The Grand West

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The Grand West

19 Days Perth to Darwin from £1120
11 Days Perth to Broome from £739

Day 1: Perth – Geraldton:
Collect your hire car and head north along the Brand Highway towards Geraldton. 30km after the rural township of Cataby, turn off to Cervantes. From here, it’s a short drive to see the spectacular Pinnacles at the Nambung National Park before continuing on to Geraldton. (424km/265miles)
Accommodation: Standard: Comfort Inn Geraldton, Superior: All Seasons Geralton

Day 2: Geraldton – Kalbarri:
Continue north to Kalbarri, a scenic coastal village on the estuary of the Murchison River. The area offers spectacular fishing and brilliant wild flowers, with over 500 species growing in the region. The best months to see these flowers are from July to October. The Hawks Head lookout is a must and the area also offers fishing and snorkelling opportunities. (165km/103miles)
Accommodation: Standard: Kalbarri Palm Resort, Superior: Kalbarri Beach Resort

Day 3: Kalbarri – Shark Bay & Monkey Mia:
Head north, via Nanga and Denham, to Monkey Mia – the dolphin capital of the west coast. For almost 40 years, three generations of bottlenose dolphins have been visiting the beach at Monkey Mia to interact with visitors. Most days these intelligent wild animals return to the beach – but it’s not guaranteed! This afternoon you can take a hovercraft ride across Shark Bay to Carnarvon or just relax on the fantastic unspoilt white sandy beaches. (389km/243miles)
Accommodation: Standard: Monkey Mia Dolphin Resort (Garden), Superior: Monkey Mia Dolphin Resort (Beachfront)

Day 4: Monkey Mia – Carnarvon:
Leaving Shark Bay, rejoin Highway One north along the coast to Carnarvon, some 900km north of Perth, at the mouth of the Gascoyne River. (308km/193miles)
Accommodation: Standard: Hospitality Inn Carnarvon (Standard), Superior: Hospitality Inn Carnarvon (Deluxe)

Day 5: Carnarvon – Coral Bay & Ningaloo Reef:
From Carnarvon, travel to Coral Bay, gateway to the fantastic coral of Ningaloo Reef and Ningaloo Marine Park with its underwater viewing platform. The reef encloses a lagoon rich with a myriad of marine life. Enjoy the unspoilt expanses of sandy white beaches with excellent swimming, snorkelling, boating and fishing. Your room is booked for two nights. (221km/138miles)
Accommodation: Standard: Bayview, Coral Bay (Lodge), Superior: Bayview, Coral Bay (Two bedroom villa)

Day 6: Ningaloo Reef:
Day at leisure to explore this magnificent coastal region and reef.

Day 7: Ningaloo Reef – Karratha:
Depart for Karratha today, travelling along the North West Coastal Highway via Dampier. Dampier is a model town established as a port outlet for two rich iron ore deposits. Karratha, now a modern town, was established on Nickel Bay as there was no suitable land to continue expanding at Dampier. (590km/369miles)
Accommodation: Standard: All Seaons (Standard), Superior: All Seasons (Family)

Day 8: Karratha – Port Hedland:
Continue onto Port Hedland today travelling through the small town of Roebourne. Roebourne was named after the State’s first surveyor general, John Septimus Roe. Continue to Port Hedland, the gateway to Australia’s massive iron ore exports. (251km/157miles)
Accommodation: Standard & Superior: All Seasons Port Hedland

Day 9: Port Hedland – Broome:
Today you will cover over 600km, so we recommend an early start. Take the Great Northern Highway which runs parallel to the Indian Ocean and Eighty Mile Beach. The scenery here is spectacular with brilliant blue water and rugged coastlines. Accommodation is for three nights. (609km/380miles)
Accommodation: Standard: Mercure Inn Continental, Superior: Cable Beach Club Resort (Garden View Studio)

Day 10: Broome:
Broome has a rich history. In around 1910 it was the leading pearling centre of the world with more than 350 luggers operating in the area. Visit Chinatown or take a trip to the Willie Creek Pearl Farm.

Day 11: Perth/Broome itinerary finishes today:
Your car should be returned by the same time it was picked up on Day 1. Otherwise another day to relax and enjoy the sights and surrounds of Broome.

Day 12: Broome – Fitzroy Crossing:
Travel east today leaving the coast behind and head into the Kimberleys. En route to Fitzroy Crossing you may wish to call into Derby, the first town to be occupied in the Kimberleys. Fitzroy Crossing is situated in the Kimberley region and is the gateway to the Geike Gorge National Park. (396miles/248miles)
Accommodation: Standard & Superior: Fitzroy River Lodge

Day 13: Fitzroy Crossing – Kununurra:
It’s a long day today so we suggest an early start. Head to the town of Halls Creek, which sparked the gold rush in Western Australia in 1885 and still carries the reminders of those early settlements today. Departing Halls Creek, travel through the Kimberleys, past the Bungle Bungle mountain range and north again to Kununurra, where you'll stay for two nights. (650km/406miles)
Accommodation: Standard: All Seasons Kununurra (Standard ), Superior: All Seasons Kununurra (Family)

Day 14: Kununurra:
Today we highly recommend you take a scenic flight from Kununurra over Lake Argyle and the Bungle Bungle mountain range (own expense). This really is the best way to gain perspective of the massive size of the Bungle Bungle, and the orange and black stripes across the beehive-like mounds are clearly visible.

Day 15: Kununurra – Timber Creek:
Travel east to the Northern Territory. On the way, consider stopping at Lake Argyle. The lake is 72km from Kununurra, and cruises highlight the magnificent scenery and wildlife that make this an integral part of the Kimberly landscape. (305km/191miles)
Accommodation: Standard & Superior: Timber Creek Hotel

Day 16: Timber Creek – Katherine:
Travel along the Victoria Highway today to Katherine, stopping on the way for a break at the scenic Victoria River Crossing. Katherine is located at the southern end of the Katherine River and is noted for the beautiful Katherine Gorge. (289km/181miles)
Accommodation: Standard: Pine Tree Motel, Superior: All Seasons Katherine

Day 17: Katherine – Kakadu National Park:
After your pre-booked two-hour cruise on Katherine Gorge, head for the vast beauty of Kakadu National Park. The road may be unpassable in the wet season months from November to April, the alternative route is to continue through Pine Creek on the Stuart Highway to Darwin. Then travel east on the Arnhem Highway to enter Kakadu, where you will spend the next two nights. (336km/210miles)
Accommodation: Standard: Aurora Kakadu, Superior: Gagudju Crocodile Holiday Inn

Day 18: Kakadu National Park:
A full day to explore Kakadu, so why not visit Nourlangie Rock or Ubirr Rock? You might like to take a day tour through the park so that guides can explain the intricacies of the Aboriginal rock art and point out the many varieties of bird and animal life.

Day 19: Kakadu National Park – Darwin:
This morning enjoy a fabulous two-hour cruise on Yellow Waters (for your convenience this has been pre-booked for you). Your hire car has been booked until tomorrow but you must return the vehicle by the same time as it was picked up on Day 1 to avoid any additional charges. (252km/158miles)

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The Grand West

The Grand West