Untamed Pilbara & West Coast

Multicultural Broome delivers many surprises, from its eclectic restaurants to its long pearling history – the pristine waters produce some of the most prized pearl oysters in the world. Discover Broome’s other standout attraction: its sunsets. You have today at leisure. Follow locals to the sand on Cable Beach and salute the end of your first spectacular day in WA with your Travel Director, glass of bubbles in hand.

Which direction should you choose to venture today? Head north deep into the Kimberley where the Horizontal Falls reveals the power of nature. Get some perspective of the tides here on a scenic flight. Or perhaps veer off to a pearl farm, to witness the precision that goes into growing and harvesting these gems (both own expense). Or simply enjoy Broome’s tropical climes, strolling along 22-kilometre Cable Beach, hunting for dinosaur footprints and browsing boutiques.

The eye-opening colours of the Pilbara are your backdrop today - rich red earth streaked with mineral deposits. Settle in Port Hedland, home to the world's largest bulk export port.

A frontier like no other, Karijini National Park is a place where gorges seem to cleave off the edge of the Earth, waterfalls tumble from escarpments and remote turquoise rock pools shimmer like precious gems. The wilderness is wilder, the colours brighter, the air clearer. It took billions of years to create the geological wonders you see: the red layered cliffs, the quiet gorges, the soaring gum trees, and distinctive termite mounds.

Journey through rugged terrain back towards the coast - destination Karratha. Known for its significant role in the mining and resource industry. Stop in at Ngajarli (Deep Gorge) and follow the trail to see incredible petroglyphs and learn about its indigenous history. Finally, pay a visit to Red Dog Statue, the canine larrikin with a wandering heart, and learn why he is famous in this region.

There are a few (hundred) kilometres of Pilbara region to cover between inland Karratha and Exmouth on the World Heritage listed Ningaloo Coast. On your hypnotic journey, just imagine all the magical marine creatures you might glimpse when you dive into Ningaloo Reef – Exmouth is the gateway.

Steel yourself for a few ‘pinch-me’ moments today. You could choose to snorkel (with an ethical operator) over Ningaloo Reef (own expense). Time of year pending, you may have whale sharks and possibly humpback whales in your company. Nothing quite prepares you for the initial moment you glimpse these gentle giants up close. Or, spend your day strolling the sand and cruising with dolphins at sunset. The choice is yours.

You don’t need to get your hair wet to experience the sheer wonderment of Ningaloo Reef. A Coral Bay glass-bottom boat cruise gets you within a whisker of turtles, colourful coral and  fish. You won’t know where to look, although your on-board naturalist will help guide your gaze. From staring at the sea to staring at the stars: your next port of call is the Carnarvon Space and Technology Museum. Did you know it played a role in the 1969 moon landing? Just one fascinating fact you’ll learn from your passionate guide.

While stromatolites might sound like something belonging in a cave, these ‘living fossils’ grow in the water at Hamelin Pool. Rock-like in appearance, they’re actually alive, and reveal what life might have been like 3.5-billion years ago. Remarkably, this is the world’s most abundant colony of them. It’s just one of the natural allures of the state’s World Heritage listed Shark Bay, which is also characterised by Shell Beach, formed from billions of coquina bivalve shells.

Sparkling turquoise water, powdery white sand, ochre dunes – Monkey Mia knows how to dial up the drama. And then there are the wild resident dolphins, which famously swim to shore every morning to splash about in the shallows and interact with humans. It’s a hard act to follow. Perhaps choose an optional sunset cruise, or get some perspective of the bay on a scenic flight (own expense).

Kalbarri National Park is known for many things: its gorges, towering coastal cliffs and rare wildlife that you can witness from the Kalbarri Skywalk. And then there are the wildflowers, which bloom and blanket much of the countryside in spring, transforming it into a floral wonderland. Arriving in Geraldton, pay homage to sailors lost off the WA coast during WWII at the HMAS Sydney Memorial.

Two final wilderness highs provide a fitting end to this journey of contrasts. Within Nambung National Park, the Pinnacles create a moonscape that appears plucked from a science fiction film, its staggering collection of natural limestone structures jutting into the sky. It’s a spiritual place, as is nearby Yanchep National Park. Here, on a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience, your Aboriginal guide's stories tell the tale of how the land was created. This tour is hands-on, so expect to taste bush tucker and try the didgeridoo. Arriving in Perth you have a Farewell Dinner to swap contact details with your new friends and reminisce about your western adventure.

How do you pick a favourite adventure from the last 13 days? You don’t have to – let them all shine in equal measure in your memory.