Perth to Alice Springs Overland (in French)

Tour Highlights:

• Margaret River Wine Region with Wine Tasting
• Cape Leeuwin - Australia's southwesternmost point
• Tree Top Walk and Valley of the Giants
• Esperance with its stunning beaches
• Golden Mile Kalgoorlie with Super Pit Tour
• Port Lincoln - Australia's oyster capital
• Flinders Range National Park with Arkaroola Jeep Tour
• Flight over Lake Eyre
• Coober Pedy - Opals and overnight stay in an underground hotel

Itinerary:

Day 1: Perth - Pemberton

The relaxing drive south takes us through places like Mandurah and Bunbury. In Busselton, we visit the longest wooden jetty in the Southern Hemisphere. Next, we admire the coastal section of Canal Rocks. The Margaret River region, one of Australia's most famous wine-growing areas, welcomes us with its Mediterranean climate. Here, we enjoy a wine tasting at a renowned winery. We continue through beautiful forests along Cave Road to Cape Leeuwin, Australia's southwesternmost point, where the Indian and Southern Oceans meet. Our accommodation tonight reflects the authentic atmosphere of the forest and timber region.

Accommodation: Pemberton Hotel, Pemberton

Day 2: Pemberton - Albany

Adventurous travelers have the option to climb one of the tallest "fire lookout trees" in the world (Gloucester Tree). In the Valley of the Giants, we find 300-400-year-old giant trees. On the Tree Top Walk, we get a bird's-eye view of these ancient giants. In the afternoon, we visit the William Bay National Park with its Elephant Rocks and the famous Green Pool beach. The unspoiled beauty and colors of the beaches will captivate you. We then head to Albany, the first settlement in Western Australia.

Accommodation: Quality Suites Banksia Gardens, Albany

Day 3: Albany - Hyden

We begin with a city tour of Albany and the panoramic view from Mount Clarence over King George Sound, where the first settlers of Western Australia landed in 1826. We then explore Natural Bridge and The Gap in the Torndirrup National Park. The drive takes us to the Stirling Range, home to rare endemic plant species. We arrive in Hyden by late afternoon.

Accommodation: Wave Rock Motel, Hyden

Day 4: Hyden - Kalgoorlie

In the morning, we visit the famous Wave Rock. Afterward, we continue on the unsealed but well-maintained Emu Fence Road towards Southern Cross. Following the route of the first gold prospectors, we arrive at the "Golden Mile" in Kalgoorlie-Boulder. We visit the Royal Flying Doctor Service Visitor Centre for insights into the work of Australia's flying doctors and enjoy a brief city tour.

Accommodation: Hospitality Motel, Kalgoorlie

Day 5: Kalgoorlie

Today we visit the "Superpit," Australia's largest open-cut gold mine. We explore the advanced technologies used in gold mining. Afterward, we travel through Menzies, a former gold-mining town, to Lake Ballard. Here, Antony Gormley's 51 sculptures create an impressive contrast against the vibrant landscape. In Kalgoorlie, we also visit the Two-up shed, where the traditional Australian game is sometimes played.

Accommodation: Hospitality Motel, Kalgoorlie

Day 6: Kalgoorlie - Esperance

We drive for approximately 400 km to reach Esperance on the Southern Ocean. Along the way, we pass Norseman, where the Eyre Highway begins. We continue to the Cape Le Grand National Park, famous for its stunning beaches, white sands, and the vivid blue and green waters of the sea. Esperance, "the place where water lies like a boomerang," is our destination for the day.

Accommodation: Hospitality Motel, Esperance

Day 7: Esperance - Balladonia

We say goodbye to the stunning coastline as we take the Great Ocean Drive, with highlights including Rotary Lookout, Twilight Beach, and Pink Lake. We then head north to Norseman, where the Eyre Highway begins its 1,500 km stretch across the Nullarbor Plain. The vastness and remoteness of the Outback will leave a lasting impression.

Accommodation: Balladonia Hotel, Balladonia

Day 8: Balladonia - Nullarbor

Today, we stop to photograph the sign marking Australia's longest straight road. In Eucla, we visit the ruins of the 1877 Telegraph Station. We cross the border into South Australia, adjust our clocks, and pass through a quarantine station. Our journey continues toward Nullarbor, where we spend the night.

Accommodation: Nullarbor Hotel/Motel, Nullarbor

Day 9: Nullarbor - Port Lincoln

The highlight of the day comes early as we visit the Head of Bight lookout in the Great Australian Bight Marine National Park. The cliffs here are breathtaking, and if we're lucky, we may even spot humpback whales. Continuing via Ceduna, we arrive in Port Lincoln, Australia's oyster capital.

Accommodation: Port Lincoln Hotel, Port Lincoln

Day 10: Port Lincoln - Port Augusta

We head to Coffin Bay for a visit to an oyster farm, where we learn about oyster cultivation, complete with a delicious culinary experience. In the afternoon, we head to Port Augusta, our final stop in "civilization."

Accommodation: The Standpipe, Port Augusta

Day 11: Port Augusta - Arkaroola (Flinders Range)

After breakfast, we travel from the southern coast of Australia through Hawker, entering South Australia's outback. The Flinders Range, a 500 km long mountain range, is of great geological significance. The ancient rock formations here create an incomparable landscape that can only be experienced in the Australian Outback.

Accommodation: Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary, Arkaroola

Day 12: Arkaroola (Flinders Range) - Marree

We spend the morning on an exciting 4WD tour of the Flinders Range National Park, visiting spectacular viewpoints. The Sillers Lookout offers unforgettable views of this wild, rugged landscape. In the afternoon, we continue our journey to Marree.

Accommodation: The Marree Hotel, Marree

Day 13: Marree - Coober Pedy

We head west on the Oodnadatta Track to William Creek, where we take a small plane flight over Lake Eyre, the lowest point in Australia. Afterward, we arrive in Coober Pedy and check into our underground hotel.

Accommodation: Desert Cave Hotel, Coober Pedy

Day 14: Coober Pedy

Today, we explore Coober Pedy, the "Opal Capital of the World." We visit the Breakaways, a dramatic land formation, and learn about the opal mining industry. The afternoon is free for personal exploration, and you can hunt for opals.

Accommodation: Desert Cave Hotel, Coober Pedy

Day 15: Coober Pedy - Alice Springs

We have a relaxed drive today as we head north on the Stuart Highway, crossing into the Northern Territory. We stop at the Henbury Meteorite Craters before arriving in Alice Springs to conclude our 15-day journey.

Included Services:

• Transport in air-conditioned 4WD with a maximum of 12 passengers per vehicle
• Accommodation in hotels/motels (14 nights, including 2 nights in an underground room)
• French-speaking guide
• Entrance fees to national parks, wine tasting, Cape Leeuwin, Wave Rock, Super Pit Tour, Coffin Bay Oyster Farm Tour, 4WD Tour in Flinders Range, Lake Eyre flight
• Meals (14x Breakfast, 1x Dinner)
• Free drinking water
• Information package and extensive vehicle library
• 24-hour English, German, French-speaking phone support
• Safety equipment including satellite phone, radio, first-aid kit with defibrillator
• Welcome kit with useful travel items