Post National Tour through the Southwest of WA (Rev 2) Latest program as follows (subject to comment/revision): PROGRAM SUMMARY

Transcription

1 Post National Tour through the Southwest of WA (Rev 2) Latest program as follows (subject to comment/revision): PROGRAM SUMMARY Date Time Time Distance Notes: Start Finish Wed Sept 12 9:00 16: km South Perth Foreshore Lake Clifton (Gnomesville/Ferguson Valley) Busselton Jetty Seashells Resort Thurs Sept 13 9:00 16: km Cape to Cape Round Trip Drive Fri Sept Free Day with Options: Wine Tour, Cave Tour (to be selfbooked) Sat Sept 15 8:00 16: km Seashells Resort Pemberton Hotel Valley of the Giants Treetop Walk BIG 4 Middleton Holiday Park Sun Sept Free Day with potential group activities BBQ / Fish and Chip Dinner on the Beach Mon Sept Free Day with potential group activities Farewell Dinner at Three Anchors Tues Sept 18 9:00 17: km Return to Perth via Great Southern Hwy

2 Wed Sept 12th First Leg - Drive from Perth down to Busselton via Old Coast Road. Fill up with fuel! BP South Perth: 9 Mends St, South Perth, 6151 Puma Causeway: 170 Albany Hwy, Victoria Park, 6100 Shell South Perth: 3 Canning Hwy, South Perth, am departure from South Perth Foreshore Car Park (Full fuel tank!). Breakfast or coffee available from 8.00 am at the adjacent Boatshed Café.

3 Stage 1 - Leave 9:00 and drive to Cape Bouvard Winery Drive down Freeway to Lake Clifton (107km) for coffee stop at Cape Bouvard Winery (Ed: ) and short walk to see the Thrombolites at Lake Clifton (Not a rock band, but the oldest living organisms on earth): Directions: From South Perth Foreshore, drive along Mill Point Road and turn left onto the Kwinana Freeway Follow the Freeway for 58 km then take exit Mandjoogoordap Drive towards Mandurah. Take the third exit at the roundabout to stay on Mandjoogoordap Drive After 7km, the road becomes Highway 1. Continue on this for 32km then turn right into Mount John Road and arrive at Cape Bouvard Winery. Limited parking in the winery but road parking ok (very quiet road).

4 Thrombolites at Lake Clifton:

5 Stage 2 - Leave and drive to Busselton Jetty, ETA: 1.30pm. Park in Signal Park. Lunch at Vintage Car Club. Visit Busselton Jetty. Directions: Return back along Mount John Road to Highway 1 (Old Coast Road) and turn right to continue along Highway 1 After 15km, take first Exit at roundabout and next right to stay on Highway 1 After 50km, turn right into Hynes Road At end of road, after 3km, turn left onto SW Highway After 3km, turn right onto Waterloo Road After 8km, turn left onto Ferguson Road After 18km, take second exit at roundabout and stop on left at Gnomesville.. Optional stop to see the 1000,s of Gnomes! Continue on Ferguson Road for 10km, then turn right onto Donnybrook-Boyup Road After 14km turn right to re-join Highway 1 After 16km, turn left onto Trigwell Road which becomes Railway Road At the end, after 16km, turn right into Gavins Road Continue straight over roundabout and turn left onto Bussell Highway After 5km, turn right into Tuart Drive and follow for 10km At the roundabout take the third exit onto Layman Road After 9km, at the roundabout take the second exit then immediately left into Armitage Drive Take the second left into Marine Terrace, towards Busselton Jetty After 3km and crossing four roundabouts you will see Signal Park on the Right

6 We have permission to park on the grass in Signal Park A light lunch will be available at the club rooms of the Veteran Car Club. A walk to the end of the Busselton Jetty is recommended. The jetty is 1.8km long and the walk takes approximately 25 minutes each way. Admission $4. No need to book. There is also a Noddy Train. A visit to the underwater observatory, located at the end of the Jetty is also worthwhile ($34). But this needs to be booked on line in advance as it gets booked out. We recommend that you buy the 3pm observatory tour with train included both ways. You then you have option walk back if you feel energetic! Or train if not! You can stay as long as you like here. Best to leave in small groups or individually so we don t all arrive at the hotel check-in at once!

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8 Stage 3 Drive to Seashells Hotel, Yallingup. Check in for 3 nights Fuel up in Bussleton or Dunsborough on route. Turn right out of Signal Park and immediately left along West Street Straight over the roundabout and first right into Bussell Highway After 8 km, take the second exit at the roundabout to Caves Road Continue on Caves Road past Dunsborough for about 10km Carry straight on to Yallingup Beach Road (do not turn left onto Caves Road) and in 100m arrive at Caves House and Seashells next door. The old Caves House:

9 Seashells Apartment Hotel Yallingup NB: Head immediately to the bar at Caves House for Happy Hour followed by informal dinner in the lovely Caves House restaurant.

10 Thursday Sept 13th Cape to Cape Drive (9am Departure) Today we have a relaxed drive between the two capes from Cape Naturaliste to Cape Leeuwin (The most SW point of Australia and where the Indian and Southern Oceans meet) via the spectacular Caves Road. Leaving at 9am. Directions: Proceed back along Caves Road 7km to Dunsborough Take first exit at the roundabout to Cape Naturalist Road After 13km arrive at Cape Naturalist Lighthouse This is only a quick stop we are not going inside lighthouse! Return the same way but turn left just before Caves House to stay on Caves Road. Continue down Caves Road for 90km, past Margaret River, Gracetown, Borenup, and Hamelin Bay to Augusta. Turn right onto Bussell Highway/Blackwood Ave and Leeuwin Road for 12 km to Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse.

11 At Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse, dedicated AM parking will be provided on the lawn (even though there is a Car Park). We will stop here for 2-3 hours for the lighthouse precinct tour and casual lunch at cafe. The return to Seashells Hotel can either be via the same route or the slightly faster (only 10 minutes!) Bussell Highway via Margaret River. You can stop at wineries or other attractions on way through. Fuel up on way back in Margaret River.

12 Things to do in Margaret River Sunset BBQ dinner overlooking Yallingup Beach, which is a lovely 15 min walk from the Hotel. You will need a torch to get back in the dark though!

13 Friday September 14th - Easy Day with Options: Option 1 Wine Tour $150 - you will need to book and pay for this yourself by contacting Coralie McLeod, McLeod Tours, info@mcleodtours.com.au, Mob You will be picked up at Seashells by bus at 9.00am and Dumped out at about 5pm. Day starts at Yahava Koffee Works. The good people at Yahava are passionate about coffee and take us through a tasting of their range. They travel worldwide looking for the best coffee beans which are roasted in house. Visit 2 wineries in the morning, sampling some incredible wines from respected and award-winning wineries. A two-course lunch (included) will be served at Watershed winery after a tasting. After lunch there is cheese tasting at the Margaret River Dairy Company, olive oil and condiments at either Olio Bello or Pukara Estate and chocolate from the much-loved Margaret River Chocolate Company. Throughout the day you ll also appreciate the incredible natural beauty of Margaret River s lush forests, rolling hills and opulent vineyards. It s one of Australia s most stunning wine regions. We drive through natural Australian bush and you ll spy karri trees and possibly some kangaroos. Optional wine tour by minibus (or can also drive around wineries). Otherwise drive to Eagle Bay, Cape Naturalist, Sugarloaf Rock, Ngligi Cave/Koomal Dreaming, Canal Rocks, Margaret River Chocolate factory, Ellensbrook homestead, etc. Option 2 Morning Ngilgi Cave - Ngilgi Cave takes its name from the rich Aboriginal legend describing the battle between a good spirit (Ngilgi) and an evil spirit (Wolgine). Visit an interpretive area detailing Ngilgi Cave's interesting history. This is next door to Caves House and a nice walk, but uphill. You can also drive there in 5 minutes. This exquisitely decorated cave, with its stunning stalactites, stalagmites, helictites and beautifully coloured shawls, was Western Australia s first tourist attraction. Tour Options: 1. Self-guided tour $22.50 (Seniors $20) Every ½ hour - No need to book. The Semi-Guided Show Cave Tour is approximately one-hour duration and begins with an introductory talk from the cave guide while being led down into the first chamber or The Amphitheatre. Visitors can then explore at their own pace, while another guide stationed in the centre of the cave can answer questions and provide more information on the many beautiful areas within the cave. 2. Adventure Tour $88 Hours: 9.30 or 13:30 - Must be booked on line in advance.

14 Ngilgi Cave also offers Adventure Tour options giving thrill-seekers the opportunity to don a hard-hat and lamp and venture off the boardwalks for a three-hour adventure, led by an experienced guide Koomal Dreaming Aboriginal Cultural Tour 9.00 am 2 ½ hours. $78. Book on line or call Journey into Ngilgi Cave and be mesmerised by a live didgeridoo performance, storytelling and traditional fire-making during this fascinating 2.5-hour tour. Includes a bushwalk with Josh and learn how to identify traditional plants, foods and medicines and how they are uniquely linked to the six Noongar seasons.

15 Option 3 Play Golf There are two great public golf courses nearby each with clubs to hire: Dunsborough Lakes Golf Club Opened in 1993 and is a championship layout of some 6200m. It has undulating grass greens and broad fairways interspersed with many lakes and water features which host a wide variety of native bird life. Book on line.

16 Margaret River Golf Club: 6092 metre par 72 course is one of Western Australia s most highly regarded country courses and although not heavily bunkered, the course features numerous water hazards, mostly on the front nine holes. The back nine requires careful shot consideration to negotiate the undulating fairways and large trees. This spectacular setting is complemented by an abundance of flora and fauna, native and local trees. The resident kangaroos have been a major attraction for visitors, golfers and non-golfers alike for many years.

17 Afternoon Options: 1. Take it easy and reading car magazines on your balcony in readiness for tomorrows long drive check the oil and fill up with fuel in Dunsborough or Margaret River. 2. Explore the local sights including the Eagles Heritage Wildlife Centre, Helicopter flight, visit a winery, walk part of the Cape-to Cape track (A section of the Track between the Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse and Sugarloaf Rock carpark has been sealed. It covers a distance of approximately 3.8km, drive to Eagle Bay, Canal Rocks, Margaret River Chocolate factory, Ellensbrook homestead, etc. Check on line for other attractions

18 Saturday September 15th Long drive to Albany change hotels Stage 1 - Leave at 8:00 - Drive to Pemberton and stop for morning tea. NB: Best idea is to take a packed lunch to save time. This can be ordered in advance from the bakery next to Seashells, or make yourself using supples from the general store. You could potentially buy stuff in Pemberton, but this will take time. Park in car park opposite the Pemberton Hotel. Fuel up in Pemberton. Directions: Proceed along Caves Road to Gracetown (25km) Turn left into Cowaramup Bay Road After 7km turn right onto Bussell Highway After 6km turn left into Osmington Road After 12km turn right into Jindong-Treeton Road After 4km turn left into Rosa Brook Road After 7km continue onto Mowen Road After 12km, turn right onto Sues Road After 28km, turn left onto Brockton Highway After 12km, turn right onto Stewart Road After 28km, turn right onto Vasse Highway After 38km turn left at junction and drive 4km into Pemberton Park in the pub car park on left opposite pub Stage 2 Leave Pemberton at 11:00 - Drive to Valley of the Giants Treetop Walk

19 Drive another 2 hours to Valley of the Giants Treetop Walk - a stunning walkway positioned 40 metres above the ground amid the spectacular heights of the tingle forest canopy. Eat your packed lunch and do the treetop walk. Arrive about 1pm. Directions: - Proceed back out of Pemberton the way we came in, but in 4km, at the junction, carry straight on to Northcliffe 30km) - Go through Northcliffe and turn left onto Wheatly Road - After 2km, turn right onto Middleton Road - After 24km, at end of road, turn right onto SW Highway - After 83km, turn left onto Valley of the Giants Road

20 Stage 3 Leave Valley of the Giants at 14:30 - Drive to Hotel (BIG4 Middleton Beach) via Denmark. Fuel available in Albany. Drive another 45mins to Denmark. Optional stop for coffee 30 mins, then drive to our new Hotel BIG4 Middleton Beach, Albany arrive about 5.00 pm. Note this road can be dangerous at dusk due to Kangaroos. Drive slowly. Do not stop in Denmark unless we have time. Check in and immediately at BIG4 and head for the Hybla Tavern for happy hour and casual dinner! We need to be there before the wildlife starts coming out! Optional stop in Denmark (see below)

21 Directions: - Turn right onto Valley of the Giants Road - After 12km, turn left onto South Coast Highway 1 for 41km - Turn right into Ocean Beach Road and go into Denmark - After stop at Denmark, continue back to Highway 1 and follow for another 51km - At the roundabout second exit onto North Road - After 3km, at the roundabout third exit onto Campbell Road - After 1km, take the first exit onto Middleton Road - After 2 km arrive at BIG4 Hotel

22 Sunday /Monday Sept 16/17th Free Days (but we will discuss going as groups) Explore Albany attractions: National ANZAC Centre, Historic Whaling Centre, The Gap/Blow Holes/London Bridge, Greens Pool Denmark, Bluff Knoll etc. Sunday Night BBQ or Fish and Chips on the beach. Monday Night - Farewell Tour Dinner at the Three Anchors (5 min walk from Hotel) Links for Albany Attractions: National Anzac Centre next door to Hotel (30 min walk 10 min drive) and Point King Lighthouse

23 Historic Whaling Centre, The Gap and Natural Bridge and Blowholes

24 Denmark and Greens Pool

25 Climb Bluff Knoll, Stirling Ranges, WA s Highest Peak (1099m) 3-4 hour round trip from Car Park

26 Play Golf: The golf course is next door to the hotel! It is a links golf course set between the beach and the lake.

27 Tuesday September 18 th Return to Perth via the Great Southern Highway (More scenic than Albany Highway) Stops for breaks and lunch on route. Directions: - Take the Albany Highway towards Perth - After 84km, either carry on the (boring and heavily policed) Albany Highway or turn right onto the Great Southern Highway - After 82km arrive in Katanning for break stop - Drive another 154km along the Gt Southern to Pingelly and stop for lunch at Tavern - Continue along the Great Southern for another 120km, turn left onto the Brookton Highway - After 98km, turn right onto Canning Road - After 12km, turn left onto Welshpool Road - After 18km, join the Graham Falmer Freeway to Perth City Centre Rooms can be pre-booked at the Hyatt Hotel. Wed Friday 19 th 21 st Sorting car transport, trains, etc.

28 Some may choose to break here and head home along the South Coast via Esperance.