Best of the West and Wildflowers

Fly Carbon Neutral to Perth and meet your friendly tour host. Board our luxury ‘Gold Class’ coach travelling responsibly knowing all coach emissions are 100% offset. We take a short city orientation tour on the way to Crown Promenade.

This morning we embark on a journey to Rottnest Island. There, we explore the island’s distinctive wildlife, captivating plant life, breathtaking beaches, serene woodlands, and picturesque salt lakes, all accompanied by our knowledgeable local guide. With a bit of luck, we may even encounter the charming quokkas. During our adventure, we visit notable landmarks such as the Wadjemup Lighthouse and Cathedral Rocks, take a ride on the historic train, and savour a well-deserved break at the Rottnest Quokka Arms Pub before concluding our island excursion and returning to the mainland.

We depart Perth with our first stop at New Norcia, a unique escape. Explore its well-kept gardens and historic buildings in Australia’s sole monastic town, founded by a Spanish Benedictine Monk. Next, we head to Cervantes, where we’ll visit Lake Thetis, one of the few places globally with living marine stromatolites, or ‘living fossils’. Lastly, we’ll explore the Pinnacles in Nambung National Park, walking amidst the weathered rock spires emerging from golden sand dunes.

Today we travel into the southern edge of the Murchison Basin via the historic mining town of Northampton, then on through the coastal gorge and Red Bluff, stopping for a visit at Pink Lake. We then move on to visit Kalbarri Skywalk, West Loop Lookout then on to Hawks Head to view the river gorges and magnificent wildflowers before returning to Geraldton late afternoon

This morning we take a short tour of Geraldton, passing the HMAS Sydney Memorial and the Francis Xavier Church. Some spectacular sighting of the wildflowers will be seen as we travel inland to the wheat growing area of Dalwallinu, where, in springtime, coloured orchids and everlastings cover the uncultivated areas.

Heading south we discover York, the oldest inland town in Western Australia, renowned for its opulent Victorian and Federation buildings. From here we hit the road, breaking at Corrigin for lunch, then continue on via Kulin and the famous Tin Horse Highway. This famous drive is definitely a laughing matter and offers some serious entertainment en-route to Hyden as it showcases a hilarious collection of clever community art

First up today we take in The Humps, another huge granite outcrop and the site of one of WA’s most significant examples of Aboriginal Rock Art. Here you can see over 450 separate hand prints and images that have been painted onto the easily accessible Mulka’s Cave. After lunch at the Wave Rock Wildflower Shoppe is a visit to the 27 million year old magnificent prehistoric rock formation, Wave Rock - one of Western Australia’s most treasured natural attractions. Next spend some time exploring The Lace Place Museum, Toy Soldier Museum and Wave Rock Wildlife Park before returning to the hotel.

Today we visit historic Wandilla Farm Homestead -built in 1948 with bricks handmade by Italian prisoners of war, and now home to a vintage car collection. Next we head south stopping along the way at Pingaring to see the silo art, then onto Ongerup to visit Yongergnow Malleefowl Centre and enjoy a tour and lunch. We then continue through the Stirling Ranges before arriving in Albany.

Our Albany touring starts with a visit to the Desert Mounted Corps Memorial at Mount Clarence, a tribute to the Anzacs, then the National Anzac Centre. Learn stories of those who served our country, many departing from the Port of Albany to conflict in Gallipoli, the Middle East and the Western Front. After lunch at The Sandalwood Café, we move on to heritage-listed Discovery Bay for a guided tour of the Historic Whaling Station and to explore the Australian Wildlife and Botanic Gardens. We then visit The Gap and Natural Bridge before returning to our hotel.

Today experience the wonderful Tree Top Walk, suspended 50 metres above the ground in the Valley of the Giants. We then travel to Pemberton for lunch before boarding the Pemberton Tram to meander through towering Karri and Marri forests. We traverse rivers and streams along one of the most majestic rail lines in Australia, making stops at the Cascades and Warren River.

Enjoy a relaxed cruise today as we travel from the Karri to the coast on the unique Donnelly River. From the lush Jarrah and Marri forests, through the Paperbark and wetlands, to the limestone cliffs and majestic Southern Ocean. Enjoy this afternoon at your leisure.

**Lunch is at your own expense today.

This morning we venture to Cape Leeuwin, on the South Western tip of Australia, marking the meeting point of the Indian and Southern Oceans. Explore the Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse grounds and the award-winning interpretive centre - housed in one of the original lighthouse keepers’ cottages. Heading north, we continue on into the heart of Western Australia’s wine growing area, with a stop for lunch and a wine tasting at one of Margaret River’s famous wineries. We then drive out to the Cape Naturaliste area via the stunning Canal Rocks.

This morning we enjoy an authentic cultural experience, taking a guided bushwalk to learn about traditional medicinal plants before venturing into Ngilgi Cave to hear Dreamtime legends and a mesmerising didgeridoo performance. Make our way to the coastal town of Busselton to explore the famous jetty, before we enjoy lunch in Bunbury. We then head north to the Forest of Tuart to discover a tree unique to this area. We pass through Mandurah and return to Perth to celebrate our final night together.

Enjoy breakfast before being transferred to the airport for our respective Carbon Neutral flights home.