FOUND Magazine Spring Summer 2020/2021

the bunbury geographe magazine

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FREE Take me home

GIRLS VACAY Book a gal pal break and get ready for some fantastic r ‘n’ r

ART LANDSCAPE Take an art class, follow an art trail or discover artists working with lost objects

LEARN FROM THE BEST Join a cooking class and brush up on your cheffing skills

Image Bianca Turri

the bunbury geographe magazine

s p r i n g /s u m m e r 0 6

Published by PREMIUM PUBLISHERS 26 John Street Northbridge Perth WA 6003 (08) 6323 1389

Editor’s Letter Spring and summer in the BunGeo region is my favourite time of year. Think family fun in the great outdoors, new foodie discoveries, creating long lunches and intimate dinners you’ll never forget. How about those, award-winning wineries welcoming visitors with open arms (and well-stocked cellars), breweries and distilleries creating amazing taste sensations, and the chance to kick back, beachside with pooch in tow, in one of the south west's most beautiful regions. We think you'll find plenty to inspire in these pages of Found magazine. Here's just a taste of what you could get up to over the next few months.

Our cover story is all about where to wander out yonder if you’ve got man’s best friend by your side. If you’re looking for long beach walks or hikes through the countryside, we’ve got plenty to inspire you in this story.

While the world has been reeling from the effects of Coronavirus, the clever inhabitants of BunGeo have been very busy, opening new restaurants and cafes, creating beautiful art and offering opportunities for visitors to enjoy the whole thing safely. Why not plan your next Girl’s Weekend Away and rediscover why you’re all friends in the first place – there are so many gorgeous places to stay and be pampered. There are three new ways to find your Beertopia too – with two breweries and a new mega-venue set to open soon. There’s a strong French connection in some of the region’s wineries too – find out more as Fergal talks to some of the Geographe Wine Region’s top wine producers.

Spend 48 hours in the Capel region and rediscover all that you loved about childhood seaside holidays. Just between you and me, I’m not sure 48 hours is enough, judging by how much there is do in this beautiful part of the world – so why not linger a little longer?

COVER IMAGE You’ll see too that there are plenty of events planned over the Bianca Turri next six months, from horse racing to firework shows, from long table lunches to celebrating the year of the Ox. So what are you waiting for? It’s time to holiday here this year and rediscover a region which is waiting to welcome you with open arms.

Gabi

EDITOR Gabi Mills gabi@premiumpublishers.com.au DESIGNER Cally Browning cally@barecreative.com.au SALES MANAGER Natalie du Preez natalie@premiumpublishers.com.au CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Dianne Bortoletto, Monique Ceccato, Danielle Costley, Brooke Evans-Butler, Fergal Gleeson, Tom de Souza, Gail Williams, Tori Wilson.

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Bianca Turri COVER IMAGE

By Bianca Turri Photography ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES natalie@premiumpublishers.com.au EDITORIAL ENQUIRIES gabi@premiumpublishers.com.au Printed by VANGUARD PRESS All rights reserved. No material published in this magazine may be reproduced in whole or part without prior written authority. Every endeavour is made to ensure information contained is correct at time of going to print. ©2020 FOUND is published bi-annually by Premium Publishers on behalf of the Bunbury Geographe Tourism Partnership. Printed by Vanguard Press.

@visitbunburygeographe

DID YOU KNOW? Just two hours from Perth, you will find the Bunbury Geographe region or BunGeo as we call it. Lose yourself within a vibrant seaside city and discover a captivating wine region, amazing produce, beautiful scenery, a banging arts scene and quaint towns. #BunGeo #VisitBunburyGeographe @VisitbunburyGeographe

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PREMIUM PUBLISHERS visitbunburygeographe.com.au

the bunbury geographe magazine

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ACCOMMODATION & TOURS

Welcome Events Destination News 48 hours in . . . Capel Region

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Girls' Getaway Kids-R-Us

ART & CULTURE

ADVENTURE & NATURE

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Arts and Crafts on the Rise Art From the Natural On the Art Trail

Hit the Road P-awesome Holidays Together

DESTINATIONS FOOD & DRINK

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The French Connection Flavours of Country Food & Drink News Big in Japan: Paddy's Patties Beertopia Cooking on Gas

Bunbury Donnybrook-Balingup Ferguson Valley Capel Region Collie River Valley Boyup Brook region Harvey Region DIRECTORY Bunbury Geographe Map

Image Bianca Turri

Image Bianca Turri

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SPRING/SUMMER

and happy within yourself and achieve your goals.

Health Women’s Triathlon, Bunbury, November 15. Visit: bunburytriclub.com/events

/ NOVEMBER

Open Water Swimming comes to Koombana Bay Swim with the dolphins in sheltered Koombana Bay, enjoy the beach facilities and stay the night in friendly digs to experience everything Bunbury has to offer in what will be the biggest weekend of open water swimming in the south west.

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OWS Series Round 4: Bunbury, November 21, 6 am to 11.30 am: Visit openwaterswimming.com. au/event/ows-series-bunbury Testing women’s triathlon The Women’s Triathlon aims to encourage, empower and embrace ladies of all ages to say I Can and I Will. Let this be your year to be fit, healthy

Speed demons An action-packed weekend at the Collie Motorplex, with an Autokhana event on Saturday and a club sprint event on Sunday.

Plenty of action to be seen with some quick cars getting around the track. Free entry for spectators and canteen open both days.

HSV Club of WA Autokhana and Sprint at Collie Motorplex, November 14 at 7am. Contact the Collie Motorplex on 0428 826 613.

/ DECEMBER

Celebrating Christmas in style The BunGeo region is gearing up for an extra-special festive season. Here are some of the

visitbunburygeographe.com.au

seasonall events planned: Head down to the Bunbury CBD from December 1 and discover the Christmas Lights Trail winding through the City’s streets. Featuring a large Christmas tree at Bicentennial Square and a number of interactive and light-up decorations, this festive display will be on show throughout the Christmas period.

TOP TIP: Use #LOVEBUNBURY when posting photos of the trail to social media.

Bunbury’s Street Parade will be held on December 6 from 5.30pm and we ask spectators to spread out and consider physical distancing where possible while watching the festively decorated floats and groups pass by.

Christmas in the City will be spread over two weekends to help reduce crowds in response to Coronavirus. On December

13 from noon, the festival will commence in various locations throughout the Bunbury CBD with The Apprentice and Traineeship Company Carols Concert kicking off at the Graham Bricknell Music Shell from 4.30pm.

Come along and celebrate a traditional Christmas at the annual Lions Club of Collie’s annual Christmas Pageant on December 19 from 2pm to 10.30pm. The iconic Street Parade between 6pm and 7pm is always a highlight.

Santa is very much a part of the evening, participating in the Parade in his sleigh, and posing for photographs with children. Browse the markets all through the beautiful Central Park, while the kids are kept amused by a huge variety of free entertainment on offer.

Come and browse through a wide variety of market stalls at the Harvey Indoor Christmas

Markets on December 5 from 9am to 1pm. Entry is by gold coin donation, Kids under 16 are free.

The Kirup Summer Solstice Markets is being held on December 6 from 9am to 4pm at the Kirup Town Hall (Arthur Kelly Memorial Hall as listed on Google) .

Music for all After the huge success of their show at Maker & Co in 2019, there’ a great line-up of talented south west artists to bring you an evening of live music under the stars at the

beautiful Evedon Lakeside Retreat. From 6pm with music between 7 and 10pm, bring a concert chair, picnic blanket or cushion. Under 18s are welcome however they must be accompanied by an adult.

An Evening of Music at Evedon, Evedon Lakeside Retreat, December 4, 6pm to 10pm. For tickets, visit trybooking.com/BKMRH Saddle up Celebrate the new year in style at the Bunbury Trotting Club’s New Year’s Eve party with

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events SPRING/SUMMER

Female Duo. The Leschenault Catchment Council will be donating one tree for every competitor that enters the event.

Dash for Cash Handicap 10km Race, Bunbury & Eaton, January 2.

Lifesavers head to Back Beach More than 1,000 competitors representing 20 clubs will make the trek to Bunbury’s beautiful Back Beach for the annual SunSmart Country Carnival held over the Australia Day long weekend. SunSmart Country Lifesaving Carnival, Bunbury Back Beach, January 23 to 24.

Visit bunburyslsc.com.au

fireworks to send 2020 off and welcome 2021.

Live Harness tracing and New Year’s Eve Fireworks, Donaldson Park, Bunbury, December 31.

/ JANUARY

Fringe benefits Get ready to rock the Fringe in Bunbury. The annual Festival dishes up an unbelievably eclectic program of comedy, dance, film, theatre, music, visual art and thought-provoking lectures.

Bunbury Fringe, January 22 to 30. Visit bunburyfringe.com

Wherefore art thou, Shakespeare in the Vines?

It’s a welcome return of Shakespeare in the Vines as the very talented Essential Theatre company present Romeo & Juliet.

Shakespeare in the Vines: St Aidan Wines, January 9. Visit saintaidan.com.au Prizewinning art on show Harvey Art Society’s Harvey Art Prize will be on show in January.

Featuring works for sale from West Australian artists with the Alcoa Harvey Art Prize awarded on the opening night (January 15) .

Harvey Art Prize, Harvey

Join the Dash for Cash Race along BunGeo’s beautiful waters from the Eaton Foreshore to Bunbury’s Leschenault Inlet.

Runners leave at the time provided by the Handicapper.

This year there’s a support event of one lap of the inlet as a Male/

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visitbunburygeographe.com.au

Koombana Bay. Swim in the protected waters of the Bay, ride along Bunbury’s stunning Back Beach and run through Marlston Waterfront.

LGM Industries Bunbury City Classic Triathlon, February 7. Visit bunburytriclub.com/ events/bunbury-classics

Festival, February 18 to 21.

Visit countrymusicwa.com.au

Recreation and Cultural Centre, from January 15 to 20. Opening times - Saturday 10am to 8.30pm, Sunday to Wednesday from 10am to 4pm.

the sky from 8.30pm.

Bunbury SkyFest, Koomabana Foreshore, January 26. Visit bunbury.wa.gov.au

Light up the skies The annual Australia Day celebration, SkyFest, will again be held on January 26 but will move over to Koombana Foreshore to include the sand and the surf for a true Australia Day. Expect live music entertainment on the beach and activities for young and old on the sand and lawn areas, as well as the playground. To end the night, fireworks will light up

Country music celebration The Boyup Brook Country Music Festival is one of WA’s most popular music and camping festivals, held annually in February and this year is no different. The Music Park is a charming family festival venue, with mature river gums over grassy knolls on the banks of the beautiful Blackwood River. Check out the website for the line-up.

Boyup Brook Country Music

/ FEBRUARY

Harvey Dam hosts OWS event With beautiful freshwater and no currents, Harvey Dam is the perfect introduction to Open Water Swimming for swimmers at all levels.

Distances Available: 500m, 1.25km, 2.5km & 5km.

OWS SWA King/Queen of the Dam Round 10- Harvey Dam, February 7 from 7am to 11am.

Visit: openwaterswimming. com.au/event/swafoundation-diamond-mile

Bring your dancin’ shoes Join the Donnybrook and Districts Country Music Club for a good ‘ole fashioned country music dance in newly renovated Balingup Hall. Retrosonic will keep you dancing all night.

Country Music Dance, Balingup, February 29, tickets $10 available on the night.

Swim, run and ride the Classic The highly regarded Bunbury City Classic Triathlon returns with this year’s event to again be held in the protected waters of Bunbury’s

Celebrate the Year of the Ox The Chinese New Year will take over the Stirling Street Arts Centre with hands-on workshops including dumplingmaking (small fee applies),

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events SPRING/SUMMER

parasol-painting, paper flowermaking, Chinese bonsai classes and the ever-popular mah jong with a special table for the kids.

Bunbury Chinese New Year Festival, Stirling Street Arts Centre, Bunbury, Feb 13 and 14 At the end of Chinese New Year and the full moon, find community-made lanterns throughout the Friendship garden. The garden will be free for visitors to take a self-guided walk to admire all the lanterns, find their own, admire the Ox and delight in the floating lotus lanterns in the waterway.

Traditional Chinese music will be played and an innovative light show will wash over the park grounds. BYO picnic in

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Queens Park to watch the lanterns come alive at sunset or to have dinner in town and wander over afterwards.

Bunbury Chinese New Year Lantern Festival, February 27.

/ MARCH

First past the post All roads will lead to Bunbury on March 6, when racing takes centre at the Bunbury Turf Club. In a historical first, the $120,000 Furphy Bunbury Cup and $120,000 Amelia Park Bunbury Stakes will be combined to lead a stellar Super Saturday race card to be run at metropolitan prize money levels.

Bunbury Cup & Bunbury

Stakes, Bunbury Turf Club, March 6. Visit bunburyturfclub.com.au Harvey Harvest Festival Experience the atmosphere of Italy in the picturesque gardens of Snell Park, Harvey. Local produce will be transformed in true paddockto-plate style cooking demonstrations with many of Harvey’s iconic brands – Harvey Cheese, Harvey Fresh, and Harvey Beef. Expect music, entertainment, markets rides, street theatre, fairy workshops, the LiveLighter Grape Stomp and an animal petting farm. March 21, harveyfest.com.au visitbunburygeographe.com.au

Tuck in for a good cause Love a good feed? Join the Chef’s Long Table Charity Lunch for a stunning afternoon of food and entertainment, under a marquee overlooking Leschenault Inlet. They’ll be an exquisite eight-course degustation, delicious local wine, fabulous entertainment (think Michael Martin), and an exciting auction for a great cause.

Chef’s Long Table Lunch, Bunbury, March 14. Visit chefslongtable.com.au.

Tree Street Art Safari The Tree Street Art Safari returns in 2021 which sees more than 20 venues and 50 artists open their doors to give visitors a unique insight into their everyday workspaces.

Things kick off on March 20, along Bunbury's historical Tree Street area. Bring the family and friends for a day full of art, local music and gourmet delights.

/ MAJOR EVENTS FOR THE DIARY Bunbury 3 Waters Running Festival, April 11 2021 The 2021 Donnybrook Apple Festival April 3 & 4 2021 CinefestOZ will return to the south west in 2021 with a feast of live screenings and events from August 25 to 29.

With high calibre film guests and a sensational line-up of home-grown films, it’s little wonder CinefestOZ, heading into its 14th year, has consolidated its position as the premier destination film festival in Australia.

For more information visit cinefestoz.com and follow the Festival on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @cinefestoz

Gargoyle Lodge, a 1920s executive holiday home with character and comfort is perfect for your stay and a base to explore Collie and surrounding areas. Gargoyle Lodge is big enough to support families and groups of friends in comfort and style.

www.gargoylelodge.com.au Ph 08 9734 5088

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9 | FOUND | spring • summer 2020/21 1 Porter Street, Collie WA 6225 | (08) 9734 5088 | info@crvtp.com.au

destination news SPRING/SUMMER By DIANNE BORTOLETTO

The Green Depot, Bunbury The Green Depot has moved and expanded. The muchloved botanical boutique specialising in boho bridal, fresh and dried floristry now has a jungle lounge with a retro record player (play their vinyl or bring your own), a Mayde Health Nutritional Bar serving smoothies, juices, raw food with gluten-free and vegan options, and a relaxed bridal space from Leaf and Lace. Find them at 40 Wellington St, Bunbury.

Visit facebook.com/ greendepotbunbury/

Wine Wander The new Bunbury Wine Wander event pairs eleven Bunbury bars and restaurants with eleven local Geographe wineries to create a series of “pop-up” bars and will be held on November 7. Wine Wanderers receive a tasting glass and a map and head out to explore the streets of Bunbury on their own self-guided wine tasting adventure. Tickets are $55 per person and can be booked at bunburywinewander.com

Bunbury Geographe Motor Museum, Bunbury The Bunbury Geographe Motor Museum opened its doors in October. Established by a group of local car enthusiasts, the museum showcases an epic collection of vehicles, including veteran, vintage, classic, racing cars and motorbikes. Discover a 1962 S Series Valiant Sedan, a 1958 Messerschmitt KR200, a 1927 Hupmobile, a 1914 T Model Ford in mint condition 10

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and the most famous Mazda in Australia that was raced by Alan Moffatt. Located in the heart of Bunbury’s bustling CBD and its vibrant cafe strip, the Bunbury Geographe Motor Museum will be a delight for any motoring enthusiast. Cars, signs and auto-memorabilia displays are regularly rotated and on loan from generous south west private collectors.

Visit bgmm.com.au

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Le Charabanc, Bunbury Travel back in time and experience the grandeur of the Roaring 20s. Sip champagne and graze on a gourmet platter during a sunset tour in a beautiful 1927 vintage Charabanc bus. The unique bus seats five people comfortably and has capacity for seven.

The Charabanc replica was built by Leadley and James Coach Builders in Merseyside in St Helens, England. It was lovingly restored by the current owners and includes a 1927 horn, and old claxon, a 1924 fire extinguisher and some 1920s side mirrors, turning heads everywhere it goes.

Licensed as an on-demand tourism transport vehicle, it’s the perfect date night ride to rekindle the spark with some old-fashioned romance. In the back you’ll find some fun props for photos including feather boas, pearls, hats and more.

Book via facebook.com/LeCharabanc-104268668049278/ or call 0438 173 238

Olivia Grove, Kirup Newly opened Olivia Grove makes natural skincare products from organic and spray free olives and a small selection of gourmet foods. Luscious products include Morning Mist infused with rosewood, lavender and lime essential oils, the healing and calming Skin Therapy formulated for mature skins with chamomile, ylang ylang, palmarosa and lavender essential oils, a gentle range for babies and soaps. Family-run Olivia Grove is focussed on providing handcrafted, nutrient dense products, good oldfashioned customer service and giving their customers rewarding shopping experience. Visit their Farmshop near Kirup, in the Donnybrook-Balingup region.

On Sundays, they open their little café which is bursting with homemade delights like this Citrus Bliss cake. You'll also find a huge range of beautiful products made from local and organic olives on the property. or shop online at oliviagrove.com.au/.

Wonders of Western Australia Minigolf Wonders of Western Australia Minigolf Course at the Old Coast Road Brewery is a

representation of 18 of the State’s natural attractions, all in a single location.

Each of the 18 minigolf holes features a different attraction, allowing players to learn about some of WA’s best features as they play. Take a tour of Wave Rock, Rottnest Island, the Pinnacles, Mount Augustus, the Abrolhos Islands, Dirk Hartog Island, Albany, Karijini, Broome or the Kalgoorlie Super Pit. The minigolf course builds on the family-friendly reputation of the Old Coast Road Brewery, providing a fun activity for the whole family.

The inspiration behind Wonders of Western Australian Minigolf was the annual trip to Rottnest Island that brewery owners, Andrew and Ivanka Harris, would take where the family would play minigolf for year-long bragging rights.

Popular with families, groups and corporate events, the minigolf course is open from 11am Wednesday to Sunday and takes about an hour to complete.

Visit ocrb.com.au for more.

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Destination News

Black Diamond Lodge Collie’s new Black Diamond Lodge offers budget-friendly accommodation with style for mountain bike riders and bushwalkers. The lovingly restored Lodge is a gorgeous heritage motel situated in the centre of town, in between a pub and a deli, and within walking distance of the CBD, trail heads and other local attractions.

Self-serve kitchen facilities with gas stove, oven, microwave, fridge and cooking utensils and tea and coffee making facilities provided.

Day trippers have free access to the common room, with wifi, co-working and leisure facilities. BunGeo loves the handcrafted, artisan fire pit – the perfect place to catch up with friends at the end of the day. For more, visit blackdiamondlodge.com.au.

Donnybrook Gold When gold was discovered in Donnybrook in 1897, it became the scene of a small gold rush attracting over 200 gold miners.

Visitors can unearth Donnybrook’s golden history in the Donnybrook Gold private small group tours that explore the historic gold workings and the geology. Plus, visitors have a chance to pan for rare fern gold themselves at the tranquil lake at Mt Cara with a guarantee of finding gold. Alternatively, sit back and relax with a coffee and cake at the Goldfield’s Tearoom The two-and-a-half hour gold panning adventure tours are by appointment and cost $40 per person.

Visit donnybrookgold.com.au

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visitbunburygeographe.com.au

DON'T MISS

BunGeo Business Event Guide

Discover Collie Preston Through State Government funding, the Donnybrook Visitor Centre has been developing packages to introduce visitors to the beautiful Preston River Valley, connecting with Donnybrook and Collie.

Visit donnybrookwa.com.au or contact the Donnybrook Visitor Centre om 9731 1720

Be inspired to host your next business event or group activity in BunGeo. The new comprehensive 80-page BunGeo Business Event Guide provides meeting, conference and group organisers with the information they require to host a COVIDfriendly event in the region with information on venues, services, and activities. It also aims to inspire event organisers to ‘think outside the box’ with unique

destinations, experiences and venues, from Australia’s leading performance venue BREC, to awesome rustic outdoor venues like Balingup’s Linga Longa and Mornington Springs in the Harvey region. BunGeo’s natural backdrop is stunning and local hospitality is second to none.

For more information and to download the BunGeo Business Event guide visit: corporate.visit bunburygeographe.com.au

BunGeo’s farmstays among WA’s best RAC Horizons magazine has listed three BunGeo farmstays in the WA’s top ten Best Family Farmstays, namely Blue Hills, Boronia and Ferguson Farmstay.

Popular website Perth is OK has also named Ferguson Farmstay in its top 15 Farmstays alongside Kirup Farmstay and Honeymoon Hideaway near Harvey.

Getting there is half the fun

Leave the car at home and discover Australia’s Bunbury and Geographe region on our iconic Australind train or one of our luxury road coaches.

We operate five-star road coach services to destinations including Bunbury, Boyup Brook, Capel, Collie, Dardanup, Donnybrook and Harvey.

Or, why not catch our Australind train to Bunbury. All services are fully accessible and equipped with on board entertainment, air conditioning, USB charging ports and toilet facilities.

With 50% discount for Seniors and WA Pensioners and up to 75% for families when you travel with between two and four children*, there has never been a better time to travel.

Don’t forget, we offer West Australian Pensioner card holders Free Travel entitlements ever year which can be redeemed as two single journeys or a single return journey on any Transwa service. Holders of a DVA issued Gold card are eligible for additional trips.

To book your next holiday, or to see where Transwa can take you, call 1300 662 205 or visit transwa.wa.gov.au. *Terms and conditions apply.

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48 hours in ...

48 hours in the . . .

CAPEL REGION Stretch your legs in a rare tuart forest, be charmed by tiny towns, and indulge in gourmet-fresh produce in the Capel region.

Amble along Peppermint Grove Beach, play a game of golf surrounded by kangaroos or fly through the air on a trampoline. Feed your curiosity at quirky galleries and studios, or at a local cellar door and cafe.

DAY ONE Perth to Peppermint Grove Beach It’s the great Australian summer ritual: packing up and heading for the beach.

So, jump in the car and get ready for 48 hours of summer-time fun in the Capel region. Allow a little over two hours to reach the region.

If it’s chilled-out beach time vibes you crave, then spending time in the quintessential seaside town of Peppermint Grove Beach (aka Peppy Beach) is a must.

You’ll find the beach holiday you remember from your childhood. No high rises, just endless days enjoying the sun and sea.

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Sunset Magic Arrive in time to catch the last beautiful rays over the Indian Ocean. Climb the 119-step Peppermint Grove lookout for 360-degree views of the Peppermint Grove Beach and beyond and an unbelievable sunset. Access is from Peppermint Grove Terrace, or from Maali Rise (off Boobook Rise).

Where to Stay Families will love the Peppermint Grove Beach Holiday Park with its camper’s kitchen, mini golf, tennis, volleyball and the best Friday night pizzas in the region.

For space to luxuriate, try a twostorey architecturally-designed house by Peppermint Tree Lodge.

DAY TWO Get Sand Between Your Toes Lock the car into 4WD and hit the beach highway. Bring the fishing rod, boat, snorkelling gear, surfboard or kayak and spend the morning getting wet and salty.

Berry Breakfast You’ve earned your breakfast, so head to Capelberry Cafe in the main street of Capel (only a 10-minute drive from visitbunburygeographe.com.au

Peppy Beach) for their famous breakfast bruschetta or spicy it up with spicy chorizo eggs. Vegetarians will love the Capelberry mushrooms. The coffee and tea selections are fabulous, and the lemon coconut cake is to die for.

If you have kids in tow, spend a few moments at the nearby Capel Skate Park and Playground.

Walk Among Spectacular Trees Wander through the world’s only remaining tall tuart forest in the Tuart Forest National Park. It’s also home to towering 40-metre tuart trees and the rare western ringtail possum. Go bushwalking, have a picnic or check out the Tuart Discovery Trail.

Another picturesque walk meandering through rare tuart forest (that only locals know) is situated at the northern end of the Capel region between Dalyellup and Usher (South Bunbury). The 1.27kms trail

ssamjang mayonnaise, pickled mushrooms, and steamed bao buns with vegetable and gochujang. Capel Vale’s Cellar Door has also launched new wine flights. Taste vertical vintages of Museum-stock riesling and cabernet sauvignon, pulled out of their private cellar!

For a quick, casual bite, try the Capel Bakehouse which specialises in traditional baking. The pies and pasties are delicious followed by a lick-your-lips choccie eclairs. We recommend you grab some of their famous charcoal bread to take home with you. Pack a picnic and head to the picturesque Ironstone Gully Falls, off Goodwood Road.

Sporting Adventures Get swinging at Capel Golf Course.

Established in 1928, the 18-hole par 72 championship course offers a spacious layout with flat terrain and bending

fairways. While challenging to veterans, this course is also a great start for beginners since there is no troublesome water.

You’ll also tee-off to an audience of local kangaroos.

MTB adventures can put peddle to the metal on the Boyanup to Donnybrook or Boyanup to Wellington Forest sections of the famous Munda Biddi track. Pick up and drop off services are available in the region.

The 19th Hole Finish your golf game or MTB adventurers with drinks at the Capel’s historic tavern – its sunny beer garden is an afternoon ritual.

Where to Stay If a vineyard view is more your style, couples should check into Windfall Wine Estate’s gorgeous one-bedroom chalet.

Windfall is located in North Boyanup, on the border of the Capel region and the

OLD FASHIONED FUN Head to the Capel region and rediscover the summer holidays of your childhood. Opposite, Capel Vale is home to an award-winning winery and restaurant.

Below, Capelberry serves fabulous brekkies.

of high quality, flat asphalt path (perfect for walkers, cyclists, skaters, and parents with prams) is surrounded by majestic tuart trees. The trail features two interpretive shelters at either end, as well as numerous interpretive panels throughout the Walk.

Matching Wines Recently nominated as a The Real Review Top Wineries of Australia 2020, Capel Vale is an essential foodie and wine experience. Settle in to enjoy some superb food from executive chef, Jason, at Match Restaurant overlooking the Stirling Vineyard. We recommend the Geographe Malbec Plate with Szechuan lamb ribs,

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48 hours in ...

Ferguson Valley, and only minutes from Bunbury. Stretch out on the expensive deck overlooking the property and sprawling vines while being entertained by their friendly alpacas and resident flock of guinea fowl.

milk lattes around. Your kids will love the homemade cookies and bay chinos. Still hungry? Select from the toastie or croissant menu, Gaby's Muesli with yoghurt and mixed berries or a vege frittata.

DAY THREE

Morning Walk Start the day in nature, with a walk along the Preston River Ramble. The Ramble is a delightful 1.3km walking trail alongside the Preston River, starting at Boyanup’s Lions Park on Bridge St. The trail follows the Preston River, and through interpretation signage visitors can catch a glimpse of the area’s history, observe conservation principles, and engage all five of their senses.

Keep walking on the edge of town and you’ll find the Joshua Lake Walk – the circuit caters for both cyclists and walkers,

After breakfast in your cottage, pack up and drive five minutes to Boyanup. Located on the Preston River, Boyanup is a Noongar name, said to mean “a place of quartz” as “Boya” means “rock” or “stone”.

Caffeine Boost Kickstart the morning with a caffeine boost from drive thru Coffee Joy. You’ll find freshly brewed Rubra artisan coffee, real fruit smoothies and the best almond 16

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with high quality flat concrete paths. The walk features interpretive panels, and includes several artistic shelters, a bird hide, bench seats, and tables.

Toot Toot Lions Park is also the departing point for the Boyanup Heritage Trail. You will uncover 15 historic sites and buildings along the trrail, including the South West Rail and Heritage. On the fourth Sunday of the month, the Rail & Heritage Centre opens its doors to the public. View the historic trains and carriages, plus see the Capel Men’s Shed and the blacksmiths working in the traditional way.

Meet a Local Farmer Markets draw crowds at this rural town visitbunburygeographe.com.au

family favourite on the fourth Sunday of the month. The Boyanup Farmers Markets are considered the best produce markets in the BunGeo. Their farmers are passionate about the food, produce and very little food miles – think fruit in season, from apples, pears, stone fruit and beautiful fresh vegetables, goat’s milk and cheese, sheep cheese, honey, olives and olive oils, macadamia and pecan nuts products. Not only can you buy fresh eggs at the market you can purchase chooks in all shapes and sizes. The preserve stalls have a large variety of jams, chutneys, pickled onions and African-style preserves for those that like them a little spicy and a special salt blends stall. Plus, there's Geographe Wine available for tasting and purchasing.

It’s also the perfect place for an early lunch. There are goat meat and lamb vans with high quality pasture fed meat products on offer. Finish with a coffee and French pastry and more.

All Things French & Beautiful Less than 200 metres walk from the markets, you’ll find Rustic French Living which is literally oozing with all things Gallic.

Located in an old Methodist church, Rustic French sells French-inspired furniture, homeware, antiques and ladies clothing.

They also have an extensive range of recycled furniture plus traditional bed linen, quilts and cushions. While you’re shopping partake in freshly baked goodies perfectly paired with a coffee or a tea. Our favourites include their Blueberry-Filled Vanilla Cupcakes, Melting Moments, and Pineapple and Coconut Cupcakes. Don’t say goodbye, just “à bientôt”.

Fossickers Rejoice In an unsustainable world of fast fashion, perhaps it’s time to swim against the

current and try some pre-loved goodies from Quirky Too. A five-minute walk from Rustic French, Quirky Too is the perfect place for fossickers to uncover unique vintage, retro, art and salvage finds.

Say goodbye to Boyanup and hit the road. If you still have room in the boot after the markets, pick up fresh produce from The Forbidden Fruit in Stratham.

Owner Phil is passionate about supporting our local farmers and orchards. Produce changes daily, and you will also find delights like Capel Seedless Mandarins mystic butter and mandarin marmalade, woodfired bread, Solarfruit, woodsmoke meats, preserves and more.

More Wonderous Beaches For another lesser known yet fabulous beach, try Dalyellup Beach. Descend the staircase, to find a stunning beach that stretches for miles. 4WD vehicles can access the beach here and drive south and there’s a dog-friendly section too. Above the beach there is a lawn picnic area with BBQs and toilets.

Find a Bit of Gravity Kids, and big kids at heart, will have a jumping good time at Gravity ETC trampoline centre. Gravity is a world-class family and youth venue that is all about fun; home to 1,800 sqm of trampoline floor area, with seven different activity zones, plus 200sqm mezzanine level, parent retreat, café, and a free soft play area for kids under three..

Fish N Chippies No beach holiday is complete without a serving of Fish and Chips. Before you depart for Perth, stop at Seven Seas Fresh Fish & Chips, consider one of the top fish and chip restaurants in Australia. Grab takeaway and picnic at the The Lakes.

Located opposite the Collie River on the Eaton Foreshore and only 8kms from the city of Bunbury, Riverside Park is ideally located for family holidays or travellers that are passing through. The park offers clean, well-equipped cabins, as well as large grassy powered sites.

For those looking to explore Bunbury and surrounding areas in more detail, our park will offer all the comfort you need to relax after a long day out and about.

Tel: 08 9725 1234 Email: reception@riversidecp.com.au Website: www.riversidecp.com.au

Art & Culture

134 Throssell St, Collie. Visit facebook. com/collieartgallery or collieartgallery.org. au, or call (08) 9734 2921

Arts & Crafts on the rise

Skeggs Art For those more serious about developing their painting skills, book in for a full term (between nine and 11 weeks) of lessons with Christine Skeggs. Bring a canvas along to her home-based studio and Skeggs will guide you through an art composition she has set, or help you develop your own style. Morning tea and paints are provided.

Bunbury. Visit facebook.com/Skeggsart or skeggsart.com.au, or call 0414 710 162

With many largerscale events on hiatus for the year, intimate art and craft-based workshops have taken centre stage. Read on to uncover some of the best artsy adventures available to you in the Bunbury Geographe region.

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Jenni Doherty Studio Do as Jenni Doherty does and let the bushland that surrounds her stunning Wellington Mill-based home studio inspire your creativity. Book in for a workshop and have Doherty - best known for her Australian Flora works - guide you as you put brush to canvas.

Light lunch and afternoon tea are provided, but don’t forget to bring a bottle of bubbles.

Visit jennidoherty.com.au Maker & Co There’s no genre of creative class the team at Maker & Co aren’t willing to tackle. Keep an eye on their Facebook page for fun, upcoming events like Watercolours and Wine, pottery and 18

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MONIQUE CECCATO

wine night, and a dried flower wreath workshop, all held in their beautiful heritage space on the corner of Victoria St and Symmons St. 75 Victoria St, Bunbury. Visitfacebook. com/weliketomaker or makerand.co, or call 0407 029 422 Collie Art Gallery The team at the Collie Art Gallery are big believers in making art accessible to all, and it shows in the breadth of the art workshops they offer. They run everything from beginner to advanced workshops, suitable for primary-schoolaged kids to seniors. Book yourself in for an evening of pinot and pastels, or let your kids explore their creativity for an afternoon at the gallery.

Bunbury Regional Art Gallery (BRAG) There’s no place more fitting for an art class than at Bunbury’s iconic pink gallery. Before attending one of their many workshops, take some time to wander through the exhibitions and get those creative juices flowing. The classes on offer range from painting and sculpturing to silk screening. There are also regular open art classes for people with disabilities.

64 Wittenoom St, Bunbury. Visit facebook.com/bragwa or brag.org.au, or call (08) 9792 7323 Stirling Street Arts Centre The Stirling Street Arts Centre has been a learning centre for the community for over 80 years. Today, the revamped state-of-the-art facility plays host to a whole variety of art-based workshops.

There’s a regular sewing club, beginners mosaic classes, and plenty of opportunities to get your hands dirty on a pottery wheel.

Stirling St, Bunbury. Visit facebook.com/ stirlingstreetartscentre or stirlingstreetarts. com.au, or call (08) 9791 1256 Saint Aidan Wines Wine and art go hand in hand.

That’s why the team at Saint Aidan Wines have added a regular ‘bubbles and brush’ workshop to their event calendar. All you need to bring to the mid-week class is your creativity; everything else - from the cheese platters and wine to all your paints and canvas - is provided for you.

754 Ferguson Rd, Ferguson.

Visit facebook.com/saintaidanwines or saintaidan.com.au, or call (08) 9728 3007 visitbunburygeographe.com.au

Lava Art Gallery Explore the medium of glass with Lava Art Gallery’s resident glass artist, Brenda Ellen. An experienced instructor, Ellen runs classes for the beginner glass artist through to the experienced. Try your hand making glass coasters at a ‘Sunday Funday’, learn the craft of lead lighting on an introductory course, or extend yourself with an advanced copper foiling course.

Private, group, and walk-in classes are all available.

Unit 3/15 Bonnefoi Boulevard, Bunbury. Visit lavaartglass.com.au, or call (08) 9721 7213 The Origins Centre Practising mindfulness doesn’t always have to mean quiet meditation.

Mindfulness can also mean involving yourself in calming, creative endeavours

- something that Balingup's The Origins Centre actively promotes. They have a variety of art and craft workshops running throughout the year, including an upcoming plant distillation workshop where attendees take home their own fragranced hydrosol.

153-157 Jayes Road, Balingup. Visit facebook.com/Origins-Centre-CoorainBalingup-172852212767547 or originscentre. org, or call (08) 9764 1109.

Harvey River Estate

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ART FROM THE

natural

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visitbunburygeographe.com.au

A fascinating artistic movement putting natural and found objects in a starring role is gaining traction in BunGeo. Gail Williams meets some of the artists creating beauty from discarded items.

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ou don’t have to wander too far out yonder to discover that artists see the world in vastly different ways to the rest of us.

Turner found beauty in thunder storms, Van Gogh saw bliss in his own wornout shoes and Damien Hirst spotted something sublime in dead cows. But those living in the south west of WA need look no further than their doorsteps to witness local artists turning sow’s ears into silk purses in the name of art.

And these innovative, environmentally-aware artisans and craftsmen are thinking a lot more left field than paintbrushes and easels for their masterpieces.

Who would have thought that flotsam and jetsam could come together to form a large scale artwork, now on display at the Dolphin Discovery Centre? Or that cracked and chipped old teacups could find their way into mosaics?

What about animal hair, wool and fluff taking on a new life as exquisite fabric?

It’s happening throughout the Bunbury Geographe as a legion of creative types find treasures in the most unlikely landscapes and transform them into stunning artworks which are on show in the plethora of small galleries dotted through the rolling hills.

Cindy Armanasco and Tarlz Leaf – two selfconfessed hobbits who call their business Clay Dragons – found magic in mud.

They just have to take a walk around their seven hectare property in Mullalyup to source bounteous glacial clay which – after a throw on the pottery wheel and a stint in their purpose-built kiln – transforms into whimsical castles, smoking dragons, wizards, mythical creatures and even dinnerware. Old keys, feathers, bones and discarded glass beads all find new homes in the elegant pieces which take pride of place on coffee tables and hall stands of luxurious homes.

Just a half hour’s drive

away in Boyup Brook is Jacquie Brookman, who spends her days and nights fashioning bits of rusty old tin, found on her farm, into wrens, possums and willy wagtails or delicate, lacy doll’s dresses. Set in a frame against a backdrop of pristine white linen, which has a rich and interesting story to tell of its own, these intriguing works are admired by enthralled visitors to the Little Art Gallery in Boyup Brook’s Visitor Centre.

Storm-damaged trees and fallen branches are the inspiration for John Ablett, a former carpenter and joiner who lovingly turns bush detritus into smooth furniture and sleek artworks proudly displayed

in his Australind gallery and museum.

Stop by his Featured Wood Gallery and he might even share a yarn with you about the Bunbury Jetty, the local Noongar people or the American Civil War. These artisans, as they toil away in their meditative crafts, all have one thing in common – a love of history and the environment and a desire to give new life to something old.

Says Cindy Armanasco: “It was a stroke of luck, 40 years ago, finding the glacial clay we work with.

I had just graduated from art school and bought the derelict property down here.

I was walking around the paddocks and got clay stuck

Jacquie Brookman

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Art & Culture

on my gumboots, decided to have it tested and found it was glacial clay. I hadn’t done pottery at art school so had to teach myself how to do it. I got a wheel and built a kiln and now Tarlz and I discovered a passion for theses whimsical creatures which we work on together, turning mud into something beautiful and useful. We also do sculptures in riverstone.”

Jacquie Broockman often thinks about the previous life of her unusual materials while she is working away in her studio.

“I do love recycling and upcycling,” she says. “I find beauty in anything – old bits of corrugated iron, barbed wire fences, guttering, they all have a story to tell. The same with the linen and tablecloths.”

And there are dozens of 22

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other artists who have their own stories to tell about their joy in giving an elegant new life to inanimate objects which have been lying, overlooked and neglected, in deep dark corners of our State.

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WOOD WORKED John Ablett's Featured Wood Gallery is a treasure trove of carved figures and objects.

John Ablett images needed

visitbunburygeographe.com.au

ABOVE BRAG shop; RIGHT, Eight: The Shift. OPPOSITE, Clay Dragons,AKA Cindy Armanasco and Tariz Leaf.

The Capel Makers Trail Friday May 21 to Sunday May 23, 2021

BRAG EVENTS

/ NOVEMBER Get ahead with your Christmas shopping Head to BRAG and the Christmas Shop, where you’ll have the chance to buy unique, handmade gifts by local artists and craftspeople.

BRAG, Bunbury, November 14 to January 10.

Photography in the spotlight Eight: The Shift is an exhibition of photography by Christopher Young.

Uncovering end-of-life cultural experiences, the work explores how people respond to environments, institutions and experiences they encounter during such times.

Eight: The Shift, BRAG, Bunbury, November 21 to February 21. / DECEMBER Emerging talent on show The Edith Cowen University Graduate Exhibition gives art lovers the chance to snap up works by future artistic stars.

BRAG, Bunbury, December 12 to February 7.

Hidden histories revealed Drew Pettifer’s A Sorrowful Act is an exhibition which unearth’s hidden queer histories.

A Sorrowful Act, BRAG, Bunbury, December 12 to February 14.

/ JANUARY Inspired by our Sister City Helena Sahm’s exhibition, The Architecture of Happiness, led her to the Yangtze Delta region and the Zhejiang province in China, where Bunbury’s sister city of Jiaxing belongs. The resulting work is the core of this exhibition.

The Architecture of Happiness, BRAG, Bunbury, January 1 to April 18. / FEBRUARY Lost toys and discarded things Megan Shaw’s exhibition, Reassumed Ends, explores the allure and value of discarded objectsm, creating a discussion about the hierarchy of material.

Reassumed Ends, BRAG, Bunbury, February 13 to March 28. / MARCH Exploring gender identity The Bunbury Biennale is a major contemporary art exhibition, which this year is entitled HE I SHE I THEY. It aims to explore notions of inclusion and diversity as 37 WA artists engage with the theme through various media.

HE I SHE I THEY, BRAG, Bunbury, March 6 to June 6.

For more information, visit brag.org.au

The Capel Makers Trail is a local makers and artisans Trail that will run for 3 days from Friday May 21 to Sunday May 23, 2021, from 9am to 5pm each day.

Showcasing the very best that is handmade from within the Shire of Capel, the Trail brings artists and makers together in the heart of each town in their community centres, and branches out to include maker businesses and visits with makers in their home studios.

Meet the maker, learn their story, be inspired by “Makers Making”.

Along the Trail there are many opportunities to buy art and artisanal products.

Proudly supported by Community Bank Capel

www.capelmakerstrail.com.au www.facebook.com/capelmakerstrail capelmakerstrail@hotmail.com 23 | FOUND | spring • summer 2020/21 Enquiries Ph 0407 991 211

Art & Culture

You can leave the hiking boots and camel pack at home because all you’ll need to pack for a day on these easy, art-filled trails is your camera. By MONIQUE CECCATO.

On the

ART TRAIL Noongar Kaartdijin Bidee Harvey’s newly constructed Noongar Kaartdijin Bidee (the ‘Noongar knowledge path’) is the intersection between street art and Aboriginal culture. The educational installation uses colourful murals and interpretive signage to celebrate the stories and symbols of Noongar boodja (Noongar country).

Lesley Ugle, a local elder, headed up the project.

She commissioned local artist, Ninette Comito, and Balardung father and daughter duo, Troy and Tahlia Bennell, to bring the walk’s visuals to life. The trail begins at the Harvey Visitor Centre, leading you under the South Western Highway, before winding its way along the lush, green banks of the Harvey River. It’s an accessible walk, so anyone 24

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of any ability can enjoy the 400m-long trail.

Capel Mural Trail No surface has been left untouched in the quaint country town of Capel. Even the community bins have had a glow-up, plastered with photos snapped by residents who were keen to see their town taken over by art. They were so eager that they worked with the shire to commission nine colourful artworks in the inaugural Captivate Capel in 2017. Each of the nine murals painted depict different aspects of the shire. There’s a homage to the town’s tuart logging days by Erin Rafferty on the side of her tattoo studio, Ink Vision; a tribute to the ANZACs on the RSL Hall; and a fun, daisy-crown wearing cow by Mikaela Miller - affectionately

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known as Mabel from Capel - welcoming customers to Capel Butchers.

Rediscover Bunbury It’s hard to know where to start your art journey in Bunbury. With more than 40 large scale murals dotted through the city and a collection of 20 or so painted electrical boxes, the city

boasts the most extensive collection of street art in regional Australia. There are some big names on the walls in Bunbury, including a Fintan McGee on the side of the Grand Cinemas; a Beastman behind the art gallery; and even an Anya Brock tucked away down the side of Shoobedoo. The easiest way to tackle the

visitbunburygeographe.com.au

Coming Soon -

FEAST FOR THE EYES Bunbury has the most extensive collection of street art in regional Australia.

See works like Anya Brockopposite during a walk around town.

ReDiscover trail? Grab a coffee on Victoria Street, download a copy of the street art trail map from the Visit Bunbury Geographe website, and start pounding the pavement!

Harvey Mosaics and Mural Trail Art lovers art spoilt for

choice in the Harvey shire as it’s home to not one, but two fantastic art trails.

While you’re at the Harvey Visitor Centre experiencing the Noongar Kaartdijin Bidee walk, do yourself a favour and visit Anthea Ward’s mosaiced creation out the front of the building.

It’s one of many mosaics on the Harvey mosaic and mural trail. The gum leafshaped piece, featuring black and white Friesian cows and oranges, was a collaborative effort between the local artist and high school students. Head out to nearby Binningup, Yarloop, and Myalup, and you’ll find more of Ward’s tiled creations welcoming you to town.

Before you do, don’t forget to check out the five 6 x 2m murals that depict the Harvey district lifestyle on the main street, and Ward’s welcoming mosaic on Uduc Rd.

Wellington Dam Mural and Collie Mural Trail Just when you thought the brutal concrete face of Collie’s Wellington Dam couldn’t be more iconic, it gets the go-ahead to be the canvas for a major piece of art. By the end of 2020, the dam will be home to a 367m x 34m mega-mural by renowned Queensland artist, Guido van Helton. Helton, who’s known for his large-scale photorealistic style, has painted structures in Italy, the United States of America, Canada, and Iran. He was also instrumental in the silo mural trend that swept through country Australia.

Joining the piece will be a handful of smaller murals, commissioned to colour the Collie townsite and to join the existing Shakey mural on Forrest St.

City of Bunbury Wildlilfe park

Open Thursday to Monday 10am to 5pm

Proudly owned and www.bunburywildlifepark.com.au operated by the | FOUND |City spring summer 2020/21 (08) 9721 8380 Prince Philip Drive, Bunbury of•Bunbury

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Food & Drink

DOING THE CONTINENTAL The Geographe wine region is home to 57 growers, 26 producers and 36 different grape - a quite remarkable diversity in such a contained area.Opposite, Willo Bridge Estate wines.

Naturaliste, in 1801.

The wine region wraps around the bay, extending from Harvey in the north, southwards through Capel to Busselton and eastwards to encompass Donnybrook and Ferguson Valley. Home to 57 growers, 26 producers and 36 different grape varieties, Geographe is the most diverse wine region in Western Australia.

The French Connection There’s a definite Gallic influence in the Geographe Wine region, and not just because it was named after a French explorer. Fergal Gleeson discovers more.

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W

ith a strong tradition of discovery, the Geographe Wine region takes its name from Geographe Bay. The bay was named by French explorer Nicholas Baudin, who first mapped the coastline with his two ships, the Geographe and the

The Wine Show That French connection is remembered at the Geographe & WA Alternative Wine Show each year with the Nicholas Baudin Trophy for Excellence in Winemaking. This trophy is based on the accumulated medal scores for Geographe wines entered into three categories.

Previous winners have been Peter Stanlake (who makes wine for a variety of small wineries including Talisman Wines and Fifth Estate), Kim Horton & Dougal Herd (Willow Bridge) and Stuart Pierce, (Harvey River Estate) who is also a previous Jimmy Watson winner (arguably Australia’s most prestigious prize for a red wine).

The 2019 winner was Damien Hutton, of Millbrook Winery which uses Geographe fruit, though, sorry to say visitors, the winery and cellar door are visitbunburygeographe.com.au

THE GEOGRAPHE WINE REGION TAKES ITS NAME FROM GEOGRAPHE BAY, DISCOVERED

BY FRENCH EXPLORER, NICHOLAS BAUDIN. outside of Geographe in the Perth Hills wine region!

The 2020 Geographe Wine Show winners were led

by Willow Bridge who won four gold trophies (as well as the Baudin Trophy for Excellence in Winemaking), and Smallwater Estate who scooped three awards including the Geographe Wine of Show.

The Geographe Wine Region Nearby Margaret River is now famous for its great estates and world class cabernet and chardonnay.

The Geographe Wine region gets its distinction from the fact that most wineries are small and are family run, where you are likely to meet the owner and winemaker at the cellar door.

Geographe also makes highly awarded versions of the Western Australian classics: cabernet, chardonnay, shiraz and sauvignon semillon blends, but it is also getting considerable attention for Italian and Iberian varietals.

This is a real point of difference for wine drinkers wanting to explore new flavours and approaches to wine.

Geographe also remains somewhat under the radar, with the advantage for drinkers that you can you can buy high quality, small batch wines at very reasonable prices.

Geographe Wine Experiences to Try: Blind Tasting at Green Door Wines Do you think you could tell a red wine from a white wine if you couldn’t see the colour? Put yourself to the test and taste four different wines out of solid black glasses at Green Door. These glasses are the perfect tool to handicap your senses, removing all visual clues and allowing for a non-biased approach to the wines. Do the tasting blind and win a glass of wine on Green Door if you can guess all wines correctly. No pressure!

Green Door have had great success with the El Toro Tempranillo winning a gold medal at the Australian Alternative Varieties Wine Show. They have also been fermenting Spanish-style wines in amphora clay pots producing an amphora grenache and an amphora tempranillo. The vessel that a wine is fermented and stored in, whether new or old oak barrel or tank, can have a big impact on the wine in your glass. See for yourself at

the cellar door.

Grazing platters are also available at the cellar door which was voted Best Small Cellar Door Geographe by Gourmet Traveller Wine 2019.

Visit greendoorwines.com.au Match Wine and Food at Capel Vale Capel Vale planted the first commercial vines in Geographe in 1974 and it is the region’s largest producer.

It is still owned and operated by the Pratten family.

Unlike other Geographe producers Capel Vale has expanded beyond the region and now owns additional

vineyards in Margaret River, Pemberton and Mount Barker.

The logic of the expansion has been to be able to produce varietals in the regions to which they are best suited.

Their Geographe malbec plantings at the Stirling Vineyard in Capel are now 10 years old and were originally grown for blending with cabernet sauvignon.

Jonathan Loxton from Capel Vale describes the 2019 Capel Vale Debut Malbec as “soft and generous. The wine highlights flavours of juicy rich plum, raspberry, licorice and spice”.

Match Restaurant at Capel

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Vale allows guests to take a wine and food journey with multiple food components paired to an individual varietal of wine.

The Malbec Match Plate is perfectly paired with Szechuan lamb ribs, ssamjang mayonnaise, or pickled mushrooms and steamed bao buns with vegetable and gochujang. Match Restaurant is open for lunch from Thursday to Monday.

The Cellar door is open seven days a week.

Visit capelvale.com.au Wine, Beer and Pizza at Oakway Estate Oakway Estate won the Trophy for Best Alternative Wine at the WA Boutique Wine Show 2019 for Los Niños Single Vineyard Malbec 2018.

They bottled their first il Siciliano Single Vineyard Nero d’Avola 2019 with a release date in mid-2020.

Nero d’Avola is a Sicilian red grape with soft tannins, dark plum colour and is easy drinking. With nine different traditional and alternative varieties in the vineyard, they offer a range of red, white, rose, sparkling and fortified wines.

If your palate tires of wine-tasting you can head to their in house nano brewery, Ned’s Brew Club where they rotate three craft beers on 28

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tap in the themes of lighter, unusual and hop influenced.

Their Kolsch is a popular summer light ale, their Lampo Rosso and Lampo Bianco are Belgian styled Witbiers with red or white wine grape infusions as a secondary fermentation and there is a hop influenced Red IPA. All wines and beers combine with fresh made pizza and gourmet local produce platters. Oakway Estate has some of the best flavoured coffee beans in the region at the cellar door café on the Capel River which is a 15-minute drive west of Donnybrook.

Visit oakwayestate.com.au A Taste of Italy at Vineyard 28 Vineyard 28 is continuing to make a name for itself with Italian grape varietals such as dolcetto, nebbiolo and arneis (all of which originate in the Piedmont region). Their dolcetto has been awarded

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a gold medal for two years running at the Australian Alternative Varieties Wine show and collected the Best Red Italian Variety Wine Trophy in 2018.

In November they will release their first sparkling made from pignoletto, from the Emilio Romagna area in Italy originally and very rare in Australia. It has been made using the methode champenoise/traditional methode.

There are a variety of tasting experiences available at the cellar door including a ‘Grazing & Tasting Flight’ at $20 per person where guests are offered a choice of up to five wines paired with a grazing board of local produce – cheese, olives, charcuterie, seasonal fruits and gourmet crisp bread.

A ‘Taste of Italy Tour’ at $65 per person runs for one and a half hours. Start your Italian journey among

the vines with winemaker Mark Cumbers and learn why Vineyard 28 grows these Italian varieties.

Then get a behind-thescenes at the winery insight.

Taste and learn how wines are aged in barrels and match these with food. You will receive a complimentary bottle of your favourite wine on conclusion of the tour.

Opening hours are Thursday to Monday 10am to 5pm Visit vineyard28.com.au Times are a-changing at Barton Jones Wines Preeti and Brad Coughlan took over the running of the Barton Jones vineyard in 2018 and have just had their first vintage in 2020. They have a unique eco-sustainable cellar door, constructed from hay bales with a skate ramp roof with solar panels and rainwater collection system The space lends itself to live visitbunburygeographe.com.au

music, art and dining. There have been upgrades both inside and out since they’ve taken over and a lively events calendar is in place which you can follow on Instagram.

They promise “warmth and hospitality and good vibes” at the cellar door.

“Rufus and Rosie the cellar door dogs love our visitors and posing for the camera!” Preeti says.

“We serve light meals at the cellar door, as well as coffees and cakes which are made in-house. Our platters showcase the local producers we are lucky enough to have on our doorstep.”

They are also transitioning to a new brand to reflect their ownership, Coughlan Estate – making premium boutique wines, hand made from some of the oldest plantings in the region (1978).

Visit bartonjoneswines.com.au Wines with Bling at Willow Bridge Estate Willow Bridge is one of the region’s largest wineries (along with Capel Vale Wines) and

holds a 5-Star Halliday rating.

Willow Bridge is owned by the Dewars family and has been a great success story, now producing about 25,000 cases a year.

The Dragonfly range which includes shiraz, cabernet and a sauvignon semillon blend has the happy knack of winning trophies and medals year after year as well as being very well priced at just $22 per bottle. The Solana Geographe Tempranillo is one of my favourites at $30.

Winemaker Kim Horton came to Willow Bridge after working in Margaret River.

He has been impressed with Geographe. “There are magnificent vistas and vineyards. There is a great variation in the sub regions of Geographe.”

“We are discovering the nuances of each. People have noted the similarity of the region to the Iberian Peninsula which is why people are looking at the possibilities of trialling different varieties.”

Willow Bridge was voted Best Large Cellar Door 2019 by Gourmet Traveller Wine. www.willowbridge.com.au

CHEERS TO WINE Opposite, Vineyard 28 offers A Taste of Italy wine experience for visitors while Oakway Estate offers beer, wine and pizza experiences.

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T Flavours of country Boodja Gin draws on local botanicals to create a tipple that’s truly a taste of country.

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TORI WILSON.

he first of a new series of gins that work sustainably with the six Noongar seasons has emerged from Harris River Estate Winery and it’s a true reflection of the Wilman Country from which it is made.

The Boodja Gin, meaning country, has been carefully crafted in collaboration with Indigenous company Beelagu Moort using a range of botanicals which, excluding the juniper, have been sourced entirely from Wilman Country in Collie.

Aboriginal healer Phil Ugle of Beelagu Moort says the seasons come into play as he and his team forage sustainably based on traditional Noongar methods.

“It’s taking my bush knowledge and my family knowledge and using that in a new way. This is unique to the south west,” he says.

“Our base for this gin is peppermint and tea tree,

they’re things that are available all year round but some of the other ingredients are only available at certain times of the year, so eventually we’ll end up with six products to reflect the Noongar calendar that will be unique to each season.”

The first Boodja Gin, released in January this year, is reflective of the Kamberang season (October to November). And this soothing, smooth gin is unlike anything else.

The peppermint achieves a cooling effect, while the tea tree adds a hint of sharpness. Combine this with an earthiness from the balga bush (grass tree) and their secret ingredient, which they choose not to reveal to protect the recipe, and we have something spectacular on our hands, or better yet, in our mouths.

Each release of Boodja Gin will carry the same name but will vary in flavour profile to honour the season from which the featured botanicals were foraged.

Harris River Estate has also released a non-alcoholic version of the Boodja gin, which

includes all the same healthy and medicinal botanicals but minus the spirit, leaving it as healthy as it gets.

Husband and wife coowners Karl and Julie Hillier say it was a natural progression for Harris River Estate to branch out into spirits. The beverage-making company was founded in 2000 and expanded to encompass a microbrewey in 2000. A Boodja Beer has also been released, featuring the special seasonal concoction of botanicals.

As the winemaker, brewer and now distiller of the company, Karl produced the gin using a grape-based spirit, which is distilled

three times before being gently vapour-infused with botanicals during a fourth run. This method means just a small amount of botanical goes a long way.

While Karl is key to the craft, Julie was key to the collaboration.

Having run an Aboriginal youth program at a local school, working closely alongside local Indigenous elders, Julie says the collaboration between Harris River Estate and Phil Ugle was built on a long-term trusted friendship and a true collaborative relationship.

“Phil and his team have the cultural knowledge; they have the insight into what’s in

Cuprum joins the fray Harris River Estate isn’t the only distillery to draw gin-spiration from the south west. With gin continuing to boom across the country and showing no signs of slowing, Cuprum Distillery has set up shop in Bunbury where coowners Mike Honeyball and Stewart Binnie have been working on developing its signature gin.

Both being Bunbury-based

entrepreneurs, Mike and Stewart are just weeks away from releasing Cuprum’s Signature Gin along with a Raspberry Gin, Rosé Vodka and Plain Vodka.

Mike says the smallbatch approach sets it apart, a unique combination of distilling techniques, and their locally crafted collection of copper pot stills which will impart a superior flavour into its spirits.

There’s more in the pipeline to come from Cuprum, too. We can expect to see its special edition Barrel Aged and Truffle Gin early next year, while its rum is currently 18-months away from maturation.

INSPIRED BY NATURE Boodja Gin has been made in collaboration with Indigenous company, Beelagu Moort at Harris River Estate Winery.

This page, the Boodja Gin team and Phil Ugle, Aboriginal healer.

season, the botanical herbs and spices and optimal tastes, what to pick, where to pick and how to pick. And we have advanced beverage making skills, so it’s a true collaboration,” Julie says.

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FOODIE

NEWS

The Potted Warehouse, Bunbury The Potted Warehouse has opened a new kitchen in its warehouse. Set up as lunch bar style with great coffee, warehouse-made cakes, slices, Italian biscuits, paninis, and more, we love the plant-heavy theme. Think rustic, wholesome food with an Italian flair made on site.

BunGeo recommends their homemade cannoli filled with Italian custard – yum.

Catering and ready-made meals also available. They are ultra dog-friendly too.

Kaya, Treendale A new cafe in Treendale is a cultural blend. Kaya sits on the corner of Grand Entrance and The Promenade and acknowledges the Aboriginal culture through the use of Noongar language, artwork and products. Owner Jasmine Karati also brings her Maori heritage to business. It’s the perfect place for breakfast and lunch. Visit facebook. com/kaya.treendale/ Kokoro Japanese, Bunbury New owners have taken over affordable Japanese favourite

WORLD-WIDE INSPO New openings draw on Japanese, Aboriginal and Italian cuisines.

Kokoro in Bunbury serving up great ramen, sushi, an array of bento boxes and more.

Donnybrook Hotel, Donnybrook The historic hotel is under new ownership and has been renovated. Open for dinner every night and lunch Tuesday to Sunday. Lovely country pub with great pubstyle food. Even our premier Mark McGowan loved it.

Victoria Street Deli, Bunbury OK – this one has been open for a few months, but for those who are yet to discover the Victoria Street Deli, we recommend you do now. The deli stocks fresh produce, salads, gourmet rolls, poke bowls, fresh soup, ready-

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made meals, gourmet picnic hampers and all those things you can’t find anywhere else, like edible flowers, Indigenous spices and truffle oil. You’ll also find naughty treats like chocolate-coated doughnuts and homemade honey cake. Victoria Street Deli is open from 7am, six days a week.

A little further along Victoria Street, you’ll also find the new Feast 43.

Perfect for a casual feast of kebabs, gourmet pizza, burgers and more. We recommend their Pulled Pork Burger – slow-cooked pulled pork in their cola bbq sauce, smokey spicy coleslaw and homemade onion rings.

Visit facebook.com/ Feast-43-112619427186758/ visitbunburygeographe.com.au

PACK A PICNIC There are some innovative grazing boxes to be had, packed with local gourmet ingredients, like Gourmet Grazing To Go (below).

Why not get the gang together fr a posh High Tea at Blackwood Emporium 1864 (left)?

Whisk Nutrition Studio, Collie After some MTB action in the Collie River Valley, refuel with a smoothie from Whisk Nutrition Studio.

The new smoothie, tea and juice bar offers all the flavour without the guilt – think a Cheesecake Shake with only 190 calories or a yummy Mango Tango concoction.

Located in Steere Street, next to Crank n Cycle Collie.

Ridge Restaurant, Collie What better start to the day than a lazy morning brunch.

The Ridge Restaurant has now opened its door for morning brunch, seven days a week with a menu to suit all tastes. From a Big Breakfast to tacos, sliders to parmis, salads and burgers – this is a brunch not to be missed.

Gourmet Grazing Boxes to Go, Collie Holidays are for cooking.

Order a gourmet box from Gourmet Grazing Boxes to Go. Choose from an Antipasto Grazer, Healthy Grazer or sweet toothed folk should try a Sweet

Grazer Box: Jam-packed with doughnuts, cupcakes, Rocky Road and your favourite sweet treats. They do grazing tables too.

Find them on Facebook.

Formaggio, Bunbury If you love grazing boxers, we also recommend you try Bunbury-based Formaggio, packed full of the freshest ingredients from some of the best artisan and local producers. Why not add a bottle of Windfall Wine Estate wine to make things even easier after a busy working week?

Morris Lane Taffy’s, Bunbury We also recommend you pay a visit to Morris Lane Taffy’s new premises at Bunbury’s Aspire Apartments, Holman Street, facing Koombana Bay North. If you’re lucky you will find owner Sam, hard at work producing Salt Water Taffy and fudge. Life is sweet at Taffy’s. Visit taffys.com.au Blackwood Emporium 1864, Mullalyup During October, the Blackwood Emporium 1864 opened in Mullalyup’s old

handcrafted chocolates (up the ante with a chocolate indulgence plate), cakes, and specialist teas. We recommend the High Tea, complete with damask napkins and vintage china.

Blackwood Inn stables.

Dating back to around 1864, the emporium is the place to visit for ah-mazing home-cooking surrounded by character and history.

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Food & Drink News

Harvey becomes a foodie hotspot TAKING THE INLAND route down south? Why not take a little detour in to the town of Harvey. You will find fresh breads, cakes, pies and salad rolls not to mention a great coffee too, at the Harper Street Bakery. Previously known as the Eureka Bakery, the latest incarnation keeps visitors well-fed with its traditional line-up of baked goodies. Take a load off, and enjoy your treats at the bakery itself or relax at Mcquade Park, just opposite the bakery.

It’s open seven days, Monday to Friday from 7am to 5pm, and Saturday and Sunday from 9am to 3pm.

While you’re in Harvey, make sure you seek out some awardwinning Harvey Fresh dairy products. Its Farmhouse Gold full cream milk and Jersey Girl milk bagged bronze at a recent awards’ ceremony, and they collected silver and bronze for 12 of their other products including feta, haloumi and their crowdpleasing butter. Just the thing to slather on a fresh hunk of justout-of-the-oven bakery bread.

Sarah Stanaitis had always had a pipe dream to own a cafe,

and that dream is now a reality.

“I bought Lemongrass in November 2019, and we completed a large renovation and complete menu overhaul,” she says.

“We specialise in healthier choices but still have some naughty treats on offer too.”

You’ll find an all-day breakfast menu, raw and sweet treats, gluten-free options as well as vegan and veggie choices on the menu.

For carnivores, you’ll love the plate-sized steaks and coffee is provided by the Five Senses

Coffee Company.

“We also specialise in grazing tables; we recently organised one for 100 people, and we do our best to make it affordable and accessible for all,” says Sarah.

“A big passion of ours is using local farms’ produce as much as possible, like Roly Poly Farm, Ha Ve Cheese, Runnymede eggs and more.

This gives these companies the demand to be able to justify hiring more employees which in turn creates job opportunities within our community.”

Customers will notice the large blue tree representing The Blue Tree Project on entering Lemongrass, and the barista matches this colourful theme, wearing an extremely bright coloured shirt coming

COFFEE AND PRINT HUB

A RECENT ADDITION to Picton looks like just the place to get your caffeine fix from now on. Lokah Trading Co. is a small concept store, combining direct trade coffee, live screen printing and events.

“We’re proud to be home to Tinker Tailor Coffee and a fine print studio” says Lokah Trading Co’s Alex Hodnett.

In addition to the delicious brews, the store

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from Trade Mutt.

“Both of these companies represent support in mental health, as do we,” says Sarah.

“The cafe is a safe place for everyone and anyone to come and take a break on our extremely comfy couch, to talk to someone if needed.

It’s a cause close to Sarah’s heart as she has been through suicide awareness and mental health training.

“I am always up for a chat in general, especially if it feels like it’s too hard to ask for help.

"We endeavour to provide a friendly relaxed atmosphere for people to be able to take five.”

Just the spot to chill, we say.

Lemongrass is open every day except Thursday from 6am to 4pm at 87 Uduc Road, Harvey.

also offers a range of eats from 5am to 2pm, Monday to Friday.

“We’re closed on weekends and public holidays, which is the perfect time to convert the lunch bar into an intimate space for local creatives to run their small workshops and events,” says Alex.

You’ll find Lokah Trading Co in the old service station building at 264 South Western Highway in Picton.

visitbunburygeographe.com.au

Other news . . .

Kiosk at the Dam now has a liquor licence with a focus on local beer, cider and wines.

Visitors can enjoy a cold brew at the dam or takeaway. Try the Brewers Platter for Two - includes Kiosk-glazed ham, balsamic beetroot, humms, olives, cheddar cheese and toasted Turkish bread. The perfect feast to enjoy with. a cold beer or glass of wine. Visit kioskatthedam.com.au Since Corners on the Bay opened, the latest addition to the Corners on King has been a big hit. Their brunch menu is pretty fabulous and locals are loving the mason jar drinks, crazy shakes (Nutella and Pretzel for us, please) fluffy hotcakes drenched in maple syrup, creme fraiche and berries, and burgers with the

RELAX, PLAY, CELEBRATE AT EVEDON LAKESIDE RETREAT Stay in our self-contained cabins and two-storey apartments, nestled in a spectacular jarrah forest on the banks of stunning Evedon Lake.

Watch the sunset over the lake, enjoy your cosy log fire, fish, kayak and bushwalking.

Enjoy a delicious breakfast, morning or afternoon tea or dinner in our café restaurant by the lake.

lot. Corners on the Bay at 19, 1 Bonnefoi Boulevard, Bunbury.

The Side Door Restaurant in Bunbury has a license. Their modern Australian spring menu is a winner we reckon - try the warm salad with confit of duck, potato, rocket, parmesan cheese and balsamic dressing To book your festive gettogether, calll (08) 9783 5123.

Our amphitheatre, function and conference centres overlook the lake - great for weddings and corporate functions.

Located in the Ferguson Valley and Geographe Wine Region, just 20 minutes from Bunbury and two hours from Perth.

EVEDON LAKESIDE RETREAT Lakeside Cabins & Apartments – Weddings – Conferences – Kayaking – Bushwalks – Fishing

205 Lennard Rd, Burekup T: 9726 3012 E: info@evedon.com.au www.evedon.com.au

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• Check website for restaurant opening hours.

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Food & Drink

Big in

JAPAN Don’t be fooled by the Irish name of Bunbury burger bar, Paddy’s Patties, parts of the menu have distinct Japanese flavour combinations.

By

I

DIANNE BORTOLETTO |

Images

t’s been just over 18 months since esteemed Japanese chef Norio Idei bought the burger business to become Paddy’s Patties fourth owner.

“I was going to turn it into an udon noodle restaurant, but we had loyal customers and good support from other local businesses so instead we decided to add some new Japanese-inspired burgers to the menu,” Norio said.

Norio explained that his business neighbour, Happy Wife, the first owner of Paddy’s Patties, has been a tremendous support.

“He has helped me a lot, introduced me to local suppliers of things like eggs and avocados,” said Norio.

Most of the fresh produce

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BIANCA TURRI

comes from the Bunbury Farmers Market where Norio worked for a year before he started flipping his own burgers. He has also worked alongside the Japanese maestro at Miki’s Open Kitchen in Margaret River for five years and before that at Wills Domain.

When asked if he misses creating more refined dishes like those you find in his previous places of employment, Norio’s answer was a hard no.

“I like cooking this sort of food and adding my own flavours,” the Japanese born chef said.

“We’ve attracted some new customers with our new flavours; for example, our rice burgers, are becoming more

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YES PLEASE The burgers at Paddy's Patties set the bar pretty high in terms of taste.

popular, which is where we use rice patties instead of the usual bread bun to hold the burger.”

Norio uses a fat ratio of between 12 and 15 percent in his patties and his mince, all Harvey Beef, is a mix of cuts including Angus rump, chuck

and brisket sourced from his local butcher.

“I have a great relationship with my butcher, he’s very good,” Norio said.

“Having good relationships is important.

“We are still quite new visitbunburygeographe.com.au

to Bunbury, and through the business we have made some good relationships with locals. And not just suppliers, it’s important to have good relationship with customers too, I like communicating with our customers.

“We kept some of the regular favourites on the menu for Paddy’s Patties existing customers, but also added some new things.”

On a busy night, Paddy’s Patties sells over 100 burgers, the most popular being the Sukiyaki burger, a combination of Angus beef patties, thinly sliced oyster blade steak, cheddar cheese, fried egg, onion and yuzu mayonnaise.

Other burgers include the chicken katsu burger with coleslaw, guacamole, lettuce, aioli and his own master katsu sauce, the ‘Scorchio’ with beef Angus patty, guacamole, jalapeno, cheddar

cheese, chipotle mayonnaise, lettuce and pickle, ‘Groovin in the Moo’ which includes beetroot, a fish katsu rice bun and a yakiniku rice burger with thinly slice beef, lettuce and aioli.

Sides include hand-cut chips that come fresh from local potato farmers, loaded fries topped with bacon, cheese, sour cream and jalapeno, ‘poutine’ chips with cheddar cheese cubes and gravy and chili fries with chili con carne, cheese and sour cream.

Norio said that his favourite thing about owning a business in Bunbury is communicating with the customers, building relationships and being able to produce what he likes.

“It makes us happy to be here in Bunbury, we have a happy life. There are lots of people who support us.

“It makes me feel proud

that I’ve taken a business, made it mine and attracted new customers who like my food, influenced with my heritage.”

When he’s not at the grill, Norio likes to spend time with his young family and sometimes go surfing.

Paddy’s Patties are open for lunch and dinner Tuesday to Saturday and you can order online at paddyspatties.com.au Paddy’s Patties 98 Stirling Street, Bunbury 08 9779 9878

MANDURAH

PRESTON BEACH

OLD COAST ROAD BREWERY

HARVEY

AUSTRALIND

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BUNBURY

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Food & Drink

Find your own

BEERTOPIA The BunGeo region is making a name for itself as a beer-lovers’ hub, says Dianne Bortoletto.

L

iving the good life includes relaxing with family and friends over a couple of freshly brewed beers and some good food in chill surrounds. The good news is that the region is about to get three new venues for you to do just that.

Treendale Farm Hotel The owners behind some of WA’s iconic pubs are in the final stages of building Treendale Farm Hotel, a massive 10,000 squaremetre family-friendly venue catering for 1,000 people, set to open mid-November.

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Situated on Australind’s The Promenade, Treendale Farm Hotel is designed to appeal to everyone, particularly families. Despite its name, it’s neither a farm nor a hotel, but instead, it’s a huge open-plan warehouse-style venue with long communal tables, food designed for sharing, and activities for kids.

Treendale Farm Hotel operations manager Matt Marinich said that the area is ready for a public house and a family dining venue.

“As you walk in, there’s a sports bar on the left with a

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TV wall, big screens as well as TAB machines, then you walk through a large alfresco area into a large open plan dining hall, like a big beer hall and that leads to a very large beer garden – there’s two beer gardens in fact, and three kids play areas,” Matt said.

“There’s one indoor play area, a small play area outside for younger children and a very large adventure playground, that pays homage to the site’s former life as a farm, featuring a seven-metre high windmill, a wooden boat, and water tank with a connecting bridge and

slides for kids to burn energy.

“For bigger kids, there’s a grassy area to kick the footy or play cricket, which is surrounded by greenery and picnic tables.

“The food will be solid, reliable, consistent pub food – think pizza, burgers and pub staples including steaks and parmis.

“There are 48 taps for beer, so plenty of opportunity for us to showcase local craft beer, such as Eagle Bay, Beer Farm, among others.”

As for entertainment, Treendale Farm Hotel will go to the local community first for musicians and bands closer to the time of opening.

The good news for parents is that there will be focus on kids entertainment too with craft sessions, petting zoos, face painters and regular events planned throughout the year.

Key personnel are appointed including the venue manager, head chef and bottle shop manager, who are all currently recruiting their teams.

The Bottleshop at Treendale Farm Hotel is built big enough to cater for tradies and trucks to drive through.

Like the main venue, the bottleshop is also huge and comes with a tasting corner which will host different pop up tastings by local producers of natural wines, cider, spirits and craft beer.

Treendale Farm Hotel is owned by the ‘Locals’ group, Dave Allen, a local Bunbury resident and Lawson visitbunburygeographe.com.au

Douglas. Locals also owns and operates the popular Rose Hotel in Bunbury, The Exchange in Kalgoorlie and the Subiaco Hotel in Perth.

We can’t wait for Treendale Farm Hotel to swing open its doors – keep an eye on their FB page - facebook.com/ treendalefarmhotel for updates.

background and his partner Megan is a chef.

“We bought the pub in August 2017, but our plan was never to run a country pub, we always wanted to turn it into a brewery,” Bruce told the

Brugan A new craft brewery in Wokalup, Brugan is expected to be welcoming its first patrons before Christmas.

Brugan, a modern, industrial craft microbrewery, will operate in conjunction with The Wokalup tavern on South Western Highway between Harvey and Benger.

Recently returned from Melbourne, Wheatbelt locals, Megan Hardwick and Bruce Hathway who own Brugan said that it was their dream to build a microbrewery.

Bruce, a recently qualified brewer, has a financial

Harvey Waroona Reporter.

“We’re enhancing the original hotel façade, replacing the kitchen and bathroom and providing a space to brew the beer.

“Our focus will be on sessionable craft beers including lagers, pale ales and stouts. Over time we hope to get into seasonal beers and eventually even ginger beer and ciders.”

The 300-capacity brewery includes plans for a beer garden.

Follow the progress and updates on facebook.com/ BruganBrewing

Froth Craft Bunbrewery If you’ve ‘wandered out yonder’ up to Exmouth recently, then you’ve probably experienced award-winning brewery Froth Craft Brewery.

In exciting news, Froth

brewery.”

Pete said he couldn’t believe that Bunbury didn’t have a microbrewery or producing facility.

“It’s really important that Bunbury gets its own

Craft Brewery, is gearing up for ‘Froth Craft Bunbrewery’ where the Reef Hotel once overlooked Guppy Park.

It's set to be larger than the original brewery in Exmouth.

Froth Craft owner Pete Firth spoke to the Mid West Times and said it was exciting to bring something new to town.

“It’s massive to be able to bring something like this to a place that has so much going for it, like Bunbury, and to a region already that has an amazing amount of produce close by that we will be able to put into the kitchen and

brewery that it can take pride in,” he said.

The venue design will include a bar, cafe, beer garden, children’s play area, and an internal pedestrian thoroughfare to allow for markets, exhibitions and performers.

At the time of writing, the build tender was close to be awarded, construction is planned to commence before Christmas and Froth Craft Bunbrewery is hoping to swing open its doors by spring 2021.

Check facebook.com/ frothcraft for updates.

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BREWING HAT TRICK Three new openings will propel the BunGeo up the beer charts - opposite, Froth Craft Bunbrewerym, below, Brugen and bottom, Treendale Farm Hotel.

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Food & Drink

Cooking

on gas

Keen to brush up on your cooking skills?

The BunGeo has a class to suit all skill levels, says Danielle Costley.

I

f you have ever wanted to master the art of cooking with fire, whip up an authentic Spanish paella while sipping on a sangria, or create a silky chocolate ganache, there are a range of

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cooking classes available in the region to choose from.

These talented chefs are opening their doors and inviting you into their kitchens to help you gain confidence in your culinary skills and sate your appetite along the way.

MARKET EATING HOUSE The incredible food offering from Market Eating House is renowned throughout BunGeo and, thanks to chef Brenton Pyke, guests can now immerse themselves in a cooking class for up to 10 people, where a charcoal grill and woodfired oven take centre stage.

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The dishes are inspired

by Brenton’s love of Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cuisine. Combined with his passion for cooking over open flame, you have the ingredients for a very special tasting experience.

Essentially, the classes

explore the relationship of food and fire, with a seasonally reflective menu that showcases the abundance of locally sourced produce with a selection of dishes best enjoyed for sharing. Learn how to make classic hummus with ground visitbunburygeographe.com.au

lamb, spiced cauliflower and Middle Eastern rice, or explore the nourishing seasonality of vegetables and fruit in a selection of plant-based dishes.

Learn the techniques to master this primitive style of cooking over flame with meat, seafood and vegetables. Classes cost $250 per person, inclusive of lunch and Geographe wines and craft beers.

Visit marketeatinghouse.com. au for more information.

FOOD WITH PASSION SW If sipping sangrias at a winery while making paella and churros takes your fancy, try a Food with Passion SW cooking class that’s held at various wineries throughout the picturesque Ferguson Valley. Let Mon Barrero and Laura McGinley transport you to the exotic cuisine and culture of Spain, where you will be taught how to cook authentic paella, mix a perfect sangria, and, if you’re lucky, be treated to a flamenco performance.

“The wineries are excited to offer an afternoon of immersion into Spanish culture and food, along with their individual wines which are featured in our sangrias,” Mon reveals.

“Our classes are not just about food. We want to give customers a physical and emotional experience into Spain.

“We cook authentic Spanish paella, from scratch, using traditional recipes that have been passed down from generation to generation.”

A typical cooking class begins with guests learning about the best ingredients to use for the recipes. The sangria is then prepared as it requires two hours for the wine and fruit flavours to fully combine. While eating paella and drinking a sangria, guests share their

CHEF'S INSIGHTS Brenton Pyke, head cheft at Market Eating House, is sharing his knowledge with keen would-be chefs. Left, the delicious paella you'll make during a Food with Passion SW cooking classx.

Spanish experiences or the connections they have with its culture. Meanwhile, Laura and Mon are cooking the churros so at the end of lunch a churros and decadent chocolate sauce is served.

Cooking classes are for small groups or you can book into a Spanish Fiesta for up to 60 people.

Email foodwithpassionsw@ gmail.com to find out more.

GUARDIANS OF HAPPINESS Whip up the fluffiest fondant, pipe beautiful buttercream flowers, or create the silkiest chocolate ganache during a cooking class with French-trained pastry chef, Natalie Moremon.

In one of her customised cake and dessert decorating classes at her Guardians of Happiness café, Natalie will demonstrate the correct execution of cooking techniques while

passing on some professional tips and tricks.

“People who are new to cooking gain a lot more confidence in their skills and feel more able to adapt in the kitchen, while my seasoned home cooks tell me they have gained insight into alternative ways to cook, as well as a greater understanding of ingredients and how they work together,” says Natalie.

Currently, there are three grades of piping class as well as a cooking school for children, each week progressively challenging students with cooking techniques and dishes.

Cooking classes last for up to two hours and start at $75 per person through to $120 for an advanced piping course, where participants take home a cake they have created and iced.

Visit guardiansofhappiness. com for more information.

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IMAGE Bianca Turri

Adventure & Nature

Gal pals

GETAWAY

Planning a trip to BunGeo with your girl squad? We’ve got you covered. By Gabi Mills.Images

by Bianca Turri

G

rab the girls, pack those bags and jump in a car together for a BunGeo girls' weekend.

There’s so much to see and do in the region; here’s our top suggestions for a break away together you’ll never forget.

Brows on fleek If you’ve arrived in BunGeo with a less than perfect brow, fear not. Just head to Blush Beaute Bar for a quick tidy up at this friendly salon on Plaza Street in Bunbury. They also specialise in waxing, O Cosmetic facials, eco-friendly spray tans, mineral make-up and Jessica GELeration, so there’s no excuse not to look perfect before your special time away together.

Call (08) 9721 2883 to book an appointment.

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Quick pitstop You’ll find it hard to resist the Spencer Street cake and coffee hot spot, Coffee and Flour. It’s one of those places that tends to attract the crowds, especially on cold days when the baking ovens crank up the heat and make it an especially cosy spot to enjoy a slice and a latte.

“We’re passionate about three things in particular coffee, flour and making your day brighter,” says the owner.

The delicious aromas only a bakery can produce are evident from the moment you walk in and this is a great addition to Bunbury’s already high bar when it comes to places to watch the world go by.

“We were born out of baker’s hands and, like our traditional sourdough (created by a 20-year-old visitbunburygeographe.com.au

sour ferment), we know that there will always be a special place in our hearts for classic, beautiful breads.”

You’ll find ciabatta loaves and apricot, fig and date loaves, just made for picking up early in the morning, warm from the oven, to be taken home, toasted and slathered with butter.

They’ve started serving high teas too, so if you’d rather save yourself for a cake fest later in the day, this is the place to go.

“We have a deep, abiding and truly Australian love of pies and pasties, to be followed (of course) with something sweet - there’s a whole cabinet full of patisserie treats to tempt you.”

Coffee has a starring role too of course, and the venue aims to be the kind of place that’ll remember your order and your name - offering oldschool service with a smile.

Coffee & Flour, 30 Spencer Street, Bunbury. Visit facebook.com/coffeeandflour/

Check in and chill out Peppermint Lane Lodge Bed and Breakfast is designed to refresh and revitalise even the most stressed out working girl. Once you’ve checked in, feel the city’s tensions fall away as this

secret spot in the Ferguson Valley works its magic.

Created to offer guests the feeling of staying in a private, luxurious country lodge with delicious bed and breakfast thrown in, it’s nestled in a beautiful bushland setting in the heart of the valley, which is also home to Gnomesville, several award-winning wineries, art galleries and cute country towns. You’ll wake up to birdsong rather than traffic, and rediscover the simple things as nature unfolds around you.

The thoughtfully-presented accommodation is just dreamy; choose from romantic gauze-draped beds in Studio Jarrah or Studio Marri and Studio Pearl’s beautifully designed rooms. You’ll be warmly welcome by owners Kim and Simon, who will be more than happy to share their expert knowledge of the area with you and your friends.

Peppermint Lane Lodge Bed and Breakfast, 351 Wellington Mill Road, Ferguson Valley. Visit peppermintlanelodge.com.au Linger longer over lunch-a You’ll be spoiled for choice when it comes to settling on a place for that all important long BunGeo lunch. Capel Vale’s Match Restaurant, overseen by head chef Jason, is specifically designed to match the vineyard’s awardwinning wines. Celebrating 40 years, the winery was one of the first to be established in the region, with vines planted in 1974.

If you’re more interested in an elegant venue for lunch with friends, however, look no further. There’s a divine light bites menu with grilled free range chorizo, Duroc jamon and cured Geraldton kingfish. Local cheeses, like Halls Family Suzette (a soft, Pont L’Eveque-style cheese) are hard to resist while more substantial Match plates (at $39.50 each) are

EXPERIENCE MORE AT BUNBURY HOTEL KOOMBANA BAY.

We are the home to some of Bunbury’s finest hotel and accommodation options, located in a charming seaside city famous for its food, wine, culture and entertainment.

• Superb location • Stylish living in studio rooms • Indoor Heated pool • Tennis Court

Bunbury Hotel Koombana Bay 1 Holman Street, Bunbury 6230 Ph +61 8 9721 0100 |

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www.bunburyhotelkoombanabay.com.au

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Adventure & Nature

THE RIESLING PLATE INCLUDES KING PRAWNS, MANGO AND PAW PAW . . .

you’re more of a SB girl, then choose that plate, with white pan-fried fish and fennel oil, goat’s curd profiteroles with black garlic and a refreshing watermelon and feta salad.

It’s an innovative approach to vineyard dining and perfectly designed for sharing with friends. If you want to push the boat out, there’s a tasting menu for $70 per person (or $120pp for matched full glasses of wine). It’s a feast in every way with creative dishes like Txistorra sausage and almond picada, Szechuan lamb ribs and ssamjang and pressed chocolate souffle to finish things off.

TAKE TIME OUT Above, yoga for wine lovers, and Funkee Monkee, the perfect place to kick back with your gal pals after exploring the region.

created around a specific wine varietal. For instance, the riesling plate includes king prawns, mango and paw paw, oysters with pink grapefruit, lamb merguez (a spicy sausage) and rocket, with a glass of riseling for $10. If 44

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Visit capelvale.com.au for more info.

Hackersley Headline Aaron and Adrie Devitt will welcome you warmly at Hackersley’s restaurant in the Ferguson Valley. With such a gorgeous setting, it’s hard not

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to want to stay all day at this pretty spot. The restaurant, which is seasonal and simple, offers dishes like chicken, proscuitto, anchovy and rocket, or a delicate coconut fish curry with refreshing mango and cranberry salad.

They’re happy to serve dessert all day so you might strike it lucky and have the white rum mousse or mojito dessert. There’s always a cake of the day and a locallysourced cheese platter if you’ve let your sweet tooth visitbunburygeographe.com.au

back home. Visit hackersley. com.au for more info.

Time to align those chakras For every period of indulgence, the body craves time to recover.

So why not sew a yoga session into your getaway?

If you’ve already had some experience of yoga at Origins Centre in Balingup, then you might like to consider booking a private retreat at Tusita, a studio facility near Coorain. There are some retreats planned for May and September, and it’s a popular spot for artists who are in need of some creative replenishment in beautiful surroundings. It’s situated right on the Bibbulmun tracks so lots of walkers stop to rest here too.

53-157 Jayes Road, Balingup.

Try yoga with a surf view at the Bunbury Surf Life Saving Club. Jo from Treehouse Yoga runs Vinyasa Slow Flow

classes over summer. Or, head to Bunbury’s Yoga Life Studio, who aside from yoga, offer meditation and wellness retreats. Like it hot? Hot Yoga Bunbury is your answer.

If you’re in the region during the week, Ferguson Hall hosts yoga with Gyani Mears every Tuesday and Thursday. Caro’s Yoga is the place for gentle yoga in Balingup. Likewise, join Bindi Green Eyes in Donnybrook.

Plus stay tuned for yoga weekend retreats in Peppermint Grove Beach

by Perth instructors - and if you’re already staying there, you won’t need to go far to do a downward dog.

See the night out in style You haven’t made the trip to BunGeo to end up quietly going to bed at 8pm so why not kick back and enjoy yourself? If you’re in town on a Thursday head to Funkee

Monkee on Victoria Street - they offer a Thursday night special for queens which includes a five-course share style dinner for $25 a head with $12 cocktails, $7 wines, beers and spirits.

On other nights, you might strike lucky and catch a live comedy show – whatever night you choose, you’ll be in for a fun time as the café transforms at night into a hip wine bar serving tapasstyle food.

Visit funkeemonkee.net.au.

High life, high tea – head to Chalbury Park in Harvey for high teas on arrangement.

Visit chalburypark.com.au Pack a picnic – Grab a hamper from GeoVino and head to Wellington dams .

If it’s wildflower season, all the better.

Lunch with a conscience – Harris River Estate offers wine and gin tasting sessions as well as a onehour Tickle-Me-Pink life coaching session.

There’s also the chance to learn about Aboriginal cultural experiences. Visit harrisriverestate.com.au.

More inspo for you Take a Taste of Italy tour at Vineyard 28 – take a walk behind the scenes to see how the grapes are grown and the wine is made. Each booking receives a free bottle of your favourite wine from the current releases.

Advance booking essential, $65 per person, maximum eight people, 1.5 hours. Visit vineyard28.com.au

Shop 'til you drop – book a private shopping experience at Tosca’s Boutique with an in-house accredited personal stylist – with plenty of bubbly along the way of course. Visit toscasboutique. com.au.

Australia’s Premier Wild Dolphin Experience

Your Dolphin Destination Whether you want to get up close with wild dolphins on our Swim Tours and Eco Cruises, learn about our amazing marine environment in our interactive Interpretive Centre or enjoy a meal with beautiful bayside views, the Dolphin Discovery Centre has something for everyone! Check our website for opening hours and be sure to book tours and Centre session times in advance to avoid missing out.

Your purchase helps fund our conservation, education and research projects here in the South West.

dolphindiscovery.com.au A Lot 556 Koombana Drive, Bunbury WA E info@dolphindiscovery.com.au | T +618 9791 3088 lateralaspect.DDC#28pg9p

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Accommodation & Tours

Play time

TO THE MAX

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visitbunburygeographe.com.au

With the days are getting warmer, it is a great time to get the kids out into the fresh air and sunshine and discover some of the new playgrounds in the area. By BROOKE EVANS-BUTLER SYKES FORESHORE PLAYGROUND The Sykes Foreshore Playground was only completed in July, but is already becoming known among the locals and visitors to Bunbury as the playground of choice to keep the entire family entertained.

South west locals Jolene and Ben Humphrey – the duo behind play and design contractors Active Discovery – constructed the new playground, keeping in mind community feedback which specified the desire to create a nautical-themed space, which Active Discovery created using inspiration from an unknown shipwreck close to the site. “There is a small shipwreck in the water just next to the playground site, so we wanted it to be authentic to history,” Jolene

reveals. “This was the main theory behind the central piece being a shipwreck – and the actual shipwreck and the playground pieces are almost identical in size and shape. On a clear day when the tide is low the timbers from the actual shipwreck are exposed, so it is very visible from the little jetty.”

In addition to the shipwreck, there are also various local links including climbing logs to replicate the mangroves and a big blue crab sculpture to link with the blue swimmer crabs that frequent in the Estuary.

“The big blue swimmer crab is a great photo opportunity,” Jolene says.

“There is also a little penguin, and it is amazing how many kids will bend down and talk to the penguin. It brings in a whole

different level of play.”

Again linking the ‘local flavour’ of the playground is a dingy boat. “We wanted the dingy to be as authentic as possible,” Jolene says. “We wanted kids to feel like they were in the same sort of boat that they get in with Dad or Pop to catch crabs in the Estuary.”

The playground is zoned into areas suitable for children of various ages, even appropriate for crawling babies.

“I am an early childhood teacher and the early childhood area in play space design is something that often gets neglected,” Jolene says.

“Maybe this is because people think that babies don’t need playground equipment but they very much do and need similar sensory experiences that older children need but in a size that is suitable for them.”

For older children, the “dynamic” part of the playground is towards the back, featuring the Hurricane Swing (or clothesline swing).

“I think I have seen as many adults on as children on the swing, which once again ties in that idea of all ages being able to play in a safe space,” Jolene says.

To ensure the playground is inclusive, surfacing called PlayMatta (a recycled plastic modular tile) has been used, which is suitable for wheelchairs and walking frames. A treasure hunt with small starfish and shells is also included throughout the space, which can all be easily found by children or guardians using mobility aids.

Seating has also been incorporated around the edge of the playground, via a seat wall, which creates a

PLAYTIME ALL THE TIME Opposite, Koombana Bay's Foreshore Playground.

This page, the labyrinth and other equipment at Queens Gardens (pic credit Olivia Treasure Photography).

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Accommodation & Tours

THE QUEENS GARDEN PLAYGROUND WAS INSPIRED

BY NATURAL HABITAT . . .

OLD COAST ROAD BREWERY Although it is not a playground, if you are looking at taking the family somewhere to eat and have fun, then you cannot go past Old Coast Road Brewery and their new Wonders of Western Australia mini golf course.

Visit ocrb.com.au/mini-golf/ for all the details.

comfortable space for parents and guardians to easily supervise their children.

“It is a destination space,” Jolene adds. “There are custom-built shelters with barbecues and picnic tables, as well as toilets and a shower, so you could go and easily spend half a day there with the entire family.

There is such a big age range of families and parents being able to share and use this space. Everyone says it is so different.”

Another exciting addition to the area is a highly-anticipated splash park will be located behind the Discovery Holiday Park on Lyons Cove, set to be completed prior to Christmas.

Discovery Holiday Parks chief operations officer, Michaela Webster, says that the development comes at an exciting time.

“The new splash park will be available for both tourist and community use,” she says.

“While it has been a challenging time for tourism, many Australians are seeking affordable holidays within their own backyards. Improvements to our Bunbury property are hoped to make the region an even more attractive prospect to Aussie families ‘holidaying at home’.

“The shipwreck-themed splash park will be a fantastic family attraction for both our park guests and the Bunbury community.”

“We are also progressing plans to expand accommodation at the park, and the proposed development will be a boost for local tourism,” says Michaela.

Sykes Playground: Lyons Cove, Bunbury QUEENS GARDENS Across the inlet from Sykes Foreshore Playground,

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Queens Gardens Playground is another exciting playground designed and constructed by Active Discovery, which was completed in December 2019.

“The Queens Garden playground was inspired by the natural habitat – the mangroves, the shoreline and the dolphin,” Jolene says.

“The playground is zoned and there is a toddler area with an Elf Hut and toddler slide, which young children can use independently without the help of a parent.”

The space is designed with inclusivity in mind, with an access path through the space and elements that are fully-inclusive, including a rainbow harp, transfer carousel and pod swing.

“The playground has a nautical theme, with a fishing boat and dolphin to replicate the water around visitbunburygeographe.com.au

Bunbury,” Jolene says.

“Adjacent is our Kanope Adventure Trail (featuring climbing elements) – they start from the water edge where the dolphins are and the theory behind the curved green posts is they replicate the mangroves and the shorelines grasses.”

Jolene says Queens Gardens is ideal for children from babies up until eight to 10 year olds.

“There is beautiful shade at Queens Gardens from a really big fig tree and toilets in walking distance,” she adds.

For locals or visitors alike, the Queens Garden Playground is ideally located to make the most of the area. After the kids have had a play, families can head to the Bunbury Markets next door (check out the website for market dates: thebunburymarkets.com.au).

Queens Gardens Playground, Cobblestone Dr, Bunbury

KARRAGUARUP PLAY SPACE Karragarup means ‘place of crabs’ in the language of the Pinjarrup Noongar people, and the play space (which opened in June) provides various interactive play opportunities for children of all ages.

The centre of the playground features a large crab play structure, with watermisting feature and lights.

A zipline or flying fox is towards the Leschenault Estuary side of the playground. There is also a cubby structure inspired by the Avicennia Marina, or grey mangrove.

A striking art structure has also been installed near the playground on Ridley Place Foreshore Reserve, called Heart and Home, which is definitely worth checking out.

Shire of Harvey President Paul Gillett says it was great

to see so many families enjoying this new playground and it was fantastic that it brought awareness to the area’s natural and cultural heritage.

“We are delighted to see this playground being so well used,” he says. “It is a wonderful environment down on the foreshore area in Australind and to have this amazing interactive play space where parents can watch their children explore and have fun is fantastic.

“We welcome visitors and residents down to Karragarup Play Space to enjoy the natural environment and learn about the cultural heritage of the area. Make sure to stop by at the play area if you’re heading south, as you won’t be disappointed.”

Karraguarup Play Space, Ridley Place Foreshore / Old Coast Road, Australind. Public toilets are on site.

OTHER GREAT PLAYGROUNDS IN THE REGION: Apple Fun Park, Donnybrook: The playground is suitable for kids of all ages (and also includes gym circuit equipment for the grown-ups!).

Central Park and Water Playground, Collie: This lovely area features grassed picnic areas and facilities to enjoy year-round, but the water playground is a must in the warmer months.

Koombana Bay Foreshore Playground, Bunbury: With a steamship themed slide, in-built trampolines, sand play and flying fox, there is plenty to keep the kids entertained.

Geovine

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Adventure & Nature

HIT THE

ROAD More than one million West Aussies hit the cycle paths last year, according to the Australian Bicycle Council, and the McGowan government have invested $146 million into cycling.

By

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TOM DE SOUZA

C

ycling is booming in Western Australia.

Much of the regional growth of cycling has been centred around Bunbury. South West Cycle Club vice-president Iain Ferris says this is because Bunbury has it all.

“You’ve got the infrastructure of a small city without compromising wide open country spaces,” says Iain.

“There’s challenging terrain, beautiful views, and a lack of metropolitan traffic.

“It makes it the perfect venue to host the state championships every year, and there are more and more rides always being

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developed.”

Here, Iain shares some of their favourite rides in BunGeo. 1. Bunbury and Australind The Bunbury to Australind route has been redeveloped recently by the Department of Transport and various shires,” says Iain.

You’re basically on cycle paths all the way, says Iain.

You can start even as far south or as far west as Dalyellup or if you wanted to start in Bunbury, you could start at Washington Avenue, near the Maitlands Reserve.

“You could go along Ocean Drive, around up to the Marslton Lighthouse, which is always interesting. Down to Koombana Bay, and following

Koombana Drive you can then follow Estuary Drive out to Australind,” says Iain.

This route takes in the three waters of Bunbury.

It takes in the ocean side, Koombana Bay and inlet, and it takes in the estuary up at Australind.

“It’s very flat the whole way,” says Iain.

“Families with kids could do stretches of that. For a shortened family version, starting in somewhere like Australind is really nice, through Eaton foreshore and Australind foreshore. You can go all the way around the Buffalo Beach, around the inlet and that is really safe and very flat.”

The Melo Velo café is also a great supporter of cycling, visitbunburygeographe.com.au

says Iain, and an excellent place to start or finish a ride.

2. Dardanup There are a number of wonderful rides in and around Dardanup. Park at the Dardanup Hall – there’s a great bakery in town there, and a great pub.

Head out along Ferguson Valley Road, until you meet what is called ‘The Y’, which is Wellington Mills Road, turning left up to Wellington Mills, which is a little former forestry village.

From Wellington Mills you can either go straight through to Gnomesville, and turn right at Gnomesville heading straight back to Dardanup - that’s about a 35km loop.

“Your other options is when you get to Wellington Mills, instead of going to Gnomesville, turn left at Wellington Mills onto Kingtree Road, and immediately go left again onto Wellington Forest Road,” says Iain.

Wellington Forest Road is probably one of the jewels in the crown of the area. It’s a road that was only recently bituminised about 18 months

ago, but it goes up through the pine plantations, and it really feels like you could be in Europe.

The route takes you up to Pile Road where you can turn left, taking you sweeping back down past the Wild Bull Brewery, and back down to Ferguson Valley Road, turning right will take you back into Dardanup.

It’s probably about a 4550km loop, with a bit more climbing, but very, very beautiful, says Iain.

3. Collie and Donnybrook The Collie to Donnybrook Return Classic is just approaching its 100th ear and is one of the oldest bike races in Australia.

“Start in Collie, and you drop straight down the road to Mumballup, and the Mumby pub,” says Iain.

“Turn right at Mumballup, following that out past Lowden, and onto the highway into Donnybrook for a coffee, and then back the way you’ve come. That’s about a 96km route which is quite challenging but it’s nice to do what the racers do.”

Another spectacular one, according to Iain, is the

ON YOUR BIKE There are so many different rides to explore in BunGeo, from challenging hill rides to family-friendly routes with plenty of coffee along the way.

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YOU CAN SEE A THEME HERE . . . THERE'S GOTTA BE COFFEE. GOOD COFFEE OR A PUB, OR A BAKERY, SAYS IAIN. Henty Brook Road.

“That is another start and finish at Dardanup. You can go from the Dardanup Hall out along Recreation Lane, and then turn right at the very end, and follow out Harris Road to Dowdell’s Line. Turn left on Dowdells Line, and that will take you around to the base of Henty Brook climb.

“Henty Brook is about seven or eight km uphill, but it is a stunning uphill climb.

It will take you back to Pile Road, where you descend back down to the valley.”

hit River Road.

Turn right onto River Road, taking you back up to Honeymoon Pool, back to the kiosk that you started.

For those who are really keen, they can turn it into a figure of eight.

“To do this you turn left at the end of Lennard Drive, up River Road, instead of right at Honeymoon Pool. River Road has traditionally been

used by cyclists as an uphill time trial course,” says Iain.

“It’s probably a four kilometre ride of very, very steep climbing, climbing at about 15 percent.”

5. Donnybrook to Kirup to Capel return Upper Capel Road is one of the most spectacular roads to ride, starting and finishing at Capel. You go from Upper Capel Road to Kirup, Kirup to Donnybrook, and Donnybrook back to Capel.

Expect really wide vistas, beautiful rolling scenery, and steady climbing from Capel out to Kirup.

“It’s a good, entry level challenge,” says Iain. “The great thing about that ride is there are numerous cafes along the way. There are cafes at Capel, cafes at Kirup, cafes at Donnybrook, so you can fuel up along the way.”

6. Bunbury to Boyanup via Capel This is a cycle route that is being developed at the moment, but certainly you can start anywhere in Bunbury and follow the cycle way through Tuart Walk. It takes you into Dalyellup.

Meander through Dalyellup and go up over

4. Wellington Dam Figure of Eight This is a really challenging one. It’s more for your advanced cyclist who is into climbing hills, says Iain.

The Wellington Dam café is a really good place to start and finish this ride. From there drop down all the switchbacks, cross the dam and then turn right when you’re at Falcon Road onto Lennard Drive.

You’ll find a one-way road which follows the river, which is a stunning river, until you 52

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LAKE BROCKMAN

TOURIST PARK

Harewoods Road which will take you up into Gelorup, where you wind through some little roads, coming out and crossing the highway into Lakes Road, taking you into Stratham. Follow Lakes Road down to Minninup Road, which is sort of adjacent to the beach.

Turn west or south along Minninup until the west side of Stratham, and then cross the highway again at Fishermans Road, which is at the Puma service station, and cross over into Boyanup Road West, and you’ll end up going into Boyanup for a coffee.

“You can see a theme here – there’s gotta be coffee.

Good coffee, or a pub, or a bakery,” says Iain.

Melo Velo is a great café bike shop in the middle of Bunbury, which is specifically designed for cyclists. Many cafes are now building outdoor areas for cyclists - places like the Dardanup bakery really provide a lot for cyclists there.”

FAMILY-FRIENDLY RIDES Leschenault Inlet Loop, Bunbury A five-kilometre ride around town. Start and finish at Koombana Beach, and that is basically following the dual use path around the inner inlet, taking you around back of the Parade Road, where the Parade Hotel is. And then back around to the Bunbury Regional Entertainment Area and cinema, back to Koombana Beach.

Big Swamp Wetlands, Bunbury This is a good one for younger kids. It’s a bit shorter, around three to four kilometres. There’s a purpose-built cycle track around the Big Swamp Wetlands.

South West Cycle Club caters for all levels of riders.

Anyone from families through to juniors, beginners, right through to seasoned riders. There are different groups for different abilities, no matter what your level, there are groups numbered one through to five for different road speeds. southwestcycleclub.com.au

Nestled in state forest and overlooking the crystal blue waters of Logue Brook Dam, Lake Brockman Tourist Park is the perfect location for your next camping getaway.

Just an hour and a half from Perth, the whole family can enjoy a range of activities like waterskiing, swimming, fishing, canoeing, bushwalking, mountain biking and more.

With adults-only glamping tents overlooking the dam, plus family cabins, powered and unpowered sites, each with their own fire pit (in winter months), there is something for everyone.

Facilties include 3 ablution blocks, fully equipped camp kitchen, laundry, adventure playground & outdoor gym.

Our cafe is open 7 days a week serving breakfast & lunch plus the best coffee and homemade cakes.

If you’d prefer authentic camping, try the popular Logue Brook Campground - also overlooking the Dam with drop toilets, undercover BBQ areas and fire pits.

Nearby for hikers there’s the Bibbulman Track and for bikers there’s the Munda Biddi trail, one of the world’s longest offroad cycling trails in the world.

Our Park is also pet friendly (except for cabins and eco tents)

7. Nannup to Balingup return This trip is about 41km each way. Start at Nannup and go back, or vice versa. Called the Blackwood River tourist route, it’s a stunning ride through the Balingup area.

Lots of winding roads, pine forests, and rolling hills.

(08) 9733 5402 | lakebrockman@gmail.com online today 53 | FOUNDBook | spring • summer 2020/21

www.lakebrockman.com.au

Adventure & Nature

P-AWESOME HOLIDAYS

together

Don’t leave Fido at home, says Tom de Souza.

There are plenty of ways to enjoy a break in the BunGeo with man’s best friend.

D

ogs are a part of the family, and it’s hard having to leave them behind when you go on holidays.

Doesn’t it just break your heart seeing them there, scratching at the back door?

Giving you those sad, mopey eyes as you drop them off at the kennels or at some unfamiliar house? It’s as if they know exactly what they’re missing out on.

But your dog doesn’t have to miss out on all the fun of going holidays, because there are so many fun things you can do with your dog in the Bunbury Geographe region.

From forest and waterside walks, to dog friendly water holes, campsites, cottages, and farmstays, these are some of the best places you can enjoy with your pooch.

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Doggie Walks with Nature

Find forest walks without National Park restrictions.

Wildflower Ridge Walk, Harvey An easy 1.4km walk with stunning views over the backwaters of the Harvey Dam to the east and all the way to the coast on the western side. The trail is ablaze with wildflowers in spring.

The Maidens, Bunbury The Maidens walk in southern Bunbury combines nature and tuart forest with water views. A series of limestone-based walk trails through high sand dunes to the beach, and there are great views of the city and ocean from several lookouts.

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Manea Park, Bunbury A 2.3km walk through Bunbury’s premier bush reserve. See if you can spot some threatened species including the forest redtailed black cockatoo and both two native species of white-tailed black cockatoo.

Crooked Brook, Dardanup The Crooked Brook Forest is four walking trails of varying length. Known as a forest for all people, this is

a hidden jewel that offers easy access to an area of bushland in the Ferguson Valley. Along the way, look out for interpretative signage about local flora and fauna like the western brush wallaby, Gould’s monitor, grey fantail, and the red-tailed black cockatoo.

Karak Trail, Collie Karak Trail is a 3.5km tarmacked path that visitbunburygeographe.com.au

starts west of the Collie Cemetery and meanders through the lovely state forest to Allanson. It’s derives its name from the local Aboriginal word for the redtailed black cockatoo, which you can see here. It is a beautiful walk with tall jarrah, marri and paperbark trees lining the path and wildflowers in spring.

Bicentennial Walk, Boyup Brook The Bicentennial Walk passes through bush reserves along the banks of the Blackwood River and the Boyup Brook, close to the town’s boundaries. Start the 6km loop trail behind the old railway station and expect to see plenty of wildflowers in spring along this wellkept path. Remember to pack a picnic - best enjoyed on the banks of the Blackwood River.

Golden Valley Tree Park, Balingup The Hill View Trail starts at Old Padbury Road and takes you through part of Balingup’s heritage-listed Golden Valley Tree Park. The park features rare flora from Australia and around the world, notably a planted bottled tree from Queensland, which you can view atop the Bottle Tree Lookout. Make sure you have a good pair of walking shoes as there’s a moderately steep section of the trail.

Doggie Walks with Water Views Leschenault Inlet Circuit, Bunbury A popular recreational route close to the Bunbury CBD which winds around the serene Leschenault Inlet. The council have recently installed 17 signs around the 5km, each made from timber recycled from the former Koombana rail bridge or the old timber jetty. The Inlet is home to the southern-most mangroves in Western Australia.

Leschenault Estuary and Jetty Walk, Australind The Leschenault Estuary is a stunning 13km estuarine lagoon. Start at Ridley Park in Australind and follow the dual paths south along its shore to Eaton.

On the way, deviate at the Leschenault Waterways Discovery Centre & Jetty Walk, where you can learn about the estuary environment and stroll out over the tranquil waters on the jetty.

Eaton Foreshore Walk, Eaton/ Australind The Eaton Foreshore Walk is a 5km walking circuit along crushed limestone paths and a board walk. It follows the Collie River bank with several elevated

lookouts along the way and designated dog exercise areas. The southern side of the walk takes in bushland with paperbarks, peppermint trees and sheoaks. Expect to see pelicans, kingfishers and musk ducks and if you’re lucky, there are often bottlenose dolphins in the river.

Back Beach, Bunbury Walk the entire western coastline of Bunbury on the Back Beach DUP. Be prepared to share this path with locals who frequent it morning and night. Get your feet wet and meet some pooch friends at the two dog beach exercise areas along the way.

Big Swamp Wetlands, Bunbury Take the 3.5km walk or ride around the Big Swamp Conservation Wetlands. The area is a bird watchers’ delight with more than 60 species you could potentially spot. Note: to protect this rare wildlife, dogs are restricted to the outer path.

Across the road is the Bunbury Wildlife Park, a large playground and a dog offlead exercise area.

Collie River Walk, Collie A well-marked 10km loop track that follows the picturesque Collie River.

Along the way, you’ll find great picnic facilities and information shelters, as well as a swinging suspension bridge with great views over the river. Parking is available at the Soldiers Memorial Park.

Timber Park – Dog Agility Park, Collie You’ll find the dog agility park in the Timber Park on Coombes Street. There are a range of obstacles for your furry friend to enjoy. This is an on-lead park adjacent to the river area.

Joshua Lake Walk, Boyanup Hidden on the edge of Boyanup is a superb path circuit for families with dogs overlooking Joshua Lake. The Walk features many interpretive panels, and includes several rustic shelters, a bird hide, and handcrafted bench tables.

It’s pram and wheelchair-friendly too, with high quality flat concrete paths.

Preston River Ramble, Boyanup The Ramble is a 1.3km walking trail alongside the Preston River, starting at the Lions Park on Bridge St. Here, you’ll feel like the world is miles away. Visitors can also catch a glimpse of history and observe conservation principles.

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brecfilm.com.au

Eat & Drink CAFES & RESTAURANTS Most cafes and restaurants in area are |

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DOGS ARE PART OF THE FAMILY AND IT'S HARD TO LEAVE THEM BEHIND . . .

pet-friendly, but here are some of the standouts along with a few wineries and breweries that will welcome your fourlegged friend. Think water bowls, tie up points, shaded areas, and treats.

The Crooked Carrot, Myalup Arguably the most popular venue on Forrest Highway.

You can dine with your dog no matter what the weather with plenty of space in the alfresco dining area. There are plenty of dog bowls around for your dog to drink from too.

Coffee & Flour, Bunbury One puppy-chino please.

Humans will also love this cosy café-come-bakery. Their high-tea is a must try.

Corners, Bunbury With two venues: Corners on the Bay and Corners on King, it’s a long-time favourite with dog owners who walk the nearby Leschenault Inlet.

Mushroom Café @ No. 61, Balingup Feast on country-style breakfasts, fresh sandwiches and rolls made to order, and Friday evening fish and chips.

Blackwood Emporium, Mullalyup A fabulous new venue for you and your pooch to try.

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A heritage stable building teahouse with handcrafted chocolates, savoury dishes and high tea.

Blackwood Daily Grind, Mullalyup Dine in and drive-thru café on South Western Highway, which offers an amazing range of fresh food and delicious coffee.

Miami Bakehouse, Myalup WA’s most awarded bakery is also the ultimate dog-friendly bakery complete with a dogexercise area.

The Happy Wife, Bunbury Great food for you and great views for your dog at the Happy Wife. They are catfriendly too.

The Back Beach Cafe & Restaurant, Bunbury Take your dog for a walk along the beach north of the Bunbury Lighthouse, and then continue to the Back Beach Cafe for lunch or coffee with your furry friend.

The Potted Warehouse, Bunbury Grab a coffee and cannoli, find a fabulous pot, and bring your dog too.

Waters Edge, Bunbury Another great stop for you and your dog after an Inlet walk. Your dog can join you for a wine and seafood platter

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alfresco Vat 2, Bunbury Koombana Bay views and good food in hand.

WINERIES & BREWERIES Barton Jones Wines, Donnybrook A stand-out dog venue with homemade dog treats, a dog watering station, and dog products, combine with a boutique winery boasting the oldest vines in the Geographe region. Find fame on their @ dogs_of_bartonjoneswines Insta-page.

Saint Aidan Wines, Ferguson Valley Enjoy lunch overlooking the valley with your pooch. They also have water bowls and dog treats on hand, so your furry friend won’t feel left out when you enjoy a meal.

Bush Shack Brewery, Ferguson Valley Sit out on the enclosed deck and your pooch can join you too. Run off energy in their massive grass area.

Wild Bull Brewery, Ferguson Valley Dog and family-friendly brewery and restaurant with arguably the best views of the valley looking over vineyards and luscious green rolling hills.

The Dardy Tavern, Dardanup

Soak up the atmosphere of this historic pub in their dogfriendly beer garden.

Vineyard 28, Harvey Swing past Vineyard 28 for a well needed puppy pit stop on your way down south, with tasting to boot. They allow dogs in their outdoor tasting area, and are happy for well-behaved dogs to be allowed off their leads.

Balingup Fruit Winery, Balingup Your dog can join you while you taste award-winning ports and liqueurs made from local fruits.

Ferguson Hart Estate, Ferguson Valley Located off Pile Road, this picturesque winery also has a semi-fenced area to keep pups safe (and a water bowl to quench any doggy thirst).

Oakway Estate & News’s Brew Club, Donnybrook Along with their delicious wine, pizzas, and beer, they allow dogs on leashes on the verandah. There’s plenty of space for dogs to take their owners for a walk, too.

Thomson Brook Wines, Donnybrook A pet-friendly winery happy to allow dogs to roam off their leads whilst you sip one of their legendary ports. visitbunburygeographe.com.au

Mandalay Road, Preston Valley Great wines, a doggy welcome from their friendly staffy and plenty of lawn for them to run around on.

Old Coast Road Brewery, Myalup A family fun and dog-friendly venue set on a scenic 70-acre property with 1,000 olive trees. They brew onsite, and have an 18-hole mini-golf course and live music on Sundays.

Dog Friendly Accommodation Here’s a list of pooch friendly places to stay in the great Bunbury region, from caravan parks and self-contained cottages to farm stays and bush campgrounds.

CARAVAN PARKS AND COTTAGES Stoneridge Cottages, Balingup A true and comfortable country experience in a timber and iron cottage, nestled in the Balingup Brook valley.

Peppermint Tree Lodge, Peppie Beach Stunning holiday homes on the absolute beach front.

Bay Beach House, Peppie Beach A six-bedroom beachside holiday house with spectacular views of the sparkling, blue waters of Peppermint Grove Beach.

Lewana Cottages, Balingup Six heritage listed ex-forestry workers cottages in a rural clearing of 100 acre pine forest, with abundant wildlife.

Timber Top Cottages, Balingup A hidden cottage in an elevated forest setting. Views of rolling hills and farmland.

Balinga Cottages, Balingup Self-contained rammed earth and jarrah country cottages nestled among the trees on a 15-acre waterscaped farmlet. Delightful views of Balingup and surrounding hills.

Boronia Farm, Donnybrook A rustic farmstay that offers a real country experience. Collect eggs, pick seasonal fruit, wander through the

permaculture garden and share in the excess, hang with the Alpacas, and canoe on the dam.

Spearwood Cottage, Donnybrook Two modern, fully-equipped cottages overlooking a dam. Set on a rural 100acre farm, owners Hazel and Mark even accept pet cats and birds.

CAMPING & CARAVANNING WITH DOGS Discovery Parks, Bunbury and Koombana Bay Park manager Richard knows that dogs are a part of the family, and he likes to treat his furry guests the same way.

Australind Tourist Park, Australind Value accommodation overlooking the Leschenault Estuary and minutes from the Bunbury CBD. Lake Brockman Tourist Park, Harvey Dogs on a lead are welcome at this tourist park and cafe overlooking Lake Brockman/Logue Brook.

Lake Stockton Campground, Collie A shady campground beside Lake Stockton, an open cut coalmine that was abandoned and filled with water.

The lake is an ethereal crystal blue due to sediment from the mine.

Collie River Valley Tourist Park, Collie This pet-friendly park has more than 70 powered sites and 15 camp sites for your caravan or tent.

Glen Mervyn Dam, Glen Mervyn Partake in a spot of water-skiing and camping with your dog.

Myalup Beach Caravan Park, Myalup Caravan park in Myalup, a quaint coastal settlement renowned for unspoiled beaches and excellent fishing.

Balingup Transit Park, Balingup Seventeen powered sites for vehicle, caravan, and tent camping beside the picturesque Balingup Brook.

A short walk to the town centre and local shops.

CELLAR DOOR

M AT C H

R E S TAU R A N T

Match Restaurant is open for lunch Thursday to Monday 11:30am to 3pm Grazing food or light food options are available 7 days from 10am to 4pm Cellar Door open 7 days from 10am to 4:30pm.

WINE | TASTINGS | LUNCH Capel Vale Wines & Match Restaurant 118 Mallokup Road, Capel W.A. www.capelvale.com | 08 9727 1986

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Destination

Bunbury offers some of the best dining and drinks in the state, coupled with a passionate arts and culture scene. In short, it's the ultimate spring/summer combo.

Australind

BUNBURY

Gelorup Stratham

Capel

Boyanup

Donnybrook

Busselton

Bunbury

BUNBURY IS CLOSE TO HOME, but far from expected.

You can experience world-class cuisine at your own pace or spend the entire day exploring.

You have the time and space to just breathe, but also plenty to do including a wide range of events throughout the year; which is why Bunbury truly is a brighter place to visit.

Surrounded by beautiful waterways and stunning beaches, the city’s rhythm is laid-back yet at the same time it’s edgy with a banging arts scene and an ever-growing collection of independent boutiques, small bars and cafes with an obsession with providence and seasonal produce. Spring kicks off in Bunbury with a jampacked events calendar.

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Must-dos 1

Art-astic - Take a walk in the sunshine to track down inspirational urban art and whimsical characters painted by leading WA artists on 20 electrical boxes scattered through the CBD. The city is also home to the striking Wardandi Boodja at Koombana Bay, Bunbury’s latest piece of public art. The 5.5m steel bust reflects the resilience and spirit of a proud Noongar man and stands as a reminder to visitors and locals alike that Noongar culture is vibrant and strong.

2 Fin fun - Find fins of the natural variety at Australia’s premier dolphin centre, the Dolphin Discovery Centre.

It’s the perfect place to learn more about these incredible creatures. Or, get up close and personal on a dolphin swim tour or Dolphin Eco Cruise within the bay. Try a surfboard fin experience with Bunbury Surf

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School or head under the ocean diving the Lena Shipwreck with Octopus Garden Dive Charters.

3 Work up an appetite Visit Victoria Street for a feed and a shopping spree. One of Bunbury’s most-loved streets, it’s known for cute, independent shops, restaurants and small bars and is the perfect place to take a seat and watch the world go by. Check out the Small Regional Bar of the Year, Yours or Mine. Foodies should head to the Market Eating House, Mojo’s Kitchen & Bar or Gold

Plate finalist, Nicolas Ristorante.

Enjoy heart-warming favourites at Rose Hotel or chow down on a gourmet burger at Right On Burgers. We also suggest you venture to the Marlston Hill Waterfront or Austral Parade dining precinct near the iconic Parade Hotel. Bunbury is the epicentre of the restaurant scene in the BunGeo, and for a good reason. You’ll find brilliant burgers and award-winning fine dining.

4 Time travel - Soak up Bunbury’s past on a Heritage Building Trail. The streets of

visitbunburygeographe.com.au

FIND A LOCAL BUNBURY VISITOR CENTRE Freecall 1800BUNBURY A Old Railway Station, Haley Street, Bunbury WA 6230 T +61 8 9792 7205 E welcome@bunbury.wa.gov.au W visitbunburygeographe.com.au

Bunbury’s CBD are filled with history and mystery, with plenty of stories to discover.

Make sure you stop at the Bunbury Museum & Heritage Centre (find their new knightin- shining-armour). Car enthusiasts will love the new Bunbury Geographe Motor Museum and its sensational collection of cars and motorcycles. Finish up at the Marlston Waterfront Precinct – see the bust of French explorer Nicolas Baudin and read about the city’s rich maritime history.

5 Find spring in your step - The city has a plethora of bike and walk trails. Get fit and find Bunbury’s unique natural attractions, including the Mangrove Boardwalk, on the Leschenault Inlet Walk (5kms).

If you’re in the mood to explore on foot, enjoy a bushwalking adventure in Manea Park and Maidens Reserve which come alive in spring with wildflowers.

For an Epic or leisurely ride, hire a bike from Melo Velo.

6 Short and sharp - The new architecturally designed Koombana Park Lookout is the place to go for views of Mangrove Cove and Koombana Bay. The tower is part of an $11.5 million multifunctional site, which includes a playground, seating areas, and barbecues. For more awesome 360-degree views of the City of 3 Waters, head to the Marlston Hill Lookout.

Connected to Victoria Street by a timber stairway, it sits on the site of Bunbury’s first lighthouse. For a rigorous climb, Boulters Heights between Wittenoom Street and Haig Crescent also offers a fabulous outlook.

7 Event fever - As the temperature heats up, so does Bunbury’s event calendar.

Culture vultures rejoice at Bunbury Fringe 2021, the

South West Multicultural Festival and BREC’s Summer Film Festival. Celebrate Australia Day with a bang at Skyfest and the biggest fireworks display outside of Perth. Finish the season, with racing and fashion action at the Bunbury Cup. 8 Selfie snaps - Take a pic in front of the much-loved chequered lighthouse at Wyalup-Rocky Point and near basalt rocks (they’re awesome at sunset) or within the mysterious paperbarks at the Big Swamp Wetlands.

Head over to the nearby Bunbury Wildlife Park for a selfie with a kangaroo or feeding the birds. You may get to meet their dingoes and quokkas too.

9 Sip and savour outdoors- It’s time to brunch al fresco at one of Bunbury’s gorgeous outdoor eateries.

Check out the white and green

planter boxes at Benesse’s new outdoor seating area or take in the Leschenault Inlet vista at Happy Wife, Corners on King and Waters Edge. For the best views of the ocean you can’t go past The Back Beach Café, Vat 2 or Hello Summer Beach Kiosk.

10 Pantry fillers - Stock up on fresh produce at Bunbury Farmers Market. This place is iconic with people travelling from afar to sample local produce. The produce here – much of it sourced from surrounding farms – is mostly organic and explodes with flavour. Grab gourmet pies, the most amazing local and French cheeses, hand pressed juices to go, and so much more. Alternatively, whet your appetite at a wonderful weekly celebration of all things fresh and artisanal at The Bunbury Markets and Produce in the Park Markets in Queens Gardens. |

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Destination Australind BUNBURY

Gelorup Stratham

Boyanup

Yabberup & Mumballup ➛ Lowden

Capel DONNYBROOK Busselton

Brookhampton Kirup Mullalyup BALINGUP

You’ll find the Donnybrook-Balingup region set among the picturesque Preston and Blackwood River valleys bursting with fresh produce, historic towns and hamlets.

Donnybrook Balingup region COLLOQUIALLY KNOWN AS the apple capital of Western Australia, Italian and Irish settlers brought their love of great food to Donnybrook in the 1900s. Today, you can eat your way through the region with roadside stalls selling seasonal fruit, vegetables and local produce. Modern-day fossicking - this was originally a gold town - is also encouraged in the many local shops, antique stores and more. A little further down the South Western Highway is Balingup. It would have to be one of the prettiest towns in Western Australia, surrounded by rolling hills, forests and orchards. Laidback, a little bohemian and creative, Balingup’s super-cute shops fill the main street, and there is always a quirky event on offer. The Donnybrook Balingup region also includes the quaint historic towns and hamlets of Brookhampton, Kirup, Mullalyup, Yabberup, Mumballup and Lowden.

Must-dos

Core values - Munch an apple or two in WA's apple capital. During summer, stop by a farmgate stall to stock up on local peaches, nectarines, plums, apricots and cherries.

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2 Play time - Australia’s biggest free-entry playground, the Apple Fun Park in the heart of Donnybrook is a great place to take the kids. There are toddler and pre-schooler areas with many low ride-on animals,

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kiddie swings, climbing and slide areas. Older kids will love the four-level towers with slides, rope bridges and flying foxes, low rock climbing walls, swings and space net, fitness areas, lap track, and two 9.5m towers.

There are free gas barbecues and shade areas to make a day of it. For another family adventure, try gold panning at Donnybrook Gold and uncover Donnybrook’s gold rush days.

3 River walks – Donnybrook’s Preston River Loop Walk Trail traverses a lush wetland river ecosystem encompassing a suspension bridge and weir crossing, incorporating the Preston River Indigenous Walk Trail and the Waugyl Sculpture

Park. In Donnybrook, you also find beautiful Donnybrook Stone buildings and fences including the Soldiers Memorial Hall (1919) and All Saints Church (1906). Venture down to Balingup to follow alongside the Blackwood River and search out secluded swimming holes at the Wrights Bridge Walk Trail.

4 Grape expectations and cold brews - Donnybrook boasts some of the Geographe’s best up-and-coming wineries.

James Halliday four and above rated wineries offer noble and alternative varieties to satisfy the most discerning palates.

At Barrecas, Barton Jones, Mandalay Road, Oakway Estate, Smallwater Estate (2020 Geographe Alternative Best in Show winner) and Thomson Brook Wines, experience some incredible alternatives like barbera, zinfandel, durif, malbec, vermentino, nero d’avola and moscato. Ned’s Brew Club, Donnybrook’s first beer brewery is conveniently situated inside Oakway Estate Wines and offers a range of craft beers on tap. Custard Cider, although not open to the public, offer their ciders in local licensed premises, wineries and eateries.

5 Screen time - Pack a picnic and settle under the stars for a free outdoor movie screening at the picturesque Balingup Village Green or nestled along the bank of the Preston River at Donnybrook Amphitheatre.

Afterwards, stay the night in one region's beautiful boutique and farm stay accommodation properties, many high in the hills. At night, clear skies give stargazers an awe-inspiring view of the constellations.

6 Shop til you drop - Stock up on herbal products at the TinderBox, find the largest art and craft centre in WA – the Old Cheese Factory Craft Centre, or rummage through Donnybook’s superb new and second-hand book collection.

Visit Donnybrook Artisans in Central Arcade for some locally created treasures, open visitbunburygeographe.com.au

FIND A LOCAL DONNYBROOK VISITOR CENTRE A Old Railway Station, South Western Hwy, Donnybrook, WA 6239 T +61 8 9731 1720 E donnybrookwa@westnet. com.au W donnybrookwa.com.au BALINGUP VISITOR CENTRE A South Western Hwy, Balingup, WA 6235 T +61 8 9764 1818 E balinguptourism@westnet. com.au E balinguptourism.com.au

7 days a week and staffed by the artists themselves. There is always something unique at Hidden Treasures just out of town. Heading south, visit Kirup’s Olivia Grove for natural olive oil based skincare and a selection of gourmet foods, invest in alpaca knitwear from Jalbrook, find your creative spirit at Mullalyup’s Clay Dragons Gallery, stunning hand-crafted jewellery at Balingup’s Goldsmith, or wool creations from Cat and Canvas Woolshop.

7 Tree huggers welcome Wander through the Golden Valley Tree Park, Western Australia’s largest arboretum.

There are 60ha of exotic and native trees and it’s famed

for being one of the top five locations in Australia to see autumn colours. On the way, take a quick detour to Balingup’s beautiful Avenue of Honour, with its majestic oaks that honour the 154 local men and women of the region who enlisted for service during WW1.

Immerse yourself in nature in the local National Parks and State Forests that are brimming with native flora and fauna.

8 Go for a drive - The Balingup-Nannup Road is one of many scenic drives, native kangaroo and emu sightings are common so keep your eyes peeled. Just as you leave Balingup make sure you stop at Balingup Heights Scenic Lookout for stunning views of

the town and orchards. Tip - go early on a foggy morning to capture the sun rise. Take the scenic Donnybrook-Goodwood Road to Capel, especially after some rain, to check out Ironstone Gully Falls. There’s even a winery/brewery nearby for a pit stop.

9 Filling station - Try the handmade chocolate and high tea from the new Blackwood Emporium, pizza at Oakway Estate, cheese platters and lighter fare from Barton Jones, or authentic flavours at the Donnybrook Indian Restaurant and Asian fusion at the Village Harvest Restaurant.

For an Italian influence try the Riverside Restaurant. The main street of Donnybrook abounds with great cafes and coffee. Healthites should venture to Nourish Nutrition Studio for a protein shakes or loaded tea. The Donnybrook Bakery is also open 24hrs Monday to Friday and midnight to 2pm on weekends, so you can eat no matter the time of day. For an authentic, historic Aussie pub you can’t go past the Donnybrook Hotel. In Balingup, grab a great Aussie pie at the Old Shed Café or the Mushroom at No 61 Balingup, and indulge in a tipple from

the Balingup Fruit Winery while you are there. If picking your own seems too much like hard work, Newy’s Vegie Patch in Kirup has regional WA’s best selection of fresh produce. Or try Kirup’s A2 Bulk Foods for waste-free foodie goodness on a large scale.

The South Western Highway has an amazing selection of trendy places for a caffeine fix. Don't miss Donnybrook's funky Crazy Cow Coffee or the Blackwood Daily Grind at Mullalyup.

10 On the right track Walkers can tackle a section of the Bibbulmun Track that passes passes through the region and right into Balingup townsite. Mumballup is another great rest point, surrounded

by Preston Virgin Forest, a walkers and cyclists paradise.

Mountain biking enthusiasts can hit the world-class Munda Biddi Trail that passes through Donnybrook and heads west toward Ironstone Gully Falls before turning south.

Alternatively, stay at MTB Mecca’s CycleTrek Lowden or Linga Longa near Balingup.

Most local accommodation properties offer a pickup and drop-off service for cyclists and walkers. .

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Destination HARVEY

Australind BUNBURY

Eaton

Gelorup

The Ferguson Valley produces some of Australia’s best alternative wine varieties intermingled with stunning vistas over the lower coastal plains to the Indian Ocean.

Stratham

Capel

Burekup Wellington National Park FERGUSON VALLEY Dardanup

Boyanup

Donnybrook

Busselton

Dardanup Ferguson Valley AN INFLUX OF tree-changers has helped transform this region from agricultural towns into a go-to for wine producers, artists, musicians and small creative businesses. Dairy farming is still prominent, but lifestylers have moved in for the bucolic simplicity of country life and, as you move up the mountain to the Ferguson Valley, the land is peppered with vines, wineries, and the odd brewery too. Eating and drinking isn’t all that there is to do here – a large section of the region is covered in dense, ruggedly beautiful jarrah forest and includes part of the very popular Wellington National Park. The area also packs a mighty punch in the festival and event stakes.

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Must-dos 1 Plenty of choice - Wine tasting is a must in the Fergie Valley with more than 20 vineyards and wineries producing awesome small batch wines. Perhaps the most impressive winery in the region is Willow Bridge Estate - a 5-red star James Halliday award-winning operation.

However, don’t discount the small guys. Boutique producers like Talisman Wines (new cellar door opening this summer) taking the award-scene by storm, and many others are hot on their heels. On your wine journey, don’t expect to drink and dash; our winemakers are passionate souls who love sharing their time with you.

For beer lovers, Bush Shack Brewery and Wild Bull Brewery will tantalise your tastebuds, providing a tempting breakfast menu on weekends.

2 Name a gnome - You must pay a visit to the very quirky Gnomesville, a community driven-gnome village with over

7,000 little inhabitants. Bring along a gnome and add it to the collection. Before you go, pick up a copy of the recently released, super-cute children’s illustrated book, Gnomesville – the real story by Lesley Geers.

3 On your bike - Get the cogs turning at the Mount Lennard Mountain Bike Network, near Pile Road in the Wellington National Park. Mount Lennard, or Pile Road as it’s known to most mountain bikers, is a fun area of trails that are for the most part built on a very gentle slope. The single-track Grizzly Trail is one of the more popular and technical trails of the collection; it weaves through the jarrah forest providing more than enough obstacles, jumps and berms to keep even the most experienced riders on their toes.

4 Tall timbers - Be awed by nature with a visit to the King Jarrah Tree – it is the most accessible, largest tree in the BunGeo. This majestic jarrah tree is estimated to be between 300 and 500 years old. visitbunburygeographe.com.au

FIND A LOCAL FERGUSON VALLEY (DARDANUP) VISITOR CENTRE A 5 Ferguson Road, Dardanup WA 6236 T +61 8 9728 1551 • W fergusonvalley.net.au

Standing about 36 metres tall, it has survived bushfires, storms, lightning and insect attack.

5 Creative country - Go in search of artists hiding in the hills. If you have an appointment, head south to visit local artist studios and galleries including 5th Element Glass Art Studio & Gallery, Elliot Smith Sculptures & Glass Studio, Hatchett Art Gallery (also open most Sundays), and Jenni Doherty Studio. You’ll also love the art (and wine) at Ferguson Hart Estate.

History lives - The Dardanup Heritage Park houses one of Australia’s finest collections of historic agricultural and industrial items with more than 20 sheds full of beautifully restored gems. Make time to wander through the 15 heritage sites on the 2.5km Dardanup Heritage Trail, including the first Catholic church in Western Australia outside the metropolitan area.

Stop for lunch along the way at the historic Dardanup (aka 6

The Dardy) Tavern built in 1905; it has bags of character.

7 Let’s eat! - Here are a few foodie options to get you started: for a fab five-course degustation head to Hackersley Estate. Low key and a little arty, Hackersley overlooks a lake with cows grazing in the background.

Down the road is Saint Aidan’s Winery - their chef has a resume that will blow your mind. If you’re after something simple, visit Ferguson Falls Wine Cafe, home to WA’s Best Pizza. For lakeside views try Evedon Lakeside Retreat. Or, if you’re a pie lover, Dardanup Bakery is one of the best. A short drive to Eaton you will find a talented team at Smalls Bar who have scoured the region for the best of the best local produce.

8 Get lost - Eaton Foreshore Walk meanders for 5km along the picture-perfect Collie River.

You’ll quickly forget you are so close to urban influences.

Between Dardanup and |

Boyanup are the ever-popular and dog-friendly Crooked Brook Trails. The Forest Path is a hidden jewel for those with limited mobility, providing easy access to an area of natural bushland with interpretive signage about the flora and fauna. The wildflowers are awesome in spring.

9 Starry film night – Over summer, join Saint Aidan’s Wines for a night under the moon and stars at their ever-popular Film on the Ferguson outdoor cinema evenings. Bring a rug and a picnic (or order one of the hampers for two people from the winery), find a spot on the grass and relax under the stars while enjoying a glass or two of Saint Aidan’s finest.

10 Take a drive – Pick up a copy of the new Ferguson Valley Drive Trails Magazine and hit the road.

You’ll find jam-packed itinerary inspiration for art lovers, adventure enthusiast, those young at heart and much more.

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Destination

Australind BUNBURY

Dalyellup

Capel region

Gelorup

Stratham Peppermint Grove Beach

CAPEL

Boyanup

Donnybrook

Busselton

Get ready to find the world’s last remaining tuart forest, quiet seaside hamlets, and bucolic country towns in the Capel region.

NESTLED ON THE Capel River, you’ll find Capel, a town with a quirky sense of humour. Where else in Australia would they send you to hunt for the troll under a historic bridge? The creative journey continues down the main street, with walls of murals reflecting the stories of the town, and into the redeveloped Capel Civic Precinct, which boasts skateable elements, nature playground, BBQs and picnic tables.

Nearby, Boyanup is a quintessential dairy and cattle town with lots of tree-changers thrown in for good measure. Its farmers market, held every fourth Sunday of the month, is one of the best in the region. Many locals are history buffs with a passion for trains, and the driving force behind the South West Rail & Heritage Centre. Alternatively, pay a visit to the ultra-modest contender for the title of WA’s most alluring coastal town, Peppermint Grove Beach. Peppy Beach (as the locals call it) is home to white sandy beaches and fabulous holiday houses; it’s your ultimate hammock and chill destination. A little further north, Dalyellup is a new, outer coastal suburb adjoining Bunbury with awesome beaches, 50ha of parks and gardens, 25km of cycleways and walking trails and its own piece of preserved tuart forest. Get ready to find the world’s last remaining tuart forest, quiet seaside hamlets, and bucolic country towns in the Capel region.

Must-dos 1 Tree change - Uncover the world’s only remaining tall tuart forest in the Tuart Forest National Park. It’s also home to the rare western ringtail possum. Go bushwalking, have a picnic or check out the Tuart Discovery Trail.

2 Wine time - Visit the beautiful Capel Vale Winery.

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James Halliday agrees with the Australian Wine Companion, nominating Capel Vale as among the top 100 wineries in Australia.

Enjoy a late lunch at Match Restaurant where it’s all about ‘matching’ food perfectly with wine. The view is pretty special too or your welcome to laze on the lawn by the vines. Finish with a cheese platter and a glass of their delicious Geographe

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merlot. If you have a sweet tooth, we suggest you book a high tea.

It’s a delicious and decadent tradition that never disappoints.

3 Sunset feels - Watch a sunset at Peppermint Grove Beach. Fallen in love with the place? Stay locally and call into Peppermint Grove Beach Holiday Park –their shop is stocked with handmade gifts –

or pop into the bottle shop for a nice drop of local white to toast the day. And don’t forget to preorder a woodfired oven pizza for a Friday night feast .

4 Push yourself - Have some super-awesome paintball fun at Paintball Pursuit near Stratham, where groups and individuals can fight it out. Entertain the kids and those young at heart at Gravity Etc in Dalyellup.

Bounce, tumble, balance, flip, party and fly your way around 1,800sqm of indoor highenergy trampoline excitement.

Boyanup connects to the worldleading Munda Biddi Mountain Bike Trail. Play a challenging round of golf at the Capel Golf Course under the gaze of the grazing kangaroos. Check out the newly developed skateable links at the Capel Civic Precinct, as well as the skate bowl in Boyanup. visitbunburygeographe.com.au

FIND A LOCAL

Where else in Australia would they send you to hunt for the troll under a historic bridge?

CAPEL REGION VISITOR INFORMATION T +61 9727 0222 E info@capel.wa.gov.au W capel.wa.gov.au

5 Sweetie pies - In Capel, indulge your rumbling stomach at Capelberry’s or The Fat Birdie.

Capelberry’s famous breakfast bruschetta is designed to fill up the hungriest of travellers.

They also offer great heat and eat options to take back to your accommodation. Stock up on homemade pies and sourdough bread from the Capel Bakery, where you can also pick up some great in-season local farmgate produce and a range of handmade and natural olive oil soaps and skincare balms.

6 Let’s pack a picnic - Dine al fresco at Ironstone Gully Falls and discover the wildflowers.

Following winter, the stream, having tumbled through one of the region’s many fine jarrah forests, crosses under the road and gently rambles over a series of rapids. The falls drop over a ledge of nine metres. In spring,

the surrounding countryside bursts into colour with a stunning display of wildflowers.

So whatever season, this is a magical spot.

7 Country Pub delights If you are looking for a lunch spot with old-world charm, try The Bull and Bush Tavern in Boyanup. The historic Capel Tavern’s beer garden overlooking the Capel River is perfect for a lazy Sunday sesh.

8 All aboard - The South West Rail & Heritage Centre in Boyanup opens its doors with a special theme every fourth Sunday of the month. View the historic trains and carriages, and the blacksmiths working.

9 Charm and craft Hunt down curiosities and collectables. Visit the Quirky Den, a cute little shop on the

main street, Tree Memories Gallery, which hosts fine wood craft, and the Jalinda Orchard and Art Gallery. During your wander there are plenty of refreshment stops including the Boyanup Bakery as well as the French brocade store, Rustic French Living, which is housed in a beautiful old church in Boyanup. Enjoy morning tea as you search through its unique French finds.

10 Trail blazing - The Capel region offers the space to discover yourself and explore

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nature and cultural history on urban walk trails. The Preston River Ramble in Boyanup is a delightful 1,300 metre stroll which showcases significant aspects of both the natural and cultural history.

The Boyanup Heritage Trail interprets the major sites and stories from the early settlement history of the town.

The nearby Joshua Lake Walk trail circumnavigates the lake and takes walkers through a mix of re-vegetated woodland and pleasant open grassy spaces.

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Destination

COLLIE RIVER VALLEY Allanson Collie

Australind BUNBURY

Gelorup Stratham

Climb the mountain to the top of the Darling Scarp and Busselton discover the beautiful Collie River Valley, which is quickly becoming Western Australia’s mountain biking capital.

Boyanup

Capel

Donnybrook

Collie River Valley region ONCE THE LURE OF THE mountain has brought you here, there are endless outdoor experiences waiting for you. Tracks and trails are in abundance, so whether it is a kayaking trip down the Collie River, a hike on the Bibbulmun Track, casting your line in rivers and lakes or an afternoon bike ride through beautiful jarrah forests, you are sure to leave with a new-found appreciation for the beauty of this region. The area was originally considered ideal for timber production and as pasturelands.

However, the discovery of coal along the Collie River in 1883 changed its fortunes. Nowadays, Collie has a rich emerging diversity, including arts and culture with a fabulous little gallery that punches way above its weight.’

Must-dos Off-road adventures - Get on a MTB track and crisscross through the beautiful Collie River Valley. With more than 20 trails for beginner and pro, there’s plenty of opportunities to get your cogs turning. New trails are popping up too including the most recently completed 12km of new single track at Arklow, with 9.5km built to 1

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accommodate hand cycles. The Wagyl Biddi trail, named after the mythical rainbow serpent, a fun and easy flow trail on the edge of the town centre. For the ultimate challenge, attempt to Beat the Biddi – the worldclass Munda Biddi Trail diverts through Collie. Don’t have gear?

Hire a bike from the Kiosk in the Dam in the Wellington National Park and tackle the nearby

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Mount Lennard Tracks or pick up a bike at Collie’s Crank’n Cycles where the guys know everything there is to know about MTB. Walkers aren’t forgotten either with the famous Bibbulmun Track traversing the region.

2 Refuel on the road Cyclists and other caffeine addicts should pay a visit to Wagon 537 - a pop-up cafe, located in a heritage train wagon. Another local coffee haunt is the historic Colliefields Hotel – its purple exterior makes it hard to miss. If you fancy some good honest pub grub, then you’re spoilt for choice – the Feddy (Federal Hotel) and The Vic are among our favourites.

Don’t miss 8 Thai Ladies. Their authentic cuisine and bulletproof coffee have a cult following.

Jax Corner Deli is another local favourite.

3 Stay a while - Head to

the Harris River Estate Winery and eat to your heart’s content from the tapas menu. You can stay here too, overlooking the vines, a beautiful dam and jarrah forest. This amazing, family-run property includes a 24-hectare winery, cider-making operation, microbrewery, restaurant and self-contained chalets. If that’s not enough Harris River Estate, is currently infusing its small batch gin, working with a local traditional custodian. You can be amongst the first to taste it.

4 Best in show - The Collie Art Gallery opened in 2015 and visitbunburygeographe.com.au

was the first fit-for-purpose A-class gallery to be built in Western Australia since the Art Gallery of WA was opened in 1979. It showcases a diverse and impressive exhibition program – think Arthur Boyd, Howard Taylor and Guy GreySmith. Oh, and by the way, it has one of the biggest art prizes in regional Australia – the $50,000 Collie Art Prize (CAP). Within Collie, street art is popping up everywhere.

And, the nearby Wellington Dam Wall will soon depict the world’s largest mural by international artist Guido van Helten.

5 Top gear - Get your adrenaline fix by zooming around a top class Motorplex track. The recently expanded Collie Motorplex circuit hosts weekend events; with regular Champion’s Ride Days and V8 Supercar hot laps and events all year round, it’s sure to get the heart pumping!

6 Water, water, water - You may be inland, but there’s no

shortage of aquatic adventure playgrounds in the Collie River Valley. Start at the picturesque and culturally significant Minninup Pool, where the Collie River is at its widest, ideal for swimming, canoeing or picnicking. Follow the Collie River in Wellington National Park to uncover an array of natural swimming pools and, if the water’s course is high, it’s an ideal place to kayak. Or try the intense blue waters of Stockton Lake. Make sure you hire a kayak and more from TraaVerse.

7 Secret sanctuary - The beautiful, serene Honeymoon Pool in Wellington National Park is an Instagram hot spot for good reason. It’s a wide natural pool surrounded by graceful peppermints and jarrah and marri forest along the Collie River. Find your inner child and try out the swinging rope.

Be prepared to be invigorated - the water is always cool and refreshing, even on a hot summer day. Not far away is another Instagrammable favourite - Black Diamond Lake - with vibrant, blue waters just begging for a selfie 8 Black gold - Step back in time and gain an insight into the lives of Collie’s rugged underground miners. The Replica Coal Mine at the Collie Visitor Centre was constructed in 1983 to commemorate the 100-year anniversary of coal discovery. Immerse yourself in a tour with a past miner (by appointment) and check out the restored locomotives while you are there. Pop across the road and pay a visit to the Coalfields Museum – it’s a real local history treasure trove.

FIND A LOCAL COLLIE VISITOR CENTRE A 156 Throssell Street, Collie WA 6225 T +61 8 9734 2051 E info@collierivervalley.com.au W collierivervalley.com.au

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Australind BUNBURY

Destination

Collie

Gelorup Stratham

Boyanup

Capel

Donnybrook

Busselton

Balingup BOYUP BROOK

It may be the country capital of WA but you’ll also find rolling hills, rivers and farmland in this beautiful part of the world.

Boyup Brook region WHERE AN ICONIC RIVER, undulating valleys, and rare flora and fauna meets broad-acre farming plains, Boyup Brook on the tranquil Blackwood River is the heart of Western Australia’s country music scene. Each year, thousands upon thousands of fans descend on this small community to attend the Boyup Brook Country Music Festival. But it’s not all cowboy boots and guitar twangs; Boyup Brook is also a rural community brimming with talent. From creative artists to some of WA’s best food and wine producers, this town will win you over with its warm hospitality and spirit. Highlighting the fact is Boyup Brook’s obsession (in a good way) with collecting. From a world-famous rare jewel beetle and butterfly collection, an amazing doll collection, record and music memorabilia that will blow your mind, to one of Australia’s largest collections of teapots, the people and things of Boyup Brook will intrigue and delight.

Must-dos

1 Grab your boots and hat - This is country music country and home to WA’s iconic Country Music Festival (February). Throughout the year, you can visit the Hot Country Music Shop to view its artist signature collection and stock up on all things country. Make sure you don’t miss the Harvey Dickson’s Country Music Centre.

This entertainment shed is decorated wall-to- wall and

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floor-to-rafter with memorabilia spanning more than 100 years - The original wagon that local pioneers, the Muir family, rode into the area in 1884 hangs from the rafters. See life-sized sand sculptures of Elvis and Johnny Cash and the ‘record room’ contains hundreds of records including an extensive Elvis Presley exhibit. The Harvey Dickson Rodeo is an iconic rodeo, music and camping Festival held in the last weekend of October.

2 The butterfly effect - Visit the beautiful Carnaby Jewel Beetle and Butterfly Collection, regarded as the best outside the British Museum of Natural History, at the Boyup Brook Visitor Centre. Keith Carnaby was a leading light in the field of entomology. The Visitor Centre also showcases the impressive Kradals Doll Collection, and locally-made produce with Boyup Brook olive oil a must-buy. Teapot lovers should visit the quirky Quacking Frog Teapot Shed, boasting a collection of more

than 5000 items.

3 Paddles up - Hire a canoe from the Flax Mill Recreation Complex (also housing a timber and sewing machine display by appointment) and paddle down the majestic Blackwood River, the longest river in the south west.

Peaceful stretches meander through farming country. To experience magnificent flora and birdlife, take a picnic and stop off along the way. For the more adventurous, the river and surrounds are suitable for longer treks that incorporate camping at various spots along the banks. Prefer to be on land?

Take the Bicentennial Trail for an ultra-pleasant walk beside the Blackwood River.

4 Artfully done - Explore the streets of Boyup and be amazed by the holograms and sculptures, plus murals and a giant gnomon by acclaimed local artist Sandy Chambers.

Boyup Brook’s public art also encompasses impressive, largescale metal works by Len Zuks and Harvey Dickson. visitbunburygeographe.com.au

Boyup Brooks latest edition is an amazing Railway Station shed mural painted by artist Sobrane Simcocky. The Little Art Gallery at the Boyup Brook Visitor Centre is a must visit.

Find a delightfully eclectic collection of original artworks by local artists in a variety media - if you’re lucky - you’ll uncover creations by Boyup Brook’s national award-winning artist Lori Pensini.

5 Historic stories - One of Boyup’s first settlers was Sir James Lee Steere, a prominent politician and a member of the WA’s powerful Six Hungry Families. At the Pioneers’ Museum, see displays of historic agricultural, commercial and domestic equipment such as the first clover-seed harvester, developed by Boyup Brook

local, the late PD Forrest, in 1910. Part of the Museum is the Masonic temple, left in its original condition and exhibiting furniture and paraphernalia used by the Masons – something rarely seen outside the organisation.

Afterwards, take the Heritage Walk following 23 plaques around the town centre. If you’re lucky (appointment only), you may also be able to visit one of the district’s first farms and the heritage-listed Norlup Homestead, built for Commander Scott with convict labour.

6 Award-winning wines Boyup Brook is located in the Blackwood Valley wine region.

Located in the Blackwood Valley, Beulah Wines is a small, family wine producer sourcing premium fruit and dedicated to

FIND A LOCAL BOYUP BROOK VISITOR CENTRE A Cnr Abel and Bridge Sts, Boyup Brook WA 6244 T +61 8 9765 1444 E bbvisitor@wn.com.au W boyupbrooktourism.com.au

making wines that express the unique qualities of the Nield family’s Boyup Brook vineyard (by appointment only). Seek out a bottle of their “First Block” Chardonnay.

7 Wild things - Surrounded by the 56,000 hectare TonePerup Nature Reserve, Perup Nature’s Guesthouse is one of the best places in the south west to see native wildlife, including rare numbats, ringtail and brushtail possums, quenda, woylies and chuditch.

From a family weekend away to large scale-group event, a stay at Perup is an awesome

nature immersion experience.

Closer to Boyup Brook, uncover spring wildflowers and magnificent orchids at Mayanup and Mickalarup Reserve, including the Mustard Orchid, Butterfly Orchid, Pink and Purple Enamels and Bird Orchids.

8 Horsing around Since the first campdraft in 1991, the Mayanup Campdraft association has been showcasing Western Australian talent

and successfully holding campdrafts every year since.

The spectacle of this unique Australian sport involving a horse and rider working cattle is held annually. Competitors test their skills and vie for prizes in several different categories, including juniors.

It is a great family event celebrating country culture, held in Mayanup, a short 15 minute drive from the Boyup Brook town centre on the second weekend in March annually.

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Destination Yarloop

HARVEY

Myalup Binningup

Brunswick Junction

Australind BUNBURY

Harvey region The stunning, diverse and produce-driven Harvey region benefits from multiple visits to see all that it offers.

FERTILE COASTAL IRRIGATED plains and gently rolling meadows are adorned with the occasional charmingly dilapidated barn, a white fenced equestrian stud, or an impressive heritage property. Many of the big guys in food are based here – from Harvey Beef to Harvey Fresh; the list is impressive. As you head east, the region changes from farming land to ruggedly beautiful jarrah forest and natural waterways for outdoor fans to explore.

Toedippers, seaside lovers, anglers and skippers find themselves in water heaven in Australind and the seaside hamlets of Myalup and Binningup.

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Gelorup Stratham

Capel

Dardanup Boyanup

Donnybrook

Busselton

Must-dos

Wonderful waterways - Delve into Australind’s Leschenault Waterways Discovery Centre and take the Jetty Walk to view the 14km-long ecologically-diverse waterway (perfect for kayaking).

Just a little further along the estuary is the Leschenault Peninsula Conservation Park, a nature-lovers paradise encased by the Indian Ocean on one side and the estuary on the other. Get back to nature and camp the night at the Belvidere Camp Grounds.

2 Say cheese - A visit to the Harvey Region wouldn’t be complete without a trip to the iconic Ha Ve Cheese.

It produces award winning cultured butters and cheeses and offers free tastings every day. Call in and treat the family to a delicious ice-cream or a decadent blue vein. We also

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Roelands

1

suggest you seek some mouthwatering Halls Family Dairy Suzette cheese from Camilles Deli Social in Treendale.

3 Climb the big orange - The 10 metre high look-out tower in the shape of a massive orange is yours to explore at Harvey River Estate Winery located on the beautiful banks of the Harvey River.

4 Saddle up - Walk or ride the new trail through the Myalup Pines Forrest and retread the exact path taken by the Tenth Light Horse Brigade stretching from Mandurah through to Bunbury.

5 Take a hike - Spring has sprung in the Harvey Region with stunning wildflowers flowering from August through to December. Take a walk through the stunning local bush to spot varieties such as forest mantis orchid, leopard orchid, donkey orchid and

the curiously named rusty spider orchid. Don’t miss the stunning Wildflower Ridge Walk north of Harvey.

6 Meet May - The Harvey Tourist Precinct is home to a replica of Stirling Cottage, owned by Governor Stirling and the childhood home of renowned Australian Snugglepot and Cuddlepie children’s author and artist May Gibbs. Be sure to call in to the Harvey Visitor Centre to learn more about May and view the Gumnut Baby Display.

7 Wine escapades Explore Harvey’s awardwinning wineries including Vineyard 28, Moojelup Estate, Skipworth Wine Company, and Harvey River Estate. Set on beautiful grounds, these unique wineries love visitors and are passionate about high quality wine production.

Vineyard 28 offers a Taste of visitbunburygeographe.com.au

FIND A LOCAL HARVEY VISITOR CENTRE A Cnr James Stirling Place and South Western Hwy Harvey 6220 T +61 8 9729 1122 E info@harveytourism.com W harveyvisitorcentre.com.au

Italy Tour (bookings essential).

After a day of exploring and sampling the state’s finest drops, call into GeoVino in Harvey’s main street to enjoy wines paired with delicious cheese and great company.

Beer lovers will love the new industrial-style microbrewery Brugan overlooking the fields of Wokalup. If size matters, you must try the new Treendale Farm Hotel which will cater up to 1000 people. Old Coast Road Brewery near Myalup is also a

perennial favourite. Try their new mini golf course too.

8 Boating fun - Enjoy the crystal clear, turquoise Logue Brook Dam in Cookernup.

Surrounded by jarrah forest, the lake is a haven for water skiing, canoeing, fishing, swimming, windsurfing and sailing. Stay the night at the Lake Brockman Tourist Park or the Logue Brook Campground.

9 Say ‘I do’ - For out-ofthis-world views, say ‘I do’ at Edith Valley in the Roeland Hills. The oldest farm in the district, Alverstoke 1841 offers the ultimate barn wedding experience. Get creative at Mornington Springs, a private property nestled on 160 acres of forest. Achieve casual ambience at the Old Coast Road Brewery. For an intimate gathering, see the creative team at Happy Days Country Retreat.

If you’ve always dreamed of a

garden wedding try the Stirling Cottage Gardens, or if you have grand aspirations to marry upon a stone stage, head to the Gibbs Pool Amphitheatre.

10 Cast a line - Just a halfhour drive from Bunbury you’ll find the beautiful beaches of Binningup and Myalup. Ideal swimming beaches for the whole family and excellent fishing, snorkelling, surfing opportunities abound. On your visit keep your eyes open for visiting dolphins.

11 Road trip - The Beela Valley Scenic Drive will take you through steep hills with beautiful flora and lush farming country and open paddocks.

Start from Beela Rd opposite the Brunswick Tavern. If you have a 4WD, venture to find Australia’s largest jarrah tree hidden deep in the Mornington State Forest. The Jarrah Hadfield is more than 10m in |

AUSTRALIND INFORMATION CENTRE Henton Cottage, Cnr Paris Rd and Old Coast Rd, Australind T +61 0478 494 835 E australindinformationcentre @gmail.com

circumference and over 260 years old. Closer to the coast, Cathedral Ave, just north of Australind, is a beautiful drive through paperbarks along the Leschenault Estuary.

12 Follow the heritage trail Step back in time on the Harvey and Australind Heritage Trails.

Follow the map to uncover the interesting history buildings including the smallest church in Australia, St Nicholas. Another very special site is the Harvey Internment Shrine, a beautiful tribute to the thousands of men interned and the mateship they created (collect the key from the Harvey Visitor Centre). Nestled in Treendale, John’s Featured Wood Gallery is an oasis of stunning quality timber artworks, furniture, showroom pieces, gallery and museum.

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Yarloop

Lake Preston

Cookernup

Louge Brook Dam

Perth

Yalgorup National Park

Perth via Pinjarra

Myalup State Forest

Harris River Forest

Harvey

Forestr y Rd

Harvey Dam

Myalup

Munda Biddi Trail

Wokalup Stirling Dam

Fo r rest Hwy

Binningup

Leschenault Peninsula Conservation Park

Harris Dam

Clifton Rd

re Rd

Picton Rd Preston Bridge

y Rd Railwa

Peppermint Grove Beach

Capel

Honeymoon Pool Potters Gorge

n Rd

Wellington National Park

Collie River Valley

Muja

Collie

Wellington Dam

Ferguson Valley

Stockton Lake

Wellington Discovery Forest

Rd Gnomesville

Crooked Brook Forest

Glen Mervyn Dam

Boyanup State Forest

Preston Valley

i

Black Diamond Lake

Pile Rd

Bo yan up

Boyanup

Boyanup Rd West

Allanson

Dardanup i

Moo

sse

Bu

Tuart Forest National Park

Hwy stern th We Sou Picton

y Hw rn este th W

Stirling Beach

Stratham

Burekup

wy st H

Fergu so

lds Hw y

d ty R H en

ll H wy

e Forr

Gelorup

C oalfie

Roelands

Eaton

Sou

Dalyellup

Harris River State Forest

Australind

Leschenault Estuary

Bunbury

Brunswick

ie P res ton

i

Co ll

GEOGRAPHE BAY

Koombana Bay

Bibbulmun Track

Mornington

Benger

Yabberup Donnybrook Boyup Brook Rd Lowden

Donnybrook

Mumballup McAlinden Noggerup

Go o

Brookhampton dw oo d

Rd

Busselton

Grimwade

Ironstone Gully Falls

Kirup

Wilga State Forest

Mullalyup Jarrahwood State Forest

To Nannup scenic drive Golden Valley Tree Park

Balingup i Bridgetown

i Boyup Brook

Southampton Bridgetown

Albany

STRIP AD - UNSOLD

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FIND

FIND

arts & culture

history & heritage

BRAG brag.org.au

Open 7 days, 10am to 4pm 64 Wittenoom Street, Bunbury

BM+HC bunburymuseum.com.au | spring • summer 2020/21 |

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FOUND Open Tuesday to Sunday, 10am to 4pm 1 Arthur Street, Bunbury

bunburygeographe.com.au