11 Day / 12 night Wildflowers of WA Photography Tour -

13th August 2023 only

Arrival day into Perth- Sunday 13th Aug 2023 (D)

Upon arrival into Perth, please call our Perth Airport Hotel for a complimentary pick up to the hotel.

The rest of the day is at your leisure until dinner this evening, which will be our first as a group. Your driver guide and tour escort will run through the itinerary with you for the next week which is a great opportunity to get to know your fellow travellers.

Overnight accommodation- The Ingot Hotel at Perth Airport- motel room with en-suite

Day 1- Monday 14th Aug (B,L,D)

We depart the hotel at 7am to begin our 11 day WA Wildflowers Photo tour.

The wildflower collection in Western Australia is the largest on earth. With more than 12,000 species, over 60% of which are fund nowhere else on earth, they colour the landscapes from coast to forest and city to outback.

The six month flowering season begin in the north in June and July on the vast outback plains of the Pilbara, Goldfields and Coral Coast and by September, it has moved south and reached Perth.

Our first stop is the town of Moora, approx. 2 hours from Perth and situated on the banks of the Moore River in the Wheatbelt district. Rare and beautiful species can be found along the Moora Wildflower Drive, with nice views and plenty of excellent photo opportunities. We also stop at Candy's Bush Reserve in the town area.

Our destination this afternoon is the town of Cervantes, the gateway to the Pinnacles Desert and Nambung NP.

After checking in and freshening up, we continue 17kms south to Nambung NP, home of The Pinnacles. These amazing natural limestone structures, some standing as high as five metres, which were formed after the sea receded and left deposits of sea shells. Over time, coastal winds removed the surrounding sand, leaving the pillars exposed to the elements.

You have a choice of taking the 1.2 km walk through the park, or simply meander down to the Pinnacles and wander around. We'll stay in the park for sunset photo opportunities and keep your eyes out for Kangaroo and Emu.

Overnight accommodation- motel room with en-suite in Cervantes (3 night stay)

Day 2 (B,L,D)- Tuesday 15th Aug

Our first stop today is Lesueur NP, which is home to over 900 plant species- 10% of WA's known flora. Lesueur National Park is a biodiversity hot spot and ranks as one of the most important reserves for flora conservation in WA.

We take the one- way, 18.5km scenic drive loop, which has many opportunities to stop and take a closer look or follow marked trails deeper into the bush, to Mount Lesueur or down Cockleshell Gully.

The park is also home to a wide variety of fauna including 122 species of birds, 15 species of native mammals, 52 species of reptile and a variety of insects including 29 species of the colourful jewel beetle, all of which are protected. These insects can be distinguished by their bright metallic colouring, usually yellow, blue, red or orange.

Next we'll take the Carnamah- Eneabba Wildflower Drive, which provides one of the largest and most spectacular wildflower displays in Western Australia.

We continue into historic Carnamah. The Carnamah Bell is an endangered wildflower found only within a 100km radius of Carnamah. Also known as the Harlequin Bell, this wildflower is a dwarf shrub with green, red or yellow shaped bell flowers.

Overnight accommodation- motel room with en-suite in Cervantes

Day 3 (B,L,D)- Wednesday 16th Aug

Today we travel to is Coorow, where we'll hunt for wreath flowers.

We also have some time to visit any places we didn't have timeto go to yesterday and visit any extra locations that have a good variety of wildflowers at the moment. Sometimes we're surprised by the varieties of wildflowers we find whilst driving along and it's great to have the time to stop and enjoy these locations.

Overnight accommodation- motel room with en-suite in Cervantes

Day 4 (B,L,D)- Thursday 17th Aug

Today we travel to the town of Mingenew, where we can take the Mingenew Wildflower Walk. This is an ideal place to experience many varieties of wildflower.

Next is the rugged reserve of Depot Hill, a short 12km drive northwest of Mingenew via the Allanooka Springs Rd. As well as the range of wildflowers, you may like to walk the bush track up to the historic WW2 Army Rifle Range (30 mins).

We reach Geraldton and there's some free time before dinner.

Overnight accommodation- Geraldton- motel room with en-suite

Day 5 (B,L,D)- Friday 18th Aug

This morning we visit the HMAS Sydney II Memorial, which commemorates the loss of The HMAS Sydney II and the ships company of 645 men on 19th November 1941.

Departing Geraldton, we continue north towards Port Gregory, where a beautiful scenic drive through hills and valleys takes us to the stunning Pink Lake.

Our destination today is Kalbarri but we'll take a detour on the way, to hunt for the endangered Northampton Midget Greenhood Orchid.

This afternoon we'll explore the coastal gorges of Kalbarri National Park, including Island Rock and the Natural Arch, which provide spectacular views of this rugged piece of coastline. For 5 months, from June onwards, over 1100 species of Western Australian wildflowers will burst into bloom across the Kalbarri region. Many of these are endemic to the region.

Look out for wildflowers on the coastal cliff tops and in the gorge country. Most common places to find wildflowers on the Kalbarri Coastal Cliffs are between Rainbow Valley and Mushroom Rock with orchids at Natural Bridge and Red Bluff sites.

Overnight accommodation- Kalbarri Edge Resort in studio rooms with en-suites (2 night stay)

Day 6 (B,L,D)- Saturday 19th Aug

We spend today exploring the inland gorges of Kalbarri National Park.

Driving through the park, the Murchison River Gorges slash abruptly through the sand plain. It's estimated that these tumblagooda sandstone walls were created 400 million years ago on the tidal flats of an ancient sea. Fossil tracks and sea fossils can be found in many places along the river. Rippled surfaces can be seen around Nature's Window, formed during ancient times by waves moving over tidal flats in a shallow sea.

A 400m walk from The Loop car park brings you to one of WA's most iconic natural attractions, Nature's Window. This natural rock arch frames the river view perfectly and is a must- snap photograph opportunity in Kalbarri National Park.

At West Loop Lookout, we can enjoy breathtaking views of the Murchison River gorge and it's spectacular surrounding landscape, at the Kalbarri Skywalk. Float on air as you take a thrilling walk out along two cantilevered viewing platforms that hang mid-air 100m above the gorge.

Overnight accommodation- Kalbarri Edge Resort

Day 7 (B,L,D)- Sunday 20th Aug

We depart Kalbarri and travel bac kto Geraldton a different way- this time through the Chapman Valley, which is a prime spot for wildflowers.

As we approach Geraldton, we turn off to Mills Point Lookout, for sweeping views over the Chapman Valley to the east and Geraldton to the west. An abundance of wildflower species can be seen during the season.

We reach Geraldton and park up at the Chapman River Regional Park, with it's vast array of flowering plants, bird and animal life. There are over 300 species of native plant here, some that aren't found anywhere else.

Overnight accommodation- Geraldton- motel room with en-suite

Day 8 (B,L,D)- Monday 21st Aug

We depart Geraldton and drive east to the town of Mullewa, one of the few places in the world that the wreath flower grows. Here we can take the Wildflower Walk, which is a picturesque 2820 metre circuit through bush land renowned for it's stunning wildflower displays.

Continuing south, we drive to Morawa, with a visit to Canna, en-route. Carpets of everlastings are a feature and attraction, as well as the distinctive Wreath Flower.

Our destination today is Dalwallinu and en-route we stop at Perenjoriand a couple of other spots if there's time.

Overnight accommodation- motel room with en-suite in Dalwallinu (2 night stay)

Day 9 (B,L,D)- Tuesday 22nd Aug

We spend today around the  Dalwallinu and Wubin area and there are lot's of options available to us for seeing wildflowers. We'll check for the most recent wildflower information and pick the best spot's available, based on this information.

Overnight accommodation- motel room with en-suite in Dalwallinu

Day 10 (B,L,D)- Wednesday 23rd Aug

We have time this morning to pick up any places around Dalwallinu that we didn't have time to visit yesterday and then travel south to the Wongan Hills region, in the Wheatbelt District. The name Wongan Hills comes from the Aboriginal words "Wongan Katta" which translates to "Talking Hills", referring to the wind whispering through the hills which rise North- West of the townsite. 

Gathercole Nature Reserve is located just outside of Wongan Hills and offers a short scenic walk to view some fascinating sculptured rocks and further along the trail you may see native animals and superb displays of wildflowers including rare flora. Views across the farmland and into the distance are available along the walk.

The 2.5km Christmas Rock Walk is on the outskirts of town. Wander along the rock wall used to divert water to the town dam, listen to the many birds and see the variety of colourful wildflowers.

Our accommodation this evening is in historic York, the first inland European settlement in WA and situated in the Avon Valley.

Overnight accommodation- motel  room with en-suite - The York Palace Hotel and Terraces

Day 11 (B,L,D)- Thursday 24th Aug

We have some free time this morning for you to have a look around historic York. You may like to take a walk to the nearby York Bush Garden.

We start making our way back to Perth, with a stop at one of the reserves in the York area en-route, such as the Oswald Sargeant Nature Reserve. We'll pick the reserve that has the best variety of wildflowers at the time..

We arrive into Perth and have our last group dinner together.

Overnight accommodation- The Ingot Hotel at Perth Airport- motel room with en-suite

Departure day from Perth (B) - Friday 25th Aug

After check out, please make your way to Perth Airport for your onward flight. A free shuttle service is available at the hotel.

END ITINERARY

B = Breakfast / L = Lunch / D = Dinner

This tour starts in Perth on 13th August 2023 only

While this is a photography tour, non- photographers are welcome too. All photography tuition is optional, so if you don't want to take part, there are plenty of other things you can do instead.

AUD $7369 PER ADULT, TWIN SHARE

$8569 PER PERSON SINGLE

Subject to availability, including GST and valid until 31/10/2023

Wildflowers vary sightly from year to year, so while each nights accommodation will remain the same, the itinerary may be changed slightly , nearer the time, to give us the best wildflowers viewing opportunities.

** solo travellers must have single room, unless twin share of the same sex can be found. Solo travellers can also request single room and pay the single supplement**

Maximum 15 passengers

Inclusions:

• Seat in 6WD coach, with professional driver guide

• Andrew Goodall from Natures Image Photography as your tour host and photography guide

• Meals, as stated
• Tour accommodation as stated including 1 night pre and 1 night post tour in Perth

• Park entry fees and permits

Exclusions:

• Arrival / departure flights into Perth
• Travel insurance
• Alcohol

Itinerary is exclusive to Sacred Earth Safaris and is subject to availability, road, weather and cultural conditions.