After my recent trip up to Kalbarri, I decided another little WA road trip was in order and what better way to see what our beautiful State has to offer than in style and comfort with the Volvo V40!

Thanks to Barbagallo Volvo I was fortunate enough to road test the V40 for the Volvo Blogger Drive and it was an absolute dream – needless to say there were many tears when I handed it back! Now I am no car expert but I do have a deep appreciation for design and functionality and this is exactly what I loved about the V40. It is the perfect entry-level car within the Volvo range, aimed at the 20 to 30-something professional who wants style, sophistication, and a sporty drive minus the usual hefty price tag.

From what I have experienced this car was designed to simplify your life so that you can enjoy the drive safely and in style. The moment you sit in the leather seats you slide into luxury, from the electrically adjustable memory driver seat to the digital display that keeps you connected to all your devices, the elegant and functional interior is a continuation of the sleek and sporty exterior.

STIRLING RANGES

A lot of people I’ve spoken to have never heard of Stirling Range or Bluff Knoll, for those that don’t know it is a range of mountains and hills part of the beautiful Great Southern region of Western Australia – not far from Albany. We decided to go on a hiking trip and although it was physically extremely difficult for me – being unfit and all and the weather conditions left little to see of the beautiful views, it was one of the best experiences and I highly recommend it!

Things to consider:

Check the weather: If you decide to go hiking make sure you check the weather forecast, when I went snow was forecasted and the temperatures dropped close to zero, but equally, I would not recommend hiking in 40-degree heat.

Bring water and snacks: Bring plenty of water with you – especially in summer, it’s a steep climb and if you’re not very fit it is a difficult hike.

Bring a camera: The weather was rather miserable when I climbed but once I was coming down the sun came out and the views were absolutely beautiful, a photographer’s dream especially when the canola is flowering.

Accommodation: We stayed at the Stirling Range Retreat which has a range of self-contained chalets and for a cheap and cheerful option it was great. If you’re after something a little bit more upmarket and special you’ll love The Lily – pictured below. Adjacent to the authentic 16th-century Dutch windmill – which still produces flour, are little replica Dutch guest houses, a restaurant, and DAKOTA C47 – a US military plane that has been restored and renovated into a guest house!

YORK

Drive about one and a half hours East of Perth and you will find York, one of the oldest inland towns in Western Australia – which has become quite famous in the last few months for its beautiful canola fields and wildflowers. The historic town is a perfect little escape!

Things to consider:

See: On your way to York make sure you stop at York Olive Oil Co, as the name suggests they have a range of beautiful olive oil products but also some delicacies, and their homemade ice cream also won several medals at the Perth Royal Dairy Show.

For spectacular views of York and beyond head to Mount Brown Lookout.

Shop: There are a few antique and vintage stores in town – one of them is opposite the Town Hall, and if you’re like me who just loves to spend hours rummaging through all the antiques you’ll have a field day!

Eat: After all the seeing and doing you can add a little bit more country charm by grabbing a bite to eat at The York Mill Cafe, a quaint spot where you have the option of sitting in the cottage or the courtyard. Alternatively, pack a picnic and go sit and relax by the Avon River.

Some of my favorite features from the Volvo V40 are:

1. Heated Seats – Crisp mornings and cooler evenings were made more enjoyable and cosy with the heated seat functionality! Even better the front seats have individual heating and cooling systems, meaning you can adjust the temperature at your leisure without disturbing your passenger’s preferences.

2. Start Stop Technology – For those of us who have to commute to work by car and often get stuck in traffic the innovative Start Stop technology is a fantastic feature that reduces both fuel usage and emissions – tick for fuel efficiency and eco-friendliness!

1. Fuel Efficiency – Following on from the above, I was lucky enough to drive the V40 for two weeks and even though I went on several trips outside of Perth I only had to fill up twice!

2. Electrically Adjustable Driver Seat – This is a great feature if you share a car with your partner. Forget having to readjust your seat every time it’s your turn to drive the car, the V40 saves your preferences!

3. Active Bending Lights – Perfect if you’re driving on winding roads at night – say after a trip back from York, as the name suggests the bending lights turn and swivel like your eyes so that you can see everything coming up around the bend!

4. Automatic Daylight Sensor – If set on an automatic daylight sensor, the Volvo V40 detects the change in light conditions and will automatically turn on the car’s headlights!

5. Reverse Camera – A great safety feature that offers a lot more visibility and peace of mind.

For more details about the Volvo V40 visit Barbagallo Volvo.