It’s time to find a table next to a cosy fireplace and devour mouthwatering meals sourced straight from the paddock in the Harvey Region
This is the place of unpretentious comfort food – think handmade pies, slow cooked ribs, steak sandwiches you will drool over, lasagna like your Nonna makes, and roasted pumpkin bursting with flavour. Pair it with a handcrafted stout, an award-winning Dolcetto, or a gin made from whey that will warm the cockles of your heart.
We have plenty of winter hunting, collecting, eating and drinking options for you to uncover.
Afterwards, wear-off the indulgence with one of our winter nature and adventure activities.
1. Pie Time
The Miami Bakehouse’s Smokey Bourbon Pork pie is a gold medal winner. Made with succulent pork, infused with a rich and smoky bourbon sauce, and topped with flaky pastry. The unique combination of flavours will leave you wanting more. Finish it off with a winter-loving Classic Apple Pie.
The Italian influence in Harvey is ever apparent. Combine the best of Australia with Italy with a Lasagna pie and Crostoli from Harper Street Bakery. In winter, in additional to their bakery goodies, Harper’s dish up some soul-warming soups—think, pea and ham like your grandma used to make.
Sausage rolls, cheese and bacon rolls, spinach sausage rolls, and sausage in pastry; you will find so many variations at Treendale Bakery.
As you head on a winter’s drive, the Brunswick Traditional Bakery is so convenient for all your pie needs plus ready to go meals.
Finally, Harvey French Hot Bread’s chicken satay pies always receive rave reviews.
2. Steak out by the Fire
When it’s cold outside, head to the Brunswick Tavern for log fires and comfy couches that create a warm, cosy place to enjoy local craft beers, wines, great bar food, including their much-loved Brunswick Steak Sandwich.
3. Farm Produce Shopping
Have you discovered Melville Park & Friends Farm Shop? The historic farm, dating to the mid-1880s, on the banks of the Brunswick River is open from 9am to noon every Saturday. Co-custodians Barbara Connell and David Doepel care for the market garden, artisanal dairy, distillery, and heritage apple orchard. Find straight from the paddock Autumn—Winter produce such as larger-than-life pumpkins, rhubarb, garlic, lettuces, apples, capsicums, rock melon, rocket, silver beet, some tomatoes, herbs (subject to the season). They also stock farm eggs, honey, shortbread, and their mouth-watering ‘Madeline’ Camembert cheese.
Continue north along South West Highway and you will find a plethora of local produce at Harvey Bizee Hands, including locally grown, juicy mandarins, cabbage, broccoli and custard apples. Harvey Bizee Hands also stock Harvey Hemp products, Korijekup Nuts, delicious preserves and jams, homemade sweet treats (don’t miss the honey cakes), and much more.
Australind Artisan Collective is the place to source Roeland’s based Bees Knees honey, Harvey grown Delle Donne Extra Virgin Olive Oil, and Jam’d & Pickle’d preserves from Australind.
As you travel on the back roads of the Harvey Region, keep an eye out for approved roadside farm gate stalls.
4. Warm the Gin Cockles of Your Heart
A winter-warming St Duke’s Distillery gin will warm the cockles of your heart. From grass to glass, St Duke’s is the first of its kind in Western Australia.
Using cow’s milk whey, a left-over by-product from their cheese-making process, and infused with locally sourced and grown botanicals. Embark on an exotic taste experience of their award-winning gins and vodkas, and purchase the Harvey Cheese plate for the perfect pairing that will send you over the moon.
5. S’more-Up Around the Camp Fire
Our highly popular summer destination is also a must do in winter. Lake Brockman is the perfect place to spend time around the campfire – make sure you bring all the ingredients for the Aussie version of the American favourite S’mores. It uses sweet biscuits (we recommend Arnott’s Shredded Wheatmeal biscuits) with chocolate and melted marshmallows to make a delicious sweet sandwich.
If your fire making skills are minimal, then visit the Lake Brockman Cafe. Their scones, jam, and cream are legendary. Brave the weather and camp the night or cozy up in a glamping tent or cabin at Lake Brockman Tourist Park.
6. Cozy Coffee Dates in Cottage Kitchens
Combat the cold, and enjoy a bowl of our homemade Pea & Ham soup in the warmth of the Stirling Cottage Kitchen’s fire-lit dining room.
The heritage-listed cottage is situated with the beautiful Stirling Cottage Gardens precinct overlooking the Harvey River, and is open for breakfast, lunch and morning and afternoon tea. Fresh cakes are baked daily, with Black Forest and Rocky Road cakes winter favourites. Serve it with a coffee or Bowerbird Naturals loose leaf teas.
7. All Fired Up
Match a bit of culture with food at All Fired Up on 21 June 2024. Dig out your Choose Life shirt and double cassette player, and press record on the banging live band rocking the soundtrack of this 80s musical by Rachel Terry and Roz Pappalardo at the Harvey Recreation and Cultural Centre.
Choose show tickets for only $25, or Dinner and Show tickets for $55. Concession tickets are also available.
8 Vino & Vinyls
In the cozy rammed earth cellar door of Vineyard 28, find a relaxing afternoon of wine and music.
Book an afternoon session for two people and relax in Vineyard 28’s lounge chairs, tasting wine and playing your choice of music from their eclectic vinyl collection. This experience provides you with the opportunity to taste up to six wines and you can also add on a grazing board to enjoy with your wine tasting.
9. Porter & Brisket
Winter vegetables are hitting the plate. While overlooking the grassy hinterland and grazing cows, vege lovers can savour a cumin roasted pumpkin, parmesan and pangrattato at Brugan Brewery.
Or, Smoked Brisket with celeriac slaw, roasted sweet potato warm tortilla breads, Louisanna BBQ white sauce and fried pickles.
Match your meal with their latest season release or a famous Vanilla Porter. If you’re a sucker for the coffee and chocolate flavours of a classic porter, then this is your ale.
10. Farm to Table
As local farmers, the Castro family behind The Crooked Carrot in Myalup knows about good food. Their ‘farm to table’ ethos means we use only the best, freshest ingredients. Devour The Crooked Angus Beef Burger or Roast Pumpkin Caesar Salad. It’s also the perfect weather for scones, jam and cream or, if you prefer, a warm, savoury, gluten-free zucchini, bacon and cheese muffin or decadent pancakes.
Hint: uncover locally grown olives and other gourmet treats from Sathya Olive Company.
11. The Healing Tea Time
Uncover the healing properties of Australian bush foods this winter. The Boola Bidi Dreaming Centre in Harvey offers a sensation selection of Noongar native and bush teas.
Find teas that celebrate the six Noongar seasons, or detox with an Infuse Native Detox tea. This tea blend works by utilising properties of Lemon Myrtle, which contain antibacterial properties that inhibit bacteria and aid digestion. It also contains Beetroot which aids digestion and Dandelion Root is often used to help detoxify the liver.
12. Chocolate, Chocolate, Chocolate
Chocolate Brownie, anyone? We couldn’t think of anything better to enjoy with a Benesse Cafe Australind coffee in winter.
Did someone say winter warming pancakes for brekkie? Citrus Pancakes – buttermilk pancakes, orange curd, strawberries, vanilla lime creme, pistachio crumb and house-made syrup. Or, lunch is sorted with Benesse’s Dirty Chicken Burger with fried chicken, American cheese, cos, claw, chipolata aioli, pretzel bun, served with Parmesan and chive fries.
13. Stout Sensation
Warm yourself from the inside out with wood-fired pizzas, or a slow cooked Moroccan lamb, and a Harris traditionally brewed Nitro Stout from Old Coast Road Brewery.
Set on a scenic 60-acre property with 1000 olive trees, Old Coast Road Brewery is ideal for a relaxed afternoon, enjoying delicious food, craft beers and ciders, artisan spirits and great company. With a brand new 500L whisky, still we are looking forward to incredible spirits in the near future!
14. Get A Little Cheesy
What sets the gourmet cheese apart from others is the love and care. Every batch at Harvey Cheese is handcrafted.
Give your taste buds a sensory experience sampling their extensive range. Our winter recommendation is their Smokey; experience the bold and distinctive flavour of a natural savory cheese, infused with a deep, smoky essence, adding a layer of complexity to its already robust taste. The creamy texture of the cheese beautifully balances the intense smokiness, creating a perfect harmony that makes it ideal for adding a gourmet touch to burgers, sandwiches, and cheese boards. You may have a chance to pick up a bargain, with some ‘onsite cheese’ available in bulk at wholesale prices!
Harvey Cheese also stocks Halls Family Dairy’s Suzette cheese – a decadent, creamy, and rich Pont l’Évêque-style cheese coveted by foodies, leading chefs and dairy lovers alike
15. Scarf Shopping While BLT Eating
Warm up by the fire of Café Uduc’s country-style eatery and enjoy the Breakfast Bruschetta with local eggs, wood-fired sour dough, and vine-ripened tomatoes or Eggs Hollondaise with two perfectly poached eggs, local spinach, crispy bacon, and an incredible Hollondaise sauce. For lunch, the Harvey Beef Burger with caramelised onion is a local favourite.
Before you leave, grab a homemade biscuit and coffee to go. They also stock scarves from DJ Floral and Accessories, which are the perfect accessories to face the brisk weather after a foodie binge.
16. Hearty Homemade Dinners & Sweet Treats
In winter, sometimes the cabin fever kicks in, and there is nothing better than eating within your accommodation. Solution – Camilles Deli Social’s heart home-cooked meals. Think Beef lasagna and custard cannoli like your Nonna makes. The shelves of Camilles are also bursting with fresh produce, wood-fired bread, and gourmet condiments.
On Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday nights until 8pm it’s Burger Night. Their Spicy Korean Chicken burger is sure to warm-up your life!
17. Say Goodbye to Winter School Holiday Blues
Say goodbye to Winter Blues! Bring the whole family down to the Treendale Farm this July School Holidays for a lineup of excitement, including Bluey & Bingo Disco, Head Over Heels Acrobatics, and Fun at the Farm Day with bling, bubbles and braiding!
While the kids are entertained, enjoy Treendale Farm’s winter menu. Devour Orange, Fennel & Ricotta Salad with whipped ricotta, honey, orange, fennel, rocket, red onion, tomato, radish, lemon vinaigrette or Jack Daniel Pork Ribs Spiced served with whisky sweet bbq sauce, buttered grilled corn, onion rings, chips, and salad.
18. Get Fishy & Foodie
Fish and chips aren’t just reserved for summer. Harvey Fish & Chips serves up scrumptious, melt-in-your-mouth fishy delights all year round.
Harvey Fish and Chips is not your standard fish and chip shop. Besides locally caught Bronze whaler with crunchy chips, you will find the owner’s Italian heritage shines through with Ciabatta rolls, the best catering grazing platters in the Region, and decadent Italian Cannolis. In winter, hearty soups also hit the takeaway menu – perfect to warm you up.
Embrace the cold today.
