Cruise and Maritime Voyages

Western Australia is a region of great scenic beauty and Esperance is strategically placed to enjoy some of the best of it. From Esperance travel to Cape Le Grande National Park one of the highlights of the local area and indeed one of Western Australia's most spectacular National Parks. First stop is Frenchman Peak for a short photo stop before heading to Hellfire Bay. Here you can take a quick walk along the beach before you head for Lucky Bay which was voted Australia’s Whitest Beach. There will be approximately one hour of free time here for you to enjoy the area and perhaps take a dip in the ocean or relax and purchase refreshments.
Leaving Lucky Bay you will make your way to Mermaid Leather for a visit where you can learn how fish skins are processed and premium leather products are created. This is the only place in Australia that tans fish skins and is one of only nine such facilities in the world. Products made here include shoes, belts and even paper.
Your tour then continues to Rotary lookout, which gives you a 360 degree view of the Recherche Archipelago and Esperance town. There will be a stop at West Beach for photos before heading to Twilight Cove, voted Australia’s Best Beach before you continue along the coast making a short stop at Pink Lake lookout, a salt plain which, in the right weather conditions, appears pink due to the high concentration of salt-tolerant algae. There will then be a stop for you to spend time at Section Gallery where you can see a diverse range of local products offered for sale. The Gallery houses an innovative and diverse body of handcrafted glass objects and kiln fired glass artworks using both warm glass and cold glass techniques. Following your time at Section Gallery, you will be transported back to the pier.  

By coach/on foot, subject to minimum 30/maximum 80.
Please note: This tour involves walking at the various stops, much of which is at guests’ discretion. This tour does not include lunch or refreshments. Comfortable walking shoes are recommended. If you wish to enjoy a swim at Lucky Bay, please remember to wear your swimwear, carry a towel and take sunscreen. There are very basic changing and toilet facilities on the beach (enviro-composting toilets). Guests must be able to swim and feel comfortable in open waters. Guests are requested to refrain from drinking alcoholic beverages prior to swimming activities. All water activities undertaken are at your own risk.
IMAGE CREDIT: TOURISM WESTERN AUSTRALIA
 

03/12/14 - ITINERARY AMENDMENT - WE HAVE TODAY BEEN ADVISED BY OUR LOCAL AGENT THAT 'THE GAP' AND 'THE NATURAL BRIDGE' IN TORNDIRRUP NATIONAL PARK WILL BE CLOSED UNTIL JUNE 2015 DUE TO CONSTRUCTION WORK. THESE ATTRACTIONS HAVE BEEN REPLACED WITH A VISIT TO THE WIND FARM. PLEASE SEE BELOW FOR THE AMENDED TOUR DESCRIPTION.
The southern area of Western Australia is well known for its many wineries. Enjoy a tour of the city and surrounding areas and discover two of the region's most popular wineries.
Your excursion begins at the pier where you will board your air-conditioned coach and travel along the Princess Royal Harbour shoreline. Enjoy the coastline and scenery that this area has to offer.
Your first stop will be Albany Wind Farm, situated on the edge of a cliff overlooking the coast, this eco-friendly farm consists of twelve 1,800-kilowatt wind turbines, each 213 feet tall with enormous 115-foot-long blades. The wind turbines are some of the biggest in the world and the largest to be installed in the southern hemisphere.
Your next destination is Oranje Tractor Winery where you will enjoy some wine-tasting. Four wines will be tasted. At Oranje Tractor, you won't see any pesticides, herbicides or synthetic fungicides. Oranje Tractor is a boutique winery that produces only a small quantity of wine from their sustainably-managed organic vineyard.
Then, you travel on to Wignalls Wines set amongst manicured lawns and outstanding gardens this is the perfect setting to partake in further wine tasting. Established on the outskirts of the city of Albany in 1982 after climatology results from the nearby weather bureaux at Albany’s airport, showed Albany’s growing conditions in Spring and Summer were virtually identical to the famous wine growing region of Burgundy in central France. So, it was decided to experiment with Burgundy varieties such as the then unknown Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc – all well known today! Four wines will be tasted.
Following your final wine tasting you will be return directly to Albany pier.
 

Please note: This tour involves a total of approximately 2 hours of walking spread over the various stops, over mainly paved walkways and including steps. Comfortable, non-slip walking shoes are recommended. This tour is not considered suitable for guests with walking difficulties or wheelchairs. Wine varieties for tastings will be selected by the cellar door prior to the tour depending on what is available at the time.

19th December 2014 - TOUR ITINERARY UPDATE - PLEASE NOTE THAT THE VISIT TO THE NATIONAL ANZAC CENTRE IS AT YOUR LEISURE AND IS SELF-GUIDED USING A PORTABLE COMMENTARY DEVICE
Your excursion begins at the pier where you will board an air-conditioned motor coach and drive along Stirling Terrace, passing a number of Albany's superb Victorian buildings, including the Courthouse, Rotunda and Old Post Office. Keep an eye out for Dog Rock, a large granite formation shaped like a dog's head that dominates Albany's central business district. Continue on to view Middleton Beach, Albany's popular swimming beach which stretches from Ellen Cove to Rotary Lookout and offers sweeping views of the city and coast. You then ascend Mt. Clarence to the Lookout where there are stunning 360-degree views of Albany, King George Sound and the Albany Wind Farm. Atop Mt Clarence is the Desert Corp Memorial which commemorates the World War I Mounted Corps' distinguished service with Viscount Allenby in the Middle East
Next, you will visit the historic Albany Heritage Park, home of the National ANZAC Centre and Princess Royal Fortress. In 1791, Captain George Vancouver claimed the southern part of Western Australia for the British Crown. He named the natural harbour the Princess Royal Harbour and King George Sound. During the 19th century, Albany's port was considered a strategic harbour and a threat to the security of Australia, and so Australia's first federal fortress was commissioned. It opened in 1893 as the first federal defence of Australia and remained operational for 63 years.
On 1st November 1914, Australian and New Zealand troops departed in convoy from King George Sound, Albany, bound for Europe and the National ANZAC Centre is a show piece for the centenary marked in 2014, providing a unique opportunity for people to experience a connection with the men and women who were involved in the First World War, understanding the sacrifice that they, their friends and families made on behalf of their nation and its allied nations. The Centre highlights the significant role Albany played in the creation of the Anzac Spirit.

By coach/on foot, subject to minimum 30/maximum 40.
Please note: The guided walking tour at the Heritage Park will last approximately 1 hour.  Comfortable, non-slip walking shoes are recommended.