Hidden Gems Margaret River: Authentic Wine & Farm Experience

The most unusual part of this Margaret River day is how it starts: you feed emus and alpacas before the wine glasses appear. After scones, jam, cream, tea and local coffee, the day moves through chocolate, olive oil, lunch and three small wineries.

I like the thoughtful mix of family-run producers and the chance to taste wines that may not appear on a standard cellar-door circuit. I also like that guides such as Dani and Ziggy add local stories and adjust the pace when weather or a busy tasting room gets in the way. The one drawback is that seven hours with three winery stops, lunch and several food tastings can feel full, especially if you prefer a slow, wine-focused day.

Quick points to know

• Start with farm animals and homemade scones: Feed emus and alpacas, then enjoy morning tea with jam, cream, tea and locally roasted coffee.
• Three boutique wineries: Expect a broad tasting of Margaret River wines, often including family-owned cellar doors and more than 20 wines across the day.
• Lunch at an olive estate: Eat at Olio Bello, taste olive oils and browse olive-based products made on-site.
• More than wine: The route includes chocolate, coffee, tea, local snacks and, on some days, extra tastings such as gin.
• Small-group feel: Groups can reach around 11 people, with pickup and return in Margaret River, Prevelly or Burnside.
• Good value at $145: Lunch, morning tea, three winery tastings, food samples, transport and hotel pickup in Margaret River town are included.

Why this Margaret River tour feels different

Many wine tours begin with a cellar door and stay there for most of the day. This one gives you a broader taste of the southwest. You start with farm animals, move on to sweets and hot drinks, stop for olive oil and lunch, then spend the afternoon visiting three wineries.

That variety is the main reason I would choose it over a standard wine shuttle. You get a sense of Margaret River as a food-producing area, not only as a wine region. The route also gives you plenty of small purchases to consider, from chocolate and coffee to olive oil and bottles of wine.

The tour is run by All About Margaret River. Guides vary, but Dani and Ziggy are frequently named by the operator’s customers, with Greg and Jules also appearing among the guides. The strongest pattern is clear: expect an engaging host who can talk about wine, local history and the producers you visit. Dani is also able to interpret information in Spanish, while the advertised tour languages are English, Portuguese and Spanish.

The current rating is 4.9 out of 5 from 101 ratings, and transport receives a perfect score from 92 percent of customers. That matters here because you are tasting wine throughout the day. Being collected and returned by minibus means you can enjoy the tastings without planning a designated driver.

The farm morning begins with emus, alpacas and scones

The first stop is a farm in the countryside. You can hand-feed emus and alpacas, and some departures may include contact with baby lambs. This is a simple activity, but it gives the day a friendly start and suits people who want more than a sequence of wine rooms.

The farm visit involves an easy walk in a rural setting. Wear comfortable clothing and shoes that can handle grass or uneven ground. You do not need a demanding level of fitness, but this is not a purely seated tour.

Morning tea follows the animal feeding. The homemade scones come with jam and cream, alongside local roasted coffee and tea. It is a generous first meal rather than a quick biscuit and drink, so you can begin the day comfortably before the tastings later on.

There is a practical rhythm to this opening. The farm stop gives you a chance to meet the rest of the group, and the shared animal feeding often makes conversation easy. If you are travelling alone, this is one of the better parts of the tour for settling into the group without forced introductions.

The main caution is that animal encounters are not a wildlife experience. You are visiting a working farm, and the appeal comes from the close, hands-on contact rather than a long educational presentation. If feeding emus and alpacas is not of interest, this first hour may feel less important to you.

Cowaramup adds local snacks and sweet surprises

The route includes time in Cowaramup for local snacks, followed by a stop that combines chocolate, coffee and tea. The chocolate selection is described as adventurous, with unusual varieties alongside familiar treats.

This is a good counterpoint to the wine tastings. Chocolate can be an easy purchase for the journey home, and the tasting gives you a quick look at another local producer rather than padding the day with a generic café stop. Some customers have returned to buy more chocolate after the tour, which tells you the tasting is more than a token sample.

You may also taste coffee and tea at this stop. The exact products can vary, so do not book this expecting a fixed menu. Think of it as a three-part local-produce visit where the chocolate gets the most attention.

The timing is about 30 minutes for the local-snack portion. That keeps the day moving, but it does mean you will not have a long independent shopping period. If you find something you want, use the stop efficiently and ask the guide how much time is available before browsing.

Three wineries reveal Margaret River’s range

Wine is still the main event. You visit three wineries, with roughly an hour allocated to each tasting. The producers are hand-selected, and the emphasis is on boutique operations with their own character.

That choice changes the experience. Large, polished cellar doors can be useful for first-time orientation, but smaller wineries often let you hear more about the people, methods and decisions behind each bottle. You may also find wines that are not widely distributed outside the region.

The tastings cover a wide range. One day included more than 20 wines and three gins, while another included around 25 wines. Those numbers are not guaranteed, but they show why you should eat breakfast, pace yourself and tell the guide if you prefer smaller pours.

The three visits are not identical. One may focus on the wines and the person pouring them, while another may offer a broader selection and more conversation. Redgate was singled out for its wide range and for the host Ray Marais, whose humour and detailed wine talk helped make the final part of one day especially memorable.

The itinerary allows time to ask questions, rather than rushing through a single sample before moving on. Your guide may also step in when a cellar door is short-staffed, as Dani did on one occasion. That can make a difference: you still receive an explanation of the wine instead of being left to work through the tasting alone.

I would not choose this tour if you want to spend a full afternoon at one prestigious estate. The focus is variety, personal contact and discovery. You trade a little depth at each winery for three distinct stops and a better sense of the region’s different styles.

The tour can also be a good introduction if you do not know Margaret River wine well. Your guide can explain the wineries and local area as you go, and you can note which producer deserves a return visit. One customer used the tour to find a winery worth revisiting independently the next day.

Olio Bello makes lunch more than a pause

Lunch takes place at an olive farm in the Margaret River area, with Olio Bello named in several accounts of the day. Before or alongside the meal, you can taste olive oils, dressings and other olive-based products made on-site.

This is one of the strongest food stops because the tasting connects directly with lunch. You are not simply stopping at a restaurant selected for convenience. You get to try the farm’s oils and then eat in a setting devoted to the same produce.

The meal is included, and the selection is described as plentiful, with enough choice for different tastes. Cheese may also appear as part of the meal or tasting, and it works well with both the food and the wine already sampled.

Drinks at lunch are not included apart from water. Budget for any other beverage, especially if you would like a beer, soft drink or additional wine with the meal. Since the tour already includes substantial wine tasting, many people may be content with water, but it is worth knowing before you sit down.

Lunch lasts about an hour. That is enough time for a proper meal and a look around the farm shop, though the day’s full schedule leaves limited room for lingering. If olive oil is high on your shopping list, ask about the products before you leave rather than waiting until the final minute.

The scenery and stories fill the spaces between stops

The minibus connects the food and wine visits, with pickup and return offered at hotels in Margaret River town. Pickup points also include Prevelly and Burnside, and the listed route includes all three areas.

The drive is part of the value. You see countryside and, on some routes, beautiful beaches, while your guide explains the Margaret River area and its wine industry. Dani and Ziggy are repeatedly described as warm hosts with strong local knowledge, and their storytelling helps turn transfers into useful context.

Group size can reach 11 people. That is large enough to create a social day but small enough to keep the vehicle and tastings fairly personal. A group of that size can also slow down a cellar-door visit if everyone wants to ask questions, so expect a sociable outing rather than a private tour.

The transport is reported as clean, comfortable and well driven. You should still expect a full day in a vehicle, with several stops and a seven-hour schedule. Smoking, pets other than assistance dogs, bare feet, alcohol and food or drinks in the vehicle are not allowed.

The tour generally runs in rain as well as sunshine. One guide adjusted the day successfully during wet weather, but you should bring practical clothing. The provider asks you to bring a passport or identity card, and anyone drinking wine must be at least 18 and may be asked for valid ID.

What $145 covers, and where the value sits

At $145 per person, this is not just a transport service. The price includes hotel pickup and return within Margaret River town, morning tea with homemade scones, lunch, three winery tastings, olive-oil and local-product tastings, and chocolate.

Add those inclusions together and the price makes sense for a full day. You would otherwise pay for transport, several tastings and two meals or substantial food stops separately. The real saving is convenience: you do not need to drive between scattered producers, and you can taste wine without worrying about the road home.

The value is strongest if you plan to buy local products. Chocolate, coffee, tea, olive oil and wine are all introduced during the day, so you can compare them before deciding what to take home. There is no pressure to buy, which keeps the shopping part pleasant rather than sales-driven.

The value is weaker if you are interested only in premium wine and already have a car. In that case, you may prefer to select two or three estates yourself and spend longer at each. This tour earns its price through variety and included food, not through access to a single famous label.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Availability and starting times should be checked for your date. If you stay outside Margaret River Township, contact the provider first, since the included pickup area covers hotels in town.

Who will enjoy this full-day outing

I would recommend it to couples, friends, solo visitors and small groups who want a social day built around local food and wine. It works especially well for a first visit, since you see several parts of the region and leave with ideas for places to revisit.

It also suits people who like mixed itineraries. You do not need to be a serious wine expert to enjoy the day. The farm, chocolate and olive-oil stops give you plenty to look forward to even if one winery is not your style.

The tour is not suitable for children under two, babies under one, cruise ship passengers or anyone looking for a private, highly flexible schedule. The drinking age is 18, and the farm includes easy walking outdoors. Bring ID and comfortable clothes.

Should you book the Margaret River Hidden Gems tour?

Book it if you want one well-organized day of wine, food, animals and local stories, especially if you do not have a driver. The three boutique wineries, Olio Bello lunch and farm breakfast give the day a clear sense of place, while guides such as Dani and Ziggy add warmth and useful background.

Skip it if your priority is a slow, specialist wine day at a small number of estates. The schedule is busy, and the animal farm, chocolate stop and olive tasting take time away from the cellar doors.

For most first-time visitors, $145 is a fair price for the amount included. You get transport, lunch, morning tea and a wide sample of Margaret River produce, without having to plan the route yourself. It is a good way to find the producers you want to explore more deeply on your next visit.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts seven hours. Starting times vary, so check availability for your chosen date.

Where can I be picked up?

Pickup is included from hotels in Margaret River Township. The listed pickup and drop-off areas are Margaret River, Prevelly and Burnside. If you stay outside Margaret River Township, contact the activity provider.

What food and drink are included?

Morning tea with homemade scones, jam, cream, tea and local coffee is included. Lunch, chocolate tastings, olive-oil and local-product tastings, and wine tastings at three wineries are also included. Drinks at lunch other than water cost extra.

How many wineries will I visit?

You will visit three wineries. Each tasting is planned for about one hour, though the exact producers and wines can vary.

Is the tour suitable for children?

Children under two are not permitted, and babies under one are not suitable for the tour. Anyone drinking wine must be 18 or older and may need to show valid identification.

What languages are available?

The tour is offered in English, Portuguese and Spanish. Guides may vary, and Dani has provided information in Spanish during tours.