The Margaret River in 24 Hours

With an endless array of wineries, beautiful beaches and foodie spots to visit, it is no easy task to try and conquer the Margaret River region in just one short day. Admittedly, you could quite easily spend a month here and still run out of time to see everything. However, if time is limited, consider this your comprehensive one-stop guide on how to maximise every minute of your time and gain the best overview of the region.

For accommodation in the Margaret River read about my stay at Townhouse Margaret River

7.30AM Margaret River Farmers' Market

If you're lucky enough to be in the region on a Saturday, a visit to the award-winning Margaret River Farmers' Market is a must to begin your action-packed day of wine tastings and beach walks.

The very best of Margaret River's produce is on show at this weekly market, from nougat to pastries to cheese, providing you with a true taste of what this blessed region has to offer. Plus, there are plenty of free tastings, so you can really get a taste of the region!

8.30AM Breakfast at the White Elephant Beach Cafe

Heading west towards the coast, less than fifteen minutes from the farmers' market in the centre of town, you'll find the White Elephant Beach Cafe, undoubtedly the best place to enjoy breakfast in the region.

As the cafe's name suggests White Elephant Beach Cafe is positioned right on the beach, Gnarabup Beach specifically.

Gnarabup Rd, Margaret River WA 6285

Open 7 Days 7.30am - 3.00pm

10.00AM Walk along Hamelin Bay Beach

Although it will require you to travel a little over half an hour south, in the opposite direction of the bulk of the region's main wineries and foodie spots, the beach at Hamelin Bay is well worth the diversion.

Hamelin Bay Beach is arguably the most beautiful stretch of sand in the region, as it will become clear as you lay eyes on this slice of paradise. If you're lucky, Hamelin Bay is also known for its friendly stingrays which can be spotted close to shore in the shallow, calm waters.

10.30AM Tour the Grounds of Voyager Estate

If there was one winery that stood out, head and shoulders above all others visited it would have to be Voyager Estate. The grounds and manicured gardens of this winery, in particular, are simply breath-taking and no amount of pictures (and I took a lot, like a lot!) will ever truly do it justice.

11.00AM Wine Tastings at Leeuwin Estate

Literally down the road from Voyager Estate, you'll find another must-visit winery, Leeuwin Estate. After you swirl and spit, make sure you also check out the restaurant which flows out to a wrap-around patio that overlooks the lawn - it's pretty stunning!

11.30AM More Wine Tastings at Xanadu Wines

Only a short ten-minute drive away, via the main Caves Road, you'll come across Xanadu Wines. Although the grounds are smaller and less spectacular, in contrast to the previous heavyweight wineries visited, Xanadu Wines are still worth a brief stop at.

12.00PM Lunch at Caves Road Collective in Black Brewing Co

Continuing to follow Caves Road north, call into Black Brewing Co to enjoy a well-deserved break from wine tastings and to have lunch.

Although it may seem rather odd not to be enjoying lunch at a gorgeous winery, in a region littered with them, most are multi-course and with only a day time is of the essence. Plus, the food and surrounds of Black Brewing Co are not too bad either, with the restaurant overlooking a massive lake with fountain.

3517 Caves Rd, Wilyabrup WA 6280

Open 7 Days 11.00am - 5.00pm

WHAT WAS ORDERED:

CHARCUTERIE BOARD Jamon serrano, chorizo seco, longaniza oscuro, pickles, chutney, bread.

TASMANIANPEPPERBERRY FRIED SQUID

LAGER TEMPURA PRAWNS Kohlrabi, togorashi, miso, ponzu.

YALLINGUP CHEESE CO BRIE with quince, nuts, fruit, lavosh.

1.00PM Some More Wine Tastings at Robert Oatley vineyards

After lunch it's only a hop, skip and jump across to Robert Oatley Vineyards, another winery that should be on your list, especially considering you're so dam close!

Named after Bob Oatley, a well-known, ultra-wealthy Australian businessman, who owned Hamilton Island, the grounds of this winery again stood out. As you're approaching the cellar door and restaurant, you'll pass by a man-made lake and incredible gardens.

1.30PM Indulge at Gabriel Chocolate

A visit to the award-winning bean to bar chocolate maker, Gabriel Chocolate is a must and is recommended over the nearby Margaret River Chocolate Company, like the latter, in stark contrast feels considerably more commercialised. Once at Gabriel Chocolate, there is a selection of free tastings to try and of course, a truly tempting array of chocolate treats that are able to be purchased. I went with the chocolate cherry ice-cream - divine!

2.00PM Walk across to House of Cards

Quite literally approximately five reasonable strides from Gabriel's Chocolate you'll find the very small cellar door of House of Cards, so if you're up for some more wine tastings, to wash that chocolate ice cream down, well it's there!

2.30PM Busselton Jetty

The jetty at Busselton, located a thirty-minute drive north from House of Cards, cannot be missed - quite literally, as it's the longest jetty in the Southern Hemisphere. At close to a staggering two kilometres in length, there is even a train that takes visitors to the very end!

3.30PM Get your Cheese Fix at the Margaret River Dairy Company

So, by this stage, you've sampled Margaret River chocolate and who knows how many different types of reds and whites, however, you have yet to try any cheese. As it would be a crime to have visited the region without doing this, make your way to the Margaret River Dairy Company to get your much-needed cheese fix.

Similar to Gabriel Chocolate, there is a selection of free tastings to sample, from the region's local aged cheddar to the region's Camembert, that of course then can be purchased.

5.00PM Conclude with a Visit to Vasse Felix

As the cellar doors of Margaret River begin to close for another day, make sure, before calling it a day of successful eating and drinking of the region's finest, you briefly stop in at where it all started, Vasse Felix.

Recognised as a pioneer of the region, Vasse Felix, as alluded to was the very first vineyard and winery to be established in the wine region of Margaret River, back in 1967, and is undoubtedly worth a visit. Vasse Felix also features a stunning looking, acclaimed restaurant upstairs which overlooks a picture-postcard view of the sprawling vineyards.

7.00PM Have Dinner In

As you'll probably be well and truly sick of swirling and spitting or just indisputably drunk by this stage in the day, it's time to layout those cheeses you picked up on the way, get some fruit and if you dare pour yourself a glass of wine of a bottle you surely picked up along the journey and call it a night.