Sometimes you only have the weekend to get away from the hassles and stresses of city life. Take a road trip inland along the Wheatbelt Way to Beacon and Bencubbin, now brimming with springtime wildflowers. We have provided you with the local knowledge on how to best spend a weekend in Beacon and Bencubbin.
Perth to Beacon Itinerary
Friday Just over 3.5hrs drive from Perth (~320km), arrive in the Wheatbelt town of Beacon, book into your accommodation (or set up your tent, camper or caravan!) at the Beacon Caravan Park and take a wander through town, stop by at The Men’s Shed where they have an impressive open face display of restored machinery, you can also view the Sandalwood Dray display nearby. Head on over to the Beacon Country Club and have dinner at their delicious pizza night; you can take away or dine-in, make the most of meeting the locals and get involved in this vibrant community! Settle in for the night and take in the clear skies, countless stars, and calming stillness of our town.
Saturday Start the day early and wake up with the birds and the colours of the sunrise. We would suggest heading on over to the Beacon Co-Operative for all your grocery needs, you will find plenty of fresh produce, dry goods and other great products that will keep you well-stocked for your journey ahead. Make yourself at home in our Caravan Park camp kitchen, which has excellent facilities for all your cooking needs. Perhaps a full cooked breakfast to start your day? Ensure you pack yourself a picnic for a day of exploring out in nature!
Head north to discover all that Billiburning Rock has to offer, on the way stop in and appreciate the collection of Honey Bee’s mailboxes, Love Bug, and other artistic metalwork. The display is sure to put a smile on your face! Continue to Billiburning Rock, the rock itself is part of quite a large natural forest reserve. It is one of the largest outcrops in the area, providing you with plenty of opportunities for birdwatching, wildflower spotting, and stargazing. As you explore you will find a gnamma hole and soak here. Enjoy a lunchtime picnic while taking in the beauty of your natural surroundings.
Next, we suggest driving southeast to discover Datjoin Rock and Well Reserve, there are several unique rock formations to be found here. The reserve is a popular destination for both locals and visitors alike, make the most of what Datjoin has to offer; a leisurely walk, spot some local wildlife and keep a lookout for wildflowers. Make your way back to Beacon Country Club for one of their fantastic weekend meals, spend some time with the locals and really get a feel of what it’s like to live out in the Wheatbelt!
Sunday
Take yourself out for a leisurely walk through the Beacon Historic Walking Trail before spending time on the road. A little exercise and fresh air are good for the mind they say! The townsite trail is marked by information plaques of the yesteryear history. A great insight into how our small Wheatbelt towns were established and the life of our pioneers. Depending on the direction you are heading, if you are driving south be sure to have a look over Lake Askew, a stunning salt lake, located on the main road between Beacon and Bencubbin, a great location for magical photography opportunities.
Beacon Wildflower Bus Tours 2021
Guided Bus Tours are operating each Monday from 2nd August to 27th September 2021. Book Online Now! trybooking.com/bscnz For more information call the Beacon Visitor Centre (08) 9686 1014 – Monday to Friday.
For more information see https://beaconwa.com.au/weekend-getaway-in-beacon
Perth to Bencubbin Itinerary
Friday Afternoon Just over a 3 hr (272km) drive from Perth, arrive at the Bencubbin Caravan Park, park up your van or check-in to a cabin, and be welcomed into our relaxed country lifestyle (otherwise stay at one of the nearby free campgrounds of Marshall Rock or Gabbin Hall where there is a voluntary donation box). Take a walk along the main street, see what we have to offer, and admire our Sandalwood Dray and Power House displays. Enjoy a delicious dinner from KC’s Café; they offer a selection of burgers, including steak and chicken, hot chips, seafood options, toasties, homemade desserts, milkshakes, and more! Settle in for the night and take some time out from the rest of the world to enjoy our peaceful surroundings. Admire the clear night sky and endless stars, they really do need to be seen to be believed!
Saturday Start your day with a Fiori coffee or tea from KC’s Café, you could opt to enjoy breakfast here or make yourself at home in our Caravan Park camp kitchen, which provides excellent facilities for all your cooking needs. Pay a visit to The Bencubbin Shop before lunchtime to make sure you are fully stocked up with supplies. You will find a great variety of fresh produce, dry goods, and products so you’ll have everything you’ll need during your stay. Then take a short drive east of town and take a step back in time with a visit to the unique site of the Pergandes Sheep Yards, here you will find the remains of an original and prominent homestead and granite sheep yards that were constructed in 1913. Given the historical and cultural importance of this site, it is now open to visitors, a must-see! Make a stop at Marshall Rock to take in the panoramic views from the top, where you can see our golden pastoral countryside. This reserve provides great opportunities for bushwalking, birdwatching, and inspecting our wildflowers. A popular leisure spot for both locals and visitors alike, great for a picnic, so take some lunch with you and enjoy the peace, quiet, and breathe in some fresh air.
If you have time be sure to take a drive out to the small pioneering town of Gabbin, you can enjoy a walk along the heritage trail and it will take you on a journey back in time to where it all began, showcasing the highlights of Gabbin’s history. After a day of exploring you might like to enjoy an evening meal at the Bencubbin Sports Club, they regularly have meals on offer on a Saturday night. Providing a great opportunity to mingle with the locals and enjoy a refreshing beverage.
Sunday Start your day early and wake with the sunrise, the colours are stunning, and the skies are clear. Either make use of the camp kitchen for breakfast or grab a hot drink and toastie from KC’s Cafe between 8am and 11am. Enjoy a leisurely walk around the Bencubbin Heritage Trail, this 5km track meanders through the townsite, surrounding bushland, and our golf course. Make the most of the peace and quiet while admiring the flora, fauna, and at the right time of year, our orchids! Head on over to Lake McDermott, a large salt lake located just east of Bencubbin. At the moment, due to recent rainfall, you can enjoy a swim or a kayak. A beautiful picnic spot surrounded by water, a rare find out this way. You’ll find plenty of opportunities to take some stunning photographs, before heading for home after lunch. We hope that you enjoyed your stay with us, and we hope to welcome you back again soon!
For more information visit the Shire of Mount Marshall website