WHEATBELT DOWN UNDER BREMER CANYON

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THEME: 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” along with some stunning wildflowers and hear about the rivalry between the Swan River Colony established in Perth and the first colonial settlement at Albany in 1826.

Travel to Bremer Bay for a maritime journey visiting the Bremer Canyon to view Killer Whales and other marine life, learn about Broomehill and the gold prospectors who trekked along the Holland Track to the Goldfields and view other treasures like the Historical Whaling Station, National Anzac Centre and Premier Mill Hotel all complimented with wine tastings at several locations!

We travel through the Porongurup Range to the Stirling Range and beyond to view beautiful artwork, incredible landscapes 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.

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 then depart and travel straight to our destination for two nights in Albany at the Dog Rock Motel with dining at Lime 303 a classy restaurant which is part of the motel complex

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, where 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)

·       Finally 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 the final night of the tour with a dinner at Lime 303 restaurant

Day 3     Mountain Country, Birds, Wildflowers and Biospheres

·       Next day with a departure at 8.00am 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. We then travel 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

·       As we travel north past the Porongurup Range we can view the scenic Stirling Range in the distance and as we approach the Range we can see the extent of the amazing landscape – a relic of a pushed up seabed elevated by the movement of the tectonic plates over 1.5 billion years ago as ‘Gondwana” was split up into different continents

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

·       In the meantime lunch is being scheduled at the Yongergnow Malleefowl Centre Ongerup where guests can experience the Malleefowl sanctuary. The sanctuary is part of the National Malleefowl Recovery Program to protect Malleefowl and their habitat. This country is known for the massive deforestation or clearing of vast ecologically rich and diverse Eucalyptus Mallee

·       We make a quick visit to the Ongerup Railway Museum and wildflower display before heading via Jerramungup onto Bremer Bay on the south coast where we disembark for 2 nights at the Bremer Bay Beaches Resort. A ‘Sundowner’ is followed by dinner at the Resort

 Day 4     Killer Whales and Deep Sea Canyons

·       With an early rise and hearty continental breakfast at 8.30am we depart down to the harbour to catch Naturaliste Charters for a day trip of around 40-50kms out into the blue horizon to search for Killer Whales and other marine life that are located within the deep sea Bremer Canyon

·       Morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea are served on board and after the sea adventure we proceed back to shore with an estimated arrival time of 4.30pm

·       Once back on shore we clean up, refresh and share a “sundowner” at the front bar in the Resort which is followed by dinner

 Day 5     Mountain Country,

·       Next morning we are up and about early departing Bremer Bay and we head to Wellstead for morning tea and viewing the displays before travelling into “Gondwana Link” ie a connection of sub-economic rural properties where re-vegetation and restoration of natural habitats has been taking shape for several decades. A visit to a property maybe available depending upon the situation at the time

·       In the meantime lunch is being scheduled at the Yongergnow Malleefowl Centre Ongerup and then we continue our journey to Pingrup to view the painted wildlife artwork on the wheat silos (part of the FORM Public Silo Art Trail) to photograph the painted grain silos

·       This is followed by a visit to the Nyabing “Hub” to enjoy afternoon tea refreshments prior to a stop at Badgebup to see how the local Indigenous Ranger program is going

·       Our final stop is Katanning for two overnight stays. 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     Pioneers and Prospectors, Artwork, Mosques and Indigenous Art and Cultures,

·       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 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. In Broomehill we can enjoy morning tea at the historic Henry Jones Café and listen to several enthralling stories about Holland and the gold seekers who trekked over 533kms to the newly discovered goldfields in Coolgardie and Kalgoorlie in the 1890’s. Guests walk the town looking at remnants of the early prospectors

·       Then following morning tea we meet and chat to local community leader Alep at the “The Daily Grind” where we also enjoy lunch with a distinctly Malay cuisine before heading off to finding 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

·       After lunch we head off for Dumbleyung to learn about the “ace” Donald Campbell’s world speed lake exploits, visit Wuddi Tours Indigenous shop and take a short tour if time permits to visit local cultural sites and their bush garden followed by a return to Katanning

·       Again end the day by partaking in the traditional Australian pastime, a ‘Sundowner’, at the downstairs Cordial Bar, at the Premier Mill Hotel, before tucking into a delicious meal and getting that feeling of being spoilt for choice!

Day 7     “Bart” the Sheep and Quaint Avon Valley Countryside

·       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 8     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