Intrepid Travel – West Coast Adventure (Southbound)

Welcome to Exmouth! This is a small resort town on Western Australia’s North West Cape and the gateway to the nearby Ningaloo Marine Park. If you’d like to explore its coral reefs, colourful fish and migratory whale sharks, consider arriving a few days early and extending your stay here. After your pick-up this morning at 8:30am drive into Cape Range National Park this morning and head out on a walk to Mandu Mandu Gorge. Venture up to the gorge’s rim to see the vast views of the Ningaloo Reef and surrounding country. Keep an eye out for wildlife as you go, like black-flanked rock-wallabies and birds of prey. After, cool off with some snorkelling around Oyster Stacks – these five isolated islets protrude from Ningaloo Reef and can only be accessed at high tide. Explore the shallow coral gardens below the water, among colourful schools of fish – keep an eye out for turtles and sharks cruising by! After, drive to Coral Bay where you’ll spend the night.

Set out on a three-hour glass bottom boat tour this morning, to explore the scenic surroundings of Coral Bay. As you cruise the bright blue waters, go in search of local turtles feeding in the corals of their natural habitat. As well as looking out for turtles, you’ll have the opportunity to feed schools of fish and maybe even go snorkelling in the clear waters off the boat in two different spots! This afternoon, you’re free to kick back on the warm sands, go for a swim or head out for more snorkelling along the Ningaloo Reef.

It will be a bit of a long travel day today as you make your way to Shark Bay – this World Heritage Area is one of the world's greatest wilderness treasures set on the westernmost point of Australia. Along the way, stop in Carnarvon and maybe grab some lunch and visit Shell Beach – one of only two beaches in the world made entirely from seashells! Upon arrival at Shark Bay settle into your accommodation for the evening.

Today is a free day to soak up all the natural beauty of Shark Bay – this UNESCO World Heritage Area is one of the world's greatest wilderness treasures set on the westernmost point of Australia. You might like to go stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking or 4WDing here – there are heaps of optional activities that your leader can help you book. You might even like to take a daytrip to Dirk Hartog Island to explore the wilderness in a 4WD – on this tour, you’ll visit the blow holes of the island, walk on white-sand beaches, swim through clear bay waters and look out for sharks, turtles, whales, dugongs and dolphins from Surf Point Marine Sanctuary. Spend tonight around the campfire and enjoy a tasting of fresh seafood or bush tucker cooked over the fire. Learn about the history of the Gutharraguda (Shark Bay), hear a Traditional Custodian play the didgeridoo and try spot kangaroos and echidnas.

This morning continue South to Kalbarri National Park. Walk along Eagle Bluff Boardwalk for views of the harbour, limestone islands and wildlife (you might be lucky enough to see rays, sharks or even turtles here). Explore the Skywalk and Nature’s Window.

Wake up in the park’s resort and continue your exploration with visits to a couple of lookouts, like Natural Bridge – a fully formed limestone rock ‘bridge’ that’s still attached to the coastline of Kalbarri – then, carry onto Geraldton. Along the way, stop at Hutt Lagoon – the extremely high levels of salinity in this lagoon gives it its unusual pink, sometimes lilac hue.

Check out the limestone caves of Stockyard Gully Reserve, then journey to the massive sand dunes of Jurien Bay, where you’ll have the opportunity to spot endangered sea lions down by the beach. After, head to Nambung National Park to check out the famous Pinnacles Desert – a unique landscape unlike any other in the country. You’ll arrive in Perth in the late afternoon, where your trip comes to an end. If you’d like to extend your stay in Perth, just get in touch with your booking agent ahead of time.