When you walk with Life’s An Adventure you can be sure that our aim is to deliver a tour beyond your expectations. When comparing other tours in this region be sure you check that you don’t you have to carry your own gear and that your accommodation is not a long distance from where you are walking. We believe our tours deliver exceptional value for money, with all the creature comforts you are after.

Join our the Karijini and Ningaloo Reef tour with Life’s an Adventure and enjoy a Pack Free walk with your overnight bags transported for you, leaving you free to walk with as little as water and a camera.

NOTE:

This itinerary also departs in the reverse order to the below detailed itinerary. See Departure Dates for itinerary starting location.

GETTING THERE: 

Guests will need to fly to Paraburdoo in Western Australia on the morning of day one of the tour. Qantas and Virgin operate regular flights from Perth to Paraburdoo. Flights from Perth to Paraburdoo are 1 hour 45 mins duration.

At the time of creating this tour we based departure dates around scheduled flights. Unfortunately schedule changes with airlines are a possibility. If you cannot find flights which match the arrival and departure date to our itinerary, clients (at own expense) will have to book a pre or post night accommodation. 

TRAIL NOTES:

Hamersley Gorge Walk 1km, 3 hours return. Moderate to Difficult Grade.

TERRAIN: 

There’s a short descent into the gorge. Expect some rock-hopping and uneven ground but a well formed trail.

ITINERARY: 

Welcome to Western Australia. Guests will fly today from Perth to Paraburdoo. Please enquire best flight times to book or our flights team can arrange your flights for you. Our guides will collect you from the airport and drive 1.5 hours directly to Karijini National Park.

Our aim, over the next few days, is to get you straight to the best sites Karijini National Park has to offer with its narrow red-rock gorges, swimming holes and classic Pilbara scenery.

Upon arrival at Paraburdoo Airport, we drive 1 ½ hours to Karijini National Park and head straight to the awe-inspiring Hamersley Gorge. Your walk today takes in the contrasting ecosystems of the Pilbara, as we descend from the dry plains into the cool, shady greenness of the gorge where you will marvel at the contrasts between the red rock, lush ferns and the clear pools hidden below.

This is a dramatic gorge, full of colour texture and reflections and a great spot for a swim. There are several lookouts giving spectacular views of the Karijini gorge system.

After a glorious day exploring you check into your luxury glamping accommodation at the Karijini Eco Retreat which will be home for the next three nights. Then, enjoy a fabulous dinner with wine at Alfresco Restaurant while watching tonight’s rich, colourful, long-burn sunset typical of outback Western Australia

TRAIL NOTES: 

Dale Gorge and Knox Gorge Walks – 5.4km, 5 hours. Moderate to Difficult Grade.

TERRAIN: 

There are some good dirt paths but today’s walks are largely on uneven, rocky and unmodified terrain. Be prepared for some scrambling over rocks and a small amount of ledge walking. In and out of the gorge’s are steep, short ascents with steps.

WALK ITINERARY: 

After a hearty breakfast our guides take you on a series of short but challenging walks today as you explore Dale Gorge and Knox Gorge.

Today you will witness how the power of water has shaped Karijini. There are impressive waterfalls, and deep, cold pools as well as spectacular lookouts.

This morning we’ll walk into Fortescue Falls (approx 1.5hrs), enjoying various breaks along the way with optional swimming before walking to Fern Pool.

We’ll then transfer to Knox Gorge. This is an ancient part of our Earth where the slow but impressive process of erosion has carved out a unique landscape from rocks that are more than 2,000 million years old.

Afterwards we return to our accommodation for relaxation followed by dinner served with wine.

TRAIL NOTES: 

Mt Bruce Walk – 9km, 6 hours. Difficult Grade.

TERRAIN: 

The trail varies from easy, gentle gradients to sections of steeper terrain and one short section that requires scrambling up a rock chute, with some exposure.  Overall it is a clear and well defined trail, with sections on uneven, rocky and unmodified terrain. Total climb is 450m in elevation change.

WALK ITINERARY: 

You will rise above it all today, for spectacular views across the Spinifex-clad Pilbara landscape.

You will climb to the summit of Mt Bruce, Western Australia’s second-highest peak, at 1,234 metres above sea level.

The Aboriginal name for Mount Bruce is Punurrunha and while the summit trail has some steep and rocky sections many walkers regard this as one of the finest and most exciting mountain walks in Western Australia. It is also a great chance to see some of Western Australia’s unique wildlife including the Pebble Mound Mouse and Rothschild’s Rock Wallaby.

We all walk halfway up Mt Bruce, at this point those who wish to continue to the summit to enjoy a lunch with a view with continue with one guide, while the rest of the group descends the mountain to enjoy lunch back at the Eco-Retreat.  

There is an option to go to Joffre Gorge for a swim.

After our walk, we make our way back to our accommodation to relax before enjoying dinner and wine in the restaurant.

TRAIL NOTES:

Hancock and Weano Gorge Walks total – 2km, 2 hours. Moderate Grade.

TERRAIN:

Like the other gorge walks, there are some good sections of dirt paths but also some uneven, rocky and unmodified terrain. Be prepared for some scrambling over rocks and a small amount of ledge walking.

WALK ITINERARY:

Another day of strapping on your boots and heading out to explore two of Karijini’s finest and most famous gorges – Hancock and Weano.

The walks are challenging in places, with some wading through water and clambering over rock ledges, but these are not difficult walks and the gorges are truly amazing.

At times, the gorge walls are just an arms-length apart and the rich red colour and banding of the rock is simply breathtaking. You will discover beautiful jade pools nestled deep within the gorge complex, including the famous Handrail Pool. These walks are a photographer’s paradise. 

After this fabulous finale, you will leave Karijini and drive 3 hours to our accommodation at Cheela Plains Station, a family-owned and managed cattle station located in the semi-arid, pastoral rangelands of the Pilbara with a unique environmentally-centred grazing system.

If time permits we can visit a local waterhole, Munderie Springs which is on the property in the late afternoon for a quick dip.

Tonight we’ll enjoy traditional country hospitality and a fabulous home-cooked meal with wine.

ITINERARY:

After a hearty country breakfast, today we head west towards Exmouth.

As Western Australia is a big state it will take you much of the day to drive to the coast but there is plenty to see along the way, particularly Western Australia’s famous wildflowers.

While wildflowers vary in abundance with the seasons, and from year to year, there is always something interesting and colourful in flower and this section of road is renowned for its swathes of purple Ashburton pea, yellow flowering sennas (cassias) and acacias, purple mulla mullas and the iconic Sturt’s Desert Pea.

On route, we will also visit the spectacular Charles Knife Canyon and stretch our legs whilst taking in the magnificent views. 

After a late lunch, we then continue on to your accommodation at Exmouth Escape Resort in Exmouth, where you will be staying for the next two nights.

Tonight you enjoy dinner at the onsite Whalers Restaurant which prides itself on fresh, honest flavours and sources the finest local seafood, steaks and produce. Served with wine.

ON THE REEF:

Swim with the gentle Whale Sharks

For adventure-lovers and nature-lovers, nothing compares to the exhilaration of swimming with the gentle giants of Ningaloo Reef – the whale sharks.

The World Heritage-listed Ningaloo Reef is one of the largest, most reliable and best-managed whale shark aggregations in the world. An estimated 300-500 whale sharks make their way to Ningaloo annually between March and August.

Mark Norek Lifes An Adventure MD said… “However, this is only a rule of thumb and when we did the tour in September, we swam with the whale sharks. The crew said, they also look for Humpback whales and Manta Rays. On the tour we saw all three marine animals. At the end of the day you can be not so lucky, but the tour was amazing and the Coral alone was well worth the day out let alone swimming with Whale sharks – it was the best day tour I have ever done!”

Reef Snorkelling tour

If you’re not into swimming with the Whale Sharks, a reef snorkelling tour is also available for all participants on the same tour.

Ningaloo is one of the longest and most pristine fringing reefs in the world and is home to manta rays, turtles, and a plethora of colourful fish and corals. While today’s reef tours are optional they are highly recommended.

ON THE LAND:

For those who like to keep their feet firmly planted on land, you can explore the ancient, limestone gorges of Cape Range National Park, home to the rare black-flanked rock wallaby.

The walks include Mandu Mandu and Yardie Creek gorges which offer amazing views from the top of Cape Range highlighting the dramatic contrast between the arid landscape and the rich blue of the Indian Ocean.

There is also the opportunity to explore some of the park’s pristine beaches and coastal areas.

TRAIL NOTES: 

Walk 1: Mandu Mandu Walk: 3km, 2 hours. Moderate Grade followed by Yardie Nature Walk and Gorge Trail: 2km, 1 hr 40 minutes. Moderate Grade.

TERRAIN: 

Uneven, rocky and unmodified terrain. Sections of good, well-defined track but also sections of the bouldery and sandy riverbed. Largely flat walks with some small ascents and descents.

WALK ITINERARY: 

For those who are keen to walk today, we start the day with the Mandu Mandu walk, a moderately difficult trail that winds its way along a rocky creek bed, deep into the gorge. A steep path takes you up to the gorge rim where, on your return, you can enjoy the views over Ningaloo Reef and the surrounding country. On your walk, keep your eyes peeled for black-flanked rock wallabies.

There are steep gradients and rough, uneven surfaces along this trail. This walk is along a gentle, well-defined path that winds along the edge of Yardie Creek with views of the gorge, creek mouth and Ningaloo Reef.

Along the walk, you may see emus and a variety of birds. The trail then meets the more difficult Yardie Gorge Trail taking you high above Yardie Creek.

At lunchtime we join a fabulous cruise along Yardie Creek which is classed as a Nature Reserve. You’ll enjoy its stunning gorges, unique flora and fauna, local history and the beautiful natural environment. You’ll be surprised at the wide array of wildlife living in the gorge, including the rare black-footed rock wallaby, egrets, ospreys,  Western bowerbirds and a variety of marine life

After our day’s activities, all guests return to our accommodation at Exmouth Escape Resort with the remainder of the day at leisure.

Tonight enjoy dinner in the restaurant served with wine while you talk about our day’s adventures.

ITINERARY:

After breakfast, your tour concludes, the end of a remarkable journey.

The rest of the day is free to explore the town of Exmouth at your leisure. Make your own way to the airport.

DEPARTING:

Lunchtime and early afternoon flights are available from Exmouth to Perth, either option can be booked. From Perth flights can be booked to your home port.