Day 1: Perth – Dalwallinu 273km, 3 hours
Leave Perth and head north to New Norcia to explore Australia’s very own monastic town. Travel onto Wongan Hills with its various nature reserves and interesting walk trails before heading to Dalwallinu, famous for the Wreath Leschenaultia blooming just out of town. Be sure to drop into the Dalwallinu Discover Centre for the latest tourist and wildflower information
Accommodation Options
Dalwallinu Wheatland Motel
t: (08) 9661 1600 e:
Dalwallinu Hotel
t: (08) 9661 1102
B&B’s, caravan parks, campsites
Day 2: Dalwallinu – Mullewa 243km, 3 hours
Head north and view more Wreath Leschenaultia in Perenjori. This is also the start of the Monsignor Hawes Trail. You must see Perenjori’s Church of St Joseph, view Morawa’s Church of the Holy Cross and Yalgoo’s preserved colonial architecture and Chapel of St Hyacinth, before heading into Mullewa and its Hawes designed Catholic Church.
Accommodation options
Railway Hotel
t: (08) 9961 1050
Wandina Station Stay
t: (08) 9962 9597 e:
Pindar Guest House
t: (08) 9962 3024 e:
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Day 3: Mullewa – Murchison Settlement 229km, 3 hours
Continue north into red earth country and marvel at the endless vistas of everlasting wildflowers. Perhaps overnight at Murchison Settlement (the Shire without a town) or consider staying at the award winning Wooleen Station which also has station tours of the everlastings in season.
Accommodation Options
Murchison Oasis Roadhouse and CaravanPark
t: (08) 9961 3875 e:
Day 4: Murchison Settlement – Gascoyne Junction 260km, 3 hours
Head north, stop at the natural spring of Bilung Pool. Seashell fossils south of Gascoyne Junction point to natural history of the landscape. Nestled on the banks of the GascoyneRiver, the town is a centre for local sheep and wheat stations. Visit the museum and picnic spots.
Accommodation Options
Bidgemia Station
t: (08) 9943 0501 e:
Day 5: Gascoyne Junction – Mt Augustus 307km, 4 hours
North of Gascoyne Junction take in the beauty of the KennedyRangeNational Park, boasting springs, cliffs, canyons and wildlife. Then travel north-east to spectacular Mt Augustus National Park, home to Australia’s largest monolith, surrounded by purple mulla mulla wildflowers in spring. Take time to explore, you’ll be amazed at the Aboriginal rock carvings
Accommodation Options
Cobra Station
t: (08) 99430565 e:
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MrAugustusOutbackTouristPark
t: (08) 9943 0527 e:
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Day 6: Mt Augustus – Karijini Eco Retreat 541km, 8 hours
Travel the 4WD Pingandy Road past Dooly Downs and Ashburton Downs, to the mining town of Tom Price. Refuel then into the spectacular gorge country around the Karijini Eco Retreat.
Accommodation
Karijini Eco Retreat – KarijiniNational Park
t: (08) 9425 5591 e:
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Deluxe tents with private facilities, campsites and caravan sites
Day 7 & 8: KarijiniNational Park
Travel to the east of the national park to the visitor centre then view the spectacular Dales Gorge, Circular Pool and FortescueFalls. Enjoy the stunning nearby Joffre Gorge, Weano Gorge, Knox Gorge and the JoffreFalls. Enjoy dinner at the Karijini Eco Retreat Restaurant
Accommodation
Karijini Eco Retreat – KarijiniNational Park
t: (08) 9425 5591 e:
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Day 9: Karijini – Exmouth 700 km, 7.5 hours
Travel to Tom Price and refuel. Continue via Doradeen Road and Milne Road before joining Nameless Valley Drive and onto Nanutarra Drive for your journey to Exmouth. Turn left at Nanutarra Roadhouse at North West Costal Highway and then right at Burkett Road travelling into Exmouth. On arriving in Exmouth discover the CapeRangeNational Park’s pristine beaches and deep rugged canyons. 630 species of flowering plants are found here. The red centred Sturt Pea is one of 12 endemic species found in the park.
Accommodation Options
Bullara Station Stay
t: (08) 9942 5938 e:
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Warroora Station
t: (08) 9938 1655 e:
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Novotel Ningaloo Resort
t: (08) 9949 0000 e:
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ExmouthCapeHolidayPark
t: (08) 9920 8484 e:
w: aspenparks.com.au
Ningaloo Lodge
t: (08) 9949 4949 e:
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Potshot Hotel Resort
t: (08) 9949 1200 e:
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Sal Salis Ningaloo
t: 1300 790 561 e:
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Day 10: Exmouth – Carnarvon 367km, 4 hours
The drive to Carnarvon will reward you with displays of Parakeelya, purple vetch, northern bluen=bells and seasonal everlastings. Contact the Visitor Centre for local information on where to see the best displays.
Accommodation Options
Best Western Hospitality Inn Carnarvon
t: (08) 9941 1600 e:
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CoralCoastTouristPark
t: (08) 9941 1438 e:
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WintersunCaravanPark
t: (08) 9941 8150 e:
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Red Bluff Quobba Station
t: (08) 9948 5098 e:
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Gnaraloo Station
t: (08) 9942 5927 e:
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Day 11: Carnarvon – SharkBay 324km, 4 hours
Look for seasonal everlastings along the roadside on the turn off to SharkBay. VisitFrancoisPeronNational Park, where the contrasting colours of the scenery range from deep reds to ocean blues and are as vivid as the wildflowers. The Shark Bay Daisy, Wattles, Dampiera and purple peas are commonly found in this area.
Accommodation Options
HeritageResortSharkBay
t: (08) 9948 1133 e:
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OceansideVillage
t: (08) 9948 3003 e:
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Monkey Mia Dolphin Resort
t: 1800 653 611 e:
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DirkHartogIsland
t: (08) 9948 1211 e:
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Carbala Station
t: (08) 9948 1765 e:
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Hamelin Station Stay
t: (08) 9942 5714 e:
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Day 12: Shark Bay- Kalbarri 370km, 4.45 hours
KalbarriNational Park is home to breathtaking coastal cliffs and deep river gorges that contrast with endless sand plains. The national Park has roughly 800 species of native flore, many of which are endemic species, including the Kalbarri spider orchid.
Accommodation Options
Kalbarri Palm Resort
t: (08) 9937 2333 e:
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KalbarriBeach Resort
t: (08) 9937 1061 e:
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Kalbarri Edge Resort
t: (08) 9937 0000 e:
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Kalbarri Reef Villas
t: (08) 9937 1165 e:
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Kalbarri Seafront Villas
t: (08) 9937 1025 e:
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Murchison RiverCaravanPark
t: (08) 9385 6655 e:
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Riverside Sanctuary
t: (08) 9936 1021 e:
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Day 13: Kalbarri – Geraldton 152km, 1.5 hours
Colourful wildflowers of many varieties can be seen on roadside areas along this drive via Northampton. Take the detour just north of Geraldton into the ChapmanValley where the wildflowers abound and gourmet delights will entice you to stay a while and explore the region.
Accommodation Options
Best Western Hospitality Inn Geraldton
t: (08) 9921 1422 e:
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Broadwater Mariner Resort
t: (08) 9935 9100 e:
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Intown Apartments
t: (08) 9964 1750 e:
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Ocean West Holiday Units
t: (08) 9921 1047 e:
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SunsetBeachHolidayPark
t: (08) 9938 1455 e:
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Day 14: Geraldton – Cervantes 215km, 2.15 hours
Head south via Donaga to Minegenew and the wildflower hotspot of the CoalseamConservationPark, often carpeted in stunning white, pink and yellow everlastings during springtime. Nearby towns Three Springs and Carnamah Coorow also offer spectacular displays. LesueurNational Park alone features more than 800 species.
Accommodation Options
Pinnacles Edge Resort (Cervantes)
t: (08) 9652 7788 e:
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Cervantes Pinnacles Motel
t: (08) 9652 7145 e:
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Cervantes Lodge
t: (08) 9652 7377 e:
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Cervantes Holiday Homes
t: (08) 9652 7115 e:
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CervantesPinnaclesCaravanPark
t: (08) 9652 7060 e:
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Day 15: Cervantes – Perth 220km, 2.5 hours
Head south to the Pinnacles where Tuart woodlands fill the valleys between vast areas of health, acacia and myrtle, banksias and casuarinas. Return to Perth along the new and scenic Indian Ocean Drive.
IMPORTANT CONDITIONS: Some roads are unsealed- we recommend travel in a four wheel drive vehicle (4WD). When travelling in remote areas, we recommend you carry extra water and a second spare wheel/tyre. Please check local read road conditions and fuel availability locations with relevant local authorities before setting off. This itinerary is a guide only. Detailed maps are available from RAC, petrol stations, 4WD & outdoor adventure stores. Travel safely.