March 2010

Down on the Farm

From cow spotting to kangaroo feeding and fudge making, the Margaret River wine region has a lot to toast

Down on the Farm

WORDS RACHEL FARNAY JACQUES
PHOTOGRAPHY WILLIAM JACQUES

For a holiday with the kids that ticks all the boxes, it’s hard to go past the attractions of Margaret River. This idyllic area in the south-west of Western Australia may be better known for its wicked wines and awesome surf breaks, but it also boasts a wealth of fun activities, natural attractions and family-style accommodation. And with farm animals to spot on every paddock, plus the odd emu and kangaroo, the kids will have plenty to write home about.

We fly into Perth Airport, collect our hire car and head south, arriving just three-and-a-half hours later at our holiday cottage in Big 4 Taunton Farm Holiday Park. Fully self contained with a balcony and spacious lawns, plus a playground, “jumping pillow” and farm animals to feed daily, the kids would have happily spent their holiday exploring every inch of this real working beef and sheep farm.

As owners Rob and Julie Saunders say: “It’s a different experience being on a farm, not in the town, but still so close to everything. You can go off during the day then come back here to relax.” And so the order of the day was relax, go exploring, and relax again.

Margaret River the town is a chilled-out place that bustles with charming cafés, boutiques and an award-winning tavern. Art galleries and studios also abound, such as the wonderful Melting Pot Glass Studio, where Gerry Reilly and Nick Altham bend and blow marvellous glass creations before your eyes each day at 10am.

The river from which the town gets its name is quite small, but it leads to the world famous surf beach. Today, the name is widely used as a blanket description of the wider region stretching from Dunsborough to Augusta. Within these undulating valleys and beside this breathtakingly beautiful coastline are all manner of attractions, but they’re quite spread out, so plan your route or you’ll end up driving your days away.

Our first stop is Quindalup Fauna Park, where we are greeted by a chorus of green frogs before bottle-feeding joey kangaroos and patting hand-raised dingoes and emus.

At this charming little park, even Snappy the baby freshwater crocodile is friendly. Registered carers Frank and Gail Seymour set up the park 17 years ago with donated injured and orphaned animals. “It’s a unique wildlife park and features the only live butterfly display in WA. Plus we’re very kid friendly,” says Frank.

Lucky for us on this warm summer’s day, Simmo’s ice cream is just around the corner. With a rainbow of flavours to thrill the taste buds (mascarpone, orange, licorice, Mars Bar, anyone?), this local ice creamery is just the spot to cool down with a creamy treat, or waffles, before having a good run around the playground and meeting the “ice cream-eating emu” behind the fence.

You’ll need to wear your thinking cap if you plan on tackling the new Yallingup Maze. This timber construction covers two levels and features four towers to scale. Teenagers will think it’s a hoot, but the youngsters might start to worry when mum and dad keep going round in circles! Afterwards, play puzzles over a yummy café lunch, then explore the adjacent picnic area with playground.

Wily parents can pat themselves on the back when they take the kids on a visit to the Shearing Shed, which offers an educational insight into one of Australia’s most important industries, disguised as entertainment. Sheep shearer and host Steve Butterly is a true blue, fair dinkum Aussie larrikin who makes the crowd howl with laughter with his daily demo of shearing and farm life. Afterwards, treat yourself to a pair of snug-as-a-bug Ugg boots.

As you make your way around the countryside, make sure you stop and sample some of the divine produce the locals are whipping up. The Margaret River Chocolate Company is an airport-hangar size boutique of all things chocolate — truffles, bars, pastelles (which you’re free to sample by the handful) and even body products like chocolate massage oil and lip balm. The café makes a wonderful place to enjoy afternoon tea.

Also not to be missed is Candy Cow in Cowaramup (“Cow Town”). This Aladdin’s cave of all things rainbow sugar is famous for its range of creamy nougats, fudge and honeycrunch made using pure WA honeys. Arrive at 11am daily to watch the confectioner whip up a batch of honeycrunch, which pours onto the table like molten lava. The tastings afterwards are a warm melt-in-your-mouth sensation.

Just around the corner is another gorgeous little shop called Moon Haven. Owner Leonie Gully is famous for her beautiful range of fragrant soaps, bath salts, lotions and potions handmade using pure botanical oils and essences. You’ll find a soap for everyone in the family, from mum and dad to gran and even the dog with skin problems. While you browse, the kids will be enchanted by the sparkling cave of crystals, fairies and goblins.

Of course the region is famed for its sparkling coastline and hours can be whiled away at the beaches of Old Dunsborough, Gracetown and Yallingup which all boast natural swimming pools and rocks for beach combing.

If mum and dad need to soothe their nerves at any point, they needn’t feel guilty about enjoying some liquid refreshments. The renowned cellar doors of Voyager Estate and Howard Park are just as enjoyable for kids with their beautiful gardens and fish ponds. Then there are Bootleg Brewery and Cowaramup Brewing Company, which both feature delicious kids’ menus and playgrounds.

After five days of fabulous sightseeing and taste sensations — and with a long new list of things to see and do for our next visit — we can’t wait to return to this southern gem again.

Jetstar flies to Perth from Cairns, Sydney, Adelaide and Melbourne, and from Singapore, Jakarta and Bali; JetSaver Light fares from AU$139 one way. Book online at Jetstar.com

FIND IT

Big 4 Taunton Farm Holiday Park
Bussell Hwy, Cowaramup, tel: 1800 248 777

Melting Pot Glass Studio
91 Bussell Hwy, Margaret River, tel: +61 (8) 9757 2252

Quindalup Fauna Park
4 Quindalup Siding Rd, Dunsborough, tel: +61 (8) 9755 3933

Simmo’s
161 Commonage Rd, Dunsborough, tel: +61 (8) 9755 3745

Yallingup Maze
3059 Caves Rd, Yallingup, tel: +61 (8) 9756 6500

Yallingup Shearing Shed
1442 Wildwood Rd, Yallingup, tel: +61 (8) 9755 2309

Margaret River Chocolate Company
Cnr Harman’s Mill and Harman’s South Rds, Metricup, tel: +61 (8) 9755 6555

Candy Cow
Cnr Bussell Hwy and Bottrill St, Cowaramup, tel: +61 (8) 9755 9155

Moon Haven
Cnr Bussell Hwy and Bottrill St, Cowaramup, tel: +61 (8) 9755 5470

Voyager Estate
Lot 1 Stevens Rd, Witchcliffe, tel: +61 (8) 9757 6354

Howard Park
Miamup Rd, Cowaramup, tel: +61 (8) 9756 5200

Bootleg Brewery
Cnr Johnson and Puzey Rds, Wilyabrup, tel: +61 (8) 9755 6300

Cowaramup Brewing Company
North Treeton Rd, Cowaramup, tel: +61 (8) 9755 5822






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