Margaret River: Amazing Ideas for a Three-Day Stay
We all need a chance to take a break and reset from time to time, as our everyday responsibilities can be a bit much. A three-day getaway is one of the best ways to have time away without the expense and hassle of planning an extended holiday.
The Margaret River region is an ideal location for a short escape. Set your own pace and drink in the wonder of the area. Not sure where to start? Here are some brilliant places to visit while enjoying your Margaret River getaway.
If you only have three days to explore the Margaret River region, this article will provide you with some of the region’s most amazing places that you must visit!
Chocolate Anyone?
If you are a chocolate lover, a visit to the Margaret River Chocolate Company is an absolute must while you are in the area.
In 1999 the Margaret River Chocolate Company began producing some of the world’s finest chocolates. Since that time, the chocolatier has won scores of awards for their delectable creations.
When you visit the Margaret River Chocolate Company, prepare to be amazed by the variety and quality of their products. The shop carries something for everyone, including handmade truffles, gourmet chocolate bars, and drinking chocolate. As you explore the facility, be sure to try some of the tempting samples they offer.
While deciding which confections you must take away, you can watch the artisans make chocolate from the viewing windows. The factory tours are free and give you tremendous insight into the world of chocolate making.
If all of the tasty delights have piqued your appetite, you are in luck. The Margaret River Chocolate Company is home to the Chocolate Café. The casual eatery offers an array of light lunches such as soups, salads, or burgers. You can also indulge in one of the many desserts, including chocolate fondue, cakes, brownies, and more.
The Margaret River Chocolate Factory is open every day (except Christmas Day) from 9-5. You should plan on spending about an hour if you are touring the factory, longer if you will enjoy a treat at the Chocolate Café.
Margaret River Chocolate Company
415 Harman’s Mill Rd
Metricup WA 6280
(08) 9755 6555
Cheeses and More
Are you looking to indulge in luscious, locally made cheese? You need to look no further than the Margaret River Dairy Company.
The company’s roots go back to 1966 when Italian artisan cheesemakers started to sell their ricotta and farmhouse cheeses at a small shop in Perth. In 1990, they headed to the southwest, where the dairy cows could thrive on the rich grasses found in the region.
The Margaret River Dairy Company has flourished. The region provides the perfect climate for producing exceptionally high-quality dairy, so only the best ingredients are used in the products. Margaret River Dairy Company cheeses and yoghurt are award-winning and among the finest in the world.
You will be thrilled by the variety and quality of the Margaret River Dairy Company offerings. Along with their incomparable cheeses and yoghurts, you will find other delectable bites to help create the perfect light lunch or snack. While visiting, be sure to take the time to treat yourself to their luscious ice cream. The Margaret River Dairy Company is open seven days a week from 9:30- 5:00 pm.
Margaret River Dairy Company
8063 Bussell Hwy
Metricup WA 6280
(08) 9750 6600
World-Renowned Wines
No getaway to the Margaret River region would be complete without a visit to a winery. And no winery in the area offers a better wine than Howard Park Wines.
For more than 30 years, the Burch Family has created unmatched wine excellence. They proudly source grapes from the Margaret River and Great Southern regions to create wines representing the areas of origin.
The Cellar Door’s unique beauty immediately strikes visitors to Howard Park Wines. The structure is an award-winning architectural masterpiece that embodies the principles and design orientation of Feng Shui. The building materials used include steel, concrete, and native timber; glass walls allow as much natural light as possible.
You can enjoy a wine tasting along with gourmet platters that feature regional delights such as cheeses, vegetables, and venison. If you prefer a private luxurious wine tasting, make reservations to visit the Luxury Wine Chapel.
No advanced booking is required for groups of six or fewer. Groups of seven or more can reserve a time for wine tasting. You will have ample opportunity to purchase your favourite wines and enjoy the 138-hectare property. The Cellar Door is open from 10:00-5:00.
Howard Park Wines
543 Miamup Road
Cowaramup Western Australia
(08) 9756 5200
Experience Western Australia’s First Tourist Attraction- Ngilgi Cave
For a breathtaking experience unlike any other, tour the caverns of Ngilgi Cave. The cave is ornately decorated with stalactites and stalagmites, along with helictites and richly colourful shawls. The breathtaking spectacle of crystal and limestone formations are estimated at around 350,000 years old.
The Wardandi people knew of the cave for around 60,000 years. Europeans first discovered the cave in 1899, when Edward Dawson stumbled upon it. The cave opened to the public a year later and became a popular destination for honeymooners. By 1903, the cave (then called Yallingup Cave) was a bona fide tourist attraction and the first cave in Western Australia to have electric lights installed to enhance viewing.
As a show of respect to the Wardandi people, the cave’s name was changed from Yallingup Cave to Ngilgi Cave. The new name came from local mythology regarding a heroic spirit by the same name.
A visit to Ngilgi Cave is a wonderous adventure for guests of all ages who are moderately fit and able to navigate stairs. Most visitors spend at least two hours exploring. The cave is open every day except Christmas Day from 9:00-5:00. Tours depart every half hour starting at 9:30. The last tour of the day is at 4:00. Advance booking is not required.
Ngilgi Cave
76 Yallingup Caves Rd
Yallingup, WA, 6282
(08) 9757 7411
Breathtaking Lighthouses
- Leeuwin (Augusta) Lighthouse
Revisit bygone eras of maritime and Australian history with a visit to the Leeuwin Lighthouse, near Augusta. The 39-meter-tall structure is made of locally quarried limestone and opened in 1895.
The working lighthouse sits on a peninsula at the most south-westerly point of Australia, where the Southern and Indian Oceans meet. Its construction was vital to ensure ships could safely navigate around the particularly treacherous cape.
When you visit the Leeuwin Lighthouse, be prepared for an exhilarating view from the observation deck. Additionally, be ready for the 176 step climb to the top of the tallest lighthouse on mainland Australia.
In addition to visiting the lighthouse, you can tour one of the original cottages, which were home to lighthouse keepers and their families for decades. The cottage is now a centre devoted to educating guests about the men, women, and children who called Leeuwin Lighthouse home.
If you are feeling hungry after climbing and descending the steps, visit the Cape Leeuwin Café. The café is in one of the heritage cottages that overlooks Flinders Bay and serves light lunches, freshly baked cakes and scones and beverages.
The Leeuwin Lighthouse, café, and gift shop are open every day except Christmas Day from 8:45-5:00. Guided tours begin at 9:00 and run until 4:30.
Leeuwin (Augusta) Lighthouse
Leeuwin Rd
Augusta WA 6290
(08) 9757 7411
- Cape Naturaliste (Dunsborough) Lighthouse
Do you want to visit another lighthouse while on your Margaret River escape? You are in luck. At the northern cape at the southwestern end of Geographe Bay, you can see the Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse.
The functioning lighthouse opened in 1895 and has played a significant role as a beacon for ships in the busy area. In the mid-1800s, North American whalers frequented the region, as did scores of vessels. Before the lighthouse, many ships were wrecked in the strong current and on the hazardous reefs just offshore.
Today, you can enjoy a visit to the Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse and take in the incredible beauty of the Indian Ocean from the observation deck. Even though the lighthouse is visible from all directions, you will have an easy climb to the top of the 19m tall structure. Only 59 steps separate you from an unforgettable view.
A charming nautical-themed playground and lovely grounds make an ideal location for enjoying the impressive surroundings. Light lunches and snacks are available at the on-site café, and the gift shop has a selection of souvenirs.
The Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse is open from 9:00-5:00, 364 days a year and is closed on Christmas Day. Half hour-long guided tours run daily, and advance booking is available.
Cape Naturaliste (Dunsborough) Lighthouse
1267 Cape Naturaliste Road
Dunsborough, Western Australia, 6281
+61 8 9780 591
Remember to book accommodations for your Margaret River getaway. Forest Rise Chalets is the perfect pairing of luxury and nature. Pamper yourself in your private chalet, which features an outdoor shower and five-star amenities. You will not want to miss the gourmet offerings of the in-house chef or the spa treatments in the comfort of your chalet. Hike or bike in and around the property and meet the local wildlife.