Whale sharkNINGALOO MARINE PARKThis astonishing marine park is famed for itsmassive fringing barrier reef that stretches for200 miles. Long white sandy beaches typify thecoast and the reef almost brushes the shore,making the warm turquoise waters perfect forswimming and snorkeling. Amongst theabundance of marine life, perhaps the mostdistinctive is the huge, gentle whale shark, aseasonal visitor between March and June.Through carefully monitored trips it is possibleto swim with these gentle giants and, as theyswim near the surface, you don't even need tobe a diver to join in. Humpback whales appearbetween June and November, whilst manta rayssashay through the waters year-round. Turtlesnest on the beaches between December andMarch and night walks offer the chance to seethese sombre creatures make their arduousjourney up the beach to nest. Ningaloo Reef RetreatSet between the dunes of Ningaloo Marine Park andgorges of Cape Range National Park this delightfulretreat offers an environmentally friendly experience.Spacious safari-style tents have raised floors, doublebeds and ensuite bathrooms. Dining is different: youchoose your evening meal from a creative menu -think kangaroo curry with a banana and yoghurtsauce - yet the ingredients only are delivered ascooking is communal, with dining a sociable occasionunder the countless stars of the southern skies. tailor-made travelAll our travel arrangements are on a private,individual basis to offer you complete freedom ofchoice. The itineraries and accommodation optionsthroughout the brochure are designed to give you aflavour of what is possible and can be tailor-made tosuit your preferences. Prices vary according toselected accommodation and season. Please callour Australia specialists on 01869 276 345 todiscuss your individual requirements.WESTERN AUSTRALIA51KARIJINI NATIONAL PARKNorth of Perth in the Pilbara region, Karijini isconsidered to be one of the state's mostspectacular parks. Millions of years of erosionhave created jagged mountain ranges with deepdramatic gorges carved by waterfalls thatplunge into pools beside scenic walkways. At ajunction of four gorges a lookout provides astriking view, best seen in the morning or lateafternoon as the low light brings out the richcolours of ochre soils and shimmering spinifexplains, backed by the seemingly endless horizon.Karijini National ParkGorges,Pinnacles & ReefExplore the wonderful coast of the Indian Oceanand three of Western Australia's best national parks:the eerie pinnacles of Numbung National Park, thenatural aquarium of the UNESCO World HeritageSite of Shark Bay Marine Park, and the beautifulgorges of Kalbarri National Park.Day 1:Leave Perth and travel north towardsNumbung National Park and thelimestone pillars of the Pinnacles desert.Day 2:Continue with your journey, arrive atShark Bay UNESCO World Heritage Site.Day 3:Meet the dolphins at Monkey Mia,discover the stromatolites at HamelinPools and stroll through Francois PeronNational Park. Day 4:Head toward Ningaloo Marine Park. Day 5:Spend the next couple of days relaxing onthe beach, perhaps swim with whalesharks or snorkel on Ningaloo Reef. Day 6:Explore Cape Range National Park orcomb the lovely beach. Day 7:Start to retrace your steps south and stopat Carnavon.Day 8:Continue south and stop at KalbarriNational Park to explore one of thespectacular deep red river gorges. Day 9:A day to discover more of this park,taking one of the walking trails tonumerous lookout points.Day 10:Arrive back in Perth.EmuCAPE RANGE NATIONAL PARK This low furrowed mountain range ofspectacular gorges and rocky outcrops is madeup of elevated limestone. Originally part of theseabed, the rocks are littered with marine fossilsand tunnelled by countless caves. Two lovelywilderness trails thread through homes ofkangaroos, emus and large lizards, while atYardie Creek the trail along the gorge cliffstakes you to a deep canyon inhabited by rockwallabies. Nearby Exmouth is an ideal base fromwhich to explore the area, with relativelyunsophisticated but sufficiently comfortableaccommodation available.Ningaloo Reef

Bungle Bungle RangeTHE KIMBERLEY One of the world's last unspoilt regions, thistime-worn land shelters great beauty in itsrugged isolation. Pristine beaches fringe theIndian Ocean and through the wet season, fromNovember to April, mighty rivers burst to life,thundering in waterfalls and feeding pockets oflush rainforest amongst the arid desert, vastopen plains, complex cave systems and ancientboab trees. The bird and wildlife here isastonishing and the local people are friendly,unpretentious and proud of their history.Broome, Derby and Kununurra are the maingateways, but outside of these areas theexperience of the remote Outback is moreimportant than the accommodation, where yourchoices are limited. Most roads in this area areunsealed and require a 4WD vehicle, so toexplore the area you'll have to choose betweentravelling alone, linking up with a small convoyof vehicles led by an experienced guide orjoining a small group guided tour. Our specialistswill be able to advise which will best suit yourinterests, itinerary and experience. 52Camels at sunset on Cable beachBROOMEOozing with colour, this exotic, laid back townwas once the pearling capital of the world anddrew its population from a range of nationswho came on the promise of pearls. Aflamboyant history has resulted in a uniquelymulti-cultural atmosphere. Set on Roebuck Bayoverlooking the Indian Ocean, Broome is famousfor Cable Beach, a band of pure white sand, justthe place for lazy days or a sunset camel ride.From here you can take pearling tours or visitGantheaume Point where the low tide uncoversancient dinosaur footprints. McAlpine House, BroomeSet amidst verdant tropical gardens this formerresidence of a pearling master has been beautifullyrestored into a small hotel with just eightguestrooms. It offers a heritage setting with a wide,breezy veranda, polished timber floors and even theoriginal 'pearling table', where master pearlers oncestruck many of their deals. The personalised service,swimming pool and welcoming atmosphere makethis a perfect colonial tropical retreat. THE SAVANNAH WAYCrossing this vast continent from west to east,this route linking the historic pearling town ofBroome in Western Australia with Cairns inTropical North Queensland is one of Australia'sgreatest drives: the route is easy to follow withclear signage, interpretative displays and mapsalong the way. Whether you explore just asection or the entire route, you will passthrough an amazingly diverse and spectacularlandscape of wide horizons, ancient gorges,rock pools, salt pans, hot springs and abundantwildlife. These remote Outback regions are justthe place to experience true Australianhospitality, with roadhouses and Outbackstations providing character accommodation.Gantheaume Point, Broome