Western Australia’s South West region has garnered an international reputation for its farm-to-table style restaurants and award-winning wineries, making it a dream honeymoon destination for foodie couples.
A leisurely three hours drive from Perth, the Margaret River region is also bursting with breathtaking scenery, beautiful beaches and luxurious accommodation options.
This region is ideal to visit all year round. In summer, it’s all about laid-back beach days and outdoorsy pursuits, while in winter, the crisp mornings and cool nights make it conducive to cosy dinners and red wines fireside.
For couples seeking an Australian honeymoon destination – or those who don’t have a lot of time to spare – then Margaret River could provide the perfect post-wedding vacation.
Explore
Revered for its rugged coastline, epic surfing spots, untamed bushland and towering forests, the Margaret River region is a stunning location to discover. Blessed with a staggering fifty beaches, coves and lagoons, you could easily spend a few hours (or days!) bay hopping and you might even find a stretch of sand to yourselves. Stop by Yallingup Beach or Bunker Bay for snorkelling, Smith’s Beach for surfing, and grab a post-swim coffee or acai bowl from food trucks at Meelup Beach and Geographe Bay.
Take a stroll around the Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse to admire a beacon of history and enjoy panoramic walking trail views, or descend down below to one of the many natural caves in the region – definitely an adventurous honeymoon experience! Top choices include the cavernous Mammoth Cave and the mystical Lake Cave – a limestone labyrinth brimming with glistening crystal formations.
Drink and dine
With so many wineries, craft cider-makers, microbreweries and distilleries dotted throughout this gourmet region, it can be tricky to know where to begin! Join a winery tour and get a local’s look at the region, or organise private transport to ensure a relaxing experience.
In addition to cellar doors, art galleries, upmarket retail stores and providores, many producers also have adjoining restaurants, perfect for a lunch or afternoon tea stop.
For a relaxed alfresco lunch, visit Laurence of Margaret River and order a carefully curated share platter, piled high with tasty items like truffled cauliflower, citrus topped terrines and antipasto. You can dine on the rolling lawns by the vines, before taking a wander through the spectacular rose garden and take in the perfumed blooms.
If you have a penchant for Hampton’s style architecture, sea-inspired homewares and classic cars, you simply cannot go past Aravina Estate. A dreamy haven of white wood panelling, divine cuisine and quintessential vine views, this top-notch winery will linger in your mind long after you’ve polished off your last purchase!
Voyager Estate is another must-dine destination for devoted gastronomes. With its own kitchen garden and commitment to local ingredients, the estate restaurant serves up fresh seasonal meals with a new menu printed daily. For an extra-special experience, choose the ‘Discovery Menu’ to explore six carefully matched wine and food courses, or time your visit for High Tea to sip bubbles and devour tasty treats all afternoon!
Forage
You could easily spend several days sampling the artisanal produce and handmade delights in this tasty part of Western Australia but if you only have time for a couple of stops, don’t miss these local standouts:
Cocoa lovers must visit Gabriel Chocolate for a decadent fix from the first ‘bean to bar’ chocolate maker in the state. Here you can sample chocolate made from raw beans sourced from around the globe: from smooth milk varieties, to dark and intense styles. After perusing the store, take a sweet break at the adjoining café and order a decadent hot chocolate, waffles, ice cream or all of the above!
For delicious cheeses, stop by the Yallingup Cheese Company to try creamy Camembert, delicate curd and marinated fetta, lovingly handmade from organic milk. This relatively new establishment also holds wine and cheese pairing afternoons and cheese-making classes – perfect honeymooning activities!
Stay
Enveloped by enchanting gardens and expansive lawns, Grand Mercure Basildene Manor is just a few moments drive from the town of Margaret River and is a delightful accommodation option for honeymooners.
Exuding timeless romance and old-world charm, this heritage-listed property has been lovingly converted from a grand family home into a boutique hotel.
With elegant details like sumptuous bed linen, deep soaking tubs and rain showers, each of the 17 rooms and suites ooze the style and grandeur of yesteryear.
You and your love can meander hand-in-hand through the gardens, play a round of tennis, take a dip in the heated pool and dine in the light-filled conservatory overlooking the valley and forest beyond.
All images by Anika Reynolds
Ms Chinoiserie Says: Such a divine part of the world – and such a memorable place to start married life together! The wine and food experiences are definitely my favourites!
About Anika: I’m a freelance writer with a love of weddings and creatively styled events. I have a penchant for pretty stationery and perfectly put together cheese plates, and a never-ending sense of wanderlust!
Such a lovely region of WA – well worth a visit and extended stay