive around Shark Bay, home to a captivating array of marine life. Visit Shell Beach, a beautiful snow-white beach made up of millions of tiny shells up to 10 metres deep and stretching for over 70 kilometres. On a still day, the ocean at Shell Beach transforms into a palette of the most intense greens and blues - and the water is very salty making it easy to float for those who aren’t strong swimmers.
Day 6 : Monkey Mia – Exmouth (443 miles)
It’s a fair drive today passing by Coral Bay to Exmouth, your base for exploring Ningaloo Reef, the world’s largest fringing coral reef and the only one in Australia of any significance.
Day 7 : Exmouth
Ningaloo Reef reaches nearly 20 kilometres seaward and covering 5,000 square kilometres of ocean and is home to some 500 species of fish, graceful manta rays and turtles, and over 300 varieties of coral. Perhaps you’ll drive and explore on your own from the beach, or maybe take an optional white shark discovery cruise. Either way, it’s sure to be a fantastic day.
Day 8 : Exmouth – Karratha (343 miles)
Take an inland route today, through the striking ancient outback landscapes of the Pilbara with its striking red terrain.
Day 9 : Karratha – Port Hedland (151 miles)
Spend some time looking round Karratha this morning then visit Roebourne and the small ghost town of Cossack before arriving in Port Hedland.
Day 10 : Port Hedland - Great Sandy Desert - Broome
The Great Sandy Desert is Australia’s second largest at just over one hundred and ten thousand square miles; you’ll cross part of it on the way to the pearling town of Broome.
Day 11 : Broome at Leisure
Today is yours to spend at leisure. Perhaps stroll through town or head to Gantheaume Point; wander along the pristine sand or swim in the turquoise water at Cable Beach or visit the Crocodile Park and hold a baby croc. This evening sit back and relax as you watch the sunset over the Indian Ocean or perhaps you’ll take an optional camel ride along the beach.
Day 12 : Broome departure
Your adventure ends when you leave your car at the airport and continue your journey down under.
