Western Australian Outback
DAYS
Style
EX
From
Overview
Join us as we enjoy the benefits of small group travel with time to experience the birds, botany and a great outback experience.
This is no ordinary adventure. This expedition follows two of the tracks built by the Len Beadell who surveyed this and many of the better known outback tracks of Central Australia. The two tracks are the Anne Beadell Highway (named after his wife) and the Connie Sue Highway (named after his daughter). Don’t be confused by the highway tags given to these tracks they are very remote and generally not maintained.
The trip departs from Perth and heads to Laverton then on to Neale Junction on the Anne Beadell Highway before heading south on the Connie Sue to Cocklebiddy. There will be plenty of time to thoroughly explore the areas wildlife as we have allowed seven days to travel these two tracks.
On arriving at Cocklebiddy we leave the remote tracks and travel to the coast and the Eyre Bird Observatory where we have two days to experience all the observatory has to offer.
The return trip to Perth will include time spent on the Nullarbor Plain and the Granite Woodlands trail between Norseman and Hyden.
Itinerary
| Day 1 | Perth to Coolgardie Area | Today we will depart Perth from the Wellington Street Tourist pick up point at 7.15 am and then head up the Great Eastern Highway, passing through the central Wheatbelt towns of Northam and Merredin, as we head to Coolgardie. Accommodation: Bush Camp, Coolgardie Area LD |
| Day 2 | Coolgardie Area to bush camp east of Laverton | Today we will travel to through the historic goldfield ghost towns of Broad Arrow, and Kookynie and then on to Laverton. Accommodation: Bush Camp, east of Laverton BLD |
| Day 3-4 | Laverton – Anne Beadell Highway – Neale Junction | For the next two days, we will travel across the centre on one of the loneliest roads in Australia. Over many dunes topped by magnificent Marble Gums (Euc gongylocarpa). In the swales and throughout the area you will find Eucalyptus youngiana and dense thickets of Mulga (Acacia anuera), Sheoak (Allocasuarina cristata) and Hummock Grass or Spinifex (Triodia basedowii). The western side of the Great Victoria Desert features fascinating breakaway country and mesa-like hills. There will be plenty of time to look at the natural wealth of flora and fauna and appreciate the beautiful outback scenery. Accommodation: Bush Camps, Anne Beadell Highway BLD |
| Day 5 | Neale Junction | Today is spent at the pretty Neale Junction Nature Reserve exploring the area. Accommodation: Bush Camp, Anne Beadell Highway BLD |
| Day 6-9 | Neale Junction to Eyre Bird Observatory | The next section of the trip takes us south travelling on the Connie Sue Highway via Rawlinna, on the Trans-Australian railway line to the Eyre Bird Observatory on the coast south of Cocklebiddy. Accommodation: Bush camps on Connie Sue Highway and shared accommodation at the Bird Observatory. BLD |
| Day 10-11 | Eyre Bird Observatory | We take a break from driving and camping for the next two days and explore the wildlife and history of the area around the observatory. Accommodation: Bird Observatory BLD |
| Day 12 | Eyre Bird Observatory to Bush Camp Old Telegraph Track | Today we head back to the Eyre Highway stopping and looking at the birdlife and wildflowers as we slowly make our way back to Perth. Accommodation: Bush Camp, Old Telegraph Track BLD |
| Day 13-14 | Norseman to Hyden Area via Granite Woodlands Trail | We will spend the next two days exploring the Woodlands Trail, which passes through one of the most extensive temperate woodlands left in the world. It links Norseman to Hyden and Wave Rock with 300kms of heathlands and granite outcrops. Accommodation: Bush Camps, Granite Woodlands Trail BLD |
| Day 15 | Hyden Area to Perth | Our last day takes us through the wheat belt back to Perth. Our outback adventure ends with our late afternoon arrival in Perth. BL |
| NB: The above itinerary may be varied according to conditions and advice. |
availability
Place available on 21 September 2021 DEPARTURE
Inclusions
- 14 Breakfasts, 15 Lunches, 14 Dinners
- Coates tour leader/driver
- Coates Naturalist leader/driver
- Two well-maintained, air-conditioned vehicles with front-facing, seat-belted seats
- Easy to erect dome tents and camp chairs with arms
- A self-inflating air mattress and stretcher bed
- All eating utensils
- Morning tea each day
- Fruit on-board the vehicle throughout the day
- Campsite fees
- All national park entrance fees
- Travel permits as required