Experience the best of Margaret River

Margaret River is both a small town and a wine region in the far south-west of Western Australia, running along a ridge between Cape Naturaliste in the north and Cape Leeuwin in the south. Vineyards sit between karri and jarrah forest, and the coast to the west is a line of limestone cliffs, sandy bays and powerful surf breaks. Perth lies about three hours' drive to the north.

Beneath the ridge are limestone caves, among them Lake Cave, Jewel Cave and Mammoth Cave. Boranup Forest is a stand of tall karri trees, and the lighthouse at Cape Leeuwin, near Augusta, marks the point where the Indian and Southern Oceans meet. Humpback whales pass along the coast from winter into spring, and Busselton, to the north, has a very long timber jetty.

Cabernet sauvignon, chardonnay and semillon–sauvignon blanc blends lead the wine lists, with cellar doors, craft breweries, chocolate makers and cheese producers all within a short drive of each other. Marron, a freshwater crayfish, and local lamb and seafood appear on menus. Wildflowers cover the heathland in spring, long dry summers fill the beaches, and winter brings green paddocks and Southern Ocean storms.