Perth to the Southwest - Day 4

Margaret River to Busselton
Not wanting to go to the Berry Farm before the opening hours, we hang around Margaret river to do our grocery and pump our petrol. I was craving for a cappucino and went across the road to get one from this cafe called Sails.
The coffee was good and we decided that we should have our breakfast at the cafe as well, and thus my 2nd cup of caffeine.

The staff at the cafe were friendly, one even told me she was born in Malaysia but came back to Australia when she turned 4. The cafe is cosy, but what's remarkable is the fabulous breakfast of sausages, toasts, eggs etc. I am easily satisfied when it comes to big breakfast, and Australia probably has lots and lots of such cafe serving up such delicious brekkies.

Sails cafe is also child-friendly, with lots of crayons and colouring paper for the kids to distract them.

The Berry Farm

The Berry Farm is a misnomer. There are no berries nor farm (not one that is visible at least), it is just the name of the place.

There is a nice playground though and we spent most of our time there swinging the kids instead.

The main attraction is actually a shop selling wines and olive oils. So much for the Berry Farm.

Mammoth Cave

The Mammoth Cave is for cavemen and, erm, tourists. Proper broadwalk and steps lead us inside the cave, and we could see stalacitites and stalagmites everywhere inside the caves. The cave entry fees came with a portable audio guide, but Heidi and Oliver was making a nuisance of themselves and so both Sophia and me couldn't hear the narration, thus the meaning and history of the of cave was entirely lost on us. So much for cave exploration.

It was also at the exit of the cave that I lost my temper with Oliver, who kept running very close to the road despite telling him not to do so. I spank him, he cried, I let him, and that spoilt the whole morning.

Voyager Estate

This a huge wine producing estate that churns out 23% of Australia premium wine production each year.

We were greeted by this gigantic flag as we drove into the driveway. The whole place is like a huge garden with lawns surrounding the restaurant in the middle, very unlike other wineries.

Somehow, to make up to Oliver, I spent more time with him alone at the Voyager Estate, running around the lawns and knocking each other over. Our kind of playground.

Heidi with the huge Aussie flag in the background. She is becoming more photogenic.

The best thing, other than the lawns, about Voyager Estate for us non vineyard and wineries foks, must be the restaurant in the middle of the compound. It is quite posh and looked expensive too.

They are also kid-friendly with their ready supply of paper and colour pencils. And we tucked in for some fine food after settling down the kids.

Sophia ordered this Chenin Blanc steamed Donny Brooke marron thingy while I went for the safer choice, the char-grilled tenderidge eye fillet. Both were yummy.



This poached pear with champagne mousse dessert is really very tasty, although this picture made it look like some kind of tofu or sea anemone.

We spent the whole afternoon at Voyager Estate that by the time we head to this place famous for its olive oil, which I can't remember the name, it was just 5 minutes before closing time. I quickly grabbed a couple of bottle of olive oils that is mandarin orange as well as lime and rosemary scented.

End of the day and we ended up at the Abbey Beach Resort. Each room is huge and could probably fit in 2 families. It is well-equipped too with other appliances like toaster, dryer, and a jacuzzi as well.