LATEST NEWS from Outabout Walks

This is a regular update about what we are doing, who we're involved with, and any Special Offers that we're putting out there to get you to come walking with us. This page is updated at least weekly - so come back regularly to see what's happening with Outabout Guided Walks!

	Earlsferry B&B Open House Friday 20 August 2010 - 4 - 8pm If you've ever wanted to have a sticky-beak at that impressive mansion by the bridge leading from Bassendean into Guildford, this is your big chance! Earlsferry House will be open for a special and exclusive Open House for one night only. Don't miss out on this unique opportunity - we'll see you there! Go to their website for all the info: www.earlsferry.com.au   YOU are invited to be a Special Guest at the Earlsferry Grand Open House Earlsferry B&B Open House ~ Friday 20 August 2010 - 4-8pm This is a wonderful opportunity to tour Perth’s Most Romantically Restored Heritage Home - now re-opened as a fine Bed & Breakfast. Come along for great wine and food, live music and the best hospitality in the Swan Valley - Perth's Valley of Taste!
	Guildford Hotel Rally We joined hundreds of other concerned citizens at the recent rally for Re-Roofing the iconic Guildford Hotel. Rousing speeches were given by Ben Allen (head of citizens group) and Sharryn Jackson (Federal MP Member for Hasluck). The first priority is getting some form of roofing protection on the building, so that a full restoration will be possible in the future. As tourism promoters in Guildford, we are keen to get behind this important initiative - the Heritage listing of Guildford's buildings should ensure their survival and upkeep, for the benefit of Western Australians now and in the future. Outabout Walks fine art print of Guildford Hotel A great turnout to support our iconic Guildford Hotel
	Kalamunda! Recently we were invited to speak at the monthly meeting for the staff of the Kalamunda Visitor Centre. We are looking at developing new walks in this very scenic area, and were delighted with the reception (and flood of good ideas) that came from this visit. Previously, we had the opportunity to host these lovely ladies on our walk around Historic Guildford. Kalamunda Visitor Centre staff visit Guildford   "tranquility assured" Falls Retreat Bed & Breakfast 45 Falls Road, Lesmurdie(Perth Hills) 6076, Western Australia Jenette Graham, Owner/Manager Website www.perthbedandbreakfast.com.au Phone 618 9291 7609 Fax 618 9291 0349 Email roza@westnet.com.au Tourism Accredited: 3 1/2 star rated Tourism Excellence Award 2008 They have been operating for about 8 years and attract business from all over the world
	Avon Descent Family Fun Day Outabout Walks had the wonderful opportunity of participating in the Family Fun Day that was held at Fishmarket Reserve in Guildford on Sunday 8 August. This was to celebrate the world famous Avon Descent white water race on the Avon and Swan Rivers. We took a number of people on a mini-walk from Fishmarket Reserve to Stirling Square, talking about the part that Guildford played in the start of Colonial Western Australia. It was a treat (as always) to show off this remarkably preserved Heritage Listed township! Outabout Walks at the Guildford Family Fun Day 2010
	PayPal for Easy and Secure payments We have added the PayPal online payment option to our Bookings and Products pages. This is the recognised world leader in safe and simple online handling of payments. Pay for your Bookings the EASY way - with PayPal on our Bookings page.
	Earlsferry House Website is up and ready for your bookings! We have just completed the website for a brand new Bed & Breakfast in the Swan Valley. Earlsferry House B&B combines late 19th century style with warm hospitality, to make your stay in Western Australia a truly memorable one. This Heritage Listed iconic building is set on acre of land overlooking the Swan River. You can enjoy strolling through the beautiful gardens or sit and be enchanted by the tranquillity of the Swan River. A weekend away from it all in classic luxury is a great present to give to someone special - or you could just make that the gift you give yourself! Click here to visit the new Earlsferry House B&B website
	SUNDAY TIMES (Perth) - ESCAPE Liftout * 27 June 2010 In June had the pleasure of hosting Sunday Times travel journalist Brad Elborough on a bush walk. Brad was accompanied by family and friends for a very enjoyable walking tour of the forests in the Mundaring Catchment Area. The weather was perfect! The article was published in the ESCAPE section of the Sunday Times newspaper on 27 June 2010. Article and Photos by Brad Elborough Going bush without stress There is a lot to learn about Western Australia from a walk in the countryside, as Brad Elborough discovers Tour guides and founders of Outabout Guided Walks, Chris Meynell and Steve Jackson used to walk through bushlands on weekends for a bit of fun and to get out of the house. But when the two best of friends who also worked together, were made redundant, they decided to turn their hobby into a tourist business. Chris's list of past vocations includes RAF engineer, elephant keeper, Hawk jet fighter instructor and guided missiles sales engineer. Steve has sold newspapers, built fibreglass jet skis, been a kitchen hand on Barrow Island, worked with people with intellectual disabilities, as a corporate trainer and a graphic designer. That's just the tip of the iceberg for both of them and you can learn a lot more if you want to - while out in the bush for five hours. Outabout Walks had a bit of a false start at the end of 2009, operating only a few tours before realising they did not quite have the format of their experience down pat. Walking people through the WA bush during the unforgiving summer months, for example, was one point they realised they didn't have right. So they went back to the drawing board and believe they are now on a winner. What they hope to prove with Outabout Guided Walks is that a tour of a destination does not have to include a double-decker bus, old buildings or celebrity spotting. You don't have to plough through history books to learn about early-day experiences of a holiday spot, either. (A side-note: the pair does offer a walking history tour of Guildfordas well - in which case the above couple of statements can be diregarded.) Five hours spent in the wilderness goes very quickly and the 15km you will walk is not that tough a task. You carry plenty of water and food and get ample rest opportunities. The tour starts with you preparing your own (or provided) backpack. Outabout supplies water bottles, fruit, chocolate, snacks and rolls and filling for them that you prepare yourself before you head out. Outabout Guided Walks has worked out several routes, including a trek around the Mundaring catchment area. If you walk straight by something of interest, Chris or Steve will point it out. And there are more points of interest for you to stumble across on a bushwalk than you might think. You will find out about the blackwood (should be 'bloodwood' Marri and Wandoo gum trees) and the gum, among many other types of trees. They fall short on guaranteeing an animal sighting on your walk, but they are yet to trek an area without spotting at least a kangaroo and sometimes see emus, goannas, or echidnas. Two of the four of us on the tour saw kangaroos, which was a surprise as we were making a huge racket while laughing, and thought everything within earshot would have been long gone. The highlight was when we came across a surveying point used by Phillip Chauncey in the 1830s, used in the early stages of development in WA. A bushwalker stumbled across it in the 1970s, but it adds a lot of significance to the area we were exploring and there is a container inside with photocopies of original maps drawn using this site as a reference. Chris and Steve say they should be listed in the cons column of the experience, but they are just being humble and a bit harsh on each other. They have cracking sesnses of humour and complement each other nicely - without the jokes being (or seeming) rehearsed. The banter is not all one-liners, though. You will learn as much, or as little about the surroundings as you want to. Show an interest in an animal, or a tree and one of these guys will tell you about it. Don't be put off by the fact that these tours run in the cooler months. A 15km walk through the bush on a hot day would not be anywhere near as enjoyable, nor the colours of WA more attractive. Wish You Were Here     What's included? Outabout Tours supplies each walker with a backpack, lunch and water. There are options for special souvenirs to buy on the website. What to take Make sure you wear long clothing, as the bushes do scratch. Wear enclosed shoes with a good grip - the rocks can be slippery once a bit of water gets on to them. Cost A general bushwalk costs $130 a person, with a maximum of 20 people. A corporate walk, from $180 a person, with a minimum of 10 people, includes a bit extra, such as team bonding activity sessions. Chris and Steve are experienced business managers and trainers. Summer option Check out the website for information on the Guildford Walk Through History from $40 a person ($25 a child, under 15 years old). Schools There are several educational options for schools that can be discovered by visiting www.outabout.com.au Contact Book directly online through www.outabout.com.au email bookings@outabout.com.au or call 0423 113 843.