Margaret River
A Region Commanding Attention

Although the region contributes only 3 per cent of the country’s wine grapes, it commands over 20 per cent of Australia's international premium wine market.

Margaret River stretches some 100km from north to south and about 27km wide in parts, and lies within the Shires of Augusta Margaret River and Busselton. The region comprises the rolling hills of the Leeuwin-Naturaliste Ridge, between Cape Naturaliste and Cape Leeuwin. To the west, the Indian Ocean provides a dramatic boundary of cliffs, world-renowned surf and some of Australia’s most pristine beaches. It includes wineries from Dunsborough to Augusta.

It is a wine region of superior growing conditions with a Mediterranean style climate. This means vineyards are not affected by extreme summer and winter temperatures. Humidity levels are ideal during the growing period and the combination of climate, soil and viticulture practices leads to consistently high quality fruit of intense flavour. Consequently annual vintage results continue to exceed expectations and reinforce its reputation of one of the premium wine producing regions of the world.

Vintage occurs between February and May, depending on the weather. It is the time when grapes are picked and pressed to make the wine. During this time, pickers can be working in the vineyards around the clock and it's all hands on deck to press the grapes immediately after being picked. Vintage can attract up to 300 additional vintage workers. Many are young national and international viticulturists and winemakers who come to gain a new experience in Margaret River.

The vineyards are surrounded by an abundance of natural beauty that deserves a few days to explore properly. For information on the Margaret River wine region, visit

The Augusta Margaret River Tourism Association www.margaretriver.com

Geographe Bay Tourism Association www.geographebay.com.au

Whale migration from Augusta to Dunsborough		Bikes outside the Margaret River Hotel		The Margaret River river mouth		Sunrise over Augusta
Bunker Bay beach		Cape Naturaliste Lighhouse		Cape Leeuwin - where two oceans meet		Historic Margaret River