Explore key landmarks in Perth and neighboring Freemantle and come away with an authentic picture of these wonderfully diverse cities in Western Australia. Meandering through Kings Park and Botanic Gardens in Perth will put you in just the right mood to enjoy the natural beauty of Swan Valley, where you will indulge in two wine tastings. Freemantle entices with its acclaimed AQWA Aquarium and an insider’s tour of former Freemantle Prison, now a UNESCO World Heritage site. Lookouts along the coast will offer more breathtaking panoramas.
DAY 1
Upon arriving in Perth, you will transfer to The Ritz-Carlton for check in. This luxurious hotel stands gracefully along the Swan River and exudes timeless elegance. The rest of the day and evening will be at your leisure.
DAY 2
Following breakfast at the hotel, you will drive to Kings Park and the Western Australia Botanic Gardens, passing the lush grounds of the WA Parliament building along the way. While exploring Kings Park, you will see the State War Memorial, a poignant tribute to the fallen soldiers from all the wars in which Australia has participated. After some reflective moments there, you will stop at a baobab tree that is estimated to be 750 years old. You will also have the opportunity to capture a photo of the Perth skyline from this picturesque spot.
You will then drive toward Swan Valley, passing the Matagarup Bridge that spans the Swan River and through the charming Guildford townsite. Upon reaching the valley, you will stop at the prestigious winery Nikola Estate for a delightful wine tasting.
Nearby, at Faber Estate or Mandoon Estate, you will indulge in a leisurely two-course lunch accompanied by a glass of wine. Dessert will be compliments of Whistler’s Chocolate, a Swan Valley chocolatier.
Another wine tasting follows at Sandalford Wines, a venerable winery surrounded by the scenic beauty of Swan Valley.
You will then return to The Ritz-Carlton hotel to spend a delightful evening at your leisure.
DAY 3
Following breakfast at the hotel, you will drive to the Mosman Park lookout, passing scenic spots such as Matilda Bay, Freshwater Bay and Peppermint Grove along the way. The lookout will offer stunning, photo-worthy views of the meandering Swan River.
Continuing on, you will drive past many of Freemantle’s landmarks on the way to Fremantle Prison, a former maximum-security prison that is now a UNESCO World Heritage site for being the most intact historical convict prison in Australia. During a behind-the-scenes tour, you will hear stories of the prison’s most notorious convicts and learn about the prison’s operation from 1885 to 1991.
A two-course lunch and a drink follows at the Little Creatures Brewery in Freemantle. You will then browse the WA Shipwrecks Museum, where you will discover much about Freemantle’s rich maritime history.
Afterwards, you will then return to the hotel for another evening at leisure.
DAY 4
After breakfast at the hotel and check out, you will drive to AQWA Aquarium, where you can watch sharks and turtles being fed and explore the aquarium’s mesmerizing underwater tunnel.
You will next visit Hillarys Boat Harbour, a bustling hub with shops and cafés where you will be free to browse. Its laid-back atmosphere and harbor views create a perfect morning ambiance.
A scenic drive along the West Coast Highway will bring you to the lookout at Scarborough Beach. It is an excellent place to snap photos of the Indian Ocean, which rims this beautiful stretch of sand.
Farther along the coast, you will find Cottesloe Beach, an idyllic setting shaded by Norfolk Island Pines. There you will enjoy a two-course lunch at the restaurant Indigo Oscar.
Afterwards, you will transfer to the port and board the cruise ship.
Land Program Details Step by Step
• The order of sites visited may vary to avoid congestion. Program times are approximate, given here for general reference purposes and subject to change.
• Itineraries with up-to-date details will be issued when you are emailed your final cruise documents 21 days prior to sailing. You will then receive a final itinerary from our ground operator with a Welcome Letter upon arrival or at your hotel. Please review the letter and your final itinerary carefully for further amendments.
• The hotels used for your land program will be the hotels listed in this document unless you have been advised otherwise in advance of the land program start date.
• Guests failing to arrive on Day 1 of a scheduled land program will be considered no-shows and their hotel space released.
Extra Nights
• All extra nights booked through the cruise line are confirmed at the hotel that is used on the FIRST NIGHT of your land program
• If you book extra nights through the cruise line, you will be met as per the flight details provided and transferred to your hotel. Check-in is 3:00pm (subject to change). Meals other than breakfast, as well as activities, are on your own until Day 2 of the program.
• If you have an early-arriving flight, you may wish to book an extra night as your room will not be ready for occupation until approximately 3:00pm.
• If you book extra nights on your own, transfers are not included.
DAY 1
AM Arrive at Perth International airport outside Customs, where you will be met and transferred to your hotel via luxury vehicle.
3:00pm Check-in at your hotel
Although every effort will be made to have rooms available as soon as possible, this cannot be guaranteed.
Overnight at The Ritz-Carlton or similar hotel.
Meet and Greet and transfers
• Final cruise documents will be emailed 21 days prior to sailing. The local ground agent’s telephone number will be on page 1, if you can’t locate the meet-and-greet representative upon arrival. Be aware that the representative may be assisting others and may not be in sight when you first exit Customs and the luggage claim area.
• Look for someone holding a sign with the cruise line logo and possibly your name. If in doubt, ask the airport staff to direct you to the meeting area for transfers or to page our representative.
• Meet and Greet and transfers are arranged for guests arriving on Day 1 of a land program or for extra nights booked through the cruise line and are arranged based on the flight details received by guests at least 14 days before sailing. Guests arriving independently before the program start date will not have a transfer included.
• If we have not received your flight details or your flights have changed, and the Destination Services Land Team has not been notified, then a transfer cannot be provided, and guests will be responsible for getting to the land program hotel at their own expense. Please immediately contact our Reservations Department for any flight changes before departure.
DAY 2
7:30am Breakfast at the hotel
9:15am Meet your guide at the Barrack Square entrance
9:30am Drive to Kings Park Botanical Gardens
9:40am Walking tour to Kings Park War Memorial and baobab tree
10:15am Drive to Swan Valley via Matagarup Bridge and Guildford townsite
11:00am Wine tasting at Nikola Estate (or similar)
11:45am Drive to Faber Estate
12:00pm Gourmet lunch at Faber Estate or Mandoon Estate
1:30pm Drive to Whistler’s Chocolate
1:40pm Tasting at Whistler’s Chocolate
2:00pm Drive to Sandalford Wines
2:05pm Wine tasting at Sandaford Wines (or similar)
2:40pm Depart for the hotel
3:40pm Arrive back at the hotel
Evening at leisure
Overnight at The Ritz-Carlton or similar hotel
DAY 3
7:30am Breakfast at the hotel
9:15am Meet your guide at the Barrack Square entrance
9:30am Drive to Mosman Park lookout
9:50am Photo stop at the lookout
10:00am Drive to Fremantle Prison
10:15am Begin tour of Fremantle Prison
11:45am Drive to Little Creatures Brewery (or similar)
12:00pm Lunch at Little Creatures Brewery (or similar)
1:30pm Drive to WA Shipwrecks Museum
1:40pm Browse the museum
2:10pm Drive back to the hotel
3:00pm Arrive at the hotel
Evening at leisure
Overnight at The Ritz-Carlton hotel or similar
DAY 4
7:30am Breakfast at the hotel
9:30am Check out from the hotel
9:45am Meet your guide at the Barrack Square entrance
10:00am Drive to AQWA Aquarium
10:45am Browse AQWA Aquarium
11:00am Drive to Hillarys Boat Harbour
12:00pm Free time at Hillarys Boat Harbour
12:30pm Drive to Scarborough Beach lookout
12:40pm Photo stop at the lookout
1:00pm Drive to Cottlesloe Beach
1:15pm Lunch at Indigo Oscar (or similar)
2:45pm Drive to Fremantle port
3:30pm Arrive at Fremantle Port to board the ship
Expected Weather
Maximum of 20-24°C (68-75.2°F), Minimum of 9-13°C (48.2-55.4°F)
What to Bring
Comfortable walking shoes, hat, sunglasses and sunscreen. For nighttime, bring along a jacket or sweater and long pants. Be sure to bring a camera for all of the scenic stops.
Currency
Australian Dollars (AUD)
Electricity
Adaptors will not be provided at the hotel, so you will need to bring the appropriate socket adaptor. Australian outlets operate at 230V-50Hz, whereas North American outlets tend to operate at 120V-60Hz. Ensure that your electronic appliances are compatible with 230V-50Hz or use electronics with a voltage converter.
Documents and Visa Requirements
You must have an Australian tourist visa to enter the country. Check with your embassy for entry requirements for your nationality. A valid passport is also required.
Hotel
The Ritz-Carlton Hotel
Perth, 1 Barrack Street, Perth, Western Australia, 6000
Phone: 08 6559 6888
*We will only source different hotels in unforeseen situations. If similar hotels are required, they will be of equal ratings and standards and you will be notified of the change. If you are not notified of any changes before your departure, then you will be staying at the hotel listed in this program.
Program Includes for guests:
• Transfers as mentioned above
• All touring mentioned above
• 3 nights at The Ritz-Carlton Hotel or similar with daily breakfast
• Lunch on Days 2-4
Please Note: Guests booking their own flights independently of the cruise line are responsible for ensuring that the cruise line has the updated arrival information, so your transfer can be arranged. If you book additional nights independently of the cruise line, an arrival transfer is not provided. If we do not receive flight details a minimum of 14 days in advance, transfers will not be provided.
Program Excludes for guests:
• Meals or beverages not listed above
• Gratuities for drivers and guides
• Hotel incidentals including mini bar and room service
• Visa fees
Please note: Land programs that encompass multiple days ashore customarily include extensive and prolonged activity, while those of shorter durations typically have more moderate activity levels. However, each program varies, and participants should be prepared to negotiate a mixture of surfaces which may include inclines, cobblestones, sand, gravel and natural paths. There may also be a need to climb steps or stairs occasionally. Guests who utilize a wheelchair and those with mobility concerns are advised to check with the cruise line in advance to see if any portion of the tour program may not be considered suitable for their individual situation.
All land programs are capacity controlled and subject to availability. Programs falling under the minimum number of required participants are subject to cancellation. Pricing listed is also subject to change to meet unexpected cost increases for transportation, land arrangements or currency fluctuations. Once purchased, pricing is guaranteed and not subject to change.
Land programs must be purchased no later than 60 days prior to your sail date. Cancellations made within 60 days or less prior to the sail date are subject to 100% cancellation penalty. There are no refunds for unused portions of any program. Guests failing to arrive on Day 1 of a scheduled land program will be considered no-shows and their hotel space released. Arrangements for accommodation and transfers will then be at the expense of guests.
Prices are per person, based on double occupancy and subject to availability.
