Western Australia
Flowers and Wildlife
Sunday 7 - Friday 26 September 2008 (19 days)
Join us in the Australian springtime, amongst spectacular lush coastal and arid interior landscapes, for a superb introduction to the natural history of the vast 'botanical garden' that is Western Australia.
© Steve Knott/Nature Portfolio
The Pinnacles
Australia is a vast, ancient and surprisingly diverse continent. Western Australia is particularly fascinating. Isolated, as it has been for eons, by desert and ocean, Western Australia is home to over 12,500 plant species. It has one of the most diverse ranges of wild flowers in the world. In particular Perth and the south-west have over 4,000 flowering plants, 80% of which grow nowhere else - an incredibly rich and spectacular flora.
And the attractions do not end with the renowned wild flowers. A unique coral reef is found in the northwest, while Dugongs graze on eelgrass in Shark Bay. National parks at Cape Range and Kalbarri include dramatic canyons, gorges and wildlife. Desert predominates inland, and luxuriant jarrah/karri rain forest not to mention excellent vineyards dot the deep south. To cap it all off the Western Australian coast is magical.
Our tour, beginning in the north-west and finishing in Perth, concentrates on discovering and gaining an insight into the magnificent array of wild flowers in the state, while also gaining a deeper appreciation and understanding of the wider natural heritage.
Once again the tour is devised and led by ecologist and botanist, Mark Hanger.
This will be our twelfth tour to Australia.
Please note: This tour can easily be combined with longer stays in Australasia. Please contact us if you would like us to arrange separate flights, or any extensions.
Price: £ 3,895
Single supp.: £ 545
Deposit: £ 600 per person
The price is per person and includes scheduled economy class flights London-Perth*, airport taxes, ground transportation, accommodation on a full-board basis, local taxes, tips, and the services of the leaders.
The price excludes Visa (ETA) cost (c£20 through us), travel insurance, drinks, optional tips to the local drivers and other personal expenses.
*For a price excluding the flights London-Perth, please deduct £ 775 from the tour cost. If you are booking your own flights please contact us first to check that the times fit with the current itinerary.
Leaders: Bob Gibbons and Mark Hanger
Itinerary:
Days 1 & 2
We leave London on a scheduled flight to Perth, arriving mid-afternoon of Day 2, when we meet Mark and transfer to our hotel.
Overnight Perth
Day 3
In the morning we have a gentle start, with a walk in the renowned Kings Park Botanic Gardens. Then we head back to the airport for a flight to Exmouth for a two-night stay, starting with an exciting afternoon boat trip into the gulf for two to three hours to look for Humpback Whales.
Overnight Exmouth
Day 4
We travel into the Cape Range National Park, one of the special places in Western Australia. Here spectacular limestone ranges and deep canyons form a backdrop for Emus, Red Kangaroos, and other wildlife, not to mention a diverse and colourful flora.
At lunchtime we take a small boat cruise on Yardie Creek to view a wide range of wildlife, and in particular the Rock Wallabies. We have a chance for a swim at remote Turquoise Bay on the way back to Exmouth. The coral sea here has superb colours
Overnight Exmouth
Day 5
In the morning we drive to Coral Bay, where we take a two hour excursion by charter vessel to the Ningaloo Reef, the largest fringing coral reef in the world. The crystal clear lagoons, white sandy beaches, and over two hundred species of coral combine to form a marine paradise. We’ll have a chance to snorkel on the reef, or simply view the amazing marine life through the glass bottom of the boat. We return mid-afternoon and drive south to Carnarvon.
Overnight Carnarvon
Day 6
We travel south to the renowned Shark Bay World Heritage Area - a region with unique geological, historical, and natural features including remarkable stromatolites – rock formations thought to be caused by the earliest life-forms on earth. We take an afternoon boat trip to view the amazing gentle marine mammals, Dugongs, as they graze on the sea grass beds of Monkey Mia. We stay nearby in Denham.
Overnight Denham
Days 7 - 8
We depart for Kalbarri National Park, on the way visiting the coast with more bizarre stromatolites en route. Later we start to see the first roadside displays of the renowned wildflowers of Western Australia. We shall lunch at Eurardy Sheep Station just north of Kalbarri, with the Australian Nature Conservation Trust, then enjoy a botanical tour of their reserve. This station has an incredible array of Western Australian wild flowers, and we should be visiting right at peak flowering. We'll enjoy a half day drive around the station with the owners to view and photograph wonderful everlastings, orchids and grevilleas, and should see a good number of West Australian birds.
Next day we visit the Kalbarri National Park, discovering the huge variety of wildflowers, the Murchison River gorges, and the coast. Both the sand plains and the coastal cliffs abound in magnificent displays of river gums, gold and orange banksias, grevilleas, kangaroo paws, featherflowers, starflowers, and smokebushes.
Two nights Kalbarri
Day 9
Leaving Kalbarri behind we head south, and then continue inland to the dry Tallering region. Here amidst the sand and shrubland grow perhaps the most spectacular of Western Australia’s wildflowers, the wreathflower. The flora in this region is markedly different from any other area on the trip. Other special plants may include native pomegranate, Pink Fountain and Wells dampiera. We continue to Geraldton this evening.
Overnight Geraldton
Days 10 - 11
This morning we drive south to perhaps the most spectacular natural feature in Western Australia - the Pinnacles, where we walk amongst these magnificent rock formations. On the drive the coastal wetlands may offer opportunities to see some waterfowl, while coastal heathlands are sure to contain further botanical gems. In the afternoon we drive to Perth. Many of the roads at this time will be lined with what appear to be veritable botanic gardens.
The next day will be free to explore Perth, take a Swan River excursion, visit renowned Rottnest Island, or take in historic Freemantle.
Two nights Perth
Day 12
Depart Perth for the south-west and Narrogin. The Dryandra woodlands are a focus today. A huge array of leguminous and proteacous shrubs should be in bloom. In the evening we go out to view endangered marsupials, and learn of the Project Western Shield programme to conserve the endangered mammals of the region.
Overnight Narrogin
Days 13 - 14
We depart for the southern coast. This brings new landscapes as the vast interior of Western Australia beckons. It is an all day travel day as we head directly east to the Bay of Isles and Esperance. Features en route will be the salt pans of Lake King, and widespread roadside shrublands ablaze with colourful flowers.
Outstanding scenery and some of the state’s most stunning beaches are included in nearby Cape Le Grand National Park. Next day we discover the delights of this region, or simply relax on this superb coast, where an impressive chain of massive rock outcrops meets the southern ocean. We shall walk up Mt Frenchman this morning, and in the afternoon visit Lucky Bay, where we can dip our toes in the aqua waters of Hellfire Bay.
Two nights Esperance
Day 15
There will be time this morning for an optional Bay of Isles cruise, or alternatively walk around an inland lagoon for birds and orchids. In the afternoon we drive back across the coastal plain west of Esperance, and arrive on the edge of Fitzgerald River National Park, the most diverse region botanically in Western Australia.
Overnight Hopetoun
Days 16 - 17
Fitzgerald River National Park is a region of remarkable contrasts. We’ll enjoy the remarkable diversity of the shrublands containing such world renowned species as royal and pincushion hakeas, four winged mallee, scarlet banksia, Qualup bell, and the Barrens regalia. We’ll take a short walk up East Mount Barren this morning, and return west to Albany where we stay for two nights.
A highlight of any visit to Western Australia is the Stirling Range. This dramatic national park has over a thousand species of flowering plant, while the half day walk up onto the summit ridge is one of the most rewarding walks anywhere. Flowers are in abundance, giant eagles soar above, and on the ground a variety of lizards are spectacular.
Two nights Albany
Day 18
Returning to Perth via the south coast takes in the southern jarrah-karri forests. This morning we walk amidst the canopy of these magnificent trees on a canopy walkway and gain a better understanding of the intricacies of the forest and fire relationship. A new flora introduces itself as the wetter regions of the state are entered. We stay at a special forest retreat in Pemberton for tonight.
Overnight Pemberton
Day 19
We travel back to Perth to connect with our return flight to London, arriving on Day 20.
Accommodation will be in comfortable motels and lodges. All meals are included except for lunch and dinner on the free day in Perth.
Travel is by minicoach with full air-conditioning, towing a trailer for baggage.
Numbers: Max. 14 clients
Days 1 & 2
We leave London on a scheduled flight to Perth, arriving mid-afternoon of Day 2, when we meet Mark and transfer to our hotel.
Overnight Perth
Day 3
In the morning we have a gentle start, with a walk in the renowned Kings Park Botanic Gardens. Then we head back to the airport for a flight to Exmouth for a two-night stay, starting with an exciting afternoon boat trip into the gulf for two to three hours to look for Humpback Whales.
Overnight Exmouth
Day 4
We travel into the Cape Range National Park, one of the special places in Western Australia. Here spectacular limestone ranges and deep canyons form a backdrop for Emus, Red Kangaroos, and other wildlife, not to mention a diverse and colourful flora.
At lunchtime we take a small boat cruise on Yardie Creek to view a wide range of wildlife, and in particular the Rock Wallabies. We have a chance for a swim at remote Turquoise Bay on the way back to Exmouth. The coral sea here has superb colours
Overnight Exmouth
Day 5
In the morning we drive to Coral Bay, where we take a two hour excursion by charter vessel to the Ningaloo Reef, the largest fringing coral reef in the world. The crystal clear lagoons, white sandy beaches, and over two hundred species of coral combine to form a marine paradise. We’ll have a chance to snorkel on the reef, or simply view the amazing marine life through the glass bottom of the boat. We return mid-afternoon and drive south to Carnarvon.
Overnight Carnarvon
Day 6
We travel south to the renowned Shark Bay World Heritage Area - a region with unique geological, historical, and natural features including remarkable stromatolites – rock formations thought to be caused by the earliest life-forms on earth. We take an afternoon boat trip to view the amazing gentle marine mammals, Dugongs, as they graze on the sea grass beds of Monkey Mia. We stay nearby in Denham.
Overnight Denham
Days 7 - 8
We depart for Kalbarri National Park, on the way visiting the coast with more bizarre stromatolites en route. Later we start to see the first roadside displays of the renowned wildflowers of Western Australia. We shall lunch at Eurardy Sheep Station just north of Kalbarri, with the Australian Nature Conservation Trust, then enjoy a botanical tour of their reserve. This station has an incredible array of Western Australian wild flowers, and we should be visiting right at peak flowering. We'll enjoy a half day drive around the station with the owners to view and photograph wonderful everlastings, orchids and grevilleas, and should see a good number of West Australian birds.
Next day we visit the Kalbarri National Park, discovering the huge variety of wildflowers, the Murchison River gorges, and the coast. Both the sand plains and the coastal cliffs abound in magnificent displays of river gums, gold and orange banksias, grevilleas, kangaroo paws, featherflowers, starflowers, and smokebushes.
Two nights Kalbarri
Day 9
Leaving Kalbarri behind we head south, and then continue inland to the dry Tallering region. Here amidst the sand and shrubland grow perhaps the most spectacular of Western Australia’s wildflowers, the wreathflower. The flora in this region is markedly different from any other area on the trip. Other special plants may include native pomegranate, Pink Fountain and Wells dampiera. We continue to Geraldton this evening.
Overnight Geraldton
Days 10 - 11
This morning we drive south to perhaps the most spectacular natural feature in Western Australia - the Pinnacles, where we walk amongst these magnificent rock formations. On the drive the coastal wetlands may offer opportunities to see some waterfowl, while coastal heathlands are sure to contain further botanical gems. In the afternoon we drive to Perth. Many of the roads at this time will be lined with what appear to be veritable botanic gardens.
The next day will be free to explore Perth, take a Swan River excursion, visit renowned Rottnest Island, or take in historic Freemantle.
Two nights Perth
Day 12
Depart Perth for the south-west and Narrogin. The Dryandra woodlands are a focus today. A huge array of leguminous and proteacous shrubs should be in bloom. In the evening we go out to view endangered marsupials, and learn of the Project Western Shield programme to conserve the endangered mammals of the region.
Overnight Narrogin
Days 13 - 14
We depart for the southern coast. This brings new landscapes as the vast interior of Western Australia beckons. It is an all day travel day as we head directly east to the Bay of Isles and Esperance. Features en route will be the salt pans of Lake King, and widespread roadside shrublands ablaze with colourful flowers.
Outstanding scenery and some of the state’s most stunning beaches are included in nearby Cape Le Grand National Park. Next day we discover the delights of this region, or simply relax on this superb coast, where an impressive chain of massive rock outcrops meets the southern ocean. We shall walk up Mt Frenchman this morning, and in the afternoon visit Lucky Bay, where we can dip our toes in the aqua waters of Hellfire Bay.
Two nights Esperance
Day 15
There will be time this morning for an optional Bay of Isles cruise, or alternatively walk around an inland lagoon for birds and orchids. In the afternoon we drive back across the coastal plain west of Esperance, and arrive on the edge of Fitzgerald River National Park, the most diverse region botanically in Western Australia.
Overnight Hopetoun
Days 16 - 17
Fitzgerald River National Park is a region of remarkable contrasts. We’ll enjoy the remarkable diversity of the shrublands containing such world renowned species as royal and pincushion hakeas, four winged mallee, scarlet banksia, Qualup bell, and the Barrens regalia. We’ll take a short walk up East Mount Barren this morning, and return west to Albany where we stay for two nights.
A highlight of any visit to Western Australia is the Stirling Range. This dramatic national park has over a thousand species of flowering plant, while the half day walk up onto the summit ridge is one of the most rewarding walks anywhere. Flowers are in abundance, giant eagles soar above, and on the ground a variety of lizards are spectacular.
Two nights Albany
Day 18
Returning to Perth via the south coast takes in the southern jarrah-karri forests. This morning we walk amidst the canopy of these magnificent trees on a canopy walkway and gain a better understanding of the intricacies of the forest and fire relationship. A new flora introduces itself as the wetter regions of the state are entered. We stay at a special forest retreat in Pemberton for tonight.
Overnight Pemberton
Day 19
We travel back to Perth to connect with our return flight to London, arriving on Day 20.
Accommodation will be in comfortable motels and lodges. All meals are included except for lunch and dinner on the free day in Perth.
Travel is by minicoach with full air-conditioning, towing a trailer for baggage.
Numbers: Max. 14 clients