Pilbara & West Coast Expedition 2024
Snapshot
- 14 days / 13 nights
- Broome to Perth
- Multiple departures
From
$10,660*
per person twin share
BOOK NOW
Overview
Moments of Magic
Gorgeous Karijini
Enjoy one of WA’s top 5 visitor experiences at the breathtaking Karijini National Park. Explore the park’s red rocky gorges, waterfalls and swimming holes while staying in a unique tented cabin.
Ningaloo
Encounter the diverse marine life of the world’s largest fringing reef aboard a Ningaloo discovery cruise. Choose to accompany guides snorkelling for a closer look at this pristine marine habitat.
Friendly Dolphins
Located in Shark Bay World Heritage Area, Monkey Mia is renowned for its friendly dolphin encounters. Join park rangers knee-deep on the water’s edge and interact with these beautiful creatures.
*Offer valid until 17 May 2024 and is subject to availability and change. Advertised price based on September 2024 departures, correct as of 4 April 2024.
Inclusions
Outstanding Value Inclusions
- Small Group Size - 26
- All meals including all breakfasts, lunches and dinners while on tour
- All attraction, entry, cruise and national park fees
- Travel aboard a 5-star all terrain Mercedes Benz Coach
- 13 nights of exceptional hotel, resort & lodge accommodation
- Services of a professional 2 person crew consisting of a Tour Driver and Tour Director
- Outback Spirit Explorer Pack featuring handy travel items
Tour Highlights
- Journey from Broome to Perth via the Pilbara & Coral Coast
- Explore the magnificent gorges of Karijini National Park
- Admire World Heritage Listed Ningaloo Reef on a half day discovery cruise
- Meet Monkey Mia’s friendly dolphins and enjoy a Shark Bay marine cruise
- Marvel at ancient petroglyph engravings on the Burrup Peninsula
- Sail between the spectacular cliffs of Yardie Creek Gorge
- Visit Millstream-Chichester NP with Deep Reach & Chinderwarriner Pools
- Take a behind-the-scenes look at Australia’s largest tonnage port facility in Port Hedland, including an informative harbour cruise
- Enjoy a tour of BHP’s Mt. Whaleback Mine at Newman
- Explore the world-famous Pinnacles in Nambung National Park
- Visit the mining town of Tom Price, the highest town in Western Australia
- Spend 3-nights at the luxurious Mantarays Ningaloo Beach Resort
Itinerary
Day 1 - Broome
Today you will be met by our friendly and professional Tour Directors at the time and location specified above. Enjoy a brief town tour before checking in to the luxurious Cable Beach Club Resort & Spa. Enjoy a spectacular Indian Ocean sunset from the resort before your welcome dinner. Meals: (D)
Day 2 - Broome - Port Hedland
Broome - Port HedlandThe Esplanade Hotel
This morning we depart Broome and head south along the Great Northern Highway. Pass between the Great Sandy Desert and Eighty Mile Beach, arriving in Port Hedland later this afternoon. Tonight we stay at The Esplanade Hotel. Meals: (B,L,D)
Day 3 - Port Hedland - Newman
Port Hedland is one of the largest towns in the Pilbara, and due to the massive mining operations in the region the town is home to Australia's largest tonnage port facility. This morning we visit the Port Hedland Seafarers Centre for an interesting behind the scenes look at the workings of the Port Hedland iron ore port. After a quick presentation we board one of the Seafarers launch service boats and circumnavigate the entire port, with insightful commentary from your local skipper. After your tour we depart Port Hedland for Newman and arrive late afternoon to check in to the Seasons Hotel. Meals: (B,L,D)
Day 4 - Newman - Karijini National Park
This morning we join a guided tour of the BHP Billiton Mt. Whaleback mine, the largest single pit open cut ore mine in the world. We then depart Newman and head for the breathtaking Karijini National Park, spending two nights at
the Karijini Eco Retreat. Ideally located in the depths of the park, the retreat is the only permanent accommodation in the area and underwent numerous upgrades in 2019. Here we stay in unique tented cabins with ensuite bathroom.
Meals: (B,L,D)
Day 5 - Karijini Exploring
Today we explore some of the stunning gorges in Karijini National Park, the second largest park in Western Australia centred on the Hamersley Range. It’s famous for its beautiful red gorges, stunning waterfalls and cool swimming holes. First up is a visit to the eastern section of the park, including Dales Gorge and Fern Pool. A system of walking trails leads us down to some of the best spots where you can take a dip in sparkling rock pools. After a picnic lunch we continue touring around other sections of the park, including Weano Gorge and Oxer lookout. We return to the retreat mid-afternoon and relax
before dinner. Meals: (B,L,D)
Day 6 - Karijini - Millstream - Chichester National Park -
Karratha
This morning we make our way up towards Karratha, a town established in 1968 to service and accommodate the iron ore miners in the Hamersley Ranges. En route we visit Tom Price before stopping off at the magnificent Millstream-Chichester National Park, which is characterised by rugged escarpments, tree lined rivers and pristine water pools. The run-off from the Hamersley Ranges flows via the Fortescue River into an underground aquifer that feeds the waterholes within the park. Millstream actually used to be a pastoral lease which ran for over 100 years.
This afternoon we enjoy visits to Deep Reach and Chinderwarriner Pools and the historic Millstream Homestead. Continue onto Karratha late this afternoon and spend the night at the Karratha International Hotel. Meals: (B,L,D)
Day 7 - Karratha – Dampier – Exmouth
This morning we head out to the Burrup Peninsula to view ancient petroglyph engravings. Dating back to between 30,000 and 45,000 years, the collection of rock motifs include the oldest known depiction of the human face as well as extinct mega fauna and the now extinct Tasmanian Tiger. We’ll also visit the North-West Shelf Visitors Centre in Dampier to learn about one of Australia’s largest resource projects, where gas is drilled at offshore platforms 130km north of Dampier. This afternoon we head south towards one of the most pristine natural wonders in Australia, the Ningaloo Reef.
We arrive in Exmouth late afternoon and check in to the luxurious Mantarays Ningaloo Beach Resort, located right on Sunrise Beach. Enjoy premium ocean view rooms during your 3-night stay. Meals: (B,L,D)
Day 8 - Ningaloo Reef Discovery cruise
Ningaloo is an untouched 300km long fringing barrier reef that protects a shallow, brilliant white sandy lagoon of clear tropical waters. It is one of only a few places on earth where you are able to access the coral reef from the beach. This morning we enjoy a half day discovery cruise on Ningaloo Reef. Learn about the diversity of marine life in the park and perhaps take the opportunity for some snorkelling in the park's pristine water (accompanied by
guides - equipment is provided). This afternoon we return to Mantarays Ningaloo Beach Resort. Enjoy some free time or a stroll along the beach or through the marina before meeting in the award winning Mantarays Restaurant for dinner. Meals: (B,L,D)
Please note: For those that have pre-booked the full day whale shark tour with our office, please meet in the hotel foyer by 7:30am and you will be collected for your days activities. You will return to the hotel late afternoon to meet your group for dinner.
Day 9 - Cape Range National Park - Yardie Creek Gorge
Today we’ll set off to discover Cape Range National Park, a spectacular place of rugged limestone ranges, breathtaking deep canyons & 50 kilometres of pristine beaches. The area is well known for the striking contrast of its turquoise waters, white beaches and red ochre landscape behind.
This morning we’ll enjoy one of the area’s main attractions, the Yardie Creek Gorge cruise. This ancient gorge has deep blue water, red limestone cliff faces and a wonderful array of birds and wildlife including the rare black-footed rock wallaby. There’s also a walking trail to the top of the gorge (1.5km – good level of fitness required). The views down the creek and out to Ningaloo Reef are simply spectacular.
After a picnic lunch we’ll visit Milyering, the Cape Range National Park Discovery Centre. Housing interpretive displays and audio visual facilities, the centre holds a wealth of information on the marine park and local environment. We then return to Exmouth for our third and final night at the Mantarays Ningaloo Beach Resort. Enjoy some free time, or perhaps take an optional scenic flight detailed below. (B,L,D)
This afternoon there is an option to take a scenic flight over Ningaloo Reef. Spot diverse marine life such as whales, whale sharks, turtles and mantarays and admire the spectacular scenery from the air. Prices vary depending on
the number of people participating. (approximately $165 for 30 minutes - booked locally)
Please note: Weight limits apply to all scenic flights
Day 10 - Carnarvon – Shark Bay – Monkey Mia
This morning we depart Exmouth and journey south through Carnarvon on our way to Shark Bay and Monkey Mia. We arrive late this afternoon and check in to the Monkey Mia Dolphin Resort where we’ll stay for the next 2 nights. Meals: (B,L,D)
Day 11 - Exploring Shark
The Shark Bay World Heritage Area was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in December 1991. It is only one of a handful of places on the list that satisfied all four natural criteria concerning its natural beauty, biological diversity, ecological processes and earth’s history. Its seagrass meadows are the largest in the world and support a huge population of dugong, along with a variety of other marine life.
This morning we head down to the beach to meet the famous locals, a pod of wild dolphins that come in to the shallows and interact with people. (As the dolphins are wild, their appearance cannot be guaranteed). We then enjoy a catamaran sailing adventure in Shark Bay Marine Park, keeping an eye out for the bay’s precious marine life including dugongs, dolphins, sharks, huge sea turtles and more. This afternoon can be spent at your leisure at the Resort. Meals: (B,L,D)
Day 12 - Monkey Mia – Denham – Geraldton
This morning we make our way back to the Highway via Denham and stop off at Hamelin Pool Marine Nature Reserve, one of a few places in the world with marine Stromatolites, or ‘living fossils’. Hamelin Pool is home to the most diverse and abundant examples of stromatolites in the world. Also referred to as ‘living fossils’, stromatolites are living representatives of life over 3500
million years ago when there was no other complex life on Earth. A 200m boardwalk at Hamelin Pool provides excellent views of the stromatolites, microbialites and microbial mats. Nearby is the Old Hamelin Pool Telegraph Station which was built in 1884 as part of the communication line between Perth and Roebourne. The original building is now a museum housing many artefacts. We visit the Old Telegraph Station before heading south to Geraldton,
arriving late this afternoon. We spend the night at the Ocean Centre Hotel on the beachfront. Meals: (B,L,D)
Please note: We will not be visiting the Shark Bay World Heritage Discovery Centre as they are closed on weekends.
Day 13 - The Pinnacles - Perth
This morning we depart Geraldton and head south to one of the most renowned landscapes in Australia, the Pinnacles. Here, thousands of limestone pillars rise from the shifting yellow sands, resembling a landscape from a science fiction movie. Enjoy a wander through these eerie formations before departing for Perth, arriving lateafternoon to check in to the Crown Promenade. This evening enjoy a farewell dinner as we look back on our adventure along the west coast of Australia. Meals: (B,L,D)
Day 14 - Perth – Farewell
This morning enjoy some free time before being transferred to the airport for your return flights. Meals: (B)
*This tour also operates with a reverse itinerary.
*This is a sample itinerary and may be subject to change. We may need to alter or amend itineraries, excursions, accommodation, or sightseeing arrangements from those published, with little or no notice. This may be due to road conditions, weather, cultural considerations, safety factors and other operational considerations or government regulations. Final itineraries are sent to passengers approximately 2-3 weeks before travel.
* Term and conditions apply:
All pricing subject to change and availability.
Advertised prices are per person twin share unless stated otherwise.
Offers may be withdrawn at any time. Itineraries are subject to change.
Booking Conditions and Phil Hoffmann Travel Schedule of Professionalism* applies.
Please speak to your Phil Hoffmann Travel Consultant for more information.