Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
IN VASSE
Newtown House
Set in lavender and rose gardens nice for lazing in after a
hard day's wine tasting, this National Trust-listed 1851 homestead has four
pretty rooms with “contemporary country” decor, furnished with wrought-iron
table and chairs, pine furniture, and cute touches like potpourri “dream sacks”
on your pillow. All have ceiling fans. The fixings for a gourmet continental
breakfast are sent up to your room the night before. Don't miss the excellent
restaurant (see “Where to Dine,” below). No smoking indoors.
Bussell Hwy. (9km/5
1
⁄
2
miles past Busselton), Vasse, WA 6280.
&
and fax
08/9755 4485.
4 units (all with
shower only). A$138 (US$90) double. Rates include continental breakfast. AE, DC, MC, V. The property is on the
right just after the Bussell Hwy. turns left (south). Children not permitted.
Amenities:
Restaurant; nonsmoking
rooms. In room: TV, minibar, coffeemaker, no phone.
WHERE TO DINE
Good restaurants are attached to a number of wineries, including Vasse Felix,
Driftwood Estate, and Brookland Valley Vineyard. Most outstanding is
Leeuwin
Estate's restaurant
, Stevens Road, Margaret River (
&
08/9759 0000
); it
has terrific food, it's cozy in winter, and in summer its wide deck overlooking
lawns is just the place to be for lunch.
You can stock up for a picnic at the supermarket in Margaret River. Cape
Mentelle and Vasse Felix both have shady picnic areas beside a brook.
Newtown House
MODERN FRENCH/AUSTRALIAN The Southwest
boasts some of the best restaurants in Australia, and this is one of 'em. Folks come
from far and wide to savor chef Stephen Reagan's skill in preparing such dishes as
rare local venison with roast pears, beets, and red-wine glaze. Desserts are no let-
down, either—caramel soufflé with lavender ice cream and hot caramel sauce is
typical. Located in a historic homestead, the restaurant consists of two simple,
intimate rooms with sisal matting and contemporary, boldly colored walls. Even
better, it's BYO. Drop by for morning or afternoon tea, if you like.
737 Bussell Hwy. (9km/5
1
⁄
2
miles past Busselton), Vasse.
&
08/9755 4485.
Reservations recommended,
especially at dinner. Main courses A$20-A$25 (US$13-US$16) lunch, A$27-A$32 (US$18-US$21) dinner. AE,
DC, MC, V. Tues-Sat 10am-10:30pm or later.
The Valley Café
MODERN AUSTRALIAN Voted most popular South-
west cafe in 1998, 1999, and 2000, this pleasant place serves up stylish fare with
views over the countryside. Lunch might be risotto with Augusta smoked
chicken, sun-dried capsicum (bell pepper), and shaved Parmesan. Dinner might
be cured Atlantic salmon with polenta, asparagus, and caramelized balsamic
vinegar. Courses are “Medium” and “Large,” so you can eat light if you wish, or
just come for coffee and cake. BYO.
Carters Rd. (near Caves Rd.), Margaret River.
&
08/9757 3225.
Reservations recommended. Main courses
A$18-A$30 (US$12-US$20), average A$24 (US$16). AE, MC, V. Wed-Sun 10am-4pm; Fri-Sat (and Sun on 3-
day weekends) 6-10pm.
4 The Goldfields
¡
595km (369 miles) E of Perth
After Paddy Hannan struck gold in 1893, the wheat-belt town of Kalgoorlie
found itself sitting on the “Golden Mile,” the richest square mile of gold-bear-
ing earth in the world. Today
Kalgoorlie
(pop. 32,000) is still an Outback
gold-rush boomtown, a mixture of yesteryear charm and 21st-century corporate
