Tour Code: KJCC Departs: Broome Ends: Perth Dates: 07-21 August, 2011 ITINERARY DAY 1: Broome (D) Today is arrival day. Making your own way to the hotel, settle in, enjoy the local attractions of Broome at leisure then join the tour group tonight for dinner and to meet your fellow travellers. If you wish to arrive in Broome earlier, please ask us about organising your pretour accommodation. Overnight: Mangrove Resort DAY 2: Broome - Marble Bar (BLD) An early departure today as we head along the Great Northern Highway enroute for Marble Bar. While this is our journey, it is also part of the Warlu Way story – the way of the Dreamtime sea serpent. A longish transport day today with stops along the way at the Eighty Mile Beach and roadside rest areas. From Pardoo roadhouse we take back roads through Shay Gap, across the De Grey River and on to Marble Bar. (600km, short walk breaks) Overnight: Travellers Stop DAY 3: Marble Bar - Karijini (BLD) An early visit to the “Jasper Bar” across the Coongan River – originally thought to be marble. We then take a very scenic route through Woodstock, passing the Comet Gold Mine and Glen Herring Gorge along the way. We then head south crossing the Hamersley Range and spending the afternoon in the eastern end of Karijini National Park, visiting falls, gorges and the Visitor Centre. Our accommodation for the next two nights is in ensuite safari style tents in the middle of the National Park. (350km, variable walking depending on fitness and agility, but always choices) Next two nights: Karijini Eco Retreat DAY 4: Karijini National Park (BLD) This morning is spent visiting the Gorges close to the resort – Weano, Hancock and Knox. After a morning of walking, climbing and enjoying these three gorges we will have a relaxed afternoon around the resort, with more walks for the energetic ones. Or just take in the wonderful contrast of the white ghost gums against the deep reds of the landscape – all from your own verandah. (50km, graded walks with choices) DAY 5: Karijini - Dampier (BLD) From Karijini we head north, calling in at Hamersley Gorge on our way to Millstream Chichester National Park. This National Park is an oasis in an otherwise very dry environment – fed by a natural aquifer within the Fortesque River catchment. The original pastoral station homestead is a great place for lunch. Chichester drive is through quite spectacular jump-up country and Python Rockhole is definitely worth a visit on our way to Roebourne and Cossack. There is a lot of history and interesting buildings in these two towns (in contrast to the mining towns of Port Hedland and Karratha) – then it’s on to our overnight stay at Dampier. (450km, various walks) Overnight: Mermaid Hotel Motel

DAY 6: Dampier - Onslow (BLD)
Time to visit the Burrup Peninsula this morning – it has a large range of habitats and one of the most prolific rock art sites in the world. We then head to Onslow for our overnight stay. Onslow has an interesting history and gives us access to the coast (the North West Coastal Highway is in fact well away from the coast!!). (340km, easy walking) Overnight: Mackeral Motel

DAY 7: Onslow - Exmouth (BLD)
Stopping at Onslow breaks a long journey to Exmouth and leaves us some time to enjoy the town before we return to the highway (via a back road!) and journey on to Exmouth and Cape Range National Park. A late afternoon visit to the spectacular rocky gorges of the National Park should be rewarding on our way in to Exmouth for the next two nights. (300 km, easy walking) Next two nights: Pot Shot Hotel Resort

DAY 8: Exmouth (BLD)
While Ningaloo Reef Marine Park is a main attraction in Cape Range National Park, there is a surprising variety of habitats and attractions other than the Reef. There are options available including glass bottomed boats, snorkelling, bird watching and walking, but a boat cruise on Yardie Creek is a must for everyone. All day is spent exploring this great national park. (150km, easy and difficult walks depending on preferences)

DAY 9: Exmouth - Carnarvon (BLD)
Departing Exmouth and heading south, our first stop is Coral Bay – a very popular holiday destination renowned for its crystal clear waters and proximity to Ningaloo Reef. We will take a tour on a semi-submersible coral viewing vessel to get a ‘divers’ view of the reef. Continuing south towards Carnarvon and our overnight stop, we have a diversion out to Point Quobba with its Blowholes and HMAS Sydney Memorial. (360km, easy walking) Overnight: Best Western Hospitality Inn

DAY 10: Carnarvon - Shark Bay (BLD)
Carnarvon is the commercial centre of the Gascoyne Region and produces fruit and vegetables for the Perth market – it is an interesting port and worth spending some time exploring before continuing south towards Monkey Mia. A stop at the old port of Gladstone for morning tea, then lunch at Hamelin Pool and Telegraph Station and a walk to view the stromatolites. On to Denham with various stops along the way. (340km, easy walking) Next two nights: Heritage Resort

DAY 11: Shark Bay (BLD)
A day on the Peron Peninsula today with visits to the dolphins at Monkey Mia (early); Peron Homestead; and the Ocean Park Marine Centre. There’s also optional cruises on Shark Bay. (100km, various walks)

DAY 12: Shark Bay - Kalbarri (BLD)
Our destination today is Kalbarri National Park, visiting the river gorges and spending time enjoying the wildflowers in the areas around the park. Our stay tonight is in Kalbarri township on the Murchison River. Our accommodation is near the coast, so late afternoon and morning walks should be high on the agenda. (430km, various walks depending on choice) Overnight: Kalbarri Edge Resort

DAY 13: Kalbarri - Dongara (BLD)
A lazy departure from Kalbarri and time to visit the coastal section of the national park with its rugged coastal bluffs, gorges and rock formations. We visit the Port of Gregory as well as the historic town of Northampton. Then we head east to pick up the “Wildflower Way”, travelling back roads to make the most of stops along the way before reaching our overnight stay in the pretty little town of Dongara. (370km, easy walks) Overnight: Dongara Hotel Motel

DAY 14: Dongara - Cervantes (BLD)
One hours run down the coast gives us access to Lesueur National Park – a small park with an amazing variety of wildflowers and some short easy walks. Time also today to do some exploring east in search of wildflowers in many of the nature reserves along the various backroads. (250km, easy walks) Overnight: Cervantes Pinnacles Motel

DAY 15: Cervantes - Perth (BL)
Our last day begins in Nambung National Park with a visit to the Pinnacles. Our route then continues along the coast (new road opened in September 2010), stopping at Moore River and Yanchep National Park on the way to Perth. We will also drive through some of the ‘new’ developments along the coast north of Perth to view the McMansions that the mining boom is funding. (350km, short walks)

End of tour arrangements – please let us know if you wish to extend your stay in Perth and we can make post tour accommodation bookings for you. Alternatively, we can deliver you straight to the airport for your homeward bound flight.