Southern Backroads Trail

The Southern Backroads offer what many locals might label as hidden gems. With a geography that traverses fertile farmland, karri forests, and family-run wineries, the backroads offer an intensely diverse and uncrowded view of Margaret River.

Immediately, you will get a sense of the region’s history. Through Rosabrook, you will find Darnell’s General Store. Built in 1932, the one-stop shop is a well-preserved time capsule, complete with an old-fashioned petrol pump (where friendly staff will fuel your car!). Down the road, Jester’s Flat Equestrian is similarly nostalgic. The interior vintage décor of the weatherboard cottages, open fire, and wrap-around veranda feel like you have stepped onto a film set.

Prepare to take in the wildflowers come spring, and soak in morning tea on the lawn at The Berry Farm, then book a wine tasting at Stella Bella or Firetail Wines and family-run Brown Hill Estate.

People around these parts are known for their creativity, and The Southern Backroads is where you will discover their knack for innovation. Enjoy biodynamic, minimal intervention wine at McHenry Hohnen Vintners or discover Amato Vino‘s old-school approach, yet with a modern flair for creativity and adventure. Fuel up on caffeine and learn about the world of coffee at Yahava Koffeeworks. Enjoy family fun at Amaze’n, native fauna at Capes Raptor Centre, and then stop by Mr Barval Wines, which holds regular exhibitions with an indigenous focus. Further south, Si Vintners has an on-site sculptor whose life-sized whale sculpture sits in the garden opposite the cellar door. And at South by South West, the Sicilian influence of winemaker Liv strong, championing Italian wine varieties in an Australian context.

Ultimately, the Southern Backroads tell a story. A story of the region’s original timber and dairy settlements, the beginnings of family farming and winemaking, and then the arrival of artists and innovators. This blend of galleries, eateries and wineries in an abundant natural setting is rather captivating.

Yahava KoffeeWorks

It can be almost guaranteed that you will discover a coffee that not only captures your taste buds but also your heart – Yahava KoffeeWorks is a playground for grown-ups, and the theme is coffee. Yahava imports coffees and teas from all over the world, and at a KoffeeWorks you will discover just how different coffees can be. Learn all the different ways to brew coffee and, of course, also see coffee being roasted fresh each day. The friendly crew will guide you on your Yahava adventure by taking you back to the origin of the coffee, all the way through to your cup.

Stella Bella Wines

With a charming little cellar door located just minutes from Margaret River, Stella Bella is your ideal kick-off for winetasting on the trail. Capturing the essence of southern Margaret River, Stella Bella rates amongst the best wineries in Australia, with several unique ranges of wines crafted from their five vineyards dotted throughout the southern part of the region. You will be greeted by a friendly and knowledgeable cellar door team, perhaps the odd wine dog or two, as you take in the experience of a guided tasting and discover the many personalities of Stella Bella.

Brown Hill Estate

Brown Hill’s cellar door sits at the heart of their boutique winery and is operated by friendly members of this family-owned estate. The vineyard tasting room is pure small-town Margaret River Region; a jarrah slab resting on a couple of oak barrels in the vineyard’s working winery. Traditional boutique wine making is seen in hand-picking and hand-sorting of the single vineyard estate-grown fruit to ensure control over quality and character.

Darnell’s General Store

Step back in time at this historic general store established in 1932. For a peek into history, visit Darnell’s General Store with its quaint rustic shop front. A one-stop shop that features a grocery store, fuel station, post office, as well as wholesome home-made meals and preserves.

Jesters Flat

Jesters Flat provides horse riding activities for all levels of ability, from the absolute beginner to the seasoned eventer. The charming clubhouse and surrounds are perfect for those relaxing while their fellow travellers head off for a horse riding adventure. Owned and operated by locals with in-depth knowledge of the history and natural environment of the area.

Firetail Wines

A tree changer owned small vineyard and Cellar Door in Rosa Glen producing medal-winning wines from 40-year-old vines. The Cellar Door is set amongst the trees and offers close views of the vines and local bird life. Firetail’s distinctive premium wines include sparkling chardonnay, sauvignon blanc, semillon, chardonnay, rosé, cabernet sauvignon and a dessert wine. These outstanding wines are only available at the Cellar Door or via their website.

The Berry Farm

The Berry Farm operates one of the oldest restaurants in the region and specialises in fruit and berry wines, liqueur-style wines, fortified wines, sparkling wines and ciders. It is an operating horticultural farm that has an extensive avocado orchard, blueberries, raspberries, quince, stone fruit and figs. The family-owned and operated winery and restaurant was a pioneer in the production of vinegars, chutneys, sauces, dressings, and jams in the Margaret River Region, which are all available from their cellar door.

Si Vintners

Si Vintners is about natural farming. Husband and wife team Sarah and Iwo both work in the vineyard and make the wines. Chemical-free farming, using biodynamic principles and minimum intervention wine making. With experience drawn from many overseas vintages and their wine project in Spain, they are very passionate about the vineyard and the wines they make, and visitors have the opportunity to see both vineyard and winery processes. Private appointments are welcome any day of the week.

Mr Barval Fine Wines

Drawing on his extensive experience in both Margaret River and Barola (Italy), Mr Barval winemaker and owner Rob Gherardi employs an ultra-traditional wine-making model, aiming to produce wines utilising old-world vineyard and winemaking techniques. Visitors can relax and enjoy a flight of fine wines in a stunning cellar door and art gallery, or outside overlooking the Calgardup Brook and forest. Bring your own picnic or choose from a selection of local artisan cheeses and produce. Pizza and Italian share plates available through summer. Mr Barval is dog friendly.

Capes Raptor Centre

Explore lush native bushland and encounter remarkable birds of prey at Capes Raptor Centre. During the twice-daily Birds of Prey Encounters, you will learn about the birds’ natural behaviours and unique sensory abilities used to track and catch prey – you can even have your photograph taken with an owl! Enjoy a 1km bushland walk among native flora, where you can meet resident eagles, hawks, falcons and owls. In spring, the trail is perfect for spotting wildflowers and orchids.

A Maze’n Margaret River

A Maze’n Maragret River offers guests one of Margaret River’s most unique experiences – the largest hedge maze in Australia – two kilometres of paths with three-metre high walls. The maze planted 30 years ago by the current owners is set on 5 Ha of landscaped gardens. Also offering a challenging 18-hole mini golf course, more mazes, outdoor games and puzzles, there are BBQ’s, picnic grounds and play areas. There is also a café on-site.

South by South West

A family-owned and run wine producer, South by South West creates traditional wines with an expressive and contemporary edge. True to vintage, true to region. Winemaker Liv draws on her Sicilian roots and European winemaking experiences to focus on expressing Australian versions of predominantly Italian grape varietals. South by South West produces honest wines using great fruit and minimal intervention, to demonstrate the characteristics and values that best represent the South West. BYO picnic and snacks. Dog-friendly patio.

McHenry Hohnen have been growing grapes in the Margaret River wine region since the 1990s, with a focus on sustainable viticulture and wines that speak of place. Visit the new McHenry Hohnen Cellar Door in Witchcliffe to taste the full range of current releases with the team, stay for a glass or a bottle, or move through to Vintners Wine Bar & Bistro to enjoy a menu shaped by South West produce and Mediterranean flavours.

Amato Vino

A quirky, rustic cellar door located in a lovingly restored heritage building, offering relaxed seated tastings, either inside on our crafted narri table, or outside (dog-friendly) at their windows bar or up on the sunny terrace. Amato Vino are small-batch artisan winemakers utilising traditional methods, Mediterranean grape varietals and working with growers who employ organic and sustainable farming practices. The wine-making philosophy is ‘low fi’, embracing wild ferments, minimal adjustments in the winery and gentle handling. An old-school approach yet with a modern flair for creativity and adventure.