8 Day Karijini National Park Walk and Ningaloo Reef 

(Extra night at Karinjini Eco Lodge and alternative accommodation in Exmouth) 

Day 1: Arrive in Paraburdoo + transfer to Karijini National Park

GETTING THERE: Guests will need to fly to Paraburdoo in Western Australia on the morning of day one of the tour. Qantas and Virgin operate regular flights from Perth to Paraburdoo. Flights from Perth to Paraburdoo are 1 hour 45 mins duration.

ITINERARY: Welcome to Western Australia. Guests will fly today from Perth to Paraburdoo. Our guides will collect you from the airport and drive 1.5 hours directly to Karijini National Park.  On arrival into Karijini National Park we will check into your luxury glamping accommodation at the Karijini Eco Retreat which will be home for the next four nights. Tonight we’ll enjoy a fabulous dinner with wine at Alfresco Restaurant while watching tonight’s rich, colourful, long-burn sunset typical of outback Western Australia.

Day 2: Karijini National Park + Dales Gorge

TRAIL NOTES: Dales Gorge Walk 4.8km, 3 hours. Moderate to Difficult Grade.

TERRAIN: There’s a short descent into the gorge, which is steep but has some stairs and handrails. Then there’s a similar short climb back out of the gorge. Expect some rock-hopping and uneven ground but a well formed trail.

ITINERARY: Our aim, over the next few days, is to get you straight to the best sites Karijini National Park has to offer with its narrow red-rock gorges, swimming holes and classic Pilbara scenery. This morning after breakfast we head into Karijini National Park to the awe-inspiring Dales Gorge. Your walk today takes in the contrasting ecosystems of the Pilbara, as we descend from the dry plains into the cool, shady greenness of the gorge where you will marvel at the contrasts between the red rock, lush ferns and the clear pools hidden below. You will pass Fortescue Falls, the park’s only permanent waterfall, before relaxing beside the beautiful Fern Pool. There are several lookouts giving spectacular views of the Karijini gorge system. After a glorious day exploring you check into your luxury glamping accommodation at the Karijini Eco Retreat which will be home for the next three nights. Then, enjoy a fabulous dinner with wine at Alfresco Restaurant while watching tonight’s rich, colourful, long-burn sunset typical of outback Western Australia.

Day 3: Knox Gorge and Joffre Gorge plus Kalamina Falls

TRAIL NOTES: Knox and Joffre Gorge Walks – 5.4km, 5 hours. Kalamina Gorge and Falls Walk – 3km, 3 hours. Moderate to Difficult Grade.

TERRAIN: There are some good dirt paths but today’s walks are largely on uneven, rocky and unmodified terrain. Be prepared for some scrambling over rocks and a small amount of ledge walking. In and out of the gorge’s are steep, short ascents with steps.

WALK ITINERARY: After a hearty breakfast our guides take you on a series of short but challenging walks today as you explore Knox Gorge and Joffre Gorge before driving to the more remote, and less visited, Kalamina Falls. Today you will witness how the power of water has shaped Karijini. There are impressive waterfalls, and deep, cold pools as well as spectacular lookouts. This is an ancient part of our Earth where the slow but impressive process of erosion has carved out a unique landscape from rocks that are more than 2,000 million years old. Afterwards we return to our accommodation for relaxation followed by dinner served with wine.

Day 4: Mt Bruce

TRAIL NOTES: Mt Bruce Walk – 9km, 6 hours. Difficult Grade.

TERRAIN: The trail varies from easy, gentle gradients to sections of steeper terrain and one short section that requires scrambling up a rock chute, with some exposure.  Overall it is a clear and well defined trail, with sections on uneven, rocky and unmodified terrain. Total climb is 450m in elevation change.

WALK ITINERARY: You will rise above it all today, for spectacular views across the Spinifex-clad Pilbara landscape. You will climb to the summit of Mt Bruce, Western Australia’s second-highest peak, at 1,234 metres above sea level. The Aboriginal name for Mount Bruce is Punurrunha and while the summit trail has some steep and rocky sections many walkers regard this as one of the finest and most exciting mountain walks in Western Australia. It is also a great chance to see some of Western Australia’s unique wildlife including the Pebble Mound Mouse and Rothschild’s Rock Wallaby. After our walk, we make our way back to our accommodation to relax before enjoying dinner and wine in the restaurant.

Day 5: Hancock and Weano Gorge then drive to Cheela Plains Station

TRAIL NOTES: Hancock & Weano Gorge Walks total – 2km, 2 hours. Moderate Grade.

TERRAIN: Like the other gorge walks, there are some good sections of dirt paths but also some uneven, rocky and unmodified terrain. Be prepared for some scrambling over rocks and a small amount of ledge walking.

WALK ITINERARY: Another day of strapping on your boots and heading out to explore two of Karijini’s finest and most famous gorges – Hancock and Weano. The walks are challenging in places, with some wading through water and clambering over rock ledges, but these are not difficult walks and the gorges are truly amazing. At times, the gorge walls are just an arms-length apart and the rich red colour and banding of the rock is simply breathtaking. You will discover beautiful jade pools nestled deep within the gorge complex, including the famous Handrail Pool. These walks are a photographer’s paradise. After this fabulous finale, you will leave Karijini and drive 3 hours to our accommodation at Cheela Plains Station, a family-owned and managed cattle station located in the semi-arid, pastoral rangelands of the Pilbara with a unique environmentally-centred grazing system. We enjoy traditional country hospitality and a fabulous home-cooked meal with wine.

Day 6: Drive to Exmouth plus Charles Knife Canyon and Shothole Lookout

ITINERARY: After a hearty country breakfast, today we head west towards Exmouth. As Western Australia is a big state it will take you much of the day to drive to the coast but there is plenty to see along the way, particularly Western Australia’s famous wildflowers. While wildflowers vary in abundance with the seasons, and from year to year, there is always something interesting and colourful in flower and this section of road is renowned for its swathes of purple Ashburton pea, yellow flowering sennas (cassias) and acacias, purple mulla mullas and the iconic Sturt’s Desert Pea. On route, we will also visit the spectacular Charles Knife Canyon and stretch our legs whilst taking in the magnificent views. We then continue on 5 km if time permits to visit Shothole Canyon, named from the shot holes left in the terrain following the explosive charges set for seismic studies during oil exploration work in the early 1950s, where we can travel along the base of the Canyon for 12 km and be totally surrounded by its beauty in one of the most rugged areas of Cape Range National Park. After a late lunch, we then continue on to your accommodation at Exmouth Holiday House in Exmouth, where you will be staying for the next two nights. Tonight you enjoy dinner served with wine.

Day 7: Ningaloo Reef Whale Shark or Reef experience or Cape Range National Park Walk

ITINERARY OPTIONS: After breakfast, we head out on today’s adventure. Today you can choose from several options on land or in the sea.

ON THE REEF:

Option 1: Swim with the gentle Whale Sharks

For adventure-lovers and nature-lovers, nothing compares to the exhilaration of swimming with the gentle giants of Ningaloo Reef – the whale sharks. The World Heritage-listed Ningaloo Reef is one of the largest, most reliable and best-managed whale shark aggregations in the world. An estimated 300-500 whale sharks make their way to Ningaloo annually between March and August.

Option 2: Reef Snorkelling Trip

A reef snorkelling tour is also available. Ningaloo is one of the longest and most pristine fringing reefs in the world and is home to manta rays, turtles, and a plethora of colourful fish and corals. While today’s reef tours are optional they are highly recommended.

Option 3: Glass Bottom Boat cruise

For those that would prefer to stay dry a glass-bottom boat cruise on Ningaloo Reef is also available. Discover beautiful coral gardens and colourful fish as well as the habitat of the green turtles.

ON THE LAND:

For those who like to keep their feet firmly planted on land, you can explore the ancient, limestone gorges of Cape Range National Park, home to the rare black-flanked rock wallaby. The walks include Mandu Mandu and Yardie Creek gorges which offer amazing views from the top of Cape Range highlighting the dramatic contrast between the arid landscape and the rich blue of the Indian Ocean. There is also the opportunity to explore some of the park’s pristine beaches and coastal areas.

TRAIL NOTES: Walk 1: Mandu Mandu Walk: 3km, 2 hours. Moderate Grade followed by Yardie Nature Walk and Gorge Trail: 2km, 1 hr 40 minutes. Moderate Grade.

TERRAIN: Uneven, rocky and unmodified terrain. Sections of  good, well defined track but also sections of bouldery and sandy riverbed. Largely flat walks with some small ascents and descents.

WALK ITINERARY: For those who are keen to walk today, we start the day with the Mandu Mandu walk, a moderately difficult trail that winds its way along a rocky creek bed, deep into the gorge. A steep path takes you up to the gorge rim where, on your return, you can enjoy the views over Ningaloo Reef and the surrounding country. On your walk, keep your eyes peeled for black-flanked rock wallabies. There are steep gradients and rough, uneven surfaces along this trail. This walk is along a gentle, well-defined path that winds along the edge of Yardie Creek with views of the gorge, creek mouth and Ningaloo Reef. Along the walk, you may see emus and euros and a variety of birds. The trail then meets the more difficult Yardie Gorge Trail taking you high above Yardie Creek.

After our day’s activities all guests return to our accommodation at Exmouth Holiday House with the remainder of the day at leisure. Tonight enjoy dinner in the restaurant served with wine while you talk about our day’s adventures.

Day 8: Exmouth and Ningaloo Coast World Heritage Area

ITINERARY: After breakfast, enjoy the morning exploring the town of Exmouth at your leisure or the swimming pool. We will arrange a transfer for you to the airport.

DEPARTING: Lunchtime and early afternoon flights are available from Exmouth to Perth, either option can be booked. From Perth flights can be booked to your home port.

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
• 4 nights accommodation at Karijini Eco-Retreat
• 1 nights accommodation at Cheela Plains Station
• 2 nights accommodation at Exmouth Holiday House
• 7 x breakfasts
• 8 x lunches
• 7 x dinners served with wine
• Wow Factor Ningaloo Reef Whale Shark or snorkelling experience (or optional walk)
• Transfers to/from the walk each day
• National Park Fees
• Fresh fruit and trail mix to enjoy during your walk