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Why the café culture suits Miles and his wife Monique 1000 562 jurien

Why the café culture suits Miles and his wife Monique

It’s a Sunday lunchtime in the school holidays and the sun is shining. The Jetty Café is teeming with customers and in the kitchen Miles Harrison is preparing endless cups of coffee.

He arrived in Jurien Bay 30 years ago with his wife Monique and now says he’d never want to leave.

“I came here by accident really. I was a naughty boy, I was living in Perth and getting into all sorts of trouble so my Dad found a job for me at the town’s pub, now the Jurien Bay Hotel, and just sent me here.”

Miles says initially it was a bit of a shock to the system. He didn’t last that long at the pub and became a cray fisherman, but seven years ago he noticed the Jetty Café, right next door to the beach was for sale, and he snapped it up.

“When I first started this café, business was slow, but then they built the main road through to Jurien Bay and everything just took off. Let’s just say it was $300,000 of money well spent,” he chuckles.

“Every year 60,000 people come through these doors, so if you’re a people person like me it’s great.”

“When I’m not working, I like to chill and relax. I still fish and when I’m not doing that, you’ll find me on the golf course. Yeah life is good, you won’t find me ever leaving this place.”

Jurien Bay is a real, honest destination. It is a place for those who want to put down the mobile and take a break from city life. Those who just want to do little or nothing for a while. To read a book, to fish off a jetty, to pay a cheeky visit to the local or to just sit and look at the blue, blue waves roll in.  When you’re in Jurien Bay, time is not measured in hours or minutes, but in moments.

jetty cafe

It’s boomtime for fledgling businesses in Jurien Bay 1000 772 jurien

It’s boomtime for fledgling businesses in Jurien Bay

Clinton Strugnell looks across at the jetty, the children paddling in the sea watched on by their parents sitting on the beach.

“This place is changing for the better look at this area, the visitors love it,” he says.

The former CEO of Jurien Bay, Clinton now owns and runs the hardware store as well as being the Chairman of the local Chamber of Commerce.

“I came here because of the job, but I was drawn to the town because of its coastal location.”

“It has a slow-paced charm; we call it ‘Jurien Bay Time’. No one lives by their watches.  It’s a bit of a blank canvas.”

The town benefits from its closeness to Perth, just a two-hour drive north. The nearby Pinnacles are the most visited natural attraction in WA, drawing 300,000 people every year, so it’s no wonder people are stopping by in Jurien Bay.

“When the main road to Jurien Bay was completed in 2010, we had a huge influx of visitors overnight, now we’ve played catch up and are offering the right facilities to them,” he explains.

The council has invested heavily on improving the infrastructure to the town.

“Jurien can offer a lot to fledgling businesses, look at me, I run a hardware store, but I am not a DIY enthusiast,” Clinton adds.

“Local government gave me a good background to run my own business and I just took an opportunity. I have run a hardware store but I’m still useless with a hammer, now there’s a confession for you!”

Why the stars align perfectly for Amanda in Jurien Bay 1000 562 jurien

Why the stars align perfectly for Amanda in Jurien Bay

Amanda Skipper is convinced that some of the best star constellations can be seen from her lounge window in her home near Jurien Bay.

“There’s nothing more fascinating than looking up to the sky at night and seeing those bright stars shining through the darkness.”

“I live in Alta Mare, a thirty-minute cycle ride from Jurien. These stars are magical, there is no better place in Australia to view them,” Amanda says.

Amanda is the pharmacy assistant at Jurien Bay Pharmacy. She came here with her husband four years ago with a view to retiring and leading a slower paced life.

“We were here on holiday and one night walked to the seafront to watch the sun set.”

“Seeing the sun go down was so spectacular, that we decided to come back the following week and then we just made that move,” she laughs.

“I love the wild flowers and the outdoor lifestyle. I run and enjoy exercise as I used to be a naturopath so follow a healthy lifestyle.”

This year Amanda was nominated for the WA Pharmacy Assistant of the Year award, an accolade which makes her very proud.

“I am nearly 60 and still studying! I’m doing my Cert IV in Pharmacy. I have a drive and determination to be the best I can be. I’m always striving for perfection, and I believe I’ve found that here, in Jurien Bay – it really is a perfect place to live.”

Jurien Bay is a real, honest destination. It is a place for those who want to put down the mobile and take a break from city life. Those who just want to do little or nothing for a while. To read a book, to fish off a jetty, to pay a cheeky visit to the local or to just sit and look at the blue, blue waves roll in. When you’re in Jurien Bay, time is not measured in hours or minutes, but in moments.

Why the Bay is a biker’s paradise (but not in the way you think) 1000 562 jurien

Why the Bay is a biker’s paradise (but not in the way you think)

There’s not many people who wake up every day and eat breakfast overlooking a huge array of vintage motorbikes and vehicles. Former cray fisherman Ian Boyd built his house to accommodate his enormous collection, nearly 85 in total, and it truly is a sight to see so many vintage motorbikes lining up side by side.

Ian is a well-known character in Jurien Bay and opens up his home to bike enthusiasts from around Australia. He doesn’t advertise, it’s just word of mouth which brings people to his door.

“I love it, I am a people person and these motor enthusiasts are on the same wavelength as me. Now I’m retired it’s a great way to pass the time of day, just swapping stories,” he says.

“Most of these bikes were built between 1936 to 1955 and they are all British Vincent bikes. My favourite one used to be owned by a Siam prince who also raced cars. I reckon 800 people every year come and see my collection and I get them to sign my visitors book.”

Ian arrived in the town in 1985. He is passionate about motorbikes, there’s even an engine on his kitchen table. It’s a project he’s been trying to repair for months.

“I just cook around it,” he laughs.

“This is a great town, the beaches are safe, everyone is so friendly. Jurien Bay is paradise and I don’t want too many people knowing about this slice of paradise.”

Jurien Bay is a real, honest destination. It is a place for those who want to put down the mobile and take a break from city life. Those who just want to do little or nothing for a while. To read a book, to fish off a jetty, to pay a cheeky visit to the local or to just sit and look at the blue, blue waves roll in. When you’re in Jurien Bay, time is not measured in hours or minutes, but in moments.

Kane’s sea safari with octopuses and sea lions off Jurien Bay 1000 562 jurien

Kane’s sea safari with octopuses and sea lions off Jurien Bay

Kane Krollig lives and breathes everything to do with the sea. His house overlooks Jurien Bay and he goes to work in his boat on the sea.

“It’s a good life here in Jurien Bay with my wife and three boys and running a business which I love, I’m very grateful,” he says.

Kane grew up in Jurien Bay with his parents who ran the general store, but that was thirty years ago when there weren’t too many visitors to the town. He then took a FIFO role in the mines but in 2014 he learnt that the only fishing charter company in Jurien Bay had shut down.

“There was a company here but the chap who ran it closed the business down and moved north to Kalbarri, so I stepped in and set up Turquoise Safaris.”

“I do both fishing and sea charters. When we catch an octopus, and pull it on board, the children are just mesmerised and I love to see their enthusiasm.”

“We always spot sea lions and once we saw a four and a half metre great white shark. The youngsters are full of questions and I love answering them. It’s a great experience.”

Kane says he can’t ever imagine moving.

“Sometimes I can do one fishing trip and two nature charters back to back and it can be quite tiring, but this place is beautiful, with its sandy beaches and marine life, I feel very lucky.”

Spend some time in one of Western Australia’s most beautiful coastal towns. Just two hours drive north from Perth, Jurien Bay is the perfect weekender.

Jurien Bay’s landscape and ambience makes it a must-see stop 1000 562 jurien

Jurien Bay’s landscape and ambience makes it a must-see stop

The new jetty at Jurien Bay always seems to attract plenty of visitors. The play area just to one side of the jetty is bustling with young children and set back from this is a large information board on the fauna, flora and geology of the area.

Sue and Bob Lewis from England, who are on a six-week trip to Western Australia, are studying its contents. Sue’s old school friend Linda Clayton, who lives in Dunsborough, has brought them to Jurien Bay for a two-night stay.

“I wanted to bring them here because I knew they would like the Pinnacles, and the ambience and feel of this place,” says Linda.

“It was a good choice, I really like it here because of the bio-diversity, the nearby desert and bush. Jurien Bay itself is a sleepy town but everyone is very welcoming, they certainly know how to look after their visitors,” explains Bob.

His wife Sue adds, “Yes, the landscape is amazing along with the food and service we’ve received at cafes, it’s been outstanding!”

“What we’ve noticed here in Jurien Bay is that the pace of life is much slower, it is phenomenally less crowded than other places and for us that just means a far more relaxed holiday.”

Remember those holidays you used to take where pleasures were a lot simpler? They still exist and you only have to drive a couple of hours north to enjoy them. Take a break from the stresses of city life and visit Jurien Bay.

Why the jetty is such a catch for these junior fishing enthusiasts 1000 562 jurien

Why the jetty is such a catch for these junior fishing enthusiasts

At the end of Jurien Bay Jetty, two young fishing enthusiasts peer over the edge into the sea.  One has a rod, the other a bucket.  Azlyn and Linkin Yates aged 8 and 9 are brother and sister. They were here at four thirty in the morning trying to catch fish with their Dad and are now back again.

“We love Jurien Bay as it is great for fishing,” says Linkin. “We have an old two metre tinny boat and we’ve been trying to catch fish out on the water too.

“It’s great here. Do you know I’ve got two web pages about fishing?”

“I’ve also won competitions. I have a record for the biggest salmon which weighed in at 7.8 kilos.  I caught that in King Ash Bay and won $500,” he adds rather proudly.

“That’s the best thing about Jurien Bay, the jetty and the beach, the play area too.  Mum says we can come down here and do what we want if we don’t fight with each other. If we do, then we’re not allowed to watch a dvd at night.”

“We’ve been staying at the caravan park, there’s a huge inflatable trampoline,” says Azlyn.

And at that moment there’s a pull on the rod and Linkin winds his line to see he’s caught a puffer fish.

Maybe not quite what they were hoping for, but it doesn’t dampen their enthusiasm.

Remember those holidays you used to take where pleasures were a lot simpler? They still exist and you only have to drive a couple of hours north to enjoy them. Take a break from the stresses of city life and visit Jurien Bay.

A reunion in Jurien Bay for old school friends 1000 562 jurien

A reunion in Jurien Bay for old school friends

It’s mid-afternoon on a Sunday and a group of children are giggling and scrambling on a climbing frame in the play area. Two women are chatting on a bench. They’re old school friends.  Jodie Connors lives here; Melanie Giles is visiting from Perth.

“As a family, we used to regularly come for holidays. I’d had enough of living in Perth, my husband was FIFO so I said let’s go and we moved here three years ago,” Jodie explains.

Jodie has three children aged 13, 12 and 4 who are settled in school and have been welcomed into the Jurien Bay community.

“I’ve kept in contact with Melanie who’s an old-school friend.”

“Yes I am here with ten other people, all relatives. We are staying in the local caravan park. Between us we have hired a caravan, chalet and tent. It’s my first time up here but I can see the appeal,” Melanie adds.

“My kids are dirty, messy and grubby and that makes them happy. They’ve been fishing and done some sandboarding.”

“We’ll be back to visit Jodie again and I have already started planning next year’s trip.”

Jodie butts in;

“Oh I am glad you are coming back. That’s the beauty of Jurien Bay, it’s not miles away so people can come and visit.”

“I’m glad we made the move. It’s a less stressful lifestyle, as soon as I drive into Jurien Bay, I feel relief, it’s just like I’m back home and can relax.”

Remember those holidays you used to take where pleasures were a lot simpler? They still exist and you only have to drive a couple of hours north to enjoy them. Take a break from the stresses of city life and visit Jurien Bay.

Why Jurien Bay is Picture Perfect 1000 562 jurien

Why Jurien Bay is Picture Perfect

Tiges Morton, artist and owner of Tiges Surf Shop, has been in Jurien Bay for 25 years and seen it grow from a tight knit community to a town which caters to tourists. Numbers can swell three-fold especially at Christmas and during school holidays.

He’s a well-known character around the town but why the unusual first name?

“I had a nickname as Tiger when I was a child, and then in 2004 I changed it by deed poll. Everyone knows me as Tiges here.

“The shop originally sold haberdashery. I bought it in 1999 and turned it into more of a surf store. I’m never going to make mega-bucks, but what Jurien Bay offers me is a laid back lifestyle.”

“I love art and won the Cervantes Art Award last year, this is a great place to paint seascapes,” he says.

Tiges lives in a house which resembles an airy beach shack with an interior of turquoise and blues. In his art studio, large prints adorn the walls.

“Art is therapeutic. I just like the kite boarding, surfing and painting. I’ve got all three adult children who’ve got kids themselves and they live in Jurien.”

“The beaches are so safe, no big waves. They work in the cray fishing industry. There’s no commute to work and the fact they still live here, speaks volumes about the lifestyle they have.”

Jurien Bay is a real, honest destination. It is a place for those who want to put down the mobile and take a break from city life. Those who just want to do little or nothing for a while. To read a book, to fish off a jetty, to pay a cheeky visit to the local or to just sit and look at the blue, blue waves roll in.  When you’re in Jurien Bay, time is not measured in hours or minutes, but in moments.

Why this group of twenty keep coming back, again and again to Jurien Bay 1000 562 jurien

Why this group of twenty keep coming back, again and again to Jurien Bay

The winds picking up, but there’s a group of twenty or so people on the beach who don’t seem too bothered by the change in weather.

They’re gathered around in a semi-circle, listening to music and just chatting and enjoying a few drinks while their kids are splashing in the sea. They look like a very contented group of holidaymakers.

“There’s about twenty of us here,” says Todd Hewitt.

“We’ve all come up from Perth, about ten adults and ten children and we’re all friends. This is our hideaway, we come four times a year for long weekends.”

“We know the kids will enjoy the beach and surf, the women will just chat and watch them, and us men we do lots of fishing and maybe have a beer or two.”

Todd explains that they always stay at the caravan park, and the wives are the ones who organise these much- anticipated trips.

“Well I would discourage anyone from coming here. No, I’m joking … I’m only saying that because we like to have Jurien Bay to ourselves and that’s the beauty of this place.”

“Look at the beach, beautiful sand, that calm turquoise sea, we’re the only ones here on this stretch of beach, it’s a good spot, why would we want to go anywhere else?”

Remember those holidays you used to take where pleasures were a lot simpler? They still exist and you only have to drive a couple of hours north to enjoy them. Take a break from the stresses of city life and visit Jurien Bay.

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