MARGARET RIVER

The Margaret River that is synonymous with the town has been a vital life source here for the Wadandi people for tens of thousands of years. Its essence flows through the earth into the vines and trees, trickles down to the caves and washes out to meet with the salt water at the crest of foamy waves. This is a place that brings people together. Many have trodden in the footsteps of the early agricultural and viticultural visionaries, while others have found new ways to make a living here. These are people who are bound tightly by a love for where they live, and who are devoted to caring for the land.

The town itself is bursting with vibrant energy, dedicated music venues, public street art and fine dining. Explore further and you’ll find a kaleidoscope of open ocean, towering forests and undulating countryside, punctuated by cellar doors and galleries. Foodies can appreciate the revolution of farm to table eating, and adrenaline seekers can find themselves breathless in the surf or biking world class trails.

Margaret River. Inspired by nature.

It comes as a surprise to some visitors that Margaret River’s bustling town centre sits roughly 8km from the coast. But the main street never disappoints. There is an indelible buzz to the town centre with a mix of artisan stores and galleries, public street art, diverse drinking options and a good selection of retail shops.

To Cowaramup

CARTERS RD

Margaret River Distilling Company

Margaret River Brewhouse

ROTARY PARK

MARGARET RIVER

La Scarpetta Trattoria Jah Roc Galleries Swings and Roundabouts Margaret River

Margaret River Hairy Marron Cafe Historical Society

Wineries & Gourmet Dining: Margaret River’s fertile environment gives way to some of the world’s finest wines and produce that good chefs dream of.

Boranup Forest: The beauty, texture and sheer height of the Karri trees in Boranup Forest inspire awe in even the hardest of hearts, marking Margaret River as somewhere special.

Mammoth Cave: The ancient cave system that exists within Margaret River’s costal limestone ridge gives insight to Wadandi and natural history, and the true fertility and wonder of this land.

Margaret River: The lifeblood of the town’s fertile environment, the Margaret River flows through here and culminates at Rivermouth.

Surfers Point: Generations of professional and amateur surfers alike have flocked here to surf the region’s famous point break - and it’s a good spot to eat fish and chips at sunset, too.

Cowaramup’s Arts Scene: Inspired by the landscape, local artists have put their stamp on Cowaramup. Explore artisan stores, galleries and studios in this unexpectedly creative little town.

Margaret River Liquor Merchants

Margaret River Artisan Store Sidekick Café Settlers Tavern Hillzeez Subculture Squidlips Fish’n’Chips Riversmith

The Food Room Artful Ink

Tattoo Studio Margs

Margaret River Fudge Factory

WALCLIFFE RD

To Prevelly & Gnarabup Beaches

Margaret River Heart

Skate Park

Life Cycle

Bikes Blue Ginger Fine Foods The Garden Basket

Farmer’s Market Burger Baby

Hillzeez Down South Surf Shop

Drift Café

The Village at Margs Margaret River Hotel

Miki’s Open Kitchen Retyre Shoes Morries Arc of Iris

FORREST RD

BUSSELL HWY

To Augusta

45 min 2.4 km River Walk

Visitors Centre Gallery

Restaurant Supermarket

Café

Bar

Gift Shop Pedestrian/cycle path

Dining/shopping precinct

Green Space

Sean Blocksidge has a ridiculous optimism that is both genuine and infectious. Sean runs Margaret River Discovery Tours and knows the lay of the land, as well as those that inhabit it. In a world where the easy route is sometimes cynicism and negativity, Sean is there to figure out how to make it better. He’s an environmentalist, an avid photographer, and a foodie. And if you decide to jump on a tour with him, you’ll find he’s a great conversationalist too.

Sean’s lived and breathed Margaret River since around 2004 when he decided to call the destination home. “The region had everything I was looking for. Great lifestyle, outdoor adventures and some of the best wine and food offerings in Australia. I’d travelled a lot up to that point and suddenly found like I’d found my home, my patch of paradise on the planet.”

Sean has mostly come into contact with international and interstate visitors in the past and the border restrictions have seen a bit of a drop off in demand. His guided tour though, exposes hidden gems most West Aussies and possibly even Marg’s locals wouldn’t know about. He describes the tour as ‘the tour for people who don’t want to do tours.’ It feels intimate and personal, and its five-star Trip Advisor rating is a testament to the success of the product.

If you haven’t been to Margaret River for a while, you might find that some things are the same. A beach with no-one on it. The sound only of your paddle as you kayak among the jarrah trees in the river. The quality local ingredients at the Farmers Markets.

But there’s an abundance of new experiences emerging. Popularity for mountain biking tracks for instance, has been growing exponentially, as are the guided tours on offer to explore these trails by bike. Sean says “We now have more people with bikes on cars than surfboards. The trails are awesome with easy green trails for beginners and epic blue rated flow trails for the more skilled riders. Even a few bone-breaking black trails that keep the local hospital busy!”

You’ll be pleasantly surprised at how the town is maturing, and if you’re like Sean, you’ll feel a sense of peace through the natural surrounds, “I love the tranquillity, the sounds of the black cockatoos flying up the valley, the gentle flow of the river and the incredible reflections of the towering Eucalypts. It’s like a scene out of a movie and we’re always the only ones ever out there to experience it.”

If you’re not sure what to do once you’ve arrived in Margaret River, here’s 10 ways to discover (or rediscover) this special part of the world.

Visit Mammoth or Lake Cave: Pack some good walking shoes and book in at either Lake or Mammoth caves. Both subterranean systems are well preserved and have healthy stalactite and stalagmites dripping with life. Caves are a great way to escape the heat on a hot day and the descent is a satisfying release of moderate exercise.

Have lunch at a winery: There are dozens of great winery lunches to tempt the tastebuds in Margaret River. Choose from the classic Leeuwin Estate – where a chardonnay tasting is more than quaffable, try locally grown and sourced dishes at Voyager Estate, or for something more casual book in lunch at the Berry Farm where comfort food and fruity wines make a delightful pairing.

Visit an art gallery: Artists find inspiration from the natural wonders of the Margaret River Region, and local artisan stores and galleries have regular exhibitions of their work. Along Margaret River’s main street, try Jah Roc Gallery or John Miller Design for fine art and jewellery, and explore crafty wares at the Margaret River Artisan store. Take a short drive out of town to Vasse Felix Estate for high-end curated collections, Mr Barval Winery for Indigenous art exhibits or Payet Gallery for contemporary jewellery and pottery designs.

Gnarabup Beach. IMAGE Elements Margaret River

Walk the Cape to Cape Track: The famed Cape to Cape Track is laced with coves and beaches and walks range from moderate to advanced. Highly recommended is a guided tour with Cape to Cape Explorer Tours, Edgewalkers or Walk into Luxury. If you’re battling the cape yourself, try a section from Gracetown to Ellensbrook. It is moderate in elevation and around 7km. Be sure to pack enough supplies and arrange someone to pick you up at your destination!

Have breakfast at the White Elephant café: This is the top spot to down your favourite brekky with a view. Perch yourself directly overlooking Gnarabup beach and take in all of that summery seaside action.

Discover bird life at Eagles Heritage: Even if you don’t consider yourself a bird enthusiast, you will after a trip to Eagles Heritage. Minutes from downtown Margaret River, the wildlife centre has Australia’s largest collection of raptors set amongst stunning natural bushland. You can witness daily flight displays and get up close and personal with a barn owl. Stop for a browse in Witchcliffe: Drive south of Margaret River along Bussell Highway for ten minutes and you’ll encounter the quirky town of Witchcliffe. Coffee and cake at Yardbyrd café is a must, as is perusing the local antique and vintage stores.

Hit the trails: You don’t have to be a hardcore mountain biking guru to enjoy the trails in Margaret River. You can hire a bike or jump on a guided tour to discover some of the more unbeaten tracks, or you can head on a loop from Rotary Park. Whatever you choose, you will be feeling a sense of excitement and awe as you take in the wonderful forests and farmland on two wheels.

Spend a day at Redgate Beach: Clear skies, gin-clear water, and granite boulders jutting from white sand. Redgate beach is a prime piece of Indian Ocean shoreline, and is set

Surf at Redgate. IMAGE Elements Margaret River

up with flags over the summer. The beach break can have good entry level conditions for surfing (but beware of rips). Bird watchers keep a look out for the Rock Parrot and the Hooded Plover.

Try a local brew: There is a strong local loyalty to regionally brewed beer in these parts. Craft breweries and good old fashioned country pubs are well engrained in the town’s ecosystem. Visit the Margaret River Brewhouse Cowaramup Brewing Co, or Cheeky

Below: A walk through Mammoth Cave will take you out through the karri forest and includes an audio headset to guide you

Monkey for a hoppy brew and an excellent meal. Settler’s Tavern and The River Hotel are also trusted favourite’s and have a great music scene.

This article was originally written in 2020 and adapted for publication in 2021.

We invite you to join us for a tasting, among some of the oldest vines in Margaret River, at our famous Redbrook vineyard.

OPEN EVERY DAY 10:30 — 5 CORNER CAVES & METRICUP ROADS WILYABRUP, MARGARET RIVER, WA

We have collaborated with the Yallingup Cheese Company to present a delicious Margaret River wine and cheese showcase.

$25 PER PERSON Enjoy a seasonal guided tasting of four premium wines matched with artisan cheese.

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