Sometimes a mini getaway is all you need to recharge your tired day to day batteries and be able to spend a little quality time together as a family. Brad and I celebrate our birthdays a day apart and for this reason we have always tried to do something big together which is usually to go away somewhere on holidays. This year we decided to do a small trip and go down to Dunsborough for a few days as we would be going overseas later on in the year (which unfortunately wont be happening now due to a huge viral outbreak called Corona virus) This small town is about 3 hours south of where we live in Perth and is a beautiful small community based around surfing, beaches, wineries and a super laid back lifestyle. We are also very lucky that Brad’s parents own a holiday house down here so we are able to come down and stay without having to worry about paying for accommodation. We only had a few days to fit everything in and having been down here plenty of times before we were mainly excited to spend our days by the beach and discover new things to do with Noah as he is a little older and would appreciate all the kid’s activities a bit better this time around. So, I’ve compiled a list of the things we got up to, and also other bits and pieces that you may find interesting to do while you are down here
Children + family activities
Country Life Farm – WEBSITE
Tickets for entry – $20 Adults | Pensioners $19 | Children $18 | Kids under two FREE
Open 9:30-5pm daily
Not even 5 minutes from the centre of town this little family run farm (the warmest and friendliest owners!) is a must for kids and adults while you are down here. Open 7 days a week you will be able to see and feed a multitude of animals like rabbits, chickens, birds, kangaroos, geese, goats, alpaca’s and much more. Your ticket entry price includes a bucket of carrots to feed the animals (additional buckets can be bought for an extra $2) and you are then free to roam the grounds and feed your carrots to whomever you like! There is a merry go round which started at 11am (unsure if there are different start times during peak visiting hours), boat rides, a huge inflatable bouncy castle, a barbeque area with a huge lawn for kids to play on and kids play equipment and a huge indoor play centre which caters to kids of all ages are all free and included in your entry ticket. The dodgem cars incur an extra fee though and we didn’t go on these so unsure as to how much. There is tea and coffee facilities however there is no hot food here to be purchased and at the time we didn’t check if they allowed a lot of food to be brought into the grounds, so I suggest calling before you go if this is something you are wanting to do. There are bathroom facilities on the farm (only one male/female toilet) and small but limited baby change facilities (there was a baby change table and mat outside the female toilets which were adequate enough for changing nappies) We would definitely come back again, we spent a good few hours here going back and forth feeding the animals and walking the grounds and the indoor play equipment is insane!
Simmo’s Ice-creamery – WEBSITE
Entry FREE
Open 10-5pm daily excluding Christmas Day
Perfect for families and everyone of all ages, this ice- creamery is not just a place for eating. Home to Edward the Emu, there is also an 18 hole golf course, a huge playground, plenty of space to relax with friends and family for a picnic, BBQ facilities and of course, the famous ice cream and treats that are also available. There are over 60 flavours of ice cream so there is sure to be something there to suit everyone’s taste buds!
Xcape at the Cape fun park – WEBSITE
Multiple ticket option prices available so best to view website for this information
Open 10-6pm daily 7 days a week
This huge park boasts a giant water section featuring water slides, fountains and a huge water tipping bucket. There is also lazer tag, trampolines, an 18 hole putt course, kids train rides, a bouncy castle and indoor playground, giant games, an enclosed play area for kids 4 and under and a jungle themed jungle gym. An array of food and drinks are also available. If you would like to enter the park but do not want to participate and simply spectate, you are able to do this at no cost
Beaches
FREE!
Heading down to this South West coastal town, you are going to be very fortunate enough to be privy to some of the best beaches in the entire world. Meelup, Yallingup, Bunker Bay, Dunsborough foreshore, Injidup, Castle Rock beach, Smiths beach, Gnarabup, Point Piquet and Conto Springs beach are just a few of some amazing beaches that are truly worth the visit
The Berry Farm – WEBSITE
Entry FREE
Cottage cafe open 10-4pm (lunch served from 1130-3pm) Cellar door open 10-4pm
Open 7 days a week except closed on Good Friday, Christmas Day, Christmas Eve, Boxing Day and New Years Day
If your partial to homemade jam, sauce, preserves, syrups and wine then this will be the place for you. The perfect spot for a taste test, this cafe is kid friendly and boasts a big beautiful wooden playground for the kids to play on leaving the adults to be able to sit back and relax with a drink of one of the delicious home made ciders or fruit wine! There is also plenty of shopping to be done at this cafe with a huge array of yummy gift ideas to buy as well
Yallingup Maze – WEBSITE
Children 5-17 years/students/concessions/seniors $14 | Adults $16 | Kids 4 and under FREE
Family passes available as well as team building activities | FREE activities also available
Open 930-430pm TUESDAY-SUNDAY | Closed MONDAYS
This huge adventure park is home to an array of fun activities for everyone of all ages. The main attraction here is obviously the huge 40×40 metre wooden maze which changes up every 3 months! Wheelchair and pram friendly, the maze boasts 5 sets of stairs, 4 inter linking bridges, 5 towers and 1.9 metre high walls. So if your up for a challenge this is the place for you! There’s also a big bouncy castle, a nature playground and wooden puzzles to play with at the indoor cafe. Also plenty to eat and drink with the cafe on the grounds and a huge variety of food including vegetarian and gluten options
Shopping
TATU Homewear – WEBSITE
Open Monday- Saturday 9-5pm | Sunday + Public holidays 10-4pm
A beautiful home wares and eclectic decor store located in the heart of the Dunsborough shopping Centrepoint. There are many treasures to be found here and because of the ease of location, I always pop into this shop while I’m down at the local shopping centre grabbing a few groceries
Life Story Designs – WEBSITE
Open Monday – Saturday 930-5pm | Sunday 10-4pm
Fashion lovers beware this beautiful store stocks a huge range of affordable fashion brands and with dresses, jumpers, tops and skirts available your wallet might come out looking a little worse for wear! Located at the Dunsborough Centrepoint
Laneway – WEBSITE
Open Monday – Thursday 9-530pm | Friday – Saturday 9-6pm | Sunday 10-3pm
More on the pricier side of things this fashion boutique is also found at the Dunsborough Centrepoint and stocks a variety of brands which include Bec + Bridge, James Smith, Nobody, One Teaspoon, SIR, Senso and Auguste
Lloyds (Margaret River) No website
Open Monday – Saturday 9-5pm | Sunday 10-3pm
This store which is located on the main strip entering Margaret River has got to be my absolute FAVOURITE place to shop when I come down south. It has the most fantastic array of kids toys and decor, woven baskets, plant pots, home decor, kitchen accessories and fashion and textiles. The shop has a few different sections to it and in order to take everything in you will need a little while as there are so many hidden treasures in every nook and spot you look. I could spend all day browsing in here it is well worth the trip into Margaret River and I cannot rate this store highly enough!
Boutique ECO (Margaret River) WEBSITE
Open Monday – Friday 930-530pm | Saturday 930-5pm | Sunday 10-4pm
Also situated on the main strip entering Margaret River this fashion boutique is a boho lovers dream. I’ve bought many an item from this store and they are a huge stockist of one of my favourite brands JAASE. They also stock the brands Birkenstock and San Jose and lots of other different accessories and knick knack items
Riversmith (Margaret River) WEBSITE
Open Wednesday- Monday 8-3pm | Closed Tuesday’s
Again situated on the main strip as you enter Margaret River, this one stop shop/cafe will be your new favourite place to frequent I can promise you that! Breakfast and lunch are available here with also a great little section of yummy treats also available for takeaway. After you’ve had your coffee and brekky, why not walk through the cafe to the adjoining store where you will find a huge array of children’s fashion and toys, eclectic home wares, great gift ideas and kitchen accessories. Also another place I frequent every time we come down south and leave many a time with huge regret over not buying more!
Eating
Meelup Farmhouse – WEBSITE
View menu HERE
Open Monday 9-5pm | Closed TUESDAY + WEDNESDAY | Thursday 9-5pm | Friday + Saturday 9-10pm | Sunday 9-8pm
I was lucky enough to have my birthday lunch at this newly opened hobby farm. And the best way I can describe this place would be absolute paradise! Rattan light shades adorn the ceiling in the outdoor eating area and there are two huge outdoor areas where you can sit and eat with picnic options available and furry friends welcome. This venue is very “outdoorsy” so keep that in mind for if your wanting to come here during the winter time as the main indoor/outdoor eating area may be be quite exposed to the elements. As you walk into the venue there is a beautiful sitting area with cane hanging chairs and a chicken coop with a multitude of roaming chickens. Noah found this this most entertaining part of our day! Lizzie the highland cow is a permanent resident here too so make sure you pop down and say hi to her! Weekends are filled with live music as well. I cannot rate this venue highly enough and I wish that I took more photos but I was too mesmerized by the whole venue!
Cheeky Monkey Brewery + Resturant – WEBSITE
View menu HERE
Open 10 – 6pm daily
A fantastic kid friendly restaurant, sit outdoors, relax and grab a bite to eat whilst overlooking the breathtaking winery and landscape and watch your kids play on the big shaded playground. We came here for Brad’s birthday and even though we found the menu didn’t have that big of a selection of food, it would also be a great place to come and relax and enjoy a sneaky drink or two just to admire the scenery
Margaret River Chocolate Company – WEBSITE
Open daily 9-5pm except Christmas Day
Entry FREE
Well this place is a no brainer! How can you not come down south and not visit the Margaret River Chocolate Factory! We are lucky enough to already have a location here in Perth where I live however, its always a novelty to come to this location for a little dessert during the day. And it is one hell of a chocolate lovers dream here. The chocolate is a little pricey but for the amazing quality it is worth every cent. And they don’t just do chocolate! You can also come here for a bite to eat as they have a huge array of hot food options whether it be a burger and chips or a milkshake and piece of cake. Also sold here are t shirts and hats, novelty chocolates (think chocolate golf balls!) chocolate sauces, chocolate soap and body products, mugs and glass wear, books and plenty of gift hampers. The best part about the chocolate company though? Well that’s the free chocolate tastings of course! If you head to the back of the shop you can have a sneaky peak at how the chocolate is made too through the glass window!
Black Brewing Co – WEBSITE
View Menu HERE
Open 11-5pm daily
Although we didn’t come here on our trip this time around, we have been to this brewery many times before. Take a seat outside and enjoy your lunch whilst overlooking the man made lake with a magnificent water fountain feature in the middle. This place is a very casual shared food vibe where you can either order your meal for yourself or grab a few different things to share between each other. The brewery sits on a huge plot of land which leaves you free to roam around and explore, however I am unsure if there is a kids playground available as we have only ever visited this location either by ourselves or when Noah was a baby. May I suggest the wood-fired bread and pork belly, you will not be disappointed!
Occy’s Dunsborough – WEBSITE
View menu HERE
Open Monday – Sunday 1130-9pm
If your after more of a casual vibe for lunch/dinner, Occy’s in the heart of Dunsborough town is the place to go. This place has more of a casual “pub grub” vibe so if pizza, burgers, chips and beer are your thing then this will be the place for you. The food is very reasonably priced as well. Not so kid friendly for the fact it only doesnt have a playground on site, however there is plenty of lawn area in front of the foodery for them to run about on
Eagle Bay Brewing Co – WEBSITE
View menu HERE
Open 11-5pm daily
Another fabulous brewery we have been to has been Eagle Bay Brewing Co. Again, this place is a sight to see. The rolling hills and never ending grounds will be your view while eating lunch and with a huge kids sandpit and playground on the grounds too, this place is most definitely one to take the kiddies
Beerfarm – WEBSITE
View menu HERE
Open Sunday – Thursday 11-6pm | Friday 11-9pm | Saturday 11-7pm
Dogs on leads welcome
Ok, so this place is most definitely one of a kind. Even entering the brewery is an experience! Kid friendly, adult friendly and fur baby friendly it also comes equipped with a children’s play area and adults area inside (did someone say pinball machines!?) No reservations are needed, this very casual come in, sit down and eat and relax vibe is most definitely one in a million. An old hay shed has been converted into the main eating section which overlooks the grounds and a beautiful big lake. If your lucky enough you might even see the giant water slide there too!