Day 12 – Margaret River to Perth: Wine Without Swallowing, Beardless Friends, and the Indian Ocean
By now, our mornings are running like a well-oiled machine. Wake up, tidy up, check emails, pack the panniers with surgical precision, and get on the road. Even the luggage seems to have learned to behave — the panniers and tail box somehow feel bigger now. Or maybe we’ve just become Tetris grandmasters.
Today we decided to skip breakfast and aim for brunch in Bunbury, where we were meeting our mate Damian. But first — a little detour. You can’t pass through Margaret River without a winery stop. Now, I have a strict zero-alcohol policy while riding, so my “tasting” was more like swish, swirl, spit. A complete waste if you ask me, but at least the taste lingers on the tongue for a while. Noune, of course, did the proper thing — tasting without wasting. And the bonus: the ride there was along gorgeous back roads lined with tall trees, a natural green cathedral that made the detour worth every kilometre.
We eventually rolled into Bunbury about 25 minutes late… and immediately got punked. Some stranger was holding up Damian’s photo, and for a moment I wondered if we’d been catfished. Nope. Turns out Damian had shaved his beard and was completely unrecognisable. Absolute betrayal.
The shock wore off quickly once we sat down at Dôme Café. And here’s the thing: Bunbury turned out to be an absolute gem. A beautiful coastal town with sweeping views of the Indian Ocean — and yes, the views from the café itself were spectacular. We’d expected “quick pit stop” vibes, but instead got seaside charm and relaxed atmosphere. The perfect brunch spot.
Over food and coffee, we swapped war stories with Damian and his brother (also a biker, because apparently it runs in the family). It was one of those great catch-ups where the conversation ricochets from travel misadventures to life philosophy, with a few questionable jokes thrown in for good measure. Meanwhile, Noune ceremoniously dipped her hands into the Indian Ocean — her first encounter with it. Now she can officially say she’s touched four oceans.
After that, it was time for the home stretch: Bunbury to Perth. A fast, efficient freeway ride — about 90 minutes of straight, uneventful tarmac. No twisties, no wildlife ambushes, just a steady cruise into the city.
And then — Perth! Half the journey done. We were greeted by our good friends Terry and Margaret, who generously opened their home to us for the next five days. That’s right: we’ve made it. The “To Perth” part of the adventure is complete.
What’s next? A well-earned pause. We’ll spend the coming days exploring the city and, of course, dancing with the incredibly welcoming Perth tango community. But since this is a travel blog, consider this radio silence until we hit the road again. Stay tuned for the “From Perth” half of the saga!
