Wonders of the West Coast & Kimberley

Perth knows how to ease you into a trip. It's a capital city, sure, but it also has a laid-back side, with colourful laneways, creative street art and loads of green space to balance things out. Join your Travel Director for a city tour, then stretch your legs in Kings Park and Botanic Garden, where wildflowers and native plants spread across 400 hectares above the Swan River. Right in the middle sits the Anzac Memorial, a peaceful spot that stops you in your tracks.

Later, meet your fellow travellers over dinner and get ready for the adventure ahead. (D) Stay: Crowne Plaza Perth

Starting strong today. First up is Yanchep National Park, where an Aboriginal guide shares Dreamtime stories and introduces native plants on a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience. You'll hear how Country was created, try bush tucker and even have a go at the didgeridoo. Results may vary.

Then it's on to one of WA's strangest landscapes, the Pinnacles. These limestone formations rise from the sand like a natural art installation, and the whole place feels delightfully otherworldly. By the time you reach Geraldton, there's one more stop that leaves a mark: the HMAS Sydney Memorial, honouring the 645 Australian sailors lost off the WA coast during WWII. (B) Stay: Ocean Centre Hotel

Today starts with a trip through Kalbarri National Park, where the scenery quickly goes from impressive to show-off. Head to the Kalbarri Skywalk for huge views over Murchison River Gorge, with red cliffs, layered rock and wide-open space in every direction. If you're here during wildflower season, there's even more colour in the mix, with native blooms putting on a proper display.

Then continue north to Monkey Mia, where the landscape shifts again. Think bright water, pale sand and that unmistakable feeling of being somewhere a bit special. It's a big day on the road, but the reward at the end is more than worth it. (B) Stay: Monkey Mia Dolphin Resort

If Monkey Mia didn't win you over yesterday, it probably will this morning. The big draw here is the wild dolphins that regularly swim into shore, often arriving in a pod and splashing around in the shallows before heading back out into the bay. It's one of those moments that feels pretty special, especially because they're wild and do exactly as they please.

The rest of the day is yours. Stretch out on the sand, go exploring or simply settle into the slow pace of this coastal corner of WA. No rush, no overplanning, just a very good place to spend a day. (B)

Today brings some of Shark Bay's most unusual sights, and they do not disappoint. First up is Hamelin Pool, home to the world's most abundant colony of stromatolites. They might look like ordinary rocks, but these living fossils offer a glimpse into what life on Earth looked like billions of years ago. Then it's on to Shell Beach, where billions of tiny white shells have created a shoreline so bright it almost doesn't look real.

Later, swap marine wonders for space history at the Carnarvon Space and Technology Museum. This small town played a part in the 1969 moon landing, and the interactive exhibits make it a surprisingly fun stop. (B/D) Stay: Hospitality Carnarvon

No need to dive in to enjoy Ningaloo today. A glass-bottom boat cruise at Coral Bay gives you a look at the reef's underwater world without so much as dipping a toe. Glide over colourful coral gardens while your guide points out turtles, bright fish and other marine life that call this protected stretch of the World Heritage-listed Ningaloo Coast home. There's plenty to see, with more than 500 species found in these waters.

Later, continue through Cape Range National Park, where deep gorges and rugged scenery remind you this region does drama just as well on land as it does offshore. Exmouth is your coastal base tonight. (B/D) Stay: Mantarays Ningaloo Beach Resort

Today is all about choosing your own version of Ningaloo. Depending on the season, you may have the chance to snorkel with whale sharks or humpback whales with ethically minded operators, which is about as bucket list as it gets. Seeing these huge creatures in the wild is equal parts humbling and thrilling.

Prefer to stay dry? A sunset cruise is a solid alternative, with the chance to spot breaching whales and dolphins along the coast. Or skip the schedule entirely and keep things simple with a walk on the sand and a long, lazy afternoon by the water. Ningaloo does the rest without trying too hard. (B)

Take one last look at the waters around Exmouth before turning inland and heading north into the Pilbara. This is a region with a look all its own, all red earth, big skies and landscapes that feel ancient and powerful. It's also a place rich in culture, history and natural resources, and the scale of it all can be hard to wrap your head around until you're right in the middle of it. As the scenery shifts, so does the mood of the trip. The coast gives way to the outback and the Pilbara starts making its case as one of WA's most unforgettable regions. (B/D) Stay: Ibis Styles Karratha

Bring your bathing suit, your camera and a bit of stamina because Karijini does not do things by halves. Today's exploration takes you into one of Western Australia's most remarkable national parks, where billions of years of geology are on full display. Expect red layered cliffs, deep gorges, quiet waterholes, tall gums and those famously oversized termite mounds. Karijini covers a huge 630,000 hectares, and every part of it feels wild and dramatic. It can get steamy out here too, so if the chance comes to cool off beneath a waterfall or drift in a waterhole, take it. You've earned it. (B/L/D) Stay: Tom Price Motel

The Pilbara keeps showing off today, with its rich red landscapes, wide roads and mineral-streaked earth rolling out around you. This part of Australia feels vast in every direction, and that's a big part of its appeal. While it's sparsely populated, Port Hedland is a major hub and one of the busiest ports in the country, which gives it an energy all its own.

Before arriving, stop at a lookout where, depending on the season, you may spot humpback whales migrating along the coast or snubfin dolphins cruising by. Out here, even the quick roadside stops can turn into a proper moment. (B/D) Stay: Hospitality Port Hedland

Broome owes a lot to pearls, and you'll get the story behind the town on today's sightseeing tour. Back in the day, the pearl rush drew fortune-seekers from all over the world, and many stayed, helping shape Broome into one of Australia's most multicultural destinations. These days, it's just as famous for its sunsets, and once you see one over the Indian Ocean, you'll understand why.

Cable Beach is the main event, a long, sweeping stretch of sand big enough for camels, 4WDs and sunset seekers all at once. Settle in near the shore tonight, order a drink and enjoy dinner with an excellent view. (B/L) Stay: Cable Beach Club Resort

Broome gives you plenty of ways to fill a free day, whether you want to keep it relaxed or head off in search of something extra. You could browse the town's pearl boutiques, wander through Chinatown or take a long walk along Cable Beach, which stretches for more than 22 kilometres and somehow makes even a simple stroll feel special.

If you're after something more hands-on, there are optional experiences to consider, including a visit to a pearl farm where you can learn how these famous gems are cultivated. It's an easy place to spend a day, with just the right mix of history, character and beachy charm. (B)

Before leaving Broome, there's time to see another side of this region's story at Gantheaume Point, where ancient dinosaur footprints remain stamped into the coastline. They date back more than 125 million years, which is a decent reminder that this landscape has been doing its thing for a very long time.

Then it's on to Fitzroy Crossing, your gateway to the Kimberley. This part of Australia is all rugged beauty and geological drama, with ancient rock formations, river systems, gorges and waterfalls shaping the land at every turn. The scenery starts shifting in a big way today, and the Kimberley doesn't waste time making an impression. (B/D) Stay: Fitzroy River Lodge

This morning, head to the remarkable Mimbi Caves, where the remains of the Devonian Great Barrier Reef still shine through in delicate limestone formations, crystal-clear pools and vivid natural colour. It's a striking place in its own right, but what really brings it to life is the perspective of your Indigenous guide.

On this MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience, you'll discover ancient rock art, hear Dreamtime stories and connect more deeply with the land and its history. Over billy tea and damper, the stories keep flowing. It's one of those experiences that slows everything down in the best possible way and stays with you long after you leave. (B/L) Stay: Kimberley Hotel

There's more culture to discover this morning at the Yarliyil Arts Centre in Halls Creek, where local artists share stories of Country, history and daily life through their work. The centre plays an important role in supporting the ethical production and sale of Indigenous art, and a visit here offers a meaningful look at creativity with deep roots.

Then it's time for a taste of the Gibb River Road as you travel towards El Questro Wilderness Park. By the time you arrive beneath the rust-red Cockburn Range, the mood shifts completely. Safari-style tented cabins, frogs and cicadas at dusk and a star-filled sky overhead make tonight feel pretty special. (B/D) Stay: Emma Gorge Resort, Tented Cabin with private facilities

Waking up in El Questro is not hard to enjoy. There's the morning light through the tent, birds and wildlife all around and that sense of being tucked deep into the landscape. Today you'll travel to Wyndham, the northernmost town in Western Australia, to discover its outback setting, local wetlands and surrounding landforms. It's a small place, but the scenery around it certainly isn't.

Later, cool off however you like, whether that's back at the resort pool or in the waters near Emma Gorge. Then perhaps settle in on your patio for sundowners as the day winds down. This part of the trip knows how to make itself memorable. (B/D)

Kununurra might feel remote, but it has a big story to tell. The town grew out of the Ord River Irrigation Scheme, which transformed the region and made agriculture possible on a whole new scale. You'll get a taste of that local spirit at the family-owned Hoochery Distillery, where there's time to hear from the owners and try a tasting if you fancy it. Then step into the past at the Durack Homestead Museum, carefully relocated before the original site was flooded.

Later, Lake Argyle takes centre stage. A sunset cruise here, with birdlife all around and freshwater crocs in the shallows, is one of those travel moments that really lands. (B) Stay: The Kimberley Grande

Today is yours to choose how you want to experience Kununurra. You could join a Choice Experience and take to the skies on a scenic flight over the Bungle Bungles, or join a Choice Experience 4WD tour to get closer to these extraordinary striped domes on the ground. Either way, it's a pretty spectacular sight.

Prefer to stay local? Join your Travel Director for a walk through Mirima National Park, often called a mini Bungle Bungles thanks to its similar layered rock formations. It's a chance to stretch your legs and hear how the landscape was shaped. Big adventure or easy exploration, the choice is entirely yours. (B)

Cross from Western Australia into the Northern Territory, swapping one vast outback landscape for another. The scenery remains gloriously wide open, with pastoral lands stretching across the horizon and giving you a proper introduction to this part of Australia.

In Katherine, things get lively at the Katherine Outback Experience, where the region's pastoral history comes to life through songs, stories and plenty of local personality. It's not a polished performance or a standard sightseeing stop. It's something more real than that, full of country swagger, humour and a good dose of honesty. Which, frankly, makes it all the more memorable. (B) Stay: Contour Hotel Katherine

Nature and history both step up today. First, head into Nitmiluk National Park on Jawoyn land, where a cruise through Nitmiluk Gorge reveals soaring sandstone cliffs, changing colours and a landscape shaped over millions of years. This is just one of 13 gorges in the park, and each bend of the river feels like it deserves its own photo.

Later, the mood shifts as you reflect on the region's wartime history at the Adelaide River War Cemetery. Then continue to Darwin, where a city tour uncovers the events and influences that have shaped this tropical capital over time.

Tonight, gather with your fellow travellers for a final dinner by the waterfront. (B/D) Stay: Vibe Hotel Darwin Waterfront

It's hard to believe three weeks have passed since you first set out. Since then, there's been a lot: reefs and red earth, dolphins and dinosaur footprints, gorge walks, Aboriginal experiences, outback towns and more big-sky moments than most cameras can do justice. After breakfast, it's time to say goodbye to your Travel Director and fellow travellers and bring this epic journey to an end. (B)