New Experiences This Winter

With a chance to care for reptiles, delicious Italian pizza and pastries, a vinous back catalogue to explore and a stylish villa to call home, there’s plenty to get around in the Margaret River Region this winter.

Here’s a list of wonderful new experiences to inspire your winter getaway.

Love slinky, slithering snakes and lizards? Here’s an opportunity for budding reptile appreciators to learn to feed lizards and snakes, clean out their cages and even cuddle a (non-venomous) python or lizard. The Reptile Keeper experience is either 2 or 5 hours, includes a free Discover Deadly t-shirt and can even be tailored to include your favourite reptile. There’s also a new(ish) nature play area with a 3D snakes & ladders game, and coffee hut.

It was the first cellar door to open in the Margaret River Region, way back in 1976, and Gralyn Estate has just revamped the space with a beautiful circular wine rack that holds their entire back catalogue. Book a Premium Wine Experience, or a Premium Fortified Experience, for a chance to sample a series of rare older wines. You’ll also have a ‘hero’ museum bottle opened for your tasting pleasure… perhaps the 2001 Cabernet deemed ‘one of the finest from Margaret River’ by Robert Parker, or a 1981 Vintage Fortified, which will be sealed and recorked to take home.

Nestled amongst grapes in a region famous for wine, you’ll fine The Grove Distillery where Distiller James Reed does a fine job crafting award-winning spirits. Join him for a guided Talk and Taste Tour of The Still House and hear how travels from Prague to Kentucky helped hone his craft and influenced his approach to distilling. Available Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Includes two spirit tastings.

Taste your way around the world with the new food and flight pairings available at Origins Market, where the destination is delicious gourmet experiences. Indulge in honey wine and mead tastings from Southern Forest Honey matched with tasty Vietnamese treats, or perhaps you are in the mood for fresh and authentic Balinese street food alongside award-winning wines from Flametree. Book online.

You may have fallen for Claudio’s famous cannoli at the Margaret River Farmer’s Market; now you’ll find Claudio and his Italian A-team selling croissants, coffee and Pinsa in a cute coffee shop near Busselton. So much more than just sweets, the Pinsa is like a gourmet toasted focaccia, stuffed with fresh prosciutto, Stracciatella and other lovely goodies.

Nothing says ‘holidays’ like taking a delicious pizza to a favourite scenic spot to watch the sunset – and Bella Napoli’s authentic Italian woodfired pizzas are next-level good. Check Facebook to see where they’re serving – often Witchcliffe, Karridale or Margaret River.

Fresh off the success of Bina Maya’s luxurious Residence and Villa 1, a beautiful new Villa 2 opened in May. Featuring their signature Scandi style, it’s identical to the original villa albeit with extra flourishes such as an outdoor bath. Stoke the Morso wood fire, crack a bottle of red wine, watch kangaroos and birdlife from your private deck.

Who’d venture out when you can snuggle up and tuck into a campfire dinner featuring superb regional produce? The dinners are a recent addition to Walk Talk Taste’s Gourmet Glamp setup, as well as a claw-footed bathtub under the stars, and a selection of small works from owner Kellie’s favourite local artists in the tent. The walking tours are currently on hold, but set to return in spring.

Launching any day now is Bubbles and Brunch at Fermoy Estate – a delightful combination of Fermoy’s sparkling wine, Rosé and French-inspired surrounds, and Margaret River Bakery’s freshly baked sweets and pastries. Stay tuned, as it promises to be an excellent way to kick-start the day.

Coffee, wine and chocolate tastings on a picturesque working farm? Yes please. Purveyors of gourmet delights Providore will be launching their new immersive half-day experience in late June, involving sister businesses The Margaret River Chocolate Company, newcomer Margaret River Coffee Company and Coward & Black Vineyards. Check out the working farm, sample jams, condiments, coffee, chocolate liqueur and wine followed by a light lunch.