Heading east through the scenic Darling Ranges we stop to enjoy morning tea (own expense) at historic York, the first township founded in the Avon Valley. Enjoy the wonderfully preserved turn of the century Victorian buildings and gain an insight into grand old pioneer days. Continuing east, we pass through sweeping wheatbelt plains and stop en route at the famous Dog Cemetery, a tribute to Australian working sheep dogs. Later we reach the small town of Hyden, home of Wave Rock. Before lunch we visit Hippo’s Yawn an unusual natural rock formation shaped like a yawning hippopotamus, regarded by the local Aboriginal people as a special ‘woman’s place’.
Enjoy a picnic lunch at the Wave Rock Wildflower Shop (P6+L). After lunch we join an Aboriginal cultural tour of Wave Rock. Walk around and on top of the rock as you hear of dreamtime stories and discover special Aboriginal sacred sites, including Gnamma Holes (water reservoirs) and learn about Aboriginal culture. Estimated at being an incredible 2,700 million years old, the rock has over time been sculptured by nature into the form of a huge breaking wave. Whilst here visit a Wildlife Park featuring Australian animals or alternatively view the unique Antique Lace Collection.
Leaving Wave Rock, we head off to view some other intriguing rock formations of the area including the Humps, a camel hump like granite rock and finally Mulka’s Cave. Your coach captain will explain the ancient Aboriginal cave paintings featured within it, telling the legend of the outcast Aboriginal, ‘Mulka the Terrible’. Our return journey takes us along back roads through the heart of the Western Australian wheatbelt to the small farming town of Babakin. Here we enjoy some country hospitality over an afternoon tea (own expense) with local town folk.
During the wildflower season (Sep. – Nov.) some of Western Australia’s best wildflowers can be seen in this area and roadside stops will be made to view some of the spectacular native wildflowers. From here, sit back in comfort and contemplate the days experiences before returning through the Darling Ranges giving us elevated panoramic views of Perth’s city lights