Western Australia Sights

The Margaret River area boasts numerous farms that offer food tastings, demonstrations, and farmstays. There are also dozens of regional art galleries around the wine country. In Dunsborough, these are localized near the town center, while in Busselton they’re housed in the unique ArtGeo Center in the old Court House complex on Queen St.

Busselton Jetty. At 2km, this is the longest wooden jetty in the Southern Hemisphere. An underwater observatory at the end of the jetty allows visitors to view sea life below the water’s surface without getting wet. (At the end of Queen St. in Busselton. ☎08 9754 3689; www.busseltonjetty.com.au. Observatory open daily, weather permitting. Open daily in summer 8:30am-5:30pm, in winter 10:30am-3:30pm. Wheelchair accessible. Jetty access $2.50, under 15 free; 40min. tour and trolley ride $20, children $11.50.)

Wardan Aboriginal Centre. The Wardan Aboriginal Centre, run by the native Wardandi People, is the only facility of its kind in Western Australia. Cultural custodians lead bushwalks and demonstrate spear and boomerang throwing. (Head 6km south on Caves Rd. from Yallingup, turn right on Wyadup Rd. and then left on Injidup Springs Rd. ☎08 9756 6566. Open daily 10am-4pm. $12-25. AmEx/MC/V.)

Eagles Heritage Raptor Wildlife Centre. Located on Boodjidup Rd. 5km southwest of Margaret River, the Centre houses Australia’s largest collection of birds of prey. It is dedicated to the rehabilitation of injured birds, breeding projects, and public education. Be sure to catch a flight display, when you may get to handle an eagle. (☎08 9757 2960; www.eaglesheritage.com.au. Open daily Sept.-May 10am-5pm, June-Aug. 10am-4pm. Flight displays daily 11am and 1:30pm. Wheelchair accessible. $11, seniors $9, children $5, families $28.)

Wineries

The Margaret River area boasts over 80 wineries, most of which are clustered in the region between Yallingup and Margaret River. The biggest varietals are Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and Riesling, so both red and white fans find satisfaction around here. Smaller wineries generally offer more personal tasting experiences.

Vasse Felix (☎08 9756 5014; www.vassefelix.com.au). Posh gourmet restaurant with a raised dining room that overlooks the vines. All the pretension you’d expect from the oldest vineyard in the region. Open daily 10am-5pm; restaurant 11am-3:30pm.
Cullen (☎08 9755 5277; www.cullenwines.com.au). Fully organic since 1988. In 2004 became one of only a few biodynamic vineyards in the world. The vineyard’s principal winemakers have both been women, mother Diana and daughter Vanya Cullen. The flagship wine is called “Diana Madeline” and is considered one of Australia’s best. Cellar and restaurant open daily 10am-4pm. MC/V.
Settler’s Ridge (☎08 9755 5883; www.settlersridge.com.au), at 54b Bussell Hwy. in Cowaramup, has fairly priced, award-winning organic wines. Open daily 10am-5pm.
Gralyn (☎08 9755 6245; www.gralyn.com.au). One of the region’s first vineyards; remains the gold standard in fine ports. It’s still a friendly, family-run operation, in a beautiful modern facility. Open daily 10am-5pm.
Woody Nook (☎08 9755 7547; www.woodynook.com.au), on Metricup Rd., north of Cowaramup. This vineyard is a relaxed option with its cafe and several award-winning wines, including its flagship Gallagher’s Choice Cabernet Sauvignon, or the more playful Nooky Delight tawny port. Open daily 10am-4:30pm.
Howard Park (☎08 9756 5200; www.howardparkwines.com.au, www.madfishwines.com.au), on Miamup Rd., offers 2 different lines—the stately Howard Park wines for experts, and the drink-and-enjoy it now Mad Fish line. The vineyard also hosts the Sony Tropfest, an annual short film festival over a long weekend in early Mar., and the largest of its kind in the world. Although there is no restaurant, guests are welcome to bring a picnic to enjoy with their wine purchase at one of the large wooden tables overlooking the grounds. Open daily 10am-5pm.

Eat, Drink, And Be Wary. Although wineries are a major attraction in the Margaret River area, visitors should be careful of driving between tastings. Australia’s legal blood alcohol limit for driving is a very low 0.05%. Walking, going on a wine tour, or riding with a designated driver (called “the skipper” in Oz) are all good ways to avoid run-ins with the law (and trees).

Laurance Estate (☎08 9321 8015; www.laurancewines.com). Offers 2 ranges of non-intimidating wines—Laurance and Aussie Jeans Rock—that come in artistically curvy bottles and purse-like carrying cases. There are platters available to order with tastings, and guests can relax to the sounds of lounge tunes as they enjoy the rose gardens. You’ll know you’ve reached this one when you see the massive fountain with the golden figure on Caves Rd. Taster trays available with bread and oils. Open daily 10am-5pm.
Chateau Xanadu (☎08 9757 2581; www.xanaduwines.com), off Boodijup Rd. Welcomes a younger crowd with a variety of trendy wines. Walkers and bikers can take Railway Terr. 3km south to Terry St. Open daily 10am-5pm; restaurant daily noon-4pm.
Cape Mentelle (☎08 9757 0888), off Wallcliffe Rd. west of town. A relaxed, friendly winery, and one of only a few to grow zinfandel grapes. Tours $25. Vineyard and winery tours available daily at 11am. Open daily 10am-4:30pm.
Voyager (☎08 9757 6354). One of the most beautiful estates in the entire region. A long walk or a short bike ride away from town, this vineyard rewards visitors with beautiful gardens and award-winning wines. Open daily 10am-5pm; restaurant daily noon-3pm.
Leeuwin Estate Winery (☎08 9759 0000; www.leeuwinestate.com.au), off Gnarawy Rd. Boasts sweeping, picnic-perfect grounds. The estate hosts a wildly popular concert in February or March every year. Past performers have included luminaries such as Diana Ross, Dionne Warwick, and Ray Charles. Winery tour $12.50, children $2.20. For non-touring guests, some tastings incur a small fee of $2.20. Open daily 10am-4:30pm. 1hr. tours at 11am, noon, and 3pm; includes tasting.

Wine Tours And Wine Education

While renting a car makes area wineries more accessible, drinking and driving don’t mix. Wine tours are a popular alternative; they generally cost about $65-80 per person. Most tours run 11am-6pm and include lunch, pickup and dropoff from most locations in Margaret River, at least one brewery, and visits to the local cheese and chocolate factories.

Dirty Detours (☎04 1799 8816; www.dirtydetours.com). Hosts a Sip and Cycle bike trip that visits all of these vineyards over the course of a day. From $80. Departs 9:30am.
Wine for Dudes (☎04 2777 4994; www.winefordudes.com). Exists to make wine culture accessible to everyone. Don’t be fooled by the guides’ laid-back attitudes—all of them have experience and education in the industry. Tour includes 4-5 wineries, contemporary vineyard lunch, and unique wine blending session. $75. MC/V.
Margaret River Vintage Wine Tours (☎08 9757 1008). A more economical option. This mini-tour visits Voyager, Leeuwin, Watershed, and Xanadu. $45. Tours depart daily 2pm.
Deluxe Margaret River Wine Tour (☎08 9757 9084). The other side of the spectrum. Visits some of the more exclusive wineries and offers a seafood lunch and complimentary wine on the bus. It concludes with a sightseeing tour of nearby beaches and forests, with a sunset toast to top it all off. Tours daily 11-5:30pm. $110. MC/V.
Margie’s Big Day Out Beer & Wine Tour (☎04 1618 0493; www.margaretriverbigdayout.com). Splits its attention more evenly between vineyards and breweries, visiting 2 of each, plus a 3rd of the party’s choice. Guests also enjoy a didjeridu performance during their vineyard lunch. Tours daily. $65 per person. MC/V.