Untamed Escapes Perth Cooking Experience

OVERVIEW
Take your tastebuds on tour and sample the finest things life has to offer on a food-filled six-day luxury private tour through the gourmet heart of Western Australia. Winding along the untamed coast from Esperance to Margaret River, taste the best food and wine in Western Australia. Savour produce sourced from the surrounding land and sea, pull up a seat at some of the country's most awarded dining tables and expand your culinary horizons with exclusive masterclasses, paddock-to-plate experiences and private tastings. Along the way, meet the local growers, producers and chefs who know this living pantry best. Artisan produce, world-renowned wine and a gourmet plate of food are never far away in this foodie's paradise. A gastronomic awakening, this private tour of Margaret River and beyond will satisfy even the most discerning connoisseurs. At the end of each day, relax in your beautiful 5-star accommodation — cheers to that.

INCLUSIONS
Flight – Perth to Esperance Accommodation – 5 nights (5 star) All entry fees, national park fees and activities (exc. Lake Hiller optional extra) All meals, beverages and culinary experiences Airport transfer Transport – 7-seater luxury 4WD Local Guide and expert knowledge

UNTAMED MOMENTS Signature dining experience at the critically acclaimed Vasse Felix Wander along the postcard-perfect beaches of Esperance and Cape Le Grand National Park Enjoy a truffle inspired meal with matching wines at the Truffle Hill Meet the makers at Oranje Tractor on a behind-the-scenes tour and wine flight Private tastings at premium cellar doors Immerse yourself in the local culture and meet the characters of the region Walk among the treetops at the Valley of the Giants Scenic flight over the iconic Pink Lake Hillier off the coast of Esperance (OE)

ITINERARY
Day 1: Esperance and Cape Le Grand
Your epicurean odyssey of the South West embarks from your Perth accommodation at 6.30 am. You will be collected at your hotel by a private vehicle and transferred to Perth Airport for your 8.15 am flight to Esperance. Touching down by the coast, your guide will greet you and, over a coffee in Esperance, chat about what awaits on your luxury tour.
By late morning, arrive in paradise. A short drive from Esperance and famous for its beach dwelling kangaroos, blindingly white sandy beaches and calm turquoise ocean, Cape Le Grand National Park is one of Australia's most iconic national parks. Spend the day soaking up the serenity, including meeting the iconic kangaroos at Lucky Bay, having a swim, and taking an inspiring coastal walk. Awaiting you will be a gourmet barbecue feast of local produce which you will enjoy with breathtaking views over Little Hellfire Bay. Feeling inspired, by 6 pm, you'll be settling into your luxurious 5-star villa at the Esperance Chalet Village, an idyllic hideaway nestled among nature. Dinner this evening will be at Esperance's premier restaurant overlooking the ocean, the Taylor St Quarters.
Today you travel approximately 150km.

Day 2: Esperance to Albany
Enjoy breakfast amongst native wildlife at your accommodation before departing Esperance. Take the jaw-droppingly beautiful Great Ocean Drive, a 40-kilometre loop of pristine beaches, rocky headlands, small bays, and hidden ocean pools. Onwards to Fitzgerald River National Park, which from August to November boasts the most extensive array of wildflowers in the world.
Traverse through East Mt Barren for amazing views and be rewarded with a gourmet picnic lunch. Head off-road for a four-wheel-drive adventure along Hamersley Inlet Road as we continue towards Albany, arriving late afternoon. Here, take in sweeping views over the ocean and township from Mount Clarence before checking into your luxurious king spa room at The Beach House at Bayside. Enjoy fine dining with ocean views at renowned local restaurant Garrison.

Day 2 - Alternative Itinerary (Pink Lake Scenic Flight)
If you would like to do the optional extra scenic flight over the world-famous Pink Lake, your day would change slightly. After breakfast, board the flight, which offers incredible views over Frenchman's Peak, Cape Le Grand, the Recherche Archipelago, and the world-renowned Pink Lake Hillier, where the vivid pink lake is framed by turquoise ocean. Following the flight, enjoy a delicious lunch in Esperance before heading towards Albany via the picturesque Stirling Ranges.
Today you will travel approximately 500km.

Day 3: Albany to Denmark
Today is packed with culinary delights, and the first is the Beach House's iconic 'Bountiful Breakfast'. Then, feeling satisfied, it's time to continue our expedition through the Great Southern, stopping at breathtaking coastal rock formations The Gap and Natural Bridge. By late morning arrive at Mt Romance for an ethereal relaxation experience at the Cone, the Gong and the Bowl. This private experience combines gongs and sandalwood in a sixteen-sided cone featuring celestial skies—a supremely relaxing yet vitally energising experience.
At lunchtime, arrive at Oranje Tractor for a unique three-hour meet the maker experience with the owner's Pam and Murray. During this exclusive tour, you will forage in the orchard, picking and tasting the organically grown produce. Be guided to their charming tasting room to experience a five-course wine flight paired with organic food from the farm and region, including cheeses, olives and smoked trout. Notably, Oranje Tractor won Australia's Best Cellar Door Award in 2019, and Prince Charles and Camilla visited in 2015.
Pop into picturesque boutique brewery Boston Brewing for a beer tasting paddle on the way to Denmark. Then, check into your luxurious spa villa at Aiyana Retreat, nestled among the bush. Tonight, relax at the retreat with a beautiful platter of local produce.
Today you will travel approximately 150km.

Day 4: Denmark to Yallingup
This morning, breakfast will be at the retreat before heading towards William Bay National Park. Descend into Greens Pool, a white sandy beach framed by huge granite boulders, and just up the road, continue to the turquoise and calm waters of Elephant Rocks. Both are primed for swimming in the warmer months. Head into the old-growth forests in the Walpole Wilderness region and traverse the Valley of the Giants. Walk 40 metres high into the canopy of Western Australia's majestic tingle trees, found nowhere else on Earth.
Arriving into the Margaret River region, your unique culinary lunch experience today is at the Truffle Hill, Western Australia's first truffière and largest producer of superior black Perigord truffles in the world. The Truffle Kitchen specialises in truffle-inspired food and wine pairings and boasts breathtaking views.
No visit to the south-west is complete without heading underground into one of the region's curious caves Calgardup Cave to view the exquisite cave decorations on a self-guided tour. At around 6 pm, arrive at Smiths Beach Resort in the tiny coastal hamlet of Yallingup, where you'll settle into your ocean view room for two nights. Tonight's fine dining experience is a selection of mouth-watering Australian cuisine at Lamont's restaurant in the resort. Kate Lamont is one of Western Australia's most successful chefs with a career spanning over three decades. Sit back and relax with views over the ocean, the perfect way to end any day.
Today we travel approximately 500km.

Day 5: Margaret River
It's up early today to breakfast with the locals at the White Elephant Beach Café. With sweeping ocean views, it's also an excellent place for whale watching from August to December. Following breakfast, see the beautiful Margaret River mouth and the world-famous surf break at Surfers Point, then wander through the vibrant township of Margaret River, home to an eclectic mix of boutique stores and galleries. Being Saturday, the Margaret River Farmers Markets are on. Awarded the most outstanding farmers' market in Australia in 2018, wandering around them allows you to get amongst the locals and taste an array of delicious local produce straight from the farmers themselves.
No visit to this world-class wine region would be complete without visiting its founding estate, Vasse Felix. Relax in the picturesque settings of this critically acclaimed restaurant and enjoy a tantalising five-course tasting menu with accompanying wines. Spend the rest of the afternoon tasting your way around the Margaret River region, which we will tailor to your liking. Options include cellar door visits to Bettenays for nougat tasting, Gabriel's Chocolate factory, the Grove Distillery and Wills Domain. For the perfect end of the day, we'll take a short drive to iconic Meelup Beach. Kick-off your shoes, take a stroll along the beach, have a swim, watch the sunset and enjoy a local produce gourmet picnic for dinner.
After a day of pure indulgence on your culinary tour, return to Smiths Beach Resort. Today you will travel approximately 150km.

Day 6: Yallingup to Perth
Have a relaxing morning with an in-room or restaurant breakfast care of Lamont's Restaurant before we check out. Mosey up the coast to Cape Leeuwin-Naturaliste Lighthouse for a walk before heading further north to Busselton to stroll along the world's second-longest jetty, which stretches 1.8km out into Geographe Bay. The last stop on tour is Origin Markets, where you will taste a plethora of produce from the local growers and perhaps pick up some locally crafted gifts or souvenirs.
We'll arrive back in Perth around 6 pm, where your guide will drop you at your accommodation and bid you farewell.
Today you travel approximately 300km.

KNOW BEFORE YOUR BOOK
The flight is operated by Rex and departs Perth at 8.15 am and arrives at Esperance at 9.50 am. Flights are subject to change and will be confirmed a month before departure. Rex has a 15kg luggage restriction per person plus one 7kg carry on; however, upon presenting a valid itinerary or ticket, passengers with international connections are permitted 20kg. For more details on Rex Baggage Allowance, please visit their website. Accommodation is at a variety of quality five-star resorts and retreats. Rates are based on Twin/Double Share. If you are travelling solo, you need to pay the Single Traveller rate for your own room. The ideal maximum number of people for this tour is four passengers plus the Guide. Our Luxury Toyota Sahara 4WD does have two extra seats in the rear, but these are better suited to children. So while we can accommodate up to 6 people in larger family groups, four is the recommended for passengers' comfort. Dietary requirements can be catered for; please advise when booking. As part of our COVID-Safe protocols, all passengers must complete an online check-in, including a 'Fit for Travel' self-declaration to confirm they are free from illness. Two days before your scheduled departure, you will be emailed a link to complete the online check-in for your tour. This is mandatory and must be completed at the latest 24 hours before departure. Please read our full Booking Terms & Conditions before booking your tour.