Western Australia with Mum

I have just come back from a lovely two week holiday exploring the south west corner of our big country (Australia that is) with my Mum.

It was a laid back holiday that saw us take in Perth, the coastline, Karri forests, the vineyards, and the native flora and fauna.

No holiday of mine is without gourmet delights* and the winners were at some of the vineyards we lunched at – Brookland Valley and Vasse Felix, a local bistro called Arc De Iris in Margaret River, the delish Lavendar Cottage in Albany, and the Subiaco Hotel in Perth. The wine tastings** everywhere were fab!

Inedible highlights included:

- the unspoilt coastline around Dunsborough and Cape Naturaliste which reminds me of Fraser Island
- Kings Park in Perth with its open spaces, wildflowers and views across the city and Swan River
- Driving and walking through forests of the tallest Karri trees
- Whale watching in Albany despite the rain and wind
- The awesome Gap, and Natural Bridge at the edge of the Atlantic ocean
- Sitting in front of the log fire in our cute mud brick cottage in Pemberton with the birds and kangaroos at home outside

I might add that the flight to Perth is soooo much is easier than to Brisbane!

Kings Park, Perth


Busselton Jetty


Dunsborough beachfront


Meelup Beach


Vineyards galore in Margaret River


Windy tea stop


Boranup Forest - driving through the Karri trees


Me & Mum at Beedelup Falls


Our mudbrick cottage set in Treenbrook Forest


Big Brook Dam in Pemberton


Green Pools near Denmark


Me & Mum


Whale watching


The Gap, Albany - you really can't see how amazing the power of the crashing waves is, and how high it is!


Natural Bridge, Albany


Cottesloe Beach, Perth



*Flutes at Brookland Valley: Kimberly Barramundi with potatoes, vegies, tomato salsa and cabernet poached quince on ginger cake with lemon marscapone. Vasse Felix: Wild mushroom & fontina pithivier with spinach and chestnut foam and for dessert, beetroot and frozen creme fraiche terrine with macerated strawberries, chocolate delice and beetroot essence. Arc de Iris: king prawn yellow curry and chocolate mousse. Lavendar cottage: chicken and chorizo mixed bean salad and raspberry creme brulee. Seafood lasagne at Subiaco Hotel.

**Brookland Valley, Leeuwin Estate, Vasse Felix, Madfish & Howard Park, Cape Mentelle