DAY WISE ITINERARY

Day 1 : 
Passengers make their own way to Perth and onto the port city of Fremantle, (30 kms south of the airport – please ask about airport transfers). Check into the historic Esplanade Hotel, well-located on the city’s foreshore. This evening there will be a Welcome Dinner, where you will get to know your travel companions from around Australia and New Zealand.
(- – D)

Day 2 : 
Visit the impressive Perth wholesale produce markets and then tour Perth and enjoy the spring gardens and walkways of Kings Park. Lunch at Botanical Cafe, Kings Park, overlooking the Swan River and the city of Perth. Take a relaxing cruise on the Swan River back to Fremantle with time to explore (perhaps the Maritime Museum and Roundhouse) and enjoy the history and seaside there. Evening free to enjoy the laid-back atmosphere of Fremantle.
(B L -)

Day 3 : 
This morning leave Fremantle and travel back to the Perth metropolitan area to visit a world-renowned grain receival complex; Australia’s largest cooperative which was built to handle the West’s huge grain harvests. Afterwards depart Perth and travel northwards to the spectacular Pinnacles
Desert where you can walk amongst these curious and ancient limestone formations. Later continue to the small fishing village of Cervantes and enjoy a seafood barbecue tonight.
(B L D)

Day 4 : 
After breakfast, continue travelling northwards following the coast to Geraldton to visit the world’s largest crayfish processing plant – perhaps coinciding with deliveries of the morning’s catch. After an ocean-side lunch on the Geraldton beach, visit the HMAS Sydney Memorial overlooking the town and the ocean. Next, visit an olive enterprise in nearby Chapman Valley before continuing north to Kalbarri, a relaxing coastal town known for its seaside cliffs and estuary beach. Late afternoon there’s time to take a stroll on the white sands of Kalbarri beach where the Indian Ocean sunsets are quite something.
(B L D)

Day 5 : 
A full day to enjoy the spectacular scenery of the Kalbarri National Park; known for its spectacular red rock gorges that were cut from the landscape by the mighty Murchison River and where 800 species of wildflowers burst into bloom between July and October each year. With a packed lunch from the bakery, you’ll have time to walk and enjoy the amazing spring blooms at several points in the Park. Later return to nearby Kalbarri for a free evening.
(B L -)

Day 6 : 
Head south-east through bush country interspersed with wheat and other grains, to Mullewa for lunch at a typical Australian country pub. During the morning, visit a large farming property that has adopted the latest techniques in sustainable total cropping, deep ripping and controlled traffic management to prevent soil compaction. Mullewa is well known for an abundance of wildflowers in spring and is one of the few places in Western Australia where the unusual wreath flower grows. After lunch see the fabulous wreath flower for yourself. In the afternoon continue driving south
through the northern Wheatbelt to the town of Dalwallinu for overnight
(B L D)

Day 7 : 
Continue travelling south today, through mixed farming country (sheep and wheat). Visit a nearby hay-processing plant where huge amounts of hay are exported both domestically and internationally. Nearby, stop in New Norcia, Australia’s only monastic town which dates back to 1847 when it was founded by Spanish Benedictine monks. The Monastery, where the monks live, work and pray, is at the heart of New Norcia. The monks of New Norcia live according to the guidance and rhythms of The Rule of St Benedict, which has been followed by monks since the sixth century AD. New Norcia has an interesting collection of architectually historic buildings, as well as a museum, art gallery and a bakery selling delicious breads, nut cake, biscotti and award-winning olive oil. There’s an opportunity to explore this fascinating town and its monastic buildings before moving on into the Avon Valley, for an overnight stay in the charming historic town of York.
(B L -)

Day 8 : 
Travel south and east through mixed farming country of livestock and broad acre cropping. Visit a mixed cropping and sheep enterprise at Pingelly to see and discuss wool production and cropping practice in this district. After a pub lunch in Wickepin, visit the Albert Facey Homestead and then the Tarin Rock Wildflower Reserve. From here it’s only a short distance to Kukerin where a visit will be made to Cambinata Yabbies, one of the most successful producers of this unique freshwater crustacean. Cambinata operates Australia’s largest yabby processing plant, supplying product to some of Western Australia’s finest restaurants, as well as exporting to the US, Europe and Asia. Tonight’s accommodation is in the on-farm accommodation established by the owners of Cambinata Yabbies. Some members of this 4th generation farming family will join you tonight for dinner, which will include a sample of the Cambinata Yabbies. A great night is ensured for all
(B L D)

Day 9 : 
This morning after breakfast travel southwards. Visit a prime lamb and sheep breeding operation with a lamb feedlot, as well as a grain mill, and impressive flock of Merino, Dorper and other breeds used for their artificial breeding centre (AI and ET). Continue south for lunch at West Cape Howe Winery – one of the premier wine makers in Western Australia. This afternoon visit one of the most impressive Gelbvieh cattle studs in the country with time to observe livestock and discuss management objectives with the owners. Later travel on to the historic port city and old whaling station of Albany (the state’s first settlement), to check-in to your hotel for a two-night stay.
(B L D)

Day 10 : 
A leisurely day touring the stunning coastlines around Albany, as well as notable sights including the excellent ANZAC Centre and the Light Horse Memorial. After lunch at the Whalers Cafe, take a guided tour of the former Whaling Station. Visit the Gap and Natural Bridge and call into Limeburners Whisky distillery. Later return to Albany for a second evening.
(B L -)

Day 11 : 
Depart westwards with a shopping stop in Denmark and then on to the spectacular Valley of the Giants with elevated walkways through the treetops. Lunch opportunity at Walpole then travel through the beautiful Karri forests to an award-winning robotic dairy at Northcliffe and an avocado
farm at Pemberton. Head westwards through excellent temperate pastures running both beef and dairy cattle and late afternoon, arrive in the town of Busselton and check into your beachside resort for two nights. Busselton is located on the southwest tip of Western Australia. It’s known for its sheltered beach and seasonal humpback whale populations. The beachfront features the 19th-century Busselton Jetty. At 1.8-kilometres long, it’s the longest timber-piled jetty in the southern hemisphere
(B – -)

Day 12 : 
Travel to nearby Cape Leeuwin National Park, to see the meeting place of the Indian and Southern Oceans. Enjoy a relaxing day in the nearby Margaret River area, which will focus on some of the many value-added farming and horticultural enterprises found here, including cheese, venison and even a chocolate factory! Visit a leading woodworker’s gallery and then have lunch and a tasting at one of the local vineyards that engender so much praise. Geographically speaking, the Margaret River wine region is the most isolated wine growing region in the world. In under 50 years it has built an international reputation for producing wines that match the world’s best. Return to Busselton. Enjoy a farewell dinner tonight
(B L D)

Day 13 : 
Enjoy a return train trip along the famous Busselton Jetty to the Underwater Observatory to see the coral reef before departing Busselton for Perth. There will be a lunch stop along the way and late afternoon arrival into Perth – for either an airport or city hotel-of-your-choice drop-off.
(B L -)

(Meal basis: B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner)

TOUR INCLUDED

• ALL LAND TRAVEL IN THE PRIVATE USE OF A MODERN COMFORTABLE COACH WITH DEDICATED DRIVER
• SPECIALIST QUADRANT TOUR MANAGER WITH AGRICULTURAL KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE
• SIGHTSEEING AND TECHNICAL VISITS AS OUTLINED IN ITINERARY
• HOTEL/MOTEL/FARM STAY ACCOMMODATION AS DETAILED (OR SIMILAR)
• MEALS AS DETAILED IN ITINERARY SHOWN AS B=BREAKFAST, L=LUNCH (OCCASIONALLY PACKED), AND D=DINNER
• BACKPACK, TOUR BOOK AND STAINLESS STEEL REFILLABLE WATER BOTTLE
• ALL ENTRANCE FEES OR SPECIAL EVENTS AS DETAILED

TOUR NOT INCLUDED

• AIRFARES TO AND FROM PERTH OR ANY OTHER FARES, TAXES OR CHARGES NOT SPECIFIED (OUR STAFF CAN ASSIST WITH FLIGHT BOOKINGS)
• MEALS NOT SPECIFIED IN THE ITINERARY
• ALL ITEMS OF A PERSONAL NATURE, SUCH AS LAUNDRY, PHONE CALLS AND ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES
• TRAVEL INSURANCE, CANCELLATION FEES