13 Day Wonders of the Pilbara & West Coast Tour KWPMB

Itinerary

Flight Information

• Day 1 – flights to arrive prior to 12 noon in to  Perth Airport
• Day 13 – flights to depart anytime from Broome Airport
  Flights are not included in the holiday price
  Return airport to hotel transfers are included in the holiday price

• 1 Welcome to Perth (D)

  Almost two weeks of adventures lie before you, the first a twirl around Perth. The Western Australian capital almost steals the street-art trophy from Melbourne, the city’s alleys and warehouses decorated with eye-popping murals and installations. It’s also remarkably green, with 400-hectare Kings Park and Botanic Garden sitting pretty in the CBD, on a lazy bend of the serpentine Swan River. Two thirds of the grounds are reserved for native plants. If you don’t know your fellow travellers by now, you will by the time your Welcome Dinner is over.

  Hotel: Crowne Plaza Perth

• 2 Perth - Geraldton (B)

  It’s time to go north to Yanchep National Park. Here, Noongar man Derek Nannup’s Dreamtime stories tell the tale of how the land was created. His tours are hands-on, so expect to taste bush tucker and try playing the didgeridoo. Think the day couldn’t get any better? Within Nambung National Park, the Pinnacles create a moonscape that appears plucked from a sci-fi film, its staggering collection of natural limestone structures jutting into the sky. Arriving in Geraldton, pay homage to sailors lost off the WA coast during WWII at the HMAS Sydney Memorial.

  Hotel: Mantra Geraldton

• 3 Geraldton - Monkey Mia (B D)

  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, and fabled Monkey Mia.

  Hotel: Monkey Mia Dolphin Resort

• 4 Monkey Mia Free Time (B)

  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 mingle with humans. It’s a hard act to follow. Perhaps choose an optional sunset cruise, or get some perspective of the bay on an optional scenic flight? Or both. The afternoon is yours.

  Hotel: Monkey Mia Dolphin Resort

• 5 Monkey Mia - Carnaron (B D)

  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 of the fascinating facts you’ll learn from your passionate guide. The experience is interactive, so budding astronauts can opt to try on space suits and climb aboard a spacecraft simulator.

  Hotel: Best Western Hospitality Inn Carnarvon

• 6 Carnarvan - Exmouth (B D)

  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 an embarrassment of fish. You won’t know where to look, although your on-board naturalist will help guide your gaze. This is part of the World Heritage listed Ningaloo Coast, a popular hangout for larger-then-life migratory marine life including whale sharks and humpbacks. Before you settle into your plush Exmouth hotel, admire the curves of the coastline from Vlamingh Head Lighthouse.

  Hotel: Mantarays Ningaloo Beach Resort

• 7 Exmouth Free Time (B D)

  Steel yourself for a few ‘pinch-me’ moments today. Opt to snorkel (with an ethical operator) over Ningaloo Reef. 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.

  Hotel: Mantarays Ningaloo Beach Resort

• 8 Exthmouth - Karijini National Park (B D)

  It’s an epic commute across the Pilbara from Exmouth to inland Karijini. But it’s oh-so worth it. If you’ve ever wanted to fall in love at first sight, it’ll happen at Karijini National Park. This is nature amplified, a place of immense gorges and deep, dark chasms; waterfalls and gem-like rock pools. This red slice of the Hamersley Range is a magnet for nature lovers, not only for the earthly delights but also the creatures that call the cliffs home. You’re hundreds of kilometres from the nearest town, so expect dazzling stargazing from your safari tent.

  Hotel: Karijini Eco Retreat

• 9 Karijini National Park (B D)

  It took billions of years to create the geological wonders of Karijini: the striking red escarpments and the quiet gorges all enveloped by tall gums. You have a single day to explore, so bring your stamina and sense of adventure. You’re heading deep into the national park, discovering hidden nooks and waterholes just begging you to swim in them.

  Hotel: Karijini Eco Retreat

• 10 Karijini National Park - Port Hedland (B D)

  At first glimpse of the Pilbara, you may well think you’ve been transported to Mars. The soil couldn’t get any redder, the skies any wider, the rock formations any more dramatic, much of the countryside streaked with mineral deposits. People are few and far between until you reach the town of Port Hedland. There are plenty of local characters to meet over dinner at your hotel.

  Hotel: Hospitality Port Hedland

• 11 Port Hedland - Broome (B D)

  Skirting the edge of the Great Sandy Desert, your morning outlook is flat – almost as far as the eye can see, the sand eventually giving way to mountain ranges, and then multicultural Broome. This city 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. The other standout attraction here happens at sunset. Follow locals to the sand on Cable Beach and salute the end of another spectacular day in WA.

  Hotel: Cable Beach Club Resort

• 12 Broome Free Time (B)

  Which direction should you choose to venture today? Head north deep into the Kimberley on an optional experience where the Horizontal Falls reveals the power of nature. Get some perspective of the tides here on a scenic flight, then feel the force of the water on a heart-starting cruise across the rapids. Or veer off to a pearl farm to witness the precision that goes into growing and harvesting these gems. Or simply enjoy Broome’s tropical climes, strolling along 22-kilometre Cable Beach, hunting for dinosaur footprints and browsing boutiques.

  Hotel: Cable Beach Club Resort

• 13 Farewell from Broome (B)

  How do you pick a favourite adventure from the last 12 days? You don’t have to – let them all shine in equal measure in your memory.

  Included Meals: Breakfast

• 14 Please Note

  This itinerary may be subject to change. A limited number of single rooms are available as a supplement. Twin Share is 2 people sharing one room. A person 18 years and over of age, travelling alone is a Single Traveller and is required to pay the single supplement. Ask about child prices or triple-share options.  Discount offers are valid for select travel departures where stated on our website. Full payment is due 100 days before departure for land-only bookings, to be eligible for the discount, whichever date comes first stated in your booking conditions. The offer is not combinable with any other discounts. Discounts are subject to availability at the time of booking, with limited seats available. Offers may be withdrawn at any time without notice. For new bookings only. Excludes agent, group, and charter bookings. Other standard booking conditions apply.

Please note: This itinerary may be subject to change.
Fitness Requirements: Remote region of Western Australia – Moderate level of fitness required. Extreme temperatures can be experienced in this remote region of Australia. Pack warm clothes for the cool evenings and comfortable clothes for the heat of the day.

Additional Information

Climate Winter in the tropical north is the dry season and temperatures will be mild with low humidity. Through the months of September and October, the temperatures become increasingly warmer.

Fitness to Travel A good level of fitness and health is required to participate on holiday packages. In some destinations there are extensive sightseeing excursions by foot which includes the climbing of stairs and walking on uneven surfaces. Mobility is needed boarding or alighting coaches and trains.

Single Travellers Single supplements apply.

Children under 12 years are not recommended for these tours. Children under 18 years must be accompanied by an adult.

Seat Rotation To enable everyone the opportunity of enjoying window and front seats, clients change seats daily during the course of the tour.

Extras Airfares (unless stated), airport taxes, laundry, food not on the regular menu, drinks may or may not be included as indicated in your itinerary, excess baggage, Wi-Fi (unless stated), fuel surcharges and optional excursions not specified in the itinerary. Extra overnight accommodation is not included at the start or end of the tour if not specified in the itinerary. Airport Transfers Airport transfers are included on the first and last day of the tour as indicated by the itinerary or when booking pre or post tour accommodation with your tour.

Luggage Limits One medium size suitcase (not exceeding 76x46x25 cm) per person plus one piece of hand luggage which may be carried on-board the coach. Please note luggage with adjustable handle and wheels will not fit in the overhead luggage compartments and cannot be accepted as hand luggage. Maximum weight of the suitcase not to exceed 23kg (50lbs). If your luggage exceeds this limit, we ask that you make alternative arrangements for the excess to be forwarded to the termination point of your tour. We suggest that you have wheels on your suitcase, as there are certain places where assistance is not available (e.g. railway stations and cruise terminals).

Clothing and What to Bring Clothing and footwear should be casual, comfortable and suited to tropical conditions.
• Clothing – shorts, trousers, shirts, swimwear, hat, sunglasses, a jacket and a change of warm clothes in case of inclement weather are advisable.
• Footwear – some form of fast-drying wet-shoe would prove useful.
• Personal – sun protection, insect repellent, medications, toiletries, (overseas travellers should bring a suitable adapter). Don’t forget to bring your video or camera along with plenty of film & spare batteries (recharge facilities are available).
• Money and/or credit card for personal expenses such as drinks, souvenirs and optional extras.

Smoking Government regulations prohibit smoking, including e-cigarettes, inside tourist coaches. Please restrict smoking to the ample stops en-route.

Travel Insurance Clients are strongly advised to take out travel insurance to cover any unforeseen circumstances (e.g. cancellation or curtailment expenses, loss of luggage etc). Disruption to Itinerary Arrangements Itineraries are intended as a guide only and are subject to alteration without notice. Alterations may be necessary for various reasons including, without limitation, road or weather conditions, strikes or other reasons beyond reasonable control. Occasionally airlines and tour operators are forced to reschedule departure dates. Guided Holidays will not be rescheduled within 45 days of the published departure date. Recieve a free no obligation quote online or talk to our staff.

Booking Terms and Conditions

Be aware that some confirmed bookings are not refundable if cancelled, and also may not be transferable to another date or otherwise changed. Alternatively, a change may only be permissible subject to payment of an additional fee or charge. Your entitlement to a refund for cancelled bookings is subject to the relevant Supplier’s terms and conditions. Please note that if we are entitled to a service fee for placing a booking, we will remain entitled to this fee if you cancel the booking or the Supplier fails to provide you with the Product for any reason (other than our default), including in an event of Force Majeure. We will be entitled to deduct our service fee from any refund we receive on your behalf before remitting the balance to you. Suppliers’ fees are outlined in their relevant terms and conditions.

Please review the full Terms and Conditions and Schedule of Fees prior to making a booking.

Supplier Terms and Conditions Summary Guided Holidays:

• 60 days or more prior to departure will incur a loss of deposit.
• 16-59 days prior to departure will incur a fee of 30% of holiday package price.
• 15-8 days prior to departure will incur a fee of 50% of holiday package price.
• 7-1 days prior to departure will incur a fee of 50% of holiday package price.
• Day or departure will incur a fee of 100% holiday package price.

Supplier Terms and Conditions Summary The Ghan & Indian Pacific:

• 46 days or more prior to departure will incur a fee of loss of deposit.
• 45-0 days or less prior to departure will incur a fee of 100% holiday package price.

Promotional sales may incur stricter cancellation fees, these will be in terms and conditions of sale price purchases.

Changes to the Itinerary Not all attractions, excursions and/or optional tours are provided by the tour operator. Accordingly, tour operators may, where it is required to do so, suspend or cancel any tour inclusion where that tour inclusion is not available or in the opinion of tour operators, unadvisable, unsafe or unsuitable. During local or national holidays, certain facilities such as museums and restaurants, sightseeing tours and shopping may be limited or not available. Tour operators reserves the right to alter or change the accommodation, carriers or vessels at any time for any reason; and cancel or alter the itinerary and/or tour at any time without notice as Outback Aussie Tours considers necessary for any reason whatsoever including road, weather or traffic conditions, non-performance of suppliers, industrial action, operational conditions and requirements.

FAQs

• Are there concession discounts?
  Pensioners (Australia or New Zealand) and Seniors Card holders (Australia) save with our concession discounts on selected tours. Ask our friendly team which tours you can get a discount on.
• Are your tours suitable for pensioners aged 76 and 84 ?

  Yes, Kimberley Tours have a wide range of passengers from children to adult who are 90 years of age. You need to read the itinerary and review the fitness levels required prior to deciding if the tours is suitable. Each tour is different.

• Do you have any tours on offer during November, December, January or February?

  The Kimberley region offer tours from May through to September generally, but there are always unique offerings outside of these dates. However you can visit different locations such as Perth, Central Australia or the Wildflowers and Margaret River at different times of the year. As one of our help Travel Advisors to help you find something that suits your interests, budget and the dates you would like to travel.

• Is accommodation the night after the tour ends included in the price ?

  No, this accommodation will be an cost extra, but we can assist you to book this at great rates and we will ensure you are staying at either the same accommodation of somewhere near by.

• Is accommodation the night prior to the tour departure included in the price ?
  No, accommodation at the start of end of your tour is an additional costs unless specifically listed in the itinerary.
• Where is the meeting point for the start of tours ?
  Generally, tours will start at the hotel listed as the pre tour accommodation options. This will be listed in yore final travel documents.
• Do I need to arrive before Day 1 of my tour ?

  Please refer to your specific tour, in most cases you will need to arrive the night before your tour departs. Please check flight details listed for each individual tour. If this is the case we can arrange pre tour accommodation on your behalf, this will be an extra cost.

  Day tours or Short Breaks may start later in the day on Day 1 so you can arrive that morning which will avoid the extra nights accommodation cost. We can help you plan some extra activities pre or post tour to extend you holiday and make the most of your trip.

• How do you calculate the number of days for Kimberley tours ?
  If you are doing a 4 day tour commencing on April 8th, the first day of the tour is and includes the 8th, plus 9th, plus 10th plus 11th and the tour ends on April 11. This would be 3 nights and 4 days on tour.
• Do your tours operate over Christmas and New Year?
  There are generally not as many extended tours in the Top End or Broome Region due to the weather at this time of the year. There may be day trips or short breaks for the holiday season. Explore Perth or Central Australia. Tasmania or a Murray River Cruise are popular in the Australian Summer months.
• Are airfares from my home town included in the cost of the tours ?
  Airfares to and from Northern Territory or Western Australia at the start and finish of your tours are extra.
• Payment Options

  Credit Card Payments
  Credit Card Customer Payment Link copy and paste this link into your browser: pay.travelpay.com.au/AUSTC

  If paying via the Customer Payment Link, please ensure you complete all fields and ensure you enter the correct Trip Reference Number, so we can identify your payment.

  Credit card surcharges will apply when paying by credit card. We accept all credit cards and relevant credit card fee is applied when processing: Mastercard – 1.30%, Visa – 1.50%, American Express – 2.20%, Diners Card – 2.75%, International Credit Cards – 3.25%

  Direct Deposit
  Direct Deposit payments take up to 3 business days to process. Please notify your consultant of your payment once it has been processed.

  Commonwealth Bank: Australian Tours and Cruises
  Reference: Your Trip Number
  BSB: 062-504 Account: 1066 1268
  Branch Address: Shop 1/80-84 William St, Bathurst NSW 2795
  In Bank Payment of Cash Or Cheque: Add $5 for bank fees
  International Direct Deposit: Add $25 for bank fees
  SWIFT or BIC CODE: CTBAAU2S

• Should I buy travel insurance?
  Travel Insurance

   It is HIGHLY recommended that passengers take out travel insurance. As a valued customer we are pleased to offer you the opportunity to purchase discounted travel insurance.  Travel Insurance Quote with CoverMore.