flora

I plan a trip to Perth for the festival in late Feburary and then a week swimming eating and drinking wine in the Margaret River valley. Any tips advice, nice places to stay and eat or see.I like off the beaten track AND my comforts!
Thanks

Lyndie

Margaret River is a lovely area and there a heaps of accomm choices. The town has an excellent Tourist Information Service also. We stayed at Comfort Inn Grange-beautiful! Don't miss a drive down south to Augusta. It is a mighty gorgeous place! There is a wonderful manufacturing jeweller on the left side of the road before you arrive in Augusta. She makes beautiful pieces. Ask the girls at the Tourist Info office in Margaret River. As for food, there is a lovely little restaurant on the hill, top of town on the left driving south in MR, with a psychedelic name and a mural on the wall-mouthwatering local produce, BYO and really cheap. Sorry the name escapes me! Check out www.wotif.com.au for cheap accom 2 weeks before you go-you could be lucky! Don't miss Leeuwin Estate-the winery and wines are fabulous. They have a great giftshop showcasing local handicrafts etc. Have a great trip. Fabulous part of the world!

tropo

My favourite place is Yallingup. Its not right in the centre of the Margaret River region, but then its not far to drive to either.
Both Cape Naturaliste and Cape Leewun are worth seeing. I drove through the Margaret River wine region some 6 months ago, and I was a bit disappointed. Wines were still good, prices had increased, but the area is becoming more touristy now.
My favourite region now is, Walpole & Denmark area.

Jacolyn

My husband and I spent a few weeks in Sept in WA. We stayed two nights in the Margaret River Valley at a B&B near Dunsborough called Abundance @ Eagle Bay. It was a beautiful place and had the best service I think we have ever had! The breakfast was fabulous. see abaundanceeaglebay.com.au

tropo

Jacolyn....Eagle Bay is such a pretty beachside area, did you get to swim there? A lot of people don't know of Eagle Bay, one of those secret gems.

robbieb

Have lived in Perth for the past 20 years and my wife and I have often visited the south west. Agree Yallingup better place to stay than MR, and would suggest Chandlers at Smiths Beach, spectacular position, but need to book well in advance.. web site is http://www.chandlerssmithsbeach.com.au/...
MR getting a little commercialised, so if you want to see how it really was consider going further south to Denmark especially if you are in to cool climate wines. Terrific place to stay (self contained chalets) on Mt Shadforth drive, name escapes me, but can search it out if you are interested.

The MR wineries are all usually good places to eat. eg Brookland Valley (Flutes) and Voyager Estate.

If you are in Perth, check out the Swan Valley (where we live)abot 30ks from Perth and lots of good wineries and restaurants, can especially recommend Upper Reach and Merrick Estate which is an Olive Farm.

Have a good trip

flora

just checked in on my replies. very helpful. thank you all so much.

Tina_Perth

Hi Flora, you will absolutely love it in our SW although personally I think the cold weather is the best time down there.

I think Robbieb was thinking of Karri Mia at Mount Shadforth, otherwise there is another resort connected to that one called Chimes at Karri Mia.

Karri Mia is quite expensive, but luxurious, Chimes is less of both, but nice. Karri Mia has 'studios' which are free-standing cabins with uninterrupted views of the valley to the ocean. You can lay in bed, sit in the lounge or the spa and look out the massive windows. There is a nice restaurant on the premises too.

We enjoy staying here.