We require a minimum of 4 guests to make this tour worthwhile

Theme: Walk in the footsteps of industrious pioneers like John Holland and his crew and discover the true story behind the 500 km track forged through open spaces of incredible woodlands and around massive granite rocks through the outback hinterland to the Goldfields. Experience the fortunes of the early settlers, the stories about the original custodians of the land the first nation’s peoples, multi-cultural Katanning against the backdrop of the incredible painted murals in local towns as part of the “Public Silo Art Trail” along with some stunning wildflowers.

Day 1     Anzacs, Mountain Country, Birds, Silo Art and Cultural Sites

·       We start the day by travelling past the Silo artwork on the wheat silo at the Port before exploring a little of Albany’s unique offerings by travelling around the Anzac Centre, Fort and visit the Light Horse Memorial. This is situated near a high point on Mt Adelaide where you can enjoy the superb panoramic views of the surrounding land and seascapes including Middletown Beach and Emu Point. At the Convoy Lookout you will hear about Australia’s and New Zealand’s first contingent of 30,000 troops to WWI who were anchored in a large convoy of troopships in King George Sound (October 1914)

·       We drive past Middleton Beach and then stop to view the ocean at Emu Point where guests learn about Oyster Harbour. There is much to discover - the recovery programs for the sea grasses, the commercial farming and re-establishment of local oysters using an artificial reef system. Enjoy the estuarine birdlife as you learn about the history of the Kalgan River, the early French and British navigators, and finally as the meeting place for the Kalgan and King Rivers

·       We then travel via Lower King and Nanarup Road to view the Indigenous fish traps at Oyster Harbour. The local Indigenous Menang peoples of the Noongar nation trapped different fish species as a major food source.  You will see cultural sites over 6,000 years old

·       Morning tea is then taken at a winery in the Porongurup Range

·       As we travel through the Stirling Range we take a trip to the carpark lookout at Bluff Knoll, the highest peak being 1099 metres above sea level. It is known as the ‘place of many eyes’ or Pualaar Miial, by Indigenous Noongar people. We enjoy the panoramic views of the surrounding plains and see if we can spot black cockatoos, birds of prey, purple-crowned lorikeets, scrub wrens and other birds in their natural habitat

·       In the meantime lunch is being scheduled at the Yongergnow Malleefowl Centre Ongerup where guests can experience the Malleefowl sanctuary. The sanctuary is part of the National Malleefowl Recovery Program to protect Malleefowl and their habitat. This country is known for the massive deforestation or clearing of vast ecologically rich and diverse Eucalyptus Mallee

·       We make a quick visit to the Ongerup Railway Museum and wildflower display before continuing on our journey to Pingrup to view the painted wildlife artwork on the wheat silos (again part of the FORM Public Silo Art Trail) to photograph the painted grain silos

·       Next stop is Nyabing “Hub” to enjoy afternoon refreshments before a stop at Badgebup to see how the local Indigenous Ranger program is going

·       Our final stop is Katanning for an overnight stay. Guests stay at the Premier Mill Hotel. The Premier Mill Hotel is a converted roller flour mill, refurbished into modern accommodation, with an accompanying restaurant and cafe.  End the day by partaking in a traditional Australian pastime, a ‘Sundowner’, at the downstairs Cordial Bar at the Premier Mill Hotel, before tucking into a delicious meal at the nearby Royal Exchange Hotel. This is a tour favourite experience

Day 2     Pioneers and Prospectors, Kokoda Track and Mosques

·       Start the day at 8.30am by finding out about the history of Katanning with a special guest historian who will impart the secrets of this famous town. Learn about the unique personalities that developed the railway line and opened up the hinterland for sheep and cropping

·       For morning tea we meet and chat to local community leader Alep at the “The Daily Grind” before heading off to finding out about how modern multi-cultural Australia is reflected in the celebration of Islamic culture and the opening of a local Mosque in Katanning along with viewing the painted wildlife artwork (part of the “Public Silo Art Trail”) and other local features around this incredible town

·       Then we head off to Kojonup for a visit viewing the old barracks, the spring and the historic water trough and learning more about Brigadier Potts and the Kokoda Track of WW11

·       Then we tour Kodja Place to view the Indigenous and settler handcrafted tools before lunch and departing to the next stop Broomehill

·       Travelling through wandoo country we reach another famous icon in Western Australia, Broomehill. Famous for the remarkable ingenuity of John Holland and his team, who in April 1893, carried their meagre supplies on horseback through harsh terrain to cut a shorter route for gold seekers to the new gold discoveries in the outback. In Broomehill we learn about Holland and the gold seekers who trekked over 533kms to the newly discovered goldfields in Coolgardie and Kalgoorlie in the 1890’s. Guests walk the town looking at remnants of the early prospectors

·       We then take a detour drive heading along the Horsepower Highway to Gnowangerup to view all the old tractors and other artwork that reflects the country regions of WA before taking afternoon tea at a winery in the Porongurup Range prior to travelling back to Albany

Terms and Conditions apply and all enquiries to Wayne Monks at wmonks@westnet.com.au