Breweries – Travels with Ali

~ January Adventures – Family Fun in Busselton, Western Australia ~

The first half of January has been busy in the extreme! My son Laurence and his lovely fiancee Maddy tied the knot on January 3rd. Our house was full to the rafters with overseas family staying and various guests popping around to see us. It was the happiest two weeks I could imagine.

Our visitors wanted to visit South West WA for a few days. I managed to book an 8 bedroom house in Busselton. We were so happy that Laurence and Maddy decided to join us as well. I booked a few places to eat and drink as there were 17 of us in all. I couldn’t imagine turning up en masse without a booking. I was teased constantly that everywhere had better be good, otherwise there would be complaints to travelswithali!

To find a house this large and in high season was a feat in itself. There were enough bedrooms to accommodate all of us, so no-one had to sleep on the floor.

Our first lunch was spent at Shelter Brewing Company, right on the promenade overlooking the beach. The food came quickly and the beer was served in paddles, four at a time. Great for beer lovers who got the chance to sample a few.

After checking in and everyone choosing a room, we unpacked and headed to the beach.

Busselton Jetty is the longest pier in the Southern Hemisphere at 1,841 metres long. At the end of the pier there is an underwater jetty and sculpture park. To see the sculptures there are scuba diving tours.

There is a train that goes to the end and back for a fee. Otherwise a walk will take around 30 minutes each way. The beach is beautiful and great for small kids and adults who don’t like too many waves (me). With many restaurants, cafes and bars here it’s not difficult to find somewhere for breakfast, lunch or dinner.

On our second day, a few of the boys played a round of golf and the rest of us drove to Dunsborough. I’ve written about Dunsborough previoulsy. It’s a small town full of quirky shops and small boutiques. We did all manage to buy a few items.

Wild Hop Brewery was booked for 4pm. A fantastic place in Yallingup. By the time we arrived many of the items had disappeared off the menu. Also some of the staff were quite rude. Anyway after a few drinks we still enjoyed it.

On the morning of our last full day, we had a trip to Meelup Beach in the morning. I had booked a winery for the afternoon. Meelup Beach is also a child friendly beach with soft sand and beautiful clear water.

Next we were off to Lentedal Winery in Marybrooke, Margaret River. What a wonderful find this was. We had a table outside but under a shade cloth. Before ordering any food we did some wine tasting. After a scrumptious lunch we walked around the estate to look at the animals.

We had an absolutely perfect time away together. There’s nothing like a family holiday. I’m not sure when we will all be together again like this, living so far apart from each other. People have busy lives and jobs to do. Flights are expensive and holidays are short. We made so many memories to treasure and look back on. I made a Whatsapp group and can look back and read all the hilarious messages that were posted daily.

I did manage a walk to the end of Busselton Pier with Anthony, quite an accomplishment!

🚗 Dunsborough Road Trip – Part Two – Eagle Bay and Cape Naturaliste 🚗

After a very good night’s sleep, for me anyway, we took ourselves off for breakfast in Dunsborough. The plan was to walk but the weather wasn’t looking great so we jumped in the car again.

With so many cafes to choose from but all looking busy everywhere we opted for the first one we saw and chanced our luck for an empty table. It was a good choice and I started the day with a cooked breakfast.

Just a tad more shopping and and a stop at the beach, then it was back to the house and a catch up on the books we were reading and then off out again for lunch.

I had seen these sculptures from the road and really wanted a photo, I’m the one who has the “bright” ideas for posing.

The colours of Geographe Bay are always stunning in various shades of blue and green.

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We were having lunch at Eagle Bay Brewery, which coincidentally is in Eagle Bay. It was a first for all of us and as soon as we were out of the car we saw the views were worth coming for.

**It would have been perfect to sit outside but a bit chilly for us!**

Even though it was a brewery we’re none of us beer drinkers so opted for a bottle of the local sauvingon blanc. It went down a treat with the delicious salads we all shared.

They had their own vegetable garden just outside so everything was fresh. Of course I took more photos.

**Hay Bales – or Bay Hales as I kept saying – too much wine!**

As it was still fairly early in the afternoon we drove to the headland of Cape Naturaliste which is the northernmost point of the Leeuwin-Naturaliste Ridge. After parking the car we saw there was a trail that led through the bush and wildflowers. There was a couple coming back along the trail and they said they had seen around ten pods of migrating whales! So we carried on to a lookout and saw another man with camera and tripod also documenting the pods. We stood for around 20 minutes and witnessed a fantastic display of whales jumping in out of the water. A bit far to get a good photo but the thrill of seeing so many whales was awesome.

The photos below are just the scenery from on top of the hill overlooking the sea.

Blink and you’ll miss it!

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By this time it was around 5 pm, so on the way back we stopped along the foreshore and waited for the pop-up curry van to arrive. We were having take away that night and a full evening of games!

We were off home the next day but so far we had all enjoyed this time away together, eating, drinking, gossiping, shopping and playing games. Although there was still time for one more winery on the way home.

Homeward Bound

Leaving on the dot of 10 am – check out time – we packed up our bags and headed off. Maybe coffee and lunch on the way, depending how we felt.

As it happens Lisa mentioned a winery that she thought we would all enjoy for lunch, called Green Door Wines. Situated in the beautiful Ferguson Valley with views for miles. We didn’t have a booking but fortunately there was a table.

Thanks for taking the time to come along on this trip with us. We had the best time and hope to be planning another one for next year.

Be a little boulder and travel more

Monday Mural – Wildhop Brewery

On our recent trip to Dunsborough we had lunch one day at Wildhop Brewery. They had the most amazing mural along the front entrance and also a smaller one at the back.

It was fairly busy when we arrived and there was a queue of people in front of the mural, luckily they had gone by the time we came out.

This was one of the best places we visited. Beautiful grounds, family friendly and delicious food.

The special of the day was Roast leg of lamb which we all had plus roasted Brussels and roast potatoes. A gourmet lunch.

It’s a good idea to book as it gets packed out. We had the middle session! The food arrives very quickly but still 90 minutes is still a rush to savour your lunch.

Posted for Monday Mural

🍻 A Cheeky Monkey Lunch 🍻

During our stay in Dunsborough we visited two breweries for lunch. This region is well known for breweries and wineries. It was hard to choose between so many but we knew it must have a playground!

The first place we went to was Cheeky Monkey Brewery, very apt I thought as we were taking two cheeky monkeys with us. It was just a fifteen minute drive from the house and we had a booking at 12pm.

It was situated in Wilyabrup and had a large lake which you could walk around. The playground was awesome, featuring a fort and a log bridge.

We ate by the lake, so Lachie could run around but as there was a small river next to us he couldn’t do so on his own!

Sampling a few beers and wines

Enjoying the playground

Crossing the log bridge, my heart was in my mouth! But he made it

The wonderful flowers on display around the lake

Cheeky Monkey Brewery was a good choice and we all had a great time, eating, drinking, playing and walking around the lake. I love these family friendly breweries where they cater for everyone.

👯‍♀️ Dancing in Dunsborough – Days Three and Four 👯‍♀️

Day Three

What a fun day today was going to be, a mystery tour had been planned for a coachful of women! Reminiscent of a school outing with our names being ticked off by Vicki as we boarded. It was non-stop chatter from the moment we sat down and Laura our lovely instructor had to whistle very loudly to get our attention. We boarded at 10.30 am and would be back at 4pm, no-one had a clue about where we would be going.

Our first stop was a winery for a quick tour and of course the requisite wine tasting. The winery was Aravina Winery, a 180 acre property with a surfing museum attached in Yallingup. The owners were very accommodating and explained each wine as it was tasted.

After sampling many wines we were back on the bus and onto our next mystery destination. This time also stopping for lunch. With much guessing going on we finally arrived at Black Brewing Company. Two large tables had been reserved for us and the staff did an excellent job of serving so many ladies! I was one of the lucky ones who was served very quickly, some were not so fortunate and waited for a while.

A few of the ladies that were still sitting by the time I got around to taking a photo

This place had the most amazing grounds, so after lunch I had a walk around to snap a few more shots. There was intermittent rain so it was a case of dodging it while walking.

A small island sat on the opposite side of the bridge with a stunning gazebo.

Each of the glass windows had a story of winemaking written on them with wonderful artwork. The photos didn’t quite come out the way I wanted.

Back on the bus and our next two stops were more about shopping. The first one was Vasse Virgin Olive Oil. All products were natural, made with olive oil, plant extracts and essential oils. We had a great time here sampling all the products and getting hand scrubs.

What finishes off a day nicely, a trip to a chocolate factory goes down very well with anyone, and that’s where our last stop was, The Margaret River Chocolate Factory.

I bought a few gifts to take home and all the ladies were given a bar by the lovely Laura.

So this was a no dancing day as everyone was pretty tired after a hard day’s touring. A very quiet pizza party was planned for the evening with cupcake decorating for dessert.

Day Four

More eating today with morning tea at Cape Lavender Teahouse. Devonshire Cream teas with lavender scones, cream and jam, just the best start to the day.

I was so happy that they did gluten free also, enjoyed every bite. There was also a gift shop, so did the obligatory shop and came away with even more gifts.

Yallingup Maze was next and then lunch at another brewery. Lisa and I opted instead for more shopping and a walk along the beach before a zumba class at 4.15.

Our last night’s party had a Bollywood theme with everyone invited to dress up and bring a curry. The outfits were amazing and everyone made such a great effort and the food was gourmet standard.

And so ends a fantastic five nights of dancing, eating, drinking, making new friends and catching up with old ones. A magnificent achievement by our zumba instructors – maybe next year back to Bali!

A Sunny afternoon in Fremantle Fishing Harbour, WA

On a sunny day a few weeks ago I took my parents and nephew who are over from the UK for a stroll around the harbour. All restaurants, cafes and pubs were only open for takeaways during this time. Many people were out and about enjoying the last of the Autumn sun, trying to stick to the social distancing! It is an easy 30 minute drive from Perth down the freeway and also just 30 minutes from where I live.

Fremantle is mostly known for its maritime history but is also a very popular tourist spot and is home to the famous Cappuccino Strip.

Weekdays are definitely less busy than the weekends and we found a parking spot in no time right on the harbour front.

On top is the famous Joe’s Fish Shack a great restaurant with harbour views
Bottom pic: The Fremantle Tourist Wheel

We stopped and bought drinks from the e-bike cafe and while we were waiting for our order, I noticed the most beautiful painting on the wall at the back of the cafe. It was painted by a lady called Maria Bowers who has now sadly passed away.

A fantastic backdrop for these e-bikes.

E-bikes are a fun way to get around Fremantle. Not that we took this opportunity with my parents both in their 80’s! I believe you can hire or buy these bikes.

Some of the quirky sculptures and artwork around Fremantle

Kidogo Arthouse Situated in the charming 1884 heritage-listed Old Kerosene Store on Bathers Beach, Fremantle

Round House

The Fremantle Roundhouse is the oldest public building in the state of Western Australia. Opened in January 1831, it was built to hold any person convicted of a crime in the settlement until 1886. Since then it’s been a Police Lock up, accommodation for the Water Police, and a storage facility for the Fremantle Ports. (Source: helloperth.com.au)

The view from the top of the Round House

The fishing boats that are still in use in the harbour

Little Creatures Brewery popular with both locals and tourists. Apparently a former crocodile farm, but now a brewery. It’s a great place to have a casual drink, lunch or dinner. You can also take a tour of the brewery.

That’s all we had time for during this trip, but there’s so much more to do in Fremantle.
Some links below of other things to see and do in this town. (Please check during Covid opening times to these places)

Fremantle Prison
WA Maritime Museum
Fremantle Markets
E Shed Markets

Just a few things to keep you busy in Fremantle!