Destination Australind BUNBURY
Gelorup Stratham
Boyanup
Yabberup & Mumballup ➛
playpark. So watch this space as a new version of this popular day out destination begins its new lease of life in the heart of Donnybrook - it's due to re-open in September.
Lowden Capel DONNYBROOK Busselton
Brookhampton Kirup Mullalyup BALINGUP
You’ll find the Donnybrook-Balingup region among the picturesque Preston and Blackwood River valleys is 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 quaint roadside stalls selling seasonal local produce, like the summer stone fruits the area is now known for. 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 60
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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, with the Balingup Medieval Carnivale, the Small Farm Field Day and Telling Tales in Balingup festivals among the perennial favourites. The Donnybrook Balingup region also includes the quaint historic towns and hamlets of Brookhampton, Kirup, and Mullalyup, plus Yabberup, Mumballup and Lowden in the Preston Valley.
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. 1
2 Play time - Australia’s biggest free-entry playground, the Apple Fun Park is undergoing an exciting renovation. There's much anticipation around what the new look park will bring after generations of children have enjoyed spending happy hours exploring this impressively large
3 River walks - The 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 – all in the town centre of Donnybrook. 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 best up-and-coming wineries in the Geographe Wine Region. James Halliday four and above rated wineries offer noble and alternative varieties to satisfy the most discerning palates. Make a day of it and explore wineries like Barrecas, Barton Jones/ Coughlan Estate, Mandalay Road, Oakway Estate, Smallwater Estate and Thompson Brook Wines which all offer tastings and sales. 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 that change throughout the seasons. Custard Cider, although not open to the public, offer their ciders in local licensed premises, wineries and eateries. 5 Star Gazing - Stay a few nights in one of the region’s beautiful boutique and farm stay accommodation properties,
visitbunburygeographe.com.au
