Travel Club In conjunction with Swagman Tours

Transcription

1 Travel Club In conjunction with Swagman Tours WEST AUSTRALIAN WHEATFIELDS & WILDFLOWERS * Perth * Eyre Peninsula * The Nullarbor * 19 DAYS Dep: 23 August 2015 DAY 1 Sun 23 Aug FLY TO PERTH (D) Meet your tour leader at Tullamarine Airport for your morning flight to Perth. On arrival enjoy a city sights orientation tour including the beautiful botanical Kings Park overlooking the Swan River. Dinner in our hotel this evening. Overnight: Perth DAY 2 Mon 24 Aug PERTH YORK MUKINBUDIN (BD) Time in Perth this morning to take in the sights of the seaside areas of Cottesloe and Freemantle. Afterwards join the Great Eastern Highway before heading south into granary country and stopping off at the oldest inland village in WA of York, founded in 1830 and set in the rich Avon river valley. See the distinct and diverse architecture of the post office, town hall, police station and the railway station. Time to visit the York Motor Museum with its fine range of vintage vehicles and garageanalia. End the day driving through undulating country to Mukinbudin for our three night stay. Overnight: Mukinbudin DAY 3 Tue 25 Aug THE GRAIN REGION MUKINBUDIN (BD) Today a local grain farmer and activist in assisting farmers with financial institutions will join us visiting two grain properties with slightly different management styles to growing grain. Soil types and structure, grain handling and storage all the while using no til cultivation. We will also visit a regional grain storage facility. Overnight: As Above

2 DAY 4 Wed 26 Aug WHEATBELT SIGHTSEEING DAY (BD) A leisurely day today in the region with its patchwork of golden fields, historic character townships, pioneering history and wildflowers in season. On our travels today see the unique granite rocky outcrops including Elachbutting Arch, Chiddarcooping and Buckley s Breakaway. Visit the Dryandra Woodland and its array of local wildlife and the exploding colours of nature s wildflowers. End the day with dinner in the local community with our farm hosts. Overnight: As Above DAY 5 Thu 27 Aug DOWERIN FIELD DAYS NEW NORCIA (BD) An early start this morning to travel to the field days site in the heart of the wheat belt. The day is yours to explore the exhibitions at your own pace then later in the afternoon depart for New Norcia, travelling further through the grain growing region to our overnight stop and a late dinner. Overnight: New Norcia DAY 6 Fri 28 Aug NEW NORCIA GERALDTON KALBARRI NP (BD) This morning enjoy a guided tour of the Benedictine monastery established in 1846 to help 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. After the visit travel north and pass through the lobster fleet township of Geraldton and stop to visit the lobster processing centre for a guided tour of the factory to learn about the industry and the export trade on the way to Kalbarri National Park. Overnight: Kalbarri DAY 7 Sat 29 Aug KALBARRI NATIONAL PARK (BD) Spend a leisurely day 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 with time for a stroll and view the wide array of native wildflowers growing undisturbed in their natural habitat. A free afternoon for private sightseeing or to walk along the pristine beach with the aquamarine coloured water of the Indian Ocean. Overnight: As Above DAY 8 Sun 30 Aug KALBARRI THE PINNACLES PERTH (B) Travel south this morning and stop in the seaside village of Dongara before heading to Cervantes to visit The Pinnacles with its unique stalk like pillars in the barren sandy landscape. Afterwards continue onto Perth for our overnight stay and dine out this evening (own expense). Overnight: Perth DAY 9 Mon 31 Aug PERTH BUNBURY BUSSELTON MARGARET RVR (BL) Continue 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 for a tour and tasting at a winery before enjoying lunch in their restaurant. Dinner is at own expense this evening. Overnight: Margaret River

3 DAY 10 Tue 01 Sep MARGARET RIVER AUGUSTA ALBANY (BD) Our first stop this morning is Augusta where the Indian and Southern Oceans meet and is also the very south west corner of the state. Travel inland through wonderful sheep and cattle growing land to the tall timber country and magnificent karri forests of the region. Visit a local apple orchard and distribution centre then visit the Timber Museum. Later climb the tree top walk amongst the canopy of these magnificent year old trees and afterwards continue to the picturesque seaside town of Albany, sited on King George Sound with its magnificent Princess Royal Harbour. Overnight: Albany DAY 11 Wed 02 Sep ALBANY STIRLING RANGE NP ALBANY (B) Head inland today towards the small settlement of Cranbrook noted for its quality grazing country and fine wool on the western foothills of the Stirling Range. Our local farmer host will show us around his mixed grazing/cropping operation. This afternoon sightsee through the Stirling Ranges with its high jagged peaks, abundant birdlife, native wildlife and flora. Return to Albany later in the day and dine out this evening (own expense). Overnight: As Above DAY 12 Thu 03 Sep ALBANY RAVENSTHORPE ESPERANCE (BD) Head further east today driving through undulating scenic country passing 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 13 Fri 04 Sep ESPERANCE NORSEMAN MADURA (BD) Leave the Southern Ocean this morning and travel north toward Norseman where gold put the town on the map in the 1890 s with Australia s richest quartz reef mined near the town. 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. Later at Cocklebiddy see the stone remains of an Aboriginal mission then continue travelling to your overnight stop at Madura. Overnight: Madura DAY 14 Sat 05 Sep THE NULLARBOR PLAIN (BD) Continue today on the plain heading for the West/South Australia border 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 ports handle bulk grain, gypsum and salt. It is also the base for a fishing fleet mainly catching large whiting hauls. Overnight: Ceduna DAY 15 Sun 06 Sep STREAKY BAY COFFIN BAY PT LINCOLN (BD) This morning follow the southern ocean coastline stopping off at scenic lookouts and in the small holiday settlements which dot the coast. See the unique rock formation of Murphy s Haystacks with time in the holiday township of Streaky Bay. Later on stop and visit Coffin Bay renowned for its scenic coastline and famous for its oysters. End the day in the regional coastal centre of Port Lincoln for your two night stay. Overnight: Port Lincoln

4 DAY 16 Mon 07 Sep PORT LINCOLN (B) After a leisurely breakfast a tour of this scenic town sited on Boston Bay and late morning enjoy a cruise on the bay to learn about the tuna farming and see all the highlights this pretty area has to offer and afterwards a guided tour of the fish processing plant (subject to confirmation). This afternoon is free for private sightseeing, shopping or just relaxing on the foreshore with dinner out this evening (own expense). Overnight: As Above DAY 17 Tue 08 Sep PORT LINCOLN CLEVE WHYALLA (BD) Sadly depart this idyllic holiday spot on the tip of the Eyre Peninsula and follow the coastline of Spencer Gulf. Stop off at Koppio to see one of the finest vintage tractor, car, machinery and other displays in South Australia. Later on this morning a rural farming educator whose family pioneered grain growing in this harsh environment will join us to discuss the evolution of grain growing on the Eyre Peninsula. Afterwards travel via the seaside village of Cowell to our overnight stay in Whyalla. Overnight: Whyalla DAY 18 Wed 09 Sep PORT AUGUSTA CLARE/BAROSSA MANNUM (BD) Enjoy guided tours of the BHP steel making operation and HMAS Whyalla then onto the cross roads of Port Augusta where all roads and rail from east, west and north intersect. Grain growing is the predominant rural activity on your travels today. Later pass through the scenic Horrock s Pass and into the Clare and Barossa Valleys for our last evening at the tine olde worlde paddlesteamer river village of Mannum. Enjoy your farewell dinner tonight overlooking the Murray River and reminisce about events and happenings of the past seventeen days. Overnight: Mannum DAY 19 Thu 10 Sep MANNUM MELBOURNE (B) Pack your bags for the final time and head out 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 back into Victoria and the Wimmera. Pass Ballarat and finish the trip at Southern Cross Railway Station at approximately 6:30pm, so ending a wonderful trip across the southern coastline of South and West Australia. TOUR COST: $4, per person twin share* *Tour is subject to a minimum of 20 passengers travelling Non-refundable deposit required: $ per person Balance required no later than: 10 July 2015 Single Supplement: $ Cancellation: In the event of cancellation, levies will apply. See Booking Conditions TOUR HIGHLIGHTS: Perth city sights tour Wheatbelt sightseeing day Kalbarri National Park Margaret River wine tasting and lunch Esperance sightseeing FARM & TECHNICAL VISITS: Grain properties & storage facility Lobster processing centre, Geraldton Apple orchard and distribution centre Vintage car/tractor/machinery display, Koppio York town tour & Motor Museum entry New Norcia Benedictine Monestry The Pinnacles, Cervantes Karri forest tree top walk Port Lincoln Bay cruise Various mixed farms of lamb, fodder & grain Fish/oyster processing factory Dowerin Field Days BHP Steelworks at Whyalla

5 MULTIPLE NIGHT STAYS: * Mukinbudin 3 nights * Kalbarri NP 2 nights * Albany 2 nights * Port Lincoln 2 nights Tour cost includes: Economy airfares and pre-payable taxes Melbourne to Perth. Air-conditioned vehicle travel throughout with experienced driver/guide. Twin share 3-3½ star accommodation throughout with en suite facilities. All meals as per itinerary (B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner). All entry/sightseeing and farm/technical fees as indicated in the itinerary. An experienced tour escort travelling with the group. Tour cost does NOT include: Travel insurance for a quote or to purchase a policy contact phone Swagman Tours. Items of a personal nature (drinks/laundry/phone) Any items listed as optional in the above itinerary Cost of any medication required FARM & TECHNICAL VISITS: A fully furnished list of confirmed visits both to farming properties and technical stops will be given with your ticket wallets approximately 3 weeks prior to your departure. Changes and alterations may take place from details in the itinerary. TOUR ESCORT; Pat Mangan Principal of Swagman Tours Pat has lead tours to various parts of Australia and overseas for the past ten years. With his rural upbringing near Tongala in Northern Victoria he has a keen interest in all aspects of agriculture. For the past 15 years he has operated a small property on the outskirts of Geelong running a Hereford breeding herd together with a cropping operation growing malt barley. FOR BOOKINGS CONTACT: SWAGMAN TOURS Level 1, 182 Latrobe Terrace (PO Box 7473) GEELONG WEST VIC 3218 P: E: karen@swagmantours.com.au W: