WESTERN AUSTRALIA’S WILDFLOWERS
11 – 25 SEPTEMBER 2022
FULLY BOOKED
ITINERARY
Let Australian plant lover Colin Barlow introduce you to the diverse natural wonders of southern Western Australia. Meet milkmaids, honeypots, green kangaroo paws and mountain bells in the wild, and catch the extravaganza of the Kings Park Wildflower Festival.
DAY 1
Sunday 11 September 2022
Home – Perth (D)
Meet our Ross Tour Leader Colin Barlow at Perth Airport. Check in to the Duxton Hotel, our home near the Swan River for 2 nights. Join your fellow travellers at our welcome dinner tonight.
Accommodation: Duxton Hotel, Perth
DAY 2
Monday 12 September 2022
Fremantle (B/D)
This morning we head to wildflower hotspot, Wireless Hill Park. The panoramic views of the city & Swan River are breathtaking! Free time to explore. Then we visit the wildflowers of South Beach & Bold Park, Perth’s largest urban bushland park. Finish the day at Perth’s iconic Cottesloe Beach with dinner & sunset views.
Accommodation: Duxton Hotel, Perth
DAY 3
Tuesday 13 September 2022
Perth to Albany (B/L)
Today we head south to the historic port town of Albany through majestic forests of Marri Red Gums & ancient towering Jarrah trees. En route, stop for lunch at Kojonup, go hunting with Colin for delicate spider & cowslip orchids.
Accommodation: Dog Rock Hotel, Albany
DAY 4
Wednesday 14 September 2022
Valley of the Giants (B/L)
A bucket list day! Ascend to the treetops of some of the tallest trees on earth. The Valley of the Giants Treetop Walk gives you a bird’s eye view of ancient red tingles (Eucalyptus jacksonii) – trees which occur nowhere else in the world & whose origins trace back to Gondwana!
Accommodation: Dog Rock Hotel, Albany
DAY 5
Thursday 15 September 2022
Albany (B/L)
Explore the unique beauty of WA’s ancient southern coastline & floral diversity. First, we head to the Gap & Natural Bridge. The nearby Regional Wildflower Centre is a botanic hotspot with over 10,000 indigenous plants. Step back in time at the historic Whaling Station.
Accommodation: Dog Rock Hotel, Albany
DAY 6
Friday 16 September 2022
Stirling Ranges(B/L)
Explore the beautiful and diverse Stirling Ranges and Porongurup NP regions today, some of the world’s biodiversity hotspots. There are more than 1,500 species of plants in the Stirling Ranges alone. Watch out for some of the 148 bird species, including electric blue fairy-wrens, brilliant parrots and soaring majestic wedge-tailed eagles.
Accommodation: Dog Rock Hotel, Albany
DAY 7
Saturday 17 September 2022
Albany to Hopetoun(B/L/D)
Travel east today and see a floral highlight at the Ravensthorpe Wildflower Show. For the last 38 years, this show has become one of the biggest & best in WA! The festival showcases local wildflowers. Over 500 botanically identified specimens are on display. Check into our Wavecrest Village for 3 nights.
Accommodation: Wavecrest Village, Hopetoun
DAY 8
Sunday 18 September 2022
Fitzgerald River National Park (B/L)
More wildflowers today in Fitzgerald River National Park including Qualup Bells, Possum banksias, regelias, the bell-fruited mallee, Scarlet Banksia and the ‘jug’ flowers of Albany Woolly Bush. Recognised as one of the most botanically significant parks in Australia, Fitzgerald River National Park is home to nearly 20% of Western Australia’s flora species, many of them endemic. We’ll find a perfect shady picnic spot!
Accommodation: Wavecrest Village, Hopetoun
DAY 9
Monday 19 September 2022
Ravensthorpe (B/L)
We’re off to explore the triangle between Hopetoun, Jerdacuttup and Ravensthorpe, recognised as one of the most botanically significant areas in Australia. See banksia artwork painted wheat silos and the Ravensthorpe Ranges.
Accommodation: Wavecrest Village, Hopetoun
DAY 10
Tuesday 20 September 2022
Hopetoun to Esperance (B/L/D)
Take the cross-country road through wetlands and mallee country to Esperance. See water birds and iconic wildflowers including red kangaroo paw and pretty lemon flowers of the grey cottonheads, Conostylis. Check into our motel overlooking Esperance Bay for 2 nights.
Accommodation: Hospitality Inn, Esperance
DAY 11
Wednesday 21 September 2022
Cape Arid (B/L)
We’re travelling east today to Cape Arid National Park. Bring binoculars and telephoto lens as bird watching is on the agenda: Cape Barren geese, Western Ground Parrots and Carnaby’s Black Cockatoos. Whale watching too. Picnic amongst a wealth of flora here; banksias, ground orchids, flowering melaleucas and the nude grevillea!
Accommodation: Hospitality Inn, Esperance
Day 12
Thursday 22 September 2022
Esperance to Hyden (B/L/D)
As we head north today, we travel through Salmon Gum country where graceful pink barked eucalypts and carpets of wildflowers colour the dry landscape. At Hyden, visit the world-famous Wave Rock – a 2,700 million-year-old granite rock that’s 15m high, 110metres long and looks remarkably like a giant wave about to break! Picnic lunch en route and dinner at the Wave Rock Hotel.
Accommodation: Wave Rock Hotel, Hyden
DAY 13
Friday 23 September 2022
Hyden to Perth (B/L)
Travel back to Perth through the famous Western Australian Wheatbelt Country. Stop at Corrigin, charmingly known as the ‘Town of Windmills’ due to the abundant supply of groundwater. Almost every home had a windmill until 1960 when the town was supplied with scheme water. Carpets of everlasting daisies and fabulous proteaceae plants including banksias, grevilleas, hakeas and dryandras are a feature of this area. Check into the Duxton Hotel in Perth for the next 2 nights.
Accommodation: Duxton Hotel, Perth
DAY 14
Saturday 24 September 2022
Kings Park (B/D)
It’s festival time in Perth’s famous Kings Park, a most fitting way to end our botanic journey. The 400-hectare Botanic Garden boasts more than 1,700 native species. At the 56th Kings Park Festival, there will be show-stopping floral displays. Farewell Dinner at the Duxton tonight.
Accommodation: Duxton Hotel, Perth
DAY 15
Sunday 25 September 2022
Perth – Home (B)
Say goodbye to Perth and friends today as we head to the airport for flights home.
HOW TO BOOK
To secure your booking and make your deposit, please complete our online booking form.
You will be contacted by a Ross Tours Travel Manager to confirm your details and preferred method of payment.
CANCELLATIONS
Cancellations received 180-120 days prior to departure will incur loss of deposit.
Cancellations received between 119-60 days prior to departure will incur a 50% cancellation fee.
Cancellations received between 59-30 days prior to departure will incur a 75% cancellation fee plus any non-recoverable costs incurred.
Cancellations received within 30 days prior to departure will incur 100% cancellation fee.
Cancellations must be sent in writing.
Cancellation fee is based upon the total amounts paid including tours, airfares and all other travel arrangements.
All prices in Australian Dollars. Prices based on minimum 15 passengers. Price is based on departure from Sydney. Price from NZ and other Australian ports available on application. Ask us about other sightseeing and travel arrangements including pre and post tour accommodation, transfers, stopovers and other tours.
Please refer to the Ross Garden Tours standard terms and conditions
TOUR INCLUSIONS
TOUR ESCORTED BY
COLIN BARLOW
- Return group airfare Sydney-Perth-Sydney
- Air-conditioned 4WD coach throughout tour
- Best available accommodation for 14 nights with
- Breakfast daily, 11 lunches and 7 dinners
- Entrance fees to all gardens and sightseeing including Wireless Hill Park, Bold Park, Albany Regional Wildflower Garden, Kings Park Perth, Fitzgerald River National Park, Cape Arid, Albany Historic Whaling Station, Jarrah Forest, Valley of the Giants Tree Tops Walk, The Gap & Natural Bridge, Bluff Knoll, Wave Rock, Kings Park
TOUR PRICE
Twin Share per person land only $7,295
Twin Share per person including air $7,995
Single Supplement $1,295Book and pay in full by 14/05/22 to receive the Early Bird Discount of $200.00 per person off the final instalment.
DISCOUNTS
Previous Traveller $100.00
Garden Clinic Member $50.00Watch Colin talk about the tour
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