Margaret River, an Ideal Getaway

Nestled just a three hour drive South-West of Perth, Western Australia you’ll find the stunning coastline and magnificent beaches of Margaret River. The area, best known for its premium wineries and pristine beaches, also combines world class food, tall timber forests, spectacular bays and ancient limestone caves. You will find the dramatic cliffs and rocks, tranquil aqua waters of the many secluded bays and the rising mist in the early morning a dazzling tapestry of visual spendour.

Thirty years ago this diverse area was better known for its logging and agriculture. Today, Margaret River is an internationally renowned wine region and host to more than half a million visitors a year. Seems I’m not the only one who enjoys a spot of wine tasting! The ‘Margs’ as it is affectionately known, is blessed with crisp winters and refreshing sea breezes in summer, making it an ideal location for a getaway at any time of the year.

The scenic drive along the winding road gives an overwhelming sense of serenity amongst the soaring karri tree giants of Boronup Forest. Get out and walk along the narrow gravel road luring you through the stunning, scenic forest and prepare to feel super tiny as many of these trees are up to 60m in height. It’s truly a surreal experience to enjoy the peace and tranquillity wandering among the mystical scenery that undulates across the valley. Soaking up the forest ambience, listening to the sounds of the birds and leaves rusting in the breeze is a feast for the senses. Combined with the sounds of the native birds, sight of wildflowers on the forest floor (in season) and fresh smell of the eucalypts, meandering in the solitude of the towering Karri trees leaves you in in silent awe and is simply beautiful.

You’re not short of choices in the Margaret River region with over 150 wine producers and a gourmet food lover’s paradise of locally grown olives, freshwater marron, venison, chocolate and award winning cheeses. And nothing goes better with fine wine than cheese. Margaret River Dairy Company is worth dropping into for some creamy camembert, baked ricotta or pot set yogurts. Head to Vasse Virgin Olive Oil Farm for tastings or an array of hand made olive oil skin care products. The Farm House makes some of the tastiest bacon ever. The proprietor sources local pork and lamb, prepares fresh honey brines and uses freshly prepared shavings from apple tree logs from Donnybook to impart the smokey flavour and aroma in his specialty cured and smoked products.

Some of our favourite places are Berry Farm for fresh jams, fortified wines and great morning teas with the birds in the gardens. The Grove is a great place for a different experience tasting their distilled liqueurs and spirits like Gin, Vodka, Absinthe, Grappola, etc, in lovely surroundings. Margaret River Bakery offers the best breakfast and bakery goods with a touch of whimsy.

With Margaret River’s Mediterranean style climate, lacking extremes in summer and winter temperature, mixed with the humidity levels makes this an ideal growing area. Producing consistently high quality fruit of intense flavour Margaret River’s reputation as a premium wine producing region in the world is evenly split between producing red and white varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Sauvignon blanc, Shiraz, Merlot, Chenin blanc and Verdelho.

Happs, Gralyn, Beckett’s Flat, Lenton Brae, Brookland Valley, Stella Bella, Laurance  and Swooping Maggie are just some of our favourite boutique wineries in the area. Many of the local wineries have other attractions, with lakes filled with Marron and Silver Perch, beautiful manicured gardens, Pottery, B&B’s, arts and glasswares, wedding venues like Laurance and outstanding restaurants like Flutes at Brookland.

The abundance of local produce like organic fruit and vegetables and fresh fish and seafood caught offshore makes the Margaret River area home to many restaurants that showcase local specialties to create a taste of Margaret River on a plate. The chefs’ combination of artistry and gastronomy ensures whether for a leisurely lunch or romantic dinner there is something for every palate, perfectly matched with some superior plonk to wash it down.

Whether you take a formal tour or take yourself on a walk along the beach or one of the many walking tracks you have a chance of seeing some fur seals or Humpbacks and Southern Right whales. Their annual migration brings them to region for a feed and play. With 130km  of immaculate coastline stretching from Cape Naturaliste to Cape Leeuwin you can enjoy a long distance hike voted one of the best walking tracks in the world.

Visit Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse, Australia’s tallest lighthouse, located on the most south westerly tip of Australia, where the Indian Ocean and Southern Oceans meet, the breathtaking views are hard to beat anywhere in the world and a visit here will reward you with one of the top 3 ocean views in the world. The nearby Water Wheel, now encrusted in calcified lime, was built in 1895 to provide water to the builders of the lighthouse, provided by a natural spring in the nearby wetland.

On the northern cape is one of the most spectacular sights, Sugarloaf Rock. Anytime of the year, on the way to the Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse you can see this bold craggy rock’s points and crevasses being pounded by the surrounding ocean. The might and power of the Indian Ocean is incredible and the sheer size of the rock has to be seen to be believed. Sugarloaf Rock can also be seen further along the coast in Yallingup.

You can enjoy the brilliant white sands and stunning turquoise waters of Hamelin Bay or explore nature’s most exquisite and delicate rock formations in ancient caves open to the public, the most famous being Mammoth, Jewel and Lake Caves. The caves contains fossils dating back over 35,000 years and like the other caves, Ngilgi, Calgardup and Giant caves is located within Leeuwin Naturaliste National Park.

The sheer diversity of natural landscapes you can encounter near Margaret River will truly blow your mind. Not only is this area blessed with mild weather and abundant sunshine, it has breathtaking scenery along some of the world’s best beaches, renowned surf breaks, majestic tall tree forests and walking trails with unique plant species found nowhere else on earth. When Spring is in the air it is the perfect time to head down and enjoy the warmer weather to see the colourful wildflowers, beautiful beaches, and relish the long winery lunches and incredible natural beauty of the region.

Whether it’s a summer family holiday, a romantic winter getaway, hens’ weekend with the girls or a ‘mancation’ for the lads you can explore ancient caves, go whale watching, stroll through forests of giant timbers, visit a winery or three or head to the beach. Is there anything more you could possibly need to give you reason to go to Margaret River?

Hugh Jackman has been quoted as saying ‘Margs’  is the best place he’s ever been to, citing the surf, the beaches, the food, the wine, the people and the air as his reasons. And if it’s good enough for Hugh, it’s enough for me. Onya Hugh!

PS. Princess Cruises have now added the Margaret River region to their Western Australia cruising itinerary as from April 2015 and A Hole in my Shoe sailed in the inaugural season.

Update: In October 2019 Jetstar announced their plans to launch direct flights from Melbourne commencing in March 2020. So now Victorian residents can be enjoying this beautiful region and the local wines within 4 hours. Check out the calendar of events for 2020.

Does Margaret River sound like an ideal place for your to relax and getaway? Is this somewhere you would have like to spend a long weekend, or longer?

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