|
Bridgetown is an
ideal location for a short break. Set in the
rolling green hills of the Blackwood Valley
it can be a place in which to do nothing but
relax and takes in the views or you can use
it as a base to explore the region and enjoy
the numerous experiences it has to offer.
Some of our
suggestions of things to do and see include:
The Gourmet Experience
Sunnyhurst
Winery produces gold medal and trophy
winning wines and is set amongst beautiful
hilltop gardens just 3km from the centre of
Bridgetown. Its cellar door (open daily)
houses a small art gallery and a range of
home made produce.
Visit
The Cidery in
Bridgetown to sample their home
brewed cider and award winning beer.
Chudacud is a
winery with a difference, on a 130
acre property mid-way between Bridgetown and
Boyup Brook. As well as growing the grapes
and making the wine, they also offer their
own hand made Chudcud chocolates, hand made
soaps, potted herbs, home made jams,
Devonshire Teas and home made biscuits.
Chudacud also offers JJ's Collectables and
Garden Paraphernalia.
Chudacud is the home of Lambchop and
Friends. Lambchop is the grandfather of the
Chudacud family of pet sheep. They are open
Wednesday to Sunday (and public holidays)
from 10am-5pm.
The Blackwood
Valley is an emerging gourmet region
with new ventures and products being
introduced on a regular basis. Try sheep
cheese from Cambrey near Nannup, organic
berries from Drover’s Rest, smoked trout
pate from Pemberton, fruit wine from
Balingup.
The recently opened shop,
Blackwood Kitchen, in Bridgetown sells a
wide range of local food products as well as
kitchen items and cookware.
Wander Down Hampton Street
Bridgetown is a
heritage town and its main street showcases
a mixture of restored buildings, real
country pubs, boutique and bric-a-brac shops
and galleries. Attractions include:
-
Xmas @ 139
– a tiny shop devoted to Christmas which
will delight young and old alike.
-
Bridgetown
Pottery – art
gallery/café/pottery housed in a
building with its own photographic
history on display.
-
Fat Arts
– Nicky Fabiszak is a caricature artist
who has been based in Bridgetown since
1988. Commission her to paint a special
portrait of someone near to you for a
special occasion.
-
Ooh La
Lollipop – naughty but nice. Buy
those sweets which you enjoyed years ago
but haven’t tasted for years. One or two
won’t hurt!
-
The
Bridgetown Hotel – tastefully
refurbished to include a verandah dining
area serving delicious meals.
-
Bridgedale
House – step back in time to
visit the home of one of Bridgetown
first white settlers. Imagine the
adventure and hardships of the 1860s.
Get Back To Nature
Allow Tim and
Kathleen to show you the bush close up and
personal on their
horse drawn
wagon ride. See the bush as it is
meant to be seen – in silence, away from the
interference of "progress" made by man.
Bonnie and Clyde pull the wagon through the
forest tracks at a leisurely pace allowing
you to see and smell the bush in a way that
it’s supposed to be experienced. Billy
tea picnics
or champagne
sunsets arranged by special
appointment.
Canoe the
Blackwood. Bring your own and we can
tell you where the special spots are or hire
them at Maranup Ford. For longer trips,
Neville and Anne in Nannup can plan a tailor
made experience for you.
Bridgetown has a its
own bushwalk right on the town's doorstep.
The River Walk
starts near the bridge at the south end of
town and follows the river for a couple of
kilometres. Recently graded, it is suitable
for all ages and abilities. Further afield
the Jarrah Park
offers a number of walks with interpretive
signs.
Ask us where you can
hand feed wild kangaroos and emus.
Drive The Golden Triangle
The
Bridgetown/Balingup/Nannup/Bridgetown
triangle is acknowledged as one of
Western Australia's great drives and offers
you the most fun you can have on four or two
wheels. 100km of twisting road through
magnificent scenery, much of it along the
banks of the Blackwood. Take two hours or
the whole day.
There are plenty of
things to see in the towns along the way
including The
Old Cheese Factory,
Jalbrook Alpaca
Knitwear Gallery,
The Bronze
Gallery,
Birdwood Fruit Wines,
mini-golf.
Make sure to see the flood level markers in
Nannup!
Bridgetown As a Touring Base
Located in the heart
of the South
West Region, Bridgetown is an ideal
base for touring the region.
Within an hour or so
drive are the beaches of
Busselton
and Bunbury,
the wine region of
Margaret River,
and the Karri forests of
Pemberton.
Further afield but achievable as long day
trips are the
Tree Top Walk near Walpole, the wild
oceans at
Augusta and surfing at
Yallingup.
Special Events and Festivals
Blues at
Bridgetown has developed into the
largest blues festival in Western Australia.
Growing from a modest start in 1993 it has
become a three day event (2nd weekend of
November) attracting some major names. The
last couple of years have included John
Butler, Ash Grunwald, Harry Manx and Tony
Joe White. Book your tickets and
accommodation early!
The Festival of
Country Gardens has its main event in
Spring and a smaller autumn affair. The
soils and climate of Bridgetown make it a
gardener's paradise and the festivals
showcase 20-30 open gardens as well as
talks, walks, demonstrations and special
events.
The Blackwood
Marathon on the last weekend of
October consists of running, swimming,
canoeing, equestrian and cycling legs,
The Easter
Tennis Tournament and
The Geegelup
Cup WA State Kayak Championship in
August all appeal to dedicated sportsman,
keen newcomers and spectators alike.
Do Nothing At All
For many people the
attraction of Bridgetown is the escape from
the grind of every day life, a change from
the fast pace of the city, a place to sit
back and enjoy the view or read a book, or
dream of a new life in the country.
Many visitors to
Bridgetown decide to make it their "treechange"
location and end up living here sooner than
they had imagined.
You have been
warned!
|
