Wine tours...
Trip Start
Feb 28, 2006
1
9
125
Trip End
Aug 20, 2008
Where I stayed
Margaret River, Australia
Tuesday, April 11, 2006
We headed off on the Monday morning to Margaret River & a short stay at the Quest Margaret River apartments.
We drove via Bunbury, a sleepy wee town just over half way down the coast. A short drive around had Mum and Dad seeing pretty much everything there, including the 'Fawlty Tower's' Hotel - Dad had to take a few photo's of that! After a short wander around (Dad finally got a suitable white hat to cover his... Ears!) we decided that fish and chips at the local hotel would keep us going over lunch.
From there we drove to Ngilgi Cave, a fantastic natural formation near Yallingup. There, after a fair trek underground, we found the most amazing stalactites and stalagmites as well as straw, fan and shawl limestone formations (see the photos, it'll hopefully make sense!)
After that entertaining stop it was off to the apartments, which I found easily, even though Dad was convinced I was on the wrong road! Settled in and then went out to the local Italian restaurant for a great meal and a few beers...
Tuesday was the 'Wine For Dudes' tour. It turned out that Mum, Dad and I were (probably!) the oldest people on the tour but since the other 10 passengers were 10 girls, I wasn't complaining!
We toured Palandri, Hayshed, Juniper and Lenton Brae wineries with plenty of tastings and even a chance to mix our own red wine at the Hayshed. The day was completed with a delicious picnic lunch and dessert at the Margaret River Chocolate Factory - Dad was like, well, like a kid in a sweetie shop! An excellent tour from our guide, Kathy.
More winery touring, cheese factory and chocolate touring the next day and even a stop at the Bootleg Brewery (an oasis of beer in a desert of wine!) which Dad loved - no drinking for me, I was the designated driver!
We made it down to the local beach even though the weather wasn't great - bit overcast! After all that driving and excitement we were ready for a fish'n'chip carry out in the apartment that evening.
All too soon it was time to say goodbye to Margaret River and we travelled back to Perth via Bussleton and it's famous jetty (the longest wooden jetty in the Southern Hemisphere no less! Cor!)
Long, long walk but the sun was shining so we all enjoyed it (even me!)
The Margaret River Chocolate Company - Margaret River
Cnr Harman's Mill Road and Harman's South Road
Willyabrup
PH: (08) 9755 6555
www.chocolatefactory.com.au
