Welcome 2024 with new things to do in the Margaret River Region.
Sure, you could spend your summer holiday revisiting old favourites, but there’s a host of great new sips, stays and shops to try.
Discover the Margaret River Region’s newest restaurants, bars, boutiques and wine collections this summer. Try a thrilling night climb, span 600 million years of history, and snag a table at a hotly anticipated dining experience – all sure to give your friends serious holiday envy.
Koomal Dreaming has a new Aboriginal cultural meeting place developed as part of the Ancient Lands Experience at Ngilgi Cave. Wadandi custodian Josh Whiteland shares bush medicine, didgeridoo music, firemaking and 60,000 years of culture on his excellent small group tours.
Additional to the cultural tours, the Ancient Lands Experience is also well worth discovering. It’s an above-ground, accessible and interactive self-guided tour spanning 600 million years from when ancient granite formed to the present-day flora, fauna and cave science.
Beat the summer heat and test your mettle at Next Level Monkey Business’ Night Climb. Available at 6.30pm Wednesdays and Fridays over summer, you’ll be climbing, zip lining and generally having loads of fun, all under a blanket of stars.
A new restaurant de’sendent is set to open on Margaret River’s main street. Ann Spencer and chef Evan Hayter built a reputation for their unwavering dedication to growing and sourcing high-quality, organic produce from suppliers who cared deeply for the land at their previous venture, Arimia Estate. Described as the next incarnation of Arimia, but “distinctly different”, the approach will be seasonal, refined dining but “darker… more intimate”. Open for dinner Wednesday to Saturday from 25th January, reservations are available online.
Banksia Tavern combines delectable bites with retro vibes in Busselton. Think vinyl spinning on the record player, a gleaming handmade jarrah bar and cosy velveteen booths – great for after work drinks, date nights and late-night hangs.
Little Iris garden café just opened in Dusborough, pouring Commonage Coffee, wholesome brunches and sweet treats.
Coming soon, Busselton Pavilion is set to open mid-January, with culinary director Brendan Pratt designing the gastro pub menu around a specialty rotisserie and an abundance of superb South West produce. The drinks list pays tribute to the best of the local beer and wine scene, plus look out for the South West Wine Shop and wine bar.
2023 Halliday Dark Horse Winery of the Year L.A.S. Vino is now available for tasting Friday to Sunday throughout summer at 4051 Caves Road Wilyabrup (Pierro Estate) with wines available for purchase on other days. Ray Jordan’s 2024 Winemaker of the Year Nic Peterkin also took out #54 in Halliday’s Top 100 Wineries of 2023, so be sure to pop in and stock up before vintage sees Nic back on the tools.
Edwards Wines and Rare Foods reveal their inaugural ‘Ocean Series’ wines, a bold experiment that marries the craft of winemaking with the ocean’s mysterious qualities. By submerging bottles of their finest Chardonnay and Cabernet 18 meters beneath the sea surface, they invite the ocean’s steady temperature, pressure, and perhaps even its spirit to play a part in the wine’s maturation process.
Already one of the most scenic spots for lunch and a refreshing bev, Eagle Bay Brewing Co has truly levelled up with a brand-new outdoor garden bar. Best part? No need to book, just cruise on out for a sun-soaked beer overlooking the farm. They’ve also just launched a loyalty program called The Good Times Gang, which lets you earn points on every purchase. Round up the crew and get those paddles going!
Edge Luxury Villas is a brand-new adults-only retreat nestled in the heart of Wilyabrup wine paradise. Four villas – including one accessible villa – are cantilevered over a lake, surrounded by vineyards and peppermint trees. Committed to biodiversity and sustainable practices, the estate participates in the Land For Wildlife scheme through tree planting and protecting 20 acres of old growth forest.
Hilton Garden Inn Busselton swung open its doors this week, adding a newly built, modern hotel to the bustling Busselton foreshore precinct. Twin, adjoining and accessible rooms are available, many with glorious ocean views and balconies. Adjacent to The Goose and Shelter Brewing Co, amenities include a heated outdoor swimming pool, in-room dining service, 24-hour reception, function space, and a restaurant and bar that is open to the public for breakfast and dinner. There’s also a 4th-floor function space with gorgeous Geographe Bay views, perfect for private events, weddings and conferences.
Dunsborough newcomer Afar Boutique has unveiled its flagship store in a stylishly renovated home next to Christian Fletcher Gallery. On the hangers, you’ll find lovely French flax linen shirts, dresses, pants and more, formed with consciousness and quality, all made in Western Australia.
