Carnarvon Rottnest Island Shark Bay Fremantle family travel journal Monkey What made you decide to go to Perth, WA? Mia Mandurah Denham Dad: Weather and distance – it’s the nearest cold country Indian from Singapore. Ocean Mom: Perth is a great place to unwind, especially for busy Bunbury WESTERN Cape Naturaliste city dwellers like us. We could easily while a day away at one of AUSTRALIA the many beaches, wildlife parks, nature reserves, vineyards Dunsborough Busselton and wandering around quaint little towns. There’s also just Margaret River enough shopping to bring home some unique souvenirs. PERTH Augusta How would you describe your family holiday in Perth, WA? Kalbarri Cape Leeuwin Pemberton Albany e Dad: Best family holiday ever! im Frenchman’s Bay Mom: Family yt & Torndirrup The trip to Perth was extraordinary as it was our family of a Southern Ocean Embrace quality family time in Perth, the friendly capital of Western Australia that is just below five hours away from National Park Pl 20 first-ever holiday together. We rented our own cars and hadYallingup a great Reef Singapore. A great outdoor lifestyle, sprawling spaces, lush nature, unique wildlife and friendly folk are just the adventure exploring places off the beaten track, like the . Unlike Singapore, driving in Perth was ingredients to make up a meaningful family vacation. Together with fresh produce, sumptuous cuisine and wines Geraldton and Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse produced in breathtaking landscapes, it’s an unforgettable and relaxing Western Australian experience. Australia’s stress-free and the peaceful countryside made Dongara the journey even more enjoyable. South West Kids: Fun! I want to go again! Named by the Lonely Planet as one of the world’s top 10 regions to visit Most memorable experience in Perth, WA.

Jurien Bay Dad: Day 1: Perth – Pemberton (4 Hrs, 328 km) It would have to be staying on the Sunflower Animal Cervantes Take the towards Pemberton. Be sure to visit the Farm & Farmstay . It might be a little “backward” but that was Gloucester Tree lookout - an awe-inspiring 60 metres high. Certainly not part of the experience. for the fainthearted, but those who accept the challenge of climbing this Mom: I enjoyed the live show at the Lancelin giant karri tree will be rewarded by an amazing view of the forest canopy. Yallingup Shearing Shed the most. Overnight: Pemberton Steve, the owner of the sheep farm was the star attraction, more so than the sheep. I loved his antics and how he engaged the audience Day 2: Pemberton to Walpole / Denmark (2 Hrs, 186 km) while sharing about the wool industry in Australia, followed by a sheep Walpole is just an hour and a half down the road, so take it easy this shearing demonstration and how the wool was packed for processing. Australia’s PERTH morning with a lazy sleep-in. Stroll through Walpole’s town centre, before The highlight was to see the sheepdogs in action, mustering the sheep continue driving to Hilltop Road and deeper into the forest. On the way to Denmark, don’t miss the Valley of the Giants Tree Top Walk in the from the field into the pen. The kids and even the adults were thrilled Coral Coast Walpole-Nornalup National Park - a walk trail suspended 40 metres above to bottle-feed and cuddle the lambs. A real Australian experience not to Unspoilt, Uncrowded, Underwater the forest floor. Surrounded by 20,000 hectares of towering trees, this is be missed! an exciting yet peaceful way to experience the magical southern forests. If Gideon: The tractor ride because I like trucks. Day 1: Perth to Geraldton (5 Hrs, 415km) time permits, visit the picturesque Green’s Pool and Elephant Rocks in the Rebecca: Travel north of Perth on the Indian Ocean Drive to Geraldton. William Bay National Park, before heading to Denmark. Feeding the farm animals and riding on the pony because it Along the way, stop at Cervantes to visit the iconic Pinnacles Desert in the Overnight: Denmark is very cute. . Head further north to the historic twin fishing towns of Dongara and Port Denison. Continue upwards towards the port Day 3: Denmark to Albany (40 mins, 50km) city of Geraldton to sample some of the freshest and most renowned Travel back to Perth on the South Western Highway or continue on the seafood in Western Australia. journey to Albany. Denmark is a picturesque town where charming bridges Best place to eat in Perth, WA Overnight: Geraldton and buildings nestle unobtrusively among leafy surroundings. Satisfy the Dad: A BBQ on a farm. hunger pangs with a quick visit to a local restaurant with great views, Mom: Day 2: Geraldton to Kalbarri (2 Hrs, 152km) or picnic on the riverbank to soak up the town’s tranquil atmosphere. I love the seafood in Perth. It’s so fresh; it even tastes From Geraldton, head 2 hours along the North West Coastal Highway Journey to the port city of Albany which takes about half an hour. Albany better. Kailis in Fremantle is a great family spot to get fresh to Kalbarri, one of Australia’s most popular seaside resort towns. Here, is most famous for its whaling heritage. Visit the old whaling station - now seafood with a view of the harbour. It has a huge selection of there are spectacular red rock gorges, rugged coastal cliffs, colourful transformed into a fascinating museum - for a brief but interesting lesson on good choices from fried, grilled to BBQ seafood. My favourite is wildflowers, the Murchison River and pure white sandy beaches and the town’s history. For scenic views and incredible picture moments, visit The plenty of activities and attractions. Gap and Natural Bridge before your overnight in Albany. the chilli mussels served with sourdough roll, and the fish and chips Overnight: Kalbarri Overnight: Albany gelato is one of a kind! Gideon: Fish and chips. Day 3: Kalbarri to Monkey Mia (4.5 Hrs, 375km) Day 4: Albany to Perth (5 Hrs, 420km) , Rebecca: Sweets, chocolate and ice-cream. (At Candy Cow Head further north along the North West Coastal Highway to Denham, Visit some of the Great Southern Coastal region’s delectable wineries and GERALDTON Simmo’s .) the main town in the Shark Bay World Heritage Area. This is where you original art galleries this morning, followed by a lunchtime feast. Then start Margaret River Chocolate Factory and can see the Hamelin Pool Stromatolites, the oldest living fossils in the your 5 hour journey back to Perth feeling refreshed and rejuvenated. world. Also visit Shell Beach in the area, where you can view miles of tiny Overnight: Perth BUNBURY white shells. From Denham, head to Monkey Mia, just half an hour away. Pictures courtesy of Selywn Yeo and journals by Tan Tee Joo Overnight: Monkey Mia Dolphin Resort.

Day 4: Monkey Mia to Perth (10 Hrs, 866 Km) Experience a morning encounter with the world-famous Monkey Mia For more information, contact any of the following Aussie Specialist travel agents dolphins, known for their regular ritual of swimming to shore to interact today or check out westernaustralia.com 13 Mar to 12 Sep with humans. Start the day early to prepare yourself for the long journey Participating Aussie Specialists: ASA Holidays (TA 1501) 6303 5318 • Chan Brothers Travel (TA109) 6212 9684 • CTC Travel (TA704) 6536 3345 Diners World Travel (TA002) 6292 5522 • Dynasty Travel (TA00371) 6536 4966 • Euro-Asia Holidays (TA610) 6339 9133 back to Perth. If time permits, make night stops along the way or continue Farmosa Holiday (TA426) 6534 1133 • Five Stars Tours (TA752) 6533 5555 • Giamso Tours (TA354) 6534 1010 back to Perth. PriceBreaker (TA249) 6317 2888 • Scenic Travel (TA469) 6226 3611 • Sino-America Tours (TA611) 6538 1933 Tradewinds (TA831) 6438 8822 • UOB Travel (TA185) 6252 6822

Terms and Conditions: All prices are based on per family (2A+1C) or otherwise stated. Package price in Singapore dollars and is based on ground content only and excludes airfare. Hotel seasonal surcharges, block out dates, supplements and minimum night stay apply, details on application. Other conditions apply, please refer to your travel agents’ booking forms. All family playtime package and offers are valid only when booking through the participating travel agents. Packages are valued 01 September 2012 to 31 March 2013 and first child stays, eats and plays for FREE valid for bookings by 31 October 2012. All prices and info are correct at time of printing. South West Family Escape * from S$628

PERTH PLAYTIME 1N Margaret River + 1N Pemberton + CaveWorks Tour + Pemberton Tram Extraordinary Experiences In Perth Experience + 3D Car Rental • Kings Park & Botanic Gardens in Perth, Western Australia, • Rottnest Island boasts some of the world’s finest beaches Children will be thrilled with the Dolphin Discovery is one of the largest innercity parks in the world - and bays, as well as unique animal and plant life. A short Centre in Bunbury and a chance to spot bottlenose at more than 400 hectares (988 acres) it is larger than ferry ride from Western Australia’s capital city Perth, dolphins and even whales along the coast from June Monkey Mia, Australia’s Coral Coast New York’s Central Park. Visit the King’s Park Wildflower Rottnest is a car free zone and home to the world to November. Then walk along the 144-year old Festival in September. famous quokka, a unique marsupial that is only found in Busselton Jetty, the longest in the Southern Hemisphere Western Australia. - culminating in the Underwater Observatory for close • Go wild with the world’s largest collection of wildflowers. encounters with colourful marine life. Check out the gourmet Western Australia is home to more than 12,000 species • Home to the world’s greatest collection of investment gold delights in the premier wine region of Margaret River. of wildflowers that bloom from June to November. bars and Australia’s largest natural nugget collection, Coral Coast the Perth Mint in Western Australia is the world’s oldest Near Augusta, stop by the Jewel Cave, WA’s largest tourist • The vibrant port city of Fremantle, Western Australia, gold mint still operating from its original premises. Visitors cave filled with intricate formation; and home to a frozen Family Adventure boasts the best preserved example of a 19th century to the Perth Mint can join a gold pour tour and see liquid waterfall and one of the world’s longest straw stalactites. * port streetscape in the world, with its world-famous gold transformed into a bar. The Pinnacles, Australia’s Coral Coast At CaveWorks, a world-class Eco Interpretative Centre, learn from S$858 heritage buildings and a fascinating maritime and about the formation and history of caves within the region, convict history. Relish seafood, microbrews or a coffee • The Swan Bells in Perth, Western Australia, is one of the throughout Australia and around the world. Children can join in 1N Geraldton + 1N Kalbarri + 1N Monkey Mia on the Cappuccino Strip. Tour the Prison. largest musical instruments on earth. You can even try the ‘cave crawl’ to simulate a real life experience. + Wow! Wildlife Tour Experience at ringing the bells, which can be heard across the city. Monkey Mia + 4D Car Rental *Price is based on 2 Adults Go north of Perth on a rugged family adventure to the stunning Coral Coast filled with dramatic landscapes, ocean views and amazing wildlife and wildflowers between July and November.

Embark on a guided lobster processing tour in Geraldton. Soak in the beauty of the remarkable river gorges, and sea cliffs at the Kalbarri National Park, home to the magnificent Nature’s Window, a natural rectangular rock arch. Catch a glimpse of the annual humpback whale migration from June to November from here. Further north, witness the daily rituals of Perth Family the wild but friendly bottlenose dolphins that swim to shore to Savings of up to be fed at Monkey Mia Resort in the world heritage listed Shark S$324 Bay World Heritage. Playtime per family * *Price is based on 2 Adults from S$878

3N + Half Day Perth & Fremantle City Explorer*

TOP-UP OPTION @ $288 - Choice of ONE Full Day Tour: • Pinnacles, Koalas & Sand Boarding 4WD Adventure • Pinnacles, New Norcia & Wildflowers • Wave Rock, York, Wildflowers & Aboriginal Culture • Margaret River, Caves, Wine, Lavender & Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse • Valley of the Giants “Tree Top Walk” 1st child stays, eats and plays for *Price is based on 2 Adults & 1 Child FREE*

Busselton Jetty, Australia’s South West

Wildflower season: June – November