On these packages you will travel from city to city on your own, exploring at your own pace. We have arranged transportation in most cases and day tours for you to see the destination. Enjoy the time and flexibility to linger longer or pick up the pace and see as much as possible.
This tour is categorised as 3 out of 5
Balanced exploration with walking tours: Our most popular style, this tour offers a good mix of planned activities and free time. Expect moderate daily walking tours, so pack comfortable shoes.
As a general requirement across all of our trips, you may be required to walk up and down stairs, get on and off transportation, handle your own luggage, and participate in all scheduled sightseeing that may be conducted on uneven ground and terrain. Any physical ailments you may have must be disclosed at the time of booking to determine your suitability and where required, supporting documentation may be requested to ensure that we are comfortable that you will enjoy your trip.
✓ Enjoy the flexibility of independent travel with all arrrangements made for you
✓ Incredible sightseeing along the Western Australian coast, including the ancient Hamelin Pool Stromatolites, 4WD excursion in Francois Peron National Park, dolphin feeding at Monkey Mia, Kalbarri Skywalk, exploring the Pinnacles in Namburg National Park and the Cervantes Art Trail
✓ 8 nights in central, 4-star accommodation
✓ 8 days Avis Group C car rental (Kia Cerato or similar), including unlimited kilometres ("Bring your own car" discount available)
✓ In-depth sightseeing and entrance fees as per the itinerary
Travel with the experts for a carefully curated, value-packed discovery of the world's most iconic destinations. Our tours are bursting with must-see sights, rich experiences and quality inclusions, all at an unbeatable price. Bucket list dreams are ticked off on these all-encompassing journeys.
Welcome to Perth!
You can arrive at any time as there are no activities arranged for the day. Your car hire starts from today and can be collected from the Avis counter at Perth airport. Please make your way to the Avis desk, located in the main terminal and open from 06:30am–11:30pm daily.
After collecting your car, make the short drive to your starting hotel.
The rest of the day is free for you to explore.
Please note: Parking at your Perth hotel is payable directly to the hotel or in nearby paid parking.
Relax over breakfast before starting your self drive journey.
Leaving Perth, head north towards Geraldton. (425 km / approx. 5 hours)
Swan Valley is a historic food and wine region about 25 minutes out of Perth. Make a stop here to visit fabulous wineries, cafes and distilleries. Keep an eye out for farm gate fresh produce.
The coast along the way is stunning. Make sure you make the time for a swim to break up your drive.
Tonight's accommodation is in Geraldton.
Head out for a tasty local breakfast and maybe stop in for a visit at the well regarded Western Australian Museum – Geraldton where you can learn about the region's natural, cultural and indigenous history. If you’re lucky, you might be there on a public sailing day on the replica Batavia longboat.
Continue towards Shark Bay. (400 km / approx. 4 hours)
Along the way, make a stop at the Hamelin Pool Stromatolites, the oldest and largest living fossils on earth. Dating back some 3.5 billion years, the stromatolites can be viewed from a custom built walkway.
Please note: The Hamelin Pool Stromatolites boardwalk is currently closed, however the stromatolites can still be seen from the Hamelin Pool quarry.
Continue to your accommodation in Monkey Mia. Maybe consider a visit to the most westerly pub in Australia – The Shark Bay Hotel, or ‘the Oldie’ as it is fondly known by the locals.
Come and join us for an amazing night-time adventure under a sky of magnificent stars, enjoying fresh seafood or bush tucker cooked on our warm campfire. Learn about local Aboriginal culture and history and lose yourself in the stories of the Dreamtime. Transcend into the ancient and fascinating history of the Gutharraguda (Aboriginal name for Shark Bay meaning 'Two Waters') and be carried away by the ancient sounds of the didgeridoo. Surrender yourself to the wonder of the flora and fauna that surrounds you. A chance to spot kangaroos, echidnas and other native animals engaging in their night-time tricks.
Enjoy a free morning exploring this stunning part of Western Australia.
Shark Bay is brimming with a huge variety of wildlife. All year round there are dolphins, dugongs and huge loggerhead and green turtles.
There's plenty to do in the region and, undoubtedly, the most popular attraction is the dolphins at Monkey Mia. Feeding times usually occur between 7am-12noon daily. Renowned as one of the best and most reliable places for dolphin interaction in the world, dolphins visit here daily, not just seasonally. Researchers from across the globe come here to study these fascinating creatures.
Enjoy a 4WD tour in Francois Peron National Park adventuring through a spectacular, special piece of earth, right where outback Australia meets the coast. Spot local flora and fauna including cormorants and eagles, lizards and echidnas. Keep a keen eye out dolphins and in season maybe spot dugong and tiger sharks.
Return to your resort after an incredible day.
Leaving Shark Bay behind today, start to make your way south towards Kalbarri (300 km / approx. 3 hours).
Located at the mouth of the Murchison River, Kalbarri boasts stunning wildflower and humpback whale seasons, with rugged gorges and dramatic coastal cliffs.
Don’t miss the Kalbarri Skywalk, two cantilevered viewing platforms that hang mid-air 100 metres above the dramatic gorge in Kalbarri National Park.
Check into your accommodation and enjoy this lovely coastal town.
Enjoy a free day exploring Kalbarri and surrounds. If you're in town from June to November, witness the annual humpback whale migration. An estimated 35,000 whales travel between Antarctica and the Kimberley Coast each year.
Western Australia has the largest variety of wildflowers in the world. From July to October, more than 12,000 species of wildflowers bloom in the region.
Otherwise, the pristine sands at Chinaman’s Beach or Blue Holes make for the perfect way to spend a day.
See Kalbarri and its spectacular coastal cliffs from the air. Taking off from Kalbarri Airport, we fly towards the town and low along the beachfront before heading at cliff-top height past the coastal cliffs with their lovely red sedimentary rock colours. On past the surfing beach, we reach Red Bluff, Rainbow Gorge and a series of connecting gorges before returning past the cliffs and low over the Kalbarri beach strip back to the airport.
Continue south today towards Cervantes (380 km / approx 4 hours).
This is the gateway to Nambung National Park, home to the Pinnacles – a stunning desert region spotted with ancient rock pillars. The town and national park are surrounded by coastal plains, white sand dunes and stunning beaches.
Visit Lake Thetis for an insight into what life was like at the dawn of time.
You might like to follow the Cervantes Art Trail, featuring 23 pieces of interesting art throughout the town before heading to the Hansen Bay Lookout for picturesque views of the ocean, Lake Thetis and Cervantes.
Cervantes is also known for excellent quality lobsters. It's a great place to indulge in this delicious crustacean.
Spend the evening in Cervantes.
Today is your last day of driving as you head back to Perth (200 km / approx. 2 hours).
If you didn't get a chance to visit the Pinnacles or Lake Thetis yesterday, now's the time.
Perhaps take one last swim in the Indian Ocean before you get back to Perth, where you will spend the evening.
Today your self-drive adventure comes to an end.
Farewell Perth as you make your way to the airport to drop off your car and check in for your onward flight, or to continue the next part of your journey.
We hope you’ve enjoyed this extraordinary journey.
Drivers Licence Requirement
Avis Australia will rent to drivers that present a current drivers licence. The renter has to have held the licence for 12 months. Avis Australia will not rent to any person on a Provisional or Probationary licence.
If foreign licence is in a language other than English, it must be accompanied by an International Drivers Permit (containing an English translation).
Age Requirement
Medium size cars, minimum 21 years of age
SUVs & larger vehicles, minimum 25 years of age
Additional Drivers
Additional Driver fees will apply to each individual additional driver - with the exception of the lead driver’s spouse.
* $5.00 + GST per day, per additional driver
* Max charge of $25.00 + GST per additional driver (5 day max charge)
It is essential that proof of a valid driver’s licence is provided and that the additional driver signs the rental agreement.
The Spouse of the Lead Driver includes someone (of any gender) they are married to or in a relationship with.
Digital Drivers License
A Digital Drivers License is not accepted. Drivers require a hard copy license until further notice.
Rates Include
Vehicle Registration Fee (VRF), Administration Fee, Goods & Services Tax (GST),
Premium Location Surcharge (PLS) / Concession Recovery Fee (CRF), Loss Damage Waiver, Unlimited Kilometres, Nil Damage Excess.
Please note: The renter must always pay to Avis the following costs and fees:
The cost of repairing any:
· (a) ‘Overhead Damage’ means damage (excluding hail damage) to the Vehicle during the Rental Period above the top of the front and back windscreens, damage to third party property, caused by the Vehicle coming into contact with anything overhanging or obstructing its path, objects being placed on the roof of
the Vehicle, or You or any person standing or sitting on the roof of the Vehicle;
· (b) ‘Underbody Damage’ means damage to the Vehicle during the Rental Period caused by the Vehicle coming into contact with anything below the bottom of the door seal and the bottom of the front and rear bumper bars where Avis considers, acting reasonably, that the driver of the Vehicle is reasonably at fault for that damage;.
(c) You driving the Vehicle in a manner that results in total or partial inundation or immersion of the Vehicle in water or exposure of the Vehicle to salt water (including, without limitation, damage which occurs as a result of You driving the Vehicle through floods, creeks or rivers);
(d) damage to the Vehicle caused by a breach of clause 3, 4.1, 5.1 or 5.6 of the Avis Australia Rental Terms and Conditions (save, in respect of clause 4.1(m), for minor infractions);
(e) damage to a tyre or an Accessory not attributable to Fair Wear and Tear that is caused deliberately or recklessly by You;
(f) theft of the Vehicle, unless You report the Vehicle as stolen to the police immediately on becoming aware of the theft and provide a copy of the police report to Avis as soon as you receive it; or(g)
loss or damage to Your property, the property of a member of Your immediate family or of a person related to You if that loss or damage is from a breach of these terms and conditions.
The cost of any professional cleaning or odour extraction incurred by Avis because the driver or another person has been smoking in the Vehicle during the Rental Period and/or a reasonable administrative fee reflecting the cost of making arrangements for professional cleaning or smoke extraction.
For the purposes of paragraphs (a) to (g) above, any reference to You includes an Authorised Driver and any person You or the Authorised Driver allow to drive the Vehicle.
Rates Exclude
Airport Concession Fee, Fuel, Optional Extras (baby seats, snow chains etc)
Deposits
All rentals are subject to a deposit at the time of vehicle collection to cover miscellaneous/optional charges and may also have to cover the applicable insurance excess and a $100.00 fuel bond. A credit or debit card is required. Avis Australia accepts all major credit cards. Debit cards will be accepted if they meet the following requirements: Be issued by a recognised bank, Display the Visa or Master Card logo and hologram, Display the Cardholder Name and Display the Card Number. Prepaid and Reloadable Debit Cards as well as Travel Cards and EFTPOS cards will not be accepted.
The amount of the deposit is not debited to the card at rental collection; an authority only is taken until the conclusion of the rental when any applicable charges will be debited. All renters must provide a credit card or approved debit card to enable LINKT to directly charge their applicable toll fees.
Restricted Driving Roads/Areas
The below detailed driving restrictions apply to rentals on Avis Tour Rates. Should the Avis vehicle be driven over the restricted roads / areas detailed below, or on the Rental Agreement, Avis Coverage will be void. Vehicle hire is subject to satisfactory road and weather conditions at all times.
General
The vehicle must only be used on roads that are properly formed and constructed as sealed, metalled or gravel roads (Unless the Vehicle is a 4 wheel drive vehicle).
All vehicles cannot be driven on beaches or through streams, dams, rivers or floodwaters. Vehicles may not be driven above the snow line.
Avis full Rental Terms & Conditions can be found HERE.
Upgrade to a AVIS Intermediate SUV / Group K vehicle
Fitness Requirements
While the tour itinerary should give you some guidance and overview to the expected requirements, to determine if this tour is right for you we categorise each of our tours in terms of their intensity. These guidelines are to ensure that each tour group is conducted as expected and to ensure the overall satisfaction of all Inspiring Vacations customers.
As a general rule, porterage is not included, therefore at all times you are expected to handle your own luggage where help may not be available.
This particular tour is categorised as a”3”
3 – Moderate Tour: A good level of fitness and mobility is required, as this tour includes a moderate level of physical activity and is considered a medium-fast paced tour. You should be able to walk up and down stairs, get on and off the coach and able to walk reasonable distances of approximately 2 kilometres per day or more with ease. Any physical ailments you may have must be disclosed at the time of booking to determine your suitability. If you have any form of walking aids, other than a walking stick or hiking poles, then this tour is not suitable.
Tipping
A friendly reminder that tipping is not included in your package. While tipping is not customary, it's of great significance to the people who will take care of you during your travels, inspires excellent service, and is an entrenched feature of the tourism industry across many destinations.
You may also consider tipping your tour leader and driver for outstanding service throughout your trip. Remember, a tip is not compulsory and should only be given when you receive excellent service.
Accommodation
The accommodation listed is subject to change. Any changes will be of an equal or higher standard. Bedding configurations (double or twin) are requests only. All efforts will be made to meet your preferences, however, any changes are beyond our control.
Single Supplement
Single supplement is $1,705.00 per person, in addition to the twin-share price.
Monkey Mia
Monkey Mia environment fee (Approx AUD$15 per person per day) is payable direct to the Department of Environment upon entry to Monkey Mia Reserve.
Triple Share
Not available.
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is recommended to protect yourself against the unexpected. In addition to the support that a policy may provide, you may be asked to present a copy of your travel insurance documentation while traveling.
Children
Children must be 5 years old or above and share a room with parents at all times. Children are charged the same price as adults.
Tour Style
To meet the needs of various types of travelers, we choose to operate various types of tours, and depending on your selected package will mean different services are provided throughout your trip. The following descriptions of each tour style we hope will ensure that each traveller has appropriate expectations before they start their travels:
To enhance your journey, we are offering guests a choice of the following optional activities (prices are per person):
Optional tours can be selected once you have finalised your tour purchase and paid your deposit. When completing your Passenger Booking Form, you will be asked if you would like to add Optional Tours, where any applicable cost will be added to your final balance. If you choose not to select them at this time, you can choose to add them later by logging in to your Account online.
Please note that you must select your Optional Tours no later than 70 days before departure, after which you will be required to purchase them on tour. Please keep in mind that anything purchased on-tour is subject to availability and prices may vary as you will be paying in local currency. We appreciate your understanding.
You can enhance your holiday by arriving or departing before or after the tour. On this tour you can choose from the following options:
Pre and post-tour accommodation
Please specify in the 'Special Request' field when making your purchase your preferred travel arrangements and if you would like our team to book additional nights' accommodation. The additional cost for these land arrangements will be added to your final payment invoice and are subject to availability.
This package is sold as land only, however you do have the option of adding international airfares to your booking. Simply click on’ book now’, and under upgrades , you will be asked “Would you like us to contact you around our flight service?”
By selecting this option Inspiring Vacations will contact you to discuss adding flights to your chosen destination. We can assist with flying the airline of your choice to turn your booking into a flight inclusive package.
We would be more than happy to provide you with a quote for the following requests:
We are currently unable to provide a quote for the following requests:
Online check-in
Some airlines may not permit online check-in where flights have been booked by a travel company. Where unavailable to do so online, you will be required to check-in at the airport. Inspiring Vacations cannot check-in online on behalf of our customers.
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