Almost like a golden triangle of winemaking, the humble area between Gracetown and Cowaramup, known as Wilyabrup, is where locals and visitors go to live like kings.

The land is bountiful and giving. It’s the region’s powerhouse of vineyards, farming, working families and artisan production. Once a land of milk (literally), there’s now honey and wine. The landscape is one of rolling fields, hay bales and lush vineyards bordered by virgin native bushland. Those who visit have no choice but to witness the seasons first-hand and are compelled to meet the makers, see the production and sample the fruits of land, labour and love. It’s like all roads lead to this special pilgrimage.

Old secrets of winemaking, brewing, distilling and tempering are whispered here. Of course, days end at the coast, and in this case, it’s Gracetown’s Cowaramup Bay, where the sun sets into the water.

Your story starts here

1

Gracetown Beach

The centre of life in this tiny coastal town – an eclectic hillside of old pastel surf shacks and modern holiday homes heading right down to the sea. Gracetown Beach (or Cowaramup Bay, as it’s known to locals) is flanked by a surf break at each end of its ‘U’ shape, with a protected family beach tucked nicely at the bottom of the bay. The Cape to Cape Track along here is dotted with boardwalks, staircases and seating platforms taking advantage of the views. The bay is perfect for most seaside activities, with the must-do being sunset over the water.

Gracetown
Gracetown Beach. Image: Dylan Alcock
2

Caves Road

Caves Road is one of the most scenic and beautiful drives in Australia, with 111 kilometres of tunnel-like forest, row upon row of grape vines and rolling hilly paddocks. It’s like the life-giving artery to the whole region, housing many of its wineries and attractions while being the thoroughfare to a majority of the South West’s beaches. The road begins just west of Busselton and ends in Augusta, running more or less from Cape Naturaliste down to Cape Leeuwin. It’s impossible to visit the Margaret River Region without travelling along at least some length of this iconic drive.

3

Clairault Streicker Wines

A lush, verdant cellar door surrounded by tall gum trees that offer shade on a warm summer day. Inside, seated wine tastings take place alongside a vineyard kitchen that turns out modern casual dining. Enjoy a meal under the veranda or out on a picnic rug with some lawn games. Beyond the Clairault Streicker cellar door, there are specialties like the wine blending experience or a private vineyard picnic. The family-owned outfit oversees three distinct, historic vineyards within the Margaret River area to craft its authentic fine wine.

4

Cape Lodge

The epitome of luxury accommodation in Margaret River, with the appearance of a private country estate, but the trappings of a world-class boutique hotel. The rooms are centred around a picturesque lake and forest, surrounded by manicured grounds, pool, a waterside restaurant and vineyard. The fine dining restaurant is available to guests for inclusive private breakfast, and open to the public for dinners, special events and the signature Cape Lodge cooking school with renowned chef Tony Howell.

5

Fermoy Estate

Fermoy Estate has earned its place in the Margaret River wine story, quietly building global acclaim for wines of remarkable refinement, precision and elegance. If you cruise down Metricup Road, you’ll likely recognise their iconic salmon-hued cellar door, nestled beside their vines. The team are passionate and personable, blending knowledge with joyful banter. Whether you’re popping in for a tasting or unwinding with friends over a bottle on the lawn, Fermoy offers a relaxed, wine-focused experience, always worth the stop.

Fermoy Estate aerial view
Fermoy Estate. Image: Ovis Creative
6

Cullen Wines

Cullen Wines is one of the most awarded wineries in Margaret River and one of the founding estates in the region. Quality, integrity and sustainability are the mantras lived and breathed here under the meticulous stewardship of winemaker Vanya Cullen. The family’s iconic Caves Road headquarters include the Biodynamic Wine Room, with plenty of wine experiences and seated wine tastings to explore, including their Flagship Seated tastings and a unique ‘Honey In Wine’ tasting. Adjoining the vineyard outside, there is a self-guided spiral garden that teaches about the biodynamic processes and principles.

7

Howard Park Wines

A striking, architecturally-awarded cellar door in Margaret River, noted for its Feng Shui design principles. The vast lawn and grounds provide the perfect backdrop to enjoy the range of tasting experiences (including some knockout private seated, museum wine tastings). Howard Park is a specialist in the Margaret River and Great Southern wine regions and the home of sparkling in Margaret River, crafting a variety of champagne-method bubbles in-house. Create your own picnic platter from a gourmet regional selection to enjoy during your visit.

8

Cape Grace Wines

Cape Grace Wines are one of the great ‘little’ wineries of Margaret River that is family owned and operated. Enjoy a friendly, intimate and authentic cellar door experience – the basket pressed red wines are a highlight. See behind the scenes and learn how the extensive variety of small-batch wines are made, which are available only from the tin shed winery. The Karri-Davies family has a history in the area spanning back to 1875, including the founding of Margaret River and the building of Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse.

Cape Grace Wines
Cape Grace Wines. Image: Supplied
9

Cowaramup Brewing Company

Cowaramup Brewing Company offers a true rural beer experience, inside a bright rammed-earth and timber building overlooking farm country. Take a look at the working brewery on site, or pre-book a tour to get the full experience. The bar and restaurant open onto a wide wooden deck, the best vantage point to take in the lawned beer garden, playground and dam, with wide vistas of the neighbouring rural farmland and vineyards.

10

Bettenay Wines and Margaret River Nougat

The onsite winery and nougat factory is just part of the package – Bettenays has a list of exciting experiences, a café of drinks and treats, plus games and activities for the family to enjoy at the vineyard and lakeside cellar door. Wine connoisseurs, sweet tooths or even morning coffee drinkers are welcome to pop in. Check online for their decadent experiences, including nougat-toasting, liqueur-spiked hot chocolate, nougat and wine matching, grazing boards, private tours or brunch.

Bettenays
Bettenay Wines. Image: Russell Ord
11

Providore Margaret River

Providore Margaret River is home to a gourmet pantry range of the same name, plus Coward and Black wines and the Margaret River Coffee Company. The beautiful rammed earth building is neighboured by a vineyard on one side and a herb and vegetable garden on the other, from which it creates its range of farm-fresh gourmet products. Kitchen aficionados can peruse the shelves of ingredients and homewares, and appreciate the onsite organic olive grove, orchard and vegetable gardens.

12

The Margaret River Chocolate Company

The Margaret River Chocolate Company was the first chocolate company in the Margaret River Region – the one that brought a whole new genre to the world of gourmet food and wine. Since 1999, it has been going strong as a Western Australian icon, hand-making chocolate products and giving away free chocolate tastings to millions of customers. Inside the magical walls, there are more than 200 choc products for sale, the aforementioned free tastings, viewing windows into the factory and a café serving desserts, drinks and light meals.

13

Rustico at Hay Shed Hill

Rústico at Hay Shed Hill is where vineyard views meet vibrant shared dining. Set amongst the rolling vines of Hay Shed Hill, Rústico brings a Spanish-Mediterranean twist to Margaret River with their signature degustation menu, freestyle tapas, and curated wine pairings. Guests enjoy the best of the region’s produce in a relaxed, celebratory atmosphere that feels like a warm country welcome.

Rustico
Rustico at Hay Shed Hill. Photo: Emma Jones
14

Wow Illusions

Here is a treat to break up the day for the kids (or the kids at heart). Wow Illusions is a collection of weird effects and puzzling eccentricity. Its brightly coloured exterior is unmissable along your drive, and inside, the trickery includes a gravity-defying room, illusionary artworks, levitating illusions, distorted rooms, various mazes and more.

15

Gabriel Chocolate

To visit Gabriel Chocolate is to travel the world one cacao bean at a time. The chocolate is taken seriously (being Western Australia’s first bean-to-bar choc makers) and is a tad more grown up – single-origin sourcing is a staple here. Explore award-winning, far-flung chocolate destinations, famous hot chocolate, decadent chocolate chunk cookies, chocolate-inspired gelato or a choice of loaded coffee.

16

Beerfarm

Beerfarm is a rustic brewery with country charm in spades, on the site of a converted dairy farm. From the beer hall itself (complete with rusty tin roof), open wood fire, to the craft beer, locally sourced food and scenic 120-acre views, rollicking good times abound. The whole place has a sprinkling of cowboy – as evidenced by the neighbouring Black Angus cattle herd that helps supply the menu.

Beerfarm
Beerfarm. Image: Josh Ball
17

The Grove Distillery

The Grove Distillery & Accommodation is the Margaret River Region’s original craft distillery, producing an award-winning range of rum, whisky, gin, vodka, liqueurs, and hard lemonades. Guests can enjoy guided tastings, seasonal cocktails, and soon, their newly refurbished dining space with a street eats vibe — designed for sharing plates and lingering afternoons. On-site accommodation, including their self-contained White House and cosy cabins, gives visitors the chance to extend their stay and immerse themselves fully in The Grove experience.

18

Fraser Gallop Estate

Fraser Gallop Estate has just “one vigneron, one vineyard and one vision: to capture the essence of Wilyabrup”. This estate produces wines of exceptional quality and value and has picked up arguably the highest international accolades for its cabernet sauvignon and chardonnay. Visit their cellar door or immerse yourself in ‘Wines & Vines’ experience, gently touring the manicured gardens of the iconic Gallop House in a solar-powered EV buggy, sipping the Parterre wine range at picturesque locations along the way.

Vines at Fraser Gallop. Credit Elements Margaret River
Fraser Gallop Estate. Image: Elements Margaret River
19

Domaine Naturaliste

Noteworthy for its sheer proximity to the vineyard – surprisingly a rarity in the region (think head-height Merlot vines planted right outside). This provides an ever-changing backdrop to the cellar door from one season to the next. The space is quite literally the domain (pun intended) of acclaimed winemaker Bruce Dukes and is designed for ultimate relaxation. It’s the perfect setting for Domaine Naturaliste’s wine flight: six wines presented at a seated tasting with personalised guidance from cellar door staff. Charcuterie and cheese boards are available.

20

Vasse Virgin

A mecca for indulgent natural skincare products, gourmet pantry produce and of course, rich olive oil. A treat for the senses, where you can flit around like a hummingbird, trying a fragrant soap here, a hand scrub there or deli products like tapenades or the cult macadamia pesto (among many other delights). From the showroom you can witness the hand blending of natural body products with luxurious extra virgin olive oil. Vasse Virgin holds a range of workshops and masterclasses, like olive oil tastings or crafting natural products.

Where to stay

Rústicoq Bed & Breakfast

Rústicoq is a boutique bed & breakfast in the heart of Cowaramup, offering a warm and welcoming base for exploring the region. With thoughtfully styled rooms, home-cooked breakfasts, and that signature Rústico touch of hospitality, guests enjoy comfort and
connection just minutes from the town’s cellar doors, providores and vineyards.

Eight Willows Retreat

The entry into Eight Willows Retreat is striking; a winding driveway that crosses a lake, surrounded by native bushland, with a scenic gazebo perched over the water. Here, 27 chalets are set on 75 acres of pristine nature, with each positioned for maximum privacy. The Retreat is located away from the hustle and bustle of towns for a secluded and relaxing stay. Choose from one or two-bedroom chalets as well as one grand 10-person country residence.

Eight Willows Retreat
Eight Willows Retreat. Photo: Supplied

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