Samphire Chalets in Busselton is a gem

To my left, a willie wagtail is getting a free ride on a sheep’s head. To my right, I can see a herd of cows. In front of me, a family of black swans glide by.

Behind me is my accommodation at the luxe country adults-only Samphire Chalets in Wonnerup, which has been open about a year.

Wonnerup is a little over two hours south of Perth, and 10 minutes north of Busselton. It is close to amenities and South West attractions, but far enough away to give the illusion you’re way out in the countryside.

In all my years heading down south, I can’t recall ever driving around here. Between Wonnerup and Busselton there are biodiverse wetlands, tuart trees, Port Geographe Marina, suburban houses, sprawling country estates, and beachfront mansions.

The three chalets have an industrial, sea container-like appearance that is striking against a pink sky. Once I step inside, industrial chic gives way to luxury finishes, and I get an immediate sense of deja vu.

My chalet, Peppermint, and neighbouring Banksia have been constructed from former display suites from The Westin Perth. Tuart gained its bedroom and bathroom from Aloft. Who knew they built and sold off hotel display rooms?

The bedroom is huge, comprising a king bed, two marble-topped bedside tables, a dining table with two chairs for eating or working, and a comfy lounge that looks like it could seat at least four people.

A quirk of having been a hotel display room, it still has a bar fridge, should you be too lazy to walk to the kitchen for a midnight snack. There is a huge bathroom and a separate toilet.

I’m not sure if I am flopped on one of Westin’s renowned “Heavenly” beds, but it’s high and comfortable enough to be one. I sleep solidly. The only sounds I hear during my stay are birdsong and some high winds, with not a peep from the chalet guests on either side.

Blinds and drapes are remote-controlled and, when they retract, provide views directly over the waters that form part of the Vasse Wonnerup Wetlands, home to 90 species and more than 30,000 waterbirds. It reminds me a little of the view over the coastal floodplains of the Mary River from Bamurru Plains in the Northern Territory, without the buffalo.

The chalet has more power and USB points than I can count, and they’re a useful combination of USB-C and USB-A.

At the centre of the bedroom is a massive Samsung “The Frame” TV that can display artwork instead of a black screen.

It comes with the Samsung TV Plus app that has hundreds of free channels. From 30 Rock and Teletubbies to Dog The Bounty Hunter and France 24 news, there’s a 24/7 channel for every interest. I’ve found my next TV, should my current Aldi special buy blow up.

Generous kitchenettes have turned the hotel rooms into self-contained chalets. There’s an induction cooktop with fancy pop-up exhaust, microwave, fully integrated fridge and a dining table that seats four. The crockery and cutlery are higher quality than I usually see in chalets, as are the Nespresso machine with milk frother and Smeg kettle and toaster.

The refreshing scents of locally made Vasse Virgin toiletries and diffusers linger in the air.

I tread carefully on the deck, narrowly avoiding a tiny frog. Pelicans glide by on my drives into Busselton. There are birdwatching guides provided, and if viewing from the chalets doesn’t satisfy, the bird hides of Vasse River Delta Wetlands and Malbup are a short drive. BYO binoculars.

The chalets sit behind a security gate, with codes for the gate and front door sent via email ahead of arrival. No keys are required — you just need to commit codes to memory.

Inside the entry is a high-tech lighting control pad for the entire chalet. When it’s time to leave, I push goodbye, close the door, and my mini country escape is over.

samphirechalets.com.au

+ Sue Yeap was a guest of Samphire Chalets. They have not influenced this story, or read it before publication.