Margaret River’s Favourite Tourist Destinations

Planning your first visit to Forest Rise? Or, are you a valued returning guest? Either way, it is always a pleasure to assist you with your tourist itinerary.

The Margaret River region abounds in a variety of tourist destinations to suit everyone’s tastes. Selecting the best of the best is harder than expected. If you elect to visit any of the following 8 destinations, we would love to have your review of your trip.

1. Family Fun Attractions

Whether you have children with you or not, these family-oriented attractions amuse and amaze the young at heart. Let your inner child soar with these recommendations:

a. Bushtucker Canoe Tours

Row, row, row your canoe during an exciting day’s adventure on the Margaret River. Locally owned and operated for 30 years, this mesmerising tour has earned its number one recognition on the Heritage and Cultural Tour listing.

This canoe trip is adjustable for all physical abilities and for everyone over the age of 4. Your canoe adventure starts daily at 9.45 am from Prevelly Beach and goes through to 2 pm.

This is a nature-based ride along a clean, clear eco-system waterway where you have the outstanding opportunity to visit 5 heritages sites, to see Boogaloongar Island, to enjoy the wilderness and wildflowers, to stop for a scenic walk, and to delight in a lunch of authentic Australian gourmet dishes. Your Bushtucker tour guide provides tales of the area’s history and informative commentaries.

Canoes can accommodate 2, 3, and 4 paddlers, and all equipment is provided. A truly outstanding trip that will live in your memory forever. Bushtucker Tours is located at 20 Auger Way, Margaret River, WA 6285 and is a 35-minute drive from Forest Rise.

b. The Margaret River Chocolate Company

Since 1999, The Chocolate Company has topped the list of popular tourist destinations. Visitors enjoy free entry and lots of free tastings. A real chocolate lover’s utopia.

The on-site Chocolate Café offers indoor and outdoor seating for light lunches with an endless variety of chocolate desserts and drinks. You’ll find it difficult deciding which treats to take-away as gifts for friends and family and which ones to treasure for yourself.

The Chocolate Company is open daily from 9 am to 5 pm. It is located at 415 Harman’s Mill Road, Metricup, WA 6280, at the corner of Harman’s Mill Road and Tom Cullity Drive and is a 15-minute drive from Forest Rise.

c. The Candy Cow

Visiting The Candy Cow is like having a trip down memory lane with their dozens of old fashioned hard lollies. It also offers an amazing experience with an array of free tastings, with the opportunity to watch as these mouth pleasing delights are crafted.

The Candy Cow is famous for its vast selection of nougats, fudges, and a honeycrunch flavour of the day. Take-aways include a variety of gift-wrapped candies and toys.

The Candy Cow is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10 am to 4 pm. It is located at Shop 3/69 Bussell Highway, at the corner of Bottrill Street, Cowaramup, WA 6284 and is a 20-minute drive from Forest Rise.

2. Below and Above Ground Explorations

Sometimes, the most exciting adventures are beneath your feet and far above ground level. When visiting the Margaret River region, we recommend visiting the following two attractions:

a. Ngilgi Cave

Visiting Ngilgi Cave is to step back into history and down into the  depths of one of the world’s oldest known caves.

In Aboriginal mythology, the Wardandi tribe believes the Ngilgi is a passageway into the afterlife. Ngilgi was believed to be the good spirit who triumphed over the evil spirit Wolgine in a battle of wills.

Since 1900 the cave has been opened to the public. Today, it remains one of the most popular tourist destinations for tourists in Margaret River.

With the numerous boardwalks throughout the massive chambers, this semi-guided tour takes you past stunning stalactites and stalagmites, massive marvelous helictites, and colourful shawls. You’ll have the rare experience of a hands-on examination of cave crystals at a touching table. The constant temperature in the ancient cave is cool in summer and warm in winter. Exploration of the cave is suitable for all ages.

The cave centre is open daily from 9 am to 5 pm, with semi-guided tours beginning every 30 minutes from 9.30 am to 4 pm. Ngilgi Cave is located at 76 Yallingup Caves Road, Yallingup, WA 6282. It is a 25-minute drive from Forest Rise.

b. Valley of the Giants Tree Top Walk

For a full day of excitement and exploration, plan a visit to The Valley of The Giants Tree Top Walk.

This attraction lets you see the forest canopy and wilderness 40 metres below. Enjoy the breathtaking thrill of walking amongst the treetops.

The Tree Top Walk is open daily from 9 am to 5 pm, with the last walk beginning at 4.15 pm. Suitable for all ages, strollers permitted, and wheelchair assessable for individuals with mobility limitations. The Tree Top Walk is located at Valley of the Giants Road, Tingledale, Denmark, WA 6333.

As it is a 3 and half hour drive from Forest Rise, we recommend visiting other attractions in the Denmark region. For more information, visit https://www.denmarkwesternaustralia.com.

3. The Beverage Experience

Without question, Margaret River is globally renowned for its delectable, award-winning wines. The area is also quickly becoming the go-to location for designer craft beer and ciders.

Plus, the local coffee bean farms are roasting uniquely native blends that are aromatic and flavourful. You can give your taste buds a treat when you visit the following establishments:

a. Vasse Felix Winery

Established in 1967, Vasse Felix is Margaret River’s pioneer winery. This is a must-visit vineyard if cabernet and sauvignon are your wines of choice.

There are behind the scenes tours, wine tasting and takeaway purchases in the famed Cellar Door, dining menus with paired with their excellent wines, and art gallery featuring Holmes a Court Collection exhibitions.

Vasse Felix is open daily from 9 am to 5 pm. It is located on Caves Road at the corner of Tom Cullity Drive, Cowaramup, Margaret River, WA 6284. The winery is a 20-minute drive from Forest Rise.

b. Margaret River Brewhouse

Margaret River Brewhouse burst on the scene just a few short years ago and has rapidly risen to one of the most popular craft beer establishments in the area.

Locally owned and operated by 3 local families, it is a favourite of residents and tourists alike. All of their beers are on tap for customers to enjoy. Beer paddles are available to try the complete range.

Life music is presented on the weekends. They also welcome the family pooch with refreshing water bowls and there is a playground for children to enjoy.

The Brewhouse is open on weekdays from 11 am to 7 pm and 11 am to 9 pm on weekends. It is located at 35 Bussell Highway, Margaret River, WA 6285 and is a 30-minute drive from Forest Rise.

c. Coffee Lovers Alert

New to the Margaret River beverage scene is the highly successful Margaret River Roasting Company. The Margaret River Roasting Company is a must-visit attraction for coffee connoisseurs and lovers of exceptional coffee flavours.

A joint venture of 3 local residents, the roasted beans are blended to inflect a local twist reminiscent of the Australian coastal region.

The coffee shop is open daily and is located at Unit 1/18 Burler Driver, Wasse, WA 6280. It is a 15-minute drive from Forest Rise.

We’ll See You Soon

The above recommendations are merely a sample of all that the Margaret River region has to offer. With the endless venues available for exploration, you just may need to plan a return visit.

And when you do come back, Forest Rise Chalets & Lodge will be waiting with open arms.