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Norseman to Swan Valley

Experience the outback on this trip through the Goldfields, Avon Valley to New Norcia - the only monastic town in Australia and to the Swan Valley the closest wine region to a capital city in Australia.

Driving Time - 21 hours
Distance - 1812 kms

Norseman

The gateway to Western Australia, Norseman is a welcoming sight after crossing the Nullarbor from the east. Situated at the junction of Highway 1 and Highway 94, Norseman has the Nullarbor and Adelaide to the east, Perth to the West, Kalgoorlie Boulder to the north and Esperance to the south. The town is surrounded by beautiful, dense eucalypt bushland, with ancient rock outcrops and large salt lakes nearby. There are many facilities available for travellers, with thousands of vehicles and visitors passing through the town every day. Shopping, banking, postal services, fuel, medical, accommodation and food facilities are provided. The tourist complex offers showers, toilets and barbecue's in a shady, grassed area for travellers' comfort.

Norseman to Kalgoorlie is 189 kilometres

Kalgoorlie

Kalgoorlie is the hub of the goldfields and one of Western Australia's largest cities. Still active as a mining town, Kalgoorlie's wide streets and grand old buildings are full of people living the prospecting dream. Kalgoorlie is a place like no other, from wild and heady origins as a frontier town where fortunes were sought, to the prosperous, bustling 'Kal' of today, Kalgoorlie's rich heritage permeates the town and gives it a distinctive character. Turn of the century architecture, including the magnificent Boulder Town Hall, the red outback just beyond the settlement's streets and nearby ghost towns make this area fascinating to visitors. Kalgoorlie offers the visitor a wide range of restaurants and cafés and a variety of cuisines. Chinese, vegetarian, and Italian foods are available as well as pub counter meals, fast foods and pizzas. The town has a number of pubs and nightclubs, and live music is popular around town.

Kalgoorlie to Merredin is 334 kilometres

Merredin

Merredin is the largest regional centre in the eastern wheatbelt, around three hours drive east of Perth on the Great Eastern Highway. A thriving business centre with plenty of parks, gardens, and a wide range of accommodation and eating houses makes Merredin an ideal base for those exploring the sights of the wheatbelt. Attractions include Merredin Peak, the Cummins Theatre, historic buildings, the longest grain storage facilities in the Southern Hemisphere, museums and the remains of many military installations from the town's role as second line of defence during World War II. Wildflowers and granite rock sites add to the attractions of the area.

Merredin to Hyden is 178 kilometres

Wave Rock - Hyden

Wave Rock is just four kilometres east of Hyden on a nature reserve of some 160 hectares. The Rock is a granite cliff, 15 metres high and 110 long, shaped remarkably like a huge wave.

Geologists believe the original granite formation has been sculptured and coloured by weather, water and chemical erosion over 2.7 billion years to take on its wave like character.

Hyden to Northam is  317 kilometres

Northam 

As the hub of the Avon Valley, Northam offers a wealth of attractions to visitors, yet retains a historical, rural style. This charming agricultural town located just over an hour's drive from Perth on the Great Eastern Highway, feels a world away from the hustle and bustle of the city and is the ideal base to explore the Avon Valley’s pretty surrounds. Start by exploring the town’s historic buildings before strolling the soft, grassy Avon River banks and delighting in the sight of the graceful white swans for which the town is renowned. While you’re there take a walk over the pedestrian suspension bridge – the longest of its kind in Australia. While in town be sure to visit Morby Cottage and the Old Railway Station, which have been listed with the National Trust and converted into a museum. Also be sure to stop by a character café to recharge or jump in the car and cruise the picturesque countryside, delighting in the patchwork of fields and native bush. 

Northam to York is 35 kilometres

York

Just over an hour's drive east of Perth will take you to the lovely country town of York. Nestled on the banks of the Avon River in the gently rolling farmlands of the beautiful Avon Valley, York is the perfect setting for a romantic weekend, family fun, sporting event and activity, concert or cultural tour. As Western Australia's first inland settlement, York offers unique insights into a rich and colourful past both before and following European settlement in 1831. The town is living history, its opulent Victorian and Federation buildings have been beautifully restored. York is one of the few towns in Western Australia to enjoy Historic Town classification. York has an abundance of activities and attractions, from award winning woodwork galleries to a car museum and skydiving companies. Art and craft galleries, heritage trails, gliding, tennis, golf, horse riding and historic buildings and churches are just some of the attractions on offer. York is famous for its festivals including Jazz Festival (September), Garden Festival (October) and The York Antiques and Collectors Fair.

York to New Norcia is 184 kilometres

New Norcia

Just one and a half hours' drive north from Perth lies the important heritage site of New Norcia. Founded by Dom Rosendo Salvado in 1846, New Norcia is today the home of 18 Benedictine monks. After 150 years, ancient doors have been unlocked and visitors are welcomed to a world of olive groves, church bells and secret courtyards. The architecture, with its strong Spanish influence, dominates the bush setting. There are 27 buildings which are classified by the National Trust and the town as a whole is registered on the National Estate. The buildings house the museum and art gallery which are well worth seeing for their old paintings, manuscripts and religious artefact's. The New Norcia Heritage Trail is a self guided walking tour which features many of New Norcia's landmarks including Abbey Church, Bishop Salvado statue, the 19th Century Sundial, Bishop's Well and the octagon-shaped Beehouse. The local hotel is available for lunch and dinner seven days except for Christmas Day. A la carte, casual, formal dining choices and daily specials are available. Enjoy Sunday night roast dinners in winter and summer barbecue's. The verandah provides a good atmosphere for relaxing drinks and meals. Dine in and takeaway meals are also available at the roadhouse.

New Norcia to the Swan Valley is 112 kilometres

Swan Valley

Perth's premier wine and food destination and Western Australia's oldest wine growing region, situated just 25 minutes from Perth City. With world-class wineries, restaurants, cafés, fresh producers, breweries, distilleries, arts, crafts, tours and accommodation. The Swan Valley is more than just a journey for your taste buds…its a voyage of discovery for all your senses!

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