SHORTLIST

Wonders of the West Coast & Kimberley

Three weeks of natural drama awaits on this unrivalled road-trip, covering two states, dozens of gorges, a wonderland of waterfalls and countless encounters with wildlife. Fancy swimming with whale sharks, spotting crocs and meeting dolphins? Then there are the World Heritage Sites, national park trips and blazing sunsets. The ultimate in Northern Territory and Western Australia tours, it’s a journey that puts life in perspective – in the best possible way.

Tour details

Tour Provider	AATKings
Price From	$17,395
Number of Days	21
Start Location	Perth (WA Aus), Australia
End Location	Darwin, Australia
Age Range	Avg. 45+
Group Size	20 to 45
Tour Style	Comfort
Tour Themes	No specific theme
Physical Rating	Easy to Moderate

Itinerary Open all

Welcome to Perth

The WA capital is colourful in more ways than one. There are alleys lined with eye-popping street art, and wildflowers blanket Kings Park. Discover the sights, then meet your fellow adventurers at a Welcome Dinner.

Perth - Geraldton

Talk about starting on a high. First stop is Yanchep National Park, where, on a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience, your Aboriginal guide decodes native plants and tells Dreamtime stories. Just as scene-stealing are Nambung National Park’s Pinnacles, limestone structures jutting into the sky. Arriving in Geraldton, pay homage to sailors lost during WWII at the HMAS Sydney Memorial.

Geraldton - Monkey Mia

Prepare yourself for the ‘living fossils’ at Hamelin Pool, home to the most abundant colony of stromatolites in the world. The state’s World Heritage listed Shark Bay is also characterised by Shell Beach, formed from billions of coquina bivalve shells.

Monkey Mia Free Time

If you didn’t fall in love with the gin-clear waters and powdery sand of Monkey Mia last night, you will today. Meet the dolphins that turn up to the shore every morning, then spend the afternoon at leisure. Optional sunset cruise, perhaps? Or a scenic flight over the bay?

Monkey Mia - Carnarvon

Did you know the Carnarvon Space and Technology Museum played a role in the 1969 moon landing, and was instrumental in the space race? Your visit here is interactive, so prepare to try on space suits and climb aboard a supercraft simulator.

Carnarvon - Exmouth

Today’s cruise in a glass-bottomed boat allows you to glimpse the World Heritage listed Ningaloo Coast in comfort. Gliding around Coral Bay, your guide will point out colourful corals, turtles and angelic fish.

Exmouth Free Time

Depending on the time of year, Ningaloo Reef is home to both whale sharks and humpbacks. You can opt to snorkel with both (ethically) or book a sunset cruise to see some breaching and blowing, sparkling wine in hand.

Exmouth - Karijini National Park

A frontier like no other, Karijini is where gorges seem to cleave off the edge of the Earth, waterfalls tumble from escarpments and remote turquoise rock pools shimmer like precious gems. Expect dazzling stargazing from your safari tent.

Karijini National Park

It took billions of years to create Karijini’s geological wonders: the red layered cliffs, the quiet gorges, the soaring gum trees and distinctive termite mounds. If you packed your swimsuit, cooling off under waterfalls comes highly recommended.

Karijini National Park - Port Hedland

The Pilbara is sparsely populated, but you will find people in Port Hedland. There are plenty of local characters to meet over dinner at your hotel.

Port Hedland - Broome

The reason Broome was born is because of pearls. Today, it’s just as well known for its Indian Ocean sunsets, best enjoyed from a vantage on the Cable Beach sand.

Broome Free Time

Today is yours to explore. Stay in town and shop for pearls, wander the coast on the lookout for dinosaur footprints. Or simply enjoy Broome’s tropical climes, strolling along 22-kilometre Cable Beach.

Broome - Fitzroy Crossing

Things are bigger in Broome, including the 125-million-year-old dinosaur footprints. Remote Fitzroy Crossing is the gateway to Danggu (Geikie) Gorge. This remarkable part of the Kimberley was formed by the Fitzroy River carving the Napier Range.

Fitzroy Crossing - Halls Creek

Dive deep into First Nations culture on a visit to an art gallery, a community venue supporting Aboriginal creatives in the Fitzroy Crossing region. Aboriginal culture is strong in the Great Sandy Desert as well, on the edge of which sits Halls Creek.

Halls Creek - Emma Gorge

While the Argyle Diamond Mine has stopped producing rare pink diamonds, you can still visit with an Aboriginal guide. From here you’re on the epic Gibb River Road to El Questro Wilderness Park.

El Questro Wilderness Park

The Kimberley’s sounds follow you to Chamberlain Gorge, your boat dwarfed by its soaring escarpments. Afternoon remedy? A splash in the pool, perhaps, or a dip in the waterhole within Emma Gorge. Take your pick.

Emma Gorge - Kununurra

Kununurra was born through the Ord River Irrigation Scheme. It now waters crops like sugarcane, turned into lip-smacking rum at Hoochery Distillery. A sunset cruise here is something you won’t forget in a hurry.

Kununurra

Today is one of decisions: An optional flight over (or 4WD tour of) the Bungle Bungles? Or a wander with your Travel Director through Mirima National Park.

Kununurra - Katherine

NT locals come with plenty of country swagger, as you’ll discover when you meet award-winning musician Tom Curtain for an afternoon of knee-slappin’ songs and stories on a cattle station.

Katherine - Darwin

Nature rules at Nitmiluk National Park, where you cruise through dramatic Nitmiluk (Katherine) Gorge. Your northern sojourn reveals the region’s historic events, all the way to Darwin.

Farewell from Darwin

It’s hard to believe this epic adventure has come to an end. Three weeks of incredible memories to take home with you.

Inclusions

• Specialist team of two highly experienced Travel Director and Driver Guide • 2 UNESCO World Heritage Sites – Ningaloo Coast & Shark Bay. Plus, Purnululu National Park (optional Bungle Bungles) • Centrally located premium hotels • Shark Bay, Nambung & Yanchep National Parks and El Questro Winderness Park entrance fees • Arrival and departure private airport transfers

Departure dates

Start	End	Availability	Price NZD
04 Jun 2024	24 Jun 2024	onRequest	$17,395
23 Jul 2024	12 Aug 2024	onRequest	$17,918
03 Jun 2025	23 Jun 2025	Available	$21,490
22 Jul 2025	11 Aug 2025	Available	$22,105