Few places on Earth pack as much into a modest geographic space as the Margaret River region in Western Australia. I’ve spent countless hours, years, really, sharing my love of this southwest corner with visitors on private beer and wine tours.
If you’re planning to travel here and want to capture the true spirit of Margaret River, allow me to guide you through what makes this place so special, what to expect on a Margaret River tour, and how to choose between public or private experiences. You’ll also get my personal round-up of the wineries, breweries, and other local attractions that shape the landscape and culture of Margaret River today.
Why Margaret River Captures the Imagination
Margaret River is one of those regions that seems almost mythic the moment you arrive. Vineyards roll out across gentle valleys, bordered by ancient forests and, just beyond, a rugged coastline dotted with hidden bays and limestone caves.
People come here for the wine, it’s world-class, but also for the craft beer, the food, the surf, and the sense of laid-back community that you find in every town and hamlet.
Each day offers something unique. Wake to mist lingering in the vineyards, savour Chardonnay so fresh it feels like spring in a glass, then enjoy lunch on local marron or lamb at a vineyard restaurant with sweeping outdoor terraces.
The afternoon can bring a stop at a boutique brewery, a cheese maker, or a stroll on a deserted beach. That’s the allure, and it’s why people from across Australia and around the globe put Margaret River on their bucket list.
Public vs Private Tours: What’s the Difference?
If this is your first trip, the variety of tours on offer can be dizzying. There are bus tours with schedules and set stops, and there are private tours: customizable, far more personal, and tailored to your pace and preferences. Deciding which format works best depends on your travel preferences.
Public tours of Margaret River are group experiences. They usually operate on larger buses or coaches, moving through a curated list of stops chosen by the company. The benefit is cost: public tours are almost always less expensive, and they’re a way to meet fellow travelers. Everything is handled. You climb aboard, follow the itinerary, and share the day as a group.
But public tours have their drawbacks. They stick to rigid timetables. If a winery is busy, or you’d like to linger over a cheese platter, there’s not much flexibility. You may not have much say in the venues, and your visits are often brief; you’re ushered from one attraction to the next, sometimes with a dozen or more people accompanying you.
Private tours trade numbers for intimacy. With a private tour, you shape your own story. Fancy an hour sipping wine in a hidden cellar? Want to chat with a winemaker or visit a lesser-known brewery? It’s all possible. Private experiences offer off-the-beaten-path discoveries, relaxed timeframes, and genuine connections with the people who make Margaret River the vibrant and creative region it is.
The tradeoff is price. A private experience is an investment, but for many, the rewards are lasting and enduring. Flexibility, personal focus, and the chance to tailor the day to your interests – these are the advantages that can transform a day on tour into something truly memorable. In my opinion, private tours are the best tours Margaret River has to offer.
Getting to Know Margaret River’s Wineries
Margaret River’s reputation as a wine destination rests on the shoulders of its iconic vineyards and the passionate people behind them. Some of the names here are legendary, with wines celebrated not only around Australia but also overseas. Each winery has its own atmosphere, philosophy, and wines worth sampling.
Vasse Felix
This is the region’s founding estate, established in 1967. Vasse Felix is more than a place to taste; it’s a place to explore. The contemporary restaurant overlooks rows of vines, while the art gallery and museum invite discovery between tastings of cabernet sauvignon and Chardonnay. The cellar door team loves to share stories about the property’s history.
Leeuwin Estate
Leeuwin is renowned for its “Art Series” wines and outdoor concerts, held in sprawling gardens. It feels elegant yet approachable, with a light-filled restaurant that focuses on local produce and a gallery featuring the work of Australian artists. This is where you’ll taste the chardonnays that win awards globally.
Voyager Estate
Visitors love the Georgian-style architecture and gardens almost as much as the wine. Voyager is best known for its structured, expressive Cabernet Sauvignon. The tour through the winemaking process often ends in a tasting of their organic and biodynamic releases.
Cullens Wines
A cornerstone of organic and biodynamic viticulture, Cullens offers a tranquil, rustic setting with exceptional service. Their red blends and chardonnays are food-friendly, and the restaurant produces one of the best vineyard lunches in the region.
Xanadu
If you’re looking for a lively cellar door with a relaxed vibe, Xanadu is the perfect choice. Just minutes from Margaret River town, it’s a convenient stop for those new to the area. The wines, especially the reds, show classic regional character, and the large restaurant is a favorite among locals.
Craft Breweries: Margaret River’s Emerging Beer Scene
Over the last few years, craft beer has experienced a surge in popularity in Margaret River. Breweries here tap into the same attention to detail and creativity you see in the vineyards.
Bootleg Brewery
Tiny by national standards but huge in local spirit, Bootleg is a favourite for laid-back afternoons beside the dam. Try the Raging Bull; it’s one of Western Australia’s most awarded dark ales.
Colonial Brewing Co.
This brewery blends classic styles with creative releases, plus there’s pizza, burgers, and lawn games. The outdoor seating is popular with families and groups who want space to relax.
Margaret River Brewhouse
Right in town, this spot does small-batch beers with local ingredients. You’ll find rotating taps and a menu highlighting regional produce. The setting is among trees, sharing space with native birds and a tranquil creek.
Eagle Bay Brewing Co.
Set with views stretching to the ocean, Eagle Bay offers crisp lagers and flavorful pale ales. The food menu is excellent; think wood-fired pizza and fresh seafood, making it a perfect pairing with a beer flight for lunch.
Local Attractions: Food, Scenery, and Adventure
Wineries and breweries are the foundation, but Margaret River’s range of attractions rounds out the touring experience.
The Caves of Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park
If you’ve never been to a limestone cave, the region’s system is one of the most accessible in Australia. Jewel Cave and Lake Cave are popular options, each offering guided tours that reveal glittering calcite formations and underground lakes.
Prevelly Beach and Surfers Point
Margaret River is famous for its long, powerful surf breaks. Even if you’re not a surfer, the beaches here are spectacular. At Surfers Point, you can watch world-class surfers tackle towering waves or spread out a blanket and enjoy the sunset.
The Margaret River Farmers Market
Held Saturday mornings, this market is the beating heart of local food culture. It’s an ideal way to meet producers, sample new flavours, and purchase everything from olive oil to artisan bread.
Boranup Forest
This forest is renowned for its pale-barked karri trees, some of which tower over 60 meters. Walking, cycling, or simply driving through at sunrise or late afternoon, you’ll be struck by the changing light and quiet majesty.
Lunch at Local Vineyard Restaurants
Many vineyard restaurants, including Leeuwin, Cullen, and Voyager, among others, create seasonal menus built around Margaret River produce. These spots are more than just lunch stops; they’re opportunities to savour locally foraged mushrooms, grass-fed beef, and wild seafood, all perfectly paired with regional wines.
What to Expect on a Private Tour of Margaret River
A typical private beer and wine tour begins with pick-up at your accommodation, whether that be in the heart of Margaret River, Busselton, Dunsborough or Augusta. The host or driver will chat with you about your interests, maybe you lean toward robust reds, creative beers, or want to see as much of the coast as possible.
You’ll visit 4-5 venues throughout the day, each carefully selected to suit your tastes. At a winery, you might meet the winemaker and spend extra time learning about the growing season, or enjoy a hosted tasting in the barrel room. At a brewery, you can often sample a full paddle and discuss brewing techniques. Lunch is unrushed, often with views across the vines or bushland.
You can stop at scenic lookouts, small-batch chocolate makers, cheese shops, or artisan distilleries. Travelling in a smaller vehicle means you can reach spots that larger buses can’t access. The pace is gentle, you linger where you like and move on only when ready.
Choosing Your Tour: What Matters Most
If you value flexibility, personal attention, and authentic local experiences, a private tour is difficult to beat. It costs more, but for many travellers, that’s justified by the intimacy, tailored itinerary, and deeper engagement with Margaret River’s people and culture.
On the other hand, public tours are ideal if you’re budget-conscious or want to connect with other visitors. You’ll see many of the highlights, although you’ll sacrifice some control and depth in exchange for convenience.
Ultimately, Margaret River is best enjoyed at your own pace, allowing time for each experience to unfold. Whether you choose a private beer and wine tour or a public group outing, the memories you make, the taste of Chardonnay on a summer’s day, the salt breeze at Yallingup, the laughter over craft beers, will linger long after you’ve returned home.
Margaret River isn’t just a destination; it’s an opportunity to escape, unwind, and create stories you’ll share for years to come. If you’re ready for a journey that goes beyond the ordinary, I invite you to explore it with me. The places you’ll discover will surprise and delight you, and change the way you think about the South-West of Western Australia.
