WHAT’SNew

Zippy e-scooters, walking brunches and a plethora of new boutique bars – there’s plenty of exciting experiences and new offerings to keep you delighted on holidays. Here’s a wrap up of must-try new stuff to discover.

WORDS | LIZZY PEPPER

// TOURS AND EXPERIENCES

Hire an e-scooter to zip around Dunsborough, Busselton and along the coastal path in between. It’s an exhilarating way to check out the foreshore and the scooters are easy to hire through the Neuron app.

Need to leave the driving and decisions to someone else? Let the WSET accredited wine educators from Up Close and Local Tours take you on an all-inclusive tour, to really make the most of your visit to our world-famous wine region. Pickup available in Perth or Margaret River.

Kellie Tannock’s much-loved Walk Talk Taste Brunch Tour is back every Friday following a Covid hiatus. Expect more than just delectable sipping and grazing; ex-journo and gifted storyteller Kellie shares secrets and surprises from the region’s history, industry and culture.

You may have picked up fresh Jardin Estate cheese at the Margaret River Farmers Market, or read about their gold medal wins in the Delicious Produce Awards. Now you can spend a day on the farm learning to make feta, haloumi or ricotta at Jardin Estate’s new Cheese School. Workshops include all recipes and a take home bag.

// WINE PARADISE

A handful of wine and cocktail bars, a traditional tap house, a cellar door and several distilleries have popped up in recent months.

Gralyn Estate will be making available a series of limited edition back vintage ports to taste when booking their Premium Fortified Experience. The private tasting is held in their original underground cellar door, which was opened in 1978 - and was the first of its kind in the region. Visitors can also taste a selection of their award-winning barrel aged fortified wines and specially selected food matches.

Pearl’s Bar at the top end of Margaret River town is a charming little spot for a glass of wine, a classic cocktail, and a few small plates to share.

Step inside the nautical themed Rhum Burgundy, a collaboration between the cocktail king of Margaret River Billy Phillips and alt variety winemakers LS Merchants.

The Servo Taphouse in Cowaramup showcases breweries from Sweden, New Zealand, England and Australia across 15 frequently changing taps.

Retired West Coast Eagles Josh Kennedy and Chris Masten teamed up with master distiller Greg Garnish to launch Beyond Distilling and their trademark JK17 gin. 17 botanicals and grain grown in the Mid-West go into this tripledistilled boutique spirit. Open for tastings in Busselton.

West Winds Gin has been crafted in the region for over a decade, and their new Cowaramup Distillery and Tavern are now open for tastings and meals.

Proving that Witchcliffe is Winetown, Dark Horse Winery nominee South by South West have opened their new cellar door on Wickham Road.

Swings & Roundabouts Yallingup have doubled the size of their nature playground, with new additions to climb on and crawl through. Double the reason to visit for pizza and wine!

// COFFEE & CAKE

Nomad Café at Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse offers superb Yahava coffee, brunchy snacks and delicious lunches in a limestone lightkeeper’s cottage. Grab a bite before climbing the lighthouse or setting off on a Cape to Cape walk.

Love High Tea? You’re in for a treat at Maison Lassiaille and Rivendell Winery Estate. Maison Lassiaille’s new High Tea showcases fine French patisserie with dainty egg sandwiches embellished with gold leaf, petite pannacotta and tiny truffled quiche. BYO bubbles, bookings essential. Or, enjoy high tea at Rivendell Winery Estate where a glass of sparkling is included along with local cheese, sandwiches and jewel-like desserts.

Elski Danish Ice Creamery is where the Dunsborough locals spent summer! Merchant & Maker’s Danish owners bring the best of European gelato bars to their latest venture, and luscious flavours include lemon elderflower, pineapple basil and strawberry watermelon sorbets.

Two Seas Collective melds coffee and ceramics in a cute Augusta café. Clay artist Kaya serves 5 Senses coffee and scrumptious homemade treats such as mandarin and lime blossom, peach galette and Persian love cake.

// DINING

Eagle Bay Brewing Co have a heavenly new playground for the kids. It’s proven to be a massive hit for families over the summer so be sure to visit with little ones. The brewery launched their new Wheatbelt Lager in March. It’s a true ‘paddock to pint’ brew, with the malt sourced from a local farmer in Wagin, who’s also a Dunsborough resident.

Pies & Ale serves up handmade pies “worth driving from Perth for” in the quiet surrounds of Boranup Forest. Tuck into the classics or go for a quirkier option such as Burger Boy featuring a whole cheeseburger patty encased in shortcrust.

Ooze & Tang is a new neighbourhood restaurant in Abbey loved by locals for impeccable French-influenced food and service. Isaac and Emily come from Yarri and Side Street Project and we’re excited to see how this new project evolves.

Rosie’s Café Deli serves brekkie, lunch and dinner on the main strip of Cowaramup. Think lovely French toast, chilli scrambled eggs and grilled polenta topped with asparagus.

At long last, Yarri lunches and courtyard snacks are back every Friday and Saturday. It’s been nearly three years, but well worth the wait. Dining with a view of the wildflowers, sedges and creek is one of Dunsborough’s most underrated experiences.

Looking for an easy in-house dining option? Look no further than breakfast, lunch and food hampers by The Little Farm. Organic eggs, seasonal fruit and veg, hand crafted relishes, pickles and cheeses are all lovingly sourced from local growers, chefs, winemakers and artisans.

its diverse art representation one stop gallery destination

// ACCOMMODATION

Furniture and also exhibits an Glass, Sculpture, Ceramic,

You’ve heard it here first; there’s a new adults-only luxury eco-tent retreat tucked in Busselton’s quiet hinterland. Willow Wood Glamping Retreat has 10 gorgeous boho-styled tents, generously spaced for maximum privacy and tranquillity. Set to open April 2023.

Two new Private Properties luxury holiday homes share incredible Geographe Bay beachfront locations. In one of Old Dunsborough’s most enviable locations is new-build holiday home, Novella. Soak up the bay views from this modern, minimalistic home that sleeps eight in four bedrooms with three bathrooms. Summer of 81’s retro brick and timber accommodation is situated right on the coastline too. The home has three living spaces and a swimming pool.

Wilhelm, Peter Scott, Luciano, Daniel Fisher, Russell Ord, Karen Seaman, Henschke, David Giles, Liv

Some fantastic new playgrounds have emerged at venues around the region – including the Eagle Bay Brewing pirate ship above.

Jahroc’s unique collaborative approach with offers the viewer an opportunity to observe a crossing of genres and through their expansive galleries, to visualize how furniture and art pieces might work together in their own home or office.

Mitchell and Leanne Pearson feature in the Easter exhibition, followed by Kim Maple, Shabbi and Liz McKay in July. They’re also working on a new student mentorship program and exhibition – watch this space.

JahRoc Galleries has Lauren Wilhelm and Sam Broadhurst exhibiting in March and Easter respectively, before hosting their final show featuring Larry Mitchell, Helen Norton and Ingrid Windram. After 20 wonderful years on the main street of Margaret River, JahRoc will close their retail gallery space at the end of June.

Light Heart Collective is a retro-industrial studio space in Vasse designed to bring people together with creative workshops, craft parties and kids’ classes in basket making, macrame and weaving.

// ART, CRAFT & SHOPPING

John Miller marks 50 years of jewellery making this year with a limited edition 50th anniversary collection. Pop into his Yallingup studio to browse silver and gold cuffs, pendants and earrings or design a custom-made piece embossed with West Australian flora, fauna and cultural emblems. All John’s jewellery produced this year features a 50th anniversary hallmark.

Yallingup Galleries has a new coffee shop and sculpture trail in the shade of the peppermint trees surrounding the gallery. Artists Larry

Drapery Co on the main street of Margs is the new place for a spot of retail therapy. Shop for clothing, hats, colourful gifts and cute homewares. Then pop across to The Little Press for handmade greeting cards, notebooks and to order custom letterpress stationery.

Marritree Fine Art & Books is yet another worthy addition to Witchcliffe’s thriving township. Set within the historic Darnell’s Trader alongside Amato Vino’s Urban Cellar, it’s brimming with books and art, and plans for writing workshops, music and poetry events are in the works.