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March 2017

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.

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