Western Australia Explorer

Fly to Perth. On arrival make your way to your hotel where the remainder of the day is yours to relax or head out and start taking in the sights and sounds of Perth. At leisure in Australia's sunniest capital city. Take in its characterful neighbourhoods, visit the WA Museum Boola Bardip, linger in Kings Park, one of the world's largest inner city parks or, enjoy the sands of Cottesloe Beach.

Collect your hire car and join the Indian Ocean Drive north. Perhaps break your journey in Lancelin, a top spot for 4WD adventures on Western Australia's largest sand dunes. Continue to Cervantes, which was established in 1962 to accommodate workers in the local cray fishing industry (123 miles). Just outside Cervantes is Nambung National Park and the Pinnacles. A visit to the Pinnacles Desert Discovery Centre will explain its mysteries and introduce you to the region's history and habitats.

Continue to follow the coast northwards as you drive to Geraldton, which proudly displays its rich maritime and Aboriginal heritage at every turn (157 miles). In the city itself, discover cafés, street art and galleries, while the surrounds include beautiful beaches, Aboriginal driving trails and even a pink lake.

Continue on to Monkey Mia in time for dinner with an ocean sunset as your backdrop (269 miles). Stopping off points include Kalbarri, where the ancient rugged outback meets white sand beaches or, get a glimpse of life on Earth over 3,500 million years ago by stopping at Hamelin Pool to meet the world's oldest living marine fossils, stromatolites. Make a beeline for Monkey Mia's shoreline where memorable encounters with wild, but friendly bottlenose dolphins will make for a holiday highlight.

Travel onwards to Carnarvon, a palm-fringed coastal oasis offering a platter of fresh tropical flavours. The Heritage Precinct is a must-see with several significant historical buildings or perhaps head to The Fascine, Carnarvon's central waterway for a dip in the swimming pontoon. Hailed as the 'food bowl' of Western Australia, be sure to sample some of the local produce and seafood, be it at one of the town's restaurants or from local growers at seasonal weekly markets (219 miles).

Continue north to Exmouth, a welcoming coastal town and gateway to World Heritage listed Ningaloo Marine Park and the rust-red terrain of Cape Range National Park (226 miles). Step off shore and swim a little way through the clear turquoise waters and you'll find yourself drifting over the world's largest fringing reef - Ningaloo Reef. This underwater paradise is a popular spot for all kinds of marine life, from dolphins, manta rays, turtles and humpback whales, to the largest fish in the ocean, the gentle whale shark.

Your tour concludes today as you return your car at the airport for your onward journey.