Collie 2 Night Eat, Drink & Adventure Weekend Escape

Inclusions

2 nights accommodation in Collie, at the Collie Ridge Motel or Black Diamond Lodge

Harris River Estate Wine Private Tasting Experience      

$50 voucher for a traditional Pub Lunch at the quintessential Donnybrook Hotel 

Guided canoe along the Collie River with Traaverse 

Bonus offer $20 discount on bottled wine purchased at Harris River Estate

Day One:

Start your weekend down south in the quaint town of Donnybrook for lunch, drop into one of wineries or breweries of the Geographe Wine region - one of WA’s most captivating and diverse wine regions. Enjoy good old-fashioned country pub service when you dine at the Donnybrook Hotel
for a classic pub meal with a voucher for lunch included in your package. Drop into the Visitor Centre and pick up a copy of the regions wine trail map and list of the days open wineries (or phone ahead to ensure they are open/serving food). Have a chat to the friendly locals and ask what produce is ready for picking and the best places to source it. Follow the Donnybrook Wine Trail and choose from a selection of wineries to sample premium South West wines, minus the Margaret River crowds. During your day’s picturesque drive, ensure you stop to pick your own apples and other seasonal produce at Spring Valley Orchard or Fruit Barn’s local orchard, or direct from one of the regions many local farmgates and packhouses. Departing Donnybrook, drive into Collie past Glen Mervyn dam for picturesque views of the surrounding jarrah forest, hills and farmland. In addition to its natural beauty, this historic town, nestled on the banks of the Collie River, has a rich coal mining history. Now the newly reinvigorated ‘trail town’, is home to a network of newly purpose-built world-class mountain bike trails, walking trails, water sports, scenic drives and art trails. All surrounded by world-class natural landscapes, boutique wineries and craft distilleries. Perfect for all levels of adventure. Your stay in Collie gives you the chance to experience an Australian country hotel. Choose from superior accommodation at the contemporary and convenient Collie Ridge Motel, or funky and affordable share bathroom rooms at Black Diamond Lodge, both centrally located in town. Wander into town and choose from a number of traditional ‘Australiana’ style pubs which reflect the optimism and prosperity of the early mining days. Or head to ‘8 Thai Ladies’ for traditional Thai food (Bookings recommended), or alfresco dining at The Ridge Restaurant.

Day Two:

Tastings, trails and tranquilly is on the cards for today. Enjoy breakfast at your accommodation or head to one of the cafes around town for a bite to eat before you are picked up from your accommodation for a guided paddle along the Collie River. Traaverse will take care of all of the logistics…all you need to do to paddle on the tranquil and protected waters of the Collie River is bring your bathers!  As you kayak along the river, take in the sights of the majestic Jarrah and Karri trees that tower above an array of native plants. Keep your eyes peeled as your peer into the mosaic of colours for the many native animals that inhabit the area. Kangaroos, Quokkas, Blue Fairy Wrens, Red Tail and Black Cockatoos, can all be encountered. After your morning kayak, head over to the Collie Visitor Centre and pick up a hard copy map of the region’s trails, and find out which ones best suit your adventure level and plan the rest of your stay! There is a great variety of mountain bike, walking and dual-use tracks and trails to choose from - 30 kilometres of trail at Arklow, 35 kilometres at Westralia and around 65 kilometres in Wellington National Park (making it the biggest mountain bike trail network in Western Australia), plus the Munda Biddi mountain bike trail and Bibbulmun Track walk. Whether you’re an experienced mountain bike rider or novice, or looking for a short walk or a longer bush adventure, there is bound to be something to suit. When you have worked up an appetite, make your way to Harris River Estate Winery for a private wine tasting experience (included in your package), in the cellar of the winery. Harris River Estate is not only a winery, but boasts a beer and cider micro-brewery, a
restaurant and accommodation. Following your tasting experience, you will have the opportunity to enjoy the Estate’s beer, cider, boutique gin and award-winning wines as you graze on your tasting board on the deck overlooking the picturesque estate grounds and stunning natural bushlands. Picture yourself floating on a crystal blue lake, the wind blowing through your hair and all your cares drifting away? Make your way to, Stockton Lake, Black Diamond, Lake Kepwari for some Instagram-worthy snaps and SUPing (pre-arrange to hire one from Traaverse or BYO).

Day Three:

Pack your bags and grab breakfast in town before or The Kiosk by The Dam for a morning feast.  Following breakfast, you have time for one
final adventure. Take a scenic exploratory drive to Wellington Dam. Take in the new viewing walk trail, lookouts and improved visitor facilities. Don’t forget your camera to get a snap of the photo realistic images of the mega mural on the Dam wall, the masterpiece of the new Collie Mural Trail, which is arguably going to be (once it is finished) the largest artwork by a single artist anywhere in the world. Still in search of more art? Look out for the many other local artists creations throughout the Mural Trail.