Wonders of the West Coast & Kimberley Reviews

This was a long journey but AAT Kings had it well paced with breaks every couple of hours and several 2 night stops. There is some magnificent coastal scenery with many connections to the early Dutch explorers. Some locations such as Coral Bay have coral in much better condition than Queensland's Great Barrier Reef. Inland there is red earth and some ...read more of Australia's most impressive gorges. There were numerous side trips off the main highway to sites of scenic and historical significance. First nation guides were used whenever they were available. There was an extensive tour of the Argyle diamond mine in the Kimberley. The tour included drives through the agricultural areas around Carnarvon and the Ord River. It was great to see how successful agriculture has become in these areas. Included meals and accommodation throughout were of a high standard. Global Journeys booking process operated very smoothly, and our consultant Jemma was very helpful.

Overall - I am sooo glad I finally booked this trip - it was extremely enjoyable and well organised.

I wish to highly commend our tour director Delma Coulson for her combination of friendliness, professionalism, knowledge, fun, helpfulness and care. I was one of the younger travelers and one of the few still working (at 66yrs!) There was a mix ...read more of couples and singles and most of the time we all got on just fine - and there are at least a couple of people I will keep in touch with.

Although it would make the trip longer - it would have been great to spend a bit longer at some of the stops - e.g. Karajini I would have loved to be able to do some walks. Would have loved if a bit more indigenous experience was woven in somehow - but enjoyed what there was. Would have liked an extra night in Perth so we could spend more time in Kings Park and Yanchep.

The accommodation overall was great - small issues in a couple of places (Darwin Mantra - kettle hidden at the back of a bottom shelf in a cupboard (??) and a hand-held shower in the bath which collapsed when I tried to use it. If you have a group of of almost all senior travelers this is not OK - and I pointed this out to the hotel). Karajini, El Questro, Monkey Mia, Cable Beach and Ningaloo especially were fabulous. All beds were OK despite me having a bad back, and most places had free Wifi.

For me the least enjoyable activities were the visit to Carnarvon Space Museum - I found it very ho-hum, and the visit to Tom Price. Highlights were many - but especially had a fabulous day on a catamaran from Monkey Mia looking for dugongs etc; Had an amazing day swimming with whale-sharks (and one swam right under me!!). A very hot but wonderful day flying and walking into the bungle bungles. Many sunsets and some sunrises - espy at Monkey Mia - this was better than the dolphin feeding as I saw dolphins, turtles, pelicans etc close to shore as the sun rose with few people around!! The afternoon/sunset cruise on the Ord river was wonderful,

Most of the meals were OK to very good, but was disappointed in the dinner at the Sandalwood factory, and in the Farewell dinner in Darwin. I fell in love with Boab trees, snappy gums and salmon gums, enjoyed the geckos in my tent at El Questro, but was a tiny bit disappointed not to see or hear a dingo at Karijini - although I awoke to the most wonderful bird chorus. The photograph is one of my favourites - at sunrise at Monkey Mia - I love the dog on the small boat!!

Thank you for all your help in organising this trip - I had a wonderful time !!!