Why we Love Perth to Broome Explorer Tour

What do you get when you mix some of the world’s best beaches with a backdrop of rugged outback terrain? It could only be Australia’s west coast.

Hop aboard this unique Perth to Broome Explorer tour and you’ll get a hefty dose of natural wonders – on land and in the sea – and a proper introduction to this region’s rich and colourful culture. This is Australia’s biggest state, so there’ll be vast coast and desert, sparse amenities and a real feeling of isolation, but you can bet the rewards are worth it.Criss-crossing up ‘n’ back the Western Australian coast is a journey full of highlights and world beating nature experiences.

Your tour will include the following highlights;

• Explore desert landscapes, national parks and spectacular Coral Coast
• Experience the magic of camping under the great southern sky
• Hike to Natures Window and the Z Bend in Muchinson Gorge
• Be amazed at the friendly dolphins at Monkey Mia
• Hike and swim in the ancient gorges of Karijini National Park
• Join a swim with Whale Shark tour (approx. season March to August)

Inclusions

• 10 Days Fully Guided Tour
• Nambung National Park (Pinnacles) Entrance
• Sandboarding Jurien Bay
• Kalbarri National Park Entrance
• Monkey Mia Dolphins
• Ningaloo Reef Marine Park
• Karijini National Park Entrance
• Camping (with facilities) – 3 nights
• Hostel – 4 nights
• Permanent safari camp (with shared facilities) – 2 nights
• 6 Nights Hostel Accommodation
• 9 Breakfast – 10 Lunch – 9 Dinner
• On-board water

Itinerary and Sleeping

This Perth to Broome Explorer adventure includes participatory camping:
To participate in this trip you must be prepared to get involved with preparing meals, cleaning dishes, collecting firewood, setting up and packing up camp every day, in all conditions.

Day 1:

Welcome to sunny Perth, where your overland journey begins driving north to Nambung National Park to explore The Pinnacles. These are ancient rock formations 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.

Notes: 

• • Sandboarding at Jurien Bay included
  • Accommodation: Kalbarri Backpackers – multi-share. Hostel facilities

Day 2:

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. After a steep descent into Z-Bend Gorge, take a refreshing dip in the river. 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.

Notes: 

• • Optional Activity: Abseiling in Kalbarri National Park (from $30)
  • Accommodation: Denham, Bay Lodge – multi-share. Hostel facilities

Day 3:

After a short drive across the Peron Peninsula, head to the beach and meet the world famous Monkey Mia dolphins. These friendly dolphins are fed under a strict sustainability policy by park rangers and often swim up to the shore several times a day.

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, which is known as the ‘Jewel of the Northwest’.

Notes: 

• • Accommodation: Coral Bay, Ningaloo Club – multi-share. Hostel facilities

Day 4:

Today explore picturesque Coral Bay, home to the World Heritage-listed Ningaloo Reef. Snorkel equipment is available for 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 get adventurous on a quad bike tour of the local area. These activities are an additional cost and is subject to availability.

In the late afternoon, it’s a short drive to your exclusive campsite at Yardie Creek in the Cape Range National Park, near Exmouth.

Notes: 

• • Accommodation: Yardi Creek – simple permanent twin share tents. Hot showers and flushing toilets.
  • Optional Activity: Swim with Manta Rays – ½ Day (from $165)
  • Optional Activity: Humpback Whale watching – seasonal (from $85)
  • Optional Activity: Glass bottom boat cruises (from $37)

Day 5:

Spend the morning snorkeling 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 wonder around the town of Exmouth before settling down in our permanent campsite.

Notes: 

• • Accommodation: Yardi Creek – simple permanent twin share tents. Hot showers and flushing toilets.
  • Optional Activity: Swim with Whale Sharks – April to July (from $350)

Day 6:

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.

Notes:

• • Accommodation: Karijini National Park – simple permanent twin share tents. Hot showers (eco, solar heated) and flushing toilets

Day 7:

Over the next two days explore the almighty gorges of Karijini National Park. Formed over 2,500 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.

Notes:

• • Accommodation: Karijini National Park – simple permanent twin share tents. Hot showers (eco, solar heated) and flushing toilets

Day 8:

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.

Notes:

• • Accommodation: Karijini National Park – simple permanent twin share tents. Hot showers (eco, solar heated) and flushing toilets

Day 9:

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 last night of your trip.

Notes:

• • Accommodation: Pardoo Station – multi-share. Hot showers and flushing toilets. Caravan park style amenities

Day 10:

The drive to your final destination of Broome will take around six hours. En route, enjoy a leisurely break and stroll along the immense 80-Mile Beach. On arrival into Broome, say goodbye to your fellow travellers and enjoy an idyllic Broome sunset – a fitting end to your Perth to Broome Explorer overland adventure. There are no more activities planned for today.

Departs/Ends:

This tour runs throughout the year on a weekly basis.

• Departs Perth:
  • Saturdays
    Accomodation pick-ups from 7:00am

•  
• Ends Broome:
  • Day 10 approx. 6:00pm

What to Bring

• Wide brimmed hat, sunscreen, insect repellent
• Sustainable Water bottle/container (at least 1.5 litres)
• Walking shoes/boots,
• Toiletries, swim wear, towel
• Head Torch and Camera
• Overnight temperatures during winter can be very cold and temperatures during the Western Australian summer can reach over 40 degrees in the shade. Please be sure to bring adequate clothing for your visit.

Cancellation/Refund Policy

• If you cancel at least 30 days in advance of the scheduled departure, there is a 25% cancellation fee or deposit will be lost.
• If you cancel between 15-29 days in advance of the scheduled departure, there is a 50% cancellation fee.
• If you cancel within 14 days of the scheduled departure, there is a 100% cancellation fee.
• Unless otherwise stated all refunds will incur a 10% administration fee

We recommend you purchase Travel Insurance which would cover for such things as road closures, flight,  bus or other travel cancellations that would contribute to you missing the departure of your tour.

Travel Insurance Requirements

Travel insurance is compulsory for all Adventure Tours Australia trips. It is required that, at a minimum, you are covered for medical expenses including emergency repatriation.

When travelling on a trip, you won’t be permitted to join the group until evidence of travel insurance and the insurance company’s 24 hour emergency contact number has been seen by your leader.

If you have credit card insurance your group leader will require details of the participating insurer/underwriter, the level of coverage, policy number and emergency contact number rather than the bank’s name and credit card details. Please contact your bank for these details prior to arriving in-country.

Eco-Certification Awards

The following Eco-Accreditation from Eco Tourism Australia had been achieved.

• Climate Action Business

Businesses have undertaken a set of adaption and emissions reduction actions but are not necessarily measuring their carbon footprint.

• Respect Our Culture (ROC)

The Respecting Our Culture (ROC) program encourages the tourism industry to operate in ways that respect and reinforce Indigenous cultural heritage and the living cultures of Indigenous communities.

ROC certified tourism operators are committed to protecting cultural authenticity and integrity, developing sound business practices, environmental protection and acknowledging Indigenous peoples spiritual connection to the land and water.

Certified B Corporations

The Intrepid Group (Adventure Tours) has achieved B-Corp accreditation. 

Certified B Corporations are businesses that meet the highest standards of verified social and environmental performance, public transparency, and legal accountability to balance profit and purpose. B Corps are accelerating a global culture shift to redefine success in business and build a more inclusive and sustainable economy.

Society’s most challenging problems cannot be solved by government and nonprofits alone. The B Corp community works toward reduced inequality, lower levels of poverty, a healthier environment, stronger communities, and the creation of more high quality jobs with dignity and purpose. By harnessing the power of business, B Corps use profits and growth as a means to a greater end: positive impact for their employees, communities, and the environment.

Learn more about B Corporations here.

The Intrepid Foundation

This tour falls under the Intrepid Travel brand who have set up the Intrepid Foundation, supporting local organisations tackling important community issues all over the world – from conservation and wildlife protection, to education, healthcare and human rights.

To find out more please visit the foundation website: www.theintrepidfoundation.org