Margaret River is the ideal Western Australia holiday destination. Just three hours drive south of Perth, Margaret River is one of Australia’s most compact, yet strikingly diverse holiday destinations. The comparatively small region of Margaret River brings together the best that Western Australia has to offer – sun, surf, good food and wine. The small town is well known for it’s art galleries and boutique restaurants while the larger Margaret River Region is renowned for its stunning coastline, surf, beaches and boutique wineries.
Last weekend the Sightseeing Pass Australia teamed made the three hour journey down south to explore the Margaret River region and jump on one of our more popular full day wine tours. The Eat + Drink + Explore Full Day Wine Tour is designed to showcase some of the region’s world famous wineries and local, gourmet produce – such as the Margaret River Dairy Factory and the Margaret River Chocolate Factory.
After meeting our tour guide and Margaret River local, Neil McLeod, in town we began our tour with a trip to Yahava Koffee Works at 10am that morning where we listened and learned about the art of coffee production and how to pour the perfect cup. We tried a number of different coffee blends from famous coffee regions around the world and learned how to spot the difference between a smooth, rich and sharp cup of coffee. If we weren’t awake before we certainly were now.
The next stop on our tour was Redgate Winery. Here we began our first wine tasting of the day. We learned about the importance of storing wine at the right temperature and how to use a little champagne to improve that white port you’re often gifted at Christmas.
We then made our way to Watershed Winery where we were blown away by the stunning view over the winery grounds. Many photographs were taken before we made our way inside for a tasting of Watershed’s award winning wines. Both wines and the winery are truly spectacular. Well worth the visit.
It was lunch time soon enough and we made our way to Cowaramup Brewery – a boutique, family-owned, micro-brewery. Here we sat down and enjoyed a lunch of burgers, pizza or fresh fish. Good hearty food to keep us going for the rest of the tour. Cowaraup Brewery is a great spot to bring the family, dogs included, for lunch and refreshing drink in the sun.
After lunch we made our to The Margaret River Dairy Company where we tasted a number of deliciously cheeses, ranging from mild to bold flavours. The vanilla bean yogurt was also a favourite with the tour group.
The next stop on our tour was Hay Shed Hill Wines where we met with the owner, Leith Kerrigan, for a wine tasting in the art gallery. The art gallery space is decorated with a great variety of artworks by local artists in keeping with the true spirit of the Margaret River region – locals supporting other locals.
We then made our way to Fermoy Estate for a final wine tasting. Fermoy Estate, has a genuine claim to fame as the only WA wine served at the official wedding reception of Danish Royal Crown Prince Frederik and Princess Mary in May 2004. Here we also had the opportunity to taste one of Fermoy’s wines straight from the barrel – a unique experience.
No tour of Margaret River is complete without a trip to the Chocolate Factory. The Margaret River Chocolate Company have been producing chocolate products since 1999 and is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Western Australia. They offer an amazing range of chocolate products, light lunches and other sweet treats. The free tasting samples were also a huge hit.
Neil concluded the tour by inviting us along to his family farm to feed the horses. A great personal touch and wonderful way to the end the day with a true Margaret River country experience.
Eat + Drink + Explore Full Day Wine Tour
Spectacular natural surrounds meet some of the world’s best wines and delicious local produce in Margaret River, and Margaret River with Neil McLeod will show you the best of it! Experience the highlights of Margaret River with personalised wine tastings at four of Margaret River’s finest cellar doors, including. Treat your tastebuds to fresh coffee, cheese, chocolate, olive oils and delicious condiments and discover your inner beer connoisseur at an award-winning micro-brewery.
Tour includes:
- Wine tasting at four local wineries
- Visit to a local micro-brewery
- Restaurant lunch with complimentary glass of wine or beer
- Visit to Chocolate factory
- Visit to Cheese factory
- Olive oil tastings
- Barrel wine tasting
- Yahava Koffee Works
- Pick-up and drop-off*
Tour Departs: 9.30am daily
Duration: 7 hours 30 mins
