Untamed Kimberley & West Coast

The capital of the Northern Territory is beguiling; its balmy tropical climate, fiery sunsets, laid-back locals and surprising attractions. Take in the city sights on a tour, your guide revealing the distinctive architectural style along with the events that have shaped it over the years, including 1974's Cyclone Tracy and the city's bombing in 1942. Prepare yourself for an exploration of Darwin's top attractions, including the botanical garden, the breathtaking views from East Point Reserve, and a Welcome Dinner at a waterfront restaurant.

Your southern sojourn begins with yet more insights into the region’s historic events, expanding on yesterday’s lesson about WWII and its impact on the region. The Adelaide River was not only the headquarters of a large military base, but its banks now house a cemetery, the final resting place of those who lost their lives in defence of the country. Nature takes over at Nitmiluk National Park on Jawoyn land. The history and culture of the Traditional Landowners comes into full focus as you set off on a cruise through dramatic Nitmiluk Gorge. Remarkably, this is one of 13 gorges carved through the national park, and at every bend in the river, the sun casts its soaring sandstone cliffs a different colour. There’s no time to catch your breath – you’re off to the Katherine Outback Experience, where you'll be entertained with songs, stories, and a Be My Guest dinner under the stars. It’s not a show or a tour, but an immersive adventure. One that is real, raw, and funny at times.

Cross from the NT into WA, where Kununurra feels like it’s in the middle of nowhere. See what life was like in the region for early pioneers at the Durack Homestead Museum, which was meticulously moved and recreated before the land it formerly sat on was flooded as part of the Ord River Irrigation Scheme. The project not only helped water the countryside, but created Lake Argyle. A cruise to sunset here, surrounded by freshwater crocs and birds, is something you won’t forget in a hurry. The project also gave birth to Kununurra, a quirky town where life is best enjoyed in the slow lane. While the main streets are unassuming, all roads lead to some of WA’s most postcard-worthy sights.

Today is one of decisions: A scenic flight over (or 4WD tour of) the dramatic World Heritage-listed Purnululu National Park, home to the Bungle Bungles (own expense). Or a wander with your Travel Director through Mirima National Park, known as a ‘mini Bungles’, while hearing about how the landscapes were formed. In between, explore the Waringarri Aboriginal Art Centre on a guided tour, meeting Indigenous creatives at work and maybe picking up a piece to take home. The ultimate souvenir.

The AAT Kings team has been visiting Hoochery Distillery for as long as we can remember. We ask the owners to take you behind the scenes to discover how their award-winning rums and whiskys are made. There’s time for a tasting (own expense),  before sitting down to morning tea. From here, get a taste of the Gibb River Road, en route to El Questro Wilderness Park, backdropped by the rusty red Cockburn Range. Hidden among the pandanus palms are a string of slick safari-style tents. Which means you can gaze at the stars while you drift off to a chorus of frogs and cicadas. When darkness falls, expect a bedazzlement of stars overhead.

No alarm-clock necessary: nature wakes you here. The Kimberley’s sounds follow you across the mighty Pentecost River to Chamberlain Gorge, a dreamy fresh waterhole where wallabies and crocs play (not with each other). Your boat is dwarfed by the gorge’s soaring 60-metre escarpments, a brilliant shade of orange in the morning sun. Days in this part of WA can heat up. This afternoon’s remedy? A splash in the resort’s pool, perhaps, or a dip in a waterhole within Emma Gorge.

When you arrive in Halls Creek you'll visit the Yarliyil Art Gallery, an Aboriginal owned enterprise which has more than 100 artist members who practice art in a wide range of styles and mediums. Artists attend the centre daily to paint and express stories of history, people, the country and cultural connection. Equally important to Aboriginal communities is the Great Sandy Desert, on the edge of which is Halls Creek. This place is small in population, but big in personality.

The Kimberley boasts a geological history that is nothing short of spectacular. On this MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience, explore the Mimbi Caves with an Indigenous guide to observe the delicate limestone formations, brilliantly vivid colours and crystal-clear freshwater pools that remain from the Devonian Great Barrier Reef that formed over 350 million years ago. Discover ancient rock paintings before listening to songs and hearing the Gooniyandi Dreaming story, while enjoying billy tea and damper. Travel through the Kimberley towards the remote township of Fitzroy Crossing.

The reason Broome was born is because of pearls. Today, it’s just as well known for its sizzling Indian Ocean sunsets, best enjoyed from the Cable Beach sand. This stretch of sand is long. So long that it can accommodate 4WDs, camels and foot-traffic. Perch here, or head to a waterside café. Order a drink, and settle in.

Now that you have your bearings thanks to your Broome tour, today is yours to explore. Take your time to discover the charms of the town, indulge in the delightful pearl boutiques, and embark on a leisurely stroll along the magnificent Cable Beach, stretching over 22 kilometres. Immerse yourself in the vibrant atmosphere of Chinatown, with its colourful streets and cultural offerings. If you're feeling more adventurous, you can choose to embark on an optional tour that will take you to breathtaking destinations. One such experience is a visit to a pearl farm, where you can witness the fascinating process of pearl cultivation and learn about the rich history of the industry (own expense). Marvel at the intricate craftsmanship and discover the allure of these exquisite gems.

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. Your Karijini tour weaves deep into the national park. 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. It covers a staggering 630,000 hectares in the Hamersley Range, making it WA’s second-largest national park.

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) kilometers of Pilbara region to cover between 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. But your focus here should be firmly on the ocean, whether you’re swimming in it or cruising above it. Your accommodation is only meters from the waterline, so you can be assured of a mesmerizing view on the North West Cape.

Depending on the time of year, Ningaloo Reef is home to both whale sharks and humpback whales. Thanks to the region’s ethically minded operators, you can now opt to snorkel with both. There’s nothing quite as humbling as spotting these enormous creatures in the wild. But if prefer to stay dry, there are still ways to take in the coastline. Book an optional sunset cruise and you may well see a humpback breaching and blowing, dolphins in your wake. The decision is all yours today. We wouldn’t blame you for simply strolling along the sand…

Don’t want to get your hair wet? You’re in luck. Today’s cruise in a glass-bottomed boat allows you to glimpse Ningaloo Reef and the extraordinary marine life in style. At Coral Bay marine sanctuary, your guide will point out colourful coral, turtles and fish while you glide – more than 500 species call this protected patch of ocean home. From this thriving underwater ecosystem to overhead attractions, your next stop is the Carnarvon Space and Technology Museum. Did you know this unassuming destination played a role in the 1969 moon landing? That’s just one of its claims to fame, as you’ll discover touring the gallery’s collection.

Prepare yourself for the ‘living fossils’ at Hamelin Pool, home to the most abundant colony of stromatolites in the world. These astounding creatures show us what life was like 3,500-million years ago, when there was no other complex life on Earth. You’re officially in the state’s World Heritage listed Shark Bay, the largest of its kind in Australia with more than 1,000 kilometres of beaches. Not all of them sandy – welcome to Shell Beach. Here, the snow-white colour comes from billions of tiny coquina bivalve shells, up to 10 metres deep and stretching for 120 kilometres. And just when you thought the outlook couldn’t get any better, you arrive at Monkey Mia.

If you didn’t fall in love with the gin-clear waters, powdery sand and rusty-red dunes of Monkey Mia last night, you certainly will today. Meet the wild resident dolphins that turn up to the shore every morning to interact with humans. They arrive in a pod, and splash about in the shallows, before dancing off. When it’s time to tear yourself away, the afternoon is yours, at leisure. You might choose to enjoy a bird’s-eye perspective of Shark Bay on an optional scenic flight.

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 the 645 Australian sailors who were lost off the WA coast during WWII at the HMAS Sydney Memorial.

Did we leave the best till last? Nambung National Park’s Pinnacles are a staggering collection of natural limestone structures, jutting into the sky – up to 3.5 metres high. Some 30,000 years ago, the sea receded and left deposits of shells. Over time, coastal winds removed the sand, leaving behind this surreal moonscape. It’s a spiritual place, as is Yanchep National Park, where, on a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience your Aboriginal guide decodes native plants and tells Dreamtime stories of how the land was created. Prepare to get involved, inspecting tools, watching dance, and listening to the didgeridoo. This evening, join your Travel Director and companions for a Farewell Dinner.

It’s hard to believe this epic adventure has come to an end. Three weeks of incredible memories to take home with you.