ttglive.com Around Perth Such a Perth-ect day
Gold Medal recently hosted 27 agents on a mega fam in Australia. Two agents who joined a New South Wales, Western Australia and Northern Territory group tell us about their time in Perth
SIMON RAWSON.
Co-director, Top Choice Holidays, Leeds
Perth tour: The Pinnacles, Koalas and Sandboarding 4X4 Adventure
We leave the Citigate Perth hotel very early and head to Caversham Wildlife Park. We see kangaroos, wallabies and koalas – it is wonderful getting so close to them. They are not as sociable in their natural habitat, but here they are used to the general public so you can stroke and feed them. Caversham is 15km from the centre of Perth, at the entrance of the Swan Valley, and open every day except Christmas Day. We then travel to The Pinnacles, a three- hour drive from Perth, but it’s well worth it for the scenery. It feels like landing on the moon –the bright yellow sand and deep blue sky make a great photo opportunity.
Our coach is designed to negotiate sand and can drive at a 90-degree angle. It gets us to the top of the dunes, where the sand is snow-like – white and powdery. This is why The Pinnacles offer great sandboarding, similar to Dubai, and is a must for anyone remotely interested in skiing or snowboarding. It is great fun for all ages and there’s an instructor to offer tips before you start. The only difference is that it’s on sand! We spend an hour surfing the dunes, trying not to fall over. If you do, you get coated in sand.
Host hotel
We stay in the Citigate Perth, a clean and comfortable four-star city hotel, ideal for budget-conscious clients. It doesn’t boast stunning views like some hotels in Perth, but the key selling point is the location.
GILLIAN BRETT.
Senior sales consultant, Westoe Travel, South Shields Perth tour: Margaret River, Cape Lavender, Lake Cave Tearooms, Mammoth Cave and Cape Leeuwin
Right after breakfast we leave Perth for a day trip to the Margaret River area. Our first stop is Cape Lavender Farm, where many types of lavender are grown and used to make all kinds of products. We see toiletries and jams and try some wine. Next we explore the shops and cafes of Margaret River. It’s a quaint little town, which many Perth residents visit for a weekend getaway. We visit a winery. Lunch is an extensive cold buffet provided by Pinnacle Tours at the Lake Cave Tearooms, where we also have time to visit the Cave Works Interpretive Centre to learn about the history of caves. After lunch is a tour of Mammoth Cave – a huge limestone cave, and then we head to Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse at Australia’s most south-westerly point. On the way back we stop for dinner by the southern hemisphere’s longest wooden jetty, Busselton Jetty.
Margaret River is a three-and-a-half hour drive from Perth. You can do it in a day, but for clients with time, recommend Pinnacle’s two-day Margaret River Wine Experience.
Host hotel
We spend two nights in Sullivans Hotel – a three-star family-friendly hotel. It has a friendly atmosphere and Perth’s free bus stops right outside – a great selling point.
BOOK IT
Both the Pinnacles and Margaret River Tours are operated by Pinnacle Tours and are available to book through Gold Medal. Pinnacles: Adult £106/child (3-14) £53 Margaret River: Adult £109/child (3-14) £54
Clockwise from top left: Simon and Gillian’s fam trip group; Perth’s deep blue skies; sandboarding; and the “moon-like” Pinnacles ■
goldmedal.co.uk 22.10.2010 47
australasia knowledge
Images: Simon Rawson
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