07 Feb 2024

Darwin to Perth Overland

PKOPC

Validity: 01 Apr 2024 to 31 Mar 2025

See the Australian Outback in all its sun-kissed glory on this epic 24-day adventure from Darwin to Perth. Explore Nitmiluk National Park, Purnululu National Park, El Questro, Gibb River, Manning Gorge, Bell Gorge, Tunnel Creek and Cable Beach and then spend a few days exploring Broome at your own pace. Swim in watering holes and waterfalls, hike through creeks to sandstone spires and learn about fascinating First Nations history. Then, hop in a 4WD and go snorkelling among turtles, relax on Eighty Mile Beach, wander through national parks like Karijini, Nambung and Kalbarri. After every adventurous day, you’ll spend your nights camping under the starry skies of Western Australia.

Basix

Overland

Private 4WD vehicle

4

MOM Darwin YHA, departing 7:00am

52 Mitchell St

Darwin

AUSTRALIA

The default pick up location for this trip is at 7am in front of the MOM Darwin YHA. This is where we will meet you for your trip, unless you or your travel agent requests an alternative location (contact our Reservations team for more information). It is your responsibility to contact us with your preferred pick up point well ahead of departure. We do not take responsibility for missed tours if we have not been advised of an alternative in advance and you are not at the default location on time.

Perth

Perth

AUSTRALIA

START & END TIMES Your trip commences in Perth on Day 1 at 7 am and finishes in Darwin on the last day at approximately 6 pm. We recommend you arrive a day early and onward travel should be booked for the following day. No accommodation is included on Day 24 LUGGAGE A strict luggage limit of 15 kg applies. Please bring a soft-sided bag only. SLEEPING BAG This trip requires a sleeping bag. You can bring your own or can purchase one. Please let your booking agent know ahead of time if you would like to add this to your booking. ACCOMMODATION The accommodation on this trip is Basix-style – mixed gender multishare dormitories and twin share camping WHALE SHARKS Swimming with whale sharks is not included on this trip and is an optional activity that you need to book online yourself. It is very important that you pre book any whale shark experiences, as this can sell out far in advance. Please also note that whale sharks visit the region between mid-March and mid-September only, so please make sure you schedule your trip accordingly if you would like to include this experience in your trip. OPERATOR This trip is operated by our partners Kimberley Wild Expeditions MINIMUM NUMBERS Please note this trip requires a minimum of 6 travelers to operate. Your Booking Agent will advise at time of booking if the departure has met minimum numbers. If minimum numbers are not met, you will be advised no later than 56 days out from departure (prior to full payment due). We recommend arranging flights and related travel services once your departure is guaranteed. In the event that your departure is cancelled due to minimum numbers not being met, a full refund will be provided of monies paid.

AUSTRALIA LEADERS All group trips are accompanied by a group leader. In Australia your group leader is often also your driver, taking you from start to finish. The aim of the group leader is to take the hassle out of your travels and to help you have the best trip possible. Your leader will provide information on the places you are travelling through, offer suggestions for things to do and see, as well as recommend great local eating venues. They will also introduce you to our local friends along the way. Please be aware they will be juggling many things on your tour and on some days may have less time to spend with you. But they will always be working hard to ensure you and your group have a fantastic time exploring Australia!

Sorry, no wi-fi! Telstra users will get phone reception in most towns and the occasional remote hot spot. But there will be long stretches where we are out of phone range. Power points will be accessible on most nights for recharging cameras and other electronic equipment.

PASSPORT You’ll need a valid passport to travel internationally and most countries require your passport to have a minimum of 6 months validity, so remember to check the expiry date. We need your passport information to get everything ready for your trip so it’s important that the information on your booking matches your passport exactly. Please take care to provide the correct details. We recommend carrying a copy of the photo page of your passport while travelling and leaving a copy at home with family or friends. VISAS & ENTRY REQUIREMENTS Many countries require a visa and obtaining the correct visa for your trip and any countries you may transit through is your responsibility. We recommend you check your visa requirements as soon as you have booked your trip. This will ensure you have time to prepare your documents and for your visa application to be processed. You can check the entry requirements for your nationality on your government's foreign travel advisories, consular websites or on our page here:  www.intrepidtravel.com/visa-entry-requirements All travellers, except New Zealand citizens, must obtain a visa or travel authority before travelling to Australia. Failure to do so means you may not be allowed to board your flight to Australia. Most nationalities can obtain an Electronic Travel Authority via the internet before arrival. Please check the following website or with your relevant Australian visa issuing office for your nationalities requirements. http://www.eta.immi.gov.au/

Explore Lake Argyle and take an optional cruise on the still waters, looking out for crocodiles, wallabies and rare birds against the mountain island backdrop. 

Spend nights camping in the Australian Outback under a star-studded Milky Way sky. There is little, if any, reception out here, so it’s the perfect chance to disconnect, recharge and get back to basics in the heart of nature. 

Swim in rock pools, waterfalls and watering holes, travel along the Gibb River Road in a 4WD and hike through rivers past towering red cliffs, rocks and spires.  

Explore the World Heritage area of Shark Bay, home to the oldest living organisms in the world – stromatolites.  

Spend two nights and three days in the red-hued Pilbara, away from any light pollution, in Karijini National Park and spend your days exploring ancient gorges and refreshing swimming holes and waterfalls. 

This trip is operated and run by our trusted partner, Kimberley Wild Expeditions. You will be travelling with a mixture of both Kimberley Wild Expeditions customers and Intrepid customers. On some days of this trip, you'll spend many hours driving through very sparse areas of Australia. Sit back and enjoy landscapes that you'd miss in any other form of travel. Extra space can be tight, and conditions may feel a little cramped. Think of it as a great way to get to know your fellow travellers. The drive days can be long, but it's as much about the journey as the destination, and half the fun is the camaraderie! This trip involves some camping out in nature (or staying in backpacker-style dormitory accommodation, including bunk beds) so the facilities are very basic. It is definitely a trip for either younger, fit travellers or the young at heart and fit in body! A lack of emphasis on creature comforts makes this an authentic experience of the Australian outback. Some locations will have little to no Internet connection or phone service.  This trip involves activities like hiking on uneven terrain and clambering over boulders. It is best suited to travellers with good mobility and fitness. Details on physical activities can be found in the itinerary. This trip includes four days in Broome, where you’ll be unaccompanied by a trip leader. As this is a combination trip, your group members will also likely change before and after your time in Broome. If you are looking for this itinerary in the reverse direction, from Perth to Darwin, see trip code PKODC on our website. The sections between Perth, Broome and Darwin are also sold as individual tours.

GENERAL HEALTH All travellers need to be in good physical health in order to participate fully on this trip. For the safety and wellbeing of yourself and others, if you are unwell prior to travelling, please stay at home and contact us to make alternative arrangements. When selecting your trip please make sure you have read through the itinerary carefully and assess your ability to manage and enjoy our style of travel. Please note that if in the assessment of our group leader or local representative a traveller is unable to complete the itinerary without undue risk to themselves and/or the rest of the group, we reserve the right to exclude them from all or part of a trip without refund. You should consult your doctor for up-to-date medical travel information or for any necessary vaccinations before departure. We recommend that you carry a first aid kit as well as any personal medical requirements in their original packaging as they may not easily be obtained while travelling. If you are carrying medication, ensure you check your government's foreign travel advice for any local restrictions or requirements. 

On most days, breakfast, lunch and dinner will be included. Your leader will prepare most of the meals whilst on tour. Please read the daily itinerary to find out what is included. Due to the often remote nature of our trips, food is basic but plentiful and delicious. PARTICIPATORY CAMPING Our tours are activity and participation based. During your travels with us you will have the opportunity to assist with daily activities such as setting up camp, helping prepare meals and clearing dishes. None of this is difficult however many hands make light work and any assistance provided to crew is always much appreciated. Most people agree that this type of activity helps you feel like less of a tourist and more of an explorer. DIETARY REQUIREMENTS All food for this trip is purchased and packed prior to your group leaving on day one. After we’ve left town it can be very difficult to source special dietary requests. Travellers with special dietary requirements or food allergies are required to advise us at the time of booking. You may be asked to pay for any additional food if you have not advised us of any special dietary requirements. Please don’t hesitate to contact u if you have any specific dietary concerns.

SPENDING MONEY When it comes to spending money on the trip, every traveller is a little different. You know your spending habits better than we do, so please budget an appropriate amount for things like optional meals, drinks, shopping, optional activities, and laundry. Make sure you have read the itinerary and inclusions thoroughly so you know what is included in the trip price and what you may need to pay for while travelling. The currency of Australia is the Australian dollar (AUD). Most shops will take card as well as cash, but occasionally will only take one or the other. ATMs are common in all cities and towns, but may be limited in remote areas. You may need to use a PIN for purchases, and businesses often add a small surcharge for card payments. CONTINGENCY FUNDS We try to plan for every eventuality, but there are still some things beyond our control. We reserve the right to change an itinerary after departure due to local circumstances or a Force Majeure Event. In such emergency circumstances, the additional cost of any necessary itinerary alterations will be covered by you. Please note we are not responsible for any incidental expenses that may be incurred as a result of the change of itineraries including but not limited to visas, vaccinations or non-refundable flights. Make sure you have access to an extra US$500 for emergencies (e.g. severe weather, natural disasters, civil unrest) or other events that result in unavoidable changes to the itinerary (e.g. transport strikes or cancellations, airport closures). Sometimes these things necessitate last-minute changes to enable our trips to continue to run, and as a result, there may be some extra costs involved. The recommended amount is listed in USD for the relatability of universal travellers, however, local currency may be needed once in the country to cover these costs.

It is essential that you bring a day walking backpack, torch, shoes you don’t mind getting wet – and we mean fully immersed in water: ideally, wet shoes, sandals or old runners, broad-brimmed hat with sun visor for all round sun protection, sunscreen, swimming costume and towel, good walking/trekking shoes and a personal water bottle. You will also need to bring a sleeping bag; 10ºC sleeping bags are available for sale – these must be requested with our office prior to travel and can be kept following your trip or donated to local indigenous communities. Other recommendations include: warm clothes for the evening (particularly if travelling May-Aug), personal toiletries and first aid kit, with any personal medication required. LUGGAGE RESTRICTIONS Don’t forget the necessary luggage restrictions – due to limited space in the vehicles it is important that your luggage is in a small, soft bag (suitcases are not suitable) and weighs a maximum of 15kg. VALUABLES Try to avoid bringing unnecessary valuables. We strongly recommend that you photocopy all important documents e.g. air tickets, passport, vaccination certificate, etc. and keep the copies separate from the originals. While not valid, a photocopy makes it much easier to obtain replacements if necessary. BATTERIES/POWER Most of our trips have access to power to recharge batteries for phones and cameras every couple of days. There are some days where there is no power at the campsites at all. We always recommend that you carry an extra battery or power bank for your phone/camera just in case. Your vehicle will be equipped with a 12 volt “cigarette lighter” socket which may be used at the crew’s discretion, however, do bear in mind that only one piece of equipment can be charged at a time and it will not be allowed if there is a risk of running the vehicle’s batteries low. Batteries may also be recharged from hotel room wall sockets. Hotels and campsites may have sockets for guests to recharge personal items. MORE! If you need some further tips for packing, you can always check out our ultimate packing list.

While much of Australia experiences a traditional four season year, Australia’s north, including the Kimberley, has a tropical climate with a Wet Season (November to March/April) and a Dry Season (April/May to October). All of our tours in the north operate during ‘the Dry’, when it can get surprisingly cold overnight, depending on where you are — in Broome it can get down to 12ºC, while in the Bungle Bungles, it can fall as low as 5ºC! During the day, we usually enjoy a lovely 28 to 30ºC. Note however that during September and October, as the Wet Season approaches, the temperatures increase accordingly and from this time, and throughout the Wet Season, it can be very hot during the day. If you plan to travel at this time, it is essential that you are prepared for the tropical weather — feel free to ask our office for advice prior to booking.

We like to think our Intrepid travellers are all connected by a love of adventure and passion for seeing the world in a different way. We've laid down a few non-negotiable rules to ensure everyone feels connected, comfortable and safe on our trips. We ask that you respect your fellow travellers, group leader or local representative, and local people and places we visit in all circumstances. We don't tolerate any forms of violence and expect that you follow the local laws, customs and regulations in any destination we travel to. Any behaviour contrary to the above, including any behaviour that prevents our staff from performing their duty of care or continuing the itinerary as planned, may result in travellers being removed from the trip. If you consume alcohol while travelling, we encourage responsible drinking and expect you to abide by local alcohol laws. To ensure the well-being of everyone on the trip, all decisions made by group leaders or local representatives and ground staff are final. Romantic relationships between travellers and group leader or local representative are not permitted while on trip. By travelling with us, you agree to comply with these rules and the laws and customs of all countries visited. If something is concerning you during your travels with us, please speak to your group leader or local representative immediately. Alternatively, contact us on the emergency contact number detailed in your Essential Trip Information’s Problems and Emergency Contact section.

Can’t stop thinking about your adventure? Tell us all about it! We read each piece of feedback carefully and use it to make improvements for travellers like you. Share your experience with us at: http://www.intrepidtravel.com/feedback/

While we always endeavour to provide the best possible holiday experience, due to the nature of travel and the areas we visit sometimes things can and do go wrong. Should any issue occur while you are on your trip, it is imperative that you discuss this with your group leader or local representative straight away so that they can do their best to rectify the problem and save any potential negative impact on the rest of your trip. We recognise that there may be times when your group leader or local representative may not be able to resolve a situation to your satisfaction - if this is the case, please ask the group leader or local representative to speak to their direct manager. You may also choose to provide details in your online feedback, which we ask you to complete within 30 days of the end of your trip. Please do be aware that it is very difficult for us to provide any practical help after the trip is completed, so informing us while still travelling will give us the opportunity to resolve the issue in real-time. For general contact details please use the following page: http://www.intrepidtravel.com/ourtrips/contact/ In case of a genuine crisis or emergency, you can reach our local office on the numbers below: ALL general enquiry must be directed to our reservations team. In case of a GENUINE EMERGENCY, or concerns about a missed pick-up on the day of departure ONLY, please contact our local Operations Team on the number listed below: Kimberley Wild Expeditions: 08 9193 7778

Our Responsible Travel Policy outlines our commitment to preserving the environment, supporting local communities, protecting the vulnerable, and giving back to the places we travel. All our trip group leaders or local representatives, suppliers, and staff are trained on these principles and are core to us delivering sustainable, experience-rich travel. Explore the different parts of our Responsible Travel Policy by visiting: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/responsible-travel MONKEY MIA DOLPHIN EXPERIENCE Dolphins at Monkey Mia are only fed according to strict guidelines and under the supervision of Parks and Wildlife Service officers to ensure they continue to hunt and behave naturally. Extensive research has been done on the dolphin community at Monkey Mia to limit impacts from human interaction. While other dolphins often visit the beach, only a maximum of five adult females are hand fed, and only up to 10% of their daily food intake. Currently, there are only 2 dolphins being hand fed (out of a population of over 2000 in the area). Calves are not hand-fed. If a mother with a calf is part of the feeding program, they receive less than the usual 10% of their daily food through hand feeding to encourage them to teach their calves to hunt. During this experience, while the majority of visitors remain on the shore, rangers may select some to participate in the feeding one at a time, with a strict no-touch policy. In accordance with the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016 outside of this experience, it is illegal to approach within 50m of a dolphin in the water or 100m in a boat. If a dolphin comes within 50m of where you are swimming you must exit the water. If you are on the beach and a dolphin approaches in the shallows, you must remain on the sand. To learn more about the Shark Bay dolphins, visit: http://www.monkeymiadolphins.org/about-our-research/ RECONCILIATION ACTION PLAN As an Australian-owned business with a vision to change the way people see the world, Intrepid is committed to reconciliation and strengthening relationships between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non-Indigenous peoples. While Intrepid might have done a lot to empower communities, businesses and our partners around the world over the years, there’s still a lot for us to do here at home. We are working towards a better, more inclusive and fairer Australia. You can find more information about our Reconciliation Action Plan here: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/reconciliation

4WD tours are operated in custom-built, 21-25 seat 4WD trucks with a PA system and built-in storage. These comfortable, strong remote area vehicles allow our small groups extra space (including standing room), are fully air-conditioned and fitted with adjustable air-vents, reclinable seats, map pockets and footrests. It is important that when booking a 4WD outback adventure in the Kimberley, you understand that the roads we travel on can be heavily corrugated, which can be a bit uncomfortable at times. Rest assured, these are the conditions for which our 4WD trucks are designed.

Travel insurance is compulsory on all our trips for those travelling internationally. We require that at a minimum you are covered for medical expenses including emergency repatriation. If you are travelling within your home country or region please confirm before travel that you are entitled to access the public medical system easily should an accident occur. We strongly recommend all travellers have a policy that also covers personal liability, cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage or personal effects. For international trips, you will not be permitted to join the group until evidence of travel insurance and the insurance company's 24-hour emergency contact number has been sighted by your group leader or local representative. If you have credit card insurance your group leader or local representative will require details of the participating insurer/underwriter, the level of coverage, policy number, and emergency contact number rather than the bank's name and your credit card details. Please contact your bank for these details prior to arriving in-country. For travellers who reside within the European Union, Switzerland or USA the requirement to purchase travel insurance cannot be compulsory. However the purchase of travel insurance is still highly recommended, and travellers from these regions who decline travel insurance when travelling outside of their home region must sign a Travel Insurance Waiver Form at the Group Meeting, recognizing personal responsibility for emergency medical and repatriation costs should they arise. For assistance with travel insurance or other services, please visit the link below: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/booking-resources/our-services

As you travel on a group trip you will be exposed to all the pleasures and maybe some of the frustrations of travelling in a group. Your fellow travellers will probably come from all corners of the world and likely a range of age groups too. We ask you to be understanding of the various needs and preferences of your group - patience with your fellow travellers is sometimes required for the benefit of everyone's travel experience. Remember too that you have responsibilities to the group. If you are requested to be at a place at a certain time, ensure that you don't keep the rest of the group waiting. We have found time and time again that the very best trips we operate are those where the dynamics within the group work well - this takes just a little effort on your part. Due to privacy reasons, we are unable to provide you with contact details and any personal information about your fellow travellers booked on your trip prior to departure. Kimberley Wild itineraries are ‘Participatory’ which means the groups rally together and assist the guide – our program is designed to foster a ’group of friends’ dynamic as everyone works together to make it all happen, alongside the leadership of an experienced Tour Guide. This not only makes for a fun adventure shared with like-minded travellers, but also enables us to provide affordable travel options in the Kimberley. On those nights where we are not staying in one of our fantastic private permanent campsites, it is important that travellers participate in setting up camp, though the Tour Guide and (where applicable on selected Kimberley Expeditions) the Tour Host, will also be on hand to help – it is a team effort! The Kimberley Wild Guide will always appreciate the assistance of one or two group members in preparing/clearing meals. It is essential that all our groups leave the camps they stay in as they found them for the next travellers – the Kimberley is a pristine wilderness and it is our responsibility to ensure it stays this way.

ITINERARY CHANGES Our itineraries are updated regularly throughout the year based on customer feedback and to reflect the current situation in each destination. The information included in this Essential Trip Information may therefore differ from when you first booked your trip. It's important that you review this information prior to travel so that you have the latest updates. Due to weather, local conditions, transport schedules, public holidays, political unrest or other factors, further changes may be necessary to your itinerary once in-country. Your group leader or local representative will keep you up to date with any such changes once your trip is underway. OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES A selection of optional activities that have been popular with past travellers are listed in the day-to-day itinerary. This isn't an exhaustive list and should be used as a guide only for some of what might be available. Prices are approximate, are for entrance fees only, and don’t include transport to and from the sites or local guides unless indicated. All activities are subject to availability, and maybe on a join-in basis. It may not be possible to do all the activities listed in the time available at each destination, so some pre-planning for what you are most interested in is advised. When it's recommended that travellers pre-book these activities, look for a note in the Special Information section of the day-to-day itinerary. For most, they can either be organised independently on the day, or let your group leader or local representative know you are interested at the Welcome Meeting and they can assist. Where activities are considered medium or high risk, we work with operators whose safety and credentials we have sighted and assessed. Although it is possible that you may find the same activity cheaper with another operator on the ground, we cannot vouch for the safety or quality of that operator. Medium and high-risk activities not listed above have not been assessed by us and as such our staff and group leader or local representative are unable to assist you with organising these activities. Activities that contravene our Responsible Travel policies are also not listed. Please remember that the decision to partake in any activity not listed is at your own discretion and risk. SNORKELLING WITH WHALE SHARKS Whale shark season in Western Australia runs from April through to July. Travellers on this trip have the option to swim with whale sharks – please check the itinerary for the exact day this is available. In August you can also swim with humpback whales. To book these optional activities you can speak to your guide on Day 1 of your trip. However, during busy periods, like school holidays, we recommend you book in advance to avoid disappointment. You can do this by contacting your booking agent or our activity supplier – Kings Ningaloo Reef. Please find a link to their website and their phone number below. http://kingsningalooreeftours.com.au/ 08 9949 1764 By pre-booking this activity you will be paying a slightly higher price to secure your spot, but given the popularity of this activity if it’s a must do for you then we do recommend booking in advance.

Camping & Backpacker Dorm Share Accommodation (23 nights)