Margaret River

Upon our arrival in Margaret River at about 2 in the afternoon first visit was a very special bakery that we were told not to miss. It was the coolest bakery I have ever been into, one that you might find in the Blue Mountains but better. Lots of unusual collections of anything and everything and the food and coffee are very good. If down this way it is on the left at the northern end of town, near the petrol station as you drive into town.

    You find a spot in a nook and enjoy the sunshine.

   As you walk into the bakery you pass collections adorning the walls.

 My favourite, behind the toilet door were pages from very old books from my childhood days, wallpapering the door.

Next visit the info centre, it is a good idea to call into the info places when arriving in a town just to get maps of the town centre and surrounds and to pick their brain for the must sees.

We have decided to hire a small car while here to zip around the countryside instead of trying to take the van down the narrow inland roads.

Staying at Margaret River Tourist Park very close to town, good park.

Up early the next day to do our first day of exploring the region. There is only one place to hire a car in Margaret River and Roger, who we contacted was a really good country bloke. He came and picked us up from the caravan park and even though we wanted the car for two days only charged us for one, really cheap.

First stop, Cowaramup (place of lorikeets) funny enough the town has nothing to do with lorikeets but you guessed it - COWS.

It all began with the MR(Margaret River) Cow Parade. The Cow Parade is an international art event that has been held in more than 50 cities around the world including Paris, Tokyo, London and New York. It was held in the MR Region in 2010 and it was the first time it was held outside a major metropolitan city. There were 100 life-size fibreglass cows painted by local artists and then exhibited. At the end each cow is auctioned off for charity. One local artist's installation for the Cow Parade is situated in Pioneer Park in town. The pierce was named 'Free as a Cow' a tongue in cheek acknowledgment of the local icon 'Free as a Bird', which I have already mentioned, or Chick on a Stick. 'Free as a Cow' stands 20 feet in the air and symbolises a cow for the rest of the herd to look up to. 

    

It is colloquially known as 'Roast on a Post' or ' Rump on a Stump'. Painted gold it really makes a statement!

Some cow loving locals got together and decided to bring the cows back to Cow Town, as it is known,so they now have a replica herd of cows throughout the town at very unusual places. Fun place to visit and the shops have yummy preserves, sauces etc all local produce.

   One of the local stores with its cow on guard.

Next stop was Gracetown on the coast overlooking the Indian Ocean. Another very beautiful spot. From there we ventured a little south to Prevelly where Margaret River meets the ocean. This place is also famous for it's surfing as it is the venue for the Margaret River Classic Pro Surf Event held in March each year. 

   Surfers paradise as you will be lucky to surf the break almost everyday of the year.

   Large rock platform to negotiate before you reach the waves, not for the faint hearted.

   Lunch was just around the corner from Prevelly at  Gnarabup's Elephant Cafe on the beach. Notice no wine just water even though we are in the region of great wines.

The final town to visit on the way back to MR was a place known as Witchcliff, didn't stop nothing there. 

Halfway through our stay at MR and the weather is still holding out, rain expected in next few days.