West Coast Discovery

Flight Details: Homeport to Broome (flight times to be advised)

Today we land in the beautiful township of Broome in Western Australia’s Kimberley region, well known for the 22km long white sands of Cable Beach, the producers of some of Australia’s best pearls as well as its unique sunset camel rides. Originally founded as a pearling port over a hundred years ago, Broome now boasts a multicultural population of many nationalities lured here by the promise of finding their fortunes. Koepanger, Malay, Chinese, European and Aboriginal cultures have all blended to create a captivating, friendly and flamboyant personality that is the heart and soul of Broome. Upon arrival we are met by our coach captain who will transfer us to the hotel to check-in with time to refresh before dinner in the hotel restaurant.

Overnight Broome: Oaks Cable Beach Resort

Meals: Dinner

This morning our tour of Willie Creek Pearls offers the complete pearl experience, from telling the story of history and pearling in Broome, to educating about modern-day pearling, right through to commercial pearl farming and jewellery manufacture. Discover how pearls are produced in the protected tidal estuary and witness farming operations from the water on our cruise before watching a pearl presentation, followed by lunch. On our return back into Broome, we enjoy a short “Highlights of Broome Tour” hearing fascinating stories of the colourful precinct of Chinatown and Streeters Jetty where the Pearl Luggers unload their oysters, the famous Sun Pictures, the world’s oldest operating open air picture garden (now listed in the Guinness World Records). This afternoon we enjoy sunset drinks on CableBeach, where some passengers may also take the opportunity to take part in an iconic sunset camel ride - must be pre-booked. After sunset we return to the hotel for dinner.

Overnight Broome: Oaks Cable Beach Resort

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

After a relaxing morning at the hotel our Broome Dinosaur Adventure will transport us across the tidal floor to see dinosaur footprints in old petrified forest on the other side of Roebuck bay. Gliding along the tidal edge take in the view as Pelicans, Egrets, Osprey and Sea Eagle pass by, whilst marvelling at the dramatic red rich Pindan cliff backdrop as we land on a secluded patch of pristine coastline. As the tide continues to fall we then head off into the Bay, settle down on the sandy sea floor and let our pilots look after us with sparkling wine and hors d’oeuvres as the sun finally sets silhouetting the Broome Peninsula whilst glistening off ripples in the tidal floor. Following our wonderful

experience we return to the hotel for an evening at our own leisure.

Overnight Broome: Oaks Cable Beach Resort

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

Today we farewell Broome and set off to Port Hedland via the Great Sandy Desert, one of the must ‘sees’ in the state. Port Hedland is the second largest town in the Pilbara region of Western Australia, it has a population of 14,320 including the town of South Hedland. After our lunch stop (own expense) at the Sand Fire Roadhouse we continue our drive down into Port Hedland for check in and a rest. Late afternoon enjoy a fabulous sunset harbour tour of the Port Hedland’s port to see up close the Iron Ore ships, and learn about the operations of the port before returning to our hotel for dinner.

Overnight Port Hedland: Hedland Hotel

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Today after check out we venture to the stunning 627,422 hectare Karijini National Park which offers spectacular rugged scenery, ancient geological gorge formations, waterfalls, sparkling rock pools and a range of unforgettable experiences. Karijini National Park is the second largest national park in Western Australia, centred on the Hamersley Range. After a comfort stop and bite to eat at the Auski Tourist Village Roadhouse (own cost) our drive continues into the national park taking in the spectacular Dales Gorge, Fortescue Falls and the rock pools. After a stop at the

Karijini Visitors Centre we continue further into the park passing the Eco Village to the breath-taking Oxer Lookout for magnificent late afternoon views of the junction of the Red, Weano, Hancock and Joffre Gorges some 130m below. The lookout is a short walk from the car park and nearby is the Junction Pool Lookout with views of Hancock Gorge. An amazing day complete its check in time at the unique Eco Retreat en-suite tented accommodation, these provide a glamorous end to an adventurous day offering comforts that aren’t typically associated with camping. This evening meet for dinner at the Alfresco Restaurant to enjoy the uninterrupted view of the night sky.

Overnight Karijini: Karijini Eco Retreat (Deluxe Eco Tents - fans only)

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

This morning we farewell Karijini NP early and set out for a small town of Tom Price, nestled deep in the Hamersley Ranges at the base of the towering Mount Nameless in the Pilbara region. Home to one of the world’s richest Iron Ore deposits, the mine which is managed by Rio Tinto is one of the largest open cut mines in the world. We visit the Tom Price Visitor Centre for a short stop and morning tea. We continue our journey to Nanutarra Roadhouse for our lunch stop (own expense), before arriving into Exmouth for check-in to our accommodation and dinner.

Overnight Exmouth: Potshot Resort

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

After a leisurely breakfast, we enjoy a short sights tour of Exmouth before travelling out to Vlamingh Head Lighthouse, situated 17 km to the north of the settlement of Exmouth, overlooking Lighthouse Bay. We then return to Exmouth and visit the Ningaloo Aquarium and Discovery Centre, to explore the centre at our leisure. We have time to purchase lunch before returning to the resort for an afternoon at leisure, before dinner in a local restaurant.

Overnight Exmouth: Potshot Resort

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

We farewell Exmouth this morning and make our way south to Coral Bay, where we board our 3 hour Whale Watching Cruise. The Humpback Whales migrate through Coral Bay from June to October every year. View these incredible and inquisitive mammals in their natural environment playing, tail-slapping, breaching, waving and slapping massive pectoral fins, rolling and even sleeping! After a magnificent afternoon on the water, we continue towards Carnarvon, with a late arrival forncheck in. We enjoy dinner, before a good night’s rest, reflecting on our memorable day.

Overnight Carnarvon: Hospitality Inn

Meals: Breakfast, Light Lunch & Dinner

We continue our tour with a brief sights tour of Carnarvon, before our journey down along the west coast continues today to the iconic Monkey Mia situated on Shark Bay. After a comfort stop at the Shark Bay turn-off Roadhouse we stop in at the Hamelin Pool Stromatolites, one of only two places in the world with living marine stromatolites. Our next stop is at the amazing snow white Shell Beach made up of billions of tiny shells up to 10 metres deep and stretching for over 70 kilometres. There is no sand, only shells!. A short stop at Eagle Bluff Lookout provides breathtaking views out over the Denham Sound. The Ocean Park Aquarium is an award-winning, eco-friendly aquarium located on the pristine shores of the Shark Bay Marine Park. After lunch in Oceans Restaurant watch the raw fury of sharks feeding; discover moray eels, highly venomous sea snakes, excruciating stonefish and more! Learn about the secret lives of clownfish, stingrays, and visit the rescued sea turtles with our entertaining tour guide. Denham is both the western most town in Australia and the gateway to Monkey Mia. Take a stroll along Knight Terrace and check out the Old Pearler Restaurant which claims that it is the only restaurant in the world built entirely of tiny coquina shells. The Shark Bay World Heritage Discovery and Visitors Centre also provides an interesting stop to take in the importance and history of Shark Bay. From Denham it’s a 20 minute drive to the Monkey Mia Dolphin Resort for check in and rest before sunset drinks (own cost) and then dinner in the Restaurant. Wild dolphins have been visiting the shoreline at Monkey Mia virtually every day for over 40 years, making this spot in the Shark Bay World Heritage Area one of the best and most reliable places for dolphin interaction in the world.

Overnight Monkey Mia: Monkey Mia Dolphin Resort

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

A day of rest in this idyllic part of Australia, to relax or explore as we wish in this UNESCO World Heritage Shark Bay Marine Park which is known for its large marine animals, such as the famous Monkey Mia dolphins, turtles, dugongs, manta rays, sharks and other endangered marine life. After a relaxing free day, this afternoon we enjoy a sunset cruise, watch the sun settle over the Francois Peron National Park as our sails fill with the winds of Shark Bay. Sit back with a drink from the fully licensed Ocean Lounge Bar and enjoy the ride as we lose ourselves in nature’s music.

Overnight Monkey Mia: Monkey Mia Dolphin Resort

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Today we enjoy an early BBQ Breakfast before leaving this beautiful area and making our way to the North West Coastal Highway to Geraldton via Kalbarri. The Billabong Roadhouse provides a refreshment stop (own cost) before arriving in the Kalbarri National Park where Natures Window, Hawks Head Lookout, Ross Graham Lookout and the amazing Kalbarri Skywalk provide captivating views across the Kalbarri Gorges and Murchison River. This site includes the new twin skywalks built 100m apart at the Inyaka Wookai Watju site (the West Loop) across the gorge from Nature’s Window. The walkways project 25m and 17m beyond the gorge rim, more than 100m above the Murchison River. The Kalbarri National Park is one of the best known national parks in Australia with an exceptional display of wildflowers between August and October. There are several species that can only be found within the park, including the Kalbarri spider orchid. With a late lunch at local cafe, we continue along the famous coastal cliff drive including Pot Alley, Eagle Gorge, Island Rock and Natural Bridge plus the Pink Lake/Hutt Lagoon before a comfort stop in Northampton and then into Geraldton for check in to our hotel. We enjoy dinner this evening at a local restaurant.

Overnight Geraldton: Nesuto Geraldton

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

There is a lot to learn about this city and life in the Midwest at the Museum of Geraldton. The museum celebrates the region’s history and is a great place to visit to learn about the Batavia Shipwreck and Houtman Abrolhos Islands. A fascinating journey follows after we arrive at the Monsignor Hawes Heritage Centre, a state-of the-art interpretive centre, within the grounds of St Francis Xavier’s Cathedral that tells the story of architect-priest Monsignor John Cyril Hawes through his own words. By utilising Hawes’ diary entries, drawings and personal records, we are privy to Hawes’ personal thoughts. Large pull-out display drawers, designed to strict conservation standards, display a selection of Hawes’ original drawings and documents that wouldn’t otherwise be seen due to their fragile nature. The MHHC

complements the stunning St Francis Xavier’s Cathedral and is the gateway to the Monsignor Hawes Heritage Trail and generally regarded as one of his finest works. Following our tour it’s time to break for lunch (own cost) before our afternoon visit and guided tour at the HMAS Sydney WWII Memorial, dedicated to the lost lives in the greatest single tragedy in Australian naval history. We enjoy an evening at leisure this evening with our own choice for dinner.

Overnight Geraldton: Nesuto Geraldton

Meals: Continental Breakfast

After breakfast and checkout this morning, we continue our journey to the historic little settlement of Greenough, take note of the leaning trees! The Central Greenough Café and Visitor Centre provides the perfect location to enjoy morning tea and a little bit of history. The Big Lobster is worth a photo shot down in Dongara/Port Denison as is a drive along the foreshore to the Fishermen’s Memorial Lookout before enjoying lunch at a local restaurant. It’s time to leave the Brand Highway and take in some stunning ocean vistas and lookouts down along the picturesque Indian Ocean Drive through Green Head, Jurien Bay to Cervantes. On our arrival admire the views from Hansen Bay Lookout before check in at the Cervantes Pinnacles Motel. This evening we gather in the restaurant for dinner.

Overnight Cervantes: Cervantes Pinnacles Motel

Meals: Continental Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

After breakfast and check out we travel down to the remarkable Nambung National Park home to the extraordinary ancient limestone formations that make up the Pinnacles, one of Australia’s most unique landscapes. In places, the pinnacles reach up to 3.5m tall. Some are jagged, sharp-edged columns, rising to a point, while others resemble tombstones. The Pinnacles Desert Discovery Centre explains its mysteries, history and habitats. After lunch (own cost)) back in Cervantes our journey continues across to Dalwallinu via Miamoon Reserve and Wubin Rocks all part of the world famous Western Australian tourist routes through wildflower country. Keep a close watch for the rare and unusual Leschenaultia wreath flower which is famous in the region (subject to nature and seasonal elements). Also a major wheatbelt area, it would be remiss not to call in and take a look at the history of grain handling inside the Wubin Wheatbin Museum. Learn how the wheat was collected and stored in the early days by viewing a collection of photographs and a fascinating display of farming machinery. Walk around the original 1930s wheatbin where the museum is situated and compare its size and structure to the modern bins that are located next door and are in operation today. Its then time to settle into the Wheatland Motel in Dalwallinu before dinner in the Restaurant.

Overnight Dalwallinu: Wheatland Motel

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Today our WA adventure continues down to the iconic Wave Rock. On the way we make a stop for morning tea at the picturesque stone and mud brick dwellings known as ‘Slater Homestead’, a historically significant and heritage listed

collection of buildings. Proudly bearing testament to the pioneering spirit and foresight that opened up the heartlands of Western Australia. The Mallee Tree Cafe and Gallery in Corrigin provides the perfect stop for lunch before arriving in Hyden home to the amazing Wave Rock. After settling into our rooms at the Wave Rock Hotel Motel, we make our way across to the Wave Rock Wildflower Shop, Lace Museum and Toy Soldier exhibition before stepping out onto Wave Rock – a 27 million year old prehistoric granite rock formation that will leave us in awe. It is 15 metres high and 110 metres long and has weathered into the shape of a wave. Follow the walking track around and also see “Hippos Yawn” another unusually shaped granite formation that was formerly part of the larger outcrop. After sunset we make our way back to our motel for dinner.

Overnight Hyden: Wave Rock Hotel

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

This morning we farewell the rock and make our way across Fremantle travelling back through Corrigin where lies the famous Dog Cemetery, established in 1974, the cemetery is a tribute to man’s best friend. With over 80 loved ones now buried, unique to Corrigin and well worth a visit. Our next break comes at the historic township of York for the chance to purchase lunch before our tour. York was the first inland European Settlement in Western Australia and has maintained a vibrant spirit among its many Victorian and Federation buildings. On our highlights tour of York, admire the wonderfully preserved buildings and gain an insight into the grand old pioneer days. While still in York step inside the amazing Motor Museum where motoring history comes to life. A fascinating collection of cars and bikes that have cruised our roads and highways for over 100 years. From York it’s a 120km drive across to the port city of Fremantle our base for the next 4 nights. After unpacking for the final time, we regather for dinner in the Hotel Restaurant.

Overnight Fremantle: Esplanade Hotel Fremantle by Rydges

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Today, it’s into Perth to take in some of the city’s major sights and attractions. The Perth Mint provides a great starting point as we set off on a guided heritage walk which takes us through the grand heritage building, the heavily secured vault and the original melting house providing the cues for many extraordinary stories about Western Australia’s golden history and the Mint’s prolific output of priceless gold bars and coins. The Gold Exhibition is a world-class attraction which uses the latest innovations in exhibition concept design and audio visual technology, to bring the

story of Western Australian gold, and The Perth Mint, to life. Following our tour we have leisure time along Elizabeth Quay, before our tour at the Bell Tower, home of the Swan Bells, experience a fascinating live demonstration and explanation of full circle ringing by one of the experienced guides. The Anzac Bell commemorates the Centenary of Anzac 2014-2018, marking 100 years since Australia’s involvement in the First World War. Weighing in at 6.5 tonnes, the bell is the heaviest of its kind ever to be cast in Australia. Next stop is the Kings Park and the Botanical Gardens.

Kings Park is one of the world’s largest city parks. It is rich in Aboriginal and European history, contemporary culture and offers innovative design, displays and services. Kings Park has an international reputation for scientific research,

leading horticulture, conservation and public education and displays over 3,000 species of the state’s unique flora. Two thirds of the 400 hectare park is protected as bushland and provides a haven for native biological diversity. Then it is time to return to the hotel to refresh before dinner at a local restaurant.

Overnight Fremantle: Esplanade Hotel Fremantle by Rydges

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Today we travel across to Rottnest Island, WA’s most beautiful island believed to have been separated from the mainland approximately 7,000 years ago. Our visit to the Island includes the Oliver Hill Train and Tunnel Tour which takes us on an historical journey passing some iconic and historical landmarks on the island. Upon arriving at Oliver Hill, we are taken on a guided tour through the stunning tunnel system that once played a crucial role in Australia’s military defence in World War II. The area is still preserved with Rottnest’s WWII guns and tunnels, which commemorate its military history and our soldiers who fought to defend the shores of Western Australia. The island was home to intricate secret tunnels and housed 9.2″ guns to protect against invading Axis forces. Post-war, the 9.2-inch battery on the island was saved from disposal due to the high cost of removal and shipping of the guns to the mainland. This led to the preservation of the military artefacts. Now, this equipment provides a look at the rich history of the Western

Australian defence force and attracts many visitors to the area every year. After a day on the island our ferry then returns back to Fremantle, dinner tonight is at own choice and cost.

Overnight Fremantle: Esplanade Hotel Fremantle by RydgesMeals: Breakfast & Lunch

Today is all about Fremantle and however we want to enjoy it, there is so much within walking distance of our hotel’s doorstep. The Fremantle Roundhouse fires its cannon at 1pm, there’s the WA Maritime or Shipwreck Museums, Bon Scott’s statue for those AC/DC fans, Little Creatures Brewery or Bathers Beach House for those that want to kick back in the afternoon, The E Shed Markets and the Fremantle Harbour are just the tip of the iceberg. Our farewell dinner tonight is at the fabulous C Restaurant, Western Australia’s only revolving restaurant and located on the 33rd floor of the St. Martins Tower. After soaking in Perth from all angles today, we return to our hotel for the evening.

Overnight Fremantle: Esplanade Hotel Fremantle by Rydges

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner