Monkey Mia Dolphins & West Coast

Get set for a good dose of coastal drama today as you journey north from Fremantle all the way to Geraldton. But before you get there, pause in Yanchep National Park, a union of bush and wetlands that is as spectacular as it is sacred. The best way to understand its significance to First Nations communities is in the company of an Aboriginal guide. There are Dreamtime stories and didgeridoo playing, and hands-on learning with bush tucker and traditional tools. Just try not to leave more informed and understanding of the world’s oldest culture than when you arrived. Two national parks in one day – your next stop is Nambung. We’ll forgive you for thinking you’ve been transported to the set of a sci-fi movie when you arrive at this moonscape, studded with limestone pillars stretching five metres into the sky. Welcome to your Pinnacles tour. Arriving in Geraldton, more moving moments await at the evocative HMAS Sydney Memorial, which pays homage to the servicemen who lost their lives off the West Australian coast.  

Shark Bay is one of the planet’s greatest wilderness areas – if you don’t believe us, chat to UNESCO about the World Heritage listing they gave this pocket of WA. A window in time and a wildlife refuge, it’s all powdery white coves and gin-clear waters that naturally attract a plethora of wildlife. This afternoon, take in the bounty at your own pace, perhaps on a cruise to spot sea creatures great and small, or from the air, where your bird’s-eye view reveals just how wide and wonderful the coast really is. Come dusk, be sure to find an oceanside perch and a cold beverage. Cheers to the end of another amazing day in WA. Your Monkey Mia tour has kicked off in spectacular style.  

If you need a reason to be up with the birds, make the dolphins of Monkey Mia it. These wild bottlenoses swim to shore every morning to greet visitors before heading off to surf the waves. It’s a hard act to follow. But then again, so is Shell Beach, formed from billions of coquina bivalve shells that pile up to 10 metres deep. Hamelin Pool is home to the world’s largest colony of stromatolites. They appear rock-like, but are actually living, and they date back to the beginning of life on Earth. Indeed, they’ve helped scientists decode how life evolved. Talk about putting things into perspective. We hope you brought your stamina – there’s more to come. Kalbarri National Park was carved by the Murchison River millions of years ago. The gorge that remains is particularly pretty during wildflower season, when acacia, banksia and caladenia are in dazzling bloom. 

If you thought you’d seen it all, wait until Hutt Lagoon appears on the horizon. One of Western Australia’s eye-popping pink lakes, this body of highly salty water changes hue at different times of the year – sometimes it’s bubblegum, often it’s lilac, occasionally it’s red. It’s always incredible. What a blazing way to end your Western Australia tour. But wait, you still have a Farewell Dinner and drinks with your new friends. Don’t forget to exchange email addresses…

Short and sweet, we hope your journey inspired extended West Australian wanderlust.