A most wonderful 5-day botanical adventure showcasing the extraordinary and biodiverse
flora of the pristine wilderness of the Stirling Range and Fitzgerald River National Parks and featuring the amazing annual Ravensthorpe Wildflower Show

YOU’LL ENJOY:

• The wonderful camaraderie of a small group adventure (10 people)

• The rugged beauty of the Stirling Range and Fitzgerald River National Parks

• Sunset drinks in the Stirling Ranges and at Hopetoun

• See incredible species of wildflowers in pristine Great Southern wilderness

• Immerse yourself in the world’s biggest wildflower show + other events

• Experience the knowledge and passion of your local guides and your tour hosts

• Travel in comfort and space aboard a luxury 12-seat coach

INCLUDED:

• 1 night’s  twin-share accommodation in a rammed-earth chalet in the Stirling Ranges

• 3 nights’ twin-share  motel accommodation in Hopetoun
• 4 breakfasts, 3 picnic lunches, 2 afternoon teas, 2 pre-dinner “bubbles +
  nibbles”, 1 dinner
• Exclusive Stirling Range Wildflower tour with local guide
• 2  Wildflower Hot Spot Tours of the Fitzgerald River National Park with local guide
• Djilarup Honey Farm tour (13 Sep departure)
• Herbarium Tour (20 Sep departure)
• Walk Among the Wildflowers Sundowner with local guide

NOT INCLUDED:

• Meals and entry/activity fees other than those specified above
• Items of a personal nature

DEPARTS:  Monday 13 September 2021 AND Monday 20 September 2021

TOUR ITINERARY:

DAY 1 - MONDAY - PERTH - WILLIAMS – BROOMEHILL– STIRLING RANGES

            Welcome aboard!

07:45:  Join your tour and meet the group and your tour hosts at the Public Transport Centre, Summers Street, East Perth. Buckle up and settle in for the drive south via the Tonkin and Albany Highways to Williams.

10:00:  Stop for a morning cuppa (own expense) and a browse at the Williams Woolshed; a retail outlet for wool products, regional wines and gifts.

12:15:  You’ll learn the fascinating history of the Henry Jones Building over lunch (own expense) at Broomehill (lunch stop – own expense). A chance to get to know your fellow adventurers and your tour hosts 

15:00:  By mid-afternoon, you’ll be enjoying spectacular views of the Stirling Ranges from the look- out at the base of Bluff Knoll (at 1099 m – the highest peak in South Western Australia.

16:15:  Late afternoon check into your rammed-earth cabin at the nearby Stirling Range Retreat.  

17:45:  Enjoy some bubbles and nibbles together with the group as the sun sets over the Stirlings before dinner (included)

DAY 2 – TUESDAY – STIRLING RANGE WILDFLOWER
TOUR – RAVENSTHORPE – HOPETOUN

08:00:  Prepare a self-cooked breakfast in you rammed-earth cabin before checking out and being ready to join your exclusive Stirling Range Wildflower tour.

 09:00:  Accompanied by a local guide, this wonderful, 3-hour Wildflower tour (with morning tea included) will show you orchids (many growing within the grounds of the Retreat) and other species currently in bloom within the National Park.

12:15:  Before leaving the National Park have lunch at the Bluff Knoll Café (own expense).

13:30:   After lunch, your journey continues north then east along the South Coast Highway to Ravensthorpe where a brief stop is made to view the Ravensthorpe Silo murals before continuing on a short distance to the seaside community of Hopetoun. 

16:15:  Check in to your accommodation at the Hopetoun Motel & Chalet Village. Dinner tonight(own expense) is at the Port Hotel; a short stroll from the motel

DAY 3 -WEDNESDAY – HOPETOUN – RAVENSTHORPE – HOT SPOT TOUR – WILDFLOWER SHOW –HOPETOUN

07:30:  Stroll to breakfast (included) at the nearby Port Hotel.

08: 50:  Depart for Ravensthorpe and to spend your first day at the Ravensthorpe Wildflower Show

09:30:  Arrive at the Raventhorpe Town Hall and prepare to head off, accompanied  by a local guide, on a Wildflower Hot Spot Tour into the neighbouring Fitzgerald River National Park: a vast, 330,000 hectare, botanical wonderland which is home to 2000+ plant species.  Make sure to have your camera fully charged and ready to capture some memorable shots of the rugged scenery and the beautiful flowers!!  (Picnic lunch included)

12:00:  Return to Raventhorpe to immerse yourself in the world’s biggest Wildflower Show: browse the purpose-built Herbarium Exhibition Hall where over an amazing 700+ plant species are on display, take a look at the Community Art Exhibition, enjoy a Devonshire Tea in the Red Room (included) and be tempted at the Wildflower Show Gift Shop. 

Click to see Ravensthorpe Wildflower Show preview:           

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YEB83qU6ARk

16:00:  Depart Ravensthorpe and return to your accommodation in Hopetoun.  Time to relax, download your pictures and recharge your batteries before dinner at the Port Hotel (own expense)

 DAY 4 – THURSDAY - HOPETOUN – DJILARUP HONEY FARM - WILDFLOWER
SHOW HOPETOUN

08:00: Depart for your breakfast (included) at the nearby Port Hotel.

09:00:   After breakfast, visit the Immersed Photography Exhibition at Hopetoun or go for a stroll along Two Mile Beach

09:50:   Head up to the Djilarup Honey Farm at Kundip. Your host this morning is local apiarist, Tony Turner who will take you on a guided tour of the property.

10:15:  Learn the fascinating story of how this local honey farm has been regenerated by planting             thousands of Leptospermum (tea-tree) species which have successfully restored bee activity, bee health and soil quality plus enabled the production of Manuka honey

11:40: It’s time to head back to spend some more time at the Ravensthorpe Wildflower Show, enjoy a Devonshire Tea in the Red Room (included) or visit the Essence of the Bush Exhibition at the Community Centre and the amazing Crazy Granny’s Quilts, Arts & Crafts.

14:30:  Return to Hopetoun to relax and freshen up before heading out for Walk Among the Wildflowers Sundowner

16:15:  Join local horticulturalist, Donna Higgins, on a leisurely walk among Hopetoun's wildflowers, Sunset bubbles & nibbles included

20:15: Supper at the Port Hotel (own expense)

 DAY 5 – FRIDAY –HOPETOUN – RAVENSTHORPE – HOT SPOT TOUR – LUNCH - PERTH

07:30:  Stroll to breakfast at the nearby Port Hotel.

08: 50:  Depart for Ravensthorpe to spend your final morning amongst the wildflowers of the Fitzgerald River Biosphere on a Hot Spot Tour (a different location from the Wednesday tour).

12:00:  Return to Raventhorpe for lunch (picnic lunch provided) and any last-minute purchases

13:00:   Board your coach and settle in for your return drive to Perth. A comfort stop will be made along the way.

18:00:  Arrive Public Transport Centre, Summers Street, East Perth

Note: Times given are approximate and may differ due to weather conditions and/or unforeseen delays