Western Wanderer Tour

Days 8 - 10: Albany

Distance: approx 352 km / 219 miles

Travel eastwards today visiting the historic mill town of Nannup and the timber town of Pemberton on your way to Albany. Albany was Western Australia’s first settlement and was once a major whaling centre. Visit for numerous white sandy beaches and spectacular coastal scenery. In the town itself there are over 50 historic buildings including Patrick Taylor’s Cottage, built just one year after the town was officially surveyed in 1832, which is now a museum. The whaling museum, Whaleworld, details the whales and the whaling operation that once flourished here. Tour the old whaling station, jump aboard a whaling boat and don't miss the Brig Amity - a replica of the ship that brought Albany its first settlers. The whaling industry closed in 1978 and whale watching has taken its place, providing an opportunity for you to see these magnificent animals.

You may want to take in the scenery with a drive along the rugged coastline of Torndirrup National Park. Get some salty sea air and fantastic photos at the Gap, boasting a dramatic 24 metre ocean drop. Then nearby Natural Bridge is a mind-boggling granite formation in the shape of a bridge. Take a drive past quirky granite Dog Rock or perhaps walk along the Middleton Beach boardwalk trail - a three kilometre trail with sensational views of King George Sound.

Days 11 - 13: Esperance

Distance: approx 480 km / 299 miles

Depart Albany and follow the South Coast Highway to Esperance, a beautiful coastal town which boasts stunning coastal scenery with its famed squeaky white sand and turquoise water. There are 5 national parks around Esperance. The Cape Le Grand National Park is only 56kms from the town centre and this is where you can see kangaroos lazing on the beach. Further east is Cape Arid, which is also a popular park for camping, fishing and hiking.

A great scenic drive from the town centre is the 38 km tourist loop called the Great Ocean Drive, which takes in the beautiful surfing and fishing beaches and the Pink Lake. Alternatively the main attractions in the town are the historic museum village where the visitor centre is located, and the tanker jetty where the resident sealion “Sammy” lives.

Days 14 - 15: Kalgoorlie

Distance: approx 387 km / 240 miles

Say goodbye to Esperance today and head north on the Coolgardie Esperance Highway. You'll pass through small outback towns along the way, with intriguing names such as Salmon Gums and Widgiemooltha. Kalgoorlie is Australia’s largest inland city and is the heart of gold mining in Australia. Still a thriving mining town, it's also a living museum where visitors can visit a vast operational open-pit mine, explore an old mine shaft or try their hand at gold-panning. It also provides the opportunity to see the famous outback and the stark red colour of the surrounding landscape.

Days 16 - 17: Wave Rock

Distance: approx 490 km / 304 miles

Depart Kalgoorlie early today and head to the town of Hyden, close to Wave Rock. Hyden is situated in the remote western area of Australia's Golden Outback tourist region. Wave Rock is situated 4 km east of the town, within a 160-hectare nature reserve. As the name suggests the rock has the shape of a breaking wave, frozen in time. It is 110 metres long and 15 metres high, with vertical bands of ochre, brown and grey rock - granite to be specific – providing a truly wondrous sight!

Days 18 - 21: Fremantle

Distance: approx 342 km / 213 miles

Make your way back to the coast today and the town of Fremantle. It was established in 1829 as a port for the fledgling Swan River Colony and was the major city in Western Australia for much of its early history. “Freo” as it is also know to the locals, is home to a 500-strong fishing fleet and a vast number of yachts and pleasure craft. Two significant historical replica ships were built here: The HMS Endeavour and the Duyfken which was the first Dutch vessel to chart the Australian coastline in 1666.

Options available to you include visiting the interesting historic buildings and the museums, gaze at the conspicuous wealth of the Freemantle Yacht Club and extensive seaside parks or perhaps take one of the five heritage trails or go fishing at North Mole.

Days 22 - 23: Fremantle - Perth & UK

Distance: approx 30 km / 18 miles

Take the short journey back to Perth, drop off your motorhome and check at the airport for your journey home, arriving back into the UK the next day.