MELBOURNE TO BROOME

Welcome to our fabulous 14 day tour of the West Coast! With chauffeured pickup from home, we travel to Melbourne Airport. Here we will be greeted by an O’Shannessy’s Quality Tours representative who will assist us with check-in and see us onto the plane for our flight to Broome. Arriving at Broome Airport, we are met and transferred to our hotel where we have time to settle in before we join the O’Shannessy’s Quality Tours group this evening at dinner.

Lunch at own expense and arrangement / Refreshments on flight.

OVERNIGHT: Oaks Broome Hotel, BROOME

BROOME SIGHTSEEING

We visit the Pearl Luggers Museum this morning followed by a tour of this fascinating town. We’ll see historic Gantheume Point, the Broome Wharf, and of course China Town. After an interesting morning, our next stop is Matso’s Brewery, the Kimberley’s award-winning microbrewery. After lunch, there’s more time to relax, swim or venture out before making our way to Cable Beach for dinner at Zanders, overlooking the beach. We arrive just before sunset for a unique photo opportunity.

OVERNIGHT:  Oaks Broome Hotel, BROOME

WILLIE CREEK PEARL FARM

We’re off to visit the Willie Creek Pearl Farm to learn about pearling techniques and view the pearl panels suspended in the creek.  We can gain a comprehensive insight into how the world’s finest pearls are produced with the process of cultured pearling, including the seeding of a live oyster shell. Lunch is included and we also enjoy a cruise aboard the Willie Wanderer. This afternoon enjoy time to relax at the hotel before dinner this evening.

OVERNIGHT: Oaks Broome Hotel, BROOME

BROOME TO PORT HEDLAND

After breakfast, we depart the Roebuck Bay district and travel down the West Coast along the Great Sandy Desert to Port Hedland, the seaboard outlet for the giant Newman Mine. We drive via Sandfire and deviate to the coast for a view and a walk on Eighty Mile Beach, maybe even a swim.

OVERNIGHT: Hospitality Inn, PORT HEDLAND

PORT HEDLAND TO KARRATHA

This morning, we have a look at Port Hedland with the help of a local guide. Tracing the cultural heritage and history of this most unusual town, our tour will follow in the footsteps of the first European settlers by visiting the town’s heritage sites. We then have time to buy lunch before our afternoon journey to Karratha.

Lunch at own expense and arrangement.

OVERNIGHT:  Karratha International Hotel, KARRATHA

KARRATHA TO EXMOUTH 

We depart for Exmouth, our drive taking us over the Fortescue River to the Nanaturra Roadhouse before we detour west towards the range along the Exmouth Gulf. Exmouth is the “Northern Gateway” to the Coral Coast, an area of world-heritage significance and a microcosm of everything that is rare, beautiful and special on our planet. This region includes the spectacular rocky gorges and beautiful coastline of the Cape Range National Park and the pristine Ningaloo Marine Park.

OVERNIGHT: Potshot Hotel Resort, EXMOUTH

EXMOUTH AND CAPE RANGE NATIONAL PARK

We have an easy day planned today. We tour Exmouth and its surrounds and view the Harold Holt Base, the Vlaming Lighthouse (where we usually spot some whales), Exmouth Beach and the Communications Towers (one taller than the Empire State Building). Also, today we visit Yardie Creek Station which is now a part of the rich and diverse Cape Range National Park. We enjoy a unique and informative cruise with the park ranger on Yardie Creek. We return to the Potshot Resort this afternoon for some free time to swim, relax or venture out and about. 

OVERNIGHT: Potshot Hotel Resort, EXMOUTH

EXMOUTH TO CARNARVON 

We travel down to Coral Bay for a one-hour cruise on the beautiful Ningaloo Coral Reef aboard Coral Bay Eco Tours glass bottomed boat providing stunning underwater views of the reef! This afternoon we continue south over the Gascoyne River, or the ‘Upside Down River’ and across rich agricultural country to Carnarvon. We will also pause at the Tropic of Capricorn to walk among the wildflowers.

OVERNIGHT: Carnarvon Motel, CARNARVON

CARNARVON TO MONKEY MIA

Today’s travels take us onto the Peron Peninsula and Hamelin Pool. Here, we may be able to catch a glimpse of a colony of Stromatolites (fossil micro-organisms) that date back to the beginning of life on earth, as well as a visit to the Telegraph Station. We have lunch here then continue to our overnight accommodation in Monkey Mia.

OVERNIGHT:  Monkey Mia Dolphin Resort, MONKEY MIA

MONKEY MIA TO KALBARRI

Hopefully this morning we can experience some close encounters with the dolphins as we stand in the clear waters and entertain them. This is one of the few places in the world where wild dolphins come to shore regularly to be hand fed. Later this morning, we drive to Denham before re-joining the North West Coastal Highway to travel south over the Murchison River. We divert from the highway through Kalbarri National Park to picturesque Kalbarri, our home for two nights. 

Lunch at own expense and arrangement.

OVERNIGHT: The Edge Resort, KALBARRI 

KALBARRI NATIONAL PARK

Wake up with sand between the toes and the smell of fresh sea air as we have time for a leisurely walk on the beach after breakfast. Mid-morning, we join Kalbarri Wilderness Cruises to experience the wilderness of Murchison River. Relax and take in the tranquillity of the river while spotting a native bird or two. Back on dry land, have your camera ready as we see Natures Window, a natural rock arch which frames the river perfectly.

OVERNIGHT:  The Edge Resort, KALBARRI

KALBARRI TO CERVANTES

An early start this morning, taking the coastal road south we stop for magnificent views along the cliffs before re-joining the highway.  On our arrival in Geraldton, we look at the local sights including the port area and the St. Francis Xavier Cathedral, followed by the moving HMAS Sydney Memorial. We continue south through Dongara stopping briefly for a photo opportunity of the Greenough Trees - this area is characterised by river red gums which have given up defying the prevailing winds and bent themselves almost parallel to the earth in an attempt to escape the salt and the wind blowing off the Indian Ocean. From here, we travel along the coast to the town of Cervantes. Cervantes is the access point to the truly remarkable Nambung National Park.  This afternoon, we visit the Park - home to Western Australia’s Pinnacles. Like a moon scene, strange-looking limestone pillars stand in a sand desert, some two metres tall.  We then return to Cervantes for dinner and our overnight accommodation.

OVERNIGHT: Cervantes Pinnacles Motel, CERVANTES

CERVANTES TO FREMANTLE

Today’s highlight is our detour to New Norcia, a settlement established and still owned by the Benedictine Monks. The incongruity of majestic Spanish architecture set in the midst of the Australian bush has to be seen to be appreciated. We visit the New Norcia Museum and Art Gallery that contains a fascinating array of artefacts that trace New Norcia’s time as an Aboriginal mission and as a place of education and culture.  After lunch, we  make our way to beautiful Fremantle for our last night together.

OVERNIGHT: Esplanade Hotel, FREMANTLE

HOMEWARD BOUND 

Completing our memorable tour of the naturally beautiful West Coast of Australia, we are transferred to Perth Airport for our return flight to Melbourne. Upon arrival, our chauffeurs will be waiting to transport us safely home with many wonderful memories of our West Australian adventure.

Lunch at own expense and arrangement / Refreshments on flight.