Walk Western Australia's Kalbarri & Coral Coast
Don’t hurry, be happy! This leisurely walking tour takes in the rugged coastline, pristine waters and colourful wildflowers that make the Coral Coast a spectacular destination for an active outdoor adventure. There’s plenty of variety with hikes in national parks like Mt Lesueur and The Pinnacles (Nambung), a full day marine safari on Dirk Hartog Island and a day excursion to the Abrolhos Islands, and mixing it up with the beautiful coast lines at Monkey Mia. The only thing better than the landscapes and wildlife you’ll see are the conversations you’ll have along the way, whether it’s the insights from your leader or stories from the group.
8 days, from
$3,575
per person
GROUP SIZE
ACTIVITY LEVEL
Details
Countries Visited:
Australia
Accommodation: Motel (1 night), Hotel (2 nights), Resort (4 nights)
Transportation: Private Vehicle , Walking
Included Meals:
- 7 breakfasts
- 8 lunches
- 7 dinners
Group size: Minimum 1, Max 12
Minimum Age: 15
Escape the everyday, get active, and take the time to reconnect with nature in one of Australia’s – and the world’s – most beautiful and diverse regions.
There’s no need for a map or GPS on this walking trip – with an expert local leader that knows the area inside-out, all you have to do is enjoy the journey.
Explore diverse and beautiful landscapes by foot – from pristine white sand beaches and rugged cliffs to a limestone ‘forest’, there’s always something amazing to look at.
Take in the beauty of a landscape carpeted with colourful everlasting flowers at Coalseam Conservation Park, one of the top spots in Western Australia for wildflower viewing.
With all meals included (excluding lunch on the final day) you’ll enjoy wonderful fresh picnics in incredible locations, from lookout points to pristine beaches.
Itinerary
Your adventure begins in Perth (Boorloo in the language of the local Whadjuk Nyoongar people, who are the traditional owners of the land on which Perth is now located). It’s an early morning departure for the drive to The Pinnacles (Nambung National Park), home of the Jambinu people, where natural limestone pillars tower above the sand to create an otherworldly landscape. After a stroll through the limestone ‘forest’, you’ll drive to Lesueur National Park for the first hike of the trip. With a few ascents to keep things interesting, this loop walk on Amangu Country is widely regarded as one of the best ways to take in the colour and spectacle of Western Australia’s wildflowers in bloom. After the walk, it's a short drive to Jurien Bay and your comfortable accommodation for the night. Get to know your group a little better and perhaps raise a glass during dinner at a typical country pub.
Get ready for more wildflowers than you can point a camera at! Today’s colourful adventure begins with a drive to Hi Vallee Farm in Badingarra, to meet local floral icon Don Williams and his wife Joy. Learn about the surrounding area as Don draws on his many years of experience to entertain you with stories and facts about all things nature related, but especially flowers. From here, you’ll drive to Coalseam Conservation Park in the Yamatji Nation, one of the best places in the state to see carpets of colourful everlasting flowers. Like all things in nature, there are no guarantees, but your tour has been timed to provide the best chance to see the everlastings at their peak. After an easy walk through the conservation park, settle back for the drive to Geraldton (Jambinu) and your hotel for the next two nights.
Reach new heights as you board an exclusive charter flight to the Abrolhos Islands which are located around 80 km off the coast of Geraldton, home of the Nhanhagardi, Wilunyu and Amangu peoples. Take in the ocean views on a scenic aerial adventure where you’ll learn about the islands’ history and the shipwrecks that surround them, before setting down at East Wallabi Island. You’ll have the pristine waters of this aquatic wonderland pretty much all to yourself as you snorkel with tropical fish. There will also be time for a short, guided nature walk before the flight back to Geraldton in the late afternoon and a trip up to the HMAS Sydney memorial lookout for sunset drinks and nibbles.
Settle back and relax on the drive to Kalbarri where you’ll spend the day exploring the ancient gorges of the Murchison River and pay a visit to Nature’s Window, a sandstone rock formation that provides the perfect frame. Take a stroll along the 9km Loop Trail which travels from the top of the gorge wall and down into the gorge for a walk beside the river. Bring your swimmers as this is a great spot for a lunch time swim if the weather is good. This afternoon, explore Z Bend Gorge where there will be time to take in the silence before the trip back to the hotel.
Take in the views along the Kalbarri coast, where the Nanda people have lived for thousands of years and pink and red layers of sandstone cliffs provide a dramatic contrast against the Indian Ocean. Stretch your legs with a walk along the Bigurda Trail which travels along the top of the sea cliffs from Eagle Gorge to the Natural Bridge. This afternoon, take the loop walk Mushroom Rock and Rainbow Valley, one of the many highlights of the coastal areas closer to town.
It’s a long day of travel today so settle back with your favourite music or podcast and settle back to enjoy the view on the drive to Denham. Keep your camera handy as there are some spectacular rest stops along the way. Just outside of Kalbarri, there are views galore at Hawks Head and Ross Graham Lookout and the famous 3.5 billion-year-old stromatolites in Hamelin Pool break up one of the longest stretches of driving. After a wander along Shell Beach, travel to Eagle Bluff before arriving in Denham and checking into your comfortable accommodation for the next two nights.
Put away your hiking boots and grab your swimmers for a full day marine safari exploring the Zuytdorp Cliffs, historic Dirk Hartog Island (Wirruwana) and Steep Point which is famous for being the most westerly point of Australia. Keep an eye out for dolphins, dugongs, sharks, rays and turtles as your snorkel around these World Heritage-listed waters. If you’re lucky, you may spot a few whales from the boat as well. All snorkelling equipment will be provided so all you need to bring is a towel, swimmers, sun protection and a sense of adventure.
After breakfast, grab your camera and head to Monkey Mia to learn about the bottlenose dolphins that live in this part of the Peron Peninsula, which extends into part of the Indian Ocean known as Shark Bay, on the lands of the Malgana, Nhanda and Yingkarta peoples. The tour ends just after lunch with a drop off in Denham or a transfer to the airport.