8 minute read
Girls' Getaway
Gal pals GETAWAY
Planning a trip to BunGeo with your girl squad? We’ve got you covered. By Gabi Mills.Images by Bianca Turri
Grab 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.
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
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
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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 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 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
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.
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 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.
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.
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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
