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Winter Down South

Winter in the Great Southern Treasures means waking up to picturesque misty mornings in the Stirling Range with perfect conditions to hike Bluff Knoll with the best chance of seeing snow at the peak. It’s your opportunity to embrace cool days, most comfortable for hiking adventures, or a Great Southern Cellar Door trail, tasting unique, climate wines from Mount Barker, Porongurup, and Frankland River.

Evenings are spent around a crackling fire inside a warm, cosy chalet, with a glass of award-winning wine from the top wineries within the region.

Alkoomi Wines

Our collection of wines are made to bring people together, to build a sense of community and to create conversation and lasting memories.

Alkoomi Wines

Delicious wines that reflect the pristine Frankland River region. A family owned and run James Halliday 5 star rated winery.

“Frankland River wine is one of Western Australia’s best-kept secrets in the Great Southern region, but its award-winning wine styles are bringing the area into the spotlight”… James Halliday

The flourishment of bushland, wildflowers and rich farmlands in Frankland River, in addition to neat vineyard tracts, beguiles visitors with its natural beauty. The cool-climate wine region grows a diverse range of grapes, with standout varieties including cabernet sauvignon and shiraz, and well-suited whites, including riesling and sauvignon blanc, are fast finding flavour.

Between cellar door visits, don’t miss the chance to relax by the Frankland River with a picnic. Visitors making the drive from Perth can expect to arrive within four hours, with inland stops along the way.

Special offer.
Mention this page and receive 15% discount on Alkoomi wines (minimum 6 bottle purchase).

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Ferngrove Winery & Chalets

Situated in the Great Southern Treasures, 360kms south of Perth, Ferngrove Winery is one of the world’s most isolated wine estates.

Ferngrove Winery & Chalets

Ferngrove Wines is excited to share the passion for wines from the Great Southern of Western Australia, a region renowned for elegant cool climate wines with intense flavour, fresh acidity and fine tannins.

Ferngrove’s modern winery features wide verandas, extensive use of local timber and a lookout tower with sweeping views of the spectacular Great Southern region.

Ferngrove has designed Tasting Experiences to be enjoyed at the Cellar Door, along with culinary options.

There are three Tasting Experiences to select from:

  • Experience Ferngrove Tasting: Experience and enjoy a casual, introductory tasting from a selection of six wines across Ferngrove’s portfolio, chosen seasonally by the winemakers.
  • Museum Tasting Experience: Explore Ferngrove’s Museum Cellar of special back-vintage wines from the Orchid range. Selected by the winemakers, these wines are curated from your guests preferred white and red variety. By exploring a number of select vintages that best exemplify the chosen variety, guests can discover how these wines develop and evolve over time.
  • Premium Bespoke Tasting Flight: Indulge in an intimate bespoke tasting with 10 exquisite cool-climate wines. This tasting compares the Black Label range against the premium Orchid range wines.

Ferngrove also offers Charcuterie Boards, Pizza and BBQ facilities to be enjoyed with your visit.

Tasting Experiences are by appointment only- please book online at www.ferngrove.com.au or contact 0497 798 891.

Our cellar door is open Monday- Saturday 10am-4pm. Sundays by appointment.

Special offer:  Become a Wine Club member and receive 15% discount on Ferngrove wines (minimum 6 bottle purchase).

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Special offer.
15% discount on Ferngrove wines (minimum 6 bottle purchase).

Ferngrove Chalets

The Ferngrove Chalets offer a unique experience of a scenic, working winery in the beautiful Frankland River are of the Great Southern. Ferngrove’s modern winery features wide verandas, extensive use of local timber and a lookout tower with sweeping views of the spectacular Great Southern Treasures. Enjoy a wine tasting while relaxing on the lounges by the Cellar Door fireplace.

Frankland River has a Mediterranean climate which as well as being ideal for viticulture, also provides the perfect setting for a relaxing nature-based holiday.

Just 60-minute drive away, enjoy a day trip to Walpole’s famous Tree-Top Walk in the Valley of the Giants. The Porongurup National Park is also only an hour away, with plenty more award winning wineries and walks to enjoy.

All chalets have a fully equipped kitchen, BBQ facilities, reverse cycle heating/air-conditioning and a television. Please note no WIFI is available at the chalets, allowing you to switch off and enjoy the company.

Frankland River is an hour away from the nearest shopping centre, so it is recommended to take food along with you. All linen is provided, and the chalets can sleep up to six people.

Chalet Rates:
One night: $140 per night for 2 people
Two or more nights: $130 per night for 2 people.
Extra person: $15 extra per additional person/night.
$100 per night twin share for 7 nights consecutively.

Booking contact:
Email: [email protected]
Tel: +618 9855 2378

Frankland River Retreat

Visit one of the best kept secrets in Western Australia... Wake up to an uninterrupted view of rolling paddocks and trees..

Frankland River Retreat

Nestled within the Great Southern’s premium wine region with the Frankland River flowing along its boundary, Frankland River Retreat is set on a picturesque 83-acre property.  Peace, quiet and tranquility, where the only sounds are from birdsong.

A secluded country getaway.

Choose to stay in a cosy cabin for two adults, a modern chalet with ensuite and separate loungeroom for two adults, or a three bedroom country homestead for up to six people.

And while you’re here…

If you like walks or into hiking, there’s great adventures to have with day trips to the Stirling Range National Park, the Porongurup’s in Mount Barker or the local forests and reserves.

5 Top Things to do in Winter in Frankland River

  1. Sit beside the open fire enjoying a glass of local wine. Toast some marshmallows, roast some chestnuts or just sit together and connect as you gaze into the flames.
  2. Winter walks- Grab a pair of gumboots and walk along the retreat’s property & along the river. If you feeling a bit more adventurous there’s local reserves, nearby lakes and National Parks with some great hikes! Just pack accordingly.
  3. Kayaking along the Frankland River or head to the local lakes and Great Southern Rivers.
  4. Visit the many local wineries, taste the award winning wines in the premiem wine growing region. There are three local wineries offering wine tasting, Alkoomi, Frankland Estate and Ferngrove wines.
  5. Relax- if adventuring isn’t your thing, then relax, switch off, defrag, refresh and recharge it’s what we are famous for.

As the area consists of family farms, vineyards and wineries, peace and quiet is inevitable, so sit back, enjoy nature and bask in the delight of the Great Southern Treasures with a Winter Down South!

Trails, Birdwatching and Wildflower Spotting

Winter is a great time to conquer some of WA's highest heights, with the cool crisp air keeping you at a comfortable temperature.

Trails, Birdwatching and Wildflower Spotting

Bluff Knoll
Bluff Knoll is the most popular trail in the Stirling Range National Park, with outstanding 360 degree views from the summit. The walk starts at the southern end of the Bluff Knoll car park and picnic area. Eucalypt woodland, banksia and grass trees blanket the lower slopes while exposed outcrops reveal layers in the rock.

Trails
The national parks are where nature lovers come to see an abundance of flora and fauna or to test themselves hiking, abseiling or rock climbing. Light snow sometimes falls on the higher peaks during winter but it rarely lasts more than a few hours.

The trails include
Bluff Knoll (1096m),
Mount Toolbrunup (1052m),
Ellen Peak (1012m),
Mount Trio (856m),
Mount Magog (856m),
Mount Hassell (847m) and
Talyuberlup Peak (783m).

For nice easy trails, the Mabinup Creek Trail and the Mabinup Track are accessible from the Mount Trio Bush Camp and Caravan Park. Various other trails for all fitness levels and of all sizes ranging from 1.5 hours to 2 or 3 days are scattered throughout the Stirling Range National Park and the Porongurup National Park.

Bird Watching & Wildflowers
National Heritage listed Stirling Range National Park is renowned internationally for highly diverse and prolific bird life as well as over 1500 species of wildflowers.
9am daily Hidden Treasures Orchid and Wildflower Bus Tours depart from Stirling Range Retreat’s office from 31st August to 26th October.  8am & 3pm daily Dawn and Dusk Bird Walks, led by Birdlife Australia volunteers depart the Retreat’s office in September and October. 100% of all bird activity tariffs are donated to Birdlife for the conservation of threatened species habitat.

Bremer Bay Beaches Resort Tourist Park

It may be one of WA’s more isolated holiday destinations, but the seaside town of Bremer Bay is home to some of our most breathtaking natural wonders that make the trip very worthwhile.

Bremer Bay Beaches Resort Tourist Park

Nestled in a cool peppermint grove, “Beaches” sits at the gateway to the Point Henry Peninsula offering easy central access to Bremer Bay’s choice of eight pristine beaches. A short drive from South Coast Highway, between Esperance and Albany, brings you to the azure blue waters of Bremer Bay.

“Beaches” is a modern 4 star boutique park set in a beautiful forest with grassy sites and a nature walk trail to the beach. After a busy day fishing, sunbaking, boating, diving, swimming, golfing, playing bowls and tennis or 4×4 adventuring, Beaches is the ideal home base to return to for a little comfort.

Accommodation is available to suit any budget ranging from self-contained chalets through to powered or unpowered campsites.

Facilities including spotless amenities & guest laundry, a fully equipped camp kitchen, BBQs, pool, tennis courts and kiosk. We are also a pet friendly campground *conditions apply (excluding chalets and cabins).

  • Exploring many pristine beaches
  • Whale Watching (August – October)
  • Bird Watching
  • Bremer Bay Beaches – you can BYO fire pit or hire one of our fire pits – roasting marshmellows, enjoying campfire meals or a warming glass of wine/Bremer Bay Brewery ale around the fire.
  • Wildflowers
  • Fishing – many beaches to choose from with a beach always in the right direction for fishing from the beach. Great salmon fishing in season. We have a newly renovated marina providing great boat access to fish off-shore including demecil scale fish (Bremer Bay not in new exclusion zone).
  • Trails – Walking/Cycling/Diving – both around Bremer Bay and within Fitzgerald National Park
  • 4WD trails, including access onto various beaches – in Bremer Bay & East – House Beach, Trigalow, Peppy’s Beach / West – Dillon Bay, Stream Beach, Reef Beach.

Bremer Bay Beaches Winter Specials
Valid – May – Dec 2023
*conditions apply

  • Stay 4 Pay 3 – campsites only
  • Take $5 off per night
  • Seniors discount 10%
  • Single camper rate available
  • TAWK offer – Travelling Australia with Kids (membership required) up to 3 kids stay free, 2 nights.
  • 10% off Accommodation – cabins/chalets/onsite vans/ensuite sites (max of $40 off).

Heritage Trails, Museums & Indigenous Culture

Gnowangerup is the gateway to the iconic Stirling Range National Park.

Heritage Trails, Museums & Indigenous Culture

The Shire of Gnowangerup has a rich heritage and indigenous culture which is reflected in the museums, trails, and culturally significant sites in the area.

Aylmore Mineral Springs are located along Park Road and are set amongst a beautiful picnic & BBQ Area. The high iron content in the water accounts for the unusual colour. The springs flow at over 2 litres per second. According to Aboriginal folklore two warriors fought to the death and where they died two springs, stained red with their blood appeared. The water is actually stained by the high iron content in the area.

The Gnowangerup Heritage Trail is a delightful 2km walk trail which explores some highlights of Gnowangerup’s history through its heritage buildings.

There are five storyboard signs which will provide you with information on what you will see on the next leg of the trail. As you walk keep an eye out for the brass markers with the iconic Mallee Fowl, these will be found on buildings that are a part of the Heritage Trail.

Gnowangerup Aboriginal Museum & Keeping place
This museum shows the history of the indigenous people associated with the local Mission and Stirling Range, who used the plains as hunting grounds for thousands of years.

The Yongergnow Malleefowl Centre has been created to support and contribute to the conservation and research of the endangered Malleefowl and its habitat. Located in Ongerup the Centre provides visitors with the rare opportunity to view the Malleefowl in its natural environment.
Visitor Attractions
• Fowl Play interpretive display
• Malleefowl aviary
• Bush walking trails and bird watching
• Cafe & Gift shop
• Research facilities/lab
• Gallery/theatrette
• Conference facilities

The Horsepower Highway

Follow the Horsepower Highway tractor trail through stunning farmlands on the most scenic approach to the iconic Stirling Range National Park. The interactive map found provides information, history & context to your travels. 

Get the interactive map to guide and teach you the history of the community groups responsible for each tractor instalment.

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