WHEATBELT DOWN UNDER TOUR

We require a minimum of 8 visitors on this tour in a 12 seater people carrier. we can accommodate 10 visitors   

THEME: Discover the Great Southern, the history of colonisation and the stories about the original custodians of the land the first nation’s peoples, European settlement and land development. Hear about the rivalry between the Swan River Colony established in Perth and the first colonial settlement at Albany in 1826.

• After a quick pick up from various Perth City locations (starting from 8.30 am) we travel around Perth to well-known historic sites and arrive at Kings Park for morning tea in the glorious gardens. Enjoy the magnificent views of Perth, the sparkling Swan River and the General 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 the town of Williams. 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. Wool raised on this land fetched record prices in Britain during the Industrial Revolution feeding the growth of the weaving industry
• Williams Woolshed is our lunch destination and guests may like to wander through the adjacent Shearing Shed Museum. We travel on through farmland, observing the scenery and relaxing, until we reach the giant ram in Wagin. After a laugh or two we head to Dumbleyung, named by Aboriginal Noongars and visit the Aboriginal Wuddi Tours shop, where creative examples of this remarkable 45,000 year old culture, are available to purchase or view 
• Our next stop is Katanning for an overnight stay. Guests can choose to stay at a B&B or the Premier Mill Hotel (this incurs an additional fee). The Premier Mill Hotel is a converted 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. This is a tour favourite experience!
• Start the day 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. See how modern multi-cultural Australia is reflected in the celebration of Islamic culture and opening of a local Mosque
• Off we head to detour to Kojonup to view the old barracks, the spring and the historic water trough before understanding more about Brigadier Potts and the Kokoda Track of WW11 before departing
• Then off we head to another famous icon in Western Australia, Broomehill. Famous for the remarkable ingenuity of John Holland and his team, who in April the year 1893, carried their meagre supplies on horseback through harsh terrain to cut a shorter route for gold seekers to the new gold finds in the outback. In Broomehill we can enjoy a wine tasting and stop for lunch 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
• Just a short distance from Broomehill we travel down the “Horsepower Highway” to Gnowangerup to visit Mary’s Rock, Orchids and Indigenous museum
• Later we head to Bluff Knoll in the Stirling Range, the highest peak being 1099 meters above sea level. It is known as the ‘place of many eyes’ or Pualaar Miial, by Aboriginal 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. Afterwards, we enjoy a tasting at a local Porongurup winery and a spot of afternoon tea
• We spend several nights in Albany at the Best Western Motel and dine in a nearby restaurant
• In the morning we start the day afresh at 9.00 am and walk in the footsteps of the people in 1826 living at the first colonial settlement in Western Australia. We visit Albany’s historic Whaling Station http://www.discoverybay.com.au/historic-whaling-station where you can step aboard the former Cheynes IV Whalechaser ship, and enjoy this region’s wildflower garden and the wildlife park. Lunch is planned in the café that flanks the picturesque views across the islands to the mainland
• The afternoon activities include a visit to the National Anzac Centre https://www.nationalanzaccentre.com.au/ which offers a truly unique opportunity to absorb the reality of Australia’s first contingent of troops to WWI who were anchored in a large convoy in King George Sound (October 1914). 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
• On our return journey to Perth we visit the Sandalwood Shop for morning tea, the Museum in Mt Barker and then Gilberts Winery for tastings and an early lunch before stopping at the old Barracks and watering soak in Kojonup before finally having afternoon tea at the Williams Woolshed before finishing in Perth with a tour of Fremantle, Cottesloe and City Beaches