Untamed Pilbara & West Coast

Multicultural Broome delivers many surprises, from its eclectic restaurants to its long pearling history – the pristine waters produce some of the most prized pearl oysters in the world. Discover Broome’s other standout attraction: its sunsets. Follow locals to the sand on Cable Beach and salute the end of your first spectacular day in WA, glass of bubbles in hand.

Which direction should you choose to venture today? Head north deep into the Kimberley where the Horizontal Falls reveals the power of nature. Get some perspective of the tides here on an optional scenic flight. Or perhaps veer off to a pearl farm, to witness the precision that goes into growing and harvesting these gems. Or simply enjoy Broome’s tropical climes, strolling along 22-kilometre Cable Beach, hunting for dinosaur footprints and browsing boutiques.

At first glimpse of the Pilbara, you may well think you’ve been transported to Mars. The soil couldn’t get any redder, the skies any wider, the rock formations any more dramatic, much of the countryside streaked with mineral deposits. People are few and far between until you reach the town of Port Hedland. There are plenty of local characters to meet over dinner at your hotel.

Love at first sight? It’s likely to happen at Karijini National Park. This is nature amplified, a place of immense gorges and deep, dark chasms; waterfalls and gem-like rock pools. This red slice of the Hamersley Range is a magnet for nature lovers, not only for the earthly delights but also the creatures that call the cliffs home. You’re hundreds of kilometres from the nearest town, so expect dazzling stargazing from your safari tent.

It took billions of years to create the geological wonders of Karijini: the striking red escarpments and the quiet gorges all enveloped by tall gums. You have a single day to explore, so bring your stamina and sense of adventure. You’re heading deep into the national park, discovering hidden nooks and waterholes just begging you to swim in them. Things get hot here – why not dive in?

It’s an epic commute across the Pilbara from inland Karijini to Exmouth on the World Heritage listed Ningaloo Coast. While you’re driving, dream about all the marine creatures that await in Ningaloo Reef. Many fish and cetaceans live here year-round, but some larger-than-life visitors only drop in at certain times, on their migratory path.

Steel yourself for a few ‘pinch-me’ moments today. You could choose to snorkel (with an ethical operator) over Ningaloo Reef. Time of year pending, you may have whale sharks and possibly humpback whales in your company. Nothing quite prepares you for the initial moment you glimpse these gentle giants up close. Or, spend your day strolling the sand and cruising with dolphins at sunset. The choice is yours.

You don’t need to get your hair wet to experience the sheer wonderment of Ningaloo Reef. A Coral Bay glass-bottom boat cruise gets you within a whisker of turtles, colourful coral and an embarrassment of fish. You won’t know where to look, although your on-board naturalist will help guide your gaze. From staring at the sea to staring at the stars: your next port of call is the Carnarvon Space and Technology Museum. Did you know it played a role in the 1969 moon landing? Just one fascinating fact you’ll learn from your passionate guide.

While stromatolites might sound like something belonging in a cave, these ‘living fossils’ grow in the water at Hamelin Pool. Rock-like in appearance, they’re actually alive, and reveal what life might have been like 3.5-billion years ago. Remarkably, this is the world’s most abundant colony of them. It’s just one of the natural allures of the state’s World Heritage listed Shark Bay, which is also characterised by Shell Beach, formed from billions of coquina bivalve shells.

Sparkling turquoise water, powdery white sand, ochre dunes – Monkey Mia knows how to dial up the drama. And then there are the wild resident dolphins, which famously swim to shore every morning to splash about in the shallows and interact with humans. It’s a hard act to follow. Perhaps choose an optional sunset cruise, or get some perspective of the bay on an optional scenic flight?

Kalbarri National Park is known for many things: its gorges, towering coastal cliffs and rare wildlife among them – spot peregrine falcons from Hawks Head Lookout. And then there are the wildflowers, which bloom and blanket much of the countryside in spring, transforming it into a floral wonderland. Arriving in Geraldton, pay homage to sailors lost off the WA coast during WWII at the HMAS Sydney Memorial.

Two final wilderness highs provide a fitting end to this journey of contrasts. Within Nambung National Park, the Pinnacles create a moonscape that appears plucked from a science fiction film, its staggering collection of natural limestone structures jutting into the sky. It’s a spiritual place, as is nearby Yanchep National Park. Here, on a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience, Noongar man Derek Nannup’s Dreamtime stories tell the tale of how the land was created. His tours are hands-on, so expect to taste bush tucker and try the didgeridoo. Arriving in Perth you have a Farewell Dinner to swap contact details with your new friends and reminisce about your western adventure.

How do you pick a favourite adventure from the last 12 days? You don’t have to – let them all shine in equal measure in your memory.