Karen and Axel, India

So nice to share your lovely, warm B and B / home with you and your guests - and Casey too! Axel and I had a marvelous 4 days here and when out exploring, referred to Loaring Place as "Home". We hope to be back to MR and will definitely look you guys up again. The muffins were an added special treat! Good luck to you both and we leave you with our wonderful memories. All the best. Karen and Axel, India, 4 Oct. 2009.

Them's the breaks

Cassandra Murnieks PERTH TODAY

October 03, 2009 06:00pm

HUGE RIDE: Sunshine Coast surfer Mark Visser rides an 11m monster at Cow Bombie in WA's South West. Picture: Calum MacAulay

THIS towering wall of water off WA is the biggest wave surfed in Australia this year.

That's the claim of Mark Visser, the man who conquered the 11m monster at a secret location in WA's south this week.

``The weather was unbearable out there,'' Visser said. ``It was very windy, around 30 knots. Along with the wind, the water was icy cold. So cold that my feet ended up going numb.

``But I reckon that was the biggest wave surfed in Australia this year. I haven't seen one bigger.''
The waves were surfed at an offshore break nicknamed Cowbombie, about 2.5km off Gracetown. Cowbombie is gaining a reputation as one of the hot spots for big-wave surfing, attracting Australian and international daredevils.

Surfers from around the world flew in for the session, including big-wave specialists Grant
``Twiggy'' Baker, Doug Young and Ross Clark Jones.

Visser flew in from his home on Queensland's Sunshine Coast.

``I heard about the big swell on Wednesday morning and we arrived in Perth on Wednesday night,'' Visser said.

``On Thursday we got these monster waves. It was pretty wild out there.

``We then backed it up on Friday, hoping it might be bigger.

``The waves weren't as big, around 25 foot. I went in with a paddle board, but got smashed a few times.''

Cowbombie has legendary status among surfers and its location is a closely guarded secret.

Margaret River Rail Trail

Some info on the Rail Trail

The Margaret River Rail Trail takes you through some of the most beautiful natural bush, farmland and vineyards in the Margaret River region, three hours south of Perth. Passing though peppermint, jarrah and young karri forest the trail provides a firsthand view of the abundant bird life.

The trail was once a part of the old railway network that was built during the timber boom. The trail begins or ends (depending where you start) at Cowaramup and finishes at Margaret River.

Along the 5 kilometres north of Margaret River there are numerous bridges crossing a major river and creeks and streams of varying sizes. The trail is easy to navigate with picnic areas along the way. The spectacular birdlife includes yellow robins, parrots and blue wrens and the wildflowers are stunning in Spring (September to December).

As it was a railway, the gradient is relatively flat, and the terrain is generally gentle.  However, it can get moderate in some places and a mountain bike is recommended.

“Excellent Retreat!”

This is an excellent retreat! The location is not too far from the main Margaret River town and is secluded enough to give you privacy. The house is just beautiful, very country-style and very comfortable. The room was beautiful and the bed and jacuzzi were just heavenly!
Definitely coming back here again!Whalesith  June 2009 TripAdvisor

very impressed we will be back”

We came down for a romantic weeekend to recharge the batteries over a long weekend and thought that it was the best B&B we have stayed at to date.

Great location - half way between beach and Margaret River town (quiet bush setting)
Brand new custom built modern facilities
Guest lounge with huge tv and fire was great
Hosts (Dirk and Pam) were very friendly but not imposing
Rooms were comfortable/soundproof and had private external entrances as well as inernal.
Very tasty cooked breakfasts
Did not use in-room spa but it looked comfy. weekend_traveller005 May 2009 TripAdvisor

“Affordable Luxury”

We had a lovely time. Pleasant staff, great breakfast, plenty of space. Tucked away just off the main road in a pleasant bush setting. CanberraNomad May 2009 TripAdvisor

“Perfect place to rest after walking the Cape to Cape"

Very comfy rooms with spa and views into bush.
Generous communal room with lots of natural light where we had sumptous breakfast and even our strange dietary needs were accomodated with no fuss.
We will definitely be back! lucyteale May 2009 TripAdvisor