Your Margaret River Region Magazine Summer 2017

magazine 05 | SUMMER 2016/17

FREE TAKE ME HOME

Cream of the crop - the best ice creams you'll ever taste margaretriver.com

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Find your Sanctuary at d

Blackwood River Houseboats RIVER

STORM

ALLIRA

(4-5 PEOPLE)

(6-7 PEOPLE)

(8-9 PEOPLE)

Ideal for a couple or a small family.

Includes top deck shade.

Perfect for couples that want a little more space & families.

Includes enclosed cocktail deck and top deck shade.

Got an Event?

Hire 2 or more boats, we’ve got the right moorings for you!

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The big one.

For extended families and larger groups.

Includes a big top deck with shade.

- Cruise Cruise the iconic Blackwood River, floating past historic Molloy Island, to the new Alexandra Bridge, originally named after the Princess of Wales. See the local dolphin pod, permanent & migratory bird flocks, ospreys, pelicans and white tipped black swans.

- Fish Fish for bream, tailor, whiting & blue swimmer crabs (dinghy included in hire). Discover the unique bush along deserted pathways. Hit the 5km ski area for some of the flattest water in WA. SUP and kayak around the island (both available on request).

- Relax Relax as the Blackwood River gently rocks your boat. Laze around the decks. Dip your toes in the fresh, fresh water. Bask in the stunning surrounds. Crank the bbq to wrap up another perfect day on the river.

blackwoodriverhouseboats.com.au

Call us on 08 9758 0181 or 0439 959 638 E: admin@blackwoodriverhouseboats.com.au NO SKIPPERS TICKET REQUIRED

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EDITOR’S LETTER

magazine Published by PREMIUM PUBLISHERS Freemasons Hall, 181 Roberts Road, Subiaco WA 6008 (08) 9273 8933 EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Gabi Mills gabi@premiumpublishers.com.au

Editor’s Letter D

oes our cover picture make you wish you had a gorgeous, locally-made ice cream right now? We thought so.

Fortunately if you find yourself on holiday in the Margaret River region any time soon, there's a pretty good chance you'll be tucking into something just as delicious to cool down on a hot summer's day.

Since it's summer, we've put together plenty of ideas about how to cool down, whether it's SUPping on a placid azure ocean or ramping up the adrenalin levels with a spot of coasteering. We've also shared some secrets - like where to find the perfect beach, barbecue spots only the locals know or picnic ideas to keep the

DESIGNER Alyssa Karvinen alyssa@premiumpublishers.com.au SALES DIRECTOR Natalie du Preez (0426 752 352) natalie@premiumpublishers.com.au PHOTOGRAPHIC Elements Margaret River elementsmargaretriver.com.au CONTRIBUTORS Dianne Bortoletto, Max Brearley, Norman Burns, Tamara Hunter, Carmen Jenner, Mia Lacy, Sarina Lewis, Matthew Mills, Janine Pittaway, Sarah Szabo, Mark Wahlsten.

ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES natalie@premiumpublishers.com.au EDITORIAL ENQUIRIES gabi@premiumpublishers.com.au

whole family happy.

Many people fall in love with the region when they visit - and some go on to make their visit even more important by tying the knot down here too. So we've put together a mini wedding special to inspire you should love be in the air anytime soon.

Nova 93.7's ex-Dockers superstar Shaun McManus shares his favourite holiday moments down south (hint: it generally involves family and food), and there's heaps more to keep you exploring and discovering something new every day. Enjoy!

Cover image by MILLERS ICECREAM.

All rights reserved. No material published in this magazine may be reproduced in whole or part without prior written authority. Every endeavour is made to ensure information contained is correct at time of going to print. ©2016 YOUR MARGARET RIVER REGION MAGAZINE is published quarterly by Premium Publishers on behalf of the Margaret River Busselton Tourism Association.

Visit premiumpublishers.com.au

Share pics, videos and thoughts during your stay via our social media.

We’ll repost our favourites!

The Margaret River Region

@margaretriver

@MargaretRiver #margaretriver

Plan and book your holiday with Your Margaret River Region local experts.

Find us at the Busselton, Dunsborough, Margaret River and Augusta Visitor Centres, email welcome @margaretriver.com or call (08) 9780 5911, seven days a week!

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PREMIUM PUBLISHERS

WHAT YOUR MARGARET RIVER REGION GOT UP TO IN

6 - the lineup of Gourmet Escape201 al chefs together tion outstanding interna at Cape Lodge.

That feeling you get when the water loo ks sooo good.

Spring

A magical beginning to our Audi Australia Gourmet Escape weekend in Western Australia.

#Busselton does the Absolutely stunning.

super moon!

Richie An absolute pleasure to have over the te and Alex in to Aravina Esta weekend.

What a beautiful start @gourmetescape #nigellalawson

Spring is finally here!! Lolz at Castle Bay.

trails at Tearing up the brand new d = blown!

Bramley National Park. Min

We'd love to see your instagram pics!

Send your summertime in the Margaret River region pics to gabi@premiumpublishers.com.au for your chance to see them featured in the next issue.

Images by: @cape_lodge; @kateritchieofficial; @aravinaestate; @thewestfood; @jennitska; @petafussell; @elementsmargaretriver; @elementsmargaretriver

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48 72 Calendar

What shall we do today?

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10 wedding special

44-51

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Eat & Drink

16 Deer love - Margaret River Venison's tasty treats 18 Snag a sweet spot - best barbecue spots 20 Cafe society - enjoy local produce at Cape Leeuwin Cafe 22 Cider house rules - local producers are the apple of our eye 24 Cocktail hour - give The Grove and Artezen's snifters a try 26 Nice ice, baby - icy treats made right here in Margs 30 Keep on truckin' - food trucks are the latest big thing 34 Kitchen story - meet Aravina Estate's rising star, Ben Day 36 Pack a picnic - forget soggy sandwiches; step it up a notch 39 Beachside eating - pull up a chair, drink in the views

WEDDING SPECIAL

44 A day to remember - celebrate in style at Aravina Estate 48 Taking the plunge - saying 'I do' with a twist 51 Beachside bliss - get hitched at Pullman Bunker Bay

Where great food and art come together Contemporary Fine Art from leading Australian artists and a world-class bistro all under one roof in Yallingup

Wine & Wineries

52 On the grapevine - all the wine news you'll need 54 In the pink - Deep Woods' award-winning rosĂŠ

Nature & Environment

56 Wood work - explore Leeuwin Naturaliste National Park 58 Bustling Busso - find out Busselton's exciting plans 60 Life's a beach - read on to discover our favourite beaches 64 Safety first - keeping safe this summer

BRONWEN NEWBURY

Active & Adventure

AYA D A L Q A R A G H O L L I

66 On your bike - burn rubber on Margs' new bike tracks 69 Water world - get wet n' wild this summer 72 Slip, slap, slop, SUP - get on board and give stand up paddleboarding a go 76 Family time - where to stay with the fam (and Fido came too) 80 My Down South Getaway - Nova 93.7's Shaun McManus 82 Local Hero - meet the sisters who run The Dive Shed

L A U R A M AT T H E W S

Arts & Wellbeing

84 Artfully done - the region's art events this summer 88 Starry, starry nights - watch movies under the night skies 90 Press gang - the beauty benefits of EVOO 92 Everybody say 'om' - where to practice yoga on holiday

LORI PENSINI

THE STUDIO BISTRO Gold Plate Winner

MAP & DIRECTORY Places to stay, eat, drink and visit - our handy business directory Stay................................................................................................................................................................................... 96

MEL BRIGG

Food & Drink.................................................................................................................................................. 100 Activities & Art ........................................................................................................................................... 102 Wine & Beer.....................................................................................................................................................103 Tours.............................................................................................................................................................................105

THE STUDIO Gallery & Bistro 7 Marrinup Drive, Yallingup

P 08 9756 6164 W thestudiobistro.com.au Thurs to Mon Lunch Saturday Dinner THE STUDIO GALLERY P 08 9756 6371 W thestudiogallery.com.au

300 metres off SUMMER 2016/17 Caves Road margaretriver.com Wed| to Mon 10am – 5pm

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TO DO LIST

What shall we do today?

MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR TIME DOWN SOUTH THIS SUMMER WITH OUR ROUND-UP OF IDEAS TO KEEP EVERYBODY AMUSED.

promises to lift the lid on worm farms, expose the underbelly of wicking beds, air out the anaerobic bacteria in compost showers and generally make you appreciate permaculture as keenly as the earth does.

You can check out the farm’s veggie garden, orchards and poultry systems and conclude the tour with a return to the Fair Harvest Cafe for a scrumptious lunch made from produce from the gardens.

Next tour: December 29. $40 adults and $20 children, limited spaces. Check out the website for other great events.

By SARAH SZABO.

Visit fairharvest.com.au

FREE THE SKIPPER! HOMAGE TO FROMAGE Cheese maestro Alana Langworthy named her flagship cheese, The St Julian, after her husband. Only Alana knows who is more deserving of reverence but the cheese is certainly worthy of worship.

“It is one of the first cheeses I learnt how to craft while I lived in France,” she says. “It is an adaptation of a St Marcellin from the Burgundy region and it is created by adding yeast and white mould to the curd; the yeast helps to develop the mushroomy, earthy rind and the white mould helps develop the creamy, mousse-like palate.”

The Yallingup Cheese Co based at Abbey Vale on Wildwood Road, are now serving this and more from their luscious range of artisan cheeses

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paired with Abbey Vale/Goon Tycoons wines seven days a week.

Pop by between10am and 5pm and inhale a cheese platter and glass of wine, pausing occasionally to gaze at the lake, and then back to the cheese. You can also create your own hamper to take to the beach.

Visit yallingupcheese.com.au

NATURE’S WAY

Hard won wisdom is the best kind and Jodie Lane has spent 21 years working Fair Harvest Farm to find best practice permaculture principles that nature endorses.

At Fair Harvest Farm's tour and lunch, Jodie

Determined to end the suffering of the sacrificial skipper, Augusta locals Melissa and Michael created Tipsy Tours and Transfers to be that sober friend we all wish we had.

They offer an all-inclusive $95 Tipsy Tour, which showcases a changing itinerary of the region's iconic wineries, small producers, artisans and spectacular scenery.

The tour caters to requests and preferences and offers pick-up from all caravan parks in Augusta in a 21-seat bus. Guests can expect a full day of guided tastings from a passionate and well-informed local, a restaurant lunch, and a blemish-free driving record.

An onboard fridge ensures perishable purchases are stored and drinks chilled ready for après tour drinks. Private tours and transfer pick-

SPEEDY DOES IT: Explore the ocean during a Dunsborough Jetski Tour.

up and drop offs can also be arranged anywhere from Augusta to Bunbury. Now that’s a sober friend worth having.

Visit tipsytoursandtransfers.com

INTO THE BLUE

Never been on a jet ski? No problem, says Simon Jones from Dunsborough Jetski Tours. The jet skis are brand new and relatively simple to operate, life jackets are supplied and the payoff is spectacular. Simon says the first weeks of the season have seen whales, dolphins, seals, rays and fish in abundance.

You can choose either a one or two-hour professionally guided tour which hugs the coastline past the township of Dunsborough, stopping at points of interest where the guides talk about the history of the area, its geology and flora and fauna.

Simon or fellow guide Andy Dries will lead and three jet skis are available to take a maximum of six people. Riders need to be 16.

The tour takes in the bays and beaches of Meelup Regional Park including Curtis Bay, Castle Bay, Meelup Beach, Point Picquet, Eagle Bay, Bunker Bay then on to the lighthouse at Cape Natuarliste and a final stop at Quarry Bay. The return trip is a faster run out wide where riders can put the pedal to the metal if they wish.

cabernet, has come together with John and Mark Fogarty to establish the Goon Tycoons range which is already killing it at the wine shows.

Their newly released Teroldego, a Northern Italian native sourced from a single site in the Yallingup subregion, just around the corner from their cellar door at Abbey Vale, is perfect for a summer barbeque or picnic.

“Teroldego is super cool and has been very popular since its release,” says Julian. “We have tried to make it in a fresh, vibrant, crunchy yet approachable style. The winemaking is very simple and it’s basically all about letting the fruit shine,” he adds.

Described as a dark, rich brooding red; it’s ripe, rare (only 126 cases made) and ready to go.

Says Julian: “As it’s a baby (2016 release) and it has Italian exuberance, it’s great to decant prior to serving or just give the bottle a good old fashioned shake to get some air into it."

Visit goontycoons.com.au

Visit dunsboroughjetskitours.com.au

LA DOLCE VITA

As if there aren’t enough reasons to visit Abbey Vale Winery, winemaker Julian Langworthy, fresh from winning the very prestigious 2016 Jimmy Watson trophy with a classic Margaret River margaretriver.com

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Your calendar The best SUMMER events in your Margaret River region FIND THE LATEST EVENT LISTINGS AT MARGARETRIVER.COM/EVENTS

A little night shopping

THINK OF THE Margaret River Night Market as an outdoor

international food hall that draws locals together to savour delicious food. Once per month during summer, about a dozen stalls and food trucks dish up Spanish paella, Chinese dumplings, Italian woodfired pizza, Middle Eastern street food, English pies with mushy peas, South American barbecue, Vietnamese Pho, Indian curries, Roman street food and more. Set in a pretty park, the trees sparkle with lights and the relaxed casual vibe is perfect for the whole family to enjoy. Bring a rug or borrow one provided and tuck in.

THE FAST AND THE FABULOUS

A

ravina’s famous Sports Car Gallery has had an exciting face lift just in time for summer. New arrivals over the upcoming season include a striking phantom purple 1969 HT GTS Monaro, which took home the title of 2014 Monaro Nationals Grand Champion.

For lovers of the golden age of automobiles, there’s a glamourous convertible 1957 Mercedes 190S, a two-door roadster complete with red leather seating. A striking 2008 orange Birkin Lotus 7 shouldn't be missed on a stroll through to the estate’s cellar door. Some pretty serious motorcycles take their place alongside the cars for the first time which are proving to be extremely popular with those who feel the need for speed. Take a wine tasting at the cellar door, a long lunch on the terrace and a browse through some rare beauties in motor history.

Visit aravinaestate.com for opening hours.

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Margaret River Night Markets, Memorial Park, corner of Wilmott Ave and Town View Terrace, Margaret River, 5.30 to 9pm, December 16, January 20, February 17, March 17, April 7, 2017.

Visit worldfoodtwilightmarketsmargaretriver on Facebook.

Treat for the senses

JOIN LIKE-MINDED culture vultures for a unique three-

day festival of music, wine and culinary art featuring The Australian Chamber Orchestra Buy an Icon Ticket ($595 per person) and you’ll have an exclusive pass to the entire 2016 ACO Margaret River Series at Vasse Felix. It'll include admission to the Classical Session on Friday (performance and degustation), Saturday’s Barrique, Baroque (performance and long table dinner) and Sunday Sounds, with a performance and picnic on the final day.

Your Icon Ticket also includes a signed CD featuring a selection of recordings from the ACO, along with a bottle of 2012 Vasse Felix Heytesbury and 2014 Heytesbury Chardonnay. Individual event tickets are also available.

Vasse Felix Sound & Sense, Caves Road & Tom Cullity Drive, Margaret River, from December 9 to 11, 5pm onwards.

Email infor@vassefelix.com.au for more information.

Leeuwin Estate

Restaurant, Cellardoor & Art Gallery Open daily 10am - 5pm & Saturdays for Dinner www.leeuwinestate.com.au margaretriver.com

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CALENDAR

TIME TO STEP UP I

ncorporating the iconic Busselton Jetty, SunSmart IRONMAN Western Australia is renowned worldwide for being the place to go for a personal best, with the bike and run courses among the fastest on the global IRONMAN circuit.

Since its debut on the Australian calendar in 2004 the Sunsmart IRONMAN event has achieved global recognition as a world class sporting event.

The Busselton event has become enormously popular with athletes and spectators alike and is renowned as a

spectacular destination race. A huge amount of the event’s success is due to the high level of support offered by the City of Busselton and its residents.

IRONMAN announced the addition of the IRONMAN 70.3 Western Australia triathlon which will take place concurrently with the SunSmart IRONMAN Western Australia triathlon on December 4, in Busselton.

SunSmart IRONMAN Western Australia 2016, Busselton, December 4 from 8am to 5pm.

BOOK SOME 'ME' TIME

Soul School Monthly Yoga Workshops are open to anyone seeking to expand their understanding of what yoga and life is all about. Suitable for all levels of yoga experience and taking place at a beautifully unique venue just 10 minutes from Margaret River town, these workshops will share ancient philosophy (something often missing from modern yoga classes) that's relevant both on and off the yoga mat.

This workshop is open to anyone seeking to expand their understanding of what yoga and life is all about, including a beautiful candlelit evening at the incredibly unique Willowood Barn.

Soul School Monthly Yoga Workshop, Willowood Barn, 673 Rosa Brook Road, December 21 from 6.30pm.

Email kate@graceorchard.com.au

BACK WITH A BANG AFTER CANCELLING THE 12th annual Southbound event at the start of the year due to devastating fires in the area, Southbound 2016 returns with new dates and a set list designed to thrill.

Get ready to see a HUGE stack of artists at Southbound 2016 including Catfish And The Bottlemen, Hermitude, Ladyhawke, Montaigne, WA’s own Mosquito Coast and San Cisco, as well as Sticky Fingers and The Smith Street Band.

Southbound 2016, Sir Stewart Bovell Park, Busselton, from December 27 to 29. Tickets available from Moshtix, Moshtix Outlets or by calling 1300 438 849.

SETTLERS TAVERN – recently voted WA’s best regional hospitality venue – has some great live gigs coming up over the next few months.

On December 17 catch The Brow with special guest Sam Perry from 9pm (free entry). On New Year’s Eve see 2017 in with music from DJs 43 Cambridge and THJ Video DJ. Join the party from 7.30pm, $25 on the door. On January 20, Crashcreole & The Beehive Go-go Girls will take to the stage from 9pm (free entry). For Australia Day, raise a cold one as guitar-driven, acoustic blues and rootsman Aiden Varro brings his trademark slide guitar offerings to the Settlers Tavern Famous Sunday Session Blues on the Veranda. Entry is free from 3.30 to 6.30pm.

SHELL COLLECTION

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Ph: (08) 9757 6342

Over 200 square meters of colourful and unique display area with shells and corals collected from all around the world. Over 40 000 rare and beautiful specimens on display. Shells and shell craft are available for sale. Rated as one of the best shell displays in the world.

OPEN 9AM-5PM DAILY DURING SCHOOL HOLIDAYS. CLOSED THURSDAYS OUTSIDE OF HOLIDAYS.

ALL THE WORLD’S A STAGE

UNDER THE SETTING sun, Essential Theatre invites you to relax in the grounds of Voyager Estate and join in the delight of Shakespeare’s charming comedy, Much Ado About Nothing. It's the timeless tale of two pairs of lovers - and the people who want them to be together, and the people who try to rip them apart.

Celebrating the milestone of 15 years of Shakespeare in the Vines, it’s fitting that such a popular play will crown the troupe's achievements so far. This program has grown from strength to strength since 2003, ensuring the longevity of an ambitious and entrepreneurial Victorian theatre company. These passionate theatre makers re-interpret the classic texts for modern audiences delivering vibrant and engaging productions. Unmissable.

Shakespeare in the Vines, Voyager Estate, Margaret River, January 6 from 5.30 to 9.30pm.

Email functions@voyagerestate.com.au for ticket information.

WA’S BEST 2016

- REGIONAL HOSPITALITY VENUE - CASUAL PUB DINING AWARD -

Clowning around THE TENTH WESTERN Australian Circus Festival will attract over 90 performers from around the world. It’s a unique blend of world-class circus, comedy, theatre, music and cabaret set in a magical circus environment in the heart of the Margaret River region.

Western Australian Circus Festival, Vansitart Road, Karridale, Margaret River, from January 27 to 29.

In the swim

LIVE AND LOUD

Settlers Tavern 114 Bussell Highway, Margaret River.

Visit settlers.com for more information.

THE BUSSELTON JETTY Swim is a

premier ocean swim around the iconic Busselton Jetty in the south west of Western Australia.

Taking place over two days, the event promises to be packed with entertainment, activities and family-friendly fun. The course is a swim of 3.6 km around the Busselton Jetty and solo and relay teams of two and four are welcome.

Busselton Jetty Swim February 11 (3 to 7.30pm) and 12 (swim takes place on Sunday, 6am to 2.30pm).

GOURMET TRAVELLER WINE HALL OF FAME WINE LIST

BEST LIVE ENTERTAINMENT AHA HALL OF FAME

AMERICAN STYLE BBQ

MEALS 7 DAYS 12 Noon - 8.30pm

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114 BUSSELL HWY MARGARET RIVER

CALENDAR

MINE’S A COLDIE

SAMPLE THE BEST of the south west craft breweries as they

come together for a celebration of the region’s produce, music and, of course, beer. Festival goers can sample the region’s finest brews – from the more traditional pale ales and pilsners to creations like ginger and chocolate beer, while listening to live, local music.

South West Craft Beer Festival, Old Broadwater Farm, 56 New River Ramble, Busselton, (entry via Swamp Hen Lane), February 11.

Calling all X-Men (and Women) Sail away

CLUB MARINE Geographe Bay Raceweek is

WA’s premier yachting regatta and a muchanticipated event among the yachting fraternity.

Competitors, spectators, family and friends get onboard to enjoy the festival atmosphere of the event’s on-water and off-water schedule. Hosted

by Port Geographe Marina in conjunction with the On-Water organising authority, Royal Perth Yacht Club, the event attracts competitors from around the nation and offers a racing schedule suitable for all levels of sailing ability. Hosted on the pristine waters of Geographe Bay in Busselton, the event enjoys some of the best sailing conditions in the world.

Club Marine Geographe Bay Raceweek, Port Geographe Marina, Busselton, from February 11 to 17.

Experience X-Adventure, Australia’s largest off-road triathlon; featuring a spectacular course through the pristine wilderness surrounding Dunsborough. Step up to the challenge by racing solo or team up with your friends to be part of the fun of X-Adventure 2017.

X-Adventure Dunsborough, March 25.

Email info@rapidascent.com.au for information.

A river runs through it�

JOIN IN THE fun during the Augusta River Festival – it’s an event

that provides water and land-based activities and entertainment for the whole family. You’ll find a packed program of events rolling out, including plenty to keep the kids entertained. There are lots of craft and food stalls, displays and amusements, and you’ll find there is something for all ages to enjoy.

On top of all the water-based action, a fantastic line-up of music and entertainment is on offer, and don’t miss out on the fireworks set against the stunning Blackwood River – a truly spectacular display.

Augusta River Festival, 115 Albany Terrace, Augusta, March 5.

Visit augustariverfestival.com for information.

Lest we forget

Pay your respects to the fallen at this poignant service that commemorates the loss of ten sailors from HMAS Nizam.

HMAS Nizam Memorial Service, Leeuwin Road, Augusta, 10am, February 12.

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ESCAPE UNDER THE STARS OF CAPE MENTELLE

MOVIES AT CAPE MENTELLE 80 sunsets, 80 chances to enjoy a movie this Summer.

16th December, 2016 – 9th April, 2017 331 Wallcliffe Rd, Margaret River.

Visit capementelle.com.au for tickets and details.

Movies at Cape Mentelle

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EAT & DRINK

DEER LOVE

By MIA LACY. Images by ELEMENTS MARGARET RIVER.

MARGARET RIVER VENISON IS A TRUE FAMILY AFFAIR PRODUCING DELICIOUS MEAT FROM A PIONEERING FARM IN THE HEART OF THE MARGARET RIVER REGION.

T

here’s velvet under my fingertips. The antlers were cast from a five-year-old red deer. How they came to be here in the retail section of Margaret River Venison is another story.

“I accidently freeze-dried them,” owner Graham Morrison admits with a grin.

This startles me, because what I’m caressing feels anything but frozen. The velvet covering the horns is a silver colour, and feels as soft as silk. They’re quite the talking point in the busy shopfront on Caves Road this morning.

Outside in the car park there’s an eclectic mix of hire cars, 4WDs, a couple of push bikes and two caravans. “We attract quite a lot of caravanners – they love these fallow deer skins for floor mats because they’re warm and soft and ideal for winter. They're popular for prayer mats too!” says Graham.

I’ve already worked out Graham is quite the entrepreneur. He pioneered Western Australia’s

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first commercial deer farm in 1977 and now operates Margaret River Venison together with the next two generations of his family; daughters Kylie and Mandy and granddaughters Stephanie and Jennifer.

After first creating a small successful deer farm (and incidentally a new industry for the state), the Morrisons realised the future of deer in WA needed a wider vision. They purchased land at Donnybrook and established Glen Karaleea, expanding their collection of deer with other wildlife until it became a B Class Zoo. In the mid 1980s, along with 15 investors Graham correctly anticipated the increasing demand for deer products. The company became immersed in a massive operation which involved flying in hundreds of animals in jumbo jets and even building the quarantine station to process their arrival.

Graham bought the current Margaret River

property in 1990 and named it Lake Kitenui, stocking it with red deer and starting his own quality assurance program as there wasn’t one for the deer industry.

Like many success stories, Graham’s passion for deer was ignited by a simple experience. “I read Gold on Four Feet by Ronald Anderson, which was the bible on commercial deer farming. Deer convert feed to body weight 35 per cent more efficiently than anything else on four legs.”

At Margaret River Venison’s farm, not a sinew is wasted. Graham is proud to say the business uses every bit of their highly valuable product. “We sell the rib bones and marrow bones here as dog treats. I have a guy in Sydney who buys the sinews, penises and tails and exports them to Vietnam.”

There’s not a sinew in sight at the immaculate shopfront, where the visitor's experience starts with a tasting plate of small goods.

“This is venison cabana and venison chilli

ROUND THE HORN: The Margaret River Venison farm is a first in the region, creating an entirely new farming industry based on its herd of local red deer.

cheese kransky, and this is venison salami and try this – venison liverwurst!” says Stephanie.

Chorizo is their biggest seller currently, and they’ve expanded the range from venison into dorper lamb, buffalo, crocodile and even a ‘Coat of Arms’ chorizo featuring emu and kangaroo.

Deer biltong is also a leading product.

The caravanners beside me have chosen this as well as liverwurst and two kinds of chorizo.

“That liverwurst will freeze well,” smiles Stephanie. The caravanners order two more.

It’s absolutely delicious and I’m definitely buying some.

As well as venison small goods, sausages and burgers, the shop stocks a huge range of frozen game and non-game meats including quail, goat and rabbit.

The fresh venison range is processed on the farm weekly, and a visit to Graham’s immaculate cold room evidences the paddock-to-plate philosophy he has long embraced.

Customer care extends to after the shop experience and the recipes on Margaret River Venison Farm’s website are designed to support you after your purchases. I’m thinking of trying their osso bucco with chorizo and beans. Or, I could be lazy and buy the ready-to-cook venison ravioli and pick up a classy Margs cabernet sauvignon from outside on Caves Road to accompany the dish. Decisions, decisions . . .

Visit mrvenison.com.au

CELLAR DOOR OPEN 11AM - 4PM 4 9 3 M E T R I C U P R OA D, W I L YA B R U P, WA 6 2 8 0 | P H : + 6 1 8 9 7 5 5 7 5 5 3 F R A S E R G A L L O P E S T A T E . C O M . AU margaretriver.com | SUMMER 2016/17 17

EAT & DRINK

SNAG A

sweet SPOT

Where are the best places to throw another prawn on the barbie? Janine Pittaway has some suggestions.

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s there anything that conjures up an Aussie summer more vividly than a beach BBQ? In the Margaret River region we’re blessed with a multitude of stunning places to cook up a storm with million-dollar views.

Beachside, parkside, riverside, in campsites and national parks, there are so many free gas and electric BBQs to choose from it’s always possible to find a free hotplate to sizzle your snags or fry up a hearty breakfast.

An idyllic summer’s day in the region for me includes a coastal walk or dip in the ocean finished with a cook-up with a view.

The tantalising smell of steaks sizzling on the BBQ are a standard during a summer stroll along our foreshores while the summer sun sets over the ocean.

These free BBQs are often a revelation to international visitors surprised to find out there are no costs involved to cook up a surfer’s big breakfast, family feast or backpacker’s budget dinner. The most popular BBQs are cleaned daily and are generally well respected by those who use them.

City of Busselton Mayor Grant Henley says there’s been a deliberate investment by council to provide locals and visitors with the opportunity to cook a great Aussie barbie in prime locations.

“The City has invested significantly in public facilities and picnic furniture and BBQs have been upgraded in many locations. We offer some of the most iconic picnic spots in the state where the atmosphere is relaxed and the views spectacular.”

He said people were appreciative of the service.

“Our BBQ facilities are very well utilised and people generally tidy up the areas and leave the BBQs in good condition for the next users.”

You’ve probably seen the familiar stainless steel Aussie cultural icons in a couple of locations on your travels but you might be surprised to know that Dunsborough alone has 26 hotplates available on the beach free for the public to use.

In fact the City of Busselton has 56 hotplates spanning the Geographe Bay coastline and around to Yallingup.

My favourite BBQ spots? It’s hard to beat Meelup and Castle Rock beaches, Yallingup Beach, Old Dunsborough, Flinders Bay and Surfer's Point.

With fire restrictions in the region during summertime, camp fires and wood and coal fired BBQs are banned, so using a public BBQs is a perfect solution to having your steak and eating it too.

Here’s to some great outdoor barbies with mates this summer.

Here’s a comprehensive list of the best places to enjoy a BBQ, compiled thanks to the City of Busselton, Shire of Augusta Margaret River and the Department of Parks and Wildlife: BUSSeLTON

YALLINGUP

BEACHSIDE

BEACHSIDE

Spanning the length of the Busselton coastline

Yallingup beachfront

Vasse foreshore

MARGARET RIVER

King Street (near Geographe Bay Yacht Club)

BEACHSIDE

Spinnaker Boulevard

Riflebutts

PARKLAND

Contos campsite

Longlands Park

Point Road campground (access via 4WD only on the edge of the Boranup forest)

Rotary Park (by the river just off Bussell Hwy) Kalgaritch Reserve Old Broadwater Farm Yoganup Park (Marine Tce) Cloisters public open space

DUNSBOROUGH BEACHSIDE Meelup Beach Castle Rock Beach Old Dunsborough Boat Ramp

Surfers Point

Prices start from $350 per night with midweek and winter specials also available.

Rotary Park Chapman Pool, Warner Glen

AUGUSTA BEACHSIDE Flinders Bay

RIVERSIDE Ellis Street Colourpatch foreshore

COWARAMUP

Dunsborough foreshore (at the end of Dunn Bay Road)

Pioneer Park

Bird Crescent (2 hotplates)

We accommodate from 1 bedroom/1 bathroom up to 5 bedroom/5 bathroom holiday houses, many have Spa Baths. With so many houses there is sure to be a holiday house to perfectly suited to anyone.

PARKLAND

Dunsborough South foreshore (Centennial Park)

PARKLAND

egency Beach Club provides the finest in self contained, luxury beachfront accommodation, in Dunsborough. Enjoy the added benefits of resort style facilities including a heated swimming pool, tennis court, and a fully equipped gym. Our holiday houses all offer superb decor, air conditioning, luxury kitchens, laundry facilities, outdoor dining & BBQ areas and balconies. The spacious living areas are equipped with TV’s, DVD and docking/stereo systems and also 10 foxtel channels.

PARKLAND Skate Park Parkwater Oval

77 Gifford Road, Dunsborough WA 6281 Reservations and Enquiries: T +61 8 9759 1117 F +61 8 9759 1990 E enquiry@regencybeachclub.com margaretriver.com www.regencybeachclub.com | SUMMER 2016/17 19

EAT & DRINK Image by SEAN BLOCKSIDGE

If you’ve worked up an appetite along the Cape to Cape or after a look around the lighthouse, the Cape Leeuwin Cafe should be your first port of call.

By TAMARA HUNTER.

L

ong-time Augusta local and recently appointed Cape Leeuwin Café supervisor Lorraine McCarthy’s fervour for food goes back more years than she may care to remember.

At the age of 13, in a not so subtle response to her mother’s inability to cook, she put herself through night school to learn how to do it herself.

“Food has always been my passion,” Lorraine says. “I’ve always worked in the food industry, whether in cafes or managing the Augusta hotel and kitchen, or as their functions manager.”

So when new management took over the Cape Leeuwin Café and began looking for someone to run the business, she couldn’t have been more thrilled to step up.

Not only did she get to indulge her passion for food, but she got to do so in one of WA’s most spectacular spots – Cape Leeuwin, the most south-westerly mainland point of the Australian

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continent and the place where the Southern and Indian oceans meet.

“The outlook is just divine – it’s so beautiful, and different every day,” Lorraine says. “I look forward to coming into work and find myself almost meditating as I ride my little Vespa. I try to keep my eyes on the road but there’s so much happening on the ocean.”

One of the first orders of business when Lorraine started was a menu overhaul. She took care to retain beloved staples such as the café’s giant scones, but was keen to come up with new offerings that made the most of local produce that could be delivered direct to the café’s door.

“I think it’s really important, especially for our little town of Augusta, to showcase what we have,” Lorraine says. “I don’t think a lot of people realise what comes out of here. Apart from the natural beauty and rich history, our fresh local produce is awesome.

Menu mistress: Lorraine McCarthy's passion for serving delicious local food makes popping into Cape Leeuwin Café a must.

“Augusta hasn’t always had as much attention as other parts of the region and I think people are starting to realise that it’s worth driving that little bit further to visit.”

One of the café’s most popular items is the Blackwood River Whiting, served pan fried with garden salad and drizzled with olive oil.

The whiting is delivered to the door by local fisherman Trevor Price, while the olive oil is supplied by Karridale-based Whirlwind Olives and Oil. The jam for the café’s famous scones – served on rustic wine staves – comes straight from The Berry Farm in Rosa Glen, while the fresh cream (and milk for the coffees, teas and other drinks)

comes from Bannister Downs.

“Without being too kitsch, we try and add some novelty to things so people have an experience,” Lorraine says. "It’s important to make it a treat and give them an experience.

Local items used on the menu are also sold from the café, and Lorraine frequently directs happy customers back to the suppliers themselves.

That makes for a win-win for the producers, a number of whom have seen a jump in customers turning up at their door on the back of their café experience.

For instance Trevor Price, a third-generation fisherman who has been plying his trade in the area for half a century, says once upon a time

there wasn’t much of a local market for the fish his family caught – his father and grandfather typically sent their entire catch up to Perth to be sold at the markets.

Even so, he’s never had quite the number of direct customer sales he’s experienced since the revamped lighthouse café added his whiting to the menu several months ago.

“I’ve had people come up here after being down at the café and they’ve bought fish to take home with them because they said it was so nice."

Marika Vajas from Whirlwind Olives, which supplies olive oil, balsamics and dukkha to the café, says the relationship has helped draw attention to the business.

“It’s been really beneficial to be able to showcase our products over at the lighthouse because they do such wonderful things with them,” Marika says.

It’s not just the tourists − or the Cape to Cape walkers who often struggle in, famished − who love Cape Leeuwin Café’s new menu and fresh local produce; locals, too, are popping in regularly to enjoy a quiet cuppa and piece of cake.

“We get the locals come out all the time, which is really pleasing because sometimes people may not like change or think maybe it won’t be as good as before,” Lorraine says.

So far the dozen or so local suppliers – Lorraine plans to add more − include MR Venison Farm’s kangaroo and emu chorizo.

“We’re the only country in the world that eats its coat of arms,” Lorraine says.

“When you tell customers that, you just hear raucous laughter.”

TASTING BAR • WINE LOUNGE • RESTAURANT • ART GALLERY • TOURS Open Daily 10AM - 5PM Caves Road (Cnr Tom Cullity Drive), Cowaramup WA 6284 Phone 9756 5000 Restaurant Reservations 9756 5050

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The cider house rules WE ALL LOVE A GLASS OF CIDER ON A HOT DAY - AND THANKFULLY THERE ARE PLENTY OF PLACES TO ENJOY THIS APPLEY BREW IN THE MARGARET RIVER REGION.

By NORMAN BURNS. Images by ELEMENTS MARGARET RIVER AND JULIAN LELAH.

N

othing quite sums up the term “summer drink” than a sharp, zingy, refreshing glass of cider. And forget about it being a ‘girl’s drink’; guys are also now making a bee-line for this most historic of beverages (when the Romans invaded Britain in 55BC they found the locals were already ‘cider-heads’). So where better than the Margaret River region to try the delights and nuances of craft cider.

Julian Lelah was already onto a winner when he started out his Margaret River Brewery Tour, but when more and more customers began asking about cider he had another brainwave.

Thus Margaret River Cider Tours was born and, says Julian, the area is going cider mad at the moment - and with good reason.

The legendary Bootleg Brewery led the way with the first commercially available cider in the region (I’m sure there were many people making their own in backyards), then the Cheeky Monkey Brewery and Cidery got up and running and now there is at least half a dozen locally-produced craft ciders in Margs and its surrounds.

“Taking people out to breweries I started to get lots of requests from people wanting to swap their beer for cider at certain stops. Over time a lot of partners of beer drinkers started to ask for cider

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to replace the beers at every stop; this just kept growing and growing,” says Julian.

From the west country of the UK to America and France, and pretty much all places in between, cider's a tipple with as many styles and nuances as any alcoholic beverage.

But it’s only in the past five or so years that the Margaret River region's craft breweries, distilleries and even some wineries have started to tap into what is a rapidly growing market.

The region's ciders have a readily available source of some of the best apples in the world (Manjimup and Donnybrook) and these lovingly created brews are a world away from the bland and sugary mega-brands.

Julian says many of the craft breweries/ cideries he takes visitors to have one big advantage over wineries in the region - they are more laid back, many have live music, and this is an irresistible combination for couples or groups wanting to chill out.

There’s another big plus too with cider over beer - it’s the perfect drop for the gluten intolerant.

“I’m getting lots of people who are glutenintolerant wanting to come on a cider tour,” he says.

Cider Australia’s definition of craft cider rests on the origin of the juice; thus Australian craft

cider must be made with 100% Australian grown apples/pears, French craft cider must be made with fruit grown in France and so on.

The best way to educate people on the joys of craft cider is, of course, to get them to try it and Julian’s Margaret River Cider Tour is just the ticket for that.

“Margaret River is going cider mad at the moment and there’s such a fantastic range available to suit every taste down here,” he says.

CIDER COUNTRY

These are some of the craft cider makers leading the way in the Margaret River region.

Visit bushshackbrewery.com.au

CHEEKY MONKEY BREWERY AND CIDERY This funky little operation produces two ciders on tap, a dry apple cider which is made using 20% pear juice and a sweet pear cider - both using fruit sourced from Harvey Fresh. Says Cheeky Monkey managing director Brent Burton: “Cheeky Monkey is the only venue in the Margaret River region to offer two ciders.

We believe the younger generation are seeking a sweet, refreshing option and the older demographic prefer things a bit drier.”

Visit cheekymonkeybrewery.com.au

COLONIAL BREWING COMPANY Colonial Brewing’s new release, Bertie, isn’t made from WA-sourced apples but don’t let that stop you trying a tipple. It’s still a craft cider and Colonial’s ingredient list isn’t anything to do with local apples being not good enough. Explains Colonial brand ambassador Margaret McCarron: “We are growing rapidly and with that we have acquired a brewery on the east coast, at Bertie St Port Melbourne.

Unfortunately the Margaret River brewery is now at capacity, with simply no room for a cider tank. We source cold-pressed and fresh crushed apples from a family orchard in country Victoria and we make the cider in our Port Melbourne facilities.”

Colonial says Bertie (4.6% ABV) is a crisp drop with a low sugar content thanks to the

MARGARET RIVER CIDER CO. With 25 years experience as an award-winning winemaker in the Margaret River region, Mike Lemmes knows what it takes to produce a great drop. Three years ago he turned his skills to cider production, setting up the Margaret River Cider Company. “We would definitely be classified as a boutique producer, currently doing one line - Slingshot Cider,” says Mike.

Slingshot uses Pink Lady and Granny Smith sourced from Manjimup and is available from the Margaret River Hotel, Margaret River Distilling Company and The Goose Restaurant and Bar, although Mike is looking to expand distribution - and produce more styles. He sees a bright future for cider production in the area.

“I believe cider will change as the consumers’ palate evolves, as what happened in the wine industry and with craft beer.”

Fun, Fresh, Local & Delicious

DUNSBOROUGH YALLINGUP

Visit margaretrivercidercompany.com.au

THE BEER FARM No surprise cider is holding its own at the very funky The Beer Farm; with manager George Scott hailing from England. "We love our cider there,” he says. The juice comes from the family owned Sally’s Lane in Manjimup and the punters will be loving it here too.

Says George: “There’s no s--- added; our brewer, Josh manually presses the apples with them (Sally’s Lane). It’s a real collaboration between supplier and producer, that’s for sure.

"We keep most of the pectins and some solids in the juice and the full flavour of the apples through fermentation. This produces a well-balanced (not too sweet, not too dry) cloudy cider.”

BUSSELTON

WY

Down at the rustic Bush Shack Brewery, husband-and-wife craft brewers Danial and Coralie Wind create a fine - and potent at 5.9% ABV - craft cider. The apples, sourced from Donnybrook, are stewed and the brew is served chilled and unfiltered.

Visit colonialbrewingco.com.au

LH

BUSH SHACK BREWERY

Recently awarded Best Boutique Brewery in WA for 2016, our venue is open from 10am to 6pm every day, for good times with family and friends.

SEL

Visit blackbrewingco.com.au

use of Red Gala and Sundowner apples. “True apple cider shouldn’t taste like apple cordial with booze and bubbles - it should taste like Berties Apple Cider,” says Colonial. Hear, hear.

BUS

The snazzy Black Brewing Co is kicking goals with its craft brews but also has a kick-ass cider (on tap only at the moment but expect to see it in bottles by mid-summer). The cider (5% ABV) is sourced from local apples, and made from a mix of Pink Lady (for sweetness) and Granny Smiths (for tartness).

C AVE S R D

BLACK BREWING CO

GRACETOWN

PREVELLY

COWARAMUP

ROSABROOK MARGARET RIVER

Visit beerfarm.com.au FOR MORE INFORMATION

on Margaret River Cider Tours, visit margaretrivercidertours.com or call Julian Lelah on 0458 450 120 or email margaretriverbrewerytours@gmail.com

4259 CAVES ROAD,MARGARET RIVER, WA, 6285 margaretriver.com

PHONE: 97 555 555 | SUMMER 2016/17 23

WWW.CHEEKYMONKEYBREWERY.COM.AU

EAT & DRINK

Cocktail HOUR T

hings are subtly changing in the Margaret River region. While wine is still the tipple for which we’re best known, there’s a quiet revolution taking place with beer and cider, and now spirits and cocktails as well.

The Grove Experience Distillery on Metricup Road, in Wilyabrup is a great place to start a summer cocktail adventure.

Taste a variety of spirits and liqueurs distilled and made on the premises or just go straight to the cocktail menu.

Think whiskey, gin, vodka, American Style Spirit (they’re not allowed to call it Bourbon), Absinthe and Grappola.

The Grove’s liqueur range includes white chocolate, coconut, limoncello, Turkish delight, macadamia nut, coffee, butterscotch or chai – so many cocktail possibilities.

The Grove’s Val Hughes provided Margaret River Magazine with her summer cocktail picks.

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THE GROVE GIN STING

INGREDIENTS 30ml The Grove Gin (awarded Gold at the Melbourne International Spirit Competition in August) 30ml The Grove White Chocolate Liqueur 15ml The Grove Macadamia Liqueur 5ml The Grove Chilli Vodka Pure Local Honey

METHOD Paint a ring of natural honey inside your martini glass (The Grove uses honey from a local beekeeper) Shake remaining ingredients with ice.

Pour and enjoy.

If you love the sound of this cocktail, you can buy the ingredients in a Gin Sting package from The Grove or from thegroveexperience.com.au

Aviation

INGREDIENTS 60ml Gin 30ml Lemon Juice 5 ml Sugar Syrup

METHOD Shake and Double Strain Serve in Martini glass with 10ml Creme de Violette Liquer.

Images by TIM CAMPBELL.

THE GROVE CARIBBEAN BREEZE

INGREDIENTS 10ml The Grove Spiced Rum (winner of Double Gold and Best in Show at the World International Spirits Competition in San Francisco earlier this year) 15ml The Grove Coconut Liqueur 5ml The Grove Apple Schnapps 120ml Pineapple juice

METHOD Rim your glass with coconut.

Shake all ingredients with ice.

Pour and Enjoy.

ARTEZEN IN DUNSBOROUGH is an

institution for delicious breakfasts and lunches but not so well known is its fully-licensed bar, introduced in June last year along with a variety of dinner tapas and specials with matched drinks. They’re serious about their cocktails too. Bar Manager Liv Fast-Chambers knows her spirits and has crafted an exciting and eclectic cocktail menu based on the Prohibition era speakeasies.

Liv has researched and recreated the cocktails of choice for 1920s gangsters and flappers. What we love is the stories that accompany the drinks – Mary Pickford, Bee’s Knees, French 75 and the Corpse Reviver not your usual suspects! Liv is a trained chef so she understands what works together on the palette. She believes it’s not about the umbrellas, it’s about the flavours.

Her summer cocktail recommendation?

Aviation. It has a unique taste thanks to the feature spirit - Crème de Violette. It looks beautiful with an ombré of light violet through to translucent white. Mixed with gin and lemon, it’s fast becoming a favourite amongst Artezen regulars.

Old favourites like mojito, frozen daquiries, negronis, margherita and of course the espresso martini are also on the menu. Tell Liv what spirits you like and she will do the rest. For the blokes, she’s even working on a Mexican beer cocktail, the Michelada.

Artezen owners Ryan and Caroline have plenty happening for summer including a new burger menu and expanding their popular $20 is Plenty offer to Fridays.

Artezen is open for cocktails and dinner Tuesday to Saturday. Visit their Facebook page for updates.

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amaze’n MARGARET RIVER

Summer and ice cream are a match made in heaven and you’ll find some sublime examples of this delicious chilly treat right here in the Margaret River region says Janine Pittaway.

MARGARET RIVER MAZE, GARDENS, MINI GOLF & CAFE

Images by ELEMENTS MARGARET RIVER AND PIETER NAESSENS.

T

he Margaret River region has just the right ingredients for making delicious ice cream and gelato.

We first got a taste for gourmet ice cream in 1992 when Garth Simpson found a rural block near a dairy farm on Commonage Road Dunsborough to make ice cream using his Irish family’s traditional recipe. The now famous Simmo’s Icecreamery was born.

Simmo's started with just 12 flavours and when they introduced some not seen in the standard deli offerings things really kicked off.

Their now well-known mango macadamia, whisky prune, and apple pie put Simmo's on the map.

They’re now producing 5,000 litres of ice cream per week with a hunger-inducing 60 flavours on offer, and the Simpson family’s passion for producing fantastic ice cream hasn’t waned.

The original recipe has been adapted over the years and is now egg-free with only great quality ingredients used. While being interviewed, Garth was tasting Simmo's new summer offering – a vegan-friendly ice cream with a coconut cream base. It’s lower in sugar and fat and will be served with summer fruits.

Simmo's is a place for families to gather after a visit to the beach while the kids wear themselves out on the playground, mini golf or additional summer attractions such as Segways, laser tag and a climbing wall. They’re open seven days a week (closed Christmas Day) from 10am to 5pm.

Driving south down Bussell Highway just after ‘Cow Town’ is the turn off to Millers Ice Cream. You’ll pass herds of dairy cattle before reaching the idyllic farm location.

Paul and Trish Miller are the third generation of dairy farmers on the property. Seeing an

Tel: 08 9758 7439 opportunity to diversify and value-add to their dairy herd, the couple commenced their ice cream adventure in 2010, transporting a neighbouring cottage onto the farm to use as their café to sell homemade ice cream.

Millers’ offering now also includes a retail shop on Margaret River’s main street and delightful milking demonstrations and calf bottle feeding for visitors on Sundays, public holidays and school holidays.

Although called ice cream, Millers’ product is actually more a gelato. The main difference between ice cream and gelato is the fat content.

Ice cream has more than 10 percent fat in its cream and milk and gelato has less than 10 percent and generally uses more milk than cream.

And while we’re talking milk, Millers gets it direct from the source with milk on tap from their dairy herd.

Paul said the business was definitely grass roots. “Our ice creams are literally from cow to cone. We grow the grass, milk the cows and

Giant Hedge Margaret River Maze, 18 Hole Mini Golf and 5 ha Botanical gardens, 4km south of Margaret River More mazes, games and puzzles amongst the gardens | Unusual WA native plants, attracting abundant birds and wildlife | BBQ’s, picnic ground, playground | Amazen café overlooking Amazen gardens and lake for lunches, coffee and cake | Wheelchair accessible paths

9978 Bussell Highway, Margaret River findus@amazenmargaretriver.com.au

www.amazenmargaretriver.com.au

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make the ice cream!”

Millers has more than 75 flavours in their repertoire but serve about 26 at a time, changing with the seasons, but with some staples always available. Summer’s offering will include sorbets and fruit-based ice creams. They specialise in traditional flavours and don’t use any artificial colours or flavours, or nuts.

Millers encourages people to enjoy their beautiful lawns with picnic tables and a kids playground. They are open every day of the year except Christmas Day, Boxing Day and Good Friday, from 10am to 4.30pm.

A visit to Busselton isn’t complete without a stop to Gelato Buonissimo on Queen Street.

Andy and Anita Smith drew on Anita’s Tuscan heritage and bought the long-running gelato store two years ago, giving it a fresh new makeover and adding some beautiful new flavours.

Andy is the gelato maker and sources ingredients from producers around the region and makes their gelato in-store. They have struck up some great relationships with customers like Ross and Patrizia who bring in their fresh purple figs each summer in exchange for coffee!

Flavours change each day but for mouth watering inspiration think bushtucker-inspired

RAINBOW OF FLAVOURS: Simmo's, Millers, Gelato Buonissimo, Two Fat Cows and Gabriel Chocolate offer a kaleidoscope of ice cream colours and tastes for every palate.

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pepperberry and fresh strawberry sorbet, lemon myrtle, roasted wattle seed and pannacotta. Other popular flavours are local wildflower honey, rosemary and orange zest, Madagascan vanilla with kaffir lime leaf, and homemade lemon curd.

Gelato Buonissimo is open Monday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 5.30pm and also serves great coffee, homemade cakes, waffles and pancakes.

The next offering is a reluctant reveal of a local secret in the interests of full transparency.

MOO-TASTIC: Milking demonstrations at Millers Milking Shed, 11am Sundays, long weekends and WA school holidays, or groups by appointment.

GOOD TIMES • LONG LUNCHES • FUNCTIONS

Gabriel Chocolate, on the corner of Caves Road and Quininup Roads Yallingup, makes their own delicious chocolatey homemade gelato.

They don’t do much marketing, but word is out. While Gabriel Myburgh makes the bean to bar chocolate, his wife Ruth is the talent behind the gelato machine.

Ruth said ice cream was now almost as popular as the chocolate.

“Our flavours all feature chocolate - mint choc chip, salted caramel and chocolate ganache, and a basic chocolate gelato.

“We use a lot of chocolate in our gelato and try to keep it as pure as possible.”

A short drive up Caves Road on the corner of Canal Rocks Road is Cape Lavender Tea House. Their most popular seller isn’t cake – it’s lavender ice cream made for them by Millers. Owner Bev Ainsworth said customers love both the taste and colour and it’s the only flavour they serve.

Xscape at the Cape in Quindalup has a new ice cream offering for summer, serving creamy, award-winning ice cream from Two Fat Cows. Made from a farm in Capel, owner Sharon makes everything from scratch – from fruit sauces swirled through her ice cream to praline, and biscuits for cookies and cream.

Take your ice cream experience up a further notch by adding delicious chocolate-covered freeze dried raspberries and strawberries from Temper Temper or Providore’s Sambarino chocolate liquor or a strawberry, passionfruit or raspberry fruit sauce.

Summer is synonymous with; fun in the sun, parties, get togethers, laughter and good times with friends over long lunches or dinners and enjoying the sounds of live music.

Come and experience and enjoy our new and expanded SUMMER MENU.

Happy days.

WEDDINGS • ROMANTIC GETAWAYS

CAVES HOUSE HOTEL is ideally situated in the heart of the famous Margaret River Wine Region, and within walking distance of the famous Yallingup Beach.

The traditional Aboriginal word Yallingup, literally translates to “a Place of Love” making it a perfect location for weddings, honeymoons or romantic getaways.

18 Yallingup Beach Rd, Yallingup Ph: 9750 1888 A/H: 9750 1830 caveshousehotelyallingup.com.au margaretriver.com

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Meals on wheels

FOOD TRUCKS ARE ALL THE RAGE IN HIP CITIES AROUND THE WORLD. IS IT ANY SURPRISE THE TREND IS A BIG HIT DOWN SOUTH TOO?

By DIANNE BORTOLETTO.

T

he Food Truck trend that started a few years ago is here to stay. Now there’s a regular schedule of trucks, trailers and vans that serve affordable tasty food for locals and visitors alike, from healthy breakfast to punchy curries to sweet treats and so much more.

From Busselton to Augusta, the convenience of street food has never been more accessible in the Margaret River region.

THE ACAI CORNER

It was while they were backpacking through South America that Andrew Moyes and Maddie Russell decided to leave corporate life behind forever. Rather than continue travelling through Chile, Boliva, Peru and beyond, they returned to Brazil and spent three months researching for their new business, The Acai Corner food truck, meeting suppliers and spending time in the Amazon with acai farmers.

Pronounced Ah-sigh-ee, The Acai Corner operates from Surfers Point, serving up healthy natural acai bowls blended with banana, mango and coconut water.

Acai is a little purple berry that Brazilians have been enjoying for thousands of years. Touted a superfood, acai contains no sugar and is high in antioxidants, contains essential omegas, all the essential amino acids and nutrients our bodies require, as well as phytonutrients, protein, fibre and it’s low GI. But most importantly, it tastes good, somewhere between a berry and chocolate.

“I love getting people to try something that they have never tried before. Once they try it they

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buy a bowl - acai is one of those things that once you have it, you always want it,” Andrew said.

There are six acai bowls on the menu that include the Detox Bowl ($13) topped with strawberries, goji berries, chia seeds, passionfruit and blueberries, the traditional Brazil Bowl ($12) with banana and homemade granola, or choose from the paleo option of buckini (activated buckwheat). The desert-style Ferrero Rocher ($14) is topped with buckini, cacao nibs, banana and homemade nutella.

The Acai Corner also sells their own coldpressed juices in five flavours, smoothies in five different flavours, cold-brew coffee and raw snacks.

THE ACAI CORNER SURFER'S POINTS

Sunday – Monday 7am - 12pm Tuesday – Wednesday 7am – 3pm Weather dependent – check Facebook and Instagram for updates.

Visit theacaicorner.com.au

MÁ LÀ MARGARET RIVER DUMPLINGS After a six-year stint living in Beijing, chef Letitia Law and her geologist partner Matt Godfrey returned to Margaret River to create Má Là Margaret River Dumplings that dishes up hand crafted northern Chinese style dumplings. Má Là operates from Surfers Point on Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 7am until 3pm and you’ll also find them most Saturday mornings at the

Margaret River Farmers Market.

Everything is handmade including the dumplings' wrappers, which are made from Eden Valley biodynamic flour and the fillings from premium local produce.

“We use The Farmhouse bush-reared Big Red pork, grass fed beef and Arkady lamb, fresh seafood from 34 Degrees Blue and vegetables and herbs from the Garden Basket or the Farmers Market,” says Teesh.

Each Saturday at the Farmers Market, Má Là sells one hundred portions of dumplings, and there are eight dumplings per portion. That’s a lot of rolling, filling, folding and sealing.

The dumplings are poached or pan-fried, steamed and served with an Asian herb salad, the traditional chinkiang black vinegar and the optional super hot homemade chilli oil which is

a combination of chilli Sichuan peppercorns and aromats. The crowd favourite is the pork and cabbage dumplings.

On the food truck menu, other Asian-inspired dishes are available that include Sichuan liang mian, a noodle style salad, niu rou mian (a beef noodle soup) and rou jia mou which is like a Chinese ‘hamburger’, as well as desserts and drinks made by quality local suppliers.

MA LA MARGARET RIVER DUMPLINGS SURFERS POINT

Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 7am - 3pm MARGARET RIVER FARMERS MARKET

Saturday mornings from 8am to noon Visit facebook.com/MaLaDumplings

SPICE ODYSEE Family-run Spice Odysee (top marks for the name, guys) food truck melds Chef Sathish Kumar’s professional training in India and his wife’s Keerthana family recipes to create delicious roadside meals. Menu staples include beef vindaloo, creamy butter chicken, pumpkin and spinach dhal and lamb korma. Look out for nightly specials that take advantage of the seasonal local produce in abundance.

Sathish is proud to use only fresh local produce and is always looking for new ingredients to make his daily specials, such as freshly caught local snapper, goat, prawns or other meats as well as vegetarian options.

“We cook our dishes fresh every day. We don’t use any chemicals, no preservatives and no additives. We make all our own curry pastes – everything we make ourselves,” Satish says.

“Unlike other places, when you buy a lamb korma from us, you get rice and pappadums too – it’s a complete meal.”

From the south of India to the south of Western Australia, continued over /

OPEN EVERYDAY FOR EVERYONE 11am - 5pm ph:08 97553554 |

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EAT & DRINK

RESISTANCE IS USELESS: It's possible to eat your way around the world via the region's burgeoning collection of food trucks.

Try lamb korma one night and acai the next.

Chef Sathish has a long career that includes working all over India, at the Marriott in Singapore, as well as Cullen Wines and Bunker Bay resort before deciding to follow his passion and start Spice Odysee, much to the delight of diners who love authentic Indian food.

SPICE ODYSEE OLD DUNSBOROUGH BOAT RAMP

Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, 5.00pm – 7.30pm BUSSELTON ROTARY PARK

Tuesday to Saturday, 12:00pm - 2:00pm Margaret River Rotary Park Wednesday and Friday, 5.00pm – 7.30pm Visit spiceodysee.com.au

SALENTO CATERING Expert pizzaiolo (pizza maker) Ivan Zecca, his wife Anna and their mobile wood-oven, cook thin, crisp authentic Italian pizza, just like the pizza from their home region in the south of Italy.

At the age of 15, Ivan was already working in one of the best pizzerias in Puglia, the “heel” of the boot of Italy, learning the art of pizzaiolo under the attentive guidance of his master, Franco, known as “the King of pizza”. Ivan worked and attended different pizza-making courses, learning and

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improving the acrobatic pizza techniques.

In 2000 he moved to Northern Italy where he continued working as a pizza maker, always respecting the culinary traditions of his hometown. After stints living on the Canary Island and in Australia, he settled in Western Australia with Anna in 2010. Ivan and Anna managed the pizzeria at a winery in Yallingup for over three years. While working at the winery, they started Salento Catering and their mobile woodfired oven has been serving delicious pizza ever since.

Ivan is a master pizza maker/instructor at Scuola Italiana Pizzaiolo in the Veneto region and consults to others looking to open a pizzeria.

Salento Catering’s pizza is made with simple ingredients and most importantly, a thin and crunchy base that's flavoured with the fresh produce of the traditional Italian menu. I think Salento Catering’s pizza is as good as it gets.

Buon appetito!

SALENTO CATERING MARGARET RIVER ROTARY PARK

Tuesday 4pm – 8pm SURFERS POINT

Thursday 5pm – 8pm until January 31 Visit salentocatering.com.au

RAW LIFE DUNSBOROUGH AND YALLINGUP

Fresh fruit and vegetable juices made to order using locally sourced, organic produce wherever possible.

BURGER BONES

SHED MARKETS, ABBEY

With a permanent food truck parking spot at The Shed Markets in Vasse, you'll find succulent 100% beef patties, homemade smoky barbeque and tomato sauces and locally baked buns.

Thursday and Friday 10am - 6pm Saturday and Sunday 9am - 3pm

THE SHED MARKETS, VASSE

Wednesday and Friday 1pm - 5pm

Thursday 11am - 5pm Friday 11am - 8pm Saturday 10:30am - 3pm Sunday 10:30am - 3pm

COMET KITCHEN

The tastiest burgers, chips and coffee served from a 1961 silver Airstream van.

OLD DUNSBOROUGH

Friday and Saturday 5pm - 7.30pm YALLINGUP SLIPPERY ROCKS BEACH CAR PARK

Thursday and Sunday 5pm - 7.30pm

MEZCAL FOOD TRUCK

Serving tacos, enchiladas, nachos, taquitos, chilli fries and other Mexican delights.

SHED MARKETS, ABBEY

Friday 5.30pm - 7.30pm (during summer) OLD DUNSBOROUGH BEACH

Wednesday 5.30pm - 7.30pm

CHRIS’S SEA TO YOU SEAFOOD Mobile fishmonger.

DUNSBOROUGH BEACH CAR PARK

MARGARET RIVER COMBI COFFEE

Serving coffee out of a converted 1976 Volkswagon Kombi van.

RIVERMOUTH CAR PARK, PREVELLY

Monday to Sunday 6am - 11.30am

HOOKED UP FISH AND CHIPS

An affordable gourmet take on fish and chips as well as grilled fish and salad, fish tacos, fish burger, veggie burger and hand-made potato scallops.

SURFERS POINT

Wednesday to Sunday noon - 8pm

HOT CHILLI WOMAN

Serves nourishing Vietnamese pho, rice

paper rolls and fresh juices.

MARGARET RIVER SKATE, CAR PARK

Wednesday and Thursday 10am - 6pm Sunday 8am - 4pm.

MARGARET RIVER YAKITORI

Indonesian-style chicken, beef and vegetarian yakitori, served with a choice of tasty sauces.

MARGARET RIVER SKATE, CAR PARK

Friday and Saturday 4pm - 8pm.

AUGUSTA MR WICKED’S ICE CREAM Spreading smiles through the south west with ice cream.

FLINDERS BAY

11am - 5pm on weekends, public holidays and school holidays.

BUSSELTON FREE RANGE EGGS BUSSELTON DRIVE

Monday, Thursday and Saturday 9.30am - 1.30pm

PEACE PIZZA

“Timmy” the retro custom-built wood-fired trailer is as attention-drawing as their pizzas.

Try Jamaican-style Bob Marley with beef, orange and thyme.

OTHER

SHED MARKETS, ABBEY

Fridays 5pm - 9pm

Vantastic

OUTLETS

K I D S E AT F R E E • 3 C O U R S E S F O R $ 4 9 • L A R G E G R O U P S A N D F U N C T I O N S W E L C O M E 78 Wallcliffe Road, Margaret River, Western Australia p: (0)8 9757 2633 e: reservations@staymargaretriver.com.au

staymargaretriver.com.au/restaurant margaretriver.com

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EAT & DRINK

Ben Day’s making waves in Aravina’s kitchen in new and exciting ways.

By MAX BREARLEY.

BRAND B N E W D AY

Image by FRANCES ANDRIJICH.

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en Day has ditched the traditional chefs whites.

In black T-shirt, leather-strapped apron and chef’s tweezers in his breast pocket, he’s wearing the uniform of the modern chef.

While he’s 18 months into his tenure at Aravina Estate, Ben is in many ways an old hand.

Cooking since he was 15, he’s 20 years into his career, with his move to Aravina a step up in complexity.

“It’s a different kettle of fish here, but I’m learning a lot about being an executive chef,” he says.

“It hasn’t pulled me away from the pans and cooking though. It’s what I love to do.”

This passion for his craft and relationship with producers has forged his reputation since winning accolades at Knee Deep back in 2013, but Aravina is a different beast.

With its bigger kitchens, staff and budgets, more covers and a growing events roster, Day and his team are kept on their toes. A willingness to seek out experience is what has Ben tipped as one of the region’s future dining stars.

Three years working under Vasse Felix’s journeyman chef Aaron Carr runs deep through Day’s development. While some may see them as competitors there’s due respect given.

“I credit a lot to Az. He’s so casual, lets the guys work and create. It was a really great three years, creating through trial and error, developing my own style. He was a huge influence in my career.”

Chatting to Ben is uncomplicated. He’s unguarded, and with that comes a certain honesty in the telling of his story.

He pinpoints experiences along the way that are clear influences of his direction. A week after finishing his apprenticeship he left WA to head to the UK, spending four years in St Ives on the Cornish coast, a pivotal move for an appreciation of seafood.

“It was all very seafood-driven,” he says.

“Amazing Cornish produce, mackerel boats on the beach and guys bringing lobsters and handdived scallops to the kitchen door.”

It’s a passion that has continued, with Ben sourcing seafood from between the capes where possible.

He’s launched Aravina’s new menu has

been inspired by his collaboration with chief winemaker Ryan Aggiss as well as a field trip to London that fired the creative process.

Spending time at The Clove Club, in London, Ben had the opportunity to immerse himself in an environment unlike any in WA or in fact Australia as a whole.

“I did eight days solid, going for it, down in the dungeons of The Clove Club,” he laughs. “It was epic. A different level.”

There he was just another stagiaire (a chef working for experience, not money).

“I’ve always thought it imperative to develop,” he says. “As a head chef you’re stuck in your way

of doing things. I wanted to go there, get the crap jobs, get yelled at, and just learn. It develops how you cook.”

The trip, funded by Aravina, is part of a the innovative wine estate's commitment to reach far and wide for inspiration. Between shifts at The Clove Club and hitting London’s up-and-coming restaurants, Ben started to develop a new menu.

It all came together back on the ground in Yallingup, bouncing ideas off Aggiss, an old friend who only recently became part of the Aravina team.

“Having someone like Ryan who’s up there in the winery, dropping in and talking about wine is great,” he says.

“He’s so passionate about it and what he does.

Like chefs are with new ingredients.”

A strong partnership between the pair is key to a coherent Aravina experience.

“When there’s a new season on the horizon it’s all about what we can cook, as the season changes and what the wines will taste like in spring. Ryan’s been a massive influence on this menu.”

Ben pulls on Aggiss’ opinion on what works, and the varietals to showcase. While the Aravina range includes chardonnay and cabernet, Vermentino is one of their standout stars; perfectly paired with the flavours you’d associate with its Sardinian heritage.

“We’ve got a tight relationship and that breeds lots of ideas.” Ben says. “Cruising around the vineyard and getting Ryan’s perception on taste gives me a million ideas. It’s like going to a farm and seeing what the ducks are grazing on: wild herbs and weeds.

“It fires the imagination and you get the idea for a dish.”

It’s just like having your own chauffeur Our professional drivers have access to wineries and memories that you may find difficult to discover for yourself.

Yes we will drive you, in your own vehicle, to a selection of vineyards in the greater Margaret River region. We pick up anywhere from Margaret River to Busselton including Dunsborough, Yallingup and Eagle Bay. It's a win, win situation.

You get the convenience, privacy and economy of using your own car, without the responsibility of navigating and driving.

Ph 9780 5911 • M 0417 952 534 www.inspiredwinetours.com.au margaretriver.com

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PACK UP A PICNIC

EAT & DRINK

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You’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to putting together lunch alfresco - here’s our pick of the best producers around to pack your hamper full of local goodies.

By SARINA LEWIS AND GABI MILLS.

GARDENS OF DELIGHT

WHERE: Aravina Cucina, Aravina Estate,

61 Thornton Road, Yallingup. Call 08 9750 1111.

VISIT: aravinaestate.com

A strong vision for marrying class and elegance with the stunning natural country of the south west region is behind owner Hayley Tobin’s creation of Aravina Cucina range, Aravina Estate’s gourmet food products. The colourful Mediterranean-style branding practically demands you pick up as many jars and bottles as you can carry. Sold through the cellar door since 2015, the Aravina Cucina concept is designed to pay respects to the region’s local farmers and growers, which makes this estate the perfect spot to pop past in order to put together your own unique wine region picnic if you’re keen to explore the northern part of the region. Get an edible snapshot of Yallingup and surrounds – as well as the flavours of

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Aravina’s own kitchen garden and orchard – with the vibrantly branded relishes (the tomato and chilli jam is a favourite), delicately infused olive oils and vinegars, dukkah and a shiraz quince paste that is delectable munched with a ripe Yallingup St Julian’s cheese. That you’re already at the vineyard means matching a wine to go with your goodies should be as easy as, well, putting together that VIP gourmet picnic.

TALLY HO, GINGER

WHERE: Blue Ginger Fine Foods, 31 Station Road,

Margaret River. Call 08 9758 7619 for takeaways.

VISIT: bluegingerfinefoods.com

It’s the go-to spot for local luxury food goods and exotic treats with a cheese and charcuterie cabinet that’s the focus of lustful food lovers from Margs to Melbourne. Needless to say, a DIY picnic takes on epic proportions at Blue Ginger Fine Foods.

Run by locals, support for local food producers is a feature, so expect free-range hams from Farm Shop, nitrate-free hams from nearby Jindong and a selection of small goods from the Venison Farm. Harvey and Cambray local cheeses are a feature, but a strong European contingent adds a bit of cosmopolitan interest, particularly for lovers of oozy French triple creams or strong English and Italian blues. Mel, the in-house chef, prepares a range of dips, pates and Middle Eastern-inspired salads. If DIY is not your thing, Blue Ginger will also prepare picnics to order with a day’s notice.

FARM FRESH

WHERE: Eagle Bay Olives,

521 Cape Naturaliste Road, Eagle Bay. Call 08 9755 3188 VISIT: eaglebayolives.com.au Love olives? Then you’ll adore Eagle Bay Olives, a whimsical little farm shop on the Cape Naturaliste Road just north of Dunsborough. The timber homestead-style store pops with olive-based produce planted, tended and picked on the familyowned grove of 1,200 olive trees. Planted in 1998, the farm has been producing oil since 2002 from five of the seven different types of olives grown.

A love of food and quality produce propelled the family to expand their offering to encompass more than just oils: from black and green table olives to pestos, tapenades, dukkah, dressings and seasonal jams. Bringing in other local products – Yallingup Woodfired bread included – means prepared picnic baskets have become something of a high point. Pulled together on the spot with

little or no notice, all you need to do is borrow a blanket, pick a shady spot and unpack a box of fresh-made bread, dips, oil, dukkah, chutneys and those beautiful fresh olives.

HAMPERS WITH STYLE

WHERE: Mealup Everyday Gourmet,

Shop 3 Bay View Centro, 25-27 Dunn Bay Road, Dunsborough.

Call 08 9755 3411.

VISIT: mealup.com.au Something of a hamper specialist, the team at Mealup offers the kind of sophisticated, fresh food that makes it ideal for packing up as a

touring lunch of the nearby area’s wineries.

Hampers are made up to price points, including a selection of housemade finger foods – perhaps risotto cakes, Italian-style meatballs or a springfresh vegetable frittata – alongside the café’s own marinated olives, Pemberton-smoked trout dip, Yallingup woodfired bread, a great local chorizo and grassy regional olive oils. Fresh-baked pastries are a great sweet nibble. Experience working with high-end accommodation specialists such as the Yallingup Luxury Retreat and Chandelier’s to provide dinner, lunch or wine tasting hampers means the team at Mealup is well-versed in combining gourmet with five-star food-to-go. continued over /

A warm reception is just the beginning..

Wyndham Resort & Spa Dunsborough Toll Free: 1800 200 007 dunsborough.reservations@wyn.com www.wyndhamAP.com Non-Club apartments subject to availibility

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EAT & DRINK

Don't miss ...

Seek out these delicious treats for the ultimate Margaret River region hamper experience MARGARET RIVER DRIED GRAPES

Organic little nuggets of yum created by a husband and wife team from a farm in Jindong (Vasse). The perfect (and unusual) addition to a local cheese plate.

Email janelle.leiper@bigpond.com

MARGARET RIVER CRACKER CO

With all that cheese you’ll need a cracker or two so choose the local variety. Margaret River Cracker Co crackers are handcrafted right here in the region, and the team use local herbs, olive oils, garlic and truffles to create a biscuit with aromas and flavours unlike any other. Try the roasted garlic and fresh rosemary or blue cheese and Manjimup truffle varieties #OMG. Email info@margaretrivercrackers.com.au

CAPE MENTELLE

Pick up a bottle or two of this award-winning winery’s sauvignon blanc semillion 2015 and you’ll be set for a sublime afternoon (especially if you’ve got some of that Black Label brie on the go too). The winemaker has preserved plenty of fruit intensity and regional character in this straw-coloured drop while still maintaining a full flavoured, distinctive white wine.

Visit capementelle.com.au

ALKOMY KOMBUCHA

If you’re the skipper during a picnic, why not try a glass of cold Alkmoy Kombucha, served in a champagne glass. Created in Augusta where two oceans meet and the air and rainwater are at their purest, Alkomy is lovingly hand-crafted in a space nestled in the karri forest. Each batch is made with the finest raw ingredients and then it’s quietly fermented the traditional way. It’s a unique, premium and living drink - refreshing and cleansing. Try the Rosehip and Hibiscus for a delicious summery, non-alcoholic alternative to rose.

Visit alkomy.com.au

THE FARM HOUSE FREE RANGE MEATS

Head to McHenry Hohnen Vintners, Margaret River's Farmers' Market, Blue Ginger or The Larder to pick up some of the mouthwatering Arkady Lamb and Big Red Pork produced by this artisan butchery and smokehouse. Proprietor and general manager David Hohnen is best known as a winemaker and he uses those same skills in the preparation of herbs and spices for the specialty fresh sausages, smoked sausage and fresh honey brines for cured and smoked products. Favoured by some of the region’s finest restaurants, you are guaranteed meats with fantastic flavours from humane sources - Farm House Big Red pigs are as close as you get to wild pigs.

Visit thefarmhousemr.com.au

YALLINGUP WOODFIRED BREAD

Don’t - whatever you do - miss the opportunity to add a loaf of this beautiful traditional woodfired bread to your hamper.

Certified biodynamic it’s quite simply one of the most delicious breads you’ll ever try. It’s baked fresh every afternoon in ovens built from organic stones and available from their own bakery and other outlets.

If you want to put together a hamper of epically great proportions, all in one go, then it’s a no-brainer. Head to the Margaret River Farmers’ Market. You’ll find many of the producers listed above offering their wares there plus many, many others. There’s chocolate, eggs, meats, herbs, cheese, fruit and veg, wholefoods and preserves. Shop to the backbeat of local musicians and thank your lucky stars that such a fabulous collective of talented food producers turn out every Saturday, just for you in Yallingup and Margaret River.

Margaret River Farmers' Market, open every Saturday from 8am to noon. Visit margaretiver.com/member/ yallingupwoodfired-bread.

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BLESSED ARE THE CHEESEMAKERS

WHERE: Margaret River Dairy Company, 8063 Bussell Highway, Metricup.

Call 08 9750 6600.

VISIT: margaretriverdairy.com.au

Lovers of cheese look out – for a classic cheese and wine picnic there is no going past the Margaret River Dairy Company. Positioned just a few kilometres before the Margaret River township, the dairy specialises in hand production of delicious soft cheeses that’ll give their European rivals a run for their money in the taste stakes.

From the Black Label Double Cream Camembert that’s rich and ripe, to a milder classic Camembert with a pale yellow centre and the cheese’s signature nutty flavour with mushroom overtones, you're in for a treat. Made from Margaret River milk, the cheeses are surface ripened to produce a bloomy white rind that covers the cheese and matures with time. Established in 1966 by a group of relocated, formerly Perth-based Italian artisan cheese makers, local knowledge means the dairy is ideally suited to recommend local wine matches. Sounds like a sunset picnic made in heaven.

RAID THE LARDER

WHERE: The Larder, 2/99 Bussell Highway, Margaret River. Call 08 9758 8990.

VISIT: larder.biz

GLASS HALF FULL: For a non-alcoholic refresher, try Alkomy Kombucha for a change. Left, David Hohnen of McHenry Hohnen Vintners produces mouthwatering speciality sausages from Arkady Lamb and Big Red Pork.

Known for her stint on MasterChef and incredible talents in the kitchen, Siobhan Halse of The Larder is a dedicated picnic devotee. As such, she knows how to put together the kind of spread that turns the idea of an outdoor nibble into a five-star experience. Packed with local produce and artisan products from far and wide, The Larder’s calico black picnic bags are a veritable feast of Margaret River Venison Farm chorizos, Cambray and Yallingup cheeses and Holy Smoke pates. A few rolls thrown in from the Margaret River Woodfired Bakery work a treat broken and double-dipped in Siobhan’s two signature dishes – hummus and the pistachio and hazelnut dukkah. Wine aficionados can request inclusion of a local bottle, sourced by The Larder. Picnic hamper sizes are flexible, and housemade dishes – think mushroom and goat's cheese risotto balls – can be made to order to increase food volume. Expect to see many of those signature bags at this year’s Leeuwin concert, clasped tightly by those in the know.

Visit margaretriver.com/produce to see more fantastic regional produce.

Your holiday starts now.

If you’re really looking to unwind on your next holiday, leave your car at home and choose Transwa. With someone else doing the driving for you, you can use your journey to relax, take in the scenery, immerse yourself in a book or watch one of your favourite movies.

Our trains and road coaches are spacious, airconditioned and fully accessible and service more than 240 locations throughout regional WA. The Australind train is stocked with your favourite snacks and beverages and our new road coaches have USB charging points and on board entertainment. We travel between Margaret River and Perth 12 times a week and offer a variety of concession discounts.

To book your next holiday, or to see where Transwa can take you, call 1300 662 205 or visit transwa.wa.gov.au margaretriver.com

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EAT & DRINK

When in the Margaret River region, don’t miss the chance to dine within sight of the ocean you’ll create memories that’ll last forever, says Mia Lacy.

Drink in the Views “LET’S GO SOMEWHERE with a view of the

ocean and drink lunch!’

Jane Fonda gets to say this in the movie Monster-in-Law and it’s one of a handful of my wistful ‘oh, I wish I’d written that!’ line moments.

Dining with ocean views evokes a mood many of us have been lucky to experience and most of us want to capture again. Happily, the Margaret River region is blessed with an abundance of gorgeous coastline and dining locations that inspire. Reading a menu with your sunglasses on (because of that glare from the breakers, y’know) is just so indulgent somehow. Here’s a go-to guide for the current faves around the coast – but do recommend any of your own you think of via our social media.

BUNKERS BEACH CAFÉ It would be quite the challenge to get closer to the Indian Ocean breakers than this beachfront favourite. And when the menu and service match the views like they do here, it’s very hard to go past Bunkers Beach Café. Many people don’t, and reservations are highly recommended if you want to experience what many locals consider the top spot for a date, a family lunch, a wedding, a party or anything.

A wheelchair glides into the adjacent table, reminding me this front row view is available to everyone. You’ll be asked if you would like to be seated indoors or outdoors (both have beach views). This location is absolute beachfront and

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faces north. There’s a great boardwalk that runs beside the café across the sand to the beach. This is a multi-award winning venue, and the wine list and menu reflect the collective care and evident experience of those in charge.

Chef Jason Davenport is loving the menu options the amazing fresh produce of Margaret River offers. “We’re about combining flavours, contemporary methods, but the key is regional local produce. It’s the free range pork for our pork belly and our breakfast bacon, and just grown heirloom and baby carrots. You can turn a humble cauliflower into the king of vegetables!”

After trying the spiced roasted cauliflower with a crisp and citrusy Millbrook vermentino 2014, I totally agree. Jason’s British heritage appears briefly when I ask him about the Bunker Beach Café service philosophy. “Treat every guest as though they are someone you love – or the Queen!’ he grins. Top tip: boat moorings are available by request – please call ahead.

OTHER SIDE OF THE MOON If you like your ocean views with a touch of the dramatic, this will match your expectations.

This ocean view restaurant is located at Pullman Bunker Bay Resort. It’s named after one of the famous surf breaks nearby, and the design of the resort and the restaurant is very much in harmony with the natural surroundings. The restaurant’s alfresco terrace is its hero and its heart. Come at the right time – September or

October – and the whales will too.

There’s a stylish, Mediterranean vibe about the place. From our seat, we look out over young olive trees to the Bunker Bay ocean vista beyond. The menu is a gourmet ode to sustainable local produce from Australia’s south west. Depending on the season, highlights include marron and line-caught fish, locally sourced beef and pork, olive oil, cheeses, and Manjimup truffles. The Pullman also has thoughtfully presented an alternative small plates menu, Tapestry by Pullman, which is available at the adjacent ocean view bar. No doubt Jane Fonda would start lunch here with a cocktail.

WISE VINEYARD RESTAURANT When we moved to WA, a couple of new friends recommended stopping at Wise Vineyard, saying it makes a great first impression of the surrounding region. Now, when we have visitors, we often stop for lunch there. It has the perfect balance of elegance and modern – indoor and outdoor tables, wisteria entwined vines, surrounding bushland and a glittering sea.

The menu is thoughtfully designed, with little bites to accompany a journey through Wise’s delightful wines or more comprehensive fare for a lingering lunch of Harvey beef, lamb ragu or Wise’s popular American BBQ of hot wang rub chicken, charred corn, chipotle butter and Alabama white sauce. Best of all, there’s no need to wait till lunchtime to visit – the restaurant is open daily for breakfast too, and on Friday and Saturday nights they extend to dinner service.

THE SEA GARDEN CAFÉ & BEACH BAR If there’s a mantra for this establishment, it’s simple things done well. Many locals firmly believe this is the best place to watch the sunset, accompanied by a pizza and a beverage in true Margs style! The fence made of old surf boards sets up the vibe for this chilled beachy café.

Lounging on the covered verandah looking over to the glittering sea is inspiring and their friendly service and reasonably priced menu and wine list win many friends. The café opens promptly at 7am so if you’re a beach lover or a surfer, head here for your first caffeine fix.

THE GOOSE BEACH BAR + KITCHEN Overlooking Busselton Jetty, the absolute beachfront Goose is a Busselton classic and has been a fixture for ocean dining for more than 16 years. This place is open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner and, with an extensive list of local wines by the glass and a large selection of craft beers and ciders, Jane Fonda and her entourage would absolutely love the Goose experience. Pop in for coffee and cake, or extend to a leisurely lunch, or bring the gang to sundowners and roll into dinner. Best social food recommendation: the charcuterie platter with chicken liver parfait, cheese, prosciutto and cornichons served with a toasted bun, crackers and little bread rounds.

THE DECK MARINA BAR & RESTAURANT The Deck is an airy, glass-fronted space overlooking the waters of the Port Geographe marina offering shared plates, seafood and good honest pub grub. Open from 9.30am for coffee, lunch and dinner, The Deck starts early for breakky on Sundays which is also when they have live music from 1pm. An excellent choice for a sundowner would have to be a bucket of crispy fried chicken wings with Tex Mex ring burner sauce washed down with a local cider.

If you’re a parmy fan, then head there on a Wednesday for Parmageddon (chicken schnitzel with a choice of five toppings).

CAPE LEEUWIN CAFÉ As you’d expect from a lighthouse venue, this one does indeed have a spectacular ocean aspect. The views from the big picture windows here are majestic, and after working up an appetite by taking the 176 steps to the top to admire the views from the tallest lighthouse on mainland Australia, chillaxing in the café is highly recommended. Open for breakfast and lunch, the café serves excellent coffee and the Devonshire teas are not to be missed.

SENSATIONS CAFÉ This quiet, cosy café overlooks the water and is away from the bustle of Busselton at Freycinet Drive, Geographe, beside the canals. Open daily for breakfast and lunch, it specialises in homemade cakes and slices and fabulous coffee. We tucked into the café’s gourmet burgers for lunch with a crisp, local SSB (BYO licence here). The service is consistently good and the café offers a seniors menu, which is much appreciated - and patronised – by their local supporters.

MARGARET RIVER BURGER BAR If you believe that burgers taste better on the beach then don’t go past the food truck at Surfer’s Point, Prevelly. Chicken, beef, vege or wagyu, these are served up with super fresh salads and the best views in Margs. #DoYourselfAFavour and just go there - you won't be disappointed.

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EAT & DRINK

The place to be seen thisSummer OPEN DAILY 10am to 5pm

FREE WINE TASTINGS

RESTAURANT

CELLAR DOOR

WEDDINGS

61 Thornton Road (corner Wildwood Road), Yallingup, Western Australia T: 08 9750 1111 www.aravinaestate.com 42

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MARGARET RIVER’S PREMIER FOOD & WINE DESTINATION

EVENTS

SPORTS CAR GALLERY

AWARD WINNING WINES 7 DAYS A WEEK FOR LUNCH 30 YEAR OLD VINES margaretriver.com

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WEDDING SPECIAL

A day to remembe�

Choosing Aravina Estate as the place you say 'I do' may very well be the best decision you make for your big day.

T

he stunning Yallingup locality in the northern end of the Margaret River region is full of undulating hillsides, lush forests and vineyards overflowing with abundant foliage.

Nowhere more perfectly captures the beauty of this part of the world than Aravina Estate, a leading wedding destination in the south west for brides that are looking to realise their dream wedding day and create memories to last a lifetime.

In fact, the word “Yallingup” is an Aboriginal word meaning “place of love” – so what better place to start a life journey as husband and wife?

Planning a destination wedding can be stressful for the bride and groom with so many variables to consider.

The ceremony. Reception. Food. Drinks.

Celebrant. Photographs. Transport from the ceremony to the reception. THE dress. Flowers.

Music . . . and let's not even think about back- up plans if the weather should turn nasty.

Aravina Estate can provide a whole service seamlessly from ceremony through to reception alongside stunning photograph locations, award-winning wines and personalised menus.

With a dedicated wedding co-ordinator, brides have peace of mind knowing there is a guiding hand with a depth of experience and full support starting at the earliest stages of planning.

Bride Nerene held her wedding at the estate in autumn.

“It put us at ease and we had a stress free leadup to our big day due to the Aravina wedding team,” she said. “Everything ran perfectly and seamlessly.”

The moment you arrive at Aravina, there’s no doubt that a special occasion is just around the corner. Travelling along the stunning driveway, the 28-hectares of vineyard give way to the iconic Hamptons’ style estate at the centre of the property.

Surrounded by manicured lawns and the gardens filled with those famous hydrangeas, a purpose-built wedding arbour awaits the bride with her husband-to-be in eager anticipation of her arrival.

The peaceful surrounds and lakeside tranquillity must definitely come in handy to calm nerves at this point. Oh, and the fact that there is an abundant supply of wine nearby from the estate's own vines.

One of the trickiest moments to negotiate continued over /

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IT'S A BEAUTIFUL DAY: Getting married at Aravina Estate provides the perfect backdrop for some incredible photographic opportunities.

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during a wedding day is that time between ceremony and reception. Guests are either left to their own devices while photographs are being taken, or the need to transport them to the reception venue becomes an issue.

While the couple continue their afternoon with photographs taken in a range of surrounds on the spectacular estate, Aravina has a hardto-match solution. A deck extending from the function room overlooks the undulating vines and the sun glistening off the lake. Guests are looked after in style with canapés and champagne cocktails while watching the sunset, and the night's celebrations begin.

Canapés are the perfect start to a wedding feast, and of course one of the most important pieces in the puzzle of planning a wedding is deciding on a menu and catering requirements.

Yet again, Aravina takes the stress out of this consideration with tailored options for all budgets and dietary requirements.

Additionally, the estate is the only wedding venue in the south west with a function room

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separate to the restaurant and its own dedicated weddings and events team of chefs in the kitchen.

Under the helm of head chef Ben Day, the menu is driven by local produce with a strong emphasis on seasonality. Bespoke options are always available for even the fussiest of palates – grown-ups and children alike.

Late night snacks such as sliders go down a treat once guests have worked up an appetite again on the dance floor. Rave reviews about the menu at Aravina are not uncommon – a recent bride commented: “Our gratitude goes to Ben and his team. The food was sensational!!!! Everyone is still raving about it.”

The events room itself is a talking point for many, well after the evening has ended.

Illuminated by four sparkling chandeliers, with a mirror-lined entrance, fully stocked bar supporting local breweries and distilleries along with complete AV facilities, it's unlike any other winery wedding destination in Western Australia.

There are plenty of wonderful and talented

Aravina's attention to detail is second to none. The food was amazing and the service was of a very high class. From the beginning of the Aravina experience with support and advice right through to leaving at the end of the night when all had come to an end was remarkable.

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DID YOU KNOW…

suppliers throughout the south west and Aravina’s team works closely with them on a regular basis to ensure that the happy couple's perfect day is fulfilled.

A wedding day to remember is all about the little touches – a handmade sign, a personalised invitation, a moment to remember on the dancefloor. It's these small touches as much as the grand elegance of Aravina that makes it such a special location to tie the knot. The owners built the function room for their own wedding three years ago and one of the more thoughtful additions was a luxurious and peaceful bridal suite attached to the main room.

It's the perfect spot to calm pre-wedding nerves and to escape to for a quiet moment of reflection during the joyful celebration as the evening continues.

The estate is open year round and when not hosting weddings it is busy as a vineyard creating award winning wines alongside stunning long lunches on the restaurant terrace.

Aravina’s wow factor Famous for its garden blooms and perfectly manicured lawns for ceremonies, Aravina’s hydrangeas are well over 25 years old. Head gardener Michael Stergiou has a secret tip – the colour of the blooms can be changed with what you pop in the soil. Eggshells for blue, coffee granules for pink. Who knew flowers could be so picky with their food?

••• The estate has had some pretty amazing arrivals – horse and carriage, limousines, vintage cars. The most breathtaking would have to be a surprise arrival by the bride by helicopter on the estates on landing pad right behind the wedding arbour.

••• With a separate function room, Aravina is the premier wedding destination in the south west, holding over 55 weddings a season.

••• Peak season runs from September to May. ••• With the option to expand into the neighbouring car gallery, the function room can cater for weddings with up to 300 guests.

Equally intimate celebrations of 50 or more guests are catered for just as wonderfully with the experienced wedding team adept at styling weddings of all sizes.

••• The kitchen goes through a staggering 60kg of fish, 100kg of meat and 30kg butter each week in the kitchen for hungry wedding guests and restaurant diners alike.

••• The function and event room was quite literally built from love. Owners Steve and Hayley Tobin designed and created the space for their own dream wedding three years ago and it continues to make dreams come true for brides and grooms each wedding season.

••• Visit aravinaestate.com for information.

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P

etal-strewn proposals and rose arbour backdrops no longer cut it in the arena of modern-day proposals and post-ceremony wedding photoshoots. Today’s couples like a side of ‘wow’ with their wedding, and businesses in the south west are rising to meet demand.

“We lay the ‘marry me’ sign out in the landing area, because it’s impossible to see a rolled out flag in freefall,” explains Skydive Geronimo’s Amy Stutt, as if proposing while leaping from a plane with a parachute is something lovedup couples do every day. According to Amy it happens frequently enough that her business (based between Busselton and Rottnest Island) is growing its proposal arm with a range of options for would-be grooms and brides.

“We do have a set proposal package,” Amy says, the details of which include that

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Taking the plunge

aforementioned banner, a full edited video of everything from the fall to the question-popping moment when both halves of the couple get to ground. Timing is also critical, and at this both Amy and her employees are well practiced: getting the proposer to the ground two or three minutes before the proposee to ensure there’s time to drop the 'chute, grab the ring and calm those nerves.

“It’s a good option for somebody looking for something different,” Amy says, her tone void of irony. “It’s such a memorable experience anyway, people feel they have achieved something together – for somebody adventurous it’s a good way to begin a life together.”

Too radical? There’s always a helicopter.

“I had a secret meeting at the back of the Margaret River Bookshop this week,” says Scenic

S AY I N G ' I D O ' I S J U S T T H E B E G I N N I N G O F YO U R A DV E N T U R E T O G E T H E R - S O W H Y N OT S TA R T YO U R M A R R I E D J O U R N E Y O F F I N S T Y L E , S AY S S A R I N A L E W I S .

Image by LIFE PHOTOGRAPHY.

Helicopter’s Jackson Mcleod, “The guy has always had it in his mind that he wanted to do a different type of proposal, so we’ve organised to fly him and his girlfriend in to Conto’s beach to pop the question.”

But perhaps more common for Jackson is the wedding day photography package: just the photographer, the bride and the groom whisked off postceremony and pre-reception for an hour’s worth of shooting in the kind of hard-to-get-to outdoor location that ensures wedding album gold.

“Just having the access to that helicopter means that couples can get to really beautiful and private locations,” he explains, noting that some couples are even getting into the groove of using the helicopter as an arrival vehicle (limo be damned). Like the bride who is organising to fly in on Jackson’s helicopter to her wedding ceremony down by the Margaret River “because she didn’t want to have to walk through the forest in her dress”.

Now that’s class.

Publisher of Coast to Country Weddings, Nicole Liedermoy, has a small smile upon hearing that story. As one who has spent eight years keeping on top of new wedding trends for her southwest region wedding directory, Nicole is well up to date with the new call for wild opulence that modern continued over / margaretriver.com

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brides are taking up.

“Australian brides tend to look toward what’s happening in America and then picking up on those trends, and right now that means a serious eye toward the glamorous and uber stylish outdoor, long table feast experience,” she explains. “And in this region we are so lucky because we’ve got all of that covered – from beautiful venues and incredible beaches to caves and wild forest experiences.”

With her encyclopaedic knowledge, Nicole is quick to zero in on the venues that offer this point of difference: from Aravina with its luxurious Hamptons-style feel, to the beach wedding possibility of Bunkers Beach Cafe and the stunning Lake Cave Events Deck, suspended

over an extraordinary open cavern, set among ancient karri trees.

Unsure how to style it? “I think one of the aspects I’m most proud of is the real life weddings section on our website that showcases real weddings in all of these different locations from start to finish, with anywhere from 25 to 50 photos per wedding,” Nicole offers.

With concepts like these, unique weddings are assured.

HIGH ON LIFE: Celebrate your big day above the clouds with a ride aboard a Scenic Helicopter flight.

Contact the local visitor centres or email groupbookings@margaretriver.com for a free group booking service and friendly local advice on planning a wedding in the region. Visit mrbg.com.au and coasttocountryweddings.com.au

Image by LIFE PHOTOGRAPHY.

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Beachside bliss

Choose Pullman Bunker Bay for your special day - it offers the perfect one-stop destination for a seaside wedding.

ENJOY THE ULTIMATE OLIVE OIL EXPERIENCE

SOAPS | GOURMET FOOD | SKIN CARE | WORKSHOPS

NESTLED ON THE white sands and tranquil waters of Bunker Bay and set among 30 acres of beautifully landscaped native gardens, Pullman Resort offers one complete venue for beautiful beach or garden ceremonies, inspired wedding photography, a flawless reception and magical honeymoons.

Elegant indoor and outdoor venues combine with breathtaking scenery, world class resort facilities and five-star accommodation to guarantee that your wedding celebration will be one to remember.

From intimate gatherings to grand affairs of up to 300 guests, cocktail or seated, the variety of function room and marquee sizes available means you can select a space to fit your guest list.

No more inflexible venue restrictions.

Pullman’s experienced on-site wedding team are perfectionists who understand that small details matter, offering personalised solutions rather than a ‘one size fits all’ approach.

Glowing reviews from past brides reflect the high levels of wedding experience.

The resort’s menus showcase the very best produce from the south west with a range of flexible packages to choose from.

Menus start at $57 per person, food only, so you’ll have more funds to spend on beautiful styling and decorations.

As a special bonus, weddings of 30 or more adult guests receive complimentary wedding night accommodation in a beautifully appointed Garden Studio Villa for the bride and groom with a bottle of chilled sparkling wine – Pullman’s wedding gift to you.

To discover how the resort can help you plan your dream wedding day, visit pullmanbunkerbayresort.com.au or call 08 9756 9106.

WILYABRUP Soap Factory & Workshops Ph: (08) 9755 6111 135 Puzey Road, Wilyabrup WA

MARGARET RIVER Retail Outlet Ph: (08) 9757 2999 2 Rosa Brook Road, Margaret River WA

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WINE & WINERIES

On the grapevine Wine is at the heart of the Margaret River region - here’s our round up of news and events over the next few months.

CELEBRATING IN STYLE One of the most important events in the calendar for the Western Australian wine industry took place in November, with the presentation ceremony for the 2016 Margaret River Wine Awards.

Aravina Estate is one of the newest and most versatile venues in the region, with a dedicated function and events rooms that’s flexible enough to seat intimate corporate dinners from 40 people through to functions for as large as 500 people, the perfect venue for such an auspicious occasion.

Seated under glistening chandeliers, the who’s who of the wine industry took their seats for a decadent evening celebrating the awards and the wine industry. The black tie event kicked off to a stunning sunset on the terrace and over 50 bottles of Aravina Estate’s sparkling chenin were enjoyed to help calm pre-award ceremony nerves for the 200 guests.

Guests were treated to chef Ben Day’s mouthwatering menu focused on local, sustainable, seasonal ingredients with produce from the estate's own market garden.

The three-course meal was served alongside a staggering 1,200 Riedle glasses to treat each guest to a tasting of six of the winning wines alongside their meal. The awards were a great success for the region, with 89 gold medals equating to 11.4% of all entries. Proof, if any was needed, that the region truly does produce outstanding wines to an international standard.

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Andrew Caillard MW presided as guest judge for these classes.

“There is no question that Margaret River chardonnay is becoming a classic Australian style,” he said.

Award-winners included Stella Bella, Brookland Valley, Deep Woods, Juniper Estate, Woodlands, Cloudburst, Xanadu, Knee Deep, EVOI, Streicker Bridgeland, Domaine Naturaliste and Woody Nook.

Visit aravinaestate.com

TAKE A MASTERCLASS IN WINE If you're looking for something unique to do this summer, Howard Park and MadFish Wines have you covered.

Home to many great events, their Margaret River Cellar Door is a must visit.

On January 14 and 15, the annual Oysters and Riesling event will take place on their beautiful cellar door grounds. Grab your friends, a picnic and chill out on the manicured lawns and enjoy freshly shucked oysters, live music and of course their award-winning Howard Park riesling.

If champagne is more your style, an exclusive masterclass on January 7 and 8, 27 and 28 will feature tastings of Grand Cru champagne from the house of Franck Bonville as well as Marchand & Burch pinot noirs from the excellent 2014 vintage in burgundy will be held in the Howard Park Wine Chapel.

This masterclass will take you on a vinous journey through famous Villages, Premier and Grand Cru vineyards matched with selected charcuterie to complement the wines. A unique French wine experience right in the heart of Margaret River.

With wines from both the Margaret River region and the Great Southern as well as Burgundy in France, the Howard Park and MadFish Wines Cellar Door has an exclusive variety of wines available for tasting daily. They also offer an extensive range of sparkling wines and Franck Bonville champagne.

Visit burchfamilywines.com.au

A UNIQUE DISCOVERY Passel Estate’s newly opened Tasting Room is a wonderful place to continue your Margaret River wine tasting journey.

The contemporary Tasting Room features floor to ceiling glass on three sides so that visitors are immediately connected with the surrounding vines and natural bushland sanctuary. Stone walls and stunning timbers are used throughout, sourced from the estate wherever possible. The building is beautifully appointed and sets the scene for a unique, high end and wholly authentic wine tasting experience.

Passel Estate’s distinctive and awarded single-estate wines are available for tasting alongside benchmark wines from renowned

WARM WELCOME: Passel Estate (left) offers a guided tour of Australia's regional wine styles. Below, join Howard Parks' new masterclass in wine. Inset, Fraser Gallop Estate's 2014 Palladian cabernet sauvignon.

wine producers and regions across Australia.

Visitors are invited to participate in a guided exploration of Australian regional wine styles, with the specific purpose of showcasing Margaret River’s stylistic differences. This educational wine tasting experience comprising six wines costs $25. Visitors are also welcome to drop in and taste the Passel Estate range without charge.

Visit passelestate.com

Passel Estate Press Advertisement 230x103mm Art 1.pdf

ELEGANT DROP Fraser Gallop Estate's Palladian is pure cabernet sauvignon with fruit selected off two special rows from a single vineyard site. The inaugural release was at last year’s Gourmet Escape and quickly sold out. The 2016 Gourmet Escape long lunch at the estate provided the perfect opportunity to launch the 2014 Palladian cabernet sauvignon.

All the fruit for Palladian is handpicked and transferred to large oak barrels, where it is fermented and aged for 24 months.

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"We de-stem the fruit, which is then transferred into new 500 litre barrels, as whole berries – skins and all," says winemaker Clive Otto. "This process provides wonderful integration of oak and fruit with fine, gentle tannins, silky textural feel and great length," There's a limited quantity of this unique wine (three puncheons in total) and it is only available direct from the new cellar door or mail order.

Visit frasergallopestate.com.au

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If you go down to the woods today, make sure it’s to Deep Woods Estate.

Why? Because their wines are world class, says Mia Lacy.

IN THE PINK D

eep Woods Estate is having a magnificent year. As I was writing this article, an email dropped into my inbox with the news their 2014 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon won the Jimmy Watson trophy for Best Young Red Wine at the 2016 Royal Melbourne Wine Awards.

Clearly, this is a wine that feels at ease on the red carpet, since it also won the trophy for Best Cabernet Sauvignon in the show for the third consecutive year – and is only the second wine in the history of the awards to do so.

Deep Woods Estate’s wines have won a swag of awards and accolades – especially this year – and I think chief winemaker Julian Langworthy should probably just invest in a tuxedo because the future of this Yallingup vineyard is looking as rosy as, well, shall I say their glorious Estate rosé?

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If Julian wasn’t a winemaker, he could have had a career as a wordsmith. When we speak, he tosses me hashtags like #Thinkanddrinkpink and #Roséisthenewblack.

And he has every reason to be excited: the vineyard’s 2015 Estate Rosé recently scored a sensational 96 Halliday points (the highest in the country) and won best in category at the 2015 Qantas Wine Show of WA. It also won its class in the 2015 Margaret River Wine Show. Ever the optimist, Julian says he’s organising a pink suit for the next wine show. I tell him I think he’d better organise a larger trophy cabinet too.

Rosé is not traditionally a varietal associated with Margaret River, and the story of how Deep Woods chose to invest and pioneer their super premium Estate rosé is an example of best practice applied.

“First off, we noticed sales of our Harmony rosé, which is our entry level and sells for a very reasonable $15 a bottle, had increased 100% in a year. Now we take Harmony very seriously – it’s 70% shiraz/30% tempranillo and is a modern, dry style-rosé with the barest blush of pink. In fact it won Best Rosé at the Melbourne Wine Show 2014.

“Rosé really suits our Aussie lifestyle and climate; it’s beautifully uncomplicated. As a style, it has less acidity than most white wines, especially sauvignon blanc, and its diversity makes it really easy drinking. It’s the perfect wine to take to a BBQ. We thought: how far can we take this, how much better can we make this style of wine?”

The 32-hectare Deep Woods Estate sits high on a ridge which unfolds into a secluded valley

BARNYARD1978

flanked by stands of jarrah and marri trees.

Julian calls the vineyard an ‘east-facing saucer of vines’ and reckons the moderate morning sun the vines enjoy is the secret ingredient to Deep Woods’ success.

“We really focused our efforts on everything to do with elevating what we knew was a great rosé to the highest possible level,” he says.

In 2014, Julian was awarded a travel bursary after Deep Wood’s Reserve Cabernet won the Max Schubert award at the Royal Adelaide Wine Show.

He used it to travel to Provence to research and study the best rosé wines in France.

“The takeaway of that trip was simply ‘be true to what you are’. I helped out in cellars, I did anything and everything I could. I visited a total of ten rosé houses and it is a damn serious wine let me tell you. In Bandol at Domaine Tempier, one of the few mid-19th-century family-run wine estates, I tried three decades of rosé – 1992, 2002 and 2012. It was quite an education.”

Julian and the Deep Woods team began barrel fermenting portions of their rosé and applying oxidative handling to make the wine more complex. The resulting Estate rosé is made of 80% tempranillo 15% shiraz 5% vermentino.

The latter gives the wine its beautiful palate texture. “The 2015 wine showcases exactly what we wanted to achieve: it’s a very delicate and elegant wine with poise and persistence. I think vermentino adds another level of perfume to it,” says Julian.

Having its own Twitter account added another level to the publicity the wine received after winning at the Margaret River Wine Show.

“Rosie the Rosé trophy was kidnapped. We suspect the usual suspects. For a while we followed her

adventures around the world,” says John.

The creative sparks are clearly part of the octane that drives the Deep Woods team to evolve their wines by challenging the status quo and taking calculated risks like backing themselves into Margaret River’s best rosé. And they’re not stopping there.

“We want to make the finest wines in the country,” says Julian. Keeping pace with the rosés and the reds in the trophy cabinet is an equally great white, the 2015 Deep Woods Estate Sauvignon Blanc, which took out the best in its category at the 2015 Margaret River Wine Show.

Deep Woods Estate has received a coveted five red star rating in the James Halliday Wine Companion 2017 Edition. It’s the third year the vineyard has been in the reds, and it’s a nice place to be sitting.

pasta factory, casually classy restaurant with cellar door & Barnyard Bees honey store…

Visit barnyard1978.com.au for opening hours & menu 08 9755 2548 RESERVATIONS WELCOME

Visit deepwoods.com.au

12 Canal Rocks Road, Yallingup

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WOOD WORK A

s a self-confessed outdoors guy, Ben Tannock likely has, if not one of the best jobs in the world, then at least one of the most envy-inducing occupations in Western Australia.

As Parks and Visitors Services Coordinator for the Blackwood District, Ben spends the greater part of his day managing various aspects of the Leeuwin Naturaliste National Park, WA’s most visited national park and one of the world’s most untouched.

It’s a huge job, not least because of the national park’s size – extending from Cape Naturaliste to Cape Leeuwin, it stretches more than 120km in length, showcasing incredible beaches, more than 300 limestone caves, forest walks, camp grounds carved in bush and stunning ocean views from white limestone cliffs. Not forgetting the 140km attraction that is the Cape to Cape walking track.

“Part of what makes the park really unique is that multiple entrance and exit points allow for a really high degree of visitation,” Ben explains. “Obviously surfing is huge down this way, but then really what it’s about are the very special environments that are unique to the Leeuwin Naturaliste ridge.”

Visually stunning, the mix of closely positioned microclimates – cave, forest, sea, marine heathlands – allows park users to spread themselves across dramatically different environments within the space of kilometres: from WA’s signature mix of white limestone cliff and turquoise water at Contos Beach it’s only 10 minutes by car into the thick of Boranup forest with its towering karri trees and lush undergrowth.

“Also incredibly popular are the two lighthouse sites,” Ben chips in, “the experiences offered at those lighthouses are second to

none.” After the taxing stair climb at Leeuwin Lighthouse, the quaint little lighthouse café certainly serves up a mean coffee and cake.

Throw in the subterranean element and it becomes simple to understand the park’s rare appeal. “There is a huge amount of caves that we manage as part of the park,” Ben says.

Calgardup and Giants caves are some of the most accessible, though permit systems allow entry with trained guides and commercial operators to some of the more restricted caves for those seeking a little hot sauce atop their experience.

As for Ben’s favourite private spot, the experienced outdoorsman and devoted Western Australian won’t be drawn.

“I’m endeared toward the coast and the bushland so I certainly wax and wane between the two,” he prevaricates. “As long as I’m in the outdoors, then I’m a happy man.”

Explore the beautiful forests of the Leeuwin Naturaliste National Park and you’ll be rewarded richly says Sarina Lewis.

Image by ELEMENTS MARGARET RIVER.

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BEN’S TIPS FOR GETTING THE MOST O U T O F T H E L E E U W I N N AT U R A L I S T E PA R K O N YO U R T I M E L I N E ONE DAY – Take a drive the length of Caves Road. Keep eyes peeled for signs that allow day-trippers to break off to remote beaches, pull in to take a gander at some of the area's magnificent caves, or stretch the legs with a short walk through the Boranup forest, accessible on the other side of the road from the lookout point.

ONE NIGHT – station yourself at one of the five towns embraced by the park – either Yallingup, Gracetown, Prevelly, Augusta or Margaret River.

From here spend a day in the surf at Contos or Redgate. Rest up then take a turn inland for a second day of caving, abseiling or rock climbing with one of the region’s reputable outdoor companies.

THREE OR FOUR NIGHTS – Strap up your backpack and tackle a section of the famed Cape to Cape track. Four days allows enough time for an end-to-end attempt. If you have time leftover, take a three-hour drive to Walpole and test your mettle with the Valley of the Giants Tree Top Walk.

Antiques, Art, Jewellery, Collectibles OPEN 7 DAYS 10AM - 4:30PM

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Fast facts Protection from the prevailing south-westerly winds makes Cape Naturaliste, Bunker Bay and Shelley Cove the most popular beaches for swimming.

Head to Hamelin Bay to interact with the area’s friendly population of sting rays.

For fishing and diving, take the 4WD track to Cosy Corner Get a feel for the local pioneering history with a visit to Ellensbrook House, built from crushed shell and limestone in 1857 by local pioneer Alfred Bussell.

Most of the park's remote beaches are not patrolled by surf lifesavers, so take care.

Ph 08 9758 8004 Located on Town View Terrace, opposite Town Memorial Park. You will find this diverse collection of fine antiques, artwork & jewellery along with heritage Australian furniture, porcelain & garage collectibles. All beautifully displayed and available for you to buy. Antiques ranging from the Georgian, Victorian, Edwardian & Deco periods.

And for the ultimate indulgence, stay in ‘The Studio Guest Suite’. Elegantly appointed in antiques, plush fabrics & architectural finishes, thoughtfully complimented with renowned artworks.

This is luxury at its best. margaretriver.com

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Bustling Busso Busselton Foreshore is set to become even more of a drawcard in the region.

Sarina Lewis finds out more.

I

t’s 4.30pm on a sunny and hot Monday the day Busselton mayor Grant Henley (pictured above) invites me on a tour of the city's foreshore development.

The sky’s blue, the bay aquamarine, the public green space areas lush and the crowds – well, the crowds speak more of Saturday morning than the weekday afternoon it is.

“When we did the community consultation, what it really came down to was that our residents were mostly concerned about creating green space,” Grant reflects, drink can in hand to stave off the late afternoon heat and sunglasses down against the glare.

“Our homes are becoming higher density, we’re losing our backyards, and so to get out and play cricket with the kids in the summer you need that public space.”

That explains the crowds, then.

Green space aside, Busselton’s $28 million, 10-year foreshore redevelopment will offer much more than parkland by the time the redevelopment is complete: currently in stage two of the three-stage program, the end result will leave Busselton equipped with an enviable interplay of playgrounds, hotels, recreational facilities and restaurants all drawn together by that historic and eye-catching jetty – the longest wooden jetty in the world, stretching to almost two kilometres.

Already one of the most visited sites in WA,

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the mayor says the improvements are bringing in even more crowds. “We had two cruise ships in just last week,” Grant points out, mentioning the immediate effectiveness of platforms last year built for them to dock alongside the jetty.

“The Queen Mary II will be coming in February. These stops turn out a cruise shipload of people to our town and region who are just here to explore. It puts a huge amount back in to the local economy.”

More accommodation facilities are planned, however, with two hotel sites set back around 100m from the beach, buffered by public green space.

The first consortium keen to build is planning to begin its process next year. In the meantime, a new two-storey brewery set to start construction this summer will form the last edge of a foreshore restaurant triangle, buffered as will be by the revamped Goose and Equinox restaurants.

“You know what they say,” Grant says, “one restaurant is a place to go, two is a choice and three is a precinct.”

Certainly this precinct is a rare example of what public good can be achieved when a foreshore development is put into public hands. “It’s really rare for this to happen,” the mayor says, “but the community has been very clear about what it wants and we’ve been able to interpret that.”

The results speak for themselves.

CITY ON THE GROW: Busselton Foreshore is set to transform over the next few months, with new accommodation options planned as well as tourist venues.

ENJOY NOW….

The revamped Equinox food complex and the jetty’s underwater observatory.

Expanded grass and parklands on the foreshore’s western corner.

Busselton’s lauded foreshore skate park.

The snazzed-up Goose restaurant, very recently re-opened under new management.

ENJOY IN THE COMING YEAR…

A purpose-built museum and new visitor centre housed in Busselton’s original relocated train station.

A two-storey brewery, restaurant and function centre built and occupied by fourth generation Credaro winemaking and brewing family.

A permanent home for Surf Lifesaving and a youth community space.

ENJOY IN THE NEXT ONE TO THREE YEARS…

Two new boutique five-storey hotels with rooftop bars and restaurants.

A conservation area at the Ford Road end with understorey planting and walkways to be used as a possum preservation park.

Further expansion of green space and construction of more shade, tables and playground equipment.

A new sea wall.

Community space amphitheatre with a stage for festivals and public performance.

Southern Forest Green Tea G

rown in the pristine area of Northcliffe, Western Australia, SOUTHERN FOREST GREEN TEA is as exquisite as the location it is grown in. Surrounded by national park you will find our family-run farm. Our tea Is 100% pesticide free and independently tested reflecting a leaf as pure as nature intended.

The freshly cut leaves are processed immediately on the farm. The steaming process undertaken ensures the fullest flavours, maintaining the rich greenness of the leaf and a full-bodied aroma.

SOUTHERN FOREST GREEN TEA is available in biodegradable pyramid tea bags and loose tea leaves via our website southernforestgreentea.com margaretriver.com

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NATURE & ENVIRONMENT

Life’s a beach E V E RY B O DY H A S

T H E I R OW N FAVO U R I T E S E C R E T B E AC H JA N I N E P I T TAWAY REVEALS HERS. J U ST D O N ’ T T E L L A N Y B O DY E L S E . . .

Images by ELEMENTS MARGARET RIVER.

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PARADISE FOUND: Find your own little piece of perfection, like Castle Rock below. There are plenty of secret beaches to discover during your stay.

T

he Margaret River region is blessed with approximately 200km of coastline stretching from Busselton to Augusta, so even in the height of summer it’s still possible to discover a patch of white sandy paradise to enjoy without anyone else around.

The beaches you’ll find in the guidebooks such as Meelup, Gnarabup, Smiths Beach and Yallingup are certainly worth a visit, but with just a little more effort you can find some lesser known but equally beautiful spots to stake your claim for a day of swimming, beachcombing and relaxing without the crowds.

Some beaches down south are so secret they can only be reached by chopper or boat but the places I’ve selected can be easily reached by car.

These beaches are all great places for swimming, but ask a fisherman, diver or surfer their favourite secret spots and they’re likely to provide an entirely different list.

From Busselton to Cape Naturaliste the water will likely be calm, but from Cape Naturaliste to Cape Leeuwin expect waves, wind and swell – check the forecast before heading out to find the best spot for the conditions on the day. continued over /

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Open Daily from 10:00am - 5:00pm Ph: 08 9755 6726 margaretriver.com | SUMMER 2016/17 61 Email: cellardoor@fishbonewines.com.au

NATURE & ENVIRONMENT

MAGNIFICENT SOLITUDE: With over 200km of coastline, the Margaret River region is sure to have a secluded spot, just for you.

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POINT PIQUET (Between Eagle Bay and Meelup) This beach reveals itself in summer when the tides change and the white sand reappears.

The water is a pure turquoise blue, contrasting with the burnt red rocks on the shore, and in-between, there are plenty of places to lie and contemplate life.

SIESTA PARK

(Between Dunsborough and Busselton) We discovered this spot when looking for a place to cool off on a cycle from Dunsborough to Busselton. Siesta Park is about the half-way point for a dip. By car, turn off on the road next to the Siesta Park service station and pull up in one of the car bays among the Peppermint trees.

CASTLE ROCK

(On the Dunsborough side of Meelup) This could possibly be a contentious pick as a secret beach, given its increasing exposure thanks to it being Margaret River Gourmet Escape’s Gourmet Beach BBQ location.

However compared to Meelup, Castle Rock is still a quiet spot on a sunny day with the added bonus of beachside BBQs and an enviro loo.

CONTO SPRINGS BEACH

(18km south west of Margaret River – via Conto Road off Caves Road – follow the signs to Conto Springs) Contos is a stunning beach with a backdrop of dramatic green cliffs of the Leeuwin Naturaliste National Park, and with its own campsite. There can be large waves so be cautious when you swim.

BOODJIDUP BEACH

(Margaret River - take Redgate Road and turn right onto a gravel track before the main Redgate Beach car park) This is a pretty remote spot and even in the height of summer you’re likely to have the majority of the beach to yourself with about 2km or so of white sandy beach and crystal clear water. The best part for swimming is the southernmost end. Swim with caution and watch out for big waves.

FOUL BAY

(Access via Cosy Corner Road, near Augusta) Despite its name, Foul Bay is breathtakingly beautiful and quiet in the height of summer.

This 3km long bay comprises several small beaches with some shelter from big waves thanks to a series of reefs. Access is via a gravel road and there is a substantial walk to the beach. margaretriver.com

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ENJOY ALL THE NATURAL ATTRACTIONS OF THE MARGARET RIVER REGION BY ALL MEANS, BUT KEEP SAFE TOO, SAYS CARMEN JENNER.

A

ustralia can be a hazardous place and visitors to the Margaret River region need to be vigilant, particularly while tackling the roads, water, bush or the sun.

BUSH Setting off on your own in the bush with nothing but your wits and a good pair of walking boots sounds invigorating, but don’t let the breathtaking scenery distract you from the potential dangers of bushwalking. Preparation is the key, and it’s important to have an itinerary, a map and compass. Never walk alone, preferably go with two or more people, and always tell someone where you’re going.

Snake sightings are unusual, and they rarely attack unless threatened. Most bites occur when people try to move them, but if you really want a close encounter then head to the Naturaliste Reptile Park. If you do come across one sunning itself in your path, give it a wide berth. Wearing closed-toe shoes and long pants will greatly reduce the chances of being bitten.

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SUN Never underestimate the Australian sun and heat – setting off without sun protection is foolhardy.

Follow the Aussie adage of Slip, Slop, Slap, Seek, Slide: Slip on a shirt or protective clothing, Slop on 30+ sunscreen, Slap on a hat, Seek shade, and Slide on some sunnies. If physically active, carry at least two litres of drinking water a day, and twice that amount during high temperatures.

ROADS The long and winding roads with dappled light flickering through the treescape can play havoc on your judgement during the day. If driving at night is unavoidable, dim your high-beams for oncoming cars. Speed limits should be taken seriously and wearing seatbelts can reduce the chance of injury. Watch for specific signage, especially those indicating kangaroos are in the vicinity. They are at their most active at dawn and dusk, although they’re out and about during the day too. They tend to travel in groups known as mobs, so if you see one

it's likely there will be more – watch for the stragglers at the end of the pack.

WATER As inviting as that turquoise water is, many rips and undertows lurk beneath. Always swim between the flags and if possible, don’t go out alone and at the very least let someone know where you’re swimming. Also avoid swimming at dawn and dusk, which are the most popular feeding times for fish, including sharks. It’s best to avoid areas where there are large schools of fish or rockeries, deep channels or drop-offs. If you do see a shark, leave the water immediately and avoid drawing attention to yourself with excessive splashing and noise.

The safest swimming beaches are the Busselton and Dunsborough foreshores as well as Meelup, Eagle Bay, Bunker Bay, Yallingup, Smiths Beach, Cowaramup Bay, Hamelin Bay and Gnarabup beaches.

The region boasts about 40 surf breaks and the best time for surfing is between September

THE ULTIMATE WHALE WATCHING WHALE E C O

T O U R S

E C O

T O U R S

WATCHING

Fast Facts

For life-threatening emergencies, including fire and rescue emergencies and police dial

000

emergencies POLICE STATION

131 444 STATE EMERGENCY SERVICE (SES)

132 500 DEPARTMENT OF FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICE (DFES)

000

24-hour hospital emergencies HEALTH DIRECT

1800 022 222 (toll-free) BUSSELTON HEALTH CAMPUS

Mill Road, Busselton 9753 6000 AUGUSTA DISTRICT HOSPITAL

Donovan St, Augusta 9758 3222 MARGARET RIVER DISTRICT HOSPITAL

Farrelly St, Margaret River 9757 0400

and April – remember, the bigger the swell, the greater the risk. It’s important to know your limits and calmer swells can be found in Geographe Bay, Margaret Rivermouth and Redgate Beaches.

There are many surfing operators in the region providing a gentle introduction to the water. Crystal Wallace from Yallingup Surf School recommends: “If you spy someone in trouble in the water, before racing out, grab a board or some kind of flotation device so you can lean or drag them on it. Then you can decide what kind of first aid they need.

Nowadays CPR only involves pumping the chest

and that’s hard to do if they’re floating in the water.”

She also adds:“Tell someone on the beach what you’re doing or find someone more trained and send them instead.”

If climbing the rocks, take care as they’re slippery when wet. Take special note of any signage as there have been instances where fishermen have been caught by surprise and washed off the rocks. Also, watch for overhanging limestone cliffs which can be fragile and suddenly collapse.

Visit beachsafe.org.au for more great tips.

www. legendcharters.net.au info@legendcharters.net.au

margaretriver.com Whale ad.indd 2

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10/05/2016

ACTION & ADVENTURE

Great leap forward Gather round, pedalpower enthusiasts – the region’s blossoming mountain biking scene is set for another boost, with the opening of a wonderful new group of trails in the Bramley National Park.

By NORMAN BURNS. Images by ELEMENTS MARGARET RIVER/EERIK SANDSTROM.

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A

s we all kicked back over winter next to a log fire with a glass of red in hand, a group of workers were braving everything nature had to throw at them in Bramley National Park, just outside Margaret River township.

Their mission: in the most eco-friendly way possible, create a series of exciting, challenging but accessible trails for mountain biking enthusiasts, the latest piece in a fantastic recreational jigsaw that is putting the Margaret River region firmly on the map as a mountain biking mecca.

Now you might wonder if mountain biking is even the right term, given that the highest point in the new Bramley National Park trail is around 27m. A hill yes, a mountain no.

But as mountain bike enthusiast, Margaret River local and director of mountain bike trail design company Common Ground David Wilcox explains, there ain’t no mountain low enough to prevent the construction of an amazing dream land for mountain bikers, no matter whether they

are expert or novice.

David says over the past five years, the Department of Parks and Wildlife and the Margaret River Off Road Cycling Association (MRORCA) have been working tirelessly to deliver 10km of new trails to the region.

And so Common Ground, in association with Magic Dirt, set to work over what was a cold, windy and wet winter to create some magic.

MRORCA says the trails will cater for all levels, from fast, ‘flowy’ less technical green trails to a black descent that “will have you more time in the air than on the ground”.

So a lot of imagination has gone into making these rides - and their names - as gnarly as possible.

From the beginner-suitable Cut Cork to the Bender for intermediate riders to the Cash and Karri (geddit?) for the real guns, the Bramley Trail Network will offer something for everyone, as David points out in this guide opposite:

CUT CORK Classification: Beginner - Green Circle A great introduction to Margaret River Mountain biking. The trail forms a beginner, green graded loop, which takes in some of the best sections of contouring hill line alongside the Wadandi trail, and makes the most of a vantage point on the banks of the Bramley Brook and drops through dense karri forest on return. It can be ridden in isolation as a standalone loop or as a link out to the other trails in the network.

A RIVER SOMEWHERE Classification: Intermediate - Blue Square Contouring along the banks of the Bramley Brook, A River Somewhere is a fast and ‘flowy’ piece of single track which takes in a variety of different forest and soil types. From tight vegetation to open woodland, karri loam to pea gravel; the changes in terrain and ride characteristic help to bring some of the variety of the West Australian mountain bike experience to the micro scale. With many optional stonefaced kicker jumps, bermed corners, and fast contouring sections, A River Somewhere will become a rider's favourite.

HIGH HORSE Classification: Intermediate - Blue Square

sections of the original and has a punchy middle section that can be attacked via the optional A-line.

BIG PINE Classification: Intermediate - Blue Square Big Pine is Margaret River’s Top Trail. A regular in the Cape to Cape mountain bike event, it runs down the western side of the Bramley Trail Network. Big Pine is both fast and friendly, progressive yet forgiving. Fresh off a re-build this past winter, the updated trail has some freshly shaped jumps, some reworked turns and new stone-bedded river crossings.

The climb which doesn’t feel like a climb! High horse flows its way around the eastern most end of the Bramley Trail Network. Through clever alignment and construction, the trail maintains the feel of a fast, flowy single track while all the time gaining elevation. Great fun in its own right (even to those averse to climbing), High Horse is an ideal link back up to trails such as Line Manager, Cash and Karri, WRC and Pugsley. Cut the trail and hit attack mode on the stone-pitched optional lines. Lap it up.

BIG CLIMB

PUGSLEY

Classification: Intermediate - Blue Square

Classification: Intermediate - Blue Square Bypassing the dreaded fire road of days gone by, this blue-graded climb winds its way up to the start of Paper Trail, Big Pine and Bender.

Thoughtfully constructed, the hill disappears as the trail flows on, allowing you to have fun, enjoy the stunning karri forest and focus on the turns over how much it burns.

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BENDER

Classification: Intermediate - Blue Square Pugsley trail has a simple philosophy: fun, fun, fun, for everyone. Compact and overbuilt with pumps, pops and banked descending turns. The features are designed to be rolled, manualled, or jumped, with a large margin for error built in.

More natural in feel than Pugsley and Line Manager, Bender works the natural dips and compressions of the hill, combining flow trail fun with the subtleties and complexities of south west karri forest. Watch this one. Some of those corners come up fast!

ROCK & ROOT

PEDLIUP

Classification: Intermediate - Blue Square

Classification: Intermediate - Blue Square

Linking Cut Cork to Big Pine, Paper Trail and Bender; Rock & Root is a genuine old-school technical climb. The new trail incorporates

Pedliup is a more direct climb than High Horse, What Goes Down and Rock & Root. Aimed at the pedallers out there, genuine strava contenders

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Want to know more?

Contact the Margaret River Off Road Cycling Association for details on trails and hot tips for riding in the region or visit mrorca.org.au And if you want to get out and about on a mountain bike, but don’t have your own, there’s a great range of bike hire and tour options in the region. Check the Your Margaret River Region visitor centres or visit margaretriver.com

will need to master the technical log ride to claim the crown. Clear this and the bulk of the climb is behind you.

LINE MANAGER Classification: Intermediate - Blue Square

A trail for the racer in all of us. WRC (world rally championship) incorporates many of the currently existing landforms found in the forest, including old logging roads, to create a trail with a more natural feel.

Re-imagining the same patch of forest as the much-loved Manager’s trail of the past; Line Manager is a blue flow line which takes in high and low speed jumps and corners on its route down the hill. With a wider profile than other trails in Bramley National Park, and exaggerated rider motions, Line Manager is a rollercoaster of a trail and will be universally appreciated by a wide range of riders.

CASH AND KARRI

GOLDEN CARROT

Classification: Advanced - Black Diamond

Classification: Advanced - Black Diamond

Drawing influence from the bike park flow trails of British Columbia; Cash and Karri brings the motions of a full-scale jump line to the smaller elevation profile of Bramley National Park. Running down a shallow gully, the trail incorporates step-down jumps, step-up jumps, a lofty right-hand hip jump, and even a boner log feature.

Can you spot the golden carrot? Following the steep banks of a creek line at the western end of the Compartment 10 Trail Network, Golden Carrot is an advanced (black graded) climb, with enough stone and root to keep even the gnarliest mountain goats on their toes. Bringing the feel of the mountains to a hill not much taller than your average anthill, the Golden Carrot will have you

WRC Classification: Intermediate - Blue Square

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cursing wizards and watching for witches as you fight to unlock it’s dark secrets.

WHAT GOES DOWN… Classification: Intermediate - Blue Square A real gem in the middle of the Bramley Trail Network, What Goes Down . . . links A River Somewhere with Line Manager, Cash and Karri, WRC and Pugsley.

PAPER TRAIL Classification: Advanced - Black Diamond Paper Trail is a black graded technical trail, running down the western face of the Bramley Trail Network. Incorporating flow elements in the flatter top section, and technical rock gardens lower down, Paper Trail brings diversity to the Compartment 10 Trail Network.

a splash MAKING

Spending time in the water is one of the top ways to cool off on a summer’s day – why not try out these activities while you’re in the region? By TAMARA HUNTER. COASTEERING Remember when you were a kid and you spent hours scrambling from rock to rock, rolling around in the surf and exploring rockpools at your favourite beach without a care in the world? Bliss, wasn’t it? Now you’re all grown up there’s no reason to stop: Margaret River adventure tour company Capes to Coast has brought the Welsh and Cornish craze of coasteering to WA. Described as the ‘new hiking’ and ‘the ultimate aquatic experience’, coasteering sees you rock-hopping, shore-scrambling and riding the swell along some of the south west’s most beautiful coastline. It’s WA’s only coasteering experience, allowing you to get in the water and experience the Indian Ocean up close. The two-and-a-half hour tour visits a safe but challenging, secluded granite coast or lagoon area in the Ngari Marine Park and is described as suitable for all levels of adventure. To take part you’ll need to be at least seven years of age and able to swim 25m and haul yourself out of the water. So throw on your wetsuit, lifejacket and helmet and get scrambling!

Visit capestocoast.com.au

AQUATASTIC Described as Australia’s largest inflatable floating water park, Aquatastic sits on the Busselton foreshore 200m west of the famous Busselton Jetty. Climb the Ice Berg, complete the floating obstacle course, experience the thrill of the giant waterslide and take on what is billed as the highest rock climbing wall in the Southern hemisphere. Perfect for kids aged five and above as well as grown-ups. Life jackets are supplied.

Visit margaretriver.com/members/aquatastic-climbtastic

DIVING While you’re at the Busselton Foreshore, why not have a wander underwater – at the deep end of the iconic Busselton Jetty. The guided Dive Busselton Jetty tour takes visitors under the waves to experience the eerie marine wonderland beneath the 150-year-old, 1.7km long jetty. Go all retro with a helmet dive, do a full-on SCUBA dive, snorkel or be an undersea walker. Suits ages 12-70, with options for those with and without dive experience. continued over /

Image by ELEMENTS MARGARET RIVER. margaretriver.com

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THRILL SEEKERS ONLY: Take a ride aboard one of Jet Adventures nippy speed boats.

Busselton-based The Dive Shed also offers dive and snorkel tours of the jetty, as well as other spots including the HMAS Swan and Lena wreck sites and Four Mile Reef. The company runs charters every day during summer, using a purpose-built 40ft vessel, and offers dive training along with a range of speciality courses including deep diving, underwater photography and night diving.

Visit divebusseltonjetty.com.au, diveshed.com.au

BUSHTUCKER RIVER & WINE TOURS Combine a serene spot of canoeing down the Margaret River with some bushwalking, cave exploration and a bush tucker lunch. The awardwinning Bushtucker Cave and Canoe Tour is a four-hour, nature-based river trip that starts at the Margaret River mouth and takes in cliffs,

caves, Boogaloongar Island, Aboriginal and pioneer heritage and includes a unique Australian wild food lunch.

Visit bushtuckertours.com

DUNSBOROUGH JETSKI TOURS This professionally guided, one- or two-hour jetski tour leaves from the Quindalup boat ramp and hugs the coastline past Dunsborough, to the spectacular bays and beaches of Meelup Regional Park. Curtis Bay, Castle Bay, Meelup Beach, Point Picquet, Eagle Bay and Bunker Bay all get a look in. You’ll pitch up at Cape Naturaliste and Quarry Bay before making a thrilling, speedier return trip. Stops along the way include information about the area’s history, marine life, flora and fauna. If you’re lucky, you might spot some dolphins, fur seals and – at the right time of year – whales while you’re at it.

Visit margaretriver.com/members/dunsboroughjetski-tours

STAND UP PADDLEBOARDING Stand up paddleboarding, or SUP, is one the world’s fastest growing water sports. An offshoot of surfing, it’s credited with strengthening core muscle groups and improving both balance and general fitness. There are a few ways you can experience it in the Margaret River region, with lessons and tours in either the ocean or along a tranquil stretch of river in the Blackwood National Park.

Take a 90 minute lesson on the flat waters of

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Gnarabup Bay near Margaret River; hire a board and take yourself for a paddle; or go the SUP and SIP options: taking Margaret River Stand Up Paddle’s guided tour along the Blackwood River, followed by visits to two wineries; or do a Stand Up Paddle lesson on the Olio Bello dam followed by a leisurely platter lunch with wine.

Visit margaretriver.com/tours/surf-paddle-scuba-sail, margaretriver.com/members/stand-up-surfing, margaretriver.com/members/margaret-river-stand-up-paddle

KAYAKING Twin up with family or a friend and kayak along the sheltered ocean waters of Geographe Bay. Yallingup Adventure Co offers both stand up paddleboarding and kayak tours or equipment hire from Meelup Beach, in the Dunsborough/ Yallingup area. The two-hour Meelup Arvo Cruiser kayak tour will take you along beautiful beaches and rocky headlands – and you may even spot some dolphins and whales (in season).

Surf N’Dirt Adventure Tours offer a full-day Eco Certified adventure tour that combines a morning of kayaking with an afternoon tasting tour of boutique wineries, microbreweries and local gourmet producers. Another version of the tour also fits in a spell of mountain biking through the hidden trails of the Boranup Forest.

Alternatively you can add another layer to your kayaking experience by throwing fishing into the mix. Cowaramup-based Yellow Fin Tours use the latest model of Hobie Mirage kayaks, which allow you to pedal with your feet instead of a paddle – thus freeing up your arms to

ESTATE AND RESTAURANT reel in your dinner. They’ve got beach, river or deep sea versions of the tour, as well as special family tours.

Visit yallingupadventureco.com.au, surfndirtadventuretours.com.au, yellowfintours.com.au

JET ADVENTURES Forget sedate – this lightweight craft (carefully skippered with safety in mind) will fling you around in a series of exhilarating 270 degree turns, donuts and fishtails, reaching speeds of up to 90km/h per hour. The zippy, multi-person boats are touted for their stability on the ocean and get visitors closer to wildlife and secluded coastline. The company offers half-hour thrill rides out of Busselton or Dunsborough (suitable for children 120cm and over), and also do two-hour Sea Safaris that visit spots including the pristine white sand of Meelup Beach, Eagle Bay, Bunker Bay, Castle Rock, Sugarloaf Rock and Curtis Bay (otherwise inaccessible by road).

Visit jetadventures.com.au

SURFING Grab some lessons with one of several surf schools in the area, including the Yallingup Surf School or the Josh Palmateer Surf Academy. Both are accredited and offer personal or group lessons over a few hours or several days. They supply surfboards and wetsuits and cater to all ages - everyone from beginners to those with more advanced skills. The Josh Palmateer Surf Academy also offers hire of canoes, kayaks, surfboards, and stand up paddle boards.

Visit margaretriver.com/surfing

BLACKWOOD RIVER HOUSEBOATS Ever read the children’s book The House That Sailed Away? Now you too can sail a house – right down the tranquil Blackwood River. You don’t even need a skipper’s ticket. Blackwood River Houseboats have a selection of six to 10 berth, fully-contained houseboats with dinghy included. Take a cruise from Augusta through the Hardy Inlet to explore the Blackwood. Indulge in some swimming and fishing and look out for dolphins, birds, wildflowers and the serenity of an unspoilt national park along the way. Throw in a bit of skiing, wake boarding or kayaking along the lower Blackwood River and you’ve got the perfect water-based holiday.

Visit blackwoodriverhouseboats.com.au

CHOOSE YOUR OWN ADVENTURE Augusta Boat and Canoe Hire operates out of Augusta seven days a week and offers recreational water-craft hire-outs for anywhere from a couple of hours to a week. They also offer river tours, including a half-day paddle downstream in their outrigger canoes or on SUP boards.

Visit augustaboatandcanoehire.com.au

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1172 WILDWOOD 71 | SUMMER 2016/17 RD YALLINGUP PH: 08 9755 2899 margaretriver.com

ACTION & ADVENTURE

Slip, Slap, Slop,

SUP WHETHER NOVICE OR EXPERT OR SOMEWHERE IN BETWEEN - THERE’S A STAND UP PADDLEBOARDING (SUP) OPTION FOR YOU IN THE MAGNIFICENT MARGARET RIVER REGION THIS SUMMER.

By NORMAN BURNS. Images by ELEMENTS MARGARET RIVER.

I

f there’s one thing that stands out about the people in the Stand Up Paddleboarding industry in the Margaret River region, it’s their near-evangelical passion for a sport - and recreational activity - which is booming. And why not?

After all, most get to work in one of the Australia’s (and the world’s) great outdoor offices - the amazing Margaret River region coastline, estuaries and river systems. Plus, they’re getting fit at the same time (SUP is great for those core muscles) and meeting a heap of great locals and tourists.

SUP has morphed from a quirky alternative to surfing to a multi-billion dollar affair that spans international boundaries and seasons.

All you need is a stretch of decent water (and unlike traditional surfing, a tranquil river or lake will suffice), the right gear for your skill level, a heap of enthusiasm - and some professional

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guidance if you’re just a beginner.

And the pristine conditions of the Margaret River region offer all of the above, and more.

Whether you’re down in the area on holiday and are looking for a great, safe and fun day (or few hours) out on the water, or a business seeking a teambuilding/bonding activity, SUP Margaret River-style has all bases covered - especially in the gorgeous summer months.

Says Hal Paine of the Yallingup Adventure Co, which operates SUP activities and lessons from beautiful Meelup Beach: “Our location is probably the best flat water SUPing in the area.

The white, sandy beaches of Geographe Bay are generally very sheltered from both swell and wind, especially the afternoon sea breezes.

Meelup Beach is especially sheltered and has great facilities - easy parking, shaded grass areas, picnic tables, free BBQs and outdoor showers to rinse off the salt and sand, Most importantly, it’s

stunningly beautiful . . .”

Hal says Yallingup Adventure Co caters for ages eight and upwards (“they need to be able to paddle”), although parents of smaller kids often share SUPs in the shallow water to introduce them to the fun.

Newcomers to SUPing are especially welcome.

“We offer them a choice of hire, we also include some basic instructions to get customers up and paddling or they can choose a one-and-ahalf hour lesson/tour,” says Hal. “The whole Meelup Regional Park coast is a great location for SUPing,” says Hal, who adds that it’s not unusual for SUPers to be sharing the bay with dolphins.

The Fisher family behind Stand Up Surfing, has been operating in the Margaret River region since 2010 - and the extended family’s love affair with SUP goes back decades to their roots in South Africa and on Perth’s beaches.

SUPing in the Margaret River region FRESH TRACKS MARGARET RIVER

freshtracksmargs.com E: info@freshtracksmargs.com Ph: (08) 9757 1111

Fast Facts

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Jewellery Gallery

MARGARET RIVER STAND UP PADDLE

margaretriversup.com.au E: info@margaretriversup.com.au Ph: 0419 959 053 STAND UP SURFING

standupsurfing.com.au E: info@standupsurfing.com.au Ph: 0401 557 671

OPEN ALL YEAR

YALLINGUP ADVENTURE COMPANY

From 10am - 5pm, Thursday to Monday

yallingupadventureco.com.au E: info@yallingupadventureco.com.au Ph: 0497 085 123

PADDLE PARTY: Stand Up Paddleboarding is a great way to enjoy the ocean safely and in groups.

and EVERY DAY in November, December and on all School Holidays.

Says Craig: “Peter Cuff (Craig's father-in-law) had been riding SUP boards in the 1950s, which were a much heavier version than the present boards.

“We’d lived in many parts of the world and have always been involved in board paddling but when it came time to settle and have our children we came back to the best location in the world. Cape Town, South Africa, has similar beauty but has the cold Atlantic to contend with and does not have the unspoilt wilderness of the Margaret River region.”

Today, Stand Up Surfing is an accredited Academy of Surfing Instructors school and employs five instructors, catering for all skill levels and ages. Stand Up Surfing also trains and re-qualifies all new ASI instructors for Western Australia and as such is recognised as one of Australia’s leading SUP schools, says Craig.

“The passion and the depth of experience in SUP is unmatched anywhere in Australia,” he says. “Both of our families have been involved with boards and SUPs since the late 1940s with three generations of paddlers involved in the business.”

Indeed Peter Cuff, who has just turned 80, is still heavily involved in teaching SUP and Craig says his father was an early continued over /

Jewellery Gallery

Custom made jewellery by

Rob & Britt Nielsen

NP NP Jewellers

Rob & Britt Nielsen-Pankhurst 0409 545 874 rob.jeweller@gmail.com

PH: (08) 9758 5007 30 Brockman Highway, Karridale 6288 WA

2016/17 73 | SUMMER• rob.jeweller@gmail.com atelier.susi@bigpond.com

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ACTION & ADVENTURE

pioneer of board paddling and surfing in Perth in the 1940s.

“Peter Cuff is paddling as strong as ever; SUP is a low-impact, all-round good sport that is healthy and gets you out and on the water without too much learning.”

Another Margaret River SUP stalwart, Simon Peters, got bitten by the water bug as an 11-yearold, taking up windsurfing on the Canning River in Perth. His love of the sport (and pretty much anything else on the water) grew and grew and by 1995 he was taking on the best in the land, finishing runner-up in the Australian Windsurfing Championships.

Moving to Margaret River, he set up shop selling windsurfing, kitesurfing and SUP gear, plus coaching, and has been running Margaret River Stand Up Paddle since 2008.

It has gone from strength to strength and, harking back to his youthful days on the Canning River, Simon now has a thriving SUP operation on the Blackwood River.

“I was looking for a suitable place to start a Margaret River day tour, a place that combined SUP with exploration of a beautiful location and the

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Blackwood River caught my attention,” says Simon.

“I learnt about the significance of the Blackwood River for Aboriginal people and their dreaming stories about the Wagyl (Rainbow Serpent). The magic of the river, the tranquility, and the ease of paddling are hard to beat,” he says.

“Often there are eagles soaring overheard and kookaburras or cockatoos calling from the trees.”

Simon says SUPing on the Blackwood is a fun and relaxing way for visitors to discover areas of the Margaret River region other than the coast.

“Visitors tend to miss out on this amazing natural feature of the Margaret River region and SUP is a great way to explore the national park areas and experience nature,” he says. “It’s a completely difference environment to the coast and much more sheltered and easy to learn SUP. “Margaret River Stand Up Paddle is unique to the area because we offer a fully guided Stand Up Paddle tour that includes a lesson, transport in our new bus and the option to include the SUP tour with a winery tour (SIP & SUP).

“Our tours are perfect for complete novices because we provide easy to use, ‘floaty’ boards and the river environment is sheltered and calm, so

ALL AGES: SUPping is suitable for young and old, and whether you try it on the river or in the sea, it's a fun way to keep fit.

M A RG A R E TS FO R E ST

Margarets Forest is conveniently located in the gourmet town of Margaret River.

Relax in your own four star fully equipped apartment, walking distance to the river, forest trails and the café strip.

M E N T I O N T H I S A D TO R EC E I V E A F R E E BOT T L E O F W I N E O N A R R I VA L

it’s much easier to learn to SUP compared with the ocean.”

Another to succumb to the lure of Margaret River’s SUP lifestyle is former army officer and oil and gas industry executive Troy Brice, who with his wife Heidi runs SUP/surfing business Fresh Tracks.

Says Troy, an avid surfer all his life and now a qualified surfing and SUP coach: “We love surfing; we love adventure. It took us years working overseas and travelling to over 50 countries to realise that what we have here at home was unique and remarkable.”

Troy says Fresh Tracks gives customers, whatever their skill level, a great experience.

“Surf SUPing is second-to-none in the Margaret River region. From the rolling gentle waves of Point Piquet or Meelup Beach to the skill testing breaks at Yallingup, Gracetown or Boatramps in Gnarabup. Our most southern break at Augusta is terrific for beginner-intermediate surf SUPers; all pristine waves in amazing settings.”

Those who prefer calmer waters are also catered for, with many fantastic flat water options on the Blackwood River or remote brooks and creeks.

“At Fresh Tracks it’s our mission to put a smile on our customers’ faces and to get them home safely with amazing memories,” says Troy.

“We combine SUP guiding with a subtle education on the ocean environment, the flora, fauna and the risks to be aware of. We take customers to special locations and show them how to best get in the water, where to paddle and some assistance in skills refinement. We can provide all the SUP equipment required for the day, plus healthy homemade, dietician-approved snacks, MR rainwater, sunscreen and a 10% discount in our surf shop.”

Fresh Tracks requires its SUP Guide customers to be competent swimmers and able to paddle un-assisted in flat water conditions. “Age has little impact on this,” says Troy. “My 75-year-old father-in-law keeps coming back.”

And if you’re just dipping your paddle into the SUP world for the first time, Troy offers these tips: - Don’t get a board that’s too small - Ensure you select good quality SUP equipment - Focus on your paddling technique

F E AT U R E S Twin spas | Private barbecues Fully equipped laundry & kitchen Private balcony & courtyard Free onsite parking | Air conditioning

96 Bussell Highway, Margaret River

Ph 08 9758 7188 stay@margaretsforest.com.au www.margaretsforest.com.au

Visit margaretriver.com/tours for more information. margaretriver.com

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Margarets Forest - FONT: Semper, regular Holiday apartments - FONT: Neutra Text, bold

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FINDING THE PERFECT ACCOMMODATION FIT FOR YOUR FAMILY (FURRY OR NOT) IS A BREEZE IN THE MARGARET RIVER REGION. BY DIANNE BORTOLETTO.

Family first (and Fido came too)

S

pecial memories are made when the family holidays together, when we take time to reconnect, play, have fun together, share new experiences and relax.

Your furry family member needn’t miss out on the holiday fun. Here are some great pet-friendly accommodation options for the whole family.

CAMP GROUND AND CARAVAN PARKS BIG VALLEY CAMPSITE

A working sheep farm with pretty valley views, Big Valley Campsite is pet-friendly and offers powered and unpowered sites for caravans and campers. Don’t fret if you’re not a born camper, Big Valley Campsite has teamed up with Wild Good Camping to offer ‘glamping’ or luxury camping and you don’t have to do a thing. All you have to do is arrive, relax, sleep, dream and play. There are bell tents for families and also for couples.

Big Valley Campsite is a 10 minute drive to Margaret River town and close to many of the region's attractions.

Visit bigvalleymargaretriver.com.au

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BIG4 BEACHLANDS HOLIDAY PARK BIG4 Beachlands in Busselton is walking distance to the beach and 3.5km from the iconic jetty and town centre. The resort-style facilities are ideal for kids and the whole family, including your dog during certain times of the year (restrictions apply).

There are a variety of onsite accommodation options available including a bungalow with a Jacuzzi, cabins, chalets, ensuite-caravan sites and powered grass sites for campers.

Kids will love the heated toddler pool, sheltered playground, a giant jumping pillow, a fun splash and play zone, the indoor recreation area with table tennis and pedal go-karts are available to hire.

Adults will be thankful for the poolside

sun loungers, free gas barbeques, adult's coffee lounge area and lending library, dedicated family bathrooms and the fully equipped camp kitchen.

Wi-Fi is also provided.

Visit beachlands.com.au

CHALETS

CAVES ROAD CHALETS Nestled amid 64-acres of peaceful natural bush, Caves Road Chalets offers unique one and twobedroom fully equipped chalets that have reverse cycle air con and wood fires. The pet-friendly accommodation has a playground for the kids and plenty of space for them to play and explore. The property is a nature lover’s paradise with a huge array of birdlife, resident kangaroos that graze

it takes

time to craft

great wine

at dusk and dawn, possums and other wildlife as well as seasonal wildflowers. Caves Road Chalets is situated just a few minutes drive to the beach, seven minutes drive to town and two minutes drive to the closest winery.

Visit cavesroadchalets.com.au

SILVER SPRINGS COTTAGES There are four self-contained cottages on the 101-acre property that boasts views of vines, bush and green valleys. One cottage is a studio, while the others are two-or three-bedroom and on request pets are welcome. Silver Springs Cottage is also a wedding venue and has a huge eco-tent onsite that can cater for 110 people.

Visit silversprings.com.au

so take the

AUGUSTA SEINE BAY WATERFRONT COTTAGE

t ime to enjoy it

Located right on the banks of the Blackwood River, the twobedroom cottage offers uninterrupted views and, with that, an ambiance of tranquillity. It’s within walking distance of the town centre of Augusta, the Blackwood river mouth, Colourpatch Cafe and the beach. And there’s plenty of parking for car, boat and trailer. Perfect for dogs that like to play in the river. Not suitable for small children as there is direct access to the water.

Visit augustaapartments.com.au

HOUSES

KILIFI BEACH HOUSE A two-storey three-bedroom house in Gnarabup that sleeps six people and your dog, Kilifi Beach House has stunning views to the Indian Ocean. Check out the surf in the morning, then grab your board and walk to popular breaks namely Grunters, Gas Bay, Sewers, Gnarabup and Boaties. This is a great family-style home that can also be split into two self contained accommodation options with the loft upstairs easily converted into a one-bedroom apartment. It’s also walking distance to the

Just like viticulture and winemaking, the Voyager Estate experience simply can't be rushed.

So sit back and spend some time with our new tasting flights to truly experience our wines, whether it's the vibrant whites, aged reds or rare limited releases.

Or while away the afternoon with our three-course Margaret River Discovery menu or six-course Wine Discovery menu, matching the finest Margaret River produce with the story of our wines.

Redeemable tasting fees apply. For more information, pricing and bookings visit voyagerestate.com.au

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CAFFEINE-ADDICTED PARENTS WILL LOVE THE BARISTA-MADE COFFEE DELIVERY SERVICE, STRAIGHT TO YOUR DOOR EVERY MORNING AT BIG4 BEACHLANDS HOLIDAY PARK, BUSSELTON.

White Elephant Beach Café and The Common.

Visit kilifibeachhouse.wixsite.com/margaretriver

LUXURY

PEARL RIVER HOUSE This architecturally designed and impressive three-bedroom house was the first home to be built in the prestigious Wallcliffe Farms area.

Pearl River House is light and spacious and built to take advantage of the stunning panoramic views. River Valley Villa, the converted artist’s studio next door, sits alongside but as both houses are oriented in different directions, privacy is maintained. Pearl River House is set on five acres and the location is one of exceptional beauty, with views of the river mouth and national park forests. As a bonus, it has private river access for kayaking (kayaks provided), but makes it unsuitable for families with young children as the river, whilst some distance from the house, is not fenced.

In a secret garden, there’s a hot outdoor shower, perfect for an after-beach rinse.

Around the outside of the house are numerous picturesque sitting spots to relax and enjoy the scenery. The stonework around the property is

noteworthy, particularly the keystone arch in the courtyard. The stone is mostly limestone and granite from local quarries and built by hand by local stonemasons.

An unforgettable and romantic location that has stupendous views that changes with light.

Pearl River Houses also hosts weddings.

For families and dogs that like luxury, Pearl River House is a great option.

Visit pearlriverhouses.com.au

RESORT

YALLINGUP BEACH RESORT If your family loves luxury and the beach, then Yallingup Beach Resort is for you. Just 44 steps from the stunning Yallingup Beach, the modern air-conditioned accommodation consists of five executive three-bedroom townhouses. One of the townhouses is reserved for families and their pets and it has an enclosed private courtyard.

Each apartment is fully furnished with modern appliances and décor, with a private entertaining courtyard and balcony. Four of the five townhouses offer gorgeous ocean views.

Visit yallingupbeachresort.com.au

HOME FROM HOME: Private Properties' Beach Cottage in Dunsborough makes a gorgeous base for your family holiday.

JUST FOR DOGS

MARGARET RIVER PET RETREAT Maybe it’s just your pooch that is in need of a holiday or a day away to relax? Margaret River Pet Retreat is a canine paradise. Ten fully enclosed indoor suites that are cleaned twice a day cater for comfort and include a bed, television, piped music, own water bowl, and balcony.

Five suites even have webcams. There’s a huge fenced lawn area outside for dog to run and play. Set on a picturesque 100-acre property with a native forest backdrop, as well as streams, vineyard and a dam, your fur baby will be well looked after. It’s so stunning that you might find yourself slightly jealous that this accommodation is just for dogs. Water-loving dogs have an option to go on a swimming adventure in the dam. The retreat takes day-bookings, which is a great option if you’re sightseeing or winery-hopping and don’t want to leave your dog at the accommodation all day.

Visit margaretriverpetretreat.com

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By CARMEN JENNER.

Perfectly arty FOR YEARS I’VE searched for the ideal holiday home. First and foremost, it

has to be in a spectacular location, and secondly it needs to be connected to the landscape. Ideally, the interior would not only have all the comforts of home but also be spacious, elegant, relaxed and have plenty of places to flop and entertain. I also have a soft spot for character homes.

I’m pleased to announce the hunt is over. Managed by Private Properties, the Beach Cottage fits the bill. Situated a few minutes away from the Dunsborough township, the wooden cottage embraces its seaside locale as waves crash in the distance, ducks parade across the lawn and wind-chimes dance in the breeze. Inside, the creaking floorboards connect its occupants to a history of friends and families sharing laughs, meals and fun times.

Allowing up to six guests across three bedrooms and two bathrooms, and with plenty of seating in the lounge room and sunny atrium, the Beach House is ideal for families and groups of friends. The large open-plan kitchen and dining area beckon languid feasts. Equally appealing, the barbeque on the outdoor deck overlooking the large lawn rambles onto the coastal vegetation drifting into white sand spanning Geographe Bay. Artworks adorn many of the walls, and supposing you were in the market for some art of your own, the cottage is well located for starting or replenishing your own art collection. Tinkahill Studio Gallery (tinkahill. com.au) is the working studio of husband and wife John Garde and Su Berghuis-Garde. Their gallery is conveniently located a few minutes away in Dunsborough. Abstract expressionist Pamela Brittain (pamelabrittain. com.au) runs painting classes in Dunsborough for all levels and ages. While in town, pop into Christian Fletcher’s (christianfletcher.com.au) gallery and find out why he’s one of the region’s most prominent landscape, aerial and industrial photographers.

The Studio Gallery and Bistro (thestudiogallery.com.au) in Yallingup, just a few minutes away, serves modern Australian cuisine while representing leading Australian and local artists. On the corner of Caves Road and Marrinup Drive, Yallingup Galleries (yallingupgalleries.com.au) is practically part of the landscape. Owner Rob Malcolm isn’t only a furniture maker, photographer and painter, but also embraces philanthropy with his representation of over 150 artists showcased in his galleries.

Hovering over a lake, Gunyulgup Galleries (gunyulgupgalleries. com.au) lives up to its Aboriginal name meaning ‘resting place near water’. Representing over 90 artists, and owned by husband and wife Ashley and Nina Jones, Ashley is an outstanding artist in his own right, particularly with his realistic paintings. While here pop into Little Fish for views to savour with their signature meat and seafood grills. Art doesn’t necessarily need to hang on the wall as John Miller (johnmillerdesigns. com) demonstrates with his elegant jewellery, featuring silver, gold and precious stones.

However, with your camera or easel and paints handy, the Beach Cottage has the most idyllic setting to inspire an artwork of your own.

As the light softens by late afternoon, a rosy glow preps the scene in a prelude to show-stopping sunsets from your private garden.

Visit privateproperties.com.au/properties/beach-cottage

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SHAUN MCMANUS

my down south getaway Popular Nova 93.7 morning radio presenter and ex-Docker legend Shaun McManus loves to head down south with his wife and four kids.

By SHAUN MCMANUS, BREAKFAST PRESENTER ON NOVA 93.7

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I

first went down south with a bunch of mates when I first started playing footy. We hit the surf, the eateries, the pubs - and I was hooked. Over the journey, I’ve been back down south too many times to count, and now it’s all about sharing this awesome place with my family.

Nothing beats the feeling of excitement when I knock off from work, jump in the car with Meegan and the kids and hit the freeway.

When we pull into the driveway of our holiday rental in Dunsborough, it’s like the weight of the world lifts off my shoulders. And that’s down south for me – relaxing, recouping, and just having the best time.

The kids climb out of the car and we unload – once everything’s in the house, they take off into the sand dunes to catch crabs and look for rabbits.

It’s so safe – they’d never be able to run around like that in Perth, and they just love the freedom

of being down south. That and Simmo's icecream – they’re asking if we can go there before we’ve even arrived!

Most days start with me biking it into town to get Meegan a coffee from Hot Chocolatte and a copy of the paper. Then I’ll head out to Yallingup beach for a surf, it’s my favourite spot.

After that, it’s all about family time. We might head out to lunch somewhere – the Cheeky Monkey Brewery is a good one, where the kids can run amok and we can sit back with a drink and chill. Eagle Bay Brewery and Lot 80 are also crowd favourites, anything where the kids can enjoy some food and fun while we kick back gets a tick from me!

As for places we love that aren’t about food and drink, there’s just so many. Cape Naturaliste lighthouse is so interesting for adults and kids alike – especially when the guides there are so

helpful and informative. All the caves as well, like Mammoth cave and Ngilgi caves – these are places where the kids don’t know how much they’re actually learning. And to be honest, I’m learning heaps too. And, we can never go past Yallingup Shearing Shed – sheepdog demos and plenty to see, the kids and us can stay there for hours.

Aravina Estate is a special spot for Meegan and I, it’s a really beautiful place. We’ve got mates who have made the sea change down south, and often we’ll meet there for a few drinks and a bite to eat.

That’s another thing I love about this region, you’re never bored, and never alone. It really is the best place, and to finish the day, the best sunset in the world at Yallingup. You just can’t beat it.

Shaun is a part of the Nova 93.7 Breakfast team Nathan, Nat & Shaun, from 6am weekdays.

R E ST, R E L A X , R ECO NNECT Romantic, secluded, self contained chalets with candlelit sky-view spas, Kingsize

double beds and tranquil forest outlooks, on 240 acres of natural beauty.

231 Yelverton Road, Yelverton Margaret River Wine Region Phone (08) 9755 7110 or email reception@forestrise.com.au

WWW.FORESTRISE.COM.AU margaretriver.com

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LOCAL HERO

ACTION & ADVENTURE

The scuba sisters THE MARGARET RIVER REGION’S BEAUTY IS NOT JUST CONFINED TO DRY LAND; CHECK IN TO THE DIVE SHED IN BUSSELTON AND SISTERS ALECIA AND MEGAN MACDONALD CAN SHOW YOU THE MAGICAL UNDERWATER SIGHTS OF GEOGRAPHE BAY.

By NORMAN BURNS. Images by ELEMENTS MARGARET RIVER/THE DIVE SHED.

A

ustralian Crawl star James Reyne once had a hit with the song Any Day Above Ground Is A Good Day but any day below the waves is a great day for Busselton sisters Alecia and Megan MacDonald.

The pair grew up around beautiful Geographe Bay and as children were always out on boats on crabbing and fishing trips with their dad, Peter, and brother, Justin.

Peter was a keen diver and eventually turned his hobby into a full-time business, opening The Dive Shed near Busselton’s jetty in 1991.

In 2012 Peter handed The Dive Shed’s reins to Alecia and the sisters are not only living the dream of working in one of Australia’s most spectacular marine precincts but are playing a vital role in helping preserve that environment.

Says Alecia: “We basically grew up on the ocean; the beach was our babysitter in the school holidays, my brother with his fishing gear, me with my pink snorkelling set and later Megan in

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her soggy nappy.

“Dad has always been a diver but when he decided to make a career out of it and open The Dive Shed we started going out on the boat with the divers too.

“It was always a given that we would become divers and I started in 1993 at 11 years old and Megan in 2002 when she turned 12. I wouldn’t say that diving was a passion then, it was so normal to us. I also suffered terrible seasickness as a child and I would often be curled in a ball on the boat while my dad put my gear on me to throw me overboard - because I always felt better in the water.”

Megan’s path to working full-time in the dive industry wasn’t quite as clear-cut.

“In later years (after completing her Open Water Diver course) I wasn’t an avid diver, it was just something cool that I did on the odd occasion even though I always enjoyed being in the water. I can now pinpoint the exact moment my passion

for diving kicked in – I was going through a difficult time in my life and I came back to Busselton straight into the open arms of my sister and started diving again.

“I went on a night dive to the Busselton Jetty and it was like I was welcomed back to the ocean, the dive was so amazing I can hardly put it into words.

“I looked up at the moonlight shining onto the abundance of life laid out in front of me, watched my bubbles break the surface of the water and knew that this is exactly where I belonged…”

Now Alecia and Megan work to share that dive magic with locals and tourists young and old and they have the perfect office from which to work, Geographe Bay being an ideal location for snorkelling and scuba diving, no matter what level of experience.

“One of the unique things about Geographe Bay is that most of the season it is sheltered from strong winds and with no tide or surf to worry

about any day is a potential diving day,” says Alecia.

“We cater for all levels of experience due to the variety of dive sites we visit and the range of services we provide. We have the Try Scuba Diving Experience for complete novices and train divers from Open Water Diver right through to becoming a Dive Professional.

We have sites like the Busselton Jetty and 4 Mile Reef that suit newbie divers as well as The Swan Wreck which is an advanced dive site and great for extended range tech diving,” she says.

And the range of sea life in the bay is simply dazzling.

“The Swan Wreck gives us a great opportunity to see big schools of pelagic species and the reefs and jetty are ideal for critter hunting, particularly nudibranchs. I have dived with a seal under the jetty and put my head under a ledge on the reef only to wake a sleeping turtle. I am also currently training a colony of local cleaner shrimp to clean my divers as well as the fish at their cleaning station,’’ says Alecia.

The sisters, too, are passionate about taking an active role - and lobbying - in keeping “their neck of the woods” in pristine condition.

“Marine protection and conservation is part of The Dive Shed’s core values,” says Alecia. “As a local dive business, a healthy marine ecosystem is central to the viability of our business, it benefits our local economy, local livelihoods and the reputation of the south west region as a nature tourism destination.

“We welcome proposed sanctuary protection for Geographe Bay and Margaret River, as well as protecting the area from oil and gas mining offshore, and the removal of some forms of trawling and gill netting that can be very damaging.”

Since 2012, the sisters have run their “conscious diver” Busselton Jetty Eco tour, one of many different tour options available through The Dive Shed.

“It’s a dive tour which focusses on diving with minimal impact on the environment and reducing our carbon footprint. We also host marine clean-up dives and some of the more interesting items we have found include a park bench, underwear, mobile phones and shall we say ‘smoking implements’. The items that our divers collect on the Eco Tour are on display in a cabinet in our store.”

Megan says The Dive Shed always runs a dive tour with the aim of having the least amount of impact on the marine environment.

“We brief our divers to focus on achieving neutral buoyancy so they don’t knock the coral

from the reef or the pylons and ensuring that no diver takes anything or disturbs the local marine life. The marine environment under the Busselton Jetty is incredibly unique and fragile and we believe that great care must be taken even when simply kneeling on the seabed as the sand itself supports its own ecosystem.”

And for those who don’t dive, but want to check out the bay’s rich sea life , the Busselton Jetty Underwater Observatory is just the ticket - and, thanks to Megan and Alecia, who are part of the team that brave the chill of winter to clean its windows, the view is always crystal-clear.

“Without regular cleaning, the marine growth would completely overtake the structure,” says Megan.

The sisters also offer their skills to distraught visitors who accidentally drop something off the jetty and into the briny.

“Engagement rings and wallets are most common,” says Megan.

The pair admit that taking over The Dive Shed has been a steep learning curve and that it takes more than being an expert diver to run a successful dive business.

Says Megan: “We have to be multi-skilled; diving is just a percentage of our job description the best part though.”

And their advice for anyone wanting to try diving?

“Almost anyone can be a diver. We have taken eight-year-old kids to 70-year-old retirees, paraplegics and amputees. You may be out of your comfort zone to begin with but with the right frame of mind you will relax into it and realise what an incredibly amazing experience you are having,” says Alecia.

The Dive Shed, 21 Queen St Busselton, (08) 9754 1615. Visit diveshed.com.au margaretriver.com

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ART IN ACTION

WITH A YEAR-ROUND CALENDAR OF ART EXHIBITIONS, THIS SUMMER DOESN’T DISAPPOINT WITH COLLECTIONS ON DISPLAY ALL OVER THE REGION.

By CARMEN JENNER.

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designs in nature ATMOSPHERIC ART: Left, Heartbeat (Rob Forlani, mixed media on linen), and right, Harvest (Joanne Duffy, oil on canvas), both displayed at the Studio Gallery at the end of the year.

F

rom December 17 to January 13, Jahroc Gallery (jahroc.com.au) exhibits new works from Bec Juniper, daughter of well-known artist Robert Juniper. Asked to describe her work she says:“These paintings are imaginary landscapes. I don’t design or illustrate or plan out a pictorial image. In this current series I continue to imagine realism in this sense. My evolution as a landscape painter is more and more about removing the heavy presence of the human hand.”

The Studio Gallery and Bistro (thestudiogallery.com.au) showcases Jacinda Bayne’s work until December 4. Describing herself as an emotive colourist, her travels throughout Western Australia, China and Croatia inspired the diverse collection of landscapes.

A Christmas exhibition at the Studio Gallery and Bistro showcases Jacinda, Rob Forlani, Di Taylor, Joanne Duffy and Bronwen Newbury from December 15 to January 1. A New Year Exhibit commences January 2 to 19 with Bronwen Newbury and Robyn Rankin. On January 21 to February 5, Laura Matthews displays her Secret Garden Exhibition.

Reflecting the heat, the cool and activities of the Australian Summer, Holmes A Court Gallery at Vasse Felix (vassefelix.com.au) exhibits A Taste of Summer from until January 29 in association with artCollectiveWA. Artists include Rene

Collot D’Herbois, Herbert William Gibbs, Jesse Hilder, Sandra Leveson-Meares, Wally Mandaark, John Oldham, John Olsen, Lorna Prendiville, Lloyd Rees, Keera Slavin, Archibald Bertram Webb and Duncan McGregor Whyte.

Tony Jones displays 20 small works which he has been gifting to Janet Holmes a Court for the past 20 years.

This December the Margaret River Gallery (margaretrivergallery.com.au) exhibits contemporary jewellery. In January Shirley Clancy, Maria Chatzinikolaki and Salli Coppin exhibit paintings, ceramics and raw rings.

Yallingup Galleries (yallingupgalleries.com. au) are hosting a Christmas Exhibition from December 27with Ian Dickinson, John Lacey and Vayu. From February 18, Rob Malcolm, Simon McLean, Maki Horanai and Linda Skrolys feature in the Leeuwin Exhibition.

Aravina Estate’s (aravinaestate.com) current exhibition of movie posters are replaced with retro themed sepia Malibu and Gidget posters.

Owner Steve Tobin’s famous Sports Car Gallery continues to be extremely popular with rev heads Don't miss the opportunity to browse the gorgeous estate store while you're lusting after all those four wheeled-beauties.

For those preferring to wear their art, eco-dyer Rubi Hatton’s Botanize collection at Margaret River Artisan Store

continued over /

jewellery designed and handmade in Margaret River Open Daily 10am - 4pm 611 Boodjidup Road 08 9757 6885 info@payetgallery.com.au margaretriver.com | SUMMER 2016/17 85 www.payetgallery.com.au

ARTS & WELLBEING

Caption: Maion nisquis apicil id et mincipi debissi incto commo blandusam litates poribus millitior sedi dolupta turibus

RICH CANVAS: Opposite, Aravina Estate's incredible collection of classic cars is a work of art in itself. Above, make sure you see as much local art as you can this summer.

DON’T FORGET....

Margaret River’s summer exhibitions are a lovely prelude to the Margaret River Region Open Studios (mrros.com.au) event running from April 22 to May 7. It’ll be the biggest one yet coupled with the recent launch of the Artists of the Margaret River Region book in collaboration with MRROS. Available for sale throughout the region, pick up a copy of the book for an everlasting keepsake of the region, especially in the lead-up to the event.

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(margaretriverartisanstore.com) in the Margaret River township won’t disappoint. Gunyulgup Galleries (gunyulgupgalleries.com. au) is also one to watch with a rotating collection of exciting new artists including Monique Tippett and glass art by Peter Bowles.

Leeuwin Estate (leeuwinestate.com.au) has always prided itself on its philanthropy with a gallery hosting the likes of Arthur Boyd, Sir Sidney Nolan and Robert Juniper; a lovely accompaniment to the summer concerts of Bernard Fanning and James Taylor.

Why not indulge in a spot of edible art on your plate with Leeuwin Estate’s NYE degustation?

It’s not every day you have the opportunity to take home a work of art, albeit on a wine label. Ever since 1980 Leeuwin Estate has been commissioning artists for their Art Series labels, with Robert Juniper being the first with his painting of Caves Road featuring on a wine label. The Art Series Labels represent the estate’s most age-worthy wines from each vintage and most recently include local artist Sam Broadhurst’s Redgate Morning on the 2015 Art Series Sauvignon Blanc.

The Japanese-inspired Rikai (Understanding) exhibition runs until December 4 at the ArtGeo Gallery (artgeo.com.au) in Busselton to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Busselton and Sugito Sister Cities Association. Workshops are also available.

Local artist Carmen McFaull’s Painted Liaisons runs from December 9 to January 15. The Busselton Campus Art and Design Students exhibit at the South West Institute of Technology until December 13. Current works from Susan Blyth Jennings exhibit runs from December 14 to January 12.

Visit margaretriver.com/events for more exhibition listings. margaretriver.com

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Starry, starry nights CATCH A MOVIE UNDER THE STARS, THE PERFECT WAY TO SPEND A SUMMER’S EVENING SAYS DIANNE BORTOLETTO.

K

ick back in the evening under the stars with your loved ones, family or group of friends enjoying the bounty - I’m talking food and wine - of Margaret River region and then catching a movie, without having to move.

Outdoor cinemas are a quintessential Australian experience and when the setting is a stunning winery or historic homestead, it’s something you’ll want to do again and again.

CAPE MENTELLE The pioneers of the outdoor cinema in the region, Cape Mentelle holds (almost) daily screens that start on December 16 with Bridget Jone’s Baby and will continue until April. The movie list includes blockbuster hits, art-house and indie films and classic movies the whole family can enjoy. Bring your own picnic (no BYO alcohol), picnic rug or low-level chair or, easier still, hire one of their comfy beanbags.

The Margaret River Burger Co. will be on site cooking beef, chicken, and veggie burgers to order as well as smaller sizes for the kids. Buy a glass or bottle of Cape Mentelle’s fine wine and enjoy. Bookings advised. Gates open 6pm and screening starts between 7.45pm and 8.15pm.

WHERE: Cape Mentelle, 331 Wallcliffe Road VISIT: capementelle.com.au

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CAVES HOUSE The relaxed vibe, the lush lawns and pretty gardens at Caves House create a wonderful setting for outdoor movies. The bistro, bar and pizza shack offer a choice of food from snacks to full meals. Grab a few coldies, a bottle or your favourite mixed drink from the bar inside the historic heritage-listed hotel and settle in.

There are select dates in summer from January 14 and films include surf movie Rough Cuts, Chris Hemsworth’s In the Heart of the Sea, Man Up, and Star Wars: The Force Awakens.

Bring your own picnic blanket and snacks are permitted. No BYO alcohol. Doors open 6pm, movie starts at 8pm.

WHERE: Caves House, 18 Yallingup Beach Road VISIT: caveshousehotelyallingup.com.au WHAT’S ON: Hunt For The Wilderpeople (PG)

on Dec 13; Doctor Strange (M) on Dec 15; Deepwater Horizon (M) on Dec 20; The Light Between Oceans (M) on Dec 22; Pete’s Dragon (G) on Dec 27; Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children (M) on Dec 29; Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them (M) on Jan 3; Trolls (G) on Jan 5.

COURTYARD CINEMA, ART GEO The Summer Series at ArtGeo - Courtyard Cinema will commence on December 17 and runs through each Saturday until February 11. This year films include a mix of family movies plus a few Australian films that were screened at this year’s CinefestOZ Festival, as well as comedy shorts from The Over the Fence Comedy Film Festival. There will be a Japanese film in celebration of the 20th anniversary of the Busselton and Sugito Sister City Association – check website for details. You can bring your own blankets and concert chairs or hire a beanbag.

There’s a pizza, popcorn and candy bar, and beer and wine are available for purchase, no BYO permitted.

Gates open 7pm, film starts 7.45pm with an intermission scheduled.

HAPPS ESTATE Once a month from December to March, the picturesque gardens at Happs Wines are transformed to Cinema Under The Stars. Movie goers are encouraged to bring a low-level chair and blankets. Picnics are permitted but you could save yourself the hassle and enjoy the offerings from onsite food trucks likeThe Blue Van (Mediterranean), Mezcal Van (Mexican) and Acai Corner (sweet treats). Movies include blockbusters, family-friendly and films with intriguing storylines.

Happs grow 30 grape varieties and produce many, many wine styles, and a selection of which will be available for purchase by the glass or by the bottle (BYO alcohol not permitted). A favourite with the locals, these movie sessions have an informal and friendly atmosphere. Gates open at 6.30pm, screening at 8pm.

WHERE: Happs Estate, 575 Commonage Road VISIT: happs.com.au WHAT’S ON: Hunt for the Wilderpeople (PG) on Dec 30;

1 Daniel Blake (MA) on Jan 14; Deepwater Horizon (M) on Feb 11; Ella Havelka (PG) on March 11.

WHERE: ArtGeo Courtyard, ArtGeo Cultural Complex, 4-7 Queen Street VISIT: actingup.com.au WHAT’S ON: Arthur’s Christmas (G) on Dec 17; CinefestOz short film selection (M) on Jan 7; The Coffee Man (M) on Jan 14; Hunt for the Wilderpeople (PG) on Jan 21; Over the Fence Comedy Film Festival Shorts (M) on Jan 28; Japanese Film (TBC) on Feb 4; Ella (G) on Feb 11.

COWARAMUP BREWING CO Beer lovers might like to keep an eye on Cowaramaup Brewing’s website – at the time of going to print they weren’t able confirm details of their outdoor movie nights.

WHERE: Cowaramup Brewing Co VISIT: cowaramupbrewing.com.au

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PRESS GANG EVOO (THAT’S EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL TO YOU AND ME) IS PRETTY CLOSE TO A MIRACLE PRODUCT. JANINE PITTAWAY EXPLORES ITS AMAZING PROPERTIES AT LOCAL OLIVE FARM, PETRA OLIVE OIL.

P

etra means ‘rock’ in Greek, and with the passion and efforts of the Somas family to build the foundations and sustain the Petra Olive Oil business over 17 years, the future certainly looks solid.

After removing tonnes of granite rock from the land in 1999 to build three dams, Chris Somas and his family planted 1200 saplings on the Yallingup hills property. This granite now features in the walls of Petra’s charming guest accommodation.

Petra’s first olive harvest occurred six years later, in 2005. In a further two years there was enough olive oil produced to bottle and sell.

Throughout his long and successful hospitality career, Chris’ passion for returning to his Greek roots ensued. On retirement, Petra Olive Oil gave him an outlet to create traditional Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO) in the traditions of his family.

Although Petra is now managed by daughter

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Melina, the passion to create the best quality EVOO remains strong, and Chris is still on hand when it’s time to press and bottle.

Petra’s Olive Grove sits on 30 acres of gently sloping land, with three picturesque dams, an abundance of kangaroos and a backdrop of Yallingup ocean views.

There’s a Tasting Room and Farm Shop and beautiful luxury farm-stay accommodation to compliment the stunning property on Sheoak Drive.

Petra is a hands-on operation with all the Estate’s olives pressed onsite and First Cold Pressed in a single extraction, to create a true premium EVOO. The fruit is gathered with hand held rakes and not mechanically harvested to ensure only the best quality fruit is harvested, which can take two months to complete. Petra’s olives are pressed within 24 hours of harvest.

All the estate-produced olive oil and olive

products use just Petra’s fruit. As a boutique operation, Petra Olive Oil is bottled in small bathes to ensure quality & freshness.

The olive press is located out the back of the Farm Shop to produce Petra Early Harvest, Late Harvest and Chef’s Premium Blend EVOO as well as a range of expertly crafted flavoured oils including ‘Agrumato’ Lemon & Lime Oils, Infused Garlic, Chilli & Herb Oils, and Petra’s exclusive Black Oil, made with fresh Kalamata olive paste.

As well as the good oil, Petra offers an array of complimentary products to try and buy at the new SHED DOOR Tasting Room & Farm Shop.

There are lovely rich balsamics infused with apple, raspberry, and cherry and a balsamic barrel-aged glaze, and gourmet vinegars, relishes, and jarred treats change with the seasons depending on what produce is available.

When lemons are in abundance expect to

9 out of 10 imported olive oil brands fail the Australian standards for Extra Virgin Olive Oil.

ORIGINS

Bright green olives are dyed that colour.

EXHIBITION FEATURING 3 Contemporary Western Australian Jewellers.

Opens 10th December to 7th January 2017.

Artists: Bethamy Linton + Rei Minohara-Starke + Fatemeh Boroujeni.

A real EVOO is the first cold pressing of the olives which has the highest polyphenol level and all the associated health benefits and flavour.

INBETWEEN

All olives start green and all go black if left on the tree. Early harvest olives are green and late harvest olives are black.

Fast Facts

Olive Oil

Images by: SIMON COWLING.

find fresh lemon cordial, lemon marmalade and preserved lemons. Figs, cumquats and tangelos also feature when in abundance. Try their pasta sauces and Auntie Stella’s Garlic & Cheese spread!

Visitors can also enjoy a DIY picnic, selecting from their antipasto selection and can BYO wine to enjoy in the relaxing grounds with picnic tables and chairs provided.

And if you’re on the way back from the beach stop in and pick up one of their tasty pre-made frozen pizzas to throw in the oven at home for an easy dinner.

As well as tasty food options Petra also stocks a range of EVOO based skin care products.

EVOO has been used for thousands of years as a natural youth and beauty remedy for skin and hair. Its naturally occurring compounds are what many cosmetic companies try to imitate in making synthetic products. With this in mind, Melina has commissioned a range of WA-made

skin care and fragrances, using Petra EVOO with scents inspired by the property including lavender and rosemary.

One of the most recent additions to Petra is two beautiful new luxury farm-stay suites for short-stay accommodation. They now have five self-contained studio chalets available with stunning views over the farm’s gentle rolling hills, dam, and olive grove. Each suite sleeps two people, with ensuite bathroom, living area, kitchen, air-conditioning, TV, DVD & a gas BBQ on the outdoor patio. They are also pet friendly for well behaved socialised pooches.

The chalets are a short stroll from the Petra Farm Shop and provide a tranquil setting with an abundance of wildlife.

EXHIBITION FEATURING New work, Paintings, Ceramics & Jewellery.

Opens 14 January to 11th February 2017.

Artists: Shirley Clancy + Maria Chatzinikolaki + Salli Coppin.

P 9757 2729 E info@margaretrivergallery.com.au W margaretrivergallery.com.au Shop 4, 1 Charles West Avenue

Visit petraoliveoil.com.au to find out their latest accommodation specials offers or to purchase from their product range. margaretriver.com

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E V E R Y B O D Y

S AY

‘ O M . . . '

THERE’S NO NEED TO MISS OUT ON YOUR DAILY YOGA FIX WHILE YOU’RE ON HOLIDAY. DIANNE BORTOLETTO HAS DISCOVERED THE BEST RETREATS AND PLACES TO LAY YOUR MAT IN THE REGION.

Y

oga has been practiced for thousands of years and the health benefits for body and mind are well documented. Here, in Your Margaret River region, we’ve increased the wellness-feel-good factor by taking yoga to the beach. The energy of the ocean adds depth to the post-yoga feelings of bliss.

PULLMAN BUNKER BAY RESORT Guests of the resort are offered complimentary Saturday morning yoga sessions held 8am to 9am. It’s limited to just nine participants and proven to be extremely popular, so booking in advance is advisable.

Visit pullmanbunkerbayresort.com.au

SMITHS BEACH RESORT, YALLINGUP Vinyasa Flow classes are held at Smiths Beach Resort at 8.30am every Saturday and Sunday during summer under instruction from Yoga South West. It’s not just for guests, everyone is welcome and mats are provided.

After your practice, pop next door to Lamonts for coffee and breakfast.

Visit smithsbeachresort.com.au

REVIVE RETREAT Revive has partnered with Smiths Beach Resort to offer five-day health retreats aimed at those who feel burnt-out, exhausted and tired of looking at the scales. It’s not all about smoothies and salads or training and fitness.

The focus is on the whole picture – mind, body and soul and finding the right balance for you. Over five days you’ll learn how to nourish your mind and body with twice-daily yoga, coastal walks, surfing and SUP lessons, delicious, healthy meals plus take home recipes, nutritional talks and cooking demonstrations, massage and meditation. This is an investment in a healthier happier you and the next retreat, limited to just 10 people, is February 12 to 16.

Visit reviveretreat.com.au

Image by REVIVE RETREAT.

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COWARAMUP There are a number of yoga instructors who offer PRIVATE and PRIVATE GROUP YOGA SESSIONS in the comfort of your accommodation, by the beach, in a park, in a forest or a location of your choice.

TM

CANDY & FUDGE

GOURMET FOODS

WINE TASTING INJIDUP STUDIOS Injidup Studio is set in the serene bushland of Yallingup where they teach and practice Hatha and Vinyasa Yoga. During the summer months, weekend classes are held on the lawns at Caves House in Yallingup. They also run small retreats that can combine art, yoga, surfing and meditation. Check their website for the new meditation classes which they plan to start in January.

in Ashtanga Yoga, guided classes and mysore classes (a self-guided Ashataga sequence done in time with your breath at your own pace) are held Monday to Friday. Ashtanga is the original breath-oriented practice of yoga that moves and strengthens the body while increasing flexibility to prepare the body so it’s able to meditate. Keep an eye on the facebook page for updates on times and the commencement of Saturday classes.

Drop-ins welcome.

Visit injidupstudio.com

Visit facebook.com/ashtangayogamargaretriver

During the summer months, Yoga One runs outdoor classes by the beach that will have you absorbed in a moving meditation while truly present, giving you a precious respite from the chaos, rush and overstimulation of your daily existence. Vinyasa and Hatha yoga classes suitable for all levels will be held on the lawn in Dunsborough at end of Dunn Bay Road and Georgraphe Bay Road. Yoga One also provides private classes on the beach for girls’ weekends, corporate groups and others.

For a totally different yoga experience, do a class with Zen Den Collective in Dunsborough and practice yoga on a Stand Up Paddle (SUP) board.

The moving surface provides a balance challenge in even the most familiar of poses. You will soon be aware of elements of your practice that are taken for granted on land. Surrounded by the energy and beauty of the ocean, SUP yoga will surprise and challenge you, and leave you with a feeling of zen. Instructor Katie (KT) Coryell is a former member of the USA Surf Team and certified yoga and surf instructor who holds current certifications in lifesaving, first aid, and CPR. She has been practicing SUP YOGA for seven years and teaching it to others for five.

Check website for class times.

For those who prefer land-based yoga, Zen Den Collective has a studio in Dunsborough.

YOGA ONE

Visit yogaone.com.au

ASHTANGA YOGA MARGARET RIVER With classes taking place in the iconic Greek Chapel in Prevelly that stands proud perched on top of the hill, participants are protected from the elements but can still see the ocean. Specialising

BODY & BATH

SUP YOGA

GIFTS & GALLERY

SAVOUR THE FLAVOUR OF THE SOUTHWEST

Visit zendencollective.com

CORNER OF BOTTRILL STREET & margaretriver.com | SUMMER 2016/17 93 BUSSELL HIGHWAY, COWARAMUP

It’s everything you need to explore the region!

The most comprehensive list of things to do in the region Build your holiday itinerary

Find what’s near you

Book tours & accommodation

Interactive map

Visit www.margaretriver.com/app for full details Download the Your Margaret River Region app at

Available online and offline

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2hrs 2hrs 3hrs 30mins 50mins 3hrs

To make a booking visit avis.com.au or local freecall 1800 679 880

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Latest model vehicles Wide range to choose from including people movers and 4WDs One way rentals available with unlimited kilometres!

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STAY

ABBEY BEACH RESORT LUXURY HOTEL AND APARTMENT ACCOMMODATION IN A RESORT SETTING, LOCATED ON THE BEACH IN BUSSELTON Enjoy fully serviced, self contained apartments and studios, each with a private double spa and balcony.

Abbey Beach Resort is a 4.5 star leisure resort with countless facilities and amenities. The Resort has an atrium restaurant, pool side café, several bars, a 25 metre indoor heated swimming pool, 2

outdoor pools, tennis and squash courts, spa, gym and sauna for your enjoyment.

Stroll to the beach, tour wineries, art galleries and many other local attractions.

For a holiday or short break you are assured of comfort and style at Abbey Beach Resort

595 Bussell Highway, Busselton WA Freecall 1800 017 097 • Ph 61 8 9755 4600 • info@abbeybeach.com.au www.abbeybeach.com.au

CENTRAL AVENUE APARTMENTS

ASK a LOCAl!

CENTRAL, CONTEMPORARY STYLE… One street back from the hustle but just a short stroll to our vibrant main street. Relax on your private balcony and take in the vibe of Margaret Rivers town centre from one of our fully self-contained, luxury 2 bedroom/2 bathroom apartments.

Quality furnishings, king-size beds, rainfall showers, Foxtel, Free Wi-Fi & secure private parking.

1 Charles West Avenue, Margaret River Ph 08 97587025 www.centralavenue.com.au apartments@centralavenue.com.au

RAC BUSSELTON HOLIDAY PARK

DIRECTORY

MULTI AWARD WINNING FAMILY HOLIDAY PARK Centrally located between Busselton, Dunsborough and Margaret River. Set amongst 8 hectares of natural bushland it’s only a short stroll away from the pristine beach of Geographe Bay. Close to the Wineries, Restaurants, Art Galleries, Fishing, Golf and lots more…. Self-contained one and two bedroom cabins, Studio apartments and budget family accommodation, Wheelchair friendly camping and 1 bedroom cabin, Ensuites sites and Big rig friendly sites, Powered and un-powered sites, Spacious fully-equipped modern Campers Kitchen, New Entertainment Hub – Kids club and special group gatherings.

97 Caves Rd, Abbey, Busselton WA ph 1800 871 570 Busselton info@RACbusseltonholidaypark.com.au Holiday Park RACbusseltonholidaypark.com.au

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Set on a beautiful bay and taking in the picturesque South West coastline between Cape Naturaliste and Cape Leeuwin, Hamelin Bay Holiday Park is 15kms north of Augusta and 30kms south of Margaret River. Choose from well appointed camp sites, caravan sites, cottages and cabins.

bookings@hamelinbayholidaypark.com.au Ph 08 9758 5540 • www.hamelinbayholidaypark.com.au

Drop in to one of our four accredited visitor centres in Busselton, Dunsborough, Margaret River and Augusta for friendly, expert advice.

STAY

DUNSBOROUGH BEACH COTTAGES

Don’t miss out next time Contact Natalie to book your space in our next issue of Your Margaret River Region Magazine.

Call (08) 9273 8933

E: sales@premiumpublishers.com.au

ABSOLUTE BEACHFRONT ON THE SHORES OF GEOGRAPHE BAY Dunsborough Beach Cottages is situated on the pristine waters of Geographe Bay just 2.5 hours south of Perth. We offer beautifully appointed self-contained 2 & 3 bedroom resort style cottages, including our adults only beachfront cottages.

From here you can walk to the Dunsborough town centre or within a short distance you can experience a range of award winning wineries, galleries and restaurants, making

Dunsborough Beach Cottages the ideal choice for families, couples or anyone looking to enjoy a beachfront escape in the Margaret River region.

Be sure to visit our website for the latest offers and rates.

Ph 08 9756 8885 or freecall 1800 816 885 e dbcottages@netserv.net.au • www.dunsborough-beach.com.au

DUNSBOROUGH CENTRAL MOTEL

DUNSBOROUGH INN BACKPACKERS

DUNSBOROUGH CENTRAL MOTEL IS NESTLED IN A TRANQUIL GARDEN SETTING IN THE HEART OF TOWN

SUPERIOR BUDGET ACCOMMODATION SITUATED RIGHT IN THE HUB OF TOWN

Dunsborough Central Motel is ideally located on the doorstep of world renowned beaches, dive sites, premium wineries, art galleries, wildflowers, caves and the incredible coastal scenery of Cape Naturaliste. Just a 600 metre stroll to the beach or a short drive to surf beaches, the Dunsborough Central Motel is adjacent to restaurants & cafes, wine bars, supermarket

shopping centre, beauticians, banks and a very well informed Visitor Centre. Simply relax in style by our outdoor pool and BBQ area, indulge in the Bali Style Gazebo Spa, or just kick back with a good book and a glass of wine in the privacy of your well appointed room.

50 Dunn Bay Road, Dunsborough WA Ph 08 9756 7711 • reservations@dunsboroughmotel.com.au www.dunsboroughmotel.com.au

For those on a budget, the self-catering aspect of the complex and it’s proximity to the supermarket can be a great money saver. Dunsborough Inn Backpackers provides a variety of accommodation ranging from self-contained units to our non dormitory hostel style rooms. Our large communal kitchen/dining room and spacious recreation areas provide an environment for guests to relax and exchange experiences of the day or just to meet new people.

50 Dunn Bay Road, Dunsborough WA Ph 08 9756 7277 • bookings@dunsboroughinn.com.au www.dunsboroughinn.com.au

Get away this winter to www.geographecove.com.au Geographe Cove Resort

Get away this winter to Geographe Cove Resort

Winter Specials from May - Sept Winter Specials Geographe Cove Resort isfrom nestled Stay 7 nights and pay for 5 - Sept among someMay of nature’s most stunning Stay 5 nights and pay for 4 scenery beautiful coastline 7 and nights and for 5at StayStay 3 nights and pay for pay 2* Geographe Bay, Dunsborough. only and pay for 4 Stay*Off5 waterfront nights This collection of luxury self-contained villas, Includes schooland holidays StayJuly 3 nights pay for 2 *

some located right on the beach front, can be a *Off waterfront only With cosyescape log fires most villas holiday for romantic forintwo, a fun-filled and all the creature comforts a couple of families or school an unforgettable getaway Includes July holidays you’d expect a resort as log well for a group ofat friends.

Cozy fires, pool and as tennis all thecourt South West has to offer an ideal destination With cosymake logfor fires in most villasall why not book a Winter Break round. comforts and all today theyear creature

you’d expect at a resort as well Ph: or 08 Tim 9756 8700 Karen on as Phone all the South West has to offer Ph:Gifford 9756 8700 Road,a Dunsborough why87 not book Winter Break E: manager@geographecove.com.au www.geographecove.com.au today

NESTLED AMONGST THE HILLS OF OUR FAMILY OWNED WORKING SHEEP FARM, JUST TEN MINUTES SOUTH EAST OF MARGARET RIVER. The farm encompasses a beautiful secret valley from the outside world by natural forest. Bring your Caravan, Motorhome or Tent to relax and enjoy the open space, amazing nights skies, friendly farm animals and the family friendly atmosphere. Pet Friendly.

Ph 08 9757 5020 bigvalleymargaretriver.com.au

Phone Karen or Tim on Ph: 9756 8700 www.geographecove.com.au

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DIRECTORY

BIG VALLEY CAMPSITE

STAY

JACARANDA GUEST HOUSE

PARK YOUR CAR AND WALK EVERYWHERE Busselton famous Jetty, beach, shops, cafe and restaurants all just a short walk away.

Jacaranda Guest House is centrally located, has 7 guest rooms all with own ensuite, r/c airconditioning and free wifi.

It is nestled amongst english style gardens, where You can just relax or enjoy a bbq.

Continental breakfast is included in the price.

30 West Street, Busselton, WA Ph 08 9751 5973 â&#x20AC;¢ jacarandaguesthouse1@westnet.com.au www.jacarandaguesthouse.com

CAVES ROAD CHALETS

NESTLED IN A PEACEFUL NATURAL BUSH SETTING Caves Road Chalets is the perfect spot to escape the hustle and bustle of your everyday life. 1 + 2 Bedroom self contained, air conditioned, loft style chalets, nestled in 64 acres of Natural Bushland in the Heart of the Margaret River wine region.

Great for everybody. Singles, families, groups and Pet Friendly Too. Ph 08 9755 5266 www.cavesroadchalets.com.au admin@cavesroadchalets.com.au

Buy your copy of Artists of the Margaret River Region at any Visitor Centre.

PEARL RIVER HOUSES

OUR WORLD IS YOUR PLAYGROUND BOOK YOUR SUMMER ESCAPE - PULLMANBUNKERBAYRESORT.COM.AU

DIRECTORY

SKY, FOREST, RIVER AND SEA. UNFORGETTABLE Pearl River Houses is set on five acres of exclusive land in Margaret River and comprises of two short-stay residences, Pearl River House and River Valley Villa.

The location is one of exceptional beauty, with views of the River Mouth and National Park forests.

A truly unique and magical property. www.pearlriverhouses.com.au

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STAY | FOOD & DRINK

WISTERIA COTTAGE

SUNFLOWERS ANIMAL FARM & FARMSTAY

Spacious & Comfortable Cabins + Caravan Sites REST, RELAX, EXPLORE. Whether you are here for rest and relaxation or to explore our amazing atttractions we hope you enjoy the peace and tranquility that is Wisteria Cottage. A one bedroom self contained cottage.

The Margaret River Region We offer farmstay accommodation in 4 fully self contained units, sleeping between 5 and 9 people, near Margaret River in the South West of Western Australia.

Sunflowers Farmstay is ideal for big groups of friends or families (max 28 people).

Wander through the Animal Farm, with over 350 very friendly (mainly) farm animals, at any time during your stay. Sip local wines while admiring our stunning views: wild kangaroos grazing on rolling hills covered in beautiful wildflowers.

Visitor Guide 2015

Wisteria Cottage

31 Dekkers, Rd Deepdene WA 6290 M 0407 084 086 wisteriacottageaugusta@gmail.com

5561 Caves Road, near Margaret River

www.riverviewtouristpark.com Ph: (08) 9757 • farmerjones@sunflowersfarm.com Below is3343 your most recent advertisement from either the 2014 AMRTA visitor guide or adapted from

9757 2270 | 1300 666 105

www.sunflowersfarm.com

SEINE BAY APARTMENTS

TAUNTON FARM HOLIDAY PARK & HISTORIC FUNCTION CENTRE

Seine Bay Apartments

SUPERB ACCOMMODATION PRISTINE AUGUSTA

CENTRAL TO THE CAPE TO CAPE REGION Offering friendly service in a relaxing, peaceful, rural environment.

Farm-style cottages, caravan & camping Barn-style campers kitchen.

Farm animals & feeding, kids playground & bouncy pillow.

Weelchair access.

Multiple Tourism Award Winner.

Only 10 minutes north of Margaret River – off Bussell Highway, Cowaramup.

Superb Accommodation in pristine Augusta

Function Centre for 200 plus.

Fully equipped catering kitchen & amenities.

Any unique function at affordable rates with accommodation onsite.

Inspections are always welcome.

• AAA AAArated rated&&excellent excellentTripAdvisor TripAdvisorreviews reviews bedroom - 2bathroom bathroom && 33 bedroom-3 bedroom - 3bathroom bathroom • 22bedroom-2 Spacious,self-contained, self-contained, stunning stunning design • Spacious, design Allapartments apartments with • All withmagnificent magnificentbay bayviews views RCAir AirConditioning, conditioning, flat DVD CD CD • RC flat screen screen TV TV DVD Timberdecks, decks,private privatebalconies, balconies, lock-up lock-up garages • Timber garages Central location, close to shops, cafes & iconic AugustaHotel Hotel • Central location, close to shops, cafes & iconic Augusta Near to Blackwood River, beaches, caves, karri forest, wineries, • Near to Blackwood River, beaches, caves, karri forest, coastal bushwalks & the Leeuwin Lighthouse wineries, coastal bushwalks & the Leeuwin Lighthouse Blackwood Tel: 08 9758Avenue, 0761 Augusta Ph 08 9758 0761 Augusta Blackwood Avenue, enquiry@augustaapartments.com.au enquiry@augustaapartments.com.au www.augustaapartments.com.au

Ph 08 9755 5334 • Freecall: 1800 248 777 enquiries@tauntonfarm.com.au www.tauntonfarm.com.au

BARNYARD 1978

A

www.augustaapartments.com.au

This is a 1 Unit Advert. By returning this form you are booking an advert in the Visitor Guide and Colour scheme of title bar is subject to change.

Please repeat my advert - Approval for Printing

DIRECTORY

Please repeat my advert as shown. The artwork can go to print without any changes. I u am taking responsibility for the accuracy of the content of the advert.

Business Name _________________________________________________________________________

Contact Person ________________________________________ Signature ________________________

pasta factory, casually classy restaurant with cellar door & Barnyard Bees honey store…

12 Canal Rocks Rd, Yallingup WA Reservations welcome 08 9755 2548 Visit www.barnyard1978.com.au for opening hours and menu

Telephone _________________________________________ Email Address ________________________

OR:

08 9758 8877

107 Bussell Hwy (main street) • w: www.elkamo.com.au • e: info@elkamo.com.au

Please repeat my advert - with minor changes

T A PPlease A S repeat + CO C K TA I L S + F O U R H O T E L S U I T E S my advert as shown but with the following changes to the text. I understan me for approval before it goes to print.

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_______________________________________________________________________________________

FOOD & DRINK

GABRIEL CHOCOLATE

CAFE BORANUP

COUNTRY ATMOSPHERE IN THE FOREST 10am-4pm Weekdays. 8am-4pm Weekends.

Great coffee. Home baked scones and cakes.

Augusta Abalone and Whiting.

Variety of vegetarian and GF options.

Breakfast and Lunch Menu.

Next to Boranup Gallery.

7981 Caves Road Forest Grove WA 6286 Ph 08 9757 7279 www.cafeboranup.com

AUTHENTIC ITALIAN GELATO AND SORBETTI

VISIT WA’S FIRST “BEAN TO BAR” CHOCOLATE MAKER

Authentic Italian gelato and sorbetti made in-store by owner Andy using natural ingredients. Dairy & gluten free flavours available.

Opening hours *Open 7 days between 26 Dec - 31 Jan 2017 (10am - 9pm)* Thereafter open Mon, Wed, Thurs, Fri (10am - 5.30pm) Weekends (10am-9pm)

Discover the vast array of naturally occurring chocolate flavours – everything from cherry, citrus through to rum raisin – in the single-origin, multiple award winning chocolate bars.

We turn the world’s best raw cocoa beans into heavenly chocolate. Daily behind the scenes tours, sample fresh chocolate, enjoy decadent hot chocolate, coffee and our handmade ice-cream, chocolate cookies and cakes.

Open 10am to 5pm daily. Daily tours.

32 Queen Street, Busselton WA Ph 08 9751 1477 / gelatobuonissimo / gelatobuonissimobusselton

Cnr Caves & Quininup Rds, Yallingup Ph 08 9756 6689 www.gabrielchocolate.com.au

EAGLE BAY OLIVES A GOURMET EXPERIENCE WITH A FOCUS ON OLIVE OIL AND OLIVES Premium extra virgin olive oil.

A wide selection of table olives, naturally processed.

Tapenades, pesto, dukkah, dressings and jams, all preservative free.

Unique giftware including olive wood boards and kitchen utensils.

Picnic boxes to enjoy in our shady gardens.

Open 10.30-5.00 every day in December and January except December 25, 26 & January 1.

Then, from February until sold out, open 10.30-5.00 Friday, Saturday & Sunday. Also open Monday public holidays.

Check our Facebook page for the latest news.

fish 'n' chips with a gourmet twist THE PERFECT TAKE-AWAY OPTION FOR THE BEACH OR THE RIVER. ENJOY SOME TODAY!

521 Cape Naturaliste Road, Eagle Bay WA Ph (08) 9755 3188 eaglebayolives.com.au

THE LARDER

www.squidlips.com.au THE MARGARET RIVER REGION’S

BEST OCEAN VIEW DIRECTORY

LOOKING FOR SOMETHING OTHER THAN A RESTAURANT DINNER TONIGHT?

DUNSBOROUGH Ph: (08) 9759 1799 Dunsborough Centrepoint Shopping Centre Shop 27A, 55 Dunn Bay Rd

Then it’s time to drop into The Larder on the main street and treat yourself to one of their mouth-watering take-home meals.

This Margaret River treasure has become the first port of call for visitors wanting to stock up on some little luxuries for their holiday stay, and to sample the best of local and exotic fine food.

OPEN DAILY.

OPEN 7 DAYS BREAKFAST, LUNCH & DINNER

Shop 2, 99 Bussell Hwy, Margaret River Ph 08 9758 8990 www.larder.biz

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squidlips is a must do for lovers of high quality seafood, delicious chips & fresh, healthy salads.

MARGARET RIVER Ph: (08) 9757 9§a960 Settlers Tavern Arcade 118 Bussell Hwy

WA's Own Icecream

FOOD & DRINK | ARTS & ACTIVITIES WA's Own Icecream

ARTGEO CULTURAL COMPLEX

With over 60 flavours of delicious icecream made on the premise, sundaes, hot waffles and coffee.

There is something for the whole family!

WHERE ART AND HERITAGE MEET

Kids can go crazy in the adventure playground or challenge the whole family to 18 holes of mini golf.

4 – 7 Queen Street, Busselton • 9751 4651 • artgeo@artgeo.com.au www.artgeo.com.au

THE DIVE SHED

Enjoy a BBQ or picnic in the shady landscaped gardens.

Guiding you to awaken & elevate your THE ADVENTURE BEGINS Try scuba diving – no experience required. Learn to dive, sunset cruises, dive charters, equipment hire, sales and servicing.

161 Commonage Road Dunsborough

The Dive Shed, 21 Queen Street Busselton Ph 08 9754 1615 diveshed@compwest.net.au www.diveshed.com.au

08 9755 3745

www.simmos.com.au

consciousness for leading an inspired life catordcoaching.com

Guiding you to awaken e catordcoach@gmail.com f fb.com/catordcoaching & elevate your consciousness for leading an inspired life Guiding you to catordcoaching.com

ARTS MARGARET RIVER

awaken & elevate your e catordcoach@gmail.com f fb.com/catordcoaching consciousness for leading

an inspired life

DIRECTORY

catordcoaching.com e catordcoach@gmail.com f fb.com/catordcoaching

MARGARET RIVER CULTURAL AND EVENTS CENTRE The major arts and entertainment venue in the region.

• Weekend cinema screenings & school holiday matinees.

• Foyer Gallery Exhibitions.

• Live performances.

This summer’s events include ‘Symphony in the City Simulcast’ 10th December and ‘Deborah Conway & Willy Zygier live in concert’ 16th December.

Visit our website for information and ticket purchases.

9758 7316 (Mon-Fri 10am to 4pm) • 51 Wallcliffe Rd, Margaret River www.artsmargaretriver.com

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ARTS & ACTIVITIES

MARGARET RIVER GOLF CLUB

DUNSBOROUGH JETSKI TOURS

NATIONAL PARK RIVER TOURS Bookings are essential

PLAY AROUND IN MARGARET RIVER

THE ONLY PROFESSIONALLY GUIDED JETSKI TOUR IN THE SOUTH WEST.

Keen to combine some golf with a trip to WA’s wine country?

Margaret River Golf Club is the highlight of any golf tour to the south west. There aren’t many golf courses in the region that rival Margaret River for scenic beauty and sheer golfing challenge. The 6,092 metre, par 72 course is highly regarded by golfers from all over WA and beyond.

Clubs, buggies and carts are available for hire at the on-course golf shop that also stocks a wide range of equipment.

Our tour leaves from Quindalup boat ramp hugging the coastline past the township of Dunsborough, taking in the spectacular bays and beaches of Meelup Regional Park including Curtis Bay, Castle Bay, Meelup Beach, Point Picquet, Eagle Bay, Bunker Bay then on to the lighthouse at Cape Natuarliste and a final stop at Quarry Bay. Our guides will offer information about the history, marine life, flora & fauna and local area. Along the way you may even see dolphins, fur seals, whales and a huge variety of birdlife.

Ph: (08) 9757 3161 • E golfshop@westnet.com.au 599 Wallcliffe Road, Margaret River margaretrivergolfclub.com.au

Lot 4820 Geographe Bay Road Ph 0448 086 886 www.dunsboroughjetskitours.com.au

YALLINGUP SURF SCHOOL

MARGARET RIVER’S BEST VALUE SUP TOUR! • SUP Lesson & Transport

WESTERN AUSTRALIA’S PREMIER SURF AND LIFESTYLE ACADEMY

FUN & • National Park Location EASY • No Experience Necessary TOURS • Gift Vouchers Available

Call 0419 959 053 or book online

margaretriversup.com.au

Yallingup Surf School provides group lessons or private coaching for the absolute beginner to aspiring champions and we cater for kids, mums and dads, tourists, corporate and school groups and everyone in between.

Ph: 0429 881 221 info@yallingupsurfschool.com yallingupsurfschool.com

SKYDIVE GERONIMO

DIRECTORY

•••••

20-20-20 PACKAGE 3 TREATMENTS: 1 HOUR

Can’t decide on a treatment?

Choose 3 for only $159* Visit pullmanbunkerbayresort.com.au or call 08 9756 9160. *See website for terms & conditions.

WA’S BEST BEACH SKYDIVES Tandem Skydive from 10, 14 or 15,000ft over the spectacular Busselton and Margaret River regions!

Enjoy a breathtaking flight to altitude, taking in views of Geographe Bay, the famous Busselton Jetty, Cape Naturaliste and the wineries beyond. Then it’s time for the door to open, and ready? set? GO! The adrenaline starts pumping as you leave the aircraft, securely attached to your instructor and free-falling at 200km/hour for up to 66 seconds, before safely landing on one of the beaches along the famous Busselton Foreshore. Celebrating with a complimentary drink!

Ph 1300 449 669 skydive@skydivegeronimo.com.au www.skydivegeronimo.com.au

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Directory

ARTS & ACTIVITIES | WINE & BEER

STREATER GALLERY IS A MUST SEE

Cape GraCe

John Streater Fine Furniture Open: 10am to 4pm. Closed Fridays.

Ph 08 9755 1211 105 Blythe Road, Yallingup Siding streatergallery@bigpond.com www.streaterfinefurniture.com

CELLAR DOOR ONLY SINGLE VINEYARD WINES LIMITED PRODUCTION BASKET PRESSED REDS

John Streater has been a pioneer in the West Australian art industry for over thirty years. His bespoke furniture is showcased alongside other internationally recognised artists at his gallery in Yallingup Siding.

JAMES HALLIDAY 281 Fifty One Road, Cowaramup T: 08 9755 5669 | Open Daily

www.capegracewines.com.au

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THERE’S A CHEEKY SIDE IN ALL OF US,

let yours run wild!

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C AV E S R D

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AT CHEEKY MONKEY WERE BLESSED WITH AN IDYLLIC LOCATION ON THE FAMOUS CAVES ROAD. IT’S A LOCATION THAT AFFORDS THE KIND OF SPACE THAT LETS KIDS PLAY FREE WHILST YOU RELAX, KICK BACK AND ENJOY A LONG LUNCH. OPEN FROM 10AM TO 6PM. LUNCH SERVED FROM 11.30AM TO 3.30PM WITH PIZZAS AVAILABLE TIL 5PM EVERYDAY.

GRACETOWN

PREVELLY

COWARAMUP

ROSABROOK MARGARET RIVER

DIRECTORY

4259 CAVES ROAD, MARGARET RIVER, WA, 6285 | PHONE: 97 555 555 | WWW.CHEEKYMONKEYBREWERY.COM.AU

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WINE & BEER

With wines from both Margaret River &

With winesSouthern, from bothpicnic Margaret River & the Great lawns flanked the Great Southern, picnic lawns flanked by native marri & karri trees, a visit to our by native marri & karri trees, a visit to our Cellar Door is a truly unique experience.

Cellar Door is a truly unique experience.

Howard Park & MadFish Winery

Howard Park & MadFish Winery 543 Miamup Road, Cowaramup 543 Miamup Road, Cowaramup Open 10am--5pm 5pmdaily daily| |08089756 9756 5200 Open 10am 5200 www.burchfamilywines.com.au www.burchfamilywines.com.au

caves Discover an ancient wonderland at Ngilgi, Mammoth, Lake and Jewel Cave.

To book drop into your nearest visitor centre or call: (08) 9757 7411

Killerby Cellar Store featuring premium Margaret River wines & local produce.

Visit Killerby’s Cellar Store (adjoining Cheeky Monkey brewery) for a friendly, informative wine tasting.

The store features a range of local and interesting gourmet produce including

Margaret River cheese, truffle products, chocolates, Hobo & Hatch scarves and jewellery, lifestyle books, wine accessories and much more. Mention this ad to receive 10% discount.

4259 Caves Road, Wilyabrup WA 6280 Tel. 08 9755 5983 www.killerby.com.au

DIRECTORY

ROSILY VINEYARD OPENS ITS WINERY DOOR Multiple trophy winning wines We welcome visitors to come and enjoy our unique vineyard and winery experience.

There is no “cellar door” shop at Rosily – just a working vineyard and winery, and a tasting table complete with our range of award winning wines.

Open Saturdays 11:00am – 5:00pm, and daily throughout summer holidays.

871 Yelverton Road, Willyabrup Ph 61 (08) 9755 6336 • www.rosily.com.au

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TOURS Directory

CAPE TO CAPE TOURS LUXURY MARGARET RIVER PRIVATE WINE TOURS Choose from premium sedans, people movers, stretch limos, mini buses 12 to 24 seater and limobuses.

We take you where want to go or we can help you prepare an itinerary.

Sample amazing foods, wines and breath taking scenery in comfort and style.

Half day and full day tours available.

Private Wine Tours, Scenic Tours, Weddings, Airport transfers.

GREAT RATES & SERVICE at Bunbury, Busselton & Collie Oneway Rentals (to Perth) available

M 0427 294 212 • Ph 08 6595 3232 bookings@capetocapewinetours.com.au www.capetocapewinetours.com.au

Call 1800 679 880

To make a booking visit avis.com.au Wine tours & Charters 2015-A00073

Best value winery tour in the Margaret River region

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• Pick-up and drop off to your accommodation • Pre booked wine tastings at 5 award winning boutique Margaret River wineries • Delicious platter lunch and beer taste at unique micro brewery • Top quality chocolate sampling

• Local cheese and produce tasting

PLUS

• Complimentary bottled water • Personal wine tasting record and pen • Mystery raffle • Email group photograph

Simon & Nicole White M: 0428 179 729

PO Box 1089 Busselton, WA 6280 E: cellardortours@bigpond.com W: cellardortours.com.au

HALF + FULL DAY

Wine & Scenic Tours Wine Tastings Brewery Visit Chocolate & Cheese Factory Venison Farm Local Knowledge Gourmet Lunch (full day tour only)

www.cheerstours.com

9757 2270 or 0419 916 792

DIRECTORY

JESTERS FLAT

PREMIUMPUBLISHERS Professionally guided HORSE RIDING TOURS, suitable for all abilities. From forest treks to beach rides, we have a horse riding adventure just for you.

1549 Rosa Brook Rd, Margaret River Ph 08 97574 562 bookings@jestersflat.com www.jestersflat.com

Page turners for brands 181 Roberts Road, Subiaco WA 6008 | Ph 08 9273 8933. premiumpublishers.com.au

/JestersFlat

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TOURS

MARGARET RIVER BUBBLES TOUR

THE MOST FUN YOU CAN HAVE IN ONE DAY! margaret river

bubbles tour

A tour to suit everyone!

Gourmet food, great wines and iconic locations.

Private tours for 4-11 people.

Tel Mark on 0437 618559 margsbubblestour@hotmail.com

www.margaretriverbubblestour.com

MARGIES BIG DAY OUT BEER & WINE TOUR

EXPERIENCE THE BEST… OF WHAT THIS WORLD FAMOUS REGION HAS TO OFFER! Visit 7 venues including 3 wineries, 2 breweries and the Cheese & Chocolate Companies.

Enjoy a lunch of delicious local produce at a Margaret River Brewery. Make friends, have a laugh and relax whilst your friendly Tour Guide takes you on an amazing day out in the Margaret River Region.

Pick up and drop off to your accommodation included.

CALL US TODAY!

Ph 0416 180 493 margaretrivertourswa.com.au

Margaret River WA

MARGARET RIVER TOURS

. affordable . quality .

MARGARET RIVER’S ORIGINAL Half Day and Full Day Gourmet Wine & Dine.

Visiting 6 wineries daily, including Voyager, Watershed, Leeuwin, McHenry Hohnen, Vasse Felix, Pierro, Stella Bella & Cape Mentelle.

Full Day tours feature lunch at Watershed.

All tours enjoy complementary vineyard platter as well as tastings of small goods, cheese & chocolate.

Margaret River Food & Wine Tours phone: 0417 948 933 email: vintagetours@bigpond.com www.winetoursmargaretriver.com.au

Ph 0419 917 166 info@margaretrivertours.com www.margaretrivertours.com

DIRECTORY

5 Wineries (one sells beer) 1 Brewery Olive Oil/Chocolate/Cheese Lunch with 100ml comp beer Bottle water supplied Bottle of wine for lucky winner 4 Wineries (one sells beer) 9.45am to 1pm or 1.30pm to 5pm

Your itinerary or ours 4 - 7 - 13 - 24 Seater Vehicles Perth Airport to the Margaret River Wine Region and return

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The difference is in the detail As Western Australiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s leading provider of exclusive holiday homes, we take care in making sure all our properties are setup so you can sit back, relax and enjoy your holiday. Browse our portfolio of over 90 properties in some of the best locations this state has to offer.

Visit www.privateproperties.com.au or call 08 9750 5444 and speak with a Booking Consultant

ALBANY

BUNKER BAY

MANDURAH

BUSSELTON

MARGARET RIVER

DENMARK & WALPOLE

PEPPERMINT GROVE BEACH

DUNSBOROUGH

EAGLE BAY

SWAN VALLEY

YALLINGUP

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Be S st tat Gu e W id in e& n To er ur s!

‘Best day out in years’

Margaret River

l Hot Dea r e do a Riv ur to & Wine ff! o get $40

River & Winery Tours 2015 / 20 16

ls dividua uples in lcome! o c , s ie e es w Famil - all ag groups

Enjoy spectacula r wineries on our tour

&

tates. owned Es n re d rl o Visit w elcome!

All ages w

Unique Aust

Gourmet Wildfo od lunch on river tour!

ralia lunch at a winery

, river to

, cliffs Beaches

with boutique Craft Breweries beer tastings!

eers es and b in w m premiu r Taste 30 Margaret Rive of

GOURMET WINERY & BREWERY TOURS: Enjoy 40 Margaret River tastings at corporate, boutique and iconic Estates, chocolate & cheese company plus unique Australian Winery lunch. Pickup all hotels Bunbury, Busselton, Dunsborough, Margaret River. 10am - 5pm daily.

sea!

Bring th e camer a-best d ay out in years !

Brilliant fun memories on Margaret River

CAVE, CANOE, BUSHTUCKER TOURS: A scencic adventure on crystal clear Margaret River, explore caves, river & cliffs and enjoy wilderness, wildlife with authentic wildfood lunch. Meet your experienced guide at Margaret River Mouth 10am - 2pm daily.

Tours include gourmet lunch • 10am daily - $100 per person

Book 8am - 8pm 0419 911 971 www.bushtuckertours.com 108 2016/17 | SUMMER

margaretriver.com

Grab a ticket at www.bushtuckertours.com.au/pay