The Margaret River that is synonymous with the town, and the abundance that surrounds it, has been a vital life source here for the Wadandi people for tens of thousands of years. Its essence flows through the earth into the vines and trees, trickles down to the caves and washes out to meet with the salt water at the crest of foamy waves.
his is a place that brings people together. Many have trodden in the footsteps of the early agricultural and viticultural visionaries, while others have found new ways to make a living here. These are people who are bound tightly by a love for where they live, and who are devoted to caring for this place.
It’s understandable that once you arrive, you may never want to leave. A town surrounded by tall trees, open ocean, rocky cliffs and undulating plains, it’s the heart of the region from which vineyards stretch-out in every direction; fine wine and provenance-driven dining pulsing through its veins. Now is the time to immerse yourself in all that stems from this glorious, enduring, precious patch of earth: awe-inspiring coastal hiking trails, the stillness of underground caves, the rejuvenation of salty sea air, and mountain bike trails that pique adrenaline.
Mother nature has crafted the ultimate masterpiece here in Margaret River. This inspires our own creative spirit, which you’ll find around you in public street art, hand-crafted pieces in town centre galleries, and artisanal produce at the Farmer’s Market. You can’t avoid the interconnectedness of things here. And why would you want to?
1.BREAKFAST LIKE A PRO
Australians have a deep love affair with the humble brekky. With good reason, when dinner was 12 hours ago, you want that first bite of the day to be damn tasty. Of course, the coffee alongside is of prime importance too. Holidaying is all about starting the day well, with a hearty feed and a relaxed vibe, so choose your café carefully.
The White Elephant Beach Café is the top spot to take your eggs with a with a view – you can watch the seaside action and surf from the decking of this Prevelly café. The Margaret River Bakery is always popular, and dietary options are catered for without sacrificing taste at Sidekick Café, Drift Café and The Urban Bean. A short drive south and Yardbyrd is your breakfast destination in Witchcliffe, or head 15 min north to Cowaramup and be sure to stop at The Black Sheep Deli.2
2.SEE THE SCENERY ON TWO WHEELS
Jump on a guided bike tour or hire your own from one of the local operators such as The Hairy Marron, Life Cycle Bikes or The Golden Jersey. There is nothing to compare with feeling the wind whistling by you as you zoom around on two wheels. Peddle power is the name of the game, and there are so many wonderful trails in Margaret River.From hard-core mountain bike enthusiasts, to those that prefer a slower peddling pace, you can find your ideal path down here. Mountain bikers can park at the carpark on Carters Road and explore the numerous trails though the pines. Or take a tip from the local bikers – hop over the other side of the road to Compartment 10. It’s an exciting and challenging ride, that stays tucked under the radar to a lot of visitors to the region’s biking scene.
Keen for a bit more of a relaxed experience? Tick two boxes at once: jump on your bike and visit some cellar doors for a wine tasting at the same time. There are plenty within a 30 minute radius of the main street. Zip up to Cape Mentelle, or head down Boodjidup Road to Xanadu and onward to Voyager and Leeuwin Estate. Alternatively, take a route off-road. Start at The Hairy Marron, head along Darch Trail and head towards the cellar door of Stella Bella. Cross over Bussell Highway and you can head back up the other side on the Wadandi Trail to Margaret River’s town centre.
3. SUN, SURF AND SAND.
The surf culture is an inescapable part of daily life in Margaret River. It’s little surprise why – alongside the stunning beaches are some of the best surf conditions in the world. No matter what you look for in your ideal beach, it’s here.
Paddlers will delight in the sheltered cove at Prevelly, perfect for families or those that don’t want the waves. This is also the spot you can safely bring furry friends, as the dog beach is the next beach along (make sure you follow the signs). Redgate’s soft white sand and flat, shallow waters are another option for an easy entry to the saltwater. If you are a surfer, it’s likely you are already discussing how the offshore looks with the local surf crew, but if you do need somewhere to start looking at the swell you can try Boodjidup, Gracetown, and the iconic Surfers Point.
4. TAKE IN SOME ART
With hundreds of artists calling the region home, it’s no surprise that Margaret River has some fabulous art galleries. Right in the heart of town lies JahRoc, Margaret River Artisan Store, and The Local – three stores full to the brim with local artwork and pieces from further afield. The lobby at Margaret River HEART also has a regularly rotating display of local art that is free to view, open Monday to Friday.
John Miller is a South West jewellery designer whose recognisable pieces are sure to put a smile on your face. Pop into his Margaret River store on the main street, before continuing up along Boodjidup road to Payet Gallery for a different style of craftsmanship. Feeling a bit creative yourself? Just five minutes from town lies Melting Pot Studio, where you can watch beautiful pieces of glassware form in front of you, or even try blowing your own glass tumblers.
5. STOCK UP AT THE MARGARET RIVER FARMERS MARKET
One of Australia’s most outstanding farmers’ markets (seriously – they won the 2018 Delicious Award), take a lead from the locals and get here early. Held every Saturday morning in the grounds of the Margaret River Educational Campus, pick up a coffee on your way in and get your basket at the ready.
There’s a smorgasbord of produce to choose from. Gather up fruit and veg, free range eggs, woodfired bread and organic meat to cook with. Don’t feel like cooking dinner on holiday? Simply take the easy option and pick out from the wide range of ready to go goodies. Gourmet dips, cheeses, olives, pastries, chocolates, granola, pies, dumplings, fresh pasta, gelato, handmade nougat…
It’s no surprise that tummies start rumbling whilst surrounded by so much food. Make sure you also enjoy some breakfast while you are browsing. Sugar fiends must stop by Claudio Biscotti for the best Italian biscuits outside of the homeland.
If you have more of a savoury tooth, it’s a challenge to go past Mala Dumplings – bursting with flavour, don’t be ashamed of heading back for seconds (you aren’t the first). Some pastry lovers actually make a pilgrimage down from Perth when they hear that Jill is setting up her stall. In a league of her own, Jill James’s Tarts and Pies sell out before most people are even out of bed. Yes, they are that good.
6. ENJOY A LEGENDARY LUNCH
Some of the states most awarded restaurants are situated just a hop, skip and a jump from the main street of Margaret River. Throw away the worries of who is missing out on their second glass of Chardonnay and book a taxi or private transfer to get you there and back. Head south and you have a plethora of accoladed chefs to choose from with Leeuwin Estate, Xanadu and Voyager Estate within a 10 minute drive. Northbound, within 15 minutes by car you can sample the biodynamic produce and wine at Cullen Wines or Margaret River’s founding winery, Vasse Felix.
7. CATCH YOUR FAVOURITE BAND LIVE
It may appear on the map as pretty far away from the centre of the action, but Margaret River is a hive of activity when it comes to the music scene. Of course, there are the big name acts that grace the Leeuwin Concert each year, but take a quick look at the calendar and you will find something to suit all tastes year round.
Enjoy an intimate performance at one of the many local wineries and breweries when visiting, or stay closer to home in the town centre. Settlers Tavern is an iconic venue on the touring circuit and has seen many an Aussie music legends grace its stage. Alternatively, work your way down the main street on any weekend and you will hear the melodic waves of live music regularly from Brewhouse, Swings Taphouse, Burger Baby, Morries, Arc of Iris and all the way up to The River. It’s also worth checking out the event schedule at Margaret River HEART, who have a great range of different live performances throughout the year.
Article attributed: Margaret River
