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Private Bungle Bungles Insight – The Kimberley

Posted on June 6, 2018June 7, 2018 by Nicola Billens

Anthony’s educational in the Kimberley

Alquemie’s Australian Specialist Anthony Radic journeyed to the Kimberley, Western Australia in April 2018 for an eight night educational. Part of this was a 4 day, 3 night ‘Bungle Bungles Insight’ journey by 4×4 starting in Broome and ending in Kununurra with the key highlight being the UNESCO World Heritage listed bee-hive striped domes of the Bungle Bungles, only ‘discovered’ in the mid 1980s although Aboriginal occupancy in the region dates back tens of thousands of years.

Highlights included: Derby, Fitzroy Crossing, Mimbi Caves, Halls Creek, Echidna Chasm, Escarpment Walk, Stonehenge, The Bungle Bungle Domes, Elephant Rock, Prison Boad Tree, Picanniny Creek & Lookout, Cathedral Gorge.

Anthony’s feedback on the journey:

Excellent guiding. Aboriginal knowledge and history was superb.
My guide Ed knew the locals really well which is perfect when guiding in these areas.
The trip is fully flexible and can also include the Pilbara region

Below is his itinerary and photos.

Day 1 Derby, Gibb River Road, Fitzroy River Lodge

Many parts of inland Kimberley are accessible only from May to October

From Broome Anthony travelled through the remote and beautiful landscape of the Western Kimberley, learnt about local history, people and the environment before crossing the Fitzroy River and visiting the a famous 1,500 year old Boab
Tree.

Next stop was the township of Derby located on the tidal mud flats on the edge of the King Sound, known for having the highest tidal range of any port in Australia. Here they also took the opportunity to drive on the remote cattle track, the Gibb River Road.

A short stop at the wonderful Mowanjum Aboriginal Art & Cultural Centre set the scene for the rest of the journey, educating Anthony about the Wandjina & Gwion Gwion spirits, so important in the region. Afterwards they passed the Oscar Ranges before arriving at comfortable accommodation on the banks of the Fitzroy River.

Day 2 Halls Creek, Spring Creek Track, Mimbi Caves

The next day they ventured into Purnululu National Park by way of the Mimbi Caves, which Anthony loved. A Welcome to Country ceremony by the local people whose land they were on started the proceedings. Inside the caves he sat in the dark and listened to stories of how traditional landowners lived in caves as late as the city of Darwin getting bombed. The afternoon was an adventurous 4WD journey along the Spring Creek Track.

Day 3 Echidna Chasm, Scenic Flight

Anthony loved his day at the northern extremity of Purnululu National Park exploring Echidna Chasm, known for its towering Livistonia Palm trees. His walk up the creek bed was rewarded with a bird’s eye views of the shaded escarpment. Another walk through the bloodwoods went around the base of the massif.

Day 4 Picanniny Creek, Cathedral Gorge, (Optional Helicopter)

Cathedral Gorge (after a record dry monsoon season)

Anthony’s last morning was spent exploring the extraordinary World Heritage protected Purnululu National Park and the famous Bungle Bungle domes. Rivers created this landscape of unique orange and black striped ‘beehive’ geological formations over a period of 20 million years. Unbelievably, only the locals knew it existed until the early 1980’s.

A gentle walk along the dry Picanniny Creek took Anthony to a look out and then into stunning Cathedral Gorge, where towering rocks create a natural amphitheatre.

After a picnic lunch he travelled to the Bungles airstrip for a scenic flight over the Argyle Diamond Mine landing in the vibrant East Kimberley town of Kununurra for the end of his trip.

Anthony’s trip was with Instyle Adventures and he stayed at Fitzroy River Lodge (1 night) and Bungle Bungle’s Savannah Lodge (2 nights). Please contact Anthony for more detailed information about his journey.

A one-day Kimberley air safari

Posted on May 30, 2018June 6, 2018 by Nicola Billens

The Kimberley is one of the world’s last great wilderness frontiers where many tracts of pristine country are inaccessible by road. What better way to grasp the vastness of this amazing land than on a one day scenic Kimberley air safari? Beginning and ending at Broome, this is the perfect journey to add another dimension to your Kimberley itinerary and combines well with a luxury Kimberley cruise where you can also experience this stunning area by sea.

Highlights of this scenic air safari include:

Fitzroy River
Geikie Gorge
Fitzroy Crossing
Windjana Gorge
Mount Hart
Horizontal Waterfalls
Koolan and Cockatoo Islands
Cape Leveque
Dampier Peninsular
Willie Creek

The below suggested itinerary can be tailored to meet your needs.

Departing Broome, head inland across the southern parts of the Kimberley to land at Fitzroy Crossing for a journey along the stunning Geikie Gorge by boat. Formed around 350 million years ago, this area was once covered by a tropical sea and is part of the Devonian Reef – an ancient limestone barrier reef. These days it is rich in wildlife and showcases spectacular landscapes.

The limestone cliffs and interesting rock formations of Geike Gorge were carved by the Fitzroy River as it flowed through this reef turned rock.

As you drift peacefully along Geike Gorge it’s likely you’ll encounter fresh water crocodiles, sea eagles and rare purple-crowned fairy-wrens.

After your cruise you’ll fly over the ancient Devonian Reef at Windjana Gorge for a bird’s eye view.

Your plane will then land in the heart of the King Leopold Conservation Park for a delicious lunch at Mt Hart Wilderness Lodge. This area contains isolated patches of remnant rainforest, with ridges rising up to 300 meters above the surrounding plains.

After lunch, fly over the Horizontal Waterfalls – a powerful tidal flow of unto 10m through two narrow gorges in Talbot Bay.

Then you’ll journey over the remote Buccaneer Archipelago to Koolan and Cockatoo Islands, 250 kilometres north-east of Broome, which were home to the world’s richest iron ore deposits. As you fly over you’ll see how the land has be transformed by human activity. Now mostly depleted, you’ll learn about the importance of the iron ore, and the future of the islands, with Cockatoo Island set to be restored to a tropical paradise resort, originally envisioned by disgraced tycoon Alan Bond.

See the coastline by air on a Kimberley air safari

In the afternoon you’ll enjoy afternoon tea and a swim at Kooljaman at Cape Leveque – a remote wilderness camp owned and run by the Indigenous Bardi Jawi Communities. Cape Leveque is an area of amazing wildlife, a vast array of marine life and a stunning coastline.

As with all Kimberley activities this Kimberley air safari is best done from May to October. To enquire about this luxury Kimberley air safari please contact Alquemie.

Dreamtime to Diamonds – The story of the Argyle Diamond mine

Posted on May 25, 2018June 7, 2018 by Nicola Billens

Discover the journey of the Miriuwung people and the story of the Argyle Diamond mine from Dreamtime to Diamonds as interpreted by your host, North-East Kimberley man Ted Hall.

This exceptional one day experience by light aircraft, 4×4 and boat takes travellers on an enchanting journey across vast landscapes to the enormous Argyle Diamond mine and extraordinary man-made lake Argyle. Highlights include landing at the Mandangala community, where you are welcomed with a traditional “Muntha”, a ceremony to ensure safe passage through his land, and a close up inspection of the Argyle Diamond mine processing plant, and the ingenious technology used to extract these precious gems.

Ted tells of the geological formation and eventual discovery of diamonds on his country, of the sorrow at the desecration of an important sacred site, but also happily of the opportunities and partnerships that have benefited his people.

It’s a fascinating insight into the culture of the Miriuwung people and modern day issues of tradition versus prosperity, all to the back drop of Australia’s rich red escarpments and wide, brown land.

Add some romance – A bespoke rare pink diamond jewellery creation

The Argyle diamond mine in the remote East Kimberley region of Western Australia is one of the world’s largest supplier of diamonds. Since 1983 it has produced more than 800 million carats of rough diamonds.

Revered for its rare and exquisite pink diamonds, just 50 to 60 of these rare natural treasures are brought to life as polished masterpieces and offered for sale each year.

For a special romantic occasion, your team at Alquemie can build into your itinerary the creation of a bespoke pink diamond piece of jewellery. To enquire about this please contact Alquemie.

The iconic Gibb River Road in the Kimberley

Posted on May 5, 2018June 25, 2018 by Nicola Billens

The iconic Gibb River Road is little more than a 660 km long bush track that links remote cattle stations to Derby and Kununurra. For the traveller, however, the Gibb River Road provides adventure and access to the virtually untouched natural beauty of the Kimberley wilderness.

It’s one of the country’s greatest 4WD adventures.

The road cuts through King Leopold Range, Philips Range, Barnett Range, Gibb Range, Mosquito Hills, Pentecost Range and Cockburn Range. There are spectacular geological formations, a rich aboriginal history, incredible scenery as well as rare flora and fauna. Wildlife concentrates around the densely vegetated waterholes, creeks and many gorges.

The best months to travel are from May to September as the road is often closed during the wet season, which is typically November through March.

Highlights of the Gibb River Road

Windjana Gorge

Three hundred million years ago the Napier Range was part of an ancient barrier reef system and this whole area was under the ocean. More recently The Lennard River has carved out a 3.5 km gorge that is up to 100 metres deep. A 3.5 km walking trail winds its way through the monsoonal strip of vegetation along the permanent pools of water that remain.

Tunnel Creek

The creek flows through a water worn tunnel beneath the limestone of the Napier Range, you can walk 750 metres through the tunnel to the other side of Napier Range, wading through several permanent pools and watching for bats and the stalactites that descend from the roof in many places. Freshwater crocodiles are occasionally found in the pools. You may see goannas, wallabies, bats, herons and owls.

Bell Gorge

This is one of the most beautiful gorges in the Kimberley. The waterfalls cascade down the perfectly U-shaped cliffs, into a deep pool, a great place for swimming. The large flat rocks along the side are a great spot to sit, sun bathe and picnic.

Mornington Sanctuary

Covering 358,274 ha (885,311 acres) of the Pentecost sub-region the property incorporates sections of the impressive King Leopold Ranges and much of the upper catchment of the Fitzroy River. Aboriginal people have occupied this land for thousands of years and a small indigenous community still lives within Mornington. From 1901 Mornington was managed primarily for cattle grazing but in 2001 it was acquired by the Australian Wildlife Conservancy (AWC) and the property has been modified to promote conservation of biodiversity.

The Mornington landscape is immensely beautiful. The Baulk Face Range dominates the central part and Fitzroy Bluff stands majestically in the south. There are several permanent rivers flowing through the vast savanna plains to drain into the Fitzroy River.

These waterways sometimes dissect the terrain for several kilometres to form spectacular vertical-walled gorges such as Dimond Gorge and Sir John Gorge. The dominant habitat of Mornington is tropical savannah; the grasslands are lightly sprinkled with stands of low eucalypts, Kimberley Bauhinia, Acacias, Boabs and native kapok.

The diversity of habitats on Mornington supports an extraordinary assemblage of wildlife. 202 species of birds, 33 species of mammals, 76 species of reptiles and 22 species of frog are known to occur on the property.

The Central Kimberley is very poorly surveyed, and these lists will no doubt expand with further research. At least 13 threatened animal species find refuge on Mornington, including the Northern Quoll, Freshwater Crocodile, Red Goshawk, Peregrine Falcon, Grey Falcon, Australian Bustard, Purple-crowned Fairy-wren, and the extraordinarily beautiful Gouldian Finch, one of Australia’s rarest birds. The Spectacled Hare-wallaby, Ghost Bat and the Orange Leaf-nosed Bat are also likely to occur here.

Zebedee Springs

Not far from the Gibb River road you can wander through the lush vegetation to the natural spring waters of Zebedee Springs, where gentle cascades and water holes are surrounded by palm forest.

Purnululu National Park

Nestled in the sweep of the Ord River Valley is the newly listed World Heritage Purnululu National Park. Although a mere 250 km south of Kununurra, it was only discovered by the outside world in the early 1980s. The Bungle Bungle sandstone massif dates back some 380 million years, and the striking beehive domes have protected Aboriginal rock art, sacred sites and rare vegetation for centuries. Within the spectacular massif lie Cathedral and Piccaninny Gorge. A visit to either requires a stroll along the ancient creek bed of Piccaninny, amidst the towering striped domes. As you venture deeper into the national park the narrow cleft of Echidna Chasm, and Mini Palms are accessible with a little more effort. The beauty of the park is striking. The Bungle Bungle represents the grandest of the distinctive Kimberley formations.

How to see the Gibb river Road in style

The Gibb River road is best seen on a guided private 4×4 journey (allow roughly 9 days) or air safari staying at luxurious properties such as El Questro Homestead, or the comfortable tented camp of Mornington Wilderness Camp. Talk to Alquemie for the best way to organise your Gibb River road journey.

Night vision itinerary – Witness Australia’s super starry skies

Posted on March 27, 2018July 8, 2020 by Nicola Billens

Australia is blessed with space and that means there are plenty of opportunities to look up and see the night sky in all its glory. From our first International Dark Sky Park to the Southern Aurora, why not build an itinerary that makes the most of the night time as well as the day.

Visit our International Dark Sky Park

Warrumbungle National Park is as spectacular by day as the stars above it at night.

Ever heard of an ‘International Dark Sky Park’? It’s described as ‘a land possessing an exceptional or distinguished quality of starry nights and a nocturnal environment that is specifically protected for its scientific, natural, educational, cultural heritage, and/or public enjoyment.‘ Put simply, International Dark Sky Parks are special places where the stars look AMAZING!

International Dark Sky Parks are becoming more and more important as the world becomes more and more populated. With cities expanding and the wilderness disappearing bit by bit, light pollution is spreading and many children are growing up these days without seeing the stars.

In 2016, Warrumbungle National Park about 550km northeast of Sydney in outback New South Wales, received International Dark Sky Park status. Here the sky is free from light pollution and the it the perfect spot for stargazing and amateur astronomy. Adjacent to the park is Siding Spring Observatory – Australia’s premier optical and infrared astronomical observatory. It is home to the 4-metre Anglo-Australian Telescope, the largest in Australia. It’s possible to visit this working observatory to learn about the discoveries made from here. Then by night, in Warrumbungle National Park we’ll help you see the stars like never before with renowned astronomers or nighttime photographers.

See the Southern Aurora (Aurora Australis)

Unknown to most, the southern skies of Australia can illuminate in a rainbow of colours just like its northern counterpart – the Aurora Borealis. In fact all it’s possible to catch a glimpse of the Southern Aurora all over Tasmania and all year around although in winter the days are shorter meaning you won’t need to stay up as late until the sun sets. The conditions need to be just right though, and this is usually when there has been a burst of solar wind that ejects tiny particles that interact with the Earth’s magnetic field. There is a service that monitors the magnitude of the aurora with a 3 day forecast so if this is something that interests you, we can plan a flexible itinerary that gives you the best chance of seeing this incredible natural light show.

Learn about Aboriginal navigation by the stars

The night sky has held incredible importance to the Australian Aboriginals for tens of thousands of years. The stars were used in every day life to determine where food was or when to plant. They had their own zodiac with fascinating stories (some, such as the story behind the seven sisters (Pleiades) match those of far off nations) and they even used the stars to transmit moral codes of conduct. Spend time learning about this ancient knowledge with one of Australia’s leading experts.

Sky dive on a full moon

As if you need more adrenaline when jumping out of a plane, but full moon skydiving takes it up another level. In Australia there are some spectacular locations to sky dive over the coastline at full moon where you can land on the beach.

To weave any of the above into an itinerary, please get in touch with the Alquemie team.

Wild Food Adventures in the Southern Highlands

Posted on March 27, 2018April 4, 2018 by Nicola Billens

The Southern Highlands are only a short heli ride or an hour and a half drive from Sydney but are a world away. The scenery ranges from rolling farmlands and vineyards to lush eucalyptus forests and rainforest microclimates. On a Wild Food Adventure you’ll explore local villages and hiking trails, taste bush foods, swim in waterfalls, cycle through vast forests, take in the view from above via helicopter or sample some of the cool climate wines the region has become famous for.

Here are a few of the fabulous Wild Food Adventures on offer. Note that they all have a similar theme – delicious food and wine! Stay for the day or linger longer – there’s so much to do you’ll not want to leave.

FIRE | FORGE | FROTH

An artisan experience that is truly unique! Learn the skills of a Blacksmith with fire and forge in his workshop followed by lunch at an awarded Beer Brewing House to sample the local craft ales.

You’ll receive a 3-hour forge lesson from the Blacksmith on how to make your own fire poker, twisted skewer or drawn ‘S’ hook which you get to take away with you. This is followed by a visit to Southern Highlands Brewing Tap House where you can sit back and enjoy their locally brewed 4 beer sampler. Each beer is perfectly matched with a shared plate dish from their award-winning chef.

PADDLE | DINE | VINE

Enjoy a Canoes, Champagne and Canapes adventure at Yarrunga Creek as you discover the wildlife of the sunken forest then dine on a two-course French cuisine lunch and Mount Ashby wines at the Mount Ashby boutique vineyard. Roam the Bowral Produce Store (circa 1918) which houses 17th to 19th century French and local antiques. At the end of the day explore Cherry Tree Hill’s award-winning quality boutique wines and snack on shared plate of local produce as you taste the vast varieties of wines.

WATERFALLS | WANDER | WINE

Explore the natural beauty of the 40 Foot Falls in the Southern Highlands, followed by VIP access beyond the cellar door to taste cool climate wines from the region, and lunch near the antique stalls of Old Bowral.

Your day begins with a guided walk through stunning tall trees and traces parts of the old Boxvale Tramway Trail that used to haul coal through the Nattai gorge. The 40 Foot Falls at the end are the icing on the cake. Afterwards you’ll taste award winning cool climate wine at Artemis Vineyard, where you’ll meet the winemakers and explore this family run boutique winery.

Then enjoy a paddock to plate lunch with matching wines at Harry’s on the Green, nameed after the renowned English nurseryman and horticulturist, Sir Harry Veitch who dispatched daring plant hunters to foreign lands to find exotic treasures for his wealthy London clientele. Following lunch, discover over 75 dealers of antique and vintage wares at Dirty Janes. Finally roam through the iconic Book Barn and enjoy a VIP tasting with charcuterie or cheese platter at Bendooley Estate.

WINE | WINE | FINE DINE

This day is a food lovers’ dream which includes exploring picturesque vineyards, VIP access to taste cool climate wines from the region and dining at a 2 hatted award winning restaurant, Biota Dining.

Your day will include tastings at Gourmet Traveller Magazine’s “Best Tasting Experience” cellar door at Tertini Wines with alternative varietals on offer and also the Saint and St Maur Lot41 Series at the picturesque St Maur Vineyard. You’ll dine at hatted award-winning restaurant – Biota Dining (Fri, Sat, Sun, Mon) / Bistro Officina (Fri, Sat, Sun) or Katers (Tues, Wed, Thurs) enjoying an unforgettable shared plate lunch experience of local wild and farmed produce. You’ll meet the winemakers at Centennial Vineyards where up to 35 wines are on offer and enjoy shared plates of cheese, olives and dips with VIP access beyond the cellar door.

Take me back to the Royal Mail Hotel

Posted on March 19, 2018April 4, 2018 by Nicola Billens

The Royal Mail Hotel in Dunkeld, just 3 hours drive from Melbourne, was our final stop on a road trip exploring the coastline between Adelaide and Melbourne to see what interesting snippets of the country lay still undiscovered. Having heard all the accolades about this boutique, award-winning gastro-hotel it was a pleasure to finally experience it in person.

The setting is spectacular – Dunkeld is a cute country town at the southern tip of the Grampians with a backdrop of the impressive Mt Sturgeon. Kangaroos galore hop over fields of wheat, and huge river red gums line trickling creek beds.

The Royal Mail has a huge range of accommodation to suit any needs – there are garden or mountain view rooms and one or two bedroom apartments all located at the main hotel, or for those wanting more of a country immersion and privacy, there are one or two bedroom bluestone cottages and the Mt Sturgeon Homestead (sleeps 12), which are just three kilometres away on 70 acres of land with outstanding views of Mt Sturgeon.

And whilst the luxury accommodation is lovely, it’s not for the extremely comfortable beds and amazing rain showers that people come to the Royal Mail – it’s for the food. But as I discovered, there is a lot more to Dunkeld and the Royal Mail than just the food. We stayed for two nights but I’m inclined to think it’s worth staying for three to really make the most of it.

Food Glorious Food

The Royal Mail really does know how to do food with two highly acclaimed dining options; fine-dining Wickens at the Royal Mail and the more casual Parker Street Project. Even our breakfast at Parker Street Project took things up a notch with exceptional house-cured salmon smoked with eucalyptus leaves, mushrooms marinated in a sweet vinegar and french toast on a level I’d never tasted before.

But it’s the eight-course degustation signature experience at Wickens restaurant that gets tongues wagging. Executive chef and restaurant namesake Robin Wickens along with his talented team, create a daily menu based on fresh produce from the orchards, olive groves and extensive organic kitchen garden, which grows more than 400 edible species per year.

There’s a wine-list is almost as thick as a PhD thesis and the floor to ceiling windows with views of Mt Sturgeon and Mt Abrupt give a feeling of dining in nature. When we arrived as the sun set, two kangaroos grazed peacefully out front. Delivered with a service that is second to none, our eight-courses took us on a flavour journey that highlighted the skills of the chefs and the in-season local produce.

Activities at the Royal Mail Hotel

To balance out the calories from the epicurean delights, there is plenty to keep guests busy and fit. On our first afternoon we strolled along a beautiful hotel walking trail that took us past mobs of kangaroos to a grove of ancient river red gums. The following day we tackled a walk to the summit of Mt Sturgeon where we were rewarded with 360 degree views and on the way down an emu crossed our path as an added bonus. There are several other walking options – some start straight from the hotel or some within a short drive. In the coming years track upgrades and new track openings to create the world-class Grampian Peaks Trail will give guests even more reason to visit.

Kitchen Garden Tour at the Royal Mail Hotel

At 11am each day, the Royal Mail Hotel offers guests free kitchen garden tours. We were guided by Wickens chef Tom who gave us insights into the workings of the garden and how the menu is decided for the restaurants. White ducks waddled freely (they were put there to eat the insects) and bees buzzed busily between flowers as we learnt about the ton of zucchini growing beneath our feet and how the pretty marigold flowers were planted for more than just aesthetic value.

For wine lovers (and who isn’t?), there are daily cellar tours which include comparative tasting of a local and international wine from the cellar.

The Royal Mail also has a conservation department with a captive breeding program that aims to increase numbers of and raise awareness of threatened species such as Eastern Quolls and Tiger Quolls. Guests can join the local conservationist each day as she feeds them. It’s a rare opportunity to get up close to these endangered (and nocturnal) carnivorous marsupials and to see the work that is being done to protect them.

The Royal Mail Hotel also makes a great base to see regional Victoria by helicopter. Day trips can be organised to local wineries, Port Fairy for lunch or to see the Twelve Apostles.

Talk to Alquemie to include The Royal Mail in your next Australian itinerary.

Accolades

The Royal Mail Hotel has been awarded scores of esteemed accolades including;

Two Chef’s Hats by the The Age Good Food Guide 2015, 2016 and 2017, The Best Wine List Australasia at the 2014 Fine Wine Awards and Three Stars by the Australian Gourmet Traveller in both 2012 and 2013. The Australian Gourmet Traveller also awarded the Royal Mail Hotel the Regional Restaurant of the year for four consecutive years from 2009 to 2012.

Wine Spectator USA has awarded its highest accolade, the Grand Award, to the Royal Mail Hotel from 2012 to 2017. The Hotel was also added to the Hall of Fame for both Wine List of the Year and Country Restaurant List at the 2013 Australia’s Wine List of the Year Awards.

On 12 July 2016, the UK’s Fine Wine awarded the Royal Mail the top ranking of three stars. Furthermore, the Royal Mail Hotel was charged with a Jury Prize, an award which saw the hotel selected by the judges as having one of the top 50 wine lists in the world.

In 2016 & 2017 the RACV Victorian Tourism Awards named the hotel as Victoria’s Best Deluxe Accommodation. In 2017, QANTAS Australian Tourism Awards named the Royal Mail Hotel winner of Tourism Restaurants, recognising excellence in food and wine tourism.

Margaret River Gourmet Escape – November 2018

Posted on March 16, 2018April 4, 2018 by Nicola Billens

Set against the iconic backdrop of the stunning Margaret River Region in Western Australia, Margaret River Gourmet Escape is a world-class food and wine festival like no other.

Held across four extraordinary days, the festival brings together the world’s best chefs, sommeliers and critics to host over 45 incredible events in over 20 unique and breathtaking locations in the region.

The thriving Gourmet Village is the heart of the festival, located at Leeuwin Estate Winery, with visitors further experiencing the region by a host of satellite events in stunning Margaret River locations. These satellite events offer an unforgettable and unique food & wine experience delivered personally by the world’s leading culinary talent. Margaret River Gourmet Escape celebrated its sixth year in 2017 and has developed a reputation as the world’s most credible and highly anticipated food and wine festivals – by chefs and visitors alike.

Located in stunning locations throughout Margaret River, Gourmet Escape creates unforgettable events combining world class food & wine experiences delivered by the world’s leading chefs and sommeliers. Indulge in long-table lunches in the vines, savour once-in-a-lifetime dinners from the world’s best chefs, participate in world class wine tastings, feast at a firefueled forest meat-lovers grill, chill out by the sunset while a cult DJ plays mellow beats, or feel the sand between your toes at the best beach BBQ you’ll ever experience – you will come away with an unforgettable food & wine festival experience.

Feast in the Forest

Celebrating wood, flame, smoke and cooking the way we’ve done for centuries, the Feast in the Forest highlights the uniqueness of the Margaret River region’s natural environment by taking guests into the heart of a magnificent Karri forest for a meat-focused dinner.

Gourmet Beach BBQ

Enjoy privileged access to Castle Bay Beach, which is transformed into an uber-stylish waterfront eatery with giant tipis and live music for relaxed lunch and dinner BBQ feasts with a beach party vibe. Castle Bay Beach is located within Meelup Regional Park, a Class A Reserve noted for its pristine environment and ecological significance.

Sunset, Beats & Bites

Mix a handful of new wave winemakers, some local craft breweries, with a good dose of cool beats, add an iconic Western Australian sunset, delectable, delicious food by the talented team at White Elephant and you have arguably Margaret River Gourmet Escape’s most sought after event.

Please contact Alquemie for more information about the Margaret Rive Gourmet Escape.

Photo By: Russell Ord Photography ( www.russellordphoto.com )

A Tasmanian golf experience by private jet charter

Posted on January 31, 2018November 13, 2018 by Nicola Billens

Discover an incredible Tasmania golf experience. This carefully planned private charter is designed for lovers of golf and gourmet food & wine. The remote golf courses in Tasmania are easily accessible with a private jet and the seamless transfers ensure your guests spend less time in transit and maximum time playing some of Australia’s top golf courses.

Cape Wickham Links
Barnbougle Dunes
Lost Farm
Ocean Dunes

Following four incredible days of golf, it is time to wind down and sample some amazing Tasmanian produce at Josef Chromy Winery (a member of the Ultimate Winery Experiences Australia). Guests will then transfer to the luxurious Saffire Freycinet (a member of Luxury Lodges of Australia) and spend the two remaining days of their tour in this stunning wilderness region.

Included:

All private charter flights on board the Air Adventure Outback Jet: Melbourne > King Island > Barnbougle Airstrip > Launceston
One night accommodation at Cape Wickham, on-course suite
Two nights accommodation at Lost Farm Lodge, Ocean or Course View Room
Two nights accommodation at Saffire Freycinet, Luxury Suite
All tours, entries, green fees and land transfers as per detailed itinerary
Pull carts and bag hire (if required) at all golf courses
“Go behind the label tour” followed by a 2 course lunch at Josef Chromy

Please enquire for more details or to tailor the above itinerary to your liking.

A Walking & Creativity Retreat in Margaret River

Posted on January 18, 2018January 18, 2018 by Nicola Billens

Enjoy a 3, 4 or 7-day bespoke Walking & Creativity Retreat in Margaret River. Walk along selected sections of the Cape to Cape track, be inspired & replenished by the natural beauty of the region and explore your creativity under the guidance of local artists.

Walks and creativity sessions are tailored to each guest.

Creative sessions could include painting, sculpting, textiles, weaving, pottery, theatre, writing, glass-blowing, drawing and photography. Other activities available are sound healing, yoga, canoeing, dance and wine-tasting.

Below is a sample 4 day itinerary.

Day 1 – Perth to Margaret River – walk 5km – wildflowers – canoeing

Let us drive you from Perth to Margaret River via Meelup Beach to enjoy brunch before a fun canoeing experience.
Walk from Cape Naturaliste to Sugar Loaf Rock – one of the most photographed coastal features in this region. Look out for whales and more unique wildflowers.

Day 2- Wilyabrup Cliffs – walk 5km – yoga – painting session

Start the day with gentle yoga. Walk along the spectacular Wilyabrup cliffs before a local cuisine degustation at one of the oldest wineries in the region & taste world-renown wines before our 3-course meal. During the afternoon create your own colourful canvas in a painting session with award-winning local artist.

Day 3- Boranup Forest – walk 9km – sculpture session

The stunning Boranup forest will take your breath away as you walk and feel deeply reconnected to nature.
Create your own site-specific sculptures deep in the heart of the Karri trees with our award-winning, international environmental sculptor to guide you.

Relax in the afternoon with free time to reflect & take in the beauty of our surroundings.

Day 4- Cape Leuwin walk

Walk through another magical stretch of Karri forest, coastal woodlands & heath all the way to the Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse &
enjoy lunch at the White Elephant overlooking Gnarabup Beach. Explore Margaret River town before our drive back to Perth.