Last few hours left in Perth and we were hankering for a lobster roll. Dropped by The Lobster Pier which is situated within the heart of the city. They close at 2pm and when we arrived half an hour before the closing hour, all the tables were occupied (the seating was pretty limited). Hence we opted for takeout instead.
Beer not included, the Lobster Roll house baked brioche, seasalt, chives, lemon, succulent butter sauce, 100% WA rock lobsters with sides of corn salsa and cajun fries cost A$26.
For the same price, we could probably get only the roll without side dishes in Singapore though there could be differences in the type of lobster meat used.
At first glance, the meat of WA rock lobsters seemed a bit pale, it does not have the pinkish hue that we are more used to seeing. The meat was firmer and less chunky type. Nonetheless, the brioche was nicely toasted, soft and fluffy. The butter sauce was light, not the creamy type. Loved the cajun fries though. The roll was reasonably good but does not warrant a special trip down.
I missed out on buying a Quokka soft toy while on Rottnest Island…chanced upon a shop selling it in Perth. Little did I realised that I got a good deal as the price of the soft toy varies greatly and was priced at a premium at the typical souvenir shops…I got it at a rather reasonable price at a not-so-touristy shop.
Enjoyed dinner over setting sun. Starting with canape of the Singapore Chicken Satay, was glad to say that this dish has consistently maintained a high standard of quality so far.
Starter was Smoked Duck on Slaw with Mustard Dressing, for main I opted for Braised Ee Fu Noodleswith prawns, fish, scallops and leafy greens. Little touches like the provision of cut green chilli with soy sauce was much appreciated as condiments play a huge part in Chinese cuisines.
Sitting pretty on the rooftop space of COMO The Treasury is Wildflower restaurant, known for its focus on using native and locally-sourced ingredients to create contemporary Australian cuisine. The floor-to-ceiling windows offered sweeping views of Perth city skyline.
The menu revolves around an indigenous ethos of six seasons with farmer and forager-driven dishes. At the time of our visit, they were serving the Kambarang – Season of Birth menu. We paired our meal with native Australian non-alcoholic beverage.
Light snack was the vibrant and visually appealing Potato with fingerlime, chickpea hummus, followed by Sourdough bread. The combination of the crispy potato base, zesty fingerlime pearls, and creamy chickpea hummus created a harmonious blend of flavours and textures.
Organic Beetrootmulberry, creme fraiche, pepperberry paired with with Sour berry and cold brew. The dish beautifully combined the sweetness of organic beetroot and slightly tangy mulberries with the richness of creme fraiche and the subtle spice of native pepperberry. A refreshing starter which whetted our appetite for the courses ahead.
The next dish featured fresh in-season local asparagus from Torbay, just outside of Albany. Torbay Asparagusscallop, lemon myrtle, sorghum combines the delicate sweetness of scallops with the earthy freshness of asparagus. It was paired with Virgil’s strawberry spritz.
Line-caught Wild FIshcourgette, tomato, bush basil with Fennel soda water. The sustainably caught fish was prepared to perfection, with a delicate and flaky texture. The summer squash added a crisp and earthy component to the dish, finished with the aromatic bush basil which is indigenous to the Australian continent.
The main meat was lamb and the fussy eater asked if there was an alternative meat (not due to allergies, just food preference). The answer was “We could serve it without the lamb and would give you more carrots”. Believe it or not….the selective eater also don’t like to eat Carrots…(just like Anya in Spy x Family). What a funny and awkward situation…
Left without much of a choice, fussy eater resigned to fate and had the South West Lambharissa, carrot, rose, cinnamon, myrtle which was paired with House red wine, hibiscus. Verdict? The Chef’s mastery skills earned accolades from the discerning palate of the fussy eater!
The tender South West lamb, spiced with harissa, was complemented by the sweetness of carrots. The seasonings had helped to balance the natural taste of lamb.
Pre-dessert was Carnarvon Bananasmiso, wattleseed, cocoa and Soda water pineapple juice. The sweet, savoury, nutty, and chocolaty elements was really tasty.
Local Strawberriesnasturtium, goats curd, lemon myrtle with Grapefruit drink. A creamy and tangy dessert with a refreshing zing.
Not forgetting the final parting snack of Fudge dark chocolate sea salt and Beetroot gum.
All in all, this place is a great swanky restaurant in Perth city. Nevertheless, if you plan to explore the Margaret River region, you’ll find a plethora of excellent dining choices as well.
Earlier Photos Taken:
Drove past the Crawley Edge Boatshed, commonly referred to as the Blue Boat House. Apparently it is a popular photospot for tourists but snubbed by the locals.
Acknowledging the considerable distance of over 700km to be covered between Esperance and Perth (via Wave Rock), we commenced our epic road trip earlier than our initial planned departure time. Feeling well rested over the last 2 nights in the cozy log cabin, we were ready to leave Esperance at 7:30am. After a total travel time of about 10.5 hours (including rest breaks and sightseeing) we finally arrived at East Victoria Park, a suburb situated just east of Perth‘s Central Business District, for a light dinner.
Fish Boss is a casual eatery known for its delicious seafood offerings, particularly its fresh fish and chips. We ordered the Boss Basketconsisting of 1 beer battered fish, 2 panko squid, 2 panko prawns with chips and lemon. Not forgetting to add a tantalising tartare sauce dip at the side to complement the platter.
The food was freshly prepared and served piping hot. A scrumptious combination of crispy and tender items fried to a nice golden colour. It was a satisfying and quick dinner, as we were motivated by the prospect of shopping~ While we still had the convenience of a car, we took advantage of the Coles supermarket within the shopping mall to purchase snacks that we could bring back as souvenirs.
Checked in to our hotel by around 7.30pm. We returned the vehicle the next morning, concluding our epic road trip that covered a total distance of 2,635km (there were some return day-trip routes made that were not marked out on the map).
Earlier Photos Taken:
The only worthy attraction along the journey was this – Wave Rock. It is one of the most iconic and recognizable landmarks in that region. The remarkable natural rock formation gets its name from its distinct shape, which resembles a massive ocean wave. It was late spring when we visited and yet we already had a “taste” of the notoriously aggressive bush flies here…They were indeed quite a nuisance… Had a ho-hum muffin and cool drinks at the Wave Rock cafe to escape from the heat after the visit.
Other than the Wave Rock, the other “attraction” along the route was the Tin Horse Highway. It is a quirky “attraction” which we made a slight detour for to perk us up along the rather monotonous road. A 15km stretch of road lined with open-air gallery of eclectic, creative and whimsical “tin horse sculptures”, created by local artists using recycled and scrap metal, kept us entertained for a short while as we drove by.
Along the journey we also stopped by Munglinup Roadhouse and Brookton Roadhouse for short breaks. Both served pretty decent sandwiches/snacks etc.
Even though based on Google map, the journey between Esperance to Perth will take about 8hrs, we took 10.5hrs taking into consideration the time required to visit the Wave Rock, making regular scheduled rest stops and handling minor situations such as looking for a petrol station that sells 95-octane. It appears that in the outback, the regular unleaded 91-octane petrol is more common. Good thing was that we planned our fuel stops in advanced. When the pre-identified petrol station did not carry the fuel type we needed, we were able to look for other stations (and they are not nearby).
Happy that the drive turned out to be pretty manageable. Amazingly after we checked in to our hotel in Perth, we were still energetic enough to go out for a walk around the city and watched the World Cup matches back in our room!
Eagerly anticipating a full day of beach-hopping, I woke up pretty early in the morning. To make the most of our stay in Esperance and to appreciate the splendor of its natural scenery, we shortlisted selection of “essential beaches” to visit.
Having arrived after dark the day before, we did not get to see much of Esperance beauty. In the morning, when we drove into the town centre to top-up our petrol, we were immediately drawn to the breathtaking shoreline of the coastal town. Esperance‘s coastal beachfront featured white sandy shores that extend for miles!!!
While enroute to a beach that I shortlisted to visit (11 Mile Beach) on the west side of Esperance town, we passed by this spot called Salmon Beach. We were so awed by the sight that we stopped for photos – this spot was an unexpected find~
Feeling satisfied with this find, we decided to skip going to 11 Mile Beach and turned back eastward to explore the renowned beaches which are congregated within the Cape Le Grand National Park. Take note that there is an entrance fee per vehicle to be paid, but you will find out that it is absolutely worth the penny!
Condingup Tavern is one of the closest dining options to Cape Le Grand National Park. It was a convenient stop for a meal after our visit to Wharton Beach. The family run pub/bar has a selection of burgers, chicken, steaks and fish available. Food was freshly made and the portion was very generous, two of us managed to share 1 main!
Wharton Beach was the first of many beaches we visited. This beach was pretty secluded and hard to get to…no wonder its described as one of Western Australia’s hidden gems. The time taken for our drive to Orleans Bay took much longer than what was indicated on Google map because there were several sections of the road that is unsealed (gravel) and can be a bit rough on the tyres when driving a 2WD vehicle.
The minor inconvenience was totally worth it when we saw this breath-taking view! A beach backed by striking granite rock formations provided a dramatic visual contrast against the glistening white sand and turquoise waters.
With such fabulous view, it is not surprising to see people parking their caravan at the viewpoint for their stay!
The powdery fine white sand was perfect for barefooted walks~ A serene and tranquil cove. Absolutely enjoyed my walk here.
After lunch, the next beach we visited was the most famous and iconic beach in Cape Le Grand National Park – Lucky Bay. The 5km long shoreline with hard sand even allow 4WD vehicles to be driven onto the beach. Though personally I wonder why did the Australia government – known to be extremely protective of their natural environment and conservation efforts, allow this activity?
One of the reason Lucky Bay is famous was the unique experience of being able to see resident kangaroos hanging out on this beach – if you are lucky. We did not see any on our visit, based on our experience spotting roos, they tend to appear in early morning/late evening. We did not want to plan this as our last stop in case we ran out of time, so we ended up visiting it around 3.30pm which was proven too hot for the roos to show their presence.
Sadly Lucky Bay beach was not at its most pristine condition at some parts of the beach during the season of our visit nor is it a beach good for walking since it was so hard…. Note: the website reported that Depending on the season and storm events, the beach has some weed and guttering, although these are not a major access deterrent. Generally there are still significant stretches of the beach that was clean. Overall Lucky Bay has a very gentle gradient which offers a breathtaking view of waves gradually cascading onto the extensive shoreline.
Between Wharton Beach and Lucky Bay, my heart still lies with the former, with its unspoiled charm and natural elegance.
Our last beach spot has an ominous name – Hellfire Bay but it has really nice views and waves.
For the eagle eyed folks, you might have spotted someone with a surf board. I wish I could try surfing here but it’s gonna be hard as there wasn’t any proper surf shop at Hellfire Bay. Though there are definitely pretty well maintained and decent amenities to wash and change if you intend to do sea sports here.
That is a wrap up our exploration of the picturesque and idyllic beaches in Esperance. We did not have time to make any coastal hikes but the National park trails offer fantastic opportunities with breathtaking views. Another notable sight in Esperance was Lake Hillier, often referred to as the “Pink Lake,”. A remarkable and natural wonder with bubblegum pink colour lake located on Middle Island. The best way to appreciate its beauty is to take an indulgent scenic flight tour which will also offer bird’s-eye view of the Cape Le Grand National Park‘s shoreline.
For me it was definitely worth making the extra effort (at least 5.5 hrs drive) to get to this far flung destination from Albany. Beyond Two Peoples Bay Nature Reserves (which is about 1 hour away from Albany), there was little to see in between Albany and Esperance. Most part of the road trip consist of inland stretches with vast fields and extensive farmland. Nonetheless, it is important to drive safely and exercise caution when passing road trains (large trailer trucks with up to four carriages) and heavy vehicles used for transporting mining and agricultural goods.
Our last home cooked meal of this trip before embarking on a drive that will take us the farthest we’ve ever attempted in a single day (~700km) to Perth the next morning.
After clocking whopping ~1,200km drive since the start of this road trip, we finally arrived at Esperance. During our planning stage, we had a tough time deciding whether to continue venturing beyond Albany or to make a loop back to Perth from there. Esperance is said to be a picturesque coastal town known for its stunning natural beauty and pristine beaches. Would Esperance be worthy of the ~550km drive to get there?
We checked out of our hotel in Albany at around 11am – cos we went to explore another beach nearby in the morning. This was our itinerary for the day:
Ravensthorpe – rest break cum groceries shopping at a local mart
We chose to stop at Yongergnow Malleefowl Centre so that other than a meal break, we could also learn a bit about Malleefowl. They have a paid exhibition and a bush walk trail at the centre for visitors to learn about this endangered species. Although we did not visit the exhibition, we were introduced to this species native to Australia through some informative posters displayed at the foyer. There are not many roadhouse/rest stops option in the inland area here. We were glad we found this wonderful place to enjoy a simple quiche with chips and a cuppa to stay refresh for the rest of our journey.
By the time we checked-in to our accommodation in Esperance, it was about 7pm. Made dinner in the well-equipped Log Cabin. What lovely utensils they have~
Did some grocery shopping at the mart in Ravensthorpe. Having ate the local sweet peas in a Chinese restaurant in Perth, we loved them so much that we bought more to self-cook! They were very fresh, sweet and crunchy. The packet of bay scallops was also really tasty.
Glad that there is a bath tub where I could have a good hot soak~ There is also a proper separate shower and toilet not in the picture in case you were wondering is that all? I was off to dreamland pretty quickly soon after laying on the cozy bed.
More about the compound of Esperance Chalet Village when we explored it the next morning before we head out for our beach hopping. There are a variety of accommodations available and we opted for a Log Cabin for practical reasons as it comes with a full kitchen.
Most people were attracted to these cute triangular shaped Studio/Large Chalets. The studio chalet does not have a kitchen, but you can use the spacious and well-equipped communal kitchen in the compound.
Complimentary bikes available for use for all guests. The large chalets are double storey with the bed on upper deck and comes with a basic kitchenette. Looks so pretty~
Earlier Photos Taken:
Nice to start the day by spotting a rainbow during breakfast. The sky cleared up soon and we were able visit Frenchman Bay which was a short drive away. It was a lovely and peaceful beach with only a few people walking their dogs. Not exactly impressive and you would know what I meant when you see the next beach we visited below!
Absolutely awed by the sweeping curves, sandy beach and clear turquoise waters here! This is the Little Beach in Two Peoples Bay Nature Reserve. I’m beginning to believe that the beaches are getting more spectacular as we approach Esperance. It looked incredibly stunning against the backdrop of the blue skies. We took a walk down at the beach as well~
Having made a reservation for dinner in Albany, it was a bummer to realised that the restaurant could not open for dinner and could not honour our booking via an email sent at 1pm on the day itself. Being on the road bulk of the time also meant that I did not check my email until we check-in at our hotel in Albany.
Our main objective of dining at the restaurant where we made a booking was because they serve a locally farmed shellfish known as “Akoya”. Yes, its the akoya traditionally known for producing spectacular saltwater pearls.
We had a few quick and easy back-up eatery options such as Ocean & Paddock or Hooked On Middleton Beach(recommended by the bartender at our hotel) – both fish & chips places within the city. However we had our eyes set on trying to find a place that serve “Akoya”. A few days ago, at Little Creatures Brewery we missed the chanced the savour them as it was not available, we thought we stood a better chance of tasting them here in Albany – almost at the source of its production area.
After some last minute search on the internet, we found Hybla Tavern who listed a bar bite featuring this elusive delicacy on their menu. Our first question to the staff when we arrived at the rather crowded pub/restaurant was – Do you have Akoya today? Thankfully the answer was an assuring Yes!
Feeling slightly under the weather, we ordered a Wild Mushroom RisottoParmasan cream, sage chips, truffle oil to share alongside the star dish. The comforting Italian dish was well-executed, the rice grains filled with deep, earthy and umami-rich flavours.
Finally we got our hands on the Akoya Rockefeller Pernod lemon myrtle cream, macadamia pangrattato.
Akoya oysters are relatively small compared to other species and has less meat. I think the locals probably don’t eat them freshly shucked for this reason. Preparing it Rockefeller style was a good option. The macadamia pangrattato (breadcrumb) topping imparted a nutty, buttery crunch that contrasted well with the creamy oyster and velvety cream. Hugely satisfied with being able to find this place!
Heading back to rest in the hotel and a good night’s sleep on a proper bed after our Glamping 2-night stay. It would be another long day’s drive covering about 500km the next day.
Earlier Photos Taken:
Glad that the rain had not caught up with us yet. This is the Green Pools with its iconic sandy beach and turquoise blue water. Swimming and snorkelling are permitted here but it was too cold for us to go into the waters.
Another coastal viewpoint within the William Bay National Park. Can you see them? There is a reason why this spot is called Elephant Rocks. Looks like they are heading out for a swim.
The 3rd spot we visited was named because there is a small 2m waterfall with water that tumbles onto the beach – Waterfall Beach(left). Madfish Bay (right) was the last spot we visited before continuing our drive for the day. Our conclusion was we liked Greens Pool and Elephant Rocks more.
Enjoying a cup of Rough Seas Pale Ale by Wilson Brewing Company at the hotel lobby bar in Albany~
After savouring delicious meals, indulging in wines and unwinding in the serene atmosphere of the Margaret River region for the past few days, it was time for us to embark on the “more challenging” part of our journey – relatively long drives over the next two days.
Originally we planned to make one last cellar door visit, at Xanadu Wines, before we leave Margaret River. However the rainy weather could meant extending our travel time as we head towards our next destination – Albany (~400km). Prioritising safety over our thirst for wine, we skipped the stop and also gave Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse a miss. Situated at the most south-westerly point of Australia, it is the tallest lighthouse on mainland Australia. It is located at the tip of a spectacular peninsula – where the Southern and Indian Oceans meet. Considering the inclement weather, we surmised that we might not be able to enjoy the spectacular views the place had to offer.
Two-hours drive later, we made a brunch stop at Lavender & Berry Farm. The rain had eased to a slight drizzle in Pamberton area. Having a warm cup of coffee with some food was comforting. The visually appealing freshly made-upon-order thick fluffy pancake with vanilla ice-cream and warm berry sauce was a welcomed treat.
There are even some alpacas at the compound. You could purchase some treats to feed them too if you wanted more intimate interactions with them. Having heard that alpacas may spit for defensive reasons when they feel threatened, I made sure to keep a safe distance away from them.
Recharged and refreshed, we continued our journey towards Albany with plans to stop by William Bay to take in views of picturesque, sandy beaches in there. With optimism, we believed we had left the rainy weather behind and were now on our way to clearer skies ahead~
Our final wine and dine adventure in Margaret River region was at the amazing Voyager Estate. The cellar door and restaurant are located inside an elegant English style manor house surrounded by many magnificent gardens. From the carpark, we took a lovely stroll across one of the lush gardens, with a magical moment walking through the beautiful and romantic rose arches that lined the pavement.
Did the wine tasting at the cellar door before we entered the restaurant right behind. It appears that most of the cellar doors in Margaret River region had done away with providing complimentary wine tasting. Here there are a variety of pricing for wine tastings:
A$10 charge for 5 entry level wines (redeemable upon any wine purchase)
A$20 charge for 5 premium wines (redeemable upon premium wine purchase)
A$20 charge for 2 MJW wines (redeemable upon MJW wine purchase)
In any case, we paid for tasting of the MJW wines which were really smooth and had good finishes. Noting that the estate is known for their red wines, we picked a bottle of 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon from the premium range. I do recall seeing some of the entry level wines from Voyager Estate available in Singapore.
Lunch was served indoor – which was a welcome choice, given that the day seemed slightly overcast. Our seating placed us directly by the expansive windows, providing excellent natural lighting. The 7-course discovery menu was themed “Floris”, marking the arrival of spring and signifying that we were in for a leisurely and extended lunch in this breathtaking environment. This restaurant was probably the most formal one compared to the 2 other places we visited in the region.
Our meal started with an offering of finger snacks comprising of Stracciatella, cumquat, poppyseed/ Kingfish, smoked cream, preserved lemon/ duck liver, venison, brioche. Aperitif was a refreshing and crisp 2021 Project sparkling chenin blanc. In place of the customary bread basket, we were presented with Focaccia served with honey and olive oil.
As a prelude to the wine pairing for the upcoming courses, the staff set a wooden rack which holds 3 empty wine glasses (a ‘wine flight’). This was followed by a card for the wine about to be served featuring fruits/herbs/flowers that gave clues to wine’s tasting notes. A captivating and engaging presentation.
While waiting for the next dish to be served, we were entertained by trying to anticipate the primary ingredient for the upcoming course, drawing hints from the pictorial card.
On the reverse side of the card was a brief description of the wine and the name of the soon-to-be served dish. It was evident that a significant amount of effort went into planning and creating these informative cards, which served as a good memento for guests.
The 2022 Sauvignon blanc semillon was selected to pair with Abalone, broccoli, lemon myrtle. The dish itself had an appealing appearance, resembling a petite salad that played with the textural contrast between the delicate abalone and the crisp, crunchy broccoli. The standout element of this course was the inclusion of lemon myrtle – a native Australian plant known for its strong and distinctive lemon-like flavour and aroma.
Rock lobster, macadamia, sunrise lime was paired with 2022 Chenin blanc. Rock lobster, said to be endemic to Australia, was tender, sweet and rich in flavour. Macadamias added depth and texture to the dish, harmoniously complemented by the zesty citrus notes from the sunrise lime (aka finger lime). A gourmet dish that featured the exquisite flavours of Australian ingredients.
The homage to the bounties of sea and land continued with Line-caught fish (King Snapper), celeriac, vanilla. This course was thoughtfully paired with a 2021 Chardonnay. King Snapper went well with the slightly nutty and creamy celeriac purée, finished with a touch of sweet and fragrant vanilla essence.
Our first protein dish was the stunning Aged duck, beetroot, wattleseed paired with 2020 Project U11 Syrah. The succulent and gamey richness of the aged duck took center stage. The duck was cooked to perfection, with a crispy skin and perfectly rendered fat while the beetroot’s earthy sweetness contributed to a well-rounded dish. Wattleseed, yet another uniquely Australian ingredient, added a layer of complexity to the dish with its hazelnut and coffee-like notes. The Syrah which has notes of dark fruits like blackberry and plum was an excellent selection to complement this dish.
Lamb, peas, carrot paired with 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Peas and carrot are classic ingredients that goes with lamb beautifully. The peas added a burst of vibrant green colour and texture to the meat, making the plate looked more appealing. The sweet, slightly caramelized notes of the pureed purple carrots complemented the robust flavour of the lamb and fresh legume, adding depth to the overall flavor profile. The Cabernet Sauvignon‘s bold oaky flavour profile harmonised with the savoury, slightly gamey taste of lamb perfectly.
By the time we reached the dessert courses, we had spent closed to 3 hours at the restaurant. An indulgence that could only be enjoyed while on holiday. First up was the Christmassy-looking Mixed berry sorbet, goat’s milk, granola and jelly. The mixed berry sorbet provided a refreshing palate-cleansing experience, with the goat’s milk providing a lusciously smooth base. The granola offered a delightful textural contrast and nutty undertone to the ensemble. Boy, I’m so in love with the dessert creations in Margaret River region!
White Chocolate (with coconut? iirc). It combined the luscious sweetness of white chocolate with the tropical nuttiness of coconut.
Final small bite of Caramel and Chocolate was a blend of buttery pastry, sweet caramel, and decadent chocolate in one bite.
If you only had time for 1 meal in Margaret River region, Voyager Estate is my top recommendation (#not sponsored in any way). With picturesque vineyards, gardens and a fine-dining restaurant that offers a tranquil and scenic setting for a mesmerising experience, its a one stop destination that fulfilled my needs for photos/food/wine. *The discovery menu took us more than 3.5 hours to finish, so you probably won’t have time to visit other cellar doors thereafter.
Earlier Photos Taken:
Took a short drive to Hamelin Bay hoping that we could get the chance to experience an unique interaction with a special marine life – stingrays. These friendly creatures are said to frequent the shallow waters of the bay and visitors can often wade into the sea to observe them.
Unfortunately either we got the wrong timing or the rough waters on the day of our visit was deterring the stingrays from making an appearance… Note: best time of year to see the stingrays is in the Summer, between 9am-10am or in the late afternoon.
On the 5th day of our Western Australia trip, we bid goodbye to the comfort of a hotel room or apartment and embarked on our first Glamping experience. We had never experienced camping before we were rather conservative on our ability to adapt to the ruggedness of camping…that was why we opted for something more luxurious.
After researching for the options available in the region, we went ahead to book with Walk Talk Taste Margaret River. They actually only have just one private tent and located in in a bush setting on a small family vineyard.
Look at what we saw upon arriving at the site – an elaborate set-up with a gorgeous bell tent and our exclusive campfire pit.
The alluring smell of straw (or hay?) from the floor covering in the tent was the first thing I noticed. After taking a few steps, I’m reminded of a long lost feeling of walking on the ground barefooted. This might be considered a luxury tent, but I still felt that my lifestyle for the next few days will be “back to basics”. No TV, no wifi – there is 4G mobile network though.
An opportunity to connect with nature if you wish to take a bath outdoor. It was too cold for me so we didn’t use the tub. Hot water is provided though if you want to enjoy a soak.
Took our warm shower in the stylish outdoor enclosure instead.
It was drizzling slightly on the first day of our stay and fortunately the rain stopped and we were able to use the Weber Q gas barbecue stove to cook our dinner.
By the time we set-up our our table for dinner, the sky was already pretty dark. Here’s our home-made meal of grilled steak, corn and asparagus. Cheated a bit with a side of coleslaw bought from the supermarket. We were so thrilled and satisfied with the BBQ that we decided to do a 2nd BBQ dinner the next day too!
We woke up to the sound of raindrops pattering on the canvas tent, listening to chirps of birds surrounding the area in the morning. Had Tim Tam for a quick breakfast and this flavour (Murray River Salted Caramel) was really nice! It was still a little tad sweet for me but not too overwhelming and as I had it with black coffee, it was a great pairing. I thought Tim Tam is easily available in many supermarkets in Singapore so I didn’t buy more to bring back. However after I returned to Singapore I could not find this particular flavour anywhere~ (only found chewy caramel flavour thou). Sob~
Having small comforts such as an electric blanket, electric fireplace, cosy lighting, plush bed etc. all made the Glamping experience a pleasurable one. Being in close proximity to a number of vineyards was definitely a big plus as well.
Blessed with better weather on the second evening of our stay, we managed to start cooking our dinner earlier and were able to enjoy it while the sky was still bright. We tried grilled pineapple chicken with shrimp skewers, portobello mushrooms and side of macaroni salad (cheated again by purchasing this side from the supermarket).
Post-dinner activity was to start a small campfire using the seasoned jarrah provided by the host.
Checked out from the first accommodation in Margaret River region and moved further south – nearer to the Margaret River town. Visited another vineyard in the morning (see end of post) and got to Leeuwin Estate for our wine tasting and lunch.
The car park was pretty full when we arrived – an indication that the place might be rather packed. We soon realised that this was one of the rare cellar door which offers complimentary wine tasting (for the entry level range). Having visited 3 cellar doors on this trip, this was the first to retain this offering. However as we were having lunch here, we were allowed to taste their mid-tier wines (which would require $10 non-refundable for 5 wines). For their top tier wines, there is a $10 per taste, per wine refundable on purchase of that wine, including their most well-regarded Art Series Chardonnay.
We tried the Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay from complimentary wines and two more white wines from their mid-range Art Series wines. Their wine tasting area was less spacious than others and was done in a pretty efficient manner – which meant one staff would be handling a few guests side-by-side. Tried a few wines but none caught our attention. Wine tasting could very subjective and I personally find their wines a tad too vibrant and lively for my palate.
Now for the lunch. The menu has quite a good variety because for each course you can choose from 2-3 options. They allowed each diner to have different dish, so we got to taste 6 different dishes for our 3-course meal.
Similar to the restaurant we visited the day before (post), the dining area is located on the upper floor of the building and we were seated outdoor in the alfresco area. Although there is no vineyard view here, the deck has lovely a garden ambience – look at the number of potted plants and flowers.
While sipping the Leeuwin Estate Brut, we were presented with an appetizer of Chef’s canapé of kingfisherred curry emulsion followed by Estate baked sourdough, cultured butter.
First course was Scallop crudo, horseradish, kohlrabi, elderflower paired with Art Series Riesling. It is a light and delicate dish featuring the fresh scallops with the slight spiciness of horseradish, the crunchiness of kohlrabi and the floral touch of elderflower.
Another one of us had the Cuttlefish, fennel, taramasalata, native citrus, chicken skin as first course dish. I prefer this over the earlier starter for its richer flavours and textures. Taramasalata (Greek fish roe dip) is made from fish roe, olive oil, lemon juice, grated onions and bread. The creamy meze which is full of umami flavour pairs brilliantly with the slightly sweet and slightly chewy cuttlefish. Crispy chicken skin topping offered a delightful textural contrast.
Line caught fish (Garoupa), lettuce, pistachio, akoya, buttermilk paired with Art Series Chardonnay. Love the visually appealing golden-brown crust of the Garoupa sitting on a bed of refreshing and crunchy lettuce. The nutty richness of pistachios along with the creamy buttermilk sauce made this a well-rounded dish.
The other protein option was Lamb – which we seldom eat. So we opted for the vegan dish of Ricotta Gnudi, peas, nori, whey. Gnudi are gnocchi-like dumplings made with ricotta cheese instead of potato but these were not as pillowy as I expected.
The desserts were quite unique for me as it comprised of ingredients which were less familiar to us. One was the Cambray Farmhouse Gold, chicory marmalade, orange, lavosh – featuring a multi award winning mature sheep cheese, aged for 12 – 24 months . It combined the richness of the cheese, the bittersweetness of the marmalade, the citrusy notes of orange, and the crunchiness of lavosh (a thin, crunchy Middle Eastern bread) all ensembled into a splendid dessert.
Strawberry, sheep yoghurt, tarragon Sheep yogurt provided an indulgent creaminess to the dessert while offering a pleasant tang from the strawberries and herbaceous notes from the tarragon.
I found the atypical desserts quite impressive.
Other Photos Taken:
After the fabulous lunch and wine tasting at Vasse Felix (the day before), we headed over to Moses Rock Road Beach based on a local’s recommendation. It was said to be a nice whale watching spot during the annual migration from May to December. Although we did not see any whales, it was a great way to spend an idyllic afternoon with cool sea breeze.
While driving out from the beach, we had a close encounter with a wild life kangaroo~ Have seen many Kangaroo Crossing signs (and roadkill) on the road in Australia but this is the first time I experienced one crossing my path! It was a heart stopping moment when it suddenly hopped across the road… it then paused in front of the fence… and decided to look further down the road for a lower barrier to jump over.
Back at Eight Willows Retreat, we decided to take a walk around the estate in the evening to help burn-off the calories from lunch. Unexpectedly we chanced upon many wallabies grazing in the compound~ We took a walk on the first day of our stay as well but did not see any, so today we were caught off-guarded… We felt as if we were the one intruding on their territory…with so many of them staring at us.
There were times where we stood frozen…too afraid to move…and contemplated whether it would be safe for us to continue walking slowly across the field. We only moved after we assessed that the marsupials did not seemed to be too bothered by us after a while.
It was an interesting experience staying in bushland area. There were plenty of nature wildlife to observe, including the black cockatoos, different bird species, hares, ducks etc. You could enjoy the star-lit night sky. Loved the well-equipped kitchen that allowed us to prepare dinner – most restaurants in the vineyards only have lunch service. The accommodation has gas BBQ grill in each chalet too~
The next morning, we headed over to Cullen Winery which was in the area to do some wine tasting before lunch. They are one of the oldest family wineries in Margaret River region and they produce wonderful certified biodynamic wines. Loved both their red and white wines. Had a hard time deciding what to bring back (due to limited alcohol duty-free allowance in Singapore). There are more vineyard visits over the next few days… Of course if we exceed the limit, we are prepared to pay the extra tax. So we needed to be more selective in order not to “waste” the duty-free concession.
Cullen Winery ended up being the only vineyard where we bought 2 bottles of wine back. Tasted their flagship Kevin John (100% Chardonnay) and Diana Madeline series at the cellar door, really impressed by the tastes. The 2020 Diana Madeline series had a nice blend of 92% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc & 1% Malbec.
YummyDelight 