Leave the desk behind, zip up your jacket, and hit the road, in just 90 minutes you’ll be entering the Bunbury Geographe region. Bunbury Geographe is made for spontaneous winter escapes, a place surrounded by towering forest, cool misty air, and the crackle of a fire. No complicated planning, no long drives, just wide-open spaces, winding trails, and cosy corners waiting for you. You could be riding through a pine-scented forest one minute and sipping wine by a firepit the next. From e-bike adventures and morning hikes to delicious grazing boards and boutique stays, this is a weekend that shakes off the city and trades it for something slower, richer, and real.
Friday Afternoon – Out of Office, On the Road
It’s 3pm and you’re clocking off, ready to swap the office for open skies. Early knock-off Fridays have never felt more rewarding. In no time at all you’re winding through the misty hills of the Ferguson Valley, and by sunset, you’ve checked into your cosy stay, whether it’s by the roaring firepit of Black Diamond Lodge or a boutique retreat in Bunbury. Dinner and drinks await at Market Eating House, or perhaps a classic country pub in Collie. With a full day of adventure ahead, you settle in for a quiet night, warmed by good food, a glass of wine, and the promise of what’s to come.
Saturday – Into the Trees: Trails, Bikes & Stillness
You’re up with the sun, ready to pack as much adventure as possible into your day. Maybe you ease into the morning with a stroll along Bunbury’s peaceful Mangrove Cove Boardwalk, followed by a well-earned coffee and hearty breakfast at one of the locals’ favourites – Benesse, Barn-Zee’s, Happy Wife, or The Plant Organic Café & Market (because yes, you’re spoilt for choice). From there, it’s off to Collie, where you can carve your way through the Wambenger Trails or Arklow network on a mountain bike, or opt for an e-bike ride through forest paths and vibrant mural trails. For an easy, insightful ride, Adventure Connections offers guided tours and gear hire, sharing local stories and hidden gems along the way.
Make sure to pause at the striking Wellington Dam Mural, a must-see masterpiece. If two feet are more your style, Wellington National Park offers stunning winter hikes, with Honeymoon Pool inviting you to slow down and take it all in. For those brave enough, Honeymoon Pool serves as the perfect location for a cold plunge. As the day winds down, you might head back to Bunbury for dinner and drinks at a cosy laneway bar, followed by a wander along the Street Art Trail to walk off dessert. Or maybe you’re camping under the stars, grazing by the firepit with a Tailored Grazing box and soaking up the stillness, a perfect end to a big day.
Sunday – Slow Mornings, Long Lunches
Sunday rolls in slow and sweet, the kind of morning made for woolly jumpers and warm mugs. You chase your coffee with a stroll through the Bunbury Regional Art Gallery (BRAG), letting the quiet creativity ease you into the day. You’ve packed up your campsite or checked out of your stay, but there’s no rush, home is just a short drive away.
Before you head out, you swing by the Bunbury Farmers Market to stock up on fresh, local produce for the week. Armed with eskis or a chilled engel, and ready to fill up, you load up on everything from artisan bread to seasonal veggies, all while grabbing a few ice packs to keep everything fresh for the journey home.
But the weekend’s not over just yet, indulge in one last treat with a meandering lunch in the Ferguson Valley or Harvey. The cellar doors at Saint Aidan Wines, Green Door, Vineyard 28, and Willow Bridge Estate welcome you with roaring fires, sweeping vineyard views, and that deep, comforting kind of hospitality.
As you wind your way home through the hills, mist still clinging to the trees, there’s time to reflect on your weekend escape, full of fresh air, forest trails, and fireside moments. And the best part? It’s all waiting just down the road, ready for next time.
A weekend in Bunbury Geographe doesn’t take months of planning or hours behind the wheel, just a spark of spontaneity and a sense of adventure. With misty forests, winding trails, art-filled laneways and fireside feasts, it’s the kind of place that recharges you without the fuss. So next time Friday rolls around and you feel that itch to escape, follow it south… the hills, the hikes, and a glass of red by the fire are closer than you think.
