7 Day 6 Night Perth to Exmouth via Ningaloo Reef Explore Tour(Perth Return)

Day 1: Perth → The Hutt Lagoon Pink Lake → Kalbarri

Kick off your adventure with a guided tour through the Pinnacles Desert in Nambung National Park, before enjoying lunch by the sea at Jurien Bay and journey up Indian Ocean Drive for some stunning coastal views.  Stopping off at the must-see attraction just outside of Geraldton, known as the Pink Lake located off the coral coast highway (conditions permitting). Then it’s on to the seaside town of Kalbarri for our overnight accommodation.

• Meals: Lunch & Dinner
• Accom: Accommodation: Pelicans Nest Kalbarri (Private Double/Twin/Single Rooms – ensuite) or Kalbarri Backpackers YHA (Dorm – shared bathroom facilities). 
• Driving Distance: 575km
• Hike Distance: 2km

Day 2: Kalbarri → Monkey Mia

Rise early for a magical start to the day, with a photo opportunity at sunrise at either Nature’s Window or the Kalbarri Skywalk. Visit the marvels of The Murchison Gorge and Z-Bend in Kalbarri National Park where water has carved its way through sandstone. Witness bright pops of color here during wildflower season (spring). We then travel on to the famous Billabong Roadhouse for refreshments and lunch (at guests’ own expense), this iconic landmark has been serving WA visitors since 1962. Great healthy meal options to choose from are 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. Then it’s on to Monkey Mia for our accommodation by the beach.

• Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
• Accom: RAC Monkey Mia Resort Budget Private Double/Twin/Single Rooms & Backpacker Dorms or similar (shared bathroom facilities). 
• Options: Kalbarri Abseiling Z-Bend
• Driving Distance: 450km
• Hike Distance: 3km

Day 3: Monkey Mia → Coral Bay → Ningaloo Reef

This morning meet the famous Monkey Mia Dolphins and get some amazing photos. Enjoy chill-out time on the beach here or enjoy a coffee at the restaurant before we get back on the road in the morning. Check out the spectacular cliff views overlooking Denham at Eagle Bluff. Take a stroll along a beach made entirely of tiny shells followed by lunch. Before heading off to settle into our accommodation in Coral Bay, located right on the famous Ningaloo Reef.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
• Accom: Ningaloo Coral Bay Budget Private Double/Twin/Single Rooms or Backpacker Dorms or similar (shared bathroom facilities)
  
• Driving Distance: 580km
• Hike Distance: 2km

Day 4: Coral Bay & Ningaloo Reef

You’ll have most of the day to explore the Ningaloo Reef, Australia’s largest Fringe reef, at your own leisure. Choose to join a boat tour or enjoy free time to experience the beautiful beaches Coral Bay has to offer. Go for a stroll on the beach and check out the shark nursery, swim with the manta rays (additional cost), or go for a snorkel on the Ningaloo Reef only metres from shore. This evening we take the short drive up the peninsula to Exmouth and check into our accommodation for two nights in the town centre.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
• Accom: Potshot Hotel Resort Private Double/Twin/Single Rooms (ensuite) or Backpacker Dorms or similar (shared bathroom facilities)
• Options: Swim with Manta Rays, Snorkel Ningaloo Reef, Glass Bottom Boat Tours
• Driving Distance: 155km

Day 5: Ningaloo Reef → Cape Range National Park →  Turquoise Bay → Exmouth

Today we explore Cape Range National Park, a spectacular place of rugged limestone ranges, breathtaking deep canyons and 50km of pristine beaches. Relax on the beach or choose to go snorkelling at the stunning Turquoise Bay,  before finishing the tour in the early afternoon in time for lunch. Free time in the afternoon to explore the township of Exmouth only a 500 meter walk from our accommodation or sit back and enjoy the pool at our accommodation. Or choose to join a whaleshark or humpback swim tour and spend the day meeting some of the Ningaloo Reef’s most famous visitors (at guests’ own expense and seasonal).  Visit Vlamingh Head Lighthouse at sunset.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Accom: Potshot Hotel Resort Private Double/Twin/Single Rooms (ensuite) or Backpacker Dorms or similar (shared bathroom facilities)
• Options: Whaleshark (Mar-Sep) or Humpback (Aug-Oct) Swim (pre-booking required)
• Driving Distance: 135km. Hike Distance: 1km

Day 6: Exmouth → Geraldton

Visit the town of Carnarvon and one of the local banana or mango plantations (seasonal). Enjoy lunch on the waterfront of Carnarvon, before stopping off for a photo opportunity overlooking the Murchison River. Refreshments stop along the way at Billabong for coffee & ice-creams. Before arriving at our final overnight destination in Geraldton. The group will enjoy their final dinner together at The Murchison Tavern after a long day of driving, discounted meals are available at guests’ own expense.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
• Accom: Geraldton Accommodation Private Double/Twin/Single Rooms or Backpacker Dorms or similar (shared bathroom facilities)
• Driving Distance: 785km

Day 7: Geraldton → Perth

Enjoy the HMAS Sydney Memorial with stunning views of Geraldton. Take a walk along the 3-bay walk at Green Head before wandering amongst the sand dunes of Lancelin. If you’re feeling adventurous, try out sandboarding for a bit of fun! Return to Perth late afternoon. Kick back and relax on the bus for the last stretch, take in the last views of the scenic countryside before making our way back towards Perth, with drop off starting around 5:00pm

• Meals: Breakfast
• Driving Distance: 465km

Optional activities :

Kalbarri Abseil – for 2 descents beginner level [day2 option] – book onboard payable direct
Start the day with adventure by abseiling down the gorge walls in Kalbarri National Park with Kalbarri Abseil. No previous experience is necessary, as full training will be provided on-site. All equipment was provided also. Get photos on your own camera, as guests not participating can take photos for you!

Swim with Manta Rays on the Ningaloo Reef with Coral Bay Ecotours [day4 option] – require pre-bookings, please contact us
Enjoy a 5-6 hour tour of the Ningaloo Reef with Coral Bay Ecotours. The day includes all equipment, including a short-length wetsuit if required, morning and afternoon tea, and a buffet-style lunch of cold meats and salads. Enjoy the underwater dance of the manta rays as well as 2 reef snorkels where you will see beautiful fish, corals, and possibly sea turtles and reef sharks! They’ll also make a visit to the turtle sanctuary, where you can view turtles coming up for a breath in the shallows. (competent swimmers only).