WEST AUSTRALIAN WILDFLOWERS

AND NULLARBOR CROSSING

23 Days

Departing 5 September 2018

DAY 1: Wed 05 Sep FLY TO PERTH (D) Arrive into Perth today (own expense) and meet your driver/guide and hostess who will transfer you to your accommodation. Meet your fellow passengers at 5:00pm in the hotel reception area for a pre tour briefing before dinner. Overnight: Perth

DAY 2: Thu 06 Sep PERTH – NEW NORCIA (BLD) After breakfast travel east out of Perth onto the Great Northern Highway to the historic village of New Norcia for our two night stay. On arrival enjoy a guided tour of the Benedictine monastery established in 1846 to assist the local indigenous people. The Spanish inspired buildings in this settlement located in the secluded Moore Valley are surrounded by an area of mixed agriculture. Also visit the local museum and art gallery before returning to our accommodation in time for dinner. Overnight: New Norcia – please note the hotel has shared bathroom facilities.

DAY 3: Fri 07 Sep WHEATFIELDS & WILDFLOWERS (BLD) Today travel into the vast wheatfield region stopping off at various nature reserves where native wildflowers are prolific (in season). On arrival at Mukinbudin pick up our local guide who will share his knowledge and history of the area as well as show us local sights of significance including one of the most unique natural water catchments seen anywhere in Australia. Later in the day return to New Norcia via Wongan Hills stopping off to view more wildflowers enroute. Overnight: As Above

DAY 4: Sat 08 Sep NEW NORCIA – MULLEWA – KALBARRI NATIONAL PARK (BL) Continue north this morning through the small villages and hamlets of the grain belt and once again stopping at nature reserves to view local wildflowers. Enjoy lunch today in one of these settings then head for the coast and travel to Kalbarri National Park for our three night stay. Overnight: Kalbarri National Park

DAYS 5 & 6: Sun/Mon 09/10 Sep KALBARRI NATIONAL PARK (BLD) Spend two full days in the unsurpassed beautiful landscapes encompassing the lower reaches of the Murchison River as it winds its way to the Indian Ocean. Visit various scenic lookouts including Murchison River Gorges and Red Bluff with time for a stroll and view the wide array of native wildflowers growing undisturbed in their natural habitat. On the second day enjoy a mid afternoon stroll along the pristine beach with the aquamarine coloured water of the Indian Ocean. Overnight: As Above

DAY 7: Tue 11 Sep KALBARRI – DENHAM – MONKEY MIA (BL) Leave this pristine area and travel to the world famous beach of Monkey Mia where for over fifty years schools of bottlenose dolphins usually mingle with the people making it a truly memorable experience. Spend time in this beautiful spot to learn about the dophin’s behaviour and hopefully encounter some of these fabulous mammals. Overnight: Monkey Mia

DAY 8: Wed 12 Sep MONKEY MIA – GERALDTON (BL) A free morning to stroll along the beach in this area which is the most westerly point on our continent with the possibility of dolphins being in the water. After lunch on the beach board our vehicle and head south to the rural coastal city of Geraldton and on arrival enjoy a town tour including the many fine buildings in the city centre including St Francis Xavier Cathedral. Later on enjoy a stroll along Geraldton Wharf where you may see fishing boats unloading their catch. Overnight: Geraldton

DAY 9: Thu 13 Sep GERALDTON – THE PINNACLES – PERTH (BD) Head south this morning and stop at the seaside village of Dongara before arriving at Cervantes to visit The Pinnacles with its unique stalk like pillars in the barren sandy landscape. Afterwards visit a lobster processing plant for a guided tour of the facility exporting local lobster worldwide. Later in the afternoon continue to Perth for our stay in this beautiful capital city on the Swan River. Overnight: Perth

DAY 10: Fri 14 Sep PERTH CITY SIGHTS (BD) Today see some of the highlights of Perth city including St Marys Cathedral, Perth Mint, the Swan River, the WACA Ground and Elizabeth Quay – a renowned waterfront complex with various shops and eateries. This afternoon is free for private sightseeing in and around the city. Overnight: As Above

DAY 11: Sat 15 Sep FREMANTLE & KINGS PARK GARDENS (B) Travel to the port city of Fremantle, rich in Maritime history and remnants from Australia’s past as a British penal colony. See the Fremantle gaol, Round House – a historic 19th century prison – and visit the Fremantle Markets which date back to 1897 and sell a wide variety of local produce, food, craft wares and clothes. Continue to the beautiful botanical Kings Park, one of the world’s largest inner city parks covering 400 hectares. Kings Park houses over 3000 species of WA’s unique flora, most of which cannot be found anywhere else in the world. Visitors enjoy sweeping views of the Swan and Canning Rivers, the Darling Ranges and city skyline. Enjoy dinner out this evening (own expense) to reminisce about the events and happenings of the past eleven days. Overnight: As Above

DAY 12: Sun 16 Sep PERTH – BUNBURY – BUSSELTON – MARGARET RIVER (BD) Travel south along the coast today to Bunbury which is a major port and commercial centre for the south west of the state in which timber, mineral sands and mixed farming are the focus of the area. Travel via Busselton to the renowned wine region of Margaret River to enjoy a tasting at a winery before arriving at the hotel in time for dinner. Overnight: Margaret River

DAY 13: Mon 17 Sep MARGARET RIVER – PEMBERTON – ALBANY (BD) Travel inland through wonderful sheep and cattle growing land to the tall timber country and magnificent karri forests of the region. Have the opportunity to walk 40m above ground, through the canopy of 400 year old red tingle trees on a breathtaking tree top walk. Visit one of the largest trees, the Gloucester Tree, in the timber country before continuing to the picturesque seaside town of Albany with it’s magnificent Princess Royal Harbour. Overnight: Albany

DAY 14: Tue 18 Sep ALBANY SIGHTSEEING (BD) Albany has a very significant link to Australia's ANZAC heritage as it was here on King George Sound, the deep water outer harbour, that the ships carrying Australian and New Zealand troops to World War 1 gathered and sailed for Egypt in 1914 then onto to the Gallipoli Peninsula arriving on that fateful day. This morning see the sights and various lookouts around picturesque King George Sound and afterwards visit the renowned ANZAC Museum in Albany’s Heritage Park along with the historic whaling station for a guided tour to explore an intact whale processing factory and a fully restored whale chasing ship. Overnight: As Above

DAY 15: Wed 19 Sep ALBANY – STIRLING RANGE – WAVE ROCK (BD) Head north today passing through the Stirling Range National Park and marvel at the mountain landscape with it’s rugged peaks rising to more than 1000 metres above sea level. See the stark cliff faces, sheltered gullies and magnificent views with a rich diversity of unique wildflowers (in season) for approximately 1500 species of flora. Continue to Hyden and visit the unique wave shaped formation of Wave Rock which was formed over millions of years from the effects of erosion. Enjoy a walk through the area and perhaps to the top of the rock itself to see the surrounding farmland, shiny salmon-gum forests plus saltbush country. Overnight: Hyden

DAY 16: Thu 20 Sep HYDEN – ESPERANCE (B) Travel southeast today through the old gold and copper mining township of Ravensworth on your way to Esperance – a port and service centre for the highly productive agricultural hinterland. Time to see Pink Lake plus visit the lookouts at Observatory and Wireless Hill to see the almost 100 small islands of the Recherche Archipelago. Overnight: Esperance

DAY 17: Fri 21 Sep ESPERANCE – KALGOORLIE (BD) A free morning to get up early and enjoy a final stroll along the beach in this picturesque town before heading inland again mid morning to Kalgoorlie, the largest city in the Australian outback and the hub of the West Australian goldfields region. From wild beginnings as a gold rush town full of fortune-seekers it has grown into a bustling cosmopolitan twin city with a distinctive character. Overnight: Kalgoorlie

DAY 18 Sat 22 Sep KALGOORLIE SIGHTSEEING (B) This morning soak up the atmosphere of this old goldmining town and see the array of heritage buildings including the fabulous Kalgoorlie Town Hall, Boulder Town Hall and St Mary’s Church - as well as grand hotels, outback pubs, shop fronts and private homes. Continue to the “biggest hole in the world” just outside of town at one of the largest open-cut mines on earth and the biggest gold mine in Australia. Travel to the Super Pit Lookout to truly gauge the expanse of this massive mine. This afternoon and evening is free at leisure for some private sightseeing or rest. Overnight: As Above

DAY 19: Sun 23 Sep KALGOORLIE – COCKLEBIDDY (BD) This morning travel through Norseman where gold put the town on the map in the 1890’s with Australia’s richest quartz reef mined near the town. In 2016 a significant nickle/copper mine began operation in the area which houses many vast sheep and cattle stations also. Norseman is known as the Gateway to the Nullarbor and it is here you will join the Eyre Highway and commence your journey across the Nullarbor Plain, passing dry lake beds and desolate flats and see the old stone fences of the sheep station around Balladonia. End the day at Cocklebiddy and see the stone remains of an Aboriginal mission. Overnight: Cocklebiddy DAY 20: Mon 24 Sep THE NULLARBOR PLAIN (BD) Continue today on the plain heading for the West/South Australia border and near the tiny remote settlement of Eucla where stone ruins can be found amongst the sand dunes – once a repeater station on the original telegraph line between east and west. Stop off at various spots overlooking the Great Australian Bight and hopefully observe the Southern Humpback whales frolicking in the ocean from the cliff lookouts. End the day in Ceduna where the deep sea port handles bulk grain, gypsum and salt. It is also the base for a fishing fleet mainly catching large whiting hauls. Overnight: Ceduna

DAY 21: Tue 25 Sep CEDUNA – KIMBA – PORT AUGUSTA – CLARE (BD) A travel day today heading inland. Stop at Kimba, a rural service town at the top of the Eyre Peninsula and see the wonderful artwork on the side of 6 silos depicting a Kimba sunset, wheatfields and young girl. Also see the Big Galah beside the highway. Travel onwards through Port Augusta where all roads and rail from east, west and north intersect before arriving into Clare. The Clare Valley is known as Australia’s home of riesling, dating back over 160 years. Overnight: Clare

DAY 22: Wed 26 Sep CLARE – BAROSSA VALLEY – MANNUM (BD) This morning travel through the picturesque Barossa Valley, a renowned wine producing region hosting an array of high profile wineries with shiraz production being the specialty. Later arrive at the olde worlde paddlesteamer village of Mannum on the Murray River with time for a stroll in this historic town and see the dock area. Overnight: Mannum

DAY 23: Thu 27 Sep MANNUM – MELBOURNE (B) Depart through the picturesque Murray River Valley crossing the Murray River and entering the grain region of this part of South Australia before crossing the border into Victoria and the Wimmera. Pass through Ballarat and arrive in Melbourne late afternoon.

Tour Cost: $6,375.00 per person, twin share Based on a minimum of 20 passengers travelling

Non refundable deposit required: $500.00 per person

Balance due no later than: 20 July 2018

Single Supplement: $1,615.00 Cancellation: In the event of cancellation levies will apply, please see booking conditions for details.

MULTIPLE NIGHT STAYS: New Norcia * 2 nights Kalbarri NP * 3 nights Perth * 3 nights Albany * 2 nights Kalgoorlie * 2 nights

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS: * New Norcia sightseeing * Wheatfields & wildflowers sightseeing * Kalbarri National Park - wildflowers * Monkey Mia * Geraldton * The Pinnacles, Cervantes * Perth city sights * Fremantle & beautiful Kings Park

TOUR COST INCLUDES: Air conditioned coach travel with experienced driver/guide & cook/hostess.

Twin share accommodation with ensuite facilities (except at New Norcia, shared facilities).

Meals as per the itinerary. B=Breakfast, L=Lunch & D=Dinner.

All entry fees to sightseeing activities as listed in the itinerary.

TOUR COST DOES NOT INCLUDE:

Airfare to Perth.

Travel insurance – please enquire for a quote or to purchase a policy.

Items of a personal nature eg laundry/phone and any optional extras/trips listed in the itinerary.

Alcoholic & non-alcoholic beverages plus meals not listed in the itinerary.

Any items listed in the itinerary as optional.

Alterations to the itinerary may occur – a final confirmed itinerary will be provided with your travel

documentation approximately 3 weeks prior to departure.

* Margaret River with wine tasting * Tree top walk, Denmark WA * Albany – ANZAC Museum & whaling station * Wave Rock * Esperance – Pink Lake & scenic lookouts * Kalgoorlie town sights & open cut mine * The Nullarbor Plain crossing * Kimba silo art * Clare and Barossa Valleys

This trip will be escorted by Swagman Tours crew (a driver/guide and hostess) who have been

working for many years in this role and are highly experienced in all aspects of group travel. Both

crew members have had extensive experience touring in Australia for the past 25 years.

FOR BOOKINGS CONTACT:

SWAGMAN TOURS

Level 1, 182 Latrobe Terrace (PO Box 7473) Geelong West VIC 3218

P: 1800 808 491 E: Emily@swagmantours.com.au W: www.swagmantours.com.au