Final leg of our trip: Dunsborough & Mandurah

The last post that took forever! Finally, this is it. The final leg of our trip at Dunsborough and our 3rd accommodation at Mandurah. Dunsborough is still one of our favorite and we definitely want to go back again, soon.

Read the previous post here

Dunsborough Day 5

We had coffee nearby and head out for brunch. Again, looking for a restaurant that opens around 11.30 am is not that easy. Lucky us, we found this place Eagle Bay Brewing Co and it is one of the best places we have been! We spent almost 3 hours there. The photos will explain how we spent our time and why we were there for 3 hours (for brunch).

This is the restaurant. You can't really see what's inside when you park your car.. — This is the restaurant. You can’t really see what’s inside when you park your car..

Then, they show you to your table and this is your view! It is just breathtaking. It is superbly child-friendly as they have toys and sandpit and kids can just bring the toys around to play with it.

A beer is a must to go with the perfect weather. Sunny with cool breeze..

Let your little one chillax on her own.. and you know they are safe as you can see them from where you are seated

beef burger with bacon, mature cheddar, red onion, lettuce, smokey tomato relish, beer mustard mayo and fries.

Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse

After a good meal, we went for a bit of walk to the Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse. It was really windy that day and the office was closing soon so we didn’t go up the lighthouse.

We made it (all sweaty) but it was fun, mommy and daddy got to exercise a bit!

On our way down – totally unprepared, we walked up with slippers!

We ended day 5 with simple dinner at home.

Simple dinner with wine. Brings back fond memories

Day 6 of our Trip – Margaret River region

Yallingup Maze

First stop, brunch at this wonderful place Yallingup Maze. Just like its name, there are quite a number of things to do there – maze, cafe and puzzles. The cafe itself sells puzzles and there were lots of other puzzles available on the table for you to explore and play with. We didn’t pay to enter the maze as both the little ones were too young for maze. There’s so much fun at this place that I highly recommend to whoever that travels to Margaret River region.

The puzzle cafe - you have all the puzzles in the world on each table. Take your pick and make sure you make time to have your meal! — The puzzle cafe – you have all the puzzles in the world on each table. Take your pick and make sure you make time to have your meal!

We ordered pizza and soup for sharing. I was too engrossed with the puzzle I was working on. Really, it was mind-blowing and I bought the puzzle set when I am back in Malaysia!

We had the most fun playing the huge jenga blocks outside of the cafe. We played 4 rounds and had so much fun and laughter, superbly enjoying.

The kids had their fair share of fun too!

Bettenay’s – Margaret River Nougat

When everyone was satisfied and had enough fun, we visited the Nougat shop that everyone said is a MUST when visiting Australia. We drove to the Bettenay’s Nougat factory and bought a few bars of nougat (for ourselves and as gifts).

Random Park

While we were driving, we stumble upon a park which we thought look really nice. We made a u-turn and decided to detour for a bit. The park was very well maintained and we (adults and kids) had a good time at the park. Didn’t want to put up photos of the adults (too hillarious) but here’s photos of Baby A enjoying herself. It is one of those times where she truly enjoyed being in a park/ playground.

The Berry Farm Cottage Café

Dying for some scones! We found this cafe and drove our way there. We didn’t know the place was huge like this.

This is not a painting. It is real and this photo is just spectacular.

Unfortunately, they ran out of SCONES when we arrived. It was sold out! *depressed* We had tea instead..

The view from where we sat, you can really see these birds up close

You can purchase honey and jams from their shop. It is all locally produced..

Before head back home for dinner, we stopped by the beach at Dunsborough. It was a little chilly, hence the sweater and jacket..

Day 7 – Western Australia – Busselton Jetty

We always feed our tummy before we start our journey for the day. Rule No 1 before we leave the house every morning, “find a restaurant that opens for brunch at around 11 am”. On day 7, we visited Palmers Winery and Restaurant. This place look super “atas” from the outside and when we went in, the place was “memang atas” and the menu “pun sangat atas”.

Note: for those who cannot understand Malay, the term “atas” here means “high class”

One of me! A little dark as I was trying to go under the shade.. — One of me! A little dark as I was trying to stand in the shaded area..

We spot this outside the restaurant. Baby A gets excited running around..

Inside the restaurant where we were seated. Awesome view..can you spot Baby A?

As we enjoy our lunch — View from where we are seated. Feels really relaxing and peaceful.

While waiting for our food to arrive. we chilled out and took some photographs of the restaurant.

More food. We enjoyed the food, the location, the wine and the company

Lastly, before we leave Palmers, we spot these lovely roses and decided to take a picture.

After brunch (which took us 2 hours), we went straight to the Busselton Jetty. The standard photos that you see at Busselton Jetty

Too bad the water's really cold! Otherwise, we would be by the beach and enjoying the sun and breeze! — Too bad the water’s really cold! Otherwise, we would be by the beach and enjoying the sun and breeze!

You can take the train all the way out but we decided not to as Baby A won't sit still for too long. Maybe when she is older we can consider. — You can take the train all the way out but we decided not to as Baby A won’t sit still for too long. Maybe when she is older we can consider.

We said bye bye to Bayshore Beachside Resort and Hello to Mandurah

We will be back to Dunsborough for sure!

Day 8 & 9 at Mandurah

Mandurah is a city on the southwest coast of Western Australia. It’s known for the Peel-Harvey Estuary with its abundant wildlife and migratory waterbirds. The feeling when we arrived is like driving into Singapore? The place feels more modern and there were lots of coffee shops, communities and a few shopping malls nearby. My cousin sis went for Dolphin Watching which we didn’t join as we don’t think Baby A will enjoy it as much as our 2.5 years old niece. The last 2 days of our trip was more relaxing but if I dare make a comparison, we prefer Dunsborough anytime over Mandurah!

We stayed at Dolphin Quay Apartment Hotel in Mandurah.

More photos and review/ratings about Dolphin Quay Apartment can be found here.

This is taken directly from my Samsung Note 5 phone without photoshop!

This is taken in the morning when we went for a walk

We spent Day 9 having brunch at one of the cafes and also in the shopping mall. Didn’t take that many photos (since it is just another shopping mall). Managed to buy some groceries/ food to bring back to Malaysia. The first 2 items that top our list: Dark chocolate digestives and TimTam.

Day 10 – Time to go back

Our last day, it was a 2-hour drive from Mandurah back to Perth. We arrived slightly earlier and decided to make a final stop at Perth’s Outlet before rushing to the airport to return the car. It was definitely worth it, although we only went to 1 shop – Bonds! Stock up more clothes for Baby A (everything was on 40% discount) and Daddy also managed to buy some stuff for himself.

We arrived at the airport safely and returned back to Malaysia with bittersweet feeling. We have discussed about how much we enjoyed our trip and would definitely want to go back again some day, when Baby A is bigger and can enjoy some of the activities together with us.

Till our next holiday!