22 Day Darwin to Perth Overland
Discover Outback delights of Northern and Western Australia
About this tour: An almighty
southbound road trip through Australia’s western hotspots.
Journey through the natural wonders, vast expanses and jaw-dropping
landscapes of northern and western Australia on this incredible
22-day adventure from Darwin to Perth. Visit some of the region’s
best national parks where you'll hike through stunning red rock
landscapes and swim beneath waterfalls in the most beautiful spots.
Discover the striped beauty of the Bungle Bungle Range, explore
the glorious gorges of the Kimberleys, snorkel the vibrant reefs
of Ningaloo and swim above corals the World Heritage-listed Coral
Bay. The distances are immense, but the pace is leisurely, making
this the perfect Outback adventure.
Valid: 1 April 2020 – 31 October
2021
Trip Code: PDP22 (Basix)
Price: AUD $4450 per person: PDP22 (Basix)
• Additional Services: AUD $45 Sleeping Bag Purchase (Basix)
• All prices are in Australian Dollars (includes 10% GST) based
on per person
• Tour
easy to fill in quote form • Email
us with request • Telephone
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Tour Links
Days: 22
Start: Darwin, Australia
Finish: Perth, Australia
Depart: • Saturdays • Default pick up: The Youth
Shack at 6:50am (Mitchell St, Darwin)
Destinations: Northern Territory, Western Australia,
Kimberley, Outback, West Coast
Theme: Explorer, Overland
Included activities • Nitmiluk National Park
• Lake Argyle • Cathedral Gorge Walk
(Bungle Bungle) • Echidna Chasm Walk
• Zebedee Springs •
Emma Gorge • Gibb River Road • Adcock Gorge •
Galvans Gorge • Manning Gorge
• Windjana Gorge • Bell Gorge
• Tunnel Creek exploration walk •
Karijini National Park Entrance • Ningaloo Reef
Marine Park • Kalbarri National Park Entrance
• Monkey Mia Dolphins • Nambung
National Park (Pinnacles) Entrance
Physical Rating: 4 out of 5
Transport: All Terrain vehicle
Group size: Min 1, Max 20
Meals: 18 breakfasts, 20 lunches, 18 dinners
Accommodation: Camping (with basic facilities)
(2 nights), camping (with facilities) (8 nights), Hostel (9 nights),
Permanent safari camp (with shared facilities) (1 night), Permanent,
furnished tented camp (with shared facilities) (1 night)
Age: Minimum 18 years
Trip Itinerary:
Day 1: Darwin to the Katherine Region
• Welcome to the tropical city of Darwin, where your overland adventure
begins. After meeting up with your group and leader, head south
and stop at either Edith Falls for a swim or explore Katherine Gorge
in Nitmiluk National Park. This is where the group will have lunch
(seasonal choice). Head to your overnight private campsite on the
edge of Nitmiluk National Park, where permanent tents with swags
await you. In the evening, settle down for dinner with the group.
Total driving time: about 4 hours Total walking distance: about
2 kilometres
Included Activities Nitmiluk National Park
Accommodation Permanent tented camp (with shared facilities) (1
night)
Meals Included Lunch Dinner
Day 2: Lake Argle
• After breakfast this morning, continue on to Lake Argyle, which
has been created by the Ord River Dam. Admire the sheer size of
this 700 square kilometre man made spectacle. The lake is home to
many species of native fish and thousands of freshwater crocodiles.
Take an optional sunset cruise before setting up camp nearby for
the night.
Note: Total driving time today is around seven seven and a half
hours. Total walking distance is around 1 kilometre.
Accommodation Camping (with facilities) (1 night)
Included Activities Lake Argyle
Optional Activities Lake Argyle Sunset Cruise - AUD100
Meals Included Breakfast Lunch Dinner
Day 3: Purnululu National Park (Bungle Bungle Ranges)
• Start the morning with some free time for a stroll around the
picturesque town of Kununurra. Don’t forget to use this time to
stock up on any last minute supplies before heading out into the
remote Kimberley region. Once out of town its time for some 4WD
action as your experienced guide winds our specially designed truck
across the challenging terrain of the entrance to Purnululu National
Park, home of the iconic Bungle Bungles. It’s a rugged ride but
the scenery is fantastic. Enjoy an amazing Kimberley sunset at your
bush camp.
Note: Total driving today is around five hours. Total walking distance
is approximately five kilometres.
Accommodation Camping (with basic facilities - no showers) (1 night)
Meals Included Breakfast Lunch Dinner
Day 4: The Bungle Bungles
• After breakfast prepare for a full day of activities, as the group
heads back out to explore the remarkable rock formations of the
Bungle Bungles. Hike to the thin, red gap of Echidna Chasm and the
enormous Cathedral Gorge. There’s also the opportunity to experience
a helicopter flight over the Bungle Bungles (at your own expense).
As the sun goes down, head back to your overnight bush camp.
Note: Total driving time today is around two hour. Total walking
distance is approximately five kilometres.
Camping (with basic facilities - no showers) (1 night)
Included Activities • Cathedral Gorge Walk (Bungle Bungle) • Echidna
Chasm Walk
Optional Activities Helicopter Flight - Bungle Bungles - from -
AUD350
Meals Included Breakfast Lunch Dinner
Day 5: Bungle Bungles and El Questro
• After breakfast today, get back on the road toward El Questro
Station. Admire the remarkable scenery of the Carr Boyd and Durack
Ranges, and head along the vast nature trail of Warnum (Turkey Creek).
In the late afternoon, head to your campsite in El Questro, a wilderness
park since 1991 for dinner and a cool drink at the swinging Arm
Bar.
Note: Total driving time today is around five hours. Total walking
distance is approximately 1 kilometre.
Accommodation Camping (with facilities) (1 night)
Meals Included Breakfast Lunch Dinner
Day 6: El Questro Station
• Spend the day exploring El Questro. Start off with a dip at Zebedee
Springs before taking on a hike in the Cockburn Ranges for a swim
under the waterfall at Emma Gorge. Tonight, enjoy another night
at the El Questro campsite.
Note: Total driving time today is around 45 minutes. Total walking
distance is up to seven kilometres.
Accommodation Camping (with facilities) (1 night)
Included Activities • Zebedee Springs • Emma Gorge
Meals Included Breakfast Lunch Dinner
Day 7: Gibb River Road and Mount Barnett
• After breakfast, its time to hit the road again and start travelling
along the legendary Gibb River Road, a 600 kilometre dirt track
running through the centre of the Kimberley. 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. We’ve got a fair bit of ground to cover today,
so there is a fair bit of drive time, but we’ll be breaking the
journey up with lunch and at a few stop-offs along the way. Tonight’s
destination is at Mt Barnett station located very close to Manning
Gorge. This evening we camp at Mount Barnett by the banks of a crystal
clear fresh water river, perfect to cool off in after your day hiking.
Note: Total driving time today is around six hours. Total walking
distance is approximately two kilometres.
Accommodation Camping (with basic facilities) (1 night)
Included Activities Gibb River Road
Meals Included Breakfast Lunch Dinner
Day 8: Manning Gorge
• We spend the morning exploring the stunning Manning Gorge and
enjoying a swim in the pools under Manning Falls. The western Kimberley
region is full of endless stunning gorges just waiting to be explored
and this morning is no exception. After breakfast, continue along
the Gibb River Road visiting either Galvin or Adcock Gorge.
Note: Total driving time today is less than 1 hour. Total walking
distance is approximately four to six kilometres.
Accommodation Camping (with basic facilities) (1 night)
Included Activities • Adcock Gorge • Galvans Gorge • Manning Gorge
Meals Included Breakfast Lunch Dinner
Day 9: Bells Gorge and Windjana Gorge
• The western Kimberley region is full of endless stunning gorges
that have to be explored and this morning is no exception. After
breakfast we adventure to Bell Gorge home to a stunning cascade
of water flowing from the previous wet season rains that fall in
the King Leopold Ranges. The afternoon sees us head to Windjana
Gorge, a segment of 375 million-year-old reef that was once underwater.
Cut through by the Lennard River, which runs during the wet season
then breaks up into little billabongs during the dry, this gorge
attracts many species of bird and bat and is a great spot to see
wild freshwater crocodiles.
Note: Total driving time today is around 4.5 hours. Total walking
distance is approximately four to six kilometres.
Accommodation Camping (with basic facilities) (1 night)
Included Activities • Windjana Gorge • Bell Gorge
Meals Included Breakfast Lunch Dinner
Day 10: Broome
• Begin the day exploring the Napier Range. The major attraction
here is a guided walk through Tunnel Creek, an extensive limestone
cave system that extends 750 m underground. Inside, shards of sunlight
stream in through crevices, little bats flutter about and enormous
stalactites rear down from the ceiling. Then make the drive on to
Broome, hopefully arriving in time for a stunning Cable Beach sunset.
Total driving time today is around 4 hours. Total walking distance
is approximately 4 kilometres.
Accommodation Hostel (shared bathroom) (1 night)
Included Activities • Tunnel Creek exploration walk
Meals Included Breakfast Lunch
Day 11: Broome
• The next two days are free for you to explore Broome at your own
pace. If you’re after more beach time, perhaps head to Cable Beach
– named after the undersea telegraph cable that connected Broome
to Singapore in the 19th century, or Town Beach in Roebuck Bay.
Season depending, it’s possible to witness the ‘Staircase to the
Moon’ at Roebuck Bay – a natural phenomenon and optical illusion
where a ‘staircase’ appears to lead to the moon during low tide.
A weekly Staircase Night Market sets up during this time and is
also worth checking out if you happen to be in Broome at this time.
Sample local flavours and browse stalls selling handmade products,
jewellery, clothing and art while local musicians play.
Accommodation Hostel (shared bathroom) (1 night)
Meals Included There are no meals included on this day.
Day 12: Broome
• Today is another free day to explore. If you’re after some history,
check out the Broome Historical Museum to learn about local Aboriginal
culture and for a glimpse into the town's pearling and wartime history.
Maybe take a trip to Gantheaume Point to discover 130-million-year-old
dinosaur footprints or to photograph the contrasting white sand,
red cliffs and blue ocean of the area. Another option is the Malcolm
Douglas Crocodile Park and Animal Refuge for some wildlife-viewing.
In the evening, the buzzing district of Chinatown is a great place
to grab a meal and a drink, or maybe catch an outdoor film at the
charming Sun Pictures cinema.
Accommodation Hostel (shared bathroom) (1 night)
Meals Included There are no meals included on this day.
Day 13: Broome to the Pilbra Region
• Leaving Broome in the dust, we kick-start this adventure with
a drive across part of Western Australia’s Great Sandy Desert. At
an area of roughly 285,000 sq km, this is Australia’s second largest
desert. And while certainly very sandy, the terrain also consists
of dune fields, spinifex grasslands and salt lakes. After a bit
of driving we’ll make a stop at Eighty Mile Beach. Aside from being
a pretty lovely spot for a beach stroll, this coast is a major nesting
area for flatback turtles – a species found only in Australia. Tonight
we stay at an outback cattle station.
Special Information As this is a combination trip, the travellers
in your group and your group leader are likely to change today.
Total driving time today is around 4.5 hours. Total walking distance
is approximately one kilometre.
Accommodation Hostel (shared bathroom) (1 night)
Meals Included Lunch Dinner
Day 14: Pilbra Region to Karajini National Park
• This morning we head toward Karijini National Park with a quick
stop in Port Headland to check out the iron ore mecca of Australia.
If time permits, we may duck into one of the Gorge's this afternoon.
If not, we'll set up camp in the National Park and get a good nights
rest before we head in for a full day of exploring tomorrow.
Total driving time today is around 6 hours. Total walking distance
can be up to three kilometres, come sections may be through water.
Accommodation Camping (with facilities) (1 night)
Meals Included Breakfast Lunch Dinner
Day 15: Karijini National Park
• This, without any doubt, is one of Australia’s most magnificent
national parks (and it’s not like Australia has any shortage of
them). Freshwater springs trickle through chasms to form translucent
rock pools, walking trails weave between dramatic rock ravines.
A visit to the Karijini Cultural Centre will introduce you to the
many sights you can expect to see here over the three days. Spend
a full day exploring the gorges, gullies and secluded swimming spots
of Karijini. Weano Gorge, Hancock Gorge, Dales Gorge and Oxers Lookout
are just some of the better-known sites we’ll get to.
Total driving time today is 1 hour. Total walking distance is approximately
six kilometres, some sections may be through water.
Accommodation Camping (with facilities) (1 night)
Included Activities Karijini National Park Entrance
Meals Included Breakfast Lunch Dinner
Day 16: Karijini National Park
• Pack up your towel and walking shoes and head out for another
day exploring Karijini with your guide. Anything you didn’t tick
off the list yesterday you can chase up today – whether it’s a snooze
in the sun or a strenuous trek to a lookout. Swim in waterholes,
hike along rocky trails and splash about in waterfalls. Paradise!
Total driving time today is around 1 hour. Total walking distance
is approximately six kilometres.
Accommodation Camping (with facilities) (1 night)
Meals Included Breakfast Lunch Dinner
Day 17: Karijini to Exmouth
• Jump back in the truck for a drive through classic outback terrain
to Cape Range National Park. Extending inland from the Indian Ocean
across the North West Cape peninsula, this protected landmass feels
like a patch of the outback relocated seaside. Here we have an exclusive
campsite, so it’s here that we stay the night.
Today is a long day of driving – about 8 hours with rest stops.
Accommodation Yardi Creek Camp (1 night)
Meals Included Breakfast Lunch Dinner
Day 18: Coral Bay
• Today’s yours to spend how you wish. Become acquainted with the
region’s underwater inhabitants on a snorkeling or diving excursion,
set out by boat tour in search of whale sharks (seasonal) or just
while a day away on the flawless sands of Turquoise Bay. Take in
the panoramic views of the ocean from the Vlaminghead Lighthouse.
In the afternoon we travel on to Coral Bay.
Total driving time today is around 2 hours. Total walking distance
is approximately one kilometre.
Accommodation Hostel (1 night)
Included Activities Ningaloo Reef Marine Park
Optional Activities Snorkel with the Whalesharks (April to July
only) from - AUD350
Meals Included Breakfast Lunch Dinner
Day 19: Coral Bay
• If you didn’t squeeze a snorkel in yesterday, today you get to;
if you did, you get another one. Everyone wins. Ningaloo Reef is
one of the world’s largest fringeing reefs, meaning that it starts
practically from the water’s edge. You just swim out from shore
and suddenly you’re in a world of coral, fish, turtles and manta
rays. Swimming above these enormous majestic creatures is really
something else, they might even put on an acrobatics show for you!
Not much of a swimmer? There’s also the option of taking in the
scene on a glass bottom boat tour, along with many other optional
activities. We'll introduce you to the friendly staff at Coral Bay
Eco Tours.
There is no driving today, just a short walk to Coral Bay Eco Tours
and water activities.
Accommodation Hostel (1 night)
Optional Activities Glass Bottom Boat Cruises from - AUD37 Whale
Watching (seasonal) from - AUD85 Snorkel with Manta Rays - half
day trip - AUD165
Meals Included Breakfast Lunch Dinner
Day 20: Monkey Mia
• Today we cross over the Tropic of Capricorn. You probably won’t
notice it, but what crossing this latitude means is that from here
on south the sun will never be directly above you. You should still
wear a hat though. Main stop for the day is Shell Beach, which,
much as name would suggest, is a beach made of shells. What’s quite
incredible about the place however is the amount of shells there
are. Locals have been using them in various industries for years,
yet they still cover a stretch 60 km long and up to 7 metres deep.
Tonight we stay in the small seaside town of Denham, in the Shark
Bay world heritage area.
Total driving time today is around 6.5 hours. Total walking distance
is approximately one kilometre.
Accommodation Hostel (1 night)
Meals Included Breakfast Lunch Dinner
Day 21: Monkey Mia to Kalbarri
• This morning, check out Monkey Mia – part of the Peron Peninsula,
which extends into part of the Indian Ocean known as Shark Bay.
This popular spot is known for its friendly local marine life. Afterwards,
continue on your road trip down the west Australian coast with a
short drive across the Eastern Peninsula. See stromatolites, the
oldest living organisms in the world, then head south for Kalbarri.
Time permitting, there’ll be a stop-off along the way at Murchison
Gorge, where there’s the opportunity to admire the landscape through
Nature’s Window.
Total driving time today is around 5.5 hours. Total walking distance
is approximately five kilometres.
Accommodation Hostel (1 night)
Included Activities • Kalbarri National Park Entrance • Monkey Mia
Dolphins
Meals Included Breakfast Lunch Dinner
Day 22: Nambung National Park to Perth
• Web description It’s a driving day today, but a spectacular one.
Cruising through the coastal gorges of Kalbarri National Park, we
come to the quaint coastal town of Dongara, which sits at the head
of the Irwin River. Any keen to give sandboarding a shot will get
the chance at Sandy Cape/Lancelin, a vast sand desert peopled by
the strange limestone structures of the Pinnacles Nambung NP. After
a walk around here it’s to Perth, where this adventure winds up.
Special Information
You’ll arrive in Central Perth around 6 pm and there is no accommodation
planned for this evening. Your group leader will be able to provide
you directions for your onward journey once arrived. If you would
like to spend more time in Perth, we’ll be happy to organise additional
accommodation (subject to availability).
Today’s driving will take approximately 7 hours (with about two
kilometres of walking).
Included Activities Nambung National Park (Pinnacles) Entrance
Meals Included Breakfast Lunch
No accommodation is provided for tonight.