THE SOUTH WEST TOUR SELF GUIDED MOTORCYCLE TOUR

PERTH

Perth is a modern, clean city on the banks of the majestic Swan River. The river feels more like a winding harbour really with Fremantle (‘Freo’ to the locals) at its entrance. Perth has all you’d expect from a thriving city with great shopping, restaurants and nightlife combined with superb beaches and a sublime climate.

The weather is perfect for most of the year with warm winters and hot summers, cooled by the ‘Fremantle doctor’ sea breeze that comes through most afternoons.

Ranked as one of the ‘world’s most liveable cities’, Perth has charm aplenty even if you’re just visiting. A great spot to begin your tour of the Coral Coast.

8 DAY TOUR ONLY

NAMBUNG NATIONAL PARK AND THE PINNACLES DESERT

Named after a local Aboriginal word for ‘winding’, referring to the Nambung River, this area is now instantly recognisable for the spectacular limestone formations that jut from the desert floor like so many ancient teeth.

The exact process by which the ‘Pinnacles’ were formed is a matter still under some debate, but what’s not up for question is the fascinating spectacle offered by such an unusual landscape. Cervantes is the nearest settlement nearby offering facilities and is a great place to base yourself whilst exploring the unusual formations of the desert.

8 DAY TOUR ONLY

CHITTERING AND SWAN VALLEYS

Winding might well be what you end up doing if you spend too much time around the Chittering and Swan valleys. Gently rolling hills and lush greenery proved the backdrop for a myriad of world class wineries, vineyards and cellar doors. This area a short distance north east of Perth, mirrors the Margaret River region to the south in providing oenophiles [that’s wine lover to you and me] with plenty to stick their noses in!

If you’re in the Swan Valley area on your motorcycle during October, there’s the annual ‘Spring in the Valley’ festival to stop and enjoy. It’s one of Australia’s largest wine and food festivals, but just make sure you don’t overdo it!

FREMANTLE

Perched at the mouth of the Swan River, Fremantle is ideally located to take advantage of the Mediterranean climate and the cooling ‘Fremantle Doctor’ sea breeze, which provides a welcome relief from the hot summer temperatures. First settled in 1829, the city still proudly boasts many a relic from its colonial past and some amazingly well preserved 19th century architecture.

It’s also in possession of a great atmosphere and a generally welcoming feel. The ideal place to pause, relax and roam around the interesting streets, parks and heritage trails before continuing south along the coast.

BUSSELTON

Nestled securely in Geographe Bay, Busselton has been a popular holiday spot for West Australians since the 1890s and it’s easy to see why. Beautiful beaches, excellent fishing, cool and enticing caves nearby, a relaxed ‘seaside’ atmosphere and of course the famous jetty which extends two kilometres out into the ocean. The nearby town of Bunbury to the north offers an excellent diversion en-route to Busselton, providing the opportunity to swim with dolphins. A great chance to get up close and personal with most inexplicably happy mammals on the planet!

You can take the train along the jetty in Busselton or if you feel like stretching your legs after a day in the saddle, then the walk is well worth the effort. From here, it’s just a short hop inland to the vineyards, culture and scenery around Margaret River.

MARGARET RIVER

Immense Karri forests, world leading vineyards, stunning pure white beaches, an amazing coastline, hundreds of mysterious caves and some of the finest cuisine known to man; a carefully kept Australian secret. This is one of the finest areas of Australia and yet one of the least well known outside of Western Australia.

The climate and humidity in the region is ideal for growing grapes, which has led to the prevalence of world class wines heralding from the area. There are more cellar doors to knock on around Margaret River than you could shake a wine glass at!

There are some great tree lined roads and avenues to be ridden too and the cool, moist interiors of the subterranean caverns located along the aptly titled ‘Caves Road’ provide a welcome retreat from the midday temperatures. You’ll be able to spend a full day in Margaret River and its surrounds soaking up the atmosphere, seeing the sights and enjoying the local produce.

PEMBERTON

South east from Margaret River lies the diminutive town of Pemberton and its not so small claim to fame. It is home to the ‘Karri’ species of Eucalypt tree, the loftiest species of tree in Western Australia. The largest specimens of which have been known to tower up to 90 metres.

The nearby Gloucester National Park can provide a unique perspective on these immense examples of mother natures grandeur, if you’ve got the stomach for it mind you. The ‘Gloucester Tree’ is the world’s tallest fire lookout tree and the viewing platform perched an eye watering 61 metres above the forest floor, is a great spot to get the lie of the land.

On return to terra-firma and once your stomach has settled enough, Pemberton offers up some great breakfasts. Tried, tested and definitely approved!

VALLEY OF THE GIANTS

Through the hills and along the twisting highway, Western Australia’s world famous forest of towering ‘tingle trees’ is just waiting to be explored. You can take a bird’s eye view of the surrounding landscape from the Valley of the Giants Tree Top Walk, a majestic lightweight bridge through the forest canopy, actually designed to mimic the swaying of the trees as you traverse its length.

Down below there is the ‘Ancient Empire Walk’ – a stand of truly ancient tingle trees, some more than 400 years old. These are the original ‘giants’ that provide the forest with its name. A resoundingly peaceful experience, with many spots to relax and reflect on the journey ridden so far.

ALBANY

Founded in 1827 and the oldest permanently settled town in Western Australia, Albany has an old world charm that’s hard to beat and is surrounded by some of the most amazing beaches and coastal national parks in Australia.

You’ll have a day to explore, giving you plenty of time to visit the Blowholes, Nature’s Arch and The Gap in the nearby Torndirrup National Park. The beaches here have been repeatedly voted the best in Australia and the sand is so pure it squeaks when you walk on it. It’s not all smooth beaches though, some pretty rugged areas of coastline provide the perfect setting for the Albany Wind Farm and a walk around the base of the huge towers offers some great views out over the ocean.

If you’d prefer a more challenging day than one spent lounging on the beaches, the Stirling Range or ‘Koikyennuruff’ area of mountains provide the perfect chance to stretch the legs. The lofty peak of Bluff Knoll rising to 1,099 metres in height, makes for a great hike and provides some incredible views of the surrounding area when you manage to get to the top!

Best bank on it taking at least a couple of hours to reach the unusually shaped summit. It’s one of the only places in Western Australia that ever experiences anything resembling a regular snowfall too, but snowshoes won’t be necessary!

9 DAY TOUR ONLY

ESPERANCE

There are some truly incredible beaches around Esperance, so there are plenty of opportunities to lie back in the warming sands, dip your toes in the ocean and relax. There’s even the chance to spot whales if you’re in the area from July through until November. A day spent in Esperance and the surrounding area is a day well spent.

Enjoy the local hospitality and recharge your batteries with some great local cuisine. You’ll have a day available to explore around the town, ride the famous coastal drive and fit in a bit more relaxing before continuing on the bike.

9 DAY TOUR ONLY

KALGOORLIE

Kalgoorlie is situated in the Goldfields region of Western Australia and it’s not just a coincidence that the word ‘gold’ features so prominently in the place names round these parts. Founded on the back of a lucky gold find in 1893, the town still survives to this day thanks to the abundance of that most alluring of metals in the surrounding rocks. The famous ‘Super Pit’ is one of the world’s largest open cast gold mines in the world, which certainly makes for a sight worth seeing.

Your chances of striking it big whilst you’re in the area are slim, but there’s rich pickings to be had in the form of Kalgoorlie’s historical hotels, public houses and museums. You can even take a journey down part of a real goldmine at the Mining Hall of Fame. It’s a slice of frontier outback life, both old and new, right beside each other.

PRICING OPTIONS:

5 DAY TOUR:

8 DAY TOUR:

9 DAY TOUR:

* BRING YOUR OWN BIKE:
If you decide to use your own motorcycle on tour, please be sure to let us know what it is before showing up – no scooters in the outback please!