West Coast Discovery

Today, you will be met by your Tour Directors before taking
an informative tour of the city, including scenic Kings Park.
Kings Park also encompasses the Perth Botanic Garden and
here, we enjoy a wander through a magnificent display of
the area’s wildflowers. (D)

This morning we depart Perth and travel east through the
John Forrest National Park. Visit York and the historic York
Motor Museum before continuing to Hyden, arriving mid
afternoon.
This tiny town located in Western Australia’s semi-arid
wheat belt is home to the fascinating and unique geological
formation known as Wave Rock. After exploring Wave Rock
we overnight at the Hyden Wave Rock Motel. (B,L,D)

Today we depart Hyden and continue our travels towards
the far-east mining district of Kalgoorlie-Boulder. Since
1893 the area of Kalgoorlie-Boulder has produced over 50
million ounces of gold, one of only 4 districts in the world
to have reached such a milestone. We arrive this afternoon
and enjoy a town tour followed by a tour of the incredible
Super Pit mine. The Super Pit is now nearly 600 metres
deep, 3.5 km long and 1.5 km wide! Enjoy expert
commentary from your local guide as we drive along
internal haul roads and get up close to the operations of
this massive mine. This afternoon we check-in to the
Rydges Kalgoorlie Resort for our overnight stay. (B,L,D)
***All passengers will need to wear long sleeves and pants
with enclosed shoes for the Super Pit Mine tour. No
sandals or high heels allowed. This is due to their strict
OH&S Policies ****

This morning we head south through the villages of
Kambalda and Norseman to the seaside town of Esperance.
Along the way there are generally some spectacular
wildflower displays that we will stop to enjoy. Upon our
arrival at the coast we take the scenic Great Ocean Drive
which includes Rotary Lookout which showcases
Esperance’s spectacular coastline of tranquil bays, soaring
cliffs and beautiful beaches.
Upon our arrival into Esperance this afternoon we check-in
to the Comfort Inn Bay of Isles Motel, located along the
foreshore. (B,L,D)

This morning we travel west through Ravensthorpe and
Jerramungup stopping along the way for lunch. Later this
afternoon we visit Bluff Knoll Lookout in the majestic
Stirling Range National Park before arriving in the whaling
town of Albany. We spend the next two nights at the Dog
Rock Motel. (B,L,D)

This morning we take a drive to view the Natural Bridge
and The Gap located in Torndirrup National Park. The
Natural Bridge is a granite formation that looks like a giant
rock bridge caused by the gradual wearing away of the
granite rock by the force of the Great Southern Ocean.
We then visit the ‘Discovery Bay Tourism Experience’, a
magnificent whaling museum in Albany. Take an interactive journey through the last operating whaling station in Australia, supported by a series of audio visual displays, artefacts and whaling history.
This afternoon we board a catamaran for a spectacular
cruise in Albany’s harbour followed by a self-guided audio
tour at the National Anzac Centre. We return to the Dog
Rock Motel for our final night in Albany. (B,L,D)

Today we travel to the Walpole-Nornalup National Park,
home to a grove of veteran Karri and Tingle trees known as
the Ancient Empire. These are some of the largest trees in
the world, measuring up to 16 metres around the base. To
get a closer look, we’ll visit the world class Valley of The
Giants Tree Top Walk which soars gently upwards amidst
the Tingle foliage to a world of birds and flowers.
We also visit the Gloucester Tree, the second highest fire
lookout tree in the world. (The tree can be climbed by the
more adventurous! Subject to accessibility).
This afternoon we continue through the various state
forests of the south west before arriving into Margaret
River, Western Australia’s premium wine growing region
which boasts over 40 world class wineries. Here we check
in to Grande Escape Resort for our two-night stay.
(B,L,D)

This morning we enjoy some local touring before heading
to Cape Leeuwin where we join a guided tour of the old
historic lighthouse. We then head back to the Margaret
River region for some lunch and a wine tasting at Swings
and Roundabouts.
We return to the hotel for our second night stay. (B,L,D)

This morning, we depart Margaret River to visit Busselton
on Geographe Bay and take time to wander the 1.7 km
jetty, the longest in WA. We’ll travel via the Tuart forests to
Bunbury, where we take in the impressive view over the
harbour and city from the local lookout. We then continue
through Australind and Mandurah before arriving in the
cosmopolitan city of Fremantle by mid-afternoon. Join the
Rottnest Express transfer to Rottnest Island for our
overnight stay. (B,L,D)

Today, we explore Perth’s pocket paradise, Rottnest Island,
on an informative coach tour. Take in the island’s most
spectacular sights and perhaps even meet a friendly
quokka or two. Enjoy some free time before a relaxing
lunch. Later, board the Rottnest Express for a scenic return
to Perth, where you’ll stay overnight.

After breakfast the South West Explorer passengers depart
the tour, while we trek north to the famous Nambung
National Park, home to the interesting formations known
as the Pinnacles. Here thousands of limestone pillars rise
from the shifting yellow sands, resembling a landscape
from a science fiction movie. This afternoon continue north
through Geraldton and on to the small scenic town of
Kalbarri. (B,L,D)

Our next destination is Kalbarri National Park, home to Red
Bluff – a stunning lookout offering panoramic ocean views
from atop 100-metre cliffs, and a perfect vantage point to
spot marine life. From here, we visit Z-Bend to take in the
vibrant displays of wildflowers. Later, take in the Kalbarri
Skywalk, a breathtaking project featuring twin skywalks
that float more than 100m above the Murchison River
Gorge. Our destination is Monkey Mia on Shark Bay, where
we spend the next 2 nights. (B,L,D)

Home to an abundance of wild dolphins, your morning in
Monkey Mia starts with a rare up-close encounter at the
daily dolphin feeding experience (subject to appearance).
In the afternoon, board a catamaran to spot the bay’s
diverse marine life and admire the striking contrast of
Monkey Mia’s rusty red sand dunes against its turquoise
waters. (B,L,D)

This morning we visit the Shark Bay Discovery Centre,
which celebrates the region’s rich biodiversity and explores
the area’s World Heritage listing. We then head south and
enjoy a visit to the Hamelin Pool Marine Nature Reserve.
This afternoon we continue south to Geraldton, where
we’ll overnight at the Ocean Centre Hotel on the
beachfront. (B,L,D)

After breakfast we visit the magnificent HMAS Sydney II
memorial – the second memorial recognised to be of
national significance outside of Canberra. Completed in
2001, the memorial has become the country’s premier site
for honouring the 645 Australian sailors who were lost off
the Western Australian coast during a World War II battle
with German raider HSK Kormoran. The location of both
wrecks remained a mystery for over 66 years until they
were located in March 2008 by the Finding Sydney
Foundation.
Departing Geraldton, we return to Perth along the
“Wildflower Way”. We also travel via Australia’s only
monastic town, New Norcia. Here we take a tour though
this interesting village which was, once upon a time, locked
up behind closed doors. We arrive back at DoubleTree by
Hilton late this afternoon for the final night of the tour.
Tonight, enjoy a farewell dinner at the hotel. (B,L,D)

This morning we experience a gold pouring at the historical
Perth Mint before the tour concludes. You will then be
transferred to the airport or your accommodation if staying
on in Perth. (B)
Every effort will be made by your crew to ensure that the
above itinerary is followed. However, Outback Spirit
reserves the right to alter the itinerary once on tour as
required due to weather and track conditions or other
operational considerations.