The Ultimate Margaret River Region Gift Guide

Christmas shopping doesn’t have to be an ordeal. In fact you can actually take a fun, relaxing break in the Margaret River Region to clear your mind and your list at the same time. From homeware collections, local artisan keepsakes, restaurant gift vouchers and unique experiences, you’re bound to lock in everyone’s tastes in the Ultimate Margaret River Region Gift Guide.

For family or friends who are interstate or overseas

If you’ve been separated from family interstate or overseas, the Margaret River Region Visitor’s Centres have a wide range of excellent retail stock that tastefully shares a little bit of Western Australia with those you can’t connect with.

The new Cape to Cape range of products have an uncompromising dedication to artistic integrity with quality t-shirts, tote bags and water bottles. Australian themed Christmas decorations are more than a bit cute too. Owls and Kookaburras in Christmas hats will be just what your family across the globe will love.

Children’s gifts are brimming with irony and intelligence and New York Times best-selling books like Does it Fart? and True or Poo? will have you in stitches. If you purchase a cuddly possum soft toy for Christmas, you’ll also be donating part of the proceeds to the Western Ringtail Possum Action Group.

All stock at the regional visitor’s centres offer out of the ordinary gifts and it’s clear that the range of homewares, books, locally crafted woodwork and art are selected for their artistic integrity and functionality. Visitor’s Centres are conveniently located on the foreshore in Busselton, at the bottom of town as you enter Margaret River, and in Dunsborough’s town centre.

For the person who has everything:

Buying a gift for the person in your life who already has everything can be a daunting task. A ticket to an event is a great solution though – and always fun to wrap it in a mysterious way.  We recommend tickets to Passel Estate’s Lunar New Year Celebration on Saturday February 20^th. Expect laid-back jazz music, a scrumptious Chinese style dinner by Margaret River’s Ma La Dumplings, and the warmth of a summer evening.

Ticket holders will receive a welcome glass of wine before indulging in a three-course Chinese supper, and seated cabaret music in the beautiful surrounds of the Estate.

Passel Estate is one of the hidden gem wineries in the region just off Ellensbrook Road. The family-owned winery is passionate about offering visitors a unique experience and has a dedicated line-up of annual events. This Lunar New Year evening is a fabulous gift for any lover of music, wine, or just something a little bit different. Tickets are priced at $139.

For the eclectic folk:

The Margaret River Region has long had a reputation for its innovators and creators selling their wares, so a meaningful art purchase is a great choice. Stop by Happs Pottery where five local potters sell their contemporary platters, keep cups, and ornamental pieces. You can pick up some stocking fillers too in the form of their Icon Honey. Happs has a network of friendly beekeepers who stock a range of West Australian varietals.

The region’s first Aboriginal Art Gallery opened this year at luxury Bina Maya Yallingup Escape. The new gallery emerged as part of a collaboration with Fremantle operation Japingka Aboriginal Art which has had a steady following since its inception in 1984. The location of the Bina Maya Gallery in the Yallingup hills is worth a browse simply to appreciate the secluded spot amongst the trees, but you’ll likely fall in love with the art, furniture and jewellery too. Aboriginal paintings from all areas of Australia hang in the gallery and represent the stories, languages and cultures from where the artists live and work.

For an artwork that is sympathetic to the location, check out Christian Fletcher’s Gallery in Dunsborough. Christian is an award-winning photographer and his framed works capture the beauty of the local landscapes and natural environment. An ideal purchase for anyone who has a soft spot for the beaches and forests in this part of the world.

And when you have the luxury of spending a weekend browsing for art or gifts, Nathan Day Designs in Vasse is another exceptional warehouse to explore. Nathan is a true local and started his workshop in his parents garage in Yallingup in 2010. He’s gone on to design key commissions for companies like Apple, Louis Vuitton and Woods Bagot. Purchasing a Nathan Day Designs piece of furniture is a commitment to supporting local craftsmanship. The pieces are not only modern, beautiful and well-made, they will last for a lifetime and contribute to sustainable living.

For the celebratory types:

For a region that is famed for its great wine, craft beer and emerging distilleries, a special celebratory bottle of something is an easy and much appreciated gift. Wise Wines have recently released their new Wise Gin. Botanical in flavour, the gin has a palate of lemon myrtle and juniper berries. In typical Margaret River Region fashion – the gin started its life as a Gingin clone Margaret River Chardonnay. A great Christmas gift for raising your glasses over lunch with friends.

Margaret River’s Dune Distilling Co has also launched a limited-edition gin in time for Christmas. Called the Rhubarb and Hibiscus gin, it is perfectly flavoured for summer. Winning Perth artist Rina Bhabra’s design features as the label which gives the bottle an extra level of creative flavour.

Another great gift that won’t disappoint is the new Idee Fixe Premier Brut from Vasse Felix. The sparkling wine is crafted from house-grown Chardonnay from a specialty vineyard in Karridale. Perfect for pairing with a seafood lunch over the Christmas break.

For the foodie:

A voucher for one of the region’s premium restaurants will serve up a great gift. Award winning chef Seth James at Wills Domain might guide your decision, or Aaron Carr at Yarri. Both are big on presenting indigenous ingredients across the menu and offer textural and on-trend dishes that complement the wine.

A beer lover might prefer lunch at Margaret River Brewhouse where menu favourites like the squid salad or lamb shoulder pair well with the kale, avocado and mint salad and wash down well with a pint of craft brew. Wild Hop offers gift vouchers online too and along with tasting paddles and great beers, they serve up excellent grub. Notable mentions are the vegetarian options; Duck fat potatoes, fried pickles and truffle cauliflower are to die for.

For the adventurer: 

Forest Adventures Gift Voucher

With 77 different challenging and exhilarating activities, a gift voucher for Forest Adventures will be a gift the adventurer in your life will never forget.  Be sure to bring a camera to get some footage that will provide laughs for many years to come!

 Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse Gift Voucher

Here’s another tip… if you are looking for a good excuse to rediscover the Margaret River Region, why not buy a pass for you and a loved one to explore one of the region’s incredible lighthouses? We recommend Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse – the tallest in mainland Australia and with an exceptional interpretive centre.

Scenic Helicopters

A truly mind-blowing and unforgettable gift is the opportunity to explore the Margaret River region from above.  Scenic Helicopters have a great range of packages to choose from – whether it’s a romantic beach picnic or a rugged helifishing adventure. Perfect for the person who has everything – or just someone really, really special.