Sun, surf and mile upon mile of vineyards all set amidst a stunning scenic backdrop, does it get much better than that? No? Then head for Margaret River and you won’t be disappointed!! 

Just a 3 hour drive south of Perth, Margaret River perches prettily amongst coast, towering karri forest and unspoilt countryside - it has a magical appeal and a very gentle rhythm to life, leaving the hustle and bustle of the cities far behind. 

It has been only 40 years since the first vines were planted at Margaret River and in that sense it is the baby of Australia’s wine growing family. Yet in that short period Margaret River has astonishingly established itself as a world class wine growing region. There are over 200 vineyards in the region and between them they are responsible for cultivating about 15% of Australia’s wine. The wines produce consistently good results and are world-wide acclaimed, receiving many awards and accolades. This makes Margaret River a wine connoisseur’s paradise! If you’re spending some time in this region, leave the car back home at the ranch!! 

There is naturally much more to Margaret River than wine – there’s beer too! There are many boutique breweries propping up locals and visitors alike, serving up home grown ale like you don’t get back home! 

A few decades ago Margaret River was one of the original hippie surf hangouts – the West coast’s answer to Byron Bay. Whilst the vineyards have introduced an element of sophisticates, the surfies still exist in large numbers and the 2 crowds happily intermingle. Just as there is world class wine, there is world class surf here too. Not to mention the vibrant arts scene and quirky resident artists who add further to the bohemian flavour of the region. 

Ultimately this region is the epitome of Aussie laid back lifestyle – lazy afternoons at the surf with a beer or wine in the cooler and the summer sun warming the back of your neck as you kick back and unwind. 

What to do in Margaret River

Wine: Margaret River wineries are a wine connoisseur’s delight with grape variety and vintage to suit every palate. There are some innovative wine makers here placing the spotlight on the region and creating a bit of a global stir. So you are in excellent hands when it comes to sampling the local grape. Just make sure you put aside enough time as one day may just not be enough! You’ll also want to make sure you are staying within crawling distance! 

If you are able to organise your trip to coincide with the annual wine festival then all the better! Not only is there fantastic live entertainment, but the local wineries battle it out in the wine barrel cart race down the main street running through the region. There is normally a parade and of course, the climax of the festival ends in the great Grape Stomp - be prepared to get messy!

Ale: Ok so not everyone is a fan of the grape. If you’re more of a real ale fan then you’re in for a treat. The Margaret River region is host to a number of boutique breweries that cultivate some pretty special, unique and let’s face it sometimes downright dangerous real ales!! As with the wine, this is award winning stuff, not the type you get down your local. You could happily while away a day sampling the local fayre but don’t forget to stock up before you leave otherwise you’ll regret it!! 

Food: Good food goes hand in hand with good wine and you’ve no need to worry about that here as Margaret River more than has it covered! The cooks here are as passionate as the wine makers so Gordon Ramsay eat your heart out! Many of the good restaurants are actually located within the wineries, making life that much simpler for you! However, there are award winning restaurants and eateries dotted all around Margaret River so you are never far away from scintillating cuisine to whet even the fussiest eaters appetite. 

Once your taste buds have savoured the savouries, why not tantalise them with the sweet? Just the thing would be to head to the Margaret River chocolate factory. Rather craftily, it is nestled in amongst some premium wineries capitalising on the fact that fine chocolate and a sophisticated glass of red are the perfect partners in crime! 

Surfing: Once the fine wine has found its way out of your system you might want to kick start the adrenalin by catching some waves. If you’re a fan of the old cult surf movies and always fancied yourself as a boardie, then no matter what level you’re at – rookie to master of the waves – there are surf spots and conditions to suit all, from powerful reef breaks to fun but gentle beach breaks. Worries don’t exist in this part of the world and nothing is too much trouble – the local surfies are always on hand to give you a tip or two! This region also attracts professional surfers from all over the world too. 

If watching the surf is more your thing, then settle back in a beachside cafe and watch the locals board into perfect barrels or roll in on the glassy waves. 

Aboriginal Culture: Ever wondered how the Aboriginals have lived so self sufficiently and harmoniously for centuries? Step out of your own shoes and into the world of this unique Australian culture by visiting the Aboriginial Cultural Centre. You’ll learn how to make tools for hunting and cooking. You’ll learn how to properly throw spears and how to collect and use natural resources for food and medicine. You can also take part in face painting the Aboriginal way and about their captivating story telling through dance and music. You might even learn how to play a didgeridoo! What you will definitely learn is how to have fun, whilst appreciating the ways of this ancient tribe that is so large a part of Australia’s history. What’s not to love?
 
Nature: A perfect way of entertaining the kids is to take them to the Naturaliste Reptile Park. Here they can play with pythons, outstare an iguana and leap with lizards in a safe but educational environment that will teach them how wonderful reptiles really are. Adults, please keep an open mind! 

Then put theory into practice by reptile spotting on one of the many bush walking trails in the region! 

Underwater Observatory: Always wanted to discover the deep sea world but afraid of going under? Well now you can discover the underwater wonders without even getting your feet wet! Visit the Busselton Jetty and Underwater Observatory and allow your eyes to open in amazement at over 300 marine species including a rainbow of colourful tropical fish that your local pet store will never lay their hands on! Kids will be transported to the world of ‘Nemo’ as the sights truly are fantastical. 

Lighthouse: Wanting to discover a piece of Margaret River history? A good start would be a walk to Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse, a famous historic landmark that is still in operation. The trip there is worth it just for the stunning location – it’s situated at the most south westerly peninsula of Australia, where the Southern and Indian Oceans meet. If you visit during June to August, watch out for whales passing through as they are very often spotted in this area during these months. 

Caves: If the hot sun becomes too much, why not cool off in a cave!! Incredibly there are several hundred caves situated in Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park, close to Margaret River. Four of them are open to the public and they are mind blowing! Some contain fossils dating back over 35000 years. As the name suggests, inside Lake Cave there is a beautifully serene lake that reflects back the awesome cave formations in the water and is absolutely breath taking. 

Arts: Artists have been settling in Margaret River for years, attracted by the casual easy going spirit of the area, from which flows their creativity. There’s an art or craft gallery on just about every corner so you won’t have to look far for some inspirational gifts to take home with you. Every type of art form is waiting to be discovered here, from photography to jewellery making to glass blowing to painters to metal workers. Whatever form of art inspires you, you are bound to find it here and who knows, you may just be pulled in by the spirit of creativity enough to tap into your own artistic vein! 

How to get to Margaret River

By Road: There is no question that the best way to get to Margaret River is by road. There are 2 main highways that run into the region. Buses and coaches also run daily from Perth.

It’s an eclectic crowd that hangs out in Margaret River, artists, food and wine lovers and surf dudes all happily live alongside each other. They all have one thing in common – they are all about chilling out and enjoying life – and that makes for a wondrous vibe throughout the region that is infectious and will make you want to extend your stay for as long as possible as you lose yourself in the ultimate getaway.