When it comes to Christmas shopping the Margaret River Region has you covered, with the ultimate guide to buying gifts this festive season.
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.
If you’re shopping for friends or 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.
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.
Alternatively check out Re-Tyre Eco Store for a carefully curated selection of gifts all based on the principles of reuse, recycle, repurpose and reduce. Perfect for the person in your life who is trying to live more sustainably.
The Margaret River Artisan Store is another great place to find a special and unique gift with a local twist. Born of the Margaret River Makers Markets, the event was so popular that they created a permanent space where artisans and makers can sell their creations. Peruse the creative range of products from pottery to clothing and everything in-between, there’s plenty here that won’t be found anywhere else.
Busselton Jetty has just released a very special coffee table book called Light On The Water, which is a compilation of the 100 best ever photos of the jetty and a perfect gift for the person in your life who loves Busselton and beautiful photography.
Buying something for the person in your life who already has everything can be a daunting task. But a gift voucher for an experience is always a great idea; after all, memories are the best things to collect.
How about a gift voucher for a multi-day hike along one of the most incredible coastal tracks in the world with Cape To Cape Explorer Tours, accompanied by a local guide to tell stories of the area and point out the unique flora and fauna – they will even take care of all the meals, so there’s nothing to do in the evenings except put the feet up and reflect on a great day.
Of course, it is also a gourmet wonderland so there are a plethora of voucher options for those shopping for friends and family with more indulgent tastes. Walk Talk Taste offer a walking tour experience through Margaret River town, stopping to sample a range of local delights along the way. South West Cruises have recently brought their luxurious seven-course food and wine experience to the sapphire coast of Geographe Bay, and those in the know would never miss a chance to visit Arlewood Estate where you can enjoy an intimate wine and chocolate tasting at their idyllic cellar door.
The Margaret River Region is brimming with unforgettable things to do so there’s definitely going to be a gift voucher for everyone. For more ideas check out the Western Australia Gift of Travel page.
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.
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 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.
Margaret River’s Dune Distilling Co has launched a limited-edition gin gift pack in time for Christmas. It includes three different gins, Lime & Green Tea, Pink Grapefruit, and their award-winning Signature Gin. The labels are so beautiful that you will want to have them on display as pieces of art, perfect for the cocktail carts of discerning drinkers who appreciate the aesthetically-pleasing. Not a gin drinker? They also have gift vouchers to visit the venue, available in both physical and digital form.
Another great gift that won’t disappoint is a bottle of the Petit Jeté NV from Howard Park. This gold medal-winning sparkling wine is the lightest of the three in their collection, with notes of citrus zest, peach, and freshly baked macaroons. Perfect for pairing with a festive lunch over the Christmas break.
A voucher for one of the region’s premium restaurants will serve up a great gift. Award winning chef Brendan Pratt at Vasse Felix 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 list.
A beer lover might prefer lunch at Margaret River Brewhouse where menu favourites like the squid salad or lamb shoulder perfectly pair 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. The menu changes regularly but a notable mention is the wood-fired rotisserie chicken (must be ordered 48 hours in advance); paired with sides such as duck fat potatoes, fried pickles and truffle cauliflower you have all the elements of a memorable and belly-bursting meal.
Shopping for someone with more of a sweet tooth? The Margaret River Chocolate Company is a must-visit destination for those who worship at the altar of the cacao bean, with lots of creative and delicious treats to enjoy. The team regularly take home awards for their chocolate concoctions, and kids and adults alike will appreciate indulgent truffles and chocolate Santa’s under the Christmas tree. As an added bonus, The Margaret River Chocolate Company are committed to sustainability initiatives and have a target of reaching carbon neutral status by 2025 – so you can savour your chocolate guilt-free.
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!
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 caves? We recommend the Ngilgi Cave Semi-Guided Tour to discover the secrets of the cave at your own pace.
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 heli-fishing adventure. KAS Helicopters are also operating out of Busselton over the summer, and offer a selection of scenic flights or trips that include a wine tasting or lunch.
Perfect for the person who has everything – or just someone really, really special.
