Dingup House recognised as one of best hosted accommodations at 2024 Perth Airport WA Tourism Awards

A historic Manjimup bed and breakfast accommodation was recognised as one of the best hosted accommodations in Western Australia at the Perth Airport WA Tourism Awards, taking out bronze during the ceremony. Historic Dingup House Bed & Breakfast was acknowledged for their accommodation on November 9. Business owner Chris Utech said despite the challenges faced in recent times, she had accomplished everything she had planned for with the house. “It was pretty cool (to be acknowledged), given that it’s been an interesting few years with COVID thrown in there and a few challenges,” she said. “To be recognised for the hard work I have done over the last eight years was good — I came with a plan of what I wanted to do and I feel I have completed it. “I renovated the barn for functions, brought in tour groups and private functions, so I feel like I have achieved everything I’ve wanted to do and I hope it remains at the same level in the next few years.” Ms Utech said the property’s charm and historical value brought intrigued visitors to the property and made the bed and breakfast an ideal venue for hosting events. “I think because of the historic charm and the nature of the property — the house, the gardens and the barn — it’s pretty cool and it’s pretty much true to how it was 150 years ago,” she said. “We’ve enhanced the charm of that and made it a place for people to have their special occasions. “Weddings usually book the whole venue... while birthday parties can be just the barn, although I did have a bus group from Albany do a high tea in the gardens recently.” The property was built by the Giblett family in 1868 and acted as the hub for the Balbarrup community. “The school teacher lived here, so the children came here for school,” Ms Utech said. “There was a permanent blacksmith here, it’s on the Warren-Blackwood Stock Route, and church services were held here in the house for 20 years until the church was built. “After the church was built, the church was used for marriages, with 27 weddings between 1885 and 1946, and the church and house were used for receptions.” Having owned Dingup House for eight years, Ms Utech said she became involved in activities and experiences she wouldn’t have otherwise, including hosting celebrities and creating memorable stays for guests. “I ended up riding in a horse and cart along the Warren-Blackwood Stock Route and cooked for a man who wanted to do that for his 80th birthday,” she said. “I’ve had a lot of chefs stay during Truffle Kerfuffle, including Colin Fassnidge and Gary Mehigan, and all sorts of celebrities as well, and made friends with a lot of my guests. “I like to make my guests feel like they’re at home, and cooked evening meals for them and sit around the dining table together.”