1. No category

The Valley of the Giants treetop walk
RACS Annual Scientific Congress, Perth
4 – 8 May 2015
Post Congress Tour in South West Australia
9 – 15 May 2015
Overlooking Albany, Western Australia’s first capital
The south west of WA is one of Australia’s
most beautiful pockets. With a thriving
gastronomic and wine culture against
a backdrop of towering karri forests,
spectacular deserted beaches and charming
historic towns, it has become a must see
destination. The tour includes specialist
visits to National Anzac Centre in Albany
and meetings with RSL members in the
centenary year of the Anzac landings at
Gallipoli.
walk. Later there is the option to take a sunset
kangaroo safari in a classic 4WD Bedford truck.
Next morning experience one of Margaret
River’s most famous products with local wine
expert Neil McLeod. Tour some of the best local
wineries, including Knee Deep, owned by Perth
based surgeon, Philip Childs, the iconic Vasse
Drive from Perth to Margaret River, stopping
en route at the historic homestead of Edenvale
in the riverside town of Pinjarra. Continue to
Harvey, where you will stop at the May Gibbs
tea rooms, set amongst beautiful lush gardens
on the river. Continue to Margaret River to check
into the Sea Shells Hotel and have dinner at the
Caves House Hotel.
Spend the next morning at leisure or take one
of the options to explore the Boyanup Galleries,
the nearby Yallingup Caves or take a bush
Vineyard sunset, Margaret River
the battlefields of Europe and also the site of
the National Anzac Centre. Next day meet with
local surgeons and war veterans and learn about
Albany’s history. Drive up Mount Clarence to
visit the Princess Royal Fortress and the National
Anzac Interpretative Centre, with talks from
local RSL volunteers. In the afternoon visit the
excellent Albany Museum and a replica of the
Amity and explore the old town. Enjoy a gala
dinner at the Great Southern Distillery including
whisky tasting with local RSL members.
Your next morning is at leisure, with options
to explore the town at your own pace. There
are two options in the afternoon; for lunch in
Denmark and a visit to Forest Hill Winery or the
‘Granite Skywalk’ and wine tasting.
Next morning drive back to Perth via Kojonup
for lunch, arriving Perth mid afternoon.
Optional Tours
Greens Pool, Denmark, Western Australia (top);
See kangaroos in the bush on a kangaroo safari (above)
Felix and Cullen, established by local GP, Dr
Kevin John Cullen in the 1960’s, with plenty of
opportunities for wine tasting. Stop for a platter
lunch at Cullen and try some of Margaret River’s
other local produce, including coffee, cheese,
chocolate and olive oil.
Next morning set out for Albany, the historic
former capital of Western Australia, stopping
for coffee at the attractive town of Nannup on
the way. Continue to the impressive Valley of
the Giants, deep in the towering karri forests
of the region, and walk through the tree tops
on a canopy bridge. Drive on to the coast town
of Denmark and arrive in Albany, set on a
magnificent natural harbour. Check into the Dog
Rock Motel and have dinner at its acclaimed
restaurant, Lime 303.
Albany has an important military history, being
the final port for Australian troops en route to
Kangaroo safari: Drive into natural bush land
aboard a classic 1962 four-wheel drive Bedford
Truck to see Western Grey Kangaroos in the
wild. Have billy tea and home baked cake on the
banks of Dudley Creek. Includes all transport,
guide and refreshments. Cost $45 per person.
Lunch and wine tasting in Denmark: Visit
beautiful Greens Pool, sheltered by gigantic
granite boulders in the ocean. Continue to
Denmark for lunch at Pepper and Salt followed
by a visit to the Forest Hill winery. Includes
guided winery tour with tastings, two course
lunch, all transport. Cost upon application.
Walking and wine tasting in the
Porongorups: Take the Granite Skywalk,
a suspended walkway that spirals around
the huge granite outcrop of Castle Rock to
the summit for spectacular views over the
Porongorups and the Great Southern Ocean.
Continue to three cool climate wineries for
wine tasting. Includes all transport. Cost subject
to numbers; please contact us for further
information.
Itinerary
9 – 15 May 2015
B = Breakfast
L = Lunch D = Dinner
9 May (Sat)
Perth / Margaret B D
River region Am
Eve
Drive to Margaret River via Pinjarra and Harvey. Visit the gardens of May Gibbs’ old house
Overnight at the Sea Shells Hotel with dinner at the Caves’ House Hotel B
10 May (Sun) Margaret River region
Am
Pm
At leisure. Options to explore Margaret River, the Boyanup Galleries, Yallingup Caves take the walking trails through the bush
Optional Sunset Kangaroo Safari
11 May (Mon)Margaret River region
Am
B
The cost of the post Congress tour
to South West Australia is $2,380
or £1,360 and includes:
• Six nights’ accommodation on a sharing basis
with breakfast at The Caves House Hotel and
The Dog Rock Motel
• All transport through the tour
• Dinner at the Caves House hotel with wine,
platter lunch at Cullens with wine, dinner at
Lime 303 with wine, gala dinner with whisky
tasting and wine, light lunch at the Kodja
Place
• Guided tours in Margaret River and Albany
• All admission fees
• GST
L
Tastings at Margaret River wineries
with a local wine expert. Platter lunch
at Cullen’s. Sample some of Margaret
River’s local produce, including coffee,
cheese, chocolate and olive oils
12 May (Tue) Margaret River / Albany B D
Am Pm
Eve
Depart Margaret River for Albany, stopping in the lovely town of Nannup
Continue via Pemberton. Walk on a bridge through the tree tops in the Valley of the Giants. Continue to Albany and the Dog Rock Motel
Dinner at the acclaimed Lime 303
13 May (Wed) Albany
Am Pm
Eve
B D
Drive up Mount Clarence and visit Princess Royal Fortress and the National Anzac Centre. View the exhibits and hear a number of talks from local RSL volunteers
Visit the Albany Museum, the replica
of the ship Amity and explore the old
town and The ANZAC Memorial
Park
Gala dinner at the Great Southern
Distillery with whisky tasting
B
14 May (Thur)Albany
Am At leisure
Organised Option Group 1: Lunch and Wine Tasting in Denmark.
Organised Option Group 2: Walking and Wine Tasting (see previous page for details)
15 May (Fri) Albany
Am B
L
Early start for return to Perth via Kojonup and visit The Kodja Place for lunch. Arrive Perth mid afternoon
The dramatic Southern Ocean coastline near Albany
Jon Baines Tours (London)
1A Salcott Road, London, SW11 6DQ
Tel: +44 (0) 207 223 9485/ 5618
Fax: +44 (0) 207 228 7290
Email: info@jonbainestours.co.uk
www.jonbainestours.co.uk
Jon Baines Tours (Melbourne)
PO Box 68, South Brunswick,
Victoria 3055
Tel: +61 (0) 3 9343 6367
Fax: +61 (0) 3 9012 4228
Email: info@jonbainestours.com.au
www.jonbainestours.com