Itinerary
- Day 1
Perth
Pick up your rental car and collect documents at the hotel. Spend the afternoon exploring Perth on your own, or take a ferry out to Rottnest Island if you want to see the famous quokkas. The choice is yours depending on how you're feeling after arrival.
Optional Activities
- Explore Perth independently
- Ferry to Rottnest Island to see quokkas
Landmarks Rottnest Island - Day 2
Perth to Nambung National Park
Head about 240 km north to Nambung National Park to see the Pinnacles - thousands of limestone pillars reaching up to 4 meters high scattered across ochre-colored sand. The landscape really changes at dawn and dusk, so time your visit if you can.
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Optional Activities
- Visit the Pinnacles in Nambung National Park
- View sunrise or sunset over the Pinnacles
Landmarks Nambung National Park The Pinnacles - Day 3
Nambung to Kalbarri National Park
Drive roughly 450 km north through Geraldton, which locals call the 'Sun City', then continue to Kalbarri National Park. Once there you'll find deep rocky gorges and some beautiful beaches to explore.
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Optional Activities
- Explore deep rocky gorges in Kalbarri National Park
- Visit beaches in Kalbarri National Park
Landmarks Kalbarri National Park Geraldton - Day 4
Kalbarri to Monkey Mia
The drive covers approximately 399 km north to reach Monkey Mia on Shark Bay. This wilderness area is perfect if you're into nature and looking for something a bit different from typical tourist spots.
- Accommodation
- Hotel, Hotel
Landmarks Monkey Mia Shark Bay - Day 5
Monkey Mia
You have the whole day to yourself at Monkey Mia. Swim in the warm turquoise waters and encounter the wild dolphins that come right up to the beach. It's a real paradise for anyone who loves being outdoors, and the sunshine here is almost constant year-round.
Optional Activities
- Swim with wild dolphins at Monkey Mia
- Explore the Monkey Mia beaches and waters
Landmarks Monkey Mia - Day 6
Monkey Mia to Coral Bay
Check out the Shark Bay World Heritage Site and Shark Bay Marine National Park, which protects the world's largest underwater area and has 12 types of seagrass. Then drive about 575 km along the coast toward Carnarvon to reach Coral Bay with its white sand and turquoise waters, which sets you up nicely for exploring Ningaloo Reef.
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Included Activities
- Explore Shark Bay (Gathaagudu) World Heritage Site
- Visit Shark Bay Marine National Park
Landmarks Shark Bay Shark Bay Marine National Park Coral Bay - Day 7
Coral Bay
Get into the water at the World Heritage-listed Ningaloo Reef. You can dive, snorkel, or swim in Australia's largest fringing reef and potentially see whale sharks, humpback whales, and manta rays. Whale sharks show up from March to August, while humpback whales are visible from August to October.
Optional Activities
- Dive or snorkel in Ningaloo Reef
- Swim in Ningaloo Reef
- Snorkel with whale sharks (March to August)
- Watch humpback whales along the coast (August to October)
Landmarks Ningaloo Reef - Day 8
Coral Bay to Karijini National Park
Drive approximately 530 km to Karijini National Park, which is home to various gorges and waterholes. You'll stay in a glamping tent with a bed at Karijini Eco Retreat, or if it's November to February, accommodation is available at Tom Price about 50 km outside the park.
- Accommodation
- Hotel, Hotel
Optional Activities
- Explore gorges in Karijini National Park
- Visit waterholes in Karijini National Park
Landmarks Karijini National Park - Day 9
Karijini National Park
If your rental is an off-road vehicle, you can explore Karijini National Park on your own. Two-wheel drive won't work here, so you'll need to book an organized tour if that's what you have. Make sure to catch the view from Oxers Lookout while you're there.
Optional Activities
- Off-road exploration of Karijini National Park (requires off-road vehicle)
- Organized tour of Karijini National Park (required for two-wheel drive vehicles)
- View from Oxers Lookout
Landmarks Karijini National Park Oxers Lookout - Day 10
Karijini to Port Hedland
Drive around 490 km from Karijini National Park to Port Hedland. The town is primarily known for its iron ore mining operations, so you'll notice the industrial side of things as you arrive.
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Landmarks Port Hedland - Day 11
Port Hedland to Broome
Cover approximately 615 km traveling along Eighty Mile Beach and through the Great Sandy Desert to reach Broome, which was once the pearl diving capital of the world. This is a long stretch with few services, so stock up on water, food, and make sure your tank is full before leaving.
- Accommodation
- Hotel, Hotel
Landmarks Eighty Mile Beach Great Sandy Desert Broome - Day 12
Broome
Take time to explore Broome and the surrounding area. Visit the beautiful Beagle Bay or head to Cable Beach, which stretches 20 km and sits about 6 km outside town if you want to swim or take a camel ride.
Optional Activities
- Visit Beagle Bay
- Swim at Cable Beach
- Camel ride at Cable Beach
Landmarks Beagle Bay Cable Beach - Day 13
Broome to Fitzroy Crossing
Continue about 400 km to Fitzroy Crossing at the foot of the Fitzroy River. This small outback town has a significant Aboriginal population, and you can arrange a boat trip into Geikie Gorge to see the landscape from the water.
Optional Activities
- Boat trip in Geikie Gorge
Landmarks Fitzroy Crossing Fitzroy River Geikie Gorge - Day 14
Fitzroy Crossing to Halls Creek
Drive roughly 290 km through desert and outback to reach Halls Creek, an old gold mining town. Stop by an Aboriginal Art Gallery while you're there to learn more about local culture and history.
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Optional Activities
- Visit Aboriginal Art Gallery in Halls Creek
Landmarks Halls Creek - Day 15
Halls Creek to Kununurra
Drive about 360 km toward Kununurra, passing close to Bungle Bungles National Park with its distinctive beehive-like rock formations. Depending on the season, you can arrange a scenic flight over the rocks either on the way or from Kununurra the next day.
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Optional Activities
- Scenic flight over Bungle Bungles National Park (seasonal)
Landmarks Bungle Bungles National Park Kununurra - Day 16
Kununurra
Kununurra is the eastern gateway to the Kimberley region and offers plenty for adventurers. Explore the red landscape, visit ancient national parks, and check out Lake Argyle, one of the largest lakes in the southern hemisphere. The area is known for wildlife-rich rivers and wetlands with crocodiles, wallabies, and over 240 bird species.
Optional Activities
- Explore the rugged red landscape around Kununurra
- Visit ancient national parks
- Explore Lake Argyle
Landmarks Kununurra Lake Argyle - Day 17
Kununurra to Katherine
Cross into the Northern Territory along the Victoria Highway. From there you'll drive approximately 515 km through Gregory National Park to reach Katherine.
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Optional Activities
- Explore Gregory National Park
Landmarks Gregory National Park Katherine - Day 18
Katherine
You have the day to explore Katherine National Park with its gorges, monsoon rainforest, cliffs, and waterfalls including the well-known Edith Falls. Take a sunrise or sunset cruise on the Katherine River to watch the gorge colors shift. The Jawoyn people can share their culture and history with you as you take in the rock formations.
Optional Activities
- Hike through Katherine National Park
- Visit Edith Falls
- Sunrise cruise on Katherine River
- Sunset cruise on Katherine River
- Cultural introduction from the Jawoyn people
Landmarks Katherine National Park Katherine River Edith Falls - Day 19
Katherine to Kakadu National Park
First stop at Pine Creek to see historic mining equipment, then continue approximately 425 km to Kakadu National Park, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Accommodation
- Hotel, Hotel
Optional Activities
- View historic mining equipment at Pine Creek
Landmarks Pine Creek Kakadu National Park - Day 20
Kakadu National Park
In the morning, go on the Yellow Water Cruise, which takes you out on a billabong. After that, head to Nourlangie or Ubirr Rock to see rock paintings created by indigenous people.
Optional Activities
- Yellow Water Cruise on the Billabong
- Visit Nourlangie rock art site
- Visit Ubirr Rock art site
Landmarks Yellow Water Billabong Nourlangie Ubirr Rock - Day 21
Kakadu to Litchfield National Park
Drive approximately 285 km west to Litchfield National Park, which is known for its beautiful waterfalls. You'll stay at Litchfield Outback Resort, located 18 km outside the park boundaries.
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Optional Activities
- Explore waterfalls in Litchfield National Park
Landmarks Litchfield National Park - Day 22
Litchfield to Darwin
Drive about 119 km to Darwin, the Northern Territory capital. Explore Smith Street Mall and its shops. If you're traveling between May and October, Mindil Beach Sunset Market runs on Thursdays and Sundays.
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Optional Activities
- Shop at Smith Street Mall
- Visit Mindil Beach Sunset Market (May to October, Thursdays and Sundays)
Landmarks Darwin Smith Street Mall Mindil Beach Sunset Market - Day 23
Darwin
This is your final night of the road trip. Return your rental car or arrange an extension if you want to stay longer and explore more.
Optional Activities
- Individual extension
