The Margaret River region is renowned for its wineries, beaches and amazing natural beauty. It’s therefore not surprising that when TravelManagers offered a pre-conference famil to experience the many delights of this region, a total of 26 personal travel managers (PTMs) signed up.
The itinerary took the group first to the coastal town of Busselton, which serves as gateway to the region. After lunch and a walk along the town’s iconic, 1840-metre long wooden jetty, they continued to nearby Cape Naturaliste for a guided, interpretive walk and didgeridoo experience before heading to their base for the next two nights in the town of Margaret River.
PTM Mary Anderson, who is TravelManagers’ representative for Kiama Heights, NSW, says the famil, which was one of several pre- and post- experiences offered in conjunction with the company’s annual National Conference, represented a chance to experience the region with fellow PTMs.
“Experiencing any destination first-hand makes selling it so much easier,” she notes. “Staying in Margaret River and visiting some of the major tourist sites and wineries has been invaluable, and I’ve come home with plenty of great recommendations to share with my clients.”
26 personal travel managers (PTMs) took up the opportunity the join TravelManagers’ pre-conference famil to the Margaret River region, including (L-R) Teresa Reyes, Kirsty McKenzie, Alma Araullo, Lyn Tyson, and AAT Kings Sales Rep, Julia Montgomery
During their time in Margaret River, the famil group had plenty of time to sample the region’s renowned food and wine, with visits to the Margaret River Chocolate Company and Vasse Virgin, while PTM Trish Clowes singles out lunch at Brookland Valley Estate winery as a firm highlight of the trip.
Lunch at Flutes: The famil group were treated to a range of iconic Margaret River experiences including a winery lunch at Brookland Valley Estate’s Flutes Restaurant (left side, back to front) Simone Fraser, Di Bignell, Kerrin Poupos, Heather Taylor and Annette McHugh; (right side, back to front) Carolyn Thiele, Dionne Smith, Tanya Barker, Sharon Wright and Jodie Quigley
“We were treated to a divine three-course meal at the winery’s Flutes Restaurant,” Clowes explains. “The food was amazing and the location, overlooking Wilyabrup Brook, was stunning. It was just one of the lovely touches that really elevated the itinerary well beyond a generic sightseeing tour.”
The group were escorted on their wildlife cruise to Penguin Island by wild dolphins. (Left side, back to front): Carolyn Thiele, Dionne Smith, Alma Araullo, Mamita Mishra and Sharon Wright; (middle row) Lyn Tyson, Di Bignell, Trish Clowes; (right side, back to front): Julie Painter, Darren Christensen, Georgina Grandi, Alison McDonald, Leanne Pearman and Simone Fraser; (far right) Kerrin Poupos, Debbie Bean, Mary Anderson and Annette McHugh
The final day of the famil saw the group heading north once more, making a stop just south of Perth for a wildlife cruise through the rugged but spectacular Shoalwater Islands Marine Park, including Penguin Island.
A cosy welcome dinner in Perth, hosted by Tourism WA, set the tone for a famil packed with wining and dining experiences: (left side, back to front) Mamita Mishra, Sharon Wright, Tanya Barker, Kerrin Poupos and Debbie Bean; (right side front to back) Jodie Quigley, Maria Furnari, Heather Taylor, Simone Fraser and Carolyn Thiele
“The islands are stunning,” according to PTM Heather Taylor, who is representative for Mornington, VIC. “Picture white sandy beaches, crystal clear waters and dolphins playing in the waves around the boat.”
From here it was just a 45-minute drive back to Fremantle, where the group were treated to a walking tour of the seaside city, wrapping up with a gourmet farewell dinner.
(L-R) PTMs Dionne Smith, Kerrin Poupos, Alma Araullo, Lyn Tyson, Darren Christensen, Teresa Reyes, Kirsty McKenzie and Mamita Mishra, getting to know some of the locals in Cowaramup
For Taylor, this was her first visit to the southwest corner of Western Australia, and although the famil has provided her with invaluable knowledge of the region, she says she is looking forward to making a return visit: “there’s so much to see and do, but next time I’ll bring my family along too.”
Clowes and Anderson are also planning to return to the Margaret River region.
AAT Kings rep, Julia Montgomery (left), with PTM Georgina Grandi seem happy at the prospect of lunch at Bussleton
“From watching the sun set over Surfers Beach to a fabulous lunch at Brookland Valley winery, I would recommend all of the adventures we experienced,” says Anderson. “The famil was a great taster, but it’s definitely left me wanting to spend more time in the region.”
For more information or to speak to someone confidentially about TravelManagers please contact Suzanne Laister on 1800 019 599.
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