16 Days Western Wonderland (WEMP)

Welcome to Perth

After meeting your Travel Director at your hotel this afternoon, set off on a tour of the friendly West Australian capital. Laid-back, liveable Perth has wonderful weather, beautiful beaches and an easy-going character. Visit Kings Park, the largest inner-city park in the world, and explore its delightful Botanic Garden on the broad expanse of the Swan River. You’ll notice many public art installations around the city and develop a feel for the varying precincts surrounding the CBD. This evening, enjoy the company of your fellow travellers over a delicious meal.

Perth – Wave Rock

Journey through the Golden Outback to Hyden, where you’ll tour Boddington Gold Mine with a local guide. Australia’s largest gold mine, it produces more than a million ounces of gold per year. Continue to Wave Rock. This magnificent rock formation resembling a gigantic wave was formed over three million years ago. Explore the formation and then take a short walk to discover Hippo’s Yawn, another fascinating rock formation. Afterwards you may like to wander through the visitor centre’s eclectic collection of lace and the largest collection of toy soldiers in the world, or even take a tour of Hyden Wildlife Park. This evening dine at your hotel.

Wave Rock – Kalgoorlie

This morning you’ll take an exclusive farm tour to hear about life in the Outback with Wave Rock local, Sheena. You’ll have to opportunity to take part in the morning cattle feed then explore a private collection of vintage cars. WildflowerPass through the former gold boomtown of Coolgardie, surrounded in spring by carpets of wildflowers. Continue to Kalgoorlie for spectacular views over the famous Super Pit open cut gold mine, which produces up to 850,000 ounces of gold annually. Later, discover the character and stories of this historic town on an orientation tour.

Kalgoorlie – Esperance

Today visit Cape Le Grand National Park for breathtaking views of wild coastal scenery, rugged granite peaks and sweeping heathlands. Named after an officer on L’Espérance, one of the ships in the 1792 expedition of French naval commander and explorer Bruny d’Entrecasteaux, the Cape’s granite shoreline and white sand beaches are spectacular. Stop at picturesque Thistle Cove to explore its marvellously-sculpted “Whistling Rock” formations that capture the sounds of the wind and waves, and dip your toes in its crystal-clear blue water. At stunning Lucky Bay, you may see some grey kangaroos that like to laze on the pristine beach.

Esperance – Albany

This morning, see the mysterious Pink Lake just outside Esperance. In the right weather conditions, the lake turns a soft shade of pink due to the high concentration of algae in the water. Travel on through Ravensthorpe and the unique Fitzgerald Biosphere, recognised by the UNESCO Man and Biosphere Program. Later, at Bluff Knoll Lookout, you’ll witness the rugged beauty of the Stirling Ranges National Park, one of the world’s richest in flora. Continue to Albany, a town imbued with Anzac history, and settle in to your hotel for the night.

Albany

This morning, take your time to explore this historic town, which boasts many heritage-listed buildings. During the last decade of the 19th century, Albany served as a gateway to the Eastern Goldfields, and for many years, it was the colony’s only deep-water port. In 1914, 41,000 Australians and New Zealanders left from Albany on their way to the WWI battlefields. Later, visit the recently-inaugurated National Anzac Centre. The award-winning centre is the focus of one of Australia’s most important cultural pilgrimages.

Albany – Margaret River

Visit the Valley of the Giants Tree Top Walk this morning to explore the canopy of the ancient, majestic Tingle forest. The Red Tingle is a species of eucalypt that grows up to 55 metres in height, and occurs nowhere else in the world. Then travel on to Cape Leeuwin, where the Indian and Great Southern Oceans meet. Situated at the most southwesterly point of Australia, Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse is the tallest on the Australian mainland. You may like to take a guided tour to the top of the famous lighthouse before leaving for Margaret River, one of Australia’s premier wine-growing regions. Beaches and surf breaks line the nearby coast, whose waters host migratory whales between June and November.

Margaret River

First up you’ll get the chance to see fossils, stalactites and stalagmites in the impressive Margaret River caves with a local guide. Then get ready to delight your taste buds! Margaret River is known not only for its fabulous wines but also for its boutique producers. At Vasse Virgin you’ll learn about olive oil, taste gourmet produce, and sample a range of beauty preparations made from the oil of olives grown on the property. Continue to a local winery for tastings and a lunch prepared solely from fresh local produce. Your afternoon and evening is at leisure.

Margaret River – Fremantle

On arrival in Fremantle, the afternoon is yours to explore this wonderful town. You may like to visit the colourful Fremantle Markets to purchase local arts and crafts and taste local produce. We recommend taking a wander along the Fremantle foreshore to observe the impressive fishing fleet and perhaps partake of a refreshing ale at Little Creatures Brewery. A former crocodile farm on the water’s edge, this popular destination is the home of an iconic Australian beer. Enjoy dinner this evening at your hotel.

Fremantle

Join a local guide this morning for a private tour of historic convict-era Fremantle Prison, the largest and most intact convict-built prison in Australia, and Western Australia’s only World Heritage-listed building. The rest of the day is at leisure. You might choose to take a boat trip to Rottnest Island, a gazetted A-class nature reserve. Rottnest, which lies just eighteen kilometres off Fremantle, is perhaps best known for its population of quokkas, a small native marsupial found in very few other locations. The island is also home to colonies of Australian sea lions and Southern fur seals. Closer to home, you might like to take a ride on the popular Fremantle Tram.

Fremantle – Geraldton

Aboriginal cultureTravel north along the coast, stopping in Yanchep National Park for an Aboriginal cultural experience with a member of the local Nyoongar people. Continue along the coast to the seaside hamlet of Lancelin and then to Nambung National Park, home of the marvellous Pinnacles, a stunning series of intriguing limestone formations. Explore the seaside township of Geraldton and visit the evocative HMAS Sydney memorial. The memorial commemorates the loss of HMAS Sydney II, the greatest single tragedy in Australian naval history, and is dedicated to the lost crew and their families.

Geraldton – Monkey Mia

Travel to Shell Beach, one of only two in the world, formed from billions of coquina bivalve shells. Continue north to Denham. Visit the Shark Bay World Heritage Discovery and Visitor Centre with its state-of-the-art displays including soundscapes, historical and contemporary film footage, interactive multimedia and objects of rare scientific and historical significance. Continue to the crystal blue waters and pristine beaches of Monkey Mia.

Monkey Mia Free Time

After a leisurely breakfast overlooking the tranquil turquoise waters of the bay, watch as the famous Monkey Mia dolphins swim into shore to be fed. The friendly pod of wild bottlenose dolphins regularly swim to Monkey Mia’s shore to interact with humans up to three times a day. (Note: As the dolphins are wild creatures, their appearance cannot be guaranteed.) The rest of the day is at leisure: why not take a scenic flight over Shark Bay Marine Park or a wildlife cruise aboard a sleek catamaran? In the evening, relax with a cocktail or a glass of wine as the sun sets over the bay.

Monkey Mia – Kalbarri

This morning, travel to Hamelin Pool to discover a unique colony of Stromatolites, described as the earliest record of life on earth. Venture into Kalbarri National Park today to witness the spectacular scenery of the Murchison River Gorge. During wildflower season, the National Park is alive with blooms. Enjoy dinner tonight at your hotel.

Kalbarri – Perth

Today you’ll travel back to your final destination, Perth. Join your Travel Director and fellow travellers this evening for a Farewell Dinner.

Farewell from Perth

Say farewell to your fellow travellers when your holiday comes to an end this morning after breakfast.