Perth to Darwin Overland

Welcome to sunny Perth, where your overland journey begins. Leave the city, driving north to Nambung National Park to explore The Pinnacles. These are ancient rock sculptures that rise out of the desert. Journey on to Jurien Bay, where you’ll have the opportunity to sand-board down the massive expanse of dunes. From here continue on through Geraldton to the quiet beach town of Kalbarri, where you’ll stay the night.

Today take a short drive to Kalbarri National Park. Hike around some of the park’s diverse scenery, including Murchison Gorge, the Loop Walk and Nature’s Window. Its a steep descent into Z-Bend Gorge. For those seeking even more adventure, there’s also an opportunity to abseil (at your own expense). After lunch visit the beautiful Shell Beach, which is one of only two beaches in the world composed entirely of shells. Get back on the road and continue towards Denham and Shark Bay.

After a short drive across the Peron Peninsula, head to the beach and see if you can spot some marine life in Monkey Mia. The idyllic shores around the Francoise Peron National Park are perfect to stretch the legs and admire another slice of Western Australian coastline. The next stop is Carnarvon where you’ll see the fascinating stromatolites at Hamelin Pool. These marine rock formations are some of the world’s oldest and largest living fossils. After a short break, continue along the highway to Coral Bay – known as the ‘Jewel of the Northwest’.

Today explore picturesque Coral Bay, home to the World Heritage-listed Ningaloo Reef. Snorkel equipment is available to hire, or you could cruise the reef in a glass-bottom boat to observe the tropical life teeming below the surface. The marine park is home to 250 species of coral and over 500 species of fish. You might prefer to take an optional scenic flight over the reef. In the late afternoon, it’s a short drive to our campsite at Yardie Creek in the Cape Range National Park, near Exmouth.

Spend the morning snorkelling right off the beach in the stunning Cape Range National Park. Depending on the time of year, you have the option to snorkel or scuba dive in search of whale sharks and manta rays. Take a visit to Vlamingh Head Lighthouse, one of the few places in Australia where you can see the sun both rise and set. Enjoy taking a wander around the town of Exmouth before settling down in our permanent campsite.

Head inland today through the vast cattle stations of the Pilbara region. The sparsely populated Pilbara desert is known for its red earth and rich mineral deposits. In the afternoon pass through the little town of Tom Price, which is renowned for its iron ore mining. Continue on to your campsite overlooking the magnificent Hamersley Range in Karijini. Before you go to sleep, take a minute to gaze up at one the most magnificent night skies you’re ever likely to see.

Over the next two days explore the almighty gorges of Karijini National Park. Formed over 2500 million years ago, the Hamersley Ranges feature some of the most unusual landforms on Earth. You’ll be able to take some great photographs while you’re here. Hike deep into the gorges, where you’ll come across cascading waterfalls and fresh waterholes ideal for swimming in. Dales Gorge and Circular Pool, Fortescue Falls, Fern Pool and Weano Gorge are just some of the places you can visit. This part of the journey is a real highlight.

Head back into the gorges today for further exploration. Sing a tune in the natural amphitheatre caused by curved gorge walls, then make your way down to Hancock Gorge. Named after the Australian tycoon Lang Hancock, this is a narrow inlet of red rocks leading to a refreshing waterhole.

Depart Karijini this morning and travel towards the coast (approximately four hours in total). Visit the iron ore port of Port Hedland, the second most populated town in the Pilbara. Take a quick tour of the town and gain an understanding of the scale of the iron ore industry. After lunch continue on to a nearby station, where you’ll spend the night.

Today’s drive to Broome will take around 6 hours. En route, enjoy a leisurely break and stroll along the immense 80-Mile Beach. This seemingly never-ending stretch of coastline is where the Great Sandy Desert meets the Indian Ocean, and is an ideal place to stop and look out past the turquoise waters and into the horizon. Continue on your way northeast, and on arrival into Broome, reminisce with your fellow travellers and enjoy an idyllic Broome sunset – a fitting end to a long day of driving

You’ve got the power to decide what you’d like to do today. You may have said goodbye to some of your travel crew not joining you for the next stage of your adventure, so all you have to please is yourself! Perhaps have a walk in and around town, head to the Broome History Museum or check out one of a number of galleries exhibiting First Nations artwork.

Today is another day off to recharge your batteries before commencing the next leg of your journey through the Kimberley region. Season depending, perhaps take the first (and only) bus out to Gantheaume Point and see the deep red cliffs and prehistoric footprints set in the reef rock. Discover the cliffs and lighthouse, then continue back on foot along the Lurujarri Walk to the sandy shores of Cable Beach for a morning coffee of fresh juice before spending the day swimming and sunbaking.

This morning, set off into the West Australian wilds pretty early today. After a bit of highway driving, arrive at the Fitzroy River, then it’s all off-road to the Napier Range. The main attraction here is a guided walk through Tunnel Creek National Park – a vast limestone cave system that extends 750 metres underground. Be sure to watch out for stalactites and the occasional bat!

Today we head to Windjana Gorge, once an underwater reef just 350 million years ago. During the wet season a river flows all the way through it, but during the dry it’s really more a series of ponds and billabongs. Set out on a bit of an explore, hopefully spotting a freshwater crocodile or two. The western Kimberley region is full of endless stunning gorges that have to be explored and this afternoon is no exception. Bell Gorge is home to a stunning cascade of water flowing from the previous wet season rains that fall in the King Leoplold Ranges. We enjoy an afternoon swim in the large plunge pool before making our way to camp along the Gibb River Road.

We spend the morning exploring Manning gorge and enjoy a swim in the pools under Manning Falls. After stretching your legs on the hike in you will be rewarded with a swim in a large rock pool at the base of Manning Falls. Spend the afternoon exploring Adcock or Galvins gorge before heading back to camp to relax around the campfire.

Fording rivers and weaving through gorges, travel by 4WD along the wild Gibb River Road – a 600-kilometre stretch that winds right through the heart of the Kimberley. Pass through remote and extraordinary country as you travel through this historic part of Australia. Cross the Pentecost River to reach the famous El Questro Station, where you’ll spend the night camping under the stars.

Wake up with the knowledge of not having to pack up camp before spending the day exploring the amazing sights of El Questro Station. Enjoy a relaxing swim at Zebedee Springs before tackling the hike into either Emma Gore or El Questro Gorge where you will be rewarded with a stunning waterfall and a swim. Tonight enjoy another night at the El Questro campsite, where you might choose to enjoy a well-earned drink at the station bar with your travel mates.

Say goodbye to El Questro and hello Bungle Bungles. Today we drive through the rugged landscape of Carr Boyd and the Durack Ranges into Purnululu National Park. This park is home-ground of the Bungle Bungles, a UNESCO World Heritage Site dominated by massive sandstone karsts that rear hundreds of metres above the surrounding grasslands. We arrive at our bush camp in time to sit back and watch the sun set over the Osmond Ranges. If you’ve had enough of tent camping by now, you might want to spend tonight sleeping out beneath the stars snuggled up in a swag.

After breakfast prepare for a full day of activities. Explore the remarkable rock formations of the Bungle Bungle Range. Hike to the constricted, red gap of Echidna Chasm and the immense Cathedral Gorge. You'll also have the opportunity to experience another perspective of the Bungles in a helicopter flight (at your own expense). As the sun goes down, head back to your overnight bush camp.

This morning you will once again experience some serious 4WD action as you wind your way out of the Bungle Bungles. Take some time to have a look around the picturesque town of Kununarra. In the late afternoon, travel down beside the Ord River to make camp at Lake Argyle. You have the choice of relaxing in the famous infinity pool overlooking the magnificent Lake Argyle or appreciating it from the water by choosing to do a cruise (own expense). This vast body of water has been forged by the Ord River Dam. The biggest manmade lake in Australia, Lake Argyle is 18 times the size of Sydney Harbour!

Not long after breakfast say goodbye to WA as from here we cross the state border into the Northern Territory. The day is spent enjoying the last views of the Boabs you have fallen in love with as we make our way towards our last camp for the night just outside of Nitmiluk National Park in the Katherine Region.

On the final day of the trip, stop at either the secluded gorge of Nitmiluk (Katherine Gorge) or take one last plunge for the trip into the cool waters of Edith Falls. In the afternoon, make your way to Darwin, where your adventure comes to an end. Please book any onward travel the following day.