



Subtropical gardener Phil Dudman is a presenter on gardening talk-back radio, author of Down-to-earth Garden Design, co-presenter of garden2kitchen, and convenor of Landshare Australia. North Coast, NSW.
VIEW ITINERARYDAY 1 Thursday 15 September, 2022 Perth
On arrival at Perth Airport at the latest 2.30pm, we will be met by our private coach for a guided panoramic tour of the sights of Perth, including the Governor’s Residence, Parliament House and Perth University. This evening, enjoy a welcome dinner to meet the tour members and get to know Phil and your tour manager.
DAY 2 Friday 16 September, 2022 Geraldton
Today we travel north to Geraldton, our base for three nights. On the way we’ll visit Nambung National Park, home of the Pinnacles, with thousands of limestone pillars rising up metres high. These peculiar geological formations were formed by calcified limestone thousands of years ago. From Cervantes we drive through Lesueur National Park with over 2000 species of flowering plants. It is the most wildflower-rich belt in the mid-west and offers flora as spectacular as it is varied. We’ll be on the lookout for smoke bush, black kangaroo paw, scarlet feather flower, scholtzia, cowslip orchids, banksias, blue and red leschenaultia and many more. We continue with a visit to Greenough Homestead, which is the 19th century homestead of the Maley family. We will see the difficulties faced by the Marley’s in this remote area. In the grounds we will see the oldest leaning gumtree in Australia. This evening, those wishing to dine with the group can meet Phil and the tour manager in the lobby.
DAY 3 Saturday 17 September, 2022 Geraldton
We will travel to Mullewa, famous for its spectacular wildflowers including the colourful wreath flower (Leschenaultia macrantha), which is endemic to this area. Carpets of everlastings are also a feature of the area along with orange bush pomegranate, bright pink native foxgloves, blue dampiera, fringe lilies, and many species of orchids, grevilleas, wattles and banksias. We will also travel across the Coalstream Range, the site of Western Australia’s first coal mine. It comes alive with everlasting wildflowers after good winter rains. Seams of coal and ancient marine fossils are exposed where the Irwin River has cut through the layers of rock.
DAY 4 Sunday 18 September, 2022 Geraldton
Today we take a day trip to the pretty fishing village of Kalbarri, travelling through the Kalbarri National Park, which boasts some 800 species of wildflowers. This area displays red river gorges and vast coastal sea cliffs. The Murchison River has cut a magnificent red and white gorge for eighty kilometres to the Indian Ocean, including the Z Bend, The Loop and Nature’s Window. At the Red Bluff Lookout, layers of sandstone form dramatic 100m-high cliffs, which loom over the crashing Indian Ocean.
DAY 5 Monday 19 September, 2022 Perth
We travel south to Perth today, stopping to visit New Norcia, which was established as a mission over 150 years ago to assist Aboriginal people. Today it is a charming town and Benedictine community, reflecting the influence of early Spanish monks. We will have a tour of the monastery and church, and see the olive grove, established in the 1850s, still producing their famous olive oil. Continuing on to Perth, we travel through Yanchep National Park, where many varieties of wildflowers flourish.
DAY 6 Tuesday 20 September, 2022 Perth
We visit King’s Park and Botanic Garden, where we are able to admire the spectacular views over the city and the Swan River. Kings Park showcases an outstanding collection of Western Australian flora. Nearly two-thirds is natural bushland, with the balance being superbly cultivated gardens and parkland. We will continue with a visit to Zanthorrea Nursery in Maida Vale. This nursery is often regarded as the best native plant nursery in Perth. It employs very knowledgeable staff. The afternoon is free for individual exploration.
DAY 7 Wednesday 21 September 2022 Perth
This morning we travel to visit Araluen Botanic Park. Developed as a bush camp by J J Simons in 1929. It has been restored and developed as a gorgeous natural bush botanic park since 1990. It also incorporates 14 hectares of developed gardens with
thousands of stunning tulips. We continue with a visit to Krannynook, established
on an old orchard in 1997. Owner, Gill Jarvis has developed a backdrop of shrubs
and deciduous trees with herbaceous borders, rock ponds and creeks. She loves
unusual plants and is always looking for treasures to enhance her garden. We
enjoy a Devonshire Tea in this beautiful garden.
DAY 8 Thursday 22 September, 2022 Albany
Our journey today is to Albany on the shore of the Southern Ocean. We visit the
farm garden of Cathy Wright. Cathy organised and created the Rose Maze in
Kojonup which is our next visit and her garden is excellent. We continue to the
Rose Maze with time to enjoy the roses, have some lunch or buy locally produced
handcrafts. The maze uses more than 100 species of Australian-bred roses and
weaves together the stories of three women to illustrate the hardship of rural life
in the early 20th century. We’ll travel through the Stirling Range National Park
stopping along the route to see wildflowers. The Park is a remarkable botanical
reserve with grass trees, pea flowers, leschenaultias, blue smoke bush, scarlet
banksia and many orchid varieties are among a few of the wildflowers to be found
in this area. In Albany, those wishing to dine together can meet with Phil and the
tour manager in the lobby.
DAY 9 Friday 23 September, 2022 Albany
This morning we will have a tour of historic Albany, the site of the first European
settlement in Western Australia, with magnificent views of King George Sound.
We’ll also view the impressive granite formations of The Gap and Natural Bridge
in Torndirrup National Park. In the afternoon we’ll visit The Old Farm, Strawberry
Hill, which was once the home of WA’s first Government Resident in Albany. We
will wander through the beautifully furnished 1836 cottage to gain a real insight
into the way of life in early colonial times. The cottage was one of the earliest
buildings in the state and site of the first cultivated farm. We will walk through
the properties stunning gardens, which contain some of the original fruit trees.
DAY 10 Saturday 24 September, 2022 Pemberton
At Bow Bridge, we’ll visit the garden of Tree Elle Retreat, where we’ll enjoy
morning tea hosted by the owner. We will travel through the Valley of the Giants, where karri and jarrah trees tower majestically over the countryside and red
tingle trees can have a base circumference of 16m. We’ll take the tree-top walk
through the canopy of the trees, 40m above the forest floor. Around the area we
hope to see orchids, kangaroo paws, bottlebrush, flowering gums, dryandras and
cone flowers. We will see the enormous Gloucester tree towering 72m above the
ground. Used as a fire lookout tree, it has a cabin built 58m up the tree, accessed
by 153 spikes that spiral the trunk. We continue to our hotel in Pemberton. Phil
and the tour manager will meet those wishing to dine together.
DAY 11 Sunday 25 September, 2022 Margaret River
Today we travel to visit Holberrry House Garden. Set on four acres of beautifully
landscaped gardens with sculptures scattered throughout, you will enjoy this
peaceful retreat. We continue to Augusta and then Cape Leeuwin, where the
Southern and Indian Oceans meet. We then visit Boranup Forest with its views
of the prettiest karri forest in Western Australia. On the journey, we’ll be on the
lookout for wildflowers such as orchids, wild clematis, brilliant red coral vine, the
karri hazel and wattle, before arriving at Margaret River, where we will stay for
two nights.
DAY 12 Monday 26 September, 2022 Margaret River
This morning the head gardener will show us around the beautifully designed
Secret Garden. This is a very special, privately owned garden that is meticulously
kept. In spring it features wisteria, clematis, iris and crab-apples. Our special
Travelrite International Farewell Lunch will be at Aravina Estate. After lunch, you
may wish to stroll through the beautifully kept garden or visit the surf and sports
car display.
DAY 13 Tuesday 27 September, 2022 Home
Heading back to Perth, we first stop at Busselton to see the largest wooden jetty
in the Southern Hemisphere, then continue to Bunbury, Western Australia’s
second-largest city. If we’re lucky we will get a glimpse of the dolphins along the
coastline. On arrival at Perth airport, we’ll catch our return flights home.
TWIN FARE PER PERSON | SINGLE FARE |
---|---|
$5,490 | $6,485 |
Touring can involve a considerable amount of walking and stair climbing in the places visited and it is important that all tour participants have a level of physical fitness that allows them to take part in this tour without the need of assistance from others.
Tour Operator: Travelrite International Pty Ltd. (ABN 64 005 817 078) (Travelrite) is the tour operator.
Tour Costs: The tour costs are based on general transport and accommodation rates at 20 June 2021. No alterations to price will be made within 60 days of departure. A deposit of $500.00 per passenger is required at the time of booking. Full payment will be required 60 days before departure for the Garden Tour.
Cancellation Charges: * Cancellation conditions don’t apply for clients with future cruise/tour credits. Cruise/tour credits are non-refundable. Cancellations within 60 days of departure will result in the loss of all monies paid. Cancellation outside 62 days from departure will result in a cancellation fee of $500.00 per person. Travel insurance is recommended to cover the costs of cancellation fees due to illness, death in family, etc.
Minimum Tour Numbers and Conditions:
A 1.5% administration fee
will be charged on Visa, Mastercard and Amex payments. Arrangements have
been made on the basis of a minimum number of passengers travelling. In
the event that less than the required number of passengers have confirmed
their booking 62 days from the date of departure, Travelrite International
reserves the right to cancel the tour, giving a full refund of monies paid, or
offer arrangements to proceed with the tour at a modified fare.
Refunds:
The tour is based on arrangements that do not allow
for any refunds in respect to sightseeing, accommodation,
meals, airfare or other services not utilized after the tour has
commenced.
Tour Participation:
Children under 5 years of age are ineligible on coach & cruise tours. Children under 18 years of age must be accompanied by an adult. Passengers with disabilities are welcome on Travelrite & Cruise Offers tours provided they are accompanied by a companion capable of providing all necessary assistance, and do not require special assistance from Travelrite & Cruise Offers personnel. Travelrite and Cruise Offers reserves the right to refuse to carry anyone if it is felt the individual cannot cope with the requirements of coach & cruise tour travel and who may require services and facilities that Travelrite & Cruise Offers cannot guarantee will be available. You agree to not hold the Travelrite & Cruise Offers responsible for any decision made by any of them or any service provider to refuse to carry you, provide any facilities or accommodation to you or to provide any service to you.
Responsibilities: Travelrite International Pty Ltd. (ABN 64 005 817 078) is the tour organizer. Travelrite acts only as an agent in the making of arrangements for hotels, transportation, restaurants or any other service and does not assume any liability whatsoever for any injury, damage, death, loss, accident or delay to person or property due to an act of negligence or a default of any hotel, carrier restaurant company or person rendering any services included in the tour, or by act of God. Further no responsibilities are accepted for any damage or delay due to sickness, pilferage, labour disputes, machinery break-down, quarantine, government restraints, weather, terrorism or other causes beyond their control. No responsibility is accepted for any additional expense, omission, delays, re-routing or acts of any government authority. The passage contract between the carriers concerned, when issued, shall constitute the sole contract between the carriers and the purchasers of this tour and/or the passengers. The right is reserved to withdraw any tour and/or make such changes in the tour as may be found desirable or necessary for the convenience of the parties and the proper carrying out of the tour. This contract shall be construed in accordance of the laws of the State of Victoria, Australia and any legal action must be undertaken in the State of Victoria.
Delays and unforseen events::
You engage Travelrite International to book this tour on your behalf and you acknowledge that Travelrite International acts as your agent for the purpose of making contracts between you and the various providers of accommodation, transportation and other services that comprise the tour. Travelrite International may without reference to you provide or make available to you, or may as your agent engage any third party to provide or make available to you, any good or service which Travelrite International reasonably believes is necessary for your benefit to maintain the tour itinerary, repatriate you or otherwise accommodate, transport or sustain you in circumstances in which the tour itinerary fails wholly or partly for any reason. You appoint Travelrite International your attorney for this purpose. You agree to pay Travelrite International any cost thereof and you indemnify Travelrite International in respect of any cost it incurs in this regard. Travelrite advises you to obtain travel insurance generally including in respect of the risk that any such good or service may become required.
How to Book: Bookings can be made by sending full names and addresses of intending tour members with a deposit of $500 for the Garden Tour. Please send to:
Travelrite International Pty Ltd
423 Whitehorse Road Balwyn, Victoria 3103
Further information or a booking form can be obtained by telephoning Travelrite International on the following numbers:
Toll Free: 1800 630 343
Telephone (03) 8803 6868
Email balwyn@travelrite.com.au
https://www.travelrite.com.au/
About Travelrite International: Travelrite International Pty Ltd (ABN 64 005 817 078) is a well-established family-owned business that’s been operating in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs for more than 35 years. Travelrite International is a full member of the Australian Federation of Travel Agents (AFTA), is fully Accredited with ATAS (A10538) and IATA. As such they directly represent the major airlines of the world and all major domestic and international hotel, tour and transport operators.
“The whole tour was wonderful and the group was a good mix of personality. The gardens visited were interesting and varied.”
“Very enjoyable. Good mix of people in the group.”