Perth and Fremantle Highlights

This Tour is an excellent introduction for your first visit to WA.

Visit South Perth to see Perth City and Kings Park from the opposite side of the Swan River. Tour the scenic route around the Swan River via the Causeway, which is the gate way into Perth city. Visit Kings Park, 1000 acres of natural bushland with botanical gardens. Stroll the Federation Walk way overlooking Perth, Swan River and the Darling Ranges (Perth Hills). Drive along the Swan River with its spectacular early settled suburbs.

Fremantle has a diverse cosmopolitan history interwoven with maritime history. Fremantle is provincial. In recent times, Fremantle was the site of Australia’s defence of the America’s Cup in 1987. There is an exuberant nautical atmosphere at the fishing boat harbour. Visit the historic Round House, Maritime museum and Fremantle markets open Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Travel along the sparkling west coast to Cottesloe, Perth’s best known beach with its white sands and aquamarine water.

Tour operates daily. Departs Perth hotels 8.30am return 12.30pm

~~$138.00 per person~~

The Pinnacles, Cervantes

The Pinnacles are made up of thousands of limestones pillars, (182,074 columns) in a yellow sand dessert resembling an ancient ruin. An area of approximately of 200 hectares in the Nambung National Park. The sight is spectaculare any time of the day year round.

We will be driving into the Pinnacle Desert so you are able to get out of the vehicle and walk among the Pinnacles to enjoy the true dimention of Nature at its most creative.

Visit scenic Hang Over Bay to see the pristime white beach and sparkling aquamarine waters of the Indian Ocean. You may go for a walk along the beach.

After lunch in Cervantes a Western Australian Rock Lobster industry town, visit Lake Thetis to view Stromatolites, which are one of the earliest forms of life to evolve on our planet.

Tour operates daily. Depart 7.00am return 5.30pm.

~~$192.00 per person~~

Margaret River Scenic Tour

Discover the Margaret River region phenomenon. Premium wines, vineyards, spectacular surfing and beach coastlime, pristine ocean vistas, contrasting countryside and forests combine to attract visitors from around the world to the superb reagion.

Our tour starts with a visit to Busselton to see the famous 2km long timber jetty, then on to scenic Dunsborough with sparkling turquoise beaches. Visit Happs Winery and Pottery Gallery or Clairault Estate, which are surrounded by tall timber bushland. Enjoy lunch in Margaret River township at one of the smart cafes. Visit Surfers Point for stunning views of the coastline at the mouth of the Margaret River. Treat yourself at our visit to the Chocolate factory. Experience a relaxing day sight seeing and enjoying the treats on Western Australia's famous wine region.

Tour operates daily. Depart 7.00am return 6.30pm.

~~$192.00 per person~~

New Norcia

Unique Heritage in the Australian bushland.

Australia's only monastic town. Home to a community of Benedictine Monks. With a blend of Spanish architecture, European art treasures and pioneer history in the Western Australian bush land. New Norcia history is; Mission period commencing in 1846 with the local Aborigines, Education for the outback children and Heritage and Tourism.

On a guided tour of the town and visit the Monks’ old and new chapels, Abbey Church, St Gertrude’s and St Ildephonsus Colleges. Visit the extensive museum and art gallery. Containing one of the finest collections of movable heritage in Australia. Paintings by Spanish and Italian masters, priceless manuscripts and religious artifacts. Bread baked daily at the monastery bakehouse. Nut Cake and Dom Salvado Pan Chocolatti baked in the Monastery wood-fired oven, premium Olive Oil is processed from the Benedictime Community Olive Grove and New Norcia Abbey Wines

Tour operates daily. Depart 8.30am. return 5.00pm.

~~$142.00 per person~~

The Avon Valley: York, Northam and Toodyay

Get acquainted with the Western Australian countryside, bushland and rural heritage.

York is Western Australia's first inland rural town (1831) and one of the best preserved historical towns in the whole of Australia. York is a town rich in Victorian and Federation buildings. Visit the Court House Museum, a Fine Art and Furniture Gallery that is influenced by the wide open spaces of the region and browse around the town.

Northam is a large central wheat belt town nestled in the heart of the Avon Valley, travel through productive wheat, sheep, cattle and agricultural country. The Avon River is home to a colony of white swans. Another attraction on the Avon River is the Suspension Bridge which crosses the river near by the town centre. Northam is the starting point of the famous two day "Avon Descent White Water Classic" in August each year.

Toodyay located by the Avon River. Many of its buildings date back to the convict era in the 19th Century. Its peaceful appearance belying its history as a centre for the adventures of bushranger Moondyne Joe. Toodyay is a picturesque township with a village atmosphere. Visit Connors Mill Museum and go for a walk in the township.

Tour operates daily. Depart 8.30am return 4.30pm.

~~$142.00 per person~~

Swan Valley and Perth Hills

A perfect combination of history, nature, bushland, wine tasting and local food just a short drive from Perth.

Swan Valley is Perth's local wine region. Visit historic Guildford. The old gaol, court house, colonial homes, go for a walk on the upper reaches of the scenic Swan River, and visit the Chocolate factory, Oggies Ice Cream. Mondo Nougat, the wildlife park to see Australian wildlife. Tour the scenic Darling Range, visit historic Mundaring Weir: which supplies Perth and Kalgoorlie in the Goldfields their water requirements. See Western Australian bushland close to Perth. Visit scenic Bickley Brook, return to Perth via Kalamunda at the top of Perth Hills.

Tailor this tour to your interests; discuss your options when booking tour.

Tour operate daily departs 9am return 4.30pm

~~$142.00 per person~~

Wave Rock, Hyden

A fascinating day exploring geologic features in the “Outback”.

Marvel at the colours and the landforms as you escape to the real "Outback". Hyden is located in the Wheatbelt region directly east of Perth. Wave Rock is located 4km east of Hyden on a natural 160 ha reserve. Geologists believe the original formation was sculptured and coloured by chemicals over 2,700 million years to take on its wave-like character. Wave rock rises 15m above the ground and 110 metres long is like a giant wave about to break. Visit Hippo's Yawn Cave, Mulka’s Cave (the name Mulka comes from an Aboriginal legend associated with the cave) the Humps and Gnamma Hole (an aboriginal water hole in the granite rocks).

Tour operates daily. Depart Perth 7.00am return 6.00pm.

~~$192.00 per person~~

Hot Air Ballooning in the Avon Valley

An adventure day tour a short distance from Perth

Arise early for your tour from Perth to your flight in a Hot Air Balloon at Northam. At the crack of dawn float away on a delightful adventure in your hot air balloon over the scenic Avon Valley at Northam a one hour drive from Perth. Enjoy a champagne breakfast after your flight.

Following your Hot Air Ballooning experience we will sight see Northam and visit historic York before returning to Perth.

Northam is a large central wheat belt town nestled in the heart of the Avon Valley, travel a productive Agricultural region which has wheat, sheep and cattle . The Avon River at Northam is home to a colony of white swans. Another attraction on the Avon River is the Suspension Bridge which crosses the river near by the town centre. Northam is the starting point of the famous two day "Avon Descent White Water Classic" in August each year.

York is Western Australia's first inland rural town (1831) and one of the best preserved historical towns in the whole of Australia. York is a town rich in Victorian and Federation buildings. Visit the Court House Museum, browse around the town, and go to see a Fine Art and Furniture Gallery, which is influenced, by the wide-open spaces of the region.

Tour Operates from April – late November 2006

Weekends and Public Holidays ~~$367.00pp~~

Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday ~~$345.00pp~~

BOOKINGS AND PAYMENT

Advance booking is essential

To make a reservation please phone 0429 385 642 or email countryescapes@iinet.net.au

Payment is required in full once you have made a reservation.

Recommended minimum age 8 years

No maximum age limit as long as passengers are fit enough to get in and out of the Wicker Basket and able to stand and enjoy the flight for its duration approximately 45mins to one hour.

Please advise us of your weight at time of booking this tour.

For more information, go to www.windwardballooning.com

The Peel Region

Mandurah, Dwellingup and Jarrahdale

A relaxing day sightseeing and enjoying scenic attractions a short drive from Perth

The Peel region south of Perth is diverse in its attractions a coastal strip with aquatic attractions: boating, fishing, crabbing for Mandurah‘s famous blue crab in the Peel Inlet, dolphins, pelicans and many more birds from the breeding sanctuaries near by. Inland there is farming and mining and in the hills the Darling Ranges, tall old growth and regrowth Jarrah forests, Nature reserves and National Parks with walking trails and wildflowers in season.

Mandurah
At Mandurah enjoy morning tea at a park by Mandjah Bay in the heart of town and walk along the boardwalk. See the out standing cultural centre, cafes, restaurants, variety of shops and parklands by the foreshore and the new marina development. We tour along the Mandurah Estuary to see wonderful homes on the canals and may be spot a dolphin. Travel by the edge of the Peel Inlet for isolated vistas for the waterways.

Dwellingup
Dwellingup is a small timber town nestled in the Darling Ranges. There is old growth and regrowth jarrah forests with walking trails, wildflowers in season, small farms, orchards and vineyards. Enchanting country lifestyle atmosphere to take a break for lunch. After lunch go for a walk along the Bibbulmun Track to take in the local jarrah forests.

Jarrahdale
Jarrahdale town is classified by the National Trust, recognising its importance as the first timber town in the state, established in 1872. Jarrahdale and its quaint timber cottages is surrounded be State Forest and the Serpentine National Park. Visit Millbrook Winery that over looks a lake and rolling hills.

Tour operates daily Depart 9am return 4pm.

~~$142.00 per person~~