Day 1 (L,D) HOME, KALGOORLIE

Following metropolitan home/hotel pickup, we enjoy lunch prior to transferring to Melbourne Airport for our flight to Kalgoorlie, which is due to arrive at approximately 5.30 p.m. local time. Our Young at Heart coach and coach captain awaits our arrival. Passengers from other home ports may fly via Adelaide or Perth, depending on airline schedules. Our home for three nights is The Best Western Hospitality Inn. Enjoy a welcome drink tonight before dinner.

Day 2 (B,L,D) KALGOORLIE

Today we explore the historic gold city of Kalgoorlie. Enjoy a tour of the city, remember the first man to discover gold, Paddy Hannan, drink from his water bag and take a photo along side a life size replica. Visit the Signpost Goldfields Racing Museum and take the view from Mt Charlotte Reservoir.

Day 3 (B,L,D) KALGOORLIE

This morning we take a tour of Australia’s largest gold producing mine “The Super Pit”. Developed by Alan Bond and now owned by KCGM, the mine processes over 800,000 ounces of gold a year. You will be astounded by the sheer magnitude of this 24 hour, 365 day a year operation with its gigantic trucks and machinery. In the afternoon we visit the Goldfields Art Centre and have an afternoon cuppa in Hammond Park with its display of native birds and animals.

Day 4 (B,L,D) KALGOORLIE, NORSEMAN, BALLADONIA

We travel south on the Coolgardie Esperance highway to Norseman. From Beacon Hill Lookout enjoy 360 degree views. View the bronze statue of the horse “Norseman” (after which the town is named) and the camel train. Enjoy lunch here today. During the afternoon we continue east to Balladonia. Take in the view from Newman Rocks, a semi-permanent waterhole. Home tonight, the Balladonia Hotel Motel.

Day 5 (B,L,D) BALLADONIA, EUCLA

This morning we travel to Caiguna, travelling 145 kilometres in a straight line. Just south is a memorial to John Baxter, companion of Eyre, killed by Aboriginals in 1841. At Cocklebiddy we see the ruins of an old mission. On to Madura and the nearby Hampton Tablelands. Then we continue to Eucla, visiting the ruins of the telegraph station. The line now follows the railway, some distance to the north. The sand dunes are quite spectacular. Time for photos at Travellers Cross, on the escarpment, overlooking old Eucla, at the international distance signpost, or the concrete sperm whale. Eucla National park is nearby. Home for tonight is the Eucla Motor Hotel.

Day 6 (B,L,D) EUCLA, NULLARBOR

At Border Village we cross into South Australia. Back to the coast, with stops at various lookouts along the way. Spectacular views of the Bight today and subject to seasonal conditions, sightings of whales and their calves. Enjoy views also from Twin Rocks, at Head of Bight. Home tonight, the Nullarbor Hotel Motel.

Day 7 (B,L,D) NULLARBOR, CEDUNA

From Nullarbor we travel to Yalata and Nundroo, on the edge of the Nullarbor, then continue to Ceduna. An afternoon at Ceduna visiting Thevenard Wharf, Pinky Point and the Aboriginal Cultural Centre. A little free time later in the day. Home tonight, East West Motel.

Day 8 (B,L,D) CEDUNA, WUDINNA

From Ceduna we travel the Flinders Highway to Streaky Bay, named by Matthew Flinders, although first sighted by the Dutch in 1627. Following the coast of the Eyre Peninsula, we continue on to Venus Bay where, from Needle Eye Lookout, we take in views of the towering cliffs and booming surf rolling in from the Bight. Picnic lunch at Venus Bay. A leisurely journey as we continue to Wudinna, stopping to view the Granite Sculpture, a recent (opened in 2009) sculpture dedicated to the Australian farmer, prior to arrival at our home for two nights, Gawler Ranges Motel.

Day 9 (B,L,D) WUDINNA

Another highlight of our holiday today, as Gawler Ranges Wilderness Safaris takes us through the site of one of the world’s largest single volcanic eruptions, 1,500 million years ago. Visit an old river system, Sturt’s Lake and the “Old Paney” shearing shed with lunch at Kaolay Hut, an old musterers hut. In the afternoon we visit Mattera Valley, and the amazing Pildappa Rock. This towering granite formation rivals the more famous Wave Rock in Western Australia. Spectacular country indeed!

Day 10 (B,L,D) WUDINNA, PORT AUGUSTA

Travelling inland we pass through Kimba and then the Lake Gilles Conservation Park to Iron Knob, our luncheon destination. Enjoy a tour of the old mine workings and town. During the afternoon we continue to Port Augusta. Visit the Wadlata Outback Centre, gain an excellent insight into the early development of the area, including the original Ghan. Home tonight, Standpipe Golf Motor Inn.

Day 11 (B,L,D) PORT AUGUSTA, ADELAIDE, HOME

On the final day of our journey we travel to Port Pirie for a morning cuppa. We continue to Port Wakefield for lunch before making our way to Adelaide Airport for our mid afternoon flights homewards. Passengers returning to Melbourne are met on arrival and transferred to their metropolitan home or hotel. So ends a traditional and most enjoyable coach holiday travelling east from Kalgoorlie across Australia.