Karijini Itinerary

PERTH – CUE (PL, Camp). Leaving early, we drive through the Swan Valley to the Abbey of New Norcia. Established in 1847, it is the only monastic town in Australia. After a short break we continue our journey on the great Northern Hwy through the Mid West and travel to the iconic gold rush mining town of Cue. 650kms North-East of Perth.

CUE – NEWMAN (CB, PL, Camp). We continue north to cross the Tropic of Capricorn. On our way to the iron ore Mecca of the North, we pass many large sheep stations (some over 1 million acres in size). Newman was built in the 1960s by the Mount Newman Mining Company following the discovery of rich iron deposits on nearby Mount Whaleback (conducted mine tour). As the day draws to a close, we set-up camp in Newman’s newly completed campsite, and enjoy a nice pub meal in the town centre. 638kms

NEWMAN – MT ROBINSON/DALE GORGE (CB, PL, CD, Camp). Early morning flight to Newman. Airport pick-up. Conducted mine tour in Newman in the morning (optional). On the way to Karijini, we get off the beaten track to view recently discovered ancient indigenous art. As the day drawn to a close, we set-up camp in the breathtaking Karijini National Park, near Mt Robinson/ Auski Lookout or Dale Gorges, and enjoy a bush BBQ in the spectacular Pilbara Scenery in the evening. (Flight not included ~ 1196kms) 154kms  

KARIJINI NATIONAL PARK (CB, PL, CD, Camp). It’s photography time! Three full day is the perfect amount of time needed to explore the Karijini National Park and its amazing gorges. Formed over 2,500 million years ago, the Hamersley Ranges are some of the most unusual land formations on earth. Deep in the gorges you’ll come across cascading waterfalls and still water holes, a little paradise for both novice and experienced eyes, offering amazing photo opportunities. Dales Gorge, Fortescue Falls, Fern Pool, Circular Pool, Weano Gorge and Hancock Gorge are just some of the stunning areas we’ll get to visit. Definitely a highlight!  112kms 

KARIJINI – CHEELA PLAINS STATION (CB, PL, PM, Camp). Departing the Karijini Eco Retreat early morning, we'll travel to Hamersley Gorge, home of the iconic Spa Pool - One of the most photographed location in the Pilbara. After lunch we'll make our way to Tom Price and then off to Cheela Plain Station, our home for the night. Cheela Plains Station is a working cattle station nestled in the semi-arid, pastoral rangelands of the Pilbara about 170kms southwest of Tom Price. Tonight, we'll enjoy a delicious home cooked meal at the homestead. Optional astrophotography weather allowing.

Day Six

CHEELA PLAINS STATION - EXMOUTH (CB, PL, Motel/ Villa). Optional sunrise. After breakfast, we head to Nanutarra on the Ashburton River via the Nanutarra-Munjina Road which the World Heritage listed Ningaloo Reef and Karjini National Park. Cape Range National Park and the spectacular scenery of Charles Knife Road, where oil was first found in Western Australia in the 1950’s. Onto Exmouth where we set-up camp overlooking the magnificent Ningaloo Reefs. Sunset, twilight and nightscape session at Vlamingh Head Lighthouse.

EXMOUTH (CB, PL, Motel/ Villa). Free day. Laundry day. Optional Tours swimming with whale shark, etc. (extra - not included in this tour package)

Exmouth is a most fascinating place and the gateway to nearby Ningaloo Marine Park with its coral reefs, colourful fish and migratory whale sharks. We travel to the head of the Gulf for sunrise then onto the amazing Cape Range National park where we’ll watch the sunset and enjoy another nightscape session.  

EXMOUTH – WOORAMEL STATION (CB, PL, CD, CAMP). Sleep-in or take an early morning walk to capture the sunrise. We make the short drive to Coral Bay, the Jewel of the Northwest, where we explore and discover the wonders of the Ningaloo Reefs and its fascinating marine life. Free time; take the time to edit your images or work on your suntan. Back onto the Hwy to Carnarvon, where we visit the Babbage Island Jetty and the Fishing Harbour. This is the old North West, sheep station country, where so many farmers over the last 130 years have battled drought and great floods. Further south on the road to Shark Bay we come to Wooramel River Retreat, a unique station campground nestled under the majestic gum trees on the bank of the Wooramel River. Relax in the naturally heated therapeutic artesian bore baths from the Birdrong aquifer or enjoy the abundant bird and wildlife, camp fire, amazing night sky and the friendly outback atmosphere. 349kms 

WOORAMEL STATION – DENHAM (CB, PL, Motel/Villa). Shark Bay UNESCO World Heritage Area is one of the world’s greatest wilderness treasures, located on the edge of the Australian continent. As we come to the historical town of Hamelin Pool. Build in the 1884, and also known as Flagpole Landing in the early 1900’s, Hamelin Pool was an important telegraph and transport terminus. It was the landing point for cargo vessels bringing in supplies and taking out wool from surrounding stations as well as one of the main suppliers of Sandalwood in WA. The Stromatolites of Hamelin Pool are reputed to be the oldest form of life on earth, tiny singe cell organisms combine with the sediments of the sea water to create these rock like domed structures which are typical of life forms around over 200 million years ago. 210kms

DENHAM (CB, PL, Motel/Villa). Early morning start, this morning we make the short trip to world famous Monkey Mia Dolphins Resort– a unique encounter with dolphins and some fantastic photo opportunities. Pod of wild bottlenose dolphins have been regularly swim to Monkey Mia’s shore for the past 50 years, usually between four to seven dolphins visit the area daily, with up to twenty others visiting occasionally, often sighted in the bay with swimmers or on wildlife cruise.

After brunch, we travel back towards Denham on the other side of the Peron Peninsula, and experience a wild 4WD afternoon exploring the spectacular Francois Peron National Park. A smorgasbord of breathtaking red dunes and turquoise waters!

DENHAM – KALBARRI (CB, PL, Villa). After breakfast, we travel to Kalbarri via Useless Loop and Kalbarri National Park, on our way back to the Brand Hwy, we explore the mesmerising Shell Beach. This beautiful snow-white beach is made up of billions of tiny shells up to 10 metres deep and stretching for over 70 kilometres and the shallow water is just divine! Time allowing we’ll explore the Ross Graham and Hawk Head Lookout, and capture the late afternoon light filtering on the rich red 100 meters high gorges walls  of the peaceful Murchison River, as we enter the Kalbarri National Park from the North side.  374kms. 

KALBARRI NATIONAL PARK (CB, PL, BBQ, Villa). Early morning walk to capture the sunrise, nature and coastal cliffs. After lunch, we take a short drive to Kalbarri National Park where we explore some of the Murchison River hidden treasures, Nature’s Window and Z-Bend Gorge (it is a steep descent but well worth the effort when you get there). Optional spectacular 45 min. River Gorges and  

Coastal Cliffs via Pink Lake scenic flight. We share our last evening together around the BBQ as the sun set over the Murchison River. 

KALBARRI – CERVANTES (PINNACLES) (CB, PL, MD, MOTEL). The Hutt Lagoon, also known as Pink Lake near Port Gregory is a favourite stop to most people, however, under the right light and with clement weather conditions, it turns into a travel photographer’s paradise. Back to the North West Coastal Highway through Northampton to Geraldton. Following the coast we travel through many Cray fishing towns, Dongara, Leeman, Jurien Bay and Cervantes. As the day draws to a close, we explore the majestic Pinnacles in the Nambung National Park, although the best period of the year to capture the Milky Way in the southern hemisphere is Autumn, Winter and Spring (March to October), the Pinnacle Desert is an amazing place to visit through out the year at sunset, Golden/ Blue Hour and after dark. As the night fall, the starry sky become this amazing back drop blanket, creating this breathtaking surreal landscape with thousand of stars lighting-up the Pinnacles with ever-changing light shadow all year round. 359kms 

CERVANTES – PERTH (CB, PL). Sleep-in or take an early drive to capture the Pinnacles at sunrise.  After breakfast we take the recently completed Indian Ocean Drive past Lancelin to Perth. Built in 2010, the new Indian Ocean Drive will take us through an amazing diversity of landscapes, flora and spectacular ocean views along the shore of the Coral Coast. As we approach the sand dunes you could be forgiven for thinking they were snow-covered mountains as the sand is so stunningly white!  The Nambung National Park offer a splendour of photographic opportunities on our way back to Perth, casting dramatic shadows with the ever-changing light all year round. We’ll arrive back into Perth around lunch time, early afternoon, where we make our final goodbye. 230kms 

B = Breakfast | L = Lunch | D = Dinner | P = Picnic | P = Pub | C = Camp | M = Motel | V = Villa/Chalet 

There is a STRICT luggage limit of 15kgs per person, in a backpack or soft bag (Camera equipment not included in the 15kgs). 

Accommodations are subject to availability and may vary depending the seasons. 

A perfect add-on before your KARIJIN Photo Tour is our PERTH HALF DAY TOUR or following straight after, join us on our MARGARET RIVER extension.