Go Denmark, Western Australia

Love the laid back, lovely Australian lifestyle and great weather in Perth? If you are like me and have pretty much been there and done all of that ..ie. memorised every outlet shop at Harbour Town, combed Hay Street thrice over, swum with the Dolphins at Philips Island, driven a gazillion times to Fremantle and Mandurah where you single handedly bought up bars of organic soap in every flavour and then subsequently started to yawn when someone suggested a night out at Burswood Casinos … then perhaps the next time you are desperate for an Aussie holiday, you should explore the other side to Perth. This is the side that I love and look forward to, each time I take a break there – we call it “going to the country”.

My recent visit took me 9 hours by plane from Hong Kong to Perth to visit my sister and her family who live there and this was just about the best driving holiday we have ever had, minus one hitch – the unforgiveable fact that me and the mister forgot both our driving licenses, leaving my poor brother in law to brave the 4 hour drive out of Perth into the countryside in a rented 8 seater MPV, the trusty Kia Carnival.

There are really only two places to drive out to from Perth, either North or South. Most people drive to towards the Margaret River as there are more stops and things that you can see along the way. We decided that it was too long a drive to the vineyard region there – almost 5 plus hours to get there. So, instead, we decided to take a trip to explore the town of Denmark. And it was there that we discovered the Karma Chalets and the charms of this tiny town and its relatively undiscovered attractions.

Where is Denmark?

This quiet little town is just about 4 hours (including some short rest breaks) outside of Perth city on the route to Margaret River. My illustrious sister looked online and found the Karma Chalets, a lovely enclave of 10 charming cedar wood country cottages and cabins that could house groups of from 2 to 6 people.

These beautiful B&B style accommodations turned out to be clean, comfortable and delightfully charming, complete with all the modern comforts of a roaring fireplace heater inside, oven and gas cooking stove, fridge, air conditioning, cable TV, sound system, bathroom with hot and cold water, a generous sized BBQ pit on the verandah and bliss was waking up to the birds chirping on the verandah each morning and then curling up each evening with a blanket on the living room couch, slowly sipping a glass of vino that you bought from the vineyard around the corner.

 

 

What’s there to do in Denmark?

Lots especially if you have a family and according to the official website there are about 20 over attractions that you can explore. See http://www.denmark.com.au.

Here’s a sneak into the ones we picked to visit:

The Denmark Chocolate Company also known as Swiss Annie’s is West Australia’s first licensed chocolate lounge that allows you to sit and enjoy fine handmade chocolate with choice local wines and a range of liqueurs. The chocolates were about A$2.50 per piece and as the sign says handmade with love. We left with a handful of gingers, truffles and fudge.

Duckettes Mill Wines and Denmark Farmhouse Cheese Factory are both operated by the same owner and they offer award winning cheeses from camembert to feta, blue and havarti, wine, preserves and fudge – all hand and homemade on the farm. The wine is apparently made from grapes grown in the family-owned vineyard.

See: 1678 Scotsdale Road
Denmark, Western Australia  6333, Telephone: (+618) 9840 9844

Pentland Alpaca Stud and Tourist Farm – I highly recommend a visit here as it makes a perfect afternoon out with the kids. This hands-on animal farm allows you to pat, cuddle and feed a huge range of friendly and interesting animals including koalas, alpacas, rabbits, chickens, joeys, guinea pigs, a camel, donkeys and an an over enthusiastic horse who ate my entire bag of feed (paper bag and all).

See: http://pentlandalpacafarm.com.au
2019 SCOTSDALE ROAD, DENMARK, WA, 6333
Phone (08) 98409262

A Vineyard Lunch at The Matilda Estates, Pepper & Salt Restaurant is not to be missed. The photo I took should give you a preview of the treat awaiting diners with its excellent menu serving modern Australian cuisine paired with quality wines from the estate.

 

The Valley of the Giants Tree Top Walk is part of the Wilderness Discovery Centre and is an amazing park full of Tingle Trees. Walk along a suspended bridge that is 40m high and take in the views and the fresh air of this amazing forest and nature reserve.

See: http://www.valleyofthegiants.com.au/showActivitySite.php?showSite=TreeTopWalk or http://www.dec.wa.gov.au/content/view/355/1045/

 

Take a drive along Ocean Park Road to Wilson’s Inlet and take in the view! This was ours from the top down.

Lusciously laid back, it’s hard not to fall in love with Western Australia!