WHEATBELT DOWN UNDER - DISCOVER THE DELIGHTS OF PLANTAGENET, MOUNTAIN COUNTRY TRAILS, SOUTH COASTAL HIGHLIGHTS AND AVON VALLEY SPLENDOUR

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Theme: Want to immerse yourself in nature and leave your daily concerns behind? The Shire of Plantagenet, named after the Anjou region in France, offers gorgeous landscapes, quality produce and spectacular views. Learn about the Plantagenet and adjoining regions, its early colonial past and first nation’s peoples, view stunning landscapes and experience meetings with local vignerons who promote some incredible award winning wines.

Discover the Wheatbelt and Great Southern with its history of European settlement and colonisation, the stories about the original custodians of the land the first nation’s peoples, visit Albany and multi-cultural Katanning against the backdrop of the incredible painted murals in local towns as part of the “Public Silo Art Trail” and hear about the rivalry between the Swan River Colony established in Perth and the first colonial settlement at Albany in 1826.

 A full day includes travelling to the National Anzac Centre, the Fort and the Historic Whaling Station Learn to view other treasures and also includes staying at the Premier Mill Hotel in Katanning - all complimented with wine tastings at several locations. 

Guests also learn the history of the early French and British navigators as we continue onto the indigenous fish traps where you will experience a cultural site over 6,000 years.

We travel through the Porongurup Range to the Stirling Range and beyond to view beautiful artwork, incredible landscapes, learning about the early pioneers and gold prospectors who trekked along the Holland Track to the Goldfields from Broomehill along with the Mallefowl recovery program in Ongerup.

We travel the Avon Valley to experience the Indigenous cultures and colonial settlements of York, Northam and Toodyay before relaxing in the Swan Valley with a fine dining experience and visit to the famous Rose and Crown hotel in Guildford.

The tour includes excellent fine dining experience at superb Great Southern and Swan Valley restaurants and wineries! This tour will leave some long lasting memories!

 Day 1     Welcome to Country, Woolsheds, Kokoda Track, Indigenous Cultural Experience and Colonial History

·       After a quick pick up from various Perth City locations (starting from 7.30 am) we drive a short distance to Kings Park for morning tea to enjoy the landscaped wildflower gardens, the magnificent views over the Swan River and City, the Anzac Memorial and the Darling
Ranges before heading south

·       Departing Perth through the “General Darling Ranges”, named by Captain James Stirling’s Government Botanist, Charles Fraser, and known locally as ‘Darling Range or the scarp’, we travel along Albany Highway to Williams Woolshed for lunch

·       After lunch we head off to Kojonup for afternoon tea at Kodja Place along with viewing the old barracks, the spring and the historic water trough and learning more about Brigadier Potts and the Kokoda Track of WW11

·       At Kodja Place we view the Indigenous and settler handcrafted tools before enjoying billy tea and damper and chatting to the local Indigenous person “Billy” along with enjoying local wine and cheese tastings and other platters before departing toward the Port City of Albany on the South Coast

·       We arrive in Albany and take a quick journey around the coastline of Mt Clarence and past Middleton Beach, to view spectacular beaches and coastline, which offers locals and tourists alike, aquatic beauty and tranquillity before the first night of the tour with a dinner at Lime 303 restaurant at the Dock Rock Motel right in the centre of town – the stay for 4 nights

Day 2     Whales and Anzacs

·       In the morning we start the day afresh at 8.30am and travel in the footsteps of people living at the first colonial settlement in Western Australia in late 1826. The settlement was originally a military outpost and part of the Colony of NSW and called Frederick Town (this changed in 1831 when it was formally proclaimed part of the Swan River Colony) and renamed Albany in 1832

·       We travel out to the “Natural Bridge,” the “Gap” and Albany’s Historic Whaling Station for a morning coffee and then you can step aboard the former Cheynes IV Whalechaser ship. We enjoy the region’s wildflower garden and the wildlife park. Lunch is planned in Whaler’s Cafe that flanks the picturesque views across the islands to the mainland

·       The afternoon activities include a visit to the National Anzac Centre and the Convoy Lookout which offers a truly unique opportunity to absorb the reality of Australia’s and New Zealand’s first contingent of 30,000 troops to WWI who were anchored in a large convoy in King George Sound (October 1914)

·       We take a journey around the coast line to Middleton Beach, to view spectacular beaches and coastline, which offers locals and tourists alike, aquatic beauty and tranquillity before enjoying this session - Pilates Mat class suited to all levels followed by a meditation and breathwork session to enhance flexibility, strengthen the core, and promote mental clarity and relaxation - and tour of a sustainable
property within a very relaxing and restful country setting overlooking the Kalgan River Valley

·       Then we head back to Albany and dinner at Lime 303 restaurant

 Day 3     Range Links, Meet and Great Local Vignerons

·       Next day with a departure at 8.30am we travel along Chester Pass Road heading toward the Porongurup Range to Castle Rock Skywalk for a walk to the top for a stunning panoramic view of both the Porongurup and Stirling Ranges

·       Following the walk we take morning tea at a local winery - Ironwood Winery where tastings and a glass of wine provides an experience of a local vigneron with the intense varietal fruit flavours of the mineral-rich wines of the local Porongurup Range wine producer

·       This country is famous for the stunning beauty of tall karri and open jarrah forests, unique eco systems and massive granite rocks and one of the five wine growing regions in the Great Southern, it is important for sheep, cropping and producing intensely flavoured wines

 ·       Breathing in the beauty of views of the Stirling Range, we settle in for morning tea before heading to Mt Barker to travel along Albany Highway to Gilberts Winery for a tasting and lunch with a complimentary glass of wine

·       Homeward bound we visit the Old Gaol, Police Station, Museum and the artwork in Mt Barker and then we drive to the top of Mt Barker to take in the splendid views across the ranges with Bluff Knoll in the far distance!

·       We then proceed back to our accommodation for a dinner at Lime 303 restaurant

 Day 4     Sustainability, Pristine Waters, Naval Encounters and Fine Dining

·       Next day with a departure at 9.00am we travel past the artwork on the wheat silo at the Port before driving to Middleton Beach and then stop to view the ocean at Emu Point where guests learn about Oyster Harbour. There is much to discover, the recovery programs for the sea grasses, the commercial farming and re-establishment of local oysters using an artificial reef system. Enjoy the estuarine birdlife as you learn about the history of the Kalgan River, the early French and British navigators, and finally as the meeting place for the Kalgan and King Rivers

·       Morning tea is then taken at Emu point Cafe before travelling via Lower King and Nanarup Road to view the Indigenous fish traps at Oyster Harbour. The local Indigenous Menang peoples of the Noongar nation trapped different fish species as a major food source.  You will see cultural sites over 6,000 years old

·     Lunch is then taken at a nearby winery which offers guests a real culinary experience as they enjoy matching wines with the selection of dishes – a real fine dining experience at a superb Great Southern restaurant and winery!

·       We then proceed back to our accommodation for a dinner at Lime 303 restaurant

 Day 5     “Place of Many Eyes,” Malleefowl, Pioneers and Prospectors and Multi-Cultural “Capital” of WA

·       Next morning we pack up and then depart via Chester Pass Road and through the Stirling Range and take a coffee break at the Bluff Knoll Cafe 

·       Then we take the route to the carpark lookout at Bluff Knoll, the highest peak being 1099 metres above sea level. It is known as the ‘place of many eyes’ or Pualaar Miial, by Indigenous Noongar people. We enjoy the panoramic views of the surrounding plains and see if we can spot black cockatoos, birds of prey, purple-crowned lorikeets, scrub wrens and other birds in their natural habitat

·       We meet our local Indigenous guide (if available) who will tell the local Goreng story of the mountains 

·       Then we take a detour drive heading along the Horsepower Highway toward Gnowangerup to view all the old tractors and other artwork that reflects the country regions of WA

·       Next on the agenda we visit the Ongerup Museum and Wildflower Centre and tour of the buildings prior to visiting the Yongergnow Malleefowl Centre in Ongerup for lunch

·       As lunch is being scheduled guests can take a guided tour of the Malleefowl sanctuary. The sanctuary is part of the National Malleefowl Recovery Program to protect endangered Malleefowl and their habitat. This country is known for the massive deforestation or clearing of vast ecologically rich and diverse Eucalyptus Mallee country. The Education Centre has some wonderful displays of the history of the region

·       After lunch we continue back to visit the Indigenous Art and Cultural Centre (if possible) in Gnowangerup

·       Then we depart to another famous icon in Western Australia, Broomehill - famous for the remarkable ingenuity of John Holland and his team, who in April 1893, carried their meagre supplies on horseback through harsh terrain to cut a shorter route for gold seekers to the new gold discoveries in the outback. 

·       Our final night stay is in Katanning where guests stay at the Premier Mill Hotel which is a converted roller flour mill, refurbished into modern accommodation, with an accompanying restaurant and cafe.  End the day by partaking in a traditional Australian pastime, a ‘Sundowner’, at the downstairs Cordial Bar at the Premier Mill Hotel, before tucking into a delicious meal at the nearby Royal Exchange Hotel. This is a tour favourite experience!

 Day 6     Mosques, Artwork, “Bart” the Sheep and Quaint Avon Valley Countryside

·       Start the day at 8.30am by finding out about the history of Katanning with a special guest historian who will impart the secrets of this famous town. Learn about the unique personalities that developed the railway line and opened up the hinterland for sheep and cropping

·       Then we take morning tea and meet the local community leader Alep at the “The Daily Grind” before heading off to find out how modern multi-cultural Australia is reflected in the celebration of Islamic culture and the opening of a local Mosque in Katanning along with viewing
the painted wildlife artwork and other local features around this incredible town

·       Via the wheat and sheep country we make our way to Wagin to visit “Bart” the massive sheep - this land in the Wheatbelt region has seen millions of sheep grazing and crops stretching skyward from the early settlement days of the 1800’s where wool raised on this land fetched record prices in Britain during the Industrial Revolution feeding the growth of the weaving industry and then followed by the “wool boom” in the 1950’s

·       We then depart on our way to Narrogin through Pingelly and the famous Nicky Winmar country and travel along the Great Southern Highway along the Avon River Valley commencing in Beverley and heading toward the historical town of York where we take a lunch break before enjoying an afternoon walk around the heritage buildings. There is much to see in this historic country town set either side of the Avon River – famous for its “Avon Descent” Then we depart for a final nights stay in the town of Northam at Farmers Home Hotel - a beautifully restored hotel in the centre of town

Day 7     Country Rivers, Heritage Precincts, Swan Valley Vineyards and the famous “Rose and Crown”  

·       Start the day at 8.30am by visiting the Bilya Koort Boodja Centre for Noongar Culture and Environmental Knowledge right on the Avon River before departing for another “river town” called Toodyay for morning tea and a walk along the main street of this town nestled adjacent to the Avon River. This towns was originally called Newcastle between 1860 and 1910 and during the 1860s, it was home to local bushranger “Moondyne Joe.”

·       Then we proceed through the Darling Range down onto the coastal plain for an appointment with a local well known vineyard for a fine dining experience and tastings of dry climate famous Swan Valley reds and whites and sparkling varieties before a sumptuous lunch

·       After the wining and dining experience we drive a short distance to the famous Rose and Crown Hotel in Guildford for and afternoon ‘sundowner’ along with afternoon tea and tour of the convict construction of the underground cellar and tunnel entrance

·       Final farewells are made at the Hotel Rendezvous Hotel on the Scarborough beachfront overlooking the Indian Ocean