Visit to Margaret River, what's on offer?

[Deleted member]

I'm doing a tour with Mrs GPH to Margaret river in August.

 

[JohnM]

I'm doing a tour with Mrs GPH to Margaret river in August. 

Do you have all the info you want? Happy to give tips seeing I've spent a large part of my life in that region.

 

[Deleted member]

Always happy for tips. Only there for two nights.
Drive down from Perth on Monday ( morning ), Back on Wednesday to fly out, around 4.30 pm.

 

[JohnM]

Always happy for tips. Only there for two nights.
Drive down from Perth on Monday ( morning ), Back on Wednesday to fly out, around 4.30 pm.

Whoa, that's not long!

It will take about 3 h to drive to MR.

The 'must do' wineries close to (SW of) MR are Leeuwin Estate and Voyager (close to each other on the same side road - Stevens Rd). Cape Mentelle is very close to the edge of town on the main road leading W (Wallcliffe Rd) to connect to Caves Road, the main N-S tourist drive, or cross that to go to Prevelly on the coast. The recent world surf pro was there, in insane surf.

Driving N on Caves Rd, there's nothing much worth stopping for until you reach Cowaramup Rd (only about 20 km). Gracetown, another major surfing location, on the coast is also worth a look.

Driving a little further N gets you into wine central in Wilyabrup. This is where it all began back in about 1967.

At about 5 km, the first main turn R onto Brockman Rd is very much worth taking to visit Howard Park (< 5 km). Head back to Caves Rd, and just a few clicks will have you at Vasse Felix (literally where MR wine began), with Cullens next door on Caves Rd. Vasse Felix is recognised as pretty much the best regional restaurant in WA so that may hit the spot for lunch.

A bit further N on the left is Woodlands, a smaller producer with excellent reds, well worth a brief visit IMHO. Pretty much over the road is the Cabernet Sauvignon altar of Moss Wood, but they do not have a cellar door for visits. Pretty nondescript, but if you're a fan you can at least say you've clapped eyes on where it is.

If it's getting on in the day by then, I'd suggest keep heading N to Yallingup, another surf icon, and watch the sun go down over the ocean - as it should . Alternatively, do so at either Gracetown or Prevelly. Prevelly, being closest to MR, would be an option for this on your first night.

On the way back to PER, I would recommend driving N on Caves Rd again to Dunsborough (much more picturesque than the main road from Busselton) and take a detour out towards Cape Naturaliste. About 5-6 km out on Naturaliste Rd, turn R to take the Meelup Beach Rd along the shore to Eagle Bay. This is one of my favourite pieces of coastline in all the world.

Continuing on will loop you back around to Naturaliste Rd and, if you have time, turn R and either go all the way to the Cape for a look or go as far as Bunker Bay for a coffee at the cafe at the beach before heading to PER.

There are plenty of eating options for dinner in MR.

Hope this helps. PM if you have any specific questions.

 

[QF WP]

The 'must do' wineries close to (SW of) MR are Leeuwin Estate and Voyager (close to each other on the same side road - Stevens Rd). Cape Mentelle is very close to the edge of town on the main road leading W (Wallcliffe Rd) to connect to Caves Road, the main N-S tourist drive, or cross that to go to Prevelly on the coast. The recent world surf pro was there, in insane surf.

My next group of wineries to visit on my next trip

Head back to Caves Rd, and just a few clicks will have you at Vasse Felix (literally where MR wine began), with Cullens next door on Caves Rd. Vasse Felix is recognised as pretty much the best regional restaurant in WA so that may hit the spot for lunch.

A bit further N on the left is Woodlands, a smaller producer with excellent reds, well worth a brief visit IMHO. Pretty much over the road is the Cabernet Sauvignon altar of Moss Wood, but they do not have a cellar door for visits. Pretty nondescript, but if you're a fan you can at least say you've clapped eyes on where it is.

They were the wineries visited on my last trip there. Completely agree with the Vasse Felix restaurant - we had a lovely lunch there.

Just look at the sample menu: https://www.vassefelix.com.au/images/PDF/Sample_Menu/Vasse%20Felix%20Menu%2015%20April%202015.pdf
and the video: https://www.vassefelix.com.au/visit-restaurant.html

 

[Deleted member]

I want to visit Stella Bella. I love their Suckfizzle. !

 

[Deleted member]

Whoa, that's not long!

It will take about 3 h to drive to MR.

The 'must do' wineries close to (SW of) MR are Leeuwin Estate and Voyager (close to each other on the same side road - Stevens Rd). Cape Mentelle is very close to the edge of town on the main road leading W (Wallcliffe Rd) to connect to Caves Road, the main N-S tourist drive, or cross that to go to Prevelly on the coast. The recent world surf pro was there, in insane surf.

Driving N on Caves Rd, there's nothing much worth stopping for until you reach Cowaramup Rd (only about 20 km). Gracetown, another major surfing location, on the coast is also worth a look.

Driving a little further N gets you into wine central in Wilyabrup. This is where it all began back in about 1967.

At about 5 km, the first main turn R onto Brockman Rd is very much worth taking to visit Howard Park (< 5 km). Head back to Caves Rd, and just a few clicks will have you at Vasse Felix (literally where MR wine began), with Cullens next door on Caves Rd. Vasse Felix is recognised as pretty much the best regional restaurant in WA so that may hit the spot for lunch.

A bit further N on the left is Woodlands, a smaller producer with excellent reds, well worth a brief visit IMHO. Pretty much over the road is the Cabernet Sauvignon altar of Moss Wood, but they do not have a cellar door for visits. Pretty nondescript, but if you're a fan you can at least say you've clapped eyes on where it is.

If it's getting on in the day by then, I'd suggest keep heading N to Yallingup, another surf icon, and watch the sun go down over the ocean - as it should . Alternatively, do so at either Gracetown or Prevelly. Prevelly, being closest to MR, would be an option for this on your first night.

On the way back to PER, I would recommend driving N on Caves Rd again to Dunsborough (much more picturesque than the main road from Busselton) and take a detour out towards Cape Naturaliste. About 5-6 km out on Naturaliste Rd, turn R to take the Meelup Beach Rd along the shore to Eagle Bay. This is one of my favourite pieces of coastline in all the world.

Continuing on will loop you back around to Naturaliste Rd and, if you have time, turn R and either go all the way to the Cape for a look or go as far as Bunker Bay for a coffee at the cafe at the beach before heading to PER.

There are plenty of eating options for dinner in MR.

Hope this helps. PM if you have any specific questions.

This is intended to be a "scratch and smell" tour. We are both making our maiden visit to WA! So will definitely return I should imagine

 

[JohnM]

I want to visit Stella Bella. I love their Suckfizzle. !

Indeed. Quite close to MR on Rosa Brook Rd. Small cellar door and nothing to see on the property so a practical visit only. Head S out of MR on the main road to Augusta a few clicks, & turn L. Not far up that road. On the way out, turn L at the highway and R onto Gnarawary Rd a little way S and that takes you through to Leeuwin & Voyager. Voyager is famed for its Cape Dutch architecture and rose garden; Leeuwin for the natural karri tree-backed amphitheatre where the concerts are held.

It would make a nice little loop close to MR that you may fit in on the first afternoon.

 

[Sbv72]

I want to visit Stella Bella. I love their Suckfizzle. !

Wait until you try their Serie Luminosa.

We visited last September. Stayed in a house on Caves Rd near Redgate winery. Lunch at Leeuwin Estate was fantastic.

 

[Deleted member]

Wait until you try their Serie Luminosa.

We visited last September. Stayed in a house on Caves Rd near Redgate winery. Lunch at Leeuwin Estate was fantastic.

I've heard about it. Looking forward to trying it. $75.00 per bottle?

 

[Colin 2905]

Whilst a bit OT (it's not wine, sorry), there's also the chocolate factory.

 

[mannej]

Whilst a bit OT (it's not wine, sorry), there's also the chocolate factory.

And the Berry farm

 

[cove]

My favourites are Moss Wood and Cullen's reds so don't miss those two.
That would be like going to Napa Valley and missing Silver Oak Cab Sav.

 

[Anna]

+1 for Cullens wines. Also they do very nice fresh lunch platters from their garden.

 

[Daver6]

Unless things have changed, Moss Wood don't have a public cellar door.

 

[cove]

Thanks for the correction Daver6. We did Cullen's and the MR Chocolate Factory last time.

 

[Mr_Orange]

Subscribing. We are off to WA in October, including 4 nights in Margaret River.

 

[JohnM]

Subscribing. We are off to WA in October, including 4 nights in Margaret River.

Where else are you going?

 

[Mr_Orange]

Where else are you going?

Just Perth. 2 nights before MR and one night after MR. With a 6 month in tow, we didn't want to get too ambitious .

 

[JohnM]

Just Perth. 2 nights before MR and one night after MR. With a 6 month in tow, we didn't want to get too ambitious .

Four nights in MR should allow you to be fairly cruisy and still see everything. Apart from all the winery stuff mentioned, drive S on Caves Rd from MR to Augusta. It passes through Boranup Forest, a nice pocket of Karri trees.