Margaret River is one of Australia’s best wine regions. It has attracted wine lovers and wannabes for years to its vineyards. Many travelers and locals may not realize that Margaret River offers so much more to visitors than wine. It is home to several hundred award-winning wine estates. There are also some of Australia’s best white sand and surf beaches, endless secluded swimming spots, a vibrant food and arts scene, as well as a large number of stingrays and kangaroos.
The West Coast of Australia is one of the most underrated parts of Australia. It’s a place that will inspire a lifetime love affair. These are my top suggestions for things to do and see in Margaret River. They include the best restaurants and wineries, as well as my favorite beaches. There are also lots of travel tips.
Visit the best cellars
Margaret River is home to more than 200 vineyards and hundreds of award-winning wineries. There are also a number of cellar doors. Wine tasting has become a popular attraction in South West Australia. The region is known for its Cabernet Sauvignons, Shirazs, and Chardonnays, which are among Australia’s best and regularly beat out Burgundy wines in blind tastings.
It’s easy to sample the best wines of Margs at internationally recognized estates from $0 to $10. I have visited many wineries in Margaret River. Here are my ten favorites:
Vasse Felix Vasse Felix is the oldest winery in the region, with some truly spectacular wines. It has a beautiful cellar and offers $10 tastings.
Hay Shed Hill: small cellar door and restaurant in the Wilyabrup Valley with good wines.
Xanadu Wines Great, easy-drinking wines at a great price with an excellent on-site dining restaurant.
Happ’s wines: a personable tasting in a gallery in Quindalup. Great dry reds, Chardonnay, and Cracker snacks between tastings
Voyager Estate: beautiful reds at the high end and a $10 tasting of reds and mixed whites
Brown Hill Estate: small family-owned winery that produces great wines for a reasonable price. Includes excellent Chardonnay, Muscat, and higher-priced Reds.
Aravina Estate: an impressive collection of whites and reds at reasonable prices, plus a casual cafe and great restaurant with wood-fired pizza, free samplings
Leeuwin Estate: a large, impressive 5-star vineyard home to award-winning wine, including the “best red wine under $40” (Shiraz); $25 per person for a tour and tasting.
Stella Bella Wines: Beautiful winery near Margaret River, with amazing reds, in particular their Shiraz.
McHenry-Hohnen Vintners: Unique biodynamic vineyard that uses its knowledge of seasons and moon cycles and harvests the best grapes possible for its delicious wine.
Wine-tasting tours are available
Margaret River Tours offers a full-day Gourmet Wine & Dine tour that includes tastings at six different wineries, a 2-course lunch, and a glass of wine per person. Margaret River Tours offers a full-day Wine & Dine Tour that provides six wine tastings and a full glass of wine at each winery, accompanied by savory 2-course meals, savory cheese and chocolate tastings, and savory picnics. The tour costs $170 per person.
Margaret River Tours tailors each day to the small group. This makes the experience seem similar to a private tour without the cost.
Injidup Natural Spa
Injidup Natural Spa, located just 30 minutes north of Margaret River in beautiful Yallingup, is a great afternoon trip on a hot summer day.
The naturally formed rock pool at Injidup Beach is stunning. With its orange stones and turquoise water, it’s well worth the drive from Margs. Watch the water crashing over the rocks and enjoy the intense froth. You can also scramble on the boulders or admire the view from above.
Top Tip: Injidup Natural Spa is a popular destination, especially on the weekends and during holidays. However, a quick walk along the coast will reveal more stunning swimming holes you can enjoy all to yourself.
Busselton Jetty
The longest Jetty in the hemisphere is the Busselton Jetty. It was built over 150 years ago. It’s a great place to stop by between wineries or when driving down from Perth.
Busselton has a lot to offer, such as walking the length of the Jetty (admission is $4), taking the train to the tip of the peninsula ($14), or visiting the Underwater Observatory to see what lies beneath the surface.
The best way to experience the Jetty is to get under it. Busselton Jetty has been described as Australia’s largest artificial coral. The thousands of wooden poles that support the boardwalk are also home to an array of vibrant marine life, including seals, small sharks, and colorful fish. BYO snorkel equipment can be hired for $15 at the local dive shop.
Indulge in a gourmet lunch
Margs, in addition to offering an almost endless array of wine, has become a leader in the Australian food scene. There are many high-profile restaurateurs and chefs in the Margaret River area, including some who work on-site with equally fantastic wineries. This means that there are no shortages of gourmet food and wine pairings or multi-course meals.
Enjoy the best food and flavors in one of my favorite restaurants in Margaret River,
Will’s Domain: Winner of numerous awards, this outdoor dining establishment located above a breathtaking vineyard in Yallingup offers flavor combinations that are sure to blow you away (try the 3-course menu).
Xanadu: simple but excellent restaurant in Margaret River with delicious dishes (I recommend the lamb) and wonderful lunch wine pairings.
Aravina: large restaurant and winery located in lush gardens near Yallingup. Formal dining or casual wood-fired pizza is available for a lunch picnic.
Sugarloaf Rock
A small granite island rises dramatically from the sea just off the coast of Cape Naturaliste. It is a stunning sight against the orange-hued coastline of South West Australia. Sugarloaf Rock, a popular viewpoint easily accessible about an hour’s drive north of Margaret River, is one of the best spots to view the Indian Ocean sunset.
Several short walking tracks lead to different viewpoints of Sugarloaf. There is also the epic Cape-to-Cape Walk, which runs from Cape Naturaliste up to Cape Leeuwin. It is considered one of the best multi-day bushwalks in the state, offering breathtaking coastal views as well as an abundance of fascinating geology as it meanders from Sugarloaf Rock to Augusta.
Hamelin Bay is home to stingrays
Hamelin Bay is my favorite beach and activity in Margaret River. Hamelin Bay Beach, located just 25 minutes south of Margs, is home to an incredible population of Smooth Stingrays. Black Stingrays and small Eagle Rays are also present.
There’s little risk of being stung on Hamelin Bay Beach, so long as you show the animals some basic respect. Keep your distance from the water and avoid stepping on anyone. Also, don’t try to feed the stingrays. Common sense is the best way to go.
You’ll see a lot of rays around the boat ramp, which is at the end of the beach. If you walk from the main parking area to the right (if you are walking), you can expect to see dozens on a nice day. Jump in with a snorkel to get a closer encounter away from crowds, or Stand calf-deep and wait for eagle and giant stingrays to approach you. Hamelin Bay is a truly magical place, and it’s free.