7 Day Karijini National Park Walk and Ningaloo Reef (Alternative Itinerary)
What your day looks like
This tour takes you from the rugged red gorges and spinifex rangelands of Karijini National Park to the turquoise waters and vibrant coral reefs of the World Heritage-listed Ningaloo Coast. Designed for the adventurer, this itinerary combines dramatic landscapes, unique wildlife experiences, and luxury accommodation to offer an unforgettable journey. The adventure begins in Karijini National Park, where you’ll explore deep, ancient gorges, crystal-clear rock pools, and cascading waterfalls. Walk through narrow chasms and towering red cliffs, discovering the beauty of iconic landmarks such as Hancock Gorge, Weano Gorge, and Dales Gorge. The park is also home to some of Western Australia’s highest mountains, offering challenging climbs and rewarding panoramic views over the rugged Pilbara landscape. As you traverse these stunning terrains, marvel at the contrast of the red earth against the green spinifex and blue sky, creating a truly awe-inspiring setting. The tour then takes you to the pristine shores of Ningaloo Reef, the world’s largest fringing reef, renowned for its rich marine life and crystal-clear waters. Enjoy the opportunity to snorkel with Ningaloo’s famous whale sharks—an unforgettable, once-in-a-lifetime experience. Alternatively, take a scenic flight over the reef for breathtaking aerial views of the turquoise waters and coral formations. The underwater world of Ningaloo is teeming with life, including colourful corals, manta rays, sea turtles, and a variety of fish species, making it a paradise for snorkelling and marine exploration. In addition to the stunning landscapes and marine experiences, this tour may also include the spectacle of Western Australia’s wildflower displays, depending on the season. The vibrant blooms add an extra layer of beauty to the rugged outback scenery, creating a colourful tapestry that is unique to the region. Accommodation throughout the tour is first-class, offering a range of luxury glamping, outback station stays, and beachside resorts. Each night, relax in comfort after a day of exploration, enjoying gourmet meals that feature fresh local ingredients and highlight the flavours of Western Australia. The combination of remote natural settings and luxury accommodations ensures a balance of adventure and relaxation. To maximise your experience and minimise travel time, the tour starts with a flight into Paraburdoo and concludes with a departure from Exmouth, allowing you to focus on exploring these incredible locations. The Pack Free approach ensures a relaxed and enjoyable journey, allowing you to walk and explore without the burden of carrying a heavy pack. With private transfers and flexible walking options, the itinerary caters to all fitness levels, providing a seamless experience throughout the tour. The 7-day Karijini National Park Walk and Ningaloo Reef by Life’s An Adventure is more than just a hiking tour—it’s an exploration of Western Australia’s most stunning and diverse landscapes. From the dramatic red gorges and high peaks of Karijini to the marine wonderland of Ningaloo, this tour offers a perfect blend of land and sea experiences, creating memories that will last a lifetime. Join us for a Pack Free adventure that ticks all the boxes, from world-famous whale shark encounters to the unparalleled beauty of the Pilbara and Ningaloo Reef.
The experience, in brief
- PackFree Convenience
- Dramatic Landscapes
- Unique Wildlife Experiences
- Ningaloo Reef Adventure
- Wildflower Displays
- Luxury Accommodation
- Gourmet Dining
- Flexible Itinerary
- Seamless Travel
- Memorable Experiences
Your day, step by step
Exmouth
Transportation. Welcome to Western Australia Guests will need to fly today from Perth to Exmouth anytime during the day. Make your own way to your accommodation at the Mantarays Ningaloo Beach Resort (for departures from May 2025 onwards) which will be home for the next two nights. Meet your guide at 3:30pm in reception.
Exmouth
Tonight, you’ll enjoy dinner featuring modern cuisine served with wine.
Exmouth
Accommodation.
Exmouth
Swimming at Ningaloo Coast. Ningaloo Reef Whale Shark Experience: After breakfast, the guides will transfer you to today’s activity – Swim with the gentle Whale Sharks For adventure-lovers and nature-lovers, nothing compares to the exhilaration of swimming with the gentle giants of Ningaloo Reef – the whale sharks.
Exmouth
Boating at Ningaloo Coast. Ningaloo Reef Whale Shark Experience: World Heritage-listed Ningaloo Reef is one of the largest, most reliable and best-managed whale shark aggregations in the world. An estimated 300-500 whale sharks make their way to Ningaloo annually between March and August. Mark Norek Life’s An Adventure MD said… “However, this is only a rule of thumb and when we did the tour in September we did swim with the whale shark. The crew did say they do also look for Humpback whales and Manta Rays. On the tour we saw all three marine animals. End of the day you can be not so lucky, but the tour was amazing, and the Coral alone was well worth the day outlet alone swimming with Whale sharks- It was the best day tour I have ever done!” After our day’s activities, all guests return to our accommodation at Mantarays Ningaloo Beach Resort with the remainder of the day at leisure.
Exmouth
Breakfast. Lunch. Tonight enjoy dinner in the restaurant served with wine while you talk about our day’s adventures.
Exmouth
Accommodation.
Exmouth
Transportation. After a hearty country breakfast, today we head west, it will take you much of the day to drive to our destination but there is plenty to see along the way, particularly Western Australia’s famous wildflowers.
Exmouth
Sightseeing at Karijini National Park. Charles Knife Canyon: While wildflowers vary in abundance with the seasons, and from year to year, there is always something interesting and colorful in flower and this section of road is renowned for its swathes of purple Ashburton pea, yellow flowering sennas (cassias) and acacias, purple mulla mullas and the iconic Sturt’s Desert Pea. On route, we will also visit the spectacular lookout for views over Charles Knife Canyon and enjoy a walk around the area. We then continue on to our accommodation at Cheela Plains Station, a family-owned and managed cattle station located in the semi-arid, pastoral rangelands of the Pilbara with a unique environmentally centered grazing system.
Exmouth
Leisure. Cheela Plains Station: We then continue on to our accommodation at Cheela Plains Station, a family-owned and managed cattle station located in the semi-arid, pastoral rangelands of the Pilbara with a unique environmentally centered grazing system.
Exmouth
Breakfast. Lunch. We enjoy traditional country hospitality and a fabulous home-cooked meal with wine.
Exmouth
Accommodation.
Exmouth
After a hearty breakfast, we drive approximately 3 hours to Karijini National Park and head straight to the awe-inspiring Hamersley Gorge.
Exmouth
Eco Tour at Hamersley Range. After a hearty breakfast, we drive approximately 3 hours to Karijini National Park and head straight to the awe-inspiring Hamersley Gorge. Your walk today takes in the contrasting ecosystems of the Pilbara, as we descend from the dry plains into the cool, shady greenness of the gorge where you will marvel at the contrasts between the red rock, lush ferns and the clear pools hidden below. This is a dramatic gorge, full of colour texture and reflections and a great spot for a swim. There are several lookouts giving spectacular views of the Karijini gorge system. After a glorious day exploring you check into your luxury glamping accommodation at the Karijini Eco Retreat which will be home for the next three nights.
Exmouth
Breakfast. Lunch. Then, enjoy a fabulous dinner with wine at Alfresco Restaurant while watching tonight’s rich, colourful, long-burn sunset typical of outback Western Australia
Exmouth
Accommodation.
Exmouth
Hiking at Karijini National Park. Dale Gorge and Knox Gorge: After a hearty breakfast our guides take you on a series of short but challenging walks today as you explore Dale Gorge and Knox Gorge. Today you will witness how the power of water has shaped Karijini. There are impressive waterfalls, and deep, cold pools as well as spectacular lookouts. This morning we’ll walk into Fortescue Falls (approx. 1.5hrs), enjoying various breaks along the way with optional swimming before walking to Fern Pool. We’ll then transfer to Know Gorge. This is an ancient part of our Earth where the slow but impressive process of erosion has carved out a unique landscape from rocks that are more than 2,000 million years old
Exmouth
Breakfast. Lunch. Afterwards we return to our accommodation for relaxation followed by dinner served with wine.
Exmouth
Accommodation.
Exmouth
Eco Tour at Mount Bruce (Western Australia). Mt Bruce Walk: You will rise above it all today, for spectacular views across the Spinifex-clad Pilbara landscape. You will climb to the summit of Mt Bruce, Western Australia’s second-highest peak, at 1,234 metres above sea level. The Aboriginal name for Mount Bruce is Punurrunha and while the summit trail has some steep and rocky sections many walkers regard this as one of the finest and most exciting mountain walks in Western Australia. It is also a great chance to see some of Western Australia’s unique wildlife including the Pebble Mound Mouse and Rothschild’s Rock Wallaby. We will all walk halfway up Mt Bruce, at this point those who wish to continue to the submit to enjoy a lunch with a view with continue with one guide, while the rest of the group descends the mountain to enjoy lunch back at the Eco-Retreat. Option to go to Joffre Gorge for a swim. After our walk, we make our way back to our accommodation to relax.
Exmouth
Breakfast. Lunch. Enjoying dinner and wine in the restaurant.
Exmouth
Accommodation.
Exmouth
Hiking at Karijini National Park. Walk Hancock and Weano Gorge: After a hearty breakfast, we’ll head out to explore two of Karijini’s finest and most famous gorges – Hancock and Weano. The drive will take approximately 3-hours. The walks are challenging in places, with some wading through water and clambering over rock ledges, but these are not difficult walks, and the gorges are truly amazing. At times, the gorge walls are just an arms-length apart and the rich red colour and banding of the rock is simply breathtaking. You will discover beautiful jade pools nestled deep within the gorge complex, including the famous Handrail Pool. These walks are a photographer’s paradise. After this spectacular last adventure, we’ll drive 2-hours to Paraburdoo where guests can fly onto Perth to end this fabulous journey.
Exmouth
Breakfast. Lunch.
Exmouth
DEPARTING: Flight from Paraburdoo to Perth (flying time 1h 45mins). From Perth flights can be booked to your home port. Thanks for traveling with us!
What to know before booking
Included
Pack Free Walk – Carry only a day pack Spectacular Ningaloo Reef Whale Shark experience Professionally guided Transfers to/from the walk each day National Park Fees
Not Included
Tips and gratuities
What to Bring
Hiking shoes Comfortable clothes
Meeting & Pickup
GETTING THERE: Guests will need to fly to Exmouth in Western Australia on the morning of day one of the tour. Qantas and Virgin operate regular flights from Perth to Exmouth. Flights from Perth to Exmouth are 2-hours duration.
Languages Offered
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Planning Notes
Hotel pickup offered: No Confirmation: Manual By Business