This week-long self drive itinerary showcases the very best of Australia’s Coral Coast beginning and ending in Exmouth on the tip of the North West Cape in Western Australia.
Explore dramatic coastal gorges, meet the friendly dolphins at Monkey Mia, discover the UNESCO World Heritage Listed Shark Bay region, plunge into the depths of Ningaloo Reef Marine Park and swim with the manta rays, dolphins and even whale sharks on this unforgettable adventure.
Contact our team of Australia Travel Specialists to find out how you can fit this itinerary into a tailor made holiday.
Itinerary
On arrival in Exmouth collect your rental car. Spend the rest of the day exploring the area, perhaps visiting beautiful Turquoise Bay or hiking the rugged red gorges of Cape Range National Park. En route back to Exmouth stop off at Vlamingh Head Lighthouse for sunset vistas over the Indian Ocean.
Enjoy a day on Ningaloo Reef heading out on a cruise (included). From March to August you’ll have the chance to swim with the largest fish in the sea, the whale shark, whilst from August to October you can snorkel with humpback whales. There will also be time to explore the dramatic coral of Ningaloo, snorkelling amongst colourful fish and the occasional turtle.
Whale Shark Swim, Exmouth
Head south to Carnarvon, at the mouth of Western Australia’s longest river – the Gascoyne. On the way, an optional detour takes you to the Carnarvon blowholes to witness an incredible natural phenomenon where jets of water sporadically erupt from the rocks. On arrival in Carnarvon you may wish to take a stroll along the mile-long jetty for striking views of the coastline.
Head south towards Monkey Mia at Shark Bay. Follow the Shark Bay World Heritage Drive and visit Hamelin Pool, a marine reserve containing the world’s best-known colony of stromatolites: rock like structures caused by microbes being compressed over thousands of years. Continue on to extraordinary Shell Beach, where thousands of miniature cockleshells cover the beach. Your final stop on the way to the resort of Monkey Mia is Eagle Bluff Lookout, for panoramic views of Shark Bay Heritage Park and the Indian Ocean. In the evening enjoy an indigenous Didgeridoo Dreaming tour to learn about Shark Bay’s history, culture and landscapes as seen through the eyes of its traditional custodians. Under a thousand stars you will listen to the didgeridoo, hear fascinating stories and feast on bushtucker cooked over the campfire.
Enjoy a day leisurely exploring the dramatic landscapes of Francois Peron National Park on a 4WD adventure, or enjoy a marine wildlife cruise into the restricted Dugong Management Zone to spend the afternoon with the rare dugong, dolphins and other marine wildlife (additional cost). Don’t miss the chance to meet the bottlenose dolphins that frequent the shallows at Monkey Mia’s beach.
Optional Experiences
Francois Peron National Park 4WD Safari, Shark Bay
Mermaid Myth Dugong Cruise, Monkey Mia
Head north along the coastal road to Coral Bay, the southern gateway to Ningaloo Reef Marine Park. Admire another stunning sunset over the Indian Ocean before spending the evening relaxing and enjoying the catch of the day at one of the beachside restaurants.
Spend the day enjoying the plethora of marine experiences on offer from Coral Bay. Snorkel in crystal clear waters straight off the beach to witness the abundance of marine wildlife that feeds on the reef. Book a guided scuba diving excursion, keep your feet dry on a glass bottom boat cruise or take to the skies on a breathtaking scenic flight (additional cost).
Optional Experiences
Whale Shark Swimming Adventure, Coral Bay
Continue north back to Exmouth where your Coral Coast adventure ends.
Prices & departures
What's Included
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Accommodation in rooms with private bathroom
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Car rental throughout
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Snorkel with whale sharks or humpback whales
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Didgeridoo dreaming night tour (min 4 persons)
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24 hour emergency assistance from our team during your holiday
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No surcharge guarantee
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Full financial protection
From £1171 Excluding Flights
7 Nights
Mar-Oct
Prices are per person based upon 2 sharing, subject to availability. Your Travel Specialist will confirm the exact price based upon your tailored requirements, inclusions, and travel dates.
Make this trip yours
Every trip you see here can be adapted to suit you using inside-out knowledge to create one-off experiences created just for you.
Gary
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We create holidays that are as individual as you are. And we’ve been doing it for 40 years, crafting each and every holiday using our in-depth knowledge and enthusiasm for our destinations. Whatever your brief, we’ll create an amazing trip for you to get excited about. That might mean adapting one of our existing itineraries or we’ll build you one from scratch.