Destination HARVEY
Australind BUNBURY
Eaton
Gelorup
The Ferguson Valley produces some of Australia’s best alternative wine varieties intermingled with stunning vistas over the lower coastal plains to the Indian Ocean.
Stratham
Burekup Wellington National Park FERGUSON VALLEY Dardanup
Boyanup
Capel
Donnybrook
Busselton
Dardanup Ferguson Valley AN INFLUX OF tree-changers has helped transform this region from agricultural towns into a go-to for wine producers, artists, musicians and small creative businesses. Dairy farming is still prominent, but lifestylers have moved in for the bucolic simplicity of country life and, as you move up the mountain to the Ferguson Valley, the land is peppered with vines, wineries, and the odd brewery too. Eating and drinking isn’t all that there is to do here – a large section of the region is covered in dense, ruggedly beautiful jarrah forest and includes part of the very popular Wellington National Park. The area also packs a mighty punch in the festival and event stakes.
Must-dos Plenty of choice - Wine tasting is a must in the Fergie Valley with its vineyards and wineries producing awesome small batch wines. Perhaps the most impressive winery in the region is Willow Bridge Estate - a 5-red star James Halliday award-winning operation. However, don’t discount the small guys. Boutique producers like Green Door Wines making a splash with their ancient winemaking techniques, and many others are hot on their heels. On your wine journey, don’t 1
62
|
FOUND | Issue 07
expect to drink and dash; our winemakers are passionate souls who love sharing their time with you. For beer lovers, Bush Shack Brewery and Wild Bull Brewery will tantalise your tastebuds, providing a tempting menu. Evedon Lakeside Retreat also offers a new menu, with fresh flavours including breakfast.
most part built on a very gentle slope. The single-track Grizzly Trail is one of the more popular and technical trails of the collection; it weaves through the jarrah forest providing more than enough obstacles, jumps and berms to keep even the most experienced riders on their toes.
2 Name a gnome - You must pay a visit to the very quirky Gnomesville, a community driven-gnome village with over 7,000 little inhabitants. Bring along a gnome and add it to the collection. Before you go, pick up a copy of the recently released, super-cute children’s illustrated book, Gnomesville – The Real Story by Lesley Geers.
4 Tall timbers - Be awed by nature with a visit to the King Jarrah Tree – it is the most accessible, largest tree in the BunGeo. This majestic jarrah tree is estimated to be between 300 and 500 years old. Standing about 36 metres tall, it has survived bushfires, storms, lightning and insect attack.
On your bike - Get the cogs turning at the Mount Lennard Mountain Bike Network, near Pile Road in the Wellington National Park. Mount Lennard, or Pile Road as it’s known to most mountain bikers, is a fun area of trails that are for the
Creative country - Go in search of artists hiding in the hills. If you have an appointment, head south to visit local artist studios and galleries including 5th Element Glass Art Studio & Gallery and Elliot Smith Sculptures & Glass Studio.
3
5
visitbunburygeographe.com.au
