Pre-Tour, arrival to Perth
Touchdown in Perth! First lesson of the trip? Skip the taxis—my wallet’s still crying. But things took a turn for the better the moment I rolled into the hotel lobby and—bam! — ran straight into the whole tour group. Total coincidence, but it instantly changed the atmosphere. Liz, our legendary Travel Director, greeted us like old mates and pointed us straight to dinner heaven: Little Creatures on the Fremantle foreshore (pro tip: go hungry). We even squeezed in a quick stroll to say g’day to the Bon Scott statue.
Day 1: Fremantle – Geraldton
Despite an ominous weather forecast and brooding skies over Perth, the day took a pleasant turn as we made our way to Yanchep National Park. There, we received a warm Welcome to Country and were treated to a captivating presentation on local Indigenous culture. Our guide was not only informative but genuinely entertaining—his light-hearted humour and engaging storytelling sparked laughter and created a sense of connection, setting a wonderful tone for the journey ahead. As we explored, nesting starlings flitted through the shelter above us, their movement adding a charming and lively backdrop to the day.
From Yanchep, we continued to the striking landscape of the Pinnacles Desert. These fascinating limestone formations were created through a natural process involving ancient tree roots, sand, and acidic rainfall. Hidden beneath sand dunes for thousands of years, they were eventually revealed by the shifting winds. We were fortunate to drive among them as part of an AAT Kings tour—a rare privilege in a national park. As we navigated the winding track, we took time to identify uniquely shaped rocks and soak in the surreal, almost otherworldly scenery.
Day 2: Geraldton – Monkey Mia
Today’s journey took us from Geraldton to Monkey Mia—a long drive, but well worth it as we arrived in Shark Bay to find the weather had completely cleared, revealing brilliant blue skies. Along the way, we stopped at Hamelin Pool, a place of scientific and historical significance. As a fan of A Time Traveller’s Guide to Australia, I was particularly excited to see the ancient stromatolites. It was fascinating to learn that the same type of acid rain responsible for the Pinnacles had also created compact blocks of shell sediment, which were once used in local construction. A small, remote shop nearby added to the charm of the stop.
Shell Beach was a visual delight—millions of tiny white shells stretching along the shoreline, bright enough to warrant sunglasses. We even startled a local cormorant who was clearly not expecting company. As the sun began to set over the Indian Ocean, an impromptu competition broke out amongst the group to see who could capture the best photo of the spectacular view.
Day 3: Monkey Mia
Free day today—so what better excuse to hop in a tiny plane and see Shark Bay from the sky? I signed up for the optional scenic flight, and while I’ll admit my nerves kicked in (that aircraft was small), our pilot’s swagger and constant Top Gun jokes had us laughing before we even left the ground. Once airborne, the views were next-level. Big Lagoon looked like an abstract painting—turquoise shallows swirling into deeper blues, with the odd swimmer bobbing around far below. No tiger sharks this time, but while we waited for the rest of the group to return, a bird of prey put on a show above the hangar, swooping and twisting in the wind like it was auditioning for a wildlife documentary. Meanwhile, a gang of rowdy crows kept busy chasing planes off their turf. Classic Shark Bay chaos. All in all, a sky-high win of a day.
Day 4: Monkey Mia – Kalbarri
This was, without a doubt, the most memorable and rewarding day of the tour. I rose well before dawn to take in the stars from the beach—an awe-inspiring display of the night sky, unspoiled by city lights. I even spotted a shooting star (and thanks to Odin’s explanation during the Uluru BBQ dinner, I now know how to tell it apart from a satellite!). Capturing the stars and the soft light of dawn with my camera was a quiet joy. Though the wind was bitterly cold, the sunrise over the calm waters—watched from the jetty in stillness, as pelicans and seagulls stirred—was more than worth it.
The dolphin encounter at Monkey Mia exceeded all expectations. We learned about the dolphins of Shark Bay and their remarkable behaviours, including how they defend themselves against tiger sharks and teach their young to hunt. Two adults approached the shoreline, each shadowed by a calf lingering just beyond the shallows. Standing knee-deep in the water while they glided so close—one within a metre—was unforgettable. While they accepted a snack from the researchers, we also watched how they skillfully herded fish into the shallows before darting through to feed.
Remarkably, the day wasn’t over yet. After the dolphin encounter, we hit the road again in search of wildflowers, which dotted the landscape in delicate bursts of colour—yellows, purples, and whites peeking through the red earth and green scrub. Later, we arrived at Hawk’s Head Lookout, where sheer sandstone cliffs drop into the winding Murchison River below. The vantage point offered sweeping views of the gorge, its rugged beauty framed by endless sky and stillness. It was a peaceful and humbling place to pause.
We ended the day at the Kalbarri Skywalk, where twin platforms extend dramatically over the edge of the gorge, offering panoramic views that quite literally took our breath away. Standing suspended above the vast expanse, with the sun dipping lower in the sky, was both exhilarating and grounding—a final, awe-inspiring highlight to cap off an extraordinary day.
Day 5: Kalbarri – Perth
We began the day at a relaxed pace, which gave me time to quietly observe a local mob of kangaroos lingering near the hotel—an unmistakably Australian sight. The morning birdlife added a lovely soundtrack to the calm country atmosphere. From there, we set off on another long but scenic drive, passing through landscapes dotted with wildflowers. Our first major stop was Hutt Lagoon, a striking pink lake that is every bit as vivid as the photos suggest. I wandered a little further along the sand dunes—thanks to wearing thongs—enjoying a peaceful moment away from the group to simply take it all in.
One of the real advantages of travelling with an experienced Travel Director like Liz became clear today. Early in the trip, she made the call to postpone our visit to the HMAS Sydney II Memorial due to poor weather—and it paid off. Today’s clear skies allowed us to truly appreciate the site. The memorial’s dome, made up of sculpted seagulls, is a moving tribute to those lost at sea when the HMAS Sydney was sunk during WWII. On a lighter note, we also made a brief stop at what became my favourite roadside rest area—though I can’t recall the name, I won’t forget the friendly rescued parrots in the aviary. We returned to Perth in good spirits, with just enough time to freshen up before the farewell dinner.
Day 6: Farewell from Perth
Our final day began with a leisurely breakfast and heartfelt farewells. No one was in a rush to say goodbye, and we lingered over our coffees, sharing stories and laughs one last time with our fellow travellers. With our flight scheduled for later in the afternoon, we left our bags at the hotel and took a short stroll to Kings Park—a fitting way to end the journey.
Kings Park exceeded all expectations. Sprawling and vibrant in spring, the park offered a network of trails that led us through a rich display of Western Australia’s native flora. We happily lost our way more than once, guided only by birdsong and bursts of wildflowers. One particularly memorable moment came courtesy of a group of black cockatoos—about twenty of them perched in a tree in the car park, feasting on hard fruits and dropping the remains onto cars below. The shop staff chuckled, warning us that locals know better than to park under a cockatoo’s perch. The gift shop itself was a pleasant surprise, filled with tasteful, artisan-made souvenirs. As we boarded our afternoon flight and watched the sun dip below the horizon, we were treated to one last stunning view—day meeting night in a beautiful farewell to an unforgettable adventure.
Looking to experience your own Wildflower adventure in Western Australia?