As soon as the warm weather hits many of our friends head off down south. There is always a scramble to try and secure accommodation in various caravan parks, resorts and holiday homes for the summer holidays.
But winter down south has its own unique set of experiences - without the crowds of hot, tired people.
Here are a few suggestions.
1. Lunch in a warm cosy brewery. What could be better on a cold, wintery day than sitting inside by a fire, watching the rain fall on the landscape outside? Add to that a pint of local beer and a delicious meal and you have a relaxing afternoon ahead. There are an increasing number of breweries dotted around the region. Our favourites are
Cheeky Monkey and
Cowaramup Brewery.
The view across the valley at Cowaramup Brewery on a winter's day.
Not all winter days are cold and rainy. There are many fantastic beaches along the coast waiting to be explored and the bonus is that your feet don't burn on the sand.
Even in winter the beach can be a great place to explore.
If you don't mind darting in and out of the rain there are plenty of shops offering all kinds of goodies. We like Moonhaven and
The Candy Cow in Cowaramup.
4. CavesBeing underground it doesn't matter if it's raining or not. Exploring the regions caves is a lot of fun. At Mammoth Cave you are given an audio commentary and can take in the caverns at your own pace. Alternatively you can join a guided tour through Lake or Jewel Caves. The downside to the caves is the expensive entry fees.
Some formations in Mammoth Cave.
So although it may be cold and rainy there are still plenty of fun things to do in the Margaret River Region in the off season. If all else fails curling up in your accommodation with a blanket and a book isn't bad either!
