10-Day Small Group Backpacker Bus Tour • Perth to Exmouth
Perth to Exmouth Tour – 10 Days of Kalbarri, Monkey Mia, Ningaloo & Coral Bay
A 10-day Perth to Exmouth backpacker adventure along WA’s Coral Coast — Lancelin, Pinnacles, Kalbarri, Monkey Mia, Coral Bay and Ningaloo Reef. Small groups, social vibes, all the iconic stops, zero stress.
Perth • Jurien Bay • Kalbarri • Monkey Mia • Coral Bay • Exmouth • Karijini • Broome
Book this tour
Upcoming Tours
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10 DAYS | 9 NIGHTS
From AU$2090
Confirm your seat with a $800 deposit. More details on payments can be found here
Why Choose our Perth to Exmouth Tour?
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No Rush – Longest Perth to Exmouth Tour
= More Beaches & Gorges
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Backpacker Vibes – Social Small Group Tour
Meet Mates, Not Tourists
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Relaxed Pace – More 2 Night Stays
Skip the 5am Starts
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Locally Run – WA Owned & Operated
Small Team • Personal Touch
On This Page
Quick Facts
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Group Size
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We keep things small and social. Tours run with a maximum of 26 passengers, with an average of 15 to 22 on most departures. With an experienced driver/guide, you’ll always get the support you need without feeling lost in the crowd.
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Tour Length
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This is the longest Perth to Exmouth tour in WA at . The extra days mean you’ll see more of the West Coast without the rush or endless early starts that other shorter tours require.
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Accommodation
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You’ll stay in a mix of hostels and campgrounds giving you the best of both worlds, the comfort of a real bed and nights under the stars. All the camping gear you need such as sleeping bags, camping mats and tents are included.
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Who it Suits
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Whether you are a backpacker, on a working holiday visa or just want to go on the ultimate West Coast tour, our trips are perfect if you are travelling solo, with friends, or a small group. The relaxed, social vibe means you’ll finish the tour with a new ‘Why Not Family’.
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Pace
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We travel slower with two-night stays in Kalbarri, Coral Bay and Exmouth. This means less time on the bus, fewer 5am starts, and more time to actually enjoy the beaches, gorges, and sunsets along the way.
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Connectivity
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We have USB charging points at each seat to keep your devices topped up. Wi-Fi is limited along the route, but the Telstra network has the best phone coverage in most areas. It’s also a good chance to switch off and enjoy the journey.
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Seasonal Highlights
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Seasonality adds something special to every departure. Whale sharks are best spotted March–September, manta rays are around throughout most of the year, and WA’s wildflowers transform the coast into a carpet of colour in spring.
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Age Range
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The tour is 18+ with no upper age limit and the majority of passengers who travel with us are in their 20’s & 30’s. If you are looking for the most fun and social Western Australian Tour we think you are in the right place.
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Transport
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We travel in a modern, air-conditioned bus that’s designed for long WA road trips. Comfortable seats, music and an onboard TV keep the good vibes rolling.
Upcoming Dates & Gallery
Experience the REAL West Coast.
This isn’t your Grandma’s tour!
Perth to Exmouth Tour Highlights
Sea lions, pink lakes, whale sharks, and waterfalls — here are the top highlights you’ll hit on our 10-day Perth to Exmouth tour.
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Pinnacles Desert (Nambung NP) WA’s most unique desert stop, only a few hours north of Perth.
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Hutt Lagoon (Pink Lake) Salt and algae create a vivid, natural pastel wonder.
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Kalbarri National Park (Nature’s Window) Red-rock gorges carved by the Murchison River.
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Shell Beach (Shark Bay) A 60km shoreline made entirely of tiny white shells.
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Eagle Bluff Lookout (Shark Bay) A boardwalk lookout with sweeping views over Shark Bay.
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Monkey Mia dolphins (Shark Bay) Daily visits from wild dolphins right off the shore.
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Coral Bay (Ningaloo Reef) Snorkel straight off the beach into coral gardens.
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Exmouth (Turquoise Bay & Cape Range NP) White sand, turquoise water, and canyon views
What’s Included on Your Perth to Exmouth Tour
Here’s exactly what’s included in your Perth to Exmouth tour — and a few epic add-ons if you’re keen. Visit our additional information section for more tour specifics and pickup locations etc.
Included on Tour
- Your ride north: On the Why Not Bus from Perth to Exmouth
- All national park passes:
- Nambung National Park (The Pinnacles)
- Kalbarri National Park (Nature’s Window, Skywalk)
- Cape Range National Park (Exmouth)
- Monkey Mia Reserve (Dolphins)
- Daily Activities: Hikes in WA’s best gorges, a pink lake stop, snorkelling Ningaloo, Monkey Mia dolphin encounter, countless beach breaks and so much more.
- Free day in Coral Bay: 200m from the beach; snorkel, chill by the pool, or do nothing at all!
- All Accommodation: A mixture of hostels and camping
- Camping gear included: twin-share tents, mats, sleeping bags (just bring a pillow if you don’t want to improvise with a jumper).
- Cooking setup: Fully equipped trailer with fridge, group cooking gear, and eskies for the cold ones.
- Guides who care: small, passionate crew + a relaxed social group (max 26).
- USB charging onboard: What would we do without our phones?
More detailed information on the tour inclusions, costs, pickup times etc. can be found here.
Additional Costs
- Room Upgrades: With the limited amount of accommodation available on the West Coast all our accommodation is booked far in advance. Occasionally, if you aren’t travelling in peak season there may be a chance for an upgrade in Monkey Mia, Coral Bay and Exmouth.
- Snacks, drinks, and souvenirs
- Food: See below for more details on our shared food fund that covers most breakfast, lunches and dinners.
Our Food Fund
We keep it simple … We run a shared Food Fund (AU$100 per person) that covers most breakfasts, lunches, and group dinners.
We also spend 3 nights out for pub dinners (AU$20–40 each)
For more information about our food fund and plenty more information about how our tours operate visit our FAQ page
– Eat Cheap and Eat Well –
Epic Extras to Upgrade Your Trip
With plenty of time to do additional tours or activities you can book these additional tours. We provide details on how to book, what days to book and current costs in you confirmation email.
| Activity | Location | What time of year |
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| Swim with Sea Lions | Jurien Bay | All year |
| Swim with Whale Sharks | Exmouth or Coral Bay | March to Sept (start and end varies each year) |
| Swim with Manta Rays | Coral Bay | All year |
| Scuba diving | Coral Bay or Exmouth | All year |
| Paddle-board and Kayak hire | Monkey Mia or Coral Bay | All year |
| Quad bike tours | Coral Bay | All year |
– More Details on our Favourites –
Whale Sharks
Whale sharks are the largest fish species in the world, known for their impressive size and gentle nature. Despite their massive length, these gentle giants are filter feeders, primarily consuming plankton and small fish. They are slow-moving and calm, making them perfect to jump into the water and swim alongside. Get an up and close experience with these magnificent creatures!
Tours are available in Exmouth or Coral Bay we highly recommend booking your whale shark experience in Exmouth as they have a much higher success rate of finding Whale Sharks.
The tour company will pick you up and drop you off from our accommodation on their bus with the boats departing just outside of Cape Range National Park.
The season usually goes from March to September
The season start and end varies from year to year and may end up being longer or shorter. Whale sharks are just doing their thing and when they decide they are ready to arrive and leave Exmouth they will!
During the majority of the season the success rate of finding and swimming with whale sharks is very high (100% through some periods). As you get towards the start and end of the season this drops a little. Most tour operators will provide a voucher to take the tour on another date if they are unable to find whale sharks.
More details on how to book check your extra information pack with your booking confirmation email.
An all day experience that includes swimming with these magnificent creatures, a warm-up reef snorkel and a delicious lunch. You can book with any operator but check out the extra info provided with your booking confirmation email for details on how to book with our recommended operator and how to get a solid ‘Why Not Bus’ Discount.
Professional Photos and videos are included
Manta Rays
Another gentle giant of the ocean, swimming with Manta rays is a pretty unforgettable experience. Sometimes people can get confused between Manta Rays and Sting Rays and apart from the size and many other differences, Manta’s have no barb in their tail. They’re totally harmless and love hanging out near the surface munching down on some plankton, perfect for a snorkel with!
Tours are available in Coral Bay
You can swim with them all year round
More details on how to book check your extra information pack with your booking confirmation email.
An all or half day experience that includes swimming with these magnificent creatures, a warm-up reef snorkel and a delicious lunch. You can book with any operator but check out the extra info provided with your booking confirmation email for details on how to book with our recommended operator and how to get a solid ‘Why Not Bus’ Discount.
Professional Photos and videos are not included but photos can be purchased for a small fee
Sea Lions
Australian sea lions are a unique and endangered species native to the southern and western coasts of Australia. Known for their playful and curious nature, these marine mammals are smaller than their Californian counterparts but just as charming. Often spotted lounging in the sun or playing around in the ocean, combined with their inquisitive nature they are often known as the ‘puppies of the sea’.
Their populations are limited and protected, so interactions are carefully managed to ensure their safety and conservation. Swimming with Sea Lions is a pretty rare opportunity not offered by many West Coast tours but it’s one of our favorite extra activities on our tours.
You can swim with Sea Lions in Jurien Bay
You can swim with the Sea Lions all year round
For more details on how to book check your extra information pack with your booking confirmation email
You can join the 2 hr Sea Lions Cruise on day two. Limited seats are available and the trip can book out so don’t wait!
Sea lions can almost always be seen on the islands. A close up swimming interaction occurs around 70% of the time in warm months and 80% in winter months. There are unfortunately no refunds if you do not swim with the sea lions.
Professional Photos and videos are included
Please use this as a guide as all these tours are run by external operators and Why Not Bus has no control on whether any external optional tour is operating or if any details change
Interactive Perth to Exmouth Map
Your Perth to Exmouth Tour Itinerary
10 days / 9 Nights
Here’s a day by day Itinerary for your Perth to Exmouth tour
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Day 1
Perth
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Lancelin
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Jurien BayHighlights – Sandboarding, Pinnacles Desert
Distance – ~230 km
Driving Time – ~3 hrs
Accommodation – Camping (holiday park)More Details
The first stop on our West Coast Tour may not be the most exciting but it’s oh so crucial! You’ll hit the shops for snacks and booze! After that we head north towards Lancelin for our first real stop, Sandboarding the dunes! We then continue to the Pinnacles Desert at Nambung National Park for a walk through these mysterious limestone formations.
A short drive to our campsite completes our travels for the day. Now you get to show off your camping skills and we see who knows how to set up a tent! Not to worry if its your first time, our guide will be there to help you out. With dinner duties shared between everyone on the tour we get to cook our first delicious ‘home on the road family dinner’.
All that’s left is watching the sunset with your new mates, kicking back, enjoying a beer and getting a few games going! -
Day 2
Jurien Bay
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Geraldton
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KalbarriHighlights – Optional Sea Lion Experience, Pink Lake
Distance – ~370 km
Driving Time – ~4 hrs
Accommodation – Hostel (2 night stay)More Details
Head to the beach for the morning or jump on an optional Sea Lion Experience. From there we have a brief lunch stop in Geraldton, before moving on to Port Gregory’s Hutt Lagoon, an absolutely stunning Pink Lake!
This afternoon, we check in at Kalbarri Backpackers for our first night of a two-night stay. Later on, we head down to the beach to watch the sunset before having another family dinner. Tonight, lets crack out the red cups for some fun and games with your fellow travellers to celebrate another epic day!
Even on day 2 its already starting to show how much more relaxed our itinerary is compared to the majority of Perth to Broome tours, with the majority arriving in Kalbarri on day 1! -
Day 3
Kalbarri National Park
Highlights – Nature’s Window, Skywalk, Hike and swim at the Z Bend
Distance – ~100 km
Driving Time – ~1 hr
Accommodation – Hostel (2 night stay)More Details
Explore the amazing Kalbarri National Park famous for its landscapes, rugged gorges cut into the rock after millions of years of water flowing through it. The park delivers it all and then some! Stunning views from the new Kalbarri Skywalk, a small walk to Nature’s Window and a hike down at the Z Bend gorge before a dip in the cool water (if the pools are full). Throw a scenic lunch along the Murchison Gorge in there and you have a day that is hard to beat!
After the park we head back to town and visit some of Kalbarri’s Coastal Cliffs for even more spectacular views of the Indian Ocean. Keep an eye out during humpback migration season for mothers and calves swimming close to the shore below you or jumping out of the water in the distance. A local family of bottlenose dolphins make an appearance from time to time as well!
Tonight is one of our pub nights out for dinner so no one is on dishes this evening! You also get to stay in the same bed at Kalbarri Backpackers as the night before. Yay, no packing up your bag! -
Day 4
Kalbarri
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Shark Bay
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Monkey MiaHighlights – Shell Beach, Eagle Bluff, Monkey Mia Resort
Distance – ~400 km
Driving Time – ~4.5 hrs
Accommodation – HostelMore Details
This morning we leave Kalbarri and drive into the World Heritage area of Shark Bay. Stopping off at the beautiful Shell Beach for a swim in the crystal clear water or just to relax on the beach which is made of, you guessed it! Shells! One of only 2 beaches in the world like this, it’s definitely something special to see. After smashing down today’s lunch we continue on our journey through Shark bay, stopping off at Eagle Bluff lookout (keep an eye out for sharks, turtles or even dugongs!) before heading through the tiny coastal town of Denham and onto our final stop for the day.
It’s time for a bit of luxury, staying in hostel dorms at the RAC Monkey Mia Dolphin Resort, located in the middle of nowhere along the pristine shores of the Francois Peron National Park. Spend the afternoon on the beach, hire a paddleboard or sit by the pool, treat yourself in this free time! Sunsets here are world class and the perfect appetiser before tucking into a Why Not Bus family dinner!
After dark, head to the beach, the pub or even the jetty and see if you can spot dolphins or the odd sea turtle. -
Day 5
Monkey Mia
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Wooramel River RetreatHighlights – Dolphins, Aussie station stay, hot springs
Distance – ~240 km
Driving Time – ~3 hrs
Accommodation – Camping (station stay)More Details
Wake up and walk 50m down to the water’s edge, it’s time to meet the famous Monkey Mia Dolphins! (The dolphin feeding is tightly controlled by the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions and monitored closely by a team of researchers from around the world). After the dolphin feeding we are back to enjoying that amazing beach, pool and resort facilities again!
That afternoon we leave the Shark Bay region and are back in the bus and on our way to an authentic Aussie station Stay at Wooramel River Retreat. We are back in tents tonight for some outback camping along the riverbank and nestled among the gum trees. How can you make tonight’s stay better than that… How about jumping into the naturally heated, hot spring baths and topping it off with a starlit dinner! -
Day 6
Carnarvon
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Coral BayHighlights – Ningaloo Reef, snorkelling, beach, optional tours
Distance – ~350 km
Driving Time – ~4 hrs
Accommodation – Hostel (2 night stay)More Details
This morning we continue up the Coral Coast to Carnarvon for a major restock at the shops before continuing on to the incredible and remote beachside town of Coral Bay. It’s time for some snorkelling on the World Heritage-Listed Ningaloo Reef, with over 250 species of coral and 500 species of tropical fish. All just metres off the shore! Complimentary Snorkelling equipment is available to Why Not Bus customers from the dive shop with just a deposit. With an abundance of additional tours available from local operators there are plenty of extra things to do this afternoon for people who want to do a little more. Some options include booking a quad bike or glass-bottom boat tour and paddleboard hire.
Tonight is the second of our pub nights for dinner and the first of 2 nights staying in hostel accommodation at Ningaloo Club Backpackers. Just 5 minutes from the beach! -
Day 7
Coral Bay
Highlights – Free day, Ningaloo Reef, Snorkelling, Beach, optional manta ray tours
Distance – No driving today
Driving Time – No driving today
Accommodation – Hostel (2 night stay)More Details
Today is for you to live your best life! Time to take the day and do what you want with your free time. We are at the halfway point of the tour and it’s time to do a little relaxing. Being a tiny town with only a local population of only around 250 people everything is within walking distance and easy to explore. Get back in the water and snorkel the famous Ningaloo Reef again, explore the coastline or hang with your new tour family on the beach. If you wanted to swim with the manta rays, today is the day to do it! It’s Coral Bay’s most popular day tour for good reason!
Usually, things will kick off pretty early and by late afternoon everyone is ready to blow off some steam and party! Before that we have another Why Not Bus family dinner where we can share tales of the sea and just how big the fish and Manta Rays you saw were. If you are looking to continue the night, there are two bars in town to grab a drink at, play some pool and if lucky, listen to some live music. Tonight is our second night at Ningaloo Club Backpackers and we have the day off from driving! Yeew! -
Day 8
Coral Bay → Exmouth
Highlights – Ningaloo Reef, beach, Charles Knife Canyon, sunset at the lighthouse
Distance – ~200 km
Driving Time – ~2 hrs
Accommodation – Hostel (2 night stay)More Details
This morning is your last chance to soak up the little slice of paradise that is Coral Bay before we are back in the bus and on our way to the top of the North West Cape and into Exmouth. On the way we stop off and explore Charles Knife Canyon, a spectacular natural gorge with unique rock formations and breathtaking views of the Exmouth Gulf.
You are on the west coast so it’s time for another spectacular sunset over the ocean at the historic Vlamingh Head Lighthouse, one of the few places in Australia where you can also see the sunrise over the ocean! Tonight is the first of two nights in hostel rooms at the Potshot Hotel Resort and who knows what we are cooking tonight? but, I’m sure it tastes just as good as momma used to make it! -
Day 9
Exmouth
Highlights – Cape Range National Park, Turquoise Bay, Ningaloo Reef, optional whale shark Tour
Distance – ~150 km
Driving Time – ~2 hrs
Accommodation – Hostel (2 night stay)More Details
Today is the day for anyone who has booked optional whale shark tours to swim with these gentle giants! It’s a whole day tour with the tour company picking you up and dropping you back after. For everyone else, we travel to the other side of the Cape and into Cape Range National Park for aNingaloo reef snorkel at the postcard worthy, Turquoise Bay.
Once we are back in Exmouth, meet up with our Whale Shark swimmers and freshened up its time to for our third and final pub dinner at the very cool, Whalebone Brewery. -
Day 10
Exmouth
Highlights – Exmouth!
Distance – ~0 km
Driving Time – ~0 hrs
Accommodation – none, we’re in Exmouth!More Details
Up to this point everyone on all our tour options have been travelling together, but now with a heavy heart it is time to say goodbye to our dear friends who are travelling on.
It’s time to enjoy everything Exmouth has to offer and figure out where yore next travel destination is. Also, who in your new bus family are you going to meet up with again and reminisce about the West Coast, Best Coast!
Why people love our Perth to Exmouth Tour
4.9/5 average from 200+ verified reviews across Google, Tripadvisor & Facebook.
★★★★★
“The bus is so much more comfortable than expected😅 The daily cooking is so organised and well done👏🏻 The itinerary is well written and so easy to navigate. The included snorkelling experiences, as well as the hikes in Karijini are amazing! I can highly recommend the Why Not Bus.” – Line B
2024, Tripadvisor
★★★★★
“Couldn’t recommend enough this tour. After travelling Australia in all sorts of ways, an organised tour wasn’t on my plan but it went above all expectations. Kasey was just the best, patient, chill, super organised and made everything seem effortless. The tour has a great rhythm between bus time, chill time, tours and stops. Every day was better than the previous and it just kept blowing our minds” – Marta
2025, Google
★★★★★
“If you’re wanting to do a tour of Western Australia, this is it! This tour hits up all the great spots with a knowledgeable guide and a great group of people mostly aged between 18-35. The tour itself was a lot of fun with awesome activities including hikes, snorkelling and sightseeing. The accommodation was a good mixture of camping and hostels. The camping equipment was top notch and I was surprised how comfortable it was!” – belindah678
2021, Tripadvisor
Additional Information
Tour frequency
- Runs once a month from March to November
Tour Start
- City: Perth
- Pickup: Billabong Backpackers Hostel, 381 Beaufort St, Highgate
- Time: Saturday at 9:30am
Tour finish
- City: Exmouth
- Drop-off: Potshot Resort
- Time: Monday at ~7.00am
Tour style
- This is an adventure tour designed for backpackers and working holiday makers who want a social, laid-back tour vibe.
- The tour is 18+ with no upper age limit and the majority of passengers who travel with us are in their 20’s and 30’s
Tour Cost & Payment Schedule
| Item | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Total price | AU$2,090 | Covers transport, accommodation & parks |
| Deposit | AU$800 | Paid at booking |
| Balance | AU$1,290 | Due 2 months before departure |
Accommodation breakdown
| Type | Nights | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Hostel dorms | 7 | Shared rooms in hostels or resorts |
| Holiday park camping | 1 | Camping in caravan or holiday parks |
| Station stay camping | 1 | Camping at authentic outback stations |
Note: Accommodation may change due to availability or weather.
dietary Requirements
- Dietary needs? Let us know at booking — we can almost always accommodate.
Luggage
- Limit: 1 bag or suitcase under 15kg + a small carry-on for the bus.
- Need more? Integrity Coachlines can transport extra bags from Perth to Broome or talk to your hostel about storage whilst you are away.
Terms & cancellation
- Please review our terms & conditions for details on bookings, cancellations, and refunds.
Our Other Tours
All West Coast tours are based off the same core ‘Perth to exmouth‘ Tour.
See our WA Tours Overview Page for more details
4 Days
Exmouth to Broome
One Way
Start off where our Perth to Exmouth tour ends and head to Broome stopping off at the amazing Karijini National Park.
14 Days
Perth to Karijini Return Tour
Return
Start by travelling on our classic Perth to Exmouth tour before continuing on to visit Karijini National Park. Ends in Perth
13 Days
Perth to Broome
One Way
Start by travelling on our classic Perth to Exmouth tour before continuing on to visit Karijini National Park. Ends in Broome
Perth to Exmouth Tour FAQs
Yes, all Perth to Exmouth tours begin in Perth. If you want to continue further north, check our Perth to Broome tour. If you need to return to Perth, see our Perth to Karijini return tour.
Whale shark season usually runs from March-September. Tours in this period often sell fast — book early (especially in school holidays) if you don’t want to miss out.
A mix of hostels and camping, with all camping gear (tent, mat, sleeping bag) provided.
All tours that finish or stop in Exmouth or Coral Bay include visiting the Ningaloo Reef. That’s our Perth to Exmouth tour, Perth to Broome tour and Perth to Karijini return tour.
Groups are usually 15–22 people — big enough for fun, small enough to keep it social and flexible.
The direct journey from Perth to Exmouth is about 1,250 km, but our tour covers closer to 2,500 km to include WA highlights like Kalbarri, Monkey Mia, Coral Bay, and Ningaloo Reef. The trip takes 10 days at a relaxed pace. For more detail, see our Perth to Exmouth road trip itinerary.
The most popular time is April to October, with mild weather, whale shark season (March-September), and humpback whales migrating July to October. Summer months can be extremely hot. Our guide to the best stops on the Perth to Exmouth trip explains seasonal highlights.
Yes. Optional day tours are available in Exmouth and Coral Bay for swimming with whale sharks (March-September) or manta rays (year-round). We help organise bookings so you don’t miss out on these once-in-a-lifetime experiences.
Bring lightweight clothes, swimwear, walking shoes, sunscreen, hat, towel, a refillable water bottle, and a small daypack. Nights can be chilly, so a jumper or jacket is useful. Check out our Perth to Exmouth itinerary guide for packing tips and route info.
Yes, absolutely. Many of our passengers travel solo. The tour is designed to be social, with group meals and shared adventures, so you’ll quickly connect with like-minded travellers aged 18–40.
Still have more questions or want to book?
Use the buttons below to book this tour or contact us. Our other available tours are Perth to Exmouth, Perth to Broome, Perth to Karijini Return and Exmouth to Broome.