Escape the Big Smoke on a BunGeo Farm Stay

ESCAPE THE CITY Evedon Lakeside Retreat (right and below) and Skating Goose Farm (below to left) are serene places to stay for pur relaxation.

life jackets are provided in the rooms so it couldn’t get much simpler. Book your stay at evedon.com.au

The Evedon Lakeside Restaurant is well worth a visit too. Open for breakfast and lunch from Thursday to Sunday and for dinner Friday and Saturday, take a seat inside by the warming fire or outside on the alfresco balcony and soak in the stunning country charm, with the bar area themed to the style of an old English pub.

When exploring beyond the boundaries of the retreat, an absolute must is Green Door Wines just a 10 minute drive away on Henty Road. Located high on the slopes of the Darling Scarp, the cellar door and vineyard offer panoramic vistas of the coastal strip from Myalup to Dunsborough. But the focal point of the cellar door is the grand green door, imported from Fez, Morocco, which sets the tone for a Moorish theme.

Skating Goose Farm

Fergusson Valley’s latest accommodation option, Skating Goose Farm, is the ideal luxury setting for a romantic getaway or intimate retreat in the Valley.

Owned by Tansy and Cameron McMurtrie, Skating Goose is situated in Lowden on a 150 acre property that the McMurtries purchased approximately five years ago after falling in love with the land.

Retreats at Skating Goose Farm offer simple but luxurious, completely offgrid accommodation for adults only. At present it features just two dwellings accommodating a maximum of two guests in each, ensuring the few guests at a time enjoy a particularly tranquil experience.

“We opened “Honey” our first escape pod at the end of February 2021 and “Minnie” followed in August 2021,” says Tansy. “Honey and Minnie are named after and in tribute to the two Murat Matriarchs Honey and Minerva who still lived on the farm when we purchased it. Both beautiful, humble and hardworking women.”

“The majority of guests are craving peaceful time in nature and time with one another, and Skating Goose Farm is the perfect place for this. We have spared no expense in making these unassuming “pods” as romantic and comfortable as possible,” says Tansy.

When arriving at Skating Goose, guests will be delighted to find a charming welcome hamper including Skating Goose’s own house-made sourdough, jams, and muesli, eggs, butter, and milk, plus a bottle of wine from a local winery.

Complementing its house-made and locally sourced ethos, Skating Goose goes the extra mile to keep its footprint as light as possible too, while maintaining a luxury experience.

“In being completely off-grid, using our own harvested water, composting, recycling and using minimal or no waste products, we are doing our utmost to be clean and green,” says Tansy.

“We also devote considerable efforts in reforesting our land which had been previously cleared for grazing. We feel a huge responsibility as the current custodians of this land to leave it a better place whilst still sharing its beauty with our guests and I feel our guests really appreciate this.”

As well as being completely enamoured by the land, the McMurtries also felt the Valley could do with an additional accommodation option to enable more visitors to spend

time in this spectacular region.

“The Ferguson Valley is renowned for its beautiful rolling green hills over three seasons of the year... it’s a stunning landscape,” says Tansy. “We often joke that the Ferguson Valley is WA’s best kept secret. Hopefully word is getting out!

“Wellington Dam, with the largest dam mural in the world, is a must-see. Walks through the Wellington Forest, swims in Honeymoon pool and immersing in nature are big drawcards. Some guests come with mountain bikes or e-bikes to enjoy many of the Mt Lennard bike tracks. Our fabulous wineries offer unique varietals, and we have some incredible wines coming out of this area.”

With so much in the region to see, taste and experience, the Ferguson Valley

TOP TIP

Make sure to book in advance to stay in Ferguson Valley during the cross-regional event Lost & Found - experience lively pop-up events by local producers from September, 8-11. See more on page 6.

makes for a memorable base to explore, relax, and recharge. Book your stay at skatinggoosefarm.com.au For more accommodation options in the Valley, Wellington Forest Cottages and Peppermint Lane Lodge are iconic, idyllic locations. Or, see page 38 for a run down on an experience at Ferguson Farmstay.

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.

Escape the Big Smoke On a BunGeo Farm Stay

LET YOUR WORRIES DROP AWAY ON A COSY COTTAGE STAY WITHIN THE VALLEYS AND FORESTS OF THE BUNBURY GEOGRAPHE REGION.

By MONIQUE CECCATO.

Wide-open spaces, slower-paced days, country air, fresh local produce, and cosy, secluded cabins; it sounds a million miles away from the humdrum of everyday life. You can have it all on a country farm stay in the Bunbury Geographe region. Whether you’re chasing a family-friendly farm stay with cute animals to play with or a cosy couple’s retreat nestled into a tree-filled valley, there’s a farm and a chalet or cabin to cater to any holiday-maker.

Balingup Heights

Off Balingup Nannup Road and nestled into the hilltop jarrah and marri forest of Balingup, you’ll find the six bush cottages (three one-bedroom and three twobedroom) of Balingup Heights. The lush property is the ultimate ‘tree change’ for anyone who wants to get out and take in big lungfuls of that fresh country air.

Explore the tree-lined property on foot to find the secret garden and chestnut orchards or make your way to the paddock to meet and feed the resident horses and guinea pigs. Before arriving at the

property, call into Smallwater Estate Wine and pick up a bottle of wine to enjoy with the countryside view on the large cottage balcony. Balingup Heights can even arrange for a gourmet meal platter to accompany it. If you’re keen to check out the town centre and all its quirky stores (The Old Cheese Factory and Tinderbox are a must), it’s just a five-minute drive away. Visit balingupheights.com.au

Harvey Hills Farmstay

Donkeys, miniature horses, sheep, chickens, alpacas, and miniature goats; when it comes to farm animals, Harvey Hills Farmstay has them all. The kids will love hand-feeding the menagerie on the 100acre farm, while parents will appreciate the serenity the hidden property affords.

Each of the four cosy chalets on the property sits around a small dam, so you don’t have to go very far to get water views. Enjoy the vista from the porch or take a walk down to the nearby Harvey Dam, where you can throw a line in to catch some dinner or enjoy a picnic on the shores with some Harvey Bakery baked goods. If you’re not so lucky on the fishing front, the Harvey Hotel is a short drive away. Visit harveyhillsfarmstay.com.au

Ferguson Farmstay

With a whopping ten self-contained rammed earth chalets on site, Ferguson Farmstay is one of the largest farm stays in the region. As well as your standard farm stay inclusions (i.e. animal meet and greets), the property also boasts a rose garden with over 1000 roses, a playground, a basketball court, and a tennis court. All that space, activity, and many separate stays, makes it the perfect getaway for multiple family groups and wedding parties.

Just a 30-minute drive from the heart of Bunbury, the farm stay takes pride of place on a hilltop in the Darling Ranges, looking out over undulating farmland and vineyards back down to the Bunbury coastline. Being in the heart of the Ferguson Valley wine region, there’s plenty to explore from your comfortable base. Hire a Mustang (and a driver) and tour the many wineries in the area before sitting down for a set-menu lunch on the gorgeous Hackersley Estate or a gourmet platter and a glass of amphorae pot wine at Green Door Wines. Visit fergusonfarmstay.com.au

Kirup Cabins Farmstay

Kirup Cabins Farmstay is the epitome of a true country farm stay. Not only are the six cabins (couples, family, and family group sized) set on a fully operational sheep and cattle farm, but the 40acre property is also home to a brood of chickens, some curious emus, and a gaggle of ducks. Get your times aligned and kids can even try their hand at being a farmhand, feeding the animals at their scheduled feeding time.

When the excitement is over for the day, retire to your veranda, fire up the barbecue, and enjoy the sweeping views over the valley with a glass of local wine in hand. Or, if you’d rather hang up the tongs for the night, get stuck into a classic pub feed at the nearby Kirup Tavern. Visit kirupcabins.com.au

Glen Mervyn Lodge

If your idea of ‘family’ includes all fourlegged and furry friends too, Glen Mervyn Lodge in Mumballup is your ideal countryside getaway. Sitting on 50acres of land near the Glen Mervyn Dam in the Preston Valley, the fully-fenced property gives you the space you need to unwind, as well as a safe space for your beloved pooch to run about.

There are two cottages on the property; a cosy couples’ cottage and a much larger, fully renovated four-bedroom lodge (wheelchair accessible). Both come with plenty of outdoor space and unparalleled valley views. Spend your days at Glen Mervyn Lodge exploring the nearby Bibbulmun track and mountain biking trails or stay a little closer to home and wander about the property to meet the resident alpacas – Lavender and Iris – and the owners’ Golden Retriever, Sandy. Visit glenmervynlodge.com.au