Darwin to Perth Overland

Welcome to Darwin! Or Gulumerrdgen, in the language of the Larrakia people, who are the Traditional Owners of the land on which Darwin is now located. Your adventure starts with a drive south to Nitmiluk National Park. Depending on the season, you’ll take a swim in the natural pool by the base of Edith Falls and visit the croc-filled waters of Katherine Gorge. After lunch, you’ll head to your private campsite on the edge of Nitmiluk, where you have the option of spending the night in a tent or snuggled up in a swag (an Aussie bedroll) under the stars.

Today you’ll visit the huge (and absolutely gorgeous) Lake Argyle, which looks perfectly at home despite being entirely man-made. You have the option of taking a cruise here, where you can look out for the native fauna that has settled here – keep your eyes peeled for crocodiles, wallabies and the rare birdlife. Soak up the backdrop of mountains-turned-islands as you explore some of the 700 square km surface of the lake. Tonight, you’ll camp under some seriously starry skies.

Over the next two days, you’ll explore the distinctive sandstone towers of the Bungle Bungle Range – which only became known to wider Australia when a group of documentary filmmakers stumbled across them in the early 1980s! Travelling by both foot and vehicle, you’ll see craggy gorges, unique rock formations and hidden waterholes. Cap off a scenic day with a stunning Kimberley sunset from your bush camp. Day 4 is all about getting to know the Bungle Bungles from another angle. Your first stop is the ever-narrowing gap of Echidna Chasm – formed over millions of years by water flowing through an opening in the sandstone, the path winds through palm-filled gorges up to 200 m high (but in parts it’s only 1 to 2 m wide). Next, trade the tight spaces for the wide-open natural amphitheatre of Cathedral Gorge.

Hit the road again this morning, passing Warmun (Turkey Creek) and the Durack Ranges on the way to El Questro – not too long ago, it was mostly cattle that got to enjoy the million-acre sprawl of El Questro but the owners recognised the beauty and turned it into a wilderness park in 1991. At more than one and a half times the size of the UK, there are plenty of scenic spots to explore here!

On the drive in you will have got some clue as to the huge cliffs, deep gorges, waterfalls and swimming holes contained in the Cockburn Ranges, but now you’ll be exploring them on foot. Walk to Emma Gorge, cool off in a waterfall-fed subtropical pool and bliss out in the thermal springs of Zebedee. (BLD)

Weaving through gorges and rivers, you’ll travel by 4WD along the wild Gibb River Road today – a 600 km stretch that winds right through the heart of the Kimberley. You’ve got a fair bit of ground to cover today, so there’s a fair bit of drive time, but you’ll be breaking the journey up with a lunch stop and a few breaks along the way to stretch your legs. Tonight’s camp is at Mt Barnett Station, close to Manning Gorge.

This morning, stretch your legs on an early hike and be rewarded with a refreshing swim in a large rock pool at the base of Manning Falls. After lunch, you’ll discover Adcock or Galvins Gorge before heading back to camp to relax around the campfire.

The western Kimberley region is full of endless stunning gorges waiting to be explored, and this morning is just for that. After breakfast, you’ll adventure to Dalmanti (Bell Gorge) – home to a stunning cascade of water flowing from the previous wet season rains that fall in the King Leopold Ranges. Tonight, you’ll camp at Bandilngan (Windjana Gorge) – a segment of a 375-million-year-old reef that was once underwater. Cut through by the Lennard River, which runs during the wet season and then breaks up into little billabongs during the dry season. This gorge attracts many species of birds and bats and is a great spot to see wild freshwater crocodiles!

This morning's major attraction is Dimalurru (Tunnel Creek) – an extensive limestone cave system extending 750 m underground. Inside, shards of sunlight stream through crevices, little bats flutter above you and enormous stalactites point down from the ceiling. In the late 1800s, an Indigenous man called Jandamarra waged a one-man uprising against European settlers, becoming a hero to his people. You’ll hear a bit about his legacy during your time at Tunnel Creek, then you’ll make the final drive to Broome, which is where some of your group members may leave the trip.

Over the next four days sit back, relax and enjoy your beach break at the Kimberley Travellers Lodge. Kick back on one of the best beaches in the world – Cable Beach – and have a couple of cold ones at Matsos Broome Brewery. Maybe search for dinosaur footprints on the rugged coastline or check out the local art galleries and spend every night watching the sunset over the ocean. 

In the morning of day 15, you’ll meet your leader and new group members to start the second half of your adventure. Head to the Dampier Peninsula – you’ll visit the Beagle Bay Aboriginal Community and the remote One Arm Point Aboriginal Community to tour a local aquaculture hatchery perched on the tip of One Arm Point, which overlooks the impressive Buccaneer Archipelago. Take in the views, then continue to Cygnet Bay Pearl Farm. Take a tour of the farm, which provides insight into the remote pearling industry. After, take a swim in the infinity pool that looks over Cygnet Bay and head to an included group dinner to get to know your fellow travellers a little better.

After breakfast, drive south this morning to start your journey across the Great Sandy Desert. Stop at the coastal oasis of Eighty Mile Beach along the way – famous for its magnificent sunsets, sunrises, fishing opportunities and shell collecting. Here, you can stroll along the beautiful white-sand beach, enjoy a group lunch and relax. Tonight, you’ll stay in the remote location of Sandfire, where you’ll sit down for a group dinner before a spot of stargazing.

This morning, you’ll make your way to the remote but spectacular Karijini National Park, where you’ll spend the next two days exploring the ancient gorges and stunning swimming holes. Begin your Karijini experience with a visit to the Karijini Cultural Centre before heading for Fortesque Falls, where you’ll be rewarded with a refreshing swim. As one of the oldest landscapes on earth, this region will continue to amaze you. Explore a number of gorges, including Weano Gorge, Oxers Lookout, Hancock Gorge and more. Spend the nights at a campground complete with campfire under the stars.

Leave Karijini this morning and travel through the vast bushland and station country on the way to Exmouth to set up camp for the night near Cape Range National Park, where you can kick back and watch the sunset as kangaroos hop around the grounds. The following day, enjoy a little freedom and relaxation. Maybe go snorkelling (equipment provided) or diving, maybe search for whale sharks if the season is right or view Vlamingh Head Lighthouse. If you’d rather, just kick back on the pristine beach at Turquoise Bay and soak up the sunshine. In the afternoon, make the short trip to beautiful Coral Bay to our backpacker style accommodation, where you will spend the next two nights. There you can spend the rest of the day snorkelling the world-famous Ningaloo Reef and seeing the marine life under the waterline. Alternatively, thrill-seekers can choose one of the many optional activities here.

Head south this morning after breakfast and cross the Tropic of Capricorn. Pass through the town of Carnarvon on the way, famous for its bananas, and maybe pick up some of nature’s snacks. Stop at unique Shell Beach – made up entirely of tiny shells – to stretch your legs. Tonight, sit down for a group dinner to swap photos and stories.

This morning after breakfast explore the Shark Bay World Heritage area. Stop to view the stromatolites at Hamelin Pool – the oldest living organisms in the world – before heading south for Kalbarri. Time permitting, you’ll be able to view the Murchison Gorge and Nature's Window this afternoon along the way. Have dinner and spend the night in Kalbarri.

This morning after breakfast, explore the coastal gorges of the Kalbarri National Park, then head to the beautiful seaside town of Dongara, before heading to the fascinating landscape of the Nambung National Park to check out the famous Pinnacle Desert. Then, make your way to Perth, arriving in the early evening. This is where your trip comes to an end.