Margaret River = Sample Day!!!

Today we packed up early and set off for Margaret River.  The first stop on my agenda was a shell museum, which Troy refused to go into after declaring it was going to be lame. However after checking the reviews on trip advisor, he decided to give it a go!! It was amazing both in size and in range! It was Pete and Kath's private shell collection that they have been acquiring for 60 years and it was located in their home. Amongst the collection were also a lot of sea creatures including sharks, crabs and sea horses! They had that many shells they had even created things like chandeliers and wind chimes from them!! It was quite impressive!  And rather sad!!

We then found the farm stay where we had decided to spend a night. It is a working farm that has designated a paddock or two to the weary traveller, but they have gone all out, providing power, water, toilets and hot showers.  We set the van up, and then set off for sampling!!

The first stop was Stella Bella winery. We mainly stopped there because of its name, but we sampled some of the wines and bought a few. Stella bought herself a t-shirt too!

Our next stop was at the cheese factory, where we once again sampled and bought!  Getting the gist of our day yet?!!

Next we went to see a silk worm farm, and while we didn't sample the silk worms we did sample the mulberry jam and syrup that they produce as well as silk. As silkworms feed on mulberry leaves the farm has an abundant amount of mulberry trees and thus a huge supply of mulberries. The lady that ran the farm gave us a great detailed explanation of the way they create silk, exporting the cocoons to Cambodia to be spun into silk, which is then returned to the farm. It was very interesting.

Next stop was the Chocolate factory, no explanation needed as to what we did there!!!

We then went on to a winery that also made nougat. We sampled both produce including a honey almond nougaretto. That was like Baileys only more delicious! Sadly though there was a problem in the bottling department and there was none for sale. Damn it!

We then went to the Cheeky Monkey brewery and while sampling their beers and ciders we also had lunch.  The brewery also was attached to the Killerby winery, and we sampled a few of those wines too!

We drove back to Margaret River and visited the fudge factory, where we of course sampled and bought, although I don't think the fudge is as good as mine. Big call I know, but this was a unanimous decision amongst the family!!

On referral from the wine guru of the family (thanks Matthew H) we then went to the Voyager winery that had as equally impressive gardens as it did wine.  This was the best winery we visited today, according to the kids, because it also had a non alcoholic wine available that they could sample too!!  And it was delicious!!

Our last stop was the Leeuwin winery that also had impressive surrounds and great wine!  What a fantastic area this is!!

We got back to the farm in time to feed the goats.  The kids enjoyed this as much as the very hungry goats did!!

Hopefully this lamb won't be waking us up in the morning or Troy will probably eat it for breakfast!!