Island Explorer Guided Outback Tour
A guided west coast 4×4 tour with a mix of culture, history and water activities. Expect to see stunning sand dunes and extraordinary beaches.
Prepare yourself for an experience like no other.
The Island Explorer is a guided 4WD road trip through some of Western Australia’s most extraordinary coastal landscapes. Beginning in Perth, the journey travels north inland through Wooleen Station and the Kennedy Ranges, into the UNESCO World Heritage region of Shark Bay, and across to Dirk Hartog Island.
Over twelve days and eleven nights, you’ll cover roughly 2,900 kilometres, driving through terrain that shifts from rugged ranges to vast coastal plains. The route includes Wooleen Station, Wooramel River Retreat, Steep Point, Dirk Hartog Island National Park with its dramatic blowholes, Cape Inscription, Turtle Bay, and Homestead Bay. Every stop reveals another face of Western Australia – remote, diverse, and full of character.
From May to October, the route travels inland to the Kennedy Range, where red cliffs rise from the desert floor and nights under the stars are unforgettable. During the warmer months, this section is replaced with Francois Peron National Park, offering striking red cliffs, turquoise bays and coastal drives that capture the essence of the Coral Coast.
Travelling in your own Land Cruiser 79 Series, you’ll camp in premium swags, cook over the fire and wake to the sound of the sea. Our experienced guides lead the way, sharing insight into the region’s history and ecology while providing the support that makes remote exploration both safe and rewarding.
Depending on the season and conditions, you might snorkel in clear lagoons, spot marine life offshore, fish in secluded bays or hike through ancient valleys. Weather, tides and road access shape each experience – which is part of the adventure. No two Island Explorer trips are the same.
Joining the Island Explorer with Proudback ensures you experience the real Australia that few ever see. Every element of your journey is planned and prepared with care, giving you the freedom to explore with confidence, comfort and the assurance that you are travelling safely through some of the most remarkable landscapes in Western Australia.
Are you ready to embark on an extraordinary off-road exploration through the untamed outback of Western Australia?
Island Explorer Tour Snapshot
Day
1
Perth to Wooleen Station (approx. 600 km)
The journey begins early in Perth, where your Proudback guides meet you for an introduction and vehicle handover. After a short briefing, you’ll take the wheel of your Land Cruiser 79 Series and head north. Most of the day is spent on sealed roads, allowing you to get comfortable with the vehicle’s handling before the terrain turns remote. Stops along the way offer a taste of small-town Western Australia and a first sense of the distance and scale of the outback. By late afternoon, you’ll arrive at Wooleen Station, a working cattle and conservation property set within the Murchison region. This will be your base for the next two nights. Your Proudback team will guide you through camp setup, introduce the camping equipment, and prepare for the comprehensive 4WD and equipment training scheduled for the following day. As evening settles, you’ll gather around the fire and enjoy your first night under the outback stars.
Day
2
Wooleen Station Training and Outback Immersion
After breakfast, the day begins with a full introduction to outback driving, led by your Proudback guides. You’ll learn how to handle your Land Cruiser 79 Series across different terrain, manage tyre pressures, engage four-wheel drive systems, and safely recover a vehicle if required. The session also covers essential outback travel skills, from navigation and communication to vehicle checks and the safe use of recovery gear. Training extends beyond driving. You’ll learn efficient ways to manage supplies and water, and understand how Proudback ensures safety and comfort in remote environments. Every exercise is practical and based on real conditions you’ll encounter in the days ahead. The afternoon is reserved for exploring the vast Wooleen property. You might visit the old shearing sheds, walk through the acacia scrubland, explore the Murchison River, or relax at camp as the light shifts across the landscape. Evening brings another shared meal under the stars, with time to talk through the coming days and the journey that lies ahead.
Day
3
Wooleen Station to Kennedy Range (approx. 360 km)
After breakfast, camp is packed and vehicles are checked before the group heads north across the open plains toward Gascoyne Junction. The day’s drive follows remote gravel roads through the red heart of Western Australia. Along the way, there’s time for a relaxed stop and a picnic lunch surrounded by the quiet of the outback. The road offers long stretches with few signs of civilisation and a clear reminder of how vast this region truly is. By mid-afternoon, the group reaches the eastern gorges of Kennedy Range National Park, arriving in time to set up camp and watch the sun set over the range. In the evening, a community campfire brings travellers together to share stories and enjoy the quiet atmosphere of the outback.
Day
4
Kennedy Range
Spendingmthe day in the Kennedy Ranges, this is a no-driving day. After a big breakfast at camp, we set out on several short walks into the gorges and up onto the ridge. The tracks give a clear view of the range’s structure and the scale of the surrounding plains and your guides share the story of the region’s geology and its long cultural history. The afternoon is unhurried, with time to return to the ridge for golden hour, when the cliffs shift from deep red to soft orange as the sun drops. Camp remains in the same location for the night. April Route Variation: In April, when inland temperatures make the Kennedy Range inaccessible, we drive straight to Wooramel River Retreat and spend the extra days in Dirk Hartog Island, exploring Francois National Park as a day trip from there.
Day
5
Kennedy Range to Wooramel River Retreat (approx. 300 km)
Leaving the range, the track turns south toward the Wooramel River Retreat, where the landscape changes again from stone and sand to the softer floodplains that follow the river. The final stretch is relaxed and open, passing through deep red country dotted with acacia scrub before reaching camp by early afternoon. The evening is spent at Wooramel River Retreat, with a hearty outback meal prepared by the Wooramel team, live country music, relaxing artesian baths and comfortable beds in Eco Tents for a solid night’s rest.
Day
6
Wooramel River Retreat to Steep Point (approx. 250 km)
After breakfast, we leave Wooramel River Retreat and continue west toward the coast. The drive follows long stretches of gravel and sand, leading into the Shark Bay World Heritage area. As we turn toward Steep Point, the route becomes one of the region’s standout four wheel drive tracks, marked by soft sand, limestone sections and tight, winding climbs. Tyre pressures are lowered and the technical driving begins in earnest. By afternoon, we reach Steep Point, the westernmost tip of mainland Australia. The area is known for its high cliffs, powerful ocean swells and remote setting. Camp is set on the beach at Shelter Bay, where the group prepares for the next day’s crossing to Dirk Hartog Island.
Day
7
Steep Point to Dirk Hartog Island (approx. 60 km)
Before sunrise, we prepare the vehicles for the barge transfer across South Passage to Dirk Hartog Island. Loading the Land Cruisers onto the barge and reversing onto the island’s sandy beach is an experience in itself and a hands-on start to the next stage of the journey. The crossing offers a chance to take in the marine life that defines this coast. Depending on the season, it’s common to see dugongs, rays, turtles, dolphins, and occasionally whales in the clear shallows. Once on the island, we drive to the Dirk Hartog Island Homestead, home to the Wardle family, custodians of the island for three generations. A stop at The Inscription bar, known as Australia’s most remote bar and café, offers time for a coffee and a look around before the convoy continues north. By afternoon, we reach our first island campsite – a quiet stretch of beach with sand dunes and uninterrupted ocean views. Swags are set up on the sand, and the evening is yours to settle into the rhythm of island life.
Day
8
Exploring Dirk Hartog Island (approx. 120 km)
After breakfast, we begin the off-road journey north toward Cape Inscription, following sandy coastal tracks through low dunes and rugged terrain. At the cape, we visit the historic lighthouse, the lighthouse keeper’s cottage, and the replica of Dirk Hartog’s pewter plate, left here in 1616 to mark his landing – a cornerstone of Australia’s early exploration history. In the afternoon, the track continues to Turtle Bay, an important nesting site for the endangered Loggerhead turtles and a perfect spot to swim and snorkel. The drive offers a mix of soft sand and rocky sections, with wide views over the Indian Ocean. By evening, we return to our beachside campsite. Those keen on fishing can try their luck straight from the shore, often rewarded with a fresh catch from the clear island waters.
Day
9
Homestead Bay (approx. 100 km)
After breakfast, we pack down camp and begin the drive south toward Homestead Bay. The route follows familiar island tracks, giving one last look at Dirk Hartog’s rugged coastline before reaching the comfort of the homestead area. The rest of the day is easy-going. There’s time for swimming, snorkelling, kayaking, or simply relaxing by the beach. Back at the homestead campsite, travellers can enjoy a few well-earned comforts like warm showers and proper facilities. As evening settles in, we gather for a private gin tasting at The Inscription bar, featuring spirits made from the island’s native botanicals. It’s a relaxed and memorable close to the island leg of the journey.
Day
10
Marine Safari, Sharks and Blowholes, Dirk Hartog Island
Day ten is dedicated to exploring Dirk Hartog Island’s marine life. If conditions allow, we join a marine safari across the waters of Shark Bay, home to some of Western Australia’s most remarkable species. The tour offers the chance to see dolphins, turtles, manta rays, sharks and, during the right season, whales in their natural environment. Those who prefer to stay on land can spend the day relaxing by the beach or visit the island’s Return to 1616 conservation project, which works to restore native wildlife and vegetation. The island is now home again to several endangered species, including rare nocturnal marsupials once thought lost from the area. You can also snorkel, kayak, paddleboard, or simply relax by the water. In the afternoon we drive across the island to visit the blowholes, where the ocean forces water through the rock ledges in powerful bursts. The next stop is the shark nursery, a shallow bay where young sharks can often be seen close to shore. From there, we continue to Herald Heights for wide coastal views and the island’s final sunset. On the return to camp, there’s a chance to spot some of the island’s reintroduced wildlife before one last evening together at the campfire.
Day
11
Return to Mainland and Dongara (approx. 560 km)
Day 11 brings an early start as we pack up and take the barge transfer back to the mainland. The drive south passes through Edel Land before returning to sealed roads. The final night is spent in Dongara. After checking in our hotel rooms for the night, you've got the chance to stretch your legs on the Dongara Heritage walk. That evening we gather for a farewell dinner to mark the end of the expedition. It’s a relaxed close to the journey, a chance to reflect on the kilometres covered and the experiences shared before the return to Perth the next day.
Day
12
Dongara to Perth (approx 350km)
After breakfast, we begin the final stretch south to Perth. The drive follows the coastal highway before reaching the city by early afternoon. This marks the end of the journey. Vehicles are returned, gear is unloaded, and the group parts ways after twelve days covering some of Western Australia’s most remote and memorable terrain.
Join us on this extraordinary off-road road trip through the Western Australia coastline. Let the vastness and wilderness of two of the most pristine UNESCO world heritage-listed sites awaken your adventurous spirit. . We can’t wait to welcome you…
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Island Explorer Trip Impressions
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