Western Discovery
Self Drive Tour
Australia’s sunniest capital city, Perth effortlessly blends urban cool with raw natural beauty. Its heart is bustling with new bars, restaurants, shopping and cultural spaces, and is also home to Kings Park - one of the world’s largest inner city parks. Just a short drive away are the beautiful wineries of the Swan Valley and a string of stunning beaches. Then travel the sunniest coastline in Australia as you make your way from Perth through the eerie scenery of the Pinnacles. See the magical underwater gardens of Ningaloo Reef, and at Monkey Mia meet the dolphins who swim to shore each day to be fed. Continue past fringing reefs, dolphins, sharks and the striking red terrain of Australia’s ancient landscapes to the pearling town of Broome in the tropical north.
Click here to check out more holidays in Australia.
Your Itinerary
Day 1-2 : UK - Perth
Make your own way to the airport for you flight to Perth.
On arrival in Perth Airport, you will take a private transfer to your hotel. The remainder of the day is free for you to explore the city. Embrace the best of both worlds in Perth, where soft sand beaches and scenic parks meet a thriving metropolis of small bars, creative restaurants and curated street art.
Hotel for 3 nights: Pan Pacific Perth
Day 3 : City Sightseeing
An included sightseeing tour showcases the highlights of Perth and Fremantle. You’ll see the Kings Park Botanic Gardens, the tree canopies on the Tree Top Walkway and the 750-year-old Boab tree. In downtown Perth you’ll see the WACA cricket ground, the Bell Tower, Perth town hall and St Georges Terrace. Visit the famous coastline of Cottesloe Beach on the way to Fremantle, the historical port on the mouth of the Swan River. After time in Fremantle take a cruise on the Swan River back to Perth. The rest of the afternoon is free to explore on your own.
Day 4 : Perth
Today you have a full day at leisure to explore the city. Why not take a trip to Rottnest Island or maybe an extended Swan River wine cruise? Head to the King Street precinct for designer labels, opals, pearls and gold, or visit Leederville, Ingewood and Guildford for vintage and antique shopping. The city’s 19 beautiful beaches, botanical gardens, bush walking trails, wine region and marine parks are bathed in sunshine for an average of 3000 hours every year and are just waiting to be explored.
Day 5 : Cervantes (124 miles)
Collect you rental car from the Avis office this morning. Head north from Perth along the Indian Ocean coast road to the Pinnacles Desert and see the striking limestone spires before continuing to Cervantes.
Hotel: Pinnacles Edge Hotel
Day 6 : 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.
Hotel: Nesuto Geraldton Apartment Hotel
Day 7 : 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.
Hotel: Kalbarri Palm Resort
Day 8 : Monkey Mia (248 miles)
Travel north to Monkey Mia, famous for its dolphins, sparkling blue sea and beautiful scenery.
Hotel for 2 nights: Monkey Mia Dolphin Resort
Day 9 : 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 swims to Monkey Mia’s shore to interact with humans up to three times a day. Or visit Shell Beach, a beautiful snow-white beach made up of millions of tiny shells 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.
Day 10 : 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.
Hotel for 2 nights: Mantarays Ningaloo Beach Resort
Day 11 : Exmouth
Ningaloo Reef reaches nearly 20 kilometres seaward 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.
Day 12 : Karratha (343 miles)
Take an inland route today, through the striking ancient outback landscapes of the Pilbara with its striking red terrain.
Hotel for 1 night: Econo Lodge Karratha
Day 13 : 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.
Hotel for 1 night: Hospitality Inn
Day 14 : Broome
The Great Sandy Desert is Australia’s second largest; you’ll cross part of it on the way to the pearling town of Broome.
Hotel for 2 nights: Moonlight Bay Suites (includes breakfast)
Day 15 : Broome
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. Sit back and relax this evening as you watch the sunset over the Indian Ocean or perhaps you’ll take an optional camel ride along the beach.
Day 16-17 : Depart Broome - UK
Your adventure ends when you leave your car at the airport in time for your flight home.