Headed north, stop in at Clare for a quick coffee before continuing on to the 540-million-year-old landscape, the Southern Flinders Ranges. Hike Alligator Gorge where we’ll have lunch, before exploring Warren Gorge, where we’ll be spending the night camped out under the stars of the Southern Cross. Keep your eyes peeled for the rare yellow-footed rock-wallaby, whose populations are bouncing back.
Today we drive approximately 400km (4 hours) in total with stops along the way and we’ll be bush camping at Warren Gorge.
Today we travel to the wild and beautiful Eyre Peninsula, one of Australia’s best-kept secrets. On the way you’ll see some unique outback silo art in the tiny outback town of Kimba. After a quick pitstop for lunch, it’s time to head towards the coast. Spot dolphins surfing the waves at Venus Bay and explore Talia Caves. Next, it’s onto the Lake Newland sand dunes where adrenaline junkies can test out their sandboarding skills.
In the afternoon, we’ll pull into our home base at Coodlie Park. Here, company owner Hassie will cook up a delicious BBQ feast. Share campfire stories with travellers from our other tour before spending the night in a unique swag hut.
Today we drive approximately 450km (5 hours) in total, with stops along the way.
This morning, peel on the wetsuit for two-hour learn-to-surf lesson on a remote and pristine beach with Sceale Bay Surf School. Those not wanting to surf will be able to relax, swim or explore Sceale Bay while the others test their surf skills.
Following a picnic lunch, it’s time for one of the tour highlights, swimming with the ever-playful wild sea lions and majestic dolphins on a 3-hour cruise in the sheltered waters of Baird Bay. This optional experience is an outsourced adventure operated by Baird Bay Eco Tours. At only $180 it will be an experience you will treasure forever.
Tonight we’ll camp at Penong, which is famous for its dozens of windmills. Today we drive around 5 hours in total with stops along the way.
There is no getting out of a long drive today as we start to travel across the mighty Nullarbor Plain. ‘Crossing the Nullarbor’ has become a rite of passage for backpackers, and for Australians it is the quintessential experience of the ‘Australian Outback’. Take a snap the world-famous wombat, kangaroo and camel road sign and experience the jaw-dropping beauty of the ‘Edge of Australia’ at the Bunda Cliffs.
Stop at the iconic Nullarbor Roadhouse, explore the ruins of an old telegraph station and, come arvo, we’ll cross the border into Western Australia. Tonight’s entertainment is provided courtesy of the celestial sphere.
It’s a big drive today of around 800 km and 10 hours driving with stops along the way. Tonight, bush camp under the Southern skies on the Nullarbor.
Today, we’ll take on Australia’s longest straight road which funnily enough is called ‘90 Mile Straight’. Visit the outback town of Balladonia, which shot to worldwide fame in 1979 when the Skylab space station returned to earth here rather abruptly.
After another reasonably big drive today with plenty of entertainment and stops along the way, get ready for some of Australia’s most spectacular scenery as we make our way towards Esperance. This part of Western Australia has no less than nine National Parks and some of the best beaches in the world. We’ll set up camp in the most spectacular of all, Cape Le Grand. In fact, it’s so spectacular we’ll stay two nights and the well-equipped camping area does have toilet and shower facilities.
Drive time today is around 7 hours and 600 km.
Crystal clear waters, powdery, white sands, expansive granite bluffs… and sunbathing kangaroos? Sound like a dream? Well, it’s not, because today you’ll wake up in paradise. Pristine and perfect are two words that reflect the absolute beauty of Cape Le Grand National Park. The ocean here is transparent and the sand at Lucky Bay has twice been judged Australia’s whitest. Today you’ll enjoy meeting the adorable western grey kangaroos, who don’t mind posing for that iconic kangaroo selfie.
We will be spending the whole day here exploring, swimming and bushwalking. And you’ll also have some free time to do whatever you please. We drive only 10 minutes today, and walks will vary from 2-4 hours.
Sunrise here is spectacular and it’s also when the roos are at their most active. We’ll wander onto the beach nice and early to see these, before we set out on a hike up Frenchman Peak. A challenging yet rewarding hike, you’ll wow at the beautiful vistas, which span right across Cape Le Grand and the Recherche Archipelago. Refuel with a lunch stop on one of the many beaches on Esperance’s Great Ocean Drive, then settle in for the onwards drive to our Stirling Ranges campsite at Mount Trio.
Today we drive for about 5 hours and camp in a private campground in the Stirling Ranges where you will have shower and toilet facilities.
We’ll visit the oldest mountain range in the world, today. The Porongurups rise up from the landscape like an island. Set out on a two-hour hike through some spectacular forests to Castle Rock. A bit of a climb but worth every bit of effort as you are rewarded with breathtaking views over the region. Jump back on the bus for a magnificent coastal drive towards Albany. Be wowed at The Gap and Natural Bridge before stopping for a dip at magical Elephant Rocks and Greens Pool in William Bay National Park near Denmark.
From the coast to the forest, discover the pristine wilderness and old growth forests of the Walpole region with the last stop of the day at the largest Tingle Tree in Western Australia.
We do about 5 hours of driving today, with stops along the way. Tonight, we camp at a Quinnup Caravan Park, which has shower and toilet facilities.
After breakfast, those feeling brave can climb the 50-metre Diamond Tree, a native karri tree once used as a fire lookout, and the only wooden tree-top tower in the world. But today is all about tantalising your taste buds as we spend the rest of the day tasting our way around Margaret River. Visit boutique wineries, craft breweries, a chocolate factory and a cheese factory, sampling as we go. Cheers to that.
Today we drive around 5 hours making stops along the way. Tonight, we camp at Big Valley Caravan Park in Margaret River which has shower and toilet facilities.
On the last day of the tour you’ll wake to the now-familiar laugh of kookaburras. Roll up your swag one last time before jumping on the bus to Dunsborough to meet Wardandi custodian, Josh. He will introduce you to the world’s oldest living culture with his authentic and personal interpretation. Go deep down into the Ngilgi Cave for a memorable underground didgeridoo performance, taste native foods, and experience traditional fire-lighting on this unique Indigenous cultural experience.
As our 10-day adventure across the South Coast of Australia draws to an end, we’ll have a last dip at the popular tourist town of Busselton, where it’s hard to miss the 19th-century Jetty stretching 1.8km into Geographe Bay. One last stint on the road has us arriving into Perth around 6pm. Although there are no formal activities planned it is usual for the group to get together and reflect on the big journey together over a few drinks.
Today we drive 4 hours and please make sure you have booked your Perth accommodation prior to departure.
10 Days
$1,695 AUD
