South-west western australia

Day 1 | Sunday 12 October
From Perth to Kalgoorlie

Our tour begins at Perth airport where we meet our tour leader mid-afternoon and take the short flight to Kalgoorlie. Situated on the western fringe of the Nullarbor Plain, and one of Australia’s largest outback cities, Kalgoorlie offers the visitor a unique blend of history and culture. On arrival we’ll have a Welcome to Country, followed by the opportunity to get to know each other over a welcome dinner of good food and wine. Overnight Kalgoorlie (D)

Day 2 | Monday 13 October
Goldfields on Wongatha Country

Kalgoorlie (Kalgurli) lies on the traditional lands of the Wongatha people, who lived in the region for tens of thousands of years prior to the arrival of prospectors keen to try their luck in the late 19th century. The city sits on one of the richest gold deposits in the world, and this morning we learn about the toils and triumphs of early life in this remote settlement on our visit to the Hannans North Tourist Mine and nearby Museum of the Goldfields. After a break for lunch, we stroll down Kalgoorlie’s once notorious Hay Street for a tour of Questa Casa, an historic brothel dating back to 1904 whose pink tin doors open to reveal the entertainments of a bygone era. After a talk at the Eastern Goldfields Historical Society, we throw on high visibility vests for a fascinating tour through Australia’s largest open pit gold mine, the Super Pit. Returning to our hotel we meet for a talk on local Aboriginal settlement. Evening at leisure. Overnight Kalgoorlie (B)

Day 3 | Tuesday 14 October
From Treeless Plains to Wildflowers

We depart Kalgoorlie this morning and head south across the arid Nullarbor plain, stopping for lunch in the little town of Norseman. Legend has it the town was named for the horse who scraped the ground with his hoof in 1894, unearthing the gold nugget which ultimately revealed one of the richest quartz reefs ever mined in Australia. Rejoining our coach after lunch we continue south, heading into the Great Western Woodlands, a large temperate woodland as biologically significant as Africa’s Serengeti or South America’s Amazon and the setting for a breathtaking array of wildflowers. Our final destination today is the southern seaside town of Esperance, famous for its natural beauty and pristine beaches. Our accommodation for the next two evenings will be a mix of lux tents and studio cabins. Evening at leisure. Overnight Esperance (B, L)

Day 4 | Wednesday 15 October
Breathtaking Natural Beauty

We head out onto the water this morning, cruising around the islands of the Recherche Archipelago where we have the opportunity to see fur seals, sea lions, sea eagles, and with some luck, dolphins and whales in their pristine natural environment. Returning to land we have a break for lunch before joining our coach for the scenic journey along the Great Ocean Drive, offering views over the bay and the rocky headlands.  Turning inland we visit Pink Lake, a large salt lake whose vivid colour varies according to climatic conditions. Returning to our hotel, we meet for a short lecture before enjoying dinner together in a local restaurant. Overnight Esperance (B, D)

Day 5 | Thursday 16 October
Fitzgerald River National Park

We have an early start today for the full day drive west to Albany. We’ll stop for a picnic lunch amongst the rugged landscapes and unspoiled wilderness of the Fitzgerald River National Park. Here we can enjoy the vast array of wildflowers on show in a botanical wonderland which is one of the most flora and fauna rich conservation areas in Western Australia, holding international recognition as the core of the UNESCO listed Fitzgerald Biosphere. After lunch we continue to Albany, a port city at the southern tip of Western Australia, known for its rich history and stunning natural landscapes. Dinner this evening is a relaxed meal at the local pub. Overnight Albany (B, PL, D)

Day 6 | Friday 17 October
The Cool Climate Southern Haven

The city of Albany was the stepping off point for over 41,000 Australians and New Zealanders bound for the Great War and this morning our historic walking tour includes a visit to the National Anzac Centre, set within 250-hectares of parklands in the heart of city, where the story of the departing soldiers is masterfully told.  After lunch onsite at the Garrison Restaurant we make our way to the Cheyne Beach Historic Whaling Centre, where we learn about the industry which was one of the region’s major sources of income and employment before operations ceased in 1978. The old whaling station buildings, ship with its harpoon guns, enormous boiler room machines, oil tanks and processing factory stand as evidence of the large-scale operation, which has now given way to the popular business of whale watching instead. Evening at leisure. Overnight Albany (B, L)

Day 7 | Saturday 18 October
Porongorup & Stirling Ranges National Parks

Our full day tour takes us out to two of the region’s exceptional national parks. The Porongurup Range National Park is renowned for its giant Karri trees and ancient granite rocks with walking tracks taking hikers throughout the Porongurup Range. We’ll climb 670m up the Granite Skywalk to the top of Castle Rock from where we can look north to The Stirling Range and south towards farmland and the ocean. After a picnic lunch we continue to the Stirling Range National Park, home to the only major mountain range in the southern area of WA, rising to more than 1000m above sea level and creating a challenging and spectacular hiking experience. The range frequently lives up to its Aboriginal name - Koi Kyenunu-ruff - meaning ‘mist rolling around the mountains’. Returning to Albany the evening is at leisure. Overnight Albany (B, PL)

Day 8 | Sunday 19 October
Rainbow Coast

Departing Albany, we continue west along a stretch known as the Rainbow Coast towards Walpole, stopping for lunch at Green Pools, one of Western Australia’s most iconic beaches. Famous for its clear emerald waters and pure white sands, the beach is almost completely sheltered from the waves of the Great Southern Ocean, making the location a calm and picturesque haven. After a picnic lunch, we make our way to the wilderness reserve surrounding Walpole which is home to more than 4000 species of flowering plants, 80% of which grow nowhere else. Our relaxed and leisurely walk through the reserve offers plenty of time to enjoy this unique wildflower display. Continuing to Walpole we check into our accommodation, luxury glamping at Coalmine Beach. Evening at leisure. Overnight Walpole (B, PL)

Day 9 | Monday 20 October
Valley of the Giants & Walpole Eco Cruise

Today we explore more of the Walpole Wilderness, over 360,000 hectares of reserve recognised for its unique landscapes and lifeforms with its origins in an initiative in 1910 declared a small section of land on the Frankland River A-Class reserve. We begin with an adventure in the Valley of the Giants. Here we walk the length of the famous Tree Top Walk suspended 40 metres high in the canopy of the ancient forest, which is home to the rare red Tingle trees, a species of eucalypt now found only in the Walpole area. After a break for lunch we journey into the heart of the untouched wilderness of the Walpole Nornalup Inlets Marine Park on an Eco cruise, enjoying the beautiful river scenery and abundant wildlife in places inaccessible via road. Returning to Walpole the evening is at leisure. Overnight Walpole (B)

Day 10 | Tuesday 21 October
The Light Between Oceans

There is an early departure this morning as we make our way to Bunker Bay via Cape Leeuwin. Situated on the most south-westerly point of Australia, where the Southern and Indian Oceans meet, Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse has assisted vessels navigating the treacherous cape since 1895. Our visit here takes us back through maritime history as we learn more about the famous landmark and the important role it has played over the years. We’ll stop for lunch en route before visiting Jewel Cave. Western Australia’s largest show cave, Jewel’s chambers contain towering crystal creations that have taken thousands of years to form, as well as the fossilised remains of now-extinct Tasmanian Tigers that fell into the cave and perished over 3,000 years ago. After our visit, we travel to Vasse Felix, one of the first and still one of the best of the great Margaret River wineries for a wine tasting. From here it’s a short drive to our accommodation at the Bunker Bay Resort. Evening at leisure. Overnight Bunker Bay (B, L, WT)

Day 11 | Wednesday 22 October
Beautiful Busselton

A short drive this morning takes us along the coast to Dunsborough where we join a whale watching tour, witnessing the behaviour of breeding Humpbacks, Southern Right and Blue Whales. Returning to Busselton we have free time to explore the foreshore, wander along the 150-year-old, heritage-listed Busselton Jetty, extending an impressive 1.8kms into the calm waters of Geographe Bay, and have a relaxing lunch. Returning to Bunker Bay in the afternoon we have an indigenous ‘Farewell to Country’ at Cape Naturaliste, a tour of the lighthouse and a leisurely walk to the headland overlooking the Southern Ocean. Overnight Bunker Bay (B)

Day 12 | Thursday 23 October
Leeuwin Estate

We depart Bunker Bay this morning, heading to a wine tasting and excellent lunch at Leeuwin Estate Art Gallery. En route we stop at Canal Rocks, unique formations on the rugged coastline accessed via a sturdy timber walkway perched over the rushing ocean and offering views of the spectacular coastline and across the Indian Ocean. Arriving at the Leeuwin Estate Art Gallery we’ll enjoy a tour of the gallery and a wine tasting before our farewell lunch. Departing mid-afternoon we continue to Perth where we check into our hotel. Evening at leisure. Overnight Perth (B, WT, L)

Day 13 | Friday 24 October
Depart Perth 

Our tour finishes after breakfast this morning. Please refer to individual travel documents for ongoing arrangements. (B)