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Country Escapes – Small Group Tours

Top notch small group four wheel drive (4WD) tours from Perth. ‘Country Escapes in Western Australia Tours’ specialises in superior small group, personalised four wheel drive (4WD) tours from Perth including day tours, overnight trips and extended tours.

One of the great appeals of small group four wheel drive (4WD) touring in the outback is the delight of experiencing the natural environment for real at close proximity.

Our day tours include destinations as varied as:-
Perth, Fremantle and the Swan River.
Guildford, the Swan Valley – Perth’s local wine area.
Darling Ranges, Mundaring and the Perth Hills.
Margaret River region.
York, Northam and Toodyay.
Cervantes – home of the Pinnacles.
New Norcia – Australia’s only Benedictine town.

We have nature tours to the Pinnacles, Wave Rock, wildflowers in season, the Tree Top Walk and scenic Margaret River.

A spectacular overnight tour to the Tree Top Walk and Albany to see towering Karri and Tingle trees, national parks with magnificent coastal scenery, rocky outcrops providing superb lookouts and isolated pristine beaches to walk on.

Our extended tours include the following destinations:-

Margaret River – Western Australia’s premier scenic wine region including Augusta, Busselton and Dunsborough.
Pemberton, Walpole and the Tree Top Walk with its eagle view of the tall Karri and Tingle forests.
Mount Barker, Denmark, Albany and Esperance.
Hyden – closest town to Wave Rock.

Depending on the tour you take, many of the highlights will include:-

Sight seeing, nature, wine tasting, wineries, delicious food, chocolate.
Wildflowers, wildlife, bird watching, bush walking, kangaroos, flora and fauna.
National parks, heritage and history.
Experience country, outback, farm stays, hot air ballooning and adventure.

Check out our website for tour information of exclusive Western Australian personalised tours.

Touring Options

The Pinnacles

A popular tour to visit one of Australia’s best known landscapes, a fascinating day to marvel at nature at its most creative.

The Pinnacles comprise thousands of limestone pillars in a yellow sand desert resembling an ancient ruin. A spectacular sight any time of the day, year round. They are the wonders of time and nature at work. We will be driving into the Pinnacle Desert so you are able to see the Pinnacles at close hand and to walk among them.

Visit scenic Hang Over Bay to see the pristine white sand and sparkling aquamarine ocean. Go for a walk along the beach. After lunch visit Lake Thetis to view Stromatolites which are one of the oldest living organisms on Earth.

York Northam Toodyay

Get acquainted with the Western Australian countryside, bushland and rural heritage.

York is Western Australia’s first inland rural town (1831) and one of the best preserved historical towns in Australia. York is a town rich in Victorian and Federation buildings. Vist the Court House Museum, Fine Art and Furniture Gallery that is influenced by the wid open spaces of the region and browse around town.

Northam is a large central wheat belt town in the heart of the Avon Valley. Travel through wheat, sheep, cattle and agricultural country. The Avon River is home to a colony of white swans. Walk on the Suspension Bridge which crosses the river near by the town centre. Northam is the starting point of the famous two day "Avon Descent White Water Classic" in August each year.

Toodyay located by the Avon. Many of its buildings date back for the convict era in the 19th century. Its peaceful appearance belies its history being the centre of the adventures of bushranger Moondyne Joe. Toodyay is a picturesque township with a village atmosphere. Visit Connors Mill Museum and go for a walk in the town.

Wave Rock

A fascinating day exploring geologic features. Marvel at the colours and the landforms as you escape to the real "Outback".

Hyden is located in the Wheatbelt region directly east of Perth. Wave Rock is located four kilometres east of Hyden on a natural 160 hectre reserve. Geologists believe the original formation was sculptured and coloured by chemicals over 2 700 million years to take on its "wave-like" character. Wave rock rises 15 metres above the ground and 110 metres long is like a giant wave about to break.

Visit Hippo’s Yawn Cave, Mulka’s Cave (the name Mulka comes from an Aboriginal legend associated with the cave), the Humps and Gnamma Hole (an aboriginal water hole in the granite rocks).

Margaret River Scenic Tour

Discover the Margaret River region phenomenon.

Premium wines, vineyards, spectacular surfing and beach coastline, pristine ocean vistas, contrasting countryside and forests combine to attract visitors from around the world to the superb region.

Our tour starts with a visit to Busselton to see the famous two kilometre long timber jetty, then on to scenic Dunsborough with sparkling turquoise beaches. Visit Happs Winery and Pottery Gallery or visit Clairault Estate, both of which are srrounded by tall timber bushland.

Enjoy lunch in Margaret River township at one of the trendy cafes. Visit Surfers Point for stunning views of the coastline at the mouth of the Margaret River.

Treat yourself at our visit to the Chocolate factory.

A relaxing day sightseeing and enjoying the treats of Western Australia’s international famous wine region.

New Norcia

Unique heritage in the Australian bushland. Australia’s only monastic town. Home to a community of Benedictine Monks. With a blend of Spanish architecture, European art treasures and pioneer history in the Western Australian bushland. New Norcia history is Mission period commencing in 1846 with the local aborigines, education for the outback children and Heritage and Tourism.

On a guided tour of the town visit the Monks’ old and new chapels, Abbey Church, St Gertrude’s and St Ildephonsus Colleges. Visit the museum and art gallery. Containing one of the finest collections of movable heritage in Australia. Paintings by Spanish and Italian masters, priceless manuscripts and religious artifacts.

Bread is baked daily at the monastery bakehouse. New Norcia Nut Cake baked in the monastery’s wood-fired oven, premium Olive Oil is processed from the Benedictine Community olive grove and New Norcia Abbey Wines.

Rockingham Mandurah Dwellingup

Rockingham is an area that is enjoying being newly discovered by interstate and international visitors. Rockingham has much history and aquatic charm for holidaymakers to enjoy a long stay. The protected shoreline, local festivals and easygoing lifestyle has made Rockingham a place for locals and visitors alike to delight in.

The safe beaches are ideal for family excursions swimming, fishing and just off shore there is Penguin Island named after its in habitants, in Cockburn sound and Shoalwater Bay Dolphins are regular visitors. The islands are home to rare bird life you can enjoy seeing them in their fragile ecosystems. The Australian Sea Lion is in residence at Seal Island as well.

At Mandurah, tour along the Peel River and the edge of the Peel inlet to see wonderful homes on the canals and may be spot a dolphin. Join a "Canal and Estuary" cruise one hour long visiting magnificent Port Mandurah canals, new Ocean Marina and pass the Creery wetlands wildlife reserve with view of the Peel inlet. Dolphins regularly play alongside of the ferry. Walk along the boardwalk in the towns centre and see the out standing cultural centre, cafes, restaurants, variety of shops and parklands by the foreshore.

Jarrah timber milling was the main industry of the region at the turn of the century and a network of tramways were forged into the forest to join up with the train line to go to Jarrahdale and on to Rockingham for export.

There is the historic Etmilyn Forest Train ride. Bush walks into the Jarrah forest. Join the Bibbulmun Track one of the world’s great long distance walk trails, stretching 1000 kilometres from Kalamunda (Perth Hills) to Albany (South Coast). In the Western Australian bush see flora, birds and may be marsupials.

The fascinating Forest Heritage Centre. A rammed earth, leaf shaped building set deep in the forest fully air-conditioned building housing estern Australia’s only specialist woodworking school. The centre set in the forest of Dwellingup offers a unique cultural experience. Interpretive displays, Jarrah forest tree top walk, Aboriginal trail, fine wood gallery and shop.

Perth and Fremantle Highlights

This half day tour is an excellent introduction for your first visit to Perth.

Visit South Perth to see Perth City and Kings Park from the opposite side of the Swan River. Tour the scenic route around the Swan River via the Causeway, which is the gate way into Perth city. Visit Kings Park, 1 000 acres of natural bushland with botanical gardens. Stroll the Federation Walkway overlooking Perth, Swan River and the Darling Ranges (Perth Hills). Drive along the Swan River with its spectacular early settled suburbs.

Fremantle has a diverse cosmopolitan history interwoven with maritime history. Fremantle is provincial. In resent times, Fremantle was the site of Australia’s defence of the America’s Cup in 1987. There is an exuberant nautical atmosphere at the fishing boat harbour. Visit the historic Round House and Fremantle markets which are open Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Travel along the sparkling west coast to Cottesloe, Perth’s best known beach with its which sands and aquamarine waters.

Hot Air Ballooning in the Avon Valley

An adventure day tour a short distance from Perth.

Arise early for your tour from Perth to your flight in a Hot Air Balloon at Northam. At the crack of dawn float away on a delightful adventure in your hot air balloon over the scenic Avon Valley at Northam a one hour drive from Perth. Enjoy a champagne breakfast after your flight.

Following your Hot Air Ballooning experience we will sight see Northam and visit historic York before returning to Perth

Northam is a large central wheat belt town nestled in the heart of the Avon Valley, travel a productive Agricultural region which has wheat, sheep and cattle. The Avon River at Northam is home to a colony of white swans. Another attraction on the Avon River is the Suspension Bridge which crosses the river near by the town centre. Northam is the starting point of the famous two day "Avon Descent White Water Classic" in August each year.

York is Western Australia’s first inland rural town (1831) and one of the best preserved historical towns in the whole of Australia. York is a town rich in Victorian and Federation buildings. Visit the Court House Museum, browse around the town, and go to see a Fine Art and Furniture Gallery, which is influenced, by the wide-open spaces of the region.

Tour Operates from April – late November 2006
Weekends and Public Holidays $367.00pp
Week Days Monday Tuesday Wednesday $345.00pp

Inclusive of Hot Air Ballooning, Champagne Breakfast, Lunch and Entry Fees

Bookings and payment:
Advance booking is essential. To make a reservation please phone 0429 385 642 or email countryescapes@iinet.net.au. Payment is required in full once you have made a reservation.

Recommended minimum age 8 years.
No maximum age limit as long as passengers are fit enough to get in and out of the Wicker Basket and able to stand and enjoy the flight for its duration approximately 45 minutes to one hour. Please advise us of your weight at time of booking

The Peel Region

Mandurah, Dwellingup and Jarrahdale.

A relaxing day sightseeing and enjoying scenic attractions a short drive from Perth.

The Peel region south of Perth is diverse in its attractions a coastal strip with aquatic attractions: boating, fishing, crabbing for Mandurah’s famous blue crab in the Peel Inlet, dolphins, pelicans and many more birds from the breeding sanctuaries near by.
Inland there is farming and mining and in the hills the Darling Ranges, tall old growth and regrowth Jarrah forests, Nature reserves and National Parks with walking trails and wildflowers in season.

Mandurah
At Mandurah enjoy morning tea at a park by Mandjah Bay in the heart of town and walk along the boardwalk. See the out standing cultural centre, cafes, restaurants, variety of shops and parklands by the foreshore and the new marina development.
We tour along the Mandurah Estuary to see wonderful homes on the canals and may be spot a dolphin. Travel by the edge of the Peel Inlet for isolated vistas for the waterways.

Dwellingup
Dwellingup is a small timber town nestled in the Darling Ranges. There is old growth and regrowth jarrah forests with walking trails, wildflowers in season, small farms, orchards and vineyards. Enchanting country lifestyle atmosphere to take a break for lunch. After lunch go for a walk along the Bibbulmun Track to take in the local jarrah forests.

Jarrahdale
Jarrahdale town is classified by the National Trust, recognising its importance as the first timber town in the state, established in 1872. Jarrahdale and its quaint timber cottages is surrounded be State Forest and the Serpentine National Park. Visit Millbrook Winery that over looks a lake and rolling hills. this tour.

Swan Valley and Perth Hills

A perfect combination of history, nature, bushland, wine tasting and local food just a short drive from Perth.

Swan Valley is Perth’s local wine region. Visit historic attractions at Guildford. The old gaol and courthouse, colonial homes, go for a walk on the upper reaches of the scenic Swan River and visit the Chocolate factory, Oggies Ice Cream. Mondo Nougat and the wildlife park to see Australian wildlife.

Tour the scenic Darling Range, visit historic Mundaring Weir which supplies the Perth metropolitan area and Kalgoorlie in the Goldfields with their water requirements. See Western Australian bushland close to Perth. Visit the small scenic valley of Bickley Brook. Before we return to Perth drive through Kalamunda at the top of the Perth hills and see the metropolitan area laid out before us.

Tailor this tour to your personal interests; discuss your options when booking this tour.

Margaret River Wine Indulgence Tour

Wesstern Australia’s best known wine district.

Your wine tour in the Margaret River region will visit four wineries including barrel room tasting at Moss Wood Estate and a two course gourmet lunch at spectacular Voyager Estate, plus visit two other wineries of your choice or our recommendation. We also visit Margaret River Chocolate Factory to finish off a day of fun and indulging in life’s pleasures.

Some of the wineries we visit Adinfern Estate, Amberley, Ashbrook Estate, Cape Mentelle, Clairault, Cullen, Evans and Tate, Howard Park, Leeuwin Estate, Moss Brothers, Moss Wood, Vasse Felix, Voyager, Willespie and wineries of your choice. Please advise of your choice when booking this tour.

Wildflower Tours

Spend a day among countless species of wildflowers and orchids.

Travel with a small group in a four wheel drive (4WD) vehicle to get the most out of your wildflower experience.

This tour is not only for the wildflower enthusiast but also for all nature lovers. Enjoy time walking among the wildflowers and orchids in the bushland and seeing at close hand their dazzling beauty. Delight in discovering for yourself the wonderful variety and changing habitat of the wildflkowers in the bushland accompanied by your wildflower guide.

We visit the best floral displays north and south of Perth depending on the seasonal changes of the wildflowers. This tour operates daily during August September October 2006. (By arrangement in July and November.)

Website: www.countryescapes.com.au

Experiences

  • Caravan and Camping
  • Food and Wine

Popular Activities

  • Bush Walking
  • City Sightseeing
  • Fruit Picking
  • Sightseeing
  • Wine Tasting
  • Adventure
  • Beach
  • Cruising
  • Diving
  • Fishing
  • Golfing
  • National Park
  • Off Road Driving
  • Outback
  • Rainforest
  • Science and Technology
  • Shopping
  • Wilderness
  • Wildlife
  • World Heritage

Explore The Outback

Australia has a vast remote interior, much of it largely untouched. By night, the outback is deathly quiet, with the only light provided by the stars and the moon - a perfect oportunity for stargazing. Explore the isolated heart of the country, meet and connect with Aboriginal people and experience one of the oldest living cultures in the world. Go ‘walk-about’ and immerse yourself with Australia’s endless outback horizons.

Outback Experiences

Australia's Natural Wonders

Australia is a land of immense and diverse natural beauty. You'll see things here that you just won't see anywhere else in the world. Each corner of Austalia has an endless array of stunning natural landmarks just waiting for you to take the time to explore.

Australia has wide variety of accommodation options to suit most budgets and travelling preferences. Choose from luxury lodges, boutique hotels, serviced apartments, motels, bed and breakfasts, caravan parks as well as youth and backpacker hostels.

Accommodation

Australia's Best Islands

Around the coast of Australia there are many amazing islands that are an unforgetable pleasure for all who visit. Naturally, the Great Barrier Reef dominates any list of great Australian islands, with pristine wonders like the Whitsundays, Dunk Island and Lizard Island. Further off the east coast is the spectacular Lord Howe Island and off the coast of South Australia is the unspoilt Kangaroo Island.

Australia's best island escapes