The Weekend West’s Warming Up Winter colour magazine celebrates cool days, roaring fires, fine cuisine and red wine Down South. Journalist William Yeoman explores Bunbury Geographe and Australia’s South West where a host of small towns, cities, wineries and natural attractions await. In his words, it’s the perfect fit for those looking for an authentic winter experience. “Let’s say we start inland, at Harvey, in the Bunbury Geographe area. There are Collie, Dardanup, Donnybrook, Balingup, Boyup Brook…all so lush, green and cool at this time of year. But to return further up, to Busselton and Bunbury – well, these two places which would keep you engaged for weeks with their history, culture, arts and beauty. For winter diversions, there are the superb Bunbury Regional Entertainment Centre and Regional Art Gallery; the city’s street art and sculptures, and buildings such as St Marks’s Hotel (Ed Note: The Rose), and the King Cottage Museum, the picturesque Koombana Bay, Leschenault Inlet and Mangrove Cove and Bunbury Wildlife Park. The city also has its fair share of superb cafes, restaurants and bars, as well as boutique shops – all perfect for winter dining and browsing. And taking the Bunbury Geographe area as a whole, there are wineries to rival the Margaret River region.” So throw on your Hunter welly-boots, wrap yourself up in a scarf and get ready for a winter getaway. Misty mornings, roaring fires and a fabulous Geographe red await! BunGeo x