As I write about a destination, I often find myself thinking about the weather.
Depending on our destination will often result in joy or disappointment with the weather we experience. A week in Bali with non-stop thunderstorms is going to be disappointing but rain in London is to be expected and you just get on with it.
Pullman Bunker Bay sits atop the Margaret River Region and it’s fair to say that this resort, and let’s face it the whole region, is one of those destinations where it just doesn’t matter what weather you get.
Pullman Bunker Bay is located not far from the Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse and Sugarloaf Rock, about three hours’ drive from Perth (four if you stop off in Dunsborough for coffee and pies).
Bearing in mind my observation that this is a resort and region where the weather you get doesn’t matter, my love of film and theatre is rising and reminding me of the movie classic: A Man for All Seasons in which there is the line, “I’m breathing … are you breathing too? It’s nice isn’t it?”.
At Pullman Bunker Bay, under any weather, there is space to breathe for everyone. For families there are paths to explore that ultimately lead to one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. For those who don’t want to mingle, to just snuggle and indulge, there is gastronomic room service for you to experience local wine, cheese, chocolates and so much more from the region you’re in without having to leave your room (or bath). For those who do want to leave their room and stay in the resort there is of course the beach barely a hop, skip and a jump away. There are cultural tours with local Elders to explore the resort gardens and learn about the local flora and fauna from the people who have lived in the region for thousands of years.
Now that I’ve got started on the resort features, I guess I should keep going. An award winning day spa, tennis courts, ocean view bar and the gorgeous Other Side of the Moon restaurant, an infinity edge pool that some days has still waters with just the adults relaxing on lounges with a drink from the bar and then the siren sounds to alert you not to a Tsunami but to a tidal wave of kids, just back from the beach but keen on water adventures. There’s nothing wrong with kids at a pool unless they splash your favourite Wilbur Smith paperback!
I only say this to remind you that this a resort for all seasons where everyone can breathe. I love the activity of this resort with families, tourists, retirees, Perth weekend travellers, honeymooners… the lot!
So all of that will keep you gloriously relaxed without venturing beyond the resort but what if you want to see what’s out there?
A few minutes’ drive up the road will take you to Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse where being immersed in the history of this working lighthouse is fascinating and rewarding with its views of the Indian Ocean and the National Park that surrounds you.
A few minutes’ drive the other way and you’ll find Sugarloaf Rock, a granite island that is separated from the mainland by a small channel of fast flowing ocean currents. It is not a shy rock, well used to being photographed from the nearby lookout and featuring regularly on tourism advertising and apparently on the cover of Australian Geographic.
Exploration any further will take you into Dunsborough where it’s time to pick a café and enjoy a coffee while you decide how much further you want to go and what you want to explore.
The Margaret River area has so many five-star attractions that deserve your attention that ticking what to see and crossing a line through what you haven’t the time for is stressful enough to consider just ticking the box alongside ‘luxury experience’ and going back to the resort.
Attractions in the area are of course the wineries, many of which are close by on Caves Road. Also close are spectacular forest walking trails, coastal walks, caves, cultural tours, art galleries, swimming beaches, surfing beaches and wild coastal cliffs with wind that will have you double bowing the string to your raincoat hood.
Back at the resort it’s always a good time to get a seat at the bar and enjoy the view out past the beach and onto the Indian Ocean. Maybe this where you find the hardest decision of all? Do I enjoy the view with a local ginger beer, gin or wine in my hand or rush back to my room, grab a towel and head to the beach.
Resort experiences can often require attendance at a map reading course to familiarise yourself with the layout. Your front counter staff will fold out a map, circle where you are now and circle where your room is and then bid you farewell like an RAF base commander wishing good luck to his squadron, knowing he will likely never see some of them again.
Pullman Bunker Bay is very different because while it is meandering with gentle paths caressed and surrounded by bush, it feels like you’re in a little village and no turn is a wrong turn.
This a five-star resort in a five-star region but it’s also so much more. Whether its blue sky and scorching heat or grey skies, wind and rain, Pullman Bunker Bay embraces you with a south west experience that is so inspiring. It’s in the air, because down here there’s always room to breathe.
Get There
From Dunsborough, the Pullman Bunker Bay is a 12-minute drive along Cape Naturaliste Road.
Look For
Pullman Bunker Bay is part of the Accor Group and regular accommodation deals are available to Accor Live Limitless members and on the Pullman Bunker Bay website.
