20 Australian National Parks (NP) and a vast display of Western Australia wildflowers will feature in this extraordinary south west journey from Geraldton to Perth via Kalbarri and Nambung national parks, the Pinnacles Desert, York historic town, national parks and towns bordering the great southern ocean, the magnificent Karri forests and the award winning Margaret River vineyards. From day one you'll be captivated by the diversity, uniqueness, colour and vastness of the Western Australian wildflowers in bloom, their bizarre shapes and evolutionary significance, best discovered on foot in a series of day and half day guided walks, one of the finest spring time walking holidays you can imagine.

The proliferation of bird and animal life dependent on this wildflower spectacle, the giant forest trees and spectacular landforms both inland and forming some of the finest seascapes in the country, will etch their way into your life long memories, fascinating subject matter for an Australian ecotour.

We'll visit the whitest of beaches, pale green waters dissolving into deeper blues, granite headlands and flowering heathlands framing every view. Out to sea are intriguing Archipelagos which are sanctuaries to colonies of seals, penguins and various water birds.

This Nature Bound Australia journey takes in rugged eroded gorges, a diverse selection of coastal and inland Western Australia National Parks, and an abundance of flora and fauna not easily replicated elsewhere in the world, providing the perfect walking holiday experience..

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JOURNEY HIGHLIGHTS

From Geraldton to Perth (Western Australia)

Kalbarri National Park - The Murchison River, a central feature of this park, fed from its source some 500kms inland winds its way to the Indian Ocean by carving out a steep and twisted 80 km red and white banded gorge. Notoriously rugged sea stacks, the Loop, Z Bend and Hawkes Head are testimony to some of the erosive forces at work in the area.

More than 500 varieties of Australian wildflowers and orchids in the rich Kalbarri heathlands are on display in August to November following winter rains. Ospreys, wedge-tailed eagles, emus, euros, rock wallabies and red kangaroos also frequent the park

Heading south we reach the beautiful beaches, coastal sand dune systems and flowering heathlands of Nambung National Park, Desperation Bay, Stockyard Gully Caves and the prolific displays in a number of national parks along the Wildflower Way. We will be joined by a local guide on our various walks.

The eerie Pinnacles Desert in the heart of Nambung National Park exhibits thousands of limestone pillars of seashell origin protruding from yellow desert sands. We can walk to white, red or painted deserts and should be rewarded by vistas of native golden wattle in bloom stretching from horizon to horizon.

The National Trust classified York Historic Town, was the first inland European settlement in Western Australia and is deserving of our live-in experience for a night. Here was the departure point for intrepid pastoralists and explorers heading inland in the mid-1800s. It is one of the best preserved and restored historic towns in Australia.

Wave Rock and Hippos Yawn are unique rock formations of passing interest as we travel. Wave Rock takes the form of the perfect surfing wave, 15metres high and 100m wide.

We arrive at Esperence on the southern coastline bordering on The Great Australian Bight marked by the massive granite outcrops and peaks of Cape Le Grande National Park. Sweeping heathlands and wild coastal scenery provide the stimulus for our walks along the Coastal trail, visiting Hellfire Bay and Thistle Cove. Caves atop Frenchman Peak were formed 40 million years ago by wave action and underwater currents when the sea level was 300metres above its current level.

Dense thickets of Banksia in bloom are a prolific source of nectar for bird life, honey-possums and insects in the area.

The extensive Fitzgerald River National Park is our next focus, once rated as worthless by explorers and now deserving of Unesco Biosphere status having 1800 species of beautiful and bizarre Australian wildflowers - one of the most diverse botanical regions in the world. 110 plant species are virtually endemic to the area. The park is a haven for native animals and birds, some rare or endangered. One is the ground parrot which forages quietly in the heath all day and flies for only a very brief period before sunrise and sunset.

We leave the oldest European settlement in WA and the now whale watching centre of Albany for Porongurup National Park - The Devils Slide granite domes of this park are considered to be 1100 million years old. The Porongurup Range is 13kms long and is a remnant area for the towering Karri trees. During our visit the under-story vegetation should be a blaze of colour with distinctly Australian wildflowers. Also look for kangaroos, brush wallabies, scarlet and yellow robins and rufous tree creepers and other unique Australian wildlife.

Stirling Ranges National Park. - Bluff Knoll, the highest peak in WA is fringed by 1500 species of Australia wildflowers (more species than in the entire British Isles) and offers a half day energetic return walk to its summit. The ranges are also renowned for their spectacular and unusual cloud formations about the peaks.

Walpole-Nornalup National Park - The Valley of the Giants and a treetop walk rising 38 metres above the forest are renowned attractions in this area. Towering Karri and the huge buttressed Red Tingle forests thrive in the high rainfall. We'll select some short guided walks taking in coastal views and forest features.

Mt Frankland National Park - This park boasts a prolific bird population surrounding the mountain and accessible on very short walks. Ideal bird watching conditions could result in sightings of red-tailed black cockatoos, parrots, rosellas and lorikeets, birds of prey, cuckoos and kingfishers including the largest in the world, Australia's renowned laughing Kookaburra.

We'll pass by Gloucester National Park to visit our most famous Karri Tree standing 60 metres tall and once a foresters lookout to detect threatening fires. Visitors climb to its lofty crown for sensational forest views. The original climb up the tree took an enduring 6 hours not made easy by the enormous girth.

We'll walk some imposing coastal seacliffs at D'Entrecasteaux National Park before concluding our journey at Leeuwin Naturaliste National Park which has 100 kms of coastal scenery forever resisting the forces of giant sea swells off the Indian Ocean. Curious features include Canal Rocks, Sugarloaf Rock, the Calgardup and Giants caves and Cape Naturaliste. Several walks are available for our choosing

The internationally renowned Margaret River vineyards region with its 60 producers of fine Australian wines, galleries of fine arts and gourmet foods is seemingly a "stones throw" away from the Leeuwin Naturaliste NP suggesting a delightful mix of walking, exploring, browsing, tasting and celebrating to end our extraordinary journey.

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WALKING ACTIVITY

Day/Half Day walks scheduled for Kalbari NP, National Parks of the Wildflower Way, Nambung NP, village of York, Cape Le Grande NP, Fitzgerald River NP, Porongurup / Stirling Ranges NP, Mt Frankland and neighbouring NP's, D'Entrecasteaux NP and Leeuwin Naturaliste NP.

Short strolls included in all travel days as we shift from one National Park or reserve to another.

ACCOMMODATION

Selection from motels, historic hotels, lodges and resorts with private and shared facilities.

MEALS

All main meals (BLD), morning and afternoon teas included on all days.

GETTING THERE

Our journey commences in Geraldton a regional flight of 1 hour 5 minutes north from Perth. The journey from Sydney to Perth with Qantas or Virgin is approx. 5 hours.

DURATION

Ultimate journey 25 days. It is possible to join select sections of this tour for 8 or 17 days. See "Price on Application" below.

DEPARTURES

Our groups meet at the departure point the evening before for final administration and Meet'n Greet.

BEST MONTHS TO VISIT

September to November

PARTICIPANTS

Available to both independent travellers and groups.
Minimum of 14.

INCLUSIONS

Meals as indicated, tour memento, National Park entries, accommodation twin share, transport and guide services, celebration dinner, local guide fees, various feature entries and travel extras.

EXCLUSIONS

Free time and personal costs. Any optional activities elected by participants and not part of our guided journey. Personal travel insurances. Pre and post travel arrangements. Australian departure taxes. Food and beverages additional to those provided.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

HEALTH AND FITNESS
Walks on this tour require a moderate to advanced degree of fitness. They will range in duration from 30minutes to 6 hours. Some walks on exposed rock faces and seascapes will require common caution. Tracks will vary from well formed to moderately rough with rocks and tree roots to step over. You will need to carry a small day pack with essential provisions for the day ...More

WHAT TO BRING
On receipt of your confirmed booking and deposit we will forward to you general information and checklists relating to your preparation for a comfortable journey.

WEATHER
This area of Western Australia has a Mediterranean climate and the tour has been scheduled for wildflower season. Temperatures are expected to range from 9° C - 20° C (48° F - 68° F) and there could be a few days with rain.

PRE AND POST TRAVEL SUGGESTIONS

Contact us if we can assist you with travel arrangements complementing this, South-West in Bloom journey.
These may include the following suggestions:

FROM Perth It is expected all tour participants will fly to Geraldton from Perth to commence the tour. Some international participants may enter Australia via Perth and be well positioned for the start of the tour. Day trips out of Perth can be arranged including a visit to Rottnest Island.

Heading east across Australia there is a host of cities, regions and features to choose from, matching your personal interests.

 

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

We invite you to read the terms and conditions of travel with Nature-Bound Australia before placing a reservation. You will be asked to confirm your understanding of these details when booking. Participation in our journeys will be on the basis you have read, understood and accepted the terms and conditions ...More

PRIVACY AND DISCLAIMER

Our privacy and disclaimer statements govern the manner in which we manage and safeguard private information you supply us in enquiring of and participating in our journeys. Please read these before communicating with us ...More

ENQUIRE FURTHER

To enquire about a tour, please select the appropriate option below...

	Independent travellers
	Group travel organiser

PRICE ON APPLICATION

Our tours are offered on a near all-inclusive price basis with generous extras and are designed for the discerning traveller who is a collector of authentic experiences. This tour is offered as an extended journey of 25 days to gain the ultimate experience and most diverse coverage of features in the regions visited.

Understandably, some guests have limited time and travel budget constraints but recognise the style and inherent value of a Nature-Bound journey. For these guests there is opportunity to join select sections of the tour varying in length of 8 or 17 days with appropriate price variations.

To find out more, click to see the online price on application form.

You may also care to email us with your specific requirements.

RESERVATION REQUEST

	1 - 4 people
	5 or more people

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