Grand North West Drive - Explorer Itinerary
All distances and times are approximate and will vary according to conditions.
Day 1: Perth – Dalwallinu 273km, 3 hours
Leave Perth and head north to New Norcia to explore Australia’s very own monastic town. Travel onto Wongan Hills with its various nature reserves and interesting walk trails before heading to Dalwallinu. Be sure to drop into the Dalwallinu Discover Centre for the latest tourist information and walk trail routes.
Accommodation Options
Dalwallinu Wheatland Motel
t: (08) 9661 1600 e: dalwallinuwheatland@bigpond.com
Dalwallinu Hotel
t: (08) 9661 1102
B&B’s, caravan parks, campsites
Day 2: Dalwallinu – Meekatharra 512km, 2.5 hours
Head off on The Great Northern Highway; leave the Wheatbelt for the red earth outback country. Travel though Paynes Find with its rejuvenated Gold Battery and display centre. Head through station country to Mt Magnet, stroll the town’s Heritage Walk or maybe drive the 37km tourist trail. Pass through Cue with its tunning colonial architecture and detour to the Walga Rock Aboriginal art site, before arriving in Meekatharra
Accommodation Options
Commercial Hotel
t: (08) 9981 1020 e: commieh@westnet.com.au
Auski Inland Motel
t: (08) 9981 1433 e: auskimotel@gmail.com
Motel and Restaurant
Day 3: Meekatharra – Karijini Eco Retreat 596km, 8 hours
This morning perhaps take the Meekatharra Rangelands Discovery Walk Trail before you set off for Karijini National Park. Travel north through the scenic remote outback landscape to the modern mining town of Newman then head west onto Karijini National Park and the Karijini Eco Retreat
Accommodation
Karijini Eco Retreat – Karijini National Park
t: (08) 9425 5591 e: reservations@karijiniecoretreat.com.au
w: www.karijiniecoretreat.com.au
Deluxe tents with private facilities, campsites and caravan sites
Day 4 & 5: Karijini National Park
Travel to the east of the national park to the visitor centre then view the spectacular Dales Gorge, Circular Pool and Fortescue Falls. Enjoy the stunning nearby Joffre Gorge, Weano Gorge, Knox Gorge and the Joffre Falls. Enjoy dinner at the Karijini Eco Retreat Restaurant
Accommodation
Karijini Eco Retreat – Karijini National Park
t: (08) 9425 5591 e: reservations@karijiniecoretreat.com.au
w: www.karijiniecoretreat.com.au
Day 6: Karijini – Exmouth 700 km, 7.5 hours
Travel to Tom Price and refuel. Continue via Doradeen Road and Milne Road before joining Nameless Valley Drive and onto Nanutarra Drive for your journey to Exmouth. Turn left at Nanutarra Roadhouse at North West Costal Highway and then right at Burkett Road travelling into Exmouth.
Accommodation Options
Bullara Station Stay
t: (08) 9942 5938 e: bullara@activ8.net.au
w: www.bullara-station.com.au
Warroora Station
t: (08) 9938 1655 e: warroora@bigpond.com
w: www.warroora.com
Novotel Ningaloo Resort
t: (08) 9949 0000 e: reservations@novotelningaloo.com.au
w: www.novotelningaloo.com.au
Exmouth Cape Holiday Park
t: (08) 9920 8484 e: exmouth@aspenparks.com.au
w: aspenparks.com.au
Ningaloo Lodge
t: (08) 9949 4949 e: ningaloo.lodge@bigpond.com
w: www.ningaloolodge.com.au
Potshot Hotel Resort
t: (08) 9949 1200 e: potshotresort@bigpond.com
w: www.potshotresort.com
Sal Salis Ningaloo
t: 1300 790 561 e: info@salsalis.com.au
w: www.salsalis.com.au
Day 7& 8: Exmouth
Exmouth is the ideal base to explore the world’s largest fringing reef, Ningaloo. It is situated only metres from the shore in places and has over 500 species of tropical fish and 250 corals along with the world’s largest fish, the giant whale shark (late March-July) and Humpback Whales (June- November)
Day 9: Exmouth – Coral Bay 250km, 2 hours
Don’t miss the spectacular scenery of Charles Knife and Shothole Canyon in the Cape Range National Park en route to Coral Bay. Located right on the Ningaloo Reef, Coral Bay is a snorkelers and divers paradise and offers safe swimming for the kids. Charter boats are available for diving and fishing.
Accommodation Options
Ningaloo Reef Resort
t: 1800 795 522 e: ningalooreef@aspenresorts.com.au
w: www.ningalooreefresort.com.au
Ningaloo Club Coral Bay or Bayview Coral Bay
t: (08) 9385 6655 e: bcb@coralbaywa.com
w: www.coralbaywa.com
Day 10: Coral Bay – Carnarvon 240km, 3 hours
Depart for Carnarvon via the amazing blowholes and Quobba and Gnaraloo (a 4WD vehicle is requires) situated on some of the state’s most spectacular coastline. Drive back to the highway and continue to Carnarvon. Local seafood is on the menu tonight!
Accommodation Options
Best Western Hospitality Inn Carnarvon
t: (08) 9941 1600 e: Carnarvon@hospitalityinns.com.au
w: www.hospitalityinncarnarvon.com.au
Coral Coast Tourist Park
t: (08) 9941 1438 e: coralcoastpk@westnet.com.au
w: www.coralcoasttouristpark.com.au
Wintersun Caravan Park
t: (08) 9941 8150 e: wintersunpk@wn.com.au
w: www.wintersuncaravanpark.com.au
Red Bluff Quobba Station
t: (08) 9948 5098 e: quobbastation@bigpond.com
w: www.quobba.com.au
Gnaraloo Station
t: (08) 9942 5927 e: paul@gnaraloo.com.au
w: www.gnaraloo.com.au
Day 11: Carnarvon – Shark Bay 324km, 4 hours
Don’t miss the Carnarvon Heritage Precinct or the opportunity to sample Carnarvon’s famous produce at a local plantation. Next stop is the Shark Bay World Heritage Area, famous for the ancient Stromatolites and the 120km long Shell Beach, two of the unique natural attractions in the area.
Accommodation Options
Heritage Resort Shark Bay
t: (08) 9948 1133 e: hrsb@bigpond.com
w: www.heritageresortsharkbay.com.au
Monkey Mia Dolphin Resort
t: 1800 653 611 e: monkeymia@aspenresorts.com.au
w: www.monkeymia.com.au
Dirk Hartog Island
t: (08) 9948 1211 e: info@dirkhartogisland.com
w: www.dirkhartogisland.com.au
Carbala Station
t: (08) 9948 1765 e: info@oceanpark.com.au
w: www.carbala.com.au
Hamelin Station Stay
t: (08) 9942 5714 e: hamlinstationstay@bigpond.com
w: www.hamelinstationstay.com.au
Day 12: Shark Bay- Kalbarri 370km, 4.45 hours
Get up early to meet the friendly Dolphins of Monkey Mia followed by a boat cruise on the marine rich waters of the bay. A visit to the Shark Bay World Heritage Discovery Centre is a must to learn about the bay’s history, culture and why it is one of the few places on earth to meet all four natural criteria for World Heritage listing. On the road out, look for Eagle Bluff offering spectacular views over the bay with frequent sightings of sharks, dugongs and other marine life in the waters below. Be sure to visit the spectacular inland gorges of the national park (unsealed) on the way to Kalbarri
Accommodation Options
Kalbarri Palm Resort
t: (08) 9937 2333 e: stay@palmresort.com.au
w: www.palmresort.com.au
Kalbarri Edge Resort
t: (08) 9937 0000 e: manager@kalbarriedge.com.au
w: www.kalbarriedge.com.au
Day 13: Kalbarri – Geraldton 152km, 1.5 hours
Leaving Kalbarri for Geraldton stop at the spectacular coastal cliff lookouts and the Pink Lake on the way to Northampton, one of the oldest settlements in WA, including the old railway station where remnants of the state’s first public railway line and bridges can be seen. Arriving in the vibrant and cosmopolitan City of Geraldton-Greenough be sure to visit the WA Museum Geraldton and the HMAS Sydney Memorial for stunning views over the city and ocean.
Accommodation Options
Best Western Hospitality Inn Geraldton
t: (08) 9921 1422 e: geraldton@hospitalityinns.com.au
w: www.hospitalityinngeraldton.com.au
Broadwater Mariner Resort
t: (08) 9935 9100 e: geraldton@broadwaters.com.au
w: www.broadwaters.com.au
Sunset Beach Holiday Park
t: (08) 9938 1455 e: info@sunsetbeachpark.com.au
w: www.sunsetbeachholidaypark.com.au
Day 14: Geraldton – Cervantes 215km, 2.15 hours
Continue south past the bizarre leaning trees to explore the historic twin towns of Dongara/Port Denison. Have lunch at a café on the Moreton Bay Fig lined main café in town or some local fish and chips on the beach at Denison. Turn off onto the Indian Ocean Drive to Leeman, Greenhead and Jurien Bay before stopping at Cervantes.
Accommodation Options
Pinnacles Edge Resort (Cervantes)
t: (08) 9652 7788 e: reservations.pinnacles@bigpond.com
w: www.pinnaclesedgeresort.com.au
Cervantes Pinnacles Motel
t: (08) 9652 7145 e: reservations.pinnacles@bigpond.com
w: www.cervantespinnaclesmotel.com.au
Cervantes Lodge
t: (08) 9652 7377 e: pbb@wn.com.au
w: www.cervanteslodge.com.au
Cervantes Holiday Homes
t: (08) 9652 7115 e: enquiries@cervantesholidayhomes.com.au
w: www.cervantesholidayhomes.com.au
Cervantes Pinnacles Caravan Park
t: (08) 9652 7060 e: pinnaclespark@bigpond.com
w: pinnaclespark.com.au
Day 15: Cervantes – Perth 200km, 2 hours
This morning make time to visit the Lobster Shack for a tour and to buy fresh local seafood (in season). Leaving Cervantes discover one of Australia’s best known natural wonders, the Pinnacles Desert in the Numbung National Park, just south of the town. Be sure to visit the Desert Discovery Centre before heading back to Perth.
IMPORTANT CONDITIONS: Some roads are unsealed- we recommend travel in a four wheel drive vehicle (4WD). When travelling in remote areas, we recommend you carry extra water and a second spare wheel/tyre. Please check local read road conditions and fuel availability locations with relevant local authorities before setting off. This itinerary is a guide only. Detailed maps are available from RAC, petrol stations, 4WD & outdoor adventure stores. Travel safely.
