Travel Experience – Western Australia
By Linda Sharpe
Our first night in Perth was at The Westin Perth. What a place to stay! Spacious rooms, great views and the service is superior. We headed off in the evening to Cottesloe Beach for dinner at the iconic Indigo Oscar.
They only thing that topped the amazing view was the food and service! Easy to see why this restaurant is so popular.
After one for the best breakfasts I’ve eaten, it was time to head to Victoria Quay to catch the SeaLink Rottnest Island ferry. I fell in love with this Island and had to go back for another day at the end of the trip.
We enjoyed a seafood lunch with Rottnest Cruises Luxe Seafood Cruise.
After a welcome cocktail we were treated to an information briefing into the fascinating world of rock lobsters with insightful exploration of their biology, ecology, and conservation. The staff are so passionate about the preservation of these ocean treasures. Volunteers were asked if they would like to pull in a pot which we then we ate as one of the courses onboard.
After checking into our glamping tents at Discovery Parks & Resorts, it was time for dinner. A short walk to the Isola Bar e Cibo for dinner where we enjoyed an enormous banquet of delicious Italian food, fantastic wine and service.
After a sad goodbye to Rottnest we enjoyed a 12 min flight back to the Perth foreshore with Swan River Seaplanes; what an experience flying over the city of Perth & landing on the water It was a first for me and even though small plane’s are not my favourite, I really enjoyed it.
We then made the 3 hour journey to Margaret River. First stop was the Aravina Estate for wine tasting and a delicious lunch. After lunch a short drive to Bunker Bay to check in at Pullman Bunker Bay Resort; a gorgeous property on the beach with spacious rooms and a private beach.
Dinner arrangements for the evening was at Olio Bello Olive Oil, a lovely olive farm with lakeside glamping tents and staff who pride themselves in farm to plate cuisine. Their natural products made from their oils are luxurious and the flavoured oils were delicious. Of course you can’t not resist having a little browse in their shop – they have such an array of products they make or source locally.
The following day we explored some of the best of the Margaret River Region. After a morning stroll in the beach and a delicious breakfast from Otherside of the Moon, the onsite restaurant at the Pullman Bunker Bay Resort, we set off on our Cape to Cape Explorer Tour. We began the day with a 2-hour hike on a portion of the famous Cape to Cape Walk. We explored the stunning coastline whilst learning about the local flora, fauna, history, and geology of this distinctive area.
Our next stop was wine tasting and lunch at one of the many vineyards in the area, Vasse Felix, who not only produce fine wines but have an exceptional restaurant on site as well. The third stop on the tour was at Windows Estate Margaret River an organic, family-owned winery.
Before dinner, we watched the sunset over the beach at Smiths Beach Resort then enjoyed dinner at Lamont’s Smiths Beach.
After breakfast we travelled from Margaret River to the Mandoon Estate in the Swan Valley. On arrival we savoured some exquisite bush tucker flavours and learned all about each foods medicinal and health benefits. This was followed by a product session with numerous local vendors and suppliers.
Back to Perth to check into the magnificent COMO The Treasury, Perth AU . We then headed to The Ritz-Carlton, Perth for a site inspection and gourmet dinner at Hearth Perth featuring chef Brian Cole winning the title of 2024 young chef of the year.
The following morning, we said goodbye to the group, I extended my stay for a couple of nights to visit family. We walked the streets of Perth, road bikes around Rottnest Island & climbed then zip lined off the Matagrup Bridge.
