Margaret River isn’t just a weekend away, it’s a consuming experience set out to invigorate all the senses. With some of the world’s best wine, boutique coffee roasters and artisanal hotspots, it is no wonder why the Bussell Highway was bumper to bumper with punters from all over Australia eager to spend as much of the Easter weekend as possible in its grip.
It has been on my bucket list for some time and although there are a plethora of activities to suit everyone, I’ve put together a weekend itinerary of some spots that I think should not be missed!
The drive from Perth is close to three hours away, so leaving early is key. Forget having breakfast in Perth, hit the road straight away and head off the beaten path to Bunbury. Yes, Bunbury. The café The Townhouse sits on Bunbury’s main street and is an extension of the regions love for locally sourced coffee and it is done exceptionally well! We sat out the back in the sunny courtyard and ordered the Balance Bowl which was epic. Especially pre-empting all the wine and cheese we would be sampling, a healthy start was good for the waist morale!
Back on the road, and although I had just finished a coffee….coffee was still on my mind, so we drove straight past Margaret River township (which during Easter, is beyond busy!) and straight to Yahava Coffee works which I anticipated would satisfy my coffee cravings. It certainly did that. We went straight to the tasting stations in the roastery itself and sampled a range of their imported beans and blends. If coffee is not your cup of tea….get into the chocolate factory next door. The dark cacao with salted caramel brittle is insanely good and compliments a hot beverage perfectly.
Margaret River is a vast area and it can be disheartening to have venues in mind to visit beforehand, only to realise the distance between them is significant. If you only have one day, try picking a road instead and just follow it with a loose plan.
We picked Tom Cullity Drive and there is easily a days’ worth of tastings and quality produce to get immersed in on this short road alone. Since it was Easter, it would have been rude not to check out Margaret River Nougat which is within the grounds of Bettenay’s Vineyard. The vibe here is as colourful and fun as the nougat they produce. There are vast flavour varieties ranging from cookies and Cream, chilli chocolate, mango, macadamia, and a whole shelf of more options. I bought 5 bars which were meant to be Easter presents for my family but they are just too good and lasted just over 24 hours…. Seriously good Nougat.
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