What’s New This Spring

This year we’re in for a treat with an Elvis-inspired chapel-on-wheels, a decadent seafood cruise, a restored lighthouse to climb and a luxe new wellness retreat.

Here’s a list of sublime new experiences to inspire your springtime sojourn.

South West Cruises’ ‘Taste of the Bays’ is a 7-course floating feast served aboard a boat navigating the sapphire waters from Dunsborough to Eagle Bay. They tell the story of Western Australia through glorious produce; Abrolhos Island scallops, Manjimup marron, Howard Park wines and Yallingup Cheese to mention but a few. Highlights include eating oysters while swimming at Meelup, lounging on the sun deck with a glass of wine in hand and watching an amazing sunset over Dunsborough. Starts 1 November ~ look out for whales!

Big Love Tiny Chapel is a whimsical wedding chapel on wheels, coming to a venue of your choice. Inspired by her own Las Vegas nuptials, celebrant Anita Revel created the Tiny Chapel to bring the fun to Western Australian weddings.

Lake Cave is open again with a brand-new staircase following the Boranup bushfire last summer. Join a fascinating 1-hour guided tour and see how beautifully the bush is regenerating as you descend into the subterranean wonderland. Bookings essential.

Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse is set to reopen in October following a 12-month restoration. Climb the working lighthouse for breathtaking views of the place where two oceans meet and visit the heritage award-winning Interpretive Centre for a fascinating view into life on the cape 100+ years ago. Lighthouse tour bookings recommended.

Humpback, southern right and blue whales are back in Geographe Bay, and it’s time to hop aboard a whale watching charter. While you can often spy them from Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse, Point Piquet and other coastal lookouts, a charter tour is a special experience allowing you to sight them at closer range. All Sea Charters, Legend Charters, Naturaliste Charters and Whale Watch Western Australia will all get you out on the water.

Wildflowers are blossoming throughout the region, with masses of pimelea, hardenbergia and hibbertia lighting up the national parks. There are also hundreds of delicate orchids which are masters of camouflage and take a little practice to spot. We recommend picking a bush walk and keeping your eyes peeled, or better still join orchid specialist and local guide Hank Durlik of Margaret River Exposed.

Swings & Roundabouts Yallingup have extended their magnificent nature playground to double its original size, with new equipment to climb on and crawl through. The ice cream cabin is set to reopen for the school holidays, too. Double the reason to visit for pizza and wine!

Sunflowers Animal Farm finally reopened in Ludlow (near Busselton) in early August with beautiful new enclosures. Feed and pat friendly farm animals, and a few native animals too, including ducks, sheep, guinea pigs, ponies and a Scottish Highland cow. There’s also the opportunity to bottle feed baby animals twice a day, check their website for details.

Yallingup Maze has recently opened a world-class 18 hole mini golf course.  A highlight of the course is the spectacular water feature with six cascading waterfalls.  Each green has an easier and harder hole with floating balls and nets to retrieve them.  Designed for adults with kids in mind, it is suitable for 8+ years.

The West Winds Gin has been crafted in the region for over a decade, and their Cowaramup Distillery and Tavern is set to open in spring. Giant stills are in place, and a restored 65 year-old fishing boat from Freo is set to feature in a play area for kids. With boutique gins featuring local botanicals, we can’t wait to sip and dine here once it opens.

Amato Vino have a great new urban cellar – the atmospheric and heritage-listed Darnell’s Trader in Witchcliffe. Lined with original wood and rusted tin, it’s a place you can taste Brad Wehr’s lo-fi artisan wines, including lesser known varietals such as Marsanne, Savagnin and Nebbiolo, barrel aged Sauv Blanc plus local heroes like Chardonnay and Cabernet.

Jardin Estate Cheese School launches this month after five years making artisan butter and cheese, and winning Gold at the 2020 delicious. Produce awards. Spend the day on a beautiful farm leaning to make popular cheeses like feta, haloumi, ricotta, Camembert, Boursin and cheddar. You’ll get fresh inspiration on how to serve the cheeses at lunch, and the workshop includes all recipes and a take home bag.

Khana Khazana By Khan is a tasty new Indian restaurant at the top of Margaret River’s main street, where Arc of Iris stood for 20+ years. The menu features all the traditional Indian favourites including chicken cooked in the tandoor oven, with chef Khan’s own spice blends.

Riversmith has reopened with new owners, a new chef and a scrumptious new wholefood menu. Think potato cakes with poached eggs and pecorino, or buttermilk pancakes with homemade honeycomb. The much-loved main street café was once a service station, and now makes for excellent people-watching, all with superb specialty coffee and all-day brunches.

Xanadu Wines have a new head chef Aaron Lim and a new menu to complement their wines. Aaron is classically French trained, honing his skills at L’Atelier De Joel Robuchon in Singapore, but also brings influences from his southeast Asian heritage to his food. He moved to Margaret River in 2019 and has fallen in love with the landscape and farm-to-table philosophy embraced by local producers.

Providore have launched their Ultimate Margaret River Experience, an immersive half-day coffee, wine and chocolate experience on a picturesque working farm. Providore team up with The Margaret River Chocolate Company, newcomer Margaret River Coffee Company and Coward & Black Vineyards to share their yummiest jams, condiments, coffee, chocolate liqueur and wine followed by a light lunch.

Alberta’s Busselton must be Busselton’s most anticipated opening of 2022; a cosy neighbourhood kitchen/coffee shop by Noma alumni Kirsty Marchant and Ben Ing. Simplicity at its best; visit early for coffee, a delectable whisky baba or beautiful broth.

Two Seas Collective melds coffee and ceramics in a cute Augusta café. Just opened, ceramic artist Kaya serves 5 Senses coffee and scrumptious homemade treats such as mandarin and lime blossom, peach galette and Persian love cake.

Cape Lodge has recently appointed a new Head Chef, Adam Robson Chew. With extensive experience leading acclaimed kitchens across the UK and Australia, Adam and the culinary team’s ingredient-led approach is sure to be an incredible and memorable meal. For the full luxurious experience, book an overnight stay.

Yallingup Galleries has new owners and new exhibitions, and they’re working on a new sculpture trail and reopening the coffee shop. One of the first fine art galleries in the region, Yallingup represents many West Australian and Australian artists. Maki Horanai and Roslyn Hamdorf, Chris Martin and Larry Mitchell and Leanne Pearson exhibit in spring, summer and autumn respectively. Visit Yallingup Galleries or see their website for more details.

BODHI Spa are completing a new 12-bed luxury wellness retreat, and it’s set to open in September. Moving from smaller premises at Injidup, the new spa and wellness retreat has been designed to offer a fuller BODHI experience. With a peaceful view across Lake Gunyulgup, it will be the perfect place for a pampering spa day or yoga and meditation getaway.

Millman Tennis’ new Tennis Winery Tours feature games at three stunning locations, winery visits, plus a charcuterie lunch or Cape Lodge dinner, depending on whether you opt for the day or evening package. They follow the success of Brad Millman’s tennis weekenders, where accommodation options have been carefully picked for their tennis courts, of course.

Springwood Homestead B&B opened its doors, with 4 king-size rooms overlooking a pretty cottage garden on a peaceful 60-acre rural property. Breakfast sounds wonderful, filled with local produce like Gaby’s Muesli, Margaret River Dairy Company yoghurt, fruit from the orchard (when available!) local honey, bread and Margaret River Berry Farm jam. Sophie, your host, can also organise Fishbone sushi platters for dinner, cheese and wine platters or a cosy afternoon tea.