7 extraordinary adventures in Western Australia you’ll want to book now
With direct flights between Perth and Europe announced, it’s time to start planning your adventure to Australia’s biggest and most surprising state
1: Broom to Perth overland
Hamersley Gorge, Karijini National Park (Dreamstime)
From the serene shorelines of Broome and Shell Beach to the spectacular freshwater swimming holes of Karijini National Park, this Broome to Perth adventure covers all the highlights of this extraordinary coastline.
Covering an immense distance at a leisurely pace, you’ll discover the hidden grottoes and rock pools of the Pilbara, dip into the crystalline waters of Turquoise Bay and admire the world’s oldest living organisms in Kalbarri.
It’s the perfect getaway for those looking to unearth some of Australia’s most beautiful and uncrowded places.
Who:Intrepid
When: Departures throughout 2017
How long? 10 days
How much? £744 (excl airfares)
2: The magical southwest
Boranup Karee Forest (Dreamstime)
This eight-day tour loops east from Perth to the Esperance region, along the stunning southern coast and back up the west coast through the famous wine region of Margaret River.
The trip is a mix of hiking and outdoor pursuits, diverse scenery, and Aboriginal history. You’ll hike up Frenchman’s Peak in Cape Le Grand National Park, swim in the turquoise waters of Hellfire Bay and listen to Aboriginal legends in Gigli Caves.
In season, there’s a whale watching tour in Albany and in Margaret River you can learn to surf or taste wine (or do both).
Who:G Adventures
When: 12 Feb, 09 Apr, 22 Oct & 17 Dec 2017
How long? 8 days
How much? £1,178 (excl airfares)
3: The ultimate Kimberley experience
King George Falls (Dreamstime)
Combining a five star stay on the beach in Broome with a luxury cruise through the remote wilderness of Kimberley, this is the ultimate luxury holiday to North West Australia.
You’ll float along the azure waters of the west coast to discover uninhabited islands, isolated billabongs and primary rainforests that contain some of the oldest rock paintings in the world.
Along the way, you’ll experience the awesome power of the region’s huge tidal range in an exhilarating tender ride, view waterfalls that very few people have seen from an air conditioned helicopter or fish for barramundi at the mouth of the Sale River.
Who:Exsus Travel
When: Date between April and October 2017
How long? 11 nights
How much? From £7,565 (incl airfares)
4: Dive the world’s healthiest reef
The reef at Rowley Shoals (Dreamstime)
Dive deserted islands and wrecks, swim with whale sharks and explore remote coral reefs on his diving adventure.
From Broome, you’ll head out to Rowley Shoals on a liveaboard, an undiscovered diver’s paradise that’s widely regarded as the world’s healthiest reefs. Here, the spectacular coral gardens are home to giant clams, potato cod and Maori wrasse, with over 200 species of coral and over 650 species of fish in total.
Back on land, you’ll have the opportunity to discover the mysteries of the Kimberley on a camping trip, visiting Aboriginal communities, discovering the cave networks of Tunnel Creek and exploring the picturesque Windjana and Bell gorges.
Who:Dive Worldwide
When: Dates available Oct – Dec 2017
How long? 7 days
How much? POA
5: Ningaloo family adventure
Diving with a Whale Shark (Dreamstime)
This action-packed family holiday concentrates on Western Australia’s beaches, staying south of Perth, then traveling north to take in the magnificent marine life of Ningaloo Reef.
The slow pace allows plenty of time for beach relaxation, watersports and wildlife encounters, including a unique opportunity to swim with giant whale sharks that come close to shore between March and July.
Who:Exsus
When: Dates available throughout 2017.
How long? 14 days
How much? £2,095 (incl airfares)
6: The Kimberley by 4×4
A 4×4 in the Kimberley (Dreamstime)
Explore one of the world’s final frontiers with a small group 4WD journey through the wilderness of Kimberley.
This is a remarkably colourful landscape of searingly blue skies and ochre red earth, a place of ancient rock art dating back millennia, rugged gorges and tumbling waterfalls cascading into the cool depths of watering holes. You’ll also take in the legendary Gibb River Road and unique beehive striped domes of the Bungle Bungles.
Who:Wexas Travel
When: Dates available throughout 2017
How long? 13 days
How much? £5,545 (incl airfares)
7: The best of the coast
Kangaroo at Lucky Bay (Dreamstime)
This 10-day trip from Perth up the coast to Exmouth packs in everything that’s great about Western Australia, from spotting tons of native wildlife to taking kayak tours with Aboriginal guides and learning about their legends.
You’ll swim with brightly coloured fish in Ningaloo, check out the stromatolites in Shark Bay and explore Cape Range National Park.
You’ll also visit the area’s quirkier corners too, dropping by the Principality of Hutt River, the oldest ’micronation’ in Australia, and sleeping under the stars in a traditional swag.
Who:G Adventures
When: 20 Feb, 17 Apr, 12 Jun, 14 Aug, 2, 30 Oct £ 25 Dec
How long? 10 days
How much? £1,449 (excl airfares)
Main image: Sunset camel ride in Broome (Dreamstime)
