Exclusive cellar door experiences at Vasse Felix and Leeuwin Estate, chef-led vineyard long lunches, and the wild Cape-to-Cape coastline — luxury small-group journeys for discerning travellers.
Stretching along a pristine stretch of coastline approximately three hours south of Perth, Margaret River is one of Australia's most celebrated wine regions — and for good reason. The region accounts for just 3% of Australia's total wine production yet earns a wildly disproportionate share of recognition on the world stage, producing wines that compete with the finest estates in Bordeaux and Burgundy.
Unlike the vast commercial wine regions of the Barossa or Hunter Valley, Margaret River remains resolutely boutique in scale. Cellar doors here are personal encounters — expect unhurried conversations with winemakers, barrel room access unavailable to the general public, and tastings that reward curiosity over throughput.
Our tours are built around this intimacy. We curate itineraries that combine the region's iconic estates — Vasse Felix, Leeuwin Estate, Cullen Wines, Voyager Estate — with carefully selected smaller producers, artisan food experiences and the dramatic Cape-to-Cape coastline that makes this part of Western Australia genuinely unforgettable.
A rare convergence of maritime climate, ancient gravelly loam soils and passionate winemakers produces wines of extraordinary complexity and longevity. The Indian Ocean moderates summer temperatures, slowing grape ripening and building the layered flavour profiles for which the region is celebrated. These are wines designed for the table, wines built to age — and wines best understood in the place they were born.
Margaret River's reputation rests on a handful of estates whose names are recognised globally — alongside dozens of boutique producers known mostly to locals. Our tours blend both. Cellar door selections are curated each season around availability, your group's preferences, and which winemakers are pouring that day.
Margaret River's founding estate — the first vines planted in the region. The Tom Cullity flagship Cabernet remains one of Australia's benchmark reds. Stunning architecture, an art gallery, and a hatted vineyard restaurant.
Producer of Australia's most celebrated Chardonnay — the Art Series. Robert Mondavi was an early consultant. The amphitheatre concert series draws international stars each summer; the cellar door overlooks vine-clad hills.
Founded by Dr Kevin Cullen and Diana Cullen, now run by Vanya Cullen — Australia's first certified carbon-neutral winery and a leader in biodynamic viticulture. Diana Madeline Cabernet is the flagship.
Striking white-walled Cape Dutch buildings, rose gardens and one of the region's finest restaurants. Voyager's Tom Price Cabernet Merlot is a benchmark blend; the Discovery Tour includes barrel room access.
The first to plant Zinfandel in Australia, with two-time Jimmy Watson Trophy-winning Cabernets. Cape Mentelle has long been a Margaret River pillar — now owned by Moët Hennessy.
The Burch family's flagship Howard Park is celebrated for elegant Riesling and structured Cabernet, while sister label MadFish offers more accessible expressions — both poured at the impressive Cowaramup cellar door.
One of Margaret River's pioneering names, now produces some of the region's most decorated Chardonnays and Cabernets under the Stevens Road and Reserve labels. Hatted on-site restaurant.
Beyond the marquee names, the region's small family estates often deliver the most memorable encounters — winemakers themselves pouring tastings and explaining vintages. Itineraries always include 1–2 of these gems.
The Margaret River region is much more than wine. The dramatic Cape-to-Cape coastline, ancient limestone caves, towering karri forests and historic lighthouses make this one of Australia's most diverse natural landscapes. Our tours weave these experiences alongside the cellar doors.
The tallest lighthouse on mainland Australia, marking the dramatic meeting point of the Indian and Southern Oceans. Climb the 176 steps for panoramic views of the Cape-to-Cape coastline.
The longest timber-piled jetty in the Southern Hemisphere — 1.8 km into Geographe Bay. The Underwater Observatory at the end descends 8 m beneath the surface to reveal a thriving artificial reef ecosystem.
Three of the region's most spectacular limestone caves — formed over 500,000 years. Mammoth Cave is dog-friendly with self-guided audio tours. Lake Cave's underground reflection pool is unforgettable.
Sculpted granite outcrops where the Indian Ocean has carved natural channels through the rock. Spectacular at sunset, with rock pools and tide-watching platforms. Sugarloaf Rock is one of WA's most photographed natural features.
A scenic 14 km drive through one of WA's most striking karri forests. The pale-trunked giants rise more than 60 metres, regrown after 19th-century logging. The Boranup Lookout offers ocean-to-forest views.
Where the Margaret River meets the Indian Ocean. Surfers Point hosts the Margaret River Pro each April, part of the World Surf League Championship Tour — one of the world's most respected surf breaks.
Long before vines were planted on these red gravelly soils, the Wadandi peoples — the "Saltwater People" — held custodianship of the Cape-to-Cape coastline, from Cape Naturaliste in the north to Cape Leeuwin in the south. Their connection to Country here stretches back tens of thousands of years.
The Pibulmun (Bibbulmun) peoples are Traditional Custodians of the inland karri and tingle forests further south. Both Wadandi and Pibulmun are part of the broader Noongar Nation — the 14 family groups whose Country covers the entire south-west of Western Australia. The historic 2015–2021 South West Native Title Settlement, one of the largest native title agreements in Australian history, formally recognised Noongar rights and connections across this region.
Cooee Tours acknowledges the Wadandi and Pibulmun peoples as Traditional Owners of this Country, and our guides share their living cultural stories with respect and care. Where appropriate, our private tours can incorporate visits to Aboriginal-owned cultural experiences.
The Saltwater People — coastal Custodians from Cape Naturaliste to Cape Leeuwin, including the Margaret River, Geographe Bay and Augusta. Deep connections to sea Country, story places and seasonal food gathering.
Forest Custodians of the karri and tingle forests inland from the Margaret River coast, extending south to Walpole. The Pibulmun maintain ancient knowledge of these towering old-growth ecosystems.
Our signature itinerary — fully customisable for your group, travel dates and tastes. Private departures available year-round. (Day-trip option available below.)
Private vehicle, flexible schedule, bespoke dining. Tailored for couples, families and corporate groups.
Request a custom itinerary →
Depart Perth in a luxury small-group vehicle, weaving south through towering karri forests before arriving in the heart of Margaret River wine country for your first cellar door encounter.
The heart of the journey. Access the barrel room with a resident winemaker, blend your own wine to take home, and settle in for a long, leisurely estate lunch matched to library vintages.
A morning on the land — seasonal truffle farm in winter, olive oil producers in spring — followed by Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse, a farewell cellar door and the scenic drive north back to Perth.
For travellers who can't commit to a 3-day itinerary, our condensed Perth day-trip captures the essential Margaret River experience in a single 14-hour day. Pickup from your central Perth hotel at 7:00 AM, return by 9:00 PM.
Includes: Karri forest drive · Busselton Jetty stop · Tastings at 3 cellar doors · 2-course vineyard long lunch with matched wines · Margaret River Chocolate Factory · Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse photo stop · Expert guide · Door-to-door luxury vehicle transport.
Enquire About 1-Day Tour
Our small-group tours offer exceptional value and intimate access, but for those who want to shape every detail of their Margaret River journey, a private departure takes the experience to an entirely new level.
Request Private Tour ItineraryBoth are world-class Australian wine regions. Choosing between them comes down to what kind of wine experience you're seeking. Here's how the two regions compare.
| Feature | Margaret River, WA | Barossa Valley, SA |
|---|---|---|
| Climate Style | Maritime — cool & coastal | Mediterranean — warm & dry |
| Signature Varieties | Cabernet, Chardonnay, SBS | Shiraz, Grenache, Riesling |
| Wine Style | Refined, coastal elegance | Bold, rich, structured reds |
| Landscape | Ocean, karri forests, limestone caves | Rolling hills, historic villages |
| Region Scale | Boutique — intimate & personal | Larger — diverse range of estates |
| Distance from Capital | 270 km / 3 hours from Perth | 60 km / 1 hour from Adelaide |
| Best For | Coastal luxury & refined palates | Lovers of big reds & wine history |
The most refined wine tour we've experienced anywhere in Australia. The barrel tasting access was simply extraordinary — something you couldn't arrange independently.
Margaret River exceeded every expectation. The small-group format made everything feel personal — the wineries clearly knew our guide and gave us real behind-the-scenes access.
The long lunch on day two was one of the finest meals of my life. I didn't expect the food to match the wine — both were world-class. Worth every cent.
Visiting Western Australia for a longer stay? Pair Margaret River with another iconic WA wine or nature region for a richer journey.
Pair WA's premier coastal wine region with the historic Swan Valley — Australia's second-oldest wine region, just 25 minutes from Perth CBD. Riesling, Verdelho and Mediterranean food.
Enquire about this combo → 4 DaysContinue south into the towering karri forests of Pemberton — climb the historic Gloucester Tree, visit boutique cool-climate wineries, and the Beedelup Falls.
Enquire about this combo → 5 DaysCombine vineyard luxury with the whitest beaches in Australia — Lucky Bay, Cape Le Grand National Park, and the Pink Lake — paired with Margaret River's premium estates.
Enquire about this combo → 7+ DaysThe complete Western Australia experience — Perth, Margaret River, Pemberton karri forests, Stirling Range, Albany whales, and the Esperance coastline. A bespoke private circuit.
Build a custom trip →Have more questions about our Margaret River food and wine tours from Perth? Our team is on hand to help you plan the perfect Western Australia itinerary.
Speak to a Tour ExpertYes — Cooee Tours offers a 1-day Perth-to-Margaret-River tour for travellers short on time. The day starts at 7:00 AM with a karri forest drive south, includes a Busselton Jetty stop, 3 cellar door tastings, a 2-course vineyard long lunch with matched wines, the Margaret River Chocolate Factory, and a Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse photo stop, returning to Perth around 9:00 PM. For a deeper, more relaxed experience, we strongly recommend the 3-day tour with overnight accommodation in Margaret River.
Margaret River is a year-round destination. Harvest season (February–April) offers the most vibrant vineyard activity, with winemakers at work and grapes on the vine. Spring (September–November) brings wildflowers and mild temperatures. Winter (June–August) is truffle season — a rare culinary highlight — and prime humpback and southern right whale watching from Cape Naturaliste. Summer is warm but the maritime climate keeps it pleasant, especially in the evenings.
Margaret River is approximately 270 km south of Perth — a scenic three-hour drive through karri forests and coastal farmland via the Forrest Highway and Bussell Highway. All Cooee Tours departures include comfortable return transfers from central Perth, so you can relax and enjoy the journey rather than navigate country roads after a day of tasting.
Itineraries are curated based on group preferences and seasonal availability. Featured estates typically include Vasse Felix (Margaret River's founding estate, 1967), Leeuwin Estate (renowned Art Series Chardonnay), Cullen Wines (biodynamic pioneer), Voyager Estate (Cape Dutch architecture), Cape Mentelle, Howard Park, Xanadu Wines, and boutique producers such as Brown Hill, Woody Nook and Windows Estate. Each tour visits 4–6 cellar doors over the day or trip.
Our small-group tours are strictly capped at 12 guests. This isn't a compromise — it's the foundation of the experience. Smaller groups mean genuine conversations with winemakers, spontaneous itinerary flexibility and the kind of personalised access that larger tour operators simply cannot provide. Private departures are also available for solo travellers, couples and corporate groups who want the experience entirely to themselves.
Absolutely. Private departures with luxury vehicles, fully customisable itineraries and dedicated guides are available year-round. Whether you're celebrating a special occasion, planning a corporate retreat or simply prefer exclusive access, our team will craft an itinerary around your preferences. Helicopter transfers from Perth, exclusive chef's-table experiences, and bespoke truffle hunts (winter) can also be incorporated.
The Wadandi peoples (also Wardandi) — the "Saltwater People" — are the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the Margaret River and Cape-to-Cape coastline. The Pibulmun (Bibbulmun) peoples hold custodianship over the inland karri and tingle forests. Both are part of the broader Noongar Nation. The historic 2015–2021 South West Native Title Settlement formally recognised these connections — one of the largest native title agreements in Australian history. Cooee Tours acknowledges and respects these enduring connections to Country.
Yes — June to early December is whale season. Southern right whales calve and rest in the bays around Cape Naturaliste and Augusta from June to October, while humpback whales pass through migrating north (June–August) and south (September–early December). Cliff lookouts at Cape Naturaliste and Sugarloaf Rock provide excellent free viewing, and seasonal whale-watching cruises depart from Augusta and Dunsborough.
All cellar door tasting fees, expert guide services, a gourmet long lunch with matched wines, luxury vehicle transport from Perth and return, and pre-tour itinerary consultation are included. Accommodation is included for the 3-day overnight package. Optional add-ons such as helicopter transfers, exclusive chef's-table dining, and truffle hunt experiences are quoted separately. We are transparent about what's included — please contact us for a full inclusions list specific to your chosen departure.
Yes. We cater for all common dietary requirements including vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, halal, kosher and specific allergens. Please advise us at the time of booking and we'll ensure every meal is suitable. Margaret River's food scene is sophisticated and ingredient-led, making it naturally accommodating for diverse dietary preferences.
Limited places available on small-group departures. Private tours available year-round for immediate booking.
