Mt Augustus / Walga Rock

Departing from East Perth Train Terminal at 7.30 am, we start our adventure travelling through the Swan Valley on the Great Northern Highway and arriving at Bindoon for a morning tea stop. We later continue through wheat and sheep country to Dalwallinu, where we stop for lunch. We continue on to the tiny settlement of Paynes Find and on the sides of the road at this time of the year we should experience carpets of everlastings, a visual delight. We have a comfort stop and then head on to Mount Magnet and to the outback town of Cue, our overnight stop. (D)

This morning we take a short drive to Meekatharra for a tour of the town before hitting the dirt road to Mt Augustus. Our first stop on the way is at the Murchison River, a delightful area for bird life and flora and fauna. We collect some firewood here for our campfire for the next two nights at Mt Augustus. Our next stop on the way is the heritage site of Mt Gould. This is the site of one of Western Australia’s oldest police stations, built in 1880 and one which has a very interesting story. We next arrive at the Landor Race Track. Races have been held here since 1929 and still continue to run every year in October. We have a look around before heading to our destination. On the way we will experience the wonder of Mt Augustus from a distance, an amazing sight. Later we arrive at our accommodation for a two-night stop over at Mt Augustus resort and station. (B,D)

This morning is all about the rock—Mt Augustus—and the lovely Lyons River, which is where Cattle Pool is situated. This is an absolutely wonderful spot, with its amazing large river gums, birdlife and animals. We enjoy a morning tea here and for those who are game, a swim is on offer! Around the rock we stop at various locations to explore Aboriginal art, wonderful rock formations and experience the scent of the bush – it doesn’t get much better. Later we return to our accommodation for lunch and then the afternoon is yours to explore, relax and take in this vast area. In the late afternoon we travel to our sunset viewing area and watch the sun go down on the largest rock in the world – quite a sight to experience – while we enjoy champagne and nibbles. Later back to camp for our evening meal around the campfire. What a truly wonderful day! (B,L,D)

We say goodbye to Mt Augustus today and head out, turning south and crossing the Murchison River . We continue to the ruins of Big Bell and then Walga Rock, a monolith which is 5 km around the base and 1.5 km long, the second largest in Australia. We continue on back to Cue in the late afternoon. (B,D)

Today we continue our journey back to Perth, stopping for morning tea and lunch on the way, after a wonderful tour of the Murchison area. (B)