Darwin to Perth Itinerary

Including the Gibb River Road  in  28 days

 

1    Darwin – Litchfield     159 kms    2 hours

After visiting Darwin, head to Litchfield National Park which is home to amazing waterfalls. It is a popular day tour destination but we would recommend staying overnight in order to explore as much as you can. It is possible to swim (even under the waterfalls!) and there are many beautiful walks starting from most popular sites. Camping is available year-round at Wangi and Florence Falls. Four-wheel drive camping areas are available at Tjaynera Falls (Sandy Creek), Surprise Creek Falls and Florence Falls.

2    Litchfield NP    Non-travel day

A summary of activities you could do during your time at Litchfield:

• swimming
• camping
• bushwalking
• wildlife spotting
• visit scenic lookouts
• view historic ruins at Blyth Homestead and Bamboo Creek
• four-wheel driving.

3    Litchfield NP – Kakadu NP    341 kms    4.5 hours

Kakadu is by far the most popular place in the Top End. It is Australia’s largest national park covering 20,000 hectares with stunning landscapes and amazing Aboriginal rock art sites. There are many options for campsites and would depend on how far you drive in the national park.

4    Kakadu NP    Non-travel day

Explore on foot, join a cruise or guided tour, spot crocs or birds and make a splash in one of the many waterfalls.

5    Kakadu NP – Katherine Gorge in Nitmiluk NP     328 kms    4 hours

Nitmiluk National Park has 13 stunning gorges which can be explored by foot, canoe, boat or helicopter. The most popular ones are Edith Falls and Katherine Gorge. Powered and non-powered sites are available near the Gorge Caravan Park and non-powered sites are available at Leliyn (Edith Falls). If you have time for a walk, Sweetwater Pool can be reached by a short 4.5 kilometre walk from Leliyn / Edith Falls.

6    Katherine Gorge – Kununurra    541 kms    7 hours

After a long day of driving, check in at one of the many campsites available in Kununurra such as Ivanhoe Village Resort.

7    Kununurra – Purnululu NP (Bungle Bungles)    252 kms    3 hours

If time permits, make a quick stope a Lake Argyle. It is the largest lake in Australia and home to abundant wildlife. Stay at the Bungle Bungles Caravan Park.

8    Purnululu NP     Non-travel day

Bushwalking, plane or heli-tours, bus tours, station tours and more. From Bungle Bungle Caravan Park there is 70-80km of rough 4WD road to either Echidna Chasm or Cathedral Gorge. Plan ahead and allow yourself enough time to visit a few attractions. Suggested trips: Visitor centre, Cathedral Gorge and Picaninny Creek Walk – including Whipsnake Gorge and Picaninny Lookout. The park’s main feature, the Bungle Bungle Range, stands 300 metress above the spinifex covered plain and is dominated by the famous orange and black banded beehive-shaped dome. The park has limited accessible drinkable water. Good to know that our Safari Camprite trailers can hold 160 litres of drinkable water!

9    Purnululu NP – El Questro     265 kms    3.5 hours

Spend a couple of days exploring the park. Visit the thermal pool at Zebedee Springs, Emma Gorge or take a boat down the Chamberlain Gorge and fish for barramundi. Stay at El Questro’s campsite.

10    El Questro    Non- travel day

11    El Questro – Manning Gorge    344 kms    4.5 hours

Visit Barnett River Gorge en route and enjoy the hospitality of a pioneering family-owned cattle station and explore the magnificent waterholes on the property.  Look out for incredible aboriginal art on the rock walls surrounding the waterholes.

Manning Gorge is a great place to camp for one night.

12    Manning Gorge – Silent Grove / Bell Gorge    122 kms    1.5 hours

Enjoy a bushwalk and experience the tranquility of Manning Falls. Silent Grove campsite is the best place where to set up camp and to see Bell Gorge and Bells Falls.

13    Silent Grove / Bell Gorge – Windjana    179 kms    2 hours

Explore and swim at the waterfalls including Bell Gorge along the lengths of the Gib River Road. Then head to Windjana Gorge National Park and take a trip out to explore Tunnel Creek. Stay at the Windjana Gorge Campground.

14    Windjana Gorge – Cape Leveque/ Dampier Peninsula    544 kms    7 hours

The Dampier Peninsula stretches about 200 kilometres north of Broome along the partly unsealed Cape Leveque Road. You can swim in the sparkling water, go snorkeling, fishing or relax and enjoy the beautiful landscapes. Experience the amazing force of the giant tides, standing waves and whirlpools of King Sound near Cygnet Bay. Stay at Kooljaman for the night.

15    Cape Leveque    Non-travel day

Enjoy the pristine beaches and spectacular coastline.

16    Cape Leveque – Broome    210 kms    2.5 hours

Broome is a compact town to explore and attractions are all within 15 minutes drive.

Must see & do:

• Camel ride on Cable Beach
• Matso’s mango beer brewery
• Fishing
• Whale Watching
• Pearl tour
• Sunset

17    Broome    Non-travel day

18    Broome – 80-Mile Beach    376 kms    4.5 hours

This beach is famous for its amazing sunsets, shell collecting and fishing. Stay at 80-Mile Beach Caravan Park. It is the longest stretch of beach in WA.

19    80-Mile Beach – Karijini NP    581 kms    7.5 hours

Stay at the Eco Retreat Campsite.

20    Karijini     Non-travel day

Karijini highlights include Fortescue Falls, Circular Pool and Fern Pool in Dales Gorge. The junction of four mighty gorges – Red, Weano, Joffe and Hancock Gorges can be viewed from Oxers Lookout.

21    Karijini – Cape Range NP / Exmouth    674 kms    8.5 hours

Welcome to the Coral Coast. It offers numerous and extraordinary experiences for the whole family. Exmouth is very popular for its diving, surfing and snorkeling. You can get up close to the local whale sharks in the World Heritage-listed Ningaloo Marine Park which is one of the only places in the world where whale sharks appear regularly near the shore where visitors can see them. Stay at the RAC Exmouth Cape Holiday Resort.

22    Cape Range / Exmouth    Non-travel day

The Cape Range National Park is just 40 kilometres from Exmouth and offers a variety of attractions ranging from bushwalking to birdwatching. Explore Yardie Creek, a spectacular gorge, Shothole Canyon and Charles Knife Canyon.

23    Exmouth / Cape Range – Coral Bay    152 kms    2 hours

Coral Bay is a spectacular paradise which draws visitors from around the world. From diving to whale watching or simply relaxing, Coral Bay has it all. You can even swim with sharks!  This is also where sharks come to get cleaned by fish! A commercial tour is the best way for people to observe this natural phenomenon while also enjoying the other marine life that inhabits the area. You can also book a tour to swim with Mantra Rays! Stay at the Bayview Caravan Park.

24    Coral Bay – Monkey Mia     581 kms    7.5 hours

Monkey Mia is renowned for being one of the best places where to encounter dolphins. Stay at the RAC Monkey Mia Dolphin Resort.

25    Monkey Mia    Non-travel day

Spend the day relaxing and meet the friendly pod of dolphins.

26    Monkey Mia – Kalbarri    397 kms    5 hours

Kalbarri offers many natural attractions such as exceptional wildflowers in Spring and early summer. The top attractions to visit are: Nature’s Window, The Loop, Z-Bend, Hawks Head and Ross Graham Lookout. Kalbarri also offers many water sport activities such as canoeing. Stay at the Murchison Caravan Park with many sites having sweeping views across the Murchison River.

27    Kalbarri – Cervantes    378 kms    4.5 hours

The Pinnacles of Namburg National Park are the major attraction of Cervantes. Those amazing limestone structures can reach five metres and were formed between 25,000-30,000 years ago. Stay at the RAC Cervantes Holiday Park.

28    Cervantes – Perth    247 kms    3 hours

It’s finally time to head to Perth.

Check out our Perth itinerary for more information on which places to visit!

Total Kilometers: 6,671 kms
Total Travel Hours: 84 hours

Travel times are estimated based on an average speed of 80km p/h. While the maximum legal speed while towing is 100km p/h, the travel times indicated should allow for delays due to road works as well as fuel, toilet and snack stops.
Travel times and distances are approximate and we recommend using as a guide only along with a published map book.

 

Images: Courtesy of Western Australia