The air is sweet with fruit and the rustle of Jarrah and Marri leaves. Lush orchards beckon, full to the brim with apples, plums, apricots, and peaches, while tree-lined streets make for relaxed moments. Intown, set the kids free in one of Australia’s largest free adventure parks, or wander quaint artisan shops to prepare the perfect picnic. Roadside stalls spread out beneath wide country skies, and harvest is on the tip of the tongue. Donnybrook is not just a classic rural hideaway, it’s also the apple capital of the west.
Home to many apple and stone fruit orchards, with the first Granny Smith apple tree planted in Donnybrook in 1900, apples are harvested between March and May, and visitors can go fruit picking throughout the year.
Donnybrook also produces excellent wine, cider and fruit wine, making it an important part of the Geographe Wine Region. You can sample the local’s wines at Oakway Estate, Coughlan Estate or Barrecas Winery. Oakway offer a delicious lunch, while Coughlan Estate is in a beautiful straw bale cellar door, which is run by solar.
Perhaps one of Donnybrook’s biggest drawcards (for families at least) is the Apple Fun Park children’s playground. This immense playground is Australia’s largest free-entry fun park. There’s equipment for all ages, from toddlers to teenagers (read: adults). There’s six barbecues on site, plus water, power and picnic tables.
Donnybrook is also a part of the Bunbury Geographe Region.
