Behind The Wheel

Have a look at out latest DriveWA Newsletter online

http://bit.ly/4ZdRtR

New DriveWA webisode

Have a look at the latest DriveWA Webisode. Found on our home page below, Watch us travel from the lovely Kalbarri to explore Shark Bay and Money Mia!

http://www.drivewa.com/

New DriveWA webisode

The latest websiode of the DriveWA series is now online.

Episode 4 takes you through the attractions of Kalbarri including a great fishing spot, Rainbow Jungle, Seahorse Sanctuary and a 4WD track down to Lucky Bay.

This is the fourth day of the 8greatescapes Swans to Ningaloo Escape and makes great viewing. Check out this fantastic itinerary that takes in the best of Geraldton, Kalbarri, Carnarvon and Exmouth on the 8greatescapes page.

Check out the webisodes here on DriveWA’s video page.

Happy watching!

Photos from WA Tourism Awards

        

Chris accepting his Sir David Brand Medal

          

 Chris and his sister Merrilyn

Chris with his Hospitality Group staff

Chris and Moira with the DriveWA Bronze Medal

Winners and Grinners

DriveWA.com received a bronze medal in the well represented Tourism Marketing category at the 2009 WA Tourism Awards.

The awards were announced at a Gala Dinner on Saturday night and DriveWA was thrilled to receive a medal – tribute to the many developments in the past year including the launch of the 8greatescapes itineraries, DriveWA the ITV series and the overall usefulness of the website to encourage self drive holidays in Western Australia.

Sister company, Karijini Eco Retreat, also picked up a Silver Medal in the Indigenous Tourism category.

However, the celebration of the night was the prestigious Sir David Brand Medal was awarded to our CEO and Chairman Chris Pye recognising his contribution to the WA Tourism Industry. Our biased opinion is that this was well deserved but judging by the number of congratulations circulating this opinion was shared by the industry. Congratulations Chris!

For more winners and medallists in the WA Tourism Awards please visit www.watourismawards.com.au

WA Tourism Awards

DriveWA.com is delighted to be finalists in the 2009 WA Tourism Awards in the Specialised Tourism Services and Tourism Marketing categories.

DriveWA CEO, Chris Pye is up for the prestigious Sir David Brand Medal which acknowledges the work, dedication and committment an individual gives to the Tourism Industry.

Our sister company, Karijini Eco Retreat are also finalists in the Eco Tourism, Indigenous Tourism, Unique Accommodation and QANTAS Award for Excellence in Sustainable Tourism.

Winners and medallists are announced at a Gala Ball tomorrow night at Burswood Intercontinental Complex. Wish us luck!

Dunsborough

I have just returned from a wonderful weekend in Dunsborough, Western Australia.

The drive was nice – and thanks to the brand new Forrest Highway much faster with dual lanes from Perth to almost Busselton.

Dunsborough was as magical as ever, with the gorgeous beaches, luscious forest and calming atmosphere. The wedding was beautiful – on the lawn at Whalers Cove overlooking the beach. I would strongly recommend the houses at Whalers Cove – they are very modern, spacious with all the amenities and overlook the beach. The 4 bedroom house is really good value if you have a few friends to go there with.

Of course I couldn’t miss the Margaret River Chocolate Company – I love their chocolate! Its been done up since the last time I visited and now there is more room to explore the many different types of chocolate. We only had time for one winery and this was Swings & Roundabouts – which is in our WA Pass program. The wines were great so I ended up buying a carton – its a good thing my WA Pass card gave me a 20% discount. They also had wood fired pizzas which looked and smelled delicious but unfortunately we didn’t have time to stay for lunch.

The reception was at Clairault - which is one of my favourite wineries. The restaurant and cellar door overlooks the vineyards, the wines are high quality and the food scrumptious.

The only downside is the weekend passed by far too quickly. I  think if you are planning to explore the Dunsborough/Margaret River region you need to allow a good few days.

Until next time – wishing you safe and happy travels

Moira

Carbon Neutral

Western Australia boasts a plethora of natural attractions from the spectacular Ningaloo Reef, gorgeous national Parks and beautiful bushlands and landscapes.

In the aim of protecting the environment for future generations, DriveWA have teamed up with Carbon Neutral to help you to offset your carbon footprint. Turn Emissions into Trees.

 We are particularly pleased to work with Carbon Neutral because it is WA based and much of their carbon emissions offsetting is done by planting native biodiverse trees in rural WA which is something we can all enjoy as we DriveWA and leave a better WA behind us for our children.

Carbon Neutral have designed a carbon emissions calculator especially fortravellers.

Behind the Wheel in November

The November edition of DriveWA’s Behind the Wheel is now online. View it here http://bit.ly/21HFcG

Weekend in Dunsborough

Hi, I’m Moira one of the DriveWA team that will posting to this blog.

I’m generally a city girl but love to get out into the country every so often to relax and escape the hustle and bustle.

Next weekend I am going to Dunsborough for a friends wedding so I have been thinking about what else I would like to do while I’m there.

The Margaret River Chocolate Company is an obvious choice. Of course some wineries is on the menu – the wedding is a Clairault which is always a favourite but I also like Mad Fish, Watershed Wines and Lamonts. I have heard good things about Flying Fish Cove and Becketts Flat so I might give them a try. Then maybe a couple of breweries like Bush Shack and Colonial – there is so much choice!

I love the cheese – will definately have to pick up some nice cheddars and fetas to enjoy with a good bottle of west australian wine with my friends at night. Speaking of which I’m staying in a four bedroom cottage at Whalers Cove so I’m looking forward to seeing what that is like.

I also like caving. Last time I was down south I visited Ngligi Cave which was great but I might try a different one this time but I guess it all depends on time.

And of course I won’t go anywhere without my trust WA Pass membership so that I can get discounts at the places I visit.

No doubt I will have fun exploring Dunsborough and Margaret River and will report the highlights when I return.

Until next time – wishing you a safe and enjoyable self drive escape in WA

Moira