Outback and Station Wildflower 7-Day Tour. Tour Departures: 16 August 2021

Day 2 – Hi Vallee Farm, Lesueur, Dongara

An early breakfast today we visit Don and Joy Williams of Hi Vallee Farm at Badgingarra near Mount Lesueur and Eneabba. Don and Joy run wildflower tours on their very rich and diverse private national park for over 20 years. On their working sheep and grain property, we visit pristine native vegetation with four declared rare and 38 priority plant species, wildflowers, birds and fauna.

Don and Joy have a Greening Australia award for saving this valuable heritage and recently won the W.A Wildflower Society award for their efforts in promoting wild flowers in the Lesueur area and Western Australia.

“Hi –Vallee” with some of the most diverse and varied plant species in the world has been described by Dr Stephen Hopper Director of Kew Gardens, as the most valuable native bushland in private ownership.

On the track with Don to show you their amazing and unique remnant kwongan heathland.

After lunch and many photos and stories of the flora, we visit a major hotspot Lesueur National Park for another treat of flora.  This afternoon we follow the coast up to Dongara our overnight stay taking in delightful scenic bays.

Accommodation: Dongara Hotel Motel

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Day 3 – Coalseam, Ellendale Pool, Geraldton

Today we will see what most people think of when they think Western Australia Wildflowers, delicate expanses of pink, yellow and white everlasting daisies in the Coalseam Conservation Reserve and along isolated roads.

After lunch at Ellendale Pool a stunning water hole naturally formed along the picturesque Greenough River we visit Geraldton the commercial centre for the Mid-West region, exporting Iron Ore, Mineral Sands, Wheat, Barley and Western Australian Rock Lobster.

We visit HMAS Sydney Memorial; the beautifully designed memorial features a silver dome of 645 seagulls to represent the loss of HMAS Sydney sailors.

Visit St Francis Xavier Cathedral built in stages from 1914 to its eventual opening in 1938. The Byzantine style architecture is one of Monsignor John Hawes’ greatest masterpieces.

Explore the Yamaji Art Centre which is Aboriginal owned and operated and provides professional services to support and develop Aboriginal artists living in the Lower Murchison region of Yamaji Country.

Accommodation: Ocean Centre Hotel  Geraldton

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Day 4 – Northampton, Hutt Lagoon, Kalbarri

This morning we visit Northampton, one of the oldest settlements outside Perth today, classified by the National Trust as a Historic Town.

Visit Hutt Lagoon a vivid pink Salt Lake where beta-carotene is harvested for commercial use. A fascinating sight.

We visit back roads to see different regional flowers and orchids.

View stunning coastal gorges and magnificent scenery on our drive further up the coast, and coastal gorge Pot Alley.

Kalbarri nestled at the Murchison River mouth and surrounded by stunning coastline, soaring river gorges and protected bays.

After dinner go for a walk along the Murchison River see pelicans and the spectacular sunsets that Kalbarri is known for.

Accommodation: Kalbarri Edge Resort

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Day 5 – Kalbarri National Park, Wooleen Station

We visit the Kalbarri National Park for spectacular views of the Murchison River Gorges, see Nature’s Window a natural rock arch that frames the upstream views.

Kalbarri National Park is highly regarded for its extraordinary seasonal flowers which can start in July and continue to flower late October with pops of colour from local Verticordias and many other local species.

This sensational Western Australia Wildflower Tour we track east on isolated roads through pastoral lease country and view seasonal wildflowers along the way to our overnight stay at Wooleen Station.

A remarkable station that has experienced different stewardships and philosophies of grazing sheep and cattle.

Enjoy a Sunset Tour and learn how the Pollock family are now working towards making Wooleen an ecologically sustainable enterprise. We climb a granite rock outcrop to witness the spectacular sunset with drinks and nibbles.

The link below is a wonderful familiarisation of Wooleen Station.

Australian Story – A Letter from Wooleen

Accommodation:  Wooleen Station

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Day 6 – Pindar, Mullewa, Dalwalinu

This morning after breakfast and bid farewell to Frances and David Pollock of Wooleen Station. We tour on isolated roads heading south. Stopping to see Sturts Desert Pea, Eromophila.

At Pindar browse along the road verge to marvel at the iconic Lechenaultia macrantha common name wreath Lechenaultia, an absolute must see.

After lunch at Mullewa continue exploring various regions for the best regional flowers, grevillea, hakea, native fox glove, a chance to see rare and endangered regional flora and.

Dalwallinu is famous for having the largest variety of wattles (acacias) found anywhere in the world. Within 100km of Dalwallinu there are 195 varieties. Dalwallinu is known as a “Place of Wheat, Wattles and Wildflowers.

Overnight stay is at Dalwallinu, for those who are interested in evening or early morning walks.

Accommodation:  Wheatlands Motel

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Day 7 – Wongan Hills,  Perth

This morning visit Wongan Hills, The Hills has the largest single area of natural vegetation remaining in the Northern Wheatbelt. Wongan Hills’ flora is extremely diverse with more than 250 species of flowering plants.

There are five species of gazette rare flora in the Wongan Hills Nature Reserve, and numerous species of priority flora. We will visit one sight that has the rare Wongan Cactus –  Daviesia Euphorbioides, explore the local orchids and take a look around the area.

Lunch today at New Norcia Hotel. Take a look around this unique Monastery Town and visit the Museum and Art Gallery.

We will have you back into Perth 5pm.

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