The South West is the perfect place to celebrate a special soon-to-be-wed.
Your mate is getting married… Now what?
Take that bucks or hens event to the next level with a weekend away in the Margaret River Region, the best possible place to celebrate that special person about to get hitched.
We’ve made you look good by curating an extra special list of things to do – here’s what made the cut.
Everyone knows people who do yoga in the morning are slightly ahead in life (right?) – jokes aside, a very good hens or bucks trip should kick off with a nourishing yoga sesh to set the intent of the day.
Amber comes to your accommodation with the props to take up to 16 people through a class that has been specially tailored to your group. If the morning before the extravaganza is all about serenity, let her gently guide you through a peaceful yin session with sound massage, or turn up the movement with a dynamic vinyasa session to get the blood pumping.
Gnarabup Yoga Studio’s dreamy seaside location is just the start; wait until you hear about their private, customised yoga and pilates. Whatever your group’s vibe requires, they cater to you.
Happs Pottery in Dunsborough runs guided pottery workshops for groups of up to 20 people. Get your hands dirty and learn how to create your very own piece of pottery, which you can then take home (or drink wine out of later). Myles and his team of potting pros will take you through the process step by step. You’ll get to try wheel throwing and make a tonne of fun memories (just like Demi Moore and the late Patrick Swayze, but with all your friends). Sessions can be tailored to your group, making this the perfect pre-lunch adventure.
INARA in Busselton Central does a bottomless lunch on weekends (because every lunch, every day should be like this). For $95 you get free-flowing wine and beer alongside a mouthwatering mezze-style lunch, or add $30 and get cocktails instead. You have 90 minutes, so you’d better get stuck in!
For a bottomless brunch that is effortlessly coastal chic, La Lah is located just 400m from the Dunsborough foreshore. Enjoy a speciality three course menu, served with free-flowing prosecco, mimosa + spritz for $85pp. The cafe also offers a similar lunch package, making it easy to plan your day.
Aravina Estate is a delicious pick for a long lunch with your best people. The venue is stunning, with a beautiful terrace and vineyard views. They have incredible share plates, or you can opt for a set menu that pairs just right with their award-winning wines.
If you’re bride or groom-to-be is more of a sweet tooth, Rivendell Winery is the perfect stop for an afternoon high tea. Indulge in decadent delights from local pastry chef Romain Lassiaille of Maison Lassiaille.
A bit further south, your lunch venue of choice is no doubt Rustico at Hay Shed Hill. Well-known as one of the region’s experts for celebrations and degustations, you can expect big laughs, flowing wine, and a feast that keeps the party going — this is where hens, bucks, and special occasions turn into legendary celebrations. Top tip: Book their Rustico Ride experience, a return bus service now available to make transport a breeze. No designated driver required!
If smashing a golf ball is your soon-to-be-married friend’s idea of a good time, then book it to Par 3. They have a challenging nine-hole course and an 18-hole mini golf course with two difficulty levels.
The courses are set on beautiful native bushland is almost as beautiful as their beer caddy service – where staff bring you cold beer in a golf cart by the way, so you can battle it out in perfect hydration. After, grab a pizza and a pint at The Neighbourhood Bar. Large and small group bookings are both welcome.
Looking for something a bit quirky? Kick off the weekend by getting lost together in the Yallingup Maze – this is a one-of-a-kind bonding experience guaranteed to bring the group closer for the whole trip, so you can laugh about it at the wedding. Find your way out as a team and use the supplied water pistols to your heart’s content. After the maze, test your skills on the beautifully landscaped mini golf course, or dive into a mix of puzzles, games, and other fun activities.
Chasing an experience where you leave feeling better than when you arrived? Enter MEND, a recovery centre and spa in Margaret River, with a traditional (Finnish) sauna, ice bath and hot plunge. Up to eight people can book a session, giving you access to all of these incredible experiences. MEND also does massage and bodywork, which makes a cool post-sesh add-on for the bride or groom-to-be.
If everyone wants to get in on the massage action, Margaret River Massage might be just what you need for the celebration’s aftermath. They can accommodate four people for simultaneous massages and up to three people in their infrared sauna. While you’re there, check out their customised packages including facials and spa treatments for an elevated group experience.
If your weekend centres around the northern end of the region, Vie Spa Pullman Resort Bunker Bay provides all the convenience of luxury on-site. Book Vie Spa for massages, saunas and pampering, then gather the gang for a nature hit with a walk around the Cape Naturaliste or Sugarloaf loop.
Jump abroad Adventure Sailing‘s 65ft yatch that offers full day charters in Geographe Bay, from November to April. Starsand is your private party yacht with serious old-school charm and all the modern comforts to keep the special day flowing. Leave the stress onshore and let their awesome crew do all the hard work while you sip, sail and soak up the jaw-dropping South West coastline. Pump your favourite playlist through the onboard sound system, swim in the salty blue, and dance like no one’s watching (except the dolphins, maybe).
To create a memory that’s a little different, The Barn, MR offers private workshops in a beautiful rustic farm setting just outside Margaret River. Groups can choose from a range of hands-on experiences, including Turkish mosaic lamps, resin art, woodworking, metal art and painting workshops, with options to suit a variety of group sizes. For those wanting to create their own celebration, The Barn is also available for private venue hire, making it a versatile addition to any South West getaway.
When you spend all day celebrating, it makes sense to get a private chef to prepare incredible food while you drink rosé, wondering why this can’t be your life full-time. Tiller Dining creates incredible multi-course meals at your accommodation, using produce sourced from their own farm and the freshest local ingredients.
Chef George Cooper has been a guest chef at major local events such as Gourmet Escape, Pair’d Margaret River Region and the Truffle Kerfuffle, and has worked in some of the best kitchens in England and Australia. He cleans everything up after and can match each course with wine – simply perfect.
If you’re not ready to head back to your accommodation just yet, book a table at Wayfinder in the heart of Dunsborough. For the style-forward crew seeking something more refined, Wayfinder offers organically grown wines and seasonal dining in an elevated and warm, design-led space. Stop by for relaxed late afternoon drinks with substance and sophistication or settle in for a leisurely multi-course dinner. There are plenty of bars within walking distance to explore once you’ve eaten.
Jump in your 4WD and enjoy a fantastic adventure away from civilisation with your mates before the epic adventure of married life.
Set in the breathtaking wilderness of the D’Entrecasteaux National Park, Yeagarup Hut, managed by Pemberton Discovery Tours, offers an exclusive and unforgettable venue for bachelor and bachelorette gatherings. With access to pristine beaches, vast sand dunes, and serene forest trails, it’s the perfect spot for an adventurous yet private celebration away from the usual crowds.
Imagine a weekend of 4WD excursions, beach bonfires, and tranquil stargazing—all tailored to your group’s vibe.
For an extraordinary aquatic adventure, take a canoe trip down the stunning Margaret River with Bushtucker Tours, and take in the incredible flora and fauna of the region. After a quick dip in the pristine river waters, get chauffeured to a brewery for lunch and beer tastings. They’ll even drop you back at your accommodation to continue the party.
The South West Beer Alliance has taken the legwork out of finding the best spots to sink a beer in the region. Both trails are self-guided tours (pro tip – book a private driver for the day) big on scenery and hand-crafted, local brews — so you can’t go wrong either way.
The Cave Trail winds down Caves Road to take in all-time favourites like Cheeky Monkey Brewing Co, Beerfarm and CBCo Brewing. The Bay Trail hugs the coast, heading to waterside wonders like Shelter Brewing Co., Rocky Ridge Brewing Co. and Eagle Bay Brewing Co. All stops offer plenty of sessionable beers as well as options for the non-beer drinker and non-alc choices, plus menus perfect for soaking up standard drinks.
Depending on your travel time, beer lovers need to check out Shelter’s answer to the Oktoberfest – Beerhall in October, or the South West Craft Beer Festival at Aravina Estate in May.
There are some great chauffeur services that can be hired to take you and your people on pre-wedding adventures. Kombi Cruz offers retro-cool chauffeur-driven Kombi buses that have been impeccably restored to their sixties-era glory.
For more intel on getting around the Margaret River Region, head here.
If you’re looking to stay somewhere close to the celebrations, The Grove Distillery & Accommodation ticks all your boxes. Book their on-site accommodation and gather your crew for a guided tasting of award-winning gins, rums, and whiskies, then linger over cocktails by the lake. Add a grazing board, snap a few cheeky group shots, and then stroll back to your on-site accommodation with your newfound favourite spirit to continue the evening
Head here for more ideas on where to stay during your hens or bucks adventure.
