Highlights
- Be amazed at the limestone outcrops of The Pinnacles in Nambung National Park.
- Discover the thrilling beauty of Kalbarri National Park and see the valley through Skywalk.
- Hike early morning to Nature’s Window, The Z-Bend and clifftop views of Murchison Gorge.
- Go to Shark Bay, a World Heritage Site, for a chance to spot wild dolphins at Monkey Mia.
- Strolling along Shell Beach, you will notice that it is full of tiny white cockle shells and the oldest fossils called The Stromatolites.
- Snorkel in Ningaloo Reef at Coral Bay and explore its underwater world.
- Have a chance to swim with some Manta Rays or Whalesharks.
- Take a break in the turquoise waters of Turquoise Bay.
- Enjoy spectacular lighthouse views with guided tours in Cape Range National Park.
*Our esteemed business associate, Autopia Tours, runs this excursion. For private room upgrades, visit their website.
What you can actually see
Full Itinerary
Day 1: Perth to Kalbarri
We start this unforgettable journey with a guided walk through the rock formations of the Pinnacles Desert. Later, we’ll have lunch by the ocean at Jurien Bay before taking Indian Ocean Drive, which is absolutely scenic. If the conditions allow, we’ll seize the moment to visit Pink Lake – a must-see on the coral coast highway just outside Geraldton. Then, we proceed to spend our night in the coastal town of Kalbarri.
Meals: Lunch and dinner are provided.
Accommodation: Options include Pelicans Nest Kalbarri, offering private double, twin, or single rooms with ensuite bathrooms, or Kalbarri Backpackers YHA, which features shared accommodations with shared bathroom facilities.
Driving Distance: 575 kilometres.
Hiking Distance: 2 kilometres, rated as Grade 1-2.
Day 2: Kalbarri to Monkey Mia
Get up early and make sure you snap some photos of the sunrise, either from Nature’s Window or from the Kalbarri Skywalk. In Kalbarri National Park, we visit the Murchison Gorge and Z-Bend, where water has created its path through sandstone. During spring (wildflower season), this place bursts with vivid colours.
We will continue until we reach the renowned Billabong Roadhouse, where guests may have a drink and lunch (at their expense). This historic place has been serving visitors from WA since 1962. There are great healthy meal options, including plenty of gluten-free alternatives. From here, we visit the remarkable living fossils known as the Stromatolites located within the World Heritage-listed Shark Bay. These are rocks with many layers which were formed by a single-celled microbe. They still remain living and have an estimated age of 3.7 billion years. On this day, we will stay in the Monkey Mia accommodation by the beach.
Meals: Breakfast and dinner are included.
Accommodation: Stay at RAC Monkey Mia Resort in budget private double, twin, or single rooms with ensuite bathrooms, or choose backpacker-style shared accommodations with shared bathroom facilities or similar options.
Activities: Kalbarri abseiling at Z-Bend is available.
Driving Distance: 450 kilometres.
Hiking Distance: 3 kilometres, rated as Grade 3-4.
Day 3: Monkey Mia to Coral Bay
Enjoy a fantastic opportunity to meet the well-known Monkey Mia Dolphins this morning and take memorable photographs. Do not miss Eagle Bluff, which has breathtaking cliff views of Denham. Have lunch after walking along a sandy beach full of tiny shells from edge to edge again. And finally, off to Coral Bay, where our accommodation is directly located on the famous Ningaloo Reef.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are provided.
Accommodation: Options include budget private double, twin, or single rooms at Ningaloo Coral Bay or backpacker-style shared accommodations with shared bathroom facilities or similar alternatives.
Driving Distance: 580 kilometres.
Hiking Distance: 2 kilometres, rated as Grade 1.
Day 4: Coral Bay & Ningaloo Reef
Spend most of the day leisurely on Australia’s biggest reef, Ningaloo Reef. Boat tours are available, or you can enjoy some of the beautiful beaches in Coral Bay. Walk along the beach and visit the shark baby factory, swim with mantas (additional charge), or snorkel right off shore at Ningaloo Reef. In the evening, we will have a quick drive up the coast to Exmouth and check in at our accommodation in the heart of town for two nights.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included.
Accommodation: Stay in private double, twin, or single rooms with ensuite bathrooms at Potshot Hotel Resort, or choose backpacker-style shared accommodations with shared bathroom facilities or similar options.
Activities: Options include swimming with manta rays, snorkelling at Ningaloo Reef, and glass-bottom boat tours. Note that guests cannot book whale shark swims on this day, as the tours return after the bus departs from Coral Bay.
Driving Distance: 155 kilometres, rated as Grade 1.
Day 5: Journey to Exmouth
Today, we will visit Cape Range National Park, a scenic region with hills of hard limestone, tremendously deep canyons and beautiful beaches for over 50 km. After that, you can relax on the beach or go snorkelling at the amazing Turquoise Bay before finishing the tour and having lunch in the afternoon. Alternatively, we can take the 500-meter walk from where we stay to Exmouth Township in the afternoon. Or just relax by the pool at our accommodation. There is also a possibility to choose between swimming tours with whale sharks or humpbacks and getting to know some of the most known sea birds visiting Ningaloo Reef for the whole day (at guests’ own expense and seasonal).
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are provided.
Accommodation: Choose from private double, twin, or single rooms with ensuite bathrooms at Potshot Hotel Resort, or opt for backpacker-style shared accommodations with shared bathroom facilities, or similar options.
Activities: Options include swimming with whale sharks from March to September or with humpback whales from August to October. Pre-booking is required.
Driving Distance: 135 kilometres.
Hiking Distance: 1 kilometre, rated as Grade 1-2.
Day 6: From Exmouth to Geraldton
On this day, we visit the town of Carnarvon and one of the local banana or mango plantations that are grown during certain periods. You will have lunch at the waterfront of Carnarvon before taking souvenir photographs at the Murchison River. There will be a break at Billabong on our way to have coffee and ice cream. The group will have their last meal together at the Murchison Tavern, a pub that offers reduced prices for dinner meals to customers after spending the whole day on the road. It’s just before we get to our last stop in Geraldton.
Meals: Breakfast and lunch are included.
Accommodation: Stay in private double, twin, or single rooms at Geraldton Accommodation, or choose backpacker-style shared accommodations with shared bathroom facilities, or similar options.
Driving Distance: 785 kilometres.
Day 7: Wrapping up in Perth
The breathtaking view of Geraldton is a reason to visit the HMAS Sydney Memorial. Before you head off to Lancelin’s sand dunes area, make sure you walk through the 3-bay walk at Green Head. There is also an option of climbing on these sand dunes as a way of generating some fun in them. In the afternoon, in Perth, we will take a trip back. Let us relax and go easy on the bus for this last part while we gaze at lovely landscapes and then move closer to Perth before reaching it after 6 pm for drop off.
- Meals: Breakfast is provided.
- Driving Distance: 465 kilometres.
- Hiking Distance: 1 kilometre, rated as Grade 1-3.
*The tour operator reserves the right to change tour routes or schedules due to seasonal weather changes, park closures and operational reasons.
Additional information
Pricing options
Shared Dormitory (standard room & amenities) – $1695 per individual aged 18 and above
Important: Our extended excursion offerings are inappropriate for children younger than 6. For options to upgrade to a private room, please visit our primary site, Autopia Tours. Minors below 17 must be accommodated in private rooms with an adult or legal guardian.
For exclusive group excursions, contact our charter division at [email protected] for additional details.
*Our organization does not manage Supplemental Activities during our Exmouth Explorer Trip and may have separate terms and conditions. We advise contacting the tour operator through their websites for booking information and specific terms. Unpredictable weather conditions can affect these tours, and this is beyond our control. Should a tour be cancelled, the respective tour operator will provide a complete refund. Regarding wildlife, sightings are anticipated but not guaranteed.
Inclusions
- Breakfast x 6
- Lunch x 5
- Dinner x 5
- Multiple Pickup locations from Perth
- Return journey in an Air-Conditioned Mini Bus
- 6 nights accommodation
- National Park Entrance Fees
- Monkey Mia entrance fee
- Highly Experienced Driver / Guide
- Informative Tour Commentary
- Small Group Touring
Pickup times and locations
Our central meeting point for this tour will be outside the front of the Criterion Hotel, 560 Hay St, Perth @ 7:25.
- 6:45 – Mantra on Hay Perth, 201 Hay St, East Perth
- 6:45 – Quality Hotel Ambassador Perth, 196 Adelaide Terrace, Perth
- 6:50 – Pan Pacific Perth, 207 Adelaide Terrace, Perth
- 7:00 – Parmelia Hilton Perth, 14 Mill St, Perth
- 7:10 – Rendezvous Hotel Perth Central, 24 Mount St, Perth
- 7:25 – Criterion Hotel, 560 Hay St, Perth (main pickup)
- 7:30 – Perth City YHA, 300 Wellington St, Perth
- 7:35 – Hostel G, 80 Stirling St, Perth
- 7:40 – DoubleTree Hilton Perth, 100 James St, Northbridge
- 7:45 – Billabong Backpackers, 381 Beaufort St, Highgate
- 8:05 – Whitfords Train Station, Station Entrance, Kingsley
If you are still looking for your desired pickup location, please contact our office for a comprehensive list of sites.
It is highly advisable to arrive at your pickup location at least 10 minutes before the scheduled departure time. Please remain calm and patient if your bus runs a few minutes behind schedule. If your bus has not arrived within 10 minutes of the scheduled departure time, kindly contact our office at 03 9393 1300.
Discover the private tour groups! Reach out to our incredible charters team at [email protected] to unlock unforgettable adventures.
Need to bring
- Water Bottle - 2L
- Hiking shoes (recommended)
- Hat, sunscreen, sunglasses
- Prescribed medications
- Camera
- All-weather clothing
- A sense of adventure!
Important Notes
- This tour will only depart if we have 8 passengers or more. We will wait until one week before departure to cancel if minimum numbers aren’t met.
- The itinerary may be subject to change due to cultural reasons, seasonal weather changes, operational logistics and accessibility.
- Please email our Reservations Team ([email protected]) at least 48 hours prior to departure to confirm pick-up location and time.
- Travel Insurance is highly recommended.
- Remember to double-check your exciting tour plans with the tour operator! Just ring them at 03 9393 1300 within seven days of your departure.
- Before you embark on your adventure, let the tour perform the operator's pre-existing medical conditions.
Check Availability & Book
FAQ
What is the best time to take the Perth to Exmouth trip?
March through November is usually the best time to visit these places as they will be warm enough and dry for outdoor activities.
Is it possible to swim with whale sharks all year round?
Swimming with whale sharks is most productive in whale shark season. They usually migrate through Ningaloo Reef from March to August. Nevertheless, there are other marine life activities that can be done outside of these months, such as snorkelling with manta rays. Alternatively, you may decide on swimming with the Humpback Whales starting in August up until November.
How long does it take to get from Perth to Exmouth?
Perth and Exmouth are 1,200 km apart, although non-stop driving takes about thirteen hours.
Why is Exmouth famous?
Exmouth is famous for its beautiful untouched beaches, world-class dive spots, coastal islands and vibrant marine ecosystems. Moreover, it is ranked as one of the best places in the world to swim with whale sharks.
Do Indigenous Australians live in Exmouth?
The Yinikutira, also known as the Jinigudira, are the native guardians of the Cape Range National Park area and Ningaloo Coast in Western Australia.
What is there to do in Exmouth?
Situated in the heart of water sports, Exmouth offers wide-ranging training and activities, from kite surfing to kayaking. Moreover, it has numerous walking and cycling trails that are attractive to tourists, such as the Vlamingh Head Lighthouse Walk.
Is food provided while on tour?
Food is included in this tour, consisting of 6 breakfasts, 4 lunches, and 5 dinners. Let us know your dietary requirements beforehand so we can accommodate them.
