Luxury Escapes Guide to Margaret River

Sitting pretty on the waterfront, Black Brewing Co is not just a place to eat, it’s an adult’s playground. Clink glasses of Ground to Cloud’s chardonnay, nurse a pint of Black Brewing Co’s chocolatey, silky-smooth Bao Bao Milk Stout and enjoy a signature pink G&T made with Dune Distilling Co’s Yallingup gin. With all these producers found on-site, Black Brewing Co is a one-stop destination for good booze, live music, Instagram backdrops (you can’t miss the wall of wine barrels), and sharing plates of pork dumplings, king oyster mushroom yakitori and chilli-salt fries with slow-roasted ginger and garlic aioli. Oh, and your furry best friend is invited too.

Snugly tucked behind the shops off the Busselton Highway, Yonder Bar is the unassuming and charming speakeasy that every little town wishes it had. The American-style saloon bar with vintage couches, a pinball machine and an eclectic drinks menu all conspire to draw you in. Licensed for just 50 guests, this charming bar is the perfect place for an aperitif or post-workday cocktail. The staff really know their stuff, so our recommendation is to take their lead and settle in for a good time.

With its sweeping forest views, a dining room, an art gallery and expertly crafted wine, there’s no such thing as a quick visit to Leeuwin Estate. On one of Western Australia’s finest vineyards, the award-winning restaurant bypasses the more modern and flashier creations of newer restaurants and steadfastly creates simple, produce-driven cuisine expertly paired with irresistible wine. Signature dishes not to be missed include the Margaret River venison with kimchi and nasi pear, and pork collar with burnt apple, cabbage and smoked eel.

One of the vineyards synonymous with the Margaret River region, award-winning Cullen Wines is a natural vineyard that harvests based on an astrological calendar. Their biodynamic method arguably produces the region’s best chardonnay (or natural cabernet sauvignon if you’re into reds) without added yeast, acid or malolactic acid. Taste the terroir of each vintage with a side of gently smoked kangaroo paired with earthy golden beetroot or locally grown and caught Arkady lamb, in an intimate restaurant space accented by stone and wood.

The family-run Voyager Estate proves that you don’t need an agricultural empire to produce remarkable wines and an award-winning restaurant. With a bi-monthly Discovery Menu that allows guests to embark on a seven-course degustation journey with paired wines, it comes as no surprise that the estate’s restaurant has been included among WA Good Food Guide Award’s top five. Linger for a few hours here to enjoy seasonal locally sourced marron, octopus or lamb on picture-perfect plates with a view of endless rows of vines.

Hidden in the hills of Abbey Valley Cellar Door, Yallingup Cheese Company boasts a serious French connection — from owner Alana Langworthy, a former Burgundy winemaker who completed her cheese apprenticeship in France, through to her soft Wildwood Brie. Warmed, stirred, cut, hooped and packed by hand, Yallingup Cheese’s Metricup Camembert will transport you straight to the south of France. And, to sweeten the deal, platters can be complemented by offerings from the on-site Wulura Olive Oil and Abbey Vale Wines. Bon appétit.

Housed in in an old dairy shed, Beerfarm produces just what its name suggests. Enter through what was once the old creamery, see where hoppy magic is fermented in the Roundhouse and enjoy a taste in the old hay shed with views of cattle grazing on the property. With a rotating menu of unique seasonal brews with names like Cool Ya Farm, it’s unlikely you’ll come across the same pint twice, but the atmosphere, smell of slow-roasted lamb and friendly staff (like head brewer Josh Thomas), means you’ll always be in good company.

Prepare to feast your senses at Chow’s Table, a sizzling restaurant that serves up a modern mash-up of Chinese/Malay cuisine. Head chef Malcom Chow, who finessed his craft in celebrated restaurants including Vue de Monde and Tetsuya’s, pays homage to his mother’s cooking with bite-sized tapas-style dishes. Chow down on plates of mapo egg tofu with Szechuan pepper and squid ink cheung fun rice noodles with crab, perfectly paired with a Gin Shan Crème — a rolled oolong tea with a subtle milky aroma.

From bean to bar, Gabriel Chocolate has mastered the art of their craft. Handcrafting single-estate, single-origin bespoke chocolate using only the finest cacao beans and organic sugar, Gabriel Chocolate creates a sensory experience that will convert even the most adamant naysayers. Scan the custom-built chocolate gallery and you’ll spot colourful truffles, creamy pralines, hard chocolates and walls lined with hand-wrapped small-batch varieties, smoky cocoa nibs and hot chocolate sticks. While the friendly staff are happy to offer suggestions, the chocolate really speaks for itself.

Switch out sleek vineyards and restaurants for a picnic-grazing session at Meelup Farmhouse, a relaxed cottage-style eatery nestled in a pocket of Eagle Bay. Graze under gum trees, cuddle up under olive groves and enjoy a picnic on the lawn — saying hello to Lizzie, the resident highland cow, on your way. Choose from an à la carte menu of baked Margaret River brie with sourdough and relish or a hamper carefully curated to reflect the spirit of the region. Live music creates the ultimate ambience on Friday and Saturday evenings and Sunday afternoons.

This celebrated winery has been in the family for more than five decades, producing drops hailed by wine critic James Halliday as ‘a class act’. So, what better way to experience the prestige of Leeuwin Estate, one of the region’s five founding wineries, than a tour? On arrival, sip a glass of Leeuwin Estate Brut and appreciate the on-site gallery. Enjoy a flight of the five iconic Leeuwin Estate Art Series wines with a perfectly matched canapé and finish with a seasonal three-course lunch.

Nothing beats a chef’s table for a dinner date and Miki’s Open Kitchen sure knows how to put on a show. Set around an open hot-plate, teppanyaki-style, Miki’s Open Kitchen invites you to see everything. Let owner-chef Mikihito Nagai lead you through a six-course degustation where each round is perfectly matched with craft Japanese sake. Honourable dishes include the perfectly fried tempura, crispy masago fish with a dusting of blueberry powder and pork croquet katsu. There are only two sittings each night, so book in advance to score a front-row seat. Kanpai!

While Voyager Estate is already one of region’s most remarkable vineyards, it’s the ‘Heroes of Margaret River and Lunch’ experience that’s the thing of epicurean dreams. The adventure begins among the original 1978 vines, continues with a wine tasting straight from the barrels and ends with a seven-course degustation. On a guided tasting, you’ll sample the museum vintage chardonnay and cabernet sauvignon merlot vintage, followed by two styles of sauvignon blanc semillon. Complete your gourmet experience with a four-course discovery menu and wine flight to match.

With its serene, beautifully lit treatment rooms that overlook pristine Indijup Beach and beautiful aromas that invoke instant calm, Bodhi J at Injidup Spa Retreat boasts one of Western Australia’s most tranquil spa settings. Inside, embark on a true sensory journey with a unique Bamboo Massage, where heated rods will knead and roll out muscle tension. Or, ramp up the romance with the couple’s Retreat Spa Journey, where you can sip a glass of bubbly, feed artisanal chocolate to your significant other and sink into the hydrotherapy spa, before enjoying a Bodhi’s Relax couple massage.

Immerse yourself in Margaret River with Luxury Escapes’ hand-picked Experiences. We’ve curated a selection of cultural activities, adrenaline thrills, food adventures and luxury add-ons to help you discover your destination. These Experiences are bookable when you purchase your next escape. Simply select your travel dates and number of travellers for any package, and opt to tailor your escape by selecting the available Experiences.