Your Margaret River Region Magazine - Autumn 2016

magazine 02 | AUTUMN 2016

Grape expectations CELEBRATING VINTAGE IN THE MARGARET RIVER REGION

Going underground KEEPING THE CAVES IN TIP TOP CONDITION margaretriver.com

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MORE X, LESS WHY. THE ALL NEW BMW X1 IS NOW AT AUTO CLASSIC.

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Enjoy more comfort with a luxuriously spacious interior. Experience a more seamless way to explore the world with BMW ConnectedDrive.* Live with more X and less why, starting now. Take a test-drive at Auto Classic today.

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LMCT 2271

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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 ART DIRECTOR Cally Browning cally@barecreative.com.au DESIGNER Alyssa Karvinen alyssa@premiumpublishers.com.au

W

e are kicking off autumn in spectacular style as vineyards across the Margaret River region bring the harvest home for what looks like another spectacular year of winemaking.

This issue of Your Margaret River Region magazine marks the start of a year-long ‘Vintage to Vintage’ journey, which will tell the story of winemaking in the Margaret River region like never before. Watch as the story unfolds in the magazine and online at margaretriver.com over the next 12 months.

We haven’t forgotten the brewers of the region too - why not check out some of the newcomers in the area? It’s always beer o’clock in the Margaret River region.

We’ve got suggestions too about how to keep fit while you’re on holiday - just do as the locals do and ride, swim or run your way to health - while the world’s most famous surfers prepare to congregate along our beautiful coastline for the Drug Aware Margaret River Pro in April.

The Margaret River region has always been a hot spot for top chefs making their mark, and the arrival of Colin Anderson, from top eaterie Quay in Sydney, is no exception. Prepare to drool as you read about his innovative paddock to plate-style menu at Cullen Wines. We meet a local producer of abalone, an unsung seafood treasure, and also discover some truly delicious locally-produced chocolate; we recommend you forget the diet for a day or two.

Finally read what the Margaret River region means to leading producer and star of Drift, Myles Pollard. Like him, you’ll find your heart will be stolen by this beautiful part of the world. Enjoy!

Gabi

SALES MANAGER Natalie du Preez (0426 752 352) natalie@premiumpublishers.com.au SALES Kevin Farrell (0417 931 829) PHOTOGRAPHIC Elements Margaret River elementsmargaretriver.com.au COPY EDITOR Anthea Somas CONTRIBUTORS Dianne Bortoletto, Max Brearley, Norman Burns, Christian Fletcher, Anna Hartley, Carmen Jenner, Mia Lacy, Beverly Ligman, Matthew Mills, Sarah Szabo, Mark Wahlsten.

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

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

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PREMIUM PUBLISHERS

WHAT YOUR MARGARET RIVER REGION GOT UP TO

IN SUMMER...

Make mine a skinny flat

white

y joyfulness

tt Busselton je

Majestic beauty at Lake Cave We met the locals!

Aaaand relax

it’s a #brosé thing

#winningcombo #s

eeyousoon

ach Stunning Smiths Be

Local coldies from 11am #hayshedhill #cheese

HASHTAG #YMRRAUTUMN

Stunning afternoon at the Cape nal Rocks Chillz down at Ca

TO SEE YOUR

Sheer joy at Hampton’s Retreat

PIX HERE

Images: @elementsmargaretriver @stellabellawines @eaglebaybrewingco @sw_secrets @gabikate @mattfieldes_photog @discovermargaretriver margaretriver.com

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Contents | issue 2 | Autumn 2016 30

74 VINTAGE SPECIAL

42

8 YOUR CALENDAR Top events this autumn in the Margaret River region

76

Eat & Drink 14 Meet the chef - Colin Anderson, head chef of Cullen Wines 18 Brew ha ha - new wave of brewers and distillers 20 Hop heroes - established breweries lead the way 22 Chocoholics - the region’s top chocolate makers 26 Seafood revolution - abalone makes a splash 28 What a kerfuffle - truffles in the spotlight Wine & Wineries - Vintage Special 30 From grape to glass - vintage explained 34 Discover what makes gravel road wineries special 36 The art of natural winemaking

46 Going Underground - meet the unsung cave heroes 50 The big blue - Busselton Jetty’s rich marine life

38 Local hero - Virginia Willcock, chief winemaker at Vasse Felix

Arts & Wellbeing

40 Rob Geddes picks his top autumnal drops

54 Emerging talent at creative festival

Nature & Environment 42 Run river, run - the region’s beautiful waterways 45 Power to the people - electric highway a big hit

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56 Celebrating art with MRROS 60 Hemp days - fashionably natural 62 Rock stars - local jewellers shine

52

COVER IMAGE Elements Margaret River

50

It's your l I S T Is climbing mainland Australia’s tallest lighthouse on your bucket list?

64

Or exploring crystal caves?

Maybe it’s hiking the Cape to Cape Track?

54 Active & Adventure 64 Jog on - keep fit like the locals 68 Surfers paradise - the stars are back in town 70 Cape crusaders - enjoying the Cape to Cape 74 My Down South Getaway with Myles Pollard 76 Blazing saddles - get on your bike and explore off the beaten track MAP & DIRECTORY| Places to stay, eat, drink and visit - our handy business directory Stay...................................................................................................................................................................................80 Food & Drink...................................................................................................................................................... 84 Activities & Art .............................................................................................................................................. 85 Wine & Beer........................................................................................................................................................ 87 Tours................................................................................................................................................................................ 89

It’s all yours.

Visit margaretriver.com or call (08) 9780 5911 to plan and book your trip. margaretriver.com

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Your calendar |

The best autumn events in the Margaret River region

|MARCH

| MARCH

Celebrate T H E

R I V E R

O

riginally a bi-annual event, since 1996 the Augusta River Festival has grown into a major annual event on the south west calendar, promoting the beautiful town of Augusta as well as its local performers, artists, produce growers and craftspeople.

This year’s two-day event has tonnes of water and land based activities and entertainment for the whole family. Taking place on the March long weekend with

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a packed program of events rolling out, including the popular drink-can regatta, local musicians, Zorb balls, food stalls and, in the evening, a spectacular fireworks display set against the Blackwood River.

Act Belong Commit Augusta River Festival, March 5 and 6. For more information visit augustariverfestival.com and read our story all about local rivers on page 42.

amaze’n

MARGARET RIVER MAZE, GARDENS, MINI GOLF & CAFE

MARGARET RIVER

Creativity - TO THE -

FORE YOU MAY NOT know it, but José Miguel Sokoloff designed an advertising campaign aimed at guerilla fighters in Colombia. He installed nine 23m Christmas trees decorated with LED lights and a banner that read: “If Christmas can come to the jungle, you can come home. Demobilise.” The lights were rigged with motion detectors, so when fighters passed by, the trees would light up.

About five per cent of the guerilla population in Colombia demobilised as a result of the campaign.

What’s this got to do with Margaret River? Well, as president of Lowe Global Creative Council & Co José is just one of the internationally acclaimed keynote speakers booked in for this year’s Emergence Creative.

Described as the ‘State of the Union’ for Australia’s creative industries, it is a four-day event in which professionals from the digital and visual arts, film, advertising and music get together to share developments in their fields,

discuss emerging trends and get the creative juices flowing in a series of workshops and talks.

Speaking alongside José will be Perth-born Zena Loxton, creative director of VICE, New York; Ram Castillo, award-winning designer, director, blogger, podcaster and author of the internationally acclaimed book How To Get a Job as a Designer, Guaranteed; and Nick McFarlane, senior designer for FCB New Zealand and author of Spinfluence:The Hardcore Propaganda Manual for Controlling the Masses, A satirical fable about the war you never knew you were in.

The event will also be liberally peppered with concerts, exhibitions by local artists, delicious meals in the region’s famous wineries and countless other diversions designed to kick start your creative year with a bang.

Emergence Creative from March 16 to 19. Check out emergencecreative.com for full details and registration prices. Read more about this important festival on page53. Plan your next visit at margaretriver.com

Tel: 08 9758 7439 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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Calendar | | MARCH

STICK MEN -

AFTER AN INTENSE touring schedule including a mammoth North American tour and a nonstop 12 date European/UK tour last November, Sydney reggae/fusion/rock group Sticky Fingers are heading to the Margaret River region.

Their second album Land of Pleasure brought huge success, and they are currently recording in Thailand and set to release their much anticipated third album later this year.

Fresh with this new material, the lads are taking to the road with a full national tour for April which will include the newest addition to the region’s venue scene, The Beer Farm.

A converted dairy in Metricup, The Beer Farm now houses its own production brewery and live music space. Known as the Otherside Collective, it is the brainchild of one of the founders of Young Henrys and the directors behind the immensely popular Sunset Events, a group of like-minded individuals who know a lot about good times and great beer.

Sticky Fingers with special guests Bootleg Rascal,The Beer Farm, March 27. Tickets on sale from moshtix.com.au

F

or such a rocking live music venue, Settlers Tavern has a few surprises up its sleeve.

In the prestigious 2015 Gourmet Traveller Wine List of the Year Awards, the Margaret River favourite scooped the Reader’s Choice Award as well as the Award for Best Listing of Australian Wines in Australia. There are over 500 local and international wines on offer, including Margaret River’s rarest and most sought-after bottles. And if you like American BBQ, you can head for the authentic Yoder Frontiersman BBQ pit in Settlers’ front beer

AUTUMN 2016

BOOTLEG RASCAL and more to be announced

SUNDAY 27 MARCH 2016 Doors at 4pm The Beer Farm: 177 Gale Road, Metricup 18+ Tickets from MOSHTIX.COM.AU

SETTLE inn for a great night

| APRIL

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With special guests

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garden, and breathe in the sweet, soft smoke of Texas-style brisket.

The next few months see some fantastic live acts set to rock the joint, with awardwinning songwriter and lap slide specialist Andrew Winton taking over the Settlers’ Sunday Session on April 10 with blues & roots, folk, jazz, gospel, funk & country/ bluegrass. Then on April 15, the hard-hitting horns of South American Roots outfit Madre Monte will get the crowd grooving to a spicy mix of Latin tradition with mythological stories

of Columbia and Australia on the big stage.

Datura4, the brainchild of Dom Mariani (frontman of legendary Australian rockers The Stems) and Greg Hitchcock (former You Am I guitarist) represent Mariani and Hitchcock’s love of hard-hitting bell-bottom blues on May 21. This show will be a guitar lover’s dream don’t miss it.

Settlers Tavern, 114 Bussell Highway, Margaret River. For the full line-up appearing at Settlers Tavern, visit settlerstavern.com

| APRIL

Gnarly, dude THOUSANDS OF SPECTATORS will flock to Surfers Point in

Prevelly to watch the world’s best surfers take on the famous Margaret River Mainbreak and the fearsome Box during the Margaret River Pro which starts on April 8.

| APRIL

Visit worldsurfleague.com for information.

ADRENALINE AT THE READY

FACTS

S

WHAT: X-Adventure Dunsborough WHEN: April 16 to 17 WHERE: Dunsborough, WA – one of

Mother Nature’s finest race venues and an ideal weekend escape destination HOW: An adventure triathlon in paradise with challenges to suit all levels: • Long Course X-Adventure: 1,500m ocean swim / 12km coast trail run / 22km mountain bike • Short Course X-Adventure: 700m ocean swim / 6km coast trail run / 12km mountain bike • Kids X-Adventure: 200m swim / 2.5km trail run / 4km mountain bike • Groms X-Adventure: 800m trail run / 1,200m mountain bike (no swim) – new event.

WHO: Individuals and relay teams are welcome.

ENTRIES: Visit xadventure.com.au

tart your engines and get ready for some serious gravel-sliding bush action. As the weather cools down, the forest heats up with the sounds of speeding rally cars and cheering spectators at the Quit Forest Rally.

Considered one of Western Australia’s premier sporting events, the rally is Round 1 of the Australian Rally Championship, and is now the longest continuously running event in the ARC. Originally based in Manjimup the event moved to Narrogin, then Perth, Mundaring and the Harvey region.

It’s been held in Busselton and Nannup since 2000, where it looks set to stay.

Traditionally held at the beginning of April, teams have pushed its date back this year to April 22 to 24, largely to fit in with the busy motorsport calendar.

This will also allow co-drivers who are committed to entering the 25th Anniversary Targa Tasmania to take part in both events.

As it’s the first round of the season, spectators and competitors alike can expect plenty of excitement and unknown elements. Many teams will be trying out new cars and new driver combinations, as well as facing the challenges of driving on the uniquely Western Australian ballbearing roads we know so well.

Quit Forest Rally, April 22 to 24.

Visit rallywa.com/rallyevents/quit-forest-rally/ for more info.

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Calendar |

| MAY

RUN, RIDE AND SWIM

S

pectators are set to flock to the foreshore of Busselton to cheer on the athletes competing in the 1.9km swim in the pristine waters of Geographe Bay, 90.1km flat and fast bike leg through the Tuart Forest and a 21.1km run along the foreshore of Busselton this May. Individual competitors, drawn to Busselton from all over the world, will be fighting for the 50 qualifying slots in the 2016 IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship in Mooloolaba, Sunshine Coast, Australia.

Formally known as the WA Long Course Triathlon Championships, it’s the largest event of its type in the Southern Hemisphere and has been held in Busselton since 2002, steadily growing in stature and number of participants.

The IRONMAN brand is an appropriate home for this local event; since its foundation in 1978 IRONMAN has grown from a single race to a global sensation with over 250 events across five different brands, of which 70.3 is one.

Team categories include female, male, mixed and corporate, with awards going to the top three place-getters from each category.

SunSmart IRONMAN 70.3 Busselton, May 1. Visit ap.ironman.com/triathlon/events/asiapac/ ironman-70.3/busselton.aspx for event details.

GREET THE GROWERS: TAKE A TRIP TO THE WEEKEND MARKETS AT BUSSELTON, VASSE, DUNSBOROUGH AND MARGARET RIVER. YOU’LL FIND EVERYTHING FROM FARM FRESH PRODUCE TO HANDCRAFTED WARES ON OFFER. Visit margaretriver.com/autumn for details

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The dreams of Alice | MAY IT'S APPROPRIATE THAT Alice Linford Forte's latest exhibition is called

Dreamers – her work is the perfect epitome of the dreamlike-state many of us enter when we encounter her gorgeous canvases.

“My work has covered a range of styles over the past few years, but what I keep coming back to, and what I find the most pleasurable and challenging, are the abstracts,” says Alice of her work.

“I love the ambiguity, the gradual emergence of the finished product and the rollercoaster ride that goes with it. I love the unpredictability and the journey. My abstracts are what keep me on my toes, so in a way, they are a metaphor for my journey.”

Margaret River Open Studios

| JUNE

Bayside beats

9-24 April 2016

Join jazz lovers on the bay for a cool weekend of smooth sounds in beautiful Dunsborough and surrounds. Jazz by the Bay will deliver the sounds of jazz in perfect settings this June. Picture gourmet food and wine, cosy venues and three days of jazz with a touch of soul and funk. Lay back and stay stress-free with a weekend packed with quality music experiences from international, Perth metro and south west artists. Stay hip to the jive and we’ll see you at the bay.

Jazz by the Bay, June 3 to 5, various locations in and around the region.

For the full line-up, visit jazzbythebay.com.au.

| JUNE

A well-travelled artist, Alice has returned to her Birchfield Farm studio to continue to create colourful, and highly sought-after canvases which have found new homes all over Australia.

“I wanted to capture this notion in the Dreamers exhibition, featuring only large works where people can find that point of personal contact in the varying shapes and tones, dig deep within the layers and derive from it what they will.

“It is about dreaming, visualising, and letting the imagination run a little wild.”

Alice is planning to move back to Europe next year and base herself there for a while, seeking new inspiration and finding more gallery representation.

Catch her work at the Vasse Art Awards, Margaret River Region Open Studios event and a collaborative project with Emergence Creative in March.

Dreamers, May 7 to 28, Margaret River Gallery, Shop 4, 1 Charles West Avenue, Margaret River.

Visit margaretivergallery.com.au for more details.

WRITE ON A real treat for visiting bookworms, the Margaret River Readers and Writers Festival brings a range of authors, playwrights, poets, musicians and comedians to the town to participate in a celebration of literature.

Margaret River Readers and Writers Festival from June 3 to 6. To find out more visit artsmargaretriver. com/literature/

| JUNE A FISHY TALE

Marron is the largest freshwater crayfish in Western Australia and is a particularly delicious addition to the south west’s foodie larder. Feast on this delicious, endemic local delicacy matched with local wine at Knotting Hill Vineyard’s annual event. Just remember to pack your smartest bib.

Meet over 100 artists and unearth original, affordable art in their private studios

www.mrros.com.au

Knotting Hill Marron Festival, Knotting Hill Estate Vineyard, June 4 to 5. For information visit knottinghill.com.au/2015-annualknotting-hill-marron-feast/

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Eat & Drink |

Meet the chef Dianne Bortoletto pulls up a chair with Cullen Wines’ new executive chef, Colin Anderson.

Images by ELEMENTS MARGARET RIVER.

C

olin Anderson, an expressive Glaswegian, fell in love with Margaret River the minute he arrived.

It wasn’t the lure of the surf that brought him to the region, but a short-term assignment in a winery kitchen. From then on, Colin made it his mission to return. Fast forward one year: mission accomplished, leaving his post as senior sous chef at Peter Gilmore’s revered Quay in Sydney.

Wanting a break from life in London where he worked for some of the best in the business, including Paul Walsh at 28-50 Wine Workshop and the three Michelin-starred Restaurant Gordon Ramsay under Clare Smyth, Colin travelled to Australia.

“I was really fortunate to land a job at Quay – I did a walking tour of Sydney that happened to finish at Quay restaurant, so I popped in to say hello to Peter who I’d met before in London and basically I wasn’t allowed to leave,” Colin, 28, said.

“They asked me to stay for a day, then to stay for a couple of weeks, then offered me a job.

“Peter Gilmore is one of the greatest creative geniuses I’ve ever seen – he’s a pure natural talent and it was an amazing experience.”

Colin’s love of food and delicious dishes stemmed from a childhood filled with exactly the opposite.

“After my parents split when I was really young, mum had to work to support us and our

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MASTER CHEF Left, Colin Anderson at work in the kitchen of Cullen Wines where his paddock to plate ethos is winning fans.

KICKER Minctatur aut occus eos modis que qui aspedit laborrovide.

childminders would feed us food that wasn’t so good. Food I didn’t want to eat,” Colin grimaced.

“When I was about 12 years old, we started to spend our holidays in Colonsay, a little island off the west coast of Scotland that had a population of about a hundred. We went there five years in a row.

“A friend of my mother’s would take me out on his boat and we’d catch lobster, prawns and crabs.

That’s when I began to appreciate where food was from – although at that age, I didn’t have a palate for shellfish.

“I’d clean and cook the freshest lobster and watch mum eat it and couldn’t understand what she loved about it. I know better now!”

It was common knowledge among the Colonsay locals that Colin wanted a career with food. After he finished school, he got a call from the Colonsay Hotel with a job offer.

“We didn’t cook fancy food, but it was all fresh and most of it was locally sourced from the island.

I learnt to shuck oysters from the oyster grower and got to know the farmers, which I loved – learning the story of where the food came from and who grew it.”

Colin moved back to his hometown and worked at Glasgow institution The Ubiquitous Chip, where he was given the freedom to create new dishes. margaretriver.com

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Eat & Drink |

We start every day with 30 minutes in the garden – see what’s growing, harvest vegetables or just pull out weeds. I think it’s important to have a connection to where food comes from . ....

COLIN ANDERSON, CHEF, CULLEN WINES

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MENTOR Colin worked with Peter Gilmore (pictured above), head chef of Quay Restaurant in Sydney .

Colin said it was an exciting time because it was one of the first places in the UK to name suppliers on the menu and put Scottish food on the map.

What excites Colin about working at Cullen is the organic and biodynamic kitchen garden.

“Food grows naturally, without sprays, not manicured – the other day Jamie the gardener pointed out tomato plants that just started sprouting in the garden and, to me, that’s so exciting. In fact, I reckon that’s what got me the job, because of how excited I got when I saw the kitchen garden.

“We start every day with 30 minutes in the garden - see what’s growing, harvest vegetables or just pull out weeds. I think it’s important to have a connection to where food comes from – I’m learning so much about it and have more

MR MRBTA Autum Half Ad Paths_Layout 1 10/02/16 2:07 PM Page 1

to learn.

“There aren’t that many wineries in the world that are biodynamic and carbon neutral with an organic kitchen garden, it’s quite special.”

I asked Colin if he’s joined the brotherhood of local chefs by taking up surfing.

“Surfing – yes, I’d surfed a few times before, but really, there’s nothing ‘up’ about it. If I’m out there for four hours and manage to stand up once, it’s been a successful day.”

Cullen Wines Restaurant is open from 10am to 4pm, seven days a week.The full lunch menu is available from noon to 3pm, and platters from noon to 3.30pm. Coffee, cake and wine are available at all times. Booking is strongly recommended - Phone: (08) 9755 5656 or email: cullendining@cullenwines.com.au

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Eat & Drink | THE BEER FARM

Brew ha ha There’s a new wave of brewers and distillers setting up shop in the Margaret River region. Mia Lacy enjoys a frosty one with some of the new kids on the block.

L

ong famous for its fine wine production, the Margaret River region is now a rising star on the craft beer horizon.

Possibly the fastest growing microbrewery region in Australia, it’s recently seen new craft breweries such as The Beer Farm and Black Brewing Co. turn on their taps. On the edge of Margaret River town, two forest-set venues - Brewhouse Margaret River and The Margaret River Distilling Company - opened this year.

It’s a tasty tale of passion for crafting great flavours spiced with brewer collaborations and finished with a commitment to regionally sourced ingredients. Let the tasting and testing begin.

BLACK BREWING CO. Black Brewing Co., founded by mates Scott Douglas and Stewart Sampson, is located in the former Duckstein Brewery at Wilyabrup. The new venture originally began in Stewart’s garden shed, distilling potato vodka.

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Over at The Beer Farm in Metricup, it’s hot and the beer is flowing. Director George Scott says their products speak for themselves.

“You have to let your beer do the talking, and be happy to put that beer alongside the market leaders,” he says. “All of our beers, ciders and ales use fresh ingredients either sourced locally or abroad to ensure the correct profiles. We have a core range supported by limited release or seasonals to give every beer drinker a unique experience.”

The Beer Farm was born from a simple idea: to cultivate beers, ciders and good times. It’s housed in an old dairy converted into a brewery, with due respect paid to the original building.

It’s literally a farm – for beer.

The Beer Farm is collaborating with other micro-breweries in marketing concepts.

“We are trialling sunset events - this will allow us to give the smaller breweries a platform on bigger stages.

“Our journey is not all about us - it is about supporting local small business and providing great experiences for your mouth, ears and stomach,” says George.

177 Gale Road, Metricup.Visit beerfarm.com.au

BREWHOUSE MARGARET RIVER

“It was a bit of a black ops operation and the name stuck,” he says.

The duo are making a range of sessionable ales with head brewer Paul Gasmier (ex-Sail and Anchor, Gadge Roads, Asahi) that reflect their interpretation of the south west palate, which they identify as “somewhat sophisticated, unpretentious and laid back”.

The brewery is paired with a shared plate menu and a focus on restaurant-quality service in a brewery setting.

“Our menu is designed to showcase local cuisine and our way of life,” says head chef Ben Beaton.

“Community is important to me so our food was designed to share. I’ve taken fresh, local produce and enhanced it with flavour profiles of Indonesia - a nod to the Bali trip we all throw once a year.”

Set behind an iconic 1945 shack in the bush right on Bussell Highway at the entrance to Margaret River town, Brewhouse Margaret River more than fulfills its promise.

“We figured what the town needed was a brewery you could walk to,” says general manager and director Iliya Hastings.

To say the townsfolk and visitors have embraced the concept is an understatement.

“The feedback is that ours is the beer people have been waiting for from a microbrewery; interesting, high quality but simple and true to style.”

The core range includes lagers and a kolsch mixed in with an American pale ale, Czech pils and a traditional brown ale. Food is also a point of difference and patrons are loving the eclectic mix of food styles.

“Our biggest sellers have been chilli salt squid, beef cheek soft tacos, wood-fired vege tagine, and Boston Bay mussels,” says Iliya.

But there’s no resting on laurels to be done.

Brewhouse Margaret River just released their Undies Oatmeal Stout. Undies?

One of the brewers’ nicknames of course.

3517 Caves Road,Wilyabrup.

Visit blackbrewingco.com.au

35 Bussell Highway, Margaret River.Visit brewhousemargaretriver.com.au

TOP DROPS Far left, the team at Black Brewing Co. on Caves Road.

Left, delicious fare from Brewhouse Margaret River. Below, the Margaret River Distilling Co. produces awardwinning distilled spirits like Limeburners.

HANDCRAFTED BEERS EATS + WINE ALL DAY GRAZING

MARGARET RIVER DISTILLING COMPANY Meander across the Bussell Highway to Carters Road and you’ll find the Margaret River Distilling Company, nestled in the lush forest backdrop.

Fancy a chilled vodka and tonic under the tall trees, or a cracking grain whisky on a winter’s eve? You’ve come to the right place.

Now you can enjoy world-class, homegrown WA distilled beverages right in the heart of the Margaret River region.

This is the second operation of the international award-winning Great Southern Distilling Company who also distill gin, vodka, absinthe, bitters, brandy, grappe and other liqueurs. Their Tiger Snake sour mash whisky and gin are distilled on-site in Margaret River.

The UK’s Whisky Magazine’s World Whisky Awards named Limeburners Tiger Snake Whiskey 2016 champion of Australian grain whiskies and shortlisted it for World Grain Whisky of the Year.

The venue features a cellar door tasting and sales, distillery and 200-seat tavern. Like the other new additions to the hops trail here, it’s familyfriendly, with a lawned area extending down to the creek that kids will love to play on.

Maxwell St, off Carters Road, Margaret River.Visit distillery.com.au If you need any other reason to join in the Margaret River region’s craft beer boom,The South West Craft Beer Festival takes place annually in February at Old Broadwater Farm in Busselton. For more on this and other regional events, visit margaretriver.com/events

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

2016 19 | eaglebaybrewing.com.au margaretriver.com

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BUSH SHACK BREWERY - SINCE THE LATE 1990s Beginning life as the Wicked Ale Brewery, the Bush Shack Brewery (as it’s now called), is a small family-run business, creating all natural, unfiltered brews as well as producing flavoured wine-based drinks. The setting is relaxed and rustic, providing a casual pub-in-the-paddock atmosphere in Yallingup.

Visit bushshackbrewery.com.au

COWARAMUP BREWING COMPANY - SINCE 2006 Cowaramup Brewing Company opened in December 2006 and is located in a picturesque rural setting on North Treeton Road, 4km east of Bussell Highway. The brewery offers a range of six hand-crafted ales and lagers along with a selection of local wines with an excellent menu focusing on local produce. The venue consists of the brewhouse, bar and restaurant, its grounds are family-friendly with a kids’ play area adjacent to the shaded decking and grassed area. Behind the scenes brewery tours are available by appointment and finish with a tasting paddle of beers matched with a selection of food. Movie nights are being held every Sunday in March and the brewery will be hosting its 10th annual beer dinner on June 25. Private functions available. Open seven days a week, 11am to 6pm.

Visit cowaramupbrewing.com.au

OCCY’S BREWERY - SINCE 2007

HEROES OF

HOPS local breweries that have made the region a hot spot for a top drop

BOOTLEG BREWERY - SINCE 1994 Loaded with knowledge, the enthusiastic team prides itself on hand-crafting their beers with knowledge, passion and creativity from their Wilyabrup base. These lads know their beer and are dedicated to producing new and awardwinning brews. From the widely acclaimed Wils Pils lager to the anticipated release of their seasonal beer, at Bootleg you’ll be sure to find a range of ales and lagers to satisfy and quench any beer lover’s palate.

Visit bootlegbrewery.com.au

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Occy’s is heading into its third summer in the hub of Dunsborough, following its foundation in Vasse nine years ago.

Owner, brewer, beer master, surfer and larrikin Bill, is forever experimenting with new brews and ways to inspire and fulfil brew lovers’ desire to be surprised and inspired by the liquid gold goodness. With 18 tap points, Occy’s frequently mix up and offer a variety of both local and guest brews from around the globe. All Occy’s own brews are preservative free and brewed on Bill’s Farm (yes, a real farm) exclusively for the venue.

Visit occys.com.au

COLONIAL BREWING CO. - SINCE 2008 These guys are serious about beer, so much so that their mantra is ‘we believe in beer’. Their beers are fresh, uncomplicated and naturally relaxed. The craft brewery which you’ll find nestled among vineyards and quaint farms, and bordering the Bramley National Park in Margaret River, is a little patch of paradise. They’ve got big hearts too - Colonial Brewing Co. donated cartons of Colonial Draught and Small Ale for guests to enjoy during a fundraiser following the devastating fires in the south west earlier this year. The event raised $43,500 for The Lord Mayor’s Distress Relief Fund which will go directly towards assisting those most affected by the recent devastating bushfires.

Visit colonialbrewingco.com.au

EAGLE BAY BREWING CO. - SINCE 2010 Situated in one of the most picturesque spots in Eagle Bay, the family-run Eagle Bay Brewing Co.’s beers are made with fresh rainwater, malted barley, yeast and hops - and nothing else. Well, there’s plenty of passion, of course, from young head brewer Nick d’Espeissis, who has been brewing beer in one form or another since he was 17. Not being of legal drinking age at

that time, Nick suggested a home brew kit would be an ideal gift for his father John. The kit was purchased and John’s first brew was a total disaster. The brew had to be discarded after several bottles exploded in the family laundry. Fortunately Nick has mastered his craft these days and you’ll find EBBC beers untainted by preservatives or other nasty stuff. All their beers are filtered and served straight from the tanks in the brewery to your glass. Beers take their names from the style of beer that they are based on - such as Kolsch,Vienna and Extra Special Bitter. “They are not meant to be perfect

examples of each style” says Nick.

“Rather our interpretation of that style.”

Visit eaglebaybrewing.com.au

CHEEKY MONKEY BREWERY + CIDERY - SINCE 2012 It’s appropriate that in this Year of the Monkey, this particular variety of cider and beer-drinking primate is sitting pretty. Since opening its doors four years ago, the Caves Road venue has become a favourite for picturesque weddings that flood Instagram with memorable photos,

A warm reception is just the beginning..

family get-togethers and long, lazy lunches.

They’re no slouch too when it comes to turning out top drops - try the Blonde Capuchin easydrinking blonde ale or Old Reliable, a pale ale which is a hybrid of US and English styles combining English malts and bittering hops with American British late hops to produce a beer with balance and sensational drinkability. But perhaps what visitors really come to try are the ciders - the dry apple and sweet pear varieties will put a zing in your step.

Visit cheekymonkeybrewery.com.au

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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Hot chocolate Chocolate – one of life’s great pleasures and, thanks to some delicious examples made in the Margaret River region, it’s a pleasure to be enjoyed right at the heart of your visit.

By DIANNE BORTOLETTO | Images by ELEMENTS MARGARET RIVER.

G

od love the ancient Aztecs for inventing chocolate. Known as the food of the Gods, many of us have an ongoing love affair with chocolate, yours truly included.

If you don’t love chocolate, then we can’t be friends. For chocolate lovers, read on as we discover Margaret River region’s finest and tell you a little more about those responsible for its creation.

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Sourcing good quality cocoa beans is paramount to getting great flavour JOSH BAHEN, BAHEN & CO

BAHEN & CO – CHOCOLATE MAKER Peeling back the pretty wrapper of a Bahen & Co chocolate feels like opening a Christmas present. On the back of the pack of the unflavoured bars, you’ll find just two ingredients listed: cocoa and raw cane sugar.

Bahen & Co chocolate tastes as good as it looks, but best of all it’s the sort of chocolate that is actually good for you. There’s eight types of 70 and 80 per cent chocolate including single origins from Brazil, Madagascar and Papua New Guinea, delectable flavoured varieties such as chilli and salt, almond and sea salt, and cracked coffee as well as two house blends.

There’s no chocolate factory open for visits, but you can find the beautiful bars in speciality gourmet stores in Margaret River, throughout WA, across Australia, and in eight countries around the world. Stockists include Harrods in London, Jason Fine Foods in Asia and the prestigious La Grande Epicerie de Paris.

Josh Bahen travelled to Burgundy, France, to perfect his craft as a winemaker. That’s where his love affair began, with one bite of chocolate made the traditional way by a fifth-generation French chocolate maker.

“It was like eating fruit, I couldn’t believe the flavour,” Bahen said.

Bahen travelled to San Francisco and Italy to train in traditional chocolate making techniques.

“Making chocolate from bean to bar with just two ingredients is hard. Sourcing good quality cocoa beans is paramount to getting great flavour,” the 38-year-old said.

“Like wine making, we respect the fruit and make our chocolate to reflect the terroir.

“I can proudly say that one hundred per cent of our beans are bought directly from the farmer for a fair price. This benefits the farmer, instead of multiple cocoa brokers.

“Building relationships with the farmers is very important to us - to be honest, it’s the best part of what we do; travelling overseas, meeting farmers and working with them to help during pruning and harvesting. It feels good to reward them for producing quality beans with a direct sale.”

Visit bahenchocolate.com or purchase from your local Visitor Centre.

Nougat

- 32 flavours -Viewing Window - Free Samples

Wines

GABRIEL CHOCOLATE – CHOCOLATE MAKER At Gabriel Chocolate, you can see the chocolate machine at work through a viewing window, taste different origins and blends, and enjoy a coffee with a chocolatey treat in the café. The modern chocolate gallery is marketed as a playground for adults.

Single origin chocolate is made from beans from Venezuela, Ecuador, Ghana and Madagascar, and flavoured blends such as espresso, mint and orange are all popular.

Self-taught chocolate maker Gabriel Myburgh swapped the courtroom for a kitchen, when he opened up Garbiel Chocolate in 2010.

He gave up his career as a lawyer to make small batch chocolate, because “chocolate makes everyone happy”.

“I thought, so few people make chocolate on a small scale and I was always interested in chocolate, so we decided to give it a go.”

The South African-born 49-year-old says his main focus is to make chocolate like wine, by allowing the different influences of the naturally occurring flavours inherent in the bean come through.

Visit gabrielchocolate.com.au

continued over /

- Estate Grown - Wine Tastings - 2 Nougat Cream Liqueurs

OPEN DAILY 10AM - 5PM Corner Tom Cullity Drive & Miamup Rd, Cowaramup margaretriver.com | AUTUMN 2016 23 www.margaretrivernougat.com.au

Eat & Drink |

Did you know…?

A chocolate maker creates chocolate from cacao beans.

A chocolatier makes confectionery from chocolate.

TEMPER TEMPER CHOCOLATIER Margaret River’s newest addition to the chocolate family is Temper Temper. The shop, which is also a café, has three walls lined with delectable rows of chocolates. There’s also a viewing window to watch the chocolatier at work.

Made by hand in small batches of just 45 blocks at a time, Temper Temper offers over 200 different varieties of chocolate, from kumquat to cardamom. There’s sugar-free varieties, organic, single origin, spiced, fruit and nut, essential oils, house blends and novelty blends such as salted caramel popcorn.

The chocolate is sourced from Switzerland and Belgium, but it’s in Margaret River where local flavours are blended then tempered for shine and snap.

Owner of Temper Temper Roz Koeppen says she loves the creativity of being a chocolatier.

“I experiment and most of the time it works, but sometimes it doesn’t, but that doesn’t matter.

“We like to use local produce in season – whether it’s figs, blueberries, raspberry or more unusual flavours like fennel.”

Visit tempertemper.com.au

MARGARET RIVER CHOCOLATE COMPANY - CHOCOLATIER The region’s first venue dedicated to chocolate swung open its doors in 1999. Known for offering generous tastings, the Margaret River Chocolate Company draws hundreds of visitors every day of the year, except for Christmas Day when they are closed.

Through the viewing window, you can see the chocolatiers sculpting handmade truffles,

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If chocolate’s not your thing, there are other delicious sweet treats to try in the region

Sweet treats

BETTENAY’S MARGARET RIVER NOUGAT COMPANY

DARK DELIGHT The Margaret River region is blessed with some extraordinary hand-made chocolate and you can even watch it being made, like at the Margaret River Chocolate Company (below).

This ancient confectionery (dating back in its white form to 15th-century Italy) is made traditionally with sugar, honey, glucose, roasted nuts and dried fruits. Their nougat recipe is French inspired with a creaminess and chewiness unlike any other. Bettenay’s secret recipe is closely guarded among family members and hand-made in small batches ensuring their nougat is always of the highest standard. Try the Lamington limited edition nougat or for a classy treat, try a glass of Nougaretto, a nougat liqueur which comes in two flavours - honey and almond and coffee and almond nougat liqueur.

Visit margaretrivernougat.com.au

MARGARET RIVER FUDGE FACTORY For fans of this sublime chewy treat, the Margaret River Fudge Factory has been turning out delicious bites since 1999. To ensure that every piece of fudge maintains the highest level of quality, each phase of the preparation and production is done by hand.

The team individually inspects all ingredients in every batch of fudge, with varieties like honey macadamia, Irish cream and choc mint.

This temperamental product needs close monitoring to ensure the correct temperature and cooking time is followed. A slight variation in cooking time or temperature could cause the fudge not to set or to lose its robust flavour. The company also produces chocolate-covered coffee beans and chocolate postcards.

Visit fudgefactory.com.au

and making flavoured chocolate bars of salted caramel, mint chip, orange, coconut rough, sandalwood and cookies and cream. There are speciality chocolates, giant freckles, rocky road, chocolate-coated nougat, chocolate sauces, drinking chocolate, cocoa powder and even sugar-free chocolate.

While the family-friendly factory mightn’t lure the serious connoisseur, the vibrant flavour of the single origin chocolate from Ghana, Tanzania, Java,

Uganda, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Papua New Guinea and Venezuela are sure to impress.

The Chocolate Café serves lunch – everything from burgers to salad to soup – and they boast the best brownies in Australia.

Rather than spending money on a holiday house in the 1990s, business partners Martin Black and Patrick Coward decided to open a chocolate factory instead.

“I’ve been a chocolate addict forever, and

at the time, there weren’t many gourmet food experiences,” Black said.

“We wanted to create a exciting place where visitors could have fun, and it went crazy from day one.

“We use local honey, dried fruits and nuts, milk and creams – essentially local ingredients wherever we can.”

Visit chocolatefactory.com.au/locations/margaret-river/ margaretriver.com

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LIP SERVICE Get ready for abalone to make a splash on menus local fisherman Brad Adams has created a world-first, innovative, sustainable way to harvest these tasty treasures of the sea, just off the southern coast.

By NORMAN BURNS | Images: COURTESY OCEAN GROWN ABALONE/BRAD ADAMS.

F

or a fish-like creature that’s covered in shell, let’s get one thing clear. An abalone is not a shellfish.

The abalone is, in fact, a reef dwelling snail - and a delicious one at that. The abalone is also worth its weight in gold as a sought-after delicacy in Asia, particularly China, which is where WA fisherman and entrepreneur Brad Adams comes in.

Brad can’t recall the first time he tasted abalone, but even as a young child he always wanted to be an abalone diver and follow in the footsteps of his late father Terry, who pioneered the WA commercial abalone diving industry in the 1960s.

Now Brad, together with partners and investors, is doing some pioneering of his own in the industry, successfully establishing Ocean Grown Abalone (OGA), the world’s first sustainable abalone ranch, in the seas off Augusta.

“I actually have no recollection of first tasting abalone so it must have been part of my diet from a very young age,” he says.

“I still enjoy eating, cooking and sharing it with people today. I got my PADI dive ticket at age 12 and have logged thousands of hours underwater ever since,’’ says Brad, whose two younger brothers Darren and Nathan are also

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abalone divers and manage the family’s licence.

“There was a bit of competition when we were all commercial abalone divers a few years ago as we were diving separate licences fishing the same areas,” says Brad.

“Now I have gone in a different direction with the ranching of an abalone business where the ‘hunting’ element has been removed and now farm the ocean, tending the crop.”

Diving for abalone is potentially a risky business. As well as the challenges of working underwater there is also the threat of great white sharks or, as he calls them, the grey suits.

“You don’t stay in this game for long or have success if you think about the grey suits all the time,’’ says Brad. “I enjoy the varied weather conditions we dive in and once in the water I go into work mode and never even give sharks a second thought. Time when diving goes so quickly when working underwater that two hours seems like only 10 minutes on land.”

OGA takes juvenile abalone grown over 18 months at the 888 Abalone PL Hatchery in Bremer Bay and then transplants them onto artificial reefs in Flinders Bay off Augusta.

When ready - and with a three-year turnaround patience is the key here - the abalone, plump and juicy, are harvested, flash

SEA HARVEST Top, Brad Adams of Ocean Grown Abalone has established the first sustainable abalone ranch in the world, just off Augusta. Above, Greenlip abalone, fresh out of the sea.

frozen and whipped off to top restaurants and seafood retailers throughout Australia and Asia.

OGA hopes to eventually harvest 100 tonnes of abalone a year (globally, around 5,000 tonnes is gathered from the wild).

Abalone fetches around $27 a kilogram, well down from nearly $50 several years ago, and, like all commodities, is sensitive to fluctuations in the global economy or environmental issues that affect supply and demand. China’s domestic output from farmed abalone has also increased dramatically but this is where OGA can play its trump card with ‘quality over quantity’; supplying abalone of the highest quality from WA’s

pollution-free seas to the high premium market.

“The OGA abalone ranch in Flinders Bay is where two of the world’s great oceans - the Southern and Indian - collide to provide pristine, clean, nutrient-rich waters that provide unrivalled environmental conditions in which to grow the world’s most premium abalone,’’ says Brad.

Brad says OGA’s biggest market potential is Asia, particularly China.

“The Chinese regard abalone as one of the ‘five treasures of the seas’. Abalone is seen as an important food to have at celebrations such as weddings and important business meetings to show face (respect) from the host to invited guests.’’

WA has 15 species of abalone (or haliotidae in scientific terms) but just three - Roe’s abalone (Haliotis roei); Greenlip abalone (Haliotis laevigata) and Brownlip abalone (Haliotis conicopora) – are large enough to be fished.

OGA concentrates on the Greenlip abalone, which are first harvested wild from the ocean.

When they reach 40mm, the abalone are ready to return to the wild and their new homes at OGA’s purpose-built reefs off Augusta. The artificial reefs also attract many other species of fish, including dhufish, wrasse, King George whiting and rock lobster, a win-win for the marine environment.

Says Brad: “We then let Mother Nature take over and the abalone grow as nature intended on those reefs, feeding on the abundant seaweeds drifting past for up to three years. Our dive teams then harvest the abalone at an average size of 350 grams, or 130mm in length.

“The product harvested is exactly the same high quality product and there are no restrictions on how many you can harvest as there are in

the wild fishery (who have quotas set by the Department of Fisheries to ensure the resource remains sustainable).”

The live, fresh abalone are taken to OGA’s processing factory in Augusta where they are ‘shucked’.

When Leeuwin Estate head chef Dany Angove introduced OGA’s product to three-star Michelin chef Mossimo Bottura at the Margaret River Gourmet Escape last year, the Italian was ‘blown away’.

“He said it was the most amazing seafood he’d ever tasted. He called it the ‘meat of the sea’,” says Dany.

Brad’s favourite way of preparing abalone is sashimi-style.

“Slice a fresh abalone thinly and serve with wasabi and sashimi soy sauce… delicious.You get a uniquely flavoured taste of the ocean, with a texture that is indescribable, firm but tender at the same time.”

www.squidlips.com.au

Visit oceangrown.com.au

FIVE

This delicious, locally sourced meat of the sea is one of the most versatile of all seafoods. And here’s a tip - freezing abalone can help tenderise the meat.

ways to eat ABALONE

1 BBQ, MEDITERRANEAN-STYLE Flash sear on a hot BBQ, and then drizzle over a dressing of olive oil/lemon juice/minced garlic and serve with crusty bread

4 PAN FRIED Take fresh abalone, slice into medallions, coat in a mixture of flour, pepper, salt and then pan-fry in a blend of butter and canola oil until golden brown.

2 ASIAN-STYLE #1 Grill, then slice the meat and add to an Asian-style salad with namjin dressing (aThai mix of palm sugar, fish sauce, lime juice and chilli).

5 STEAMED ABALONE, CANTONESE STYLE Clean the abalone, return to the shell, garnish with julienne ginger and finely chopped garlic and steam for 3-5 minutes. Before serving, splash over a tablespoon of soy sauce mixed with hot oil, julienne spring onion and coriander.

3 ASIAN-STYLE #2 Thinly serve a fresh abalone and serve with wasabi and sashimi soy sauce (a sweeter version than traditional soy sauce).

DUNSBOROUGH

Ph: (08) 9759 1799

Dunsborough Centrepoint Shopping Centre Shop 27A, 55 Dunn Bay Rd MARGARET RIVER

Ph: (08) 9757 9960 Settlers Tavern Arcade 118 Bussell Hwy

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The thrill

OF THE HUNT Make like a truffle pig and head to Manjimup for a taste of pure heaven, says Carmen Jenner.

• 70% of the Southern Hemisphere’s production of the Black Truffle now comes from the Southern Forests region of WA • The most expensive truffle ever sold was a 1.78kg white whopper found in Umbria, Italy. It sold at an auction in New York in 2014 for $71,000, bought by a truffle-lover from Taiwan.

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truffle so unique and he admits that it’s all a bit undefinable.

“There’s a growing mystery behind it and why certain things happen, why yields occur and that there’s not many places in the world which have the environment of the Southern Forest region,” he says.

This demonstrates the farmers’ dedication in investing time and energy into their cultivation without the guarantee of even producing anything edible.

“There are between 30 to 40 truffle farms in the area and most wait up to seven years to produce enough to build a commercial business.”

Some have created very lucrative businesses out of the third most expensive food in the world like the Australian Truffle Traders, Manjimup Truffles and The Truffle & Wine Co. retail operations manager Stuart Hutchinson sheds some light on the industry.

“Truffles love this area,” he says enthusiastically.

“The worldwide demand for the Australian truffle from this area has skyrocketed and it’s this that makes the Truffle Kerfuffle festival so relevant to the area while celebrating our success and sharing the magical flavour of one of the world’s rarest and most expensive foods with likeminded foodies.”

IMAGES THIS PAGE F22 PHOTOGRAPHY

DID YOU KNOW...

C

oncealed from view like an alluring temptress, the land is littered with prized black diamonds in the rough.

Manjimup’s truffles are held in such high esteem, even the French await their deliveries as eagerly as Germany and the US. Oui, c’est vrai!

So revered is the truffle, an entire festival has been created in its honour. Held on the last weekend in June and marking the start of the black truffle season for the past five years, The Truffle Kerfuffle festival promises to highlight not just the beloved truffle, but also the abundant produce of the Southern Forest region such as trout, marron, lamb, beef and dairy. Over 50 kinds of fruit and vegetables, like Pink Lady apples, avocados and potatoes also feature, not to mention the outstanding wines of the region.

Manjimup produces 70 per cent of Australia’s truffles which have a reputation for being so unique in quality and consistency that they feature on menus all over the world as well as locally at Cape Lodge in Yallingup and Foragers, who run a cooking school, restaurant and accommodation in Pemberton.

In fact Foragers will be hosting an extravagant dinner on the Saturday night of the festival and owner Sophie Zalokar, who is considered a guru on the topic, can’t wait.

“I’ve always loved the somewhat polaropposite juxtaposition of how such a luxurious product like the truffle, sought after by the most expensive high-end restaurants around the world, is grown here, in our region, by some of the most down-to-earth growers,” she says.

“I think it really exemplifies the character of the Southern Forests. Truffle Kerfuffle 2016 really embraces this through lots of engaging events and opportunities to taste and learn in an authentic way.”

At the time of going to print, the program hadn’t yet been finalised but Festival Director Max Brearley is confident the festival will continue to put Manjimup on the culinary map. I ask Max what makes the Manjimup

Treasures of the south west

The Truffle & Wine Co. runs dog truffle hunts from May 28 to August 28, assuming you’ve been able to pull yourself away from the restaurant and shop exuding that distinctive intoxicating aroma.

Few leave without their very own truffle, surely to be inhaled on the drive home and then later savoured over eggs, potatoes, pasta, a slab

of steak, shimmering risotto, supple scallops or a sliver of asparagus.

As wonderful as the festival is, it seems almost a shame to only experience this pocket of glory for just a couple of days. So why not explore the Valley of the Giants, scenic drives through sweeping Jarrah and Marris, cycle along the Munda Biddi Trail, trekking along the Bibbulmun, experience the wildflower season from August to November, the stunning Green’s Pool and Elephant Rock, an eco-cruise or head further south to historic Albany’s recently opened National ANZAC Centre.

Unless of course you’re languishing in luxurious digs after overdone it a t the nearby strawberry and marron farms, countless gourmet outlets, chocolate and cheese factories.

I haven’t even started naming restaurants, wineries, distilleries, cideries and the meadery yet but you can be sure of one thing.

You’ll find them all within this beautiful region.

If the Truffle Kerfuffle has whetted your appetite for exploring the foodie treasures of the Margaret River region, then a new book will provide plenty of inspiration to explore further.

Beyond the Farm Gate by Danielle Costley is your guide to uncovering the culinary treasures of Australia’s south west.

In a journey that’s both breathtaking and deeply communal, this publication brings together the stories, recipes, and passion of 31 artisan food growers. Discover a place where food is an expression of craftsmanship and, at times, the very lifeblood of a community.

Go from the world’s only abalone farm to a sun-kissed orchard growing Manjimup Pink apples. Pop a citrus caviar in your mouth, unearth the rare and elusive Perigord truffle, or sample oozing and decadent jarrah honeycomb straight from a beehive.

BEYOND THE FARM GATE was written

by Danielle Costley and photographed

by Chris Gurney, $60. It’s available to buy from the Margaret River Press website (margaretriverpress.com).

Truffle Kerfuffle runs at Fonty’s Pool from June 24 to 26.

The line-up includes truffle hunts, truffiére visits, celebrated chefs, cooking demonstrations, masterclasses, wine tasting and an artisan food market, plus a family day on the Sunday.

Tickets are on sale now – to stay informed sign-up to the mailing list at trufflekerfuffle.com.au

RE ST, R E L AX , R ECO NNEC T 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 | AUTUMN 2016 29

Wine & Wineries |

From grape

to glass

Mia Lacy discovers the wonders of vintage and watches the next Margaret River region drops come to life from all those beautiful rows of vines.

Images by ELEMENTS MARGARET RIVER.

I

’m learning to love a whole new language.

They’re the words of wine. I’m with Steve James, manager of winemaking and viticulture at Voyager Estate and the two wine words I’m currently fixated on are ‘total crush’.

It’s harvest time in the Margaret River region, and winespeak is on everyone’s lips.

I like this new language, and I’ve come here to understand more of it, and more of what happens around here during harvest. Or should I say vintage?

“Vintage covers the whole gathering of the crop plus the winemaking process,” says Steve.

Margaret River region’s vineyards produce just three per cent of total Australian grape production, but hold over 20 per cent of the Australian premium wine market.

Last year, the value of Australian wine exports surged 14 per cent to $2.1 billion, its highest value since late 2007.

In Western Australia, exports were down 5 per cent on 2014, but were valued 5 per cent higher at $38.5 million. Margaret River region’s exports’ value rose 3 per cent to $23.5 million.

“Our total crush at Voyager Estate is around 600 tonnes of grapes sourced from 110 hectares of estate-grown vineyards. It is difficult to compare harvest seasons, but early signs are the yields this season certainly appear better at this stage.

“Quality-wise we still have a way to go,

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Vintage special

Nestled in the heart of HARVEST TIME Wineries around the Margaret River region are bringing in the fruits of their labour as they prepare to turn this year’s crop of grapes into wine.

Margaret River's famous Wilyabrup sub-region you'll discover the awe-inspiring Sandalford Margaret River Estate vineyard.

*Mention this ad to

however it certainly looks great at this stage.

Warm dry weather from now on, without excessive heat, would be perfect,” says Steve.

Voyager Estate and other vineyards operate estate tours and during vintage this behindthe-scenes look at the various viticultural and winemaking operations can reveal a hive of activity. Guests can observe grape harvesting, crushing action and taste new juices, ferments and even fresh tank samples.

Typically, harvest commences in February and may extend until the end of April and sometimes even into the cooler month of May. The main

varieties are Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon, as well as Malbec, Merlot, and Petit Verdot, and they typically ripen in that order. Chardonnay is first picked from February while Cabernet usually begins around the end of March.

Over at Aravina Estate, they’re bringing in their first crop from new plantings of Tempranillo and Malbec. The estate’s winemaker Jodie Barton says their expectations of this vintage are currently high. “The vineyard is in the best shape it’s been in for several years with healthy, balanced canopies and even crops.”

RECEIVE A 10% DISCOUNT off any full price purchase.

With 105 hectares under vine

on a 300 hectare property, this is one of the largest family owned vineyards in Margaret River,

consistently producing world class, award winning wines.

OPEN DAILY FOR WINE TASTING AND SALES FROM 10AM TO 5PM. Some Public Holidays excluded.

continued over /

777 Metricup Road, Wilyabrup P 08 9755 6213 W www.sandalford.com

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LOVE AND CARE Deciding when to pick the crop is one of the hardest calls to make. Inset, Virginia Willcock, winemaker at Vasse Felix

Deciding when to pick the fruit is one of the arts of making great wine. Winemakers usually consider a mix of ripeness, baume (prefermentation indicator of alcohol) and freshness of acidity. Then there’s the weather forecast and what implications that may have on the fruit.

Leeuwin Estate winemaker Tim Lovett explains the decision to harvest by hand or machine.

“We do both, basing the decision on grape variety, age of vine and canopy structure. Hand harvesting – although expensive and longer - is gentler so it protects both the integrity of the fruit and the vine. Machine harvesting occurs when the fruit and vine can withstand more exertion,” says Tim Lovett.

Depending on the year, Leeuwin Estate can process between 900 and 1,200 tonnes of fruit.

“So far, we are experiencing higher yields than last year and significantly less bird pressure.

The decision to harvest white varietals is based on picking at the precise fruit spectrum or flavour profile. For reds, timing is based on picking at physiological tannin ripeness where the tannins bound within the skins are not green,” he says.

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Margaret River has had nine consecutive excellent vintages and fingers are crossed that the great run continues in 2016. Vasse Felix chief winemaker Virginia Willcock has seen more than 20 harvests in over two decades of Margaret River winemaking.

“Everything is looking promising. We hand pick our ultra premium Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon and for us harvest is a 24-

hour operation. It’s the busiest and most exciting part of the winemaking process.”

Another of the early pioneers of Margaret River, Xanadu Wines, have been harvesting since the vineyard was established in 1977. Senior winemaker Glenn Goodall has been a part of the process since joining Xanadu in 1999. “The fruit quality looks fantastic in the lead up to harvest, with good crop levels. The wonderful reappearance of blossom in the Marri trees bodes well for minimal pressure from birds,” he says.

Unusual January rain presented some challenges in the vineyards, but the sustained fine weather that has followed has been welcomed.

At Brown Hill Estate, the entire vintage is processed on site. The cellar door is situated inside the winery where the grapes are pressed and, during harvest, the smell of the fresh fruit being processed is simply delicious.

“We check the fruit daily,” explains winemaker and co-owner Nathan Bailey.

“When it ticks every box, we pick by hand to have minimal interference with the grapes so the wine truly reflects the terroir.”

Each year, the Brown Hill Estate team will try to improve on the last vintage.

“Last year we purchased a French Bucher Vaslin sorting table which vibrates, ensuring separation of grapes from juice and herbaceous

Vintage special

materials. This is a much slower process, but ensures that our fruit is pristine, with only the best berries used,” said Nathan.

“This season, we added a new Bucher Vaslin peristaltic pump which is very gentle on the grapes and avoids the harsh tannins sometimes produced by over-pumping.”

Technical director of Cape Mentelle, Frederique Perrin, explains they follow very different harvest protocols across their 137 hectares, depending on the product they wish to achieve.

“For example we may vary from middle-of-the-night cold machine harvesting to in-field sorted hand harvesting into tiny produce crates where the fruit sits gently on only one layer.”

As we enter the vineyard the oldest vines are yielding their harvest on both sides of the lovely long driveway into Cape Mentelle.

“Margaret River has enjoyed consistently splendid harvests however we embrace the vintage surprises and prefer not to bet on the outcomes before the wines are safely in the barrels - we call this the winemakers’ proverbial ‘Black Cat’,” Frederique smiles.

Luck may play a role in winemaking, but after investigating my first ever Margaret River harvest, I’m convinced talent and expertise are two words which apply more fully in the lexicon of winemaking.

I’ll leave the last word to Voyager’s Steve James.

“I really love the teamwork and camaraderie vintage brings. It’s wonderful to see the results of all the hard work in the vineyard and the amazing fruit being turned into really special wines – some of which will continue to evolve over the next 20 years or more.”

Visit margaretriver.com for a full list of cellar doors and to plan your next visit.

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

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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Wine & Wineries |

GRAVEL GOODNESS Far right, Rob and Karen from Cape Grace Wines put their heart and soul into their wines.

ROCKY ROAD There’s a special collection of wineries in the Margaret River region which are found at the end of rustic gravel roads.

Carmen Jenner goes exploring.

T

here are few sounds as delightful as a cork squeezing its way out of the neck of a wine bottle or a Riedel being gently placed on the counter.

Robert Frost once said, “Two roads diverged in a wood and I – I took the one less travelled by, and that has made all the difference.” So let’s add the gravelly tones of tyres spinning over hidden gravel trails to the list of roads less travelled.

A cautionary note, the following will conjure up all kinds of tree-change fantasies where you’ll want to live out your days as a boutique wine maker. Here’s just a tiny selection of Margaret River region’s enchanting gravel road wineries.

First up is Yallingup’s ARIMIA (whose name was formed from owner Ann Spencer’s daughters Ariann and Mia) located in Australia’s most westerly

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vineyard.Wine manager Cameron Haskell is proud of their classic European styles where “we’ve experimented with our world class grapes formed by our temperate climates to produce a varied style.” The property includes a four-bedroom guesthouse commanding the all-essential vistas and the perfect growing conditions for a kitchen garden brimming with olives. Chef Evan Hayter’s dishes are inspired by the ingredients grown on the fertile land, and he recommends the sharing plate for a sample of the menu’s highlights.

WOODY NOOK is one of those allembracing wineries complete with charming owners Peter and Jane Bailey and a quaint gift shop. The Nookery Café serves local seafood and meat as well as enormous platters demanding lengthy lingering while working

Vintage special

your way through the wine list, accompanied by a crackling log fire in the cooler months.

Set within 17 hectares, it’s all so rustic and cosy you’ll start longingly eyeing off the cute cottage and planning your next holiday. Non-irrigated and handpicked, their Merlots and Cabernet Sauvignons are very popular, as are their Spanish style Tempranillo and Graciano varieties.

Thanks to the gravelly loam soil and moderate climate of the Wilyabrup Valley, the sub region produces similar characteristics to France’s Bordeaux. The Karri-Davies family from CAPE GRACE WINES has been part of the Margaret River region community since 1875 so it’s safe to say they have a handle on the land. Their 2012 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon is a crowd-pleaser with the public as well as with leading WA wine critic Ray Jordan. Their distinct labels feature The Great Egret, which is a local visitor to the dam.

Also in the Wilyabrup Valley, the passionate owners of HEYDON ESTATE, George and Mary Heydon, pride themselves on the quality of their single estate wines, evident from their James Halliday 5 Red Star Winery rating. Some highlights include the Botrytis Semillon 2013 The Urn, Chardonnay 2011 The Willow and the 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon exuding blackberry, and herbal elements, along with a violet perfume.

Their labels can also be found in many wine stores, restaurants and at local festivals.

About 10 minutes south of Margaret River in the quaint village of Rosa Brook, BROWN HILL ESTATE applies traditional wine-making methods by not irrigating, and relying instead on their gravelly soils and warm sunny climate to produce wines with an intense flavour. Their

Beer, wine, spirits and food all day 10am-7pm 7 Days Maxwell St (off Carters Rd), Margaret River

08 9757 9351

collection is plentiful and the Prospector’s Range is a perfect everyday wine, while the Reserve Range is intended to age and the Signature Range showcases their flagship reds which can’t be purchased anywhere else except from the cellar door. The 2013 Golden Horseshoe Chardonnay is a James Halliday favourite and their 2011 Ivanhoe Cabernet Sauvignon is a hit with Ray Jordan.

While in the area, a family favourite is the BERRY FARM, famed for their fruit wines and delightful cottage garden grounds complete with birdlife and old-growth rose bushes. The cafe is set in the historic homestead and the scones with cream and playground are the perfect pick-meup for the little ones. The cellar door is bursting with all things fruity including preserves, jams,

Limeburners Margaret River Distilling Co

Facebook.com/MargaretRiverDistillingCompany www.distillery.com.au

dressings, vinegars, wines and ports.

TREETON ESTATE is as unpretentious as wineries get with co-owner Corinne McGowan’s gentle presence, pouring their signature Shiraz which has resulted in many a patron weighing down their car boot with a case or two. If you show up around lunchtime you might be directed to the fridge to help yourself to picnic supplies which taste all the better with views of those vineyards rolling topographically higher than many other plots in the region and yielding a higher quality grape.

Visit margaretriver.com for a full list of cellar doors and to plan your next visit.

Let us treat you to a

FREE TASTING Present a copy of this advertisement to receive a free tasting valued up to $10.

Limit 1 redemption per customer valid until 31 May 2016. *Must be 18+ to redeem

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Wine & Wineries |

SI M PLY

natural

There’s a growing movement in the Margaret River region to produce organic and biodynamic wine.

BY MAX BREARLEY.

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T

houghtful consumerism is alive and well in the Margaret River region.

Getting to grips with the journey from paddock to plate and vineyard to glass is a reality, whether picking up organic produce at the Margaret River Farmers’ Market or trying the growing number of winemakers who are organic, biodynamic and natural in varying measures.

At BURNSIDE ORGANIC FARM, Lara and Jamie McCall produce wine, avocados and capers. Certified both organic and biodynamic it

wasn’t a commercial decision to take this route, more a personal belief that to pollute the land on which they live and feeds their family wasn’t an option.

Organic at its simplest excludes synthetic and artificial chemicals such as fertilisers, pesticides, and fungicides, while biodynamics take a holistic approach that sees the fertility of soil, livestock care and plant growth as interrelated tasks.

Certification comes at a cost and plenty of work on the producer’s part; soil tests, checks and audits are all part of the certification process.

Vintage special

Stripped of chemical certainties we’re always in the vineyard, touching the vine, connected to what we’re doing. We get better results this way.

TRENT CARROLL, McHENRY HOHNEN

For Lara there’s no question of the value.

“Interest is growing,” she says. “Margaret River has a reputation for amazing quality and people see organic as part of that. There’s pressure in the industry to go this way.”

Lara also points to the work done by other winemakers in the region, such as Vanya Cullen at the iconic CULLEN WINES in Wilyabrup, Wayne and Kaye Nobbs of SETTLERS RIDGE in Cowaramup and Julian Wright at MARRI WOOD PARK near Yallingup.

While the number of truly organic or

biodynamic winemakers is still relatively small, Lara hopes that more take the step towards certification.

At McHENRY HOHNEN, winemaker Trent Carroll is one of those that is edging towards it.

Their vineyards use organic and biodynamic principles, but are not certified. “We make the wine on the vine,” Trent says of their approach – minimal inputs in the winemaking process and biodynamic-inspired way of using non-chemical preparations – which is applied in the vineyard.

“We honestly believe that it produces better grapes and ultimately wine. This way, stripped of

chemical certainties we’re always in the vineyard, touching the vine, connected to what we’re doing. We get better results this way.”

Many of the wineries in or on the edges of the organic, biodynamic and natural space are small operations and may have restricted cellar door times or no cellar door at all. The advice from Lara echoes that of many locals in the know; “the first stop for organic wine in Margaret River has to be SETTLERS TAVERN.” Owned and operated by Karen and Rob Gough, “The Tav” has an award-winning wine list of around 500 labels from the region and beyond. Karen emphasises their focus, “on family businesses, those with character, story and great wine”.

Reeling off a list of wines available by the glass, it’s a who’s who of winemakers from Margaret River, from the“beautiful Zinfandel from BURNSIDE ORGANICE FARM”, to the CULLEN AMBER and wines from Jimmy and Josephine Perry’s DORMILONA label (made from organic and biodynamic grapes sourced from the region).

Those that are uncertified, but nonetheless approaching viticulture and winemaking from a natural angle, also appear, such as SI VINTNERS and BLIND CORNER (now in the midst of certification).

Natural wine has its fans and its detractors.

Chemical-free and made with minimal intervention, some winemakers, sommeliers and wine writers believe quality can be too variable, with winemakers stripped of their ability to correct a wine by making adjustments. Often trumpeted as a new movement, it’s a technique that’s actually going back to the oldest roots of winemaking, making for a constantly surprising and challenging part of the winemaking process.

Rob saves special praise for CLOUDBURST, served by the bottle. Will Berliner’s wines are gathering cult status in the region and abroad.

There’s a premium price tag attached but Will’s story – that of an American, first-time viticulturist, who fell for the region and the art of winemaking in equal measure – is what Rob’s list and the best of Margaret River is all about: engaged and conscientious producers, presenting you with more than just a glass of wine.

“When you know that the winemaker is out there on his knees, ripping up weeds by hand, how could you not give it a try?”

Visit margaretriver.com for a full list of cellar doors and to plan your next visit. margaretriver.com

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Local hero

I want to make sexy wine.

It’s about the satisfaction of a beautiful drink VIRGINIA WILLCOCK, VASSE FELIX

VIRGINIA WILLCOCK CHIEF WINEMAKER, VASSE FELIX

For the past 10 years Virginia Willcock has been creating award-winning wines at Vasse Felix, the founding wine estate of the Margaret River region.

By DIANNE BORTOLETTO | Images by ELEMENTS MARGARET RIVER.

V

irginia Willcock is one of the most awarded female winemakers in the country. Her ambition isn’t to add to her already impressive trophy cabinet but to make wine that people adore, wine that people fall in love with.

She’s been doing just that since 2006 as chief winemaker at Vasse Felix, the Margaret River region’s founding wine estate.

“The accolades and trophies are great, but that’s not what it’s about. I want to make sexy wine. It’s about the satisfaction of a beautiful

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drink,” Virginia said.

In 2014,Virginia was one of only five vintners in the world nominated for the International Wine Maker of the Year Award offered by esteemed US magazine, Wine Enthusiast.

A respected authority on Margaret River winemaking,Virginia has been named Winemaker of the Year by the West Australian Good Wine Guide 2013, Gourmet Traveller WINE Australian Winemaker of the Year in 2012 as well as being a finalist in 2010.

Virginia said that what she loves most about wine making is the constant learning and creativity.

“There’s a baseline in winemaking and that is technically sound wine. Really, anyone that can read a book can make technically sound wine just follow a step-by-step guide.

“To me, technically sound wine is fine, but quite boring. The challenge is to improve every year, try something different that pushes the boundaries so more of the vineyard flavours come through the wine.

“In Europe, their winemaking techniques

aren’t as clinical as ours.

“It’s like cooking with feel and smell rather than following a recipe.”

Virginia has worked in Albania, Northern Italy, Sicily, Abruzzo and New Zealand.

Back in Margaret River, she says that the region is still relatively young in wine terms.

“We’re only 49 years old - Bordeaux is two thousand years old while the Barossa Valley is a couple of hundred years old.

“In such a short time we’ve all learnt and improved as a region, and it will be exciting to see how much Margaret River will be blowing the world’s socks off with our Cabernet in the future.”

In the meantime,Virginia says she can’t help but to look at what other people are drinking when she’s out to dinner, especially when she spots Vasse Felix’s iconic peregrine falcon motif about to be poured.

“I do get a thrill when I see the bird on the bottle on someone’s table.”

Vasse Felix, Caves Road (near Tom Cullity Drive), Margaret River.Visit vassefelix.com.au

Vintage special

Women of wine Virginia is in good company with these local female winemakers

ESTATE AND RESTAURANT

VANYA CULLEN Managing director and chief winemaker, Cullen Wines Vanya Cullen has transformed Cullen Wines over the past decade to become one of Australia’s premium boutique wineries.

It’s been family-owned since the first vines were planted in 1971, and is now certified biodynamic, carbon neutral and naturally powered.

Vanya was the first West Australian and first woman awarded Winemaker of the Year by Qantas/The Wine Magazine in 2000. In 2008 she was awarded UK Drinks Business Magazine Woman of the Year, and in 2011, Green Personality of the Year.

“My passion for biodynamic agriculture stems from my love of nature,” Vanya said. “I’m proud to be taking care of the earth and running a business, working sustainably to make good wine with nature, biodynamically.”

Cullen Wines, Caves Road (Corner Tom Cullity Drive), Margaret River. Visit cullenwines.com.au

KATE MORGAN Winemaker - Fraser Gallop Estate In 2008, Kate Morgan started as Assistant Winemaker at Fraser Gallop Estate, just in time for the inaugural vintage in the new winery.

“I love the amazing fruit resource we have at Fraser Gallop,” Kate said. “It’s a great place to work – small enough to be hands on, but big enough to have all the equipment to do things well and not compromise.”

Kate said her one of her proudest moments was when James Halliday scored the 2013 Parterre Semillon Sauvignon Blanc 97 points, making it the equal highest scored SSB blend in the country.

Fraser Gallop Estate, 493 Metricup Road, Wilyabrup Visit frasergallopestate.com.au

JANICE MCDONALD

Chief winemaker – Burch Family Janice McDonald has worked in the industry for 25 years. She oversees both the Margaret River region and Denmark Burch Family wineries that includes brands Howard Park, MadFish and Marchand & Burch.

“Before joining the Burch Family in 2011, I only made Chardonnay from Margaret River, so the opportunity to make Chardonnay from the Great Southern was very exciting,” Janice said.

“The difference with Great Southern Chardonnay, and most varieties actually, is that there’s more linear lime, less powerful fruit, not as rich upfront, but Great Southern wines have great length and great purity – they are finer, more elegant.”

In 2013, Janice was nominated in the Gourmet Traveller Winemaker of the Year Awards and she was awarded Winemaker of the Year in the Big Red Wine Book 2010 – 2011.

Burch Family Wines, Miamup Road, Cowaramup.

Visit burchfamilywines.com.au

FAMILY FRIENDLY, PET FRIENDLY

OPEN 7 DAYS FOR BREAKFAST AND LUNCH FROM 8AM. DINNER FRIDAY SATURDAY TILL LATE. SUNDAY ALL YOU CAN EAT PIZZA BOOKINGS ESSENTIAL facebook.com/rivendellrestaurant

1172 WILDWOOD 39 | AUTUMN 2016 RD YALLINGUP PH: 08 9755 2899 margaretriver.com

Wine & Wineries |

92/100

mellow fruitfulness

Rob Geddes has some lush suggestions for rich, fruity wines from the Margaret River region’s vines to celebrate autumn.

90/100

94/100

F

or Keats, the famous poet, autumn was the “season of mists and mellow fruitfulness”. Spring and summer are hectic times for many Australians, however it is autumn when the wine industry really kicks into gear, especially with harvest nearing.

Holidays are over, the kids are back at school and the weather is now a permanent subject for everyone. Meanwhile winemakers see their wineries are scrubbed clean enough to eat a meal off the cement.

Early mornings are spent tasting in the vineyard to schedule harvest plans. New oak is waiting, filled tanks are gleaming and hoses clean enough to make tea. There’s no stone unturned for winemakers at this time of the year.

Richer wines and dishes suit the season hence my selection for this edition.

ROB GEDDES is a professional wine reviewer, author and app creator.

His Australian Wine Vintages book is also an app from iTunes.

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1. HOWARD PARK 2015 SAUVIGNON BLANC Two makes for a party so add this to your entertaining repertoire. The aromas are lovely and vibrant; tropical fruits, bunched green herbs and a whiff of dance floor sweat late at night over the bougainvillea. The palate has middle fruit weight and length taunt acid with grace, fullness and complexity to keep you tango-ing into the night. $31

2. JUNIPER ESTATE AQUITAINE 2013 SAUVIGNON BLANC SEMILLON Opulence is the first thing about this wine. The aromas are sauvignon honeysuckle floral, with subtle vanilla bean, sweet butter and tobacco oak elements. The palate is firm for a white; intense with a lot of flavour depth, long lemon butter, vanilla and cream custard flavours. $34

3. MARCHAND & BURCH VILLAGES 2015 CHARDONNAY Delicate ripe pear and minerals with very subtle oak vanilla honey aromas. The palate has excellent balance with an active long line of fresh acidity, wed to fleshy ripe nectarine with delicious fullness in the middle palate. Subtle oak supports the long finish offering layers of flavour. A moreish Chardonnay you can buy a case of and enjoy every time you open one over the next two years. $37

4. WIGNALLS WINES (ALBANY) SINGLE VINEYARD 2013 CHARDONNAY 94/100

95/100

Aged in the cellars, these race off the blocks and will appeal to traditional Chardonnay lovers looking for more richness and oak intensity, with the harmony and balance that comes thanks to three years bottle age in the winemakers’ cellars. Smokey lush ripe fruits, nutty, oatmeal vanilla with bold bottle mature complexity. The palate is smoothly controlled, complex and less exuberant than the nose, with appealing ripe stone fruits, bottle matures balance and roundness.

Coming to a peak it still has time in front of it. $32

5. VASSE FELIX HEYTESBURY 2014 CHARDONNAY Exquisite balance with funky savoury elements, grapefruit and white fruits, and tight, refined oak. The freshness on the palate is immediate with a lighter body than previous editions. Lovely seamless drive of complex flavours and textures with gentle pink grapefruit and beautifully balanced, tight-grained French oak adding to the drive. A mouth-watering, youthful layered finish. $90

96/100

ANNOUNCING ALPHABETICALLY

6. CULLEN WINES DIANA MADELINE 2013 This is a remarkable wine, with the framework and fruit to be great with time. The fruit is pure Cabernet, a family intensity of blackcurrant and black olive, beetroot and a note of dried herbs. In the mouth, it has excellent structure that can be drunk now or aged. The palate is full of fresh fruits, tightly-woven fine grape tannins and a subtle thread of acid, with a lovely balance of raspberry, blackcurrant, mulberry, and sweet red capsicum flavours. Has subtle liquorice and tobacco oak, which is a hushed whisper amid fruit that lingers long on the finish. $115

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94/100

8. CHERUBINO WINES MARGARET RIVER 2013 CABERNET SAUVIGNON Archetypical traditional Cabernet aromas. Briar/ brick dust, dark berry perfection in the balance of savoury berry fruits. A very complete wine with the length and evenness of the brick dust, cut terracotta flavours.

A suggestion of dark chocolate, the tannins are refined and elegant with long bridging fruit. Displays structure with intensity and complexity. $49

9. WOODLANDS RESERVE DE LA CAVE 2014 MALBEC This is a confident and determined style, very varietal with its deep ripe plums and beetroot fruits aromas balanced by enough oak to add dimension. In the mouth there is a lot happening up front that almost unbalances the wine with the almost rustic Malbec tannins tied tightly to ripe berry fruits. It runs plums and raspberry compote in the middle palate and tapering tannins define the finish. Tell you a secret, Australian Malbec is much fresher, less meaty than Argentina’s. $75

S

et in the beautiful natural surrounds of Brookland Valley Vineyard and overlooking the waters of Wilyabrup Brook, Flutes Restaurant has earnt a reputation as one of the region’s finest dining experiences.

Executive Chef Francois Morvan brings an exotic mix of his French training plus a reverence for local seasonal produce to create a continually-evolving menu beautifully matched to our Brookland Valley wines.

Flutes Restaurant is open 7 days a week from 11am for Morning Tea, 12 Midday for Lunch.

Kitchen closes at 3.30pm.

Will open for dinner for 10 or more people, bookings essential.

(Exclusive hire fee applies)

Y

ou’d have to have been living under a Gizzard And The Lizard Wizard. rock and in another country with noiseWith options to purchase day or multiple cancelling headphones on for the last decade or night camping tickets, the Southbound gang so to have missed the musical that is BOTRYTIS have really mastered BLANC the art of attracting2014 music 10.happening CAPE MENTELLE SAUVIGNON SEMILLON Southbound, but for the sake of argument, lets divine,” lovers to their site,note. as well as feeding, watering “OMG it’s frigging was one taster’s Tropical aromas, fresh, pretend you have. them. botrytis complexity, quinceand andentertaining classy vibrant apricot and marmalade.

In what is set to be the biggest year in This years show includes an extra night of The palate is luscious, concentrated, complex – like eating a fresh 95/100 it’s ten year history, south-west music the form FridayofNight Fever apricot withfestival apricot syrup;entertainment oak frames theinvibrant richoflength Southbound 2016 will feature an enormous well adry large side-show of talented comedians marmalade flavours with aasgentle finish.

If you know botrytis you lineup of international andwill home-grown to keep the belly coming between sets. love this - talent available from the cellar doorlaughs only. $35 such as Bloc Party, Hilltop Hoods, Weird Al Yankovic, Birds of Tokyo, Django Django, The For more information and booking details, visit Wombats and the excellently named King southboundfestival.com.au

Weddings and functions welcome.

4070 Caves Road Wilyabrup 6280 Margaret River Wine Region

margaretriver.com margaretriver.com

SUMMER2016 2015 41 11 || AUTUMN

Nature & Attractions |

RIVER SONG

The rivers of the Margaret River region are as integral to the magic of the South West’s landscape as the sea, trees and beaches. Sarah Szabo speaks to locals whose lives revolve around them.

Images by ELEMENTS MARGARET RIVER.

F

rom the magnificent Blackwood to the secluded Margaret River and the worldclass Vasse Wonnerup Wetlands - the rivers of the Margaret River region each have their own treats of flora, fauna and adventure to offer.

Paul Berry from Surf N’ Dirt Adventure Tours says kayaking the Blackwood, which is included in a number of their adventures, is the ‘must-do’ experience of the region.

On the tours, kayaks are launched into a small creek which opens up to meet the Blackwood.

“It is so peaceful and stunningly beautiful that you often find yourself slipping into a meditative state,” he says.

“The water is often crystal clear with schools of black bream darting about the snags underneath us and the occasional marron. While overhead, eagles, white-faced herons and kite hawks glide, and cormorants, swamp hens and ducks frolic on the banks.”

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Pamela Winter agrees. She has been running Blackwood River Houseboats for 15 years and says that the experience of lazily guiding your houseboat through the waterway as it winds through 28km of national park is a revelation for many guests.

“It is a pretty laid-back break that really makes you stop and rest,” says Pamela.

“It is beautiful to get rocked off to sleep at night, and often it is just you and the Milky Way because there are not a lot of people on the river, particularly midweek.

“One customer came back just today calling it a ‘hidden gem’ saying he was shocked by how few people there were along the way.”

Jan Hughes from Augusta Eco Cruises sees the same reaction, particularly from overseas visitors who are blown away by the space and lack of other vessels. A 12-year veteran of hosting dolphin and bird-watching cruises on the

FACTS

RIVERS OF THE REGION Blackwood River The River begins at the junction of Arthur River and Balgarup River and travels in a south westerly direction through Bridgetown and Nannup until it discharges into the ocean at Hardy Inlet near Augusta.

It has 41 tributaries and at 300km, It is the longest river in the South West.

Margaret River This river arises from a catchment of 40sqkm in the Whicher Range and extends for 60km. The middle passes through land cleared for agriculture and viticulture and the mouth of the river is a small estuary, closed to the Indian Ocean by a sandbar.

Vasse River and Vasse Wonnerup Wetland The headwaters of the river are in the Whicher Range and flow in a northerly direction through Busselton and thereafter the Vasse Estuary to the Indian Ocean via Wonnerup Inlet and Geographe Bay. The basin area is over 230km and the length is 32km. The Vasse Wonnerup Wetlands receive flow from the Vasse, Sabina, Abba and Ludlow rivers.

WONDERFUL WATERWAYS The region’s rivers are a playground for all.

Blackwood she says the serenity and ambience of the river is amazing.

“It is different every time I go out,” she says.

She says it is unusual not to encounter the resident pod of seven dolphins along the route and the abundant birdlife is always a feature. ”We have 1,500 black swans in this river system and when they take flight they reveal the

Sources: GEOCATCH, BLACKWOOD BASIN GROUP

white tips of their wings and they look amazing.

“We also have a 70-strong local pelican population, avocets, spoonbills, pied oystercatchers and a flock of musk ducks who scurry along the surface of the river flapping their little wings and disappearing when they dive.” continued over / margaretriver.com

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HERE ARE SOME LOCALS WHO CAN GET YOU OUT ON THE RIVER

Jan Hughes / AUGUSTA ECO CRUISES Visit augustaecorivercruises.com Ph: 0419 759 562 Pamela Winter / BLACKWOOD RIVER HOUSEBOATS

Visit blackwoodriverhouseboats.com.au Ph: 08 9758 0181 Simon Peters / MARGARET RIVER STAND UP PADDLE SCENIC RIVER TOUR

Visit mrkiteandsail.com | Ph: 0419 959 053 Paul Berry / SURF N DIRT ADVENTURE TOURS Visit surfndirtadventuretours.com.au Ph: 0458 191 469 Helen Lee / BUSHTUCKER TOURS Visit bushtuckertours.com | Ph: 08 9757 9084

SCENIC SPLENDOUR Mists cloak the river as autumn gives way to winter.

Windsurfing champ and lifelong water sports enthusiast Simon Peters hosts a stand-up paddle scenic river tour on the Blackwood where participants learn how to steer a board through the fallen logs on the narrow Chapman Brook on the way to the bigger waterway.

“Wobbly knees gradually get strong and within five minutes most people start to feel confident on the basics as we paddle along through the natural forest,” says Simon.

“It’s completely safe, of course, but the natural bush of the surrounding park and the sense of isolation and wilderness gives it a real adventure feel.”

Helen Lee, also known as The Bushtucker Woman, runs the Bushtucker Cave and Canoe Tours on the much smaller Margaret River and says if you want seclusion then this is the river for you.

Helen has been working on the river with local and regional conservation groups for 25 years and has seen it transformed back to good health through good management practices Recently named by The National Rivers

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Council as one of the best kept eco systems in Australia, Helen thinks the river itself is the jewel in the Margaret River region.

“The river has gone from being quite a backwater when I first started, where the banks were exposed to too much heat because the town was basically using up all the water, to a place teeming with long-necked turtles, fish and marron,” she says.

Helen counts the relative difficulty of access as a plus and says once there, among the paperbark trees in an area she calls nature’s dining room, you are in for a truly unique experience.

A number of tours include a showcase of wild foods found in the area.

Her must-try pick is the Carpobrotus Virescens (also known as Pigface) which, if turned upside down and squeezed, pops out a juicy, high in vitamin C delicious fig.

If birdlife is your particular passion, the Vasse Wonnerup Wetlands, fed by the Vasse river on the outskirts of Busselton, is said to have the highest concentration of birdlife in Australia and is listed under the Ramsar Convention as a wetland of international importance.

The wetlands cycle through dramatic seasonal changes from abundant flooding to shallow mudflats, and play host to changing populations of over 90 species of birdlife, many of them rare.

Some are locals, some are only visiting but all are visible from wellplaced hides and a network of walk trails.

Even if you don’t know your tattlers from your warblers or your shovelers from your coots this is an experience to covet.

PERTH

ELECTRIC AVENUE Join the silent revolution and get behind the wheel of the award-winning electrically-powered BMW i3 on your next road trip to the Margaret River region.

MANDURAH

HARVEY

BUNBURY

BUSSELTON

Images by CHRISTIAN FLETCHER.

AUGUSTA

M

ake no mistake, cars are evolving – they have to if they are to survive in a changing world.

It’s a fact that the ever-innovative motor industry is well aware of, and one they’re working overtime to address.

The simple truth is that the days of the traditional gas-guzzler are numbered. The planet is running dry, the penny has dropped that there isn’t an infinite supply of oil, and we’re all coming to terms with the fact that things have to change.

Luckily, there are forward-thinkers out there who have been on the case for some time, developing the technology that will keep us behind the wheel for many years to come – electric cars.

Once, the idea of a vehicle not reliant on a tank of unleaded seemed impossible, something from science fiction. It seemed that the petrol engine was to forever rule the roads. Those days,

however, are now over, thanks to the leaders in electric car technology.

Heading that group of innovative geniuses is BMW. While there are other brands around making great strides in the field, it has been acknowledged that the German powerhouse is leading the pack.

Their compact electric car, the wonderful i3, was launched on an unsuspecting world in 2013 – and the reaction has been startling. A slew of awards followed, including World Green Car of the Year and Wheels Car of the Year here in Australia.

The little miracle has been credited with pushing the explosion in electric or hybrid car sales – in Australia, sales have risen by 49 per cent since 2011, to 13,246, with the majority of those going to private buyers – mainly due to the fact that it is simply a very good car.

Stylish, modern and comfortable, it drives as well as any petrol engine car. It’s quick and

powerful, more than enough oomph to keep up with – and leave behind – other compacts on the road.

No surprise then that it’s become a badge of honour among metro drivers, but more surprising perhaps is that it’s being adopted in rural Australia too.

Range-anxiety has always been an issue with electric cars, but the new motoring world has solved that. Fully charged, the i3 will take you 200km – and it is also available with a 650cc range-extender petrol engine.

You may, however, never need to use it as more and more charging stations – convenient bays where you can pull in and top up – are springing up across the country.

And WA is leading the way. The RAC’s Electric Highway is a flagship example of what can be done. They have set up as series of charging stations between Perth and Margaret River, where electric car drivers can, until March 31, top up for free. There are 10 in all, Perth’s on Wellington Street and others are cropping up in towns across south west WA – and an 11th is due to open in Fremantle soon.

The system is a fantastic example of effectively providing the infrastructure this exciting new technology needs.

And it’s only going to expand and prosper.

The day of the electric car, thanks to the likes of BMW and the RAC is already here. * BMW i3, from $63,900. Auto Classic BMW, 48 Burswood Road,Victoria Park, Perth,WA 6100.Tel: (08) 9311 7533. RAC Electric Highway details at electrichighway.rac.com.au

FAST DID YOU KNOW FACT you can drive from Perth to the Margaret River region for free until the end of March if you’re the lucky owner of an electric vehicle? Just visit the RAC’s electric highway for details. margaretriver.com

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WHAT

LIES BENEATH Peter Bell and his team of dedicated cave conservationists spend their days ensuring that the remarkable caves operated by the Margaret River Busselton Tourism Association remain as untouched by human interaction as possible.

By GABI MILLS

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| Images by ELEMENTS MARAGRET RIVER.

Caves breathe.

They’re made from porous rock, and climatic variations inside and outside the cave affect their environment.

PETER BELL, MRBTA

T

here can’t be many places in the world where the sights below ground are as breathtaking as those above, but that’s exactly the case in the Margaret River region.

With numerous highly decorated limestone caves lying beneath the surface of the Leeuwin Naturaliste Ridge, it’s fair to say that if you’re a cave lover, you’ve come to the right place.

Formed over millions of years, a few of these complex and fragile karst systems are open to the public, providing an extraordinary natural attraction for visitors to the region.

There are four tourist caves under the purview of the Margaret River Busselton Tourism Association, and cave specialist Peter Bell heads up the group of behind-the-scenes defenders whose brief is to care for and preserve the caves for future generations.

“We are responsible for the conservation and preservation of the caves and their

precincts, including all the associated flora and fauna,” he says.

“It’s our role to make sure we don’t cause detriment to the sites, ensuring they’ll be preserved for future generations to visit.”

They’re certainly a magnet for visitors, attracting many thousands of would-be cavers every year, keen to experience Lake Cave’s permanent lake, Jewel Cave’s enormous chambers and record-breaking stalactites, Mammoth Cave’s awe-inspiring scale and Ngilgi Cave’s torchlight adventure tours.

Cave tours range from completely easy ‘at your own pace’ self-guided tours, guided tours along boardwalks with informative commentary to ‘off piste’ adventure hard-hat tours.

Peter has been involved in cave management since 1992, and has been an avid cave enthusiast for many years.

Thanks to soluble limestone environment

of the Leeuwin Naturaliste Ridge, the whole area is a patchwork of cave-friendly geography known as karst. Millions of years of rainwater seeping through the soluble rock has created a network of extraordinary underground treasures which, by their nature, need careful tending to minimise the impact of human and other outside influences, such as pollution.

It’s worth bearing in mind that every time a visitor sets foot inside one of the caves, the cave is affected by their presence.

“Every time we’re in there, even just breathing, affects them. Lint, hair, skin and dust all have an impact on the cave’s make up.”

And as the caves are open 364 days a year, with some 40,000 visitors passing through annually, that’s a lot of lint, hair, skin and dust that can build up over time.

“We tackle that by our own regular baseline maintenance,” says Peter. “Every three months continued over / margaretriver.com

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we embark on a vacuuming program, cleaning every boardwalk carefully.”

That’s a lot of boardwalks to vacuum and at one site, over 12.5kg of dust was collected.

If dust was allowed to accumulate, the impact would be detrimental to the ongoing ‘health’ of the caves, so to augment the vacuuming program Peter and his team have designed an innovative little dust ‘diaper’ to sit under all the staircases, collecting falling dust and dirt before it reaches the cave floor.

“Dust is our greatest enemy,” says Peter. “It’s mobile and can cover cave walls as well as the floor. We’ll use mist wands with pure filtered water over the straw formations to keep them dust-free too.”

In their ongoing battle against dust, Peter accepts that the team’s role is rehabilitation rather than restoration.

“We compare and document the caves to look at changes between the present day and the past. We encourage staff to talk to visitors to inform them of our work, to explain reasons and promote the importance of cave conservation.”

Bigger projects are on the horizon too, including an update of the lighting at the popular Ngilgi Cave at Yallingup.

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We take inspiration from around the world but by the very nature of our isolation we have to resolve problems innovatively.

PETER BELL, MRBTA

“We’ll be bringing it in line with other sites - lighting is a key component in a cave experience, and the Margaret River region has led the way in this field of visitor attraction. All the systems are fully digital and carefully control the lighting levels in what would otherwise be a completely dark environment.”

With too much light, plants and algae start to grow in the cave which changes the cave’s appearance and causes damage to the natural formations.

“We take inspiration from around the world but by the very nature of our isolation we have to resolve problems innovatively,” says

Peter. It’s a far cry from the earliest days of cave exploration which relied on kerosene candles to light the way.

“Lake Cave and Mammoth Cave are on their third lighting system,” says Peter. “It’s such a harsh environment for electricity and water to co-exist.”

Other recent challenges include a mysteriously vanishing lake which threatened the rare aquatic fauna in Lake Cave, explained opposite.

Visit margaretriver.com for more information about the region’s caves.

SAVING LAKE CAVE BETWEEN 2004 AND 2014 the water levels in Lake Cave dropped

UNDERGROUND GUARDIANS Looking after caves is a labour of love for the MRBTA team.

by almost half a metre, putting the future of the cave’s remarkable subterranean aquatic cave fauna, called stygofauna, at risk and reducing the scale of the cave’s iconic crystal reflections.

The size and speed of this decline was unprecedented in the cave’s recent history and there was no clear reason for it.

In 2010, the Margaret River Busselton Tourism Association initiated the Lake Cave Eco-hydrology Recovery Project, which successfully gathered and analysed a wealth of scientific data on the cave.

The project implemented strategies for slowing the decline in the water level, and catalogued the incredible diversity of stygofauna in the cave. The Lake Cave stygofauna are the microscopic aquatic organisms that live in the cave and they survive by eating anything that comes their way - decomposing insects, tree roots, even human skin particles that naturally fall from visitors in the cave.

Most of them are less than a millimetre long, some of them have become cave adapted, have no eyes and lost all pigmentation, and may even be unique to Lake Cave.

After some limited initial success in slowing the water level decline in the cave with some of the project strategies, Mother Nature took over in March 2014 when the water level started to rise sharply, for no apparent reason.

The water level is now right back up to its normal historical level.

The reflections are stunning and expansive once again, and there’s now a valuable bank of data that will help the team work out the possible causes or hydrological cycles that might be affecting Lake Cave.

Changing rainfall patterns are one factor affecting the cave, but thanks to ongoing research it’s possible to work out whether there are any additional factors at play.

There’s something comforting about the eternal nature of caves, charting passing fires and floods; a paleo subterranean record of seasons from long ago, a natural reflection of the region’s everchanging landscape.

We design and create Australian jewellery beyond commercial mainstream

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Gallery Collective:

51 Marrinup Dve. Yallingup (Just off Caves Road) 08 9756 6336

101 Busssell Hwy Margaret River CBD (Opposite Visitors Centre) 08 97579494 margaretriver.com | AUTUMN 2016 49

Art to Wear Since 1973

johnmillerdesign.com

Nature & Attractions |

THE

BIG BLUE The Margaret River region’s coastal landscapes are some of the most stunning in the world, and thanks to the unique Leeuwin Current, the diversity of WA’s marine life becomes even more extraordinary.

By SOPHIE TEEDE.

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DID YOU KNOW?

B

eing near the coast in Western Australia during the autumn months provides the opportunity to experience some of the best ocean conditions to be had all year.

The best diving, fishing and boating often occurs during the months of March through April, due to the previous months of summer providing calm and warm conditions. The days are slightly cooler but often still sunny and the ocean remains calm and warm.

The Leeuwin Current will begin to flow strongest past the South West during this time, wrapping around Cape Naturaliste and Cape Leeuwin, bringing down warmer waters from the northern parts of the state - its eddies are like whirlpools pushing this warmer water in to mix with the coastal waters near the shores.

This warm water current is unlike any other ocean current anywhere in the world, as it flows in a southerly direction along the west coast of Australia.

All other continents have cold water rushing up in an upwelling from the South Pole along their western coasts. This mechanism not only provides Western Australia with a unique profile of marine life, but also moderates our weather,

keeping the climate mild even during the depths of winter.

Many sub-tropical and tropical corals and fish live along the coastline south of Perth because the influence of the Leeuwin Current moderates conditions and also continually brings new larvae to settle in the area.

These sub-tropical and tropical animals live side by side their temperate cousins, creating a most unique profile of marine life at latitudes above 30 degrees. Many juvenile fish of reef species and larvae of other marine animals, including

On April 4, 1978, Cyclone Alby swept down the coast destroying a significant amount of Busselton Jetty. Over the next 28 years, locals rallied together to raise more than $9 million to repair and preserve it.

Nowadays this popular tourist attraction welcomes more than 400,000 visitors each year.

continued over /

What’s NEW at the Jetty... Day & Night, there’s so much to see & do!

Artists Impression

Snorkel & Scuba Tours

Quote promo code “YMRR” at time of booking to receive 15% OFF UWO Tours during Autumn*

Underwater Helmet Walk Fishing Clinics

UWO after Dark

Jetty Night Train *Promo excludes weekends, public & school holidays.

Offer expires May 2016.

wander | wonder | laugh | learn BOOK ONLINE www.busseltonjetty.com.au VIP Deluxe Tours

Underwater Observatory

For more info call

9754 0900

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Nature & Attractions |

TOP 4 WAYS TO EXPERIENCE

BUSSELTON JETTY’S UNIQUE SEALIFE BOARD THE JETTY TRAIN and visit the Underwater Observatory - it’s a unique building which allows up to 40 visitors at a time to experience one of Australia’s greatest artificial reefs.

Journey eight metres to the ocean floor via a SPIRAL STAIRCASE and discover an underwater world full of wonder. Spot vividly coloured tropical and subtropical corals, sponges, fish and other creatures.

Eleven viewing windows at various levels give the Observatory unparalleled access to this astonishing marine treasure trove, packed with over 300 different marine species.

For those with limited mobility, there’s a lift within the Observatory, making it accessible for all.

Get close to the marine wonderland beneath the Busselton Jetty via a SEATREK UNDERSEA WALK.

Place a dive helmet on your head, and you can then descend into the marine world. Its a magical, aweinspiring place filled with giant pylons, stunningly beautiful and colourful corals, and many different fish and species of sea life. You don’t need any previous diving experience or to be physically fit – and you can wear glasses and contact lenses, and make-up during your tour too!

The Underwater Observatory is located 1.7km along the jetty. A family pass costs $85, $32 for a single adult and $15 for a child. The Jetty Train trip takes approximately 1 hour 45 minutes to complete, and bookings are recommended. Children under three travel free, but must sit on an adult’s lap.

This warm water current is unlike any other ocean current anywhere in the world, as it flows in a southerly direction along the west coast of Australia.

UNDER THE SEA Busselton Jetty is the underwater home to myriad sea flora and fauna.

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coral, which spawn during the warmth of summer and autumn, catch a ride on the Leeuwin Current and head off to populate new areas with life.

More than 300 different species of marine life have made their home just eight metres beneath the decking of Busselton Jetty. Creatures like the beautiful soft Carijoa coral live attached to the submerged pylons. These delicate animals are normally found much further north and in deeper water. However they are able to survive at higher latitudes under Busselton Jetty thanks to the influence of the Leeuwin Current and the shading provided by the decking above.

Over 150 other types of brightly coloured invertebrates, including nudibranchs, sea sponges and sea squirts cover every available space on the jetty piles, creating a wondrous forest-like habitat for resident fishes to spend most of their lives.

A spectacular run of the Australian salmon (Arripis truttaceus) occurs in south west Australia as the Leeuwin Current begins the autumn and winter flows. Salmon begin to swim west and north up the Western Australian coast to spawn and the resulting larvae will be distributed back to the south by the Leeuwin Current.

Schools of hundreds of individuals can be seen from the heights of the rocky outcrops between Cape Leeuwin and Cape Naturaliste, while many fishers will enjoy the run from locations such as Smith’s Beach or Bunker Bay. And the best thing of all? These unique marine processes can be experienced right on our doorstep.

Sophie Teede is a Marine Scientist and Busselton Jetty’s Underwater Observatory Manager.

Visit busseltonjetty.com.au

MEETING

of minds Emergence Creative is a unique opportunity for WA’s creative talent to share ideas in the beautiful Margaret River region.

By CARMEN JENNER.

R

eferred to as the anti-conference, Emergence Creative transforms the conventional into an imaginative exchange of ideas for those of the creative and digital persuasion.

Running from March 16 to 19, this event marks Emergence’s fourth year generating a rich stream of creative talent, both in the region and beyond, across every discipline within the music, film, advertising, visual arts and digital worlds.

The idea though isn’t to focus on your chosen field but to explore other areas and, as Emergence Chairman Mat Lewis says, to “come away bouncing with ideas, partnerships and collaborations”.

Just imagine the scope for an artist to broaden advertising avenues for their next exhibit or a film maker discovering new musical formats to incorporate in their next movie.

It’s so much more than a networking opportunity, where traditionally you only briefly connect with someone you may consider working with in the future. Emergence actually provides the platform to collaborate and form those partnerships.

Digital technology is the overall theme, but no-one is pigeoned-holed under one broad spectrum. The agility of the event inspires new outlets to move in different directions and I can’t imagine many leaving without a continued over / margaretriver.com

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NEW INSPIRATIONS Emergence Creative will spark fresh ideas and creative directions in March.

fresh perspective or new avenue to explore.

Challenging the status quo, Emergence is a Creative Corner initiative, and their aim is to connect creative people, businesses, services and events in the South West region with each other and further afield.

Beyond Emergence, the Creative Corner’s reach is broad and the body provides the means to put you in contact with the right people if you were, say, shooting a film in the south west.

If you are running a small creative business that you need help with marketing, traineeships or cashflow management these are covered in the

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CreativeTOOLKIT Essentials Workshop.

Like most innovative projects, the end product evolves organically, but here is a rundown of what’s planned so far - just expect a couple of fly-ins at the last minute.

Leading into the festival, Pitch to Play invites ideas, concepts and creations to be pitched to creative collaborators with the aim of demonstrating their key work online. As live projects are developed over the duration of the conference, there’s the chance to win category prizes, not to mention the possibility of performing in front of a crowd of potential partnerships.

The main conference venue is Willy Bay Resort with workshops located all over the region. On opening day there’s an Australian Writers Guild Writers Room as well as mentoring and production sessions for local high school students.

Other workshops will be held in and around Margaret River, covering a broad range of topics from brand development and creative entrepreneurship to photography, typography

and printology.

Opening night sets the festive scene with a creative crawl featuring live music and art, installations and exhibitions. The Big Mouth Brekky invigorates with surfing, a DJ and pop-up restaurant from local culinary students.

Masterclasses (CO~LABs) kick off covering onlocation film and photography, music production and recording as well as design and illustration.

The iconic Xanadu Wines lights up the night with the Short & Sharp film festival satellite event featuring The Flying Robot International Drone Film Festival (USA) and the soft launch of the Australian drone Film Festival.

Day two presents workshops on postproduction, digital media and trans-media and virtual reality as a prelude to Ian Mutch’s art exhibition at Sugarman and the closing party of the official conference at the Driftwood Estate ampitheatre. On Saturday don’t miss the State of Play Music Showcase at Clancy’s Dunsborough, presenting the perfect opportunity to seal those partnerships over a bevvy or three.

And no wall is safe with street artists scouting the area for blank canvases.

Each day ends with Co-Lab sessions and the opportunity to approach your favourite keynote speakers one-on-one with your burning questions.

The line-up of keynote speakers includes Sydney-based design director, blogger, podcaster, speaker and author Ram Castillo; José Miguel Sokoloff from one of Latin America’s leading agencies Lowe Global Creative Council; and New Zealander Graphic Agitator and author of Spinfluence, Nick McFarlane.

Meanwhile it’ll be keynote speaker Zena Loxton’s (Creative Director at VICE) first time. An Edith Cowan University graduate, Zena is now based in New York.

“Emergence is such a wild idea, finding all the people you’re inspired by and inviting them to the distant and beautiful Margaret River region,” she says.

“The travellers then are in turn inspired by the amazing place they find themselves in, and feed that wanderlust and energy back into the local community.

“It’s great to be coming home in that context, bringing the knowledge and wonder that comes with living in another country to share with the Emergence crew in WA, and spark new creative thoughts.”

As if the anti-conference isn’t already stimulating enough, the gorgeous setting opens the creative floodgates, as Mat says.

“Its location is its signature drawcard with so many great landscapes, workshops and collaborations in venues with pristine environments.”

The region’s beer, wine and food will also be making many guest appearances alongside galleries and beach-lovers chasing their next wave. Emergence Creative is a celebration of creativity. I’ll raise a glass to that.

Visit emergencecreative.com. Individual event tickets start at $20. For a range of accommodation options contact margaretriver.com for special Emergence rates.

DISCOV E R AN ANCI E N T WONDE RLAND

CAVES Your Margaret River Region is as spectacular underground as it is on top. Venture below to discover the caves of the region, each uniquely decorated with natural crystal formations.

The more you cave, the more you save!

Discounted multi-cave packages are available.

Visit margaretriver.com or call (08) 9780 5911 to plan and book your trip.

margaretriver.com

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Open house

Arts & Wellbeing |

April is the best month to experience art at the coalface, so to speak, as the region’s artists throw open their studio doors to all-comers.

By CARMEN JENNER | Images by ELEMENTS MARGARET RIVER.

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A

s if the landscape isn’t already decorative enough over 120 artists are preparing to fling open their ornate doors and invite the public into their homes and studios. Running from April 9 to 24, for the third year in a row, the Margaret River Region Open Studios (MRROS) unabashedly shows off the area’s creative talent to art lovers.

The Margaret River region’s artistic superstars spin their creative talent from Busselton to Augusta and plenty of spots in between.

Just as the distance is broad, so too is the range of mediums on show including painting, drawing, sculpture, stone-carving, glass-making, printmaking, woodwork, furniture, jewellery, ceramics, textiles, installations, metalwork, mixed media, photography and up-cycling.

The event is free for visitors (which exceeded an astonishing 22,000 in 2015) who relish in the surprise of not knowing entirely what to expect from each property. It could be a one-bedroom studio to a sprawling

DELICIOUS ESCAPE

BY PULLMAN

LOCAL TALENT Main pic, Rebecca Cool at work. Right, Tash Bostock’s detailed work.

Below, art of all types can be seen during MRROS.

With 2 nights’ accommodation, buffet breakfast and an instant dining discount, experience a relaxing autumn getaway that is full of flavour.

From just $259* per night. pullmanbunkerbayresort.com.au vista of delight like Rebecca Cool and Ross Miller’s Rosa Brook Farm and studios which showcase Ross’s playful sculptures and Rebecca’s colourful fabrics.

Mechelle Bernhardt, marketing director at MRROS, has worked on the project since its inception in 2014 and says, “There’s something for everyone. The off-the-grid art showings are so exciting for patrons to see where the artists live and work.

“It’s full of soul. It showcases the creative mind behind the art and the lifestyle. The creations are unique in this glorious pocket of the world, where the artworks are special because we’re not influenced by anyone because of our remoteness.”

MRROS is not-for-profit and the very definition of a community project administered by a board of professionals, artists, volunteers and contractors. Co-founders Bill Castleden and Jillian Taylor developed an alternative creative outlet after the closure of many regional galleries as a result of the GFC. All event sales are commission-free thus enabling a generation

B U N K E R B AY R E S O RT MARGARET RIVER REGION

continued over /

*Package is subject to availability with min 2-night stay required.

Advertised rate based on a 2-night midweek stay in a studio villa.

Cannot be combined with any other offer. 10% dining discount applies to restaurant/bar only. margaretriver.com

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Arts & Wellbeing | of more art and ultimately the opening of additional galleries.

Falling in the school holidays means many families will visit during one of the busiest times of the year. Here’s a few family-friendly highlights which may even lead to a new generation of creatives: Natasha Bostock’s paintings, printmaking, illustrations and sculptures delight, as do

It’s full of soul. It showcases the creative mind behind the art and the lifestyle.

MECHELLE BERNHARDT, MRROS

her mother Diana Bostock’s fairytale-like underworld depictions on recycled roofing iron mounted on timber.

“I will be exhibiting and working from my mum’s studio in Metricup this year,” says Natasha, “so I will relocate my essential tools and inspirational objects to set up a micro-studio for the duration of the event.

“It’s a beautiful rural location surrounded by garden and will be the first time I’ve really worked alongside my mum.”

For colourful homewares and limited edition prints, pop into Fi Wilkie’s Toot Rosa Brook Studio and collect a momento from the region.

Converted from an old farming shed, Fi runs workshops for budding artists as well as offering accommodation with the chance to transcend into the zone and revel in that gorgeous light.

Heading to Prevelly, Jo Broadhurst’s expressive sculptures crafted from earthenware clay provide a brief history lesson on Australian icons like Ned Kelly and pioneers as well as current figures. With pieces standing up 1.4m high, little ones will marvel looking up at these notorious characters.

Located near the Margaret River township, textile artist Britta Sorensen’s funky upcycling shed full of whimsical one-off rag weaving creations celebrate life, much as she

ORIGINAL HIPSTER Above, Tash Bostock’s pencil on paper reveals intricate artistry.

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FRESH AND COLOURFUL Left, Fi Wilkie’s work captures the spirit of the Margaret River region.

QUIRKY WORK Ned’s Day Out byJo Broadhurst.

WILD AT HEART Wildflowers

by Diana Bostock.

delights in the opportunity to interact with the public.

“Open Studios offers a great deal of exposure normally hard to get as we’re so isolated.

There’s a huge amount of talent, creativity and uniqueness down here and it’s wonderful to exchange words with the public and receive feedback.”

Britta’s decorative vintage caravans on site are

the perfect cubbyhouses for the kids to investigate.

So indulge your creative side and visit some of the region’s very best artists - right where the magic happens.

Map out your art trail in advance to make the most of your visit. Brochures will be available online at mrros. com.au and from visitor centres. Sign-up to the mailing list to stay up-to-date.

GIANT BY TONY WARRILOW EXHIBITION SHOWCASING FROM EARLY MARCH AT THE MARGARET RIVER GALLERY Shop 4, 1 Charles West Avenue, Margaret River P 9757 2729 E art@margaretrivergallery.com.au margaretriver.com | AUTUMN 2016 59 margaretrivergallery.com.au

Arts & Wellbeing |

HEMP COUTURE Hemp has been a part of the fashion landscape in the Margaret River region for the past 21 years, and with celebrity advocates like Hollywood A-lister Woody Harrelson, it’s a textile that’s not set to lose its popularity any time soon.

By BEVERLY LIGMAN.

Y

ou’ve probably heard of hemp clothing, but have you ever worn it? If you’re thinking it’s scratchy and it comes from a ‘drug’ you’d be dead wrong.

The Margaret River region is the only place in WA that produces hemp clothing and owner of the Margaret River Hemp Co for the past 15 years, Georgina Wilkinson, says that people are now more open to giving hemp a try.

“People have a lot of misconceptions about hemp, but it makes sense, it needs no chemicals to grow or when it’s broken down,” she says.

“We like to say that ‘hemp doesn’t cost the Earth’.”

We asked her why we should give it a try. . . .

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Five Things you Didn’t Know About Hemp Hemp can be consumed for food in every country around the world except Australia and New Zealand. Hopefully this year that may change, says Georgina.

Hemp oil has omegas three, six and nine and has a perfect balance of essential fatty acids, perfect for your skin inside and out.

It’s very versatile, and has been used for 10,000 years to make everything from clothing, food, buildings, bedding, body care products and medicine.

With one hectare of hemp, you can build a three by one house, and it only takes 14 weeks to grow.

Growing and building with hemp reduces atmospheric CO2 levels.

NATURAL BEAUTY Hemp is natural, breathable and ages well making it the perfect fabric for beautiful basics.

YMRR: Tell us about the ethos of the Margaret River Hemp Co… GW: We’re a natural clothing and body care company. Hemp Co is a unique, independent fashion and body care business with a simple philosophy – to sell, design and make quality affordable garments and body care, while also caring for the environment.

Our ranges for men and women are made from sustainable fibres such as hemp and bamboo. These fabrics are good for the environment and great to wear. Our body care range is made here in Margaret River, with certified organic hemp seed oil, so you’re supporting local too.

YMRR: Hemp used to be thought of as a ‘hippy’ material - tell us how have things changed.

GW: Gone are the days when hemp fabric used to be scratchy and rough to wear. Today, hemp is soft and breathable, and actually gets better with age. We have invested a lot of time and effort in making sure we have beautiful patterns and colours in our range.

YMRR: What’s your history with the store and the brand?

GW: Hemp Co has been in business for 21 years this year. I’ve been with the business for 15 years and in that time we’ve gone from one store in Margaret River to a store in Fremantle, a wholesale business and an online store that sells our products globally, a hemp foods business and a hemp building business. It’s highly likely

designs in nature

We like to say that ‘hemp doesn’t cost the Earth’. that there will be a house in the Margaret River region made of hempcrete (the building material made of hemp) within the next year.

YMRR: If I haven’t worn hemp before why should I? GW: You really should give it a try. It’s all natural, breathable and soft and three times more durable than cotton. It looks and feels good and is also great for the planet.

YMRR: What’s your favourite piece in the current collection and why?

GW: Our classic men’s and women’s T-shirts are always popular with great colour ranges that change with the seasons. They’re organic, ecofriendly, breathable and anti-bacterial, so great for anyone with sensitive skin or allergies.

Find the Margaret River Hemp Co at 133 Bussell Highway, Margaret River, (08) 9758 8600 or visit hempco.net.au to check out their range.

jewellery designed and handmade in Margaret River Open Daily 10am - 4pm 611 Boodjidup Road 08 9757 6885 info@payetgallery.com.au margaretriver.com | AUTUMN 2016 61 www.payetgallery.com.au

Arts & Wellbeing |

PAYET GALLERY Another fine edition to the Margaret River region is Payet Gallery and its fabulous handcrafted jewellery. The stunning studio gallery is just six kilometres from the Margaret River town site, where visitors can see brothers Nicholas and Francois Payet at work, crafting pieces that incorporate pearls and semi-precious gems in a variety of textured and polished metals, including silver and gold.

The Payet brothers were born in the

ROCK STARS

Margaret River is sometimes referred to as the Jewel of the Cape so it’s no surprise then that there are plenty of talented artisans in its midst. |

By BEVERLY LIGMAN.

NINA’S Nina’s ethos is pretty simple. They want to make pieces for their customers that will quite simply take their breath away.

And they want their customers to feel like part of the family.

Owner Steve Turner says Nina’s is passionate about what they do.

“When someone buys a piece of jewellery from us, we want them to be happy, we want to see them again,” he said.

“They really become part of the Nina’s family. We’re passionate about what we do and that shows in our service and attention to detail.”

The Nina’s story began in Kununnura in 1965 with a vision of creating unique designs infused with the brilliance of pearls from the Broome region, diamonds and Western Australia’s own pure gold.

Nina’s designs are a reflection of the extraordinary natural landscape and its aweinspiring beauty; from the miles of stunning coastline to lush forests and the wilderness of the Kimberley region.

And if you want to be pretty in pink then you’ve come to the right place; Nina’s is one of

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very few Argyle Pink Diamond Select Ateliers in the world today.

“Our inspiration comes from the sea and the South West, the tall forests and nature, the beautiful colours and rugged nature of the natural environment and Indigenous paintings and culture,” Steve added.

“We are proudly the only Argyle Diamond select atelier in the south west – and one of only 17 in Australia.

“We design and handcraft pieces of jewellery to fit every person’s taste and budget.”

Find Nina’s at 55 Dunn Bay Road, Dunsborough, (08) 9759 1366.Visit ninasjewellery.com.au

SPARKLE Precious gems take centre stage at Nina’s.

Seychelles, moved to Melbourne as children and have been part of the Australian jewellery industry for more than 30 years, with Francois operating small retail stores in Melbourne.

Visitors to the gallery often turn out to be past clients, who are thrilled to renew their acquaintance with Payet jewellery designs.

The Payets left Melbourne in 2006, hoping to find a quieter and more inspirational location.

Beautiful beaches, native bushland and a country lifestyle made Margaret River the perfect choice.

When Francois discovered the property on Boodjidup Road, he was able to fulfill a dream – to create a purpose-built workshop and gallery.

“At the Payet Gallery I can work surrounded by nature and my family,” Francois says.

“I draw inspiration from nature; the textures and organic shapes that attract my mind’s eye gently work their way into my designs which mostly take shape in my dreams.”

Francois also travels to trade fairs in search of unique pearls and gems, the different cuts, colours and shapes of these, can often lead to a new design.

The brothers work closely together with Francois designing and Nicholas quietly crafting the superbly finished pieces.

Find Payet Gallery at 611 Boodjidup Road, Margaret River, (08) 9757 6885. Visit payetgallery.com.au

FUSION JEWELLERS There’s something to be said for changing locations and therefore changing your perspective.

Which is exactly what award-winning jeweller Barrie Lander did when he relocated his family from Broome to Busselton a decade ago.

Barrie has more than 30 years of experience in the industry and says he is as inspired by the beautiful coastline and tranquil waters of Geographe Bay that he now calls home as he was the dramatic landscapes and wildness of WA’s North West.

“I moved to Busselton in 2006, from the Pearling town of Broome where I was very inspired by the more irregular shape of the Keshi pearls,” Barrie says.

“The heart of the Kimberley reflects those beautiful mauve hues as the sun sets on Cable Beach, but in the South West we have the turquoise waters of Geographe Bay. “They are both stunning natural landscapes I’ve been lucky to call home.”

Barrie is a master jeweller who transforms gold and silver into stunning pieces that will become cherished family heirlooms.

He was a finalist in the 2015 Jeweller’s Association of Australia (JAA) competition, hand-crafting an exquisite Argyle diamond and pearl pendant.

Fusion Jewellers stock an extensive range

of white and yellow gold pieces including rings and necklaces, sterling silver and custom pieces made to order.

They can also re-model old treasures if you have a piece that’s been sitting in your jewellery box, unloved for way too long.

Find Fusion Jewellers at Shop 15 Fig Tree Lane, 55 Prince Street, Busselton, (08) 9752 2766.Visit fusionjewellers.com.au

amazing landscape where he lives.

The jeweller works with diamonds, rubies and sapphires creating pieces for both men and women to treasure for a lifetime.

“For inspiration, I always look to the ancient and tribal or primitive metal work.

The Egyptians, Mayans, Incas and Celts for instance all had a very sophisticated aesthetic and traditional techniques,” he said.

“I feel that making one-off pieces gives them a real artistic value and this is what makes them exciting for me.

“It’s about the artistic journey and not going back over the same ground all the time.

JOHN MILLER DESIGN “We send things all over Australia and the Talented jewellery designer John Miller has been world. It’s not unusual to get a website request making stunning, original pieces in WA since from customers in London, Auckland or 1973.

Beijing.”

He started off working in Cottesloe when Find John Miller’s designs at his Margaret River silver jewellery was hot property and has Gallery at Shop 3, Meeka House, 101 Bussell continued in the field pretty much ever since; forging a successful acting and singing career in his Highway, Margaret River. Visit johnmillerdesign.com spare time.

John has a studio in Yallingup where he works with the finest metals and gemstones available and is renowned for his hand-carved sterling silver and gold pieces which depict parts of the local landscape including vineyards, ocean and wildlife. He has also recently opened a shop in Margaret River.

Miller is not afraid to think outside the box and says he is often inspired by history and the

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Active & Adventure | FITNESS FIRST All types of outdoor pursuits are possible to keep fit, from snorkelling to running, surfing to scuba diving.

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Best foot forward During your stay, why not keep fit like the locals? There’s plenty to challenge even the most avid gym bunny while in the region.

By MIA LACY | Images by SEAN BLOCKSIDGE/ELEMENTS MARGARET RIVER.

A

Portrait by SEAN BLOCKSIDGE.

s you make your way around the Margaret River region, chances are you’ll encounter quite a few locals who look pretty fly.

You kinda know they’re into keeping fit and feeling fine by the twinkle in their eye and the spring in their step. I caught up with a few of these shiny, happy people to ask if they would share their local insights with a newbie and discovered the options are almost endless.

In the south, Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse guide Paul Sofilas considers himself very lucky to live in the Margaret River region.

“As a guide, I get to climb our 176 steps at least four or five times a day a few days every week – it’s a fix of exercise, fresh air and views to die for.”

Paul is also a keen cyclist. He cycles for pleasure mostly but also uses his mountain bike as an alternative to driving a car around. He recently bought a fat bike with “huge tyres like a tractor” to start exploring the sandy parts of East Augusta and Boranup Forest.

He also walks the stunning Cape to Cape Track and kayaks in the Blackwood River.

“It’s like having a big home gym with no walls, natural light and air conditioning, where

the serenity is my soundtrack,” he says.

Respected guide Sean Blocksidge knows the region like the back of his hand.

I suspect if this bloke has a middle name, it’s probably Adventure. As the owner of The Margaret River Discovery Company, Sean shows off the best of his home patch on a daily basis.

What tips does someone like Sean have for keeping in top shape?

“My two favourite after-work activities are continued over /

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canoeing on the Margaret River and mountain biking,” he says. “On a good day, I can combine them both with a ride up the Ten Mile Brook trail and then throw the bike in the canoe and go for a paddle on the river. I reckon it’s the ultimate full-body workout and about a hundred times more rewarding than being stuck in the mirrored walls of a gym.”

Like a lot of the locals, Sean believes being on the river is a great way to properly experience the beauty of the region. “Most people who visit seem to completely miss the opportunity to actually canoe the Margaret River,” he says.

Sean’s real adrenaline rush comes from riding his mountain bike. “The trail scene has gone nuts in recent years with miles of stunning trail networks through the bush and pine forest.

“A new Black Diamond rated one (steep 40% and up) called Paper Trail is thrilling a lot of local riders at the moment, with big sweeping berms and an epic rock section.”

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Sean’s friend Clive Otto, says he isn’t the fittest person in the world but thinks he could be the happiest.

“I go surfing, stand-up paddle surfing, scuba diving, snorkeling, crabbing, fishing, sea kayaking, mountain biking and some Cape to Cape walking. Hunting for abalone or crayfish takes a bit of effort as you’re swimming a few hundred metres off shore.” Somehow he finds time to fit all this in with his day job as a winemaker at Fraser Gallop Estate.

“Working in a small winery is quite a physical job,” he says.

At the top of the Margaret River region, Andre Courtis has the ideal office space. Based at Ngilgi Cave, he has handled the education programs for the region’s caves and lighthouses since arriving in Dunsborough eight years ago.

“Since I moved down, I have learned to surf – badly - and can often be found grabbing a couple of waves at Yalls (Yallingup) before

work. If the surf ’s not on, I usually hit the beach at Rabbits or Bunker Bay for a jog and a swim.

I also really like the walk trails around Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse – they’re even better at sunset and in winter when there is no one around.”

When she’s not working at the Dunsborough Visitor Centre, you’re likely to find Claire Huxtable on a beach or a board.

“The lifestyle here is active so exercise comes accidentally. Strolling along these beautiful beaches is my absolute favourite thing to do. I love walking the Meelup Trail (which lots of others run) and taking the paddle boards out is super fun too, especially when the dog jumps on board - that really tests my balancing skills.”

Kirsty, the perky other half of Wine for Dudes tour company, asks me jokingly if ‘wine-lifting’ counts as exercise.

Together with partner John (Johnno) O’Connor, Kirsty takes on all manner of fitness – ‘Marg’s style’.

“We regularly do the Rails to Trails; the Pines is a favourite for taking out the mountain bikes, and day hikes along the Cape to Cape Track are super beautiful too. Johnno surfs and plays golf, we do jet skiing and tennis with our mates, and I’ll wind down with yoga in the backyard.”

No matter what time of year you visit the Margaret River region, you’ll be able to combine exploring and adventuring with fitness easily and pleasurably. The final tip on keeping fit around here? Ask a local.

Visit margaretriver.com for running tracks and other fitness-related ideas for your stay.

The lifestyle here is active so exercise comes accidentally.

Strolling along these beautiful beaches is my absolute favourite thing to do.

CLAIRE HUXTABLE, DUNSBOROUGH VISITOR CENTRE

KEEPING CENTRED Why not sign up for a luxury retreat while you’re in the Margaret River region?.

Feed the soul (and body) In need of some soul food? Then nourish yourself with a Revive Retreat, a luxurious, five-day getaway on the pristine south west coast.

With the retreat focusing on restoring balance, health, and happiness to your life, this is a life-changing investment in wellbeing.

Be the focus as you get back into shape, ditch the diet, break the bad eating habits and kick start a new life – all in and around the gorgeous Smiths Beach Resort, Yallingup.

The Revive Retreat is run by Katie Carmichael from KT Personal Training and Sarah Breheny from Sarah Breheny Health Coaching. Together, they bring over a decade of experience in the health and wellness industry to this exclusive retreat.

The next Revive Retreat is running from May 13 to 17. Retreat and accommodation is $1,795 for a twin share and $2,299 for a single. To make a booking or to see other retreats coming up visit reviveweightlossretreat.com.au.

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WAVE RIDERS It’s the coastline’s biggest sporting drawcard - those crashing waves attracting surfing stars from far and wide for the Drug Aware Margaret River Pro.

By DIANNE BORTOLETTO | Images by ELEMENTS MARGARET RIVER.

T

he consistent and spectacular big waves along Western Australia’s South West coastline has made Margaret River a Mecca for surfers. It’s officially considered one of the world’s top 10 surfing breaks and was recently named Western Australia’s first national surfing reserve.

Each autumn, the region hosts the World Surf League (WSL) Drug Aware Margaret River Pro that attracts the best board riders on the planet including 11-time men’s world champion Kelly Slater, six-time women’s world champion Stephanie Gilmore and local professional surfing

legend Taj Burrow.

The Drug Aware Margaret River Pro is the third of the 11 events in the WSL World Championship Tour (WCT) where athletes earn valuable WCT points towards World Championship Title.

Last year’s Pro was hailed a massive success thanks to the best surf conditions in its 30-year history. It attracted unprecedented global media attention due to multiple competition breaks used and absolutely huge surf.

The stars come for the epic waves - but the Margaret River region also delivers elsewhere.

KELLY SLATER Last year’s conditions had Kelly Slater frothing.

“We surfed The Box three days in a row – I’ve been wishing for these conditions for 20 years ever since I first came to Margaret River in 1991.”

Slater has been known to visit wineries and enjoy café breakfasts in Margaret River when the competition allows. He’s been spotted at Xanadu,Voyager, Leeuwin Estate, the Margaret River Chocolate Factory and Morries.

“I love coming back to WA. The country is beautiful, the clean air off the ocean. It’s

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really nice and the wineries are great,” the 42-year-old said.

“My girlfriend loves to go to the wineries with her friends for lunch. I like the wineries too, we have a great time when we go to Margaret River. And the food, we’ve had great food there. Oh, the venison, we went to that venison farm, wow – I really like it there.”

Kelly said he was lured to the region not only for the good surf and wineries, but its pristine surrounds, describing the area as having “raw energy”.

FAST FACT -

Drug Aware Margaret River Pro, 8 to 19 April, 2016 Over 12 days, surfers will compete on the days producing the best conditions.

Round 3 of the 11-round Samsung Galaxy World Championship Tour will see the top 34 ranked male (plus 2 wild card entries) and top 17 ranked female (plus 1 wild card entry) surfers in the world competing on the famous Margaret River Mainbreak.

Entry and parking is free and shuttle buses to the event site from the free parking areas are free. Visit worldsurfleague.com

STEPHANIE GILMORE Stephanie Gilmore is a huge fan of Margaret River.

“It’s one of the most beautiful places in Australia,” she said.

“I love Margaret River because it’s like going on a true Australian adventure. I love the stunning cliffs, beaches, the vineyards and the beautiful local artisans who make everything from fresh bread to lavender body products.

“It’s one of my favourites places on tour – not just mine but for a lot of the professional surfers. It’s the one place where everyone brings their girlfriends and boyfriends.

“Surfing aside, there’s something for everyone in Margaret River. It has a real family feel, everyone is so nice, there’s good hospitality and the food is excellent.

“The wineries exceeded all my expectations, especially the lesser-known smaller spots that make you feel like you’re walking into a scene from a children’s storybook.”

Gilmore has been spotted at the White Elephant Beach Café, Leeuwin Estate and Wills Domain.

Did you know…?

Margaret River High School runs a gifted and talented surfing academy. Some of those students will compete in the WA Trials event to win a wild card entry in the Drug Aware Margaret River Pro. Others will surf in the ‘Grom Prix’, a junior event that is run alongside the main event.

1.6 billion people around the world read online content about the Drug Aware Margaret River Pro. Mainbreak, the main competition wave for the Pro, is 200m off shore.

STREATER GALLERY IS A MUST SEE

Margaret River is pure Australia – great produce, waves, and people. It’s a pleasure to come here.

SALLY FITZGIBBONS, NSW, 2015 WOMEN’S CT RANKED 3RD

TAJ BURROW Yallingup local Taj Burrow is an idol for young grommets and knows all the secret spots in the South West.

“I love the region. The coastline is really special, best in the world. The open ocean, clean air and sensational beaches combined with wineries and forests, it’s heaven on earth,” Burrow said.

“More than any other event, this is where other surfers bring their video guy because there’s so many opportunities to get good footage. When not surfing at the comp, there are so many epic places to free surf.

“There’s rock pools in summer and little waterfalls, it’s cool.

“Visiting the wineries and having good food are my favourite things ever.You can see why people love it.

“I’m always excited when the Pro is on and hope that everyone who visits Margaret River has a good time and that the waves are good.

“I’m very proud of where I grew up.”

Phone 08 9755 1211 105 Blythe Road, Yallingup Siding streatergallery@bigpond.com www.streaterfinefurniture.com 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.

Open: 10am to 4pm. Closed Fridays Winter Trading hours may vary.

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CAPE CRUSADERS The stunning limestone landscape of the Margaret River region is just begging to be explored - so don’t forget to pack your hiking boots and follow the Cape to Cape Track, says Carmen Jenner.

Images by ELEMENTS MARGARET RIVER.

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C

raggy limestone ridges, deserted beaches and expansive forest canopies are synonymous with the Margaret River region. That’s assuming you’ve torn yourself away from a well-beaten wine trail of course, and onto the rugged Cape to Cape Track.

Spanning 135km within the LeeuwinNaturaliste National Park from Cape Naturaliste to Cape Leeuwin, and varying from easy-going tracks and pathways to rough stony paths and calf-burning sandy beaches, the trek ranges from easy to challenging.

COWARAMUP THE CAPE TO CAPE TRACK CAPE NATURALISTE

CAPE LEEUWIN

Given the many access points, the fiveto-seven-day trek can be completed in small sections, meaning each walk promises a unique experience; unless you’re a hardcore trekker on a mission to complete its entirety in one swift stride.

The track ambles through five segments with Section One starting at Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse then onto Sugarloaf Rock and Wyadup Steps, winding along the cliffs. Each section has plenty of rest stops with outstanding views including the Clifftop Seat and Quinninup

Falls in Section Two. Section Three mixes up the scenery with Meekadarabee Falls and Margaret Rivermouth; you’ll be able to return home boasting you’ve experienced the actual river in Margaret River.

Section Four may offer the best vistas yet with Contos Beach in Cape Freycinet, Boranup Forest, Boranup Beach and Hamelin Bay Jetty.

Section Five doesn’t disappoint either with a meander past Cosy Corner Blowholes to the end of the track at Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse.

As exciting as it is to set off on your own with nothing but your wits and a good pair of walking boots, don’t let the breathtaking scenery distract you from the fact you’ll be going to walk significant distances in the Australian outback.

Preparation is paramount to any expedition.

It’s a well-known fact how harsh our climate is, so never set off without proper sun protection and at least two litres of drinking water per day, and twice that amount during the warmer months.

There are limited water supplies along the way – and you should always boil any water you find, obviously only an option if you’ve come prepared. As scarce as water may be in the warmer months, creeks will be overflowing in winter and crossings should be done one person at a time and sometimes with safety equipment.

As inviting as that turquoise water crashing onto the shoreline is, always be aware of the tides and rips when swimming.

For independent trekkers, signage is clear along the way, but it would be risky to attempt it without a map or The Cape to Cape Track Guide Book, authored by local expert Jane Scott, available through the Friends of the Cape to Cape Track (capetocapetrack.com.au) who also run monthly walks. Camp spots are dotted throughout but there are several accommodation options close to the track and some provide drop-off and pick-up services for guests.

Park and Visitors co-ordinator of the Friends of the Cape to Cape Track Ben Tannock says: “There are three long trails in Western Australia; the Bibbulumun, Munda Bindi and the Cape to Cape trek. What sets the Cape to Cape apart is that it traverses the Leeuwin Ridge while offering magnificent ocean vistas on account of its bays and rugged coastline.”

It’s hardly surprising the track is considered one of Australia’s premier coastal walks.

Given approximately 80 per cent of the plantlife in this area is found nowhere else in the world, the track is a biodiversity hotspot, so leaving no trace in this pristine environment should be the visitor’s mantra. continued over /

TM

CANDY & FUDGE

GOURMET FOODS

WINE TASTING

BODY & BATH

GIFTS & GALLERY

SAVOUR THE FLAVOUR OF THE SOUTHWEST CORNER OF BOTTRILL STREET & margaretriver.com | AUTUMN 2016 71 BUSSELL HIGHWAY, COWARAMUP

Active & Adventure | Accredited tour operators can take care of the logistics so you can focus purely on the coastal and forest wilderness, while spotting rare red-tailed black cockatoos, bobtail lizards and kangaroos in among the buttercups, banksias, forests of balga grasstrees and towering marris.

If you’re lucky you might even spot frolicking dolphins and migrating humpbacks along the coastal walks. Snakes are common, but not usually interested in random encounters with sweaty trekkers.

Cape to Cape Explorer Tours (capetocapetours.com.au/explorer) offers selfguided options, three- and four-day treks with four-star accommodation, as well as end-to-end eight-day fully catered or self-catering camping tours.

They also provide a Sunset, Forest and Cave Explorer tour to stroll the track at sunset, forest at dusk and caves by twilight, as well a Wild About Margaret River scenic riverside walk.

Priding themselves on being the tour company for people who don’t do tours, the Margaret River Discovery Company (margaretriverdiscovery.com.au) runs a range of tours of the region including one-day treks on the Cape to Cape, while providing a unique insight into the geology, ecology and climate of the pristine environment.

Just because you’re donning walking boots and comfortable clothing doesn’t mean it can’t be done in style.

Walk into Luxury (walkintoluxury.com. au) offers five-star all-inclusive luxury tours and

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BEAUTY ON TRACK Walking the Cape to Cape reveals so much about the landscape.

is perfect for those who cherish their creature comforts, gourmet food, wine and high thread count.

By opening the track up to a whole new audience who yearn to slow down and stop to smell the buttercups, owner Nikki King says: “We offer a new way to walk by combining beachfront and forest luxury, Margaret River’s finest cuisine and wine and the best of the Cape to Cape Track.

“Our walks are achievable for anyone with reasonable fitness and we have options for private walks with or without a guide.

“The common theme across all of our walks is an unforgettable experience showcasing the highlights of the Margaret River region, both on

and off the track.”

I joined Nikki for a two-day saunter and it was while passing rugged granite outcrops and headlands where some of the rocks are millions of years old that I became aware that I’m just a speck in an ancient universe.

Regardless of which tour you join, the sense of isolation is astounding given you’re in one of the WA’s favourite playgrounds.

Invigorating, enthralling and action-packed, the Cape to Cape Track is a must for anyone who loves the region’s staggering landscape.

Visit margaretriver.com for full details of the Cape to Cape Track.

We offer a new way to walk combining beachfront and forest luxury, Margaret River’s finest cuisine and wine and the best of the Cape to Cape Track.

NIKKI KING, WALK INTO LUXURY

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MY

DOWN SOUTH

getaway

Actor and producer Myles Pollard finds himself returning to the Margaret River region beaches of his youth when all he needed to have a great weekend was a surfboard, a bunch of mates and a tin of beans.

Portrait by ELEMENTS MARGARET RIVER.

I

have great memories of staying at Redgate Beach and Injdup near Yallingup.

My friends and I would travel down from Perth, usually late in the afternoon, unprepared, with little food, few clothes and nowhere booked to stay.

We’d arrive at the campsite close to nightfall and usually in the middle of winter. Freezing, we’d pitch a tent, light a fire and feast on chips and baked beans. We would surf all day, occasionally fish and on occasion if there was absolutely no surf,we’d snorkel or, as a last resort, play golf.

The car in the photo was one of my good mate’s first car which he named Bessy. It was old, broke down regularly and was close to unroadworthy, but somehow it always got us down south safely.

I think at the time the photo was taken we

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were about to surf Margaret River Mainbreak.

I’m sure we were pretty scared since most of our surfs out there involved very big waves and severe poundings.

The photo of me looking dishevelled near the tent was taken after a week camping on the beach, probably at Redgate.

A friend’s parents said we could use their house in Dunsborough for a night on the way back to Perth to wash, but we still had to sleep outdoors. A very smart decision on their part! I was completely surfed out, probably a little malnourished, but ecstatic nonetheless.

There is also a shot of us walking back from The Farm at Bunker Bay when it was still just a farm, before the resort was built. We’d walk down to the little river, jump a few fences, avoid a large bull and generally surf alone most of the time.

Myles'’ top spots WISE WINE - a beautiful spot for a glass of wine, a bite to eat - and a venue for a wedding reception.

COLONIAL BREWERY - family-friendly venue after a morning of surfing.

REDGATE BEACH - a popular surfer’s spot that’s located on the southern side of Isaacs Rock. There are two permanent rips draining out against the rocks to either end and a righthand break into the northern rip, as well as beach breaks across the bar.

THE FARM, BUNKER BAY - another surf break and popular snorkelling area located in Bunker Bay, protected by the rocky promontories of Cape Naturaliste.

INJIDUP - a beautiful spot near Yallingup; make sure you find the idyllic Injidup Spa Retreat, one of the region’s best small resorts set above a gorgeous, remote beach.

Now that I’ve got a family of my own, we still visit the Margaret River region, and things have certainly changed from the days when I was there as a kid. The amount of people has increased and it’s harder to pick a quiet period to surf with the advent of unpredictable schedules of the FIFO surfers.

The environment, though, is still pretty much the same. It hasn’t been developed at the beach level too much yet and I still feel remote when I surf which, to me, is what it’s all about. I still take my family to many of the remote beaches that are a little off the beaten path.

As well as surfing, I’d say that bushwalking along the river is always a must - and I always enjoy a beer at the Colonial Brewery too.Very kid friendly!

My favourite winery is Wise Wine in Dunsborough. My wife (Brigitta) and I were married at the end of the cape at Shelly’s Cove and had our wedding reception at Wise. It has amazing wine, beautiful food, great service and views to die for.

It was a real joy to share the region with the the crew and cast of Drift. It’s the story of two Australian brothers from a secluded coastal town in the Margaret River region, who launch a surf business that changes their lives forever. The drama was inspired by actual events. I played the older brother Andy, alongside Xavier Samuel, who played my brother Jimmy, a pair who knew a thing

or two about finding the perfect wave.

Sam Worthington and Robyn Malcolm also co-starred, and although I wasn’t living in the region at the time, I had spent a lot of my youth down there so I felt like a local.

My most recent film Looking For Grace was a pleasure to film too. I lived in Miling in the Wheatbelt as a kid for a few years

which was a one street town and I felt like the shoot was a bit of a homecoming because of that.

I also just shot Jasper Jones in Pemberton and had another opportunity to enjoy working in the South West.

I plan to shoot my own short film in the region this year, shot entirely in the south west which will be significant for me since it will be my professional film directing debut. Stay tuned for more on that.

SURF’S UP Myles (below), starring in Drift, which was filmed in the region.

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Trail The Margaret River region will be one of the cornerstones of a new plan to turn WA’s South West into Australia’s mountain biking mecca, with nearly 500km of new trails planned.

By NORMAN BURNS | Images by ELEMENTS MARGARET RIVER.

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BLAZING W

hatever way you look at it, mountain biking has gone from a minority sport to big business in a relatively short time.

Last year alone, more than 120,000 mountain bikes were sold in Western Australia, and now the sport is set to gain an even bigger boost with the release of the South West Mountain Bike Master Plan which envisages 495km of new, exciting and challenging trails in the region for mountain biking enthusiasts.

And it’s not just about time on the bike; launching the plan, Environment Minister Albert Jacob said mountain biking tourism in the south west had increased 38 per cent in recent years and those who came, including many from overseas, would then go on to spend money at the area’s other attractions.

He told a local newspaper website that the

State Government wanted to build on this momentum: “We hope to have trails in the future of over 80km in Margaret River, Collie and Pemberton that are large enough to attract serious overseas interest.’’

Meanwhile, the area is already home to some of the gnarliest trails around - whether you’re a complete novice, have a good handle on the sport, or are a fully-fledged expert.

We asked Margaret River local, mountain bike trail designer and riding fanatic David Wilcox for his tips on the Margaret River region’s top trails.

Stop press: Throughout winter this year the Margaret River Off Road Cycling Association and the Department of Parks and Wildlife will develop another 10km of trails in the area known as Compartment 10 which will abut The Pines (see opposite).

BEGINNERS TRAIL: Wadandi Track LOCATION: Margaret River DISTANCE: ~30km WHAT YOU GET: Now stretching from Witchcliffe through Margaret River

to Cowaramup, the Wadandi Track offers beginner mountain bikers their first experience of riding off-road. Crossing historic bridges which once formed part of the railway line to Busselton, there are many spots to stop and take in the beauty of the changing landscape, from farmlands to forrest.

BEGINNER/INTERMEDIATE

TRAIL: 10 Mile Brook WHERE: Rotary Park, Margaret River DISTANCE: ~15-20km WHAT YOU GET: Follow the Margaret River upstream to the 10 Mile

Brook Dam through stunning karri and jarrah forest. Be sure to follow the winter/summer routes unless you want to take a dip in winter. The intrepid can get off the beaten track and ride all the way out to Colonial Brewery for lunch (although not signposted).

TRAIL: The Pines WHERE: Carters Road, Margaret River DISTANCE: ~10km WHAT YOU GET: The perfect place for beginner to intermediate riders

to experience fantastic flow track through an open pine plantation. Ideal to take the kids and let them have a nature play experience on the many jumps, rollers and berms. Be sure to ride Aunt Lou and Big Pine, which are the favourites of people visiting the pines and offer fast and open flowing trails.You can immerse yourself in the heart of mountain bike country by staying at Wharncliffe Mill Bush Retreat (wharncliffemill.com.au or call 08 9758 8227), which has trails connecting straight to The Pines.

TRAIL: Boranup WHERE: Boranup, Margaret River DISTANCE: ~10km WHAT YOU GET: Ride the awesome trails that feature as part of the Cape

to Cape MTB Race at your own leisurely pace, or move it up a gear and Tunnel Vision on the aptly named trail through the majestic karri forest. For a guided tour of the trails and a great way to explore the forests around Boranup, check out Dirty Detours (dirtydetours.com).

TRAIL: Dunsborough MTB Skills Development Park WHERE: Dunsborough DISTANCE: ~15km WHAT YOU GET: Head up to the Dunsborough Country Club and ride

some of the trails surrounding the golf course close to Meelup Regional Park.

INTERMEDIATE/ADVANCED

TRAIL: Middle Earth WHERE: Gale Road - Busselton DISTANCE: ~25km WHAT YOU GET: The brave and fit can join the hunt for orcas on a

technical single track at Middle Earth which features numerous log rides and roll overs. Make sure to stop and take a magical photo in the natural archway of the hollowed out tree. There’s lots to check out in this area such as local wineries down Metricup Road or stop and say g’day to local legend Brooksy at Bootleg Brewery. continued over / margaretriver.com

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ADVANCED TRAIL: Creek Trails WHERE: Carters Road, Margaret River

Distance: ~15-20km WHAT YOU GET: A favourite of locals, these trails are pure single-track bliss and are where mountain biking started out in the region.

The smile from the fast technical descents of Western Suburbs and Valley Girls will only be wiped off by close encounters with the stunning vegetation as you race through the tight single track. After riding the renowned flowy magic dirt of Goobers Pool, trail down onto the banks of a natural waterhole on the Margaret River and take a refreshing swim. For a map of the trails, head to The Hairy Marron bike store and cafe near Rotary Park and finish up with a beer and some nibbles at The Brewhouse at 35 Bussell Highway.

Don’t have your own bike?

If you haven’t packed your own bike – or want to try mountain biking or road cycling for the first time – the Margaret River region has plenty of options for bike hire and advice on where to go and how to get there.

The Hairy Marron (69 Bussell Highway, Margaret River, 08 9757 2346, hairymarron.com) bike store and cafe rents out bikes, as does Margaret River Cycles & Repairs (6/16 Station Road, Margaret River 08 9758 7671). Dirty Detours (dirtydetours.com, 08 9758 8312) has a great range of tours available (you can only rent a bike if you are going on one of their tours though). The Bike Shed Dunsborough (Unit 1, 10 Clark St Dunsborough, 08 9759 1495, thebikesheddunsborough.com.au) also has a great range of mountain bikes to hire. For updates on the Margaret River region mountain biking scene, contact the Margaret River Off Road Cycling Association (MRORCA), visit mrorca.org.au for details.

fat FUN While the Margaret River region is well known for its mountain bike trails there’s a new kid in town – fat bikes; which allow you to ride certain trails other bikes just can’t.

Cam O’Beirne, from Capes to Coast Experience Adventure owns the only fat bike touring company in Western Australia. He takes people on journeys to places that are hard to get to with an ordinary bike.

“A fat bike is a unique kind of mountain bike, specially designed with oversize tyres that let you get over all sorts of obstacles, and float over sand on the beach.

Cam takes people on forest tracks in the Boranup Forest, or on journeys across some of the remote beaches in the region.

“I’ve found that these bikes can go literally anywhere, soft sand is their speciality, you just let the tyres down and away you go!”

Cam said “We have special permission from Department of Parks and Wildlife to ride our bikes in the National Park and beaches, which allows our visitors to explore the coast and forest from a different perspective. The bikes make little noise so it’s not uncommon to come across emus and kangaroos right up close. It can be confronting turning a corner on a forest

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track and there’s six emus just staring at you, but people love it.

“We cater for all ages from eight years and up with a wide range of abilities, You don’t need to be a regular cyclist to take part in this tour.”

One of Cam’s most popular rides is from the Boranup Forest, with its majestic karri trees, downhill to the coast where it finishes among the granite headland and pristine beach of Contos Spring.

“It’s a two-hour ride, where you’re able to see how the forest and track changes as we near the coast.”

For those wanting something a little bit more extreme, Cam also offers what he calls the ‘Fat Bike Sufferfest’.

“The Sufferfest originated form a trip some friends and I took on the fat bikes.

We rode along the coast near Hamelin Bay all the way to Prevelly. It’s a day-long ride on some really tough terrain, including soft sand beaches, through tidal pools, and over granite and limestone rock formations. Think of it as 40km of painful fun,” he says.

“A fat bike is the only bike that can do it.

There’s no way a normal bike could stay on the coast for all that distance. The soft sand on some of the beaches just makes your legs burn and then you’d come to the end of a section and have to put you bike on your back and climb over a cliff or rockhop to the next beach section.”

Suffice to say Cam only runs the Sufferfest three times a year and limits the participants to six people.

Visit capestocoast.com.au

guide to the directory 80. STAY 84. FOOD & DRINK 85. ACTIVITIES & ART 87. WINE & BEER 89. TOURS

map key

HOLIDAY FOR LESS IN THE SOUTHWEST WITH AVIS

Latest model vehicles Wide range to choose from including people movers and 4WDs One way rentals available with unlimited kilometres! margaretriver.com

To make a booking visit avis.com.au or local freecall 1800 679 880

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DIRECTORY

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

AUGUSTA HOTEL & HAMELIN BAY HOLIDAY PARK

BAY VILLAGE RESORT & SPA DUNSBOROUGH

ENJOY ACCOMMODATION SET ON THE BLACKWOOD RIVER, OR ON THE BEACH IN HAMELIN BAY

LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION…

Set on the Blackwood River, The Augusta Hotel offers accommodation including 4 star self-contained apartments, rooms, cottages and backpacker facilities. The Hotel offers spectacular views of the Blackwood River and Southern Ocean and features a fully licensed restaurant, featuring fresh produce and TAB facilities.

Hamelin Bay Holiday Park offers unique beachside accommodation in a National Park and beachside setting. Set on a beautiful bay and taking in the picturesque South West coastline between Cape Naturaliste and Cape Leeuwin, the Holiday Park is 15kms north of Augusta and 30kms south of Margaret River. Choose from well appointed camp sites, caravan sites, cottages and cabins.

Ph 08 9758 1944 info@augustahotel.com.au www.augustahotel.com.au

Ph 08 9758 5540 bookings@hamelinbayholidaypark.com.au www.hamelinbayholidaypark.com.au

BIG 4 PEPPERMINT PARK

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 WA 6280 ph 08 9755 4241 • pepipark@iinet.net.au www.peppermintpark.com.au

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Just a 2 minute walk to the pristine waters of the Bay, Dunsborough town centre shopping, arts, crafts, galleries and golf, Bay Village Resort & Spa is a 3 hour drive south from Perth and provides a range of accommodation styles. Superb spa apartments, (mostly fully self-contained), cosy cottages & chalets and executive style villas ensure there is an accommodation style to suit everyone, from couples, families, corporate travellers or groups.

An exquisite day spa, heated indoor pool, pool spa and outdoor decking area, sauna, restaurant, bar, barbeques, children’s playground, FREE in-room movies and FREE WIFI, complement the resort’s unique location.

26 Dunn Bay Road, Dunsborough WA Ph 1300 138258 • info@bayvil.com www.bayvil.com

CAVES HOUSE HOTEL

DUNSBOROUGH INN BACKPACKERS

ICONIC HERITAGE LISTED VENUE A LIVING CULTURAL HISTORY OF WA

SUPERIOR BUDGET ACCOMMODATION SITUATED RIGHT IN THE HUB OF TOWN

Caves House Hotel has been the resident watering hole for locals and visitors alike since 1903. Originally built by the Government of Western Australia, it provided accommodation for visitors to the newly opened caves nearby.

Famous for Summer Sessions, Caves House Hotel provides an ideal venue for locals and visitors to mingle in our beer garden and enjoy live music.

Caves House Hotel is also the ideal Wedding venue, with beautiful heritage listed gardens, glorious art-deco accommodation and unique function rooms, all just a stone’s throw away from the ocean. Whatever the size of your Ceremony or Reception we are sure to have the perfect location for you. Our dedicated Wedding Coordinator will ensure your special day is everything you wished for and more.

18 Yallingup Beach Road, Yallingup Ph 08 9750 1888 www.caveshousehotelyallingup.com.au

DIRECTORY

Stay

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

DUNSBOROUGH CENTRAL MOTEL

Page turners for brands DUNSBOROUGH CENTRAL MOTEL IS NESTLED IN A TRANQUIL GARDEN SETTING IN THE HEART 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.

magazine 02 | AUTUMN 2016

Grape expectations CELEBRATING VINTAGE IN THE MARGARET RIVER REGION

Going underground KEEPING THE CAVES IN TIP TOP CONDITION

50 Dunn Bay Road, Dunsborough WA Ph 08 9756 7711 • reservations@dunsboroughmotel.com.au www.dunsboroughmotel.com.au

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LEGACY & PROMISE

DUNSBOROUGH BEACH COTTAGES 50 YEARS OF SOCIAL WORK AND SOCIAL POLICY AT THE UNIVERSITY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA LEGACY & PROMISE

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

●

1 Social Work at UWA ●

LEGACY & PROMISE

●

1 Social Work at UWA ●

by TAMARA HUNTER

PREMIUM PUBLISHERS 181 Roberts Road, Subiaco WA 6008.

Ph 08 9273 8933.

Visit premiumpublishers.com.au

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DIRECTORY

Relaxing Beachfront Holiday!

Located on the shores of Geographe Bay in the Margaret River Region, Forte Cape View offers the best of both worlds with beautifully appointed, fully self contained accommodation, some with spa.

Ask about our ocean views accommodation.

• Four star beach front destination • Two & three bedroom, two bathroom accommodation • Childrens playground and BBQ area • Outdoor pool, indoor pool, gym and sauna

12 Little Colin Street, Busselton bookings@capeviewapartments.com.au

GRANGE ON FARRELLY

JACARANDA GUESTHOUSE

MARGARETS FOREST

AFFORDABLE, TOWN CENTRE, QUIET LOCATION

JETTY, SHOPS AND RESTAURANTS, ALL AT YOUR FINGERTIPS!

STAY IN THE HEART OF THE ICONIC MARGARET RIVER TOWN CENTRE

Air conditioned accommodation. Four minutes walk to the main street, and walking distance to all town centre facilities.

Half-size tennis court, outdoor pool, BBQ facilities, native gardens. Licensed restaurant on site for breakfast and dinner.

Our clean, comfortable, affordable rooms are the perfect base from which to explore the region.

Book now, then relax and enjoy your holiday.

18 Farrelly Street, Margaret River Ph 08 9757 3177 grange@highway1.com.au www.grangeonfarrelly.com.au

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Grange

Fantastically located, is nestled amongst beautiful English style gardens where you can just relax or enjoy a bbq.

Busselton’s famous jetty, beach, shops, cafe and restaurants are all within a 5 minute walk away. Has 7 guestrooms, all with own ensuite, r/c airconditioning and free wi-fi.

Continental breakfast is included in the price.

Margarets Forest is situated where the towering forest meets the gourmet town of Margaret river. These four-star fully-equipped apartments are walking distance to the river, bushwalking trails and the cafe strip.

Features include: Twin spas | Private barbecues | Fully equipped laundry and kitchen | Private balcony & courtyard | Free onsite parking | Air conditioning

30 West Street, Busselton, WA Ph 08 9751 5973 • jacarandaguesthouse1@westnet.com.au www.jacarandaguesthouse.com

96 Bussell Highway, Margaret River, WA Ph 08 9758 7188 stay@margaretsforest.com.au www.margaretsforest.com.au

The

On Farrelly

MARGARET RIVER MOTEL

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Stay

DIRECTORY

Directory

REGENCY BEACH CLUB DUNSBOROUGH REGENCY 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 and tennis court. 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 7 foxtel channels.

The Margaret River Region

Visitor Guide 2015

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.

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

REPEAT ADVERT

ISEMENT

77 Gifford Road, Dunsborough, WA Ph 08 9759 1117 enquiry@regencybeachclub.com Below is your most recent advertisement from either the 2014 AMRTAwww.regencybeachclub.com visitor guide or adapted from the 2013 GBTA visitor guide.

SEINE BAY APARTMENTS

Seine Bay Apartments

Don’t miss out next time

Spacious & Comfortable Cabins + Caravan Sites

SUPERB ACCOMMODATION PRISTINE AUGUSTA

Superb Accommodation in pristine Augusta

• 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

www.riverviewtouristpark.com

9757 2270 | 1300 666 105

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

Contact Natalie by May 10 2016 P: (08) 9273 8933 or E: sales@premiumpublishers.com.au to book your space in the winter issue of Your Margaret River Magazine.

www.augustaapartments.com.au

This is a 1 Unit Advert. By returning this form you are booking an advert in the Visitor Guide and we will invoice you for $500 inc gst margaretriver.com | SUMMER 2015 83 Colour scheme of title bar is subject to change.

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Food & Drink

DIRECTORY

TAUNTON FARM HOLIDAY PARK & HISTORIC FUNCTION CENTRE

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.

Function Centre for 200 plus.

Fully equipped catering kitchen & amenities.

Any unique function at affordable rates with accommodation onsite.

Inspections are always welcome.

Ph 08 9755 5334 • Freecall: 1800 248 777 enquiries@tauntonfarm.com.au www.tauntonfarm.com.au

WYADUP BROOK COTTAGES

FUN ON THE FARM, BUBBLING BROOK, WONDERFUL WILDFLOWERS AND CHEEKY CHICKENS Enjoy a piece of paradise from the comfort of a home away from home. 6 Cottages in a bushland farm setting on 250 acres in the heart of Yallingup.

• Close to the Cape to Cape Track and Incredible Injidup Bay • 5 minutes drive to beaches, wineries, galleries and shops • 1,2 & 3 bedroom fully self contained cottages • All towels, linen and bedding provided 33 Wyadup Road, Yallingup Tel 08 97552294 • wyadup@iinet.net.au www.wyadupbrook.com.au

BARNYARD 1978

THE LARDER

CAFE BORANUP

PASTA FACTORY, CASUAL CLASSY RESTAURANT & CELLAR DOOR…

LOOKING FOR SOMETHING OTHER THAN A RESTAURANT DINNER TONIGHT?

COUNTRY ATMOSPHERE IN THE FOREST

With a viewing window allowing visitors to watch signature pasta in the making, with pasta and wine tastings to please your palate.

We welcome you to indulge in the flavours of our sharing plates stacked with local star ingredients and to explore our 5 SUMMER STORIES pop up store, which strives to honour farmers and artisans without whose knowledge and craftsmanship our tables would be barren.

OPEN DAILY. 12 Canal Rocks Rd, Yallingup WA Ph 08 9755 2548 www.barnyard1978.com.au

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. Shop 2, 99 Bussell Hwy, Margaret River Ph 08 9758 8990 www.larder.biz

EAGLE BAY OLIVES

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 www.cafeboranup.com Next to Boranup Gallery.

7981 Caves Road Forest Grove WA 6286 Ph 08 9757 7279 www.cafeboranup.com

GABRIEL CHOCOLATE

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 10.30am to 5.00pm, Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday.

Closed Good Friday.

Check our Facebook page for the latest news.

521 Cape Naturaliste Road, Eagle Bay WA Ph (08) 9755 3188 eaglebayolives.com.au

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VISIT WA’S FIRST “BEAN TO BAR” CHOCOLATE MAKER 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.

Cnr Caves & Quininup Rds, Yallingup Ph 08 9756 6689 www.gabrielchocolate.com.au

Activities & Art

WA's Own Icecream

Designed to share.

Dine overlooking Bunker Bay from 3pm daily.

PLEASE NO DOGS

FIND US ON FACEBOOK!

pullmanbunkerbayresor t.com.au

EV ERY SATURDAY

APRIL-NOVEMBER 8AM-12PM DECEMBER-MARCH 7.30AM-11.30AM MARGARET RIVER EDUCATION CAMPUS

LOT 272 BUSSELL HWY

E N Q U I R E S : K AT R I N A L O M B A R D O 9 7 5 7 9 0 9 5 K AT @M A R G A R E T R I V E R FA R M E R S M A R K E T. C O M . AU T H I N K S E A S O N A L , T H I N K F R E S H , T H I N K L O CA L !

THE DECK MARINA BAR & RESTAURANT

SIT BACK, RELAX AND ENJOY OPEN 7 DAYS The Deck Marina Bar and Restaurant is the ideal waterfront location where one can soak up the beauty of Port Geographe Marina. With a combination of outside dining on the sundrenched terrace or inside by the double sided fireplace, it is the perfect place to relax.

caves Discover an ancient wonderland at Ngilgi, Mammoth, Lake and Jewel Cave.

With over 60 flavours of delicious icecream made on the premise, sundaes, hot waffles and coffee.

There is something for the whole family!

Kids can go crazy in the adventure playground or challenge the whole family to 18 holes of mini golf.

Enjoy a BBQ or picnic in the shady landscaped gardens.

To book drop into your nearest visitor centre or call: (08) 9757 7411

Port Geographe Tavern Pty Ltd T/as The Deck Marina Bar & Restaurant

161 Commonage Road Dunsborough

On the waterfront. Port Geographe Marina 21 Spinnaker Boulevard, Busselton cu@thedeckmarina.com.au Ph 9751 2960 www.thedeckmarina.com.au

08 9755 3745

www.simmos.com.au ARTGEO CULTURAL COMPLEX

WHERE ART AND HERITAGE MEET Expand your mind in ArtGeo Gallery. Visit the Courthouse and step back in time. See artists at work in the Stables Studios.

Take a break in the Old Post Office Tea Rooms.

4 – 7 Queen Street, Busselton • 9751 4651 • artgeo@artgeo.com.au www.artgeo.com.au

76 Peel Terrace - Ph: 9754 2166 - Fax: 9751 2092 www.busseltonmuseum.org.au

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DIRECTORY

Food & Drink

WA's Own Icecream

Activities & Art

DIRECTORY

ARTS MARGARET RIVER

THE DIVE SHED

CULTURAL AND EVENTS CENTRE The major arts and entertainment venue in the region. Providing weekly cinema screenings, music, community concerts, art exhibitions, workshops and the Readers and Writers Festival.

Live theatre performances this autumn include ‘The Kazoos’,

‘The Moons a Balloon’, ‘ACO Collective’, ‘Educating Rita’ and ‘The Melbourne International Comedy Festival’. Visit our website for information and ticket purchases.

9758 7316 (Mon-Fri 10am to 4pm) 51 Wallcliffe Rd, Margaret River www.artsmargaretriver.com

MARGARET RIVER ANTIQUES

THE ADVENTURE BEGINS Try scuba diving – no experience required.

Learn to dive, sunset cruises, dive charters, equipment hire, sales and servicing.

The Dive Shed, 21 Queen Street Busselton Ph 08 9754 1615 • diveshed@compwest.net.au www.diveshed.com.au

MARGARET RIVER SURF SCHOOL

Australia’s First Commercial Silk Farm ANTIQUES, ART, SCULPTURE, JEWELLERY & GARAGENALIA

THERE’S NO BETTER WAY TO TRULY EXPERIENCE THE SOUTH WEST

Located in the heart of Margaret River, presenting a diverse collection of antiques, art, sculpture, jewellery & garagenalia.

Comprising of the Georgian, Victorian, Edwardian, Art Deco and Retro/Vintage periods.

James & Katie continue their commitment to discovering the unusual, beautiful and rare items of our past. View for yourself some of the finest antiques available in the South West of WA. And now for the ultimate antiques experience stay overnight in the luxury of ‘The Studio Guest Suite’ furnished in fine antiques, plush fabrics and renowned Australian Art works.

There’s no better way to truly experience the South West than to jump in a surf lesson with the Margaret River Surf School!

Operating for over 20 years, we cater for anyone willing to give it a crack. All ages from beginners to advanced, there is a lesson to suit you! Get the passion, feel the thrill with lessons starting at $50, all equipment supplied. Hire equipment also available.

43 TownView Terrace, Margaret River WA Ph 08 9758 8004 www.margaretriverantiques.com

0401 616 200 margaretriversurfschool@hotmail.com www.margaretriversurfschool.com

SKYDIVE GERONIMO

Open 10am to 4pm (Closed Mon,Tues & Christmas Day)

Silkworms │ Silk Products

Mulberry Jams & Wine Mulberry Leaf Teas Tours, Displays & Demos Silk Art & Supplies

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! Feel the rush of free falling when you and your Instructor plummet toward the earth at 200km/hour, before safely landing on the beaches of the beautiful Busselton foreshore alongside the Jetty. We are open all year round, so contact us today!

Ph 1300 449 669 skydive@skydivegeronimo.com.au www.skydivegeronimo.com.au

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We grow mulberries and silkworms to produce Australian silk. Our product is sent to Cambodia to be hand-reeled, dyed and woven in household and village-level enterprises.

Located in the heart of the Margaret River Wine Region 307 Harmans Mill Road Look for the red flags!

(08) 9755 6401 info@margaretriversilkroad.com

Wine & Beer

Directory

DIRECTORY

Activities & Art

Cape GraCe ••••••

20-20-20 SPECIAL Indulge in your choice of 3 sublime treatments over 1hr for only $140*

CELLAR DOOR ONLY SINGLE VINEYARD WINES LIMITED PRODUCTION BASKET PRESSED REDS

pullmanbunkerbayresort.com.au 9756 9160 *Valid to 31 May 2016, subject to availability. Not valid with other offers.

JAMES HALLIDAY 281 Fifty One Road, Cowaramup T: 08 9755 5669 | Open Daily

www.capegracewines.com.au

LH WY

Born & Brewed

MA R RG A R E T RIVE

THERE’S A CHEEKY SIDE IN ALL OF US,

let yours run wild!

SEL

BREWERY & CIDERY

BUSSELTON

BUS

MONKEY

DUNSBOROUGH YALLINGUP

C AV E S R D

CHEEKY

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

4259 CAVES ROAD, MARGARET RIVER, WA, 6285 | PHONE: 97 555 555 | WWW.CHEEKYMONKEYBREWERY.COM.AU

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Wine & Beer

DIRECTORY

An exclusive wine tasting experience Tastings by appointment only.

Enjoy spectacular views of our boutique vineyard while sampling award-winning wines with viticulturist Tim Quinlan.

Contact Tim on +61 438 930 527 or tim@gracefarm.com.au to book. gracefarm.com.au

Howard P & MadFish W

Howard Park & Madfish Wines

ASK a LOCAl! 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

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Drop in to one of our four accredited visitor centres in Busselton, Dunsborough, Margaret River and Augusta for friendly, expert advice.

Tours

DIRECTORY

Directory CAPE TO CAPE TOURS

CAPE TO CAPE WINE TOURS

GREAT RATES & SERVICE at Bunbury, Busselton & Collie Oneway Rentals (to Perth) available Call 1800 679 880

To make a booking visit avis.com.au

LUXURY MARGARET RIVER PRIVATE WINE TOURS Choose from premium sedans, people movers, stretch limos, mini buses 12 to 24 seater and limobuses.

Sample amazing foods, wines and breath taking scenery in comfort and style.

We take you where want to go or we can help you prepare an itinerary.

Half day and full day tours available.

Private Wine Tours, Scenic Tours, Weddings, Airport transfers.

Ph 0427 717 057 • bookings@capetocapewinetours.com.au www.capetocapewinetours.com.au

Wine tours & Charters

2015-A00073

Best value winery tour in the Margaret River region

INCLUDED

All

this for .

..

88pp

$

.

to 5.30p

ail

10

y

FULL DAY 30 TOUR D am m

• 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

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

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MARGARET RIVER SUNSET

KANGAROO SAFARI

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS EXPERIENCE KANGAROOS IN THE WILD ENJOY BILLY TEA AND HOME BAKED CAKE A UNIQUELY AUSTRALIAN EXPERIENCE FOR ALL AGES AND NATIONALITIES ADULTS $50

CHILDREN $35

EAT + DRINK + EXPLORE MARGARET RIVER

FULL DAY EAT + DRINK + EXPLORE TOUR ONLY $105 Wine tastings at 4 award winning wineries.

NING MOR NOON FTER OURS or A DAY T HALF AILABLE AV

Enjoy lunch at a local brewery along with your complimentary glass of wine or beer.

 Chocolate Factory  Olive Oil Tasting  Cheese Factory  Barrel Tasting

OWNED AND OPERATED BY THE McLEOD FAMILY PART OF THE MARGARET RIVER COMMUNITY SINCE 1902

 Coffee Tasting  Pickup/Drop-off

BOOK TODAY toursmargaretriver.com.au

08 9757 2747

SOUTH WEST ECO DISCOVERIES

MARGARET RIVER TOURS

SEE. TASTE. DISCOVER.

. affordable . quality .

MARGARET RIVER’S ORIGINAL & BEST WINERY TOURS...

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 Voyager or 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

info@southwestecodiscoveries.com.au southwestecodiscoveries.com.au

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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Join brothers Ryan and Mick on one of our jam-packed half-day tours.

COASTAL & WILDLIFE ECO TOUR – A unique guided insight into the stunning coastal scenery of Cape Naturaliste and Geographe Bay. With the region’s only underwater video feed direct to the tour vehicle, and local knowledge of the best nature and wildlife viewing locations, this is an experience you will not forget.

WINE & SIGHTS DISCOVERY TOUR - This tour ticks all the boxes – visit iconic sites and amazing scenic locations, then experience some local wines and gourmet produce.

MEET THE WOYLIES – An evening tour to see this very rare animal, the smallest member of the kangaroo family.

With the flexibility of two guides we cater for all ages and abilities and offer personalised service. Tours depart at 9am and 2pm daily.

Pickups are available from Busselton to Dunsborough (Margaret River by arrangement). We are also available for private charter and Perth airport transfers for 1-12 people.

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KNOWN FOR:

tasty pinks and

fine

champagnes

Visit a Nina’s showroom to taste the best of the South West.

See stunning and unique jewellery crafted with love, featuring the beautiful pink and champagne diamonds from Argyle.

B U N B U R Y 125 Victoria Street, 08 9721 7999 • D U N S B O R O U G H Centrepoint Shopping Centre, 08 9759 1366

www .ninas.co

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