grounds. Voyager Estate was also an experience, with
its stunning dining room and tasting area that’s packed
with gourmet foods and kitchen accessories, in addition to
palatial, landscaped grounds that helped the girls burn off
some postprandial steam after sitting nicely for so long.
Among the more casual wineries to recommend are
Berry Farm, Cullen’s, Hamelin Bay and Xanadu. Upon
arrival at the family-owned Berry Farm, the hospitable
manager quickly equipped the kids with bird food. We
enjoyed our slow-roast beef pie with Indian tomato relish
and a glass of Shiraz, while our girls fed and chased the
birds with the other children. Hamelin Bay was a great
little find, with tubs of toys in a café-like setting, while the
playground at Xanadu also came in handy when the kids
didn’t want to stay at the table.
Action-packed afternoons
Between meals, Margaret River features enjoyable
attractions for the whole family. We climbed two lighthouses
–
from where we saw whales and dolphins – tried to find our
way out of Yallingup Maze, rode ponies at the Merrivale
Riding School, played in the sand at Smith’s, Dunsborough
and Eagle Bay beaches, watched vases being blown at the
Margaret River Glass Factory, fed and played with animals
at the Sunflowers Animal Farm and the Wonky Windmill
Farm & Eco Park, watched people making sweets at the
Margaret River Chocolate Factory and the Margaret
River Fudge Factory, and purchased gourmet goodies at
the Margaret River Cheese Factory, the Margaret River
Venison Farm, Olio Bello and the local farmers’ market.
And let’s not forget the breweries. Our favourites were
Bootleg, Bush Shack, Colonial and Eagle Bay. Not only
does the region produce outstanding, wide-ranging brews,
most breweries have gigantic outdoor playgrounds. The
popular menu choice was a tasting tray of shot-glass size
lagers, ales and stouts, a ploughman’s plate and a toastie for
the kids. Add a juice and the playground, and it’s another
long lunch for happy parents.
Two weeks later, we returned home to the Hong Kong
hustle a few kilos heavier but more refreshed than we’ve
felt in years. And our girls have wonderful memories filled
with animals, nature, chocolate factories, beautiful scenery,
fireside family time and incredibly welcoming people.
Raise a glass to that!
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