16 February 2023
6 mins Read
At the heart of the citrus and dairy industries in Western Australia’s South West, the Harvey Region was originally put on the map by orange juice and milk. But now, with an influx of artisanal growers and makers, this area is emerging as a foodie hotspot. Throw in some undeniably beautiful country scenery and a generous serving of cosy hospitality, and the Harvey Region is the authentic and slow-paced getaway you didn’t know you needed.
1. Where to eat in the Harvey Region
2. Where to play in the Harvey Region
3. Where to stay in the Harvey Region
Harvey Region is the authentic and slow-paced getaway you didn’t know you needed.
But before we go any further, a quick clarification: the Harvey Region encompasses a much wider area than just the township of Harvey. From north to south, the major coastal towns are Myalup, Binningup and Australind, while the major towns away from the coast are Yarloop, Cookernup, Harvey, Wokalup, Benger, Brunswick Junction and Roelands.
Chill by the coast in Binningup.
Start the morning a stone’s throw from the Leschenault Estuary at Benesse Australind, cradling a mug of house blend coffee and tucking into a stack of buttermilk waffles dripping with maple, bacon, banana and egg. The cafe, headed up by long-term local Anthony Palumbo, is a vibrant community hub and extension of the wildly successful original outpost on Bunbury’s quaint cafe strip.
Start the morning with a cup of coffee at Benesse Australind.
Lunch can be a casual affair; a handmade cheese tasting here, a grazing board there. Harvey Cheese has the former covered with guided tastings of their handmade blue, white ash brie, and tangy feta, all available at the factory store, while the latter is a GeoVino specialty, offered in-store with or without a paired wine flight.
Lunch can be a casual affair at Harvey Cheese.
You can also choose to earn your lunch on the Taste of Italy tour at Vineyard 28. Walk the length of the vineyard before the winemaker, Mark, expertly pairs his Dolcetto, Nebiolo and more with a selection of local cheeses, charcuterie and seasonal fruits.
Walk the length of the vineyard with the winemaker.
Cap off the day with a hearty pub feed and one of eight house brews at Brugan. An extension of the The Wokalup tavern, the brewpub has only been around since 2020, but it’s already a firm local favourite (not least for their weekly parmi and pint nights).
Cap off the day by hitting one of the pubs.
On the other side of the Harvey Region you’ll find the Treendale Farm Hotel, a super-sized community watering hole known for its sizeable menu. Expect everything from a classic porterhouse steak to a Moroccan chicken tagine and quinoa teriyaki bowl.
Treendale Farm Hotel is a super-sized community watering hole known for its sizeable menu.
Wind down the windows and feel the fresh coastal air on your face as you cruise the length of the Cathedral Avenue scenic drive. The four-kilometre route just north of Australind hugs the Leschenault Estuary shoreline, passing black swans and kangaroos on the inlet side and horse-studded paddocks on the other. Take your time driving past the arching paperbarks before pulling into one of the picnic sites for a sandwich and fruit with a view.
The four-kilometre route north of Australind hugs the Leschenault Estuary shoreline.
Harvey is proud of its citrus industry success, showing it off with icons like Harvey River Estate’s Big Orange. Enter the attraction via the winery’s cellar door, then climb to the top of the 14-metre tower for uninterrupted views over the countryside. Next, head inside the round where the walls are plastered with heritage photos to brush up on your Harvey history.
Harvey is proud of its citrus industry success, showing it off with icons like Harvey River Estate’s Big Orange.
Grab a ball and club and head for a round of mini golf – and a little geography lesson – on Myalup’s Old Coast Road Brewery course. The Wonders of WA Mini Golf course, to give it its official name, where each of the 18 holes gives a subtle nod to a different natural icon in WA. Putt your way past the Pinnacles and Mt Augustus, celebrating with a cold pint on the lawn after the last hole.
Grab a ball and club and head for a round of mini golf.
Visit the Harvey Region in October or November and you’ll catch it in bloom; it’s the peak of wildflower season (known as Kambarang to the Nyoongar custodians), when the hills are studded with tiny native orchids and red flame peas. Take the 1.4-kilometre Wildflower Ridge Walk (located between Harvey and Logue Brook Dam) to see the best of them, set against stunning views of Harvey Dam and the coast.
See the best of the wildflowers by taking the Wildflower Ridge Walk.
Follow the walk with a casual stroll through the blooming tulips and daffodils at the nearby Stirling Cottage. Said to be the home of Snugglepot and Cuddlepie author May Gibbs from 1885 to 1886, the cottage and its surrounding flora – both native and manicured – provided all the inspiration she needed to bring her characters to life.
Follow the walk with a casual stroll through the blooming tulips and daffodils at the nearby Stirling Cottage.
Lake Brockman Tourist Park is part traditional camping and caravanning, part modern glamping. Reserved for adults only, the handful of Logue Brook Dam-side glamping tents boast water views from the front deck and come complete with a queen bed, Nespresso coffee machine and fire pit.
Lake Brockman Tourist Park is part traditional camping and caravanning, part modern glamping.
Embrace a different side of country life – the egg-collecting, chicken-feeding, campfire-stoking country life – at Blue Hills Farmstay, just outside Harvey. The family-friendly hobby farm overlooks Harvey Dam, which is visible from the large swimming pool and the deck of each of the fully self-contained, rammed earth chalets.
The family-friendly hobby farm overlooks Harvey Dam.
Trade the trees for salt and sand mere metres away from Clem and Tines Vintage Beach Estate. By the coast in Binningup, the three self-contained spaces and their white plantation shutters, mini vineyard, and coastal French provincial interiors are a little slice of Provence within the Harvey Region.
Myalup is one of the major coastal towns.
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