The Australian Bucket List

Western Australia

Margaret RiverIt’s hard to imagine a region that boasts world-class wineries, spectacular surf beaches, a bounty of artisan producers and unforgettable natural wonders but Margaret River has it all… and more.

Margaret River and its premium wine region is the place for indulging many passions. It's the only wine region in Australia where you can hop from award-winning wineries and restaurants to stunning beaches, tall-timber forests, world-class surf breaks and ancient caves. From Perth, it's an easy 3-hour drive via the coast. Budget travellers can catch the coach that departs daily. Or, you can opt to arrive in style, taking a direct charter flight to nearby Busselton. Blessed with mild weather and abundant sunshine, Margaret River has evolved from a chilled-out surfie town into a popular base for enjoying the region's fine flavours and spectacular scenery, where rolling vineyards sit against a backdrop of ocean and forest. Producing over 15 per cent of Australia's premium wine, the tastings are top-notch. And besides over 100 wineries, you'll be spoilt for choice with many fine restaurants, boutique breweries, art galleries and fresh produce, from divine cheeses to chocolate. Time your visit to coincide with the annual wine and food festivals and you'll get to savour many of these flavours in one hit. Those with a taste for adventure will find plenty to indulge in too. Known internationally as one of the best big-wave surfing locations on Earth for consistently spectacular breaks, there are over 40 top spots along Margaret River's coast, with conditions ranging from powerful reef breaks to fun beach surf. Venture inland and you'll be dwarfed by some of the world's tallest hardwood trees, and awe-struck by the longest straw stalactite on show when you plunge into Jewel Cave - one of many ancient limestone caves open to the public. More thrills can be found with rock climbing, abseiling, mountain biking, canoeing and whale watching tours. You might even be tempted to throw in a line and chase some snapper at one of the designated fishing spots. Your bed for the night can be as opulent or basic as your budget allows. The region boasts a fine array of luxury retreats and private beach houses, through to hotels, motels, backpackers, caravan parks and camping grounds.

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Things to do

Margaret River Surf School

The Margaret River Surf School is family-owned and operated by Jarrad and his wife Domanie. Together they have over 15 years of surf coaching experience. The Margaret River Surf School is Margaret River’s first surf school and has continued to run successfully for over 20 years. Margaret River Surf School strives to give everyone the chance to experience the thrill and excitement of catching waves and extending their abilities with their expert advice. They offer Group Surfing Lessons for beginners as well as Private Group Surfing Lessons and Individual Surfing Lessons tailored to suit either beginner, intermediate or advance surfers. They also offer half and full-day Surf Guide Tours for intermediate and advanced surfers of all ages where they can take you out to the best surf spots in the South West.Please visit their website for more information.

Explore Margaret River

Margaret River and its premium wine region is the place for indulging many passions. It's the only wine region in Australia where you can hop from award-winning wineries and restaurants to stunning beaches, tall-timber forests, world-class surf breaks and ancient caves. From Perth, it's an easy 3-hour drive via the coast. Budget travellers can catch the coach that departs daily. Or, you can opt to arrive in style, taking a direct charter flight to nearby Busselton. Blessed with mild weather and abundant sunshine, Margaret River has evolved from a chilled-out surfie town into a popular base for enjoying the region's fine flavours and spectacular scenery, where rolling vineyards sit against a backdrop of ocean and forest. Producing over 15 per cent of Australia's premium wine, the tastings are top-notch. And besides over 100 wineries, you'll be spoilt for choice with many fine restaurants, boutique breweries, art galleries and fresh produce, from divine cheeses to chocolate. Time your visit to coincide with the annual wine and food festivals and you'll get to savour many of these flavours in one hit. Those with a taste for adventure will find plenty to indulge in too. Known internationally as one of the best big-wave surfing locations on Earth for consistently spectacular breaks, there are over 40 top spots along Margaret River's coast, with conditions ranging from powerful reef breaks to fun beach surf. Venture inland and you'll be dwarfed by some of the world's tallest hardwood trees, and awe-struck by the longest straw stalactite on the show when you plunge into Jewel Cave - one of many ancient limestone caves open to the public. More thrills can be found with rock climbing, abseiling, mountain biking, canoeing and whale watching tours. You might even be tempted to throw in a line and chase some snapper at one of the designated fishing spots. Your bed for the night can be as opulent or basic as your budget allows. The region boasts a fine array of luxury retreats and private beach houses, through to hotels, motels, backpackers, caravan parks and camping grounds.

Margaret River Wine Tours

Margaret River Wine Tasting Tours is a door-to-door service from just about anywhere in the Margaret River Region, from Busselton to Yallingup to Augusta. They can provide a structured tour with behind the scenes tours and lunch at one of Margaret Rivers iconic Wineries. They can also provide just a driver and vehicle to allow you to customise your tasting tour. Please website for more details.

Margaret River Wine Cycle Trail

Welcome to the Margaret River Wine Cycle Trail. The perfect way to sample wines and the Margaret River countryside. This easy to ride wine trail has been designed to allow locals and visitors alike the tools to visit the "Dress Circle" of Margaret River wineries without being contained in a motor vehicle. Make your way through some of the world's best wineries, stopping for a self-packed picnic lunch or dining in one of the best winery restaurants in Australia. Finish your ride back to the bike shop through the iconic Margaret River forest for that perfect end of tour experience. Remember to drink responsibly while cycling.

Gnomesville

Gnomesville is one of those places that everyone is curious to explore and has been discussed all over the world. The small, lovable additions to the garden are often seen as a joke; however, there is something mysterious surrounding these small garden ornaments. There are remarkably few people who know exactly how Gnomesville appeared, however, there are several different stories. Some people believe that a random gnome appeared and other people placed their gnomes so the original one would not be lonely. As you approach the area, you will begin to see the gnomes, they are everywhere and become quite intimidating. It is estimated that there are now over 5000 different gnomes living in Gnomesville and this number is continuously growing. Every gnome has a place and they are all fascinating to discover. This area has now become a massive tourist attraction, with visitors from all over the world coming to add to the community. Tour companies sell excursions to visit this area and people are encouraged to bring their personalized gnome. Whether you want your gnome to be enjoying the sunshine, fishing, playing cricket or joining the rock band, there is a place for every single gnome.

Grape Escape South West Tours

Grape Escape prides itself on offering excellent customer service and fully customisable small group wine tours around the Margaret River wine region. They are also the only dog-friendly wine tour operators in Western Australia. If you are travelling and would like a four-legged companion, their french bulldog Gizmo would be more than happy to join you for the day! They don’t have a set wine route that they take every day as they want to make sure that they take you places that align with your tastes and preferences. They like to give you a mix of small boutique and larger venues and hope to be able to take you to some of the hidden gems.

Bunbury

The cosmopolitan city of Bunbury is renowned for its wild but friendly bottlenose dolphins which you can meet at the shoreline or out in the bay aboard a dolphin watching and swimming tour. It's also the setting of many maritime legends and the northern gateway to Australia's South West - one of the most biodiverse regions on Earth, where world-class wine, pristine beaches and forests of timber giants can all be enjoyed in a single day. Hitting the Kwinana Freeway and Forrest Highway south of Perth, you'll be beside the blue waters of Koombana Bay in under two hours. Regular charter flights from Perth will get you to Bunbury in the blink of an eye. If the idea of arriving by sea appeals, Bunbury is also included in the summer itineraries of many Australian cruise packages. To meet Bunbury's friendliest locals, make a beeline for the Dolphin Discovery Centre. Here, on the shores of Koombana Bay, a dedicated interpretive centre and interaction zone allows visitors to encounter some of the 100 plus bottlenose dolphins who frequent its calm waters. Stand knee-deep in the shallows and wait for them to come to you, or join a tour for a viewing or swimming experience. At nearby Mangrove Cove in the Leschenault Estuary, nature lovers can get a glimpse of what the coast looked like 20,000 years ago with a walk through Western Australia's southern-most mangroves. Golfers can swing by one of three internationally-renowned courses and young families will find more animal encounters in the region's wildlife parks. In the nearby Ferguson Valley lies a veritable feast of award-winning wines, fresh produce, local crafts, dazzling spring wildflowers, beautiful tuart forests, meandering waterways and captivating historic country towns. Those in search of dawn-to-dusk buzz should head for Bunbury's 'cappuccino strip', waterside restaurants and the bright lights of the Entertainment Centre. Earning its reputation as a cultural hub, Bunbury's event-filled calendar features opera, drama, comedy and the work of renowned Australian contemporary artists. The accommodation options offer just as much choice, from well-appointed beachfront resorts to city motels and budget-friendly chalets, caravan parks and backpackers.

Vasse Felix Winery

MARGARET RIVER'S FOUNDING WINE ESTATE Established in 1967 by regional pioneer Dr Tom Cullity, Vasse Felix is Margaret River's founding wine estate. Pristine isolation, ancient lands and twin oceans make Margaret River a wine paradise and one of the world’s greatest environments to grow ultra-premium Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay. These varieties, alongside Shiraz and Semillon Sauvignon Blanc blends are the primary focus at Vasse Felix. All wines are grown in Vasse Felix’s four Margaret River vineyards then vinified and bottled within the modern winery, situated at the Home Vineyard overlooking the Wilyabrup Brook. The Vasse Felix Cellar Door - also located at the Home Vineyard - is renowned. Featuring a tasting room, wine lounge, tours, art gallery, wine museum and one of Australia's most acclaimed restaurants, visitors are welcomed from all around the world, eager for the ultimate Vasse Felix experience. Many things make Vasse Felix the special place it is: the incredible environment and climate of Margaret River, their secure family ownership, their treasured heritage, and their priceless vineyards. But above all, it's the dedication of the entire team to continue Dr Cullity's original aim for Vasse Felix: "to make the best possible wine".

Aravina Estate

Aravina EstateAravina Estate, established in 2010 by Perth businessman and seventh-generation Western Australian Steve Tobin, is located in the northern corner of the premium wine-growing region of Margaret River in Western Australia. The property was established in 1986 under the original name - Amberley Estate. Explore Aravina Estate and share their love affair with wine, fresh produce and beautiful surrounds. Relax on the sun-soaked terrace and cast your eyes over native bushland, rolling hills, mature vineyards and gardens. Indulge your senses in the restaurant with a family-friendly focus including children's playground and dedicated menu. Dads love Aravina, with the Sports Car Gallery open on-site daily. Indulge in a wine experience in the private tasting room. Aravina Estate's Events Room can cater for corporate events or weddings with a 200 seat capacity. Visit the cellar door and try Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Shiraz, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Chenin Blanc and Chardonnay. Aravina Estate is not only committed to the traditional Margaret River varieties but other European varieties that are emerging from the region, in particular the Spanish variety, Tempranillo that has been recently planted on the Estate. It is well-suited to the warm, maritime climate of Margaret River. Due to current health advice on social distancing, please contact the business for the most up to date information regarding opening times and services.

Leeuwin Estate

Enjoy a behind-the-scenes tour of the winemaking process and sample the wines that have earned Leeuwin Estate its' enviable international reputation. The award-winning Leeuwin Restaurant combines fine wine and food in a picturesque setting. Their seasonal menus feature an abundance of local produce including asparagus, venison, lamb, seafood, berries and cheese. Sweeping verandas allow Leeuwin's Restaurant to bask in the tranquillity and beauty of its superb setting, overlooking a meadow surrounded by a forest of majestic karri trees. Step into the excellent art gallery and view the artworks from Australia's leading contemporary artists which feature on Leeuwin's Art Series wine labels or en-joy the annual Leeuwin Concert Series, featuring an eclectic mix of the world's top performers.

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