Discover the Great Southern
Heading to the Great Southern region over the Easter long weekend? The Singlefile team has compiled a list of great adventures, both big and small, to fill your diary. And if you haven’t planned to visit, you’ll be booking a trip in no time after learning about the fun activities and amazing food and wine in our neck of the woods.
Take a cruise through this list of Singlefile’s favourite Great Southern destinations:
Albany Farmers Market. Unearth magnificent local produce and meet the farmers in person every Saturday on Collie Street in Albany. Choose from locally made organic beef and lamb to sheep’s and goat’s milk yogurt, jams, preserves and fresh flowers. http://www.albanyfarmersmarket.com.au/
Red Gum Springs in the Stirling Range National Park. There’s a small peak that’s an easy climb for families at this park, and there are barbecue and toilet facilities as well. Red Gum Spring was named for the natural water source that once existed here and for the remarkable red gums (marri) that are found in this area. http://parks.dpaw.wa.gov.au/site/red-gum-springs
Taste Great Southern Festival. This event offers more than 50 events, runs for 18 days, over three weekends straddling the Easter break in the middle with loads of guest chefs and local providores. Sample the Great Southern’s world-class produce, oysters and seafood, meat, vegetable and dairy produce, as well as fine wines, including Singlefile, which all excel on the south coast of WA. http://www.greatsoutherntastewa.com/
Tambellup Heritage Trail. For those driving south from Perth, make a diversion and head into Tambellup, a small town that offers a series of three interconnecting trails that begin in the centre of town and showcase the history of the area’s early settlement. http://www.hiddentreasures.com.au/towns/tambellup.aspx?_Town=2
Thurlby Herb Farm. Situated in an ancient old-growth farm, 120km west of Walpole, this delightful garden, gift shop and café is the showcase for the Thurlby Herb Farm products. http://thurlbyherb.com.au/
St Werburgh’s Chapel in Mount Barker. Built in 1973, Mount Barker’s historic chapel was built in 1873 by George Edward Egerton-Warburton from pug and clay found in a nearby hole. http://www.mountbarkertourismwa.com.au/heritage.aspx
The Lily Dutch Windmill. This authentic 16th century windmill is a fully operational windmill producing wholemeal stone-ground spelt flour for its on-premise restaurant, IGA stores, health shops, commercial bakers and home users around Australia. There is also self-contained accommodation and the Lily Railway Station Restaurant, a reconstructed 1924 Federation-style railway station from Gnowangerup, the local shire. A visit makes for a fascinating step back in time. http://www.thelily.com.au/
Harewood Forest Walk. Learn all about Denmark’s history, flora and fauna of the area as you complete the 1.5km Harewood Forest walk. The stream at the end is the turn-around point taking the same trail back to the car park. Then enjoy your lunch at one of the picnic benches. http://www.denmarkwesternaustralia.com/denmark-wa-travel-destinations/harewoodforest.htm
Liberté at the London Hotel in Albany. Duck liver parfait anyone? This Parisian-inspired cocktail bar serves delicious French–Vietnamese food with interesting drinks on Stirling Terrace in Albany. https://www.facebook.com/Libertebar
Cosy Corner Café. About halfway between Albany and Denmark, and situated near the beautiful West Cape Howe National Park with a beautiful protected beach close by, this café offers great local produce and typical Great Southern hospitality. http://cosycornercafe.com.au/contact-us/
For more detailed information about visiting WA’s Great Southern region, visit the Great Southern section of Australia's South West website: http://www.australiassouthwest.com/Explore_Australias_South_West/Great_Southern.
Photo credit (Tree Top Walk): Elements Margaret River