20 day Western Discovery with AAT Kings

Inclusions

• 16 nights in centrally located hotel
• 3 nights in eco tents/tented cabins with ensuites
• Transportation by luxury coach with panoramic windows
• Professional, experienced tour guide and driver
• 19 full buffet breakfasts
• 4 lunches
• 16 hotel dinners plus a You are invited special dinner 
• See Ningaloo Reef and explore the Pinnacles
• Meet Monkey Mia's dolphins 
• Cruise on Geikie Gorge, Chamberlain Gorge and Katherine Gorge
• Welcome drink
• Travel wallet and map
• Airport transfers^
• Hotel porterage included

Itinerary

Day 1    Arrive Darwin
Join a tour of the city including a visit to the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory. Hotel: Mantra on the Esplanade, Darwin.

Day 2    Katherine Gorge
Head south towards Katherine. Stop at the Adelaide River War Cemetery. This afternoon enjoy a cruise through spectacular Katherine Gorge in Nitmiluk National Park. Our cruise features the gorge at its finest, as the walls reflect the colours of the late afternoon sun. Paraway Motel, Katherine.

Day 3    Karratha
Travel via Timber Creek and Victoria River across vast cattle stations into Western Australia. Visit the historic Argyle Downs Homestead. Join a cruise along the Ord River from mighty Lake Argyle to Kununurra. Hotel: Kununurra Country Club Resort, Kununurra, 2 nights.

Day 4    Kununurra
See the Ord River Irrigation Scheme and Hidden Valley National Park. Admire the views from Kelly’s Knob Lookout. You are invited tonight by the Dessert family to at the Hoochery Rum Distillery for an exclusive gourmet barbecue. You’ll taste the rum and learn about the distillery and the local way of life.

Day 5    El Questro
See the birdlife at Parry Lagoon Nature Reserve (weather permitting) then continue to Wyndham to the 5 Rivers Lookout. View the Dreamtime Statues and rock art at Warriu Park. Hotel: Emma Gorge Resort, tented Cabins with private facilities, El Questro, 2 nights.

Day 6    El Questro
Cruise through Chamberlain Gorge. At Emma Gorge Resort there is time to sit by the pool or to hike into Emma Gorge for a refreshing swim.

Day 7    Lirrgarn Argyle Diamond Mine
Visit the Lirrgarn Argyle Diamond Mine for a guided tour of the world’s largest diamond mine. Continue to Halls Creek. Hotel: Kimberley Hotel, Halls Creek.

Day 8    Geikie Gorge
Travel through the Kimberley to the remote township of Fitzroy Crossing. This afternoon enjoy a cruise through spectacular Geikie Gorge, formed by the waters of the Fitzroy River tunnelling through the Napier Range. Hotel: Fitzroy River Lodge, Fitzroy Crossing.

Day 9    Arrive Broome
Travel to the port of Derby and see the famous Boab Prison Tree. Continue to the tropical resort town of Broome. Hotel: Cable Beach Club Resort, Broome, 2 nights.

Day 10    Broome 'Free Time'
Today is at leisure to explore this tropical hideaway. Enjoy a leisurely stroll along the 22 kilometres of pristine sand and swim in the turquoise blue water that is Cable Beach. Wander through Chinatown or shop for pearls. This evening sit back, relax and watch the spectacular sunset over the Indian Ocean. Or you may like to take a camel ride along Cable Beach.

Day 11    Karratha
Skirt the edge of the Great Sandy Desert, a desolate land of spinifex and sand hills. We continue to Karratha, headquarters of the North West Shelf Project. Hotel: All Seasons, Karratha.

Day 12    The Pilbara
Today we leave Karratha and travel into Karijini National Park with its deep red gorges, secluded emerald rock pools and ice blue waterfalls, for a night in our unique Eco Tents with their own ensuites. Hotel: Karijini Eco Retreat, deluxe eco tents with en suites, Karijini NP.

Day 13    Karijini National Park
We continue to explore Karijini National Park. The spectacular gorges, waterfalls and rock pools provide a contrast to the red Pilbara landscape. Later, we travel to Tom Price for a guided tour of the Pilbara Open Cut Iron Ore Mine. Hotel: Windawarri lodge, Tom Price.

Day 14    North West Cape
Today visit Giralia Station, an area of outstanding biodiversity with many different species of flora and fauna, some of which are unique to the station. Travel to Exmouth, situated on the boundary of Cape Range National Park and the Ningaloo Marine Park. Hotel: Potshot Hotel Resort, Exmouth

Day 15    Ningaloo Reef - Carnarvon
Travel to Coral Bay and board a sub-sea viewer over the Ningaloo Reef, Western Australia’s largest coral reef, to observe the abundance of marine life that inhabits these tropical waters. We continue to Carnarvon, the fruit bowl of the west. Hotel: Fascine Lodge, Carnarvon.

Day 16    Shell Beach - Monkey Mia
Visit Hamelin Pool to see the world’s best known colony of Stromatolites, dating back to the beginning of life on earth. Stop at Shell Beach en route to Monkey Mia. Hotel: Monkey Mia Dolphin Resort, 2 nights.

Day 17    Monkey Mia
Early this morning watch for the dolphins that swim into shore to mingle with the people. (Note: As dolphins are wild their appearance cannot be guaranteed.) The remainder of your day is at leisure.

Day 18    Kalbarri - Geraldton
We continue south along the North West coastal highway to Geraldton.  Hotel: All Seasons Geraldton, Geraldton.

Day 19    The Pinnacles
In Nambung National Park view the spectacular, mystical Pinnacles.  Continue to Yanchep National Park where you will enjoy an Aboriginal cultural experience. Meet Aboriginal guides who will share with you their way of life in a traditional community.
Hotel: Travelodge Perth, Perth.

Day 20    Depart Perth
Enjoy a guided tour of the highlights of Perth before being transferred to Perth Airport for your onward flight.

Departure dates and Prices*

*Terms and Conditions

• Prices current as at 28 February 2012  
• Prices are per person in AUD$ based on twin share
• ^ Airport transfers are available on day 1 from Darwin airport - flights to arrive prior to 2.00 pm. Airport transfers are also available on day 20 to Perth airport - flights to depart after 1.00 pm.
• Prices are subject to change (eg due to currency fluctuation)
• Offer is subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time
• Further conditions apply please see the AAT Kings Western Australia 2012/13 brochure