Capel Region

BUNBURY Australind

Dalyellup

Gelorup

Peppermint Grove Beach

Busselton Stratham

CAPEL

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

Boyanup

Donnybrook

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. 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 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.

FIND A LOCAL

CAPEL REGION VISITOR INFORMATION

T +61 9727 0222 E info@capel.wa.gov.au W capel.wa.gov.au

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

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 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.