Culinary Adventures Beyond Busselton: A Food Lover's Guide to the Region
Finding a parking spot near the iconic Busselton Jetty during peak holiday weekends can be an exercise in sheer frustration. With breweries and restaurants overflowing with patrons, the search for a table often feels like a daunting task. After securing parking in the town centre, my husband and I made a fortuitous decision to explore the local dining scene away from the crowded waterfront.
The Banksia Tavern: A Local Gem
This decision led us directly to The Banksia Tavern, where talented head chef Laura Koentjoro Harding oversees a succinct yet impressive lunch menu, complemented by an even more extensive dinner offering. The focus here is squarely on quality local produce, showcasing the best of Western Australia's bounty.
We indulged in their "bloody fancy" crab sticks, crafted from exquisite Shark Bay blue swimmer crabs and delicate Abrolhos Island scallops. The fried chicken wings with fish sauce caramel provided a perfect balance of sweet and savoury, while the fish finger sandwich with hand-cut chips offered a deliciously bittersweet experience. The sandwich featured some of Laura's final demersal fish supplied by Southwest Wildecatch, making it a truly special treat.
Morning Delights and Artisan Finds
Across the road at Baked Busselton, we stocked up on breakfast essentials for our stay at the luxurious Samphire Chalets in Wonnerup. My husband selected an almond croissant, while I couldn't resist an entire loaf of banana bread – why settle for a slice when the whole loaf offers such value?
While numerous cafes dot the town, including The Bean Chapel in a converted church, I found myself drawn to the pastel and floral interior of Little Peach Espresso. For unique finds, Handmade Busselton proved to be a treasure trove of clothing and gifts, featuring everything from sea glass jewellery to wooden items crafted at the local men's shed. This community-centred enterprise ensures that everyone who sells items also spends time working in the shop, creating what owner Ruth Marshall describes as a fun space that genuinely supports local artists.
Inara: Levantine Excellence
Our dinner at Inara revealed what must be one of the fanciest restaurants to grace a regional shopping centre, complete with a dry ageing meat fridge prominently displayed in the dining room. Opened by Daniel and Joanna Johnson in late 2023, Inara showcases the exquisite food and hospitality traditions of the Levant region.
Daniel expertly guided our meal selections, beginning with charred eggplant mutabal brulee with aleppo pepper, perfectly complemented by fresh-from-the-oven bazlama bread sprinkled with za'atar. The slow roasted lamb shoulder with caramelised shallot tahina and cured lemon immediately explained its popularity among regulars, especially when paired with a refreshing broccoli tabouleh dotted with freekeh, mulberries, seeds, mint, feta and pomegranate honey. Daniel also recommended one of his personal favourites: halloumi served with pickled fennel jam, fermented cherries and fennel oil.
Coastal Escapes and Comfort Food
A visit to the calm waters of Wonnerup Beach, located less than five minutes from Samphire Chalets, began with an unexpected surprise. The trees lining the path were covered in spider webs with active inhabitants – a sight that might unsettle some, though the refreshing swim that followed made the experience thoroughly worthwhile.
No beach visit is complete without later craving fish and chips. Origins Market, situated amid Busselton's big box retailers, offered the perfect solution. While I've previously stopped here for Sub Zero Gelato's refreshing treats or Dusty Buns' cinnamon scrolls, this visit was dedicated to my fried food fix. Onya Pub Classics and Burgers, with its impressive 4.9-star Google rating, delivered both excellent fish and chips and a classic steak sandwich. The entire food precinct buzzed with families enjoying diverse cuisines including Italian, Vietnamese, Japanese and Korean offerings.
Hippo Lakes: Countryside Charm
Venturing fifteen minutes inland to Chapman Hill for afternoon tea, we arrived at the beautifully manicured grounds of Hippo Lakes. The venue was alive with tablefuls of seniors laughing and chatting over extended Sunday lunches, coffee and scones – though unfortunately the scones had run out by the time I ordered. My backup choice, a slice of vegan raspberry chocolate cake, proved to be a delightful consolation.
This sprawling venue combines a cafe and farm shop with wedding and event spaces, creating a multifaceted destination. Hippo Lakes produces its own range of condiments and sells flowers from the protea farm established by the Wood family when they migrated to Western Australia from South Africa in the 1980s.
Sunset at the Iconic Jetty
On my final night at Samphire Chalets, I relented and made the ten-minute drive to capture the obligatory photograph of Busselton Jetty at sunset. Being a weeknight, parking proved somewhat easier than on weekends, and the breathtaking view made the effort entirely worthwhile. The golden light reflecting off the historic structure created a perfect conclusion to our culinary exploration of the region.
Sue Yeap was a guest of Samphire Chalets and Inara Busselton. Neither establishment influenced this story or read it before publication.
