Staying In Down South: Let the Luxury Come to You in the Margaret River Region

You might have driven the dappled light beauty of Caves Road, hopped rusty rocks at Injidup or spotted a whale in Flinders Bay.

But, if you’re in the south west celebrating an occasion with good company, there’s something to be said for parking up in style, and letting the luxury come to you.

The right property is crucial to your in-house celebrations. An upmarket girls’ weekend or milestone birthday calls for cosy communal space and plenty of bathrooms. Anniversaries or honeymoons need a royalty worthy bedroom, somewhere to swim and romantic private dining for two.

Aside from stand-out architecture, design and interiors, Private Properties boast all the idyllic trimmings including sprawling lawns, light-drenched picture windows, vineyard views, gastronomic dream kitchens, feature fireplaces, glittering pools and long table dining rooms in their accommodation stable. Do you want to walk from your door to the beach, or watch the river rush beneath you in a hillside bedroom? It’s all possible.

Kirsty Fairclough from Private Properties says, “Each home is an experience, with unique advantages and personalities. The view from one property can be vastly different to another just a few doors down, so we encourage our return guests to try different properties and discover it all.” Private Properties offer a luxury concierge service, ensuring your stay is appointed to your preferences, taking care of everything from stocking the fridge to booking an in-house dining experience.

Once checked in, you’ll wonder what’s on the menu. The Gourmet Food Merchant can satiate your initial grazing desires with their weekender hamper featuring eat now gourmet nibbles, fresh fruit, cheese, condiments and high-end pantry staples to last throughout your stay. Coming in late? Book a DIY breakfast to wake up with maple bacon, local eggs, wood-fired bread and hand-churned cultured butter, or a continental option with local honey and lupin granola. Pick up your hamper on the way through Cowaramup, or have it delivered to your property for a seamless arrival.

For truly relaxing meal preparation, a personal chef is a handy kitchen accessory. Tiller Dining specialise in farm to plate in-home experiences. George Cooper is a well-seasoned storyteller, revelling in sharing the tales of each dish he creates with Tiller’s organic produce and local ingredients. There’s no need to decide, either. Menus are constructed seasonally, and all you need to do is enjoy the wine and wait for each plate to land in front of your eyes. “I love changing someone’s mind about an ingredient or hearing that a particular dish has stuck with someone for years,” says George.

Tiller can bring the (food matched) wines, and George has a wealth of local knowledge that he will happily impart while balancing micro herbs on culinary works of art. Don’t be surprised if a mysterious smokey jar makes it way to your plate – Tiller food is notoriously sensory, memorable as it is delicious. George has even been known to sling a newborn over his shoulder, allowing everyone to immerse in the dining experience. You don’t even have to do the dishes.

Exhale and realign with a private yoga class. Mandy Lancellas of Devahiti Yoga WA says if you can breathe, you can do yoga. A soothing hatha sunrise session is a sublime way to ease into your weekend. Mandy focuses on slow and gentle movement for stress relief and healing. “Our sessions are suitable for everyone. Many of our clients choose to try yoga for the first time in the comfort of their holiday home at a time convenient to them.”

If you’re a novice, you’ll appreciate the sanctuary of your accommodation, with Mandy bringing everything you need. To avoid melting into a giggling episode in child’s pose for an hour, she recommends booking yoga before any wine tours.

It’s easy to be overwhelmed by the vastness of the region’s wines. If you’re lost in choice or crave deeper insights into the grapes in your glass, invite laid-back Sommelier Cyndal Petty from Too Many Vinos over for some bespoke wine education. Cyndal’s philosophy is to enjoy exploring wine with some background beats, without taking it or yourself too seriously. The TMV style is to chat, be curious, ask all the questions and let the sessions flow dynamically.

Your tasting could be a regional masterclass, a comparison, or just a thinly veiled excuse to drink a bunch of amazing Margaret River chardonnay. You’ll learn what malolactic fermentation is while sipping and laughing with your host, who has all the right words to untangle the most complex wine concepts. Cyndal says, “The perfect wine experience is the one best suited to you and your group.”

And the jewel in the crown? There’s no need for a skipper.