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Exmouth Explorer: Perth to Ningaloo, 7 Days

Seven days to Ningaloo and back, dolphins, reef, and maybe a whale shark.

The full WA coral coast in one week: Pinnacles, Kalbarri's gorges, Monkey Mia's wild dolphins, snorkelling Ningaloo Reef at Coral Bay and Turquoise Bay, with the chance to add a whale shark or manta swim.

⭑ 4.9 7,767 Google reviews 📍 Western Australia ⏱ 7 Days 👥 Up to 23 🔥 Active

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Overview

Ningaloo is the reef you can walk to from the beach, and it's a 1,250km drive from Perth, which is why most travellers never see it. The Exmouth Explorer turns that problem into a seven-day highlight reel with someone else at the wheel.

The route north collects the icons: the Pinnacles' limestone spires, Kalbarri's Skywalk, Nature's Window and the Z-Bend, an early clifftop hike over Murchison Gorge, then World Heritage Shark Bay, Shell Beach, the ancient stromatolites, and a wild dolphin encounter at Monkey Mia. Then the payoff: snorkelling Ningaloo at Coral Bay and drifting the absurdly clear water of Turquoise Bay, with the option to add a swim with manta rays or whale sharks, one of the great wildlife experiences on the planet.

You sleep in private rooms throughout (motels in Kalbarri and Exmouth, hostels elsewhere), with 15 meals, park entry and guided walks up to 8km included. It's an 18–39 mini-coach crew, and it's the west coast without a single logistics headache.

Why you'll love it

  1. 1

    Snorkel Ningaloo Reef

  2. 2

    Wild dolphins at Monkey Mia

  3. 3

    Whale shark swim option

  4. 4

    Kalbarri Skywalk and gorges

  5. 5

    Private rooms all week

  6. 6

    15 meals included

More photos

Itinerary at a glance

Perth Day 1 · 7 Kalbarri Days 1–2 Monkey Mia Days 2–3 Coral Bay Days 3–4 Exmouth Days 4–5 Geraldton Day 6
Your route, day by day
1 Day 1 · Perth to Kalbarri

Head north and walk among the Pinnacles Desert in Nambung National Park on a guided tour, then enjoy lunch by the sea at Jurien Bay. Follow Indian Ocean Drive for coastal views and stop at the Pink Lake just outside Geraldton, conditions permitting, before arriving in the seaside town of Kalbarri for the night.

Accommodation
Private motel room with ensuite in Kalbarri
Meals Included
Lunch, Dinner
Distance Travelled
575 km
2 Day 2 · Kalbarri to Monkey Mia

Rise early for a sunrise photo stop at Nature's Window or the Kalbarri Skywalk, then explore the Murchison Gorge and Z-Bend in Kalbarri National Park, where water has carved straight through the sandstone (wildflowers add colour in spring). After lunch by the river mouth, roll on to Monkey Mia and your beachside stay. Abseiling at Z-Bend is an optional extra.

Accommodation
Private room in a beachside resort at Monkey Mia
Meals Included
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Distance Travelled
450 km
3 Day 3 · Monkey Mia to Coral Bay

Meet the famous Monkey Mia dolphins in the morning, with time on the beach or for a coffee. Then take in the cliff views over Denham from Eagle Bluff and stroll a beach made entirely of tiny shells before lunch. The afternoon ends in Coral Bay, right on Ningaloo Reef.

Accommodation
Private room in Coral Bay
Meals Included
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Distance Travelled
580 km
4 Day 4 · Coral Bay to Exmouth

Most of the day is yours to explore Ningaloo, Australia's largest fringing reef. Join a boat tour, walk to the shark nursery, hit Coral Bay's beaches or snorkel the reef only metres from shore. Swimming with manta rays and glass-bottom boat tours are optional extras. In the evening it is a short drive up the peninsula to Exmouth, where you stay two nights in the town centre.

Accommodation
Private motel room with ensuite in Exmouth
Meals Included
Breakfast, Dinner
Distance Travelled
155 km
5 Day 5 · Cape Range and Turquoise Bay

Drive through Cape Range National Park, a landscape of rugged limestone ranges, deep canyons and 50km of pristine beaches. Relax on the sand or snorkel at Turquoise Bay, with the guided part of the day wrapping up in the early afternoon. The rest is free: wander Exmouth, float in the pool or, in season, join a whale shark or humpback swim (optional, pre-booking required). Finish with sunset at Vlamingh Head Lighthouse.

Accommodation
Private motel room with ensuite in Exmouth
Meals Included
Breakfast, Dinner
Distance Travelled
135 km
6 Day 6 · Exmouth to Geraldton

A big road day south. Stop in Carnarvon at the Gwoonwardu Mia Gascoyne Aboriginal Heritage and Cultural Centre, which celebrates the five Aboriginal language groups of the Gascoyne, and have lunch at the onsite cafe. Take a photo stop overlooking the Murchison River and a coffee and ice-cream break at the Billabong roadhouse before settling in Geraldton for the night. A last group dinner at a local tavern is at your own expense.

Accommodation
Private room in Geraldton
Meals Included
Breakfast, Lunch
Distance Travelled
840 km
7 Day 7 · Geraldton to Perth

Take in the HMAS Sydney Memorial and its views over Geraldton, walk the 3 Bays Walk at Green Head and wander among the stromatolites at Lake Thetis. A stop at the Lancelin Sand Dunes lookout gives a last big view, then it is a relaxed ride back to Perth with drop-offs from around 6pm.

Meals Included
Breakfast
Distance Travelled
465 km

What's included

✓ What's included

  • 6 x Breakfast, 4 x Lunch, 5 x Dinner (Guest participation)
  • 3 night private motel room - with ensuite (Kalbarri, Exmouth x 2)
  • 3 nights private hostel room - with shared bathroom facilities (Monkey Mia, Coral Bay, Geraldton)
  • Admission to all National Parks
  • Dolphin experience fees
  • Guided walks (up to ~8km, grade 1-4)
  • Australian wildlife sightings, in the wild!
  • Experienced driver guide
  • Air-conditioned mini-coach travel
  • Comprehensive tour commentary
  • Select inner city pick up and drop off points

✕ Not included

  • ✕Any meals not indicated
  • ✕Hotel transfers pre/post tour itinerary to a nominated pickup point
  • ✕Personal expenses
  • ✕Additional tours
  • ✕Activities and hire equipment
  • ✕Travel insurance is highly recommended

Common questions about this trip

  • What's the cancellation policy?
    Day trips: full refund with 24 hours or more notice, 100% fee within 24 hours or for no-shows (winery tours: 100% fee within 48 hours). Short break and extended tours: Original and Adventure style get a full refund 15 or more days out and a 100% fee within 14 days; Comfort style gets a full refund 51 or more days out, 50% fee from 31 to 50 days, and 100% fee within 30 days. Unlimited free date changes are available (subject to availability) before cancellation fees apply. If the operator cancels, you can choose a full refund, rebooking, or a credit voucher valid for 3 years. Tours only run in extreme weather where safety is at risk, and non-safety weather gets no refund. Wanderlust handles the refund for you, refunds mirror the operator's terms 1:1 (including if the operator cancels) and we chase it on your behalf.

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What travellers say

Reviews from real travellers

Public reviews of the operator who runs this tour on the ground.

The operator's track record

4.9 on Google · 7,767 reviews

Review excerpts below are from Tripadvisor.

⭑⭑⭑⭑⭑
via Tripadvisor
"We spend a lot of time driving and you should be in good shape to do the optional tours of swimming with the manta rays and whale sharks but it's totally worth it. Western Australia is such a special place and Coral Bay and Exmouth were truly unforgettable!"
C

Catarina F.

Tripadvisor review

⭑⭑⭑⭑⭑
via Tripadvisor
"We saw some wonderful places and the campsites were very comfortable. I would highly recommend this tour. We also met some great people also on the tour."
S

Susie P

Tripadvisor review

⭑⭑⭑⭑⭑
via Tripadvisor
"We visited many locations, learnt a lot, saw lots of wild life and swam in some magical places."
W

Western_Blue_Devil

Tripadvisor review

Traveller reviews, source shown on each · shown as excerpts.

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