The Terracotta Warriors, Fremantle and the Beautiful Swan Valley – 2025
Status: Places Available
7 Oct – 10 Oct 2025
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The Terracotta Warriors, Fremantle and the Beautiful Swan Valley – 2025
Tour Highlights
- Sabrina Hahn leads this 3-day tour to Perth and its surrounds. The program includes a visit to the special exhibition at the Western Australian Museum: Terracotta Warriors; Legacy of the First Emperor. Perth is the only Australian city to be hosting this exhibition of over 200 fascinating artefacts, as well as the life-size warrior figures. Our visit will include an introduction to the exhibition and the world of Emperor Qin Shihuang by an expert from the museum.
- Explore historic Fremantle, the traditional lands of the Noongar people and the first area settled by the Swan River colonists in 1829.
- Visit the landscaped gardens of Government House, a green oasis in the centre of Perth.
- Spend a day in the Swan Valley to the east of Perth, visiting private gardens and enjoying a leisurely lunch at Sittella Winery Restaurant.
Itinerary
The following itinerary describes a range of gardens and sites which we plan to visit. Several are accessible to the public, but others require special permission which may only be confirmed closer to the tour’s departure. The daily activities described in this itinerary may change or be rotated and/or modified in order to accommodate alterations in opening hours and confirmation of private visits. Participants will receive a final itinerary, together with their tour documents, prior to departure. The tour includes breakfast, lunches & dinners indicated in the itinerary where B=breakfast, L=lunch and D=dinner.
Fremantle - 3 nights
Tuesday 7 October, Arrive Fremantle
- Welcome Meeting
- Walking tour of historic Fremantle
- WA Maritime Museum
- WA Shipwreck Museum
- Welcome Dinner
Meeting point: Please meet in the foyer of the Esplanade Hotel Fremantle at 10.00am.
After a short welcome meeting we start our exploration of Fremantle with a walking tour of its historic centre. Prior to European colonisation, this area was home to the Noongar people. Dutch explorers first visited the area in the 17th century, and it was colonised by the British in 1829 as the first settlement established on the Swan River. Our tour will take in some of the well-preserved historic buildings from the early days of the colony, including the Round House, the Union Stores Building and the P&O Hotel.
The city’s maritime history, a fundamental aspect of its identity will be explored at the excellent WA Maritime Museum, home to leisure boats, commercial vessels, an Oberon Class submarine and Australia II, the yacht that won the America’s Cup and broke the stranglehold the host nation had on the prized trophy.
The sober side of life on the seas is captured in the fascinating WA Shipwreck Museum. Here we will be introduced to the stories and relics of the era of Dutch exploration of the Western Australian coast. The Batavia Gallery is the showpiece of the museum and houses the reconstructed remains of the legendary VOC ship excavated by archaeologists in the 1970s.
This evening we gather for dinner at one of Fremantle’s waterfront restaurants for a seafood meal. (Overnight Fremantle) D
Note: Alternative dishes will be arranged for any travellers with special dietary requirements as required.
Wednesday 8 October, Fremantle – Perth – Fremantle
- Western Australian Museum: Special Exhibition
- Government House Gardens
Today we transfer to Perth where we spend the morning at the Western Australian Museum. We will be given an introduction to the special exhibition Terracotta Warriors; Legacy of the First Emperor. Perth is the only Australian city to be hosting this fascinating exhibition, and from the museum experts we will learn about Qin Shihuang, the first Emperor of China and his rule 2000 years ago.
After time at leisure for lunch we transfer to Western Australia’s Government House, a 19th century Jacobean Revival-style mansion that is home to the state’s Governor. The house is surrounded by beautifully manicured gardens which include a number of commemorative trees. Sabrina will take us through the gardens before we return to Fremantle where the evening is at leisure. (Overnight Fremantle) B
Thursday 9 October, Fremantle – Swan Valley – Fremantle
- Private Gardens
- Lunch at Sittella Winery Restaurant
Today we drive to the Swan Valley located to the east of Perth. As the name suggests, this valley is a region in the upper reaches of the Swan River, and it has rich soils that produce excellent grapes. The valley is famed for its many wineries, both large commercial producers as well as boutique family concerns. Cheeses farms, stone fruit, olive and berry grower, microbreweries and spirit distilleries have given the valley its reputation as a ‘foodies’ paradise’.
The fertile soil also means that the valley is home to some of Perth’s most beautiful and extensive gardens. This morning we visit two private gardens (subject to confirmation); the owners will take us through their gardens. We then enjoy a leisurely lunch at on of the finest wineries in the valley – Sittella. Over a meal that highlights the local produce, we will be introduced to the vineyard’s wine varieties, selected to suit the growing conditions and hot climate of the Swan Valley.
On our return to Fremantle we may catch glimpses of the last wildflowers of the season. (Overnight Fremantle) BL
Friday 10 October, Depart Fremantle
- Tour ends in Fremantle
Our tour ends in Fremantle after breakfast. You may wish to extend your stay in Western Australia or return home. You should find your own way to the airport or consult ASA for transfer assistance. B
Accommodation
All hotels/motels provide rooms with private facilities. A hotel list will be given to all participants prior to departure, in the meantime a summary is given below:
- Fremantle (3 nights): 4-star Esplanade Hotel Fremantle by Rydges – located in the heart of Fremantle overlooking the parklands and harbour.
Note: Hotels are subject to change, in which case a hotel of similar standard will be provided.
Single Supplement
Payment of this supplement will ensure accommodation in a double/twin room for single occupancy throughout the tour. The number of rooms available for single occupancy is extremely limited. People wishing to take this supplement are therefore advised to book well in advance.
How to Book
ASA RESERVATION APPLICATION FORM
Please complete the ASA RESERVATION APPLICATION and send it to Australians Studying Abroad together with your payment of AUD $2680.00 per person (plus $360.00 single supplement if applicable), payable to Australians Studying Abroad.
Practical Information
Fitness Criteria
Level 1 ACTIVE
For people with active lives and good mobilityThe number of flags is a guide to the degree of difficulty of ASA tours relative to each other (not to those of other tour companies). It is neither absolute nor literal. One flag is given to the least taxing tours, seven to the most. Flags are allocated, above all, according to the amount of walking and standing each tour involves. Nevertheless, all ASA tours require that participants have a good degree of fitness enabling 2-3 hours walking or 1-1.5 hours standing still on any given site visit or excursion. Many sites are accessed by climbing slopes or steps and have uneven terrain.
This 4-day tour involves:
- A moderate amount of walking often up and down hills and/or flights of stairs and uneven terrain.
- A moderate amount of coach travel, sometimes onsmaller country roads.
- The daily schedule generally involves a morning departure at 9.00am, concluding in the late afternoon (between 5.00-5.30pm).
- Accommodation for 3 nights at the 4-star Esplanade Hotel Fremantle.
- You must be able to carry your own luggage.
It is important to remember that ASA programs are group tours, and slow walkers affect everyone in the group. As the group must move at the speed of the slowest member, the amount of time spent at a site may be reduced if group members cannot maintain a moderate walking pace. ASA tours should not present any problem for active people who can manage day-to-day walking and stair-climbing. However, if you have any doubts about your ability to manage on a program, please ask your ASA travel consultant whether this is a suitable tour for you.
Please note: it is a condition of travel that all participants agree to accept ASA’s directions in relation to their suitability to participate in activities undertaken on the tour, and that ASA retains the sole discretion to direct a tour participant to refrain from a particular activity on part of the tour. For further information please refer to the ASA Reservation Application Form.
Tour Price & Inclusions
AUD $2680.00 Land Content Only
AUD $360.00 Single Supplement
Tour Price (Land Content Only) includes:
- Accommodation in twin-share rooms with private facilities at the 4-star Esplanade Hotel Fremantle
- Meals as indicated in the tour itinerary where: B=breakfast, L=lunch & D=dinner
- Drinks at welcome and farewell meals. Other meals may not have drinks included
- Transportation by air-conditioned coach
- Lecture and site-visit program
- Entrance fees
- Use of audio headsets for site excursions
- Tips for the coach driver and restaurants for included meals
Tour Price (Land Content Only) does not include:
- Personal spending money
- Luggage in excess of 20kg (44lbs)
- Travel insurance
- Porterage
Tour Map
Gallery
The full tour price of $2680.00 AUD per person is required to reserve a place on this ASA tour.
Cancellation Fees
If you decide to cancel your booking the following charges apply:
- From the date of booking to 31 days prior 50% of total amount due**
- 30-0 days prior 100% of total amount due
**$500.00 of this amount may be credited to another ASA tour departing within 12 months of the original tour you booked. We regret, in this case earlybird discounts will not apply
We take the day on which you cancel as being that on which we receive written confirmation of cancellation.
Unused Portions of the Tour
We regret that refunds will not be given for any unused portions or services of the tour, such as meals, entry fees, accommodation, flights or transfers.
Will the Tour Price or Itinerary Change?
If the number of participants on a tour is significantly less than budgeted, or if there is a significant change in exchange rates ASA reserves the right to amend the advertised price. We shall, however, do all in our power to maintain the published price. Occasionally circumstances beyond the control of ASA make it necessary to change airline, hotel or to make amendments to itineraries. We will inform you of any changes in due course.
Travel Insurance
ASA requires all participants to obtain comprehensive travel insurance. A copy of your travel insurance certificate and the reverse charge emergency contact phone number must be received by ASA no later than 75 days prior to the commencement of the tour.
Final Payment
The balance of the tour price will be due 75 days prior to the tour commencement date.
Limitation of Liability
ASA is not a carrier, event or tourist attraction host, accommodation or dining service provider. All bookings made and tickets or coupons issued by ASA for transport, event, accommodation, dining and the like are issued as an agent for various service providers and are subject to the terms and conditions and limitations of liability imposed by each service provider. ASA is not responsible for their products, services, terms and conditions. If a service provider cancels or does not deliver the product or service for which you have contracted, and does not give a refund, your remedy lies with the service provider, not ASA.
ASA will not be liable for any claim (e.g. sickness, injury, death, damage or loss) arising from any change, delay, detention, breakdown, border closures, cancellation, failure, accident, act, omission or negligence of any tour service provider or authority however caused (contingencies). You must take out such travel insurance as is available against such contingencies.
ASA’s liability in respect of any tour cancelled or changed will be limited to the partial refund of amounts you have paid, less an administration fee of $500 and other costs and charges of third party service providers. No compensation will be payable to you by ASA where ASA cancels or changes a tour, or any part of a tour.
ASA reserves the sole discretion to cancel any tour or to modify itineraries in any way it considers appropriate and in the best interests of health, safety and wellbeing of tour participants. Tour costs may be revised, subject to unexpected price increases or exchange rate fluctuations.
