What’s New This Autumn?

Try glamping or book a sleek new cabin, play with clay, discover delicious new cafes and restaurants, go behind the scenes at a brewery and even learn to sail.

Here’s what’s new in the Margaret River Region this autumn.

Timber hangar doors roll open to reveal Matilda the Tiger Moth at the entrance to Edwards Wines’ sumptuous new cellar door. It’s a deliciously dark industrial-luxe space, featuring concrete, jarrah, and a full-width panoramic window overlooking Chardonnay vines. A tribute to the Edwards family, there’s a hand-carved timber compass and propellor embedded in the ceiling, and an oversized black and white map showing Brian Edwards’ flight path from London to Perth in the gleaming yellow biplane. Taste a range of premium wines at the bar and explore works by the renowned photographer in the new Russell Ord Gallery.

Wine tasting and gallery browsing is a delightful way to spark the holiday vibe, but Happs Wines and Commonage Pottery make it far more fun with private picnics, guided tours and creative clay workshops. Bookings essential.

Speaking of which, Lenton Brae are holding Paint & Sip classes every Saturday with local art tutor Victoria Verity. They’re also releasing one-off Syrah and Zinfandel with the launch taking place early April.

If you’re curious about small batch producers with winemaking based on regenerative and sustainable principles, you can’t miss The Artisan Winemakers Tour with MYDRIVER Margaret River. Your host Rob is a trained wine educator and will take you to discover outstanding wineries – some of which are not open to the public and work with him exclusively.

After years slinging burgers al fresco at markets, wineries and scenic spots, Rob from Normal Van has put down roots and opened a bricks and mortar venue on the main street of Margaret River. Proper North American cuisine awaits.

Breakfast can be hard to come by in the heart of Metricup’s vineyards, so it’s great news that The Grove Distillery has extended their service to include brekkie on Saturday, Sunday and Monday. Lunch is available 7 days a week, and they are trialling set menu dinners for larger groups.

Masters of patisserie and chocolate Maison Lassiaille have added light savoury lunches – quiche, croque monsieur and savoury brioche – alongside their sweet delicacies. A change of season also brings a new High Tea menu, with local produce such as Margaret River truffles served with a French touch.

Head to Colony Concept Restaurant & Bar where it’s all things bees and honey – you can see the bees at work, buy honey and taste mead. The new lunch menu features picky plates and familiar feeds Thursday to Monday, with a shorter menu on Tuesdays and Wednesdays of cheese plates, pizza and awesome coffee.

Literally learn the ropes and how to sail with a day – or weekend – with Adventure Sailing on Geographe Bay. Get your recreational skippers ticket, learn to sail a replica Couta boat or take an all-female sailing course. Reviews say it’s “life changing” ~ we say “where do we book?”

Beer tastes better with vast ocean and farmland views, and better again once you’ve personally toured the brewery. Eagle Bay Brewing Co now has a Brewery Tour Experience every Saturday morning, where you can see the process from grain to tank, finishing with a tasting paddle and that incredible view.

Brad has a weakness for sugar, and thus added Brad’s Chocolate & Sweets Tour to his Millman Chauffeur private tour list. Swing by no less than three chocolatiers, a candy shop and a pâtisserie then finish with birthday cake at Gabriel Chocolate. There’s also a new distillery tour with lunch. Chin chin!

Tucked amongst towering karri trees you’ll find Hamelin Bay Furniture Gallery, a great new collaboration between partners Ben and Dani. The studio is filled with Ben’s handcrafted timber pieces, Dani’s wildlife photography plus ceramics and artworks by their friends.

Willow Wood is a new adults glamping retreat on an idyllic farming property in Ambergate, between Busselton and Margaret River. Pour a glass of wine and enjoy the abundant birdlife and kangaroos from your deck – owners Kevin and Amber are rehabilitating the nature reserves. Reservations open soon for an April launch, and be sure to book a massage too – Amber is a trained masseur and uses Larn’wa Botanicals Australian products.

8 Paddocks opened just before Christmas – three sleek timber-clad cabins with concrete bathtubs on the deck, and beautiful views straight into the bushland. Perfect for cool autumn weather, you’ll find a Morso wood fire, Netflix, fresh coffee and a Gaggia espresso machine, a fire pit (for when the fire ban is lifted) and each double-glazed window has a view. Owners Kristie and Shane own a furniture business in Perth, so the cabins’ high-end furnishings are custom designed and made in WA. The welcome pack is lovely too, with a changing selection of local treats including goodies from Kristie’s garden and henhouse.

Rústicoq Bed & Breakfast at Cowaramup Bakehouse breathes glamour and life back into the original Cowaramup bakery with a stylish French farmhouse renovation. The name is a cheeky reference to the rusty coq sculpture hanging from the old sign, and the owners’ excellent other venue, Rustico at Hay Shed Hill restaurant. You can book a room and enjoy shared open living spaces with cocktail making facilities, a gin bar and lawn games, or rent the entire property for up to 10 guests.

Book a cheeky winter getaway, so you can be the first to check out these excellent establishments when they throw open their doors.

The Goose is set to reopen in June following a complete rebuild. Bring on those front row Geographe Bay views!

Southcamp brings a brewhouse bar and beer garden, cosy timber cabins and a continental deli to central Dunsborough.

Beyond Distilling is Josh Kennedy and Chris Masten’s new venture, making boutique gin from grain and botanicals grown in the Midwest, and is set to open soon in Busselton.

Coffee Heads sandwich shop in Vasse is sure to be a winner with Brendan Pratt (ex Vasse Felix) teaming up with Margaret River Roasting Co. Coming this winter.

Altair Estate is set to open on Johnson Road Wilyabrup in the heart of Margaret River wine paradise.