Wildflowers, Whales & Wine

Usually the number one reason for visiting the Margaret River Region is the wine.

So it makes sense to do a Margaret River wine tour. But this is also one of the most exciting times of the year in the great outdoors. Spring is the time of year the region explodes with Wildflower colour and the whales are in peak migration.

If you really want an amazing wine tour experience PLUS see and do things you couldn’t normally do you on your own, you should check out the Margaret River Discovery Tour hosted by local expert guide Sean Blocksidge.

Sean describes Spring as ‘the most awesome time of year to be in the Margaret River Region. The Western Australian bush lights up with colour in one of the most spectacular wildflower displays on earth. It’s has to be seen to be believed. Added to that is the largest whale migration on the planet, passing us right on our doorstep.”

Sean also knows a thing or two about wine having previously managed one of Australia’s best cellar doors at Voyager Estate, and he also knows the natural highlights of the region like the back of his hand. His luxury 4WD and special government permits will get you into country you could never find or access on your own.

Sean is regarded as one of the Margaret River Regions nature specialists. He’s a former WA Guide of the Year and his tours have consistently been among the leading Margaret River tour experiences on Tripadvisor over the past 8 years.

You’ll start the day with a leisurely canoe down the Margaret River.

The whole day is about the French wine concept of ‘terroir’. It’s kind of hard to explain in English but essentially it refers to the geology, climate and ecology of the area in which grapes are grown. You’ll discover why the Margaret River wine region is considered a winemakers paradise and how those conditions have created the most consistent wine producing in the world.

It’s not a boring school lesson. It’s the opposite. It’s an exciting day showcasing the very best experiences and very best wine in the region. Plus you get healthy dose of the great outdoors including wildflower and whale spotting.

You’ll start the day with a leisurely canoe down the Margaret River.

For many people they just stopped reading just then. They read the words ‘canoeing’ and went nahhhhhh not me.

If you are one of those people, open your mind to a new experience. Sean has been hosting this tour for 8 years and NO ONE has ever got wet or dirty or fallen in.

He even had Jeremy Clarkson from Top Gear on tour one day and he described it as “Luxury Canoeing”.

Invariably the people who didn’t want to go canoeing are the ones who seem to love it the most. They didn’t realise they would be floating down a mirror flat section of the Margaret River, spotting wildflowers, watching wildlife and surrounded by towering eucalyptus trees. It’s one of the highlights of the day. And if you really really really don’t want to do it then you can just opt out of that experience and take a short walk along the river.

Yep there will be wine. Plenty of it and premium stuff.

Yep there will be wine. Plenty of it and premium stuff. You’ll visit one winery and do it well. Ridiculously well. And that’s the big difference in how the Margaret River Discovery Co operates. They do a few things and do them well. There is no rushing through a checklist.

The Discovery Tour lunch will include a behind the scenes experience at emerging superstar winery, Fraser Gallop Estate. This is among the hottest wineries in the Margaret River Region at the moment. Winning a mind-boggling number of awards and accolades in recent years and arguably among the best value wineries in the region. Their Cabernet Sauvignon has previously won best Cabernet in the world and the current release just scored a massive 97-points from Australian wine guru James Halliday.

Earlier in the day you’ll also learn a bit of the Aboriginal and European history of the region with a visit to a waterhole/waterfall and have a local honey tasting. It’s a great opportunity to connect with the outdoors and get a few special pictures for the camera.

Margaret River Discovery Tours 4WD Wildflowers

Most days during Spring we see whales, but there are some days it just goes nuts.

It’s a day filled with highlights and you’ll finish on a super high highlight with a 4WD adventure to link up with the most spectacular section of the legendary Cape to Cape walking trail. Sean will get you onto one of his favourite sections for a short walk along the coast to discover the remote Wilyabrup Cliffs. This is an awesome opportunity to spot whales, kangaroos, dolphins, native birds and dozens of wildflowers and access a location you couldn’t easily find by yourself.

He says “Most days during Spring we see whales, but there are some days it just goes nuts. Dozens and dozens of whales in super pods breaching and spouting. It’s a whale highway out there as we head into October and November! Added to that, the Cape Track explodes with wildflower colour. Absolutely the best time of year if you want to blow your socks off with a nature based experience. ”

Don’t just blindly take our word for it. Feel free to check out Margaret River Discovery Co on Tripadvisor and see what previous guests have to say.

Sean’s Discovery Tours tend to sell out several weeks in advance so we recommend booking as far ahead as possible! Don’t leave it to the last minute to book.