Western Australia invites travellers to step outside the everyday; it’s the obvious choice for clients seeking adventures that awaken the soul. The otherworldly landscapes and vast open plains of the Coral Coast Highway and Gibb River Road offer experiences unlike any other place in the world. Plus agents, you could experience it too. Complete the West Aussie All Stars ‘Road Trips’ module for your chance to win your own West Australian road trip adventure for two, along the South West Nature and Wine Drive.
Travelling to Western Australia allows travellers to escape to wondrous worlds; to say yes to one-of-a-kind experiences, to reconnect and recharge along surreal coastal highways and 4WD tracks waiting to be discovered. Sample unique flavours from the Earth and sea, and learn from 60,000-year-old Aboriginal cultural traditions along the journey.
In Western Australia, the adventure to the destination is as much a part of the experience as the landmarks and attractions. It’s always sunny somewhere in Australia’s largest State. Encourage your clients to chase the sun on exhilarating West Australian road trip adventures; along one of the world’s greatest road trips on the Coral Coast Highway, and through the Kimberley on Australia’s most iconic 4WD adventure along the Gibb River Road.
Coral Coast Highway
Fast facts
- How long: Allow 9-10 days
- Distance: 3,277 km
- Vehicle type: 4WD required for some tracks
- When to go: March to November
- Wildflower season: July to October
- Whale shark season: March to August
- Humpback Whale season: June to November
- Traditional country: Whadjuk, Nanda, Mulgana, Yinggarda, Jinigudera and Bayungu
The Coral Coast Highway is one of the greatest road trips on Earth. Visitors can experience two of Western Australia’s three World Heritage-listed treasures on one epic self-drive adventure, along with countless jaw-dropping attractions.
Alongside otherworldly stretches of coastline, this road trip will take travellers from Perth (Boorloo) to Exmouth – offering a vast array of natural wonders that will stay with them forever. From the world’s largest fringing coral reef, to the oldest and largest living fossils on the planet – a journey along the Coral Coast Highway leaves visitors speechless.
Otherworldly landscapes across this region of Western Australia go far beyond the realm of the everyday, and highlights on this enchanting road trip route are bountiful.
Experience the otherworldly limestone peaks of Nambung National Park with Australian Pinnacle Tours, or stargaze over the Pinnacles with Lumineer Adventure Tours. Marvel at the dramatic gorges of Kalbarri National Park (Wurdimarlu) and the natural phenomena of the living fossils at Hamelin Pool.
Marine wildlife experiences are equally wow-worthy on the Coral Coast Highway. The enchanting dolphin encounters at Monkey Mia are a dream come true for many travellers. Across the peninsula, Shark Bay (Gathaagudu / Gutharraguda) entices with its resident dugongs. While in Shark Bay, an excursion with Wula Gura Nyinda Eco Cultural Adventures will not disappoint. Revealing Shark Bay’s best sites – by paddleboard, kayak, or on foot – alongside Aboriginal culture is an idyllic way to experience the best of the peninsula. Be sure to add a visit to the Gascoyne Aboriginal Heritage and Cultural Centre to their itinerary.
No trip along the Coral Coast Highway is complete without time to discover the wonders of Ningaloo Reef (Nyinggulu). Coral Bay Ecotours invites your clients to hop aboard their marine wildlife tours to swim alongside acrobatic manta rays, turtles, and around 500 species of colourful fish.
Further north, adventures along Ningaloo Reef continue to abound. Ningaloo Discovery offers exhilarating swim and snorkel trips, including with gentle whale sharks and majestic humpbacks. Live Ningaloo offers eco-adventures, including whale shark swimming tours, plus turtle, manta ray, and humpback experiences. Exmouth Adventure Co runs small group eco-tours, including their fabulous stargazing and turtle nesting trips.
For unique accommodation along the magical Coral Coast Highway, consider RAC Monkey Mia Dolphin Resort, a range of family-friendly stays at Ningaloo Coral Bay, Journey Beyond’s luxe safari tents at Sal Salis Ningaloo Reef, and Bullara Station for unique and authentic outback comfort.
Gibb River Road
Fast facts
- How long: Allow 10-14 days
- Distance: 660 km
- Vehicle type: 4WD
- When to go: May to October
- Wildflower season: August to October
- Traditional country: Yaruwu, Nyikina, Bunuba, Ngarinyin, Wilinggin and Balanggara
Australia’s most iconic 4WD adventure is a must-do for those seeking out-of-this-world experiences. The staggering beauty along the 660-kilometre Gibb River Road must be seen to be believed.
Travelling from Derby to Kununurra (Goonoonoorrang), your clients can drive the dream to areas of exceptional natural beauty. Spectacular gorges, thundering falls, refreshing swimming holes, ancient rock art, and supernatural colour contrasts leave an imprint far beyond the time spent there.
Most journeys along the Gibb River Road start in Broome (Rubibi), the gateway to the Kimberley. Dinosaur footprints and pearl farms aside, Broome’s surreal sunsets are best experienced along Cable Beach (Walmanyjun) on camelback with Red Sun Camels.
From Broome, travel to Derby – a popular access point for the otherworldly phenomenon of the Horizontal Falls (Garaan-ngaddim). A captivating seaplane ride from Derby to Talbot Bay, followed by a boat trip to view the rare falls, makes this one of the trips many pinch-me moments.
Encourage your clients to include stops at the untouched and unspoilt Bell and Lennard River Gorges on their Gibb River Road journey. Their deep rich-red canyons and tranquil pools are mesmerising in themselves; enjoyed in solitude affords a sense of deep connection and peace.
Purnululu National Park is one of the Kimberley’s most legendary destinations. The unique beehive-striped domes and deep chasms and gorges of the Bungle Bungle Range leave visitors speechless. For guided tours of the ranges from Kununurra by flight, on foot or overnight, check out Bungle Bungle Guided Tours.
For tours with local Aboriginal custodians, Kingfisher Tours has air and 4WD land tours (including private bespoke journeys) to Purnululu National Park, along the Kimberley Coast, and to the region’s most photographed destination, Mitchell Falls (Punamii-unpuu).
It’s not only the photogenic nature of the 4-tiered Mitchell Falls that appeals. On-foot explorations reveal the ancient rock art that has stood the test of time, and a scenic helicopter ride over Mitchell Falls rounds out the adventure.
Vast and enticing, El Questro draws visitors with its natural beauty. From the fairytale-like atmosphere of Emma Gorge, the thermal waters at Zebedee Springs, and the unique wildlife that call these 700,000 acres home, El Questro delivers. Include a stop at the ancient Aboriginal Wandjina rock art at Munurru while out this way.
The Gibb River Road also connects travellers to its extensive waterways. A day with Lake Argyle Cruises is filled with nature’s finest, including spectacular native bird species. In Kununurra, Triple J Tours delivers insightful commentary along the peaceful Ord River.
There’s no need to sacrifice comfort when touring the Gibb River Road. In Kununurra, book your clients at the 4.5-star Freshwater East Kimberley Apartments or Kununurra Country Club. Take in the spectacular views across vast freshwater Lake Argyle from a lake-view cabin at Lake Argyle Resort. For station stays on the Gibb River Road, check out Balangarra Home Valley and Drysdale River Station.
For the ultimate Kimberley stay, choose from a range of accommodation options (and restaurants, bars, and live music) among one of Earth’s last true wilderness areas at El Questro.
Win a West Australian road trip adventure
Discover more about how your clients can drive the dream by completing the West Aussie All Stars ‘Road Trips’ module. Plus, complete all modules by 31 October 2024 to be in to win a dreamy 5-day West Australian road trip adventure for two through the Margaret River Region, valued at up to $5,000. T&Cs apply.
Register here or log back in here to continue your training.
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