Pinnacles, New Norcia & Wildflowers with Lunch

Travel from Perth through the Swan Valley to Australia's only Monastic town of New Norcia and explore the history and culture of the community. Enjoy lunch before heading to the next stop at the Western Wildflower Farm where you will learn first hand how they harvest, dry and export the wonderful flowers. Spend that remainder of the afternoon in the Pinnacles Desert as you stroll through the amazing limestone pillar formations.

This exciting tour departs from Perth's Crown Hotel and Casino complex at 8:00 am every Monday (and selected Thursdays) and pickups from selected accommodation are available on request. You’ll start your morning travelling through the Swan Valley and the town of Guildford. This quaint little town is one of only two towns in Perth on the National Trust register and has many wonderful examples of colonial buildings that still grace its elegant streets to this day.

Pass Perth’s Pearce Air Force Base through the beautiful district of Bindoon to reach the intriguing settlement of New Norcia. This fascinating area was first settled in 1846 and utilised as a mission for the Indigenous peoples of the region and is now Australia's only monastic town. Established as a Benedictine Misson, New Norcia is known for the Spanish architecture of its buildings including the Abbey Church and a number of schools and orphanages.

Spanish influence in this town is clear, and you'll get to get see it up close in a guided tour of the town and main sites such as the museum and art gallery which house artefacts gifted to the monastery by Popes and Spanish Royalty, as well as items relating to the town's time as aboriginal mission. You will visit the Abbey Church which is home to two pipe organs, including a Moser organ imported from Germany in the 1920's. Enjoy a very informative guided tour through St Gertrude's College and come away with a clearer insight and appreciation of the tenacity of the Indigenous and early European inhabitants of this area.

After getting to know the town, you can then visit a produce shop selling locally grown and produced olive oil, fruit, wine, the popular New Norcia Nut Cake and artisan breads before enjoying an included lunch of Fish and Chips at the New Norcia Hotel.

From here, it’s off to visit the spectacular Western Wildflower Farm for an interesting and informative talk on how these unique, colourful Australian wildflowers are delicately harvested, expertly dried and exported. During Wildflower Season (September to November) your driver will take the opportunity to stop at wildflower profusions on enroute.

Next, you’ll continue on the road through some spectacular scenic countryside to the fishing village of Cervantes. This little town is known for the highly prized Rock Lobster caught by the local fisherman.

Afterwards, you’ll travel into the magnificent Nambung National Park, which is home to the mystical, rich rugged majesty of the Pinnacles Desert. Your driver guide will take you on an easy stroll through some very special places in this beautiful panorama, where you can peruse and appreciate the brilliantly sculptured limestone pillars of nature’s handiwork.

Additional stops to view in-season wildflowers will be made on your way back home between the months of September and November. You will arrive back in Perth at approximately 7:30 pm, where you will be taken to your original pickup location.