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 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

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.

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

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.