8-Day Southwest WA & Wildflowers

Welcome to our exciting holiday to the South West of WA with Premier Queensland. Sit back, relax and meet some of the fellow travellers as we express through to the Brisbane airport to board our flight to Perth*. Once we arrive in Perth we will be transferred through to our overnight accommodation. * Flight times TBA

Leaving Perth behind, we travel inland to reach our destination of Albany. Along the way we make a stop at Williams Woolshed for lunch. The Williams Woolshed comprises of 6 different stores from the latest woollen and cotton brands, through to gift and kitchenware and also a café where we have arranged a slightly early lunch.

Albany is known as the birthplace of the Anzac story and is home to the National ANZAC Centre. Today we will walk with the ANZACs and experience the Great War through their personal stories. Follow them from Albany in 1914, to the Middle East, to Gallipoli and across the Western Front, and, for too few, home to Australia and New Zealand. The National Anzac Centre uses multimedia and interactive technology to create a deeply personal connection with the past, as well as pay tribute to those who served. Set within Albany Heritage Park, the National Anzac Centre offers visitors a deeply personal connection with the Anzac experience. Within the National Anzac Centre, the key phases and events of the First World War are told through the stories of the ANZACs themselves. With unique content developed by the Western Australian Museum and Australian War Memorial, visitors assume the identity of one of 32 characters, and follow their personal experience of the Great War. Personal stories unfold through interactive, multimedia displays, poignant artefacts, rare images and film, and audio commentary.

Late afternoon we check in to accommodation – home for the next two nights.

This morning we join Albany Ocean Adventures for a two and a half hour cruise through the picturesque King George Sound. Leaving from the marina we look forward to seeing the historic sites including the decommissioned whale chaser, Cheynes II, Camp Qyaranup, Point King lighthouse and the Whale museum plus an abundance of wildlife as well as enjoying the natural beauty of the area. There is no-one better than our skipper to give interesting commentary about what we are seeing.

After the cruise we visit the Mount Romance Sandalwood factory. Here we are given lunch and a talk and shown the benefits of the Sandalwood plant as well as discover its fascinating history and traditional use as a medicine before antibiotics evolved. We will view the world-class technology used to process Australian Sandalwood oil, destined for some of the world’s leading perfume houses.

This afternoon we take a slow drive to see chainsaw sculptures carved by local artist Darrel Radcliffe. You will be fascinated and awed by the skill and intricacy of these sculptures, all made from wood and designed from a chainsaw. We return to the hotel late afternoon with time to freshen up for dinner.

This morning we farewell Albany and make our way to Walpole where we find an area known as the "Valley of the Giants" in the Walpole National Park. This morning we are booked for a Tree Top Walk – we explore the world-famous forest of gigantic tingle trees from 40 metres up in the canopy! This world-class tree-top walk soars gently upwards amidst the tingle foliage and opens up a world of birds and flowers that most people never see.

Lunch today has been arranged by the friendly folk at the Manjimup Heritage Park. We stay on for a fascinating self-guided tour of the State Timber Museum discovering the history of the State’s timber industry and learn how it continues to play an important role of people living in the Southern Forest Region.

This afternoon we arrive in Busselton. Our accommodation is situated ideally with the beach at the back door so why not feel the sand between the toes and enjoy a stroll prior to dinner.

Today we discover some true gems of Margaret River, known for its world class wine and incredible coastal scenery. Firstly, we call into Vasse Virgin, a natural soap factory. Here we’ll witness the soap makers at work as they hand blend a variety of luxurious natural body products using the finest extra virgin olive oil. Feel the difference in products at the various testing stations, especially for those who have allergies or sensitive skin. Indulge in some of the unique products before visiting. Sit back and relax as we enjoy a long lunch amongst the rolling hills, natural bushland and manicured gardens of Aravina Estate. Wander the gallery and marvel at the classic car collection while here too. We complete our day with a visit to the Margaret River Chocolate Company before making our way back to the hotel for dinner.

Today we discover more highlights of the region. We head south along the scenic Caves Road which will take us past the Margaret River mouth to Mammoth Cave. Mammoth is an impressive, gothic-like cave that could easily be described as the perfect home for a caveman. Early settlers to the region knew of this cave from around 1850, but it wasn’t actually explored until experienced caver Tim Connelly made the first record in 1895.

After a guided tour here, we visit the Cave Works Interpretive Centre where we will learn more about the formation and history of caves within the region. Sit back and relax now as we head to Cape Leeuwin where we find the historic Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse situated at the most south westerly tip of Australia where the Indian and Southern Oceans collide. The awesome force of the fierce Southern Ocean and powerful Indian Ocean crashing against the Cape makes a visit to the Cape a unique experience.

We call in for lunch at the Augusta Hotel overlooking the Hardy Inlet where the Blackwood River meets the Southern Ocean. We continue our journey through the township of Margaret River before completing our day with a visit to Margaret River Providore -a food and wine lovers paradise. The providore aims to celebrate good food, fine wine and freshly roasted coffee all under one roof surrounded by vineyards and organic vegetable gardens. What a fabulous way to end our time in the region!

Before departing Busselton, we call in to iconic Busselton Jetty – extending 1.7 kilometres across stunning Geographe Bay – is the longest timber piled jetty in the Southern Hemisphere. It’s all aboard the Stocker Preston Express electric jetty train, powered by solar panels and the first of its kind in Australia. At the end of the jetty is the Underwater Observatory, giving us the opportunity to experience one of Australia’s greatest artificial reefs. Descending eight metres below the surface, we’ll be led through the natural wonders that lie beneath the jetty. The reef is host to an awe-inspiring forest of vividly coloured tropical and subtropical corals, sponges and fish.

We now head to Bunbury, the second largest town in Western Australia. Our morning visit is to the Dolphin Discovery Centre that contains a vast exhibition about dolphins and marine environment with aquariums and loads of Interactive activities. Whilst here we take a 90-minute Dolphin Eco cruise and have lunch, then start making our way via Mandurah and Rockingham into Perth.

Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end. This morning we depart for the Perth Airport for our flights home via Brisbane. We’ll arrive home in Toowoomba, having had a fantastic holiday.