WESTERN AUSTRALIA IN 2021 - SCOTT MCGREGOR'S RAILWAY ADVENTURES
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IN 2021
WESTERN
AUSTRALIA
RAIL, ROAD & WILDFLOWERS
WITH HAYLEY ANDERSON
4 - 14 SEPTEMBER 2021
• PERTH • KATANNING • ALBANY • PEMBERTON • BUSSELTON •
INTRODUCTION
Australia’s wild west took an upward and progressive HIGHLIGHTS
turn with the completion of the great Trans Continental
• Sail to picturesque Rottnest Island to tour its landscape and
Railway in 1917 connecting the Commonwealth’s
history and ride the quaint Oliver Hill narrow-gauge railway
largest state with the rest of the nation with a ribbon
of steel. No longer did travellers have to undertake an • Ride the Prospector Train over the hills and across the
arduous sea voyage – this new, comfortable, and very wheatbelt from Perth to Northam
direct route became the foundation for a vibrant tourism • Explore Albany, Western Australia’s oldest colonial settlement
industry that has gone from strength to strength. The
• Discover the historic Albany Whaling Station museum
West has always seen itself as different to the rest of
Australia, partly due to its size and isolation but also due • Enjoy a chartered train trip on the character-filled Pemberton
to its unique and entrepreneurial character. Wide open tramway
landscapes of rich grazing and wheat country, towering • Explore the intriguing Mammoth Caves and vast surrounding
forests of Karri and Jarrah, frontier gold mining towns bushlands
carving some of the world’s richest lodes, magnificent
• Ride Hotham Valley Railway’s Steam Ranger train, a scenic
islands, coast lines and beaches, verdant wine lands
line through the wilderness from the town of Dwellingup
and sparkling, booming cities draw curious travellers
here in droves. On this railway adventure, set with a • Take scenic drives through multiple national parks, including
backdrop of springtime colour, we’ll tick all these boxes the Stirling Ranges
and more as we explore these highlights by a variety • Visit a local winery in the Margaret River region for a tasting
of train and coach travel. Along the way you will enjoy tour and delicious dinner
great hotels, fine food and wine, the company of your
• Stay in a former historic flour mill in Katanning, an icon of the
host and fellow travelers and the rich tapestry of the
wheat belt
wonders of Western Australia in Springtime.
• Enjoy the services of your experienced tour leader and
local guides
Margaret River
MEET YOUR TOUR LEADER
HAYLEY ANDERSON
Hayley Anderson has had a lot of experience in the travel industry, living and working in Australia,
New Zealand, Europe, Asia and Africa, and touring Canada. She has worked for Scenic Tours
as a tour director, for nine years taking passengers all around Australia, extensively touring
NZ and taking tours to Africa, Indochina and Canada. She is currently working with Bill Peach
Journeys (BPJ) as a casual journey director, looking after high-end tours around Australia,
New Zealand and overseas. When she is not on tour with BPJ, Hayley works casually for
several companies, taking passengers from visiting cruise ships around Sydney and beyond
(including QLD). Hayley has worked with people of all ages and nationalities and understands
how important holidays are to her passengers. She is passionate about not only justifying the
financial outlay but their high expectations and dreams.
TOUR MAP SOME WAYS
YOU’LL TRAVEL
The best train trips possible, private luxury
coach for off-train travel and many other
appealing modes of transport.
Northam
Rottnest Perth
4
Island
Freemantle
Mandurah
Dwellingup
Hotham Valley Steam Ranger
2 Busselton Katanning 1
Margaret Stirling Ranges
River Pemberton
1 National Park
Valley of the Giants Porongurup
Treetop Walk National Park
2 Albany Oliver Hill Railway, Rottnest Island
n Nights at Hotel
Train
Coach
Boat
Prospector, Kalgoorlie
WHY TRAVEL WITH US
The joy of travel is not confined to the destination. How you travel is a large and rich part of the experience. Railway Adventures
offers a truly unique perspective on some of the world’s most spectacular destinations, with the confidence that the journey will
be just as magical and memorable as what is discovered at the end of the line.
WITH US, YOU CAN CONFIDENTLY EXPECT:
• Small group sizes — a small number of passengers per trip guarantees an intimate experience with less time spent
queuing, more time with your guide, and better access to sightseeing destinations.
• Unique itineraries — every itinerary has been meticulously developed by a team of expert travellers with many years’
experience, an intimate knowledge of the destination, and with great cultural awareness. You are guaranteed to experience the
best that each destination has to offer.
• Authentic local experiences — whether it’s a little-known, yet impressive steam railway, a small boutique hotel or an
authentic restaurant, we know that you will experience something special on our tours.
• Expert local guides and local operators — we employ local guides to share their passion and knowledge of the place they
call home, while our partners on the ground provide the best possible support and backup all the way.
• Customer satisfaction — our testimonials speak for themselves. Thousands have travelled with us over the years and many
come back year after year, often bringing friends along. On our customer satisfaction ratings, over 97% would recommend
us to others and/or travel with us again.
• Fully-escorted — our team of tour leaders is experienced and capable, entertaining and considerate, and together with our
local guides, has your needs well covered. They will help with everything along the way, providing peace of mind, and allowing
you to relax and enjoy the journey. And you’ll find them jolly good company to boot!
Rottnest Island DAY 1 • Saturday 4 September: ARRIVE PERTH Arrive in Perth and enjoy a special welcome dinner and drinks in our hotel’s private function room, or a similar venue. Overnight: Doubletree Northbridge, Perth (D) DAY 2 • Sunday 5 September: PERTH - ROTTNEST ISLAND - PERTH After breakfast this morning, transfer to the station for the short trip by train to Fremantle, the departure point for our Rottnest Island Ferry. On arrival in Rottnest, take some time to look around and enjoy a local lunch at a nearby restaurant before transferring by coach to Oliver Hill for our trip on the Oliver Hill narrow gauge railway, the island’s Captain Hussey train built to service the military operation before World War Two. Our two-hour return journey showcases the beauty of the island’s south side, taking in salt lakes and sweeping views of the coast. Later in the afternoon we return to Perth by ferry and enjoy some free time in the evening. Overnight: Doubletree Northbridge, Perth (B, L) DAY 3 • Monday 6 September: PERTH- NORTHAM - YORK - KATANNING We’ll check out of our hotel early this morning and board the Prospector train to the town of Northam, just over an hour and a half away. On arrival we’ll meet our coach and enjoy some time to explore the town and have a coffee break before continuing a short way by coach to York. York is the oldest inland town in Western Australia and boasts opulent Victorian and Federation buildings that have been carefully restored to their original glory. Take some time here to explore and have lunch. You might like to pay a visit to the motor museum which houses 200 veteran, vintage, and classic cars, motorcycles and horse-drawn vehicles from around Australia and the world. You can also explore the Town Hall or simply wander the streets lined with Victorian and Federation-style buildings. We’ll depart York and head for Katanning, where we’ll check in to our hotel, The Premier Mill, which was once a flour mill and is now modern boutique accommodation. Freshen up and regroup for dinner later on. Overnight: The Premier Mill Hotel, Katanning, (B, D) DAY 4 • Tuesday 7 September: KATANNING - STIRLING RANGES NATIONAL PARK - ALBANY Depart Katanning by coach this morning for our journey south. Enjoy a scenic drive through the Stirling Ranges National Park, which encompasses the only major mountain range in the southern half of Western Australia. We’ll drive through the heart of the park, winding through the unique landscape and soaking up ever-changing views of rugged peaks and stunning wildflowers (season permitting). We then continue to our lunch venue before another scenic drive through the exquisite Porongurup Ranges National Park. From there it’s a short way to Albany where we’ll check in to our centrally located hotel, freshen up and regroup later in the evening for dinner. Overnight: Country Comfort Amity Hotel, Albany (B, L, D) Day 5 • Wednesday 8 September: ALBANY This morning embark on a full-day guided tour of the oldest colonial settlement in Western Australia, Albany. Discover the oldest surviving house in the state, the Patrick Taylor Cottage Museum, built in 1832, before visiting the historically significant Albany Courthouse. We’ll then explore the Brig Amity, an 1826 convict ship that tells the tale of the first European settlement of the west coast of Australia. Enjoy time for lunch at a local restaurant before our last visit of the day, exploring Albany’s historic whaling station, where you can view an intact whale processing factory and fully restored whale-chasing ship. Enjoy the rest of the afternoon and evening at your leisure. Overnight: Country Comfort Amity Hotel, Albany (B)
DAY 6 • Thursday 9 September: ALBANY - PEMBERTON Depart Albany by coach this morning and travel to Pemberton, stopping along the way at the iconic and impressive Valley of the Giants Treetop walk, an internationally recognized attraction that takes you up close and personal to some of the world’s biggest timber giants – Western Australia’s majestic Tingle Trees. Following this we’ll enjoy lunch at a nearby restaurant before continuing to Pemberton. On arrival we’ll board our chartered tram for Pemberton Tramway’s Warren River bridge trip, a guided journey through scenic forests to the beautiful Warren River bridge. Our return trip takes one and a half hours after which we’ll have some downtime at the hotel before dinner. Overnight: The Best Western, Pemberton, (B, L, D) DAY 7 • Friday 10 September: PEMBERTON - AUGUSTA - MAMMOTH CAVES - BUSSELTON Enjoy a late start today, checking out of our hotel mid-morning and travelling by coach to the town of Augusta. Enjoy some free time to explore and enjoy lunch at leisure here. We’ll then travel to the scenic Cape Leeuwin and view its lighthouse. Continuing on to Busselton, we’ll make a scenic detour through the stunning Boranup Karri Forest nearby. We’ll pause at the Boranup lookout before travelling to Busselton later in the afternoon. Dinner will be at a local restaurant tonight. Overnight: The Sebel Hotel, Busselton, (B, D) DAY 8 • Saturday 11 September: BUSSELTON - MARGARET RIVER REGION - BUSSELTON Enjoy a free day to explore Busselton. You might like to visit the 1.8km Busselton Jetty (the longest wooden-piled jetty in the Southern Hemisphere) and ride the quaint little train all the way to the end. Maybe explore the nearby museum or art gallery, do some shopping or simply relax in one of the many local cafes or restaurants. Later in the day we’ll regroup and travel by coach to explore the area around Margaret River where we’ll finish up a special wine-themed dinner. Overnight: The Sebel Hotel, Busselton, (B, D) Day 9 • Sunday 12 September: BUSSELTON - HOTHAM VALLEY RAILWAY - PERTH Depart Busselton this morning and travel by coach to Dwellingup, our departure point for the Hotham Valley Railway’s Steam Ranger train. The Ranger travels leisurely westward, to Isandra Siding, 14km away. On the return journey this awesome steam locomotive ascends Western Australia’s steepest and most spectacular climb, the Darling Range Escarpment. Enjoy lunch at a nearby café before taking a tour of the local area with the Forest Discovery Centre. Mid-afternoon travel back to Perth, arriving in time for us to check back into our hotel. Tonight is free for you to explore this vibrant capital city at your leisure. Overnight: Doubletree Northbridge, Perth (B, L) DAY 10 • Monday 13 September: PERTH Enjoy a free day in Perth today, with a variety of activities at your fingertips. We’ll regroup later in the evening for a special farewell dinner and drinks at a nearby restaurant, the Sentinel Bar and Grill. Overnight: Doubletree Northbridge, Perth (B, D) DAY 11 • Tuesday 14 September: PERTH DEPART After breakfast this morning our tour comes to an end. Transfer to the airport for flights home, or onward for other adventures. (B)
WHAT’S INCLUDED
• 10 nights’ accommodation in comfortable, centrally-
located hotels
• Daily breakfast, 4 lunches and 7 dinners
• Drinks included with welcome and farewell dinners Busselton Jetty, Margaret River
• Comfortable coach charter throughout
• All excursions and entrance fees to attractions, as
listed in the itinerary
Winery, Margaret River
WHAT WE DON’T INCLUDE
• Domestic and International flights
• Airport transfers on arrival and departure
• Meals and services not mentioned in the itinerary
• All other personal expenses such as drinks, phone
calls, laundry services, camera fees where applicable
• Excursions listed as optional and extra in the brochure
• Tipping and gratuities
FITNESS RATING
Two ‘Locos’ - fitness rating
Forest walk at Tingle Trees
HOW TO BOOK
Download a booking form from our website and follow the SOME PLACES YOU’LL STAY
easy steps to getting on board. Alternatively, contact us on
1300 800 977 or info@railwayadventures.com if you’d prefer Hand-picked hotels and resorts based on location, customer
a form be sent to you. Complete the form and submit it, feedback, value and atmosphere.
along with your $1000 pp deposit to secure your place on
the tour.
DETAILS SUBJECT TO CHANGE
We endeavour to have all the details of our tours correct at
the time of printing. However, sometimes factors beyond
our control may affect the final inclusions and prices.
These factors may include, but not be limited to; significant
fluctuations in currency exchange rates, individual hotel/
restaurant decisions that may affect bookings; weather
events forcing a change of itinerary; unexpected trackwork
on rail lines, unexpected closure of site attractions and so
forth. Therefore, items mentioned in the brochure such as
quoted prices, hotels and inclusions are subject to change.
If a change is imposed on us, we will endeavour to ensure
the substitute is of the same quality that you’ve paid for.
TOUR PACE / LEVEL OF FITNESS:
Doubletree Northbridge, Perth
Our itineraries are designed to make the most of each
destination, so a reasonable amount of activity is built into
most days, which is why we call them adventures. Our
philosophy is to offer you the best experience possible,
while leaving you, our guest, the flexibility to pace yourself
and choose how much or how little you want to do. Each
Railway Adventures tour incorporates periods of free time
for your own exploration and relaxation.
While you don’t need to be a ‘gym junkie’, a reasonable
level of fitness is required for most of our tours. The ability
to manage your own luggage, get on and off all manner
of trains and coaches, walk for extended periods, stand
comfortably, and climb steps and stairs will ensure you get
the maximum enjoyment from your adventure.
ADDITIONAL TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS AND INSURANCE
In addition to assisting with flight suggestions and bookings,
we can also give you some ideas of what you could do before
The Premier Mill Hotel, Katanning
and after your Railway Adventure.
We can also organise your all-important Travel Insurance
for you. Call our office on 1300 800 977 if you would like to
discuss options.
SUGGESTED FLIGHTS
We have suggested flights for this itinerary from our preferred
airline partners, depending on your departure point from
Australia, any preferred stopovers en route and/or your
planned pre- and post-tour activities. Contact 1300 800 977 to
discuss your options.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
For more information on factors such as travel insurance
requirements, fitness levels, fees and charges, tour
cancellations, payment schedules and so on, please refer to
our Terms and Conditions, which accompany the booking
form. They can also be found on our website. The Sebel Hotel, Busselton
PRICE
Per person twin share................................ $4,985
Single supplement......................................... $985
Deposit (per person)..........$500 at time of booking
Final payment due by....................... 21 July 2021
Quality Suites Banksia Gardens, Albany
YOUR TRAVEL AGENT THE RAILWAY ADVENTURES STORY Railway Adventures was launched in 2012 by well-known Australian TV personality and self-confessed rail fan, Scott McGregor. A lifelong passion for travel has taken Scott to scores of countries and his preference for rail has seen him exploring many of the world’s great train journeys, confirming his belief that the most relaxing, romantic and engaging way to see a country is by rail. He even has his own life-sized, fully-restored opulent train accommodation atop the Great Dividing Range near Mudgee, TRAVEL ACCREDITED LIC #A14416 offering guests a rare and special bush retreat experience. Since 2012 Railway Adventures has thrilled and delighted more than 1200 travellers on over 100 tours from Sweden to Sri Lanka, Tasmania to Transylvania, Britain to Burma, Venice to Vietnam and all manner of shorter adventures in our own wonderful country. Scott’s numerous rail-themed TV documentaries, his ongoing involvement in rail heritage and his extensive connections with private train owners around the world, guarantee that every Railway Adventures tour is exclusive, entertaining and authentic. 30 October 2019. 1300 800 977 railwayadventures.com
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