MELBOURNE TO PERTH

Welcome to our holiday to the beautiful South West of WA and our journey across the Nullarbor Plain. With chauffeured pickup from home, we travel to Melbourne Airport. Here we’ll be greeted by an O’Shannessy’s Quality Tours representative who will assist us with check in and see us onto the plane for our direct flight to Perth. Arriving at Perth Airport, we will be welcomed by our coach crew and embark on an introductory tour to discover the unique charm of Perth City. We will visit Kings Park to see the spectacular views over the city and hopefully the first of the wildflowers. This afternoon we check into our lovely accommodation and have time to freshen up for dinner.

Lunch at own expense and arrangement / Refreshments on flight

OVERNIGHT: Pan Pacific, PERTH

PERTH TO BUSSELTON

This morning we make our way south to Fremantle, the port from where the first team outside the USA to win the America’s Cup was from. With the cup being held in “Freo” meant that a lot of love and attention was given to the well-preserved architectural heritage, including the convict-built colonial-era buildings, the old jetty and prisons; presenting a variety and unity of historic buildings and streetscapes. These were often built in limestone with ornate facades in a succession of architectural styles. After a good look around Fremantle, we drive through Mandurah to Bunbury. We have time to purchase lunch here before we drive to Busselton. We take in the sights of Busselton including a visit to the Jetty Visitor Centre. The Busselton Jetty, at approximately 2kms long, is one of the longest in the world. We’ll ride the Stocker Preston Express electric train – the perfect way to experience the jetty! We now settle into our next two nights accommodation. If anyone would like to stretch their legs before dinner, the beach is right outside the back gate!

Lunch at own expense and arrangement

OVERNIGHT: Abbey Beach Resort, BUSSELTON

DISCOVERING THE MARGARET RIVER REGION

The Margaret River area is a rich dairy cattle and timber region, with a reputation for fine wines and surfing. This morning we tour through the region and stop at the river mouth, some 10kms from the town of Margaret River. From here we travel further south through some of the State’s prettiest Karri forest. At Augusta, we drive “down the coast” to reach the rocky headland of Cape Leeuwin which Matthew Flinders described as 'the southern and most projecting part of Leeuwin's Land'.  The walk up to the lighthouse, through an area which is often ablaze with wildflowers and the point where the Southern and Indian Oceans meet, is one of the great experiences on the Western Australian coast. The Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse was officially opened by Sir John Forrest on 10 December 1896. Set on foundations which reach 6.71m below the surface to the bedrock, the lighthouse is built of local stone. The light itself, which is 56m above sea level, can be seen 25 nautical miles out to sea. Heading back to Augusta, we stop for lunch before continuing up to the actual township of Margaret River where we have some free time for a wander. Of course no visit to this area would be complete without a wine tasting, so we stop at a local cellar door this afternoon. Our final stop today is a visit to the Vasse Virgin Olive Oil Soap Factory. The Scherini's started making soap in 1993 when their three children were diagnosed with eczema and dermatitis, and were advised by doctors not to use soap or shampoo. The soap business began in 1993 using a bucket and wooden spoon to make the soap in the family kitchen. The factory is nestled amongst vine covered slopes and National Parks, and products can be tried and tested. After a fantastic day we return to our motel.

OVERNIGHT:  Abbey Beach Resort, BUSSELTON

BUSSELTON TO PEMBERTON

We have a leisurely start to the morning then begin making our way to Pemberton, a town established in 1913 as a State saw mill. We visit the famous giant (61 metre) Gloucester Tree - reputed to be the tallest tree-mounted fire lookout in the world!  We then take a delightful cruise on the Donnelly River. On our three hour cruise on this pristine river we will see some of the beautiful flora and native wildlife, hear about the history of the area and enjoy a short walk on a sandy river beach. At the completion of the cruise we head to our hotel with time to freshen up.

OVERNIGHT: The Pemberton Hotel, PEMBERTON

PEMBERTON TO ALBANY

Our destination today is Albany. We make our way through virgin Karri forests to Walpole to join WOW Wilderness Eco-Cruises. This fascinating interpretative tour is a family run operation through the wilderness areas and waterways of Walpole’s National Parks. Just east of Walpole is an area known as the Valley of the Giants and the Walpole National Park. We divert off the highway for a Tree Top Walk. This world-class tree-top walk soars gently upwards amidst the tingle foliage and opens up a world of birds and flowers that most people never see. The Ancient Empire boardwalk, on the forest floor, meanders around and sometimes through a grove of veteran tingle trees. It’s a peaceful experience with quiet spots to sit and reflect on the special nature of the forest. We now continue on through Denmark and onto Albany, our home for the next two nights.

OVERNIGHT:  Hilton Garden Inn, ALBANY

EXPLORING ALBANY

Albany was Western Australia’s first settlement. In fact it was Christmas Day in 1826 when the brig “Amity” arrived from Sydney with a crew, including 23 convicts, to establish a military outpost here. Albany became the entry port for Western Australia during the second half of the 19th Century, with up to 30,000 people a year arriving during the gold rushes. On 1 November 1914, the first convoy of Australian and New Zealand troops departed for the First World War from King George Sound. For many, Albany was their last sight of Australian soil. Albany is known as the birthplace of the Anzac story and the home of the National Anzac Centre. We visit the centre this morning – it is a state-of-the-art interpretive museum. This afternoon, we travel to nearby Frenchman Bay – the location of the old whaling station. Discovery Bay, which now records the history of whaling in Albany, is our next stop. On the way back to Albany this afternoon we make a couple of stops to view the southern coastline of the Torndirrup National Park. There are numerous natural attractions here including The Gap with its overhanging platform and Natural Arch - each providing great views of the coast.

Lunch at own expense and arrangement

OVERNIGHT: Hilton Garden Inn, ALBANY

ALBANY TO HYDEN

After breakfast we drive through the stunning Stirling Ranges National Park, to Hyden. This afternoon, our guide joins us to see one of Western Australia’s most famous landmarks – Wave Rock. First we visit “Hippos Yawn” which is 1 kilometre from Hyden and then onto Wave Rock to learn about the geological and historical importance of this well known attraction. Located just 4 kilometres east of Hyden, geologists believe the original formation was vertical but has been sculptured and coloured by chemicals over 2,700 million years to take on its wave like character. After our tour we check into our local accommodation at Hyden and have plenty of time to settle in before dinner.

OVERNIGHT:  Hyden Wave Rock Hotel Motel, HYDEN

HYDEN TO ESPERANCE

We have a leisurely start this morning before departing Hyden and heading south to the gold-mining town of Ravensthorpe where we stop for lunch. This afternoon, we make our way to Esperance, located on a beautiful heart shaped bay called “Bay of Isles”. There are many natural attractions on display, particularly the spectacular coastline with pure white sandy beaches, massive granite outcrops and sheltered beaches. Off shore, approximately 100 islands form the Archipelago of Recherche. We see the Pink Lake and Lookout Point before checking into our accommodation.  The Aboriginal name for Esperance is “Gabba-Kyle” meaning “the place where the water lies down like a boomerang”.

OVERNIGHT:  Comfort Inn Bay of Isles, ESPERANCE

ESPERANCE AND CAPE LE GRAND NATIONAL PARK

Our first stop today is Stonehenge! This is a full size replica of the original ‘Stonehenge’ in the UK, as it would have looked around 2500BC. While there are thought to be 66 large, permanent replicas of Stonehenge throughout the world, the Esperance project is believed to be the only life size stone one. We now spend the rest of the morning exploring Cape Le Grand National Park, just to the east of Esperance. It is one of the most accessible of the many National Parks of the area and one of the most spectacular with coastal headlands, abundant wildlife and some of the best beaches in the world.  We have the afternoon at leisure.

Lunch at own expense and arrangement

OVERNIGHT:  Comfort Inn Bay of Isles, ESPERANCE

ESPERANCE TO KALGOORLIE

We move away from the coast this morning as we head north to Norseman for our early lunch break. Here, a statue of the horse Norseman is located in the main street. The horse allegedly pawed at the ground and unearthed a nugget of gold that started the Norseman gold rush. We also see the Beacon Hill Lookout. We then travel through Kambalda to Kalgoorlie. The towns of the Goldfields share a common colourful past and the most famous and enduring of them all is Kalgoorlie-Boulder, now classified as a city and the home of two-up. Kalgoorlie’s days of glory began in 1893 when Paddy Hannan and his fellow Irish prospectors Thomas Flanagan and Dan Shea found gold near Mt Charlotte. The echoes of Kalgoorlie-Boulder’s boisterous past are still to be witnessed everywhere. Hannan Street in Kalgoorlie and Burt Street in Boulder offer an insight into the way things were in the 1890’s.

OVERNIGHT: Hospitality Kalgoorlie, KALGOORLIE

EXPLORING KALGOORLIE

This morning we take the Super Pit Tour. With full commentary from our mine guide, we can view the Super Pit from the internal viewing platform. We can see the huge open cut mine, which is part of the original Golden Mile and is the richest square mile of gold bearing earth in the world. We can also get up close to the huge dump trucks. We now have a bit of free time to explore town and purchase lunch.  This afternoon, we visit the Western Australian Museum where we discover the unique role Kalgoorlie has played in WA’s development, both as a centre of mining and its place at the edge of the Nullarbor Plain. Explore the largest display of the State’s collection of gold bars and nuggets, step back in time to see how prospectors searched for this precious metal and learn about the life and hardships faced by mining families during the early 1900’s.

Lunch at own expense and arrangement

OVERNIGHT:  Hospitality Kalgoorlie, KALGOORLIE

KALGOORLIE TO BALLADONIA

This morning we retrace our steps to Norseman to join the Eyre Highway for the start of our journey across the Nullarbor. From Norseman we spend the rest of the day getting to Balladonia. There really is an eclectic mix of geography that we are encountering today. What a unique country we live in! We arrive at our accommodation in time to relax and freshen up before dinner.

OVERNIGHT:  Balladonia Hotel Motel, BALLADONIA

THE NULLARBOR PLAIN

Today we experience Australia’s longest piece of arrow-straight sealed highway (180 kms Balladonia–Caiguna). We travel through Madura Pass and Mundrabilla, between the Hampton Tablelands and Roe Plains to Eucla (where the drifting sands have all but buried the old telegraph station). We stop along the way to enjoy our picnic lunches, arriving in Eucla later in the afternoon for an overnight stay.

OVERNIGHT:  WA/SA Border Village, EUCLA

THE NULLARBOR TO STREAKY BAY

We visit the old Telegraph Station (ruins) in the white shifting sands of the Great Australian Bight and call at the Bunda Cliffs for an incredible view of the vertical cliffs where the Continent meets the Southern Ocean. We may be fortunate enough to view some whales resting with their calves in the calm turquoise waters below us. This is an amazing sight and so is the view along the cliff line. We travel across Yalata Aboriginal Land and into the wheat fields of South Australia today, passing through the little town of Penong where dozens of windmills are scattered around the town. We continue on through Ceduna and divert off the highway to Streaky Bay for our next two nights.

OVERNIGHT:  Streaky Bay Hotel Motel, STREAKY BAY

STREAKY BAY AND MURPHY’S HAYSTACKS

After a leisurely start, we take a drive south to Murphys Haystacks. Murphy's Haystacks were weathered and sculpted into their present form about 100,000 years ago. Geologists say the haystacks are composed of pink granite which were laid down some 1500 million years ago. Back in Streaky Bay we have some free time to take a stroll down the main street, perhaps take a walk along the jetty or relax at the motel.

Lunch at own expense and arrangement

OVERNIGHT:  Streaky Bay Hotel Motel, STREAKY BAY

STREAKY BAY TO PORT AUGUSTA

Today we travel through the small farming townships of Minnipa and Kyancutta. In Kimba, look out for the silo art depicting a young child in a wheat field at sunset by Melbourne artist Cam Scale. We pass by the small mining town of Iron Knob, arriving in Port Augusta with plenty of time to relax before dinner.

OVERNIGHT:  Standpipe Golf Motor Inn, PORT AUGUSTA

PORT AUGUSTA TO MILDURA

This morning we head to Burra for a tour of the historic township. The contrasting architecture reflecting Irish, English, Cornish and European influences is unique. From Burra we travel to Morgan on the Murray River. The history of the Murray has filled several books and films, including the epic 1980s miniseries ‘All The Rivers Run’. Water from the Murray irrigates hundreds of thousands of acres of land on its way to the sea, nurturing great orange groves and orchards, producing millions of pears, apples, oranges, all manner of stone fruit and keeping alive an entire industry with fruit and juice. We continue on through Renmark to Mildura for our final night on tour.

OVERNIGHT: Best Western Chaffey International Motor Inn, MILDURA

MILDURA TO MELBOURNE

This morning we travel through the Mallee region to Sea Lake where we’ll take a quick peek at some new silo art before heading across the Wimmera to Donald for lunch. We have a pleasant drive this afternoon through the Pyrenees Ranges to the outskirts of Melbourne. As always, our chauffeurs will be on hand to take us straight to our door—all part of the O’Shannessy’s Quality Tours superior service!