Best of the Coast – Western Australia (Self-Launched)
10 days · Western Australia
G Adventures charges £1,450
No-markup version: ~£790 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
A self-launched DIY version of the Perth-to-Exmouth coastal run up Western Australia's Coral Coast. Swap the group tour bus and swag camping for a mix of hostels, backpacker lodges and budget motels, self-booked wildlife and reef experiences, and public/regional coach transport (or a shared campervan if you have a driver's licence). Highlights include the Pinnacles, Kalbarri and Cape Range national parks, the stromatolites and Shell Beach at Shark Bay, the famous Monkey Mia dolphins, an Aboriginal-guided kayak or canoe experience, and Ningaloo Reef at Coral Bay and Exmouth. Costs are approximate per person in GBP and assume dorm/budget accommodation, self-catering or casual meals, and mostly self-arranged transport.
Day-by-day
Arrive in Perth
Perth
Land in Perth and settle into a central hostel or budget guesthouse. Pick up a Transperth SmartRider card for city transport and swing by a supermarket to stock up on breakfast and road snacks for the trip. Spend the afternoon around Kings Park or wander Northbridge for cheap eats. If you're driving, collect your campervan/rental car today; if not, pre-book your regional coach or train segments toward Geraldton for tomorrow.
🚌Transperth bus/train from airport to CBD, ~£5 (SmartRider); airport-city train via Airport Line
🛏Central Perth hostel dorm (e.g. backpacker hostel near the CBD or Northbridge) — ~£22-30
- →Kings Park and Botanic Garden (free)
- →Elizabeth Quay and Swan River foreshore walk
- →Northbridge food and night market (seasonal)
Perth to Geraldton via the Pinnacles
Geraldton
Head north along the coast to Nambung National Park to walk among the Pinnacles — the surreal limestone spires in the desert. On the way, stop at the Greenough Wildlife Park (animal rescue facility) near Geraldton. Continue into Geraldton on the Batavia Coast for the night. Without a car, the easiest DIY option is a hop-on hop-off regional coach (e.g. Integrity Coach Lines) north, though the Pinnacles detour is far simpler if you've hired a car or joined a day tour.
🚌Regional coach Perth-Geraldton ~£35-45 one way, or shared rental car fuel split; Pinnacles detour best by car or day tour
🛏Geraldton budget motel or backpacker/hostel dorm — ~£28-38
- →Nambung National Park / Pinnacles Desert walk (park entry ~£8 per vehicle)
- →Greenough Wildlife Park entry (~£12)
- →Geraldton foreshore and HMAS Sydney memorial
Geraldton to Kalbarri
Kalbarri
A short but scenic drive/coach run up to Kalbarri, gateway to Kalbarri National Park. En route you can call in at the quirky Principality of Hutt River site (check current access/status before going, as it has changed hands) and take in coastal lookouts. In Kalbarri, opt to horseback ride, abseil, canoe on the Murchison River, or simply relax on the beach. Tonight, instead of the tour's swag camping, stay in a backpacker lodge but consider a self-arranged swag/under-the-stars night if you have a car.
🚌Regional coach or shared car Geraldton-Kalbarri ~£20-30, plus local transfers
🛏Kalbarri backpacker lodge or budget motel — ~£25-40
- →Coastal lookouts en route
- →Hutt River Province (ex-micronation) visit
- →Optional: horseback riding, abseiling, canoeing on the Murchison River
Kalbarri National Park
Kalbarri
A full day exploring Kalbarri National Park — walk to Nature's Window and the Z-Bend and Hawks Head lookouts, and (in season) see the wildflowers. Afternoon free to choose among the town's adventure options or just chill at the beach. Book any activities directly the day before; many operators run from Kalbarri town.
🚌Local shuttle/tour to park entrances or your own car; park is ~15-30 min from town
🛏Kalbarri backpacker lodge or budget motel — ~£25-40
- →Nature's Window and Z-Bend lookouts (park entry ~£8 per vehicle)
- →Murchison River gorge walks
- →Optional: canoe hire, abseiling, scenic river cruise, horseback riding
Kalbarri to Monkey Mia via Shark Bay
Monkey Mia / Shark Bay
Continue north to the Shark Bay World Heritage Area. Stop at the historic Hamelin Pool Telegraph Station and the famous living stromatolites — some of the oldest life forms on Earth. Visit Shell Beach, made entirely of tiny cockle shells, before arriving at Monkey Mia for the night. This is a long driving leg, so plan fuel and food stops; by coach, this is a full travel day.
🚌Regional coach or shared car Kalbarri-Shark Bay/Monkey Mia ~£35-50
🛏Monkey Mia / Denham backpacker or budget lodge — ~£30-45
- →Hamelin Pool stromatolites and Telegraph Station (entry ~£8)
- →Shell Beach
- →Eagle Bluff lookout (if time allows)
Monkey Mia dolphins and Aboriginal kayak tour
Monkey Mia
Head to the beach early for the Monkey Mia dolphin experience, where wild bottlenose dolphins regularly come close to shore (a long-running research site; feeding is tightly managed and not guaranteed). In the afternoon, join an Aboriginal-guided kayak or canoe tour to learn about country, Dreaming stories and the local marine environment — book direct with a local Wajarri/Malgana-owned operator or via a small-group provider.
🚌Local shuttle or own car between Denham and Monkey Mia
🛏Monkey Mia / Denham backpacker or budget lodge — ~£30-45
- →Monkey Mia dolphin experience (park entry ~£10, dolphin area free with pass)
- →Aboriginal-guided kayak/canoe tour (~£60-90)
- →Shark Bay visitor centre and beach time
Monkey Mia to Coral Bay
Coral Bay
Travel further north toward Coral Bay, arriving in time for a west-coast sunset. Coral Bay sits right on Ningaloo Reef, and if you're here in season (roughly March-July) this is a prime spot for whale sharks, though most whale shark tours run out of Exmouth. Settle into a backpacker lodge and enjoy the beach.
🚌Regional coach or shared car Shark Bay-Coral Bay ~£40-55
🛏Coral Bay backpacker lodge dorm or budget unit — ~£30-45
- →Coral Bay beach and sunset
- →Sundowner at the bay lookout
- →Optional: snorkel straight off the beach (free)
Coral Bay and Ningaloo Reef
Coral Bay
A free day to enjoy Ningaloo Reef, one of the closest fringing reefs to shore in the world. Optional marine eco tours, snorkelling trips, glass-bottom boat tours and (in season) whale shark or manta ray swims can all be booked directly in Coral Bay. Late afternoon, continue on to Exmouth if your transport allows, or stay another night in Coral Bay.
🚌Local dive shops/operators provide boat transfers; Coral Bay-Exmouth transfer ~£25-35 by coach
🛏Coral Bay backpacker lodge or Exmouth budget accommodation — ~£30-45
- →Snorkel Ningaloo Reef from the beach (free with own gear; gear hire ~£15)
- →Optional: glass-bottom boat tour (~£30-45)
- →Optional: marine eco tour or whale shark swim in season (~£150-250)
- →Optional: manta ray snorkel tour
Cape Range National Park and Exmouth
Exmouth
Spend the day exploring Cape Range National Park, including Yardie Creek and the gorgeous Turquoise Bay — bring snorkel gear for drift snorkelling right off the beach. Optional add-ons include scuba diving at Navy Pier or more reef snorkelling. Finish at the Vlamingh Head lighthouse for sunset, then enjoy a final dinner in Exmouth. Many travellers hire a car here, as the park is spread out and public transport is limited.
🚌Hire car, local tour, or shared transfer to Cape Range NP; park is ~40-60 min from Exmouth town
🛏Exmouth backpacker or budget motel — ~£28-42
- →Turquoise Bay snorkelling (park entry ~£8 per vehicle)
- →Yardie Creek gorge walk
- →Vlamingh Head lighthouse
- →Optional: scuba dive at Navy Pier (~£80-120)
- →Optional: Cape Range NP day tour from Exmouth (~£60-90)
Depart Exmouth
Exmouth
Depart at any time. Flights from Learmonth Airport (just outside Exmouth) connect to Perth; alternatively, many travellers take the long coach or drive back south. Allow time for airport transfers and double-check regional flight schedules, which are limited.
🚌Local shuttle or taxi to Learmonth Airport ~£15-25; flight Exmouth-Learmonth to Perth typically £150-250 if booked ahead
🛏None (departure day)
- →Optional morning swim or last-minute souvenir shopping
Self-launched vs. G Adventures
| This itinerary (self-launched) | G Adventures | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£790 | £1,450 |
| Duration | 10 days | 10 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £660 per person (46%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more G Adventures-style trips? Check them out here.~£790
estimated per person
You never pay Travel Crew for this — you pay hostels, transport, and activity providers directly, the same as if you'd booked it all yourself.
This publishes your dates so other travellers can find and join you — no tour operator needed.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does Best of the Coast – Western Australia (Self-Launched) cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £790 per person for 10 days in Western Australia. This is an AI-generated estimate based on typical budget-traveller prices — actual costs will vary by season and how you book.
Is this cheaper than booking with G Adventures?+
Yes — G Adventures charges around £1,450 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £790 — a saving of roughly £660 (46%) per person.
How long is the Western Australia trip?+
This itinerary runs 10 days, covering 10 day-by-day stops through Western Australia.
How do I join this trip?+
You can join an existing open departure using this itinerary if one is scheduled, or launch your own departure with your own dates and invite other travellers to join you — no tour operator required.
Isn't it easier to just use a tour operator?+
Well, yes, a tour operator will book all the individual parts of your travel for you and provide a guide. That's obvious, but doing this has the potential to save the group thousands, which can in turn improve your itinerary substantially or save you huge amounts of money. Also, when you launch a departure, Travel Crew has tools in place to help you book the individual sections of the trip or make it easier for you to do this as a group. Really, you do not need a middle man. If you are more comfortable paying more and using a middle man, then you should certainly do this.
Is it safer to book through a tour operator?+
Arguably, there isn't much difference. A self-launched trip runs on the same principle as a group travel crew: collective responsibility, everyone looking out for each other, the same way it would if a group of friends organised the trip themselves — because that's exactly what's happening. You should always take out travel insurance before you go, self-launched or not; that doesn't change either way. Every open departure is published publicly with real dates and a real trip organiser, so it's never an anonymous arrangement, and our support team is reachable any time you need help, including in an emergency while you're away. Longer-term, we're building direct relationships with ground DMCs in popular destinations, offered as an optional paid add-on for extra on-the-ground support. Ultimately, though, the group is responsible for its own conduct and safety on a self-launched trip, same as on any trip you plan yourself.
What kind of trip is this?+
This is a adventure, backpacker, road-trip trip through Western Australia, self-launched rather than run by a tour operator — you organise it with a group you find or bring yourself.
Would you like to name the operator, name the trip, or have any suggestions about how to improve this itinerary?
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