Nestled in the heart of the wine growing region of Western Australia, Margaret River can quite rightly lay claim to being the wine producing capital of Western Australia.
From a sleepy little backwater town which struggled for survival during its first eighty years, the planting of the first grapes in the region in 1967 certainly proved to be a game changer. A report by Dr. John Gladstone on the suitability of soils in the region was followed by the first plantings by Dr. Tom Cullity on his property “Vasse Felix”. Imagine, he had purchased this property for $75/acre ($184/hectare). Oh to be able to purchase Margaret River land at that price today?
These early plantings were viewed with some skepticism by local farmers who had spent many years promoting the district for dairy and beef production.
Today Margaret River is one of the top four most recognizable towns in Australia for wine. Several large wineries hold a certain dominance of the region, however, the region is covered with a myriad of smaller family owned & run enterprises which combine to produce a magnificent diversity of wines.
The term “Margaret River Wine Region” has grown to encompass a huge diversity of micro regions within the south west corner of WA. This “region” stretches from Busselton in the north to Augusta in the south, with certain regions as far east as Donnybrook and Nannup also claiming to be a part. The range of wines and the diversity of cellar door sales can make for an experience well worth the effort.
What Are Some Things To Do In Margaret River?
A stay in Margaret River is never complete without the experience of fine dining which can be had at any one of numerous locations either within the town or at the numerous locations within the region. Obviously, the larger wineries are renowned for the quality of the food and entertainment which they continually have on show. Leeuwin Estate, Voyager Estate, Vasse Felix, Aravena, Cullen Wines, Sandalford, Chateau Xanadu to mention only a few of the excellent dining experiences out of town.
Come to Margaret River town and be caught up in the ambiance and atmosphere of the main street where fine food abounds and you begin to see why a visit purely for the food & wine is not something which can be completed quickly.
Whilst being caught up in the experience of traveling throughout the Margaret River wine region, it is impossible to not allow yourself an indulgent visit to any one of the number of boutique chocolate and specialty suppliers dotted throughout the region. Home grown olives, dried fruits, herbs, assorted jams & preserves, specialty lollies and boutique venison are only the beginnings of the tastes and treats which constantly tempt your senses.
Magnificent beaches abound within the region, with Margaret River being home to the Margaret River Pro, one of the many legs of the World Surf Tour circuit. On any given day, any number of the many fine breaks around the coastline will be filled with surfers keen to hone their skills. A common complaint among employers in the region is the lateness of employees coming to work when the surf break is good.
For those who wish to pit their fitness against mother nature, there is the Cape to Cape walk track which runs from Cape Naturaliste to Cape Leeuwin, a testing distance of some one hundred & forty kilometers.
Take a leisurely drive along Caves Road and be met with amazing limestone caves. These caves are ancient in their history and have proper management in place to ensure their viability for future generations. A trip into any one of the many caves is something which requires the tourist to allow their thoughts and minds to be transported to a time far away when life and life’s forms were far different to those which we now know. The caving experience is one which requires particular patience to allow your body & is to be transported back in time, whilst your senses remain heightened by the experience of being totally immersed underground.
Back above ground you now have the opportunity to visit and marvel at the skills of the timber craftsmen dotted within the region. These people must be admired for the ingenuity shown in their design and application. Utilising the old growth timbers which abound in the region, but carefully ensuring that no destruction of native habitat is caused, these craftspeople make positive furniture life forms from that which otherwise would be a rotting piece of timber laying on the forest floor.
Added to the list of attractions above you have to include the excellent fishing and boating and the fact that the whole of the Cape to Cape region is surrounded on three sides by ocean and it is little wonder that the Margaret River Wine Regions remains one of premier tourist attractions within WA. If you are a bucket lister, this is one which absolutely needs to be near the top of the bucket.
Contact South West Removals & Storage to discuss your move to Margaret River.