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Western Australia tour

country:Australia
location:Western Australia, Nullarbor in SA 
departures:2009: 6 Dec, 13 Dec, 20 Dec, 27 Dec
2010: 3 Jan, 10 Jan, 17 Jan, 24 Jan, 31 Jan, 7 Feb, 14 Feb, 21 Feb, 28 Feb, 7 Mar, 14 Mar, 21 Mar, 28 Mar
price:From AU $840 (6 days) excluding flights (member discount - AU $780). Includes coach, all meals, camping equipment (sleeping bag $15) & all entrance fees/activities unless listed as optional. Busselton Aquarium $20, swag hire $50
vouchers:Gift vouchers can be used with this holiday
 
the amazing things you'll be doing
6 day Western Australia Camping Adventure .

This 6 day Esperance camping adventure travels through the central wheatbelt of Western Australia to Esperance, Cape Le Grande National Park, along the south west coastline taking in Albany then into Margaret River, Busselton and back into Perth.

The journey is approximately 1800 kilometres - some days include more driving than others but on average each day will be about 400 - 450 kilometres with activities spread through out each day

The key highlights of this tour are:
  • Wave Rock
  • Fitzgerald River National Park
  • Cape Le Grande National Park
  • Albany
  • Tree top walk
  • Margaret River
  • Explore Giants Cave
  • Wardan Aboriginal Culture Centre - dreaming tour
  • Busselton Jetty
  • day-by-day itinerary
    Day 1:Darling Ranges/Wave Rock. Our adventure begins as we travel east over the Darling Ranges. After a morning break at historic York we continue our journey south. Our lunch stop will be at Wave Rock, where there is the opportunity to have a look at this amazing rock formation. After lunch we drive further south to our camp on the coast in the Fitzgerald River National Park, an internationally recognized world biosphere reserve with plenty of beautiful beaches, rugged coastline and the opportunity for a short walk or swim before dinner.
    Day 2:Esperance/Cape Le grand National Park. After a morning drive along the coast we arrive in Esperance with time to have a look around. A short drive brings us to the Cape Le grand National Park where we set up camp only metres from a picture postcard beach. The afternoon is free to explore this stunning coastal park with its white sandy beaches and crystal clear water. A late afternoon hike up the granite formation known as 'Frenchman Peak' rewards you with stunning views of the bay and islands of the Recherche Archipelago.
    Day 3:Free day. We have another full day to enjoy this beautiful spot and it’s totally up to you how you want to spend your day. There are some stunning coastal walks, you may like to swim, boogie board, snorkel, fish or just relax while lying on a pure white sandy beach (you might have to share the beach with a local kangaroo or two).
    Day 4:Stirling Range/Fitzgerald River National Park. We leave early and head for the Fitzgerald River National Park, where we will do one of the many walks on offer. We like to keep today flexible as there are so many great spots to visit, the guide will decide the best route on the day but the group may visit ‘Bluff Knoll’ a 4 hour trek in the Stirling Ranges and Fitzgerald National Park a world recognised biosphere reserve with plenty of beautiful beaches and rugged coastline.
    Day 5:Valley of the Giants. The landscape changes dramatically as we head into the heart of the southern Eucalypt forests of W.A. We visit Albany, Frenchman's Bay, the Gap Natural Bridge and Greens Pool. Walk the talk on the tree top walk at the “Valley of the Giants”; a unique structure that takes you up into the canopy of a very ancient and special eucalypts called Red Tingle trees. In the late afternoon we climb one of the giant Karri trees that once used as a fire lookout.
    Day 6:Cave formations/Perth. As we travel through Augusta, Margaret River we explore some unique cave formations and then visit Wardan Aboriginal Centre for a dreaming tour. On into Busselton Jetty and as we head into Perth after nearly 4000 km it gives you a chance to reflect on the experiences over the last ten action packed days as we head for Western Australia’s capital Perth.
    small group adventure holiday
    Typically you will be sharing your experiences with between 4-20 like minded travellers (depending on the trip, operator and how many others are booked on the trip) and you'll have a group leader with you. Whether you are travelling alone or with friends its good value, and a great way to meet new people! While itineraries are pre-planned there is some flexibility and you'll have plenty of privacy. This trip will appeal to travellers of all ages who enjoy meeting new people as well as seeing new places.
    how this holiday makes a difference
    The Tour Guide is able to share the experience and provide important and relevant information. Whether you are travelling alone or with friends its good value, a great way to meet new people and you will learn a lot about Australia! While itineraries are pre-planned there is some flexibility and you'll have plenty of privacy. Although each tour is slightly different, each tour covers over 2/3rds of the Australian Continent. It is a long haul journey.

    For the business to grow and be recognised for its vital contribution to the local economies, it is important to ‘shop local’ where possible. We continue to build local networks and businesses to support the local economy. Our travellers are typically like minded – aged between 20 and 45 looking for a unique and authentic Australian experience but this trip will appeal to travellers of all ages who enjoy meeting new people as well as seeing new places. Wildlife enthusiasts can also enjoy the opportunity of whale-watching and to swim with sealions and dolphins in a natural environment.

    We are a Nationally Accredited Tourism Operator and are in the process of being certified as Eco Tourism accredited Australian Tour Company. This certification involves an in-depth submission regarding economic, environmental and social sustainability.

    Part of the outback experience is to see native animals and local flora in their environment. Our guides all have a keen interest and respect for our flora and fauna. Wildlife is viewed but never provoked, chased or cornered. We explain to our passengers that noise must be kept to a minimum, to avoid rapid or sudden movement and to avoid camera flashes and to use safe night lights. Disturbance of flora is kept to an absolute minimum.

    We use local operators to run our optional excursions, thus ensuring that money goes directly to the supplier and the community. The nature of outback regional and rural communities ensures that local staff and produce are utilised at all times. In the remote outback towns that we visit, almost all of the businesses are run by locals and while some produce is transported in, we always give preference to local fresh produce. We promote close relationships with our suppliers and have long standing partnerships with many. By our visits and the payment of entrance and activity fees ensure that National and Conservation Parks are able to continue their vital conservation and education work.

    Through annual and access fees to national park authorities we provide revenue essential to the protection and maintenance of the parks we visit. We comply with the management plans of each park and assist by reporting adverse events or special findings to the park management. Camp sites are always chosen to ensure little or no impact to the environment occurs. Due to the arid and isolated nature of the areas we visit an understanding of minimal water use is essential.

    All water is carried in and grey water carried out. We purchase reusable items (utensils and containers) and buy food in bulk with minimal packaging. All waste is carried out and disposed of in an appropriate manner. We collect and thoughtfully dispose of any rubbish sighted in the parks visited. We retain and dispose of our own rubbish in a similar manner. We minimise the use of disposable packaging and recycle all catering items where possible. Where other organizations or community groups are involved, we pay entry fees, make purchases and create economic revenue. All catering is arranged or purchased locally or home made.

    Our tour group sizes are limited to 21 people maximum, this size group can be managed to minimise any negative impact on the environment, the enjoyment of other people, the capacity of community services, the safety and stress of wildlife. We encourage the practice of low noise bushwalking and special solo activities making our guests at one with the environment. We minimise the use of our tour vehicle in preference for walking, travelling only on formed roads and tracks, applying the annual recorded mileage to a carbon offset program. Vehicle fuel and service requirements are purchased locally.

    We conduct our operations from our home and have a policy of recycling all materials but essentially paper, clerical supplies, minimising power and water usage, recycle bottles, cans and sort all other tins, glass and plastics for collection. Our vehicles are serviced and maintained after each trip by a certified mechanic to ensure that they operate at peak efficiency. Any localized servicing or emergency repairs are done en-route.

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    'Look behind the brochure' to find how each holiday makes a difference (see left).

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