There’s more to Cowaramup than cows

Every year, locals and tourists alike dress in cow onesies for Moo, a country fair that celebrates – you guessed it – all the cows. In 2014, the town set the Guinness World Record for the largest group of people dressed as cows. This, plus strong dairy farm energy harking back to the early 1900s is why locals call it Cow-Town.

The name Cowaramup isn’t actually a reference to cows. It’s a Wadandi Noongar phrase that translates literally to, ‘place of the Cowara’ – a purple-crowned lorikeet native to the South West. They used to live in large flocks before settlement, but now you might spot a few out bush, if you’re lucky.

Wander around town and you’ll notice murals and smaller artworks depicting the Cowara in all its glory – a nod to the true meaning of the town’s title. Just like its name, Cowaramup isn’t quite what it seems. The people that set up shop there have created something special – a glorious mix of makers, growers and brewers worth a hearty pit-stop.

If you’re after a caffeinated brew, the Gourmet Food Merchant is the place. Step inside for gourmet picnic produce, locally made cheeses, tasty cakes, and coffee by Margaret River Roasting Co. A couple of stops down is MuKau Giftware & Gallery, a gorgeous shop tastefully curated with toys, games, books and wares that remind us shopping in person is always more fun.

If you’re on the main strip, don’t leave without a cone from Millers Little Ice Cream Shop. The iconic family-run gelato shop serves up 16 of their most delectable flavours in store, as well as two rotating specials. Mitch Miller took over as head of ice-cream production from his dad in 2023. Now, he makes all the gelato flavours by hand.

“There’s truly something for everyone,” he says. “Fun toppings for the kids, boozy flavours for the adults, and everything in between.”

Over the past 15 years, Millers has become something of a South West staple.

“It wasn’t founded by two businesspeople,” he said. “It was founded by a farmer, his wife and their two kids who wanted to share a little slice of passion for dairy with the community.”

Cowaramup’s secret superpower is small batch wines and beers big on minimal intervention. Like Peacetree Wines, whose cellar door on the main strip is the perfect spot for a tasting. The Margaret River Regional Wine Market offers up a huge range of local wine. Hidden inside is Strange Brew Wine Bar, a cosy spot that champions small labels with cult followings.

If you want craft beer, pull into The Servo Taphouse. The dog-friendly converted servo does hearty pub fare, like burgers, tacos and schnitzel. Activate full vineyard mode at LS Merchants, just a few minutes out of town. Their Community Engagement Officer (CEO) and self-professed Director of Chaos, Declan Lyne, says they opened a cellar door with the sole mission of creating a space people wanted to hang out in.

“It’s still true five years later,” he says. “We try and make sure everyone feels comfortable, whether they’re an experienced cellar door veteran or a first-time taster, it doesn’t matter.”

A little further out is Cape Grace Wines, a family-run winery tucked away in the forest down Fifty One Road.

“People often tell us it feels like discovering a secret spot,” says owner Karen Karri-Davies. “Expect an unhurried tasting in our rustic tin shed, plenty of honest conversation, a peek behind the scenes and a warm welcome from our winery dog, Lenny.”

Karen and her husband Rob run the winery with a tiny, passionate team, who still hand-plunge and basket press their reds for max flavour.

“Visitors feel that personal touch, and many have been returning for years,” she says. “I think people connect with the authenticity of what we do.”

This authenticity lives in so many of the businesses that call Cowaramup home. They’re places built by people that truly care about what they do – whether it’s taking a little longer to craft red wine the traditional way, inventing award-winning gelato flavours, or making sure people have the best time, ever.

Cowaramup is the kind of place core memories are made. So, next time you’re down south, stop in and stay a while.