Australia / West Coast

17 Day Perth Return West Coast Loop Flexi Road Trip - Share Bus

Perth

Details

We’re not a tour. We’re a shared rental! You share the rental of our minibus, trailer and camping equipment with other likeminded backpackers. The start and end date is set, but the rest is flexible to modify as you like. This way of travelling is cheaper than a tour and more flexible, but you get a group of travel mates and everything you need for a camping road trip.

You’ll spend most of your time travelling up the coast, stopping at all the destinations between Perth and Exmouth! Here, on the west coast, there are many beautiful beaches which you can swim at or even spot dolphins at. When you take a break from the beach you’ll find other sights to see, like the Kalbarri gorge for example. However, the real highlight is the Ningaloo Reef. It rivals the Great Barrier Reef, but you don’t need a boat, just jump in from the beach for some world-class snorkelling. If you’re up for it, you can also dive with Whale Sharks in Exmouth.

Then, you’ll head inland to explore Karijini’s incredible gorges and swimming holes. Tanned and happy you can then take the inland route back to Perth – and try to spot some Aboriginal art along the way!

Expect to get fit with lots of hiking, snorkelling and exercise as you appreciate the natural sights. This is a no-frills adventure – you’ll be setting up your own tents, cooking your own dinner and sharing your tent with one or two other people. The target age group is 18-35.

Itinerary

Day 01: Lancelin and the Pinnacles
After meeting the group and doing a food shop, head to Lancelin to play on giant sand dunes and go sandboarding, kayaking or swimming. In the afternoon check out the world-famous ‘alien’ Pinnacles at Cervantes!
Meals :None

 

Day 02: Jurien Bay and Greenhead
Enjoy some beach time, and view the Pinnacles in the morning if you didn’t get the chance the ay before. At Jurien Bay you have the opportunity to snorkel with friendly sea lions. Heading up the coast, you can stop at Greenhead where you can see the nice ‘Dynamite Bay’ and enjoy a BBQ, swim, or one of the walking trails. There is a free camp on a beach not too far north of Greenhead
Meals :None

 

Day 03 and 04: Kalbarri and Hutt Lagoon (Pink Lake!)
There’s a little bit more driving as you can continue the drive North. On your way to Kalbarri make sure you detour to see ‘Hutt Lagoon’, one of the more accessible and pink ‘pink lakes’ in Australia. Then head towards Kalbarri and stop at the Kalbarri sea cliffs for some beautiful walks and dramatic sea views. The gorge near Kalbarri (Murchison Gorge) deserves a whole day, so it’s best to check it out on your second day in the area. You can see the famous ‘Nature’s Window’ here, but we recommend doing one or two of the longer hikes to make the most of what this location has to offer.
Meals :None

 

Day 03 and 04: Kalbarri and Hutt Lagoon (Pink Lake!)
There’s a little bit more driving as you can continue the drive North. On your way to Kalbarri make sure you detour to see ‘Hutt Lagoon’, one of the more accessible and pink ‘pink lakes’ in Australia. Then head towards Kalbarri and stop at the Kalbarri sea cliffs for some beautiful walks and dramatic sea views. The gorge near Kalbarri (Murchison Gorge) deserves a whole day, so it’s best to check it out on your second day in the area. You can see the famous ‘Nature’s Window’ here, but we recommend doing one or two of the longer hikes to make the most of what this location has to offer.
Meals :None

 

Day 05 and 06: Monkey Mia and Shark Bay World Heritage Area
Head towards Monkey Mia stopping at sights like Shell Beach, Eagle Bluff and the town of Denham on the way. Monkey Mia is famous for being able to feed and swim with dolphins! Stay overnight at Monkey Mia and enjoy the dolphin experience the next morning and laze by the beach and swim near dolphins during the day the following day. Kayak hire is also available if you feel like being more adventurous and exploring the peninsula.
Meals :None

 

Day 05 and 06: Monkey Mia and Shark Bay World Heritage Area
Head towards Monkey Mia stopping at sights like Shell Beach, Eagle Bluff and the town of Denham on the way. Monkey Mia is famous for being able to feed and swim with dolphins! Stay overnight at Monkey Mia and enjoy the dolphin experience the next morning and laze by the beach and swim near dolphins during the day the following day. Kayak hire is also available if you feel like being more adventurous and exploring the peninsula.
Meals :None

 

Day 07: Hamelin Pool, Carnarvon and Quobba Blowholes
After leaving the Peninsula, at Hamelin Pool you can see old stromatolites. Once you’ve check them out head North to Carnarvon, and stop in town to grocery shop or pass by a local farm for fresh mangoes and produce. Nearby are the Quobba Blowholes which are quite impressive, and close to them there is also a good snorkelling spot.
Meals :None

 

Day 08: Coral Bay
Coral Bay is a special place! It’s a very small town with a beautiful beach. The most special part is that you can snorkel the Ningaloo Reef right off the coast! Stay here for a night.
Meals :None

 

Day 09: Cape Range National Park
Cape Range National Park is an amazing place; camp here if you can! There is world-class snorkelling at oyster stacks. Or you can visit one of the most beautiful beaches in existence at Turquoise Bay. There is also some nice hiking available at Yardie Creek and Charles Knife Canyon.
Meals :None

 

Day 10 and 11: Cape Range National Park and Exmouth
We recommend spending most of Day 10 inside Cape Range National Park and heading out to Exmouth in the afternoon. Do any tours on Day 11 (like seeing whale sharks, or a diving tour), as well as exploring Exmouth. Then drive a couple of hours towards Karijini National Park before setting up camp for the night.
Meals :None

 

Day 12, 13, 14, 15: Karijini National Park
It’s a long drive to Karijini, but once you are there set up a camp for a few nights – there’s a lot to see. You should spend 3 full days here. There are falls, pools, hikes, gorges – look up some pictures. If you stop at a tourist information centre on the way you’ll be able to get some maps, and possibly join an abseiling/canyoning tour if you feel adventurous. Make sure you leave Karijini by the early afternoon of the 15th day to make sure you have enough time to get to Perth
Meals :None

 

Day 15 – 16: Driving from Karijini towards Perth
Spend the morning in Karijini, but start heading to Perth by the afternoon of Day 15. The Great Northern Highway is the quickest route back to Perth, but there are still a few interesting spots to check. You can stop at Meekatharra for lunch and to explore; perhaps walking the 3km heritage trail. When you reach Cue you can find historical buildings from the Gold Rush.
Meals :None

 

Day 17: New Norcia to Perth
Journey towards Perth. Stop by New Norcia – the town of monks, then head in to Perth to enjoy the afternoon
Meals :None

 

Pickups / Departures

The trip departs from Hostel G in the centre of Perth CBD at 9:30am on the noted date of departure.

And the bus is returned to our offices in Welshpool on the 10th day after departure, usually around 5pm, but this time is fairly flexible.

Extras

The only additional costs you'll need incur on this trip are food and campsite related! Food will normally work it's way out at $10-$15 a day as you'll normally bulk buy as a group, eating and cooking meals together! Although if working on a budget you can definitely do it for less. 

With regards to campsites the majority of the groups opt to free camp most of the time; it normally works it's way out as being 2/3rds free camps. When paying for campsites this normally works out at an average of $15 per night per person.

There is a $350 security deposit made per person at the start of the trip incase any damage to either the vehicle or the equipment provided that doesn't come under fair wear and tear occurs. This will be returned within 2 weeks of the trip ending. 

Check Availability

Enquire

17 Day Perth Return West Coast Loop Flexi Road Trip - Share Bus