6 Day Kalbarri Coral Coast

(Itinerary in reverse – Exmouth to Geraldton)

Day 1: Exmouth – Coral Bay

ITINERARY: Today is an arrival day. Make your own way from Exmouth (Learmonth) Airport to Ningaloo Coral Bay, our accommodation for the night. Tonight meet your guides at 6:30pm at Bill’s Bar for a welcome dinner in the restaurant served with wine.

Day 2: Coral Bay – Scenic Flight to Dirk Hartog Island – Monkey Mia 

TRANSFER TIMES: Morning: 2 hour 30 minute transfer to Carnarvon. Flight: 1 hour scenic flight from Carnarvon to Dirk Hartog Island. Afternoon: Ferry from island to Denham then 30 minute road transfer to Monkey Mia.

ITINERARY: This morning after breakfast we’ll travel to Carnarvon airport to step aboard a scenic flight to Dirk Hartog Island (saving us 3.5hours of driving) to take in the stunning scenery and kaleidoscope of colours from above with views of the amazing contrasts in the landscape. Look out for marine life such as dolphins, sharks, rays and dugongs, all from the comfort of your aircraft seat! We’ll spend the day exploring Dirk Hartog Island, the most western point of Australia. A unique World Heritage site renowned for its history, natural beauty, spectacular landscapes and fishing. Walk the beach, grab a kayak if you have a sense of adventure, and explore the Homestead Bay. We’ll enjoy a guided tour of the old shearing shed to discover the island’s pastoral history and adventure out to the west side of the island on a 4WD to view the spectacular landscape, and visit the Blow Holes and Surf Point marine sanctuary. After a full, fun day on the island we’ll catch the ferry across to Denham and drive the short distance to RAC Monkey Mia Dolphin Resort, in the Shark Bay World Heritage Area, our accommodation for the night. Tonight you enjoy dinner at the onsite restaurant situated metres from the shores of Dolphin Beach, with picturesque views of Shark Bay. The restaurant prides itself on fresh, honest flavours and sources the finest local seafood, steaks and produce. Served with wine.

Day 3: Monkey Mia – Hamelin Pool – Kalbarri

TRANSFER TIMES: Morning: 1 hour 30 minutes from Monkey Mia to Hamelin Pools. Afternoon: 3 hour transfer to Kalbarri accommodation

TRAIL NOTES: Optional 2km walk: Wulyibidi Yaninyina Loop Trail

TERRAIN: Walk through the dunes and tidal flats.

ITINERARY: This morning head to Monkey Mia Beach (a stone’s throw from our rooms) and meet the friendly pod of wild bottlenose dolphins that regularly swim to Monkey Mia’s shore to interact with humans up to three times a day. This often occurs more frequently in the mornings, with feeding times occurring between 7.45am and 12 noon. The dolphins here are only fed according to strict guidelines and under supervision of Parks and Wildlife Service officers to ensure the dolphins continue to hunt and behave naturally. After viewing the dolphins optional short 2 kilometre loop trail that takes us through the dunes and tidal flats which attract and shelter a wide variety of birds. From here we head out to view Hamelin Pool where we’ll see some of the most diverse and abundant examples of stromatolites in the world. Also referred to as ‘living fossils’, stromatolites are living representatives of life over 3500 million years ago when there was no other complex life on Earth!  A 200m boardwalk at Hamelin Pool (currently being rebuilt and due to reopen in 2023) provides excellent views. Afterwards, we’ll drive to our accommodation for the next 2 nights at Kalbarri Edge Resort. Tonight enjoy dinner with wine at the resort.

Day 4: Bigurda Trail, Kalbarri

TRANSFER TIMES: Morning: 15 minute transfer to start of the walking trail. Afternoon: 15 minute transfer to our accommodation.

TRAIL NOTES: Bigurda Trail – 8km, 5 hours. Easy to Moderate Grade.

TERRAIN: A sandy trail for most of its length but once you arrive at Island Rock Lookout it changes to a mix red paved path and boardwalk. Fairly even and easy, with minor ascents and descents along the way.

WALK ITINERARY: Another day of strapping on your boots and heading out to explore Kalbarri. The first walk of today, The Bigurda Trail, named from the local language Nanda for a small kangaroo, starts at Eagle Gorge and follows the coast to the Natural Bridge. It is a sandy trail for most of its length but once you arrive at Island Rock Lookout it changes to a mix red paved path and boardwalk. There is the chance to spot dolphins and whales from clifftops plus there are colourful wildflowers during winter and spring. At the end of the trail we’ll explore some coastal areas closer to town including a 3km loop walk around Mushroom Rock and Rainbow Valley before heading back to our accommodation. Tonight enjoy dinner with wine at the resort.

Day 5: Nature’s Window, Kalbarri – Z Bend Lookout – Geraldton

TRANSFER TIMES: Morning: 30 minutes transfer to Nature’s Window. Afternoon: 2 hours 30 minutes transfer from Nature’s Window, Kalbarri to Geraldton.

TRAIL NOTES: Nature’s Window Loop Trail, Kalbarri – 9km, 4-5 hours. Difficult Grade. Z Bend Lookout – 1.2km, 1 hour. Easy Walk.

TERRAIN: Nature’s Window Loop – A challenging but spectacular walk over both rocky and sandy terrain. Z Bend Lookout – moderately easy walk from the carpark.

WALK ITINERARY: After breakfast we head to The Loop Trail that highlights the erosive power of the Murchison River which has carved magnificent gorges to reveal the red and white banded rock. This trail follows the edge of the cliff, with magnificent views of the river below, before working its way down to the river bank. The trail continues along the river with sandy beaches, river gums and the possibility of swimming. The trail climbs out of the gorge towards the end, back up to Nature’s Window, a wind-eroded opening in the layered sandstone that frames a view of the river. The geology of the area is fascinating. The thinly bedded, red and white banded rocks through most of the river gorge were deposited millions of years ago on tidal flats. Rippled surfaces can be seen around Nature’s Window. The ripples were formed during ancient times by waves moving over tidal flats in a shallow sea. Afterwards, we’ll enjoy a lunch with a view at the Skywalk Kiosk. Time permitting we will walk to Z Bend Lookout before making our way to Geraldton to check into our accommodation for the night at the ibis Hotel and enjoy a relaxing afternoon exploring the local area. Tonight enjoy dinner with wine at a local restaurant.

Day 6: Geraldton

ITINERARY: After a hearty breakfast check out of the hotel. The end of a fabulous joureny.

This is an all-inclusive tour with no hidden extras:

• • Professionally guided – Our CEO’s – Chief Experience Officers who are passionate, well trained and enthusiastic with the ability to bring to life a depth of information
  • 1 night accommodation at Ningaloo Coral Bay
  • 1 night accommodation at RAC Monkey Mia Dolphin Resort
  • 2 nights accommodation at Kalbarri Edge Resort
  • 1 night accommodation at ibis Hotel, Geraldton
  • 5 x breakfasts
  • 5 x lunches
  • 5 x dinners served with wine
  • Wow Factor – Full Day tour on Dirk Hartog Island with 4WD to Blow Holes
  • Wow Factor – Scenic flight between Carnarvon and Shark Bay
  • Transfers to/from the walk each day
  • National Park Fees
  • Fresh fruit and trail mix to enjoy during your walk