Western Australia’s wine regions offer sophisticated drops in a relaxed, carefree setting. Here, whole afternoons can be spent chatting and eating over a bottle of wine and then meandering from restaurant to cellar door and back again.  The regions are a haven for local artists and have flourishing live music scenes.

Western Australia’s most famous wine region is Margaret River. This picturesque area, also home to spectacular surf, lush forest and countless gastronomic delights, produces 20 percent of Australia’s premium wines. The first vines were planted back in 1967, and the area is now regarded as one of the best chardonnay producers in the world.  The gravely, loam and clay soil also produces first-class cabernet sauvignon, shiraz, merlot, semillon and sauvignon blanc.

Dining out in the Margaret River area is a gastronomical delight. Many acclaimed chefs have been drawn to the area by the high quality fresh local produce and the world class wines of the region. There is an abundance of different styles of cuisine with every taste catered for. Margaret River is host to The Margaret River Wine Region Festival held annually in November.

Wine and food aside, the area is blessed with an abundance of natural attractions including a myriad of underground caves (open for public tours), pristine white beaches, pockets of beautiful forest and a multitude of bush and coastal walk trails. The rugged coastline is an example of nature at its finest and ocean views can be enjoyed from many lookout points. Other activities include canoeing along the Margaret River, adventure activities such as abseiling and rock climbing, whale watching off Augusta and great fishing in the ocean and river.

Massive surf has long been a major draw for the area and watching the local surfers take on the ocean is a spectacular sight. Every year the world class surfing competition, the Salomon Masters Margaret River Classic, gets the town buzzing with excitement and visitors.

There are over 150 wineries in the region, which is an easy three-hour drive south of Perth.

The Great Southern is the largest wine region in Western Australia. It comprises the picture-perfect towns of Denmark, Frankland River, Mount Barker, Porongurup and Albany.  It has become a region for all tastes - shiraz, riesling, chardonnay, pinot noir and cabinet sauvignon from the region have earned plenty of blue ribbons.
Delightful cellar doors with views of green pastures and mountain ranges make wine tasting here a particularly pleasant way to spend the day.

Pemberton/Manjimup is one of the country’s most exciting emerging wine regions.  
The cool climate makes it ideal for growing pinot noir and chardonnay grapes.  The region also produces sauvignon blanc, chardonnay, cabernet sauvignon, semillon and shiraz. Pemberton is also the perfect place for a getaway adventure holiday - there’s an abundance of ancient old growth forest and trout-filled lakes.

The Blackwood River Valley wine region, which includes the quaint towns of Balingup, Nannup, Bridgetown and Boyup Brook, is one of the most charming in the state.  It’s home to more than 50 vineyards with cabernet sauvignon and riesling the show-stoppers.

The Geographe Wine region around Bunbury covers inland towns of Yarloop, Harvey, Collie, Donnybrook, Dardanup, as well as the scenic Ferguson valley.  Wineries in this area produce excellent shiraz, chardonnay, sauvignon blanc and semillon.

Closer to Perth, the Peel region is renowned for producing soft, round-style reds. Cabernets, shiraz, chenin blanc and chardonnay varieties thrive here. The area is famous for its coastal towns of Rockingham and Mandurah, home to pristine beaches and pods of friendly dolphins.

The Swan Districts region stretches from the Swan Valley in the south, beyond Gingin in the north.  The Swan Valley is WA’s oldest wine growing region, home to vines that have flourished since the 1800s.   The area is revered for its sparkling wines, chenin blanc and luscious fortified wines, including tokays and muscats.

Be prepared for indulgence in the gastronomic delights of world-class wineries and gourmet vineyard restaurants.