Hidden Gems of Margaret River: Wine, Italian Lunch & Emu Feeding

Emus and alpacas set an unusual tone for a wine day in Margaret River. You start at a private farm with animal feeding and warm scones, then move on to chocolate, three boutique wineries, a coastal stop and an Italian-inspired lunch at an olive farm.

I like two things in particular: the mix of local food and wine makes the day more varied than a winery-hopping run, and the small-producer visits can put you face to face with the people who make the wine. Guides such as Ziggy and Dani also bring local context to the day. The trade-off is its length and pace: if wine is not your thing, or you prefer long visits at each stop, this packed schedule may not suit you.

At a glance

1 / 8

• Start with farm animals and scones: Feed emus and alpacas at a private farmstay, then settle in for morning tea, coffee or tea.
• Taste wine at three boutique wineries: Visits include Ashbrook Estate, Brown Hill Estate and Redgate Winery, with tastings and guided introductions.
• Make room for local treats: A guided chocolate tasting at Temper Temper adds another taste of the region.
• Take a coastal pause: Stop at Gracetown to look over the Indian Ocean and watch for whales or dolphins.
• Have lunch at an olive farm: Sample olive oils and local products before an Italian-inspired meal among the olive groves.
• Expect a full day: Pickup begins around 8:15 to 9:00 am, with return usually between 4:00 and 4:45 pm.

👉 See our pick of the 3 Best Workshops And Classes In Margaret River

A farm morning before the wine begins

The day starts with a visit to Margaret River Hideaway & Farmstay, a private property where you can hand-feed emus and alpacas. It is a lively opening, especially if you are travelling with children or simply want a break from the usual cellar-door routine.

Morning tea follows, with freshly baked scones, cream and jam, plus local roasted coffee or tea. This is more than a quick snack before the tastings. It gives you time to settle in, meet the group and enjoy a taste of the region that is not poured from a wine glass.

The farm visit is one of the tour’s most distinctive stops, but keep expectations sensible. It is a guided visit and animal-feeding activity, not a full farm day. If you are travelling with children, they must be included in the passenger count, and anyone under 18 needs to come with a responsible adult.

Chocolate, coffee and tea at Temper Temper

Next is Temper Temper Fine Chocolate for a guided tasting. The stop lasts about 30 minutes, so think of it as a focused introduction rather than a long workshop. You also get a chance to see the coffee roaster and tea producer connected with the drinks served at the farm.

This short visit adds welcome variety between the farm and the wineries. It is also a useful stop if you want to bring home something local beyond a bottle of wine. The pace is brisk, though, so if you like to browse at length, this is not the part of the day to linger over.

Three boutique wineries, three chances to compare

Wine takes up a large share of the day. You visit Ashbrook Estate, Brown Hill Estate and Redgate Winery, with about an hour scheduled at each. The stops are intended to show different styles from Margaret River’s smaller producers, rather than concentrate on one large estate.

A guided tasting can make a winery visit more useful than simply trying a flight and moving on. At these stops, you may meet owners or winemakers, hear how their wines differ, and ask questions as you taste. The winery hosts are described as considerate of different tasting preferences, and guides Ziggy and Dani have been praised for explaining the region and keeping the group engaged.

Do not expect a technical wine course. One visitor wished for more detail on how wine is made, which is worth bearing in mind if you want a deep production lesson. The emphasis is on tasting and local insight, with the guide filling in context along the way.

Three tasting stops also make for a substantial amount of wine. The tour is best for people who are genuinely interested in wine, even if they are not experts. If you are less keen, the food, farm and coast provide variety, but they do not change the fact that wine is a central part of the day.

The schedule can feel tight later on, particularly if visits run behind. The operator says the day may change with traffic and weather, and the return time varies to allow for an unrushed experience. Still, the day is full, and you should not book expecting a leisurely afternoon at one winery.

Gracetown brings the Indian Ocean into the day

The coastal stop at Gracetown offers a change of pace after the first winery visit. You get about 15 minutes to take in the Indian Ocean’s green hues and watch the surf. Whales may be in the area, and dolphins can sometimes be seen riding waves near local surfers, but wildlife sightings are not guaranteed.

This is a short scenic pause, not a beach outing. Bring a hat and dress for the day’s weather, since the coast may feel different from the sheltered winery stops. The view makes a welcome contrast to cellar doors and tasting rooms, even if the visit is brief.

Olive oil and Italian-inspired lunch

Lunch takes place at an olive farm, with a tasting of olive oils and olive-based products before the meal. The farm-to-plate lunch is Italian-inspired and served among the olive groves. The menu can change with the season and ingredient availability, so do not count on a specific dish.

This is one of the day’s strongest food stops. The meal gives you a proper break and makes the tour feel broader than a wine route with snacks attached. The olive tasting also lets you compare another local product, and it provides a natural link between the region’s growers and its food culture.

The stop is described as taking place in Gracetown, and Olio Bello has been associated with the lunch in past tour details. The precise venue or menu may vary, so treat the olive farm meal as the promise, rather than a fixed dish or menu.

What the day costs, and what the price covers

Prices start at US$143.65. For a full day, that includes transport, an English-speaking guide, farm animal feeding and morning tea, lunch, tastings at three wineries, a guided chocolate tasting and a coastal stop. You also avoid having to arrange transport between several producers yourself.

That bundle can represent good value if you plan to taste wine at multiple wineries and want lunch and local food stops included. The value is less compelling if you do not drink wine, or if you would rather spend most of a day at one or two places. Other personal expenses are not included.

The tour offers pickup at Margaret River township addresses, and other nearby pickup arrangements can be requested. The meeting point is the Margaret River Visitor Centre at 100 Bussell Hwy. Confirm your pickup details in advance, arrive 10 minutes early, and look for the All About Margaret River vehicle and a guide wearing the company shirt.

Guides, group comfort and practical details

Guides are a key part of a day with several stops. Ziggy and Dani are among the guides who lead the tour; both are praised for explaining what is happening and keeping the day friendly. Dani has also been described as adjusting her speaking pace for people who find English listening difficult. Guide assignments can vary, so you cannot count on a particular person.

The day is wheelchair-accessible, but participants using wheelchairs or mobility equipment should be accompanied. Child seats are available on request, with one seat free. Infants and children still need to be included in the passenger headcount, and children aged 12 and over pay the adult rate.

The operator can accommodate allergies, gluten intolerance, vegetarian diets and other dietary needs. Share your requirements when booking so the lunch can be planned accordingly. Bring a water bottle, a hat or cap, cash if you want it, and valid identification if you plan to drink alcohol. The legal drinking age in Australia is 18.

Wear casual clothes and comfortable walking shoes. The tour can be cancelled due to extreme weather or unforeseen events, with the choice to reschedule or request a refund. If you cancel at least 24 hours before the activity date, you can receive a full refund under the stated policy. Late arrivals and no-shows are not refundable.

Who should book this Margaret River day tour?

I would choose this tour if I wanted a broad introduction to Margaret River without driving between farms, wineries and the coast. It suits wine-curious visitors, food lovers, small groups and families with older children who are comfortable with a full day of varied stops.

It is also a good choice if you value personal contact with producers. Boutique wineries, a private farm visit and an olive farm lunch give the day a local feel that is harder to find on a simple tasting-room crawl. The animals and chocolate help keep the pace interesting for anyone who wants more than wine.

I would look elsewhere if wine is a low priority, you want a long, unhurried lunch, or you prefer to set your own pace. Three wineries, several food stops and a coastal pause make for a satisfying sampler, but not a slow day. For a first visit to the region, though, the combination is a practical way to taste, eat and see a little of Margaret River in one go.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

It departs between 8:15 and 9:00 am and usually returns between 4:00 and 4:45 pm. The precise end time can vary with traffic, weather and how the day progresses.

Where does the tour depart from?

The meeting point is the Margaret River Visitor Centre at 100 Bussell Hwy. Pickup is available from addresses in Margaret River township, and nearby locations may be arranged.

Which wineries are included?

The scheduled winery stops are Ashbrook Estate, Brown Hill Estate and Redgate Winery. Each visit includes a guided tour and tasting.

Are meals included?

Yes. Morning tea at the farm includes scones with cream and jam, plus coffee or tea. Lunch is at an olive farm and includes an Italian-inspired meal and olive oil tasting.

Can dietary needs be accommodated?

The activity can accommodate allergies, gluten intolerance, vegetarian diets and other dietary needs. Provide your requirements when booking.

Can children join the tour?

Yes. Infants and children must be included in the passenger headcount, and anyone under 18 must be accompanied by a responsible adult. Children aged 12 and over are charged the adult rate.

Is the tour wheelchair-accessible?

Yes. The activity is wheelchair-accessible, but anyone using a wheelchair or mobility equipment should be accompanied. Child seats can be requested, with one seat free.

What should I bring?

Bring a hat or cap, a water bottle and valid identification if you plan to drink wine. Wear casual clothing and walking shoes, and arrive at the meeting point 10 minutes before the scheduled time.