The Remote West by Private Jet

As Your Tour Manager, Denise Van Sever Welcomes You On This Journey

Your Accompanying Tour Doctor For This Journey is Dr Jan Casey

Your private transfer delivers you to The Ritz-Carlton, Perth today. Enjoy the rest of your afternoon at leisure before we make our way to a local restaurant for a Welcome Dinner, giving you the opportunity to meet your fellow guests and Tour Host Team.

This morning, we board our privately chartered economy-class jet for the short flight to Kalgoorlie. After taking a tour of the town, we discover the Super Pit, Australia’s largest gold-producing mine. Rejoining our private jet, we fly to Paraburdoo, a mining town in the heart of the Pilbara region. From here, we drive to our accommodation for the next two nights, Karijini Eco Retreat, where we enjoy dinner tonight.

This morning, we drive through the picturesque Hamersley Range to discover the ancient rock formations of Weano, Joffre and Dales gorges. Opportunities for swimming within these awe-inspiring settings are presented at idyllic Fern Pool and Fortescue Falls within Dales Gorge. For the more adventurous, Weano Gorge’s Handrail Pool offers a rewarding challenge within a staggeringly beautiful setting. Later, we visit the Karijini Visitor Centre, which tells stories of Indigenous culture and heritage. You can also learn about the region’s pastoral and mining history, as well as its geology, flora and fauna. We reconvene for dinner this evening at our retreat.

Following breakfast, we drive to Mount Tom Price to see the enormous Rio Tinto iron ore mining project. We visit the pit lookout for panoramic views and watch the massive haul trucks and machinery at work before exploring the process plant and the train load out area. We then continue to Paraburdoo Airport for the short flight to Exmouth. On arrival in this coastal town, we transfer to Mantarays Ningaloo Beach Resort for an afternoon of relaxation. Enjoy your choice of dining this evening, at either our resort’s restaurant or another local establishment.

Today, choose from two full-day Your World experiences: 

— Take a cruise around Ningaloo Reef and discover its underwater riches of coral and tropical fish. These waters are also known to host humpback whales, manta rays, turtles, dugongs, dolphins, and the ocean’s biggest fish, the majestic whale shark.
— Alternatively, spend the day discovering the best of Exmouth. Board a glass-bottom boat to see the fire coral garden, green sea turtle habitats, and a kaleidoscope of colourful fish and offshore reefs. Afterwards, visit Vlamingh Head Lighthouse. Nearby, view the wreck of the SS Mildura, which sank in 1907 during a cyclone. You will also visit the Ningaloo Aquarium & Discovery Centre, and finally, admire the expansive views across Charles Knife Canyon. 

This evening, we dine at Mantaray’s Restaurant, within our resort.

After breakfast and a leisurely morning at our resort, we make our way to Learmonth Airport for our three-hour flight to Christmas Island, a place rarely visited by other travellers. We enjoy a gourmet lunch on board, before touching down and familiarising ourselves with the island. 

Our local guide regales us with the island’s intriguing history, and we hear stories of its contentious detention centre and the old resort casino. We also visit The Grotto, an arresting and secluded rock pool, whose waters emerge from the ocean. At Ma Chor Nui Nui Temple, we find a modest structure perched on a hilltop. Facing the ocean, the temple is dedicated to the Goddess of the Sea, who grants seafarers safe passage. 

This afternoon, we transfer to our accommodation at either Christmas Island Apartments or The Sunset. Dine on the balcony at the Golden Bosun Tavern this evening, enjoying the warm sea breeze.

Over the next two days, we split into four smaller groups to enjoy a more in-depth experience of the island. Today, each group will participate in two of the following half-day activities. You will have the opportunity to take part in the remaining two experiences tomorrow. 

— At Flying Fish Cove, set out on a two-hour cruise and snorkelling adventure. Explore the cove’s shallow coral gardens and search for turtles, dolphins and an array of striking fish species.
— Explore Hughs Dale Waterfall, one of the few places where water flows year-round. The rainforest wetlands, accessed by a raised boardwalk, are home to mighty Tahitian chestnut trees, blue crabs and an array of rare and endemic species. 
— Head to The Blowholes, where the raw power of the ocean is evident in the plumes of spray forced into the air through gaps in the eroded cliffs. 
— Wander the tranquil shores of Lily and Ethel beaches, keeping an eye out for brown boobies and red-footed boobies, which nest along the island’s cliffs. 

Tonight, we enjoy a meal at Tai Jin House, the grand, former home of the island’s one-time administrator. The house has striking views of Flying Fish Cove and is home to a fascinating museum detailing Christmas Island’s history. This visit is exclusive to our group.

Today, complete your comprehensive discovery of Christmas Island, turning your attention to the remaining half-day experiences from yesterday. A private dinner awaits us this evening at Rumah Tinggi, just metres from the idyllic Indian Ocean shoreline.