14 Days Kangaroo Island, The Nullarbor and Western Wildflowers

itinerary

Day 1 – OctOber 2012 – Arrive Adelaide

Arrive in Adelaide and tour the sights of this lovely city known as the ‘festival city’. Admire stunning architecture surrounded by sweeping gardens, beautiful churches and the vibrancy of a modern inner city. We take a city sights tour of Adelaide visiting Victoria Square in the heart of the city, and the grand boulevard of King William Street, Trinity Church, Adelaide’s oldest church, and St Peters Cathedral. We then travel to Victor Harbor for an overnight stay at Apollon Motor Inn. (D)

Day 2 – OctOber 2012 – Kangaroo Island

This morning we take the scenic route to Cape Jervis where we board the ferry for transfers to Kangaroo Island. On arrival we visit Clifford’s Honey Farm where we see and hear about the unique Ligurian Bee (only found on Kangaroo Island). Next stop is the Emu Ridge Eucalyptus Distillery, manufacturer of fascinating traditional Aussie bush products. During our visit we get to see, hear, touch and smell everything involved in the distilling process. We relax over a BBQ lunch then head off to the Island Pure Sheep Dairy and watch the novel process of sheep milking before we check-in to the Seaside Inn for a 2 night stay. Later this afternoon we visit the nightly pelican feeding at Kingscote Beach. (b,L,D)

Day 3 – OctOber 2012 – Kangaroo Island

Visit Seal Bay Conservation Park and walk along the beach among Australia’s largest breeding colony of Australian Sea Lions. We visit Raptor Domain, marvel at the natural hunting abilities of these beautiful & spectacular Birds of Prey. After lunch visit the impressive Remarkable Rocks, Admiral’s Arch, and watch fur seals play at close range at Cape du Couedic. (b,L,D)

Day 4 – OctOber 2012 – McLaren Vale, Board Indian Pacific

Boarding the morning ferry we leave Kangaroo Island and head to picturesque McLaren Vale where we enjoy lunch, then continue our journey to the oldest German settlement in Australia – Hahndorf, for a look-about tour and free time. We then travel to Adelaide Parklands to board the Indian Pacific for our journey to Perth. Enjoy Gold Service accommodation and dining on this journey which sees our first night taking us past the Flinders Ranges. (b,L,D)

Day 5 – OctOber 2012 – Indian Pacific

Heading west across the desolate Nullarbor, our first stop is at Cook, one of the world’s most remote outposts. Our journey continues with the next stop on our agenda being the ‘City of Gold’, Kalgoorlie. Optional whistle stop tours available on board. (b,L,D)

Day 6 – OctOber 2012 – Perth

We arrive into Perth where our private coach meets us at the Indian Pacific Rail Terminal. We start our tour with a brief orientation tour of Perth before heading to Fremantle where we join Captain Cook Cruises for a scenic lunch cruise discovering the mansions in millionaire’s row. On our return to the city we take in the views of the South Perth foreshore, the Swan Bell Tower and Kings Park. Arrive and check-in at the Perth Ambassador Motel. (b,L,D)

Day 7 – OctOber 2012 – Margaret River

Today we depart for the south west travelling to Margaret River, passing through the coastal towns of Rockingham & Mandurah. We take a break at Busselton for lunch, then head out to Cape Naturalist, featuring the beautiful Canal Rocks and small bays. Our afternoon finishes with a visit to the Margaret River Chocolate Factory before we check-in to The Grange on Farrelly for an overnight stay. (b,L,D)

Day 8 – OctOber 2012 – Pemberton

Today we take in the best that Margaret River has to offer, passing the river mouth and beaches. Enjoy some free time before departing for the most southern westerly tip of Australia, where the Indian & Southern Oceans meet, and Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse stands as a solitary sentinel. We enjoy a leisurely lunch and wine tasting at the award winning Hamelin Bay Winery, before moving on to Beedelup Falls in the Karri Forest. Overnight Pemberton at the Gloucester Motel. (b,L,D)

Day 9 – OctOber 2012 – Albany

Continuing our journey east towards Albany we stop at the Gloucester Tree Look-out, visit the Valley of the Giants to walk along the tree tops and get a bird’s eye view of the giant trees of the Tingle Forest. We break for lunch at Denmark, where the forest meets the sea, before heading to Albany, visiting the Desert Mounted Corps Memorial at Mt Clarence. Arrive and check-in to the Dog Rock Motel for the next 2 nights. (b,L,D)

Day 10 – OctOber 2012 – Albany

We start our day visiting The Gap & Natural Bridge and the award winning heritage attraction of Whale World. After lunch we head for the Albany Wind Farm to view the mass of wildflowers growing here, and our afternoon is spent at the Mt Romance Sandalwood Factory before returning to our hotel. (b,L,D)

Day 11 – OctOber 2012 – Hyden

This morning sit back and enjoy the scenery as we head north out of the south west hinterland and into the wheat belt via the Stirling Ranges, marvelling at the views from Bluff Knoll. Stop at the grain growing town of Lake Grace for lunch before heading to Hyden, home of Wave Rock, and see Hippos Yawn before we check-in at the Hyden Motel for an overnight stay. (b,L,D)

Day 12 – OctOber – Cervantes, Northam, Pinnacles

Today we’ll be making our way north west towards the coast and the seaside town of Cervantes. We stop in Northam on the Avon River for lunch, and continue travelling along the colourful wildflower trail. Arrive and check-in at the Pinnacle Motel for an overnight stay. (b,L,D)

Day 13 – OctOber 2012 – Pinnacles, Perth

We start early this morning, visiting the mystical Pinnacles Desert in Nambung National Park (the best time of the day to view these limestone pillars and the local wildlife.) We move on to the Western Wildflower Farm (exporters of dried wildflowers), before travelling to New Norcia, known for its Spanish architecture, and home to a community of Benedictine Monks. We head back to Perth to check-in at Miss Maud’s Swedish Motel for an overnight stay. (b,L,D)

Day 14 – OctOber 2012 – Flight home

Enjoy an early breakfast before being transferred to the airport for our flight back home. (b)

B = Hot & Continental Breakfast; MT = M/Tea; L = Lunch; AT = A/Tea; D = Two Course Dinner

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